Hey all it's my first time making an RMT and I was hoping you could all give me comments on this first attempt at a balance team.
Darmanitan-Galar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Gorilla Tactics
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- U-turn
Here is the main attacker of the team. His role is quite self-explanatory. Four attacks are there to simply demolish everything in its path. Icicle crash is for STAB and to murder the likes of Hydreigon and Dragapult. Earthquake is there to take care of Cinderace, Aegislash and Toxtricity. Flare Blitz is there to kill Ferrothorn and other Darmanitans. U-turn is there to gain momentum. Choice scarf allows him to deal with faster Mons namely Cinderace, Hydreigon, Dragapult and several others. It's been working pretty effectively as a late-game sweeper especially with dynamax punishing any opposing Pokemon that have been properly wittled down.
Corsola-Galar @ Eviolite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Haze
- Strength Sap
- Night Shade
The core pivot of the team that switches in in case any of my team encounters any threatening mons. Will-o-wisp is there to obviously cripple physical attackers and deal passive damage to tanky mons with no recovery such as Seismitoad. Haze is there to prevent Pokemon such as Gyarados, Hatterene and Hawlucha from setting up. Strength Sap is there to punish any physical attackers that try to take advantage of Corsola's relatively low defense compared to its SpDef. Night Shade is there to deal damage without worrying about Corsola's poor attacking stats.
Mandibuzz (F) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
- Knock Off
Mandibuzz is here due to its ability to check a lot of the Pokemon that act as major threats to my team namely Bisharp, Cinderace and Dragapult. Its high bulk allow it to take at least one hit before dying, poisoning the opposing mon or defogging the hazards hindering my team. Knock Off is here to take out really annoying items such as Corsola's Eviolite and Toxapex's Black Sludge. Toxic is here to prevent Pokemon from setting up too much. Toxic also threatens walls such as Corsola from stalling too much. Roost allows Mandibuzz to recover and in some instances stall Dynamax. Heavy Duty Boots allow Mandibuzz to safely enter into battle without worrying about the 1/4 decrease in health from Stealth Rock.
Some notable calcs that prove Mandibuzz's ability to check certain threats in the Meta:
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 128+ SpD Mandibuzz: 258-304 (60.8 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Mandibuzz: 285-336 (67.2 - 79.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Hatterene Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 128+ SpD Mandibuzz: 248-294 (58.4 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Although they don't show Mandibuzz's ability to fully counter said threats, the calcs show that Mandibuzz really can take some hits before pulling off a Toxic or Defog.
Rotom-Heat @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
Rotom-H as a solid counter to Darmanitan due to Levitate and its solid typing resisting Ice, Bug and Fire. Thunderbolt and Volt Switch act as a counter Pokemon such as Gyarados and Togekiss, preventing them from setting up. Volt Switch allows Rotom to gain momentum when it suddenly meets up with an unfavorable matchup such as Tyranitar or another Rotom. Overheat act as Rotom's main STAB OHKOing Ferrothorn, Darmanitan and Excadrill. Focus Sash allows Rotom to dish out a hit towards Mons that would normally KO Rotom, most notably, Focus Sash Excadrill. Thunder Wave is the move I just added in for filler since Will-o-Wisp was taken by Corsola. I honestly find it interchangeable with Will-o-Wisp, but Thunder Wave does allow Rotom to paralyze certain foes such as Togekiss, Hydreigon and Dragapult, allowing for Darmanitan to properly dispose of them.
Here are some calcs showing Rotom-H's ability to wittle down foes with its moves:
252 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Hatterene: 142-168 (44.6 - 52.8%) -- 23.4% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Rotom-Heat Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Wash: 93-111 (30.5 - 36.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Although it doens't OHKO certain mons, it leaves them weakened into a state where they can easily get revenge killed or pressured to switch out.
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
252 HP / 104 Def / 152 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Clear Smog
A lot of Pokemon in the meta run Scald or any water type move. Fishous Rend Dracovish is another addition, threatening a lot of the Pokemon in my team when it is on Choice Scarf. Gastrodon allows me to play mind games with the opponent, especially those using Rain Teams. I can send in Rotom-H as a lead to often lure in Seismitoad or other water-type users to launch a Water move which would raise Gastrodon's Special Attack upon switch in. Gastrodon's solid typing also makes it a perfect Check to Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Excadrill, Dragapult and even Life Orb Clefable. It's only major weakness is Ferrothorn who can be appropriately handled by Rotom and Darmanitan with no trouble at all. Gastrodon's Earth Power and Scald act as STAB to take on the likes of Dracovish, Clefable, Togekiss and more with the boost from Storm Drain. Clear Smog allows Gastrodon to punish Pokemon from using Dynamax and setting up such as Gyarados and Hatterene. Recover is quite self-explanatory as it allows Gastrodon to heal up and stall certain Dynamax or poisoned Pokemon. I choose Gastrodon over Seismitoad in this regard as he gets a special attack boost from Storm Drain. Moreover, the roles Seismitoad could have filled such as a Rock Setter or Toxic Attacker have been taken by Ferrothorn and Mandibuzz respectively.
Here are some calcs that show Gastrodon's ability to be a suitable wall on my team:
252 SpA Life Orb Clefable Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 152+ SpD Gastrodon: 148-175 (34.8 - 41.1%) -- 68.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Darmanitan-Galar Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Gastrodon: 199-235 (46.8 - 55.2%) -- 16.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Hatterene Psychic vs. 248 HP / 152+ SpD Gastrodon in Psychic Terrain: 340-402 (80 - 94.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
Last, but definitely not the least is Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn's Power Whip and Gyro Ball act as his STABs for Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Rotom-W and Seismitoad. Leech Seed punishes certain Pokemon for attempting to switch into Ferrothorn. Leech Seed also allows Ferrothorn to take an advantage in stall battles such as non-Substitute Corviknight, Toxapex and even Corsola PP stall (though this barely happens). Stealth Rock is there to to damage Pokemon such as Togekiss and Darmanitan for switching in. Ferrothorn's Rocky Helmet combined with Iron Barbs allow it to become an effective suicide lead in some instances dealing massive amounts of indirect damage to Close Combat Barraskewda, Flare Blitz Darmanitan and Drain Punch Conkeldurr. Ferrothorn's natural bulk and typing allow it to resist STAB moves from Hydreigon, Dragapult, Dracovish and Excadrill while setting up hazards and Leech Seed for extra utility (though Fire Blast on the first two are a big NO for Ferrothorn, so I normally just use Ferrothorn as a check).
Final Notes and Summary:
Darmanitan is the all-out attacker that deals massive damage to threats such as Ferrothorn, Dragons and Cinderace. Choice Scarf allows him to guarantee the kill.
Corsola is the main pivot having a weakness to Dark and Ghost and a remarkable bulk (especially on the special side). It can cripple physical threats with strength sap and will-o-wisp while dealing decent damage with Night Shade.
Mandibuzz poisons stall mons and Knocks Off pokemon that rely heavily on items such as Corsola's eviolite and Hatterene's Aguav Berry. She also acts as a good pivot and check to pokemon such as Excadrill, Cinderace and Ferrothorn.
Rotom-H acts as the Darmanitan counter and wittles down certain threats with its STAB moves for Darmanitan to revenge kill. Volt switch allow it to gain momentum.
Gastrodon tricks Water pokemon into giving it a free Sp. Atk boost while also dealing with set-up Pokemon with Clear Smog. It is able to do decent damage with its STAB Earth Power and Scald. It is also a good check for a lot of Pokemon in the meta with the exception of Ferrothorn.
Ferrothorn acts as the rock setter and leech seeder. It takes care of water types with Power Whip.
Here is a replay of this team, though note that in the reply, Rotom-H still used a Rest, Will-o-Wisp set instead of TWave and Thunderbolt and Focus Sash. The following replay also has a Gastrodon with max SpDef EVs and no Defense EV:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1022582412
Here is another replay I just got now, the only problem is my opponent used Focus Punch on Darm so results may or may not have varied:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1022709107
Certain teams that have beat me usually have the following threats:
LO Clefable with Moonblast and Flamethrower (sometimes)
TR Hatterene with Draining Kiss
Substitute Cramorant
Darmanitan-Galar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Gorilla Tactics
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- U-turn
Here is the main attacker of the team. His role is quite self-explanatory. Four attacks are there to simply demolish everything in its path. Icicle crash is for STAB and to murder the likes of Hydreigon and Dragapult. Earthquake is there to take care of Cinderace, Aegislash and Toxtricity. Flare Blitz is there to kill Ferrothorn and other Darmanitans. U-turn is there to gain momentum. Choice scarf allows him to deal with faster Mons namely Cinderace, Hydreigon, Dragapult and several others. It's been working pretty effectively as a late-game sweeper especially with dynamax punishing any opposing Pokemon that have been properly wittled down.
Corsola-Galar @ Eviolite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Haze
- Strength Sap
- Night Shade
The core pivot of the team that switches in in case any of my team encounters any threatening mons. Will-o-wisp is there to obviously cripple physical attackers and deal passive damage to tanky mons with no recovery such as Seismitoad. Haze is there to prevent Pokemon such as Gyarados, Hatterene and Hawlucha from setting up. Strength Sap is there to punish any physical attackers that try to take advantage of Corsola's relatively low defense compared to its SpDef. Night Shade is there to deal damage without worrying about Corsola's poor attacking stats.
Mandibuzz (F) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
- Knock Off
Mandibuzz is here due to its ability to check a lot of the Pokemon that act as major threats to my team namely Bisharp, Cinderace and Dragapult. Its high bulk allow it to take at least one hit before dying, poisoning the opposing mon or defogging the hazards hindering my team. Knock Off is here to take out really annoying items such as Corsola's Eviolite and Toxapex's Black Sludge. Toxic is here to prevent Pokemon from setting up too much. Toxic also threatens walls such as Corsola from stalling too much. Roost allows Mandibuzz to recover and in some instances stall Dynamax. Heavy Duty Boots allow Mandibuzz to safely enter into battle without worrying about the 1/4 decrease in health from Stealth Rock.
Some notable calcs that prove Mandibuzz's ability to check certain threats in the Meta:
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 128+ SpD Mandibuzz: 258-304 (60.8 - 71.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Cinderace Pyro Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Mandibuzz: 285-336 (67.2 - 79.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Hatterene Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 128+ SpD Mandibuzz: 248-294 (58.4 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Although they don't show Mandibuzz's ability to fully counter said threats, the calcs show that Mandibuzz really can take some hits before pulling off a Toxic or Defog.
Rotom-Heat @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
Rotom-H as a solid counter to Darmanitan due to Levitate and its solid typing resisting Ice, Bug and Fire. Thunderbolt and Volt Switch act as a counter Pokemon such as Gyarados and Togekiss, preventing them from setting up. Volt Switch allows Rotom to gain momentum when it suddenly meets up with an unfavorable matchup such as Tyranitar or another Rotom. Overheat act as Rotom's main STAB OHKOing Ferrothorn, Darmanitan and Excadrill. Focus Sash allows Rotom to dish out a hit towards Mons that would normally KO Rotom, most notably, Focus Sash Excadrill. Thunder Wave is the move I just added in for filler since Will-o-Wisp was taken by Corsola. I honestly find it interchangeable with Will-o-Wisp, but Thunder Wave does allow Rotom to paralyze certain foes such as Togekiss, Hydreigon and Dragapult, allowing for Darmanitan to properly dispose of them.
Here are some calcs showing Rotom-H's ability to wittle down foes with its moves:
252 SpA Rotom-Heat Overheat vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Hatterene: 142-168 (44.6 - 52.8%) -- 23.4% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Rotom-Heat Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Wash: 93-111 (30.5 - 36.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
Although it doens't OHKO certain mons, it leaves them weakened into a state where they can easily get revenge killed or pressured to switch out.
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
252 HP / 104 Def / 152 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Clear Smog
A lot of Pokemon in the meta run Scald or any water type move. Fishous Rend Dracovish is another addition, threatening a lot of the Pokemon in my team when it is on Choice Scarf. Gastrodon allows me to play mind games with the opponent, especially those using Rain Teams. I can send in Rotom-H as a lead to often lure in Seismitoad or other water-type users to launch a Water move which would raise Gastrodon's Special Attack upon switch in. Gastrodon's solid typing also makes it a perfect Check to Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Excadrill, Dragapult and even Life Orb Clefable. It's only major weakness is Ferrothorn who can be appropriately handled by Rotom and Darmanitan with no trouble at all. Gastrodon's Earth Power and Scald act as STAB to take on the likes of Dracovish, Clefable, Togekiss and more with the boost from Storm Drain. Clear Smog allows Gastrodon to punish Pokemon from using Dynamax and setting up such as Gyarados and Hatterene. Recover is quite self-explanatory as it allows Gastrodon to heal up and stall certain Dynamax or poisoned Pokemon. I choose Gastrodon over Seismitoad in this regard as he gets a special attack boost from Storm Drain. Moreover, the roles Seismitoad could have filled such as a Rock Setter or Toxic Attacker have been taken by Ferrothorn and Mandibuzz respectively.
Here are some calcs that show Gastrodon's ability to be a suitable wall on my team:
252 SpA Life Orb Clefable Moonblast vs. 248 HP / 152+ SpD Gastrodon: 148-175 (34.8 - 41.1%) -- 68.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Darmanitan-Galar Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Gastrodon: 199-235 (46.8 - 55.2%) -- 16.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Choice Specs Hatterene Psychic vs. 248 HP / 152+ SpD Gastrodon in Psychic Terrain: 340-402 (80 - 94.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
Last, but definitely not the least is Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn's Power Whip and Gyro Ball act as his STABs for Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Rotom-W and Seismitoad. Leech Seed punishes certain Pokemon for attempting to switch into Ferrothorn. Leech Seed also allows Ferrothorn to take an advantage in stall battles such as non-Substitute Corviknight, Toxapex and even Corsola PP stall (though this barely happens). Stealth Rock is there to to damage Pokemon such as Togekiss and Darmanitan for switching in. Ferrothorn's Rocky Helmet combined with Iron Barbs allow it to become an effective suicide lead in some instances dealing massive amounts of indirect damage to Close Combat Barraskewda, Flare Blitz Darmanitan and Drain Punch Conkeldurr. Ferrothorn's natural bulk and typing allow it to resist STAB moves from Hydreigon, Dragapult, Dracovish and Excadrill while setting up hazards and Leech Seed for extra utility (though Fire Blast on the first two are a big NO for Ferrothorn, so I normally just use Ferrothorn as a check).
Final Notes and Summary:
Darmanitan is the all-out attacker that deals massive damage to threats such as Ferrothorn, Dragons and Cinderace. Choice Scarf allows him to guarantee the kill.
Corsola is the main pivot having a weakness to Dark and Ghost and a remarkable bulk (especially on the special side). It can cripple physical threats with strength sap and will-o-wisp while dealing decent damage with Night Shade.
Mandibuzz poisons stall mons and Knocks Off pokemon that rely heavily on items such as Corsola's eviolite and Hatterene's Aguav Berry. She also acts as a good pivot and check to pokemon such as Excadrill, Cinderace and Ferrothorn.
Rotom-H acts as the Darmanitan counter and wittles down certain threats with its STAB moves for Darmanitan to revenge kill. Volt switch allow it to gain momentum.
Gastrodon tricks Water pokemon into giving it a free Sp. Atk boost while also dealing with set-up Pokemon with Clear Smog. It is able to do decent damage with its STAB Earth Power and Scald. It is also a good check for a lot of Pokemon in the meta with the exception of Ferrothorn.
Ferrothorn acts as the rock setter and leech seeder. It takes care of water types with Power Whip.
Here is a replay of this team, though note that in the reply, Rotom-H still used a Rest, Will-o-Wisp set instead of TWave and Thunderbolt and Focus Sash. The following replay also has a Gastrodon with max SpDef EVs and no Defense EV:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1022582412
Here is another replay I just got now, the only problem is my opponent used Focus Punch on Darm so results may or may not have varied:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1022709107
Certain teams that have beat me usually have the following threats:
LO Clefable with Moonblast and Flamethrower (sometimes)
TR Hatterene with Draining Kiss
Substitute Cramorant
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