Balls of Steel

[boudouche]

BALLS OF STEEL

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Introduction

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Before reading this little post, you have to know that I piss on the BW OU metagame. The worst metagame ever imo, but I decided to post this team which is really fun to play. I said "worst metagame ever" because I hate rains and we have to play the same Pokemon if we want a hope to win a battle.

Well, the presented team here is, like you probably know, based on Metagross sweep. I chose this Pokemon because i've seen in him a really big potential to decimate a lot of teams which take super-effectives hits on Psy / Ice / Ground combo. I admit this team is recent, but i played a lot of matches those last weeks and this team had a lot of versions. I firstly decided to pair Metagross with a Magnezone but I really hate to play this thing so I just decided to play 5 others Pokemon that I like to play and make changes if I see a big weakness or anything else.

Team in Details

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Item : Custap Berry
Nature : Relax (+ Def / - Spd)
EVs : 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Volt Switch

I really love this lead. This team forces a lot of switches so I needed a lead which can learn Stealth Rock and Spikes to hit Hippowdon, Celebi, Slowbro etc to let Metagross sweep. I didn't chose Skarmory for the simple reason that Forretress has Volt Switch, which permits to do more things, like against Skarmory ou Terrakion.

However, I have to be careful. With the teamviewer, the opponent can easily guess that Forretress is my lead and take the opportunity to start the battle with a powerful set-up sweeper. That's why Volt Switch is really important, I can bring the appropriate Pokemon after his move. Defense is maximized to take easily physical attacks and set entry hazards with ease.

Item : Leftovers
Nature : Timid (+ Spd / - Atk)
EVs : 156 HP / 100 SpA / 252 Spd
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Will-o-Wisp
- Taunt

Without pretention, there's no Pokemon in BW OU which can switch against this thing if Stealth Rock is on the field. He has an important job on the team, its my principal pivoting element when I predict a Celebi / Landorus-T are coming and its an awesome stallbreaker, Hippowdon, Blissey and Skarmory
can't beat it (Foretress and Donphan can't either, that's why it's a great spinblocker).

This is my "check" to some Fight Pokemons like Toxicroak, Breloom (if Forretress or another member is asleep), Lucario or Conkeldurr w/o Guts and it can come on Mamoswine or Landorus-T (not in all situations).

Taunt and Will-o-Wisp for obvious reasons imo, its stallbreaking ability and to avoid Pokemons like Volcarona or... an AgilyGross for example to set-up. EVs on HP offers the possibility to take a non-boosted Ttar Pursuit (w/o nature +Atk), Breloom's Bullet Seed*5 and others things. We can't forget too the offensive power of Gengar which has Shadow Ball and Focus Blast for a perfect coverage.

Item : Choice Scarf
Nature : Jolly (+ Spd / - SpA)
EVs : 252 Atk / 6 SpD / 252 Spd
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Superpower

I was really wondering which set was better between the Choice Band or this version, but I finally decided to play the Choice Scarf set for its speed which permits to outspeed a lot of shitty things like Ninetales, Lati@s, Gengar and obviously Starmie which can explode my team.

Tyranitar is here to remove the rain and the sun which can be a real pain in the ass, because it facilitates Venusaur's sweep, lowers Keldeo's STAB and let Volcarona sweep my whole team. Ttar destroys Lati@s, Celebi and Pokemons like Jellicent (depends if its Specially or Physically Defensive) or Starmie. And as I said before, Tyranitar makes Espeon and Xatu useless.

I hate Venusaur. He's one of the main reason why I'm running ScarfTtar, because I can wreck him thanks to sandstream. Same reasons for Thundurus (not after Agility obviously) an Tornadus.

Item : Choice Scarf
Nature : Timid (+ Spd / - Atk)
EVs : 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Icy Wind
- Hidden Power [Electrik]

Latias was firstly here, but I don't like its weakness to Tyranitar and I needed a real revenge killer that can tank things like Zor's Bullet Punch for example. Keldeo makes a great job here and is really cool on this team because Tyranitar (and Breloom !) can destroy his checks and help him late game sweep. Keldeo is also my main switch to an opposite Tyranitar (not Breloom because he's weak) and Heatran (btw if thing has Air Balloon, he's annoying for Gross).

HP Electric hits Gyarados, Starmie and Jellicent and it's always a good thing to have. Full Speed to tie / outspeed others Keldeo (and it can be important) and ScarfMence which can be a pure douchebag (like me huhu).

Item : Fighting Gem
Nature : Adamant (+ Atk / - SpA)
EVs : 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
- Spore
- Focus Punch
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed

When I decided to comeback in competitive playing, I had the good idea to read RMTs to see how is the metagame and I saw this version on Remedy's team (Friends Prophecy (which sucks (lol))). So I decided to test it, and I think this version is the best if you really want to wreck shit (except if you facing Volcarona).

With the Fighting Gem, he does massive damage to Skarmory, 2HKOing the Specially Defensive version with Focus Punch + Mach punch with Stealth Rock on the field, it's also strong enough to OHKO Latios with a focus punch. And for the idiots who think Breloom can be a free set-up fodder for Venusaur after Sleep Clause activated, Focus Punch + Mach Punch will prove the exact opposite. Breloom also makes a pretty good offensive synergy with the others members since it can destroy Bulky Waters and Hippo's fatass.

Finally, despite my two scarf users, Breloom can revenge kill things like Terrakion, Hydreigon, Kyurem-B which are OHKO by Gem-boosted Mach Punch (after SR for Kyub) but I have to admit that I prefer keep the gem for Focus Punch. Adamant Nature is used to maximize his attack.

Item : Life Orb
Nature : Jolly (+ Spd / - SpA)
EVs : 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
- Agility
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch

Here's the beast. The goal of the team is to optimize its sweep to clean the game. Unfortunately, I sometimes have to bring him early to deal with a Jirachi or a Alakazam, compromizing his sweep and depending the situation, I keep it or not.

I didn't run Meteor Mash for the obvious reason that it doesn't add any. Zen Headbutt destroys Gengar, Keldeo, Tentacruel and this is an obvious STAB, Ice punch kills Gliscor, Landorus-T, Lati@s, Thundurus, Tornadus etc. and Earthquake kills Heatran, Victini etc. plus it gives a good overall coverage.

Trust me, this is an excellent late game sweeper, it outspeeds Scarf Keldeo / Terrakion and it don't give a shit about priority moves (okay, TechniLoom's Mach Punch kinda tickle I have to admit !). But try it guys, he's cool.

Threats

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I hate Venusaur and I can repeat it 100 times. My only way to kill it is Tyranitar or maybe Gengar which can takes a HP Fire, depending of the EVs spread. PLEASE BAN THIS SHIT.

Alakazam is like Starmie or Gengar. But unlike the two lasts, I can't revenge kill with Ttar because of his high speed and Focus Sash + Magic Guard. My only way to beat it is to bring Metagross and depending what he's doing and what's the opponent's team, I sacrifice Metagross or anything else (Forretress if alive is the first on the list) for revenge kill with Mach Punch ou ScarfKeld. I'm so mad.

Jirachi is boring and forces me to sent Metagross to check his move.

And the last big threat is ironically Metagross. He explodes my team. Quite simply, THIS IS A FUCKING MONSTER.

Conclusion

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You have seen that this team has a good offensive potential with some defensives problems (like rains + Hydro Pump for example) but I think the team makes a real pressure which can be really hard to counter and after all, this team is really fun.

Just play AgilyGross and you'll become a man, a true man. (translation : " don't play venusaur little pussy ").

Credits

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- Xous54 who made amazing artworks.
- Go10 because he gave me the name of this team so thanks to him!
- Gabranth because he said me " if i'm not on your credits, i will KILL YOU " like achmed.
- Remedy because he wanted help me to translate this team. He's cute.
- Morpheus because he translated this team with me. He's VERY CUTE !
- All team France because they love me.

 

[Halcyon.]

Hey Boudouche, nice team. Agility Metagross can be really scary since a lot of teams don't prepare for it.

Takeing a look at some of the threats you mentioned (Venusaur, Alakazam, etc.) I think maybe ScarfTar isn't the best choice for the team. It can beat Starmie and Gengar, true, but it can't switch in on Starmie and it can't beat SubDisable Gengar. I recommend using Chople Berry Tyranitar over ScarfTar. Chople Berry Tyranitar helps considerably with your Alakazam problem, since it can easily tank a Focus Blast and retaliate with Pursuit. Since you already have Forretress to set up SR, that frees up a move for Tyranitar. Thunder Wave seems like it would fit your team perfectly, since it can cripple Alakazam and Venusaur, which can't OHKO you in the sand. Breloom and Metagross also really appreciate Paralysis support, since it makes things much easier to set up on in Metagross' case, and easier to kill in Breloom's. Tyranitar can even survive a +1 Bug Buzz from Volcarona and KO back with Stone Edge. I think your spin Blocker could make better use of its set if it really wants to block the two most common spinners, Starmie and Tentacruel. I would suggest changing it to a Focus Sash set with Thunderbolt. With this set, you can always beat Starmie so long as you Focus Sash remains in tact, and you can beat defensive Tentacruel with Thunderbolt. Your team desperately needs hazards up with sweepers like Breloom and Metagross (they need Spikes and SR support BAD), and this Gengar set is better at ensuring that they stay up. Finally, I think Volt Switch is an inferior option on Custap Forretress. I would change Volt Switch to Explosion on Forretress. You mention that Volcarona is a bit of a problem, as is Venusaur. Well, max attack Brave Explosion is a guaranteed OHKO on Volcarona, severely cripples Ninetales (so it can't switch in on Stealth Rock again), and Venusaur. All of these Pokémon will try to set up on you, or they'll knock you down to your sturdy, which means you can retaliate by blowing up in their face. Volt Switch is nice for grabbing momentum, but I think taking out your opponent's most important sun team Pokémon is better.

Anyway, I hope I was able to help. Good luck with the team!

Sets

Tyranitar @ Chople Berry
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Atk
Careful Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Crunch

Gengar @ Focus Sash
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Forretress @ Custap Berry
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Def
Brave Nature
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Explosion

 

[boudouche]

IMO, Focus Sash is useless on Gengar. A lot of leads can put Stealth Rock after my Custap Berry and I'm using it at an element of pivoting so if sandstorm is activated... His job on the team is really important, I have to keep it if the opponent has an annoying staller. Thunderbolt is cool again Tentacruel but it isn't my prority, I prefer keep WoW to touch Tyranitar / Scizor / Landorus-T and after all, Shadow Ball makes a decent job. The second problem with your set is that its impossible to pass Hippowdon which is a crap for Metagross. Ok, I have Keldeo + Breloom but a third member of the team which can destroy is not a bad thing. Finally, Taunt is amazing against shitty things like Amoonguss for example and it forces set-up sweepers like Volcarona to attack.

To be honest, Explosion on Forretress is a bad suggestion for the simple reason that Ninetales always uses Will-o-Wisp on turn 1 against Forretress to cancel Sturdy so Explosion becomes useless plus I can't keep the momentum. Volt Switch is amazing against a lot Pokemons (Jellicent / Espeon / Xatu / Taunt Leads).

Chopple Berry Tyranitar + Thunder Wave is a great idea. The only problem with a defensive set is that I can't hit Celebi like the Scarf does it great. I really need Celebi's K.O. which let me a big way with Keldeo, Loom, or Gross. If I only had Gengar to beat it, it will be very hard and entry hazards become indispensable.

Big thanks for the rate and the help !

 

[dadoux]

You know i'm cute, you know it you fucking tajine piece of crap.

Anyway nice team, i kinda would like to see a more offensive, like a giga drain + thunderbolt LO set, used on gengar to wallbreak better, but i think it's a little bit too frail and i'm just a sick bastard when it comes to offense.

The main problem of the team is Tyranitar to me, he's kinda like "the man who needs to do all the job" and it won't cover all the threats he should beat sadly. The replacement is really tough too, scarfscizor is way too frail and weak in my opinion, maybe you could try a bulky scarfrachi set with U-turn / ice punch / iron head and Healing Wish or maybe even Zen headbutt for that Venusaur issue lmao. I'd honestly rather see a Weavile on Tyranitar (Weavile+Keldeo+Loom core >>) but you lack some Voltturn move to bring it which is a problem, but you can still test it.

 

[Reymedy]

So gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

Hi Douche.

So, that's OBVIOUSLY a bad team and I can see many weaknesses :

- Gab in your shoutouts
- Go10 in your shoutouts
- every weakness you told about it yourself
- Keldeo is annoying if Scarfed. Like those Celebi NP Pass + Scarf Keldeo Rain teams. He won't need a boosts though, because nothing can switch on it.
- I dislike a lot the Tyranitar Scarf here. Say, you Pursuit kill something, then the guy set-up something for free. You have a whole team to rk him but usually you won't always have your Breloom full HP tu Mach Punch this, or your Gengar still alive to WoW that etc.
- Landorus-T is really a pain for your sweepers, you have to rely on Gengar/Keldeo. Your Gengar will have to be always full health in case of a potential RP/SD set (he could totally set-up on Tyranitar).
- Stuff like Passho Volcarona. Or any Volcarona able to take a Keldeo HPump if they spin before hand. Ye you got a spin blocker but who knows, it's not like your Gengar can really stop a Tentacruel (by the way you have nothing to switch on this guy without fear given the Scald, so you'll have to let Gengar die and force him out => Gengar won't be healthy).
- Agility Thundurus-T as always for an offense, if he get the +2 speed it's probably over (even if it's a pussy Timid, 252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Thunder vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Metagross: 302-356 (100 - 117.88%) -- guaranteed OHKO, just enuff).

Honnestly the weaknesses are minor but while you don't have any big weakness, after playing it I encountered a lot of annoying situations but it's maybe because I'm used to my own offense.


So, the changes :

- Fix those shoutouts, thanks.

- I'd play Weavile over Tyranitar because fuck this, I can't play any HO without thinking "this guy should be here". You still trap the same shit, you don't get locked, you can deal serious physical damages to Landorus-T and you RK Agility Thundurus-T so why the fuck not. The icying on the cake, you have now a real way to RK Venusaur even if it's a cheap 60-75 % that you take from him, after Spikes and some LO recoil, it should do the trick.

- I would change Gengar. And first, I'd like to explain why. His role is to spin block. Though, your version can't spin block a Starmie too well (you got Ttar I know, but it means that this slot is wasted a bit) or Tentacruel. But you have Forretress as lead, not Skarmory which means to me that you HAVE TO exploit that "advantage". If you play well, your Volt-Switch should give you the edge over those two main spinners and then you're not gonna switch to Gengar right ? You're gonna Trap, or threaten it with an EQ/ZenHB. However, it's annoying to switch in Metagross so early because he is probably still walled.
Talking about spinners, if the guy puts his Forretress in as you Volt-Switch, you don't need Gengar, you can just put Breloom and Spore it instead and if he switched, you'll crush it on the switch with Focus Punch. "252 Atk Fighting Gem Breloom Focus Punch vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Forretress: 210-247 (59.32 - 69.77%)" now, given that he switch once before on hazards, and that he does it once again, I'm pretty sure he's either dead or in the Mach Punch range.
Donphan is not common, but to me it works just as Forretress, but you can't Volt-Switch to ease the prediction now.
However, you really need a check to Breloom, and in a lesser way to Toxicroak (you still have EQ from Metagross and the bulk to live +2 Drain Punch). So instead, I would play a Dragonite, so you can check Breloom + Sun teams. You gain a life saving check with Multiscale to Keldeo. Now you really use Forretress to its full extent because the Spin will be important. On top of that Metagross will really love having a mate attracting Ice moves from the Scarfers since that's usually how your RK Dragonite (or with a Stone Edge, which is also cool for your Metagross !). The Extreme Speed will be incredibly useful without any doubt and his EQ should threaten Tentacruel without relying on Metagross (and you could DD if you predict a switch).


Minor changes :

- I'd change Keldeo to a Modest Nature, you rarely need the Speed tie so... why not (helps alot when you use Icy Wind since it's too weak to kill a Chomp, but with the Modest Nature you kill it with Spikes).
- I'd put 124 SpA to Forretress, this way if you Volt-Switch an offensive Starmie with Leftovers you'll always kill it with Pursuit from Weavile, even if he doesn't switch. Do your own calculations for the defensive versions of Starmie rofl.
- 244 Spe on Metagross, full Speed is useless (only if you don't want to be RK'd by a Durant Scarf LOL).
- I'd really prefer a bulkier spread on Breloom to help against Keldeos : 112 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 140 Spe (252 SpA Keldeo Hidden Power Ice vs. 112 HP / 4 SpD Breloom: 228-270 (78.89 - 93.42%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock).

I hope I helped, for the Weavile set you probably know which on it is. For Dragonite I think both DD and CB work. It will be up to you (CB is really cool for the wallbreaking, DD is better to attract Scarfers for Metagross).

tl;dr : You're gay.