I thought I'd start off this thread and share the most recent variant of team I've been having some success with on the ladder. Keep in mind it is still in the middle of the building process as I'm sure almost all teams will be but I've gone 29-6 with this particular variant so far on showdown and I think I'm okay about talking about it now (I've been testing other variants too). I have no doubt this team is going to be changing significantly over the next few weeks, but for now I figured it would be good to give people something to actually work with potentially.
My Current Team:
https://pokepast.es/f46eeaee07409819
This is a pure paste, I've put some other options when talking about the sets that you might want to consider.
Teambuilding Process:
I started with the basic core of Mimikyu, Rotom and Dragapult. This I think is a super solid trio in Sword/Shield. It is hard to speculate what the meta will look like in a year, but I think that Mimikyu and Dragapult are currently the best two pokemon in the meta. Mimikyu with its signature Disguise is still as excellent as ever in Sword/Shield despite the nerf. The disguise nerf is more than made up for by two things, firstly that Mimikyu can Dynamax but also carry a Life Orb and secondly that max Phantasm lowers opposing defence, making it harder for defensive pokemon to tank without Dynamaxing themselves. Dragapult reminds me of Greninja or Tapu Koko from last generation, blistering speed, decent attacking stats, great coverage, unpredictable. Due to Dynamax and its speed tier, it is arguably even harder to switch into than these pokemon with only having two truly solid checks, Mimikyu and Grimmsnarl. Rotom-Heat has great synergy with Mimikyu, specifically pressuring the main two defensive switch-ins to mimikyu in the tier, Corviknight and Ferrothorn and also gives a ground immunity as well as Electric Stab for Gyarados. It also packs a slow volt switch for getting into threats.
Excadrill was the next addition to the team, what I really think sets Excadrill apart is its unique typing and excellent ability, specifically being able to deal well with opposing Rotom formes and Mimikyu with Mold Breaker as well as Grimmsnarl due to stab Iron Head. It also makes sure the opponent doesn't get huge momentum on lead due to Rock Tomb. Stealth Rocks, although less of a factor this generation are situationally great. Having an opposing Mimikyu check as well as something that could potentially revenge Sand/Rain sweepers in the endgame was something to keep in mind.
I played around a bit with a variety of pokemon before settling on Conkeldurr. GBU really inspired my pick up of Conkeldurr, with its power, tankiness and ability to deal out big damage to even opposing dynamaxed pokemon with Guts Flame Orb. It is strong in a variety of hyper offence matchups, specifically vs. Excadrill in Sand, Barraskewda, Seismitoad or Ludicolo in Rain as well as being great in Trick Room if Hatterene is gone. It also further abuses Ferrothorn/Toxapex cores without having to bring Rotom-Heat. It has one extra benefit, which is to act as a disrupter for status spreaders, specifically Hippowdon with Yawn and being able to pivot into Will-o-wisp Galarian Corsola. It does have one big weakness, which is to be careful around Mimikyu in particular.
I had a lot of trouble deciding a final pokemon but have actually found a lot of success with Whimsicott. Whimsicotts role in this team is mostly to be brought to frustrate opposing dynamax and lead choices. It has a very specific set which helps it annoy opposing Dragapult as well as waste turns of Dynamax from threats like Gyarados. I was considering Galarian Corsola for this role and it may well be better, but Whimsicott is just more annoying and far better at wasting time than Corsola-Galar due to prankster substitute.
Sets and Spreads:
I've not listed every possible calc here since there isn't enough time in the day, but some of the most important calcs against key pokemon in the metagame are highlighted.
Code:
Excadrill @ Focus Sash
Ability: Mold Breaker
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rock Tomb
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
There are a few options you can go with Excadrill and Assault Vest was definitely one that I was considering. I do think that with the general lack of stealth rocks comparative to last generation at least so far, that Sash becomes a lot more valuable. Excadrill has two functions, either in the Lead Slot or in the Back as a clean up pokemon. From the lead, Rock Tomb prevents speed boosting and does a very decent amount to opposing Gyarados even after Intimidate. Iron head exists for Mimikyu and in conjunction with Rock Tomb, you should always be able to win the 1v1 even if the opposing Mimikyu Dynamaxes. Earthquake is just a solid stab that puts opposing Dragapult in range of Scarf Dragapult or Mimikyu. It also revenges opposing Excadrill and OHKOs Rotom Formes. It should be noted that Dragapult can click U-turn to break focus sash in this matchup, however there is very little that is faster than Excadrill that also wants to come in on Earthquake, which allows Excadrill to still get its job done. Stealth Rock is important for getting chip on opposing Gyarados and Rotom as well as breaking opposing sashes from Dragapult, Excadrill. It also helps in Niche matchups such as vs. Charizard Sun (HDB is a lot easier to wall with Rotom), Cramorant etc.
Vs. Dynamaxed Mimikyu: 252 Atk Excadrill Rock Tomb vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mimikyu: 22-26 (16.7 - 19.8%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
252 Atk Excadrill Iron Head vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mimikyu: 84-102 (64.1 - 77.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
This means that after two life orb hits, even if opposing Mimikyu Dynamaxes, you will always win the 1v1.
Vs. Moxie Gyarados: 252 Atk Excadrill Rock Tomb vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Gyarados: 86-102 (50.5 - 60%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Vs. Intimidate Gyarados: -1 252 Atk Excadrill Rock Tomb vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Gyarados: 58-70 (34.1 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Forcing turn 1 dynamax from Gyarados will always result in a favourable trade even if Excadrill goes down.
Vs. Dynamaxed Dragapult: 252 Atk Mold Breaker Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 57-67 (34.9 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
This always puts opposing Dragapult in range of Mimikyu's LO Play Rough or opposing Dragapult's Draco Meteor or any Max Move, which your Dragapult will always live Max Moves. This is the worst matchup, but if you are in the situation you can still salvage it.
Code:
Mimikyu @ Life Orb
Ability: Disguise
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Shadow Sneak
- Play Rough
- Swords Dance
The Mimikyu set is very standard, but also pretty specific. Adamant is always preferred over Jolly due to its ability to pressure Ferrothorn and Corviknight into difficult situations. Its main role is to bait in these pokemon so Rotom-H and to a lesser extent Conkeldurr/Dragapult can come in and start messing the opponent up. There is not a huge amount to say about this set that hasn't already been said, the coverage of Shadow Claw + Play Rough is fantastic, especially in its ability to provide another pressure point vs. Grimmsnarl, a pokemon that does annoy this team. A great Dynamaxer too, though you do want to be careful vs. opposing Mimikyu and Dragapult because they can use your lack of priority against you. I need not really say how great Disguise is as an ability to prevent opposing sweepers.
Versus Ferrothorn: +2 252+ Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 79-95 (43.6 - 52.4%) -- 23.8% chance to 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Max Phantasm vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 136-161 (75.1 - 88.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Even if Curse:
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Max Phantasm vs. +1 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 91-109 (50.2 - 60.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Versus Corviknight:
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Shadow Claw vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 94-110 (45.8 - 53.6%) -- 40.6% chance to 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Max Phantasm vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 173-204 (84.3 - 99.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
The aim is to force opponents into bad situations where they feel they have to Dynamax, at which point you just go to Rotom-H for free. Conkeldurr and Dragapult are also excellent at exploiting these pokemon.
Code:
Dragapult @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast / (Flamethrower)
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
Dragapult is a scarf set with the best possible coverage. The reason that Dragapult is Timid Scarf is to win speed ties or generally be faster than opposing Dragapult. Also, unlike Modest Dragapult, it is faster than +2 Gyarados, allowing the potential to revenge with thunderbolt which guarantee OHKOs all non-wacan Gyarados. It is also faster than even Jolly Excadrill under sand, which allows it to fire off a hit in that matchup against weakened Excadrill rather than having to take a hit from Conkeldurr. Draco Meteor is generally a strong STAB that guarantees the OHKO on opposing Dragapult. Fire Blast OHKOs Ferrothorn and Scarf Darmanitan Galar, forcing the latter to Dynamax if it wants to live. Flamethrower is safer vs. Darmanitan and allows Mimikyu or Conkeldurr to safely always revenge, but also means you are trading dragapult for Darmanitan. It also serves as a second really solid lead when Excadrill looks a bit shaky. Originally this had u-turn, but it is generally just better to not lead Dragapult in matchups it struggles vs. like Grimmsnarl and lead something like Mimikyu. Lastly when it comes to ability choice, Clear Body is preferred due to it ignoring sticky web and speed drops from icy wind/rock tomb, though either ability can work.
Vs. Darmanitan-Galar: 252 SpA Dragapult Fire Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Darmanitan-Galar: 170-200 (94.4 - 111.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
Vs. Gyarados: 252 SpA Dragapult Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gyarados: 172-204 (101.1 - 120%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Another noteworthy calc in the lead slot:
252 Atk Gyarados Max Airstream vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 136-162 (83.4 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Allowing you to get off two tbolts in this matchup.
Code:
Rotom-Heat @ Passho Berry
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Reflect / (Trick / Discharge / Shadow Ball)
Rotom-Heat is here as virtue of its fantastic typing and ability to check Corviknight and Ferrothorn consistently. This specific set has a few extra tricks under its sleeve which I wanted to get into. The speed tier is Quiet as it allows slow Volt Switches vs. opposing Rotom-Formes and generally creating momentum with Volt Switch. The EV spread allows you to live even a +1 Gyarados's Max Geyser or a +0 Max Geyser in Rain, allowing you to get off the key damage needed when the opponent least expects it. The rest is placed in special attack, which gives the OHKO on non-dynamaxed Gyarados if they expect to OHKO with a Waterfall. Will-o-Wisp neuters a lot of attacking threats such as Mimikyu, Physical Dragapult, Gyarados, Sand Excadrill, Barraskewda. Overheat is the best STAB vs. Ferrothorn and Corviknight, Volt Switch gives momentum and OHKOs Gyarados or otherwise puts it in range of Mimikyu, Conkeldurr or Dragapult if Dynamaxed. The last move is really a toss up, reflect is the one I've currently been using as it has utility later on in the battle. Shadow ball can be a decent hit off onto Dragapult where you will live every hit including choice specs Draco Meteor. Trick can remove problematic items and can be unexpected from opponent (such as removing scarf/specs from Hydreigon or Dragapult or Eviolite from Galarian Corsola in matchups where you do not need Passho Berry. Discharge is also an alright option, just a stab with a chance to paralyse.
Vs. Gyarados: +1 252 Atk Gyarados Max Geyser vs. 252 HP / 140 Def Passho Berry Rotom-Heat: 135-159 (85.9 - 101.2%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
116+ SpA Rotom-Heat Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gyarados: 204-244 (120 - 143.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This allows to get key will-o-wisp/reflect/electric move on Gyarados depending on the matchup.
Vs. Dragapult: 252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Rotom-Heat: 132-156 (84 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Code:
Conkeldurr @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
Level: 50
EVs: 164 HP / 100 Atk / 148 Def / 92 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Ice Punch
Conkeldurr has an interesting spread which is designed to eat certain hits and fire back with guts boosted attacks. This is especially useful in hyper offence matchups where Conkeldurr is surprisingly annoying to KO and does shit-tons of damage to opposing pokemon even if they are dynamaxed. Life Orb Sheer Force does achieve the same thing as this set but it does lose the ability to block status from Wisp Rotom/Corsola as well as Yawn Hippowdon. Drain Punch is its main stab and longevity, useful for things like Snorlax which might want to curse up or Ferrothorn. Conk just does too much damage for that to be possible. Mach Punch is a great priority, allowing the picking off of Excadrill, Hydreigon, Galarian Darmanitan and Barraskewda as well as weakened Gyarados/Rotom Formes. Thunder Punch is for Gyarados and Barraskewda as well as doing a very good amount to both Corviknight and Toxapex. Ice Punch is the last move, doing decent damage to Dragapult as well as Hippowdon.
Vs. Dragapult: 252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Draco Meteor vs. 164 HP / 92 SpD Conkeldurr: 172-204 (85.5 - 101.4%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after burn damage
100+ Atk Guts Conkeldurr Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 170-202 (104.2 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Vs. Dynamaxed or Wacan Gyarados:
+1 252 Atk Gyarados Max Airstream vs. 64 HP / 148 Def Dynamaxed Conkeldurr: 146-174 (72.6 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after burn damage
Always gives two extra turns of Burn allowing you to mach punch later on in the game.
100+ Atk Guts Conkeldurr Thunder Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gyarados: 164-196 (96.4 - 115.2%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO
100+ Atk Guts Conkeldurr Max Lightning vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Wacan Berry Dynamaxed Gyarados: 132-156 (77.6 - 91.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
This guarantees the OHKO with Conkeldurr as long as it is burned, even if Gyarados has a Wacan Berry whilst Dynamaxed if you set up lead rocks with Excadrill.
Vs. Excadrill:
+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Earthquake vs. 164 HP / 148 Def Conkeldurr: 172-204 (85.5 - 101.4%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after burn damage
Code:
Whimsicott @ Occa Berry / ( Leftovers / Mental Herb )
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leech Seed
- Cotton Guard
- Substitute
- Protect
Whimsicott is kind of a silly set, but works surprisingly effectively in matchups without Ferrothorn or Grimmsnarl. This may change in future, especially as more dragapults take infiltrator over clear body and there are more uses of Taunt. Obviously this pokemon gets completely shut down by Taunt, but it is quite hard to run Taunt on more offensive mons like Gyarados when you sacrifice a lot of sweeping potential. This pokemons main purpose is literally just to sit there and substitute out opposing Dynamax, trick room, rain or sand in matchups where opponent has win conditions that are really annoying to deal with. Cotton Guard allows it to better check Physical Dragapult and other physical attackers in the tier. Pokemon that can sometimes cause trouble but are more niche like Haxorus, Cramorant, Conkeldurr, Corsola-Galar on offence and Dracozolt hate this pokemon. Once a pokemon that is Whimsicott food comes in, Substitute happens and then behold as it leech stalls your entire team. Leech seed, sub and protect are pretty standard. Cotton Guard is actually used to be able to substitute stall certain dynamax attackers such as gyarados and physical dragapult as prankster cotton guard will allow living of any hit. Occa Berry allows you to any hit from special Dragapult, allowing you to sub stall it if it is not infiltrator. Leftovers and mental herb are viable alternatives to Occa Berry.
Vs. Gyarados: 252 Atk Gyarados Max Airstream vs. +3 252 HP / 252+ Def Whimsicott: 68-84 (40.7 - 50.2%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
This allows you to Leech Seed and sub stall. Even at +1 you always get substitute as long as you have already cotton guarded so you can seed and then sub. Other sweepers like Barraskewda, Dracovish are far easier to deal with as they struggle to hit you hard.
Vs. Dragapult:
252 SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Occa Berry Whimsicott: 98-116 (58.6 - 69.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Dragapult Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Occa Berry Whimsicott: 108-128 (64.6 - 76.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Allowing to get off substitute after seeds.
Vs. Hydreigon:
252 SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Occa Berry Whimsicott: 114-135 (68.2 - 80.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Scarf Damage is even better for Whimsicott.
Vs. Mimikyu:
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Mimikyu Max Phantasm vs. +3 252 HP / 252 Def Whimsicott: 87-105 (52 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
You can sub leech seed this pokemon if needed. Keep in mind that because of the spread, Mimikyu's shadow sneak will be faster than prankster Sub but sub + protect should always win you this matchup by wearing Mimi down.
Team Selection:
I'm going to keep this very brief, in most matchups you want to bring 3/4 of the following:
These generally will cover the majority of matchups and are solid. The lead choice is flexible but generally you want to lead Excadrill or Dragapult with Mimikyu/Excadrill lead if the opponent has a grimmsnarl. Rotom-Heat can be a decent lead vs. Balance/Stall type builds. Aim to chip stuff down so that one of Mimikyu/Dragapult can win. Use Rotom-H to get these pokemon in as much as possible on advantageous matchups and use their power. Generally you always want to be trading with your opponent, you don't have good natural switchins. The key to playing well is to never give your opponent momentum for free and fire off hits to weaken your opponent.
When you are struggling conventionally based off team preview, use one of these two pokemon as well. I dont think both of these are good together, but they can be good in certain situations. Whimsicott is great when there is no grass type and no Grimmsnarl. Conkeldurr can be good vs. weak but fat teams or Hyper offence, bulky offence it is generally less useful, but just be sure to deal with opposing ghost types when bringing Conkeldurr and have a plan for Mimikyu.
