This streak is in
Ultra Sun.
This team has surpassed 464 wins thus far and is really satisfying me in the Battle Tree.
While not a lot of entries, (fourteen as I am writing this post to be exact) Kommo-o is certainly an amazing Pokemon to use in Doubles.
And I finally managed to get Landorus-T (I do not usually like using Landorus-T) a moment in the spotlight as well, though it didn't last long, but I'll get to that later.
OVERVIEW:
Kommo-o is a fantastic Pokemon. It has great power and can also be used as a mixed attacker, which is what I did.
This is also my first time using Kommo-o as well, and using it alongside a Fake Out user is especially great. It has relatively high physical bulk as well, even taking a Dragon Claw from Mega Garchomp at +1 Defense from Clangorous Soul Blaze. However, it also suffers
from a huge weakness from the Fairy-type. So, Mega Gardevoir could easily OHKO it if it wanted to. Psychic-types are a problem for it as well such as Alakazam and Mega Gallade. Nevertheless, Kommo-o is one of the most fun and underused Pokemon in the Battle Tree. (As a comparison, Garchomp has fifty two entries.)
View attachment 156841
Kommo-o
Komota (Kommo-o) @ Kommonium Z
Ability: Bulletproof
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Clanging Scales
- Flamethrower
- Close Combat
- Protect
SET DETAILS:
- Kommo-o's main role is to receive an Omniboost from using Clangorous Soulblaze from the Kommonium Z, its item of choice.
Even so, Clangorous Soulblaze is an already powerful move that even almost OHKOes Multiscale Dragonite, and that comes from a
2x super-effective move and gives Kommo-o an Omniboost that it needs to outpace some threats such as Mega Salamence, Latias and Latios, and opposing Kommo-o.
- Clanging Scales also hits Mega Garchomp, Mega Charizard X, and Latios very hard but at the cost of lowering Defense. However, it does have a fantastic trait of hitting through Substitute. (The same goes for Clangorous Soulblaze)
- Flamethrower is used as a great coverage move that it can use to take out troublesome Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega Lucario, and denting Mega Aggron.
- Close Combat is a good STAB move to have to hit Blissey, Heatran, and Porygon2. Taking out Porygon2 is also very handy as once Porygon2 is gone, (notably from Colress) it can prevent Trick Room from being set up. However, that doesnot stop Fairy-type Pokemon such as Aromatisse and Carbink.
- Protect is used because Protect.
- Bulletproof was used to block Shadow Ball, Focus Blast, andother moves. The only downside to this was that this ability was not Soundproof, which can also block other Kommo-o's Clanging Scales. However, considering there is only one set that actually uses Clanging Scales, Bulletproof was alright to use from me. The given EV spread and Naive nature allows Kommo-o even Mega Lopunny at +1.
- A Kommonium Z is used to allow Kommo-o to use Clangorous Soulblaze.
HOW I USED IT:
Kommo-o was used as a lead Pokemon. Its main role is to set up Clangorous Soulblaze immediately. Therefore, my other lead Pokemon, Mega Kangskhan proves to be very useful in that regard. It becomes a truly menacing threat when it comes across other Dragon-types, Steel-types, and dents anything that does not resist its attacks. Kommo-o cannot do anything against Fairy-types, so Celesteela is there to help protect it. In return, Kommo-O can face off against the Electric-types that Celesteela struggles against, as well as absorb a burn from a Will-O-Wisp or a Fire-type move since it's not merely a physical attacker. Mega Kangaskhan appreciates Kommo-O for breaking down the Rock-types and Steel-types that get in its way. Lastly, Landorus-T helps Kommo-o by "boosting" Kommo-o's defensive value thanks to Intimidate and in return, beats down (some) Ice-types.
OTHER OPTIONS:
Kommo-O has a sheer amount of alternative options to choose from, however, most options are not better than the set that it used. (Or at least I think so.)
- Flash Cannon, Iron Head, and Poison Jab are probably the best alternative options to use, as they provide coverage against Fairy-types.
Earthquake, at first glance may seem useful but it hurts your teammate and Close Combat already hits most of the Pokemon that Earthquake also hits.
- Ice Punch and Thunder Punch could potentially be used to hit Flying-types more easily.
COUNTERS:
Ice-types and Ice-type coverage:
Notice the "some" is in parentheses when assisting Landorus-T with Ice-types. Some other Ice-types like Articuno and Mamoswine will not fall to a
+1 Flamethrower. Alolan Ninetales is probably the BEST counter to Kommo-o. However, bar Alolan Ninetales, they also can't take Clangorous Soulblaze all too well. But some Water-type Pokemon, like Suicune and Dragon Dance Feraligatr can hit Kommo-o with their Ice-type coverage.
Fairy-types:
Togekiss, Alolan Ninetales, Gardevoir and Mega Mawile are some of the best counters to Kommo-o, period. They struggle against Celesteela a lot, however, when Celesteela is out of the picture, Fairy-types become way more problematic. Veteran Xio is therefore, Kommo-o's living nightmare.
Psychic-types:
Mega Alakazam, Mega Gallade, and Alolan Raichu can hit Kommo-o with their super-effective Psychic-type attacks, but cannot switch directly into Kommo-o's moves at +1.
Stat Removing Moves:
Clear Smog, Haze and other stat removing moves are annoying to deal with, since they remove Soulblaze's omniboost.
OVERVIEW:
Mega Kangaskhan, easily known as one of the most dominant forces in VGC, period. GAME FREAK had to nerf it so much that it almost became unusable in Ubers. This doesn't stop it from offering fantastic assistance with the dominant move of Fake Out and fantastic coverage of Low Kick and Sucker Punch. However, while the Speed typing is great, it is still outsped by faster Fake Out users of Mega Lopunny and Weavile and falls to outspeed Choice Scarfers like Machamp and Garchomp. It also has a not so great offensive typing and has no access to a form of reliable recovery.
But the pros outweigh the cons, and Mega Kangaskhan is a great consideration for any team that involves Doubles. (unless you use Tapu Lele)
View attachment 156839
Mega Kangaskhan (ignore the immature name)
bend over (Kangaskhan-Mega) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Parental Bond (Scrappy)
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Body Slam
- Sucker Punch
- Low Kick
SET DETAILS:
- Kangaskhan's pre-Mega ability is Scrappy, allowing it to hit even Ghost-types with Fake Out. Fake Out is a great move for Mega Kangaskhan to use because of it allowing Kommo-o a much safer chance of setting up and sweeping and even allows Kangaskhan to Mega Evolve safely.
- Body Slam is used as, what was supposed to be a fun gimmick, has proved to be very useful with the double shot of paralysis and is Mega
Kangaskhan's main STAB move of choice.
- Sucker Punch is a necessity, as it is the only move that can hit Ghost-types (aside from Scrappy Fake Out and Body Slam).
- Lastly, Low Kick is used to hit Tyranitar super hard, as well as opposing Mega Kangaskhan.
- A Jolly Nature is used to outspeed Pokemon such as some Landorus, Mega Medicham, and Mega Gardevoir while also hitting them hard as well with the EV spread given. A Kangaskhanite is used to allow Kangaskhan to Mega Evolve.
HOW I USED IT:
Mega Kangaskhan was used as a lead Pokemon alongside Kommo-o. Mega Kangaskhan's utility in Fake Out and paralysis can actually make the difference, as Kommo-o isn't the fastest Pokemon. Also, double Fighting-type coverage means Tyranitar is not safe to come in. It can pick off Ghost-types such as Mega Gengar with Sucker Punch as well. Landorus-T offers Intimidate support which is great for Mega Kangaskhan to soak up more hits notably from some Fighting-type Pokemon such as Mega Gallade and physical Togekiss. (Yes, that is a thing.)
OTHER OPTIONS:
- Using the usual Return or Double-Edge is acceptable, as they both offer much more offensive power than Body Slam.
- Fire Punch can be used to hit troublesome Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor but does not have the moveslot for it to use it.
- Ice Punch is the same in this regard, hitting Salamence, Garchomp, and Noivern.
- Hammer Arm can be used as a fun gimmick to mess around with the Trick Room teams. But as said, it is usually a gimmick.
- However, Power-Up Punch's +2 Attack boost can really help with Mega Kangaskhan becoming both a utility Pokemon and an offensive powerhouse.
- Lastly, Rock Tomb can be used to assist Kommo-o and Celesteela by lowering the opponent's Speed stat twice.
COUNTERS:
Fighting-types:
Choice Scarf Machamp, Mega Medicham, and Terrakion can hit Mega Kangaskhan with Close Combat or Drain Punch,
even denting it after an Intimidate drop. Mega Lucario can easily threaten an OHKO with Adaptibility boosted Close Combat.
Ghost-types:
Seeing difficulty against some Ghost-types such as Jellicent and Chandelure, they can burn Mega Kangaskhan with Will-O-Wisp and cripple it.
However, they have to be careful of Sucker Punch.
Intimidate or Burn:
Mega Kangaskhan highly relies on its damage to be a menacing threat, so Intimidators like Mega Manectric, Mawile, Gyarados, Salamence, and
Arcanine are not usually Pokemon that Mega Kangaskhan wants to stay in on. Also, burning it halves its Attack, making it less of an offensive threat.
Residual Damage:
Because of no form of reliable recovery, it can be whittled down by Rocky Helmet, Iron Barbs / Rough Skin, burns, toxic poison,
and is also crippled by paralysis.
Mega Gallade:
With Inner Focus, Mega Gallade can avoid flinching and proceed to KO either of Mega Kangaskhan or Kommo-o with Psycho Cut (Crit) or Close Combat.
Faster Fake Out Users:
All cases of this situation are Weavile, Mega Lopunny, Ambipom, Infernape, Liepard, Mienshao, Salazzle, Ludicolo (Drizzle + Swift Swim), and Raichu. Weavile can try to also nab a KO on Kommo-o with Ice Punch as well, while Mega Lopunny can hit Mega Kangaskhan with High Jump Kick or Kommo-o with Ice Punch, and Infernape hits Mega Kangaskhan with Close Combat, to list a few examples.
Abilities such as Rough Skin, Iron Barbs, Flame Body, etc:
Due to Mega Kangaskhan hitting twice, it is more likely for Mega Kangaskhan to gain the effect from the ability. For example, Mega Kangaskhan has a greater chance of being burned by Flame Body.
OVERVIEW:
Celesteela is a fantastic Pokemon to use due to its amazing defensive typing and stupidly bulky stats and has Beast Boost to become even bulkier.
Though Steel-type is not usually seen as an offensive typing, Celesteela's massive weight has made it a tremendous user of Heavy Slam,
especially against Fairy-types. Leech Seed also gives Celesteela a reliable form of recovery and Protect is used alongside it to gain even more
HP. However, Electric-types tend to take out Celesteela very easily and is also somewhat passive if not using Heavy Slam.
View attachment 156840
Celesteela (is this name even allowed?)
USSR (Celesteela) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 44 Def / 4 SpA / 164 SpD
Careful Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Leech Seed
- Flamethrower
- Protect
SET DETAILS:
- A Careful nature, 252 HP, 44 Defense and 164 Special Defense EVs mix Celesteela's defensive stats around and allows Celesteela to gain a Special Defense boost from Beast Boost. Even if the investment in Attack is not high, Heavy Slam still deals a truckload of damage. The last few EVs were put into Special Attack to boost Flamethrower an extra tiny bit.
- Heavy Slam is Celesteela's main STAB move of choice to use as it hits ridiculously hard anyway.
- Leech Seed is used as a somewhat reliable form of recovery and whittles down opponents such as Suicune until they are able to be KOed by Heavy Slam.
- Flamethrower picks off other Steel-types that may be able to deal with Celesteela such as Scizor, Mega Metagross, and its rival, Skarmory.
- Protect is used alongside Leech Seed to gain even more HP from Leech Seed recovery as well as Leftovers recovery.
HOW I USED IT:
Celesteela is essentially the shield of Kommo-o, shielding it from Fairy-type attacks and hitting them back with Heavy Slam. Intimidate support from Landorus-T also helps as well and avoids Landorus-T's Earthquake. Fake Out support from Mega Kangaskhan allows Leech Seed to possibly be set up for free. In return, Celesteela beats Ice-, Rock- and Fairy-types, most notably, Gigalith, Alolan Ninetales, and Terrakion.
OTHER OPTIONS:
None whatsoever that are viable.
COUNTERS:
Fire-types:
Incineroar doesn't mind that it is super bulky and can pretty much hit it with Flare Blitz anyways. Also, Mega Charizard X & Y, Heatran, and
Moltres, can hit ridiculously hard with their STAB Fire-type attacks.
Electric-types:
Mega Manectric might just be the number one counter to Celesteela as it resists Heavy Slam, Intimidates Celesteela, and doesn't take much damage from Flamethrower or Heavy Slam. Zapdos, Thundurus, and Raikou also take on Celesteela very comfortably as well. However, none of them like to switch into a Leech Seed, except for Rotom-Mow.
Taunt:
Taunt users like Weavile and Hydreigon can prove to be a massive problem if it is revealed to have Taunt, blocking Leech Seed and Protect attempts.
OVERVIEW:
Ohh, Landorus-T, the number one most used Pokemon in Doubles. It has an amazing ability in Intimidate, a great offensive and possibly defensive typing as well, and has a fantastic movepool as well with great stats. Most people run the Choice Scarf varient, however, I on the other hand, am using an Assault Vest. Landorus-T also has a great skill of taking one hit and then hitting back with an even more powerful one, such as
fishing for Rock Slide flinches, which has saved a few games for me. However, Ice-types are a problem to Landorus-T. Landorus-T also lacks Protect as well in this case. Lastly, for whatever reason, most of my losses with this team was mostly because Landorus-T missed at least one Rock Slide. Landorus-T is cross-eyed, dammit.
View attachment 156842
Landorus-T
LandMaster (Landorus-Therian) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
- U-turn
SET DETAILS:
- A Jolly Nature, along with 252 Speed EVs make Landorus-T as fast as possible. 252 Attack EVs also make Landorus-T hit super hard as well.
- Intimidate is a fantastic ability to use as Landorus-T can also be an effective pivot with U-Turn.
- Earthquake is used to hit super hard and cleans up most weakened foes as well. Rock Slide hits Flying-types such as Tornadus and Thundurus (how ironic) and has a decently high chance to flinch the opponent.
- Superpower is used to surprise Bisharp, Tyranitar, and Snorlax to hit them very hard but also lowers Landorus-T's stats. You would usually want to switch if using Superpower.
- An Assault Vest is used to allow Landorus-T to not only take hits from the physical side but also on the special side as well.
HOW I USED IT:
Landorus-T is great with Intimidate support. Having Landorus-T pivot with U-Turn helps Mega Kangaskhan with its physical prowess and helps them stay on the field longer and also beats the Rock- and Steel-types that get in Mega Kangaskhan's way. Also, Celesteela is great in this regard and avoids Landorus-T's Earthquake while Celesteela can defeat Ice-types rather quickly (or slowly). Lastly, Kommo-o can defeat Ice-types as well thanks to its Fighting-type, however, both have to watch out for their weakness to Ice-type moves. Landorus-T also might have the advantage of having a slow U-Turn, bringing a teammate in safely.
OTHER OPTIONS:
- A Life Orb set can be used, boosting Landorus-T's attacks but this makes Landorus-T much more frail, something it never thought it would hear.
- Earth Power can be used, but it has a very noticeable power drop.
- Though not common in Doubles or the Battle Tree at all, Stealth Rock can be used to chip the opponent's HP.
- Explosion can be used as a gimmick surprise and, but this hurts your teammate (especially if Landorus-T is equipping a Choice Band)
- Hidden Power Ice hits Garchomp and other Landorus but is not generally used.
- Knock Off is probably one of the better options that Landorus-T has, but it is very weak otherwise.
- Stone Edge is not recommended, as it has a very high likelihood to miss.
- A mixed attacker set with Sludge Bomb or Sludge Wave can be used, however, I imagine that this is also a gimmick.
- While Choice Scarf might seem good, being locked into resisted or non-effective moves suck, and hitting your teammate with Earthquake is not a fun thing to do. (This actually contributed to one of my losses as well) Therefore, Assault Vest would be better in this case.
- Rock Tomb can be used to slow down opponents such as Choice Scarf Garchomp and Mega Salamence.
- A Z-Move set is not recommended, as it means getting rid of another Z-Crystal user in Kommo-o.
COUNTERS:
Ice-types:
Weavile, Rotom-Frost, and Glaceon can hit Landorus-T on the super-effective side but has to watch out for the super-effective hits that Landorus-T packs as well. Ice-type moves in general can almost always ignore the fact that the Assault Vest in there in the first place.
Water-types:
Rotom-Wash, Vaporeon, and Suicune can easily take Landorus-T's attacks and can hit back with a strong Water-type move or a super-effective Ice-type move.
Intimidate and Burn:
Landorus-T is a physical attacker, so Intimidate from other Pokemon such as Incineroar, Salamence, and Mawile can weaken Landorus-T a little bit. It is much harder to land a burn on Landorus-T but when it does land, Landorus-T is basically crippled for the rest of the game.
These few Battle Videos are somewhat close calls I had:
No. 437 (78WW - WWWW - WWX2 - ECM6)
No. 434 (X7BW - WWWW - WWX2 - ECN3)
No. 355 (TMGW - WWWW - WWX2 - ECNS)
No. 252 (RTAW - WWWW - WWX2 - ECZB)
View attachment 156843
LOSS VIDEO:
RVDG - WWWW - WWX2 - EBMW
"Hahaha! Just as I announced! A perfect victory for me!" - Youth Athlete Buddy
At this point, the Battle Tree is taunting me.
Buddy thought it was fun to toy with my emotions.
Led with Weavile and Noivern. I decided I would switch out Kommo-o into Celesteela.
I attempt to Fake Out Noivern, but Weavile, because of how fast it is, Faked Out first.
Noivern proceeded to use Hurricane but missed Celesteela. But then it used Focus Blast on Mega Kangaskhan and it landed. (how?)
Weavile taunts Mega Kangaskhan, which I'm alright with.
Celesteela Heavy Slams Weavile and lives at 1 HP because of Sash, but also proceeds to Pickpocket Celesteela's Leftovers as well.
Mega Kangaskhan Body Slams Noivern and paralyzes it.
Then Weavile switched out into Jolteon (ugly), somehow predicting I was gonna Sucker Punch?
Anyways, Noivern kills Mega Kanga with Focus Blast and dies to Celesteela's Heavy Slam, with Celesteela getting a Special Defense boost.
Weavile is sent back out and Fakes Out Kommo-o.
Jolteon proceeds to Thunderbolt Celesteela and Celesteela eats it up.
Then Ribombee comes out.
Now remember that Special Defense boost that I got on Celesteela?
It didn't matter because Jolteon hit a Crit Thunderbolt and down goes my Celesteela. Of course.
I would've Heavy Slammed it too had it not been for that ugly Pokemon, Jolteon.
Anyways, Kommo-o and Landorus-T are the only things left on the field now.
The logical decision was made to Protect Kommo-o on this turn.
Jolteon Fake Tears Landorus-T because he knew I was gonna Protect (Sometimes, I hate the AI)
And Kommo-o Flamethrowers Ribombee.
But now, all hell breaks loose.
Ribombee suddenly became a monster after getting one Quiver Dance up.
One Draining Kiss was enough to dent the hell out of Landorus-T, doing over half with Draining Kiss.
So, essentially, the game was over.
It didn't matter if I protected with Kommo-o because Ribombee could've went for either Landorus-T or Kommo-o to Draining Kiss on, KOing both at the range Landorus-T was at, and Kommo-o dies regardless.
Kommo-o faints due to Draining Kiss and Ribombee gains an insane amount of HP back.
Landorus-T lands the Rock Slide, but Ribombee lives at 1 HP. 1. H. P.
And not only that, from the range Ribombee was at, I could've killed.
But NOOOO. Ribombee just HAD to live, because I got just the roll that Ribombee needed to live. (I didn't get a crit either)
So now I have a loss where it wasn't because Landorus-T missed Rock Slide, but Landorus-T missed the KO WITH Rock Slide.
This adds another reason why I do NOT like using Landorus-T in competitive; It's good for other people, but the moment I use it, it sucks.
This reinforces my opinion.
And another thing, this is another loss where a Jolteon contributed to my loss, had it not Fake Tears on Landorus-T, I would've won.
Nothing I could've done to prevent that.
I hate Jolteon with a passion. Easily the WORST Eeveelution.
EDIT: Now, I'm starting to run Adamant Nature Landorus-T over Jolly, since it seems like Landorus-T needs more power to get the KOs rather than its Speed.
