XY OU beginner team build.

[Michael Onstine]

so this is my third attempt at building a team that won't get wrecked right away.
looking for tricks, tips, and just general ways to stand a better chances against others.

Galvantula
Nature: Timid
Ability: Compound Eyes
Held Item: Focus Sash
EV 252 SpA/ 252 Spe/ 4 HP
Thunder
Bug Buzz
Sticky Web
Giga drain

So this is my lead for the team.
since people usually expect me to throw out Hippowdon instead of this guy, it really helps against those flying and water types, I can usually out speed and take out with a thunder, plus with compound eyes it has a pretty good chance of landing.(if they don't switch out).
and with that focus sash as it's held item even if he gets out sped he can still get that sticky web out to slow the opponents anyway. and for the ground types I put Giga drain to do some damage as well as maybe last 1 more turn.

Sylveon
Nature:bold
Ability:Cute Charm
Held Item: Leftovers
EV: 252 Def/ 252 HP/ 4 SpA
Calm Mind
Moon Blast
Protect
Wish

This is a very important pokemon to my team that has helped me out with lots of tough spots.
with the constant mix of Wish and Calm Mind I can keep racking up the attack to hit hard, while also being able to take hits to keep up the combo.
For those times when wish and Calm Mind won't keep me alive is when Protect gives me that free HP after using a Wish.
Moon blast is pretty clear, It is the only attack Sylveon knows, but it works well against almost everything.

Sableye
Nature: Careful
Ability: Prankster
Held Item: Leftovers
EV 252 HP/ 252 SpD/ 4 Spe
Taunt
Will-O-Wisp
Recover
Knock off

Sableye has been used by me lots recently to help with those pokemon whos stat boosts mean nothing if they can't effect it.
Taunt is used to stop pokemon like Garchomp from boosting their stats, or pokemon like Ferrothotn from using hazards like Stealth Rock or Leech Seed.
Will-O-Wisp is used to do the damage that sabley usually can't, or to get that last hit in when it's almost dead and can't recover for it. while knock off can take care of items like Life Orb or Leftovers.

Clawitzer
Nature: Modest
Ability: Mega Launcher
Held Item: Life Orb
EV 252 HP/ 252 Spa/ 4 Spe
Water Pulse
Ice Beam
Dragon Pulse
Dark Pulse

Clawitzer is probably the lesser of my team, with no recovery moves to go off except for the wish from Sylveon he is basically my suicidal attacker with the Life Orb
Water Pulse is for stab and the chance of Confusion, Ice Beam is for the Freeze and coverage,Dragon Pulse is for the dragons pretty clearly, and Dark Pulse is for the psychic and ghost types as well as for the flinch.
The downside I notice with this pokemon is it can't move fast, so any pokemon with grass or electric that is faster usually OHKOs this guy.

Hipowdon
Nature: Impish
Ability: Sand Steam
Held Item: Leftovers
EV 252 HP/ 252 SpD/ 4 Def
Earthquake
Toxic
Slack Off
Stealth Rock

This guy is the prefered wall on my team. with it's bulk and toxic it can take on bulkier opponents that aren't easily taken out in other ways,
After switching this guy into a fight with a fire, rock, steel, or electric type they usually swap out for a good shot at stealth rock to take out other threats like Charizard or Talonflame.
Earthquake is this guys only attack to do some damage to the pokes that feel they can bulk up for a sweep.

Charizard
Nature: Timid
Ability: Drought
Held Item: Charizardite Y
EV 252 SpA/ 252 Spe/ 4 HP
Fire Blast
Solar Beam
Focus Blast
Roost

This is the Heaviest hitter on my team. This guy can usually out speed and over power most of my opponents pokemon.
Fire Blast for Stab, Solar Beam to cover water type weakness, Focus Blast for more coverage, and Roost to keep it healthy.
Not sure how to elaborate on this guy any more. This is all I really have to say on him.

trade outs, tips, move changes, anything to improve is greatly appreciated.

 

[Michael Onstine]

I am thinking about just taking this guy out all together, he can't hit fast enough to even be considered at this point.

 

[ssjjynx]

Looking at your team, M-charizard Y would probably be the focus. Zard Y is a powerfull heavy hitter, with decent speed and a great move pool and ability. Everything on your zard Y set is great, but I think you would find it more beneficial to have it as Modest instead of Timid, because you have a pokemon with Sticky Web on your team, so the boost in speed that Timid gives you wouldnt make much of a difference, whereas Modest will allow charizard to sweep most teams with a bit of team support.

Because Charizard is the focus of your team, it means you absolutely have to have defog or stealth rock support, in order for charizard to last very long in a battle. However, none of the pokemon on your team learn either of these 2 moves, which unfortunately means it would be best to replace one of them.
Galvantula provides great coverage for the team, and Sticky Web would really help out a Modest Charizard, so he's a keeper.
Sylveon works great with Zard Y as well, because it almost perfectly handles Latias, and even latos to an extent, which is very important because those two pokemon will be the ones you'll find to switch into charizard a lot, not to mention that Levitate makes them immune to Sticky Web, so Sylveon shouldnt be replaced either.
Sableye doesnt benefit your team as mich as the other two, but I can see the perks of keeping him. The priority will-o-wisp can cripple set up sweepers like M-Gyarados, Dragonite, Garchomp, and Terrakion, while Taunt and Knock Off cripple Chansey, Blissey, and other pokemon that could potentially give Charizard problems, so while Sableye isnt exactly a key part of your team, it is a rather helpful part.
Hippowdon is a great wall, and a very reliable pokemon to set up Stealth Rocks. While the dual weather (Sand and Sun) might make things difficult for your team, it is still essential to have a bulky pokemon to act as a Defensive Pivot for Charizard. Not to mention it is immune to Electric, one of Charizards weaknesses, so Hippowdon cant go either.
And that leaves Clawitzer. I strongly recommend you replace Clawitzer with another pokemon. I suggest the replacement have access to Defog or Rapid Spin, preferably Rapid Spin as Defog gets rid of your opponents hazards as well as your own, and you need to keep your Sticky Web on the field. Your rapid spinner would need to be more offensively orientated, because outside of Charizard you have nothing to deal large amounts of damage to your opponent with.
The best offensive rapid spinners are: Donphan, Excadrill with Sand Rush, and if you're really intent on having a water type on your team (which is probably a good idea), Starmie.

So yeah, if this is one of your first teams you did a really good job, and if it isn't you did a great job anyway! Hope this helps.

 

[Michael Onstine]

Perfect this really helps me out a lot, I knew I had to do something about Clawitzer but I wasn't sure what so you have given me way more to go off of than I was expecting.
as a side note, this is my third team I've built. and I think it's turned out pretty well so far.