Other Metagames (BH, Peak Rank 1&3, 1822 Elo, 91.2% GXE) Wandering Spirit Stall [Immortal Phoenix drowns the World in Tears of Gold]

Ballfire · Apr 18, 2025

Immortal Phoenix drowns the World in Tears of Gold

(click Sprites for PokePaste)

Hello, and welcome to my first RMT! This is a stall team built around a double Regenerator and Wandering Spirit core. After being eliminated by Sevag's stall team—featuring Harvest Blissey and Rapid Spin + Mortal Spin Celesteela—in the BH Open, I set a new goal for myself: to reach Rank 1, and to do it using stall.

This team was built for laddering, so I aimed to maximize consistency wherever possible. For me, that meant avoiding a superman-style team, as I felt it would be difficult to cover all potential threats one might encounter on the ladder while also maintaining a consistent win condition against slower teams.

After a few iterations, I settled on a dual Regenerator core of :celesteela:

and

.

For this team, a Steel-type Regenerator was essential to consistently deny value from Mortal Spin. I quickly chose :celesteela:

due to its immunity to Spikes. I wanted to minimize any incremental damage to my Regenerator core— even Stealth Rock's 1/8th chip would significantly cut into the healing provided. I even ended up using a dual spin set, much like Sevag had used against me.

:giratina:

was selected as the second Regenerator, thanks to its immunity to trapping and a range of valuable resistances provided by its Dragon typing. At one point, it was the Pokémon carrying both spin moves, but it proved too inconsistent at removing hazards, especially against common Spikes setters like :arceus-ghost:

.

(

)

The special wall of choice quickly became :arceus-electric:

. After trying out Ice Scales :ho-oh:

, I realized how debilitating a Thunder Cage weakness was—especially if I was planning to use :celesteela:

as my Steel-type Regenerator. I also liked the idea of using an Ice Scales + Take Heart Arceus Forme to handle the Imposter matchup as consistently as possible. Due to the low damage output from Imposter, Thunder Cage + Strength Sap + Leftovers turned it into a win condition that could reliably self-proof.
:celesteela:

(

)

I tried

as my Fur Coat user due to its excellent stats, resistance to Simple Power Trip, and only a single common weakness—Fighting—which :giratina:

could partially cover. I gave it Topsy-Turvy to prevent Victory Dance users from boosting freely and sweeping.
:celesteela:

(

)

I believe Imposter is mandatory for a consistent ladder team. Accordingly, I added Covert Cloak :blissey:

. While this sacrifices the extreme bulk that Eviolite :chansey:

brings, it helped patch a weakness to Spirit Shackle sweepers.
:celesteela:

(

)

(

)

Lastly, I realized I needed a Wandering Spirit Pokémon to help self-proof my own Regenerator core over the long term. If you're unfamiliar with the interaction: Wandering Spirit swaps abilities when hit by a contact move. This allows you to steal Regenerator from opposing mons and deny Imposter value after it copies yours. I used the following set:

Steelix-Mega @ Covert Cloak
Ability: Wandering Spirit
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe

Volt Switch
Spirit Shackle
Shore Up
Spikes

This set could pivot, set Spikes, and self-proof using Spirit Shackle.
However, I quickly found :steelix-mega:

underwhelming. Its weakness to Salt Cure was especially frustrating. In theory, Covert Cloak should help with that, but it would often get removed immediately by Knock Off from nearly every opposing Regenerator. It was also slow, specially frail, and didn’t contribute any valuable resistances to the team.
:celesteela:

(

)

(

)

(

)

It was eventually replaced by :eternatus:

, which provided useful resistances, solid Speed, and no Salt Cure weakness. While it can't block Mortal Spin, it also doesn’t get poisoned. Finding the right set for this slot was by far the hardest part of the process. I experimented with various status-inflicting moves like Scald and Spikes, but after getting flamed by QT and others on Discord, I realized I needed a more consistent way to get value from this Pokémon. I eventually landed on Ruination / Encore / Thunder Cage / Strength Sap, which can make progress into most teams.
:celesteela:

(

):

(

)

After talking to Akira, I realized a Water-type would be the most consistent Fur Coat option—unless I wanted to run multiple Fur Coat users. Since I was already satisfied with :arceus-electric:

as a special wall, I chose :dondozo:

over

.

offers nearly the same physical bulk as :ting-lu:

while also resisting V-create and Surging Strikes, which proved crucial.
:celesteela:

(

)

Finally,

was replaced by :ting-lu:

, retaining the same moveset. This was a fairly recent change aimed at improving my matchup into :arceus-ghost:

hazard stack teams. :ting-lu:

also boasts fantastic stats, a useful Electric immunity, and the ability to make progress through STAB-boosted Knock Off and Salt Cure.
:celesteela:

"It is said that long, long ago, the goddess walked among mortals. She delighted in dancing and singing with every living creature across the land. Her closest companion was a songbird whose voice was so beautiful, the entire forest would fall silent just to listen.
For a time, they sang together in perfect harmony—until the day the bird's delicate life came to an end."

"Heartbroken, the goddess could not bear the loss of her dearest friend. Her golden tears burned with such intensity that they ignited a great inferno, consuming the forest in flames."

Golden Teardrop (Ting-Lu) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe

Knock Off
Salt Cure
Mortal Spin
U-Turn/Dragon Tail

Checks: :miraidon:

,

,

Improof: :ting-lu:

,

is the first of two Regenerator mons and serves as a constant source of pressure while soaking up chip damage and Knock Off. The combination of STAB Knock Off, Salt Cure, and Mortal Spin threatens nearly every opposing Pokémon, including Magic Guard users such as :arceus-ghost:

and

. Mortal Spin removes hazards and poisons foes, putting them on a timer and significantly reducing their longevity, while Salt Cure punishes opposing Steel-types like :celesteela:

and

, which are immune to Mortal Spin.

U-Turn is a great final move, allowing for slow pivoting with a base Speed of 85—enough to move second against most common Regenerator users. Alternatively, Dragon Tail can phaze out opposing sweepers and also ends trapping moves, making it a viable option if you decide to give :eternatus:

Spikes.

This set runs 252 Attack EVs to ensure Knock Off remains threatening, and a minimum Speed IV to better punish switches and go last in pivot chains.

"From those ashes, the bird was reborn—as a phoenix, a creature of pure fire, as eternal as the stars themselves."

Life from Ashes (Blissey) (F) @ Covert Cloak
Ability: Imposter
Tera Type: Normal
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk

Shore Up
Topsy-Turvy
Block
Mortal Spin/Heal Bell

Checks: ?, :tyranitar:

Improof:

Imposter Blissey is the team's late-game insurance, check to certain sweepers and scouting tool. It’s the most common lead as gathering information is super valuable on against ladder players.
The chosen item, Covert Cloak lets it counter certain sweepers that rely on Spirit Shackle to PP stall imposter. Additionally, with covert Cloak you can freely switch into some Salt Cure steel-types that might otherwise be problematic. One of the most important decisions is what Pokemon can afford to get knocked off. If you're facing a Pokemon that might be a Spirit Shackle sweeper (Tyranitar, Kyogre, Yveltal, Arceus-Dark) DO NOT let Blissey lose its item.
The chosen moveset lets blissey check opposing imposter copying Eternatus or Arceus-Electric in a pinch. This doesn't come up that often though as they're fairly self-proofed. You can use Heal Bell over Mortal Spin but I didn't get to use Heal Bell at all during my climb.

"She knew the punishment for cursing a mortal with immortality. The gods banished her to the moon. As it bid her farewell, the phoenix’s heart shattered."

Solitary Duet (Dondozo) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Fur Coat
Tera Type: Dark
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 20 Spe

Knock Off
Recover
Salt Cure
Topsy-Turvy

Checks:

, physical :lucario-mega:

,

Improof:

Fur Coat Dondozo excels at taking physical hits. Rocky Helmet punishes the majority of choiced physical wallbreakers such as Blaziken, Greninja, Choice Band Lucario and Headlong Rush Garchomp. Knock Off and Salt Cure punish attackers that stay in as well as switch-ins including Imposter. Topsy-Turvy helps deal with boosting moves such as Victory Dance and Swords Dance.
I opted for Shore Up as recovery to ensure Dondozo's longevity against sapblockers. Be careful against mixed attackers as its spdef is pretty pathetic.
It's the worst improofed pokemon on the team but also doesnt accomplish much against Ting-Lu. The chosen speed makes it just faster than Ting-Lu, meaning that Ting-Lu can freely U-Turn on impostered Dondozo.

"Now, the Phoenix sings their songs in solitude.
Every dawn, it tries to reach her—flying toward the moon, only to fall when the air grows too thin. And every day, it sheds a single golden tear. "

Unmendable Heart (Celesteela) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe

Mortal Spin
Knock Off
Rapid Spin
Revelation Dance

Checks:

,

,

Improof:

,

Celesteela is the secondary RegenVest on the team. It features the double spin moveset pioneered by sevag. Keeping hazards off the field is a very important part of our gameplan. This is because they cut into the amount the team's regenpivots can heal each time they switch in and out. It's also our sole Normalize check. In most machups you can afford to let celesteela get knocked off but make sure to keep assault vest against choice specs

"Over the course of millennia, those tears will become a flood, engulfing all there is."

Golden Flood (Arceus-Electric) @ Leftovers
Ability: Ice Scales
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk

Take Heart
Thunder Cage
Ice Beam
Strength Sap

Checks:

,

, Take Heart :arceus:

Improof:

,

This is the team's primary special wall. Ice Scales Arceus-Electric has a few neat properties that make it a good choice for a stall team. It's relatively fast, resists Thunder Cage and Volt Switch (plus Tachyon Cutter) and is only weak to ground, which is extremely uncommon on the special side.
Additionally it boasts a very solid physical defense stat of 120, allowing it to shrug off even boosted secret sword.

+6 252 SpA Arceus-Ghost Secret Sword vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Ice Scales Arceus-Electric: 121-143 (27.2 - 32.2%) -- 62.8% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

The chosen moveset features STAB Thunder Cage to trap and deal residual damage to opposing walls. Take Heart allows you to recover from mortal spin, boost up your special defenses on opposing nasty plot and take heart users and can turn Arceus-Electric into a potent late game win condition. Ice Beam offers near perfect coverage in combination with thunder cage and hits specially attacking dragons super effectively. Strength sap is the recovery move of choice. This ensures the imposter self-proof but unfortunately makes it prone to getting worn down by opposing magic guard blissey/Chansey or magic bounce.
Leftovers helps Arceus recover, especially in matchups where strength sap doesn't offer reliable recovery. It also ensures we beat imposter Chansey or blissey even after taking damage when setting up take heart.

"Our doom is assured."

Certain Apocalypse (Eternatus) @ Rocky Helmet/Black Sludge
Ability: Wandering Spirit
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk

Thunder Cage
Strength Sap
Encore/Spikes/Dragon Energy/Stone Axe
Ruination/Dragon Energy/Scald/Torch Song/Shell Side Arm

Checks:

,

Improof:

,

Eternatus is the dedicated improof for our regenerators. Wandering Spirit swaps the enemy ability and Wandering Spirit upon being hit by a contact move. The most important ability to steal is regenerator. You can do this to both imposter and regular opposing RegenVests, but try to scout out Regenerators before switching in Eternatus. Eternatus can also switch into some threats like Blaziken. Avoid getting it paralyzed.
There are a LOT of options for moves and frankly I'm not sure the current moveset is optimal. It does make consistent progress into most teams. Encore also gives it utility as Timid Eternatus outspeeds many threats like Take Heart Arceus and can lock them into status moves. Unfortunately the only way to make progress into ground-types is ruination.
I'd encourage you to experiment once you're more familiar with the team and let me know if you come up with cool ideas.

This is a stall team so your mindset should be to take the most consistent plays unless you're in a disadvantageous position already. An example would be to heal up :dondozo:

at 70-80% (if you need it) instead of going for attacks. Make sure to scout where possible. Try to make a gameplan based on preserving pokemon highly valuable in the matchup. An example of this would be preserving :celesteela:

's HP and Assault Vest against an opposing :gardevoir-mega:

. When you can afford it, create long-term problems for your opponent with Knock Off and Mortal Spin. In general, the best Knock Off absorbers are the RegenVests and :eternatus:

. The best sac fodder is often :eternatus:

. If there is a super threatening wallbreaker on the enemy team, try to deny it opportunities to come in for free.

/

These Pokemon wall both :eternatus:

and

and deny the majority of their Strength Sap recovery. With Encore, :eternatus:

is able to make progress into them though.

Magic Bounce
I barely faced this but it could prove annoying if it's on Pokemon like :clodsire:

that can consistently switch into :eternatus:

and

. Similar to Magic Guard :chansey:

/

in that it can deny Strength Sap healing.

Magic Guard
:arceus-ghost:

is a big threat to this team as it can set up spikes without being deterred by mortal spin or Salt Cure. However it does not appreciate taking Knock Off from :ting-lu:

and Revelation Dance from :celesteela:

.

252 Atk :ting-lu:

Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 252 Def :arceus-ghost:

: 134-158 (30.1 - 35.5%) -- 27% chance to 3HKO
252 SpA :celesteela:

Revelation Dance vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD :arceus-ghost:

: 90-106 (20.2 - 23.8%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

It also doesn't threaten :ting-lu:

with its attacks.
252 SpA Spooky Plate :arceus-ghost:

Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD :ting-lu:

: 77-91 (14.9 - 17.7%) -- possible 6HKO
(without Assault Vest)

The bigger issue is its ability to set up spikes against :ting-lu:

. Very long term this loses to :blissey:

(you can stall out judgment).
252 SpA Spooky Plate :arceus-ghost:

Judgment vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD :blissey:

: 258-306 (36.1 - 42.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

This does only work if you're healthy enough to take the damage from Judgement + hazards. You'll also get your Covert Cloak knocked so consider if you can afford to switch :blissey:

into it.

Beak Blast/Burning Bulwark
These moves can be quite annoying when you're trying to remove hazards as getting your Regenerators burned cuts into their recovery and damage (especially :ting-lu:

's Knock Off).

Mixed attackers
With the right coverage mixed attackers like :necrozma-ultra:

can absolutely destroy us. Try to scout out the moveset by taking hits with your RegenVests.

Moongeist Beam
This move is super threatening as it ignores Ice Scales. :ting-lu:

does well into a number of ghost-types unless they also have ways to hit it super-effectively.

Fast boosting special attackers
These Pokemon can sometimes overwhelm :arceus-electric:

by setting up Nasty Plot or Unburden Torch Song on the switch and blasting it with powerful moves. Don't try to use Take Heart just hit them as hard as you can.

Trick
Trick can cripple our defensive Pokemon by choice-locking them. :dondozo:

is especially prone to this as it is giga passive. If it does get tricked try to soak up hits with other members of the team such as :blissey:

.

Ground-types
With the current moveset, :eternatus:

can't make progress into Heavy-Duty Boots or Regenerator ground-types. If they consistently switch to a ground-type mon go for double switches when appropriate.

Imposter
The improofs can be a bit shaky so Imposter could be an issue long-term. Make sure to punish it with Knock Off and Mortal Spin if you can afford to trade moves.

☆[Opponent]: Yeah, you suck as a person
[Opponent] forfeited.

[Opponent]: bg
[Opponent]: getting sick and fucking tired of facing the stall team u made because u got salty over some tour loss
[Opponent]: fuck that team of yours, honestly
[Opponent]: im not letting you get any more elo off my mains
Turn 448
AC Fritz Byne has 120 seconds left.
☆AC Fritz Byne: i fucking hate regen stall. i should have known better than to queue stall. i thought you wouldn't be on at this time. my mistake

☆Nine Breaker Klein: i genuinely hope you die of a stroke.
[2:54 AM]
☆HarvestBlissVictim: that seems a bit harsh
Nine Breaker Klein has 90 seconds left.
Mathy joined
Nine Breaker Klein was locked from talking for a week by Mathy. (☆Nine Breaker Klein: i genuinely hope you die of a stroke.)
[2:55 AM]
Nine Breaker Klein forfeited by changing their name.

Shoutouts

Thank you to QT for helping me with my teams, especially in open. I forgive you for roasting my Scald Eternatus...
Thank you Akira, especially for helping me adjust the team to be better against superman-style teams and for encouraging me to write an RMT.
Also thank you to Akira and City for proofreading.
Thank you to sevag for being a cool person and for kicking my ass in open.
Thanks to other BH people I talk to on discord :)

Phoenix Art by JennLaa:
https://www.deviantart.com/jennlaa/art/Golden-Phoenix-190672471
Crying Person Art by Nemmesea:
https://www.deviantart.com/nemmesea/art/When-The-Angels-Cry-911176518

Other Metagames (BH, Peak Rank 1&3, 1822 Elo, 91.2% GXE) Wandering Spirit Stall [Immortal Phoenix drowns the World in Tears of Gold]

Ballfire