(bib)Barelling through team after team...

[Isaac 2.0]

Hey everyone, after not playing OU and Shoddy for a while now, I've decided to try it again. The concept of this team is to be able to handle the metagame well, even without the main sweeper. It's surprise factor catches a lot of people off guard, and even without boosts, can contribute well enough to the team.

Team Strengths and Weaknesses:

Thanks to Marriland.com for the table.
The team relies a lot on resistances and immunities along with good prediction to work. Currently 1335 after 3 days of using the team (about 10 hours playing time).

Metagross@Lum Berry
Ability: Clear Body
Adamant Nature
200 HP/232 Atk/32 Spe/44 SpD

Stealth Rock
Bullet Punch
Earthquake
Explosion

This is the perfect lead. It's job is just to set-up SR as early as possible while taking down the opposing lead then exploding on an offensive threat later on. Lum Berry means I take down any Smeargle or Roserade leads. The EV spread is not mine, I found it while browsing through RMTs but the speed EVs help me outspeed opposing Metagross. I get Explosion rather than Meteor Mash since Meta's job is getting Rocks up and dispatching the opposing lead, so an extra kill is a bonus. If I face any Trick leads, I don't mind at all, as, after SR, Meta doesn't have much to do and a Scarf will really help become a revenge killer later on or so I can fire off Explosion.

Here's how I handle OU's top leads:

: Bullet Punch first to break it's Sash then switch to Heatran.

: Always EQ first then SR since I outspeed it. If it uses Trick, just switch to Gengar after hurting it with EQ.

: Always SR first. EQ won't OHKO. If it SRs, EQ to scout, if it EQs, switch to Latias to scare it off.

: Bullet Punch twice if it Taunts first turn, if it SRs, BP then SR then BP.

: EQ then Bullet Punch. The HP and SpD EVs prevent me from being KOed by Flamethrower. SR after.

: EQ then Bullet Punch. SR after.

: Switch to Latias. Set-up SR later.

: EQ first. I outspeed T-tar so I can set-up SR.

Latias@Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Modest Nature
252 SpAtk/252 Spe/4 HP

Draco Meteor
Thunderbolt
Surf
Trick

Latias is here to get rid of any DD Pokemon. Both Salamence and Gyarados are outsped and OHKOed even with 1DD. Trick is for stall teams, great at disabling Blissey who always comes in to try and absorb Latias' attacks, or any wall to make it useless. Latias is Pursuit bait, so I usually double switch when using her to scout for T-tar or Scizor. Draco Meteor is generally better since it does more than a neutral Surf. If it's mid game, and I know my opponent has T-tar, at aroud 60% HP, I can KO it when it tries to switch in and eats 2 Surfs.

Heatran@Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
Naive Nature
252 SpAtk/252 Spe/4 Atk

Fire Blast
Earth Power
Hidden Power Grass
Explosion

This is what I switch to from Latias when scouting for Pursuiters. With Scizor, it's pretty easy activating Flash Fire. It's all pretty self-explanatory, HP Grass for Swampert switch ins. I'm thinking if I should use Sub Heatran so it eases prediction more and I can also pass speed from Scizor if I use SubTran. The only reason I don't use SubTran is because SD Lucario can sweep me late game. 2 Choice Pokemon in this team further emphasizes how fast battles need to finish as the longer they last, the harder it is for the team to win. Explosion is basically for Blissey as it is a pain to face.

Scizor@Occa Berry
Ability: Technician
Jolly Nature
204 HP/52 Atk/252 SpD

Swords Dance
Agility
Baton Pass
Bullet Punch

Yes, I know what you're thinking. I'll never be able to pull off SD, Agility then BP without getting Scizor or Bibarel killed. The key here is the surprise factor. When I bring Scizor on things like Latias, Tyranitar and many other offensive threats it usually handles, they naturally switch to a wall. Calm Mind users are also great for Scizor. 1 Agility brings me up to 364 Speed outspeeding non-Scarfed positive base 110 Pokemon. The Special Defense and HP investments help me stand up to neutral attacks coming from walls and weaker special attackers. Bullet Punch is for STAB and priority and with 1SD can hurt things as long as it's not resisted. The surprise factor is really what helps me pull of the Baton Pass.

Bibarel@Leftovers
Ability: Simple
Adamant Nature
252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def

Waterfall
Return
Focus Punch
Thunder Wave

Yup, with 885 Attack and 585 Speed after SD and Agility passed to it, very few things are not OHKOed by this thing, especially with SR support. Waterfall and Return is unresisted in OU bar Empoleon which I can Thunder Wave or switch out of. Thunder Wave is for Walls. Bibarel is a great BP reciever because it resists a lot of the priority moves in OU. Bullet Punch, Shadow Sneak, Ice Shard are all resisted or immune to. Mach Punch is a problem, but at full HP, Mach Punch from Infernape doesn't KO. Extremespeed from unboosted Lucario or Dragonite also fails to KO. Without any boosts, Bibarel can still stand on its own, and 1 Thunder Wave before it dies is helpful too.

Gengar@Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Timid Nature
252 SpAtk/252 Spe/4 HP

Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
HP Fire
Protect

This used to be Standard Gengar for cleaning things up, but changed to MysticGar so I can better handle CB Scizor and Ttar. Gyarados and Salamence will still fear Gar early game since it doesn't know what type of Gengar it is, and if it gets off a DD, Latias can still revenge kill. This also kills offensive Non-scarf Latias and Rotom and lets me fire something at Forretress or Skarm trying to set-up entry hazards.

There you have it, the team. Please rate.

 

[Isaac 2.0]

Threat List​

: Gengar can handle CB versions, Heatran scares away most, if it's Scarfed, use prediction to lock it into something I resist, and use the team's many resistances to force it out.

: Gengar lures most in, and can dispatch with Focus Blast. Scizor scares most off and a switch helps me set-up more. Metagross can handle it and isn't KOed by Ttar with full HP thanks to HP investments. Bibarel can paralyze Scarf versions.

: Latias outspeeds it even with 1DD up, Gengar scares it off early game. Meta and Heatran can explode if it threatens to sweep.

: Bibarel can handle most versions, Heatran can force a switch on choice-locked Heatrans, Latias can 2HKO, Gengar can kill it.

: Latias OHKOs via Draco Meteor. Scizor forces switches, Metagross can Explode, Heatran forces Choice Latias locked on Dragon moves to switch.

: Latias outspeeds and KOs even with DD. Metagross can explode on Gyaras threatening a sweep. Bibarel can paralyze.

: Metagross loves Trick Jirachis giving him Scarf for later in the match, Heatran and Scizor scare it off, I generally just try to hit it as hard as possible.

: Leads are outsped and scared off or KOed by EQ. Heatran handles non-scarfed, AgiliGross can be a problem, but given the nature of this team, it doesn't have time to set-up the Agility to get it going.

: Latias outspeeds it to KO, Gengar can speed tie, Scizor scares it off so I can set-up, Heatran can kill it, so can Metagross.

: This can be a problem, I need to bring it's HP down a bit so Heatran can OHKO with HP Grass. Latias can scare it off, but I have to be wary for Avalanche versions. Metagross can explode on it.

: Heatran handles the SD version well, and SR up early means Sashes won't ruin me. Gengar can also kill it, with immunities to Extremespeed and Mach Punch.

: Latias and Gengar scare it off, Heatran can come in on Fire Blast. I just have to use my immunities and resistances to my advantage.

: This is for all Rotom forms. Rotom-H is not a problem, as Heatran keeps it in check. Rotom-C also is scared off by Heatran. Rotom-W is a problem though, and I need to use prediction to kill it. Hydro Pump and Shadowball along with Thunderbolt gives it options to massively hurt anyone on my team.

: Gengar, Latias deal with it. ScarfStarmie is generally seen as a lead and Tricks its Scarf on Meta, so it isn't a problem as well.

: Latias can Trick Scarf onto it, Metagross can come in on Thunder Wave and scout to make sure it doesn't have Protect. Heatran usually catches one off guard with Explosion since I pretend not to have Explosion till late mid-late game where it thinks it can wall me.

: Latias deals with it. Metagross can explode.

: Get SR up. Flamethrower doesn't KO, switch to Heatran. Azelf can't really do much to the team with 4 Pokemon resisting or immune to Explosion, and 1 immune to Flamethrower.

: Metagross outspeeds non-scarf, Heatran outspeeds it.

: Gengar, Latias, Heatran.

: Latias can take it on one on one, Metagross can explode, Scizor can come in and set-up thanks to SpD and HP investments.

: Scizor can set-up while it CMs then tries to hit me with Surf as I switch. Meta can explode, Latias can Trick Scarf.

: I let it sleep Meta after I set-up SR, then switch to Gengar to force it out.

: Metagross explodes on it most of the time. Latias can also Draco Meteor it.

: Latias can kill it, Heatran or Metagross can explode on it.

: Gengar, Scizor can come in and scare it off.

: Scizor can lure it in than I switch to Heatran, Latias can hurt it with Draco Meteor.

: Latias kills it, Scizor can hurt it with BP after Swords Dance and SR damage.

: Heatran, Latias, Metagross can all handle it.

: Heatran, Gengar, Scizor can set-up.

: Latias, Metagross can explode.

: Latias, Gengar, Metagross.

: Heatran, Gengar Scizor can come in and set-up.

: Latias, Gengar, Metagross can explode.

: Metagross, Heatran can come in on Fire Punch, Latias Draco Meteor.

: Metagross. Bullet Punch twice.

: Trick Scarf on it, Metagross can Explode.

: Metagross kils it with EQ then Bullet Punch.

: Everyone in the team can kill it.

: Heatran, Gengar, Scizor can set-up and take a Will-o-Wisp than surprise by BPing.

: Metagross, Latias, Scizor can set-up.

: Latias can Trick Scarf, Meta can explode after setting-up SR.

: With SR, and 2 priority moves, Ninjask is not a problem at all.

: Smeargle is only seen as a lead, Metagross KOs it.

: Latias, Gengar can kill non-Scarf versions, Heatran.

 

[Aircraft Cemetery]

Hello,

Your team looks quite okay. There are some small things you could change in order to be more successful.
First, you have a screaming CB Scizor and CS/CB Tyranitar weakness. Latias and Gengar are easily pursuited and then most stat up sweepers have an easy sweep with your team. I you want to keep both Latias ynd gengar, I would suggest you change Gengar to the MysticGar set. It will lure in and kill Scizor and Tyranitar pretty well and it can still be a dangerous late game sweeper.
Gengar@Life Orb
Timid-252SpAtk, 252Spe, 4HP
-Focus Blast
-Shadow Ball
-HP Fire
-Protect
On your Metagross Lead i would definitely use Meteor Mash over Earthquake. Without Meteor Mash you won't be able to beat Azelf leads, which is very crucial for Metagross leads. Earthquake will only allow you to hit Infernape and Heatran, who outspeed and ohko you anyway, so it's really not worth using.
On Heatran you could consider Dragon Pulse over HP Grass to hit Latias and Salamence switch ins harder. HP Grass is also okay though if Swampert is a pain for you.
Now to your Baton Pass duo: Well, basically Gliscor will always be the superior choice when it comes to passing speed and attack reliably. But if you say that the surprise factor of Baton Pass scizor allows you to pass +2 attack and+2 speed most of the time, I guess it's okay. Maybe you could try Roost over Bullet Punch, which would allow you to pass more than once. However Bullet Punch is also okay if you want scizor to deal some damage itself and revenge weakened opponents.
Bibarel is a very appealing choice for your recipient, as it's Simple ability and its almost unresisted stab combination can really tear teams apart. However I'm not quite in favour of your moveset. The EVs, Waterfall and Return are obvious. But Focus Punch is only a very unreliable fighting attack and Thunder Wave is really worthless here. The better option over Focus Punch is Superpower. If you use it, you should also change your item to White Herb. It will guarantee that your first Superpower won't lower your stats at all (note it will lower them by 2 levels) and it will also help against random Intimidate users, who can really stop your sweep cutting your attack by 2 levels each time they switch in. Now, you generally don't need a 4th move at all, as everything is already covered. Quick Attack is a good choice because it will hit Breloom and Infernape for decent damage (min 70%) at +4 Atk (factoring in Simple), who can really ruin your sweep with a super effective Mach Punch/Vacuum Wave. So if you can weaken them before, Bibarel can take them out before they hit. Bullet Punches and Ice Shards from other Priority users are resisted by Bibarel, so they won't be a major problem. The biggest problem will be Lucario, who will either have Extremespeed or Vacuum Wave to decimate Bibarel. You can't hit it hard with Quick Attack, so make sure Lucario is gone when you start your sweep.

Hope I could help. Good Luck !

 

[Ice-eyes]

How much does Lucario's max attack Life Orb Adamant Extremespeed do to Bibarel?

I would suggest utilising a Screener/Memento user like Azelf to set up screens and Memento out, giving you an easier time setting up with Scizor.

 

[jc104]

Yup, with 1180 Attack and 780 Speed after SD and Agility passed to it, very few things are not OHKOed by this thing, especially with SR support

This is not quite true unfortunately. Effectively when Bibarel receives a boost, the number of stages is doubled. This will mean that he is at +4, or triple his original attack. This works out as 885 attack rather than 1180. The same is true of your speed, which works out at 585 (you still outrun more or less everything.)

Although I believe Metagross and Lucario to be better baton pass targets, I can make a few suggestions as to how to make your set better. Firstly, some things in OU will outrun you, such as choice scarf starmie. Secondly, you must remember that you are weak to Mach punch. Therefore you might want to consider either 12 speed to outrun scarf starmie, or quick attack and life orb to OHKO starmie and Infernape after SR. This also gives you a fair chance to OHKO swords dance breloom, who may OHKO your current set after SR. Life orb will also help you to get past some of the sturdier physical walls, such as Skarm, who you will be surprised can survive an attack. Fully support superpower too.

Go to go. Good luck.

 

[Pollux-Castor]

I don't know how much usage you get out of Focus Punch, but you may want to use Swords Dance there in case Scizor doesn't get it off. If Scizor switches in and uses Agility on the opponents switch, then he will be fast enough to get off Baton Pass in case the switch in was a fire type or something, in which case Bibarel resists fire. Bibarel can then proceed to Swords Dance himself and sweep away with that awesome coverage. He can also support himself with Thunderwave in case you never pass him Agility.

Otherwise I think the team is great. Life Orb Gengar is an excellent sweeper and if you give Bibarel Swords Dance I don't think you will need Gliscor.

 

[Dummy007]

Bibarel doesn't learn Swords Dance. I would recommend Superpower in the third slot over Focus Punch. Aircraft Cemetery pretty much explained Superpower, but I would recommend Leftovers or Life Orb as opposed to White Herb. Superpower will really only be used against Empoleon, so you will most likely end up with +3 Atk and -1 Def. You can use White Herb if you want to.

Alternatively, you could give him a White Herb and run Curse over a Fighting attack or Thunder Wave. This will let him increase his own Attack and Defense without hindering his Speed. If you can get off an Agility and a Swords Dance, Curse will maximize your Attack and keep your Defense high.

Just a few thoughts. Good luck!

 

[Aircraft Cemetery]

Aircraft Cemetery pretty much explained Superpower, but I would recommend Leftovers or Life Orb as opposed to White Herb. Superpower will really only be used against Empoleon, so you will most likely end up with +3 Atk and -1 Def. You can use White Herb if you want to.

Well, Simple will also double all negative stat boosts so 1 superpower will leave Bibarel at only +2 attack and -2 defense. Also don't forget those tons of Intimidate users in OU. White Herb will be the superior choice I guess. Nonetheless, Leftovers or Life Orb are still viable.

 

[Isaac 2.0]

Thanks for all the comments guys! I added a Threat list, and am using MysticGar now, it works a lot better, thanks!

For Metagross, what about other opposing Metas? I need EQ for them. Without EQ, I cant hit opposing Jirachi either.

The reason I use Leftovers for Bibarel is because I don't want Bibarel to only function with boosts. I got Superpower and will try White Herb, but since Superpower is rarely used anyway other than for Empoleon, I'm gonna try Life Orb so I can get the KO on stuff like Bronzong, and Skarm so they don't explode or Phaze me.

More comments will be appreciated.

 

[Cherub Agent]

does bibby learn brick break? Im gonna run some calcs to see if he can take out empoleon with it, meaning you don't need white herb...

EDIT: yeah, providing you get a SD boost, you can easily OHKO empoleon with brick break, without SR or LO, so you can run lefties. Make sure gyara and mence are gone before you attemt his sweep though, but i guess that's what you have latias for. Lovely original team dude

 

[Aircraft Cemetery]

Unfortunately Bibarel doesn't learn Brick Break, in fact it doesn't get another fighting attack at all basides Superpower and Focus Punch. So you have to stick with Superpower.
Also even at +4 attack (with simple) you will never ohko forretress and skarmory even with Life Orb. You can use Life Orb though.
On meta you don't need EQ. Vs other Metas, you just put down Rocks and switch out. EQ would only be a 3hko anyway.
Lucario's Espeed will deal at least 55% damage.