I thought this would be a horrible idea but with Staraptor visiting UU for a while, this team becomes possible (and is ending up to be pretty successful). One of Staraptor's main strengths is blowing holes in flying type "counters" with its STAB attacks and close combat, and this complements Honchkrow very well, who is already incredibly difficult to deal with.
This team starts with these two pokemon. Together they already create a very frustrating core to deal with, but my team requires something to deal with stuff that outspeeds.
Fletchinder was a nice addition to the team as he successfully deals with a ton of pokemon that outspeed my core, giving more priority and more bird spam to overwhelm the team's resist. Fletchinder can also end up being a good sweeper, and gives me a surprise(?) will-o-wisp to use, allowing it to beat mega aggron. Next I wanted something which reliably would set up stealth rock every match.
Shuckle seemed like the perfect mon for this, being able to set up stealth rock every game whilst also putting damage onto anything before dying. Shuckle is also a perfect hazard setter for his ability to eat defogs and benefit from them using contrary. This means I don't need to focus anything else on hazards for this team. As almost every pokemon in the game can be broken through with repeated attacks from this team I have chosen to not use a defogger or rapid spinner as this loses momentum- instead, I chose to add another pokemon who aids honchkrow's sweep offensively:
Mega Banette has the ability to reliably trade 1 for 1 with anything. That means those Mega Aggrons or w/e that my team can't 2hko either has to switch out or die- and as nothing can repeatedly wall staraptor or honchkrow with SR up, they may never find another good switch-in. After playtesting I found this a lot more successful than a spinner, as it also provides useful knock-off support and additional priority, whilst almost being a spinblocker which pairs well with shuckles ability to take defog. Definitely an underrated support mon on offensive teams.
So for my last pokemon I chose crobat. This is the mon which is most up for debate, but having extra firepower is quite helpful when staraptor and honchkrow are on such short timers- plus the ability to outspeed alakazam is crucial due to his sash not being broken by SR. Also after playtesting, the ability to get around substitute users who attempt to take advantage of shuckle is incredibly valued, as many ghosts will give this team issues when behind a sub (since nothing can deal with will-o-wisp but fletchinder). A very fast and reliable attacker/sweeper which allows Staraptor to focus more heavily on the wallbreaking it does best.
After reaching higher levels it became kinda clear that while Crobat was good, I was stacking too much stealth rock weaknesses (5) and it was important to add someone else who can perform a similar role of reliable fast attacker without the SR issue, whilst also surviving more than 1 hit. Alakazam seemed like a perfect fit.
Having played a couple of games with Alakazam he is a very welcome addition to the team, also being something else that can switch into will-o-wisps.
So as in UU, this team aims to suicide with its attackers to break through the few mons that can deal with the sweeper, who is usually Honchkrow. With this aim in mind, I will explain my movesets starting with my two supporting pokemon:
Shuckle @ Mental Herb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SDef / 4 Def / 252 HP
Calm Nature
- Toxic
- Infestation
- Stealth Rock
- Encore
I lead with Shuckle 90% of the time, the reason being is that he is an incredibly reliably stealth rock setter who also acts as a defog sponge, using contrary to gain evasion boosts from defog which can turn into some nasty KOs when paired with infestation + toxic trapping. I use mental herb on shuckle because it is in some cases disadvantageous for me to have shuckle survive too long with leftovers, as sometimes it is important that shuckle uses encore and then dies the turn afterwards in order for one of the birds to successfully revenge. I am certain that shuckle is the ultimate lead for this sort of offensive team in UU. There is no need for me to use sturdy as shuckle will avoid being ohko'd all the time and it is counterproductive to cater for critical chance for matchups that shuckle already wins in, and I would prefer to make him able to take out defoggers who would otherwise beat him.
Banette @ Banettite
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Def
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Shadow Sneak
- Destiny Bond
- Knock Off
- Protect
Banette is a very unloved pokemon in UU, but I believe she can find a home when paired with Staraptor. Staraptor has the ability to break almost anything, and anything else can potentially be dealt with by Banette. This is the best M-Banette set I have found, as a fast destiny bond followed by a slow knock-off results in the longest period of d-bond being active, whilst also allowing you to cripple your opponent (and deal a lot of damage) if they choose not to die- for certain pokemon like porygon2, knock off will also get rid of important items and allow you to break through them with other pokemon. Eventually you may be able to finish them off with shadow sneak, but a trade for mega banette on this team is always a success. Protect is essential to be able to always mega-evolve and always trade 1 for 1. 0 Speed investment and a negative nature to ensure the absolute slowest knock off possible. A very useful and reliable addition to the team, and obviously a good spinblocker for shuckle's hazards considering I want to always have stealth rock up.
Now lets talk about the birds, all of which have the potential to sweep.
Fletchinder
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
With a truly pathetic BST of 382, I am surprised at how successful Fletchinder is in UU as an attacker. But its foolish to underestimate the bird as Acrobatics deals more damage than Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch, and access to sword's dance, roost and will-o-wisp makes a successful "bulky" set. Fletchinder is especially good at dealing with steel types, being able to set up on Forretress, Mega Aggron and Metagross thanks to will-o-wisp. This makes it a good lead vs forretress, which shuckle can struggle somewhat against. With 248hp, fletchinder avoids the 2hko from forretress volt switch, while still outspeeding basically every defensive pokemon in order to will-o-wisp them before they attack.
Staraptor @ Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Brave Bird
- Quick Attack
- Close Combat
This is the main pokemon on this team and the one that helps make everything possible, due to its ability to break through the strongest of physical walls with its insane STABs while also being fast enough to outspeed medium speed offensive mons. Staraptor is never expected to sweep so I chose to go Adamant rather than jolly. The moveset is standard and allows it to basically bash skulls with anything and kill it and itself in the process.
Alakazam @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Dazzling Gleam
This Alakazam was brought in as a Crobat replacement, providing some fast firepower without having to worry about boosting. Having something immune to hazards was important for my team, and focus sash means I can always reliably control the opponent's momentum if I need to. Dazzling gleam is a good tool for hydreigon. Pretty much the standard set, although I might switch signal beam for focus blast in order to deal with empoleon a little better.
Honchkrow @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Roost
Honchkrow is an asshole. He is the sweeper of this team and is usually saved until as close to the end as possible- however, I add pursuit on him in order to be able to pick off a weakened mon and start a sweep earlier if possible. Due to Fletchinder and Staraptor being able to deal with steel types, Honchkrow has Roost to keep its hp high and continue its sweep. Ultimately its not a huge deal if Honchkrow does die as any of the other birds can pick off from another one's sweep, but Roost is obviously still effective to stay alive for as long as possible.
That's the whole team. I've had success with it so far and I will record some replays. There aren't really any single pokemon which beat this team, but multiple of the same checks can be an issue- mainly multiple scald or burn users, especially ones that can burn before I hit them such as sableye. Hazards are not an issue so far, because there isn't much switching necessary for my team to be successful. Most team members are able to stay switched in until death, and it is hard to take advantage of this by setting up due to their ability to kill themselves through recoil. I also haven't been able to find a defogger or rapid spinner that can keep the threat of a ko every turn like the rest of my team, which is why I rely on just ensuring SR is at least always on their side instead.
I will try and get more replays on this team in action, but here is a couple showing how it can beat teams by repeatedly banging heads with them until they die (not the best replays but they are the only matches I played today). The pokemon I struggle most with are pokemon with scald, as fletchinder can't beat them like other burn users and nothing else on my team really wants to switch in on scald, often meaning I have to sacrifice shuckle.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-134117722
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-134128276
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-133962198
This team starts with these two pokemon. Together they already create a very frustrating core to deal with, but my team requires something to deal with stuff that outspeeds.
Fletchinder was a nice addition to the team as he successfully deals with a ton of pokemon that outspeed my core, giving more priority and more bird spam to overwhelm the team's resist. Fletchinder can also end up being a good sweeper, and gives me a surprise(?) will-o-wisp to use, allowing it to beat mega aggron. Next I wanted something which reliably would set up stealth rock every match.
Shuckle seemed like the perfect mon for this, being able to set up stealth rock every game whilst also putting damage onto anything before dying. Shuckle is also a perfect hazard setter for his ability to eat defogs and benefit from them using contrary. This means I don't need to focus anything else on hazards for this team. As almost every pokemon in the game can be broken through with repeated attacks from this team I have chosen to not use a defogger or rapid spinner as this loses momentum- instead, I chose to add another pokemon who aids honchkrow's sweep offensively:
Mega Banette has the ability to reliably trade 1 for 1 with anything. That means those Mega Aggrons or w/e that my team can't 2hko either has to switch out or die- and as nothing can repeatedly wall staraptor or honchkrow with SR up, they may never find another good switch-in. After playtesting I found this a lot more successful than a spinner, as it also provides useful knock-off support and additional priority, whilst almost being a spinblocker which pairs well with shuckles ability to take defog. Definitely an underrated support mon on offensive teams.
So for my last pokemon I chose crobat. This is the mon which is most up for debate, but having extra firepower is quite helpful when staraptor and honchkrow are on such short timers- plus the ability to outspeed alakazam is crucial due to his sash not being broken by SR. Also after playtesting, the ability to get around substitute users who attempt to take advantage of shuckle is incredibly valued, as many ghosts will give this team issues when behind a sub (since nothing can deal with will-o-wisp but fletchinder). A very fast and reliable attacker/sweeper which allows Staraptor to focus more heavily on the wallbreaking it does best.
After reaching higher levels it became kinda clear that while Crobat was good, I was stacking too much stealth rock weaknesses (5) and it was important to add someone else who can perform a similar role of reliable fast attacker without the SR issue, whilst also surviving more than 1 hit. Alakazam seemed like a perfect fit.
Having played a couple of games with Alakazam he is a very welcome addition to the team, also being something else that can switch into will-o-wisps.
So as in UU, this team aims to suicide with its attackers to break through the few mons that can deal with the sweeper, who is usually Honchkrow. With this aim in mind, I will explain my movesets starting with my two supporting pokemon:
Shuckle @ Mental Herb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SDef / 4 Def / 252 HP
Calm Nature
- Toxic
- Infestation
- Stealth Rock
- Encore
4 SpA Empoleon Scald vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Shuckle: 74-90 (30.3 - 36.8%) -- 56.4% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Gligar Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 42-49 (17.2 - 20%) -- possible 5HKO
4 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 58-69 (23.7 - 28.2%) -- 89.1% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 82-97 (33.6 - 39.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Metagross Meteor Mash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 158-188 (64.7 - 77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Azelf Explosion vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 63-74 (25.8 - 30.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Infernape Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 81-96 (33.1 - 39.3%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
4 Atk Gligar Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 42-49 (17.2 - 20%) -- possible 5HKO
4 Atk Hippowdon Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 58-69 (23.7 - 28.2%) -- 89.1% chance to 4HKO
252+ Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 82-97 (33.6 - 39.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252+ Atk Metagross Meteor Mash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 158-188 (64.7 - 77%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Azelf Explosion vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 63-74 (25.8 - 30.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252 Atk Infernape Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Shuckle: 81-96 (33.1 - 39.3%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO
I lead with Shuckle 90% of the time, the reason being is that he is an incredibly reliably stealth rock setter who also acts as a defog sponge, using contrary to gain evasion boosts from defog which can turn into some nasty KOs when paired with infestation + toxic trapping. I use mental herb on shuckle because it is in some cases disadvantageous for me to have shuckle survive too long with leftovers, as sometimes it is important that shuckle uses encore and then dies the turn afterwards in order for one of the birds to successfully revenge. I am certain that shuckle is the ultimate lead for this sort of offensive team in UU. There is no need for me to use sturdy as shuckle will avoid being ohko'd all the time and it is counterproductive to cater for critical chance for matchups that shuckle already wins in, and I would prefer to make him able to take out defoggers who would otherwise beat him.
Banette @ Banettite
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Def
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Shadow Sneak
- Destiny Bond
- Knock Off
- Protect
252+ Atk Mega Banette Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Starmie: 198-234 (75.8 - 89.6%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mega Banette: 221-260 (66.5 - 78.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Banette: 216-255 (65 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mega Banette Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Donphan: 119-141 (30.9 - 36.7%)
252+ Atk Mega Banette Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 174-206 (51 - 60.4%)
252+ Atk Mega Banette Shadow Sneak vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 258-306 (75.6 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Mega Banette Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Darmanitan: 139-165 (39.6 - 47%)
252+ Atk Mega Banette Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Blastoise: 80-95 (22 - 26.2%)
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mega Banette: 221-260 (66.5 - 78.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Banette: 216-255 (65 - 76.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Mega Banette Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Donphan: 119-141 (30.9 - 36.7%)
252+ Atk Mega Banette Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 174-206 (51 - 60.4%)
252+ Atk Mega Banette Shadow Sneak vs. -1 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 258-306 (75.6 - 89.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Mega Banette Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Darmanitan: 139-165 (39.6 - 47%)
252+ Atk Mega Banette Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Blastoise: 80-95 (22 - 26.2%)
Banette is a very unloved pokemon in UU, but I believe she can find a home when paired with Staraptor. Staraptor has the ability to break almost anything, and anything else can potentially be dealt with by Banette. This is the best M-Banette set I have found, as a fast destiny bond followed by a slow knock-off results in the longest period of d-bond being active, whilst also allowing you to cripple your opponent (and deal a lot of damage) if they choose not to die- for certain pokemon like porygon2, knock off will also get rid of important items and allow you to break through them with other pokemon. Eventually you may be able to finish them off with shadow sneak, but a trade for mega banette on this team is always a success. Protect is essential to be able to always mega-evolve and always trade 1 for 1. 0 Speed investment and a negative nature to ensure the absolute slowest knock off possible. A very useful and reliable addition to the team, and obviously a good spinblocker for shuckle's hazards considering I want to always have stealth rock up.
Now lets talk about the birds, all of which have the potential to sweep.
Fletchinder
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
252+ Atk Fletchinder Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Honchkrow: 228-268 (66.8 - 78.5%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock (guaranteed ohko after stealth rock and life orb recoil)
252+ Atk Fletchinder Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 118-139 (38.8 - 45.7%)
0 SpA Forretress Volt Switch vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Fletchinder: 112-134 (38.4 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Forretress Gyro Ball (49 BP) vs. 104 HP / 0 Def Fletchinder: 39-47 (13.4 - 16.1%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk burned Mega Aggron Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 104 HP / 0 Def Fletchinder: 91-108 (31.2 - 37.1%) -- 82.8% chance to 3HKO
4 SpA Florges Moonblast vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Fletchinder: 95-112 (32.6 - 38.4%) -- 98.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Donphan Ice Shard vs. 104 HP / 0 Def Fletchinder: 73-87 (25 - 29.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Fletchinder Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Celebi: 270-320 (79.1 - 93.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Celebi Psychic vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Fletchinder: 228-268 (78.3 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Fletchinder Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Infernape: 356-422 (121.5 - 144%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Fletchinder Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 118-139 (38.8 - 45.7%)
0 SpA Forretress Volt Switch vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Fletchinder: 112-134 (38.4 - 46%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
4 Atk Forretress Gyro Ball (49 BP) vs. 104 HP / 0 Def Fletchinder: 39-47 (13.4 - 16.1%) -- possible 7HKO
252+ Atk burned Mega Aggron Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 104 HP / 0 Def Fletchinder: 91-108 (31.2 - 37.1%) -- 82.8% chance to 3HKO
4 SpA Florges Moonblast vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Fletchinder: 95-112 (32.6 - 38.4%) -- 98.9% chance to 3HKO
252+ Atk Donphan Ice Shard vs. 104 HP / 0 Def Fletchinder: 73-87 (25 - 29.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
252+ Atk Fletchinder Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Celebi: 270-320 (79.1 - 93.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Celebi Psychic vs. 104 HP / 0 SpD Fletchinder: 228-268 (78.3 - 92%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Fletchinder Acrobatics (110 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Infernape: 356-422 (121.5 - 144%) -- guaranteed OHKO
With a truly pathetic BST of 382, I am surprised at how successful Fletchinder is in UU as an attacker. But its foolish to underestimate the bird as Acrobatics deals more damage than Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch, and access to sword's dance, roost and will-o-wisp makes a successful "bulky" set. Fletchinder is especially good at dealing with steel types, being able to set up on Forretress, Mega Aggron and Metagross thanks to will-o-wisp. This makes it a good lead vs forretress, which shuckle can struggle somewhat against. With 248hp, fletchinder avoids the 2hko from forretress volt switch, while still outspeeding basically every defensive pokemon in order to will-o-wisp them before they attack.
Staraptor @ Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Brave Bird
- Quick Attack
- Close Combat
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless burned Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Sableye: 158-186 (51.9 - 61.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Florges: 334-394 (92.7 - 109.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Staraptor Quick Attack vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Raikou: 129-153 (40 - 47.5%)
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Donphan: 313-369 (81.5 - 96%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 235-277 (55.9 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless burned Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 182-215 (45 - 53.2%) -- 89.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-H: 126-148 (41.4 - 48.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-H: 252-297 (82.8 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Ampharos: 127-150 (33 - 39%)
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Ampharos: 255-301 (66.4 - 78.3%)
252 Atk Staraptor Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 180-214 (48.1 - 57.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 162-192 (43.3 - 51.3%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Florges: 334-394 (92.7 - 109.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Staraptor Quick Attack vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Raikou: 129-153 (40 - 47.5%)
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Donphan: 313-369 (81.5 - 96%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 235-277 (55.9 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless burned Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 182-215 (45 - 53.2%) -- 89.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-H: 126-148 (41.4 - 48.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-H: 252-297 (82.8 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Ampharos: 127-150 (33 - 39%)
252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Ampharos: 255-301 (66.4 - 78.3%)
252 Atk Staraptor Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 180-214 (48.1 - 57.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 162-192 (43.3 - 51.3%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
This is the main pokemon on this team and the one that helps make everything possible, due to its ability to break through the strongest of physical walls with its insane STABs while also being fast enough to outspeed medium speed offensive mons. Staraptor is never expected to sweep so I chose to go Adamant rather than jolly. The moveset is standard and allows it to basically bash skulls with anything and kill it and itself in the process.
Alakazam @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Dazzling Gleam
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Raikou: 153-180 (47.5 - 55.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 392-464 (120.6 - 142.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sableye: 170-200 (55.9 - 65.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 136-160 (36.3 - 42.7%)
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Heracross: 318-374 (105.2 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Porygon-Z: 340-402 (108.9 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nidoking: 384-452 (126.3 - 148.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Slowbro: 216-256 (54.8 - 64.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Empoleon: 192-228 (51.6 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Hydreigon: 392-464 (120.6 - 142.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Dazzling Gleam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Sableye: 170-200 (55.9 - 65.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 136-160 (36.3 - 42.7%)
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Heracross: 318-374 (105.2 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Porygon-Z: 340-402 (108.9 - 128.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Psychic vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Nidoking: 384-452 (126.3 - 148.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Slowbro: 216-256 (54.8 - 64.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Alakazam Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Empoleon: 192-228 (51.6 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
This Alakazam was brought in as a Crobat replacement, providing some fast firepower without having to worry about boosting. Having something immune to hazards was important for my team, and focus sash means I can always reliably control the opponent's momentum if I need to. Dazzling gleam is a good tool for hydreigon. Pretty much the standard set, although I might switch signal beam for focus blast in order to deal with empoleon a little better.
Honchkrow @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Roost
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Florges: 374-441 (103.8 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Staraptor: 243-289 (77.8 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Pursuit(80) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 244-291 (61.9 - 73.8%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 175-207 (41.6 - 49.2%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Donphan: 231-274 (60.1 - 71.3%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Raikou: 231-273 (71.7 - 84.7%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-H: 172-203 (71.3 - 84.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Staraptor: 243-289 (77.8 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Pursuit(80) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 244-291 (61.9 - 73.8%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 175-207 (41.6 - 49.2%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Donphan: 231-274 (60.1 - 71.3%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Raikou: 231-273 (71.7 - 84.7%)
252+ Atk Life Orb Honchkrow Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-H: 172-203 (71.3 - 84.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Honchkrow is an asshole. He is the sweeper of this team and is usually saved until as close to the end as possible- however, I add pursuit on him in order to be able to pick off a weakened mon and start a sweep earlier if possible. Due to Fletchinder and Staraptor being able to deal with steel types, Honchkrow has Roost to keep its hp high and continue its sweep. Ultimately its not a huge deal if Honchkrow does die as any of the other birds can pick off from another one's sweep, but Roost is obviously still effective to stay alive for as long as possible.
That's the whole team. I've had success with it so far and I will record some replays. There aren't really any single pokemon which beat this team, but multiple of the same checks can be an issue- mainly multiple scald or burn users, especially ones that can burn before I hit them such as sableye. Hazards are not an issue so far, because there isn't much switching necessary for my team to be successful. Most team members are able to stay switched in until death, and it is hard to take advantage of this by setting up due to their ability to kill themselves through recoil. I also haven't been able to find a defogger or rapid spinner that can keep the threat of a ko every turn like the rest of my team, which is why I rely on just ensuring SR is at least always on their side instead.
I will try and get more replays on this team in action, but here is a couple showing how it can beat teams by repeatedly banging heads with them until they die (not the best replays but they are the only matches I played today). The pokemon I struggle most with are pokemon with scald, as fletchinder can't beat them like other burn users and nothing else on my team really wants to switch in on scald, often meaning I have to sacrifice shuckle.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-134117722
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-134128276
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-133962198
Shuckle @ Mental Herb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SDef / 4 Def / 252 HP
Calm Nature
- Toxic
- Infestation
- Stealth Rock
- Encore
Banette @ Banettite
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Def
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Shadow Sneak
- Destiny Bond
- Knock Off
- Protect
Fletchinder
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
Staraptor @ Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Brave Bird
- Quick Attack
- Close Combat
Alakazam @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Dazzling Gleam
Honchkrow @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Roost
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SDef / 4 Def / 252 HP
Calm Nature
- Toxic
- Infestation
- Stealth Rock
- Encore
Banette @ Banettite
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Def
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Shadow Sneak
- Destiny Bond
- Knock Off
- Protect
Fletchinder
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
Staraptor @ Choice Band
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Brave Bird
- Quick Attack
- Close Combat
Alakazam @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Dazzling Gleam
Honchkrow @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Roost
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