SS OU Bulky Offense ToxaCorv, Best 1730

[Nowno]

Hi ! I made this team when I wanted to get back on the OU ladder which I now find pleasant. I find it very good, especially for someone who didn't play in the tier for months, but couldn't get past 1600 so I though I try to see what other people think about it.


Importable : https://pokepast.es/f8601c4a278e8354

Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 72 Def / 188 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Recover
- Haze
- Toxic

I started with Toxapex, it's a great mon, I like it (Sorry). This set is pretty simple, this spread, combined with Black Sludge allows it to counter both Cinderace and Stored Power Magearna. I choosed Scald over Knock Off so Kartana's Knock Off is more often at max power, while also cheaping the team for it.

+1 252 SpA Magearna Stored Power (60 BP) vs. 248 HP / 188 SpD Toxapex: 126-150 (41.5 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252 Atk Libero Cinderace Zen Headbutt vs. 248 HP / 72+ Def Toxapex: 146-174 (48.1 - 57.4%) -- 38.7% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
(If you get bad roll, you can easily try to burn it or pivot into other Pokemon)

Kartana @ Life Orb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Swords Dance
- Sacred Sword
- Knock Off

Then I choosed Kartana, which goes well with Toxapex thanks to it's typing, and because it really appreciate it's presence; Toxapex can Toxic and Burn all of it's check for Kartana to sweep later. I originally choosed Band, but I switched to SD to have a Wincon benefiting of Thunder Wave (before changing Dragapult set), then Scarf to have a Win Condition.

Corviknight @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 168 Def / 92 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- U-turn
- Brave Bird

To be sure I had defog for the build, I instantly picked Corviknight, which forms a really good core with Toxapex and can pivot into Kartana. I originally choosed a spread to tank Tapu Lele's Focus Blast, but after putting AV Magearna on the team, it was basically useless, and it can tank them pretty easily with the base spread. I choosed Brave Bird because it helps
Kartana can struggle against Grass-types.

​

Garchomp @ Life Orb
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Stealth Rock
I obviously needed both Electric immunity and Stealth Rock, so I choosed Mixed Garchomp that has both and pressure Kartana checks such as Corviknight and Zapdos, and it also does heavy damage to Future Sight users, Slowbro et Slowking Galar.

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 128 SpA / 132 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Draining Kiss
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
Because I needed counter for Tapu Koko, Hydreigon, Clefable and Spec Magearna (it's not really a counter, but it's okay) I choosed AV Magearna. Her typing goes very well with the team, being helped by both Corviknight and Toxapex, while helping Garchomp with it's checks. Her moves can be a bit weird, but Flash Cannon allows it to beat Clefable while keeping the setted EVS and Draining Kiss is her only way of healing.
The spread allows it to OHKO Hydreigon with Draining Kiss and to KO Tapu Koko with Draining Kiss + Fleur Cannon.

Dragapult @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hex
- Draco Meteor
- U-turn
- Thunder Wave
I wasn't very fast, my fastest Pokemon being Kartana I choosed one of the best option for REAL speed control (Sorry Regieleki) and for good pivot. I started with the Thunder Wave Hex set as it helped both Garchomp and Kartana accomplish their goal. But I needed a big strong special attacker plus I changed the set of Kartana, so I picked Specs instead. Thunderbolt is here to bait and kill Mandi and Toxa pretty easily.

Thx for reading ! Tell me what you think of this, i'm really proud of this for reason I already said, but I know this need improvement.​

 

[Smashburn]

This seems like a good team with correct understanding, but I do have to add a few suggestions:

1. Garchomp-
Garchomp is the center of attention for the team, being the main damage pressure aside from Kartana and Magearna but also your only electric immunity (which is extremely important for the Pex Corv Kartana core). It is the floodgate for Corv and Pex being threatened, as Pex and Corv cannot handle Electric types, and without that immunity they get spammed to death and the rest of your team crumbles easily. I recommend going from an offensive Garchomp to another more reliable mon for the core, seeing as you have so many weaknesses to ground and electric I think it would be wise to use Landorus-T instead.

2. Dragapult-
The team is certainly a Dragon Spam team between Garchomp and Dragapult, although the little coverage the team has for fairy types is concerning and leaves much to be expected. Being as it won't be very shortly with the change, I need to say that status-pult does not do well in this team. There isn't a real need for speed control, and Pult does just fine. In all honesty, the team needs a strong SpA mon, so chossing Specs-pult would be the ideal choice since it doesn't mess up the core too much and it assured to be several times more effective.

3. Kartana-
Life Orb setup is just fine for the team, although I have an issue with this if Dragapult with be using the Specs set. The team will be lacking in the speed needed to get over speed setups and generally faster mons, so patch this (and Kartana's move slots), use Scarf-tana. This allows you to also get maximum value from Kartana's sweeps while capitalizing on Knock Off since Kartana loves coming in on weaker mons to force those trades.

 

[Nowno]

Thx! I will try to see if this work, but honestly for the chomp point, I think having only having him as an immunity is fine because I counter all electric type with him and Magearna. I also lose my response to Heatran

 

[Smashburn]

Thx! I will try to see if this work, but honestly for the chomp point, I think having only having him as an immunity is fine because I counter all electric type with him and Magearna. I also lose my response to Heatran

I think I'd disagree as far the Heatran response part, Landorus is immune to Earth Power which threatens Pex, Magearna, and Kartana, which makes Landorus perfect because it isn't immediately chipped out after a few turns of coming in on it and being worn down by rocks and EP or Magma Storm.

0 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 93-110 (26 - 30.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

0 SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 77-91 (21.5 - 25.4%) -- 0.9% chance to 3HKO after trapping damage

Plus, the switches into Garchomp usually don't mind an EQ to the face and if you overpredict it is game over, which I'd say instantly makes Landorus the better choice. Up to you, but I think the change works better than Garchomp, at least the offensive mixed set you are using.

Also, a point I forget to interject on, but Garchomp is far better when used as a setup rather than the LO mixed set since it kinda struggles in dealing with threats. The OU Offensive Rocks set is better in this situation if you do keep it, being as with Magearna and Specs-pult around you'll be set as far as SpA mons go.

 

[Nowno]

The problem is that if I remove Garchomp, I have no switch ins to Heatran, as Toxapex gets trapped. Also, Garchomp baits treats I want to remove such as Ferrothorn or Corviknight and koes them pretty easily, which Landorus can't do

 

[Smashburn]

The problem is that if I remove Garchomp, I have no switch ins to Heatran, as Toxapex gets trapped. Also, Garchomp baits treats I want to remove such as Ferrothorn or Corviknight and koes them pretty easily, which Landorus can't do

This may be true, but as previously stated Lando is great type coverage, and with momentum from U-Turn it doesn't have to worry about staying in like Garchomp does. Sure it hold a surprise factor, but really once its down your entire team is down, and from what I see Garchomp isn't running Leftovers or Rocky Helmet from a defensive set to an least ensure longevity. Whereas in those situations Landorus out-appreciates it and gives momentum into your Hazards, Hazard Clearers, and Offensive mons. Sure Garchomp has its benefits, but like I said the team doesn't function as well with those members and lacks the ability to make use of Dragapult in any situation because it needs to come in by itself and deal a load of damage and then get out, which the current set does not do.

I make dragon spam teams quite consistently, in part because I suck at team making although for some reason I can understand team rating
I can see where you are coming from with wanting Garchomp in, but really is just doesn't work in most situations and is pure surprise factor, however, correct me if I am wrong on that.