Hiya everyone ! I've build this team for a tourney but i think it can work pretty well for ladder too as i've built it to check the entire meta / team archetype and not to counter one sort of playstyle. I've been testing it around 1500 elo and worked pretty well. So here it is :
Speed invest allows to tie Nidoking which is always good considering how threatening it is to all teams but also to outspeed Mamoswine which is mandatory. Guts with the Flame Orb gives you a permanent boost in Atk while being a good status fodder (allowing you to switch into Amoonguss's Spore for exemple). Close Combat is your main STAB and the one you'll likely most spam. Facade allows you to threaten Altaria-Mega which, otherwise, can setup on you pretty easily but also hit Mon that would resist CloseCombat. Knock Off is handy to hit Ghost types such as Chandelure or Gengar which would wall you without it but also to weaken defensiv mon like Swampert or Hippowdon that are common swich-in. Finally Swords Dance is your main move to setup and wallbreak easily, making it a strong stallbreaker as it can beat Alomomola / Quagsire and such without being worried about Scald burn.
With that, i needed to add some more Fight pokemon to make it a real Fight spam hence why i've choosed Infernape :
Classic choice scarf set, Infernape is one of the fastest Scarf user in the tier just behind Latias, making it one of the best revenge killer. Flare Blitz and Close Combat are your main STABs, being resisted by not so many Pokemon. U-turn gives you momentum and helps bringing in your wallbreakers and pressure the team. Finally Gunk Shot is mostly here to revenge kill Altaria-Mega which is one huge threat to the team. Heracross pairs well with Infernape as it'll break though walls that Infernape cant beat like Swampert, Hippowdon, Alomomola, Quagsire and so on.
With all those i wanted to complete my offensive core with a Pokemon that isnt quite seen but is pretty strong which is Volcanion Z Fight.
This set is mostly made to nuke Blissey out of the galaxy and then threaten stalls. Superpower boosted by the Z move is almost an OHKO on Blissey (does about 80-90%) but can also be used to kill Empoleon or Hydreigon which are common checks to Volcanion. Substitute was just a test but Toxic or Sludge Wave can be also used, first one to weaken bulky water like Primarina or Alomomola and second one to hit Altaria-Mega or Sylveon. Volcanion puts an amazing pressure on most bulky teams and pairs well with Heracross to wallbreak and let Infernape clean.
After building with those 3 mon i needed something to check Psy types mostly but also Ghost hence why i've choosed Muk
Classic spread mostly made to duel Latias CM. 132 EV in Atk is enough to 2HKO with Koff then Shadowsneak while having enough bulk to tank a Z Draco at +1. Speed investment allows you to outspeed Swampert and so threaten it with a Knock-off that can also poison and let Infernape clean. It also traps Ghost types that are pretty annoying to Fight spam teams, specially Gengar and Chandelure that can be pretty hard to handle for offensiv teams. Muk helps a lot the other Pokemon trapping most of their checks (Latias, Starmie, Chandelure, Gengar, Jellicent and so on).
My team being pretty weak to Hydreigon (mostly having no SI to a specs Hydrei) i needed one + to have some decent hazard control, that's why i've picked Empoleon
Again a pretty classic set with some changes in the moves. Def invest allows you to tank a Close Combat from Cobalion but also things like Earthquake from Aerodactyl-Mega while still having enough Spdef invest to tank Nidoking and Hydreigon. Defog helps removing hazards which are annoying for the team. Protect helps scouting most choice locked like Infernape / Hydreigon / Terrakion and so gaining some momentum but also recovering Hp thanks to leftovers. Scald is your main STAB, burning mon that could try to setup on you like Scizor / Altaria / Haxorus / Cobalion. Finally Roar helps phazing mons that can be too threatening if they setup like double dance Cobalion / Haxorus Dragon dance / Scizor Quick Attack but also get some cheap damage on Pokemon that would switch into it, taking rock damages.
As last mon i needed something that could switch into some fight moves but also blocks Manectric from just spamming Volt-Switch freely. Gliscor being gone (dude i miss you sm) i've choosed Gligar. Other reason why i've picked it is because my oppo used to spam Sand teams which Gligar could handle.
Ev spread is made to be a strong mixed wall that can both tank HpIce from Manectric and Stone edge from Terrakion for exemple. You can survive an HpIce after rocks damages and threaten back with an Earthquake that can put Manectric in range of being revenge killed or just making it unable to switch back into Rocks. Gligar can also wall pretty easily Krookodile (beware of Knockoff tho, your eviolite is mandatory for your bulk), Stakataka, Infernape, Scizor band and so on... Most offensiv mon that can't setup or can't hit Gligar effectivly will likely be walled by him. It's pairing very well with Empoleon, Gligar giving it the Fight / Ground / Electric resist it needs and Empoleon giving it the Ice / Water reisist it needs. Immunity is the best ability on this set making it unable to get poisoned and toxic. Stealth Rock is mandatory (well its rocks, basicly mandatory in all team). Roost is your main recovery move giving it the staying power it needs and helping it check more oftenly offensiv threats. Earthquake is your main STAB hitting pretty hard things like Muk / Manectric / Empoleon that can be annoying. Toxic helps beating Pokemon that could try to setup on you to sweep like Mega-Altaria (althought you should pay attention if its Facade or Frustration Altaria), Haxorus...
- Depending on the opponent team again, your main wallbreaker will change and so your gameplan. If you notice a Latias (scarf or not) you should try to force it out on the field thanks to Volcanion and then trap it with Muk. Note that your opponent will be aware that you are trying to trap his Latias so you should always take care of double switches. If the opponent team doesnt have Latias, Heracross will be very handy, weakening walls like Swampert and Hippowdon letting Infernape clean.
- Don't forget to use Protect on Empoleon as often as you can to recover as it doesnt have any Wish support to heal. Scouting what your opponent does, specially with his choice locked Pokemon, helps you gain a lot of momentum.
- When facing stall, beating Alomomola should be your priority as it can wall most of the team (Volcanion / Infernape / Muk / Gligar...) but you shouldn't just rush it with Heracross as it'll most likely run Rocky Helmet. Having no recovery or Wish support makes Heracross pretty weak to cheap damage Alomomola could get on it. Running Toxic on Volcanion can help beating stall since it'll make Alomomola struggle a lot to wall.
- Aerodactly-Mega : Depending on its set it can be threatening like hell. If running Ice Fang (which isnt quite seen now but hey) Gligar will struggle, Empoleon too will struggle without a Shuca berry (note that it can tank one Earthquake, it does about 60-70%).
Speed invest is enough to outspeed Klefki and so possibly not get paralyzed or avoiding it putting some spikes or walls. Rest in HP makes it more tanky to ease the switch into Latias. With this set you got about 60% chance or surviving a Z Drake after rocks but chances are that you can get OHKO and then Latias will be pretty hard to beat hence why i've picked Muk. (If you're wondering about it's name, it's a stand in Jojo, nothing else).
(That's all i got for now sorry, will put more when i'll have some spare time !)
Thanks for reading, if you got improvments feel free to post them ! This team should be pretty easy to use to anyone, even without any tier knowledge, hope you'll have fun with it !
TeamBuilding process
First Pokemon that i've picked was Heracross. I wanted my team not to be weak to stall but also a Pokemon that could wallbreak with ease to let my other mon clean. Heracross turns out to be the perfect mon for this as it almost got no safe switch-in in the tier.
PinkyToe (Heracross) (F) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Ability: Guts
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Speed invest allows to tie Nidoking which is always good considering how threatening it is to all teams but also to outspeed Mamoswine which is mandatory. Guts with the Flame Orb gives you a permanent boost in Atk while being a good status fodder (allowing you to switch into Amoonguss's Spore for exemple). Close Combat is your main STAB and the one you'll likely most spam. Facade allows you to threaten Altaria-Mega which, otherwise, can setup on you pretty easily but also hit Mon that would resist CloseCombat. Knock Off is handy to hit Ghost types such as Chandelure or Gengar which would wall you without it but also to weaken defensiv mon like Swampert or Hippowdon that are common swich-in. Finally Swords Dance is your main move to setup and wallbreak easily, making it a strong stallbreaker as it can beat Alomomola / Quagsire and such without being worried about Scald burn.
With that, i needed to add some more Fight pokemon to make it a real Fight spam hence why i've choosed Infernape :
Spice Girl (Infernape) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Gunk Shot
Ability: Blaze
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Gunk Shot
Classic choice scarf set, Infernape is one of the fastest Scarf user in the tier just behind Latias, making it one of the best revenge killer. Flare Blitz and Close Combat are your main STABs, being resisted by not so many Pokemon. U-turn gives you momentum and helps bringing in your wallbreakers and pressure the team. Finally Gunk Shot is mostly here to revenge kill Altaria-Mega which is one huge threat to the team. Heracross pairs well with Infernape as it'll break though walls that Infernape cant beat like Swampert, Hippowdon, Alomomola, Quagsire and so on.
With all those i wanted to complete my offensive core with a Pokemon that isnt quite seen but is pretty strong which is Volcanion Z Fight.
NoBurnEruption (Volcanion) @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Superpower
- Substitute
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Superpower
- Substitute
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower
This set is mostly made to nuke Blissey out of the galaxy and then threaten stalls. Superpower boosted by the Z move is almost an OHKO on Blissey (does about 80-90%) but can also be used to kill Empoleon or Hydreigon which are common checks to Volcanion. Substitute was just a test but Toxic or Sludge Wave can be also used, first one to weaken bulky water like Primarina or Alomomola and second one to hit Altaria-Mega or Sylveon. Volcanion puts an amazing pressure on most bulky teams and pairs well with Heracross to wallbreak and let Infernape clean.
After building with those 3 mon i needed something to check Psy types mostly but also Ghost hence why i've choosed Muk
DabOnThem (Muk-Alola) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Atk / 104 SpD / 20 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Pursuit
- Shadow Sneak
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Atk / 104 SpD / 20 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Pursuit
- Shadow Sneak
Classic spread mostly made to duel Latias CM. 132 EV in Atk is enough to 2HKO with Koff then Shadowsneak while having enough bulk to tank a Z Draco at +1. Speed investment allows you to outspeed Swampert and so threaten it with a Knock-off that can also poison and let Infernape clean. It also traps Ghost types that are pretty annoying to Fight spam teams, specially Gengar and Chandelure that can be pretty hard to handle for offensiv teams. Muk helps a lot the other Pokemon trapping most of their checks (Latias, Starmie, Chandelure, Gengar, Jellicent and so on).
My team being pretty weak to Hydreigon (mostly having no SI to a specs Hydrei) i needed one + to have some decent hazard control, that's why i've picked Empoleon
NootLikeThis (Empoleon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Protect
- Scald
- Roar
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Protect
- Scald
- Roar
Again a pretty classic set with some changes in the moves. Def invest allows you to tank a Close Combat from Cobalion but also things like Earthquake from Aerodactyl-Mega while still having enough Spdef invest to tank Nidoking and Hydreigon. Defog helps removing hazards which are annoying for the team. Protect helps scouting most choice locked like Infernape / Hydreigon / Terrakion and so gaining some momentum but also recovering Hp thanks to leftovers. Scald is your main STAB, burning mon that could try to setup on you like Scizor / Altaria / Haxorus / Cobalion. Finally Roar helps phazing mons that can be too threatening if they setup like double dance Cobalion / Haxorus Dragon dance / Scizor Quick Attack but also get some cheap damage on Pokemon that would switch into it, taking rock damages.
As last mon i needed something that could switch into some fight moves but also blocks Manectric from just spamming Volt-Switch freely. Gliscor being gone (dude i miss you sm) i've choosed Gligar. Other reason why i've picked it is because my oppo used to spam Sand teams which Gligar could handle.
I MISS YA GLISCOR (Gligar) @ Eviolite
Ability: Immunity
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Def / 160 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Roost
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Ability: Immunity
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Def / 160 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Roost
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Ev spread is made to be a strong mixed wall that can both tank HpIce from Manectric and Stone edge from Terrakion for exemple. You can survive an HpIce after rocks damages and threaten back with an Earthquake that can put Manectric in range of being revenge killed or just making it unable to switch back into Rocks. Gligar can also wall pretty easily Krookodile (beware of Knockoff tho, your eviolite is mandatory for your bulk), Stakataka, Infernape, Scizor band and so on... Most offensiv mon that can't setup or can't hit Gligar effectivly will likely be walled by him. It's pairing very well with Empoleon, Gligar giving it the Fight / Ground / Electric resist it needs and Empoleon giving it the Ice / Water reisist it needs. Immunity is the best ability on this set making it unable to get poisoned and toxic. Stealth Rock is mandatory (well its rocks, basicly mandatory in all team). Roost is your main recovery move giving it the staying power it needs and helping it check more oftenly offensiv threats. Earthquake is your main STAB hitting pretty hard things like Muk / Manectric / Empoleon that can be annoying. Toxic helps beating Pokemon that could try to setup on you to sweep like Mega-Altaria (althought you should pay attention if its Facade or Frustration Altaria), Haxorus...
Usage tips
- Leading with Volcanion or Heracross depending on the opponent team is usually good, pressuring them a lot.
- Depending on the opponent team again, your main wallbreaker will change and so your gameplan. If you notice a Latias (scarf or not) you should try to force it out on the field thanks to Volcanion and then trap it with Muk. Note that your opponent will be aware that you are trying to trap his Latias so you should always take care of double switches. If the opponent team doesnt have Latias, Heracross will be very handy, weakening walls like Swampert and Hippowdon letting Infernape clean.
- Don't forget to use Protect on Empoleon as often as you can to recover as it doesnt have any Wish support to heal. Scouting what your opponent does, specially with his choice locked Pokemon, helps you gain a lot of momentum.
- When facing stall, beating Alomomola should be your priority as it can wall most of the team (Volcanion / Infernape / Muk / Gligar...) but you shouldn't just rush it with Heracross as it'll most likely run Rocky Helmet. Having no recovery or Wish support makes Heracross pretty weak to cheap damage Alomomola could get on it. Running Toxic on Volcanion can help beating stall since it'll make Alomomola struggle a lot to wall.
Threats
- Altaria-Mega : Offensive Physical Dragon dance Altaria can be a huge problem if it manages to setup. It won't be able to setup on a lot of Pokemon (Heracross can 2HKO, putting it in range of revenge kill from Infernape / Muk can OHKO with PoisonJab / Empoleon can Phaze it / Gligar can Toxic it and then Empoleon + Gligar with good switches + Protect can win). You can make use of Shuca berry on Empoleon to check it, giving the team a better MU to Aerodacty-Mega too.
- Aerodactly-Mega : Depending on its set it can be threatening like hell. If running Ice Fang (which isnt quite seen now but hey) Gligar will struggle, Empoleon too will struggle without a Shuca berry (note that it can tank one Earthquake, it does about 60-70%).
Team options
If you're willing to get a better matchup on those two, switch Muk for Scizor band can be an option. Althought, Latias CM will be way harder to handle as it can OHKO Zor with rocks on a Z Drake at +1 :
SexPistols (Scizor) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
Ability: Technician
EVs: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
Speed invest is enough to outspeed Klefki and so possibly not get paralyzed or avoiding it putting some spikes or walls. Rest in HP makes it more tanky to ease the switch into Latias. With this set you got about 60% chance or surviving a Z Drake after rocks but chances are that you can get OHKO and then Latias will be pretty hard to beat hence why i've picked Muk. (If you're wondering about it's name, it's a stand in Jojo, nothing else).
Importable
PinkyToe (Heracross) (F) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
DabOnThem (Muk-Alola) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Atk / 104 SpD / 20 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Pursuit
- Shadow Sneak
Spice Girl (Infernape) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Gunk Shot
NoBurnEruption (Volcanion) @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Superpower
- Substitute
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower
I MISS YA GLISCOR (Gligar) @ Eviolite
Ability: Immunity
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Def / 160 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Roost
- Earthquake
- Toxic
NootLikeThis (Empoleon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Protect
- Scald
- Roar
Ability: Guts
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
DabOnThem (Muk-Alola) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Atk / 104 SpD / 20 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Pursuit
- Shadow Sneak
Spice Girl (Infernape) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Gunk Shot
NoBurnEruption (Volcanion) @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Superpower
- Substitute
- Steam Eruption
- Flamethrower
I MISS YA GLISCOR (Gligar) @ Eviolite
Ability: Immunity
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Def / 160 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Roost
- Earthquake
- Toxic
NootLikeThis (Empoleon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Protect
- Scald
- Roar
Replay
Tourney's replay : http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7uu-806696481
(That's all i got for now sorry, will put more when i'll have some spare time !)
Thanks for reading, if you got improvments feel free to post them ! This team should be pretty easy to use to anyone, even without any tier knowledge, hope you'll have fun with it !