Introduction
The Pokes Themselves
An In-Depth Look
@ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
Stealth rock is a must for this team to eliminate sashes and deal massive damage to flyers who are immune to Forrtress' spikes. Taunt shows a bit more of Aero's anti-lead style, while EQ and Stone Edge are just in case I find myself in a situation that will benefit more from attacking than setting up rocks right away. Overall, Aero just puts the finishing touch on this team.
@ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP/56 Atk/200 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
- Spikes
- Explosion
Brick. Wall. Nothing gets through it's physical defenses, allowing me to set up a few layers of spikes. Protect is merely for scouting purposes in order to discern a decent switch-in if need be. Explosion is a must on Forrtress, but also must be timed well in terms of ghost switches. Protect additionally helps with that.
@ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 116 HP/252 Def/140 SAtk
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Thunder
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast / Softboiled
"What? Ummmmm ok." Yeah it works. Trust me. I know it's weird but deal with it. There are very few pokes that can OHKO Bilss, and very few that Bliss won't OHKO after a couple Calm Minds. The tri-elemental moveset is simply to employ coverage. And oh yeah, Latias? Zapdos? Yeah good try though... That's what you get for using legendaries.
@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Trick
- Leaf Storm
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
This thing scares Swampert away instantly, and that's pretty much its job. Scare Swampert and revenge kill. What I usually hope for is a Swampert to show it's face while I'm attempting to sweep with E-vire and switch in on the EQ. But that's not all Rotom is good for. I also use it to draw out Gengar and proceed to switch to Bliss on the Shadow Ball.
@ Expert Belt
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Spd/252 SAtk
Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Thunderbolt
- Cross Chop
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Ice]
If I manage to switch on a T-bolt, which is a highly likely scenario considering Gyarados, it's pretty much over. Most people switch in Scizor or something defensive, expecting the physical attack. That's where I pummel them with WTF. Although there are those cautious people who assume the worst. Nobody would send in a strong special defender as a first instinct to this thing.... at least that's what I bank on.
@ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP/72 Atk/96 Def/184 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
BEAST. UNSTOPPABLE. Those are just a couple of words that describe Bulky D-Dance Gyarados. If timed right, the incoming damage to it is minimal and the switch is guaranteed. Dragon Dance on the switch => Become awesome. The moveset is just personally what I found to be the most effective. If something faster comes in with T-bolt to wreck my plans, Electivire takes over. It's a simple yet surprisingly effective strategy against people who you think should be expecting something like that.
The idea behind this team is to utilize Pokemon that can individually sweep depending on the the opponent's team. The primary goal is to take advantage of a switch-in opportunity and sweep from there.
Team Building Process
I knew that I wanted a Bulky D-Dance Gyarados to begin with just because of it's beastly +1 sweeping capabilities.
Now what better way to support Gyarados than to have a pokemon that completely negates electric moves for their benefit? So a special Electivire seemed like the obvious choice. It tricks the opponent into sending out a physical wall, which makes sweeping that much easier.
At this point I knew that rapid spin support was a must, especially for Gyara, so I decided to combine some defenses along with that support considering my conspicuous absence of hit-taking ability.
At this point, any special sweeper could have their way with me, which is why I felt it necessary to completely obliterate any chance of that happening. BUT, this Bliss has a catch. It can sweep and no one expects it to. The tri-elemental moveset is supposed to screw with people.
Uh-oh... how do I deal with Swampert? It could tear my team into 50,000,000,000 pieces with ease. Forretress sort of counters it but cant kill it for crap. SO, why not combine revenge killing with an epic Swampert counter? Rotom-c with Leaf Storm seemed perfect.
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So all that's left is a lead that needs to SR and Taunt with ease......... there is only one.
Now what better way to support Gyarados than to have a pokemon that completely negates electric moves for their benefit? So a special Electivire seemed like the obvious choice. It tricks the opponent into sending out a physical wall, which makes sweeping that much easier.
At this point I knew that rapid spin support was a must, especially for Gyara, so I decided to combine some defenses along with that support considering my conspicuous absence of hit-taking ability.
At this point, any special sweeper could have their way with me, which is why I felt it necessary to completely obliterate any chance of that happening. BUT, this Bliss has a catch. It can sweep and no one expects it to. The tri-elemental moveset is supposed to screw with people.
Uh-oh... how do I deal with Swampert? It could tear my team into 50,000,000,000 pieces with ease. Forretress sort of counters it but cant kill it for crap. SO, why not combine revenge killing with an epic Swampert counter? Rotom-c with Leaf Storm seemed perfect.
So all that's left is a lead that needs to SR and Taunt with ease......... there is only one.
The Pokes Themselves
An In-Depth Look
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
Stealth rock is a must for this team to eliminate sashes and deal massive damage to flyers who are immune to Forrtress' spikes. Taunt shows a bit more of Aero's anti-lead style, while EQ and Stone Edge are just in case I find myself in a situation that will benefit more from attacking than setting up rocks right away. Overall, Aero just puts the finishing touch on this team.
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP/56 Atk/200 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
- Spikes
- Explosion
Brick. Wall. Nothing gets through it's physical defenses, allowing me to set up a few layers of spikes. Protect is merely for scouting purposes in order to discern a decent switch-in if need be. Explosion is a must on Forrtress, but also must be timed well in terms of ghost switches. Protect additionally helps with that.
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 116 HP/252 Def/140 SAtk
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Thunder
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast / Softboiled
"What? Ummmmm ok." Yeah it works. Trust me. I know it's weird but deal with it. There are very few pokes that can OHKO Bilss, and very few that Bliss won't OHKO after a couple Calm Minds. The tri-elemental moveset is simply to employ coverage. And oh yeah, Latias? Zapdos? Yeah good try though... That's what you get for using legendaries.
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Trick
- Leaf Storm
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
This thing scares Swampert away instantly, and that's pretty much its job. Scare Swampert and revenge kill. What I usually hope for is a Swampert to show it's face while I'm attempting to sweep with E-vire and switch in on the EQ. But that's not all Rotom is good for. I also use it to draw out Gengar and proceed to switch to Bliss on the Shadow Ball.
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Spd/252 SAtk
Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Thunderbolt
- Cross Chop
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Ice]
If I manage to switch on a T-bolt, which is a highly likely scenario considering Gyarados, it's pretty much over. Most people switch in Scizor or something defensive, expecting the physical attack. That's where I pummel them with WTF. Although there are those cautious people who assume the worst. Nobody would send in a strong special defender as a first instinct to this thing.... at least that's what I bank on.
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP/72 Atk/96 Def/184 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
BEAST. UNSTOPPABLE. Those are just a couple of words that describe Bulky D-Dance Gyarados. If timed right, the incoming damage to it is minimal and the switch is guaranteed. Dragon Dance on the switch => Become awesome. The moveset is just personally what I found to be the most effective. If something faster comes in with T-bolt to wreck my plans, Electivire takes over. It's a simple yet surprisingly effective strategy against people who you think should be expecting something like that.
Conclusion
Although on paper it seems to be a winner [<== shameless self-promotion], I've had mixed results with this set up. Of course, criticism preceding advice is is greatly appreciated and will be considered with an open mind.
A Parting Look
A Parting Look
