Care to rate a newbie's OU team?

Sheaz

Hi all. New to Shoddy and newish to competitive all around. I was laddering this morning with my first team, and I wanted some suggestions. It's pretty standard fare, a bit bulky but not close to stall. My biggest problem (I think) is grasping the concept of synergy.


Machamp (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 236 HP/248 Atk/8 Spd/16 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Ice Punch
- Bullet Punch
- Payback


Pretty Standard stuff here. I know common and boring, but it gets the job done. Payback against Azelf or when I'm expecting a ghost switch in, BP to break sashes... well, I don't really need to explain all of this, right? I put in just a point of extra speed than the suggested spread to get the jump on opposing Machamp.
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Swampert (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP/216 Def/52 SDef
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
- Ice Beam
- Earthquake

She's there for rocks and phazing. I'm debating ice beam due to no more Mence and Latias. The only dragons I see around are Flygon, Kingdra, and Dragonite, though Swampert doesn't seem to do well against any of them.
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Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP/220 Def/36 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic

Proably my favorite team member. Nobody knows what to expect, and the wish support is incredibly useful. After a CM, the most common switch in is Blissey, but I haven't been taken down by one due to toxic immunity.

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Infernape (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk/192 Spd/64 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Overheat

Not a great scout due to fragility, but U-turn really helps me out. He can often force a switch, though, which is incredibly useful. His unpredictably is also key, as it's not too hard to bluff a Swampert or something out.
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Rotom-w @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fire]

You'll notice that trick isn't here, and I'm debating if that's a good choice or not. HP fire is mainly there for Scizor, as the smarter Scizor players are starting to superpower expecting a Heatran or Magnezone to come in. Maybe I should put trick over shadow ball?
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Gyarados (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

It usually falls to him to sweep, which he's quite successful at. I usually try to get in a wish as well due to SR weakness. Nothing more to say, really.

I'm kinda not sure of my threats, either. Scizor isn't usually an issue, nor Lucario. Surprisingly, Flygon seems to be giving me the most trouble. And I've taken on two rain dance teams, and lost pretty badly both times. Starmie has also given the run around a bit.

Well, that's about it. Thanks in advance.
 
This isn't a thourough rate but I would have to say that as far as SR go you really need to go with Heatran, personally the best set for this is the Smogon ShucaTran set, also if you go with this you don't have to risk going up against Azelf, which more and more often are carrying LO and sporting a Modest nature. Heatran walls Azelf and allows you to easily get up your SR. Hope it helps,

-KatamariLovesSpock
 
Hey there, it looks like you have most important threats covered pretty well, so props on that!

I see a last Pokemon Chesto Dragon Dance Kingdra giving you a major headache coming in on Rotom-W's Hydro Pump or Hidden Power Fire attempt. To remedy this, I suggest Trick over Hidden Power Fire on Rotom-W, as I really don't see what you're hitting outside of Scizor who's hit rather hard by thunderbolt. Trick really messus up last Pokemon stat uppers like Crocune and the like.

GL

@Above Poster: Why the heck does he need Heatran? He's got a pretty good DD Dragonite check in Swampert, which is something that will set up all over heatran and do major damage, while Swampert can just Ice beam or roar it the fuck out.
 
@ Katamari: Are you suggesting Heatran in the lead position, or just for SR?

@ Legend: Yeah, a freaking chesto Kingdra just murdered me. I'll put trick on the set over HP fire. Any other options when dealing with him?
 
The best I can think of other than Trick is to keep Jirachi alive to take an Outrage, and alternate betwen psychic+wish to destroy him
 
I'm saying to use Heatran as an SR user, not the lead.

@ TheLegendKiller

I'm just saying that Heatran and Machamp get good synergy also that Heatran makes it easier to set up SR earlier in the game. Also I'm not saying to get rid of Swampert, maybe repurpose Swampy and swap something out. When I posted that I hadn't read the whole thread anyway. It's just a suggestion, don't flip your shit bro'sef.
 
Sorry for being a little harsh earlier, my bad. Just sayin' that if you mentioned everything in your first post with the info you put into the above post, it would've given the team-builder a better understanding of your choice (synerigizing well with champ)
 
@legend: Yeah, I'm starting to get that. CM/wish rachi is a beast, even with limited coverage.

@Katamari: I find Heatran a bit predictable, but I'm open to suggestions. What would I repurpose Swampert for, though? If he's not a bulky SR user, then it seems like I should go for Starmie or something to take on DDnite. And who do you suggest I bump off?
 
It depends on what the dragonite's EV's are. In most cases, Ice apunch does more damage than Ice Beam. It's probably a OHKO anyway, but it's just a consideration.
 
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