Hello fellow trainers, I am ninjaguy04. I love ice-types and wanted to get into competitive with that type. I wasn't doing well, thus I looked at the formats and realized there was monotype. Now I'm trying to get into montotype competitive with Ice. I hope you guys can help improve my team and/or give suggestions.
THE TEAM
A hyper-offensive team with some utility up it's sleeve
Ninetales-Alola @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Aurora Veil
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Blizzard
It's safe to say, that Ninetales is the crux of my ice team with hail and aurora veil which is extended by Light Clay. I have blizzard and moon-blast as powerful STAB-moves. Then I have encore as a utility option so I can force stuff like swords dance forcing a switch or allowing me to get the kill. Then Aurora Veil allows my team to switch in safely or tank an otherwise OHKO on my pokemon.
Sandslash-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
This is my utility pokemon as well as my revenge kill if hail is up. Originally, I had the sword dance moveset, then after playing, I realized, "ah, stealth rock is a pain to deal with," thus made the change from life orb to vest for a little tankiness. Then I gave him rapid spin for hazard clear and knock off for coverage as well as utility. Earthquake for more coverage, and Icicle Crash for my STAB move.
Mamoswine @ Focus Sash
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Endeavor
Mamoswine is my hazard setter. He is also my actual revenge killer with ice shard for low health targets. Endeavor is combined with focus sash to bring down enemies to 1% HP. Ideal plan for this move is the pokemon outspeeds me, then triggers sash, and I endeavor allowing me to win the next exchange with Ice Shard. Earthquake is the STAB move. Now Y'all may be questioning Snow Cloak, but honestly out of all the abilities, it's probably the most practical in terms of usage. With Oblivious, it's not really helpful, I don't have a berry, and taunt doesn't end the world for me. Sure, intimidate can be detrimental, but Mamoswine has two goals, stealth rock or poke. Lastly, thick fat is kinda useless when I got focus sash on it. If I have hail, the +1 evasion is simply superior in terms of practicality, however Mamoswine is not reliant on hail, so it's fine if I can't use it.
Cloyster @ Focus Sash
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Hydro Pump
Now, here's my first win condition. Cloyster with shell smash is already a force to reckon with. But there's a problem, he gets walled by Steel Types or Physical Walls. Thus, instead of the usual ice shard, I go hydro pump to break these walls. Originally, I went Scope Lens for better Crit Chance, then I realized that Focus Sash is better against fighting-type moves. This is because once I switch in my Cloyster, I can Shell Smash without any worry of dying, then outspeed most of the cast, and get a kill with a potential sweep. He is also a solid physical tank with 396 defense allowing for a switch-in to tank a hit if needed.
Kyurem @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Freeze-Dry
- Earth Power
- Roost
Here's the pokemon that every ice team should have. Although I had Eiscue beforehand, he wasn't really working well, so I opted for Kyurem. Kyurem has very good typing, when it comes to resistances, as well as insanely good power. With him as my last win condition, Heavy-Duty Boots is great, allowing his to enter on hazards. I have two ice moves, one of which is specifically for water types, while the other is the primary STAB move. Then we have Earth Power for coverage, alongside Roost for longevity.
Froslass (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Blizzard
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
Finally, here's my favorite Pokemon of the team. Although, Froslass doesn't have the same power as kyurem, she has insane coverage. She's reliant on hail being active to allow for blizzard to never miss, as well as, her snow cloak which can be considered vital for her.. Originally, I went Destiny Bond instead of Psychic, but I have no idea how use it efficiently, cause when I try to use it, the opponent ends up outspeeding me. Thus, I opted for Psychic, which isn't as good, but still covers fighting and poison. Although she isn't exactly A win condition, she can certainly become one or set up the win for the other pokemon, by getting rid of the threats
Well, that's my team. Even though I'm a beginner, through trial and error, I believe this team can put in the work. I would love any help/suggestions to see if I can improve this team. Here are some extra thoughts I had when trying to improve my team, that may help you.
THE TEAM
A hyper-offensive team with some utility up it's sleeve
Ninetales-Alola @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Aurora Veil
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Blizzard
It's safe to say, that Ninetales is the crux of my ice team with hail and aurora veil which is extended by Light Clay. I have blizzard and moon-blast as powerful STAB-moves. Then I have encore as a utility option so I can force stuff like swords dance forcing a switch or allowing me to get the kill. Then Aurora Veil allows my team to switch in safely or tank an otherwise OHKO on my pokemon.
Sandslash-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Slush Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
This is my utility pokemon as well as my revenge kill if hail is up. Originally, I had the sword dance moveset, then after playing, I realized, "ah, stealth rock is a pain to deal with," thus made the change from life orb to vest for a little tankiness. Then I gave him rapid spin for hazard clear and knock off for coverage as well as utility. Earthquake for more coverage, and Icicle Crash for my STAB move.
Mamoswine @ Focus Sash
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Endeavor
Mamoswine is my hazard setter. He is also my actual revenge killer with ice shard for low health targets. Endeavor is combined with focus sash to bring down enemies to 1% HP. Ideal plan for this move is the pokemon outspeeds me, then triggers sash, and I endeavor allowing me to win the next exchange with Ice Shard. Earthquake is the STAB move. Now Y'all may be questioning Snow Cloak, but honestly out of all the abilities, it's probably the most practical in terms of usage. With Oblivious, it's not really helpful, I don't have a berry, and taunt doesn't end the world for me. Sure, intimidate can be detrimental, but Mamoswine has two goals, stealth rock or poke. Lastly, thick fat is kinda useless when I got focus sash on it. If I have hail, the +1 evasion is simply superior in terms of practicality, however Mamoswine is not reliant on hail, so it's fine if I can't use it.
Cloyster @ Focus Sash
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Hydro Pump
Now, here's my first win condition. Cloyster with shell smash is already a force to reckon with. But there's a problem, he gets walled by Steel Types or Physical Walls. Thus, instead of the usual ice shard, I go hydro pump to break these walls. Originally, I went Scope Lens for better Crit Chance, then I realized that Focus Sash is better against fighting-type moves. This is because once I switch in my Cloyster, I can Shell Smash without any worry of dying, then outspeed most of the cast, and get a kill with a potential sweep. He is also a solid physical tank with 396 defense allowing for a switch-in to tank a hit if needed.
Kyurem @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Ice Beam
- Freeze-Dry
- Earth Power
- Roost
Here's the pokemon that every ice team should have. Although I had Eiscue beforehand, he wasn't really working well, so I opted for Kyurem. Kyurem has very good typing, when it comes to resistances, as well as insanely good power. With him as my last win condition, Heavy-Duty Boots is great, allowing his to enter on hazards. I have two ice moves, one of which is specifically for water types, while the other is the primary STAB move. Then we have Earth Power for coverage, alongside Roost for longevity.
Froslass (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Blizzard
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
Finally, here's my favorite Pokemon of the team. Although, Froslass doesn't have the same power as kyurem, she has insane coverage. She's reliant on hail being active to allow for blizzard to never miss, as well as, her snow cloak which can be considered vital for her.. Originally, I went Destiny Bond instead of Psychic, but I have no idea how use it efficiently, cause when I try to use it, the opponent ends up outspeeding me. Thus, I opted for Psychic, which isn't as good, but still covers fighting and poison. Although she isn't exactly A win condition, she can certainly become one or set up the win for the other pokemon, by getting rid of the threats
Well, that's my team. Even though I'm a beginner, through trial and error, I believe this team can put in the work. I would love any help/suggestions to see if I can improve this team. Here are some extra thoughts I had when trying to improve my team, that may help you.
1.) I had considered Piloswine with Evolite for some tankiness, but that will remove some of the momentum I can achieve with this team, thus the Mamoswine.
2.) Avalugg IS a viable pick, but personally I believe, Cloyster or Sandslash can do it's job a bit better.
3.) I have two pokemon which rely on Hail to be at their peak power, resulting in me considering a 2nd Snow Warning Pokemon, but they aren't too reliant on the hail cause they have moves or items that allow them to be useful in another aspect, so I decided against it.
