It's been a while! I've theory crafted and created in-game 2 teams that so far have worked really well for me online. I like to call it Cindeedon because it revolves around Cinderace, Indeedee (Male and Female), and Duraludon as a core. Let's do this!
*All stat distributions I use are based on those provided by Pikalytics because I see it as a useful resource for gauging what would be the most useful distributions for online play. Some distributions are somewhat different to fit my personal taste/calculations!*
I am a firm believer that both Indeedee forms have merit for usage in the online/VGC scene. Both negate priority moves that have accuracy checks, both utilize psychic seed well, and both can use expanding force/mystical fire to great effect. Indeedee-M is useful as an attacker, trick room removal tool, and can stop most mirror matches who are not packing tailwind support by way of imprison. Indeedee-F is useful for re-direction through follow me since it has great bulk (it's Def after psychic seed is about the same as the common fully invested +Def Nature version), and can also attack with the same moves as it's male counterpart (albeit with 22 less SpA, but 150 SpA is still good for a re-director who wants to do some kind of damage without sacrificing too much bulk). They're both solid when paired with Cinderace, Duraludon, and other teammates in these squads.
Duraludon
Duraludon-Gmax @ Assault Vest
Ability: Stalwart
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Thunderbolt
Duraludon is an all around great special attacker and has been for as long as I've been involved in playing online. It has pretty decent stats outside of it's SpD, but assault vest patches up that flaw quite nicely. With steel, dragon, dark, and electric coverage, it's pretty solid all around. It's Gmax move isn't the best, but why not use it anyway if it comes down to it? If you haven't dynamaxed yet, Duraludon isn't the worst backup candidate for that at all. Besides, max lightning prevents sleep, and I hate spore with a passion. Also stalwart ignores re-direction, which could make or break some match ups.
Incineroar
Incineroar @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 238 HP / 4 Atk / 84 Def / 92 SpD / 92 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Lash Out
- Parting Shot
Another pokemon that needs no introduction. It has intimidate (which is very useful in the current online meta), fake out for flinching (as long as you or an opposing team no longer has a psychic terrain up), lash out as a predictive counter against opponents who may use a max move that lowers your stats or switches in an intimidator of their own, and parting shot because who doesn't enjoy a generous serving of revolving door Incineroar. This stat spread allows you to out-speed the typical Spe stat of more common versions by 1 point (which is useful for the mirror match in terms of fake out usage) while still having enough bulk to take at least one hit.
Whimsicott
Whimsicott is very good right now, and has arguably always been good as a grass-type with prankster. Although it hates psychic terrain being active, it can provide a lot of support through tailwind even while that terrain is active. When psychic terrain isn't active (which it very well may not be since rillaboom is pretty popular and can easily be switched in to cancel psychic terrain shenanigans), taunt can stop many things (obviously), and worry seed can stop any ability you just don't happen to like (which is a very spicy decision that can stop the likes of swift swim, sand rush, libero, strong jaw, super luck, and unseen fist just to name a few). Energy ball is used on the CID-M Squad to help with missing ground coverage and extra water coverage (due to a lack of lapras), while moonblast is used on the CID-F Squad for extra fighting and dragon coverage (due to a lack of togekiss).
Togekiss/Lapras
On the CID-M Squad, we have Togekiss. Togekiss is highly used for many reasons, I primarily use it for 2 of those: super luck and follow me. This stat spread is currently the 2nd most used and imo is the most useful. Togekiss support is great because it provides re-direction (especially against rillaboom, since amoongus can't use rage powder on grass types), can boost it's teammates with helping hand, and has a good chance of landing crits with it's attacks thanks to super luck. Fairy and flying coverage works well with the CID-M Squad in particular, since fighting types are a big threat on that Sqaud.
On the CID-F Squad, we have Lapras-Gmax. This stat spread works particularly well with Indeedee-F or whimsicott support, because the biggest threats to it come in the form of rillaboom, urshifu, and cinderace (2 of which will be using a fighting move against lapras, 1 of which will be faster even with tailwind support, 2 of them can be neutralized by worry seed, and none of them can stop helping hand). I use shell armor instead of water absorb because neither of these teams are that afraid of water, and a crit on a fighting move would most definitely kill lapras with this stat spread. Lapras-Gmax can be used to stop sand/sun teams, set up aurora veil without hail, or prevent sleep because I hate spore with a passion. Weakness policy allows you to demolish most things that tried to kill you in the same turn because of the full SpA investment.
With everything said, I think that the CID core is pretty solid in the current online metagame. Biggest threats seem to be Duraludon (a threat to both squads due to a lack of more fighting support and a lack of ground support on both), Porygon 2 (a threat to CID-F due to a lack of more fighting support, imprison support, and a threat to both due to a lack of knock off support), and Cinderace (most teams struggle against this due to it having stab on all 4 of it's moves and general unpredictability, but proper use of worry seed can stop it in it's tracks if you happen to bring whimsicott with you). Let me know any thoughts, criticisms, or revisions that I haven't taken into account here. Have fun playing during Series 5!
"If you don't sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice."
*All stat distributions I use are based on those provided by Pikalytics because I see it as a useful resource for gauging what would be the most useful distributions for online play. Some distributions are somewhat different to fit my personal taste/calculations!*
Cinderace-Gmax @ Life Orb
Ability: Libero
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bounce
- High Jump Kick
- Sucker Punch
- Pyro Ball
Indeedee @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Expanding Force
- Mystical Fire
- Trick Room
- Imprison
Duraludon-Gmax @ Assault Vest
Ability: Stalwart
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Thunderbolt
Incineroar @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 238 HP / 4 Atk / 84 Def / 92 SpD / 92 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Lash Out
- Parting Shot
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Worry Seed
- Energy Ball
Togekiss @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Super Luck
Level: 50
EVs: 204 HP / 84 Def / 156 SpA / 4 SpD / 60 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Air Slash
- Follow Me
- Helping Hand
Ability: Libero
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bounce
- High Jump Kick
- Sucker Punch
- Pyro Ball
Indeedee @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Expanding Force
- Mystical Fire
- Trick Room
- Imprison
Duraludon-Gmax @ Assault Vest
Ability: Stalwart
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Thunderbolt
Incineroar @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 238 HP / 4 Atk / 84 Def / 92 SpD / 92 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Lash Out
- Parting Shot
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Worry Seed
- Energy Ball
Togekiss @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Super Luck
Level: 50
EVs: 204 HP / 84 Def / 156 SpA / 4 SpD / 60 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Air Slash
- Follow Me
- Helping Hand
Cinderace-Gmax @ Life Orb
Ability: Libero
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bounce
- High Jump Kick
- Sucker Punch
- Pyro Ball
Indeedee-F (F) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Follow Me
- Expanding Force
- Mystical Fire
- Protect
Duraludon-Gmax @ Assault Vest
Ability: Stalwart
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Thunderbolt
Incineroar @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 238 HP / 4 Atk / 84 Def / 92 SpD / 92 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Lash Out
- Parting Shot
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Worry Seed
- Moonblast
Lapras-Gmax @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Shell Armor
Level: 50
EVs: 60 HP / 196 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Freeze-Dry
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
Ability: Libero
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bounce
- High Jump Kick
- Sucker Punch
- Pyro Ball
Indeedee-F (F) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Follow Me
- Expanding Force
- Mystical Fire
- Protect
Duraludon-Gmax @ Assault Vest
Ability: Stalwart
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Thunderbolt
Incineroar @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 238 HP / 4 Atk / 84 Def / 92 SpD / 92 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Lash Out
- Parting Shot
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Worry Seed
- Moonblast
Lapras-Gmax @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Shell Armor
Level: 50
EVs: 60 HP / 196 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Freeze-Dry
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
Cinderace
Cinderace-Gmax @ Life Orb
Ability: Libero
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bounce
- High Jump Kick
- Sucker Punch
- Pyro Ball
Everybody knows about this thing, and there's not much more I could say about it. It hits very hard, gets stab on every move it uses, appreciates the support I provide it with, and works very well alongside Indeedee, Duraludon, and everyone else on these teams. The only change I would consider making here would be not giving this the Gmax factor on the CID-M Squad, which would allow you to have a form of weather control if you think you might need it.
Indeedee
Cinderace-Gmax @ Life Orb
Ability: Libero
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bounce
- High Jump Kick
- Sucker Punch
- Pyro Ball
Everybody knows about this thing, and there's not much more I could say about it. It hits very hard, gets stab on every move it uses, appreciates the support I provide it with, and works very well alongside Indeedee, Duraludon, and everyone else on these teams. The only change I would consider making here would be not giving this the Gmax factor on the CID-M Squad, which would allow you to have a form of weather control if you think you might need it.
Indeedee
Indeedee-F (F) @ Psychic Seed Ability: Psychic Surge Level: 50 EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpA Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Follow Me - Expanding Force - Mystical Fire - Protect | Indeedee @ Psychic Seed Ability: Psychic Surge Level: 50 EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Expanding Force - Mystical Fire - Trick Room - Imprison |
I am a firm believer that both Indeedee forms have merit for usage in the online/VGC scene. Both negate priority moves that have accuracy checks, both utilize psychic seed well, and both can use expanding force/mystical fire to great effect. Indeedee-M is useful as an attacker, trick room removal tool, and can stop most mirror matches who are not packing tailwind support by way of imprison. Indeedee-F is useful for re-direction through follow me since it has great bulk (it's Def after psychic seed is about the same as the common fully invested +Def Nature version), and can also attack with the same moves as it's male counterpart (albeit with 22 less SpA, but 150 SpA is still good for a re-director who wants to do some kind of damage without sacrificing too much bulk). They're both solid when paired with Cinderace, Duraludon, and other teammates in these squads.
Duraludon
Duraludon-Gmax @ Assault Vest
Ability: Stalwart
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Thunderbolt
Duraludon is an all around great special attacker and has been for as long as I've been involved in playing online. It has pretty decent stats outside of it's SpD, but assault vest patches up that flaw quite nicely. With steel, dragon, dark, and electric coverage, it's pretty solid all around. It's Gmax move isn't the best, but why not use it anyway if it comes down to it? If you haven't dynamaxed yet, Duraludon isn't the worst backup candidate for that at all. Besides, max lightning prevents sleep, and I hate spore with a passion. Also stalwart ignores re-direction, which could make or break some match ups.
Incineroar
Incineroar @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 238 HP / 4 Atk / 84 Def / 92 SpD / 92 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Lash Out
- Parting Shot
Another pokemon that needs no introduction. It has intimidate (which is very useful in the current online meta), fake out for flinching (as long as you or an opposing team no longer has a psychic terrain up), lash out as a predictive counter against opponents who may use a max move that lowers your stats or switches in an intimidator of their own, and parting shot because who doesn't enjoy a generous serving of revolving door Incineroar. This stat spread allows you to out-speed the typical Spe stat of more common versions by 1 point (which is useful for the mirror match in terms of fake out usage) while still having enough bulk to take at least one hit.
Whimsicott
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash Ability: Prankster Level: 50 EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Tailwind - Taunt - Worry Seed - Energy Ball | Whimsicott @ Focus Sash Ability: Prankster Level: 50 EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe Timid Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Tailwind - Taunt - Worry Seed - Moonblast |
Whimsicott is very good right now, and has arguably always been good as a grass-type with prankster. Although it hates psychic terrain being active, it can provide a lot of support through tailwind even while that terrain is active. When psychic terrain isn't active (which it very well may not be since rillaboom is pretty popular and can easily be switched in to cancel psychic terrain shenanigans), taunt can stop many things (obviously), and worry seed can stop any ability you just don't happen to like (which is a very spicy decision that can stop the likes of swift swim, sand rush, libero, strong jaw, super luck, and unseen fist just to name a few). Energy ball is used on the CID-M Squad to help with missing ground coverage and extra water coverage (due to a lack of lapras), while moonblast is used on the CID-F Squad for extra fighting and dragon coverage (due to a lack of togekiss).
Togekiss/Lapras
Togekiss @ Babiri Berry Ability: Super Luck Level: 50 EVs: 204 HP / 84 Def / 156 SpA / 4 SpD / 60 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Dazzling Gleam - Air Slash - Follow Me - Helping Hand | Lapras-Gmax @ Weakness Policy Ability: Shell Armor Level: 50 EVs: 60 HP / 196 Def / 252 SpA Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Hydro Pump - Freeze-Dry - Thunderbolt - Protect |
On the CID-M Squad, we have Togekiss. Togekiss is highly used for many reasons, I primarily use it for 2 of those: super luck and follow me. This stat spread is currently the 2nd most used and imo is the most useful. Togekiss support is great because it provides re-direction (especially against rillaboom, since amoongus can't use rage powder on grass types), can boost it's teammates with helping hand, and has a good chance of landing crits with it's attacks thanks to super luck. Fairy and flying coverage works well with the CID-M Squad in particular, since fighting types are a big threat on that Sqaud.
On the CID-F Squad, we have Lapras-Gmax. This stat spread works particularly well with Indeedee-F or whimsicott support, because the biggest threats to it come in the form of rillaboom, urshifu, and cinderace (2 of which will be using a fighting move against lapras, 1 of which will be faster even with tailwind support, 2 of them can be neutralized by worry seed, and none of them can stop helping hand). I use shell armor instead of water absorb because neither of these teams are that afraid of water, and a crit on a fighting move would most definitely kill lapras with this stat spread. Lapras-Gmax can be used to stop sand/sun teams, set up aurora veil without hail, or prevent sleep because I hate spore with a passion. Weakness policy allows you to demolish most things that tried to kill you in the same turn because of the full SpA investment.
With everything said, I think that the CID core is pretty solid in the current online metagame. Biggest threats seem to be Duraludon (a threat to both squads due to a lack of more fighting support and a lack of ground support on both), Porygon 2 (a threat to CID-F due to a lack of more fighting support, imprison support, and a threat to both due to a lack of knock off support), and Cinderace (most teams struggle against this due to it having stab on all 4 of it's moves and general unpredictability, but proper use of worry seed can stop it in it's tracks if you happen to bring whimsicott with you). Let me know any thoughts, criticisms, or revisions that I haven't taken into account here. Have fun playing during Series 5!
"If you don't sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice."
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