Sweep or Be Swept!
Team Overview:
Lycanroc-Dusk, Volcarona, Urshifu-Single-Strike, Kyurem, Toxtricity, Zeroara
An Introduction:
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read my first RMT. I started playing competitive on Pokemon Showdown just a few months ago, and in that time, I have been stuck around 1000-1200. I was able to experience all of the team archetypes out there, including Bulky Offense, Balance, Weather, Stall, Semi-Stall, Hyperstall, this-looks-like-offense-but-is-actually-stall, and meme teams/gimmick teams. I myself only used balance, weather, and bulky offense teams until recently, when I discovered the joys and wonders of HO, which I found, if played correctly, can obliterate opposing teams very quickly. This was a massive boon to me, as I absolutely DESPISE sitting around for 5 minutes or more watching Toxapex Recover away all of the damage I do to it. In other words, I hate stall, and I hate long battles. I'd rather forfeit than waste a ton of time trying to beat a Hyperstall team; I'd rather get swept than be unable to quickly finish off the opposing team. Luckily, I also learned that HO tends to destroy stall, so that's fantastic. Although I did not initially care much about laddering, nor did I intend this team to help me ladder, it has actually gotten me past 1350 for the first time, and I am still steadily climbing.
The basic idea behind building this team was to put all of the best wallbreakers and sweepers on one team, add on a lead, and click buttons to win. Surprisingly, it's worked pretty well.
Now, the team:
Pokepaste
Lycanroc-Dusk
Lycanroc-Dusk @ Focus Sash
Ability: Tough Claws
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Accelerock
- Counter
If you haven’t tried Lycanroc, you’re missing out. With a good speed tier, access to Taunt, Stealth Rocks, and a very good priority move in Accelerock, Lycanroc can outspeed most common leads and Taunt them to keep your side of the arena clean. In addition to keeping your side clean, Lycanroc can also reliably set up Stealth Rocks with its Focus Sash. Another use of that Focus Sash is to predict an opposing Excadrill's Iron Head/EQ, Conkeldurr's Mach Punch, Rhyperior's EQ, Rillaboom's Grassy Glide or Urshifu's CC and Counter back to OHKO them. This surprising loss alone can force many inexperienced players to forfeit at the beginning, especially if their team relies heavily on a mon such as Conkeldurr or Sand Rush Excadrill. Furthermore, Lycanroc is a great check to Volcarona, which can otherwise sweep through this team with one QD. Add on the fact that it looks downright awesome, and you have a fantastic semi-suicide lead.
Volcarona
Volcarona @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Giga Drain
- Bug Buzz
How could an HO team not have this gentle-looking beast? You simply have to switch it into Rillaboom, Ferrothorn, or Scizor, click Quiver Dance, and sweep. It is my personal favorite sweeper, and it is my primary special sweeper. I've given it the standard moves of Bug Buzz and Fiery Dance, but rather than taking the ever-popular Psychic, I chose Giga Drain to destroy the Rock and Water type checks people put out against it. So far, the only time I've regretted this is when I'm facing Toxapex, but because Toxapex is basically set-up bait for Toxtricity, it's not that big of a problem. I've also given it HDB just like everybody else to prevent it from being destroyed by Stealth Rocks and other entry hazards. It's ability, Flame Body, also gives it a good chance of crippling physical attackers.
Urshifu-Single-Strike
Urshifu (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Wicked Blow
- Sucker Punch
- Poison Jab
Urshifu is this team's primary physical sweeper. Bulk Up takes its attack to ludicrous levels, and when paired with Wicked Blow (which is not resisted by many mons), it can absolutely crush teams without Clefable. Sucker Punch is there to revenge kill (and OHKO Dragapult) and make up for its Adamant nature. Poison Jab allows it to OHKO Clefable after Bulk Up and potentially OHKO and/or poison bulky Grass types (Tangrowth primarily). I did not run CC on this set because it is expected, and I have it on Zeroara, and Wicked Blow is its best attack anyways. Urshifu also provides a solid check to all variants of Dragapult, which otherwise sweeps this team.
Kyurem
Kyurem @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam
- Freeze-Dry
- Earth Power
With the highest BST in the tier, Choice Specs Kyurem is an absolute monster, which is why I picked it as my primary special wallbreaker. With Choice Specs, Kyurem can threaten to OHKO many mons and still hit like a truck on switch-ins. This means that there aren't any reliable switch-ins to this set, as it provides at least neutral coverage against all mons. Oftentimes, Ice Beam can destroy entire teams on its own, but if necessary, Freeze-dry is there for bulky Water types such as Toxapex and Primarina, and Earth Power is there for some Rock and Poison types, such as Toxapex, Rhyperior, and Toxtricity. Finally, if you are not sure what the opponent will switch in to, Draco Meteor is a great choice to reliably remove AT LEAST 30% of the switch-in's health, unless it is a Fairy.
Toxtricity
Toxtricity (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Punk Rock
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Overdrive
- Boomburst
- Drain Punch
- Shift Gear
Toxtricity is a menace to Water and Fairy types and Rain teams, and mons such as Primarina, Toxapex, Corviknight, Clefable, and non-EQ Tangrowth are set-up fodder for this mixed sweeper. Its set-up move, Shift Gears, takes its speed high enough to outspeed all opposing mons barring weather sweepers and Choice Scarf Zeroara or Dragapult (which are rare). With a Life Orb, Toxtricity can switch in many times (unlike Throat Spray variants, which lose their bonus after switching out), especially since it's forced out by ANY ground type, which will always OHKO Toxtricity. However, barring Ground types and Dragapult (which walls this set), Toxtricity can rip through teams using its 180 BP Boomburst and 108 BP Overdrive (due to its ability, Punk Rock). Drain Punch allows it to break through Ferrothorn and recover a good amount of HP, and have a physical move so that it is not walled by Special walls such as Blissey.
Zeroara
Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Close Combat
- Volt Switch
- Knock Off
Zeroara is my revenge killer and secondary physical wallbreaker. With the highest base speed stat in the tier, Zeroara can reliably hit fast and hard and then switch out with Volt Switch. Speaking of switching, Heavy-Duty Boots allow it to switch in many times and not risk taking damage or becoming slower due to hazards. Plasma Fists, its signature move, in tandem with its high attack stat, hits ridiculously hard with 100 BP + STAB, and if you can predict a Thunder Wave or any other Electric type move, you can switch in Zeroara to restore a quarter of its HP thanks to its ability, Volt Absorb. In addition to its two electric-type moves, Zeroara also carries Knock Off to quickly and reliably cripple opposing mons, as well as to OHKO Alakazam and Gengar and almost OHKO Dragapult, and Close Combat to provide fighting-type coverage to hit mons such as Excadrill, Rhypherior, and Ferrothorn for decent damage.
To Conclude:
Thank you for reading my RMT in its entirety. It means a lot to me. With only 6 days until DLC 2 releases, I thought I would write my first RMT and share my best team before all of my work goes to waste with the new metagame. I would really appreciate any and all feedback you could give.
Have a good day and stay safe!
-RakMoTeam Overview:
Lycanroc-Dusk, Volcarona, Urshifu-Single-Strike, Kyurem, Toxtricity, Zeroara
An Introduction:
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read my first RMT. I started playing competitive on Pokemon Showdown just a few months ago, and in that time, I have been stuck around 1000-1200. I was able to experience all of the team archetypes out there, including Bulky Offense, Balance, Weather, Stall, Semi-Stall, Hyperstall, this-looks-like-offense-but-is-actually-stall, and meme teams/gimmick teams. I myself only used balance, weather, and bulky offense teams until recently, when I discovered the joys and wonders of HO, which I found, if played correctly, can obliterate opposing teams very quickly. This was a massive boon to me, as I absolutely DESPISE sitting around for 5 minutes or more watching Toxapex Recover away all of the damage I do to it. In other words, I hate stall, and I hate long battles. I'd rather forfeit than waste a ton of time trying to beat a Hyperstall team; I'd rather get swept than be unable to quickly finish off the opposing team. Luckily, I also learned that HO tends to destroy stall, so that's fantastic. Although I did not initially care much about laddering, nor did I intend this team to help me ladder, it has actually gotten me past 1350 for the first time, and I am still steadily climbing.
The basic idea behind building this team was to put all of the best wallbreakers and sweepers on one team, add on a lead, and click buttons to win. Surprisingly, it's worked pretty well.
Now, the team:
Pokepaste
Lycanroc-Dusk
Lycanroc-Dusk @ Focus Sash
Ability: Tough Claws
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Accelerock
- Counter
If you haven’t tried Lycanroc, you’re missing out. With a good speed tier, access to Taunt, Stealth Rocks, and a very good priority move in Accelerock, Lycanroc can outspeed most common leads and Taunt them to keep your side of the arena clean. In addition to keeping your side clean, Lycanroc can also reliably set up Stealth Rocks with its Focus Sash. Another use of that Focus Sash is to predict an opposing Excadrill's Iron Head/EQ, Conkeldurr's Mach Punch, Rhyperior's EQ, Rillaboom's Grassy Glide or Urshifu's CC and Counter back to OHKO them. This surprising loss alone can force many inexperienced players to forfeit at the beginning, especially if their team relies heavily on a mon such as Conkeldurr or Sand Rush Excadrill. Furthermore, Lycanroc is a great check to Volcarona, which can otherwise sweep through this team with one QD. Add on the fact that it looks downright awesome, and you have a fantastic semi-suicide lead.
Volcarona
Volcarona @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Giga Drain
- Bug Buzz
How could an HO team not have this gentle-looking beast? You simply have to switch it into Rillaboom, Ferrothorn, or Scizor, click Quiver Dance, and sweep. It is my personal favorite sweeper, and it is my primary special sweeper. I've given it the standard moves of Bug Buzz and Fiery Dance, but rather than taking the ever-popular Psychic, I chose Giga Drain to destroy the Rock and Water type checks people put out against it. So far, the only time I've regretted this is when I'm facing Toxapex, but because Toxapex is basically set-up bait for Toxtricity, it's not that big of a problem. I've also given it HDB just like everybody else to prevent it from being destroyed by Stealth Rocks and other entry hazards. It's ability, Flame Body, also gives it a good chance of crippling physical attackers.
Urshifu-Single-Strike
Urshifu (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Wicked Blow
- Sucker Punch
- Poison Jab
Urshifu is this team's primary physical sweeper. Bulk Up takes its attack to ludicrous levels, and when paired with Wicked Blow (which is not resisted by many mons), it can absolutely crush teams without Clefable. Sucker Punch is there to revenge kill (and OHKO Dragapult) and make up for its Adamant nature. Poison Jab allows it to OHKO Clefable after Bulk Up and potentially OHKO and/or poison bulky Grass types (Tangrowth primarily). I did not run CC on this set because it is expected, and I have it on Zeroara, and Wicked Blow is its best attack anyways. Urshifu also provides a solid check to all variants of Dragapult, which otherwise sweeps this team.
Kyurem
Kyurem @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pressure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Ice Beam
- Freeze-Dry
- Earth Power
With the highest BST in the tier, Choice Specs Kyurem is an absolute monster, which is why I picked it as my primary special wallbreaker. With Choice Specs, Kyurem can threaten to OHKO many mons and still hit like a truck on switch-ins. This means that there aren't any reliable switch-ins to this set, as it provides at least neutral coverage against all mons. Oftentimes, Ice Beam can destroy entire teams on its own, but if necessary, Freeze-dry is there for bulky Water types such as Toxapex and Primarina, and Earth Power is there for some Rock and Poison types, such as Toxapex, Rhyperior, and Toxtricity. Finally, if you are not sure what the opponent will switch in to, Draco Meteor is a great choice to reliably remove AT LEAST 30% of the switch-in's health, unless it is a Fairy.
Toxtricity
Toxtricity (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Punk Rock
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Overdrive
- Boomburst
- Drain Punch
- Shift Gear
Toxtricity is a menace to Water and Fairy types and Rain teams, and mons such as Primarina, Toxapex, Corviknight, Clefable, and non-EQ Tangrowth are set-up fodder for this mixed sweeper. Its set-up move, Shift Gears, takes its speed high enough to outspeed all opposing mons barring weather sweepers and Choice Scarf Zeroara or Dragapult (which are rare). With a Life Orb, Toxtricity can switch in many times (unlike Throat Spray variants, which lose their bonus after switching out), especially since it's forced out by ANY ground type, which will always OHKO Toxtricity. However, barring Ground types and Dragapult (which walls this set), Toxtricity can rip through teams using its 180 BP Boomburst and 108 BP Overdrive (due to its ability, Punk Rock). Drain Punch allows it to break through Ferrothorn and recover a good amount of HP, and have a physical move so that it is not walled by Special walls such as Blissey.
Zeroara
Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Close Combat
- Volt Switch
- Knock Off
Zeroara is my revenge killer and secondary physical wallbreaker. With the highest base speed stat in the tier, Zeroara can reliably hit fast and hard and then switch out with Volt Switch. Speaking of switching, Heavy-Duty Boots allow it to switch in many times and not risk taking damage or becoming slower due to hazards. Plasma Fists, its signature move, in tandem with its high attack stat, hits ridiculously hard with 100 BP + STAB, and if you can predict a Thunder Wave or any other Electric type move, you can switch in Zeroara to restore a quarter of its HP thanks to its ability, Volt Absorb. In addition to its two electric-type moves, Zeroara also carries Knock Off to quickly and reliably cripple opposing mons, as well as to OHKO Alakazam and Gengar and almost OHKO Dragapult, and Close Combat to provide fighting-type coverage to hit mons such as Excadrill, Rhypherior, and Ferrothorn for decent damage.
To Conclude:
Thank you for reading my RMT in its entirety. It means a lot to me. With only 6 days until DLC 2 releases, I thought I would write my first RMT and share my best team before all of my work goes to waste with the new metagame. I would really appreciate any and all feedback you could give.
Have a good day and stay safe!
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