Hello! I'm relatively new to Showdown and I've been iterating on this team for about a week now. The team was intended to to be a Calm Mind Fini sweep team but I think it's going through a bit of an identity crisis. I'm still managing to climb but I'd like to nip any problems in the bud before they become too big
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 116 HP / 252 SpA / 140 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Surf
Letting Fini set up with Calm Mind for a sweep was intended to be the team's primary win condition. Managing to set up substitute behind Aurora Veil lets it survive neutral hits quite well allowing it to set up Calm Minds. Low speed means it'll often take considerable chip as it sweeps, hence leftovers, but this can often end its run early.
Heatran (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Magma Storm
- Taunt
- Toxic
Primarily here to tank and threaten grass types which could easily OHKO Fini. Good at breaking some stallers/defensive mons with Taunt + Magma Storm such as Pex, Corviknight, Clefable, G-Slowking. Spot was originally occupied by Volcarona but I thought Heatran's bulk and wall breaking ability would be more valuable than Quiver Sweep as at the time Fini seemed more effective.
Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Blaze Kick
Can switch in vs electric types which threaten Fini. Knock off allows for some progress even when it can't get a neutral or supereffective hit against whoever is going to switch in. Nice as a lategame sweeper or revenge killer once anything that resists its coverage is out of play. I've changed around the 4th move slot quite a lot and haven't been able to settle on anything that seemed particularly useful. Possibly volt switch might be better for chip damage but limits coverage
Ninetales (Ninetales-Alola) (F) @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 160 HP / 96 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hypnosis
- Freeze-Dry
- Encore
- Aurora Veil
Aurora Veil lets the frailer team members (Zera, Fini) do early damage more safely. Unfortunately hail chip can be problematic for Zera so it doesn't really get to take full advantage. Encore can be used to put the brakes on early hazard/status/screen setting. Unsure about the first move slot, been switching between Hypnosis, Blizzard and Pain Split.
Landorus (Landorus-Therian) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 21 Spe
- Earthquake
- Defog
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Defensive switch in on offensive electric type moves vs Fini and ground type vs Heatran/Zera. U-turn can allow Zera to switch in favourably and throw off strong fast hits or let Ninetales in to set up a veil. Leftovers over rocky helmet for sustainability as its forms a very significant part of the team's defence at the moment and losing it can be debilitating. Also resident defogger and SR setter
Toxapex (F) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Recover
- Haze
- Toxic
Anti-set up with Haze. Knock off and Toxic to force progress in defensive situations. Seems to play nice defensively with Lando or Zera able to switch in on electric threats + strong ground threats with Lando.
Problems I've encoutered:
Overall I'm suspecting that Ninetales isn't bringing enough to the table to warrant its inclusion (which sucks because its my favourite pokemon). At the beginning of the game there's almost always something that can threaten Fini even through Aurora Veil. Later in the game its hard to switch in due to its typing and low bulk + stealth rock weakness, its rare to have a game where it gets to switch in and set up Veil without taking a massive hit which effectively takes it out of action. It can be nice vs dragon types but Fini can already fill that niche.
Fini takes quite a while to set up and can be vulnerable while doing so due to low speed. I've considered trying out Belly Drum Azumarill as a sweeper as its set up is much faster but it on paper it looks worse overall. This part may just be a skill issue and I just need to focus more on taking out or weakening its threats early with status/chip/knock off but there may be other team members that could help contribute to that
Been having a lot of trouble with Blissey moreso than other walls. On paper I've read that Fini and especially Heatran should be very effective against it but I keep seeming to get walled and outdamaged by Seismic Toss so giving Fini taunt doesn't seem like it would be that useful.
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 116 HP / 252 SpA / 140 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Surf
Letting Fini set up with Calm Mind for a sweep was intended to be the team's primary win condition. Managing to set up substitute behind Aurora Veil lets it survive neutral hits quite well allowing it to set up Calm Minds. Low speed means it'll often take considerable chip as it sweeps, hence leftovers, but this can often end its run early.
Heatran (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Earth Power
- Magma Storm
- Taunt
- Toxic
Primarily here to tank and threaten grass types which could easily OHKO Fini. Good at breaking some stallers/defensive mons with Taunt + Magma Storm such as Pex, Corviknight, Clefable, G-Slowking. Spot was originally occupied by Volcarona but I thought Heatran's bulk and wall breaking ability would be more valuable than Quiver Sweep as at the time Fini seemed more effective.
Zeraora @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Blaze Kick
Can switch in vs electric types which threaten Fini. Knock off allows for some progress even when it can't get a neutral or supereffective hit against whoever is going to switch in. Nice as a lategame sweeper or revenge killer once anything that resists its coverage is out of play. I've changed around the 4th move slot quite a lot and haven't been able to settle on anything that seemed particularly useful. Possibly volt switch might be better for chip damage but limits coverage
Ninetales (Ninetales-Alola) (F) @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 160 HP / 96 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hypnosis
- Freeze-Dry
- Encore
- Aurora Veil
Aurora Veil lets the frailer team members (Zera, Fini) do early damage more safely. Unfortunately hail chip can be problematic for Zera so it doesn't really get to take full advantage. Encore can be used to put the brakes on early hazard/status/screen setting. Unsure about the first move slot, been switching between Hypnosis, Blizzard and Pain Split.
Landorus (Landorus-Therian) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 192 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 21 Spe
- Earthquake
- Defog
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Defensive switch in on offensive electric type moves vs Fini and ground type vs Heatran/Zera. U-turn can allow Zera to switch in favourably and throw off strong fast hits or let Ninetales in to set up a veil. Leftovers over rocky helmet for sustainability as its forms a very significant part of the team's defence at the moment and losing it can be debilitating. Also resident defogger and SR setter
Toxapex (F) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Recover
- Haze
- Toxic
Anti-set up with Haze. Knock off and Toxic to force progress in defensive situations. Seems to play nice defensively with Lando or Zera able to switch in on electric threats + strong ground threats with Lando.
Problems I've encoutered:
Overall I'm suspecting that Ninetales isn't bringing enough to the table to warrant its inclusion (which sucks because its my favourite pokemon). At the beginning of the game there's almost always something that can threaten Fini even through Aurora Veil. Later in the game its hard to switch in due to its typing and low bulk + stealth rock weakness, its rare to have a game where it gets to switch in and set up Veil without taking a massive hit which effectively takes it out of action. It can be nice vs dragon types but Fini can already fill that niche.
Fini takes quite a while to set up and can be vulnerable while doing so due to low speed. I've considered trying out Belly Drum Azumarill as a sweeper as its set up is much faster but it on paper it looks worse overall. This part may just be a skill issue and I just need to focus more on taking out or weakening its threats early with status/chip/knock off but there may be other team members that could help contribute to that
Been having a lot of trouble with Blissey moreso than other walls. On paper I've read that Fini and especially Heatran should be very effective against it but I keep seeming to get walled and outdamaged by Seismic Toss so giving Fini taunt doesn't seem like it would be that useful.
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