Could "Choice Band" teams work again?

porygon3

In Advance, there were Choice Band teams, which used 4 or 5 Choice Banders to constantly hit the opponent with strong, Choice Banded attacks. Pokemon like Magneton (Magnezone in DP, obviously) were then used to prevent pokemon like Skarmory from totally walling you. More information can be found in this thread.

So basically, I'm wondering if this would still work in DP. Whether it be 4-5 Choice Bands or some combination of Choice Band, Choice Specs, and Choice Scarf.

I know there's no shortage of good CB'ers, especially with the release of pokemon like Garchomp and Rhyperior, and "upgrade" of ones like Tyranitar, but I would like to know if it would still work like it did in advance. There's not very many good pokemon that can use Choice Specs though; besides Salamence and Porygon-Z, there's not very many good ones.

Choice Scarf has a lot of options... Garchomp (if it's not CB obviously), Heracross, Porygon-Z again, Starmie and Infernape (though I think I'm the only one who's considered either of these), etc.

Obviously, there would be counters to this kind of team (specifically if you just use 1 type of Choice item), but that could be worked around with the non-choice pokemon, such as using Magnezone to beat things like Skarmory and Forretress which would wall you if you're using all Choice Bands.

I think another "advantage" of the team would be that it would be easier to fix for Item Clause; teams with 3-4 Leftovers have to be "remade" to work under Item Clause, while this type of team probably has to change 2 items at most, unless it's using only 1 Choice item.


So, what do you all think about the usability of these teams in DP?
 
Like in the 3rd gen games, you'll find yourself staring down a Wobuffet, who laughs and counters appropriately, unless we're talking about a non-wob environment.

That aside, it's always possible. You might hit a wall here or there, but it's expected for any other team, right? Just make sure that last 1-2 pokemon are ones that can handle anything a choice item poke can't and you're set, I guess.
 
Solar Crash said:
Like in the 3rd gen games, you'll find yourself staring down a Wobuffet, who laughs and counters appropriately, unless we're talking about a non-wob environment.

That aside, it's always possible. You might hit a wall here or there, but it's expected for any other team, right? Just make sure that last 1-2 pokemon are ones that can handle anything a choice item poke can't and you're set, I guess.
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I have to laugh at the Wobuffet quote. Did you read the Wobuffet analysis? It said that "Most respectable trainers will avoid using Wobuffet". Thus, we're talking about a non-wobuffet environment.
Oh, and as for the subject, it might work. Good luck dealing with some of the better walls, though. Bring along some counters for them.
 
It can still work, you just have to have prediction skills.

Standard CB teams in Advance usually carried a Wisher (Vaporeon usually). I'd probably use one in D/P too.
 
On one hand, there is a HUGE load of Choice Pokemon in D/P. Heracross, Tyranitar, Salamence, Alakazam, Garchomp, Porygon-Z, the list just goes on and on. On the other hand, though, Choice Pokemon (especially when using Earthquake and such) are huge liabilities, and the one turn that you need to switch out is the one turn that your opponent needs to set up. Overall, I'd say Choice teams are just gimmicks in D/P.
 
Maybe thats because you didn't situate your team appropriately? I am actually using a team comprised of each Choice item with a Scarf Lucario starter, Specs Heatran, and a Choice banded Torterra. Prediction is essencially the key to every choice item user, but it works better when you know most of the opponents team. When it does work however, the payoff can be amazing as even things like bulky waters get shut down to fire attacks from specs Heatran.
 
I had this as a team. Scarfed Heracross, Scarfed Garchomp, Scarfed Z. The problem was using moves which the opponent had a counter for. IE. - Heracross uses CC and then the opponents sends out a ghost.

Unless you are like a godly predicter, I wouldnt really recommend it.
 
Teams like this should be usable somewhat,you will find yourself close in games close due member taking damage switching around.The move U-turn help teams like this d/p.

Also Wobbefett does not own team this like especially in D/P.For example Slaking faints a poke,the person brings in wobby ,wobby counters slaking's attack,Slaking faints.Then person brings in Weavile, Metagross,T-Tar, and Heracross you know what come next a choice banded pursuit on a weakened wobby.
 
I've been swept by a Choice Scarf Starmie in the late game once too many times. I wouldn't call choice users a "gimmick", though they all can be similarly countered if you are expecting them. Also, Choice Scarf has to be one of the most gamebreaking choice items. Choice Band may turn a 75% hurt into a OHKO, but choice scarf can change the results of Garchomp vs Weavile entirely.
 
Something like:

- Magnezone (Steel's friend)
- Tyranitar (CB 1)
- Salamence (CB 2 {Could be Choice Specs})
- Snorlax (CB 3 {Also pseudo Spcl Wall}
- Heracross (CB 4 {Could be Choice Scarf}
- Jirachi (Supporter)

I see a heavy Tyranitar and Heracross weak, so maybe we should consider something like CSLucario, CS/CBChomp, CBRhyperior, CBApe etc. And even a U-Turn Gliscor.

I think there are plenty of Choice Specs users:

* Salamence
* PorygonZ
* Sceptile
* Charizard
* Gengar
* Alakazam
* Heatran
* Yanmega

And many more.
 
-FL- said:
Something like:

- Magnezone (Steel's friend)
- Tyranitar (CB 1)
- Salamence (CB 2 {Could be Choice Specs})
- Snorlax (CB 3 {Also pseudo Spcl Wall}
- Heracross (CB 4 {Could be Choice Scarf}
- Jirachi (Supporter)

I see a heavy Tyranitar and Heracross weak, so maybe we should consider something like CSLucario, CS/CBChomp, CBRhyperior, CBApe etc. And even a U-Turn Gliscor.

I think there are plenty of Choice Specs users:

* Salamence
* PorygonZ
* Sceptile
* Charizard
* Gengar
* Alakazam
* Heatran
* Yanmega

And many more.
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The problem with that is that Choice Specs users often have to switch out, and Charizard and Yanmega can't switch in easily when they get Stealth Rocked, as well as Salamence to a lesser extent.

EDIT: Sure, Yanmega can use Tinted Lens to help it out, but Blissey is still a problem for it with Stealth Rock support.
 
i remember making a thread about chioce teams when DP speculation was just begining, and now:

Great Sage said:
Choice teams are just gimmicks in D/P.
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this stands true, as one wrong earthquake when they switch to a flying type, it may very well cost you the game. Take into consideration this example. You have a Garchomp out, stuck in a Choice Scarfed earthquake. The opponet sends in Salamence. As you switch out, it gives salamence a free DD. He now proceceds to sweep your team. Chioce teams are all a matter of weither or not you are going to get lucky in DP.
 
Choice Pokemon rely on prediction by nature, but no amount of prediction can help against:
Begin turn 1
Salamence (choice banded) uses Earthquake
Opponent's Electivire faints
Opponent sends out Azelf
End turn 1
 
Great Sage said:
Choice Pokemon rely on prediction by nature, but no amount of prediction can help against:
Begin turn 1
Salamence (choice banded) uses Earthquake
Opponent's Electivire faints
Opponent sends out Azelf
End turn 1
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Of course, assuming no HP Fighting, you could always

Begin turn 2
Player withdrew Salamence!
Player send out Heatran!
Azelf used Nasty Plot/Psychic!
Heatran took pitiful/no damage
End turn 2

Using Earthquake really isn't something you'd want to do early game anyway, what with all the levitators and Flying Pokemon out there. I haven't calculated it, but I think a Dragon Claw would be enough to dispatch of Electivire, as well as having the added bonus of hurting Azelf badly if they predict an Earthquake.
 
A Curbst0mp said:
IT doesnt work. I tried 3 choices on 1 team, and it failed miserablely.
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Yeah because your experiences equal everyone's.

Going overkill with 6 sweepers isn't a good idea as it puts you in a weak position against anything fast (Dragon Dancers, quick Swords Dancers). Put something like Slowbro in your last slot and you suddendly become a lot more sturdy.
 
I'd rather stick to a "choice" team than a choice band team since choice scarf can help you revenge kill a lot of the threats your team will have trouble with. "Choice" teams are extremely effective.
 
Item clause destroys the idea as well, and i have tried playing with 6 sweepers and it was horrible, your best sticking to one or two choice pokes, you dont want to be EQing garas and letting them own you.
 
Usually the best amount of choice items for a team is 4, going with about 2 choice scarfed pokes, 1 band, and one specs. Going over 4 would make the team gimmick, because having a choice team without a couple of supporters or walls makes it fall to more sturdy pokemon.
 
Since some stuff get hit hard now even by stuff they resist, it's make building a choice band team extremely difficult. Not to mention stealth rock is gay.
 
I think that

5 Fast Choice Band U-Turn users
1 Wish healer.

Would work. As long as you can out speed and hit them, then switch to another pokemon that resistes the attack, you can win.... Unless they Pull out skarmory, Then you use Wisher to Go special on thee ass
 
The way CB and U-turn work would mean that every single one of your CBers would be locked into U-turn unless you either switched manually or U-turn'd to the wisher..
 
I think a good question here is asking this: what kind of pokemon would help/complement a team full of choice item sweepers? You have, of course, the wisher, the tank, the wall, the cleric, etc... but seriously speaking, what specific pokemon would aid to this kind of team? I'm getting curious myself.
 
porygon3 said:
Choice Scarf has a lot of options... Garchomp (if it's not CB obviously), Heracross, Porygon-Z again, Starmie and Infernape (though I think I'm the only one who's considered either of these), etc.
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My main team runs a Mixed CS Infernape as a vire counter and a revenge killer, so no, your not the only one.
 
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