Curses!! (OU RMT)

[Shock Trooper]

Inspiration

When some users at another competitive Pokemon forum came up with a team centered around Curselax, it got my attention as to how Snorlax could be quite successful in the standard metagame. I decided to try to build my own version of a Curselax-centered team. It took a few attempts and several different Pokemon considerations, but I feel that this version works quite well. It definitely can use some work, however.

What does Curselax like?

For a Curselax to be successful, Fighting-types need to obviously be cleared out first, as does Gengar and other Focus Blast users, because they are a pain to Snorlax. Residual damage is also very welcome for Snorlax, as it provides Snorlax with better chances of tearing through opponents late-game. Because of this, a spin blocker should also be on the team, and also helps prevent Explosion from being used on Snorlax. Salamence also loves crushing Snorlax if it hasn't set up, so a way to get rid of it (particularly the mixed versions) would be nice as well.

Overview of Curselax

A Closer Look at the Team

Skarmory @ Shed Shell
Impish Nature (+Def, - Spa)
Keen Eye
252 HP/ 224 Def/ 32 Spe

Taunt

Whirlwind

Roost

Spikes

I love Taunt Skarmory, because all of the leads that Skarm can beat are easily set up on, and Spikes becomes a hassle for the other team. The only problems with this lead come from Azelf, Aerodactyl, and Heatran, all of who can be beaten elsewhere on the team, so its not a big hassle. Whirlwind provides shuffling and helps me to scout the opponent as well. I chose Shed Shell so Magnezone doesn't easily get rid of me. Really Skarm is valuable to this team because of its ability to get Spikes up.

Celebi @ Leftovers
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
Natural Cure
252 HP/ 252 Def/ 6 Spe

Grass Knot

Perish Song

Recover

Stealth Rock

Adding on to the residual damage comes Celebi, who sets up Stealth Rock for the team, and also prevents last Pokemon sweeps with Perish Song. Recover helps provide a sturdier wall and allows me to stall out stuff like Tyranitar and Gyarados if needed.

Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Naive Nature (+Spe, - Sp. Def)
Levitate
252 Atk/ 4 Spa/ 252 Spe

Outrage

Earthquake

U-Turn

Fire Blast

Flygon was placed here because it can take out several Pokemon that threaten this team- Kingdra, Tyranitar, Salamence, and Infernape. I usually save Outrage for late game and scout out teams with U-Turn first unless something needs to be desperately taken out. Fire Blast can catch stuff like Forretress and Scizor on the switch in if I feel that one is coming.

Rotom-H @ Leftovers
Bold Nature (+ Def, - Atk)
Levitate
252 HP/ 168 Def/ 88 Spe

Thunderbolt

Rest

Will-O-Wisp

Sleep Talk

Rotom serves as 3 things in one shot: It cripples physical attackers, absorbs status, and blocks Rapid Spin. This makes it extremely valuable to my team, since Fighting-types are a pain to Snorlax, none of my team can take sleep, and residual damage is a huge part of why this team is successful in the first place. Thunderbolt allows me to smack around Bulky Gyarados harder and also beats stuff like Skarmory and whatnot. Rotom is currently one of the best spinblockers in OU, but soon, that might change because it'll die much easier to:
Spoiler:

<-- that guy.

Latias @ Leftovers
Timid Nature (+Spe, - Atk)
Levitate
252 HP/ 252 Spe/ 4 Def

Dragon Pulse

Recover

Surf

Reflect

Latias provides a great resist to several types, and provides a great answer to Infernape, who this team extremely hates. I chose to put Reflect on Latias because Tyranitar is an idiot to it, and Surf deals with Hippowdon and Infernape much better than Dragon Pulse. Latias also provides a fourth ground immunity to this team, which diminishes my weakness to entry hazards greatly. This is extremely good for use against other stall teams.

Snorlax @ Leftovers
Careful Nature (+ Sp. Def, - Sp. Atk)
Thick Fat
168 HP/ 120 Def/ 220 Sp. Def

Curse

Body Slam

Fire Punch

Rest

After residual damage is down and threats are removed, Snorlax comes out late-game, ready to eat into the remaining parts of the opponent's team. After a couple of Curses, this thing is hard to stop. Body Slam cripples opponents thanks to paralysis chances, and Fire Punch provides the most coverage alongside it, hitting Ghosts as well as Metagross hard. Rest provides a great form of Recovery and allows Snorlax to mess with stuff that likes to use Toxic bar Gliscor (stupid Taunt+ Toxic combos =/) regardless this thing is just amazing and will beat you if you don't watch out.


Threats

- Scizor: CB versions don't like messing with Skarm, Rotom also eats all other sets up with WoW.

- Latias: Snorlax checks it well, and can screw it over with Body Slam. Flygon can also revenge kill, and Skarm walls defensive variants quite well unless they carry Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Fire

- Tyranitar: Flygon can revenge kill with Earthquake. Celebi also 2HKOes with Grass Knot, and Rotom cripples with Will-O-Wisp.

- Metagross: Ehh, Bullet Punch versions are a hassle, but Skarm can take most variants on, Flygon can revenge kill Agiligross with Earthquake, and Snorlax can tear into it with Fire Punch late game.

- Gyarados: Rotom-H annihilates this poor little guy, Celebi and Skarm can also help out as well.

- Skarmory: Rotom-H can take care of it, my Taunt Skarm can set up on non Taunt Skarmory, and Flygon can catch it with a Fire Blast.

- Heatran: Snorlax walls most versions, Rotom-H can take the Explosions, and Tyranitar can tear into it with Earthquake.

- Magnezone Flygon easily manhandles this guy, and Snorlax can set up on Sub versions as long as Explosion isn't in the equation, which Rotom can take.

- Rotom-a: Snorlax sets up on it, Flygon also can absorb Tricks from this guy.

- Jirachi: Physical Rachi is Spikes fodder for Skarm, Flygon can smack it around if it comes in on a resisted move. Snolax takes care of Special versions.

- Lucario: Flygon can revenge kill, Skarmory can Phaze it out as well.

- Starmie: Snorlax laughs at it.

- Azelf: Flygon can mess with lead versions to an extent, and Rotom takes Explosions from it. Nasty Plot sets by Snorlax.

- Infernape : Flygon can revenge kill, and Latias laughs at it.

- Blissey: Snorlax, Skarmory, and Celebi all party and set up on it.

- Bronzong: Skarmory and Celebi go on a residual damage parade here.

- Celebi: Skarmory, Snorlax, and Flygon can all deal with in their various ways.

- Swampert: Taunt Skarmory laughs at it, and Celebi can kill it, Latias laughs at it.

- Roserade: Rotom takes the Sleep, then Snorlax uses it to set up on.

- Salamence: Flygon can revenge kill up to a +1 Mence thanks to Choice Scarf. Mixed versions also lose to Flygon, Specsmence is laughed on by Snorlax.

- Gengar: Can be a pain, but Snorlax and Rotom combined can wear it down, Flygon can revenge kill Life Orb variants as well.

- Suicune: Snorlax can set up on it, Celebi owns Crocune, and Rotom can chip at it with Thunderbolts.

- Forretress: Rotom-H spinblocks and makes it useless, Skarm can Taunt it as well, Flygon can take it down with a Fire Blast.

- Vaporeon: Handled like a champ by Snorlax. Rotom-H also can beat it out, and HP Electric variants are dealt with by Celebi.

- Zapdos: Snorlax owns it.

- Kingdra: Flygon can revenge kill it, Latias can win provided it hasn't set up yet.

- Aerodactyl: Uhh... ok? Rotom tears it apart, and Celebi can take its hits well.

- Gliscor: Latias can deal with it easily.

- Mamoswine: Skarmory and Celebi eat it.

- Snorlax: Skarmory can set up Spikes and Taunt it.Earthquake versions are laughed at by Rotom-H.

- Empoleon: Snorlax beats all forms besides the rare suckish Swords Dance set, which Rotom laughs at.

- Hippowdon: Skarmory sets up on it as does Celebi.

- Weavile: Skarmory walls it, Celebi can force it out with Perish song and wear it down with Spikes damage.

- Jolteon: Lax walls it completely, Latias can take anything bar Shadow Ball as well.

- Smeargle: Rotom takes sleep, then Skarmory can force it out with Taunt.

- Cresselia: Set up fodder for the residual damage duo and Snorlax.

- Abomasnow : Skarmory can deal with it.

- Machamp: Rotom-H says hi, but needs to make sure No Guard is the ability before firing a Will-O-Wisp. Usually Skarm or Celebi can determine this without getting hurt seriously.


This team has been awesome to play with, and does a great job. Of course it does need some changing around, but that's what you guys do right?

 

[Pollux-Castor]

HP Ice for Jolteon. Rest of the team looks solid.

EmoJolt (used to be in Jolteon's analysis) would work (Fake Tears takes the slot over Charge Beam) because Fake Tears forces switches (spikes damage) and actually gives her a good shot at beating Blissey. If you find that Charge Beam Jolteon does nothing (which I might suspect) then you should at least try that option.

 

[Alan]

Jolteon serves no purpose on your team. It has no synergy with anyone and takes 16% every time it attacks (because most likely a Tar will have come in at some point and time) so its kind of a dead weight. It has no wish support so it takes damage from entry hazards and has no way to heal it back. Drop it. You have problems with pretty much every dragon type in OU, so why not put in a Dual Screen Latias? It helps you kill the other dragon types being really fast. And it provides you with support and some damage.

Everything else looks solid though.

 

[Smith]

The Jolteon in this team is very out of place on an otherwise great semi-stall team. Taking into consideration your problems with Flygon an Gliscor, I'd opt for a Bulky Dragon Dance Gyrados in his spot, who can set-up on both, has no weaknesses the rest of the team can't handle, and is great late-game.

Hope I helped.

 

[Nosferalto]

Hi.


Looking at your team and the threat list, the first thing I noticed about it is your weakness to multiple threats, most notably Tyranitar, Salamence, Infernape and Kingdra. Tyranitar is the most dangerous threat to this team by far. With no rock resist or anyway of revenge killing it, it will have a field day on your team since nothing can actually switch-in. Rotom-H and Celebi are hit by Pursuit / Crunch, Jolteon is completely walled by it's mammoth SpDef, Snorlax is KOed by Stone Edge while Tyranitar is hit by Earthquake. Skarmory is not a counter because a CB Stone Edge 2HKOes and a Scarf versions outspeeds and 3HKOes with SE while you can only hit it with Brave Bird. Now, Salamence is also a nuisance to this team as well because if it switches in on Tyranitar locked onto Pursuit or Earthquake and DD you will encounter a lot of problems dealing with it, you could lock it onto an Outrage and go to Skarmory but I feel you need a more appropriate and safe way of dealing with it. As you mention in your OP, Gliscor is a problem and I've got a solution to this problem that I'll mention later in the rate.

Now, I've noticed that Jolteon is rather usless on this team. All it does is revenge kill things that are already covered such as Gyarados which is beautifully countered by Rotom-H and Celebi. You are hoping to counter Salamence and Gliscor with HP Ice but this isn't really reliable since Mence out-speeds you after a DD and OHKOes you with Earthquake. It can't switch into Gliscor because it fears Gliscor so it is a rather risky thing to do. It just doesn't bring much to the table; and it would be wise to replace it with something that helps your CurseLax sweep and covers these threats mentioned above. Swampert comes to my mind.

Swampert @ Leftovers | Relaxed
EV Spread: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpAtk
Surf | Ice Beam | Earthquake | Roar

If you use a MixPert, you can beat both Salamence and Gliscor with Ice Beam and Surf respectively while providing a rock resist and a solid Tyranitar counter with Earthquake. With Roar it will aid your Snorlax sweep as it p-Hazes racking up residual damage from SR and Spikes making a CurseLax sweep much more possible. This change will improve you team's performance by supporting Snorlax and proving checks to Tyranitar, Salamence and Gliscor.

If you want, since Gengar and Rotom-A are already checked for sure by Tyranitar with Pursuit / Crunch, an option over Fire Punch is Sleep Talk which makes your Snoralx less of a sitting duck and you won't be wasting two turns while sleeping. However, I must warn you, if you do make this change, make sure you clear out Ghost types with Tyranitar before attempting your final sweep.

Good luck with your team.

 

[Aircraft Cemetery]

Hello Shock Trooper,

I'm posting this because I think that your team is actually very good already and I'd like to help you improve it a bit further.
First of all, your team has quite good synergy. You have the best Trick absorber in the game (ScarfTar) and two pokemon that can deal quite well with fighting attacks to support your CurseLax. You also have most of OU's threats covered, however I can think of one that can really become a problem for you, namely DD Salamence. If it carries Outrage and Fireblast it is capable of Ohkoing everything in your team bar Celebi, who will get at least 70% damage from Life Orb Outrage. Lum Berry versions can be an even bigger problem, because Celebi will easily be 2hkoed in the process while your Skarmory will have severe Problems walling it if it suddenly gets back its concious after 2 turns, ready to Fire Blast after Outrage. Also Skarmory cannot harm it at all. Therefore I would suggest Whirlwind over Brave Bird. You will at least be able to force it out and let Stealth Rocks take their toll. Also a Phazing move is generally highly appreciated for a entry hazard stacking team like yours. I would also consider moving all Def EVs on Skarmory to SpDef in order to Spike, phaze and break stall more efficiently. Also it will be able to survive Mence's Fire Blast.
Skarmory@Shed Shell
Impish-252HP, 36Spe, 220SpDef
-Taunt
-Spikes
-Roost
-Whirlwind
I also was not quite satisfied with Celebi because I think it is not the best Stealth Rock user out there. However I noticed it fits quite well into your team so you should probalby keep it. I would maybe consider using HP Fire over Leech seed in order to beat Scizors but then you'll probably get in trouble against CM Suicune, so your moveset is fine. One thing you should slightly change however are its EVs. Move 32 (36 if using HP Fire) from Def to Speed in order to outrun Jolly Tyranitar.
Your Jolteon does not really play a very important role in your team besides being an alternative finisher in case Snorlax fails (ie when facing very offensive teams). I would also suggest Mix Swampert over Jolteon in this slot. The set above suggested by Nosferalto will greatly help your team bey checking DD Mence, DD Tyranitar and providing you with an important Rock Resist. The only thing I would change is Roar to Stealth Rock and Stealth Rock on Celebi to HP Fire. A phazing move will already be provided by Skarmory if you do the changes I suggested above.
In case you want to keep Jolteon: As far as HP is concerned I would use Ice over Grass. The reason is not Flygon, as most of those are scarfed and will outspeed and kill you anyway. The reason is Gliscor. Especially StallBreak Gliscor will be able to beat every single team member if running Toxic. HP Ice on Jolteon will always ohko it, so you should really chose it over Grass. As you already said, Swampert should be handled by Celebi, Skarmory and your numerous entry hazards. Its lack of Recovery should it make possible for Jolteon to finish it off (Shadow Ball will deal over 25% to most Swampert). But as I said Swampert would fit this slot much better.

Hope I could help. Good Luck !

 

[faint]

Can I just ask how a dark type pokemon will become one of the best spin-blockers in the game?

Also Snorlax works best by just running a Body Slam / Rest / Sleep Talk / Curse set alongside Magnezone to take out enemy steels so consider using Magnezone over Jolteon. You should still keep Tyranitar as a strong Pursuit user to take out the likes of Gengar, but you could also try a CB set with tons of SpD EV's in case Choice Scarf isn't working for you.

Another thing is that MixTar pretty much destroys your entire team since half your team is essentially taken out by Ttar itself, so maybe just use SpD EV's on Skarm that way you can at least Whirlwind it out before you get OHKO'd by Fire Blast.

 

[Shock Trooper]

@ iFaint: I meant Zoroark will be killing it =/

Anyways, based off of comments here and on another site where this team is posted, I've decided to drop Jolteon completely in favor of a defensive Latias. I also received a comment that mentioned how Tyranitar actually hindered semistall due to the sandstorm nullifying my Leftovers recovery on several of my defensive Pokemon. Lack of sleep absorption, ways to stop last Pokemon sweeps, and a aforementioned weakness to Tyranitar/ Kingdra were also mentioned. Therefore, the following changes are occuring and will be updated:

-Skarmory will be getting Whirlwind over Brave Bird.
-Celebi will be getting Perish Song over Leech Seed.
-Rotom is being changed to a RestTalk set.
-Tyranitar is being changed out for a Scarf Flygon.
-Jolteon is being changed out for a defensive Latias.

This should overall cover more threats and help make the team better in general. I'll be updating the OP, but feel free to keep commenting!

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

@ iFaint: I meant Zoroark will be killing it =/

Just nit-picking here, unless Zoroark is an absolute monster, I doubt he'll kill ghosts any better than Tyranitar.

This looks like a very solid team to me. If I were you, I would run Crunch on Snorlax over Fire Punch. Flygon can take care of Steels with Fire Blast, and Crunch hits Ghosts super-effectively.

 

[Aircraft Cemetery]

Hello again,

I saw you changed some things in your team. I think it's not really better than it was before now. The first problem I still see is DD Mence. Right, Scarf Flygon and Skarmory sound like good checks for it. Actually if you lose a speed tie vs +Spe natured ones with Flygon, you can be screwed. But this case should be rare so you won't have to change something now.
Second, Your Scarf Flygon has a severe drawback. Your team is now no longer able to deal with Swords Dance Lucario. If it gets 1 SD in, it ohkoes each single member of your team (Celebi only after Stealth Rocks) provided it has Crunch. This is really not acceptable in today's metagame. Really, do the changes I suggested above. Latias out again for Mixed Swampert and keep your Scarf Tar over Flygon. This will really help you.

Good Luck !

 

[Shock Trooper]

I'd prefer to keep Fire Punch on Lax because it provides overall better coverage and Metagross won't laugh at me along with steels that come in.

I would place in Swampert, but it forces me to change around other spots in my team to make room for a Rapid Spinner, which is hard for me to do at this point. What I can do is change Scarf Flygon to a Scarf Jirachi, which should still cripple stuff now that Infernape and Kingdra are dealt with elsewhere, and I keep a rock resist to use against Tyranitar. I also can deal with Salamence thanks to Ice Punch, and Lucario goes down thanks to Fire Punch. I don't need to run T-Punch because of Rotom, so I can run Fire Punch/ Ice Punch/ U-Turn/ Iron Head (Magnezone is an idiot, so U-Turn>> Trick, also retains scouting abilities)

also @ Ramblin- if they don't make Zoroak an extremely fast and powerful beast then GameFreak is on something imo.

 

[Shock Trooper]

bumpin because I need suggestions on Rachi>> Flygon

 

[Aircraft Cemetery]

Hello,

Jirachi is at least a much better choice than Flygon, as you really need something to reliably check Sd Lucario. I still would use Swampert over Latias but the choice is up to you. Also I don't think you will absolutely need to add a Spinner when Swampert is on your team. However the change from Flygon to Jirachi is good. The following set will work:
Jirachi@Choice Scarf
Jolly - 252Atk, 252Spe, 4HP
-Iron Head
-Ice Punch
-Fire Punch
-Trick / U-Turn
The choice between Trick and U-Turn is matter of preference. Trick will deal with last pokemon stat uppers like Cursers and CM Cune for example, who can actually cause problems for you if played correctly. U-Turn is for scouting and as you said to escape magnezone if it wasn't revealed yet (it will probably switch into your lead Skarmory right off the bat though).If you've already seen Magnezone and think it will come in, you shouldn't U-Turn but Fire Punch. It will always 2hko 0HP-0Def variants after Stealth Rock, as well as 3hko any Zone, which means they will only get the chance to hit you once, which won't ko. Also after one additional layer of spikes you will 2hko all Zone bar the rare Specs and DualScreen set. Therefore I would prefer Trick over U-Turn for Rachi. But still U-Turn is viable of course, you can test out both.

Hope I could help again :)

 

[Shock Trooper]

Hello,

Jirachi is at least a much better choice than Flygon, as you really need something to reliably check Sd Lucario. I still would use Swampert over Latias but the choice is up to you. Also I don't think you will absolutely need to add a Spinner when Swampert is on your team. However the change from Flygon to Jirachi is good. The following set will work:
Jirachi@Choice Scarf
Jolly - 252Atk, 252Spe, 4HP
-Iron Head
-Ice Punch
-Fire Punch
-Trick / U-Turn
The choice between Trick and U-Turn is matter of preference. Trick will deal with last pokemon stat uppers like Cursers and CM Cune for example, who can actually cause problems for you if played correctly. U-Turn is for scouting and as you said to escape magnezone if it wasn't revealed yet (it will probably switch into your lead Skarmory right off the bat though).If you've already seen Magnezone and think it will come in, you shouldn't U-Turn but Fire Punch. It will always 2hko 0HP-0Def variants after Stealth Rock, as well as 3hko any Zone, which means they will only get the chance to hit you once, which won't ko. Also after one additional layer of spikes you will 2hko all Zone bar the rare Specs and DualScreen set. Therefore I would prefer Trick over U-Turn for Rachi. But still U-Turn is viable of course, you can test out both.

Hope I could help again :)

Thanks! I'm most likely stick with U-Turn, as Celebi can beat last pokemon sweeps like Cursers/ CM Cune with Perish Song. I'll update the OP when I come back. Any more suggestions?

 

[Time2Kill]

i see one big weakness to this team already...
your two setup guys that you use to put down spikes and stealth rocks (skarmory & celebi) are both vulnerable to fire.

 

[MegaKick]

i see one big weakness to this team already...
your two setup guys that you use to put down spikes n stealth rocks (skarmory & celebi) are both vulnerable to fire.

Snorlax has thick fat, flygon revenges, latias switches in easy. There ar eonly 2 fire types commonly used. Even though he has 2 fire weaks, 3 resists helps there.

As for the team, a lot of wieght is placed on skarmory. Since latias and flygon can't safely switch into salamence, and if he dragon dances, he can sweep you team with outrage,since all skarm can do is whirlwind him out or roost up in hopes he kills himslef in confusion. And when you consider many lead have fire attacks, and skarmory can be worn down quickly form leading, you could be in a lot of trouble. Similar story with ddtar, except a lot more, since his dark attacks KO rotom and celebi, and flygon can't switch into choice band attacks. Since all celebi seems to be doing is allowing choice attacks come in (since celebis grass knot isn't extremely threatening) and fire attacks off to take out your team. Thus, mayby putting something like metagross or scizor on thier might help. Just a suggestion.

Massive weakness to zoroak with ice shard, swords dance, cruch, and fire blast :)

 

[Alan]

This thread was over a month old? Why was it bumped lol.

 

[MegaKick]

damn, didn't even notice lol. blame time2kill