Hello everyone! I'm pretty new to the VGC scene.
I've been trying to make Cursola work in a Trick Room team, but I'm struggling mightily T_T. Although it'll be the obvious answer to simply remove Cursola, would there be any other way to help optimize the set to build around Cursola? This is my answer so far, but input is appreciated!
Hatterene (F) @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Magic Bounce
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Mystic Fire
This plus Indeedee is the most prevalent TR setting combo. To be honest, I'm a little hesitant to say this is the best combination with Cursola due to the tripled down Dark weaknesses, but the sheer damage that Hatterene does in terrain can't be ignored, and she's pretty bulky to boot. Mystical Fire is a coverage option taken over Protect in this instance, but I rarely use it and am strongly inclined to go for Protect since Torkoal's here anyway.
Indeedee-F (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Follow Me
- Psychic
- Heal Pulse
- Helping Hand
This needs very little explanation; a really strong support 'mon with all the tools to make sure TR goes off with the Hatterene pair. This Pokemon is also a surprisingly good support for Cursola, which is vulnerable to the odd Shadow Sneak from Mimikyu under Trick Room.
(An off-question, but I've seen people run Imprison instead of Helping Hand here—would that be a better option? Or maybe even Ally Switch? I haven't run into too many opposing TR teams.)
Cursola @ Life Orb
Ability: Perish Body
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
To be honest, there are probably better options out there, but Cursola does have an unmatched SpA stat that rips giant holes with the Life Orb, and also is my go to Dynamax option to power up its coverage options and severely dent opposing 'mons. Giga Drain is chosen over Hydro Pump to hit opposing Gastrodons, and Earth Power + Ice Beam has nearly unresisted coverage on almost anything I've ever seen.
Bronzong @ Mental Herb
Ability: Heatproof
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Ally Switch
- Gyro Ball
- Bulldoze
This is my replacement for what used to be cute lil' Dottler! Heatproof is quite unexpected, and also helps deal with all the Charizards, Arcanines, and Torkoals that I've found to be more common than the odd Ground-type attack. It's worth noting that while Levitate is probably less redundant, Bronzong absolutely cannot die without first putting up Trick Room, and I've found Heatproof more valuable in that regard.
I've messed around with a more offensive Mimikyu set, but Ally Switch for Cursola and Bulldoze to set off the WP on Rhyperior are both too valuable to give up.
Rhyperior @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Solid Rock
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
- High Horsepower
- Rock Slide
- Fire Punch
- Protect
I used to have an Unnerve Tyranitar here, but Rhyperior is more popular on TR teams for a reason, I guess. I'm still 50/50 on this as Rhyperior is a lot more fragile; but for the time being, the extra power behind High Horsepower and Rock Slide are invaluable, as well as the Fire Punch coverage to induce sun a second time should Torkoal's be cancelled.
Justification for the unused Tyranitar follows:
Torkoal @ Charcoal
Ability: Drought
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Eruption
- Heat Wave
- Solar Beam
- Protect
The HattDeeDee-Torkoal set has been talked about to death . . . and mine serves no other unique purpose. Lava Plume was an interesting thought to help abuse the Telepathy on Dottler, but Heat Wave's additional power was a little too valuable to give up. Solar Beam on Torkoal does call into question the Giga Drain on Cursola, though; maybe Hydro Pump on Cursola would be better?
Thanks again, everyone!
I've been trying to make Cursola work in a Trick Room team, but I'm struggling mightily T_T. Although it'll be the obvious answer to simply remove Cursola, would there be any other way to help optimize the set to build around Cursola? This is my answer so far, but input is appreciated!
Hatterene (F) @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Magic Bounce
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Mystic Fire
This plus Indeedee is the most prevalent TR setting combo. To be honest, I'm a little hesitant to say this is the best combination with Cursola due to the tripled down Dark weaknesses, but the sheer damage that Hatterene does in terrain can't be ignored, and she's pretty bulky to boot. Mystical Fire is a coverage option taken over Protect in this instance, but I rarely use it and am strongly inclined to go for Protect since Torkoal's here anyway.
Indeedee-F (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Follow Me
- Psychic
- Heal Pulse
- Helping Hand
This needs very little explanation; a really strong support 'mon with all the tools to make sure TR goes off with the Hatterene pair. This Pokemon is also a surprisingly good support for Cursola, which is vulnerable to the odd Shadow Sneak from Mimikyu under Trick Room.
(An off-question, but I've seen people run Imprison instead of Helping Hand here—would that be a better option? Or maybe even Ally Switch? I haven't run into too many opposing TR teams.)
Cursola @ Life Orb
Ability: Perish Body
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
To be honest, there are probably better options out there, but Cursola does have an unmatched SpA stat that rips giant holes with the Life Orb, and also is my go to Dynamax option to power up its coverage options and severely dent opposing 'mons. Giga Drain is chosen over Hydro Pump to hit opposing Gastrodons, and Earth Power + Ice Beam has nearly unresisted coverage on almost anything I've ever seen.
Bronzong @ Mental Herb
Ability: Heatproof
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Ally Switch
- Gyro Ball
- Bulldoze
This is my replacement for what used to be cute lil' Dottler! Heatproof is quite unexpected, and also helps deal with all the Charizards, Arcanines, and Torkoals that I've found to be more common than the odd Ground-type attack. It's worth noting that while Levitate is probably less redundant, Bronzong absolutely cannot die without first putting up Trick Room, and I've found Heatproof more valuable in that regard.
I've messed around with a more offensive Mimikyu set, but Ally Switch for Cursola and Bulldoze to set off the WP on Rhyperior are both too valuable to give up.
Rhyperior @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Solid Rock
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
- High Horsepower
- Rock Slide
- Fire Punch
- Protect
I used to have an Unnerve Tyranitar here, but Rhyperior is more popular on TR teams for a reason, I guess. I'm still 50/50 on this as Rhyperior is a lot more fragile; but for the time being, the extra power behind High Horsepower and Rock Slide are invaluable, as well as the Fire Punch coverage to induce sun a second time should Torkoal's be cancelled.
Justification for the unused Tyranitar follows:
Torkoal @ Charcoal
Ability: Drought
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Eruption
- Heat Wave
- Solar Beam
- Protect
The HattDeeDee-Torkoal set has been talked about to death . . . and mine serves no other unique purpose. Lava Plume was an interesting thought to help abuse the Telepathy on Dottler, but Heat Wave's additional power was a little too valuable to give up. Solar Beam on Torkoal does call into question the Giga Drain on Cursola, though; maybe Hydro Pump on Cursola would be better?
Thanks again, everyone!
Last edited:
