Dance To The Beat

[Professor Birch]

Dance To The Beat

A Short Introduction
Hey guys, I have not made a serious OU team in a few months and I thought that it was now time. Hope you guys enjoy the team and can help out!​

Teambuilding​

Hide

As surprising as this sounds, I decided to start with Volbeat. Yes Volbeat. I wanted a Prankster user that could also help setup my special sweepers. With access to Prankster and moves like Tail Glow, Baton Pass, Thunder Wave, and Substitute, I knew this would be the perfect choice.

Next, I wanted a pokemon that was offensively specially based. I also knew that I wanted it to be able to take hits. Keeping in mind the FWG core I usually have, I thought of Suicune. It is underrated in my opinion and really deserves more use.

Now comes Lucario. I knew that I would like another special sweeper with priority that could work without boosts, but would become a monster with a Tail Glow boost. Keeping in mind the fact that Volbeat would most likely be targeted by Ice moves, I went with Lucario. It has a resistance to Ice and takes near zero damage from Stealth Rocks.

Next up was Virizion. I was still trying to finish the FWG core that I began with Suicune. I also knew that I wanted a physical sweeper that was also specially based defensively. Then is when Virizion came to mind. I was thinking about whether to use it or not and then I was sold when I saw that it learned Leaf Blade.

The next addition to this team was Donphan. I wanted to make sure I had a good way to take care of Thundurus and other common Choice Scarf users. The way I usually do this is by using Ice Shard. I did not want to use Mamoswine again so I was thinking. I realized that having a Spinner would be nice and that is when Donphan was perfect. It fit both the criteria that I was searching for.

I was now at the last spot on the team. I was really looking for a Fire type just because it would complete the FWG core. For some reason, I am always drawn to Salamence. Salamence is just a complete powerhouse and is also my favorite dragon(I started playing in Gen 3). Since Salamence was able to learn Fire Blast, I decided he would be fine for the job.​

In-Depth Analysis
(This Format Was Taken From False Sense)

Volbeat @ Leftovers
Prankster
Bold Nature
252 Def, 248 HP, 8 SpDef
-Tail Glow
-Baton Pass
-Substitute
-Thunder Wave​

This entire team is based around this one bug. I knew that I wanted a Prankster user and I was scrolling down the list. Then, I saw Volbeat and I was like let me check it out. I saw that it gets Tail Glow and I was thinking about it but I was sold when I saw that it gets Baton Pass as well. I am not one to take sets right off of smogon but this one seemed fitting. The only thing I changed was the item which I have as Focus Sash. I mean seriously, this thing is not going to be able shot after shot in OU so all I wanted was to make sure I could get one Tail Glow off and then just Baton Pass out of there. The moveset is quite self explanatory and the ev's are like this because believe it or not, it can take certain hits and be able to get a Sub and 2 Tail Glows off before being pressured into switching. The first three moves are solely for support and Baton Passing while Thunder Wave is to cripple the opponents sweepers.​

Suicune @ Leftovers
Pressure
Bold Nature
252 HP, 124 Def/SpDef, 8 SpAtk
-Surf
-Extrasensory
-Ice Beam
-Hidden Power Electric​

Next up was Suicune. I was looking for pokemon that could take plenty of hits and be a good receiver of the Tail Glow boosts. Suicune came to mind because I remember it has good bulk and what it really needed was some boosts in special attack. This would be an all out attacking set which is why it has this moveset. Surf was a good choice of STAB. Then I went with Ice Beam and Hidden Power Electric for a pseudo BoltBeam coverage. Then I had one slot left and Extrasensory was the move that I chose to be the filler move. Suicune's job is to tank which is why it has these evs. I gave it full in HP and spread evenly in both defenses with a little in SpAtk so it would fit the role of tank well. Leftovers was just to make sure that Suicune would last a while. The only downside is I wish that Water Absorb was released for it. It would give Suicune a handy immunity with all the rain teams running amuck in the current OU metagame.​

Lucario @ Life Orb
Steadfast
Timid Nature
252 SpAtk/Spd, 4 HP
-Vacuum Wave
-Aura Sphere
-Dark Pulse
-Dragon Pulse​

Now comes Lucario. I knew that I wanted a second recipient to Tail Glow. I also knew that a priority move would be nice and that an added bonus would be that if it could function well without the boost. My favorite pokemon from Gen 4 was Lucario and I thought that he would fit the role well. Lucario had everything I wanted. Resistance to Stealth Rocks and Ice as well as having a special priority move. This is quite a standard specially based Lucario. Timid nature to give it good speed. The evs are also quite standard to the evs that a special sweeper would contain. I had Vacuum Wave as the priority move since it is the only specially based priority move I know. Then Aura Sphere for STAB because what is a Lucario without Aura Sphere. In my opinion, this should be a signature move of Lucario. Lastly, I had to think of another two good moves and I thought of Dark Pulse because it is a good move and has the flinch chance. Then, I chose Dragon Pulse just because it was a good move to have.​

Virizion @ Life Orb
Justified
Jolly Nature
252 Atk/Spd, 4 Hp
-Leaf Blade
-Close Combat
-Protect
-Stone Edge​

Next on the list is Virizion. When finding the next mon for the team, I was looking for a physical pokemon that could also take special hits. I thought of Virizion and remembered that it is specially based for defense. I also saw that it had mixed attacking stats and that I would use it as a physical sweeper. Again like Suicune, I gave it Leftovers because it was also meant to sponge special hits in addition to being a sweeper. Unlike Suicune, I gave it the evs and nature of a sweeper. Jolly nature would put that great speed to use and the evs are again, standard for a physical sweeper. The first move was going to be for sure Leaf Blade because it is a great STAB and is my favorite move just because I used to spam it in Gen 3. Close Combat was just a logical move for the second STAB. Lastly, Stone Edge is just for coverage of the 4x weakness to Flying types. ​

Donphan @ Leftovers
Sturdy
Adamant Nature
252 HP/Atk, 4 Def
-Eartquake
-Ice Shard
-Stealth Rock
-Rapid Spin​

Now comes the spinner and secondary support pokemon of the team. Donphan was my answer to entry hazards and other common Choice Scarf users. Donphan is quite a versatile pokemon to use and can do a few things. The main job was obviously to take care of entry hazards. Therefore, Rapid Spin ate up the first move slot instantly. Then Ice Shard was to take care of pokemon like Scarfed Mence, Thundurus, and others. Stealth Rock was the next choice because I knew that I also wanted to get up some entry hazards of my own. The last move slot was taken by Earthquake. Over years of playing, the one thing I have learned is when there is a chance to use Earthquake, you take advantage of that. Not to mention that it has the STAB boost backed up by a good attack stat.​

Salamence @ Choice Scarf
Moxie
Naive Nature
252 Atk/Spd, 4 SpAtk
-Aqua Tail
-Fire Blast
-Dragon Claw
-Earthquake​

Lastly, enter the almighty dragon, Salamence. For some reason, Salamence usually finds a spot on my teams. I seem to find a way to make him fit. I knew I needed a Scarfer and Salamence was the first thing that came to mind. It has a massive attack stat as well as a great movepool. He also has a good special attack stat which would also help with Fire Blast. Scizor is way to common and I need a reliable way to take him out. Dragon Claw was the obvious first choice for me. The reason I do not use Outrage is because I do not like the confusion afterwards and Dragon Claw is still reliable. Next, as I have stated before, I take advantage of any time I can use Earthquake. This was not exception because it helps cover the Electric weakness and is just an insanely strong move coming off a base 135 attack. Next was Fire Blast as I have stated before. I also wanted to put that special attack to use and Fire Blast was a great way to do it. Then last, this move was kind of a filler. The reason I choce Aqua Tail though, it that so many people use rain, that I should use that weather against them with a rain boosted Aqua Tail coming of a great attack stat. The evs and nature are again, self explanatory for this type of Salamence.​

Conclusion
I just wanted to finish off saying a few things. First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this. Next, I will make sure that every rate I get will be tested. THIS DOES NOT MEAN I WILL MAKE THE CHANGE. Lastly, I hope you liked the creativity of my team in general and try a strategy like this with a team of your own design. To sum it up, Thanks!​

The Team In Action:
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou10198163
Importable​

Hide

Volbeat (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Def / 248 HP / 8 SDef
Bold Nature
- Tail Glow
- Baton Pass
- Substitute
- Thunder Wave​

Lucario @ Life Orb
Trait: Steadfast
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Vacuum Wave
- Aura Sphere
- Dark Pulse
- Dragon Pulse​

Suicune @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 124 SDef / 8 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Extrasensory​

Virizion @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Leaf Blade​

Donphan @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 4 Def / 252 HP / 252 Atk
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Rapid Spin​

Salamence @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SAtk
Naive Nature
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Aqua Tail​

 

[Arcticblast]

Hey, I don't think I'm qualified to make a full rate (as I have no personal experience with Suicune or Volbeat), but I'd like to give a couple quick pointers.

- You said in the teambuilding section that Donphan was basically there just for Ice Shard. If you're going to do this, I suggest switching to an EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def Adamant so you can pack more of a punch and get the kills you need. Donphan's bulk is still excellent without Defense investment.
- Even with a Timid nature, Lucario's a bit slow. Fortunately, it forces a ton of switches regardless of whether you passed boosts to it from Volbeat or not. Why not take advantage of that to fix the Speed issue? Since your reasoning for Dragon Pulse was "it's a good move to have" you obviously aren't too attached to it. I suggest replacing Dragon Pulse with Agility. Agility should go very far in fixing Lucario's less-than-stellar Speed while making it an absolute monster with a Tail Glow boost.

Of course, other people might make changes that invalidate my suggestions, but for now good luck with this team!

 

[Professor Birch]

Hey, I don't think I'm qualified to make a full rate (as I have no personal experience with Suicune or Volbeat), but I'd like to give a couple quick pointers.

- You said in the teambuilding section that Donphan was basically there just for Ice Shard. If you're going to do this, I suggest switching to an EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def Adamant so you can pack more of a punch and get the kills you need. Donphan's bulk is still excellent without Defense investment.
- Even with a Timid nature, Lucario's a bit slow. Fortunately, it forces a ton of switches regardless of whether you passed boosts to it from Volbeat or not. Why not take advantage of that to fix the Speed issue? Since your reasoning for Dragon Pulse was "it's a good move to have" you obviously aren't too attached to it. I suggest replacing Dragon Pulse with Agility. Agility should go very far in fixing Lucario's less-than-stellar Speed while making it an absolute monster with a Tail Glow boost.

Of course, other people might make changes that invalidate my suggestions, but for now good luck with this team!

Click to collapse...

Thanks for the rate. The Donphane suggestion will be changed right away without testing. The Lucario suggestion will be tested and I'll get back to you on that one.

 

[mustbe18toride]

Interestingly enough 4 of your Pokemon are hit very hard by Ice Shard Mamoswine but Suicune resists it and Lucarionas well. Ill just throw that out there for you because once Suicune goes down even Lucario loses a pretty solid amount of HP from Ice Shard. Be careful when you play.

Focus Sash is also very redundant with Substitute. One Substitute and your Focus Sash is useless. I would highly recommend Leftovers or maybe even a Salac Berry since that boost can be passed down as well.

 

[Magcargo]

I suggest running a choice scarf heatran on this team. Heatran has an amazing movepool and benefits greatly from tail glow. It also adds a much needed resistense to dragon as lucario won't wall them because of those trash defenses. Also, replace salamence with garchomp. Garchomp gets stab on EQ and can out speed some crucial threats like Cscarf thundurous-t and landorus.
On the side note, you aren't the guy in the video, right?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ofUoHvwOFs

 

[Professor Birch]

Interestingly enough 4 of your Pokemon are hit very hard by Ice Shard Mamoswine but Suicune resists it and Lucarionas well. Ill just throw that out there for you because once Suicune goes down even Lucario loses a pretty solid amount of HP from Ice Shard. Be careful when you play.

Focus Sash is also very redundant with Substitute. One Substitute and your Focus Sash is useless. I would highly recommend Leftovers or maybe even a Salac Berry since that boost can be passed down as well.

Click to collapse...

I just did some calcs for Mamoswine vs. Lucario. This version of Lucario has a solid 2hko for a 252/0 Mamoswine which is quite common. With Life Orb, Mamoswine struggles to get a 5hko on Lucario. I will switch Volbeats item but I do not like having 4 pokemon with the same item. Anyone have a suggestion for the item on Virizion?

 

[Professor Birch]

I suggest running a choice scarf heatran on this team. Heatran has an amazing movepool and benefits greatly from tail glow. It also adds a much needed resistense to dragon as lucario won't wall them because of those trash defenses. Also, replace salamence with garchomp. Garchomp gets stab on EQ and can out speed some crucial threats like Cscarf thundurous-t and landorus.
On the side note, you aren't the guy in the video, right?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ofUoHvwOFs

Click to collapse...

First off, I find Heatran to common and that is why I will have to pass on that one. For Garchomp, you are talking about a Scarf Variant correct? If so I could test that but will most likely make that switch. Lasty, no that is definitely not me in the video, lol.

 

[mustbe18toride]

Since Virizion is full sweeper with max Attack/Speed go Life Orb. By investing 252 in each you are saying that you want it to do as much damage as possible, but Leftovers holds that back and life Orb highly compliments that.

If you don't want to remove Leftoers on Virizion, go Salac Berry Volibeat or Defensive Virizion

 

[Professor Birch]

Since Virizion is full sweeper with max Attack/Speed go Life Orb. By investing 252 in each you are saying that you want it to do as much damage as possible, but Leftovers holds that back and life Orb highly compliments that.

If you don't want to remove Leftoers on Virizion, go Salac Berry Volibeat or Defensive Virizion

Click to collapse...

I could go Life Orb on Virizion.

 

[Magcargo]

I kind of feel virizion is useles on your team. For a physical attacker, try kyurem-b or terrakion. These two pokemon have better attacking stats and coverage, so they may be useful. I know terrakion is common, so if that dissapoints you, kyurem-b won't. An uncommon dragon, kyurem-b is underrated in the metagame. 170 base attack means that it will leave a dent. However, a horrible physical movepool means that its utility is limited. Landorus-t might also be a useful addition because of his high attack and intimidate. It gets great coverage with stone edge and earthquake.
Good to know that you weren't that noob. You had a very similar name.

 

[mustbe18toride]

Other than that I don't see any glaring weaknesses, but Sun teams, especially Venasaur can cause some possible problems. Volcarona you have covered thankfully with Stone Edge and Aqua Tail and Salamence should be able to handle It. pretty solid team with use age of UUs nicely done. One last suggestion could be Swords Dance or X Scissor or even Quick Attack over Protect on Virizion.

I agree with the Kyurem B with the guy said above me. Kyurem is nowhere near as common as Salamence or Dragonite despite being OU. He's more like the bottom tier of OU.

 

[Professor Birch]

Its not that I do not like common pokemon, its that pokemon like Scizor and Rotom-W that are used constantly, that is what I don't like. Kyurem-B sounds good. What set did you have in mind and I would use Landorus-T but I don't have a 3DS.

 

[Magcargo]

Its not that I do not like common pokemon, its that pokemon like Scizor and Rotom-W that are used constantly, that is what I don't like. Kyurem-B sounds good. What set did you have in mind and I would use Landorus-T but I don't have a 3DS.

Click to collapse...

For kyurem-b, I would recommend the mixed attacker set with earthpower, ice beam, outrage and fusion bolt with an ev spread of84 atk/208spatk/216 speed with a lonely nature. You would get great coverage and hit many pokemon hard. Also, go to pokecheck for landorus-t. You could also try hydregion, as he has zero safe switch-ins.