Dance your way to the top! [OU RMT]

[Eraddd]

Introduction​

Hi, after coming back from a long rest, and trying to play with my old team, I found that my whole team was outclassed because of the radical changes in the metagame. So, I decided to start from scratch and create a new team. I wanted to base this team, on one huge sweep, and have the rest of my pokemon counter it's counters, and after playing around a bit, and finding which pokemon was the most effective at sweeping, I decided on the Dragon Dance Salamence, who literally destroys everything in it's way, after its counters have been removed. So, without further ado, here is my team!

The Team​

The Anti-Lead

Starmie @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam​

The lead of the team. Starmie helps my team by trying to prevent stealth rock from being put up. With a power attack called Hydro Pump at its disposal, Starmie can take down most leads with a sash, such as Azelf, and Infernape, and rapid spin their rocks, as they set up. However, I have to be careful with Azelf, as with a speed tie, there's a chance that it'll explode, leaving me with rocks set up. Metagross is not a problem also. Hydro Pump usually is a 2HKO, and after it sets up its rocks, Starmie can later rapid spin them away. For Roserade, I go straight to Ice Beam, but since it doesn't ko, there's a chance that she'll use sleep powder, which is a problem, because my "spinner" is out of commission. Currently, trying to find a better anti-lead. I am considering one of the Rotom formes.

The Steel Killer​

Magnezone @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Explosion
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon​

The Steel killer functions as a way to get rid of Steel types, hindering Salamence's powerful Outrage attack. It's also used as a way to kill scizor, whose Choice Banded Bullet Punches 2HKO Salamence. Explosion is for a quick escape, hopefully KOing a threat in the process, while Hidden Power is for Scizors, and other steels. Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon are here for a STAB attack. For this guy, I'm looking to replace him because he's only effective against scizor. For other steels (Bronzong, Jirachi), he's not very effective against them. Plus he's setup bait with his Choice Scarf. Anyone have any ideas what can get rid of steels especially scizor, easily?

The Wisher​

Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 202 HP/252 Def/56 SAtk
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Wish
- Protect
- Flamethrower​

Early game, Blissey is used as a stealth rocker, coming into a special attack, stealth rocking, then protecting, to check which attack, and then switch out. Afterwards, I use her as a wish passer, passing a 50% boost to any pokemon who needs it. Flamethrower is there to insure that scizors who switch on me (they like to do that for some reason) die. Effective, if Salamence is forced out, and takes stealth rock damage, which Blissey can just wish off.

Vengeance​

Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
- U-turn​

This guy comes in with a vengeance against almost any Pokemon, and with a good reason. Threats like Celebi, Tyranitar, Cresselia, Weavile, Starmie, and many more, that can hinder Salamence's sweep, fall under Scizor's powerful Bullet Punches, and U Turns. Not only that, he can scout the opponent's team easily, U Turning to see who comes in. In the late game, he can come in, and bullet punch weakened pokemon to dust. With his high HP, he can take some hits, because of his great typing (only one 4x weakness to fire), and Blissey can wish pass him if he needs it. Great part of the team.

Poison Ivy​

Vaporeon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 188 HP/252 Def/68 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Roar
- Toxic
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Electric]
​

The bulky water plays two roles. The reason why he's called Poison Ivy is because poison ivy poisons (haha) most things, and most living things run away at the sight of it. Vaporeon acts as a statuser, poisoning parts of the opposite team, weakening them for a Bullet Punch or an Outrage, and acts as a shuffler, roaring them. Often times, I catch them switching to a threat, so I roar, bringing Stealth Rock damage to two pokemon, in one turn. Surf is for STAB, and Hidden Power is for those Gyaradoses who try to switch in, thinking they're safe. Currently looking to replace this guy, who can take physical hits better, but accomplish the same role. Looking into Swampert.

The Star of the Team

Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 232 Atk/252 Spd/24 SAtk
Naughty nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Outrage
- Dragon Dance​

Oh baby, here we are. Salamence is a huge threat in the current metagame, sweeping through teams, like no tomorrow. After all it's counters have been removed, the combination of Earthquake, Outrage, and Fire Blast, after one Dragon Dance, is almost unstoppable. With Intimidate to force out physical attackers, and DDing on the switch, this guy almost insures me a game, if I'm able to get all the counters out of the way. This guy is the star the metagame today.

The problems I'm having with the team, is that Salamence sometimes gets statused during the sweep, because I fail to notice that one pokemon I fail to take out carries Will O Wisp, Thunder Wave, or Toxic. Also, when one of my pokemon falls, and he's the sole counter to a pokemon, I'm almost finished. Vaporeon fails to take physical hits, Magnezone is almost a deadweight, Starmie sometimes doesn't get the job done. Those are some of the problems of my team.

So post away!

 

[Eraddd]

Defensive Threats

Blissey - I don't have a real Blissey killer. I guess I make sure that she's out of the way, and switch in DDmence, and dragon dance to kill her.

Bronzong - Magnezone fails at killing Bronzong. Honestly. Hidden Power does so little. I try to wear it down with Scizor's U Turns. Salamence also can fire blast it.

Celebi - If Scizor's gone, then it's almost impossible to take down. Salamence's Fire Blast does approximately 73%

Cresselia - Scizor baby.

Donphan - The only experience I've had was really wierd, and I took it down with Scizor U turning on the switch everytime. Vaporeon has this also.

Dusknoir -
God I hate this guy. I guess I can pursuit him if he's low health, but other than that, I have no real way of taking him out.

Forretress - Blissey's flamethrower deals majour damage, Magnezone's hidden power also.

Gliscor - Vaporeon just surfs it to death.

Gyarados - Vaporeon soaks up his attacks, and kills it with Hidden Power electric. Starmie can T bolt it, but pending, because I might switch leads.

Hippowdon - Painlessly taken down by Vaporeon.

Jirachi -
Jirachi... Magnezone does approximately 45% to this with Hidden Power. Really? Scizor's U Turns hurt it alot. Blissey's flamethrower, if Jirachi is a special based one.

Rotom-A - All the Rotoms are frustrating, especially since Will O wisp shuts down Scizor. Really need a counter

Skarmory - Magnezone T Bolts it.

Snorlax - Hard to Kill, because of the lack of physical attacks on my team. Scizor gets raped by fire punch.

Suicune - Magnezone's T Bolt 2hkos it, with SR.

Swampert - Leadpert is taken out with Grass knot on Starmie (soon to change Tbolt->Grass Knot). Other swamperts are worn down by Scizor's U turns. DDmence sweeps it with outrage.

Tentacruel - Magnezone's T Bolt takes care of it.

Tyranitar - Scizor, unless it's a babiri typed one, then it's 2hko.

Vaporeon - Magnezone

Zapdos - Hard to take down. Magnezone is taken out with Heat wave, Blissey walls it to an extent, Scizor taken out with heat wave, Vaporeon T bolted. DDmence can take it if it's not carrying HP Ice


Offensive Threats

Azelf - Starmie usually gets it, unless I lose the speed tie and die by explosion.

Breloom - Scizor's U turn hurts it alot, but sub punch is really annoying.

Dragonite - Salamence outrages it, but it's hard to take out.

Dugtrio - Hmm, troublesome, but I can surf with Vaporeon. Any neutral hit should take it down hard.

Electivire - I haven't seen one of these, but I'm thinking I'll have trouble with it.

Gallade - Scizor's U Turn takes a bite out of it.

Gengar - Scizor's bullet punch takes it out.

Gyarados - HP electric from Vaporeon takes it down. Magnezone could take bulkier ones.

Heatran - Vaporeon surfs it.

Heracross - Haven't seen one of these in a while, but if it's scarfed, I just predict around it, but if not, Magnezone can kill it.

Infernape - Second thought, vaporeon has got it.

Jolteon - Blissey walls it.

Kingdra - Haven't seen one, but it looks troublesome, under the rain. Other than that, I can DD with mence and take it out.

Lucario - Magnezone can HP fire this guy.

Machamp - Oh my God, if I can say pest, I'll say it now. This guy is hard to take down with my team.

Magnezone - If he comes in, I'll try to come in with my own magnezone to trap it if he uses T bolt (usually from Vaporeon). But Blissey walls it and can take it with flame thrower. DDmence fire blasts it.

Mamoswine - Vaporeon can surf it, Scizor can bullet punch it.

Metagross - Hard to kill. If I can get magnezone in, it's easier, but Scizor's U turn takes a chunk out of it.

Porygon-Z - Blissey walls it.

Salamence - Scizor's bullet punch. Enough said.

Scizor - Magnezone takes it.

Starmie - Scizor's U turns really and pursuits. Vaporeon's HP electric.

Togekiss - Haven't seen one of these in a while, but I guess Blissey walls it.

Tyranitar - Scizor.

Weavile - Scizor. A good strong hit from anyone takes it down.

Yanmega- Never seen one and if I do, I guess blissey can take it.

Zapdos - As I said earlier, I need help with this one.

 

[-Terywj-]

Gallade @ Focus Sash
Steadfast
Adamant (+Atk, -Sp Atk)
252 Atk / 200 Spd / 56 HP
~ Taunt
~ Close Combat
~ Destiny Bond
~ Shadow Sneak
Gallade works pretty well as an Anti-Lead as well. How well he compares with Starmie I don't know. Taunt works like Rapid Spin in a sense. Shadow Sneak makes up for his poor speed, and Close Combat fulfills type coverage. Destiny Bond allows him to drag someone down with him.

Rotom-H with Overheat makes a great Scizor counter. However should you add him you'll lose a Steel-type trapper.

I see that you're pretty paranoid about having status inflicted on you, but I don't really understand why you're worrying so much. Blissey eats up the statuses and nullifies them when she switches out.

Again, without Magnezone your team slowly falls apart from Scizor. Almost any variant will have not that much trouble going through the team (bar your own Scizor).

-Terywj

 

[MetaNite]

This is a pretty good team, but I think it could be slightly perfected.

Starmie from my experience is a great anti-lead, but I suggest either changing the item to Expert Belt, or using Surf over Hydro Pump. A Life Orb Surf still 2HKOes Metagross, but now it won't miss. I also highly suggest Grass Knot instead of Thunderbolt to OHKO Swampert, who is a very common lead these days. You already have Vaporeon for Gyarados, so you shouldn't worry about that.

Next, I suggest switching Blissey and Vaporeon up a bit. I recommend you make Vaporeon the Wisher. On Blissey, I would remove Wish and Protect and just use Softboiled, leaving a move open. I would suggest either Ice Beam for Dragon switch ins or Thunder Wave to slow down the opposing team, this helps prevent revenge killers, and if you can paralyze a Scizor on the switch, kill it quickly with Flamethrower. Toxic and Seismic Toss are other options, but I don't think they are best for your team.

On Vaporeon, Toxic isn't needed very much so definately replace it with Wish. I know how useful Roar is, but Protect is a very viable alternative. It allows Vaporeon to revive itself much easier, and can stall out many Pokemon this way.

Salamence looks pretty standard, but I suggest testing Naive Salamence so you outspeed most Scarf Flygon and Scarf Jirachi after a Dragon Dance. This also allows Mence to act as a Lucario counter (not fearing Jolly Ice Punch or Stone Edge), as how it is, you have nothing who can directly switch in, only Magnezone to revenge kill it.

 

[Witnessed]

Well, you seem to have a problem with MixApe.

A Specially-based MixApe with Fire Blast/Close Combat/Grass Knot/HP Ice can rip through your team with ease, the only thing capable of taking its Vaporeon, and the only one who can immediately switch in and threaten it is Starmie. To solve this problem, I reccomend using Tentacruel. It is definately one of Infernapes best counters.

Tentacruel@ Black Sludge
Liquid Ooze
Calm nature (+Sp. Defense, -Attack)
252 HP/120 Defense/136 Sp. Defense

Surf
HP Electric
Knock Off/Rapid Spin
Toxic Spikes

There you go! Surf is for STAB, while HP Electric adds some decent type coverage and a move to hit Gyarados with. Knock Off eliminates any Choice users from threatening your team. I know you already have a Rapid Spinner, but some back-up can be nice. Toxic Spikes are just another entry hazard.

Hope I helped, and Good Luck!

 

[Eraddd]

Hmm, I'll try implementing your changes later. I'll update with some experiences tomorrow.

 

[MetaNite]

A Specially-based MixApe with Fire Blast/Close Combat/Grass Knot/HP Ice can rip through your team with ease, the only thing capable of taking its Vaporeon, and the only one who can immediately switch in and threaten it is Starmie. To solve this problem, I reccomend using Tentacruel. It is definately one of Infernapes best counters.

You are completely incorrect on so many levels. Vaporeon is one of the best MixApe counters in the entire game and you say he is weak to Mix Attacking Infernape? On top of this, he has a Starmie, another one of the best Infernape counters. On top of the top of this, he has Magnezone to revenge kill, and Salamence who fares well against those without Hidden Power Ice.

You / He is certainly not weak to MixApe.

LO Infernape's Grass Knot versus 188 HP / 0 SpD Vaporeon:
307 Atk vs 226 Def & 448 HP (60 Base Power): 154 - 182 (34.38% - 40.62%)

 

[Eraddd]

Anyone want to help me with problems with the rotom formes, celebi, snorlax, zapdos, dusknoir and machamp?

 

[New World Order]

Anyone want to help me with problems with the rotom formes, celebi, snorlax, zapdos, dusknoir and machamp?

So you wanted a replacement killer of scizor for magnezone, a viable option is to use this guy
Heatran @ Choice Scarf
Modest
252SpA/ 252Spe/ 4Hp
Fire Blast/Flamethrower
Earth Power
Dark Pulse
Explosion/ Dragon Pulse/ HP Grass
This allows you to KO the endgame scizor, or force the midgame switch at least. The fire move eliminates celebi with ease. Dark Pulse gets rid of Dusknoir. I don't really see a problem with snorlax and zapdos. Snorlax is killed off by superpower+an outrage if need be. Zapdos is walled by blissey and killed with ice beam if you give wish over to vaporeon. as for machamp, you'd be best off just hoping one dosen't appear.

 

[Eraddd]

Unfortunately, Machamp just appeared the game before your post.

I'll try fitting that Heatran in. I'll test it later.

I gave Blissey thunderwave instead of ice beam =/ and I'm not even sure how much damage ice bean will do to a specialy defensive zapdos.

 

[New World Order]

Unfortunately, Machamp just appeared the game before your post.

I'll try fitting that Heatran in. I'll test it later.

I gave Blissey thunderwave instead of ice beam =/ and I'm not even sure how much damage ice bean will do to a specialy defensive zapdos.

yes, i understand that ice beam wont do much to zapdos, but the thing is, bliss walls zapdos with ease. I find it pretty much impossible to counter machamp without disrupting the synergy of the team. You could try running psychic over ice beam since as u stated, it dosen't take down roserade, psychic is STABed and works much better, and allows you to counter machamp, but it leaves you horribly weak to the DD dragons if salamence and scizor are brought down.