Dancing Queen // A Tribute to the End of BW2

[Skarm™]

// Introduction //
Welcome one, welcome all, to my final RMT and team until Pokemon X and Y start. This team was based on a challenge that my clan is hosting (a very simple one), that can be found here. The objective was to create a team that had at least 3 Pokemon learning a move with the word 'dance' in it. This includes moves like Petal Dance, Dragon Dance, Quiver Dance, Lunar Dance, etc. It also had to achieve a rating or 1890+, which is easy for most of you guys looking at this. Well I'm not what you'd call an experienced battler, so whenever I get close to that goal I lose a match or two, and then I work my ass off to get back there and I keep losing points. Thus, I'm posting this team to make sure that it's my battling skills that are mediocre here, not just the foundations or issues of the team itself. This team does have its own 'dancing queen', which is the obvious Volcarona. I've also incorporated the very underrated Dragon Dance Latios into this team because wynaut and it's awesome to use Outrage/Dragon claw on a Blissey switching in on your 'Draco Meteor' that your opponent thinks is coming. My last dancer is Gyarados, which checks Volcarona pretty well unless it's set up too much and/or has Giga Drain. Now, without further due, let me show you the team!


// At A Glance //

// In-Depth Analysis //

Picasso (Smeargle) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 HP
Timid Nature
- Spore
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Memento

I've really enjoyed using this Smeargle because you have so many options. You obviously get a spore up the first turn unless they lead with Sand or Hail, in which case I just get right down to business. Anyways, once I set a spore up, I proceed to set up screens if I feel necessary, or just Memento if they switch and boom, I have a sweep opportunity. 252 Speed EVs are to try to get the quickest screens/memento up and the 252 HP is for something else to invest in, because I don't really need anything else. You can use a Jolly nature as well because it doesn't attack at all.

Eonic Espionage (Latios) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 SAtk
Hasty Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Dragon Dance Latios is always fun to use because it's so unexpected. I see Espeons, Cresselias, etc setting up Light Screens and switching to something like Jellicent and then when they notice the Dragon Dance, they're like what the fuck? I don't know if I want Dragon Claw or Outrage because I often run into something like a Dragonite at 100% with a Ferrothorn waiting for me, and then sometimes things can survive D-Claw and I want Outrage. I also wish that Latios had a physical Fire type move because even with a high base 130 Special Attack, it doesn't do nearly as much as I want without investment, and I can't afford to take anything away from attack investment since it has base 90, which is crap in this metagame. Also, I took this set from mcdanger's RMT on Serebii because it's pretty cool.

Dancing Queen (Volcarona) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain

Volcarona, my dancing queen. This is usually what I send out after Smeargle dies/mementos. It's basically a free set-up if the opponent is sleeping or is in memento, so I just Quiver Dance once or twice and begin to sweep. I use Life Orb over Leftovers because I have Giga Drain to get back some health, but it's sometimes been the death of me. Fiery Dance has a good amount of PP and raises my Special Attack some more which can be essential at times, and Bug Buzz is a great STAB that KOs things like Lati@s, Espeon, etc.

Apophis (Gyarados) @ Leftovers
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Bounce

My third dancer, SubDD Gyarados is my Substitute abuser and my check to Volcaronas that don't carry a Giga Drain at like +2 or more or anything. Waterfall KOs Volc easily and Bounce does nice damage to Ferrothorn and paralyzes sometimes. Not much else to say besides that I love the fact that when I substitute, they Leech Seed / T-Wave with Ferrothorn and then they get mad because apparently Substitute is for noobs.

Uncle Grandpa (Conkeldurr) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- ThunderPunch
- Mach Punch
LO Sheer Force Conkeldurr, one of the most underrated threats of all time in OU. Sheer Force negates the effect of LO on the elemental punches in this set, and the damage that's not negated is made up for by Drain Punch. Mach Punch always comes in handy when they have a T-tar or something like that with low health. If they switch to Landorus-T to try to lower it's attack, I can Ice Punch and iirc it does about 90% to it, and with the damage from a Drain Punch, it should KO. Conkeldurr can take many other mons such as Heatran, Jellicent, Tentacruel, etc. Conkeldurr is my main mon to put offensive pressure on the opponent.

Medusa (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SDef
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Power Whip


What can I say? This is the standard Ferrothorn that everybody using loves, and everybody going against hates. Leech Seed is the form of recovery, Spikes make the opponent take some damage, T-Wave stops opposing mons like Gyarados, Volc, Keldeo, etc. from successfully sweeping, and Power Whip takes out stuff like Keldeo, Jellicent, and other stuff. Standard EVs let me take lots of hits from stuff, you guys know because we've all seen Ferrothorns.

// Updates //

~None so far~

// Importable //

Picasso (Smeargle) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 HP
Timid Nature
- Spore
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Memento

Eonic Espionage (Latios) (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 SAtk
Hasty Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Dancing Queen (Volcarona) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain

Apophis (Gyarados) @ Leftovers
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Bounce

Uncle Grandpa (Conkeldurr) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- ThunderPunch
- Mach Punch

Medusa (Ferrothorn) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SDef
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Power Whip

​

// Closing //
Well guys, that was my team. I thank you guys for taking the time to look through it, I'd appreciate it if you'd leave a rate of any kind as I'd be really grateful!

​

 

[Halcyon.]

Hey Skarm, interesting team you have here.

I'm not sure how effective DD Latios is on your team. It is supposed to be a lure for Tyranitar, but every other Pokémon on your team beats Tyranitar anyway. I think you should change you Latios to an Ebelt set. With the wallbreaking capabilities of Expert Belt Latios and Sheer Force Conkeldurr, as well as Screens and Memento from Smeargle, you should have no problem setting up with one of Gyarados or Volcarona. This set can lure in and KO Heatran, which is a more imprtant Pokémon to lure, as once it is gone, Volcarona can sweep easily. I also think you should use Forretress over Ferrothorn. Forrestress does the same thing (laying hazards, which your team definitely wants), as well as spinning them away, which Volcarona and Gyarados need in order to effectively sweep. Your team also lacks Stealth Rock, and Forretress can provide that support. Lastly, I would consider using Passho Berry on Volcarona to ensure that it can't be revenge killed by Scarf Keldeo at +1 and OHKO at +2.

another minor change is to use 120 HP / 252 Atk / 116 SDef / 20 Spe on Conkeldurr. It lets you outspeed Hippowdon (which is important so you can score the 2HKO on it, and the defensive EVs let you live (I think) a LO Latias's Draco Meteor.

Anyway, i hope I was able to help. Good luck with the team!

 

[ShootingStarmie]

Hi there, so I'm here to rate your team! By the looks of it it's a very offensive team utilizing Reflect and Light Screen, allowing your sweepers to easily set up and destroy your opponent. However, I've spotted a few weaknesses which I think you need to consider, so hopefully you'll like my rate.

The first thing I notice that your team lacks Stealth Rock. Stealth Rock is considered one if not the best move in the game, and it really helps out your sweepers in wearing down your opponent and turning 3HKOs into 2HKOs. This is easily fixed, you can either put SR on Smeargle over Memento, or put it on Ferrothorn over Leech Seed.

Now that we have that out of the way, I really don't think I like that Latios set. Sure it's great in luring it's usual counters, but I really think this move slot could be more useful. If you look closely, you'l realize that Gyarados and Volcarona are both very weak to Stealth Rocks, meaning Rapid Spin support could really help you out. I suggest replacing Latios with Analytic Starmie. They both have great speed, great special attack, and similar typing, so it isn't that much of a change. Starmie however offers crucial support for your sweepers. Here's the set.

Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Analytic
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin

So Starmie is the best spinner for your team, as it keeps offensive pressure on your opponent and has a great base speed and amazing coverage. Hydro Pump is STAB and hits everything hard. Thunderbolt and Ice Beam create the infamous BoltBeam coverage, which is only resisted by Mamoswine and Magnezone in the OU tier (both of which are smashed my Hydro Pump). Finally Rapid Spin is used to clear the field of hazards, allowing you to easily switch in Gyarados and Volcarona for an easy sweep.

Other than that, this is a really cool team. Good luck in the future and I hope my suggestions helped you.

 

[Skarm™]

Hey guys thanks for the suggestions, I'll be sure to try them out! Just one thing though:

Keep in mind that to still be considered a part of the challenge, there needs to be 3 mons with a move that has the word 'Dance' in it, so if I change Latios' set, it will break the rules.

 

[MCBarrett]

Hey Skarm, thanks for the request! Hopefully I can make your dreams of becoming a Dancing Queen come true :')

Anyway, as my homies SS and Halcyon said the two biggest problems with this team are lacking of SR and lack of a spinner. Forretress provides that support very well and it can gain momentum with Volt Switch so I would suggest using it over Ferrothorn.

Next, I'm not really sure I like how Smeargle fits on this team. Most leads provide SR and aren't meant to stay around long anyways so they won't mind taking a Momento after SR is up in most cases. Also, with you wasting your prime setup opportunity and your Screens so early on it will be pretty hard for you to gain the momentum to sweep later on, and since your team relies on setting up rather than immediate power, it will also be hard for you to wall break much in the middle of the match. For these reasons I think you should use a midgame Suicide Screener. Latias does this job very well and can utilize Light Clay to make your screens last longer, plus it can get off a nice Draco Meteor for some wallbreaking if need be.

Now lastly, while I agree that while your DD Latios set is neat, your team doesn't really provide it the support that it needs to work effectively. I think you should change it for a Double Dance Lando-T to provide much of the same coverage, and Physical attacking prowess that Latios provided. I'll recommend Ojama's bulky spread as well so you can take some hits from Physical Attackers during the match if needed while still having the capability to run train on a weakened opposing team.

Hopefully my suggestions helped! Let me know how it works and good luck with the team!

 

[Trevorpoke42]

Hey Skarm, I got your request! I like your team, and it's nicknames but I think I have a few suggestions to make it a bit better. I feel that your team has trouble when facing Dragonite, as it stops your Volcarona sweep, and can set up on it. Once it's at plus 1 your going to have to make a lot of predictions to play around it. I tried replacing Ferrothorn with Swords Dance Scizor and it worked very well. The form of priority is very helpful. I also think you should replace Latios with Dragonite and Gyarados with Starmie. This allows you to have a more powerful Dragon type and a reliable spinner. Hope I helped!

Edit: Also put Stealth Rock on that damn smeargle of yours!