DarmaniCune

[verbatim]

After running a semi successful OU team utilizing scarf Darmanitan, and after reading Heysup's rmt, I thought I'd try to create something similar. I've since hit a point where I know improvement can be found, but I'm not sure what to change. Here's hoping I can get some help from the community.

The Sweeper

Darmanitan @Choice Scarf
Adamant nature
252 Atk/ 252 Spe/ 4 HP
-Flare Blitz
-U-Turn
-Superpower
-Rockslide

Darmanitan functions as my end game sweeper in most situations. I tend to play conservative with him (read, don't send him out) until the end game if my opponent has any kind of hazard. If he doesn't bring any hazard abusers, I tend to play more aggressively with Darmanitan, U-turning out to counters and trying to force switches, causing damage with my own hazards.

The Spiker

Roserade @Leftovers
Calm nature
252 HP/ 120 Def/ 136 SDef
-Spikes
-Giga Drain
-Aromatherapy
-Rest

The standard Roserade spiker with Aromatherapy over sludge bomb. I felt that Roserade wouldn't get any chances to use sludge bomb/be an attacker with his current 216 speed. However, I haven't found Aromatherapy getting much use either. Suggestions/reasoning to stick with sludge bomb on a replacement would be helpful.

The Rocker

Donphan @Leftovers
Impish nature
252 HP/ 252 Def/ 4 Atk
-Rapid Spin
-Earthquake
-Roar
-Stealth Rock

Donphan acts as my stealth rock user, my rapid spinner, and my secondary physical wall. I used to use an offensive set, but he had a tendency to die before he could rapid spin. With 384 HP and 372 defense, that is less of a problem now, although I have to watch out for hits on the special side.

The Shuffler

Suicune @Leftovers
Bold nature
252 HP/ 252 Def/ 4 SDef
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
-Scald
-Roar

Suicune's acts as my bulky water, phazer, and set-up-sweeper check. Suicune has been preforming solid for me, but I'm considering surf over scald. Opinions on this would be beneficial.

The Kingdra Counter

Rotom-C @Choice Scarf
Modest nature
4 Def/ 252 SAtk/ 252 Spd
-Leaf Storm
-Volt Switch
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power (Ice)

Before I added Suicune, Kingdra was able to run rampant through my team. Rotom's primary function was to switch in on the first dragon dance, outspeed, and kill with leaf storm. I have yet to field a new replacement for him. If you suggest a new team member, preferably (but not necessarily) it should be as a replacement to Rotom-C.

The Spinblocker

Roserade @ Leftovers
Timid nature
48 HP/ 208 SAtk/ 252 Spd
-Substitute
-Calm Mind
-Shadow Ball
-Hidden Power (fighting)

This spot used to be occupied by Spiritomb, until Infernosmeargle23 recommended Mismagius. Mismagius isn't offering me the bulk of Spiritomb, but access to substitute and a high speed stat allow me to substitute on would be status infliction moves, gaining momentum. I have not been impressed by Hidden Power (fighting)'s coverage and I'm not a fan of the loss of the speed IV neccesary to run it. Any suggestions for a 4th move would be most appreciated.


My general gameplan generally revolves starting off with Roserade/Donphan to get up hazards. From their I proceed to remove my opponents hazards and whittle down their walls with Donphan (generally roar). Afterwords I will shuffle around with Suicune and focus on removing my opponents bulky waters/ground types. Finally I clean up with Darmanitan. If the opportunity presents itself, Mismagius can sweep instead, although I need to get a sub up as a weak status inducer tries to status me.



Suggestions on the team (mainly what to replace Rotom-C with) would be helpful.

 

[infernosmeargle23]

Amazing team, but a better spin blocker then Spiritomb could maybe be Mismagius. It has good offenses, and a decent movepool.

Mismagius Evs: 252 Sp.Atk 252 Spe, 4 def/spD
move 1) Shadow Ball Move 2) HP Fighting Move 3) Substitute Move 4) Nasty Plot/Calm Mind
Trait: Levitate Item: Leftovers
Nature: Timid (-Atk + Speed)

This one can counter sand teams, now that Hippowdon is UU. Shadow Ball and HP Fighting provide near-prefect coverage, while sub and Calm Mind or NP is a boosting move.

 

[infernosmeargle23]

HP Ice is also a good option, because it hits the Flyers, and has an iv spread of:

31hp / 30atk / 30def / 31spatk / 31spdef / 31speed.

That's probably better than Fighting.

 

[CrackeroxD]

Nice Team. Not comments.

CB Victiny can piss you of after koing Donphan.

Good Luck.

 

[Slammy]

I ran a similar team to this one and while UU is great for its specail attacking pokemon, you will see a lot of Snorlax and, outside of superpower on your Darmanitan, it kind of walls everything you have. A physical attacker could help a lot. Heracross or Machamp could be very useful.

 

[infernosmeargle23]

A CB Victini could be used over Rotom-C. It offers amazing power, and has U-turn.

Victini:
EVS 252 Attack, 252 speed, 4 HP.

move 1) V-create Move2) Fusion Bolt Move3)Brick Break/Zen Headbutt Move4) U-turn

The Evs are balanced, but the 4 HP has a reason. With it Victini can switch into SR 5 times. You can run Brick Break for Snorlax, but Zen Headbutt is good STAB.

 

[verbatim]

The goal of the rest of my team is to remove fire resistors to that Darmanitan can sweep. Not to be mean, but I don't see Victini offering me any extra power (that Darmanitan doesn't already have) or coverage.

Nice Team. Not comments.

CB Victiny can piss you of after koing Donphan.

Good Luck.

In honesty, Suicune handles Victini, even if I switch into a Fusion Bolt (also worth considering, most smart opponents won't risk a choiced electric move when I have a Donphan on my team).