Dat Team - OU Bulky Offense

[Kevun]

Hello!

Here is my first RMT! Contrary to what you might think, I am not completely inexperienced. This may be my first RMT, or my first post for that matter, but I have made many, many other teams before. And, I've been lurking for like 3 months :P. But anyway, here is my team:

Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA (252 HP?) / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
-Tail Glow
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Psychic

Manaphy is a great addition to any bulky offense team. Because of its bulk, it can easily boost with Tail Glow, and after that, it dents pretty much anything. Psychic lures and kills Mega Venusaur, while Surf is the general STAB and Ice Beam provides almost perfect coverage.

I was debating whether to move some or all of the special attack EVs into HP, since Tail Glow easily makes up for the lost EVs. Any suggestions would be welcome!

Synergy:

Grass - Heatran (4x), Dragonite (4x), Scizor (4x), Latias
Electric - Latias

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Def / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
-Fire Blast
-Earth Power
-Will-O-Wisp/Solar Beam (see below)
-Stealth Rock

Heatran provides much needed glue for my team, quad resisting bug, grass (Manaphy),ice (dragonite), steel, and fairy(Conkeldurr), while being immune to fire (Scizor). The EVs give the perfect balance of bulk and power, minimizing U-Turn damage from Genesect (however minor it is) and outspeeding opposing uninvested Heatran. The plenty of switch-ins he causes allows many opportunities for Will-O-Wisp and Stealth Rock.

Also, just wondering. I was thinking about putting Solar Beam + Power Herb in place of Will-O-Wisp as per a suggestion, to lure in and kill water types. Would this be viable? I tested this a few times, but I never got an opportunity to use it, and didn't really see any performance changes. It did trick many Rotom-W's, but I did miss Will-O-Wisp opportunities, though none were very major. Maybe I could replace it with Stealth Rock, since I have a Defog user? Some insight on this would be great!

Synergy:

Ground - Latias (Immune), Dragonite (Immune)
Fighting - Latias, Dragonite
Water - Manaphy, Latias, Dragonite

Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 152 Atk / 108 SpD
Adamant Nature
-Swords Dance
-Roost
-Bullet Punch
-Superpower

Scizor is a great bulky physical sweeper, using Swords Dance with Roost to boost up, then hitting hard with Bullet Punch. Superpower prevents the mere presence of steel types to force him out, something I was having trouble with.

Synergy:

Fire - Heatran (Immune), Latias, Dragonite, Manaphy

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 24 HP / 252 Atk / 232 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Dragon Dance
-Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Extremespeed

Another great bulky physical attacker. Dragon Claw, while less powerful than Outrage, prevents him from being locked into a move. Earthquake provides coverage against most steel types while Extremespeed easily kills frail things, like a Talonflame at full health after a Dragon Dance. The lum berry wastes a valuable turn for opponents trying to hit it with any status.

Synergy:

Ice - Heatran (4x), Scizor, Manaphy
Rock - Conkeldurr
Dragon - Heatran, Scizor
Fairy: Heatran (4x), Scizor

Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 SpD / 8 Def
Adamant Nature
-Drain Punch
-Mach Punch
-Knock Off
-Ice Punch

Equipped with an Assault Vest, Conkeldurr becomes an almost unstoppable juggernaut. Drain Punch is the primary STAB, extending his longevity, and Mach Punch bypasses his low speed. Knock Off allows him to easily support the team, while hitting Ghost types on predicted switches. Conkeldurr mainly switches in on Will-O-Wisp users, getting a 50% boost to attack due to Guts.

Synergy:

Psychic - Latias, Scizor, Heatran
Flying - Heatran
Fairy - Heatran (4x), Scizor

Latias @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 152 SpA
Bold Nature
-Psyshock
-Thunderbolt
-Defog
-Healing Wish

Last but not least, here is Latias. Originally I had Latios in her place, but soon realized that Latias served my team's needs more. In the course of a battle, it is inevitable that a key, linchpin pokemon gets severely wounded. Thus, I decided to run Healing Wish. Psyshock provides a STAB and Thunderbolt is for general coverage (esp. Skarmory). Defog works together to preserve Multiscale on Dragonite.

Some help on this set would be appreciated. Not sure about the EVs on this one. 152 SpA allows her to 2HKO 0 Def Mega Venusaur, but I realized this wasn't very important. I wanted bulk over power, something I could easily switch into. But, speed would be necessary for the most effective use out of Healing Wish. So... what would be a good EV spread?

Synergy:

Ice - Heatran (4x), Scizor, Manaphy
Dragon - Heatran, Scizor
Dark - Conkeldurr
Bug - Heatran (4x), Conkeldurr, Dragonite, Scizor
Ghost - None ;-;



Threats:

Mega-Pinsir - The only one on my team resistant to flying, Heatran, is quadruplely weak to Earthquake, which Pinsir pretty much always carries. After a Swords Dance, he potentially can sweep my entire team.

Stall - Bulky offense usually doesn't fare too good against stall teams, as I don't have enough muscle to overpower a full stall team.

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 Def / 4 Spd
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp
- Stealth Rock

Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Tail Glow
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Psychic

Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 8 Def / 248 SDef / 252 Atk
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch

Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 152 SAtk / 248 HP / 108 Def
Bold Nature
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Defog
- Healing Wish

Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 152 Atk / 248 HP / 108 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Roost

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 232 Spd / 252 Atk / 24 HP
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Extreme Speed

Suggestions are welcome!

 

[Kevun]

Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing with defog and Dragonite. I stuck with Earth Power since it provides better overall coverage, even if it doesn't hit Talonflame. Although resisted, Fire Blast still has a good chance of 2HKOing Talonflame.

Thanks for the rate!

 

[Calm_Mind_Latias]

Scizor is a great bulky physical sweeper, using Swords Dance with Roost to boost up, then hitting hard with Bullet Punch. Superpower prevents Scizor from being forced out from the mere presence of a steel type, but Bug Bite is an overall better STAB. I originally had Bug Bite, but due to the previously mentioned steel types, I choose Superpower. Should I stick with this?

Superpower would be more useful if you invested in some speed, especially enough to outspeed Heatran and 44 Speed Rotom-W.

It set will still get walled by Azumarill though.

---
Regarding dealing with Pinsir and other offensive threats... you have to ask yourself whether your set-up sweepers, particularly Manaphy and Dragonite are really worth their spot because they could do nothing to stop Pinsir. Heatran and Conkeldurr are liabilities. Latias could at best T-bolt as your opponent would likely use Quick Attack (if it is weakened) or use Return if it is not in KO range. I haven't done the calcs, but I think Latias cannot KO Mega Pinsir without prior Stealth Rock damage with Thunderbolt. Scizor can only hit it with Bullet Punch.

Thundurus-I is the best offensive check for Pinsir (run a Nasty Plot set if you want, but personally do not prefer it). Rotom-W is a bland answer, but it works for it, and so many other things.

For Thundurus-I: I use

Gimme Vicodin! (Thundurus) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Superpower
- Thunder Wave

I chosen Thundurus for multiple reasons. One metagame relevant reason is the prevalence of Double flying type hyper-offensive teams, and this Pokemon resists their Flying stab while being able to hit them super-effectively with Thunderbolt. It has just enough speed to punish all Adamant Talonflame (or those content with outspeeding Jolly Mega Pinsir). Its speed also allows me to check Charizard Y, and Gengar, Latios, and Latias. Its STAB Thunderbolt will be appreciated when up against Mandibuzz.

However, I also used a Leftovers Thundurus-I (without Focus Blast), also without Rapid Spin or Defog support, but it gets walled by Excadrill, Heatran, and the blobs, forcing me to switch out, while also taking Stealth Rock damage. Life Orb and Superpower are the defining aspects of this set: with Life Orb, I can now use Superpower since it enables it to do enough damage to OHKO non-bulky variants of Excadrill, do much as Focus Blast to Heatran, and does around 50% to Chansey.

I am surprised that Superpower with Thundurus-I didn't get much usage given the December 2013 stats; 115 Attack and access to Superpower are a gift that allows it to be a mixed attacker. The lack of an accuracy issue is surely welcomed. Furthermore, Life Orb also gives me access to critical OHKOs with HP Ice: Standard Gliscor is always KOed, even without Stealth Rock; Landorus-I/T is OHKO, unless they use Assault Vest or invest in Special Defense; Mega Garchomp is KOed under Stealth Rock and has an 81.3% of a KO without Rocks.

The ability to reliably power through its checks seems to be well-worth the price of Life Orb recoil and lack of passive recovery, otherwise it would be rendered impotent and would either die from an attack or take damage from Stealth Rock again if it switches back-in.

Priority T-wave allows me to cripple any faster threat, or something that Thundurus cannot KO so another team member could clean up. Kyurem-B and Conkeldurr really appreciate this, especially Kyurem-B, whose major weakness is it low speed.

This Pokemon cannot do anything to Scarfed Ground types. Garchomp, Lando-T, the rare Scarf Excadrill with Rock Slide is especially problematic since it also threatens Kyurem-B with Dragon Claw, Stone Edge, and Rock Slide respectively, so Lando-T and Rotom-W remedy this.

 

[unklewiggles]

I say bug bite on Scizor because it lets you get the deoxeys still spiking up in ou
And it lets you have an incredibly stong move with stab and technison
And after a SD bullet punch can rip holes in azzumarill

 

[Kevun]

Superpower would be more useful if you invested in some speed, especially enough to outspeed Heatran and 44 Speed Rotom-W.

It set will still get walled by Azumarill though.

---
Regarding dealing with Pinsir and other offensive threats... you have to ask yourself whether your set-up sweepers, particularly Manaphy and Dragonite are really worth their spot because they could do nothing to stop Pinsir. Heatran and Conkeldurr are liabilities. Latias could at best T-bolt as your opponent would likely use Quick Attack (if it is weakened) or use Return if it is not in KO range. I haven't done the calcs, but I think Latias cannot KO Mega Pinsir without prior Stealth Rock damage with Thunderbolt. Scizor can only hit it with Bullet Punch.

Thundurus-I is the best offensive check for Pinsir (run a Nasty Plot set if you want, but personally do not prefer it). Rotom-W is a bland answer, but it works for it, and so many other things.

For Thundurus-I: I use

Hm, that is a good suggestion, but what should I replace it with? Manaphy? The only problem is that it doesn't help my overall team synergy, and while it may put a stop to Mega-Pinsir, it has less overall bulk. I will definitely try it though! Thanks!

 

[chimpact]

Pretty solid team you got there kevun.

you definitely need to run defog if you're going to run dragonite. being able to get a free dragon dance whenever you want because of multiscale is crucial.

I personally like this latias set in particular on your team.
Latias @ life orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 120 HP / 136 SAtk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
-Draco Meteor
-Thunderbolt
-Defog
-Healing Wish

A cool option on heatran would be to run solar beam with power herb and 140 speed EVs to outspeed slow landos and most rotoms. It helps out both scizor and dragonite late game. Additionally when they see no item, they may just assume choiced so if they bring in azumarill on a fire blast, you can knock it out to give your dnite a much easier time. If you do decide on it, you could easily replace it over wisp.

Additionally scizor should definitely try out bug bite or knock off.

Hope I helped!

 

[GaryTheGengar]

ay, defo go with knock off on scizor, it covers aegislash who otherwise walls you and also has a nice added effect. on mana, split the evs between hp and spatk, and use psychic over energy ball. you only really lose out on rotom-w (psy still 2hkos at +3) and greninja. in return, you get a lure for mega venu who looks like a big problem to the rest of your team. on heatran, you need some way to damage talonflame, so i'd throw toxic over will-o-wisp, otherwise you just get set up on and swept by sd talon. i'd also use chimps set with roost -> healing wish for reliability.

nice team!

 

[Kevun]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I replaced Superpower with Knock Off on Scizor, and Energy Ball with Psychic on Manaphy, and I'll see how those turn out! Still, I'm concerned about steel types walling Scizor, such as Bisharp. Also, Water types can switch in quite easily on Manaphy. I'm just wondering, would these tradeoffs be worth it?

I will try Solar Beam on Heatran, though I am a bit skeptical. Talonflame really isn't a big deal for Heatran, since Fire Blast still does ~48.5, while Toxic would take much longer to do the same. If it were to Roost, Earth Power would OHKO it.

 

[Kevun]

Yeah, after testing, I found Superpower to have more overall utility that Knock Off. I'm just forced every single time out during a steel type switch-in against Scizor. I am however, really liking Psychic on Manaphy. Good suggestion!

 

[Kevun]

Any other suggestions?

 

[Pancham]

Idea for Manaphy replacement: Rotom-w. It has nice synergy with Heatran and Scizor, which is cool, is a great Pinsir counter, and it's just overall a better water-type imo.

As for Scizor, I'd actually argue the use of Knock Off over Superpower. Knock Off let's you handle with stall a lot more easier, due to hindering stallers' ability to stall by removing their item.

Instead of using Will-o-Wisp on Heatran, use Lava Plume over Fire Blast, which has a nifty burn chance, and that opens up room for Roar, so Heatran can more easily counter Talonbird, and Blissey/Chansey, as they now cannot Wish+Protect in your face.

Also, I agree with chimpact's Latias set. Latias should never not be running 252+ Spe, honestly.

As for the idea of using Thundurus-I as a MegaPinsir answer, let me do some calcs for you.

• 252 Atk Aerilate Mega Pinsir Return vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Thundurus: 165-195 (55 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
• +2 252 Atk Aerilate Mega Pinsir Quick Attack vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Thundurus: 130-153 (43.3 - 51%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

Or if they predict a Thunder Wave...

• +2 252 Atk Aerilate Mega Pinsir Return vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Thundurus: 331-390 (110.3 - 130%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Rotom-w set (first set in Rotom-w's analysis)

Defensive
########
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Rest
ability: Levitate
item: Leftovers / Chesto Berry
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe

 

[Calm_Mind_Latias]

I know Thundurus-I does not have much bulk. It is an offensive check, and if you are not running hazard control, you will use it very sparingly. It cannot be switched in or out often due to its Life Orb and Stealth Rock weakness. I played mine as an emergency reserve check for a Sweeper or a Scarfed Pokemon that isn't immune to Thunder Wave.

Electric typing + Ground immunity is a good defensive typing in this meta, although Thundurus does not have good native bulk. In addition, Thundurus-I is an offensive check due to its high speed, forcing Mega Pinsir to use Quick Attack before Thundurus-I can kill it.



Rotom-W is the easy answer for a defensive check, and it does so much more that check Mega Pinsir, as I stated before.

---
Thundurus can kill Mega Pinsir with Thunderbolt even without Life Orb or Stealth Rock damage, so T-waving it is pointless anyway if Thundurus is at high health.