The Team
Hi there. This team focuses on spreading burns via Choice Specs Keldeo's Scalds and using an Intimidate VoltTurn core to heavily reduce the effectiveness of physical attackers.
Explanations and Such:
I originally wanted to make a team with Choice Specs Keldeo with Scald after someone surprised me with it in a battle. I thought it was actually a great idea because it would make switches unsafe, as the only Pokemon that are safe to burns are Fire-types who suffer a water weakness. In goes the pony.
Hi there. This team focuses on spreading burns via Choice Specs Keldeo's Scalds and using an Intimidate VoltTurn core to heavily reduce the effectiveness of physical attackers.
Explanations and Such:
After Keldeo, I wasn't sure what I wanted but I wanted to pick a lesser-used Mega evolution. I looked at Manectric and thought it wasn't that great because Intimidate would be better off on a bulkier Pokemon who actually has the HP to make use of Intimidate. However, it had the speed to mega evolve, apply Intimidate, and GTFO with Volt Switch so that made me look towards Landorus-T also.
After having three Pokemon who can weaken physical attackers, I needed someone strong on the special side who could make use of the reduced attack. When I thought SpDef, I thought Assault Vest, and when I thought Assault Vest, I thought Conkeldurr. He provides me with another physical attacker so that I'm not so easily walled.
I liked what I was seeing so far but I had nothing to take Psychic Attacks that would undoubtedly be aimed at Keldeo and Conkeldurr. I also needed someone to remove hazards because switch-in damage would severely impact my VoltTurn core. I decided on Mandibuzz so I could add more Special bulk and to have someone who can repeatedly switch in.
Finally, I realized that I didn't have anything to take Fairy hits. Although they are not that common, I had three Pokemon that were weak to it so I had to patch up that hole. I chose Scizor because not only could he take hits from Fairies, but he can also super-effectively hit them. Scizor also adds a resistance to Dragon and Ice moves, which I do not have.
Movesets:
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
- Secret Sword
This is really just a typical Choice Specs Keldeo with Scald in place of Surf. There are a plethora of fast Pokemon in the metagame right now so I'm running Timid to keep up.
Hydro Pump is for situations when damage must be dealt. Sacred Sword is there for STAB and allows Keldeo to bypass Assault Vests. Icy Wind is just for coverage.
I'll usually try to keep Keldeo alive as long as possible since it is useful throughout the entire battle, acting as a status spreader to a wall breaker or a late game sweeper.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
Another Generation Five throwback, Landorus-T acts as the one true offensive pivot of this team and carries the all important Stealth Rocks. I chose Rock Slide over Stone
-1 252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 144-169 (37.6 - 44.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
-1 252+ Atk Conkeldurr Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 276-328 (72.2 - 85.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
Manectric is the other half of the VoltTurn core and carries Thunderbolt for a stronger, reliable STAB alternative to Volt Switch. Flamethrower is used for coverage to hit Steel types harder and to super effectively hit Grass types that resist Thunderbolt. I also included Hidden Power Ice but it doesn't see that much use and I personally don't like it that much because of how weak it is.
A Timid nature is used so that Manectric is able to outspeed Jolly Garchomp and Timid Mega Manetric is able to outspeed max speed Talonflames and Greninjas.
Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 SDef / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch
- Mach Punch
Conkeldurr appreciates the weakening of physical attackers, making him bulky to both forms of damage after an Assault Vest. He provides Knock Off, which removes opposing Assault Vests so that Keldeo and Manectric can make use of their high SpAtk.
Conkeldurr's Guts ability also makes him a decent status sponge, with Manectric taking the Thunder Waves.
Once Assault Vested, he is able to handle Rotom-Wash easily because he appreciates the burn from Will-o-Wisp and can take either of its STABs with Assault Vest.
Mandibuzz (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Spd / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
- Foul Play
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
Mandibuzz serves as my hazard control. My team would not appreciate Stealth Rocks and Manectric would also get hurt by Spikes from switching in and out. Other than that, Mandibuzz is just there to tank Special hits and Toxic everything that the rest of the team can't muscle through.
Foul Play and Roost allows Mandibuzz to threaten physical attackers who think they can switch back in without the presence of Intimidate or Scald.
Mandibuzz also prevents Psychic attacks - though uncommon - to hurt Keldeo and Conkeldurr.
Scizor @ Iron Plate
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
I chose Iron Plate over Life Orb for this set because although I want to do damage, I don't want Scizor to take extra damage since he fills an important role in my team for resisting Ice-types, Dragons and Fairies.
Although its not anywhere close to the best matchup, Scizor can take on Mega Venusaurs without Hidden Power Fire via Roost and Bug Bites. Should I use Aerial Ace instead of Bug Bite?
Hopefully, Bullet Punch, Mach Punch, and Mega-Manectric make up for my lack of a Scarfed Pokemon.
Here's an importable if you'd like to give this team a spin:
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
- Secret Sword
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
Manectric (M) @ Manectite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
Mandibuzz (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Spd / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
- Foul Play
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 SDef / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch
- Mach Punch
Scizor @ Iron Plate
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
Here's a link to the team's type weakness chart:
http://www.marriland.com/tools/team-builder#1299|962|1570|1186|1282|864|
