Synopsis: In a nutshell, this entire team was desired around two pokemon: Ditto and Scizor. I wanted to use Scizor in the new XY. Plus, I have never used Ditto set-up like this before. Anyway, I use Ditto exclusively as a pokemon lead. I think Ditto does not have to be just for revenge killing and I think it makes a pretty decent lead from what I have tested. Unfortunately, it is completely unreliable in terms of really building a solid team around it I think. At least, in the case of where a lead could set-up hazards or say weather. With that in mind, I felt it was best to go with bulky pokemon as sort of pokemon to build around ditto. In this regard should I ever need a switch out I had something stable to fall back on.
Ditto @ Red Card
Ability: Imposter
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Docile Nature
- Transform
Ditto lead. It comes in and attempts to play on linearity of scarf choice and opponent's power. I get an immediate scout on their lead to know about the set-up. Most of the time I can play with Ditto in this team by going for 50/50 or setting-up with my opponents set-up if they give me the choice. The Red Card here is chosen for me being able to use all four moves and act as a pseudo-whirlwind if need be in future on a pokemon that got too powerful. Overall, Ditto is extremely fun to play with as a lead at the very least.
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Brick Break
- Roost
2nd Pokemon I designed the team around. Pretty much standard Scizor sweep from DP days, but with the added reliability in the form of Scizorite. Provides me with a bulk of resistances to switch in onto or the possibility for revenge killing through priority.
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 248 Atk / 4 Def / 168 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
I go with a bulky Gyarados sort of build to fit the ability for me to be able to switch in on stuff more easily. Plus, it was chosen at first as a sort of multi-purpose pokemon given the fact that Ditto cannot be relied upon. It helps to have something that is not weak to fire either. In that regard, it allows me to quickly deal with status mons and physical attackers via a switch in. Plus, get in a sweep if it needs too.
Manaphy @ Damp Rock
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 Def
- Rain Dance
- Rest
- Scald
- Ice Beam
This pokemon I question why I ever used it on this team. It basically does nothing for me once I started using this team. I think I believed I had too much of a fire weakness with the other pokemon and threw this on. Anyway, it attempts to set-up rain dance if it gets the chance. Otherwise, it could deal with Dragon or tank fire attacks. So, far I have not been able to use it for anything useful.
Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 224 SDef / 248 HP / 36 Spd
Calm Nature
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Signal Beam
- Thunder Wave
So, given the previous pokemon choices I tacked on Celebi as a way to deal with bulky water types which resist both Scizor and Gyarados's main attacks. This is meant to stall the water types and spread around status. Along with tanking some special attacks and stall them out. Signal Beam is there for the ability to hit something.
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 Spd
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Thunder
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
Jirachi is part of another pokemon to be able to switch in for its resistances to things. Plus, I lacked special attack coverage and Jirachi helps to remedy this by choosing a SubCM set-up. Doubles with its ability to cripple and get through special defence via Psyshock.
Weaknesses: From the usage, Jirachi/Celebi/Manaphy just have not been able to provide much usage other than something to switch into. Although, in that respect they probably do exactly what they are meant to do and allow for Scizor/Gyarados to sweep once some of the threats have been removed. But, those two have provided usage outside of simply sweeping. Additionally, I think I have too many pokemon that require some sort of set-up in order to be useful. I put this together to try out the ditto lead and quickly was surprised by its effectiveness. I would like to develop this further.
Ditto @ Red Card
Ability: Imposter
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Docile Nature
- Transform
Ditto lead. It comes in and attempts to play on linearity of scarf choice and opponent's power. I get an immediate scout on their lead to know about the set-up. Most of the time I can play with Ditto in this team by going for 50/50 or setting-up with my opponents set-up if they give me the choice. The Red Card here is chosen for me being able to use all four moves and act as a pseudo-whirlwind if need be in future on a pokemon that got too powerful. Overall, Ditto is extremely fun to play with as a lead at the very least.
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Brick Break
- Roost
2nd Pokemon I designed the team around. Pretty much standard Scizor sweep from DP days, but with the added reliability in the form of Scizorite. Provides me with a bulk of resistances to switch in onto or the possibility for revenge killing through priority.
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 248 Atk / 4 Def / 168 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
I go with a bulky Gyarados sort of build to fit the ability for me to be able to switch in on stuff more easily. Plus, it was chosen at first as a sort of multi-purpose pokemon given the fact that Ditto cannot be relied upon. It helps to have something that is not weak to fire either. In that regard, it allows me to quickly deal with status mons and physical attackers via a switch in. Plus, get in a sweep if it needs too.
Manaphy @ Damp Rock
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 Def
- Rain Dance
- Rest
- Scald
- Ice Beam
This pokemon I question why I ever used it on this team. It basically does nothing for me once I started using this team. I think I believed I had too much of a fire weakness with the other pokemon and threw this on. Anyway, it attempts to set-up rain dance if it gets the chance. Otherwise, it could deal with Dragon or tank fire attacks. So, far I have not been able to use it for anything useful.
Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 224 SDef / 248 HP / 36 Spd
Calm Nature
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Signal Beam
- Thunder Wave
So, given the previous pokemon choices I tacked on Celebi as a way to deal with bulky water types which resist both Scizor and Gyarados's main attacks. This is meant to stall the water types and spread around status. Along with tanking some special attacks and stall them out. Signal Beam is there for the ability to hit something.
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 Spd
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Thunder
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
Jirachi is part of another pokemon to be able to switch in for its resistances to things. Plus, I lacked special attack coverage and Jirachi helps to remedy this by choosing a SubCM set-up. Doubles with its ability to cripple and get through special defence via Psyshock.
Weaknesses: From the usage, Jirachi/Celebi/Manaphy just have not been able to provide much usage other than something to switch into. Although, in that respect they probably do exactly what they are meant to do and allow for Scizor/Gyarados to sweep once some of the threats have been removed. But, those two have provided usage outside of simply sweeping. Additionally, I think I have too many pokemon that require some sort of set-up in order to be useful. I put this together to try out the ditto lead and quickly was surprised by its effectiveness. I would like to develop this further.