Don't Call it a Comeback

Crimson

Crimson

Preface: It's been ages since I've last played competitive pokemon. The last time I had a UU battle (or any battle for that matter, I just like UU the most) was before all the tier juggling about a year ago, if I remember correctly. I told myself I would take a break and wait for the tiers to find some kind of stabilization before I made a return. After reading through the current tier setups and reading articles about the new stuff I could play with, I began building, which led me to develop the team I have below. It has been successful thus far and hasn't run into any big troubles yet, but help is always invited:

At a glance:

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In depth:

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Uxie @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn

Out of all my pokemon, Uxie felt like the most suitable lead. I liked the idea of Double Screen, in addition to getting out Stealth Rock, early to support the rest of the team. As you will see with Clefable below handling T-wave duties, it freed up the space needed to give me Double Screen because I was debating whether or not to give Uxie T-wave. It's been very reliable to me.
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Rhyperior (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Megahorn
- Rock Polish

I was surprised to see this guy down in UU when I came back. It almost felt like a present that fell into my lap. He is a machine! The main debate with this mountain of rock was choosing between the Choice Band or Rock Polish. I was certain I didn't want to make him a lead and Subpunching didn't seem good for him. I like the idea of him being a late game clean-up sweeper, or a mid game beater if that opportunity presents himself.
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Clefable (F) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP/152 Def/4 Spd/100 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Encore
- Seismic Toss
- Softboiled
- Thunder Wave

With the plethora of things that Clefable is able to manage, I felt the T-wave/Encore set supports my team the best. I love this set and been using it since ADV. Being able to slowly cripple the opponent and pave the way for the rest of my team is so invaluable. It also enables Clef herself to take out some pokemon if she sees fit. I'm have been considering Wishprotect as well. It supports Uxie really well since it has Light Clay, but that set above hasn't given me problems.
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Spiritomb (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 208 HP/184 Atk/116 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Pursuit
- Pain Split
- Sucker Punch
- Will-o-wisp

One of the first things I read regarding Spiritomb was that it went well with Uxie, so I figured why not? I saw Alakazam was now in UU and he would definitely be a problem, so getting him out the way via Pursuit helps a ton. By chance that a pokemon sets up and I'm vulnerable, I will need an out. I don't really have a revenge killer in here with an unconditional priority move, so Sucker Punch felt like a better choice over his other attacks.
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Feraligatr (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 28 HP/252 Atk/228 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Waterfall

I'm so happy this guy got Dragon Dance now, it really is superior to Swords Dance I was forced to use previously. After 1 DD + LO, he is usually able to walk through a team. I know it's odd that I have two setup physical sweepers in the same team, but I like the fact they are both relatively bulky and can support Life Orb well. The different STAB options appealed to me between the two as well.
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Sceptile (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Energy Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Leaf Storm
- Focus Blast

With two setup sweepers on here, I felt I needed some pure special power in here. I noticed Sceptile almost immediately with his high Special Attack and 120 base speed. That's mainly why I picked Sceptile over Venusaur, of course, I did consider I was giving up on Sleep Powder, but I feel more comfortable with Sceptile's speed. And I don't like the idea of Sleep Powder missing and then being locked in.
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Threats wise, I can foresee an opposing Specs Sceptile/Venusaur being a problem, especially since my only resist to STAB Leaf Storm is Sceptile himself. That's all I can really think of off the top of my head at the current moment, it's late.

There you have it. The team has presented me with a lot of success so far and has given me a nice transition from the old UU to the new UU. I hope to continue to grow and become as good a UU player as I used to be.
 
I don'thave time for a full rate, I have school in a few. However, if I might ask a simple question...

Why is Uxie a Screen leader? I suppose it makes sense to throw up screens and then go for an early game sweep. I see some potential problems though. If your facing a lead that has shadow ball, you might lose your screener early.

Usually people seem to use Uxie as a U-turn scouter leader. I don't think I've ever faced a screener Uxie leader. This could just be me though.
 
It leads primarily to get up Rocks early and scout and can then return later to setup Screens. Uxie is a very sturdy pokemon so getting it back in shouldn't be a big problem.

I've also haven't faced an opposing starter that carries Shadow Ball yet, so that hasn't given me an opportunity to question the lead spot.
 
Hi,

This is a pretty good team, and you have plenty of threats covered. The only thing I'd recommend is making Clefable more Specially Defensive, so that it can reliably take on Moltres and other special threats. Just try out an EV spread of 252 HP/252 Sp Def with a Calm nature. Clefable isn't really meant to be taking physical hits anyway.

A very decent team, well done and gl.
 
Thanks, I saw that spread in the analysis and figured I give it a try. I found an old Clefable with 180 EVs invested in Sp. Def after I had already posted the team. I will try to 252/252 spread.

For Uxie, is a Double Screen lead warranted for this team? I saw the Trickscarf set and that had me intrigued. Trick/Twave(or most likely Yawn)/Psychic (or Zen Headbutt)/Stealth Rock. I seems it would do a pretty good job, but I've had plenty of success with Double Screens. Does one outweigh the other?

Oh and I ran into SD-LO Venusaur and that thing tore me a new one. I took it out with a combo of HP Ice and Sucker Punch, but it cost me 3 pokemon (Uxie was put to sleep). Is there a way I can cover for Grass types while keeping the relative aggressive nature of this team going? I was thinking something like Scyther, but he is kinda fragile, and 50% SR damage isn't appealing with no spinner on this team.
 
You could replace your Spiritomb with an Arcanine, which gives you a nice Fire/Water/Grass core, and it rips through teams once the Bulky Waters have been removed, which isn't too hard considering Rhyperior is like a magnet to them. You do lose your Mismagius/ Alakazam check, but Missy is easily checked by Clefable's Encore, while Alakazam can be Paralyzed and Softboiled Stalled:

Arcanine@Life Orb/ Leftovers
252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Jolly
- Flare Blitz
- Extremespeed
- Morning Sun
- Will-O-Wisp/ Thunder Fang

You can tinker with your Uxie however you like. It has a wide range of sets. You could go with the Standard or the TrickScarf version, or stick with DS. All three provide great support to your team, but if you add Psychic to its moveset it'd help out with the various Fighters in the meta, which could be a concern if you drop Tomb.
 
Ethanftw said:
I don'thave time for a full rate, I have school in a few. However, if I might ask a simple question...

Why is Uxie a Screen leader? I suppose it makes sense to throw up screens and then go for an early game sweep. I see some potential problems though. If your facing a lead that has shadow ball, you might lose your screener early.

Usually people seem to use Uxie as a U-turn scouter leader. I don't think I've ever faced a screener Uxie leader. This could just be me though.
Click to expand...

Phil's team (http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65744) led with a dual screening Uxie in OU, and is widely considered one of the best teams in recent times. Also, a Choice Specs Alakazam's Shadow Ball deals 30.5% - 36.2% to this Uxie with a Light Screen up. Even without one, Uxie won't be "lost early," as switching out is always an option.

To answer your question, definitely keep the Dual Screen Uxie lead. It's underappreciated, and very effective.

Also, about physical Life Orb Venusaurs: They can be tricky to deal with due to Sleep Powder. On the first turn, they will either choose Sleep Powder or use Power Whip to scout for your sleep absorber. It might be worth trying out a Curse Registeel:

Registeel @ Leftovers
Careful
252 HP / 40 Atk / 216 SpD
-Curse
-Iron Head
-Rest
-Sleep Talk

It can absorb sleep for your team and is extremely difficult to take down, even without screens up. It can use the opportunity to boost up with Curse and makes for a great counter to the opposing Specs Sceptiles you mentioned.
 
Thanks, I was going to ask about Resttalk Registeel because the need for a sleep absorber seemed pretty important on this team, and it helps give another target for status outside of Clefable, and it addresses my issues a bit. My only fear are those Venusaur that pack EQ, but I should be able handle it should Registeel fall with either Feraligatr's Ice Punch or HP Ice from Sceptile.

Would Registeel be best over Spiritomb or Rhyperior? Spiritomb checks Alakazam and Mismagius. And with Spiritomb in the team, I don't have to pack Psychic on Uxie to cover Fighting types, but Rhyperior is a beast that can take out a lot of things after SR damage. IronBullet said above that I can still check those two without Spiritomb which makes me a little more assured Registeel can go over it fine. If I put Registeel over Spiritomb, it exposes a major Fighting weakness, so it would make sense to put it over Rhyperior.

I also have no way of dealing with Moltres comfortably (unless I use Arcanine) and adding Registeel only adds to that Fire type thumpage I will experience.
 
After much deliberation, I opted for Arcanine, with ES/Flare Blitz/Morning Sun/Thunder Fang.

Thunder Fang helps to definitely cover Moltres who gives me trouble as well as make dealing with Venusaur much easier. I just have to let something take sleep for me who is more likely than not Uxie. But I feel that Registeel opened up too much of a hole in my team than it did to help cover up my preexisting problems.

Now off the test it as it is now, thanks for all the help thus far.
 
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