Hello all, I am both new here as well as new to competitive pokemon. I've been playing since Gen1 but, with the release of Gen 8, I have the urge to try competitive. I have been reading a lot and doing research trying to incorporate some of my favorites (Gardevoir/Lapras/Flygon) in a competitive team. This is my first attempt at a team so please bear with any obvious mistakes.
Gardevoir @ Choice Specs
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Energy Ball
Gardevoir is my favorite pokemon of all time so its the starting point for my team. With great STAB as well as good coverage it should be a potent Choice Specs attacker with usable speed. The lack of bulk pointed me towards trying to set barriers for Gardevoir to sit behind and sweep. Synchronize is to combat toxic/will'o'wisp to get around barriers.
Dragapult @ Light Clay
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Darts
- U-turn
- Light Screen
- Reflect
With a half cocked plan I needed a screen-setter. Dragapult seemed like an interesting option because of his insane speed and ghost typing.. He can set barriers and U-Turn out for a sweeper. Not entirely positive on dragon darts as well as maxing Atk instead of Def or SpD.
Cinderace @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Libero
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pyro Ball
- Gunk Shot
- Court Change
- U-turn
Next up is my wallbreaker (i hope). Cinderace is a fast scarf physical attacker that should be able to break Ferro. I added Gunk Shot for coverage and with Libero the STAB bonus for it as well as U-Turn seems really nice. Added Court Change to deal with hazards though I'm not sure if thats enough or if I need a defog somewhere.
Flygon @ Choice Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- U-turn
At this point I felt a theme with speed/U-turn to try and find favorable matchups for my offense. I felt like I was lacking Earthquake and power-up ability so Flygon with Dragon Dance fit the bill as a speedy sweeper with U-Turn. The STAB Dragon Claw feels right but, again, unsure due to lack of experience. Levitate also helps to be able to switch into an opposing Earthquake.
Lapras-Gmax @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Ice Beam
- Life Dew
- Surf
- Thunderbolt/Psychic
Now that my offense was set I needed some bulk. Though its not Ferro/Pex I like Lapras so here we are. Big and bulky with some utility in Life Dew and some good STAB in Ice Beam and Surf. The fourth slot for coverage though not sure if Thunderbolt or Psychic is more useful. Shell Armor to protect from crits eating through the bulk as well as leftovers for sustain.
Aegislash @ Focus Sash
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield
- Iron Head
Lastly some more bulk as well as great Steel/Ghost typing to be able to switch into various situations with the Focus Sash for backup if a mistake is made. Otherwise the bulk along with Kings Shield to sustain through big attacks/dynamax. When King's Shield isn't required it can Swords Dance into STAB Iron Head or Sacred Sword coverage.
Overall I feel like there is a plan though I am not sure how well rounded I am. I know Ferro/Pex is a common measure of functionality and I think Aegis/Cinder for Ferro and Lapras/Gardevoir coverage moves for Pex I should have it covered. Not sure how well it stacks up against Rain/Sand who can probably out speed everything but Dragopult. Not sure what other broad strategies I need counterplay for. Any insight would be helpful as I am just beginning to explore competetive.
Gardevoir @ Choice Specs
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Energy Ball
Gardevoir is my favorite pokemon of all time so its the starting point for my team. With great STAB as well as good coverage it should be a potent Choice Specs attacker with usable speed. The lack of bulk pointed me towards trying to set barriers for Gardevoir to sit behind and sweep. Synchronize is to combat toxic/will'o'wisp to get around barriers.
Dragapult @ Light Clay
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Darts
- U-turn
- Light Screen
- Reflect
With a half cocked plan I needed a screen-setter. Dragapult seemed like an interesting option because of his insane speed and ghost typing.. He can set barriers and U-Turn out for a sweeper. Not entirely positive on dragon darts as well as maxing Atk instead of Def or SpD.
Cinderace @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Libero
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pyro Ball
- Gunk Shot
- Court Change
- U-turn
Next up is my wallbreaker (i hope). Cinderace is a fast scarf physical attacker that should be able to break Ferro. I added Gunk Shot for coverage and with Libero the STAB bonus for it as well as U-Turn seems really nice. Added Court Change to deal with hazards though I'm not sure if thats enough or if I need a defog somewhere.
Flygon @ Choice Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- U-turn
At this point I felt a theme with speed/U-turn to try and find favorable matchups for my offense. I felt like I was lacking Earthquake and power-up ability so Flygon with Dragon Dance fit the bill as a speedy sweeper with U-Turn. The STAB Dragon Claw feels right but, again, unsure due to lack of experience. Levitate also helps to be able to switch into an opposing Earthquake.
Lapras-Gmax @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Ice Beam
- Life Dew
- Surf
- Thunderbolt/Psychic
Now that my offense was set I needed some bulk. Though its not Ferro/Pex I like Lapras so here we are. Big and bulky with some utility in Life Dew and some good STAB in Ice Beam and Surf. The fourth slot for coverage though not sure if Thunderbolt or Psychic is more useful. Shell Armor to protect from crits eating through the bulk as well as leftovers for sustain.
Aegislash @ Focus Sash
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield
- Iron Head
Lastly some more bulk as well as great Steel/Ghost typing to be able to switch into various situations with the Focus Sash for backup if a mistake is made. Otherwise the bulk along with Kings Shield to sustain through big attacks/dynamax. When King's Shield isn't required it can Swords Dance into STAB Iron Head or Sacred Sword coverage.
Overall I feel like there is a plan though I am not sure how well rounded I am. I know Ferro/Pex is a common measure of functionality and I think Aegis/Cinder for Ferro and Lapras/Gardevoir coverage moves for Pex I should have it covered. Not sure how well it stacks up against Rain/Sand who can probably out speed everything but Dragopult. Not sure what other broad strategies I need counterplay for. Any insight would be helpful as I am just beginning to explore competetive.
