Disclaimer- I don't believe in wild cards on mono teams. If you have a Poke that is not the same type as your "mono-type team" then you aren't really doing a mono type team. That said, I have seen many good teams that do use a wildcard, I just won't.
Ah, dragon types. They have been the dominant type since Gen 3 and are poised to stay that way. However, dragon types are very similar. They usually boast 1 or 2 very high offensive stats and an excellent speed stat, and while this is not set in stone, this is usually true. I have seen many people who make dragon type monos who simply gather 6 high powered sweepers with no chemistry and attempt hyper offense. That doesn't work.
I have attempted to give this team synergy. I have had moderate success with this team, for a mono type anyway.
Strengths of the Dragon type
Raw Power
Excellent options for revenge killers
Both ends of the offensive spectrum covered
Many previously banned dragons are now available in OU
Weaknesses
Very few walls
Easily exploitable weaknesses
Team Building Process
I almost am forced to make this team hyper offense due to the typing. Therefore, I am in need of a lead that can start the game on a fast tempo. Most Dragons make notoriously poor leads so I decide to just start with a sweeper for my first Poke, knowing that team preview will often change it anyway. Mixmence works just fine.
I then want a revenge killer, so I decide to try out a poke I haven't used before Scarf Kyurem.
I now need a sturdy, dependable wall. The best choice seems to be Latias.
For raw physical power I decide on Haxorus for a wall breaker.
For raw special power and surprise I use Kingdra.
And to wrap it up, I use everybody's favorite land shark, Garchomp.
Closer Look
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 124 Atk / 128 SAtk / 255 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Fire Blast
- Draco Meteor
- Outrage
- Earthquake
Mixmence is not nearly as good as it used to be. That said, I have noticed a trend towards frail, quick leads, often sashed or with some kind of gimmicky way to survive. MixMence is very effective at handling this. Better yet, if I change my lead during team preview Mence is quite effective late game. Going first with Draco Meteor, and then with Outrage, is a combination that almost nothing can survive.
Kyurem @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 255 SAtk / 255 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Flash Cannon
This thing is the reject that didn't crack Ubers because of poor typing, poor movepool, and being outclassed. That said, this is extraordinarily powerful. I could have made this thing mixed, but decided to make it purely special due to Kyurem's superior special movepool. Kyurem is a very capable revenge killer, outspeeding most non-Scarfers.
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 172 HP / 168 Def / 168 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Dragon Pulse
- Toxic
- Calm Mind
I could have gone for dual screens, but instead I made a mono-attack set. With excellent bulk, Latias can toxic stall, pass wish support, and even sweep with a combination of Calm Mind and a pretty powerful Dragon Pulse. Latias is truly the epitome of sturdy sweeper. Latias works very well with Garchomp and Haxorus, both of whom appreciate wish support.
Haxorus (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Rivalry
EVs: 255 Atk / 255 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- X-Scissor
- Brick Break
Ah, Haxorus. Nothing was more wildly anticipated and more of a dissapointment, except perhaps the Star Wars prequels. Despite this, I'm a huge Haxorus fan. Having 97 base speed doesn't matter when you're facing a slow wall. Haxorus is a very, very good wall breaker, with an Outrage basically on par with Rayquaza. Better yet, it is often hard for my opponent to tell whether I am running Dragon Dance set or Choice Band set.
Kingdra (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 255 SAtk / 255 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
No one was more upset than I was when Swift Swim/Drizzle was banned. However, even though I can no longer use it myself, my opponent often sets it up for me. If I am facing a rain team, Kingdra gets the Swift Swim boost- perfectly legally. Even out of rain, Kingdra is fast enough and powerful enough to wreak havoc, as well as covering my ice weakness rather well. Kingdra also has good synergy with Haxorus.
Garchomp (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sand Veil
EVs: 255 Atk / 255 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
The only real stat buffer on this team (with the exception of Latias's rarely used calm mind). The EdgeQuake Combo provides much needed coverage, and Garchomp is bulky enough to act as a physical wall in times of desperation. Once I have used Swords Dance, Outrage can take down three pokes straight. Chomp is an excellent mid game sweeper.
Weaknesses:
Ice Types- Rather obvious, I suppose, but true. Kingdra and Kyurem are simply not bulky enough to handle everything, especially being Ice is neutral on them, not resisted.
Stealth Rock- My team is not as Stealth Rock weak as it could be, but my style of play means a lot of switches are neccessary, so I rack up a lot of damage. Rapid spin support would be appreciated. Can any dragon's learn rapid spin?
Please comment. Thanks
Ah, dragon types. They have been the dominant type since Gen 3 and are poised to stay that way. However, dragon types are very similar. They usually boast 1 or 2 very high offensive stats and an excellent speed stat, and while this is not set in stone, this is usually true. I have seen many people who make dragon type monos who simply gather 6 high powered sweepers with no chemistry and attempt hyper offense. That doesn't work.
I have attempted to give this team synergy. I have had moderate success with this team, for a mono type anyway.
Strengths of the Dragon type
Raw Power
Excellent options for revenge killers
Both ends of the offensive spectrum covered
Many previously banned dragons are now available in OU
Weaknesses
Very few walls
Easily exploitable weaknesses
Team Building Process
I almost am forced to make this team hyper offense due to the typing. Therefore, I am in need of a lead that can start the game on a fast tempo. Most Dragons make notoriously poor leads so I decide to just start with a sweeper for my first Poke, knowing that team preview will often change it anyway. Mixmence works just fine.
I then want a revenge killer, so I decide to try out a poke I haven't used before Scarf Kyurem.
I now need a sturdy, dependable wall. The best choice seems to be Latias.
For raw physical power I decide on Haxorus for a wall breaker.
For raw special power and surprise I use Kingdra.
And to wrap it up, I use everybody's favorite land shark, Garchomp.
Closer Look
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 124 Atk / 128 SAtk / 255 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Fire Blast
- Draco Meteor
- Outrage
- Earthquake
Mixmence is not nearly as good as it used to be. That said, I have noticed a trend towards frail, quick leads, often sashed or with some kind of gimmicky way to survive. MixMence is very effective at handling this. Better yet, if I change my lead during team preview Mence is quite effective late game. Going first with Draco Meteor, and then with Outrage, is a combination that almost nothing can survive.
Kyurem @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 255 SAtk / 255 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Flash Cannon
This thing is the reject that didn't crack Ubers because of poor typing, poor movepool, and being outclassed. That said, this is extraordinarily powerful. I could have made this thing mixed, but decided to make it purely special due to Kyurem's superior special movepool. Kyurem is a very capable revenge killer, outspeeding most non-Scarfers.
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 172 HP / 168 Def / 168 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Dragon Pulse
- Toxic
- Calm Mind
I could have gone for dual screens, but instead I made a mono-attack set. With excellent bulk, Latias can toxic stall, pass wish support, and even sweep with a combination of Calm Mind and a pretty powerful Dragon Pulse. Latias is truly the epitome of sturdy sweeper. Latias works very well with Garchomp and Haxorus, both of whom appreciate wish support.
Haxorus (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Rivalry
EVs: 255 Atk / 255 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- X-Scissor
- Brick Break
Ah, Haxorus. Nothing was more wildly anticipated and more of a dissapointment, except perhaps the Star Wars prequels. Despite this, I'm a huge Haxorus fan. Having 97 base speed doesn't matter when you're facing a slow wall. Haxorus is a very, very good wall breaker, with an Outrage basically on par with Rayquaza. Better yet, it is often hard for my opponent to tell whether I am running Dragon Dance set or Choice Band set.
Kingdra (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 255 SAtk / 255 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
No one was more upset than I was when Swift Swim/Drizzle was banned. However, even though I can no longer use it myself, my opponent often sets it up for me. If I am facing a rain team, Kingdra gets the Swift Swim boost- perfectly legally. Even out of rain, Kingdra is fast enough and powerful enough to wreak havoc, as well as covering my ice weakness rather well. Kingdra also has good synergy with Haxorus.
Garchomp (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sand Veil
EVs: 255 Atk / 255 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
The only real stat buffer on this team (with the exception of Latias's rarely used calm mind). The EdgeQuake Combo provides much needed coverage, and Garchomp is bulky enough to act as a physical wall in times of desperation. Once I have used Swords Dance, Outrage can take down three pokes straight. Chomp is an excellent mid game sweeper.
Weaknesses:
Ice Types- Rather obvious, I suppose, but true. Kingdra and Kyurem are simply not bulky enough to handle everything, especially being Ice is neutral on them, not resisted.
Stealth Rock- My team is not as Stealth Rock weak as it could be, but my style of play means a lot of switches are neccessary, so I rack up a lot of damage. Rapid spin support would be appreciated. Can any dragon's learn rapid spin?
Please comment. Thanks
