INTRODUCTION
Hello Smogon Community. Dragonite is a commonly used Pokemon on PokemonShowdown and in the OU tier in general. Be it a Dragon Dance set, a bulky set, or a Rain Mixed attacker, Dragonite is a very versatile Pokemon that can be incorporated in many teams. Thus, my random desire to make a new team turned me to Dragonite and a team that focuses on its Dragon Dance potential to devastate many teams.
Dragonite (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake/Extremespeed
- Fire Punch
- Dragon Dance
Dragonite is the main sweeper on this team. I use a classic Dragon Dance set with an Adamant nature to get the most out of the power boost of one Dance. Outrage is Dragonite's main stab and it hits hard after he sets up. I prefer Outrage over Dragon Claw any day since the raw power makes switching into a boosted Outrage hard for any Pokemon that isn't Steel type. Confusion is never an issue thanks to Lum Berry which also helps Dragonite get pass burns, paralysis, and other crippling status effects. For my second attack I prefer Earthquake for the ability to hit several threats and to get through Heatran who can otherwise wall Dragonite. I have tried Extremespeed before, and although it is useful in preventing Dragonite for being revenge killed, I have found Earthquake the more useful option. Fire Punch wraps up Dragonite's coverage allowing it to get through Steel Types such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn and receiving a nice boost from the Sun.
Ninetales (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drought
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Will-O-Wisp
- Sunny Day
- Roar
Ninetales is pretty standard. It comes in to set up Sun and prevent rain teams from weakening Dragonite's fire punch and sand teams from weakening Dragonite through residual damage. Fire Blast is Ninetales main stab and it hits fairly hard in the sun. I find that I have pretty good luck with Fire Blast so I choose the extra power over the accuracy of Flamethrower. Will-O-Wisp is here to cripple physical threats such as Terrakion and Tyranitar if I predict a switch in. Sunny Day allows me to set up Sun Light in the presence of other weather inducers and keep the momentum in my favor. Lastly Roar is there so Ninetales to get past substitute users and so he doesnt become set up fodder for Volcarona's on enemy sun teams.
Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball
- Volt Switch
- Rapid Spin
Although Forretress doesnt like a sun boosted fire attack, it works well on my team. Its main role is to wall other dragon types, provide rapid spin support, and set up spikes. Volt Switch allows an easy switch in into Dragonite and Gyro Ball gets pass Terrakion, especially choice scarf sets who can revenge kill +1 Dragonite with a Stone Edge.
Gothitelle (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Shadow Tag
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Gothitelle is amazing on this team. Its shadow tag ability helps it eliminate so many of Dragonite's threats and is always essential for his sweep to go uninterrupted. With shadow tag, Gothitelle can come in on any steal type and proceed to either kill it with a sun boosted HP Fire or cripple it with Trick. Trick also comes in handy for crippling other walls such as Gliscor and Hippowdon. The reason I sometimes use Trick on a steel type is to be able to kill it the next turn and not become set up fodder by being locked into HP Fire. Thunderbolt comes into play against Politoed and is extremely helpful in guaranteeing that I will win the weather war. Lastly Psyshock is there in case Gothitelle needs to take something out with a STAB move or to get pass Special Walls like Blissey.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Landorus serves as my Terrakion and Tyranitar counter both whom present great threats on my team. Assuming Tyranitar doesn't carry Ice Beam, Landorus fulfills this role effectively. With Intimidate it can come in on either of them and weaken their destructive power. Then it can proceed to do work. If my opponent has no safe switch in, I can earthquake to hit either Terrakion or Tyranitar for super effective damage or severely damage whatever comes in. Stone Edge works well in hitting anything Earthquake doesn't hit for at least neutral damage. U-turn helps me predict switch ins and keep offensive momentum, as well as allowing Dragonite a free switch if need be. Lastly Stealth Rock allows me to set up further hazards on Pokemon that are forced out and who doesn't like to have more entry hazards up?
Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Mild Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- U-turn
Hydreigon is here to revenge kill and eliminate other Dragon Types for Dragonite to be able to set up and sweep. Draco Meteor is my strongest STAB which can KO almost any other none-scarfed Dragon. There are several reasons why I choose Hydreigon over Latios. Although he is slower than Latios , Hydreigon has stronger base power coverage options, allowing it to hit harder with a sun boosted Fire Blast than Latios would with its HP Fire. Hydreigon also doesn't fear Tyranitar as much as Latios and can KO it with Focus Blast. Lastly Hydreigon has access to U-turn, allowing me to keep the momentum in my favor.
CONCLUSION
So far, this team has had great success. The Pokemon on the team have really good synergy with each other. With three Pokemon having a VoltTurn strategy, keeping the momentum is almost never an issue and also helps Gothitelle witch in and trap predicted switch ins. The only real problem on the team seem to be with Sand inducers. Despite my efforts, Tyranitar still poses a huge threat. Physically attacking sets severely cripple Ninetales while Mixed Attackers with Ice beam can easily KO or atleast put a dent in either Landorus or Hyrdreigon. Hippowdons great sustain also provides a huge issue if I lose my Gothitelle. Despite these issues, the team does a good job most of the time getting through these Pokemon and I think it is a great success, but I want to hear what you guys think about it.
Hello Smogon Community. Dragonite is a commonly used Pokemon on PokemonShowdown and in the OU tier in general. Be it a Dragon Dance set, a bulky set, or a Rain Mixed attacker, Dragonite is a very versatile Pokemon that can be incorporated in many teams. Thus, my random desire to make a new team turned me to Dragonite and a team that focuses on its Dragon Dance potential to devastate many teams.
Dragonite (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Earthquake/Extremespeed
- Fire Punch
- Dragon Dance
Dragonite is the main sweeper on this team. I use a classic Dragon Dance set with an Adamant nature to get the most out of the power boost of one Dance. Outrage is Dragonite's main stab and it hits hard after he sets up. I prefer Outrage over Dragon Claw any day since the raw power makes switching into a boosted Outrage hard for any Pokemon that isn't Steel type. Confusion is never an issue thanks to Lum Berry which also helps Dragonite get pass burns, paralysis, and other crippling status effects. For my second attack I prefer Earthquake for the ability to hit several threats and to get through Heatran who can otherwise wall Dragonite. I have tried Extremespeed before, and although it is useful in preventing Dragonite for being revenge killed, I have found Earthquake the more useful option. Fire Punch wraps up Dragonite's coverage allowing it to get through Steel Types such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn and receiving a nice boost from the Sun.
Ninetales (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drought
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Will-O-Wisp
- Sunny Day
- Roar
Ninetales is pretty standard. It comes in to set up Sun and prevent rain teams from weakening Dragonite's fire punch and sand teams from weakening Dragonite through residual damage. Fire Blast is Ninetales main stab and it hits fairly hard in the sun. I find that I have pretty good luck with Fire Blast so I choose the extra power over the accuracy of Flamethrower. Will-O-Wisp is here to cripple physical threats such as Terrakion and Tyranitar if I predict a switch in. Sunny Day allows me to set up Sun Light in the presence of other weather inducers and keep the momentum in my favor. Lastly Roar is there so Ninetales to get past substitute users and so he doesnt become set up fodder for Volcarona's on enemy sun teams.
Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball
- Volt Switch
- Rapid Spin
Although Forretress doesnt like a sun boosted fire attack, it works well on my team. Its main role is to wall other dragon types, provide rapid spin support, and set up spikes. Volt Switch allows an easy switch in into Dragonite and Gyro Ball gets pass Terrakion, especially choice scarf sets who can revenge kill +1 Dragonite with a Stone Edge.
Gothitelle (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Shadow Tag
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Gothitelle is amazing on this team. Its shadow tag ability helps it eliminate so many of Dragonite's threats and is always essential for his sweep to go uninterrupted. With shadow tag, Gothitelle can come in on any steal type and proceed to either kill it with a sun boosted HP Fire or cripple it with Trick. Trick also comes in handy for crippling other walls such as Gliscor and Hippowdon. The reason I sometimes use Trick on a steel type is to be able to kill it the next turn and not become set up fodder by being locked into HP Fire. Thunderbolt comes into play against Politoed and is extremely helpful in guaranteeing that I will win the weather war. Lastly Psyshock is there in case Gothitelle needs to take something out with a STAB move or to get pass Special Walls like Blissey.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Landorus serves as my Terrakion and Tyranitar counter both whom present great threats on my team. Assuming Tyranitar doesn't carry Ice Beam, Landorus fulfills this role effectively. With Intimidate it can come in on either of them and weaken their destructive power. Then it can proceed to do work. If my opponent has no safe switch in, I can earthquake to hit either Terrakion or Tyranitar for super effective damage or severely damage whatever comes in. Stone Edge works well in hitting anything Earthquake doesn't hit for at least neutral damage. U-turn helps me predict switch ins and keep offensive momentum, as well as allowing Dragonite a free switch if need be. Lastly Stealth Rock allows me to set up further hazards on Pokemon that are forced out and who doesn't like to have more entry hazards up?
Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Mild Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- U-turn
Hydreigon is here to revenge kill and eliminate other Dragon Types for Dragonite to be able to set up and sweep. Draco Meteor is my strongest STAB which can KO almost any other none-scarfed Dragon. There are several reasons why I choose Hydreigon over Latios. Although he is slower than Latios , Hydreigon has stronger base power coverage options, allowing it to hit harder with a sun boosted Fire Blast than Latios would with its HP Fire. Hydreigon also doesn't fear Tyranitar as much as Latios and can KO it with Focus Blast. Lastly Hydreigon has access to U-turn, allowing me to keep the momentum in my favor.
CONCLUSION
So far, this team has had great success. The Pokemon on the team have really good synergy with each other. With three Pokemon having a VoltTurn strategy, keeping the momentum is almost never an issue and also helps Gothitelle witch in and trap predicted switch ins. The only real problem on the team seem to be with Sand inducers. Despite my efforts, Tyranitar still poses a huge threat. Physically attacking sets severely cripple Ninetales while Mixed Attackers with Ice beam can easily KO or atleast put a dent in either Landorus or Hyrdreigon. Hippowdons great sustain also provides a huge issue if I lose my Gothitelle. Despite these issues, the team does a good job most of the time getting through these Pokemon and I think it is a great success, but I want to hear what you guys think about it.
