Team at a Glance
An In-Depth Look
"Zealot" Breloom (M) @ Choice Scarf
Jolly
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
- Spore
- Superpower
- Seed Bomb
- Stone Edge
Choice Scarf Breloom is an amazing lead. It stops Stealth Rock against most leads and occasionally can score an early KO. I tend not to fire off Spore straight away, as I like to save it for something important that may actually threaten the team. Later on in the game, Breloom serves as an excellent Check to DD-Tar, Adamant +1 Gyarados and plent of other pokemon. Its resistances are much appreciated and it makes a good toxic absorber, which greatly helps it durability. I'll just quickly summarise what I do against common OU leads, as well as threatening yet unconventional niche leads.
Fire to Heatran, Swampert, Gyarados
Ice to Heatran, Metagross
Flying to Rotom, Heatran, Metagross
Psychic to Heatran, Metagross
Poison to Heatran, Metagross, Swampert
Azelf - I just spore straight away to prevent Rocks, RD, Light Screen or anything else. Then I switch to Swampert, set up rocks, break the sash and switch to Rotom on a predicted explosion
Aerodactyl - Even with a Choice Scarf, Breloom is slower than Aero. They mostly Taunt to stop Spore, then SR and I 2HKO with Seed Bomb, while keeping the Choice Scarf unrevealed. Breloom walls the standard Lead Aero if they attack instead, so its usually a favorable match-up
Swampert - Most people tend to assume I'll Spore right of the bat and leave Pert in, so I usually Seed Bomb, and maybe 70% of the time, they'll stay in to be OHKOed, and I'll stop Rocks and still have the Scarf up my sleeve.
Machamp - This is a bad match up. Breloom is unable to deal significant damage, and Lum stops Spore, while Bullet Punch will stop a Second attempt. I usually Seed Bomb to get some damage, switch to Rotom on the Bullet Punch, then go to Heatran to KO with Fire Blast. Breloom usually has enough HP to live a switch in to Stealth rock after DynamicPunch.
Metagross - I usually Spore outright, stopping Rocks if they are Occa/Shuca, or wasting the Lum Berry if they are Lum. Then, I switch to Rotom on the Bullet Punch if they are Lum, and WoW with Rotom
Jirachi - Generally, they'll Trick straight away assuming I'm the standard Subpuncher, so I generally get Spore of quite easily. If they Iron Head and I flinch, I'll go to Swampert to get SR up
Infernape - I Spore straight away to prevent SR, and Breloom doesn't mind Fake Out too much. Then I'll go to Swampert to get Rocks and 2HKO
Ninjask - This thing is also a pain to start with. I'll break the first Sub with Stone Edge, then hopefully bring Gyara in on a Protect, while also giving Ninjask -1 Attack if it tries to pass on that turn. If it does protect, or even if it subs, I'll Taunt to prevent an SD, or in the case of Protect, a Sub.
Roserade - Breloom outspeeds Non-Scarf versions and Spores them, but Scarfed versions have a 75% chance to come out on top. In that case, Toxic Spikes won't hurt too much if Rosy comes in later to set them up, since they only affect Swampert. If I do Spore them, I'll either stay in to Spore the switch in, but against good players, I'll go to Swampert if they call my bluff.
Hippowdon - Spore it straight away to prevent SR, then switch to Swampert if it decides to stay in and try and wake up. Swampy threatens with Hydro Pump and can SR, but I don't mind if I get Roared, since Hippowdon doesn't really threaten anything but Heatran, and Metagross is generally deadweight against Stall
Tyranitar - Superpower Straight away for an easy KO.
Heatan - Superpower also KOs Heatran, except this time, they tend to stay in more, since very few people actually expect Scarf Breloom
Smeargle - Breloom can sleep Non-Scarfers, but will get Spored itself if they are scarfed
Uxie - Breloom tends to be trickbait for any Scarfed lead, so Scarf versions are not a problem. Spore twice against Lum versions and Spore once for anything else
Starmie - Starmie is a fairly potent threat. Life Orb versions die to Scarf Seed Bomb, while Focus Sash variants will probably Ice Beam for a KO, but get dropped to 1 HP. If this is the case, I'll go to Metagross or Swampert, depending on if I suspect Grass Knot.
"Ultralisk" Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Relaxed
240 HP/ 216 Def/ 52 SpA
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
Most bulky offence teams use Stealth Rock, and this team is no exception. Swampy is probably the best user of SR in the game, having amazing resistances and defences with a sole, albeit 4x weakness to grass, a generally poor attacking type. I prefer Mixpert for its ability to hit much harder than the standard Swampert, and dispatch of bulky Ground and physically defensive pokemon in general. The 52 Special Attack Evs are leftovers from the old set when Salamence was OU, but that extra 13 points, and the neutral nature have always proved to be effective for me. In addition, Rotom formes, which are a little bit of a problem for this team, could threaten a Physical Swampert with WoW, but a Mixpert isn't that worried about the burn, and can actually defeat Rotom one on one. Furthermore, when pushed into Torrent range, Swampy's Hydro Pump is devastating to anything that doesn't resist it, or have very good Special Defence. Hes basically the glue of the team, and my go to guy, since hes normally the first to come in if Breloom opens with Spore
Grass to Heatran, Breloom, Metagross
"Firebat" Heatran (F)@ Life Orb
Naive
4 SpD/ 252 SpA/ 252 Spe
- Substitute
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Explosion
Heatran is the third part of my Fire/Water/Grass core, and substitute is a great move on something that great type coverage and the ability to force switches by bluffing Choice Scarf. Maximum speed is to tie with other Heatran, as well as outrun Adamant Gyarados and Defensive Zapdos. Explosion is pretty much essential to keep threats such as Suicune in check, and its useful or removing Blissey and Vaporeon from the game. Substitute is useful for scouting out Choice Scarf pokemon, such as Flygon and Starmie and then switching to the appropriate pokemon.
Water to Breloom, Gyarados
Fighting to Rotom, Gyarados
Ground to Gyarados, Rotom, Breloom
"Overlord" Rotom-H @ Leftovers
Bold
252 HP/ 164 Def/ 92 Spe (0 Atk IV)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Overheat
Rotom-H is my Spin-blocker. The 92 Speed EVs outruns other Defensive Rotoms and it still takes physical hits like a champ, especially if it can get off a WoW. Having another Ground Immunity is always nice and Rotom keeps threats such as Scizor, Gyarados, Metagross and Tyranitar in check. Thunderbolt over Discharge since I want to nail Heatran harder on the switch, and it also does more to Bulky waters. Shadow Ball is prefered over HP Fighting for STAB and I have quite solid T-Tar checks in Breloom and Swampert, besides, if it gets a burn, it won't be much of a threat at all. Overheat is doing well in the last slot, and neither Swampert nor Heatran is overly threatening to the team, so there isn't a need to use either the Lawn Mower or the Washing Machine.
Dark to Heatran, Breloom
Ghost to Heatran
"Dragoon" Metagross @ Life Orb
Jolly
60 HP/ 252 Atk/ 196 Spe
- Rock Polish
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Explosion
Metagross is the first part of my Sweeping core. Agilligross with enough speed to outrun Choice Scarf Flygon and Jirachi after a Rock Polish. Speaking of Rock Polish, its marginally better than Agility if I ever run into a gimmicky team with Imprison. Explosion in the last slot for mainly 2 reasons. Even with Thunderpunch, you won't come out against Bulky Waters with much HP left, if at all with the exception of Starmie and Gyarados, the former of which may well be Scarfed anyway, while the latter is easily handled and by Breloom and Rotom. Secondly, explosion destroys Metagross' regular counters, such as Zapdos, Suicune and Vaporeon all of which pose threats to Gyarados, easily a sweep later on. I was thinking of switching to the Trick Ball set, since it still disrupts the regular counters of Metagross and Gyarados, but also hits Rotom and gives me a second trick absorber. However, I would lose the ability to effectively crush Hyper Offensive teams since, Metagross can OHKO most members with Meteor Mash or Earthquake with a Life Orb. I'll test it and change it if the Trick Ball set seems to be better
Fire to Heatran, Swampert, Gyarados
Ground to Rotom, Gyarados, Breloom
"Hydralisk" Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Adamant
156 HP/72 Atk/92 Def/188 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Bounce
Bulky Gyara is a fantastic sweeper, and most of the early game will revolve around removing his counters. He absolutely devastates Stall teams once Rotom-H is out of the way, since anything else except Forry is essentially set up fodder. I shifted 4 EVs from the standard set to speed to Taunt other Bulky Gyara before they can DD, which will usually lead to a Bounce war, in which case, I usually go to Rotom on their Bounce, and kill them when they come down. Bounce was selected for its STAB and the extra Leftovers turn, as well as assisting in Beating Celebi, and the 30% Paralysis is nice if it occurs, since by the late game, I don't need stuff Burned anymore. It also serves as a great check to Infernape and Lucario, who with a turn of Set up, can threaten to sweep the team if they pack the right moves. Intimidate also makes it great Death Fodder against a team where there are too many Gyarados counters to hazard a sweep, and Taunt also helps against slower set up sweepers and Breloom. Other Bulky Fighters, such as Machamp fear Bounce as well. As long as I keep it away from Electric and Rock attack, as well as Burns, Gyara will usually win the game bar increadible hax.
Electric to Rotom, Breloom
Rock to Swampert, Breloom, Metagross
My Threat list will be posted as soon as I have the time. In the meanwhile, any suggestions would be appreciated.
An In-Depth Look
"Zealot" Breloom (M) @ Choice Scarf
Jolly
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
- Spore
- Superpower
- Seed Bomb
- Stone Edge
Choice Scarf Breloom is an amazing lead. It stops Stealth Rock against most leads and occasionally can score an early KO. I tend not to fire off Spore straight away, as I like to save it for something important that may actually threaten the team. Later on in the game, Breloom serves as an excellent Check to DD-Tar, Adamant +1 Gyarados and plent of other pokemon. Its resistances are much appreciated and it makes a good toxic absorber, which greatly helps it durability. I'll just quickly summarise what I do against common OU leads, as well as threatening yet unconventional niche leads.
Fire to Heatran, Swampert, Gyarados
Ice to Heatran, Metagross
Flying to Rotom, Heatran, Metagross
Psychic to Heatran, Metagross
Poison to Heatran, Metagross, Swampert
"Ultralisk" Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Relaxed
240 HP/ 216 Def/ 52 SpA
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
Most bulky offence teams use Stealth Rock, and this team is no exception. Swampy is probably the best user of SR in the game, having amazing resistances and defences with a sole, albeit 4x weakness to grass, a generally poor attacking type. I prefer Mixpert for its ability to hit much harder than the standard Swampert, and dispatch of bulky Ground and physically defensive pokemon in general. The 52 Special Attack Evs are leftovers from the old set when Salamence was OU, but that extra 13 points, and the neutral nature have always proved to be effective for me. In addition, Rotom formes, which are a little bit of a problem for this team, could threaten a Physical Swampert with WoW, but a Mixpert isn't that worried about the burn, and can actually defeat Rotom one on one. Furthermore, when pushed into Torrent range, Swampy's Hydro Pump is devastating to anything that doesn't resist it, or have very good Special Defence. Hes basically the glue of the team, and my go to guy, since hes normally the first to come in if Breloom opens with Spore
Grass to Heatran, Breloom, Metagross
"Firebat" Heatran (F)@ Life Orb
Naive
4 SpD/ 252 SpA/ 252 Spe
- Substitute
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Explosion
Heatran is the third part of my Fire/Water/Grass core, and substitute is a great move on something that great type coverage and the ability to force switches by bluffing Choice Scarf. Maximum speed is to tie with other Heatran, as well as outrun Adamant Gyarados and Defensive Zapdos. Explosion is pretty much essential to keep threats such as Suicune in check, and its useful or removing Blissey and Vaporeon from the game. Substitute is useful for scouting out Choice Scarf pokemon, such as Flygon and Starmie and then switching to the appropriate pokemon.
Water to Breloom, Gyarados
Fighting to Rotom, Gyarados
Ground to Gyarados, Rotom, Breloom
"Overlord" Rotom-H @ Leftovers
Bold
252 HP/ 164 Def/ 92 Spe (0 Atk IV)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Overheat
Rotom-H is my Spin-blocker. The 92 Speed EVs outruns other Defensive Rotoms and it still takes physical hits like a champ, especially if it can get off a WoW. Having another Ground Immunity is always nice and Rotom keeps threats such as Scizor, Gyarados, Metagross and Tyranitar in check. Thunderbolt over Discharge since I want to nail Heatran harder on the switch, and it also does more to Bulky waters. Shadow Ball is prefered over HP Fighting for STAB and I have quite solid T-Tar checks in Breloom and Swampert, besides, if it gets a burn, it won't be much of a threat at all. Overheat is doing well in the last slot, and neither Swampert nor Heatran is overly threatening to the team, so there isn't a need to use either the Lawn Mower or the Washing Machine.
Dark to Heatran, Breloom
Ghost to Heatran
"Dragoon" Metagross @ Life Orb
Jolly
60 HP/ 252 Atk/ 196 Spe
- Rock Polish
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Explosion
Metagross is the first part of my Sweeping core. Agilligross with enough speed to outrun Choice Scarf Flygon and Jirachi after a Rock Polish. Speaking of Rock Polish, its marginally better than Agility if I ever run into a gimmicky team with Imprison. Explosion in the last slot for mainly 2 reasons. Even with Thunderpunch, you won't come out against Bulky Waters with much HP left, if at all with the exception of Starmie and Gyarados, the former of which may well be Scarfed anyway, while the latter is easily handled and by Breloom and Rotom. Secondly, explosion destroys Metagross' regular counters, such as Zapdos, Suicune and Vaporeon all of which pose threats to Gyarados, easily a sweep later on. I was thinking of switching to the Trick Ball set, since it still disrupts the regular counters of Metagross and Gyarados, but also hits Rotom and gives me a second trick absorber. However, I would lose the ability to effectively crush Hyper Offensive teams since, Metagross can OHKO most members with Meteor Mash or Earthquake with a Life Orb. I'll test it and change it if the Trick Ball set seems to be better
Fire to Heatran, Swampert, Gyarados
Ground to Rotom, Gyarados, Breloom
"Hydralisk" Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Adamant
156 HP/72 Atk/92 Def/188 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Bounce
Bulky Gyara is a fantastic sweeper, and most of the early game will revolve around removing his counters. He absolutely devastates Stall teams once Rotom-H is out of the way, since anything else except Forry is essentially set up fodder. I shifted 4 EVs from the standard set to speed to Taunt other Bulky Gyara before they can DD, which will usually lead to a Bounce war, in which case, I usually go to Rotom on their Bounce, and kill them when they come down. Bounce was selected for its STAB and the extra Leftovers turn, as well as assisting in Beating Celebi, and the 30% Paralysis is nice if it occurs, since by the late game, I don't need stuff Burned anymore. It also serves as a great check to Infernape and Lucario, who with a turn of Set up, can threaten to sweep the team if they pack the right moves. Intimidate also makes it great Death Fodder against a team where there are too many Gyarados counters to hazard a sweep, and Taunt also helps against slower set up sweepers and Breloom. Other Bulky Fighters, such as Machamp fear Bounce as well. As long as I keep it away from Electric and Rock attack, as well as Burns, Gyara will usually win the game bar increadible hax.
Electric to Rotom, Breloom
Rock to Swampert, Breloom, Metagross
My Threat list will be posted as soon as I have the time. In the meanwhile, any suggestions would be appreciated.
