Electric Waterfalls (My first OU Team)

[samfoy]

Hey Smogon! I've been playing around with Competitive Pokemon for a little bit but never really built a team before. This is pretty much my first true attempt that wasn't just modifying someone else's team.

I haven't play tested too too much but I am sitting around a 1100 rating right now which I know is not that great.

~Team Building~​

I started with Gyarados and Jolteon because they cover each other very well. Gyarados can hit on the Physical side of the spectrum and Jolteon can take the special side. EQs intended for Jolteon don't phase Gyarados and Electric attacks at Gyarados are absorbed by Jolteon. They have other great qualities as well, Jolteon is crazy fast and Gyarados, especially with Intimidate is rather bulky and can help to counter Sword Dancers and Dragon Dancers. Jolteon can also help get me momentum with a powerful Volt Switch. I chose a Bulky Dragon Dance set for Gyarados, and a Speedy Scecs set for Jolteon.

Politoed seemed like a great partner to Gyara and Jolteon. Rain means Gyarado's waterfall hits that much harder and also lets Jolteon abuse a 100% accurate Thunder that even deals heavy damage and can give me some useful parahax. For Politoed I went with a specs set to deal a good bit of damage. Scarf also seems like a good idea. I don't know.

Here is where crucial team members ends. Ferrothorn came along to give me something bulky but I wanted to try something different. So i gave the Choice Band set a try. It catches a lot of people off-guards and they can get rather confused. He hits surprisingly hard thanks to his slow speed and Power Whip's Base Power. That said, He loses a lot of bulk by investing in attack, other options are certainly welcome.

I chose Tentacruel mainly as a rapid spinner who benefits from the rain. Getting rid of hazards is a big help because Jolteon and Gyarados are switching in and out a good bit. She is pretty Bulky and can also lay down some toxic spikes, though I rarely seem to get the chance. Definitely open to suggestions here.

Scizor is a bit of a last minute throw in. He allows me to get more switch priority with a powerful U-Turn. He also gives me good priority to take out Baton Pass and Focus Sash users. I went with the typical Choice Band set. Scizor grants a lot of utility and also gives me a great Tyranitar counter. But he doesn't seem to do much other than that and finishing off weakened threats with Bullet Punch.


~The Team~

Politoed (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]

Politoed usually leads just to set up the rain unless i see an opposing Tyranitar in which case Scizor usually takes the lead. This set exists just to do as much damage as possible. Hydro Pump hits pretty hard in the rain. Ice Beam hits Dragons and incoming Flying types pretty hard. Focus Blast does good damage Tyranitar and steels. HP Grass is just there to hit other grass types. Any merit to HP Electric over Grass?

Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP / 72 Atk / 96 SDef / 184 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Bounce

Standard Bulky DD Gyarados is dangerous if he gets to set up. Waterfall hits hard right off the bat even without the investment becaise of the rain. It is important to keep rocks off the field because Gyarados is switching in and out a good bit. What merits might Stone Edge have over Bounce?

Jolteon (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball

For great synergy with Gyarados we have Jolteon. He takes care of Gyarados' 4x Electric weakness with an immunity. Even without a scarf he is not getting out-sped very often disregarding Chlorophyll and Swift Swim. Thunder decimates things with Specs and Volt Switch gives me switch priority. Shadow Ball and HP Ice give good coverage.

Tentacruel (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
- Scald

Tentacruel exists mainly as a spinner and defensive pivot. If I get a chance then the Toxic Spikes can help, though I have found that this team forces a lot of switches, so I am not sure that toxic spikes do me all that good. Definitely open to major changes to this position.

Ferrothorn (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
- Explosion
- Bulldoze

I'm very unsure about this Ferrothorn. On the one hand he catches a lot by surprise and nets nice KO's. On the other hand, he spends a lot of matches doing little. Explosion can be nice in these situations to get a lot of damage on something. Again, very happy to have suggestions here.

Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower

Scizor is mainly here for Tyranitar, Psychics, A dragon resist, and switch priority. If someone else could do his job well I'd be happy to replace him. Bullet Punch is good for revenging and picking off weakened threats late game.

Importable

Politoed (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]

Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP / 72 Atk / 96 SDef / 184 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Bounce

Jolteon (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball

Tentacruel (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
- Scald

Ferrothorn (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
- Explosion
- Bulldoze

Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower

​

 

[Harlequin]

+2 NP thundurus will blaze through your team with thunderbolt and focus blast, which already KO's 5/6 of your six, and because of jolteon's frailty, probably wouldn't live either.

Your team will also get destroyed by Excadrill. Earthquake will KO everything but gyrados, where Rock Slide will KO him for sure. If your fighting one in the sand, it'll be game over.

 

[Penance]

Use SubSeed over bulldoze and explosion. EDIT: Wtf Choice Band? Use lefties on the Thorn and Life Orb on Jolty because 4 choiced pokés means set up fodder.

 

[Pocket]

Actually I would stick with CSpecs on Jolteon, especially because it's a Volt-Switcher.

I'd go with Substitute on Gyarados > Taunt. It doesn't need to Taunt when it's hitting Skarmory with strong Rain-boosted hits, and when it has Substitute to block Leech Seed and other status conditions. Substitute has additional effects, such as protecting Gyarados from Volt-Switching Rotom-W. If Rotom-W's only answer to Gyarados is Volt Switch, it will be unable to hurt Gyarados. Plus, Substitute complements well with Toxic Spikes laid by Tentacruel. Tentacruel's Rapid Spin support also makes setting up Substitute a not-as-lethal business.

I would also consider HP Grass on Jolteon. The quicker you take out Gastrodon, the faster your Jolteon, Politoed, and Gyarados can punch holes. Thunder + Shadow Ball already does a number to most Dragon, Grass, and Ground Types anyways.

I'd also personally go with either Scald or Surf on Politoed. Hydro Pump has the tendency to miss or PP-stalled, so having an additional Water STAB move is welcome. Focus Blast isn't really hitting anything harder than a Drizzle-boosted STAB Water move, so I'd replace that. I personally prefer Scald for its utility to burn mons, which can greatly weaken even mons that resist Water moves, such as Rotom-W, Ferrothorn, and Latias.

 

[-Tsunami-]

Hey there.

First off, I suggest that you change your Gyarados to a Sub DD Variant. This is arguably the best Gyarados set in the current metagame due to it's ability to set up easily on walls, and because it can beat one of Gyarados's best counters: Rotom-W. Replace Taunt for Substitute in the moveset, and change the EV Spread to 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Speed. Also, run Moxie over Intimidate. Moxie can make Gyarados even more of a threat, being able to increase it's power level drastically every time it kill one of the opponent's pokemon.

Alright, now there are some threats that can destroy your entire team: Excadrill, CB Terrakion, DD Dragonite, Lucario, SD Toxicroak, Sub + 3 Attack Landorus.

To fix all of these weaknesses, I suggest that you replace Tentacruel, who is the least useful member of your current team, with a Slowbro.

Defensive Slowbro

Hide

Slowbro @ Leftovers
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Relaxed Nature
- Ice Beam
- Slack Off
- Psychic
- Scald

Slowbro can take care of all of your physical weaknesses, making him a perfect candidate for your team. Ice Beam lets Slowbro decimate Dragonite, while Psychic lets it destroy Toxicroak and Terrakion. Regenerator also makes Slowbro very difficult to kill, especially with the Rapid Spin support that you have. As a minor note, Relaxed Nature is chosen over Bold in order to be slower than standard Bulk Up Conkeldurr so Payback will not double in damage.

Also, change Ferrothorn to a specially defensive variant. This will let you take hits better from powerful water attackers, and also provide you with entry hazard support. The new EV Spread will be 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef with a Careful nature. The new moveset will be Power Whip / Gyro Ball / Stealth Rock / Leech Seed.

Also, run Hidden Power Grass over Hidden Power Ice on Jolteon, as it will greatly help with defeating Gastrodon; Thunder usually hits pokemon like Dragonite hard enough regardless. Also, run Signal Beam over Shadow Ball. Signal Beam lets Jolteon score an easy OHKO on Celebi; STAB Thunder is stronger than a super-effective Shadow Ball regardless.

Thundurus can be played around since you have Jolteon, and the Stealth Rock from Ferrothorn will greatly help wear it down. The weakness can't be completely fixed without ruining your team's synergy regardless.

Overall, solid team. Hope I helped, and good luck!

 

[Pocket]

Ugh, usually I agree with you ShakeItUp, but replacing Jolteon seems like a bad choice...

Without Jolteon he lacks a revenge killer, which is an essential role in any team. Jolteon also provides some protection against Thundurus that this team lacks. I'd personally remove Tentacruel before Jolteon.

Losing Rapid Spin support is rough, though. So I recommend specially defensive Jirachi, which can Wish heal your battered teams. It also provides you more reliable protection from Tornadus, dragons, and Nasty Plot Lucario than Scizor. Another plus is that it pairs nicely with Jolteon in combatting Thundurus - Thundurus can only take down Jirachi with Thunder, an easy switch-in for Jolteon.

Iron Head | Thunder | Wish | Healing Wish / SR / U-turn / Protect
252 HP | 240 SDef | 16 Spe | Careful Nature

Enough speed to move faster than a Modest Specs Politoed, and the rest in special defense. The fourth move has many options, so test each of them out. I recommend Healing Wish, to restore the health of your crucial mons such as Jolteon, Gyarados, and Politoed. The paralysis and healing support provided by this guy is phenomenal. I would replace Scizor for Jirachi, since it mostly covers the same thing.

Also, I think I will suggest ScarfToed over SpecsToed. ScarfToed will help you revenge most of the threats that ShakeItUp listed, primarily Terrakion, Excadrill, and Landorus, and is much more effective at finishing them off than Jolteon.

 

[Jirachee]

Hey there,

This is a good team. I'm really a fan of Gyarados this gen, as it can perform many roles and is quite underrated, even if it isn't as beastly as last gen. However, powerful physical attackers like Swords Dance Excadrill (this one in particular) will have an easy time getting past your team, as it isn't really bulky yet does not have enough offensive pressure to keep it from setting up. I personally think that two small changes could really help it. First of all, changing Politoed to a Choice Scarfed version could really help you revenge killing Excadrill in sand, as it loses its mighty speed to Drizzle and will be OHKOed by Hydro Pump. Even with the power loss of Choice Scarf, Tyranitar won't be exactly eager to switch into Hydro Pump. Secondly, I think that changing Gyarados to a Rest+Sleep Talk version could help you a lot. Gyarados is extremely bulky physically with Intimidate and can destroy Excadrill using Waterfall, while being immune to Earthquake (Rock Slide will hurt a bit though). Here are the sets you should use :

Choice Scarf Politoed and RestTalk Gyarados

Politoed @ Choice Scarf
Timid
Drizzle
EVs : 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Hidden Power Grass
-Perish Song

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Impish
Intimidate
EVs : 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
-Waterfall
-Dragon Tail
-Rest
-Sleep Talk

Also, if you go with ShakeItUp's suggestion of using SpD Ferrothorn, use a Sassy nature which will boost the power of Gyro Ball.

Good luck!

 

[CaptainBlue]

Just a minor note, adamant life orb excadrill's earthquake does 41.1% - 48.7% to physcally defensive slowbro or 81.7% - 96.7% after a swords dance. This means if rocks are down, it will be able to get the KO just over 50% of the time. With this in mind I'm not convinced that slowbro can reliably stop Excadrill. Would something like Bronzong be better perhaps. It can stop most of the physical threats listed above.
http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/bronzong

 

[-Tsunami-]

Yeah Pocket I realized that myself (about Jolt being more important than Tenta), so I editted my post before you posted yours . :P

 

[samfoy]

Alright guys, thanks a lot for the suggestions. For now I am going to make these changes.

Politoed -> Scarf

Gyarados -> Taunt switched for Sub

Ferrothorn -> Standard SpD set

Tentacruel -> Def Slowbro

Scizor -> SpD Jirachi

I will play test this some later tonight. Hope it works out well :)

 

[Pocket]

Oh okay, thanks ShakeItUp. You're good as ever.

I also don't find Ferrothorn appealing as the main mon to take Water moves, since that means it would need to take Scalds (or Trick / Wisp from Rotom-W) that would burn and cripple it.

Ferrothorn is good, but if you decide to go with Slowbro + Jirachi > Tentacruel + Scizor, you may want to try out Gastrodon, Celebi, CM Virizion, or Latios / Latias over Ferrothorn for a Water / Electric resist that doesn't get hampered by burns.