I don't usually post RMT's on Smogon to be critiqued, but found this team to be too good an opportunity too. With the inevitable ban of Thundurus, I saw no better a time. This team revolves around a Toxicroak + Thundurus late game sweep, once my core has weakened down the opposing team as much as it can.
This team was centered around a simple 1-2-2-1 structure. That is 1 weather starter, 2 strong defensive core, 2 complimentary sweepers and finally one glue. And so with that Politoed became the first Pokemon of the team.
The most abusable Pokemon currently in the metagame was Toxicroak, having next to no counters after a Swords Dance. I looked for the perfect partner for Toxicroak, someone who could switch-in to those Ground moves that he was susceptible to, someone who could handle those bulky water threats. Thats how Thundurus made his way onto the team.
You'd hear people bicker as to how unkillable Ferrothorn was under Rain, so you'd know you just had to use him. When looking for a partner, there was the obvious Jellicent. FerroCent is renowned in this metagame. However I had always fancied Tentacruel and they had close to the same great defensive structure of FerroCent.
The team was extremely weak to Sand teams, no-one being able to even switch into a Earthquake. Thats how Gliscor was added to the team. His great typing not only makes him one of the best Sand counters, but also gives him some great synergy with the already formidable core of FerroCruel.
Politoed (F) @ Leftovers → Choice Scarf
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef → 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk) → Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Scald → Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast → Hidden Power [Grass]
- Toxic → Ice Beam
- Encore → Perish Song
The all important Rain bringer. Politoed doesn't get the love it should, when compared to weather starters such as Ninetales and Abomasnow. Not only does he get some insanely powerful moves, but he also gets some decent support moves. He also has decent stats across the board, so Politoed isn't completely useless. I needed a set for Politoed that would patch stuff up. I noticed my glaring Sand as well as stat upper weakness and thus Politoed's set is what it is today. Scald increases Politoed's walling capabilities whilst also hitting hard under Rain. Focus Blast is there solely for Tyranitar, a clean 2HKO with Stealth Rock's on the standard specially defensive set (252 HP / 64 SAtk / 192 SDef). Toxic weakens sweepers and walls who try to set up/wall Politoed and Encore allows me to quickly switch to either sweeper and stop it before it's too late.
Tentacruel (F) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 4 SDef / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Protect
- Toxic Spikes
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
Tentacruel forms a vital core with Ferrothorn which seems near unbreakable under Rain. The shield it offers for Ferrothorn and healing for Tentacruel make this pairing a formidable foe. Tentacruel's place on this team was earned due to the need for a Rapid Spinner for Thundurus. Without it Thundurus' longevity and sweeping capabilities would be crippled, not being able to overcome the odd Blissey it usually is able to handle. Tentacruel is an all round support for the team. Not only does he help my team, but he also hinders the opponents by offering Toxic Spikes. This severely cripples the opponents wallling capabilities, thus making it a lot easier for a sweep. Protect is there so Tentacruel can come in and sponge an attack, Protect to heal off all the damage and then switch out if needed. Scald is his only move, but I don't see him really needing another one. Scald debilitates physical Pokemon, rendering them near useless.
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball → Thunder Wave
Ferrothorn is the second part of the formidable duo. Ferrothorn's typing makes him the perfect partner for Tentacruel and makes him a no brainer for a defensive core under Rain. Having only two weaknesses, one of which is neutered under Rain, Ferrothorn at time can seem impossible to kill. Ferrothorn offers the all important Stealth Rock's, handicapping Focus Sashes and most importantly Multiscale Dragonite. Leech Seed is Ferrothorn's only form of recovery aside from Leftover's, and is a great tool for pseudo-phazing. Power Whip annihlates bulky waters and does a surprising amount to Tyranitar. Gyro Ball is for Thundurus and basically all other Pokemon that come in a set up on Ferrothorn's not very effective Power Whip.
Toxicroak (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
- Sucker Punch
My first sweeper of the sweeping core. The amazing thing about Toxicroak is that it lacks a solid counter. The closest Pokemon to counter him are Jellicent, Tentacruel, Slowbro and Terrakion. Tentacruel can't touch Toxicroak, Jellicent can only Will-O-Wisp him, Slowbro is a pain with Psychic and Terrakion needs to be packing Earthquake or its in trouble. Either way, all the aforementioned threats to Toxicroak are handled by Thundurus. Toxicroak's set is similar to that of Swords Dance Lucario, in which Swords Dance boosts his attack to obscene levels in conjunction with Life Orb. The only thing that makes this set superior is Toxicroak's ability. Dry Skin not only offsets Toxicroak's recoil from Life Orb, it also heals him in the process. Cross Chop, whilst offering shaky accuracy still is his only reliable move, due to Drain Punch being illegal in conjunction with Swords Dance. Ice Punch handles those Gliscor's and Dragonite's whom consistently switch into Toxicroak. Sucker Punch rounds off the set, handling a lot of threats that are faster than Toxicroak, in particular speedy Psychic Pokemon.
Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Similar to Toxicroak, Thundurus' counter list is lackluster. Blissey, Quagsire, Gastrodon and Jirachi are Thundurus' only problems. Blissey can be overcome with brute force on occasions, Quagsire and Gastrodon are problems but can be 2HKOed at +2 with enough residual damage and Jirachi can sometimes be overome with luck on a paralysis or enough previous damage. Either way, almost all these threats are easily handled by Toxicroak, bar physcially defensive Quagsire whom succumbs to Toxic Spikes anyway. The standard Nasty Plot set that is due to be Uber soon. Nasty Plot boosts Thundurus' special attack to outrageous levels. Thunder is a reliable STAB move which is abusable under Rain, and offers a healthy 30% to paralyse, which comes in handy when trying to beat Blissey. Hidden Power Ice completes the formidable psuedo-BoltBeam and handles those Dragons that are pests. Focus Blast finally rounds the set off, now being able to handle the likes of Tyranitar and Excadrill.
Gliscor (F) @ Toxic Orb → Flight Gem
Trait: Poison Heal → Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spd → 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk) → Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Protect → Swords Dance
- Substitute
- Ice Fang → Acrobatics
- Earthquake
Gliscor is the final Pokemon which looks to patch the team up. Right now the most obvious problems are Volt Switch spam and Sand teams. With only one reliable Electric counter, Ferrothorn is going to have a tough time handling the constant Volt Switch/U-Turn combo. Gliscor looks to remedy that. Although a dangerous switch-in for Rotom-W, it has its merits and if predicted carefully can force some good switches. Protect with Substitute allows Poison Heal to do its job and heal Gliscor. It also allows Gliscor to scout the move set and switch-in for Gliscor. Substitute offers a secondary scouting ability and can really throw opponents off. Ice Fang and Earthquake offer great coverage together, and allow Gliscor to not be complete set up fodder.
- The only notable threat I've come across is Nasty Plot Celebi with moves Giga Drain, Psychic and Hidden Power Fire. Psychic means that it can beat both of my set up sweepers. The standard Giga Drain, Earth Power and Hidden Power Fire is however handled by Thundurus, but by all means isn't a reliable counter.
This team was centered around a simple 1-2-2-1 structure. That is 1 weather starter, 2 strong defensive core, 2 complimentary sweepers and finally one glue. And so with that Politoed became the first Pokemon of the team.
The most abusable Pokemon currently in the metagame was Toxicroak, having next to no counters after a Swords Dance. I looked for the perfect partner for Toxicroak, someone who could switch-in to those Ground moves that he was susceptible to, someone who could handle those bulky water threats. Thats how Thundurus made his way onto the team.
You'd hear people bicker as to how unkillable Ferrothorn was under Rain, so you'd know you just had to use him. When looking for a partner, there was the obvious Jellicent. FerroCent is renowned in this metagame. However I had always fancied Tentacruel and they had close to the same great defensive structure of FerroCent.
The team was extremely weak to Sand teams, no-one being able to even switch into a Earthquake. Thats how Gliscor was added to the team. His great typing not only makes him one of the best Sand counters, but also gives him some great synergy with the already formidable core of FerroCruel.
Politoed (F) @ Leftovers → Choice Scarf
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef → 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk) → Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Scald → Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast → Hidden Power [Grass]
- Toxic → Ice Beam
- Encore → Perish Song
The all important Rain bringer. Politoed doesn't get the love it should, when compared to weather starters such as Ninetales and Abomasnow. Not only does he get some insanely powerful moves, but he also gets some decent support moves. He also has decent stats across the board, so Politoed isn't completely useless. I needed a set for Politoed that would patch stuff up. I noticed my glaring Sand as well as stat upper weakness and thus Politoed's set is what it is today. Scald increases Politoed's walling capabilities whilst also hitting hard under Rain. Focus Blast is there solely for Tyranitar, a clean 2HKO with Stealth Rock's on the standard specially defensive set (252 HP / 64 SAtk / 192 SDef). Toxic weakens sweepers and walls who try to set up/wall Politoed and Encore allows me to quickly switch to either sweeper and stop it before it's too late.
Tentacruel (F) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 4 SDef / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Protect
- Toxic Spikes
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
Tentacruel forms a vital core with Ferrothorn which seems near unbreakable under Rain. The shield it offers for Ferrothorn and healing for Tentacruel make this pairing a formidable foe. Tentacruel's place on this team was earned due to the need for a Rapid Spinner for Thundurus. Without it Thundurus' longevity and sweeping capabilities would be crippled, not being able to overcome the odd Blissey it usually is able to handle. Tentacruel is an all round support for the team. Not only does he help my team, but he also hinders the opponents by offering Toxic Spikes. This severely cripples the opponents wallling capabilities, thus making it a lot easier for a sweep. Protect is there so Tentacruel can come in and sponge an attack, Protect to heal off all the damage and then switch out if needed. Scald is his only move, but I don't see him really needing another one. Scald debilitates physical Pokemon, rendering them near useless.
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball → Thunder Wave
Ferrothorn is the second part of the formidable duo. Ferrothorn's typing makes him the perfect partner for Tentacruel and makes him a no brainer for a defensive core under Rain. Having only two weaknesses, one of which is neutered under Rain, Ferrothorn at time can seem impossible to kill. Ferrothorn offers the all important Stealth Rock's, handicapping Focus Sashes and most importantly Multiscale Dragonite. Leech Seed is Ferrothorn's only form of recovery aside from Leftover's, and is a great tool for pseudo-phazing. Power Whip annihlates bulky waters and does a surprising amount to Tyranitar. Gyro Ball is for Thundurus and basically all other Pokemon that come in a set up on Ferrothorn's not very effective Power Whip.
Toxicroak (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
- Sucker Punch
My first sweeper of the sweeping core. The amazing thing about Toxicroak is that it lacks a solid counter. The closest Pokemon to counter him are Jellicent, Tentacruel, Slowbro and Terrakion. Tentacruel can't touch Toxicroak, Jellicent can only Will-O-Wisp him, Slowbro is a pain with Psychic and Terrakion needs to be packing Earthquake or its in trouble. Either way, all the aforementioned threats to Toxicroak are handled by Thundurus. Toxicroak's set is similar to that of Swords Dance Lucario, in which Swords Dance boosts his attack to obscene levels in conjunction with Life Orb. The only thing that makes this set superior is Toxicroak's ability. Dry Skin not only offsets Toxicroak's recoil from Life Orb, it also heals him in the process. Cross Chop, whilst offering shaky accuracy still is his only reliable move, due to Drain Punch being illegal in conjunction with Swords Dance. Ice Punch handles those Gliscor's and Dragonite's whom consistently switch into Toxicroak. Sucker Punch rounds off the set, handling a lot of threats that are faster than Toxicroak, in particular speedy Psychic Pokemon.
Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Similar to Toxicroak, Thundurus' counter list is lackluster. Blissey, Quagsire, Gastrodon and Jirachi are Thundurus' only problems. Blissey can be overcome with brute force on occasions, Quagsire and Gastrodon are problems but can be 2HKOed at +2 with enough residual damage and Jirachi can sometimes be overome with luck on a paralysis or enough previous damage. Either way, almost all these threats are easily handled by Toxicroak, bar physcially defensive Quagsire whom succumbs to Toxic Spikes anyway. The standard Nasty Plot set that is due to be Uber soon. Nasty Plot boosts Thundurus' special attack to outrageous levels. Thunder is a reliable STAB move which is abusable under Rain, and offers a healthy 30% to paralyse, which comes in handy when trying to beat Blissey. Hidden Power Ice completes the formidable psuedo-BoltBeam and handles those Dragons that are pests. Focus Blast finally rounds the set off, now being able to handle the likes of Tyranitar and Excadrill.
Gliscor (F) @ Toxic Orb → Flight Gem
Trait: Poison Heal → Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spd → 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk) → Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Protect → Swords Dance
- Substitute
- Ice Fang → Acrobatics
- Earthquake
Gliscor is the final Pokemon which looks to patch the team up. Right now the most obvious problems are Volt Switch spam and Sand teams. With only one reliable Electric counter, Ferrothorn is going to have a tough time handling the constant Volt Switch/U-Turn combo. Gliscor looks to remedy that. Although a dangerous switch-in for Rotom-W, it has its merits and if predicted carefully can force some good switches. Protect with Substitute allows Poison Heal to do its job and heal Gliscor. It also allows Gliscor to scout the move set and switch-in for Gliscor. Substitute offers a secondary scouting ability and can really throw opponents off. Ice Fang and Earthquake offer great coverage together, and allow Gliscor to not be complete set up fodder.
Politoed (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Focus Blast
- Toxic
- Encore
Tentacruel (F) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 4 SDef / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Protect
- Toxic Spikes
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
Toxicroak (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
- Sucker Punch
Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Gliscor (F) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Protect
- Swords Dance
- Ice Fang
- Earthquake
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Focus Blast
- Toxic
- Encore
Tentacruel (F) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 4 SDef / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Protect
- Toxic Spikes
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
Toxicroak (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
- Sucker Punch
Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Thunder
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Gliscor (F) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Protect
- Swords Dance
- Ice Fang
- Earthquake