Hey folks, this is a team I crafted back when I was trying to build successful monotypes (with no wildcards.) Out of the seventeen types, this was my most viable team, utilizing my favorite type, Dark. Hope you enjoy!
A short teambuilding process:
Thanks for reading folks! Any help would be much appreciated, but please don't recommend a wildcard. When I play monotype, I mean MONOtype.
Thanks again!
-saxton
A short teambuilding process:
When creating my Dark monotype, I considered the dominant force of today's OU meta: Weather. This brought to mind a single candidate, who is not only a great Pokémon, but is arguably the best Dark type OU has to offer. Obviously, I'm speaking of Tyranitar. Tyranitar is a powerful force on my team, and I recalled my success with his Dragon Dance set back in early BW, so I used it as his starting point. TTar is also quite a sturdy special tank, surviving pretty much everything that isn't Focus Blast usually.
While my mind was on TTar's special defense, I quickly remembered a criminally underrated physical wall from one of my RU teams. After a bit of playtesting, I discovered that Mandibuzz would be a perfect fit for this team. With fantastic defenses and a solid typing, 'Buzz absorbs pretty much every attack, either Taunting and Roosting off the damage or maintaining momentum with U-turn. Even with very bad offensive stats, Mandibuzz is a key pivot on this team. Plus, with Overcoat, he's immune to Sandstorm!
Next, I focused on beefing up my team's offensive prowess. From my Monotype experience, I knew that this team needed to be about offense, and a good defensive pivot or two would be enough. From a different Sandstorm team, I remember using Bisharp due to his obnoxiously powerful Sucker Punch and ability to set SR up. He quickly earned his spot over the potential Zoroark, often sweeping through unprepared teams by himself.
Without a doubt, Scrafty is one of my all-time favorite Pokémon. His ability to run a powerful DD set was very attractive to me when I first used him, and he quickly proved to be an asset to the team. I often lead off with Scrafty before even beginning the Storm phase of the match, but that changes according to my opponent. He usually takes a good chunk out of the opposing team, and only gets rolling faster thanks to Moxie. He can also take a hit thanks to natural defenses and a solid typing.
I personally strongly dislike how saturated OU is with legendaries. I know they're good and all, but I've always felt it unfair ever since I was little, and that isn't changing. However, if the meta is going to continue that way, I'm going to compensate a little. So, with one pseudo already headlining the team, why not add another? :) Hydreigon is a very powerful special attacker, and is in fact the only special attacker on the team (an admitted flaw.) With access to great coverage and powerful moves, he seemed a natural fit for the team. He can destroy Dragons with his monstrous Draco Meteor, or fry their Steel partner on the switch in.
Finally, I realized that my team was slightly lacking in the immediate speed department, so Krookodile was an easy pick thanks to his solid Attack and access to Intimidate. Often forcing switches, he then nabs a boosted Pursuit on the switch out. He's saved me from certain doom more than once, thanks to his adeptness at revenge killing.
While my mind was on TTar's special defense, I quickly remembered a criminally underrated physical wall from one of my RU teams. After a bit of playtesting, I discovered that Mandibuzz would be a perfect fit for this team. With fantastic defenses and a solid typing, 'Buzz absorbs pretty much every attack, either Taunting and Roosting off the damage or maintaining momentum with U-turn. Even with very bad offensive stats, Mandibuzz is a key pivot on this team. Plus, with Overcoat, he's immune to Sandstorm!
Next, I focused on beefing up my team's offensive prowess. From my Monotype experience, I knew that this team needed to be about offense, and a good defensive pivot or two would be enough. From a different Sandstorm team, I remember using Bisharp due to his obnoxiously powerful Sucker Punch and ability to set SR up. He quickly earned his spot over the potential Zoroark, often sweeping through unprepared teams by himself.
Without a doubt, Scrafty is one of my all-time favorite Pokémon. His ability to run a powerful DD set was very attractive to me when I first used him, and he quickly proved to be an asset to the team. I often lead off with Scrafty before even beginning the Storm phase of the match, but that changes according to my opponent. He usually takes a good chunk out of the opposing team, and only gets rolling faster thanks to Moxie. He can also take a hit thanks to natural defenses and a solid typing.
I personally strongly dislike how saturated OU is with legendaries. I know they're good and all, but I've always felt it unfair ever since I was little, and that isn't changing. However, if the meta is going to continue that way, I'm going to compensate a little. So, with one pseudo already headlining the team, why not add another? :) Hydreigon is a very powerful special attacker, and is in fact the only special attacker on the team (an admitted flaw.) With access to great coverage and powerful moves, he seemed a natural fit for the team. He can destroy Dragons with his monstrous Draco Meteor, or fry their Steel partner on the switch in.
Finally, I realized that my team was slightly lacking in the immediate speed department, so Krookodile was an easy pick thanks to his solid Attack and access to Intimidate. Often forcing switches, he then nabs a boosted Pursuit on the switch out. He's saved me from certain doom more than once, thanks to his adeptness at revenge killing.
First Glance
"Ganondorf"
Tyranitar @ Life Orb
EVs: 252 HP | 16 Atk | 160 Def | 76 SpDef | 4 Spe
NATURE: Impish (+Def,-SpA)
TRAIT: Sand Stream
MOVESET: Dragon Dance | Stone Edge | Crunch | Superpower
This is the member I want a new set for, maybe a CB set or a support set with SR to free up a moveslot for Bisharp. However, it is effective nonetheless. Tyranitar's STABs and Superpower provide fantastic coverage, and can destroy most teams after setup. However, setup with TTar is difficult, so any changes here are welcome.
"Darkseid"
Mandibuzz @ Leftovers
EVs: 248 HP | 252 Def | 8 SpDef
NATURE: Careful (+SpDef,-SpA)
TRAIT: Overcoat
MOVESET: Taunt | U-turn | Brave Bird | Roost
Arguably the key to this team's success. Takes any hit like a champ and then Roosts right back to full health. Key to preserving team momentum.
"Darknut"
Bisharp @ Focus Sash
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spe
NATURE: Jolly (+Spe,-SpA)
TRAIT: Defiant
MOVESET: Iron Head | Swords Dance | Sucker Punch | Stealth Rock
Boy, does this thing hit HARD! He requires a bit of prediction, but the Sash allows for that, as well as an SR setup or Swords Dance. Simple. He has bad type coverage, but makes up for it with fantastic power.
"Tyrone"
Scrafty @ Lum Berry
EVs: 200 HP | 28 Def | 28 SpDef | 252 Spe
NATURE: Jolly (+Spe,-SpA)
TRAIT: Moxie
MOVESET: Dragon Dance | Ice Punch | Crunch | Drain Punch
Self-explanatory DD set. Pretty much unresisted STABs (excepting the rare Toxicroak and the deadly Heracross) and Ice Punch makes Scrafty a major threat once set up. Given EVs maintain bulk while maximizing Speed.
"Mephisto"
Hydreigon @ Choice Specs
EVs: 64 HP | 252 SpA | 192 Spe
NATURE: Modest (+SpA,-Atk)
TRAIT: Levitate
MOVESET: Draco Meteor | Fire Blast | Focus Blast | U-turn
This is a pretty standard wallbreaking set for Hydreigon. Between STAB Meteor and Fire Blast, he can 2HKO even the bulkiest threats of the meta.
HP EVs to enhance Hydreigon's decent bulk, and the rest towards a chance to outspeed.
"Coltrane"
Krookodile @ Choice Scarf
EVs: 252 Atk | 4 SpD | 252 Spe
NATURE: Adamant (+Atk,-SpA)
TRAIT: Intimidate
MOVESET: Pursuit | Stone Edge | Superpower | Earthquake
What Dark team is complete without a Pursuit user? Krook fits the bill, serving as a somewhat bulky revenge killer thanks to good Attack and blazing Speed. His moves provide solid type coverage, and enable him to smash Volcarona (a huge threat to this team.)
"Ganondorf"
Tyranitar @ Life Orb
EVs: 252 HP | 16 Atk | 160 Def | 76 SpDef | 4 Spe
NATURE: Impish (+Def,-SpA)
TRAIT: Sand Stream
MOVESET: Dragon Dance | Stone Edge | Crunch | Superpower
This is the member I want a new set for, maybe a CB set or a support set with SR to free up a moveslot for Bisharp. However, it is effective nonetheless. Tyranitar's STABs and Superpower provide fantastic coverage, and can destroy most teams after setup. However, setup with TTar is difficult, so any changes here are welcome.
"Darkseid"
Mandibuzz @ Leftovers
EVs: 248 HP | 252 Def | 8 SpDef
NATURE: Careful (+SpDef,-SpA)
TRAIT: Overcoat
MOVESET: Taunt | U-turn | Brave Bird | Roost
Arguably the key to this team's success. Takes any hit like a champ and then Roosts right back to full health. Key to preserving team momentum.
"Darknut"
Bisharp @ Focus Sash
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spe
NATURE: Jolly (+Spe,-SpA)
TRAIT: Defiant
MOVESET: Iron Head | Swords Dance | Sucker Punch | Stealth Rock
Boy, does this thing hit HARD! He requires a bit of prediction, but the Sash allows for that, as well as an SR setup or Swords Dance. Simple. He has bad type coverage, but makes up for it with fantastic power.
"Tyrone"
Scrafty @ Lum Berry
EVs: 200 HP | 28 Def | 28 SpDef | 252 Spe
NATURE: Jolly (+Spe,-SpA)
TRAIT: Moxie
MOVESET: Dragon Dance | Ice Punch | Crunch | Drain Punch
Self-explanatory DD set. Pretty much unresisted STABs (excepting the rare Toxicroak and the deadly Heracross) and Ice Punch makes Scrafty a major threat once set up. Given EVs maintain bulk while maximizing Speed.
"Mephisto"
Hydreigon @ Choice Specs
EVs: 64 HP | 252 SpA | 192 Spe
NATURE: Modest (+SpA,-Atk)
TRAIT: Levitate
MOVESET: Draco Meteor | Fire Blast | Focus Blast | U-turn
This is a pretty standard wallbreaking set for Hydreigon. Between STAB Meteor and Fire Blast, he can 2HKO even the bulkiest threats of the meta.
HP EVs to enhance Hydreigon's decent bulk, and the rest towards a chance to outspeed.
"Coltrane"
Krookodile @ Choice Scarf
EVs: 252 Atk | 4 SpD | 252 Spe
NATURE: Adamant (+Atk,-SpA)
TRAIT: Intimidate
MOVESET: Pursuit | Stone Edge | Superpower | Earthquake
What Dark team is complete without a Pursuit user? Krook fits the bill, serving as a somewhat bulky revenge killer thanks to good Attack and blazing Speed. His moves provide solid type coverage, and enable him to smash Volcarona (a huge threat to this team.)
Thanks for reading folks! Any help would be much appreciated, but please don't recommend a wildcard. When I play monotype, I mean MONOtype.
Thanks again!
-saxton
Parting Glance
