Finally, something stable! (OU RMT)

[Yilx]

Well some of you might have remembered my previous RMT. It revolved around Gardevoir's screens and allowed Azelf or Kingdra to sweep, but it proved itself too gimmicky in the long run. I've built quite a few of my teams around her already, but every time I play it for more than a few days it's problems really start to stand out and I find out that I can only switch Gardevoir into relatively weak special attacks or Flash Fire/Volt Absorb/Water Absorb/Motor Drive Pokemon and that team slot could have possibly be used for something better. Finally willing to let her go, I've come up with a team that is finally more consistent, but it still has a few problems that require tweaking.

Also, sorry if I'm posting too many as my UU RMT hasn't been bumped off the first page yet, although it has been more or less finished already.

Basically what I was aiming for was simply put, a balanced team.

(Changes are Underlined)

TEAM OVERVIEW:

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Serva (Jirachi) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 80 HP/252 Atk/176 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Punch
- Iron Head
- U-Turn
SPECIFIC ROLE: Stealth Rocks, Flinch-hax, Late-game Clean-up, Scout

Thanks to Haunterfan for this suggestion too. It's been performing it's role quite well. The only leads that I will switch out of (Or U-Turn, if I'm confident that I'm faster) are Heatran, Infernape or Metagross leads, but Jirachi more or less gets up the rocks as soon as possible and gives me lots of coverage. The main killer here is U-Turn that helps me to scout and knock some residual damage into any pokemon that does not resist bug-type moves and Fire Punch that knocks out Scizor or any Steel types that are foolish enough to stay in.

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Keep (Swampert) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 236 HP/216 Def/56 SAtk
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Protect
SPECIFIC ROLE: Sweep Buffer, Resistance Maniac

Suggested by Haunterfan, thanks alot! I require a pinch of prediction more in order to use this guy effectively but he's been really helpful in helping out my team's weaknesses so far. He provides me with some kind of a buffer zone in case the opponent outpredicts me or forces me into making a mistake and allows me to not get completely swept by a CBtar.

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Thannie (Scizor) (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 140 HP/252 Atk/100 Def/16 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
SPECIFIC ROLE: Choice Band Scizor!

It's CB Scizor. As usual, I need the added protection of a good, powerful priority move and a decent scout. CB Scizor definitely fufills that role. I gave it a more physically defensive EV spread because Scizor is also my main switch-in to Outrages, although I've been considering using Jirachi over Celebi for a while; I don't have a reliable move that could possibly be put in the third move slot though.

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Veckorial (Tyrnitar) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP/52 Atk/176 SAtk/28 Spd
Quiet nature (+Satk, -Spe)
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
SPECIFIC ROLE: Wallbreaker, BOAH


After trying this out, I've come to a conclusion that this guy alongside Rotom and Gyarados can really pack a huge punch. Ice Beam decimates Dragon and Ground-type switch-ins,altough I'm considering using HP Grass or Thunderbolt instead... I'm not sure, but Boah is the only guy on my team with an Ice-type attack so I wouldn't have much of a choice, anyway.

An excellent wallbreaker with key resistances to Psychic and Fire, he also acts as a Scizor and Infernape lure, which I would naturally bring out Rotom and Gyarados to counter.


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Rosestorm (Gyarados) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP/108 Atk/100 Def/144 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
SPECIFIC ROLE: Physical Sponge, Physical Sweeper

Will always be a mainstay in most of the standard teams that I build now. Many a time I've went 6-0 with this guy because of Taunt and how other simply think I'm running a set with more coverage. I believe this is the standard Bulkydos, running the set right off the analysis. I need this guy, although I might considering bringing back Tyranitar (or someone else as Starmie and Jolteon threaten him too) as Rotom really gives this guy a hell lot trouble sweeping.

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Cannon (Rotom-h) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/168 Def/88 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Thunderbolt
- Will-o-wisp
SPECIFIC ROLE: Status Absorber

I lose a special sweeper in favor of a status absorber. However, the very fact that it's Rotom-H means I can switch him into opposing Scizor and chase them away as they fear an Overheat while they have no idea that I'm running a Resttalk version!


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[haunter]

I would give Celebi grass knot over perish song, so after you've tricked your scarf and setted up SR, you can use it as a Swampert and bulky waters counter.
As you've already realized, you are quite weak to TTar, with nothing that can switch safely into it, Zapdos could be replaced with Swampert to provide an useful resistance to rock, an immunity to electric attacks and a perfect TTar counter as well.

 

[Yilx]

I would give Celebi grass knot over perish song, so after you've tricked your scarf and setted up SR, you can use it as a Swampert and bulky waters counter.
As you've already realized, you are quite weak to TTar, with nothing that can switch safely into it, Zapdos could be replaced with Swampert to provide an useful resistance to rock, an immunity to electric attacks and a perfect TTar counter as well.

Not much would be able to take grass attacks as well if I did; I don't want to recall the number of times that I got destroyed by a Scarf Shaymin Seed Flare. Also, I'd lose my Gyarados counter if I took Zapdos away, which would be a problem.

I'll try using Grass Knot over Perish Song on Celebi and see how it turns out. It dosen't sound like an appealing idea as I like to use my lead to hamper the progress of more than one pokemon, but right now it seems that that's the most viable option. Thanks alot for the help!

Does Jirachi sound like a good idea over Celebi for a lead, by the way?

 

[haunter]

Shaymin is actually non existent in OU, and I wouldn't be so scared of opposing Gyarados, Celebi is a fine counter for offensive variants and you can paly around it with your own Gyarados and Kingdra too.

Also note that scarf Zapdos isn't really a Gyarados counter, it can at best revenge kill it, and having no recovery means that it will not last long with SR on the field.

Jirachi is one of the best leads at the moment, so yes, give it a try if you really want to replace Celebi.

 

[Yilx]

Alright, I've been trying out Grass Knot for a while and it's indeed helping me against opposing Gyarados alot. The only thing now is Thunderbolt/HP Grass and Boltbeam users; there's not much that I could possibly do against them because of the amount of coverage they have. The most I can do is to switch Kingdra in and hope for the best...

Also, about Mismagius. I'm not sure if I should use HP Fighting or HP Fire for her. If I use HP Fire, I get to kill Steels before they set up or possibly do anything bad against me and grassers, but if I opt to use HP Fighting instead I gain coverage over the Dark types that like to switch into Mismagius too and more importantly Heatran. However, I would not be able to get through Steel-types, especially Forry and Scizor as easily if I used HP Fighting, although I can still hit them for neutral damage. I need some help on this.

 

[Yilx]

Another reported problem on the threat list is Breloom. The team's grass-type weak shows itself some more... I'm not sure where I could go with this, I could replace Kingdra with Salamence but I need Kingdra's resistances...

 

[haunter]

Another reported problem on the threat list is Breloom. The team's grass-type weak shows itself some more... I'm not sure where I could go with this, I could replace Kingdra with Salamence but I need Kingdra's resistances...

You have problems with Breloom because you lack a sleep absorber, Gyarados is a fine stone edge-less Breloom check after sleep clause is in effect.
If you want to be covered against sleep, then you need a sleep absorber, sleep talk rotom is a fine choice in my opinion:

Rotom-h@leftovers
nature: bold
EVs: 252 hp\ 168 def\ 88 spe
-rest
-sleep talk
-thunderbolt
-shadow ball\ WoW

that could replace Mismagius which, in my opinion isn't a great choice in OU.

However, if you really want to keep Mismagius, hp fighting offers the best coverage along shadow ball, though after a calm mind, with hp fighting you will only 3hko Forretress and you'll have a small chance at 2hkoing the standard Scizor.

The only thing now is Thunderbolt/HP Grass and Boltbeam users; there's not much that I could possibly do against them because of the amount of coverage they have. The most I can do is to switch Kingdra in and hope for the best...

Yes, you may have some problems with Zapdos if it has hp grass, you could replace Kingdra with an appropriate counter (Tyranitar?), though Rotom would help stalling it out of PP. Obviously Tyranitar would help also with your stated bolt-beam weakness, since with its massive special defence it can comfortably take even stab thunderbolts\ice beams. That's just a suggesstion, obviously.

Oh, and don't double post, edit your previous post next time.

 

[Yilx]

You have problems with Breloom because you lack a sleep absorber, Gyarados is a fine stone edge-less Breloom check after sleep clause is in effect.
If you want to be covered against sleep, then you need a sleep absorber, sleep talk rotom is a fine choice in my opinion:

Rotom-h@leftovers
nature: bold
EVs: 252 hp\ 168 def\ 88 spe
-rest
-sleep talk
-thunderbolt
-shadow ball\ WoW

that could replace Mismagius which, in my opinion isn't a great choice in OU.

However, if you really want to keep Mismagius, hp fighting offers the best coverage along shadow ball, though after a calm mind, with hp fighting you will only 3hko Forretress and you'll have a small chance at 2hkoing the standard Scizor.

Yes, you may have some problems with Zapdos if it has hp grass, you could replace Kingdra with an appropriate counter (Tyranitar?), though Rotom would help stalling it out of PP. Obviously Tyranitar would help also with your stated bolt-beam weakness, since with its massive special defence it can comfortably take even stab thunderbolts\ice beams. That's just a suggesstion, obviously.

Oh, and don't double post, edit your previous post next time.

Alright, sorry.

I've tried Jirachi in my lead spot for a while and it's doing okay, but nothing really that benefical over Celebi. I've yet to come to a conclusion as both of them have been faring equally well, other than the fact that Jirachi takes U-Turns better. I'll post again when I find out more.

Yeah, I'd really want to keep Mismagius, although if there isn't really a choice I'll replace her with Rotom-h. I'll still try it out, regardless. I also gave Tyranitar a try already, but over Swampert. I'll try the Boah over Kingdra (boah gives me more coverage) and see how it turns out, thanks.

 

[Yilx]

Updated team with some changes. Replaced lead Jirachi with a LO Shaymin and Kingdra with Tyranitar. It's been doing quite okay so far. Thanks Haunterfan for all the help!

 

[haunter]

I believe that sooner or later you'll miss your Jirachi lead...

However, good luck with your team.

 

[Yilx]

I believe that sooner or later you'll miss your Jirachi lead...

However, good luck with your team.

The problem with the Jirachi lead is that it wouldn't be able to do much once it has Tricked it's scarf away and got Rocks up. Iron Head at that (somewhat) low speed wouldn't be flinching much and U-Turn becomes not very useful late game.

Would you have any suggestions over what to use for Jirachi to enable it to have some utility late-game?

 

[haunter]

The problem with the Jirachi lead is that it wouldn't be able to do much once it has Tricked it's scarf away and got Rocks up. Iron Head at that (somewhat) low speed wouldn't be flinching much and U-Turn becomes not very useful late game.

Would you have any suggestions over what to use for Jirachi to enable it to have some utility late-game?

Well, with 100 base speed Jirachi isn't really slow... Just give it a jolly nature and at least 176 speed EVs to outspeed positive base 90.
You don't necessarily need to use it as a trick-scarfer, try using it with this set:

jirachi@leftovers
nature: jolly
EVs: 80 hp\ 252 atk\ 176 spe
-stealth rock
-iron head
-u-turn
-fire punch

You'll usually lay down your rocks, then u-turn out. This thing is extremely useful late game with iron head's high flinch rate and with fire punch, which helps in revenge killing both Lucario and Scizor. Not to mention that u-turn is great for countering Celebi, which often carries leech seed.
Give it a try.

 

[Yilx]

Well, with 100 base speed Jirachi isn't really slow... Just give it a jolly nature and at least 176 speed EVs to outspeed positive base 90.
You don't necessarily need to use it as a trick-scarfer, try using it with this set:

jirachi@leftovers
nature: jolly
EVs: 80 hp\ 252 atk\ 176 spe
-stealth rock
-iron head
-u-turn
-fire punch

You'll usually lay down your rocks, then u-turn out. This thing is extremely useful late game with iron head's high flinch rate and with fire punch, which helps in revenge killing both Lucario and Scizor. Not to mention that u-turn is great for countering Celebi, which often carries leech seed.
Give it a try.

Alright, I'll give this guy a try over Shaymin. Thanks again!

UPDATE: Although I really miss killing opposing Hippowdon and Salamence leads, I think Jirachi does it job much better. Thanks again for the help!

What I still need help on:

Deciding a move for Tyranitar's fourth slot (Thunderbolt/Flamethrower/Ice Beam/HP Grass)
Zapdos after Tyranitar goes down
HP Grass Magnezone
CM Raikou with HP Grass

 

[Yilx]

24h bump

 

[haunter]

What I still need help on:

Deciding a move for Tyranitar's fourth slot (Thunderbolt/Flamethrower/Ice Beam/HP Grass)
Zapdos after Tyranitar goes down
HP Grass Magnezone
CM Raikou with HP Grass

Raikou is almost non existant in OU, I wouldn't be scared of it.
Zapdos is really problematic only if it packs hp grass, otherwise Swampert is a fine check for it, and even with hp grass, you can outstall it with your sleep talk Rotom.
I would keep ice beam on TTar, for the said Zapdos and to hit hard Hippowdon. Dark pulse may be replaced by crunch if you reallly need an extra insurance against Raikou and other calm minders (as the rare CM Celebi for example).
Hp grass Magnezone may be problematic only if it has substitute, otherwise you can play around it with Rotom and TTar (which can take comfortably even a super effective hp grass with its massive sp.def and leftovers).

 

[Yilx]

Raikou is almost non existant in OU, I wouldn't be scared of it.
Zapdos is really problematic only if it packs hp grass, otherwise Swampert is a fine check for it, and even with hp grass, you can outstall it with your sleep talk Rotom.
I would keep ice beam on TTar, for the said Zapdos and to hit hard Hippowdon. Dark pulse may be replaced by crunch if you reallly need an extra insurance against Raikou and other calm minders (as the rare CM Celebi for example).
Hp grass Magnezone may be problematic only if it has substitute, otherwise you can play around it with Rotom and TTar (which can take comfortably even a super effective hp grass with its massive sp.def and leftovers).

Ooh, that'd be a good idea. I'll give that a try as most of the things that find out that I'm running a Boah set start to Calm mind up.

Right now I'm trying Shaymin in his spot (yes, I've been quite obsessed with Seed Flare's power lately), and he seems to be doing equally well. Surprisingly, not much can risk the Sdef drop coming off 180 BP from 328 LO SAtk. Even Gyara is 2HKOed by it (Although I might have been facing an offensive version that time) and it's incredibly durable with Rest, although I just have to find the correct moment to use it.

 

[Yilx]

bump 24h

Stuck to Tyranitar, gave me more coverage and resistances. Opposing Swampert are easily neutered by Rotom.