I have been playing Pokemon WiFi battles for maybe a week now, but I still don’t have a proper team. I tend to just throw in random Pokes and hope for the best. I don’t have any developed synergy or real focus to my teams. As a result, I lose a lot. I know I'm not making any terrible misplays (I did, however, once try to Fake Out a Chandelure the first turn of a battle but c'mon, who hasn't?), and I actually make a lot of really good predictions, so I think (hope) that when I sit down and try to make an actual TEAM, I might win a few games. So I decided to do a little research and came up with this as a first draft.
Here's How I Put My Team Together
I started with the D-Nite. He has the bulk I want and the ability to sweep with the right setup.
Jirachi resists a lot of Dragonite's weaknesses, and Dragonite resists Jirachi's, making them a great team. Jirachi's ability to wall of Special damage like it was nothing make it a go-to switch in for Latios/Latias, as well as a plethora of other threats.
Now to cover Jirachi's weaknesses (Ground/Fire), I needed someone who could take a hit and still hit back. Rotom-W seemed like a good option for both reasons, and his Choice Scarf means he can out speed many threats and exploit their weaknesses with his amazing coverage and attacking power.
I started with the intent to have Heatran for a late game sweeper. That probably wouldn't have worked out so well because of the prominence of EQ and Excadrill in OU. After that, I decided to use Heatran a little more bulky, which is a great idea (and I still might use him bulkier with Hidden Power Grass and have Tyranitar as a lead), but I ended up using him as a lead who can take hits, maim any physical attacker, and crush anything that doesn't resist Fire with his STAB Fire Blast.
Gengar's immunity to Ground and Fighting-type attacks are a huge selling point for me. He also can break mono-attackers with his SubDisable combo. He is very liable to be swapped for a different Pokemon if he doesn't actually play as I have planned. His monstrous Special Attack and good speed make him a very good special attacker, while his deep move pool make his set very changeable depending on which Pokemon are most threatening to the rest of my team.
Porygon2 was an amazing wall. I had a lot of success with him. His typing means that any Fighting-type that thinks they can hit him with a Drain Punch or two will be punching air. Ghost-type, Gengar-shaped air.
Instead of Porygon2, I decided to go with Gliscor to cover some very noticeable holes. Excadrill and Haxorus are a problem for a lot of my team and Gliscor makes an excellent attacking Wall. His additional move to my team, Taunt, means that opposing Pokemon won't able to set up as well (or at all) while Gliscor is around.
And now, here is my team in detail:
Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Nature: Timid
Heatran lead set, capable of maiming physical attackers and Focus Sash users. Bulky enough to set up Stealth Rocks without taking too much damage, while still being able to wreck anything that doesn't resist it's STAB Fire Blast. It can maim physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp and Dragon Pulse any Dragon-type (or type that resists Fire).
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd
Nature: Careful
Jirachi functions as a great Special Wall. He is a great Wish Supporter and can paralyze with his Body Slam. His ability to take hits for Dragonite is unmatched and can take on a lot of Pokemon that threaten Dragonite and Gliscor. Iron Head and Body Slam are obvious annoyer moves, while Wish makes sure everyone stays healthy. Ice punch is for Dragon-types such as Latios/Latias, and to get some damage on Gliscor.
Dragonite @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 212 Spe
Nature: Adamant
This is a slightly more bulky set than I'm used to running with Dragonite, but is actually very useful and can really take advantage Dragon Dance. What makes Dragonite even better is his Multiscale ability, which makes him doubly bulky when he has full health (enter: Roost). Fire Punch is for Steel-types and Dragon Claw is for everything else.
Rotom-W @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Speed
Nature: Timid
Thanks I decided to run a scarfed Rotom-W because speed was a problem on my team. Volt Switch is useful for STAB scouting, while Hydro Pump is a ridiculous STAB water move. Hidden Power Grass is for Water/Ground types, such as Gastrodon and Swampert. Trick can really cripple a wall or attacker that requires setting up.
Rotom-W solves a lot of Jirachi's problems, most notably Ground-type attacks and a resistance to Fire. Rotom-W and Gengar can switch in with careful Ground-type predictions.
Gengar @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid
I've tried a lot of Gengar sets from Choice Scarf Icy Wind Lead to Choice Specs to Life Orb. There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to the original Ghost of Pokemon. His deep move-pool, great SpA and Speed make him a great (and very unpredictable) late game sweeper. I haven't used this set as much, but the Substitute/Disable combo seem like they would great together. It can stop mono-attackers dead in their tracks, and can really stick it to a Conkeldurr that doesn't run Stone Edge. Also, the Ghost/Fighting attacking combo works wonders, especially with the high usage level of Steel and Psychic-types.
This set is kind of iffy. Perhaps another set (or Pokemon) would be more suitable?
Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Speed
Nature: Impish
Excadrill and Haxorus would tear through my team if it weren't for Gliscor. Since one of there main moves is Earthquake, there isn't much they can do to my Gliscor. Most of their other attacks wouldn't be effective against Gliscor either. Taunt prevents anyone from setting up, while Swords Dance is to set up myself. Earthquake is for anything on the ground, while Ice Fang is for anything in the air.
And there you have it...
I don't really care what happens to the team. I don't mind if someone decides to remove half the team as long as it makes sense. This isn't really so much of a "Rate My Team" as it is a "Help Me Build My Team So I Stop Getting Crushed", so if someone could help with the threat list, that would be awesome!
As a final note, do you think my Lead is suitable? Also, should I consider having a Rapid Spinner?
Any help is greatly appreciated! Once again, another Lead option? Maybe Tyranitar? And is having a Rapid Spinner in place of someone else viable? Other than that, just tell me what's wrong!
EDITS IN ITALICS
First Look
Here's How I Put My Team Together
I started with the D-Nite. He has the bulk I want and the ability to sweep with the right setup.
Jirachi resists a lot of Dragonite's weaknesses, and Dragonite resists Jirachi's, making them a great team. Jirachi's ability to wall of Special damage like it was nothing make it a go-to switch in for Latios/Latias, as well as a plethora of other threats.
Now to cover Jirachi's weaknesses (Ground/Fire), I needed someone who could take a hit and still hit back. Rotom-W seemed like a good option for both reasons, and his Choice Scarf means he can out speed many threats and exploit their weaknesses with his amazing coverage and attacking power.
I started with the intent to have Heatran for a late game sweeper. That probably wouldn't have worked out so well because of the prominence of EQ and Excadrill in OU. After that, I decided to use Heatran a little more bulky, which is a great idea (and I still might use him bulkier with Hidden Power Grass and have Tyranitar as a lead), but I ended up using him as a lead who can take hits, maim any physical attacker, and crush anything that doesn't resist Fire with his STAB Fire Blast.
Gengar's immunity to Ground and Fighting-type attacks are a huge selling point for me. He also can break mono-attackers with his SubDisable combo. He is very liable to be swapped for a different Pokemon if he doesn't actually play as I have planned. His monstrous Special Attack and good speed make him a very good special attacker, while his deep move pool make his set very changeable depending on which Pokemon are most threatening to the rest of my team.
Porygon2 was an amazing wall. I had a lot of success with him. His typing means that any Fighting-type that thinks they can hit him with a Drain Punch or two will be punching air. Ghost-type, Gengar-shaped air.
Instead of Porygon2, I decided to go with Gliscor to cover some very noticeable holes. Excadrill and Haxorus are a problem for a lot of my team and Gliscor makes an excellent attacking Wall. His additional move to my team, Taunt, means that opposing Pokemon won't able to set up as well (or at all) while Gliscor is around.
And now, here is my team in detail:
Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Nature: Timid
- Fire Blast
- Will-O-Wisp
- Dragon Pulse
- Stealth Rock
Heatran lead set, capable of maiming physical attackers and Focus Sash users. Bulky enough to set up Stealth Rocks without taking too much damage, while still being able to wreck anything that doesn't resist it's STAB Fire Blast. It can maim physical attackers with Will-O-Wisp and Dragon Pulse any Dragon-type (or type that resists Fire).
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd
Nature: Careful
- Iron Head
- Body Slam
- Wish
- Ice Punch
Jirachi functions as a great Special Wall. He is a great Wish Supporter and can paralyze with his Body Slam. His ability to take hits for Dragonite is unmatched and can take on a lot of Pokemon that threaten Dragonite and Gliscor. Iron Head and Body Slam are obvious annoyer moves, while Wish makes sure everyone stays healthy. Ice punch is for Dragon-types such as Latios/Latias, and to get some damage on Gliscor.
Dragonite @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 212 Spe
Nature: Adamant
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
- Roost
This is a slightly more bulky set than I'm used to running with Dragonite, but is actually very useful and can really take advantage Dragon Dance. What makes Dragonite even better is his Multiscale ability, which makes him doubly bulky when he has full health (enter: Roost). Fire Punch is for Steel-types and Dragon Claw is for everything else.
Rotom-W @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Speed
Nature: Timid
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power Grass
- Trick
Thanks I decided to run a scarfed Rotom-W because speed was a problem on my team. Volt Switch is useful for STAB scouting, while Hydro Pump is a ridiculous STAB water move. Hidden Power Grass is for Water/Ground types, such as Gastrodon and Swampert. Trick can really cripple a wall or attacker that requires setting up.
Rotom-W solves a lot of Jirachi's problems, most notably Ground-type attacks and a resistance to Fire. Rotom-W and Gengar can switch in with careful Ground-type predictions.
Gengar @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid
- Substitute
- Disable
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
I've tried a lot of Gengar sets from Choice Scarf Icy Wind Lead to Choice Specs to Life Orb. There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to the original Ghost of Pokemon. His deep move-pool, great SpA and Speed make him a great (and very unpredictable) late game sweeper. I haven't used this set as much, but the Substitute/Disable combo seem like they would great together. It can stop mono-attackers dead in their tracks, and can really stick it to a Conkeldurr that doesn't run Stone Edge. Also, the Ghost/Fighting attacking combo works wonders, especially with the high usage level of Steel and Psychic-types.
This set is kind of iffy. Perhaps another set (or Pokemon) would be more suitable?
Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Speed
Nature: Impish
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Taunt
- Ice Fang
Excadrill and Haxorus would tear through my team if it weren't for Gliscor. Since one of there main moves is Earthquake, there isn't much they can do to my Gliscor. Most of their other attacks wouldn't be effective against Gliscor either. Taunt prevents anyone from setting up, while Swords Dance is to set up myself. Earthquake is for anything on the ground, while Ice Fang is for anything in the air.
And there you have it...
I don't really care what happens to the team. I don't mind if someone decides to remove half the team as long as it makes sense. This isn't really so much of a "Rate My Team" as it is a "Help Me Build My Team So I Stop Getting Crushed", so if someone could help with the threat list, that would be awesome!
As a final note, do you think my Lead is suitable? Also, should I consider having a Rapid Spinner?
Offensive Threat List
Aerodactyl - Rotom-W
Breloom - Depends if it's Scarfed or not. If it is, switch in someone who I don't need to take a Spore. If not, Heatran or Dragonite.
Conkeldurr - Gengar. Just disable Stone Edge.
Darmanitan - Rotom-W or Dragonite.
Deoxys-S - Probably Jirachi, but I've never seen one before.
Dragonite - Gliscor. My Dragonite can also beat another Dragon-type if it is already set up.
Empoleon - Most of my team can take this thing out.
Espeon - Gengar probably. Never seen it.
Excadrill - Gliscor or Dragonite.
Gengar - He can't do much to Jirachi, who can get a paralysis on him for my Gengar to revenge kill later.
Gyarados - Rotom-W.
Haxorus - If he is Scarfed or Banded, switch into Heatran or someone to draw out the Earthquake, and then switch into Dragonite or someone immune to Ground-type attacks to setup. Gliscor.
Heatran - Rotom-W and Gengar can do a lot of damage
Heracross - Never seen one, don't know anything about it.
Hydreigon - Hit it with a Fighting attack or Heatran can Dragon Pulse/Hidden Power Ice it.
Infernape - Rotom-W and Heatran can make short work of Infernape.
Jirachi - Any Fire-type attacks. Heatran has Fire Blast and Earth Power.
Jolteon - Heatran's Earth Power.
Kingdra - Rotom-W
Kyurem - I don't know anything about this thing.
Landorus - Rotom-W
Latios - Jirachi
Lilligant - Never seen it. Fire-type attacks?
Lucario - Fire-type attacks. It's important to out-speed, so Gengar can Focus Blast it.
Machamp - Gengar can disable his DynamicPunch
Magnezone - Don't put a steel type in... Unless it's Heatran.
Mamoswine - Fire-type attacks
Metagross - Fire-type attacks, but also Earth Power is good
Mienshao - Gengar
Reuniclus - Gengar
Roserade - Fire-type attacks
Salamence - Pretty much the same deal as Dragonite, no?
Sawsbuck - Never seen this thing before.
Scizor - Grrr... Gliscor and Dragonite do a pretty good job.
Scrafty - Fighting type attacks. Don't let it bulk up.
Shaymin - Fire-type attacks. Dragonite is a good option.
Sigilyph - Is this that Psychic-bird looking thing?
Smeargle - Outspeed it and any STAB attack should kill it.
Starmie - Rotom-W. Gengar if it's going to rapid spin.
Terrakion - Fighting attacks work well. But so do Water and Ground.
Thundurus - Ice-type attacks work well. Jirachi could possibly wall it and get the Paralysis.
Tornadus - Ice-type attacks. Electric-type attacks.
Tyranitar - Gengar works pretty well here.
Venusaur - Anything fiery works, and so do Ice attacks. Watch out for Drought.
Victini - Rotom-W and Gengar work well.
Virizion - Fire-type attacks work well. Dragonite can switch in a lot.
Volcarona - Stealth Rock crushes this thing. If not, Rotom-W.
Weavile - Fighting type attacks, right? Never seen this guy before, wouldn't know.
Zoroark - Fighting-type attacks, but I'm pretty sure Porygon2 can handle himself here.
Breloom - Depends if it's Scarfed or not. If it is, switch in someone who I don't need to take a Spore. If not, Heatran or Dragonite.
Conkeldurr - Gengar. Just disable Stone Edge.
Darmanitan - Rotom-W or Dragonite.
Deoxys-S - Probably Jirachi, but I've never seen one before.
Dragonite - Gliscor. My Dragonite can also beat another Dragon-type if it is already set up.
Empoleon - Most of my team can take this thing out.
Espeon - Gengar probably. Never seen it.
Excadrill - Gliscor or Dragonite.
Gengar - He can't do much to Jirachi, who can get a paralysis on him for my Gengar to revenge kill later.
Gyarados - Rotom-W.
Haxorus - If he is Scarfed or Banded, switch into Heatran or someone to draw out the Earthquake, and then switch into Dragonite or someone immune to Ground-type attacks to setup. Gliscor.
Heatran - Rotom-W and Gengar can do a lot of damage
Heracross - Never seen one, don't know anything about it.
Hydreigon - Hit it with a Fighting attack or Heatran can Dragon Pulse/Hidden Power Ice it.
Infernape - Rotom-W and Heatran can make short work of Infernape.
Jirachi - Any Fire-type attacks. Heatran has Fire Blast and Earth Power.
Jolteon - Heatran's Earth Power.
Kingdra - Rotom-W
Kyurem - I don't know anything about this thing.
Landorus - Rotom-W
Latios - Jirachi
Lilligant - Never seen it. Fire-type attacks?
Lucario - Fire-type attacks. It's important to out-speed, so Gengar can Focus Blast it.
Machamp - Gengar can disable his DynamicPunch
Magnezone - Don't put a steel type in... Unless it's Heatran.
Mamoswine - Fire-type attacks
Metagross - Fire-type attacks, but also Earth Power is good
Mienshao - Gengar
Reuniclus - Gengar
Roserade - Fire-type attacks
Salamence - Pretty much the same deal as Dragonite, no?
Sawsbuck - Never seen this thing before.
Scizor - Grrr... Gliscor and Dragonite do a pretty good job.
Scrafty - Fighting type attacks. Don't let it bulk up.
Shaymin - Fire-type attacks. Dragonite is a good option.
Sigilyph - Is this that Psychic-bird looking thing?
Smeargle - Outspeed it and any STAB attack should kill it.
Starmie - Rotom-W. Gengar if it's going to rapid spin.
Terrakion - Fighting attacks work well. But so do Water and Ground.
Thundurus - Ice-type attacks work well. Jirachi could possibly wall it and get the Paralysis.
Tornadus - Ice-type attacks. Electric-type attacks.
Tyranitar - Gengar works pretty well here.
Venusaur - Anything fiery works, and so do Ice attacks. Watch out for Drought.
Victini - Rotom-W and Gengar work well.
Virizion - Fire-type attacks work well. Dragonite can switch in a lot.
Volcarona - Stealth Rock crushes this thing. If not, Rotom-W.
Weavile - Fighting type attacks, right? Never seen this guy before, wouldn't know.
Zoroark - Fighting-type attacks, but I'm pretty sure Porygon2 can handle himself here.
Defensive Threat List
Blissey - Gengar.
Bronzong - Fire-type attacks work well here.
Celebi - Almost everything can do something against this thing.
Chansey - Gengar.
Deoxys-D - Gengar.
Dusclops - Gengar. Watch out for Pain Split.
Ferrothorn - Dragonite can Setup on this thing so easily.
Forretress - ^Same thing goes. Also, watch out for Rapid Spin.
Gliscor - Ice-type attacks. Porygon2 Walls this thing pretty well.
Hippowdon - Rotom-W can run circles around Hippowdon with STAB Hydropump and Will-O-Wisp.
Jellicent - Rotom-W can do some damage to the Pringles man (Or woman).
Latias - Jirachi.
Murkrow - Never seen him before.
Ninetales - Water and Ground. Never actually seen one, though.
Politoed - Electric-type attacks.
Porygon2 - Anything Fighting-type.
Rotom-W - I really don't have anything super-effective against this thing, so a STAB attack might be my best option.
Skarmory - Fire-type attacks.
Snorlax - Fighting-type attacks and Gengar.
Suicune - Electric-type attacks.
Swampert - Same problem as Rotom-W. Probably just wear it down.
Tentacruel - Electric type attacks.
Vaporeon - ^Same.
Whimsicott - Fire-type attacks. Just go straight for the attack, because you will be taunted. He can only make so many subs.
Xatu - Never seen this thing before.
Zapdos - Ice and Rock-type attacks.
Bronzong - Fire-type attacks work well here.
Celebi - Almost everything can do something against this thing.
Chansey - Gengar.
Deoxys-D - Gengar.
Dusclops - Gengar. Watch out for Pain Split.
Ferrothorn - Dragonite can Setup on this thing so easily.
Forretress - ^Same thing goes. Also, watch out for Rapid Spin.
Gliscor - Ice-type attacks. Porygon2 Walls this thing pretty well.
Hippowdon - Rotom-W can run circles around Hippowdon with STAB Hydropump and Will-O-Wisp.
Jellicent - Rotom-W can do some damage to the Pringles man (Or woman).
Latias - Jirachi.
Murkrow - Never seen him before.
Ninetales - Water and Ground. Never actually seen one, though.
Politoed - Electric-type attacks.
Porygon2 - Anything Fighting-type.
Rotom-W - I really don't have anything super-effective against this thing, so a STAB attack might be my best option.
Skarmory - Fire-type attacks.
Snorlax - Fighting-type attacks and Gengar.
Suicune - Electric-type attacks.
Swampert - Same problem as Rotom-W. Probably just wear it down.
Tentacruel - Electric type attacks.
Vaporeon - ^Same.
Whimsicott - Fire-type attacks. Just go straight for the attack, because you will be taunted. He can only make so many subs.
Xatu - Never seen this thing before.
Zapdos - Ice and Rock-type attacks.
Any help is greatly appreciated! Once again, another Lead option? Maybe Tyranitar? And is having a Rapid Spinner in place of someone else viable? Other than that, just tell me what's wrong!
EDITS IN ITALICS
