If you don't have enough time to read this whole thing (it's pretty long) and give suggestions, please at least glance at my team and rate it in the poll above. Your opinions are greatly appreciated :D
Hey guys,
As the title says, this is the first serious UU team I'm trying (before, I just played UU using gimmicky stuff). I have been playing OU for a while, but like many others, I got tired of the same metagame that was almost entirely based around weather, so I was looking for something different.
Anyway, enough rambling, I'm kinda new to UU so please help with suggestions :D I have been testing this team, and it's working pretty well, but of course, nothing is perfect, so help is greatly appreciated. Without further ado, here is my (stallish) team:
TEAM BUILDING PROCESS/AT A GLANCE
When playing seriously, I have always favored a more stallish team, and there were always certain Pokemon that I loved to use when playing stall. So I immediately added 3 Pokemon to my team:
These three Pokemon are nightmares. Cress is... Cress, a defensive beast. I was considering using Chansey for this team, but its merits didn't seem as good as Umbreon's (to be explained later). Mandibuzz just won't die. It's a wonder why these Pokemon aren't used more frequently.
Even though these Pokemon have pretty good synergy, they are pretty weak to Bug (Mandibuzz is neutral, but it will be weak when it roosts). So I wanted a Bug resist as well as a Pokemon that is better on the Defensive side. So I chose Hitmontop.
I used to have a technitop instead of the traditional rapid spinner, so I wanted to include a stealth rocker on this team. Even though I don't have one now, stealth rocks are still pretty important. I also wanted to have a resist to dragon moves and the such. Originally, I was going to use Registeel, but Empoleon has more offensive moves and can phaze (Registeel is still an option though)
Since this is a stallish team, toxic would be great for wearing down my opponent's Pokemon, and toxic spikes to automatically cause it would be even better, even with those rampant nidokings and roserades running around to suck them up. I also needed an offensive boost, cause my team does need some power. Thus, I chose Roserade.
Analysis
(Specially Defensive/Support/Special Attacker?/Lead)
Empoleon (Male) - Torrent
Calm Nature (+SpDef, -Atk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 SpDef, 4 Def
Item: Leftovers
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Grass Knot (Already replaced Ice Beam, but can switch back if convinced)
- Roar
Empoleon is in the lead slot so I can set up rocks earlier in the game, but can be switched with Mandibuzz (If I'm predicting a setup lead) or Roserade (If I want to use an antilead). Empoleon's main job is support and its defensive typing helps me protect myself against a couple of threats that I would be very very weak to. Note that even though Empoleon does have the potential to become a special attacker, it's main role is to be defensive, so no investment in SpAtk; it's high special attack is just a nice complement.
I'm running a pretty standard set. Stealth Rock is the main entry hazard in the game, Scald is a STAB move since it has a pretty high chance to burn, and Roar is for phazing out sweepers before they setup too much, or for Pokemon in general to rack up hazard damage. I chose Grass Knot over Ice Beam because I thought it would be more useful, as I already have Stone Edge and Brave Bird on other Pokemon for Flying and Grass types, and nothing for those pesky bulky water types.
(Physically Defensive/Spinner/Physical Attacker)
Hitmontop (Male) - Intimidate
Impish Nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 SpDef
Item: Leftovers
- Rapid Spin
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch (Might replace with Mach Punch)
- Close Combat
As I said earlier, I used to use a Technitop because I thought it would be really good to have a priority power house on my team. However, after playing a couple of games, I realized that Hitmontop wasn't being too useful and really didn't fit this team, so I chose the typical rapid spinner instead. Intimidate is infinitely useful for this team, as Hitmontop can switch in and weaken any physical attacker the opponent threatens me with. Note again that although it has potential to be a physical attacker, it's main job is defensive, so no investment in Atk.
This is another typical set I have here. Rapid Spin is really good for my team, since I like to switch a lot into various defensive counters and Mandibuzz will take 25%, greatly limiting its use. Close Combat is an awesome STAB move and adds great coverage to my team. Stone Edge is slightly more odd, but I really need it for those flying types if my opponent happens to switch one in. Sucker Punch is originally for ghost types, but I kinda don't like it, because it's really easy to predict around. I might switch it with Mach Punch, but Sucker punch is stronger (even with STAB on Mach Punch) and gives better coverage.
(Physically Defensive/Set-up Special Sweeper)
Cresselia (Female) - Levitate
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 SpDef
Item: Leftovers
- Moonlight
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Hidden Power (Fighting) (Might replace with Fire)
Cress is a monster, and even better: everyone predicts a support set. I have been using this set for a very long time, and it works like a charm 90% of the time. First invest heavily so it can take physical hits and then calm mind up, making it a very potent special sweeper that won't die easily. Even after 1 Calm Mind, its SpDef gets higher than it's already maxed out Def. Levitate also lets it avoid Toxic Spikes and Spikes. These traits make iCress the most vital part of my team.
This is a pretty standard Calm Mind set. Calm Mind to set up, Psychic and HP Fighting for coverage. I might replace fighting with Fire for more coverage for my entire team, but I have found fighting to be more useful for Cress itself. Moonlight to heal up. Spiritomb does give this this thing problems, and it'll turn into a stall war (that I'll lose because of Spiritomb's pressure). Also, Moonlight, although useful, is greatly hindered by weather, which is not that common in UU, but still enough to agitate me. But I won't go out of my way to add a Sunny Day Pokemon to cancel it out...
(Specially Defensive/Support)
Umbreon (Male) - Synchronize
Careful Nature (+SpDef, - SpAtk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 SpDef, 4 Def
Item: Leftovers
- Wish
- Heal Bell
- Payback
- Protect (replaces Toxic)
I love this Pokemon, it's basically like a Blissey in UU. Well, Chansey would be a more accurate comparison, but there are reasons why I like Umbreon more than Chansey. First, Umbreon has Synchronize, which is super awesome for stall-breaking when a wall decides to try to toxic me. Second, Umbreon can have lefties, while Chansey needs eviolite to make it viable, so the Wish Protect combo would give 5/8 of HP back to Umbreon while only giving 1/2 HP back to Chansey. Thus, Umbreon is here to take hits all day from special attackers.
This is basically like 99% of the sets out there. Wish to heal itself and other Pokes, and Heal Bell to cure my Pokes of statuses, which is immensely beneficial to Cress. Payback is there for damage, and is actually super useful for doing a lot of damage to frail ghosts and keeping stuff like Mismagius from setting up subs. Protect is chosen over toxic to keep the wish protect combo and because Toxic Spikes are on my team anyway.
(Specially Defensive/Being really gay :D)
Mandibuzz (Female) - Overcoat
Careful Nature (+SpDef, - SpAtk)
EVs: 248 HP, 8 Def, 252 SpDef
Item: Leftovers
- Brave Bird
- Knock Off (Over Whirlwind)
- Roost
- Taunt (Over Toxic)
A lot of people would probably think this Pokemon is useless since I already have a specially defensive Umbreon that is undoubtedly more useful to my team. However, I won't replace it because: a) I love my Mandibuzz, b) it's still pretty useful. This thing sponges hits like crazy and does not die. It is also immune to weather damage and has good typing. And it's not used very often (RU Pokemon), so it can surprise a lot of people, even in the UU tier.
Mandibuzz is very versatile, it can learn a lot of moves that can benefit it. However, I think this moveset it has now can best benefit my team. Brave Bird is necessary for attacking (it actually can do a lot of damage to grass and fighting types). Roost in necessary for healing up. The other two were my choices. Mandibuzz is still pretty fast, so it can taunt a lot of set-up Pokemon before they try to do so, and Toxic is covered by Toxic Spikes. Now, the choice is between Knock Off and Whirlwind. Whirlwind would probably fit my team better, so I can shuffle Pokemon around and rack up hazard damage, but Knock Off is there, and for a reason. Playing against Knock Off in the past, I found it to be one of the most annoying moves in the game. It completely screws up the strategy I had, especially if I carried Choiced Pokemon. Thus, Knock Off seems like a better choice to me than Whirlwind.
(Special Attacker/Support)
Roserade (Female) - Natural Cure
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
EVs: 4 HP, 252 SpAtk, 252 Speed
Item: Black Sludge (Might replace with Life Orb)
- Toxic Spikes
- Sleep Powder
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
Roserade might just be a filler Pokemon, but it's super useful for my team. It adds resistances and coverage that my team originally didn't have (although it is pretty frail) and it can suck up toxic spikes so my team... well my Hitmontop isn't affected by them (wow, my 5/6 Pokes on my team are immune to Toxic Spikes). Having natural cure means that I can easily just switch Roserade into predicted statuses when I don't want to use my Umbreon, then switch out almost unaffected. Now, the standard set uses Black Sludge, and I understand that it needs to increase how much it lives, but Roserade is pretty frail and would not live much anyway, so I'm considering using Life Orb instead so it can pack more power. Leave thoughts on this if you want.
Pretty much a standard Toxic Spikes set, which of course has Toxic Spikes and can abuse it with its pretty high speed. It has Sleep Powder to put threats asleep, and even though it's the 3rd most accurate move of its type, I'm still pretty pissed at its 75 accuracy. But oh well, I'll have to settle for that. Leaf Storm is immensely powerful, and useful for taking out certain Pokemon that I can't stall out. Sludge Bomb is an extra STAB for similar purposes and won't lower my SpAtk in the process.
Concerns
- My Pokemon in the Specially Defensive side don't have that much defensive synergy because they all have similar typing, but I really don't want to replace Umbreon or Mandibuzz (I will if I have to though)
- My team itself won't be able to take out a lot of offensive threats, which is like all stall teams. Hopefully, it won't be too much of a problem
Conclusion
So, if you stuck with this post this long, thanks. You guys would definitely be helpful. Note that even though I spent the time to defend these choices and will probably continue to do so in the future, I will always consider suggestions. So to sum up, this is a pretty stallish team. I'm pretty scared since it doesn't have many resistances to common move types, but most Pokes on this team have a lot of bulk to help take these hits.
Please leave suggestions :D
Hey guys,
As the title says, this is the first serious UU team I'm trying (before, I just played UU using gimmicky stuff). I have been playing OU for a while, but like many others, I got tired of the same metagame that was almost entirely based around weather, so I was looking for something different.
Anyway, enough rambling, I'm kinda new to UU so please help with suggestions :D I have been testing this team, and it's working pretty well, but of course, nothing is perfect, so help is greatly appreciated. Without further ado, here is my (stallish) team:
TEAM BUILDING PROCESS/AT A GLANCE
When playing seriously, I have always favored a more stallish team, and there were always certain Pokemon that I loved to use when playing stall. So I immediately added 3 Pokemon to my team:
These three Pokemon are nightmares. Cress is... Cress, a defensive beast. I was considering using Chansey for this team, but its merits didn't seem as good as Umbreon's (to be explained later). Mandibuzz just won't die. It's a wonder why these Pokemon aren't used more frequently.
Even though these Pokemon have pretty good synergy, they are pretty weak to Bug (Mandibuzz is neutral, but it will be weak when it roosts). So I wanted a Bug resist as well as a Pokemon that is better on the Defensive side. So I chose Hitmontop.
I used to have a technitop instead of the traditional rapid spinner, so I wanted to include a stealth rocker on this team. Even though I don't have one now, stealth rocks are still pretty important. I also wanted to have a resist to dragon moves and the such. Originally, I was going to use Registeel, but Empoleon has more offensive moves and can phaze (Registeel is still an option though)
Since this is a stallish team, toxic would be great for wearing down my opponent's Pokemon, and toxic spikes to automatically cause it would be even better, even with those rampant nidokings and roserades running around to suck them up. I also needed an offensive boost, cause my team does need some power. Thus, I chose Roserade.
Analysis
(Specially Defensive/Support/Special Attacker?/Lead)
Empoleon (Male) - Torrent
Calm Nature (+SpDef, -Atk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 SpDef, 4 Def
Item: Leftovers
- Stealth Rock
- Scald
- Grass Knot (Already replaced Ice Beam, but can switch back if convinced)
- Roar
Empoleon is in the lead slot so I can set up rocks earlier in the game, but can be switched with Mandibuzz (If I'm predicting a setup lead) or Roserade (If I want to use an antilead). Empoleon's main job is support and its defensive typing helps me protect myself against a couple of threats that I would be very very weak to. Note that even though Empoleon does have the potential to become a special attacker, it's main role is to be defensive, so no investment in SpAtk; it's high special attack is just a nice complement.
I'm running a pretty standard set. Stealth Rock is the main entry hazard in the game, Scald is a STAB move since it has a pretty high chance to burn, and Roar is for phazing out sweepers before they setup too much, or for Pokemon in general to rack up hazard damage. I chose Grass Knot over Ice Beam because I thought it would be more useful, as I already have Stone Edge and Brave Bird on other Pokemon for Flying and Grass types, and nothing for those pesky bulky water types.
(Physically Defensive/Spinner/Physical Attacker)
Hitmontop (Male) - Intimidate
Impish Nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 SpDef
Item: Leftovers
- Rapid Spin
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch (Might replace with Mach Punch)
- Close Combat
As I said earlier, I used to use a Technitop because I thought it would be really good to have a priority power house on my team. However, after playing a couple of games, I realized that Hitmontop wasn't being too useful and really didn't fit this team, so I chose the typical rapid spinner instead. Intimidate is infinitely useful for this team, as Hitmontop can switch in and weaken any physical attacker the opponent threatens me with. Note again that although it has potential to be a physical attacker, it's main job is defensive, so no investment in Atk.
This is another typical set I have here. Rapid Spin is really good for my team, since I like to switch a lot into various defensive counters and Mandibuzz will take 25%, greatly limiting its use. Close Combat is an awesome STAB move and adds great coverage to my team. Stone Edge is slightly more odd, but I really need it for those flying types if my opponent happens to switch one in. Sucker Punch is originally for ghost types, but I kinda don't like it, because it's really easy to predict around. I might switch it with Mach Punch, but Sucker punch is stronger (even with STAB on Mach Punch) and gives better coverage.
(Physically Defensive/Set-up Special Sweeper)
Cresselia (Female) - Levitate
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 SpDef
Item: Leftovers
- Moonlight
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
- Hidden Power (Fighting) (Might replace with Fire)
Cress is a monster, and even better: everyone predicts a support set. I have been using this set for a very long time, and it works like a charm 90% of the time. First invest heavily so it can take physical hits and then calm mind up, making it a very potent special sweeper that won't die easily. Even after 1 Calm Mind, its SpDef gets higher than it's already maxed out Def. Levitate also lets it avoid Toxic Spikes and Spikes. These traits make iCress the most vital part of my team.
This is a pretty standard Calm Mind set. Calm Mind to set up, Psychic and HP Fighting for coverage. I might replace fighting with Fire for more coverage for my entire team, but I have found fighting to be more useful for Cress itself. Moonlight to heal up. Spiritomb does give this this thing problems, and it'll turn into a stall war (that I'll lose because of Spiritomb's pressure). Also, Moonlight, although useful, is greatly hindered by weather, which is not that common in UU, but still enough to agitate me. But I won't go out of my way to add a Sunny Day Pokemon to cancel it out...
(Specially Defensive/Support)
Umbreon (Male) - Synchronize
Careful Nature (+SpDef, - SpAtk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 SpDef, 4 Def
Item: Leftovers
- Wish
- Heal Bell
- Payback
- Protect (replaces Toxic)
I love this Pokemon, it's basically like a Blissey in UU. Well, Chansey would be a more accurate comparison, but there are reasons why I like Umbreon more than Chansey. First, Umbreon has Synchronize, which is super awesome for stall-breaking when a wall decides to try to toxic me. Second, Umbreon can have lefties, while Chansey needs eviolite to make it viable, so the Wish Protect combo would give 5/8 of HP back to Umbreon while only giving 1/2 HP back to Chansey. Thus, Umbreon is here to take hits all day from special attackers.
This is basically like 99% of the sets out there. Wish to heal itself and other Pokes, and Heal Bell to cure my Pokes of statuses, which is immensely beneficial to Cress. Payback is there for damage, and is actually super useful for doing a lot of damage to frail ghosts and keeping stuff like Mismagius from setting up subs. Protect is chosen over toxic to keep the wish protect combo and because Toxic Spikes are on my team anyway.
(Specially Defensive/Being really gay :D)
Mandibuzz (Female) - Overcoat
Careful Nature (+SpDef, - SpAtk)
EVs: 248 HP, 8 Def, 252 SpDef
Item: Leftovers
- Brave Bird
- Knock Off (Over Whirlwind)
- Roost
- Taunt (Over Toxic)
A lot of people would probably think this Pokemon is useless since I already have a specially defensive Umbreon that is undoubtedly more useful to my team. However, I won't replace it because: a) I love my Mandibuzz, b) it's still pretty useful. This thing sponges hits like crazy and does not die. It is also immune to weather damage and has good typing. And it's not used very often (RU Pokemon), so it can surprise a lot of people, even in the UU tier.
Mandibuzz is very versatile, it can learn a lot of moves that can benefit it. However, I think this moveset it has now can best benefit my team. Brave Bird is necessary for attacking (it actually can do a lot of damage to grass and fighting types). Roost in necessary for healing up. The other two were my choices. Mandibuzz is still pretty fast, so it can taunt a lot of set-up Pokemon before they try to do so, and Toxic is covered by Toxic Spikes. Now, the choice is between Knock Off and Whirlwind. Whirlwind would probably fit my team better, so I can shuffle Pokemon around and rack up hazard damage, but Knock Off is there, and for a reason. Playing against Knock Off in the past, I found it to be one of the most annoying moves in the game. It completely screws up the strategy I had, especially if I carried Choiced Pokemon. Thus, Knock Off seems like a better choice to me than Whirlwind.
(Special Attacker/Support)
Roserade (Female) - Natural Cure
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
EVs: 4 HP, 252 SpAtk, 252 Speed
Item: Black Sludge (Might replace with Life Orb)
- Toxic Spikes
- Sleep Powder
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
Roserade might just be a filler Pokemon, but it's super useful for my team. It adds resistances and coverage that my team originally didn't have (although it is pretty frail) and it can suck up toxic spikes so my team... well my Hitmontop isn't affected by them (wow, my 5/6 Pokes on my team are immune to Toxic Spikes). Having natural cure means that I can easily just switch Roserade into predicted statuses when I don't want to use my Umbreon, then switch out almost unaffected. Now, the standard set uses Black Sludge, and I understand that it needs to increase how much it lives, but Roserade is pretty frail and would not live much anyway, so I'm considering using Life Orb instead so it can pack more power. Leave thoughts on this if you want.
Pretty much a standard Toxic Spikes set, which of course has Toxic Spikes and can abuse it with its pretty high speed. It has Sleep Powder to put threats asleep, and even though it's the 3rd most accurate move of its type, I'm still pretty pissed at its 75 accuracy. But oh well, I'll have to settle for that. Leaf Storm is immensely powerful, and useful for taking out certain Pokemon that I can't stall out. Sludge Bomb is an extra STAB for similar purposes and won't lower my SpAtk in the process.
Concerns
- My Pokemon in the Specially Defensive side don't have that much defensive synergy because they all have similar typing, but I really don't want to replace Umbreon or Mandibuzz (I will if I have to though)
- My team itself won't be able to take out a lot of offensive threats, which is like all stall teams. Hopefully, it won't be too much of a problem
Conclusion
So, if you stuck with this post this long, thanks. You guys would definitely be helpful. Note that even though I spent the time to defend these choices and will probably continue to do so in the future, I will always consider suggestions. So to sum up, this is a pretty stallish team. I'm pretty scared since it doesn't have many resistances to common move types, but most Pokes on this team have a lot of bulk to help take these hits.
Please leave suggestions :D
