First RMT. Opinions needed! Luke/Salamence core.

[rhythmic]

Hello Smogon. This will be my first RMT thread on here. I’ve been into Pokemon since the RBY days, but just decided to really try my hand at competitive battling when XY came out. I’ve always lurked here since the DPPT days, and actually tried battling (semi-)competitively with a few friends and at Pokemon Online before just suddenly getting bored with Pokemon in general. I did come back when BW2 came out but got bored again and didn’t even bother finishing the game. With all the new features XY was bringing, I decided to try again and have since put 400 hours into the game (with at least 250 hours spent on breeding). So yeah, I then finally decided to really try competitive battling and have been battling on Showdown for the past few weeks.

Backstory

I wanted to build a team focusing on two of my favorites, Lucario and Salamence. As I lurked here more and more, I’ve read a couple times that a Luke/Salamence core is actually a pretty decent offensive core, which made me pretty ecstatic.This is actually the third team I’ve built in the past month and a half (Luke and Salamence were in all 3 teams), looking for the best possible combinations to support those two pokes. So far this current team is currently 1700, but is still climbing. I feel like it’s better than what the record is, it’s the trainer that’s held it back a few times. :\ I’ve actually made it a habit not to use any Legendary in my teams. I’ve been that way with the games since I was 10, and I don’t think I’ll ever change. Probably. Maybe. (...Though I’ve actually thought about using SR Terrakion a few times).

Lucario-Mega (M) @ Lucarionite
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Bullet Punch
- Crunch
- Swords Dance

One of my favorite monsters ever. Mega Lucario’s actually one of the main reasons I decided to pick up XY. I’m using the traditional Physical set. I've thought about using his special set since it does have less counters, but I feel like his physical set is better for this team, and it works better with Salamence and Espeon. I’ve been back and forth between Crunch, Ice Punch, and Earthquake though. I don’t deal with Aegislash (Crunch) as much as I do with Gliscor (Ice Punch), but I've also considered going with Earthquake for better overall coverage (which also deals with Aegislash better than Crunch anyway). I normally wouldn't let him stay in, but Earthquake would also deal with Heatran if he has to.

Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 64 Atk / 192 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake

Another one of my favorites. This is the traditional MixMence set. So far, it’s been working pretty good for me. I can easily get a Moxie boost after coming in on a weakened poke for ‘Mence to KO with Draco Meteor. He pretty much sweeps teams once I get even just 1 Moxie boost. I did actually think about switching him out though. The main poke I was thinking of replacing him with was Weakness Policy Dragonite (another one of my Favorites), but I figured that if I do pull that trigger, I’d also switch Luke around and opt for his Special sweeper set, which I really do not want to do. I feel like Phys. Luke works better with MixMence (and Spec. Luke works better with Dragonite).

Espeon (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Baton Pass
- Light Screen
- Reflect

I actually had dual screen Klefki on this slot before I decided to use Espeon. So far I’m still unsure whether I should keep Espeon or not. Anyway, I usually lead with Espeon 90% of the time. I feel that DualScreen Espeon works great with both Luke and Salamence (especially with Luke). I’ve come across some players who lead with Tyranitar. When they do, I baton pass to Luke who then gets a free boost via Justified, mega evolve and proceed to smash through their team. This is pretty much one of the 2 reasons why I’m currently using him over Klefki (who shares common weaknesses with Luke). The other reason, I feel like Klefki ends up being a dead weight after I’ve set up the screens and spikes. He does have the edge over Espeon of being able to set up Hazards though. So yeah, Hazards (Klefki) or better synergy (Espeon) with Lucario?

Scizor (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- U-turn
- Defog

Another standard Scizor set. Has great synergy with Rotom, and is my Utility. I opted for Life Orb instead of Choice Band because I have Defog on Scizor. I usually have him stick around, provided no counter gets sent out, after I clear the field out of hazards and deal some damage. Bullet Punch and U-Turn are pretty self explanatory, but I’m actually thinking of switching Pursuit with either Superpower or Knock Off. Superpower provides some extra punch, whereas Knock Off provides more utility. In general, he also helps a ton in weakening pokes which Mence and Luke then finishes off.

Rotom-Wash @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest

The second member of the Volt-turn core. I opted for ChestoRest to give him some staying power. I also opted to make him specially bulky since WoW takes care of physically oriented attackers. I’ve thought about going with the Bulky Attacker variant though. @ Lefties, Modest with 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef, and have Thunderbolt instead of Rest. I still don’t know which variant would work best for this team, so I’m really looking for opinions on him.

Conkeldurr (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch

AV Conk has one job and one job only: Smash through things and give Luke and Mence an easier time to clean up late game. After I set up screens, half the time I send Conk out and start wreaking havoc. He can stay out there for days with AV, Screens, and Drain Punch support. I initially had Iron Fist, but it was surprising to see how many times I’ve seen people try to burn/poison him, so I switched back to Guts. I’ve actually thought about putting Flame Orb on him instead of AV since I already have screen support. Thoughts?

I've also thought about replacing Conk out with a Bulky Special Attacker. Outside of Salamence, and Rotom, I have no one that hits on the special side. Also, as the team currently is, I've been having some trouble with Gliscor, Venusaur, and Mandibuzz.

Anyway, that’s the team. I’m willing to make changes on members, but Luke and Mence must stay. I also would prefer not to put a Legendary on my team but hey, if someone convinces me enough, I could definitely change my mind. Like I said, I’ve thought about using Terrakion a few times.

Hoping to hear some suggestions and critiques from you all, thanks! :)

Importable

Lucario-Mega (M) @ Lucarionite
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Bullet Punch
- Crunch
- Swords Dance

Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 64 Atk / 192 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake

Espeon @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Baton Pass
- Light Screen
- Reflect

Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- U-turn
- Defog

Rotom-Wash @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest

Conkeldurr (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch

 

[Pdizzle]

this team looks like it really doesn't like the op bird named talonflame. i would change the conkeldurr to a specially defensive heatran with roar. the heatran will take the pressure off rotom and provide your team with stealth rock support because you don't have rocks on this team.

 

[silver97]

your team doesn't have physical bulk, even if it is pretty balanced because i can't find a physical attacker that can break through your team. however you must be wary of some threats such as talonflame (that is stopped only by rotom and salamence) and azumarill (only rotom counter it); you must be prepared also for mega pinsir, but you have more pokemon that can deal with it.
if you're not sure if keep espeon or not maybe you can replace it with donphan that can take physical attacks and deal solid damage with STAB earthquake; donphan is able also to both put stealth rock and spin away hazards, making scizor able to carry another move over defog like swords dance or a coverage move.

 

[rhythmic]

this team looks like it really doesn't like the op bird named talonflame. i would change the conkeldurr to a specially defensive heatran with roar. the heatran will take the pressure off rotom and provide your team with stealth rock support because you don't have rocks on this team.

Yeah, I have been having trouble with Talonflame. I like your Heatran suggestion, but I'm sort of avoiding using a legendary. He does offer a few things this team needs though.

Any opinions on a CB Azumarill? It's capable of doing Conk's role on this team, and also counter talonflame.

your team doesn't have physical bulk, even if it is pretty balanced because i can't find a physical attacker that can break through your team. however you must be wary of some threats such as talonflame (that is stopped only by rotom and salamence) and azumarill (only rotom counter it); you must be prepared also for mega pinsir, but you have more pokemon that can deal with it.
if you're not sure if keep espeon or not maybe you can replace it with donphan that can take physical attacks and deal solid damage with STAB earthquake; donphan is able also to both put stealth rock and spin away hazards, making scizor able to carry another move over defog like swords dance or a coverage move.

I dont really want to replace Espeon since it provides dual screen support. I'm still not completely sold on using it over dual screen klefki though, who also provided spikes.

 

[RowDog]

Just thinking that maybe you would want to sacrifice Scizor's Life Orb with Leftovers if it is taking too much residual damage. Yes you will lose a bit of your own damage output, but if you are using it for hazard clearing with Defog and making a lot of switches with U-Turn, all that entry hazard damage and Life Orb damage can stack up over longer battles. And it also isn't the best sometimes when you are wanting to switch out with U-Turn only for momentum and lose a bit of extra health on the way out. Just a suggestion though if you are having problems, if you think the extra damage is worth it then by all means use Life Orb.

 

[Pdizzle]

if you don't like legendaries, how about a choice banded tyranitar. he can pursuit trap talonflame and still provide power to your team. you could either try him or a standard specially defensive tyranitar with rocks , stab moves and then coverage.

 

[Star]

Quick suggestion on the EV Spread for Conkeldurr is to make it 44 HP/252 Atk/212 Sp. Def. with Adamant nature. This spread makes Genesect take the Sp. Atk boost and you counter it extremely well. Also it provides more special bulk and keeps its physical at a good amount. It's far superior to that 252/252/4 spread.

 

[rhythmic]

if you don't like legendaries, how about a choice banded tyranitar. he can pursuit trap talonflame and still provide power to your team. you could either try him or a standard specially defensive tyranitar with rocks , stab moves and then coverage.

Ah, yeah the standard support set for tyranitar would do well for this team. I do need rocks support too. Will def. try him out, thanks!

Quick suggestion on the EV Spread for Conkeldurr is to make it 44 HP/252 Atk/212 Sp. Def. with Adamant nature. This spread makes Genesect take the Sp. Atk boost and you counter it extremely well. Also it provides more special bulk and keeps its physical at a good amount. It's far superior to that 252/252/4 spread.

Yeah I was actually thinking of dumping 252 on SDef as opposed to HP, but I see what you mean. I'll be switching out Conk for Tyranitar though, but I'll keep this suggestion in mind, thanks!

 

[Star]

The switch to Tyranitar just opens many more holes in your team such as a now HUGE weakness to Scarf Genesect which Conk had shut down. Also it makes fighting type moves a royal pain in the ass to deal with because Espeon and Salamence are the only resists. Espeon can't repeatedly switch in and Salamence needs the health to sweep. To check Talonflame better change Rotom-W's EV spread to 252 HP/212 Def/44 Spd with a Bold nature. Chesto Rest works beautifully with this.

I would also like to mention that this team gets flat out murdered by Assault Vest Conkeldurr. Nobody on your team can one shot it (including Espeon) and it has moves that can OHKO 3 of your pokemon. Other than your own AV Conk, everything loses to it. I would suggest Psyshock over Psychic on Espeon to deal major damage to it and make it easy to revenge kill.