Hey guys! I just picked up competitive Pokemon with Gen 7, though I've been playing casually all my life. The team below is something I've been tossing around gen7[OU] ladder for a couple of days, and I think I've finally found 6 pokes that I could bring to a RMT thread for critique. Let's begin!
Pheromosa @ Life Orb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- High Jump Kick
- U-turn
- Poison Jab
- Ice Beam
I began with the standard all out attacker set for Pheromosa. All out lets me take advantage of Pheromosa's monstrous speed, and life orb only adds to the carnage. Life orb u-turn brings lead smeargle down to sash, and lets me go out to Scizor to clean up with bullet punch, or Tapu Fini for defog. Mamoswine leads take 50-60%, leaving them vulnerable to a revenge killers right out the gate as well. Pheromosa really shines as it pressures all Tapus pretty heavily as well, being able to OHKO offensive Tapu Koko sets, and any Tapu Bulu running max HP.
Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire] / Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
Tapu Lele is probably the most relevant Pokemon in pre-bank Gen 7. Psychic OHKOs Toxapex with max HP and SPDEF investment during psychic terrain. Psychic terrain also helps in preventing Pheromosa from falling to priority revenge kills. HP fire offers coverage for in-coming steel types, though I've found that thunderbolt tends to offer better damage overall. Choice scarf allows you to put a dent in a lot of relevant threats and make it out to safer options.
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Fire Fang
- Dragon Claw
Electric types are really prevalent right now, and I chose Garchomp mostly as a sponge poke. I've found some success with Groundium Z, though I have to play it very carefully due to so many things tanking ground types out right. Tapu Bulu and Buzzwole come to mind. Garchomp's speed tier doesn't allow it as much freedom as you would think, so I try to keep it out of any hairy type matchups until I can switch it in safely.
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Defog
- Nature's Madness / Taunt
- Moonblast
Defensive Tapu Fini lets me make plays on common physical attackers such as A-Marrowak, Buzzwole, or Pheromosa. Moonblast 2HKOs Buzzwole outright, and surf provides a 12.5% chance of OHKOing Alolan Marowak. Defog support is an absolute must for Pheromosa and Tapu Lele, which are OHKO'd after rocks by priority moves, or revenge killed by faster Pokemon.
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Toxic / Flamethrower
SPDEF Celesteela is the keeper of this squad. Toxic + protect cripples any teams not packing answers, and Celesteela's bulk allows it to come in repeatedly. After beast boost, it becomes an annoying Pokemon to get off the field. I've found the best success with switching it in after U-turning with Pheromosa onto incoming Tapus or Pokemon not prepared to deal with heavy slam. Flamethrower is primarily there to deal with opposing Celesteela, though I believe that toxic is better overall.
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spe
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor / Pursuit
I decided to go with offensive Scizor because I needed something that could take incoming earthquakes and pack a meaty punch. Without roost, Scizor's bulk is comprised, but what it lacks in HP, it provides in damage. It forms a u-turn core with Phero, and eats up any priority moves meant to revenge kill. Pursuit works really well in catching a Mega Metagross that wants to leave. X-scissor +1 2HKOs Mega Sableye, and puts a dent in Tapu Bulu as well.
I would love any comments that you guys can provide. The thing I'm trying to work on the most is finding synergy in more than 2-3 pokes, though I think thats something that most people struggle with. I have a pretty big weakness to fire on this team in general, though Tapu Fini and Garchomp ease this a bit. I've also found that it's really hard to get the upper hand without proper predicting because of the slower nature of 3 out of my 6 Pokemon. I'm open to any suggestions. Again, thank you for helping out!
Pheromosa @ Life Orb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- High Jump Kick
- U-turn
- Poison Jab
- Ice Beam
I began with the standard all out attacker set for Pheromosa. All out lets me take advantage of Pheromosa's monstrous speed, and life orb only adds to the carnage. Life orb u-turn brings lead smeargle down to sash, and lets me go out to Scizor to clean up with bullet punch, or Tapu Fini for defog. Mamoswine leads take 50-60%, leaving them vulnerable to a revenge killers right out the gate as well. Pheromosa really shines as it pressures all Tapus pretty heavily as well, being able to OHKO offensive Tapu Koko sets, and any Tapu Bulu running max HP.
Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire] / Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
Tapu Lele is probably the most relevant Pokemon in pre-bank Gen 7. Psychic OHKOs Toxapex with max HP and SPDEF investment during psychic terrain. Psychic terrain also helps in preventing Pheromosa from falling to priority revenge kills. HP fire offers coverage for in-coming steel types, though I've found that thunderbolt tends to offer better damage overall. Choice scarf allows you to put a dent in a lot of relevant threats and make it out to safer options.
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Fire Fang
- Dragon Claw
Electric types are really prevalent right now, and I chose Garchomp mostly as a sponge poke. I've found some success with Groundium Z, though I have to play it very carefully due to so many things tanking ground types out right. Tapu Bulu and Buzzwole come to mind. Garchomp's speed tier doesn't allow it as much freedom as you would think, so I try to keep it out of any hairy type matchups until I can switch it in safely.
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Defog
- Nature's Madness / Taunt
- Moonblast
Defensive Tapu Fini lets me make plays on common physical attackers such as A-Marrowak, Buzzwole, or Pheromosa. Moonblast 2HKOs Buzzwole outright, and surf provides a 12.5% chance of OHKOing Alolan Marowak. Defog support is an absolute must for Pheromosa and Tapu Lele, which are OHKO'd after rocks by priority moves, or revenge killed by faster Pokemon.
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Toxic / Flamethrower
SPDEF Celesteela is the keeper of this squad. Toxic + protect cripples any teams not packing answers, and Celesteela's bulk allows it to come in repeatedly. After beast boost, it becomes an annoying Pokemon to get off the field. I've found the best success with switching it in after U-turning with Pheromosa onto incoming Tapus or Pokemon not prepared to deal with heavy slam. Flamethrower is primarily there to deal with opposing Celesteela, though I believe that toxic is better overall.
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spe
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor / Pursuit
I decided to go with offensive Scizor because I needed something that could take incoming earthquakes and pack a meaty punch. Without roost, Scizor's bulk is comprised, but what it lacks in HP, it provides in damage. It forms a u-turn core with Phero, and eats up any priority moves meant to revenge kill. Pursuit works really well in catching a Mega Metagross that wants to leave. X-scissor +1 2HKOs Mega Sableye, and puts a dent in Tapu Bulu as well.
I would love any comments that you guys can provide. The thing I'm trying to work on the most is finding synergy in more than 2-3 pokes, though I think thats something that most people struggle with. I have a pretty big weakness to fire on this team in general, though Tapu Fini and Garchomp ease this a bit. I've also found that it's really hard to get the upper hand without proper predicting because of the slower nature of 3 out of my 6 Pokemon. I'm open to any suggestions. Again, thank you for helping out!
