First time playing online, but it's working pretty well! (1700 Mark) +Updated

(First of all, I'm sorry about any grammar mistakes I make through this RMT, english is not my mother tongue.)



I've played pokemon since I was a kid, beat every game and train some pokemons to the lvl 100, but that was it, never tried to challenge my friends, or any kind of competitive play. That's why I'm creating this RMT thread, I'm new to competitive pokemon, but I already read a lot, and I'm turning into a competitive player (slowly, but I am lol).



EDIT: I've made a few changes in the original team, I think the new one is better, but I'll leave the old one here, that way you can say if I made a good choice.


Galvantula @ Focus Sash
Timid - Compound Eyes
252 SpA - 252 Spe - 4 HP
Sticky Web
Volt Switch
Thunder
Bug Buzz



Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Impish - Iron Barbs
252 HP - 252 Def - 4 Att
Leech Seed
Protect
Stealth Rock
Gyro Ball




Talonflame @ Sharp Beak
Adamant - Gale Wings
252 Att - 192 HP - 60 Spe - 4 Def
Brave Bird
Flare Blitz
Roost
Swords Dance



Garchomp @ Garchompite
Jolly - Rough Skin
252 Att - 252 Spe - 4 SpD
Earthquake
Stone Edge
Swords Dance
Dragon Claw




Starmie @ Life Orb
Timid - Natural Cure
252 SpA - 252 Speed - 4 SpD
Scald
Ice Beam
Thunderbolt
Rapid Spin




Aegislash @ Air Baloon
Adamant - Stace Change
252 Att - 252 HP - 4 Spe
Shadow Sneak
Sacred Sword
Sword Dance
King's Shield











Well, enough with the talking, let's get to the team:

Galvantula -> Mamoswine
Mamoswine_by_Xous54.png

Mamoswine@Focus Sash
Jolly - Oblivious
252 Att - 252 Spe - 4 HP
Earthquake
Icicle Crash
Ice Shard
Stealth Rock



I was using Galvantula as my Sticky Web supporter, and Ferrothorn as my SR setter, but I don't really need my Sticky Web up, since almost all my pokemons will use a priority move, or are just super fast. And while I was using 2 hazard setters pokemons, I'll almost always play with only 4 pokemons, against 6 threats, ready to blow me up. About Mamoswine, he's really, really good. Whenever he's set against another hazard setter, I'll just try to kill the setter first and then set my own hazards. I love to kill Greninjas, Talonflames and other sweepers that try to kill me, with the Focus Sash-Ice Shard combo. He has a good attack/speed, nice defense, and he's doing his job pretty well, don't have nothing really bad to talk about him.



Ferrothorn -> Excadrill

530.png

Excadrill@Assault Vest
Adamant - Mold Breaker
252 HP - 252 Att - 4 SpD
Earthquake
Rock Slide
Shadow Claw
Rapid Spin


Since I get rid of my spinner Starmie, and already have a SR setter, Ferrothorn lost him role on this team, and I needed another spinner, that's why Excadrill is here. Excadrill is the best offensive rapid spinner in the game, he always does his job, and with this Assault Vest set, he can even take huge hits from the likes of Talonflame, Greninja, Starmie and other special attackers that swith in to kill him and kill them back. Mold Breaker is an amazing ability to kill Rotom-W that tries to switch in to wall him, to kill Gengars that are trying to spinblock me and anything that think he's safe behind a levitate. Rock slide is purely for coverage, destroying any flying threat, and Shadow Claw is there to kill any Trevenant that thinks it's safe to switch into Excadrill and start to stall. My main problem is with the EV spread, I know a 252HP - 128 Att - 128 SpD would be better, but with 128 Att I can't 2HKO Trevenant with Shadow Claw, because he'll start to harvest that Sitrus Berry, but with this more defensive spread, he'd be able to tank much more hits and kill more threats.






Talonflame.jpg

Talonflame @ Sharp Beak
Adamant - Gale Wings
252 Att - 192 HP - 60 Spe - 4 Def
Brave Bird
Flare Blitz
Roost
Swords Dance


Not much to say about Talonflame. He's running the standart build, and I'm using the EVs from the Analyses Thread (I'm open for suggestion). Whenever I predict a Earthquake coming, I switch to him, SD and just start to kill everything. He is really strong, and that priority Roost is a blessing. Too bad he's always taking recoil, that's why I'm thinking about leaving him without items, and use Acrobatics. The only problem is the 4x weakness to SR, that's why Excadrill is there, but even when switching to a SR, he usually take at least one pokemon with him. Was using LO, but it's impossible to play with LO and Brave Bird/Flare Blitz, he just kills himself in 2 turns, that's why i'm using the Sharp Beak. I only use the Flare Blitz on anyone that's weak too, and since Talonflame already has a huge attack, I can focus only on raising the power on the Brave Bird. I'm thinking about switching him for someone else, mainly because almost every team has a Talonflame check, and I already have a lot of physical attackers, and I don't have a single wall on this team.



Garchomp -> Gyarados -> Lucario -> Garchomp
1348021-garchomp.jpg

Garchomp @ Garchompite
Jolly - Rough Skin
252 Att - 252 Spe - 4 SpD
Earthquake
Fire Fang
Sword Dances
Dragon Claw


I tried switching to a Mega Gyarados and Mega Lucario instead of Garchomp, but they had a few issues that decide to go back to Chomp. Lucario was really good with his huge attack and priority, but he made half of my team weak to fire, and the Ground/Dark weakness was a pain too. Gyarados was really good, after 1 or 2 DDs he'd just destroy things, but, I don't know why, Garchomp was more a ready to go sweeper. Chomp is just a monster. He was the first pokemon I tried once I started to play competitively, and oh my god, he's good. If I can send him in, mega-evolve and use a SD, he's really hard to stop, and his mega-evolution is even better, since his Def/SpD got a nice increase, that means I might survive some hit that would have killed me otherwise. Earthquake and Dragon Claw are there for pure STAB hits, EQ being the main swepping attack (I've sweeped through whole teams with his +1/+2 EQ), SD for the boost in the attack that makes him a monster, and I'm running Fire Fang over Stone Edge because I only have one fire attack in my whole team, and since Talonflame can't take a hit from anything, Garchomp's Fire Fang is a nice surprise. I might switch back to Stone Edge, but Fire Fang really helps me break some walls that dare to switch into him, and the only real problem I'd face I'd Togekiss, but I have 2/3 other pokemons that can take him easily.



Starmie -> Greninja

17985_Greninja-X-and-Y.jpg

Greninja @ Expert Belt
Hasty -Protean
252 SpA - 252 Speed - 4 SpD
Hydro Pump
Ice Beam
Dark Pulse
U-Turn


In my old team, Starmie was my spinner, but she wasn't doing her job well, she's too fragile and anything that has priority will kill her. Because of that, I got another spinner and switched her to Greninja, since he has got a better speed and better SpA. The only think I lost switching to Greninja, is that now my team doesn't have any eletric move, that makes Gyarados a huge threat, even with my Greninja's U-Turn, that's why I'm considering using a Grass Knot or HP Grass, but I don't know how effective it'd be. Greninja's funcion in this team is to go to the field, revenge kill whatever the threat is, and when he's faced with something that can kills him, he just U-Turn out. Hydro Pump is there as my main attack, but I don't like the low PP/the accuraccy, Ice Beam is there for Dragons and Grass types that dare to switch in, Dark Pulse for the nice STAB against Aegislashes/Gengars/Trevenants, and U-Turn to safely get out of any situation. My doubt is if I should continue to use the Expert Belt, or should I go for a Life Orb ? I know it's a 10% power increase, but that's a 10% life loss everytime I hit too.



Noivern -> Hydreigon -> Aegislash

aegislash-blade.jpg

Aegislash @ Air Baloon
Adamant - Stace Change
252 Att - 252 HP - 4 Spe
Shadow Sneak
Sacred Sword
Sword Dance
King's Shield


I was using Noivern before, and then went to Hydreigon, but still, the last spot was a hard choice. I decide to go for a spin blocker, and Aegislash and Gengar are the two main spin blockers. I chose to go with Aegislash because he can kill other Gengars with Shadow Sneak, he has an insane defense and if he sets 2~3 SD, that's it, game over. The set is the most boring Aegislash, but that's because it's work. It's basically a Jo Ken Po game, where the oponent needs to guess when I'm going to use a SD or protect myself to lower his attack. I'm using Air Baloon just to avoid the EQs that are present in almost every team. I might switch his set a little, to a more mixed attacker, but that way I'd loss the SD boost, and since I'm pretending to play with this team on the 3DS, I'll need to breed another Honedge, since the Honedge I already have has low SpA IVs.





I have played some battles with this team in PS (I'm now above the 1700 mark)), and I win 75% of my battles, but 50% the battles I lose, is just because I'm new to competitive battle and make some bad switches, or fall into cheap mind games. Overall this team is really good, but I think there's some room for improvement.

Main concerns:

- Excadrill's EV Spread: 252 HP - 252 Att or 252 HP - 128 Att - 128 SpD ? One would allow me to 2HKO Trevenant even if he keeps harvesting that Sitrus Berry, and the other would allow me to survive much more hits, but would allow Trevenant to eventually wall my team.

- Talonflame: Should I keep Talonflame on this team, or should I go for a another sweeper (maybe a special)/wall ? I was thinking about Goodra or even Rotom-W.

- Garchomp: He's a god, I know, but should I go for another mega pokemon ? I don't think so, but I'm open to suggestion.

- Greninja: Should I keep him, or go for another special sweeper? Should I keep that movepool? And, Life Orb or Expert Belt ?

- Aegislash: Keep the boring old Aegislash set, or try to surprise people using a mixed/something different?



Main threats are:

- Gyarados: Even with my Greninja's U-Turn he can sweep through my entire team after a couple of DDs, and I don't have a single eletric move, which makes him more deadly.

- Kangaskhan: It was easy to take him with Ferrothorn, while it was on my team, but now that he's gone, god, he's a monster. Normally I can tank him with Aegislash, boosting my attack while he tries to Sucker Punch, and then tank the Sucker Punch and kill him with the Sacred Sword, but the last Kangaskhans I faced had Crunch, which totally ruined me.

- Gastrodon/Quagsire/Anything that's weak to grass: I don't have a single Eletric attack, but I can (almost) get over that with other moves, but when I see a grass mon (specially Gastrodon/Quagsire) on the team preview, I know I'm going to rage. They take virtually any hit I can throw and just Recover to its full health, becoming I huge pain in the team. Quagsire I can normally beat while just spamming moves and waiting for his Recovery PP ends, but that's really boring and any surprise will kill me.




Well, that's my first ever competitive team, what do you guys think?

Appreciate any help, thanks !
 
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First off fantastic first team, for a begginer you have a solid start Some suggestions, run stone edge over poisin jab on garchomp and get rid of the niovern, its not that good, plus its weak to stealth rocks, and shares the hatred for ice types, what to change it with maybe latios or hydriegon, probably somthing else entirely, but be careful of mamoswine, that pokemon can cause trouble for your team maybe switch the noivern with rotom w your choice I think rotom w with WoW will fit that roll nicely, good luck.
 
Two adjustments come to mind. First, for starmie use LO over sitrus. Starmie has almost no bulk and will rarely get a chance to use sitrus. LO gives so much power that it can't be ignored. The team of yours isn't going to want to maximize functioning into 40-50 turns. Give it as much power as you can in the short amount of time you'll be running.

Also, infiltrator makes noivern a 1v1 style pokemon. It won't need to change up moves while it is in, so run specs and maintain some health.

Talonflame... I'd run acrobatics and possibly even not run an item (if you're not in pokebank and therefore don't have a flying gem). You don't want to be fighting recoil every other turn as it will give the opponent time to wall you off a bit or even give them a turn to hit you.

Garchomp: Swords dance>Poison jab. Chomp shouldn't be in on fairies anyways.
 
First off fantastic first team, for a begginer you have a solid start Some suggestions, run stone edge over poisin jab on garchomp and get rid of the niovern, its not that good, plus its weak to stealth rocks, and shares the hatred for ice types, what to change it with maybe latios or hydriegon, probably somthing else entirely, but be careful of mamoswine, that pokemon can cause trouble for your team maybe switch the noivern with rotom w your choice I think rotom w with WoW will fit that roll nicely, good luck.
Thanks !
I already use Stone Edge on Garchomp...
And about Noivern, thanks for the suggestion, will look into it. But I might use Rotom-W, really like him, and yes, Mamoswine is a huge threat against this team...



Two adjustments come to mind. First, for starmie use LO over sitrus. Starmie has almost no bulk and will rarely get a chance to use sitrus. LO gives so much power that it can't be ignored. The team of yours isn't going to want to maximize functioning into 40-50 turns. Give it as much power as you can in the short amount of time you'll be running.

Also, infiltrator makes noivern a 1v1 style pokemon. It won't need to change up moves while it is in, so run specs and maintain some health.

Talonflame... I'd run acrobatics and possibly even not run an item (if you're not in pokebank and therefore don't have a flying gem). You don't want to be fighting recoil every other turn as it will give the opponent time to wall you off a bit or even give them a turn to hit you.

Garchomp: Swords dance>Poison jab. Chomp shouldn't be in on fairies anyways.
Thanks for the suggestions !
I'll give Starmie LO, but do you think I should go for a full offensive EV spread too ?
I was using Specs on Noivern, but even without the 50% SpA boost he can almost OHKO anyone that's weak to.
And I'm already using Talonflame without an item with Acrobatics, although the Brave Bird+Sharp Beak hits really hard...
About the SD, I know Garchomp shouldn't be on fairies, but it's a nice surprise, since he will be able to outspeed (if the Sticky Web is up) and OHKO it, and I don't have any fairy check. But I'll look into it...
 
I'd suggest going a mixed set with mega garchomp. Your team could use a good wallbreaker, and mega garchomp fills that role perfectly.
Garchomp @ Garchompite
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 224 Atk / 32 SpA / 252 Spe <br />
Naughty Nature
- Earthquake
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Stone Edge

But if you're content to do that, I would strongly recommend dropping poison jab for swords dance. With sticky web support, mega garchomp becomes an almost unstoppable sweeper with a swords dance up.
 
I'd suggest going a mixed set with mega garchomp. Your team could use a good wallbreaker, and mega garchomp fills that role perfectly.
Garchomp @ Garchompite
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 224 Atk / 32 SpA / 252 Spe <br />
Naughty Nature
- Earthquake
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Stone Edge

But if you're content to do that, I would strongly recommend dropping poison jab for swords dance. With sticky web support, mega garchomp becomes an almost unstoppable sweeper with a swords dance up.
Thanks for the suggestion !
That set looks good, really good coverage, and the Draco Meteor looks really nice, since I won't need the SpA drop after getting rid of whatever I need using the Meteor...
Will try that, and the SD build too..
 
Woops, I didn't see that there but yea, you should replace poisin jab with swords dance, being able to set up sweep is always a nice thing. By the way I think you should use a choice band set for talon flame with brave bird, flare blitz, u-turn and another move I can't think of
 
Thanks for the suggestions !
I'll give Starmie LO, but do you think I should go for a full offensive EV spread too ?
I was using Specs on Noivern, but even without the 50% SpA boost he can almost OHKO anyone that's weak to.
And I'm already using Talonflame without an item with Acrobatics, although the Brave Bird+Sharp Beak hits really hard...
About the SD, I know Garchomp shouldn't be on fairies, but it's a nice surprise, since he will be able to outspeed (if the Sticky Web is up) and OHKO it, and I don't have any fairy check. But I'll look into it...

You could go full offensive with starmie. I'm by no means a starmie expert, I only know it is classified as an offensive spinner and does some major damage as one.
Edited: Specs will outdo LO in damage. Specs is a 1.5x, LO is 1.3x
The suggestion wasn't so much for power with TF, but for securing less recoil damage. If you find it running fine without, that works as well.
That's true, with sticky web he can outspeed even in mega. A benefit of it is most faries happen to be specially defensive. Just watch out for clefable.
 
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Why do you have Sharp Beak on Talonflame? :o You can try Leftovers or Life orb. The Bulk up set is really nice!

Talonflame Leftovers (or Life orb)
252 Atk/ 192 HP/ 60 Spe/ 4 Def
Nature: Adamant
-Bulk up
-Flare Biltz
-Brave Bird
-Roost

Since you're running Sticky Web, you can put the EV's into HP or Def, to maximize Talonflame's bulk. Tell me how this set goes ^^
I was using for that 1.2 boost, but I'll try with LO, and then with Acrobatics and without items, thanks !

Woops, I didn't see that there but yea, you should replace poisin jab with swords dance, being able to set up sweep is always a nice thing. By the way I think you should use a choice band set for talon flame with brave bird, flare blitz, u-turn and another move I can't think of
Thanks, just swapped Poison Jab with SD, and will look into that banded Talonflame, looks fun to use lol


You could go full offensive with starmie. I'm by no means a starmie expert, I only know it is classified as an offensive spinner and does some major damage as one.
Specs and life orb are even in damage. One costs you 10% health in exchange for being able to select any move while specs locks you into that move. For attacking subs, you generally would only use one option on the poke, but there is really no difference other than less damage racked up from rocks.
The suggestion wasn't so much for power with TF, but for securing less recoil damage. If you find it running fine without, that works as well.
That's true, with sticky web he can outspeed even in mega. A benefit of it is most faries happen to be specially defensive. Just watch out for clefable.
Thanks for the Starmie advice, it really can't take hits, offensive is the way to go. And I changed Noivern for Hydreigon, better overall.
 
This is shaping up to be a good looking team. I just have one suggestion. Your only two special attackers are support mons. I would recommend adding either shadow ball or flash canon to your aegislash over swords dance. Aegislash is a solid sweeper, but personally, I have found that most teams have an answer for physical aegislash. Its a minor adjustment, but it could help. Oh and your starmie's ability is mistyped I think.
 
This is shaping up to be a good looking team. I just have one suggestion. Your only two special attackers are support mons. I would recommend adding either shadow ball or flash canon to your aegislash over swords dance. Aegislash is a solid sweeper, but personally, I have found that most teams have an answer for physical aegislash. Its a minor adjustment, but it could help. Oh and your starmie's ability is mistyped I think.
Thanks, I'll think about the Aegislash opinion, and I'll fix the typo in the Starmie's ability :)
 
Might wanna try Iron Head on Excadrill or Aegi, having a steel type would help a lot against all these fairies running around
 
The only common fairy that cares about getting hit by iron head is also taken down by rock slide, so I would keep that on the excadrill. Steel type attacks are only really usable by things that can't get past sylveon or florges any other way. Excadrill doesn't have the slightest problem getting past either and swords dance aegislash can easily use them as setup foder. My two cents at least.
 
Your team looks pretty solid, especially so for a first-timer. I don't know if you like people to tell you to change half your team, but it's a free world, and I'd like to say my bit:
First, I loved Garchomp. Loved. I always think that it was so broken when first introduced, they tried to nerf it ever since; first by seeing to it that it doesn't get dragon dance or priority, then by banning sand veil, and now by giving it a joke of a megavolution. Don't get me wrong, but Megachomp is just a waste. Granted, its attacking stats are glorious, but you're better off giving that mega spot to something like Gyarados or Lucario, because that base 92 speed is a suicide for Gachomp. Keep Garchomp if you want to (I had a hard time deciding, but eventually dropped it) but keep normal chomp with a choice scarf or a choice band, that'll make it potent as a revenge killer or forceful attacker that can outspeed many things. If speed is not your priority, then try running a Kyurem-B, which serves the same purpose and has better coverage, without eating up that mega spot.
Second, about that mega spot. Now, every team must have a megavolution to stay competitive, and I seriously suggest you run a hard-hitting physical megavolution. M-Lucario is my personal favorite, as adaptability coupled with 145 attack and 112 speed wrecks half the metagame. Gyarados is another choice, but M-gyarados and normal Gyarados both serve the same purpose; it is debatable which is better, as they both focus on DD and sweep. For that matter, Gyarados makes better use of Moxie or Intimidate than Mold Breaker. You can also try Mega-pinsir, which can be quite a threat with Aerilate.
Third, about that special sweeper. Greninja's pretty solid; after Blaziken and Infernape, It's one of the best Starters, but it serves a limited purpose. 122 speed is awesome, but 109 special attack just doesn't cut it, especially with the nerf to special moves. I suggest Latios. In fact, you can replace Garchomp with Latios, which is faster and serves the role of a great special hole-puncher with that metagame-defining Draco Meteor. Latios with a choice specs can demolish anything with DM, and with a choice scarf can easily punch holes with Psyshock.
Also, you can free up Rapid spin on Excadrill, since your current team (excluding Talonflame) all don't really get hit hard by stealth rock or spikes. Half your team seems to resist SR.
And, lastly, Have you considered Baton Pass? If you use, say, scolipede for example, and pass a few SDs and Speed Boosts to a thing like Megalucario or Megachomp, then you're set. Of course, you must watch out for phazers like Skarmory, but with enough SDs and Moxie boosts from a Gyarados, you can overpower them.

There, i'm done. I've said my piece, make of it what you will!
 
The only common fairy that cares about getting hit by iron head is also taken down by rock slide, so I would keep that on the excadrill. Steel type attacks are only really usable by things that can't get past sylveon or florges any other way. Excadrill doesn't have the slightest problem getting past either and swords dance aegislash can easily use them as setup foder. My two cents at least.
Thanks for the opinion, I thought it wouldn't be that important too...

Your team looks pretty solid, especially so for a first-timer. I don't know if you like people to tell you to change half your team, but it's a free world, and I'd like to say my bit:
First, I loved Garchomp. Loved. I always think that it was so broken when first introduced, they tried to nerf it ever since; first by seeing to it that it doesn't get dragon dance or priority, then by banning sand veil, and now by giving it a joke of a megavolution. Don't get me wrong, but Megachomp is just a waste. Granted, its attacking stats are glorious, but you're better off giving that mega spot to something like Gyarados or Lucario, because that base 92 speed is a suicide for Gachomp. Keep Garchomp if you want to (I had a hard time deciding, but eventually dropped it) but keep normal chomp with a choice scarf or a choice band, that'll make it potent as a revenge killer or forceful attacker that can outspeed many things. If speed is not your priority, then try running a Kyurem-B, which serves the same purpose and has better coverage, without eating up that mega spot.
Second, about that mega spot. Now, every team must have a megavolution to stay competitive, and I seriously suggest you run a hard-hitting physical megavolution. M-Lucario is my personal favorite, as adaptability coupled with 145 attack and 112 speed wrecks half the metagame. Gyarados is another choice, but M-gyarados and normal Gyarados both serve the same purpose; it is debatable which is better, as they both focus on DD and sweep. For that matter, Gyarados makes better use of Moxie or Intimidate than Mold Breaker. You can also try Mega-pinsir, which can be quite a threat with Aerilate.
Third, about that special sweeper. Greninja's pretty solid; after Blaziken and Infernape, It's one of the best Starters, but it serves a limited purpose. 122 speed is awesome, but 109 special attack just doesn't cut it, especially with the nerf to special moves. I suggest Latios. In fact, you can replace Garchomp with Latios, which is faster and serves the role of a great special hole-puncher with that metagame-defining Draco Meteor. Latios with a choice specs can demolish anything with DM, and with a choice scarf can easily punch holes with Psyshock.
Also, you can free up Rapid spin on Excadrill, since your current team (excluding Talonflame) all don't really get hit hard by stealth rock or spikes. Half your team seems to resist SR.
And, lastly, Have you considered Baton Pass? If you use, say, scolipede for example, and pass a few SDs and Speed Boosts to a thing like Megalucario or Megachomp, then you're set. Of course, you must watch out for phazers like Skarmory, but with enough SDs and Moxie boosts from a Gyarados, you can overpower them.

There, i'm done. I've said my piece, make of it what you will!
I do like any type of suggestion, if you say "change your whole team", and I think the one you suggested is better, I will :)
I aggre with you about Garchomp, he's amazing, but I don't he needs to take the megaevo spot on my team. I'll try Lucario again.
I loved the Latios idea, the only problem is that I'm playing the Pre-Bank OU, that why I can't get Latios or Kyurem-B, but I'll look into the option of going to the Pokebank OU. I'm only afraid that there are too many pokemons I don't know, and I'll get raped at first lol
And I've tried to use Baton Passers, but I misplayed a lot, and made bad choices. Now that I'm getting more experienced, I'll try that again.
Thanks !
 
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