Flash Flood [Offensive OU]

[Mister Anbu]

FLASH FLOOD


PRESENTING

INTRODUCTION

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I dabbled in competitive battling on IRC servers during the R/S days, but took a huge break and only started up again a couple of weeks ago. I haven't been too consistent with any team, but this one managed to finally push me into the 1400s after stalling in the high 1300s for a while. I'd like some opinions before I make a final stride towards the higher end of the rankings.

TEAM PURPOSE

This is an extremely offensive team. It is built to have a lot of quick matches and to overwhelm the opponent through brute force. The overall goal, however, is to find an opportunity to set up Empoleon for a mid-end game sweep. Mid-game sweeps can be thwarted by a variety of pokemon, notably Blissey, Vaporeon, Suicune, and CM Latias. It, at the very least, lures out the counter and then I can proceed to sacrifice my team to eliminate it.

EXTRA DETAILS

- No one is affected by Toxic Spikes (Lum Berry on Kingdra)
- I really like Empoleon
- I hope Gengar does not miss
- The Detroit Pistons have made several good changes
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IN DEPTH

Prophet (Azelf) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
- Fire Blast
- Psychic

Description: Azelf is without a doubt the best offensive lead I've used. I cycle through my leads very often otherwise. This guy sets the pace for my team, almost always laying rocks and either hurting or killing someone(s) in the process. STABed Psychics will do a lot to anyone that takes at least neutral damage.

Teamwork (how it helps Empoleon: Well, since I hate laying any sort of spikes, rocks are very helpful to an offensive team. My opponent often switches more than I do, so they pile more residual damage. If it stays alive long enough, it can explode on a special wall.

Problems: As mentioned, Pokemon that could potentially carry Pursuit are big problems. I usually just stay in and explode on them. Tyranitar swapping into Azelf is very troublesome for me. Not only does it break my sash, he will likely KO me with Pursuit whether I stay in or leave.

Solution: After it dies, I send in Gengar and put it to sleep/Focus Blast depending on its health. Well, I send in Gengar after Azelf explodes almost every time anyways.

Opinion: Despite being the best offensive lead I've used, I still do not like it too much. I'm definitely open to swapping this out if there's a better alternative for a team that plays like mine.

The Prophet's success will determine if my opponent has the ability to reflect the storm.

Change Log:

Davy Jones (Gengar) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Explosion
- Hypnosis

Description: Gengar is a very powerful pokemon... when it hits. There are only a handful of Pokemon that will kill Gengar 1 on 1. Hypnosis often causes switches and can be very useful if I get a favorable matchup and the opponent swaps Scizor into a hypnosis. If it misses, I usually switch out, as the opponent will Bullet Punch in fear of hypnosis, instead of Pursuit.

Teamwork (how it helps Empoleon): Lures out special walls, sometimes killing them. Blissey especially enjoys coming into Gengar, only to eat an Explosion, I usually scout the protect. It blocks Lucario and can handle most fighting types. Actually, it can just handle most Pokemon. Assuming it hits.

Problems: Missing. Missing. Missing. >_> Wide Lens time? I don't know if 66% and 77% accuary is worth the 30% drop in damage. Gengar can hold its own against almost every Pokemon and I can't think of a single pokemon

Solution: Pray. And hax. Lots of hax.

Opinion: I really like Gengar, but the misses can cause me to go blind via eye gouging. I like his versatility and the fact that he lures out special walls, letting me scout my opponent.

The Ghost of Davy Jones rises from the depths of the ocean, wreaking havoc throughout its path.

Change Log:

Triton (Kingdra) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
- Substitute

Description: This guy is a powerhouse. If it switches in cleanly, it will get off at least one Dragon Dance. Teams that try to poison or paralyze it either get rejected by Substitute or Lum Berry. He's almost never alive endgame. I use him primarily as a way to open things up in the middle of the game, and he sweeps teams that aren't prepared for it.

Teamwork (how it helps Empoleon): It can lure out scarfed dragons that get caught in Outrage, letting Empoleon switch in and set up safely. It'll also put huge dents into the opponent.

Problems: If it swaps in incorrectly to a neutral move, it will take a lot of damage. U-turn is the biggest problem, as it lets the opponent go to a counter. Lucario is the most common pokemon used to kill it.

Solution: Well, the problems aren't too huge of a deal. I just avoid swapping into anything questionable. Swapping into scarfed attacks that I resist is great.

Opinion: This guy is a staple. I've been using him for a while and this is definitely Kingdra's most effective set. It helps that it's one of my favorite Pokemon.

The King of the Sea (father to a famous princess) rises from the depths of the oceans to become a terror on land.

Change Log:

Atlantis (Metagross) @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 48 HP/252 Atk/12 Def/198 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Agility
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Thunder Punch

Description: Agiligross can also sweep unprepared teams, especially in the latter stages of the game. Thunder Punch is used to help against Suicune and Vaporeon, as well as Gyarados, who loves switching in on Metagross for some reason.

Teamwork (how it helps Empoleon): This guy is great at handling many fighting types and even electric types. It draws out their Earthquake user, if they have one left toward the end of the game. It can let Salamence swap in and deal a huge blow to someone.

Problems: Rotom. >_> Run away.

Solution: Rotom actually gives my team a lot of trouble, but can be handled by Gengar if it is alive. I generally have to sacrifice a pokemon to take it out with Salamence though.

Opinion: I used to run this guy as a lead, but it lost to smart Azelfs, so I got it out of there. It also has a lot of physical potential, helping crush special walls for Empoleon.

The Lost City of Atlantis shocks the world with its highly advanced technology.

Change Log:

Poseidon (Empoleon) @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
Evs: 12 HP/6 Def/240 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Substitute

Description: Empoleon has swept many teams. When set up properly, this thing has very few counters - ones that I've hopefully managed to already eliminate. I've tried running Grass Knot before, but Ice Beam ultimately provides better coverage.

Teamwork (how it helps itself): Narcissism.

Problems: Blissey. Vaporeon. Milotic. Suicune. You get the picture. The occasional Mach Punch/Vacuum Wave also hurts. Lucario can also generally put a good dent into it with Extreme Speed, so I have to be in pretty good (20-25%) health to survive that. Top tier scarf users can also be problematic.

Solution: Pray that they don't have much left that can handle Salamence.

The God of the Sea unleashes his wrath on the mortal races of the land.

Change Log:

Leviathan (Salamence) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk/188 Spd/70 SAtk
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Hydro Pump

Description: This guy is a great revenge killer. Coupled with Metagross, it's my only real hope at stopping Suicune. This will also serve as a check on CM Latias, who otherwise has a field day with my team. He has, as far as I know, perfect coverage with this set.

Teamwork (how it helps Empoleon): Shamwow! This thing cleans up well, all the while fairing well against Empoleon's weakness - most notably Ground and Fighting - as electric attackers rarely last until the end.

Problems: Steel types, who often last to the end, could give me some problems. The general goal is to get the opponent down to 2-3 Pokemon that do not resist steel and to clean up with Outrage.

Solution: Play better with the front 5.

The mighty Leviathan roars at the command of Posideon, striking terror into the enemies hearts.

Change Log:
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[Mister Anbu]

TEAM BUILDING PROCESS

I wanted to use Empoleon and Kingdra, no matter what because water is my favorite type. Dragon and Steel are arguably the two strongest types. So I tried building a team around those two. I wanted Kingdra to be physical to compliment the special Empoleon.

Next, I wanted a strong lead to get an offensive team rolling. I don't like stall and I don't really like playing any sort of defense. I prefer to get things rolling and watch the chaos ensue. Azelf not only gets rocks, but packs a huge punch.

Seeing as how Azelf usually dies to start the game, sometimes taking the enemy with it, I wanted to get someone that was very effective 1 on 1. Gengar seemed to be my best option, as I don't like choice users too much. Gengar also lures in Blissey, a huge cock block to Empoleon.

With that said, I wanted some insurance, to make sure Blissey and bulky waters could be handled. Metagross gives me a great powerhouse in the middle of the lineup and helps knock out bulky waters with Thunder Punch. It also lures out their Earthquake user, letting me scout their team for Empoleon's offensive threat.

Finally, I realized I didn't have much to stop a Salamence (+1) or CM Latias. I also didn't have much going in terms of revenge killing. Scarfmence fit the bill. Its typing also played well with Empoleon. Coupled with Metagross, its also my only legitimate shot against a Crocune.

And that's the final team.

DEFENSIVE THREATS

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Blissey - Gengar/Azelf go boom. Gengar does a pretty good job at hitting it. Otherwise, Kingdra, Metagross, and Salamence can all handle it relatively well.

Bronzong - It's too weak to threaten my team. Kingdra can substitute to avoid Explosion. Gengar can be swapped in if I predict correctly. The nature of my team makes it irrelevant.

Celebi - Celebi can be troublesome, but with two substitutes and four pokemon that can hit its weaknesses, its not a big problem.

Cresselia - Gengar can hit it very hard, and it has nothing to stop Empoleon and Kingdra from setting up.

Dusknoir - Gengar can put it to sleep to avoid Shadow Punch and then kill it. Substitute Pokemon can also hamper it.

Forretress - If it tries to set up, it'll just be bait for Kingdra or Empoleon to set up.

Gliscor - Kingdra and Salamence can handle it easily. Gengar can as well. Empoleon can if it doesn't swap into it, and some defensive sets fail to KO Empoleon.

Gyarados - Metagross and Empoleon can usually do decent against it. Salamence can also come in for the revenge kill.

Hippowdon - Explode on it immediately with Azelf.

Jirachi - My team resists its defensive sets very handidly.

Rotom-A - No real counter outside of Gengar, and that can be risky. Salamence can, however, revenge kill it. Empoleon survives Discharge and kills with Surf.

Skarmory - Whirlwind is problematic, but it hasn't given me much trouble yet between Gengar, Empoleon, and Salamence. Thunderpunch on Metagross also helps.

Snorlax - Curselax is a huge problem. I have to set up before it does.

Suicune - Metagross and Salamence might not be enough. If it sets up, I could be finished. It also counters Empoleon very well.

Swampert - He can't take hits for too long, doesn't give me much of a problem.

Tentacruel - Salamence and Metagross handle it well. Kingdra can set up on it as well.

Tyranitar - Metagross and Salamence can take it, Empoleon boosted can also take it, as defensive T-Tars don't usually carry EQ.

Vaporeon - Gengar can hopefully lure it and kill it. Otherwise it switches in on Kingdra a lot, who can 2HKO with Outrage, or Metagross that can take it with Tpunch.

Zapdos - Empoleon can take defensive versions, Salamence can revenge kill. Kingdra can also kill it.

OFFENSIVE THREATS

Azelf - Salamence can revenge kill it easily.

Breloom - Salamence can swap in well, as can Gengar at times. It doesn't have many chances to set up though.

Dragonite - Salamence, Empoleon, Kingdra... Dragonite almost never has room to set up/come in safely.

Electivire - Salamence can take it easily, otherwise it's very fragile. I only have one eletric attack anyways - and it's somewhat unexpected.

Gengar- Salamence can revenge kill it, Gengar can speed tie it, Azelf can KO it if alive. Kingdra can absorb a hit and KO.

Gyarados - 3 attack sets can be very problematic for me.

Heatran - Kingdra and Salamence handle it well. Otherwise it's swapping into Agility or Hypnosis.

Heracross - It's too slow to cause much trouble. Salamence can revenge kill it easily.

Infernape - Kingdra and Salamence handle it well, Gengar can too.

Jolteon - Salamence can kill with Earthquake, anything else can kill it with just one turn of set up.

Kingdra - Salamence can revenge kill it. Empoleon can come in on Outrage and set up for the kill.

Lucario- Gengar is a pretty good check. Otherwise, +2 Extreme Speed can be a big problem. Salamence can possibly survive +1 and KO it.

Machamp - It can't take too many hits, Gengar can stop it with Hypnosis. Salamence and come in for revenge.

Magnezone - This thing likes swapping into Agiligross, thus ensuring its death.

Mamoswine - Kingdra can take it somewhat. Thankfully, the offensive ones are usually choiced and I can maneuver around that.

Metagross - Salamence can revenge kill, I can usually set up before it and kill it.

Porygon-Z - Frail and slow, it doesn't have a chance to swap in. Salamence can revenge kill it.

Salamence- Mine can revenge kill +1 Salamence even.

Scizor - Choice sets aren't usually a problem for my team, Swords Dance could be problematic, but I can wear it down because of its speed.

Starmie - Metagross can survive and kill, Salamence can revenge.

Togekiss - Salamence and Metagross can do pretty well against it.

Tyranitar - DDance sets can be somewhat problematic, but it'll likely take damage on the DD and then get revenged by Salamence.

Weavile - Metagross.

Zapdos - Offensive variants can be problematic. Hopefully Gengar can dent it enough for Salamence to finish.

I don't really worry much about offensive pokemon, as my team does its best to prevent them from setting up. I keep them on the edge, and Salamence serves as a solid check to most, if not all, of the metagame.
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[lordkira]

Nice overall, I like it
However, your MixMence...for your moveset I would take out hydro pump for draco meteor which should be your main attack (well first attack for many cases). With Draco Meteor, it is one of the most powerful pokemons.

 

[Toxic Torture]

If Mence is designed to break special walls that would stop Empoleon later, it is better to hit with Outrage than Draco Meteor but getting locked in is never good. I think he should keep his great coverage as Outrage can OHKO CM Latias and 3HKO at worst most Suicune sets.

 

[Mister Anbu]

If I know they have a steel left, it's more beneficial to have Hydro Pump. Water offers great coverage and can be a great finishing tool at the end of the game. Draco Meteor can really screw me over, as I generally try to save Salamence for end game. Even with rocks, as long as they don't have priority moves, I'm still faster than pretty much anything at the end of the game.

 

[Sandal8]

You've mentioned Blissey as a major pain in the fanny; right now, I'd say Kingdra might be a weak link on your team, because if it doesn't set up, it's death fodder. Consider replacing it with Lucario, who also has Toxic Spikes immunity, and who's weaknesses can be exploited by Empoleon, Gengar, and Salamence. It also destroys Blissey, and does a very good job of roughing people up in general.

Lucario @ Life Orb/Muscle Plate (Inner Focus)
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Spe/4 SpD
Adamant Nature (+Atk, - SpA)/Jolly Nature (+Spe, - SpA)
-Close Combat
-Extreme Speed
-Crunch/Stone Edge
-Stone Edge/Swords Dance

It'll help Empoleon a lot, especially for taking out bulky waters.

 

[xWOLFYx]

It looks to me that a Scarf Rotom can give this team alot of trouble. I don't personally use Scizor, because it is very predictable, slow, and its priority move is set up bait for alot of pokes, but I think it would do a much better job than your current Scarf Mence at revenge killing and weakening walls (Blissey) and can Pursuit scarf Rotoms. He also doesn't lose a quarter of his health every time he switches in. With no spinner and a lead Azelf without Taunt, SR will be up, which means after a switch in or two, your current Salamence will be in Bullet Punch / ExSpeed range anyway. I think Latias would also do that job better. It is suceptible to Pursuit, but CB Pursuit pretty much means you get a free Agility Empoleon or Metagross and maybe even a DD with Kingdra. Another thing Scizor can do is remove defensive Celebis that can be problematic for Kingdra and Empoleon.

I almost agree with Sandal8 on recommending a strong Fighting type for your Blissey problem, but I recommend Machamp instead. SubChamp is my personal favorite as he gets a free sub on Blissey. If the opponent switches in their ghost expecting DPunch, you get a free Payback in, thanks to the sub, thus possibly removing your Rotom problem. In the end, something is taking a DPunch or Payback if they want to break the sub. One thing this Machamp has over the Luke is that he doesn't share 2 weaknesses with Empoleon.

GL with your team. I love Sub + DD Kingdra.