Fusion of the Sweepers (OU RMT)

Im pretty new to competitive battling in general, and this is my first RMT. This team hasn't been doing badly, netting me a good amount of wins, but I feel that against the more experienced players it falls short sometimes. Maybe it could be because im a newcomer and i still have to master the fundamentals, but i could use all of the help i could get since im new. And before further ado, heres the team!!

The Team:
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Machamp @ Lum Berry
Ability: No Guard
EV's: 252 HP / 238 Atk / 20 Sp. Def
Adamant Nature (+ Atk, - Sp. Atk)

~ Dynamic Punch
~ Stone Edge
~ Payback
~ Bullet Punch

To lead off my team I chose Machamp. I was getting tired of facing the same leads over and over (Azelf, Aero, Rachi) and I wanted someone who could just punch them in the face and hurt them before they U-Turned or switched, and Machamp fit the bill. If they switch he screws the switch in with Dynamicpunch, dealing massive damage and confusing the target. He brings an element quick into the battle that just says "Hey, im here" and rattles the opponent.

EV Reasoning

I maxed attack to give him ridiculous power, and then 20 Sp. Def EV's to always survive a lead Azelfs Psychic. The rest was put into HP to give Machamp a considerable amount of bulk.

Moveset

Dynamic Punch is the obvious choice of STAB, due to its confusion and 100% accuracy thanks to No Guard. Stone Edge is for all of those pesky flying types out their that think they can ruin Machamps parade. Payback is for any ghost type even nearing the realm of thinking of switching in to him. Finally, Bullet Punch is to laugh at sash users, even though originally I had Ice Punch for the (BAN ME PLEASE) bag known as Gliscor, but I find Bullet Punch is much more effective when disposing of leads.

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Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EV's: 156 HP / 88 Atk / 96 Def / 168 Spe
Nature: Jolly (+ Spe, - Sp. Atk)

~ Waterfall
~ Thunder Wave
~ Bounce
~ Dragon Dance

Bulky Gyarados FTW. This thing is a machine, and is my early sweeper I guess you could say. I tend to take him out early to see what my opponent is going to switch to to counter him, and I para on the switch, which results in anger for the opponent. If he gets a couple of DD's up watch out as well.

EV's: Honestly, I got these EV's from another RMT I read and decided to try them out, and they work great. He survives a lot of attacks, and he still has enough power to fire back, or para if a bad matchup.

Moveset: This moveset is almost the same as the Smogon bulky dancer set, with a couple of niches in it. The first, is Thunder Wave over Taunt. Yes, taunt helps out with stallers (ex. Skarmory, god i hate Skarmory) but I found that T-Wave is a great niche in his moveset that catches almost everyone off guard. They switch into a counter thinking they are gonna sponge the hit, and then they paralyzed. Pretty frustrating. Waterfall is carried for STAB, Dragon Dance for boosts. And then Bounce. Now it was either Bounce or Stone Edge, and honestly it was a toss up. Im thinking about switching to Stone Edge to try it out and handle other Gyaradoses, since I have had some mixed results with Bounce.

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Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EV's: 188 HP / 252 Def / 68 Spe
Nature: Bold (+ Def, - Atk)

~ Surf
~ Ice Beam
~ HP Electric
~ Wish

Ahh, the wish passer. This thing has saved me a couple of times with healing my sweepers, and it does it consistently throughout the battle. Also, I needed a water sponge that was NOT Gyarados, since I didnt want him taking too much punishment early off in the match. I will explain the moveset later, since im sure you all are curious.

EV's: I got the spread from Smogon, couldnt really come up with anything better since it was the first time I had ever really used Vaporeon.

Moveset: Now for the moves. Surf obviously for some form of STAB, and Vaporeons Sp. Atk rating is overlooked regularly. Ice Beam is for the (BAN ME PLEASE) bag known as Gliscor, and for any Dragon Dancers that think they can waltz on in and set up. Now the standard wish passer has a Wish + Protect combo, but i chose Wish + HP Electric. Why? Because I found that most experience players will take that protect turn as an opportunity to make a switch and set up. I know the drawbacks that anything that would 3HKO me will now without protect, but I have caught NUMEROUS Gyarados's off guard with HP Electric, basically crippling them for the rest of the match.

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Ash%27s_Gliscor.jpg


Gliscor @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EV's: 252 HP / 40 Atk / 216 Spe
Nature: Jolly ( + Spe, - Sp. Atk)

~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Taunt
~ Roost

Thats right! The (BAN ME PLEASE) bag Gliscor makes an appearance on my team, and its a real annoyer. Not overpowering, but it seems like a lot of people have trouble countering him. He also covers Gyarados and Vaporeons weakness to Electric attacks, allowing him a free switch in and to counter back with STAB Earthquake.

EV's: I think I got this set from Smogon as well, and will be open to any more spreads. I have been thinking about making one to give Gliscor a little bit more power, but I dont know if I want to sacrifice bulk or speed.

Moveset: Simple wall/stall breaker. If someone wants to try to set up I taunt and then start sending STAB Earthquakes at them and roost up when needed. Stone Edge covers the flying types who are immune to Earthquake. Thinking about alternate sets, or even removing him altogether. He was the final addition to my team.

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Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EV's: 82 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Nature: Jolly ( + Spe, - Sp. Atk)

~ Iron Head
~ U Turn
~ Stealth Rock
~ Trick

Im not quite sure how Jirachi is not Uber yet, but I am going to continue to use him until that day comes. Quite simply the most aggravating pokemon left in OU, due to Iron Heads ridiculous 60% of flinch hax. Combine that with a paralyzed opponent, and your going to be banging your head against your wall.

EV's: I wanted to give Jirachi some bulk, so I sacrificed some speed due to him already carrying a Choice Scarf. Attack was maxed out to give Iron Head maximum power.

Moveset: Now this is a standard lead Rachi set, and I like to bring him out early (usually after Machamp goes down), to trick of my scarf and them set up the rocks. I then either stay in with Iron Head and flinch hax, or U-Turn out. Trick is not only good for tricking off your scarf, but can really cause some problems for your opponents when your tricking their items around, it can really mess up their momentum.

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Tyranitar @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Stream
EV's: 26 HP / 252 Atk / 232 Spe
Nature: Jolly ( + Spe, - Sp. Atk)

~ Crunch
~ Stone Edge
~ Earthquake
~ Rock Polish

Tyranitar, the beast of all beasts, is my final trump card and my deadliest sweeper. He comes in late game, and really tears through what is remaining of the opposing team. I make sure to get rid of his counters quickly, and try not to bring him out too early in the match. If Gliscor is still standing as well they form a NASTY combo, with Gliscors Sand Veil and his resistance to some of Tyranitar's weaknesses, especially Fighting type attacks.

EV's: 232 Speed is to outspeed a Scarfed base 100 after a Rock Polish. 252 Atk is for maximum power, and then the rest were poured into HP to give him a tiny bit of bulk (even though Tyranitar already has considerably bulk by himself).

Moveset: Im so proud to have come up with this set myself, and was shocked when Smogon didnt have it as one of their sets. I guess DD Tar kind of overshadows the Rock Polish set, but I love it. This thing had 1 vs 4 and it swept the remaining team after a Rock Polish. Rock Polish outspeeds most scarfers, most notably Scarf Tran and Scarf Lucario. Crunch is for reliable STAB. Earthquake is their for Tran, Lucario, and Metagross. Stone Edge is STAB for any flying types or if I need a hard hit.


This has been really fun as my first RMT, and I look forward to some of the experts feedback.
 
Welcome to Smogon.

This team looks great for a beginner, it's easy on the eyes yet it's not eye-candy (and too much candy is bad ... *shudders*) ... and on a serious note, I think Gliscor's Stone Edge should change to U-Turn. The sheer momentum that U-Turn brings is great, as Gliscor forces so many stall-based opponents out (and it's really fun to spam with Jirachi).
 
Welcome to Smogon.

This team looks great for a beginner, it's easy on the eyes yet it's not eye-candy (and too much candy is bad ... *shudders*) ... and on a serious note, I think Gliscor's Stone Edge should change to U-Turn. The sheer momentum that U-Turn brings is great, as Gliscor forces so many stall-based opponents out (and it's really fun to spam with Jirachi).

I'll think about it. Thanks for being the first to comment on the team!
 
Hi. This looks like a pretty decent team.

I would use this spread for Machamp - 240hp 240atk 16spdef 12spe. This still allows you to avoid an OHKO from Naive Azelf's Psychic, whilst offering slightly more attacking power, and the ability to outrun most other Machamp leads.

Jirachi should not be using SR outside of the lead position on a Scarf set. SR will make Jirachi massive setup bait, given that it becomes locked in with a Scarf. Jirachi is required as a revenge-killer and you should recognise this by maxing your speed and putting Fire punch over SR, and possibly Ice punch or Thunderpunch over U-turn depending on whether you have trouble with Dragons or Gyarados (unlikely.) Max speed is necessary to give a speed tie against +1 DDmence and Scarf Flygon in an emergency, and to tie with other base 100s afrter having used trick.

Gliscor should then use SR over Stone Edge, which is horribly weak even against Gyarados due to intimidate. Gliscor is a very reliable user, but if you decide to put it elsewhere, give Gliscor Toxic, and it will help to break down stallers, whilst still giving you a way to hurt stuff like Gyarados. It is also an option to increase your speed EVs to 220, simply to outrun and Taunt opposing Gliscor.

I would suggest the following spread for Vaporeon: 252hp 244def 12spe. You should give up on trying to outrun Skarm given that many of them run more speed and/or specially defensive spreads that let them beat you. 12 speed outruns Scizor, and 252hp gives maximum leftovers recovery, whilst also granting better defenses on both sides of the spectrum than your current spread.

I would suggest changing Bounce to Stone Edge on Gyarados, given that you already have Thunder Wave for Paralysis, and Stone Edge offers much better SE coverage. With the departure of Latias, it is notable that that DD thunder wave set is less effective than it used to be, as Latias was one of the main switch-ins that was crippled by Twave. Therefore you could try Taunt over Twave (and keep bounce if you still want some paralysis.) Also, given that you aren't running max attack or max speed, and particularly with Twave, a Jolly nature is just an unnecessary drop in power and should be changed to Adamant
.
Finally, I am afraid to say that I am not hugely convinced by Rock Polish Tyranitar. Considering that after a Rock Polish, Tyranitar still fails to outrun the scarfers that usually revenge the DD version, like Scarf Jirachi, Flygon and even Gengar, I am not sure that the reduction in power over DD is justified. ScarfTran and Scarf Rotom can do little to you, and other scarfers that you mentioned like Lucario are rare. Therefore I consider, as apparently do the smogon analyses, that it is outclassed by DDtar. With DD you can afford to run a Lum berry or babiri berry to let you set up on Blissey and Rotom, and avoid being killed by Scizor, respectively (though Fire Punch is needed to guarantee an OHKO,) or you can keep a LO and enjoy the extra power.

Good luck.
 
Hi. This looks like a pretty decent team.

I would use this spread for Machamp - 240hp 240atk 16spdef 12spe. This still allows you to avoid an OHKO from Naive Azelf's Psychic, whilst offering slightly more attacking power, and the ability to outrun most other Machamp leads.

Jirachi should not be using SR outside of the lead position on a Scarf set. SR will make Jirachi massive setup bait, given that it becomes locked in with a Scarf. Jirachi is required as a revenge-killer and you should recognise this by maxing your speed and putting Fire punch over SR, and possibly Ice punch or Thunderpunch over U-turn depending on whether you have trouble with Dragons or Gyarados (unlikely.) Max speed is necessary to give a speed tie against +1 DDmence and Scarf Flygon in an emergency, and to tie with other base 100s afrter having used trick.

Gliscor should then use SR over Stone Edge, which is horribly weak even against Gyarados due to intimidate. Gliscor is a very reliable user, but if you decide to put it elsewhere, give Gliscor Toxic, and it will help to break down stallers, whilst still giving you a way to hurt stuff like Gyarados. It is also an option to increase your speed EVs to 220, simply to outrun and Taunt opposing Gliscor.

I would suggest the following spread for Vaporeon: 252hp 244def 12spe. You should give up on trying to outrun Skarm given that many of them run more speed and/or specially defensive spreads that let them beat you. 12 speed outruns Scizor, and 252hp gives maximum leftovers recovery, whilst also granting better defenses on both sides of the spectrum than your current spread.

I would suggest changing Bounce to Stone Edge on Gyarados, given that you already have Thunder Wave for Paralysis, and Stone Edge offers much better SE coverage. With the departure of Latias, it is notable that that DD thunder wave set is less effective than it used to be, as Latias was one of the main switch-ins that was crippled by Twave. Therefore you could try Taunt over Twave (and keep bounce if you still want some paralysis.) Also, given that you aren't running max attack or max speed, and particularly with Twave, a Jolly nature is just an unnecessary drop in power and should be changed to Adamant
.
Finally, I am afraid to say that I am not hugely convinced by Rock Polish Tyranitar. Considering that after a Rock Polish, Tyranitar still fails to outrun the scarfers that usually revenge the DD version, like Scarf Jirachi, Flygon and even Gengar, I am not sure that the reduction in power over DD is justified. ScarfTran and Scarf Rotom can do little to you, and other scarfers that you mentioned like Lucario are rare. Therefore I consider, as apparently do the smogon analyses, that it is outclassed by DDtar. With DD you can afford to run a Lum berry or babiri berry to let you set up on Blissey and Rotom, and avoid being killed by Scizor, respectively (though Fire Punch is needed to guarantee an OHKO,) or you can keep a LO and enjoy the extra power.

Good luck.

Thanks man, I will take all of these ideas into consideration and test them all. Im probably going to use the EV spreads you suggested, mainly because of the fact that some of my current ones are just smogon spreads. Yea, I think I realize DD Tar overshadows my RP Tar, but I think my sense of pride is a little too high haha. I will consider changing him to a DD Tar, since I havent ever really had one but they seem really cool to work around with
 
Welcome to Smogon bro, I've been here since '07, and along the way your team is going to be changing........A LOT.

That Thunder Wave is really smart. However, if your opponent just happens to be running a standard Electivire, your team loses. Thunderpunch, Fire Punch, and Ice Punch, and Cross Chop will kill your team off a Motor Drive boosted 123 base Attack from Electivire. Gliscor shouldn't be running Stone Edge, as Gliscor's purpose isn't really to be attacking anyways. U-Turn or Toxic should take out that slot. Also, I can see that you like your Tyranitar, so I'd suggest you turn it into a Babiri Berry DDTar with a possible Baton Passer on your team. Since you're new, I'd like to see how this team develops as you learn the metagame more.
 
Welcome to Smogon bro, I've been here since '07, and along the way your team is going to be changing........A LOT.

That Thunder Wave is really smart. However, if your opponent just happens to be running a standard Electivire, your team loses. Thunderpunch, Fire Punch, and Ice Punch, and Cross Chop will kill your team off a Motor Drive boosted 123 base Attack from Electivire. Gliscor shouldn't be running Stone Edge, as Gliscor's purpose isn't really to be attacking anyways. U-Turn or Toxic should take out that slot. Also, I can see that you like your Tyranitar, so I'd suggest you turn it into a Babiri Berry DDTar with a possible Baton Passer on your team. Since you're new, I'd like to see how this team develops as you learn the metagame more.

Yea, im probably going to end up changing him to a DD Tar, since it seems that they over shadow my RP set. Yea, I might have to think about making an adjustment to an Electivire, I will think about it. Thanks for your help.
 
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