As soon as I saw sticky web, and that Galvantula got it, I instantly fell in love with it. I've been working for a while on a dedicated sticky web team, and I've been doing a lot of theorymonning on sticky web and testing. It's gone through three basic stages, which I'll explain at the end of the OP. Sticky web lowers your opponent's team's Speed upon switching in if they're grounded. I wanted to make a team that takes advantage of that, and here's what I came up with. I recently entered this team in a tournament 1/24/14, and it did really well and won me first place. Note that I'm not much of a singles player; I prefer double battles. I've only played singles since the start of 6th gen, but I still think if you play with this team right, you can do really well.
Rotom-Spider (Galvantula) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
IVs: 30 Def, 30 Atk
Naive Nature
- Sticky Web
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Galvantula is the single best sticky web setter in the entire game. It has some things that prevent it, like prankster taunt and fake out, but that doesn't change the fact that almost it can at least 2HKO every magic bouncer, almost every defogger, and every spinner but Excadrill and Donphan (although Donphan is still 2HKO'd by Energy Ball if you have it, and I think excadrill is too but don't quote me on that). It also has the highest Speed of any sticky web user, making it ideal for a dedicated sticky web team.
Here are some things Galvantula can take out that have either Rapid Spin, Defog, or Magic Bounce:
The moveset should be self-explanatory; I have HP Ice over Energy Ball because otherwise thundurus, gliscor, and landorus-t wall it completely. My mega tyranitar also hates gliscor and landorus-t, so if I can hit them with an unexpected HP Ice, that helps a lot.
Compoundeyes is good because I'm running Thunder and that increases its accuracy by a whole lot. However, if you decide to not run Thunder, Swarm increases Bug Buzz's power after you're brought down to your sash, which is useful for subbed pokemon like Trevenant. Unnerve counters the rare Custap leads, or gets past Yache Berry dragons, for example.
Rotom-Knight (Aegislash) @ Air Balloon
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 SAtk
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield
Aegislash is another Pokémon that has never NOT been on my sticky web team. I needed a spinblocker, and this is it. The primary spinner, excadrill, cannot handle Air Balloon Aegislash at all. Excadrill is the one spinner galvantula can't handle that well, either. Since aegislash thrives on going last, I run Quiet. It's also my primary priority user. Mixed Aegislash's primary counter, Mandibuzz, is absolutely destroyed by Galvantula and Tyranitar. The whole set is pretty standard, but I took away a few HP EV's so my shadow sneak doesn't do literally nothing. I might add more so it can 2HKO Chansey/Blissey with Sacred Sword, even after 2 turns of lefties and Wish.
Rotom-Magma (Heatran) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
I was beginning to see a weakness to Fire-type moves, so Heatran was the #1 answer. It also hard counters Genesect, which is really good, and also Talonflame, even without Defense investment. If it's specially defensive, it can actually take on physically defensive tentacruel, dealing more damage with Earth Power than Tentacruel does with Scald (unless it's in the rain). Lava Plume's burn chance has good synergy with the spread, leaving physical attackers fear switching into Heatran. Earth Power lets me switch into Fire-types such as Ninetails and actually threaten them; it also lets me hit and 2HKO Talonflame on the Roost. Ground coverage overall is just good in general.
If you don't have Stealth Rock on your team this generation, you're going to be destroyed pretty easily. It also works well with Roar, which I have to prevent setup by things like Sylveon, Volcarona, Talonflame, Clefable, etc. as well as being able to stack up SR damage if I do it on the switch.
Rotom-Jelly (Tentacruel) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 244 Def / 248 HP / 16 Spd
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Substitute
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
I wanted a rapid spinner. I ran Excadrill for a long, LONG time. But, in this version of the team, I didn't really need offensive presence, since I have two ground type moves already. Celebi is now my primary fast attacker, so I was able to put in an underrated support Pokémon.
Not only do I now have a W/F/G core, I can substitute on predicted switches to ghosts, absorb toxic spikes which easily wear down tyranitar, and completely wall Mega Lucario and Azumarill, two very large threats. Ghost types also have to deal with Knock Off, and Aegislash, especially the physical version, has to deal with potential scald burns. I mainly have substitute because Tentacruel forces some switches, and being able to take a hit from behind a sub is great, since it resists Bug Buzz/Hyper Voice and unfortunately it no longer has Rain Dish recovery, leaving it worn down very fast. The only problem with this set is that it can't really do much to Azumarill; I should really run Sludge Bomb, but Azumarill is revenged by Celebi pretty easily, so if I have to face it I can mostly just hope for a Scald burn.
Rotom-Monster (Tyranitar) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 52 Atk / 204 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
IF YOU DON'T USE TYRANITAR ON YOUR STICKY WEB TEAM, USE IT NOW.
Even scarftar works.
Here are some offensive Pokémon, all immune to sticky web, that tyranitar can take out!
How can it handle defensive Pokémon? You have to watch out for Whirlwind/Roar, but you can neuter MegaSaur's Synthesis and eat up any attacks with your massive bulk.
Those stats alone were enough to make me want to use this thing. You do have to be careful, because the sandstorm might break Galvantula's Focus Sash if it hasn't been sent out yet, but usually that's not a problem because 99% of the time it should be your lead. Like galvantula, it threatens a lot of defoggers, which is great. I carry Fire Punch just for Genesect, Breloom, Chesnaught, and mostly Scizor, but not activating King's Shield is great, and so is EdgeQuake. If you want, you can totally run Earthquake.
The EV's are a bit particular; 204 Speed with Jolly outspeeds Tornadus-T after one Dragon Dance, the fastest threat immune to sticky web. Since Mega TTar's Attack stat is so massive, it doesn't need maximum investment, and its Attack will be raised by Dragon Dance anyway. Therefore, I maximize HP, letting it set up easier and live a Focus Blast from Char-Y in sand. The rest is then dumped into Attack. Mega Tyranitar also has zero problems with Knock Off, making it the primary Knock Off fodder on my team.
Rotom-Onion (Celebi) @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Psychic
- Earth Power
- Heal Bell
An offensive Cleric, and the highest base Speed on my team after Galvantula. I chose it primarily because of those things, but this onion fairy does a lot more than that. It shares a defensive and offensive core with Heatran and Tyranitar. They cover each other's weaknesses perfectly. I shouldn't have to explain this part much, but I have to say it's amazing that two Pokémon with absolutely terrible defensive typings (Celebi and Tyranitar) work so well together. Celebi is probably the second-best counter Rotom-W, who so far this team absolutely hates. (The best counter is Gastrodon; it's IMMUNE to its STABs, doesn't care about burns because that means it can't be toxic'd, and can just stall it out.) It cares not about burns, because of Natural Cure and Heal Bell, and resists its STABs. I also picked it because of its ability to absorb Spore, hard counter Breloom and Keldeo, revenge kill Azumarill and Mega Lucario, and tear through the Venutran core.
A lot of my team hates status; Heatran dislikes paralysis, Tyranitar hates basically every status condition; Aegislash immediately dies if it gets fully paralyzed. There's even the occasional Ice Beam freeze on my Heatran (stupid genesect). Sometimes, I switch in celebi to an obvious counter like Skarmory, just to Heal Bell and then sac it, because sometimes they paralyze my win condition (which is understandable). Other than that, Celebi is the only Pokémon besides Aegislash that's able to switch into Earthquake. That's important. I carry Modest since I have sticky web; however, timid will outspeed scarf genesect w/ sticky web and 2HKO with earth power after SR.
THREATS:
Landorus-T: It can either Uturn or EQ my entire team. Usually I can hit it with HP Ice from Galvantula, or sometimes I can Scald it with Tentacruel, but that doesn't always work and a lot of my team is weak to Ground. If my Aegislash loses its Air Balloon, this Pokémon becomes a bit difficult to work around.
Diggersby: Pretty much the same principle as landorus-t, except it can switch into Shadow Ball
Rotom-H: It can either Tbolt or Overheat most of my team, or will-o-wisp my TTar. Galvantula can do literally nothing to it, and it's immune to sticky web. My best hope is to keep my rocks up and keep sending in Heatran, forcing it out.
Garchomp: Most of my team is weak to EQ and its coverage, but usually I can HP Ice or Scald it.
Charizard-Y: Very dangerous to work around. My first hope is to switch into Tyranitar to get rid of its sun, then Tentacruel can live relatively easily and Scald it supereffectively, while the best Char-Y can do to it in sand is... Air Slash? If it doesn't have Focus Blast for whatever reason, Heatran completely walls it, though, and Galvantula can revenge kill it relatively easy. I should also note that my Mega Tyranitar has lived Focus Blasts before.
Dragonite: This thing is a large threat to my team, because it usually carries earthquake, and its multiscale is difficult to break. If I see it, I usually lead heatran just to get rocks up, or roar it out if it tries to set up. Aegislash does pretty good if it still has air balloon and d-nite's multiscale is broken.
So that's the team, guys. Kudos to you if you read all that. This is a really good team I made myself, but every team can be made better. If you have any suggestions, do post them below, but otherwise, I hope you enjoyed. I'll be laddering with this team over the next few days, and I'll update this thread if I make any changes. I'll also probably be adding a section to this thread about previous versions of this team. So for now, goodbye!
Rotom-Spider (Galvantula) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
IVs: 30 Def, 30 Atk
Naive Nature
- Sticky Web
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Galvantula is the single best sticky web setter in the entire game. It has some things that prevent it, like prankster taunt and fake out, but that doesn't change the fact that almost it can at least 2HKO every magic bouncer, almost every defogger, and every spinner but Excadrill and Donphan (although Donphan is still 2HKO'd by Energy Ball if you have it, and I think excadrill is too but don't quote me on that). It also has the highest Speed of any sticky web user, making it ideal for a dedicated sticky web team.
Here are some things Galvantula can take out that have either Rapid Spin, Defog, or Magic Bounce:
Espeon - OHKOs offensive version with Bug Buzz, 2HKOs specially defensive version
Xatu - Does not like Thunder
Mandibuzz - Does not like Thunder
Latias - Does not like Bug Buzz
Scizor - 2HKO'd by Thunder unless it's specially defensive or mega evolved
Forretress - 2HKO'd by Thunder
Tentacruel - Weak to Thunder
Mega Absol - OHKO'd by Bug Buzz, outsped first turn
Mew - Weak to Bug Buzz
Gliscor - OHKO'd by HP Ice
Magic Coat Deoxys-S/D - Weak to Bug Buzz
Don't believe me? Go calc it. Galvantula is very, very good.
Xatu - Does not like Thunder
Mandibuzz - Does not like Thunder
Latias - Does not like Bug Buzz
Scizor - 2HKO'd by Thunder unless it's specially defensive or mega evolved
Forretress - 2HKO'd by Thunder
Tentacruel - Weak to Thunder
Mega Absol - OHKO'd by Bug Buzz, outsped first turn
Mew - Weak to Bug Buzz
Gliscor - OHKO'd by HP Ice
Magic Coat Deoxys-S/D - Weak to Bug Buzz
Don't believe me? Go calc it. Galvantula is very, very good.
The moveset should be self-explanatory; I have HP Ice over Energy Ball because otherwise thundurus, gliscor, and landorus-t wall it completely. My mega tyranitar also hates gliscor and landorus-t, so if I can hit them with an unexpected HP Ice, that helps a lot.
Compoundeyes is good because I'm running Thunder and that increases its accuracy by a whole lot. However, if you decide to not run Thunder, Swarm increases Bug Buzz's power after you're brought down to your sash, which is useful for subbed pokemon like Trevenant. Unnerve counters the rare Custap leads, or gets past Yache Berry dragons, for example.
Rotom-Knight (Aegislash) @ Air Balloon
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 SAtk
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield
Aegislash is another Pokémon that has never NOT been on my sticky web team. I needed a spinblocker, and this is it. The primary spinner, excadrill, cannot handle Air Balloon Aegislash at all. Excadrill is the one spinner galvantula can't handle that well, either. Since aegislash thrives on going last, I run Quiet. It's also my primary priority user. Mixed Aegislash's primary counter, Mandibuzz, is absolutely destroyed by Galvantula and Tyranitar. The whole set is pretty standard, but I took away a few HP EV's so my shadow sneak doesn't do literally nothing. I might add more so it can 2HKO Chansey/Blissey with Sacred Sword, even after 2 turns of lefties and Wish.
Rotom-Magma (Heatran) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
I was beginning to see a weakness to Fire-type moves, so Heatran was the #1 answer. It also hard counters Genesect, which is really good, and also Talonflame, even without Defense investment. If it's specially defensive, it can actually take on physically defensive tentacruel, dealing more damage with Earth Power than Tentacruel does with Scald (unless it's in the rain). Lava Plume's burn chance has good synergy with the spread, leaving physical attackers fear switching into Heatran. Earth Power lets me switch into Fire-types such as Ninetails and actually threaten them; it also lets me hit and 2HKO Talonflame on the Roost. Ground coverage overall is just good in general.
If you don't have Stealth Rock on your team this generation, you're going to be destroyed pretty easily. It also works well with Roar, which I have to prevent setup by things like Sylveon, Volcarona, Talonflame, Clefable, etc. as well as being able to stack up SR damage if I do it on the switch.
Rotom-Jelly (Tentacruel) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 244 Def / 248 HP / 16 Spd
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Substitute
- Rapid Spin
- Knock Off
I wanted a rapid spinner. I ran Excadrill for a long, LONG time. But, in this version of the team, I didn't really need offensive presence, since I have two ground type moves already. Celebi is now my primary fast attacker, so I was able to put in an underrated support Pokémon.
Not only do I now have a W/F/G core, I can substitute on predicted switches to ghosts, absorb toxic spikes which easily wear down tyranitar, and completely wall Mega Lucario and Azumarill, two very large threats. Ghost types also have to deal with Knock Off, and Aegislash, especially the physical version, has to deal with potential scald burns. I mainly have substitute because Tentacruel forces some switches, and being able to take a hit from behind a sub is great, since it resists Bug Buzz/Hyper Voice and unfortunately it no longer has Rain Dish recovery, leaving it worn down very fast. The only problem with this set is that it can't really do much to Azumarill; I should really run Sludge Bomb, but Azumarill is revenged by Celebi pretty easily, so if I have to face it I can mostly just hope for a Scald burn.
Rotom-Monster (Tyranitar) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 52 Atk / 204 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
IF YOU DON'T USE TYRANITAR ON YOUR STICKY WEB TEAM, USE IT NOW.
Even scarftar works.
Here are some offensive Pokémon, all immune to sticky web, that tyranitar can take out!
Gengar - Outspeeds after a DD/Scarf and OHKOs with Crunch
Lati@s - Same
Thundurus - at +1, outspeeds, or can take a hit and can OHKO with Stone Edge/Crunch
Tornadus-T/I - Can OHKO with +1 Stone Edge, but needs to watch out for Focus Blast
Talonflame - Cannot touch Ttar except with uturn, if this is sent out, go for another DD in order to outspeed. OHKO'd by +1 Crunch
Mega Pinsir - Outspeeds at +1, ohkos at +1. Watch out for close combat.
Mega Charizard - Outspeeds at +1, can take a focus blast/EQ and OHKO with Stone Edge
Landorus-T (iffy) -
52 Atk Mega Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 187-222 (48.9 - 58.1%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Lati@s - Same
Thundurus - at +1, outspeeds, or can take a hit and can OHKO with Stone Edge/Crunch
Tornadus-T/I - Can OHKO with +1 Stone Edge, but needs to watch out for Focus Blast
Talonflame - Cannot touch Ttar except with uturn, if this is sent out, go for another DD in order to outspeed. OHKO'd by +1 Crunch
Mega Pinsir - Outspeeds at +1, ohkos at +1. Watch out for close combat.
Mega Charizard - Outspeeds at +1, can take a focus blast/EQ and OHKO with Stone Edge
Landorus-T (iffy) -
52 Atk Mega Tyranitar Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 187-222 (48.9 - 58.1%) -- 61.3% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Those stats alone were enough to make me want to use this thing. You do have to be careful, because the sandstorm might break Galvantula's Focus Sash if it hasn't been sent out yet, but usually that's not a problem because 99% of the time it should be your lead. Like galvantula, it threatens a lot of defoggers, which is great. I carry Fire Punch just for Genesect, Breloom, Chesnaught, and mostly Scizor, but not activating King's Shield is great, and so is EdgeQuake. If you want, you can totally run Earthquake.
The EV's are a bit particular; 204 Speed with Jolly outspeeds Tornadus-T after one Dragon Dance, the fastest threat immune to sticky web. Since Mega TTar's Attack stat is so massive, it doesn't need maximum investment, and its Attack will be raised by Dragon Dance anyway. Therefore, I maximize HP, letting it set up easier and live a Focus Blast from Char-Y in sand. The rest is then dumped into Attack. Mega Tyranitar also has zero problems with Knock Off, making it the primary Knock Off fodder on my team.
Rotom-Onion (Celebi) @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Psychic
- Earth Power
- Heal Bell
An offensive Cleric, and the highest base Speed on my team after Galvantula. I chose it primarily because of those things, but this onion fairy does a lot more than that. It shares a defensive and offensive core with Heatran and Tyranitar. They cover each other's weaknesses perfectly. I shouldn't have to explain this part much, but I have to say it's amazing that two Pokémon with absolutely terrible defensive typings (Celebi and Tyranitar) work so well together. Celebi is probably the second-best counter Rotom-W, who so far this team absolutely hates. (The best counter is Gastrodon; it's IMMUNE to its STABs, doesn't care about burns because that means it can't be toxic'd, and can just stall it out.) It cares not about burns, because of Natural Cure and Heal Bell, and resists its STABs. I also picked it because of its ability to absorb Spore, hard counter Breloom and Keldeo, revenge kill Azumarill and Mega Lucario, and tear through the Venutran core.
A lot of my team hates status; Heatran dislikes paralysis, Tyranitar hates basically every status condition; Aegislash immediately dies if it gets fully paralyzed. There's even the occasional Ice Beam freeze on my Heatran (stupid genesect). Sometimes, I switch in celebi to an obvious counter like Skarmory, just to Heal Bell and then sac it, because sometimes they paralyze my win condition (which is understandable). Other than that, Celebi is the only Pokémon besides Aegislash that's able to switch into Earthquake. That's important. I carry Modest since I have sticky web; however, timid will outspeed scarf genesect w/ sticky web and 2HKO with earth power after SR.
THREATS:
Landorus-T: It can either Uturn or EQ my entire team. Usually I can hit it with HP Ice from Galvantula, or sometimes I can Scald it with Tentacruel, but that doesn't always work and a lot of my team is weak to Ground. If my Aegislash loses its Air Balloon, this Pokémon becomes a bit difficult to work around.
Diggersby: Pretty much the same principle as landorus-t, except it can switch into Shadow Ball
Rotom-H: It can either Tbolt or Overheat most of my team, or will-o-wisp my TTar. Galvantula can do literally nothing to it, and it's immune to sticky web. My best hope is to keep my rocks up and keep sending in Heatran, forcing it out.
Garchomp: Most of my team is weak to EQ and its coverage, but usually I can HP Ice or Scald it.
Charizard-Y: Very dangerous to work around. My first hope is to switch into Tyranitar to get rid of its sun, then Tentacruel can live relatively easily and Scald it supereffectively, while the best Char-Y can do to it in sand is... Air Slash? If it doesn't have Focus Blast for whatever reason, Heatran completely walls it, though, and Galvantula can revenge kill it relatively easy. I should also note that my Mega Tyranitar has lived Focus Blasts before.
Dragonite: This thing is a large threat to my team, because it usually carries earthquake, and its multiscale is difficult to break. If I see it, I usually lead heatran just to get rocks up, or roar it out if it tries to set up. Aegislash does pretty good if it still has air balloon and d-nite's multiscale is broken.
So that's the team, guys. Kudos to you if you read all that. This is a really good team I made myself, but every team can be made better. If you have any suggestions, do post them below, but otherwise, I hope you enjoyed. I'll be laddering with this team over the next few days, and I'll update this thread if I make any changes. I'll also probably be adding a section to this thread about previous versions of this team. So for now, goodbye!
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