INTRODUCTION:
It is, of course, widely known that a mono-type team of any category is considered infeasible and nonsensical in competitive battles. However, I've grown tired of utilizing old gimmicks and resorting to common-or-garden "uber" Pokemon that have become all-to-familiar in the metagame (examples: toxic heal Breloom, speed boost Blaziken, etc.). So, I decided to try out mono-typing, more specifically: Bug-types. I've always been captivated by them, and this team also presents a formidable challenge. Without further ado: the team.
Inferno (Volcarona): @ Focus Sash
Ability: Flame Body
EV's: 255 SpAtk / 255 Speed
Nature: Modest
-Quiver Dance
-Fiery Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Hurricane
An absolute must for any Bug-Team, this jewel's enormous SpAtk is immeasurable when boosted via Quiver Dance; It is also a blessing in the form of the secondary fire-typing, one of the few safe switch-ins to a fire-type move-as well as the only Bug capable of commanding them. But, let's face it. Investing in this Pokemon's defensive stats, even slightly, would not be wise, what with the extremely common Stone Edge in competition. Perhaps SpD, but this would only be advisable to increase with Quiver Dance. This is the exact purpose of the Focus Sash: To prevent an almost certain KO while, simultaneously, aiding volcarona with a free turn to receive the stat boost that will enable it, next turn, to hit first- and harder.
Obliterate (Scizor): @ Assault Vest
Ability: Technician
EV's: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Defense
Nature: Adamant
-Bullet Punch
-U-Turn
-Pursuit
-Aerial Ace
It should be obvious as to why this Insect of Mass Destruction is on the team. Simply a tailor-made offensive machine, who would pass up such an opportunity? Aside from being an old favorite of many, it's move-pool is so perfectly matched to it's ability and typing, that there are few others like it. I still haven't decided on either Aerial Ace or Swords Dance, though. This is the standard set, of course, bet even so, it still functions quite well-in harmony, really-with the other team members. Need more be said of it's capabilities?
Arachnae (Galvantula): @ Occa berry/WiseGlasses
Ability: CompoundEyes
EV's: 255 SpAtk / 155 HP / 100 Speed
Nature: Modest
-Sticky Web
-Thunder
-Bug Buzz
-Hidden Power (ice)
A graciously accepted addition to the Bugs, It is the only one capable of using electric moves, period. And with CompoundEyes to boost the accuracy of Thunder, coupled with an incredible speed, it becomes dangerous indeed. With the introduction of Sticky Web, it has become a valuable lead, letting my team usually have a priority over their foe. HP ice lets it take care of the threatening-and common-dragon/ground types and dragon/flying types, whilst Thunder and Bug Buzz are given STAB.
Heracles (Heracross): @ Heracronite
Ability: Skill Link
EV's: 252 Atk / 252 speed / 4 Defense
Nature: Jolly
-Close Combat
-Bullet Seed / Shadow Claw
-Pin Missile
-Rock Blast
I know what you're thinking: "Where's the Choice Scarf?" Well, I've decided to deviate from the traditional Scarf-Moxie set, and to take the new and improved heracross for a test-run. You see, in this generation, heracross, even though it was formerly fantastic, received a Mega-Evolution! But what came with it was astounding: believe it or not, a 515 Atk stat at Level 100-515! That is a phenomenal increase of 132, perhaps the largest difference in any Mega Evo ! But that isn't all. Skill Link finally liberates heracross from the unchanging move set that nearly everybody is acquainted with, and, surprisingly, these new moves do more damage, and technically have an increased critical hit chance. Yes, it's speed is decreased, (slightly), but this is countered with it's sharpened defenses. I admire that Pokemon has finally differentiated some of it's species from their average role.
Shrapnel (Forretress): @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EV's: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Defense
Nature: Relaxed
-Rapid Spin
-Stealth Rocks / Spikes
-Reflect / Light Screen
-Counter
This notorious Rapid Spinner is mandatory for any Mono-Bug, probably the only viable defensive Bug-type, forretress has always been reliable for taking hits, especially when it comes to mono-bug. It is also quite unique in the fact that it is the only Pokemon that learns the move to clear hazards-and the hazards themselves! Truly a virtue in disguise for the team, stealth rocks can really help against a Bug-Type's arch-enemies: Fire and Flying types.
Trilobite (Armaldo): @ Quick Claw
Ability: Battle Armor
EV's: 255 Atk / 150 Defense / 105 HP
Nature: Adamant
-Aqua Tail
-Crush Claw
-Cross Poison
Stone Edge / Earthquake
A bit of a mixed bag, Armaldo is, and I've had trouble thinking of a moveset that coexists with my other insect participants (particularly it's last move). Able to play offensive or defensive, it has more than decent stats, and is the strongest Bug-Type able to learn a Water-Type move. I have chosen offensive, and I am mostly leaning towards the quick claw, due to it's abysmal speed stat...by far my favorite fossil pokemon!
CONCLUSION:
Although the team's foundations are nearly complete, I may consider any other suggested pokemon...such as the two that I have already regarded, Mega Pinsir, and Vivillon, for it's sleep powder and powder move. The /'s (on moves and abilities) indicate that I leave the decision to criticism-I'd love some suggestions. Tell me if you believe my Core is imbalanced/improvements that could be made-thank you for your recommendations!
It is, of course, widely known that a mono-type team of any category is considered infeasible and nonsensical in competitive battles. However, I've grown tired of utilizing old gimmicks and resorting to common-or-garden "uber" Pokemon that have become all-to-familiar in the metagame (examples: toxic heal Breloom, speed boost Blaziken, etc.). So, I decided to try out mono-typing, more specifically: Bug-types. I've always been captivated by them, and this team also presents a formidable challenge. Without further ado: the team.
Inferno (Volcarona): @ Focus Sash
Ability: Flame Body
EV's: 255 SpAtk / 255 Speed
Nature: Modest
-Quiver Dance
-Fiery Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Hurricane
An absolute must for any Bug-Team, this jewel's enormous SpAtk is immeasurable when boosted via Quiver Dance; It is also a blessing in the form of the secondary fire-typing, one of the few safe switch-ins to a fire-type move-as well as the only Bug capable of commanding them. But, let's face it. Investing in this Pokemon's defensive stats, even slightly, would not be wise, what with the extremely common Stone Edge in competition. Perhaps SpD, but this would only be advisable to increase with Quiver Dance. This is the exact purpose of the Focus Sash: To prevent an almost certain KO while, simultaneously, aiding volcarona with a free turn to receive the stat boost that will enable it, next turn, to hit first- and harder.
Obliterate (Scizor): @ Assault Vest
Ability: Technician
EV's: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Defense
Nature: Adamant
-Bullet Punch
-U-Turn
-Pursuit
-Aerial Ace
It should be obvious as to why this Insect of Mass Destruction is on the team. Simply a tailor-made offensive machine, who would pass up such an opportunity? Aside from being an old favorite of many, it's move-pool is so perfectly matched to it's ability and typing, that there are few others like it. I still haven't decided on either Aerial Ace or Swords Dance, though. This is the standard set, of course, bet even so, it still functions quite well-in harmony, really-with the other team members. Need more be said of it's capabilities?
Arachnae (Galvantula): @ Occa berry/WiseGlasses
Ability: CompoundEyes
EV's: 255 SpAtk / 155 HP / 100 Speed
Nature: Modest
-Sticky Web
-Thunder
-Bug Buzz
-Hidden Power (ice)
A graciously accepted addition to the Bugs, It is the only one capable of using electric moves, period. And with CompoundEyes to boost the accuracy of Thunder, coupled with an incredible speed, it becomes dangerous indeed. With the introduction of Sticky Web, it has become a valuable lead, letting my team usually have a priority over their foe. HP ice lets it take care of the threatening-and common-dragon/ground types and dragon/flying types, whilst Thunder and Bug Buzz are given STAB.
Heracles (Heracross): @ Heracronite
Ability: Skill Link
EV's: 252 Atk / 252 speed / 4 Defense
Nature: Jolly
-Close Combat
-Bullet Seed / Shadow Claw
-Pin Missile
-Rock Blast
I know what you're thinking: "Where's the Choice Scarf?" Well, I've decided to deviate from the traditional Scarf-Moxie set, and to take the new and improved heracross for a test-run. You see, in this generation, heracross, even though it was formerly fantastic, received a Mega-Evolution! But what came with it was astounding: believe it or not, a 515 Atk stat at Level 100-515! That is a phenomenal increase of 132, perhaps the largest difference in any Mega Evo ! But that isn't all. Skill Link finally liberates heracross from the unchanging move set that nearly everybody is acquainted with, and, surprisingly, these new moves do more damage, and technically have an increased critical hit chance. Yes, it's speed is decreased, (slightly), but this is countered with it's sharpened defenses. I admire that Pokemon has finally differentiated some of it's species from their average role.
Shrapnel (Forretress): @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EV's: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Defense
Nature: Relaxed
-Rapid Spin
-Stealth Rocks / Spikes
-Reflect / Light Screen
-Counter
This notorious Rapid Spinner is mandatory for any Mono-Bug, probably the only viable defensive Bug-type, forretress has always been reliable for taking hits, especially when it comes to mono-bug. It is also quite unique in the fact that it is the only Pokemon that learns the move to clear hazards-and the hazards themselves! Truly a virtue in disguise for the team, stealth rocks can really help against a Bug-Type's arch-enemies: Fire and Flying types.
Trilobite (Armaldo): @ Quick Claw
Ability: Battle Armor
EV's: 255 Atk / 150 Defense / 105 HP
Nature: Adamant
-Aqua Tail
-Crush Claw
-Cross Poison
Stone Edge / Earthquake
A bit of a mixed bag, Armaldo is, and I've had trouble thinking of a moveset that coexists with my other insect participants (particularly it's last move). Able to play offensive or defensive, it has more than decent stats, and is the strongest Bug-Type able to learn a Water-Type move. I have chosen offensive, and I am mostly leaning towards the quick claw, due to it's abysmal speed stat...by far my favorite fossil pokemon!
CONCLUSION:
Although the team's foundations are nearly complete, I may consider any other suggested pokemon...such as the two that I have already regarded, Mega Pinsir, and Vivillon, for it's sleep powder and powder move. The /'s (on moves and abilities) indicate that I leave the decision to criticism-I'd love some suggestions. Tell me if you believe my Core is imbalanced/improvements that could be made-thank you for your recommendations!
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