Introduction
So I've tried to make sure I am abiding by all of the rules which I was required to read before hand.
The reason I've made this is because I can't seem to find any major improvements. I have an Idea for one as mentioned later. I can't seem to get past 1200 score on smogon. This might be because of bad prediction or because of a bad team. I'd rather it was the second.
If I have missed something which is needed OR a rule I have broken I will try to amend it as soon as possible. That being said I'll try to get on with this. I do have a small personal rule. I don't like using legendaries. I just like the idea that if pokemon were real my team would be achievable and I don't think that having a pokemon that there is only one of in the world is particularly likely. I have actually only been playing pokemon for about 2 weeks so I hope you take that into account and if I have royally screwed up you can be polite about my idiocy. I tried many teams before coming up with this one and was constantly swapping pokemon in and out to try
If you I'll have any questions I'll answer you ASAP
So I've tried to make sure I am abiding by all of the rules which I was required to read before hand.
The reason I've made this is because I can't seem to find any major improvements. I have an Idea for one as mentioned later. I can't seem to get past 1200 score on smogon. This might be because of bad prediction or because of a bad team. I'd rather it was the second.
If I have missed something which is needed OR a rule I have broken I will try to amend it as soon as possible. That being said I'll try to get on with this. I do have a small personal rule. I don't like using legendaries. I just like the idea that if pokemon were real my team would be achievable and I don't think that having a pokemon that there is only one of in the world is particularly likely. I have actually only been playing pokemon for about 2 weeks so I hope you take that into account and if I have royally screwed up you can be polite about my idiocy. I tried many teams before coming up with this one and was constantly swapping pokemon in and out to try
If you I'll have any questions I'll answer you ASAP
Team Building Process
My Team / Movesets / Reasons for Usage / Changes
Mienshao
(F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Fake Out
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Hi Jump Kick
Fake out allows this pokemon to lead against anything. That combined with U-turn makes it an excellent lead. High Jump Kick provides a large damage STAB attack and although at times I've thought about replacing it with drain punch because it requires prediction it is nearly double the base power. I didn't put the extra 4 EVs into HP because I wanted an odd HP value for better switch in survivability. Life Orb was my item choice because of it's synergy with Regenerator it allows me to deal more damage and then U-turn out and return the HP lost by the Life Orb. I didn't have any dark moves on my team so I tried relying on Mienshao a bit of a revenge killer in the sense of payback works well. However stone edge gives better coverage and given the lack of switch bonus from Payback it really means stone edge is as good as payback even when payback is super effective and stone edge isn't. The main gist is to switch in do damage and switch out before life orb does 1/3 of my health. Effectively giving me free damage on an enemy pokemon at no cost to my team.
P.S I look for ghosts in the pre-match team observation, this allows me to go for a Stone Edge / U-Turn If I fear they'll switch to avoid Fake Out or worse Hi Jump Kick
Other Common leads;
Reuniclus
(M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
Reuniclus is a serious anti-stall machine. If I knock something out with a U-Turn from Mienshao and there are entry hazards up I will switch into Reuniclus. I put 252 into defense because I usually lead with calm mind, this is a counter towards physical attackers being as I have no other protection from them. For this same reason I chose a bold nature boosting my defense that little bit more and being as it has no physical attacks this is no problem. The final 4 EVs had to go somewhere and I figured why not go into special attack being as this thing has to hit back. When brought in on something it can set up on this pokemon can become somewhat of a steamroller which will take out large chunks of teams on its own. I also try to switch it on on status giving pokemon like Chansey / Jellicent because other than paralysis it can absorb these with no bother. If I suspect somebody is going to taunt, e.g. a gyrados /latios is brought in I will go straight for an attack depending on what type they are. Most people switch into Tyranitar and this thing has the bulk to survive a crunch, never mind a pursuit so I stay in and focus blast to take out what is usually a vital part of their team.
Chandelure
(M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Heat Wave
- Energy Ball
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Chandelure has the highest special attack of any pokemon outside of the ubers tier. The only doubt I have about having chandelure is it's speed. I have thought about changing it for a Gengar but there I'm not convinced of his abilities because he lacks the same type coverage. So other than the fact I needed a ghost for my team Chandelure also provides me with a usual switch in against fire moves, which Magnezone has a knack at drawing towards himself. The 252 SAtk EVs are placed there to boost his attack even higher, 252 speed in order to try and get those much desired OHKO's. 4SDef are placed because they were left over, no point putting them into Atk so I just went with SDef because I figured this would be what I fought most. I'm a little dubious about energy ball, I'm not sure what extra added coverage it gives me which I would switch Chandelure into. The only thing I've really used it for are slow waters like Swampert but I'm not sure it OHKOs them. I use it as a last resort against Tyranitar but it only does about 30%. HP ice covers the many flying or dragon types in the game is a good switch in if cloyster is dead.
Cloyster
(M) @ King's Rock
Trait: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Rapid Spin
Cloyster, Cloyster, Cloyster... Where do I begin? This thing goes one of two ways. Firstly it can try and set up it's shell smash and get killed which does happen, priority moves hurt this thing a lot. The obvious counter to that is white herb but it's still not exactly safe being as you get hit using shell smash and you then get hit by whatever move so I disregarded white herb. The other option, which happens a lot is Cloyster shell smashes kills one thing sometimes, but quite often they switch to either a Ferrothorn or another steel type which is a pain because it kind of stops his sweeps. It is worth noting that as they switch in he usually does 8-10% each hit for 5 hit's and if it is greater or equal to 10% I just smash again and take the kill. King's Rock apparently gives me 1/3 chance to flinch although I almost never see anything flinch to this. One very good thing about all this is skill link although I'm sure anybody knows that. When it does well it does exceptionally well. But I can't help but feeling if there is one pokemon to replace it is cloyster. It doesn't have any bulk and appears to get killed by even weak pokemon.
Dragonite
(M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Fire Punch
- Waterfall
- ExtremeSpeed
This was actually a Gen IV smogon set. I'm a little surprised I don't see it around more. Multiscale is amazing at stopping those ice shard switch ins. It outspeeds a lot of things and once any steel types have gone Outrage can pummel multiple members of a team. Fire punch is great for predicting steel type switch ins like jirachi / ferrothorn. Waterfall stops heatran and provides a good coverage. Extreme speed allows for efficient revenge killing. My EV spread is a pretty obvious choice, I wanted him on an odd hp so he takes less from ambient damage. His role as a revenge killer / physical sweeper are excellently boosted by having 252 Atk and speed EVs
Magnezone
@ Air Balloon
Trait: Magnet Pull
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SAtk / 216 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
The synergy between this and reuniclus is huge. The amount of scizor switch ins you see, infact the only two steels I've seen which stop this are propobass and bronzong but neither of those is unstoppable. It lures a lot of fighting / fire types and so allows a nice easy switch to chandelure. Substitute works great on a lot of steel types. Allowing me to kill and then the sub to take a free hit and use any number of attacks as a free hit. I'm not sure if anything resists everything. I've thought about choice specs but I'd have to drop sub and I'm not sure about what move I could add and I'm unsure about how well it'd do. The EV spread is taken from smogon. I'm unsure if adding more speed would be more useful.
Conclusion
I really need an edge/quake counter
I really struggle with Jirachi
I'm a little unsure about specific EV spreads. I'm dubious about whether I really need all the speed EVs I've put for example
I don't have any entry hazards, or a realistic spinner
I don't really have anything which counters a boosted pokemon
No status applicator
Water is pretty hard for me to stop
If there is an obvious problem In my team I'd appreciate the help
My Ideas
The cloyster changes I've thought about are;
Gyrados / Kingdra / Starmie / Swampert / Donphan / Empolyeon / Vaporeon / Tentacruel / Quagsire / Gliscor
They all have their upsides and downsides and I don't think I can efficiently try out all of these for a time to get them into my team. So even if you can help me whittle it down that'll be great. This is where your experience as a team rater really has a chance to shine.
Importable
So I started my team out by picking a pokemon I liked I picked cloyster he worked really well as a strong physical sweeper in the teams I tested.
I needed a lead so went with a well known Gen IV lead in machamp.
I figured I needed a revenge killer and I went with dragonite for this role.
I the realised that all of my team was made up of physical attackers so I decided I needed a special attacker. I filled this role with chandelure, this also provided me with a ghost type.
The team had an obvious problem of being stalled out so I picked up an anti stall with the intention of stopping that. I went with the increasingly popular reuniclus.
This last spot I had so serious difficulty picking out. I noticed a lot of dragon types could so serious work without a steel type to stop them. I tried scizor and although cool he didn't really fit into the team. I eventually came to the conclusion of magnezone.
I then decided to review my lead of machamp, he was able to do a lot against some leads but he was a little slow. I changed him to Mienshao who provided the same coverage but from what I've seen a little better.
I needed a lead so went with a well known Gen IV lead in machamp.
I figured I needed a revenge killer and I went with dragonite for this role.
I the realised that all of my team was made up of physical attackers so I decided I needed a special attacker. I filled this role with chandelure, this also provided me with a ghost type.
The team had an obvious problem of being stalled out so I picked up an anti stall with the intention of stopping that. I went with the increasingly popular reuniclus.
This last spot I had so serious difficulty picking out. I noticed a lot of dragon types could so serious work without a steel type to stop them. I tried scizor and although cool he didn't really fit into the team. I eventually came to the conclusion of magnezone.
I then decided to review my lead of machamp, he was able to do a lot against some leads but he was a little slow. I changed him to Mienshao who provided the same coverage but from what I've seen a little better.
My Team / Movesets / Reasons for Usage / Changes
Mienshao
(F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Fake Out
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Hi Jump Kick
Fake out allows this pokemon to lead against anything. That combined with U-turn makes it an excellent lead. High Jump Kick provides a large damage STAB attack and although at times I've thought about replacing it with drain punch because it requires prediction it is nearly double the base power. I didn't put the extra 4 EVs into HP because I wanted an odd HP value for better switch in survivability. Life Orb was my item choice because of it's synergy with Regenerator it allows me to deal more damage and then U-turn out and return the HP lost by the Life Orb. I didn't have any dark moves on my team so I tried relying on Mienshao a bit of a revenge killer in the sense of payback works well. However stone edge gives better coverage and given the lack of switch bonus from Payback it really means stone edge is as good as payback even when payback is super effective and stone edge isn't. The main gist is to switch in do damage and switch out before life orb does 1/3 of my health. Effectively giving me free damage on an enemy pokemon at no cost to my team.
P.S I look for ghosts in the pre-match team observation, this allows me to go for a Stone Edge / U-Turn If I fear they'll switch to avoid Fake Out or worse Hi Jump Kick
Other Common leads;
Code:
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon142.png[/IMG] Aerodactyl - Give it a free hit with Fake Out then generally to Cloyster while he sets up rocks
[IMG]http://veekun.com/dex/media/icons/558.png[/IMG] Crustle - Give it a free hit with Fake Out then Stone Edge
[IMG]http://veekun.com/dex/media/icons/386-speed.png[/IMG]Deoxys-S - Give it a free hit with Fake Out then switch to Chandelure
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/a/a7/196MS.png[/IMG]Espeon - Give it a free hit with Fake Out and U-Turn to Chandelure
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/1/18/Ani094MS.png[/IMG] Gengar - Switch to Dragonite / Magnezone
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/3/3f/Ani472MS.png[/IMG] Gliscor - Switch straight to Cloyster
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/0/03/Ani485MS.png[/IMG] Heatran - Give it a free hit with Fake Out then Hi Jump Kick if he didn't switch out
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/1/17/Ani450MS.png[/IMG] Hippowdon - Give it a free hit with Fake Out then Hi Jump Kick
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/b/b0/Ani448MS.png[/IMG] Lucario - Hi Jump Kick
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/c/cc/Ani068MS.png[/IMG] Machamp - Give it a free Fake Out then I Hi Jump Kick since I'm quicker
[IMG]http://veekun.com/dex/media/icons/620.png[/IMG] Mienshao - Switch to Chandelure and go for a Heat Wave
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/1/10/038MS.png[/IMG]Ninetales - Give it a free Fake Out then Stone Edge
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/e/e9/186MS.png[/IMG]Politoed - Give it a free Fake Out then switch to Dragonite
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/b/b4/Ani212MS.png[/IMG] Scizor - Switch Straight into Magnezone
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/3/31/Ani227MS.png[/IMG] Skarmory - Switch Straight into Magnezone
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/7/78/Ani260MS.png[/IMG] Swampert - U-Turn into Chandelure
[IMG]http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/5/59/Ani248MS.png[/IMG] Tyranitar - Fake Out he's almost sure to switch out if he for some reason decides to stay Hi Jump Kick
[IMG]http://veekun.com/dex/media/icons/547.png[/IMG] Whimsicott - Switch into Cloyster while it sets up a Sub then Icicle spearReuniclus
(M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
Reuniclus is a serious anti-stall machine. If I knock something out with a U-Turn from Mienshao and there are entry hazards up I will switch into Reuniclus. I put 252 into defense because I usually lead with calm mind, this is a counter towards physical attackers being as I have no other protection from them. For this same reason I chose a bold nature boosting my defense that little bit more and being as it has no physical attacks this is no problem. The final 4 EVs had to go somewhere and I figured why not go into special attack being as this thing has to hit back. When brought in on something it can set up on this pokemon can become somewhat of a steamroller which will take out large chunks of teams on its own. I also try to switch it on on status giving pokemon like Chansey / Jellicent because other than paralysis it can absorb these with no bother. If I suspect somebody is going to taunt, e.g. a gyrados /latios is brought in I will go straight for an attack depending on what type they are. Most people switch into Tyranitar and this thing has the bulk to survive a crunch, never mind a pursuit so I stay in and focus blast to take out what is usually a vital part of their team.
Chandelure
(M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Heat Wave
- Energy Ball
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Chandelure has the highest special attack of any pokemon outside of the ubers tier. The only doubt I have about having chandelure is it's speed. I have thought about changing it for a Gengar but there I'm not convinced of his abilities because he lacks the same type coverage. So other than the fact I needed a ghost for my team Chandelure also provides me with a usual switch in against fire moves, which Magnezone has a knack at drawing towards himself. The 252 SAtk EVs are placed there to boost his attack even higher, 252 speed in order to try and get those much desired OHKO's. 4SDef are placed because they were left over, no point putting them into Atk so I just went with SDef because I figured this would be what I fought most. I'm a little dubious about energy ball, I'm not sure what extra added coverage it gives me which I would switch Chandelure into. The only thing I've really used it for are slow waters like Swampert but I'm not sure it OHKOs them. I use it as a last resort against Tyranitar but it only does about 30%. HP ice covers the many flying or dragon types in the game is a good switch in if cloyster is dead.
Cloyster
(M) @ King's Rock
Trait: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Rapid Spin
Cloyster, Cloyster, Cloyster... Where do I begin? This thing goes one of two ways. Firstly it can try and set up it's shell smash and get killed which does happen, priority moves hurt this thing a lot. The obvious counter to that is white herb but it's still not exactly safe being as you get hit using shell smash and you then get hit by whatever move so I disregarded white herb. The other option, which happens a lot is Cloyster shell smashes kills one thing sometimes, but quite often they switch to either a Ferrothorn or another steel type which is a pain because it kind of stops his sweeps. It is worth noting that as they switch in he usually does 8-10% each hit for 5 hit's and if it is greater or equal to 10% I just smash again and take the kill. King's Rock apparently gives me 1/3 chance to flinch although I almost never see anything flinch to this. One very good thing about all this is skill link although I'm sure anybody knows that. When it does well it does exceptionally well. But I can't help but feeling if there is one pokemon to replace it is cloyster. It doesn't have any bulk and appears to get killed by even weak pokemon.
Dragonite
(M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Fire Punch
- Waterfall
- ExtremeSpeed
This was actually a Gen IV smogon set. I'm a little surprised I don't see it around more. Multiscale is amazing at stopping those ice shard switch ins. It outspeeds a lot of things and once any steel types have gone Outrage can pummel multiple members of a team. Fire punch is great for predicting steel type switch ins like jirachi / ferrothorn. Waterfall stops heatran and provides a good coverage. Extreme speed allows for efficient revenge killing. My EV spread is a pretty obvious choice, I wanted him on an odd hp so he takes less from ambient damage. His role as a revenge killer / physical sweeper are excellently boosted by having 252 Atk and speed EVs
Magnezone
@ Air Balloon
Trait: Magnet Pull
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SAtk / 216 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
The synergy between this and reuniclus is huge. The amount of scizor switch ins you see, infact the only two steels I've seen which stop this are propobass and bronzong but neither of those is unstoppable. It lures a lot of fighting / fire types and so allows a nice easy switch to chandelure. Substitute works great on a lot of steel types. Allowing me to kill and then the sub to take a free hit and use any number of attacks as a free hit. I'm not sure if anything resists everything. I've thought about choice specs but I'd have to drop sub and I'm not sure about what move I could add and I'm unsure about how well it'd do. The EV spread is taken from smogon. I'm unsure if adding more speed would be more useful.
Conclusion
I really need an edge/quake counter
I really struggle with Jirachi
I'm a little unsure about specific EV spreads. I'm dubious about whether I really need all the speed EVs I've put for example
I don't have any entry hazards, or a realistic spinner
I don't really have anything which counters a boosted pokemon
No status applicator
Water is pretty hard for me to stop
If there is an obvious problem In my team I'd appreciate the help
My Ideas
The cloyster changes I've thought about are;
Gyrados / Kingdra / Starmie / Swampert / Donphan / Empolyeon / Vaporeon / Tentacruel / Quagsire / Gliscor
They all have their upsides and downsides and I don't think I can efficiently try out all of these for a time to get them into my team. So even if you can help me whittle it down that'll be great. This is where your experience as a team rater really has a chance to shine.
Importable
Code:
Mienshao (F) @ Life Orb Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Fake Out
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Hi Jump Kick
Reuniclus (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
Chandelure (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Heat Wave
- Energy Ball
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Cloyster (M) @ King's Rock
Trait: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Shell Smash
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Rapid Spin
Dragonite (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Fire Punch
- Waterfall
- ExtremeSpeed
Magnezone @ Air Balloon
Trait: Magnet Pull
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SAtk / 216 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
