Getting back into the Game

[Desch]

So it's been a while since I've played, and it looks like things have changed a bit since I've stepped out. I'm trying to get into the competitive sphere again, and I figured the best way would just be diving headlong into the fray. So, here's the team I created; tear it apart!

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So, I started out looking at potential leads. I have history with Swampert, and he has always worked out well for me. Other popular choices seem to be Gliscor, Metagross, and I saw an adventuresome soul who tried Breloom. I've never had luck with Metagross, but Gliscor has proved useful, as has Breloom in the tests I've run. I ended up with Gliscor, because choosing Breloom left me with half my team weak to fire -- Gliscor also has some nice synergy with Tyranitar. I'm still thinking about trying a leech seed Breloom in the future, but that's a way off.

So, what works well with Gliscor? Well, with a Sand Veil ability, Tyranitar helps him out really well, assuming the Gliscor lead survives past the first round. As a staple of OU, and one of my personal favorites, I choose Tyranitar next.

Gliscor has a problem with Gyarados and Swampert mostly, two common water pokemon. Tyranitar has a Scizor problem mainly, so for the next pokemon I looked for someone who could counter any of those three. Metagross and Gengar serve for the water counters, and Gliscor already counters a Scizor. From what I've seen lurking in this forum, Metagross has been rising in popularity -- he's one of my favorite pokemon as well, so I thought I'd add him in next.

Gliscor, Hippowdon, Swampert, and Rotom-A all counter Metagross well. So now I see Swampert as a big danger, since it can counter two of my pokemon. I can't access the site at the moment, but if memory serves, Gengar serves as a good counter to Rotom-A. Since it can counter Swampert as well, and will serve as a much needed Special Attacker, I chose Gengar as my next pokemon.

So, I'm left with two slots. Scizor is a great pokemon, and looked cool to me. Since Rotom-A and Heatran counter him, and I already have a Rotom-A answer, I thought he would fit in nicely with the team I have going.

So, one pokemon left. I need a special attacker, since I currently have only invested in one guy. Well, I remember Salamence being a pretty good pokemon. Scizor is the only true counter, and I have an answer to him with Gliscor. He also serves as a nice surprise, since usually Salamence is Physical if I recall correctly (am I right on this?). So, that left me with my 6 team members.

Other pokemon I'm currently throwing around to see if they work well include Gyarados, Togekiss, Breloom, Lucario, and Swampert. For one reason or another, I settled with the team above -- if you think I erred in judgement, with the mentioned considerations or with others, please say so! With that said, onto the teams!

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Gliscor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock

I like this guy as a lead because I can get a quick taunt off, set up Stealth Rock, and then U-Turn away and save him for later. As mentioned above, he is my answer to Gliscor, so usually I try to reserve him for later. He's worked well so far, but I'm leaning towards Swampert right now (I've had more success with a Stealth Rock + Roar combo). Any input would be appreciated!

Metagross @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 60 HP/252 Atk/196 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Agility
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Thunderpunch

Standard Agiligross, works well late game as a sweeper. Thunderpunch to deal with Gyarados and other water types, along with Flying types. This guy has been a beast so far, and saved me from more than one predicament. I think he's one of my new favorite sets.

Salamence (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Hydro Pump

Kind of a trick Salamence, he focuses on SpA rather than Atk. Most players aren't expecting that. Unfortunately, he is kinda frail. My lead Gliscor with Taunt helps out some of the time, but not always. If I had to point to a weak end of the team, I'd probably point to Salamence. I'm considering switching him out for one of the pokemon I listed above (for reference, Gyarados, Togekiss, Breloom, Lucario, and Swampert)

Scizor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Bullet Punch
- Brick Break

Oh wow, something new and exciting! I'm waffling between this set and the Choice Band set, this just happens to be the one I'm testing right now. Post suggestions or opinions, I'd be glad to hear them!

Tyranitar (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Lonely nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Dragon Dance
- Substitute
- Focus Blast
- Stone Edge

Hmm. This guy is something I'm experimenting with, I don't know if he is a standard set or not (Getting a 500 Server Error when trying to view the page). In any case, I'm going to assume it's a variant on the DanceTar as well as the Boah setup, and not standard. I try to get him out after Gliscor, set up a Sub, Dance once or twice depending on the counter, and then fire away. I've had mixed results so far, so I'm going to keep trying this guy out until I can really get a feel for how he fairs in the current metagame.

I'm considering trying a Specs setup too. Thoughts?

Gengar (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Energy Ball
- Hypnosis

As said before, my much needed special attacker. I don't think this is an entirely different Gengar than most people are used to seeing. He does have Levitate, which is something I like -- it means half my team in immune to Ground attacks (ohai thar EQ). Standard setup, and been working fairly well in the current game. I'd be open to switching him out for something new and exciting though.

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There you go. Rip me apart!

 

[arsyniiC]

You rely to much on Gengar to counter Rotom-A. If your Gengar goes down, from what you said, your team would go down. Rapid Spin could also do your team a good deal by clearing out hazards so Mence can switch in and out more often. Tentacruel is a good Rapid Spinner and can also set up hazards of its own. With two layers of toxic spikes, your opposing team would switch in less often. I would go with:

Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Defense / 120 Special Defense
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
- Surf / Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Electric]

Tentacruel would also provide you with a water/ice resistance that can do much good for your team seeing how T-Tar and Gliscor would be screwed by water/ice moves.

 

[Desch]

Who would you put him in for? Salamence?

 

[arsyniiC]

Depends. Gross gives you a water/ice/rock/ground/steel coverage set while Special Salamence doesn't really go well with the team. You already have a special sweeper that usually focuses on special attacking. If you want to keep Mence and get rid of Metagross, make Mence a physical instead of a special. However, if you want to keep Gross (which I would do), get rid of Salamence.

 

[ginganinja]

Well first your EVs are way off for what you are trying to do with Tyranitar.You could drop it for a Kingdra or Offensive Suicune if you wished to give you a better water resist.

Then swap Gengar for a Latias to revenge kill DD'ers etc.

Switch Salamence to a mixmence to break down walls to meta can sweep better.

If you do choose to run T-tar then make it a DD'er with no barbti (steel resist) berry, give it life orb or leftovers the purpose being that T-tar draws in Scizor. With Metagross on your team you can switch in on the Bullet Punch and Set up on the switch.

Also a standard CB scizor may work better than what you currently have

 

[arsyniiC]

I like his Scizor. I use it and I sweep teams with it. A CB Scizor would get f*cked if a Magnezone came in, ESPECIALLY when you're locked into Bullet Punch.

 

[ginganinja]

I like his Scizor. I use it and I sweep teams with it. A CB Scizor would get f*cked if a Magnezone came in, ESPECIALLY when you're locked into Bullet Punch.

Of course Scizor gets f**ked by Magnetzone if its locked into Bullet Punch, however its still no reason why it should not be used, besides Maggnetzone still KO's scizor with HP Fire as long as it does not get Brick Breaked on the switch in.

 

[Diarago]

I like his Scizor. I use it and I sweep teams with it. A CB Scizor would get f*cked if a Magnezone came in, ESPECIALLY when you're locked into Bullet Punch.

That's why the general strategy with CB Scizor is to spam U-Turn until the late game when Magnezone is defeated or the entirety of the opposing team is known.