Gimmicks and Their Role in the OU Metagame

[Cero]

He means that normal Gem will only work once and then you are an extremely weak Lucario because you don't have Life Orb. Lucario needs Life Orb to even come close to KOing many of the things it is supposed to, like Breloom, Skarmory, Latios, etc. If your opponent, for example, has both a Keldeo and a Latios, you will lose to one because Normal Gem will be used up on the other.

With some residual damage from SR / Spikes it OHKOes both of them. Remember that he is a lategame sweeper. I know LO inflicts more damage but I hate recoils, that's it x)

 

[Jukain]

updated op with everything from the last two pages that passed a smell test (hint: I looked at it and the discussion about it and determined whether it was a viable choice)

Toxicroak (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Vacuum Wave
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast

New day, new set! This set work perfectly in balance or HO rain with a support for kill Jellicent. Setupping on tentacruel/keldeo/politoed he kill Skarmory/hippowdon and others. He have a nice STAB priority and sludge wave>Sludge bomb for max damage. Focus blast 120 Bpower + Stab and dry skin +lefties to recover a lot.

I thoroughly disagree with @Shurtugal in saying that Shadow Ball should replace Vacuum Wave, as the priority is just too important for picking off Pokemon and cleaning late-game. Toxicroak is too slow to sweep without priority when not running Substitute. You can easily run something like Weavile or Scizor in order to get rid of Jellicent, or even CM HP Ghost Keldeo. There are a multitude of options that do not require Shadow Ball being run. However, if you are Jellicent-weak, then Shadow Ball is a much, so I can understand the reasons for wanting to run it.

I do however agree that Life Orb is pretty much a necessity. This whole list of Pokemon can never be OHKOed without a Life Orb:

calcs, large

+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Latios: 65.1 - 76.92%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Dragonite: 66.32 - 78.49%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 66.57 - 78.7%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 172+ SpD Gastrodon: 67.6 - 79.81%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 4 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-T: 68.12 - 80.31%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Latias: 67.88 - 80.46%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus-T: 68.33 - 80.56%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Landorus: 68.33 - 80.56%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Hippowdon: 68.57 - 80.95%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Reuniclus: 69.33 - 81.6%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 160 HP / 0 SpD Volcarona: 70.37 - 83.19%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gliscor: 70.79 - 83.5%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 192 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 72.12 - 85.08%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 88 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 73.08 - 86.11%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Vaporeon: 73.21 - 86.39%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Vaporeon: 73.37 - 86.58%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 24 HP / 0 SpD Toxicroak: 73.8 - 86.9%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 232+ SpD Rotom-W: 75.24 - 88.44%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 77.94 - 91.84%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 78.73 - 93.02%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 79.09 - 93.56%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Dragonite: 79.25 - 93.8%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Dragonite: 79.62 - 93.82%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Dragonite: 79.87 - 94.11%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Espeon: 80.23 - 94.61%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Jirachi: 80.44 - 95.04%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Espeon: 80.83 - 95.2%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 72 HP / 0 SpD Venusaur: 80.87 - 95.29%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 160 SpD Metagross: 82.41 - 97.25%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 124 HP / 132 SpD Gastrodon: 83.75 - 98.47%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Vaporeon: 84.53 - 99.75%

Some of the more significant ones:

+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 232+ SpD Rotom-W: 75.24 - 88.44%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 88 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 73.08 - 86.11%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 192 HP / 0 SpD Reuniclus: 72.12 - 85.08%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 88 HP / 0 SpD Gyarados: 73.08 - 86.11%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Latios: 78.73 - 93.02%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Dragonite: 79.62 - 93.82%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 79.09 - 93.56%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Jirachi: 80.44 - 95.04%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Sludge Wave vs. 72 HP / 0 SpD Venusaur: 80.87 - 95.29%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 124 HP / 132 SpD Gastrodon: 83.75 - 98.47%
+2 252+ SpA Toxicroak Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Vaporeon: 73.21 - 86.39%

This is just basing off what I still see on the ladder, even from time-to-time. Therefore not every calc may be completely relevant, but from my experience they are enough to warrant showing.

Rotom-W Volt Switches/Thunderbolts you, which hurts. Gyarados hits you with Bounce. Reuniclus hits you with Psychic. Jirachi paralyzes you. Vaporeon Roars you out. With a Life Orb, all of these calculations you see turn into OHKOs after Stealth Rock. That's pretty significant in my opinion, and enough to warrant running a Life Orb.

 

[Prinz]

Virizion @ Life Orb
Trait: Justified
EVs: 144 Atk / 112 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Close Combat
- X-Scissor
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]

this set is another lure for things like celebi which think to switch in my virizion after i showed my close combat. infact, they guess i'm running a physical set with sword dance and they get wrecked by x-scissor. giga drain is a good recovery move and it helps virizion to keep healthy longer. finally, hidden power ice helps me to deal with dragon-types which otherwise would totally wall me. i wish i could run stone edge somewhere because volcarona is sometime really annoying but i generally prefer to not get wrecked by dragon-types instead of volcarona which can be checked by another mon

 

[Halcyon.]

I can't help but think that Work Up should go somewhere on that set to help boost your mixed attacking stats, since non-fully-invested base 90 attacking stats are pretty terrible. Work Up could at least give you some sort of way to do consistent damage.

 

[Prinz]

nah, i think i don't need work up on that set. i'll just lose a coverage move and virizion can't sweep any team anyway, it's just a support for something else. thanks for you feedback, though.

 

[Snou]

Drifblim (M) @ Flying Gem
Trait: Unburden
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Acrobatics
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond
- Sleep Talk

That Drifblim is incredible. With Unburden+Acrobatics and Flying Gem he outspeed sunny saur, scarfkeldeo and others. WoW for Ttar and Scizor. Destiny bond is lovely for anything switch in to kill Blim and Sleep Talk for Breloom. The fighting type immunity and the grass resist type are nice. When the gem is used Acrobatics doubled his power + STAB.

 

[Manitary]

I'd run Substitute over Sleep Talk (the standard AcroBlim set) for two reasons: you're already faster than Breloom and you can scout the switch-in and try to burn it, saving the Unburden boost so you can use it later.
Also, unless you want to speed tie with Jolly Mamo and Timid Venusaur, you can run less speed EVs: with 176 Spe you outspeed positive base 70 (Jolly Breloom) and after Unburden boost all non-scarf up to base 130. This unfortunately doesn't mean that you can run Adamant :(

 

[Ninetale3]

Pikachu@light ball
trait: static/lightning rod
Nature:Hasty
evs: 72 atk, 252 spatk, 184 speed
moves:
focus punch/brick break
Volt switch/thunder bolt
hidden power ice
fake out/thunder wave

This was something I made back in the days when deoxys d was still around in a test to see if deoxys-d couldn't be shut down. This pikachu acted as a hit and run wall breaking scout that relies on staying one step ahead of the opponent to shine. The evs provided allow you to bypass all non boosted gyrados while allowing you to hit as hard as possible. Focus punch allows a solid 2hko on ferro and ohko on blissey after rock. Brick break is an option since you are forced to static otherwise and can aid against t-tar however the power loss is significant. Volt switch so you can preserve pikachu better and further the scout side or thunderbolt if you want more firepower. hidden power ice is essential since it provides for boltbeam coverage and a way to bypass lando-t and gliscor. The last slot is more of personal preference. Fake out can allow you to scout sets on certain pokes such as Rotom-w while thunder wave allows pikachu to neuter key offensive threats and encourage ground switchins.

 

[dadoux]

Mix virizion is awesome but i don't think that hp ice is really worth it, chomp is not gonna come in, and CBnite can deal massive damage with extremespeed while tanking hp ice with multiscale, stone edge over it sounds better imo.

 

[Prinz]

stone edge can be an option for sure (mainly if your team doesn't like volcarona at all) but i'd like to remember you that hp ice is useful against landorus-t and gliscor too, which usually switch into my virizion after i showed my close combat because they think it's running a sword dance set and they get wrecked by hp ice. so yeah it isn't useful only against dragon-types

 

[dadoux]

Oh yeah i forgot about those, life would be easier with leaf storm meh

 

[Emmy2]

Drifblim (M) @ Flying Gem
Trait: Unburden
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Acrobatics
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond
- Sleep Talk

That Drifblim is incredible. With Unburden+Acrobatics and Flying Gem he outspeed sunny saur, scarfkeldeo and others. WoW for Ttar and Scizor. Destiny bond is lovely for anything switch in to kill Blim and Sleep Talk for Breloom. The fighting type immunity and the grass resist type are nice. When the gem is used Acrobatics doubled his power + STAB.

Even better than Sleep Talk is Magic Coat. Predict a spore? Magic coat it. Now Breloom is basically useless. Also 80% of people on the ladder start with hazards, taunt, or a status effect; which Magic Coat will eliminate all of those.

**EDIT** Actually got a replay from the ladder, doing exactly what I described:

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/oucurrent-45657190

 

[Shurtugal]

@

Trait: Justified
Nature: Naive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]

CB Terrakion is such an underrated threat as it is, but everyone knows that Terrakion has horrible 4MSS with CB since you can run X-Scissor or Quick Attack. However, I find both these options horrible since Celebi (even PS Celebi's) never stay in on X-Scissor while QA is just piss weak. So I thought about testing HP ICe as a random coverage attack. And guess what?

4 SpAtk Terrakion Hidden Power Ice vs 200 HP/0 SpDef Landorus-T: 50.95% - 60.7% (2 hits to KO)

Needless to say that this Terrakion breaks teams while luring out Landorus-T so swiftly that it isn't even funny. CB Stone Edge at -1 does about 35% on it's own too, so with some SR you could possibly KO it on the switch without using HP Ice if you already hit it once assuming max rolls. All in all, this Terrakion needs to be utilized a bit more. The 1 iv drop in attack is really not that significant and physical priority is hurting one way or another so the loss of defense isn't exactly missed either.

I'd list partners but seriously the whole thing about Teambuilding is to be creative. Use this Terrakion and find out what it'd be good with!

 

[Halcyon.]

I prefer giving Terrakion HP Ice only when I use Life Orb, since being locked into HP Ice on Terrakion is TERRIBLE. You're basically just asking for something to get a free switch. With Life Orb, you can hit harder (obviously) and you don't have to have nearly as good prediction skills, since you can actually easily "OHKO" Lando and Gliscor with a Stone Edge and then a HP Ice. Not saying that HP Ice isn't a viable option for the last slot on Choice Band, but being locked into it sucks.

 

[Gingar]

Like several people have already stated... I don't really see too many "gimmicks" in this discussion at all.

Anyway, yesterday as I was watching replays on showdown, I saw a very interesting, gimmicky match.

Here's the link.
http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou-20651579

my body is regi uses a very interesting strategy in this video. (No, he did not create it.)

Ninetales @ Rocky Helmet
EVs

(Since he only uses one move, I'm not completely sure of the EV's.
Let's say he's using the standard lead for demonstration purposes.)

Moveset:
~Mimic
~?
~?
~?

(The only move we see him use is "mimic" So again, i'm not sure of the moveset.
However, in order for his strategy to work, he must use moves that cannot be used with Assist.
I will explain this in depth later, or you can watch the video. Here is a list of the moves he can
choose from. http://www.smogon.com/bw/moves/assist)


*************

He leads off against a forretress who uses Stealth Rock. The interesting thing about this set is the fact that
Ninetales gets to Mimic Stealth Rock while Forretress hopelessly rapid spins the rocks away. (He absolutely
needs rocks off his side of the field, because Yanmega carries a sash, and can potentially give him the victory.)
However, forretress ends up hurting itself the more it spins, due to the rocky helmet... bringing it into KO range.
Of course, ninetales can't kill the forretress, due to the fact that it can only learn certain moves due to the strategy.


The most interesting gimmick he used on this team however was this.

Spinda.

The only attacking move he had on his team was V-Create, the most powerful fire move in the game. (Which was obviously carried by Victini.) The downfall of V-Create is its side effect of lowering Speed and Defense. Spinda, who receives Contrary can use these downfalls to its advantage by reversing the effect, becoming an extremely deadly sweeper.

While this isn't a gimmick I personally created, I thought it was very interesting, and would be viable on this post.

 

[termi]

Like several people have already stated... I don't really see too many "gimmicks" in this discussion at all.

Anyway, yesterday as I was watching replays on showdown, I saw a very interesting, gimmicky match.

Here's the link.
http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou-20651579

my body is regi uses a very interesting strategy in this video. (No, he did not create it.)

Ninetales @ Rocky Helmet
EVs

(Since he only uses one move, I'm not completely sure of the EV's.
Let's say he's using the standard lead for demonstration purposes.)

Moveset:
~Mimic
~?
~?
~?
(The only move we see him use is "mimic" So again, i'm not sure of the moveset.
However, in order for his strategy to work, he must use moves that cannot be used with Assist.
I will explain this in depth later, or you can watch the video. Here is a list of the moves he can
choose from. http://www.smogon.com/bw/moves/assist)

*************

He leads off against a forretress who uses Stealth Rock. The interesting thing about this set is the fact that
Ninetales gets to Mimic Stealth Rock while Forretress hopelessly rapid spins the rocks away. (He absolutely
needs rocks off his side of the field, because Yanmega carries a sash, and can potentially give him the victory.)
However, forretress ends up hurting itself the more it spins, due to the rocky helmet... bringing it into KO range.
Of course, ninetales can't kill the forretress, due to the fact that it can only learn certain moves due to the strategy.


The most interesting gimmick he used on this team however was this.

Spinda.

The only attacking move he had on his team was V-Create, the most powerful fire move in the game. (Which was obviously carried by Victini.) The downfall of V-Create is its side effect of lowering Speed and Defense. Spinda, who receives Contrary can use these downfalls to its advantage by reversing the effect, becoming an extremely deadly sweeper.

While this isn't a gimmick I personally created, I thought it was very interesting, and would be viable on this post.

While... interesting, this is just too gimmicky, really. This strategy is completely unviable, because for one, Mimic + Rocky Helmet Ninetales fails against basically anything that's not setting hazards up, and the problem with V-Create being the only attacking move is that any team with a Heatran wins, guaranteed. Any sand/rain team wins, too. Now the idea of this thread is to post gimmicks, but the difference between the gimmick you posted and the average gimmick in this thread is that the one you posted sucks ass and the average gimmick doesn't.

That being said, it was amusing to watch.

 

[Gingar]

While... interesting, this is just too gimmicky, really. This strategy is completely unviable, because for one, Mimic + Rocky Helmet Ninetales fails against basically anything that's not setting hazards up, and the problem with V-Create being the only attacking move is that any team with a Heatran wins, guaranteed. Any sand/rain team wins, too. Now the idea of this thread is to post gimmicks, but the difference between the gimmick you posted and the average gimmick in this thread is that the one you posted sucks ass and the average gimmick doesn't.

That being said, it was amusing to watch.

Oh, of course. It is extremely unreliable. I knew I was forgetting to say something... But then again, a lot of gimmicks are.

But yes... nonetheless, extremely amusing.

 

[Emmy2]

Like several people have already stated... I don't really see too many "gimmicks" in this discussion at all.

Anyway, yesterday as I was watching replays on showdown, I saw a very interesting, gimmicky match.

Here's the link.
http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou-20651579

my body is regi uses a very interesting strategy in this video. (No, he did not create it.)

Ninetales @ Rocky Helmet
EVs

(Since he only uses one move, I'm not completely sure of the EV's.
Let's say he's using the standard lead for demonstration purposes.)

Moveset:
~Mimic
~?
~?
~?
(The only move we see him use is "mimic" So again, i'm not sure of the moveset.
However, in order for his strategy to work, he must use moves that cannot be used with Assist.
I will explain this in depth later, or you can watch the video. Here is a list of the moves he can
choose from. http://www.smogon.com/bw/moves/assist)

*************

He leads off against a forretress who uses Stealth Rock. The interesting thing about this set is the fact that
Ninetales gets to Mimic Stealth Rock while Forretress hopelessly rapid spins the rocks away. (He absolutely
needs rocks off his side of the field, because Yanmega carries a sash, and can potentially give him the victory.)
However, forretress ends up hurting itself the more it spins, due to the rocky helmet... bringing it into KO range.
Of course, ninetales can't kill the forretress, due to the fact that it can only learn certain moves due to the strategy.


The most interesting gimmick he used on this team however was this.

Spinda.

The only attacking move he had on his team was V-Create, the most powerful fire move in the game. (Which was obviously carried by Victini.) The downfall of V-Create is its side effect of lowering Speed and Defense. Spinda, who receives Contrary can use these downfalls to its advantage by reversing the effect, becoming an extremely deadly sweeper.

While this isn't a gimmick I personally created, I thought it was very interesting, and would be viable on this post.

This was hilarious. I feel bad for the bug mono though. But unfortunately would lose to any team with a Heatran or Chandelure.

I came across a different Assist team a while back:

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou-32745169

 

[Arcticblast]

This was hilarious. I feel bad for the bug mono though. But unfortunately would lose to any team with a Heatran or Chandelure.

I came across a different Assist team a while back:

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou-32745169

1) Nature Power isn't copied by Assist. I can't think of any Pokemon that get Nature Power that are particularly good in OU or get Assist on their own (I guess Sawsbuck is an option?).

Also, that replay you posted is also against a mono-Bug team...

 

[Emmy2]

1) Nature Power isn't copied by Assist. I can't think of any Pokemon that get Nature Power that are particularly good in OU or get Assist on their own (I guess Sawsbuck is an option?).

Also, that replay you posted is also against a mono-Bug team...

The other assist team was against my mono-bug from forever ago... I came across it on the ladder one day when team testing, and almost choked laughing.

Anyway... a few Skarmory sets:

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 Def
Adamant Nature
- Substitute / filler
- Roost
- Curse / Swords Dance
- Iron Head / Drill Peck / Brave Bird / other physical attack

Curse + almost anything slow = an offensive monster after a couple turns. The choice between Curse and Sword Dance depends on if you need power sooner or not (since it's not going to be outspeeding much anyway with a base 70 speed and no ev's). I prefer Curse because it makes the substitute extremely difficult to crack with a physical attack after a few turns. The choice between attacks depends on what coverage type you need. Alternately, you can run 2 attacks or a hazard in place of Substitute, but keep in mind there might be a compatibility issue depending on what it is.

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/phoenixleague-oumonotype-1788

Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Sturdy
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Atk
Impish Nature
- Spikes / Stealth Rock / Filler
- Roost
- Counter
- Iron Head

Have an outrageous dragon problem? Not anymore. Switch in on a predicted outrage. Then Counter the next outrage. Problem should be eliminated. :) Roost allows you to heal back the damage, so you can eliminate another similar problem later in the match. ;) This set is also helpful against spinners if your ghost is dead/doesn't exist, because the Rocky Helmet will likely make it not worth it for them to spin. On this set, I prefer Spikes in the first slot, because it often gets opportunities to lay down multiple layers unlike many other things that get them. The last move is primarily there to keep you from being taunt bait, and can do decent damage to predicted auto-switches such as Magic Bounce users.

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/frost-ou-32914

 

[Jukain]

Okay, I'm drawing the line.

This is NOT a thread to post your bad gimmicks that may work once in a blue moon. This is a thread to post viable twists on standard Pokemon, like most everyone else has done. Curse/SD Skarm is not viable, and is an opportunity cost -- why would you use it instead of a premier defensive wall?

Any more sets like that and I will take further steps.

 

[Gingar]

The other assist team was against my mono-bug from forever ago... I came across it on the ladder one day when team testing, and almost choked laughing.

Anyway... a few Skarmory sets:

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 Def
Adamant Nature
- Substitute / filler
- Roost
- Curse / Swords Dance
- Iron Head / Drill Peck / Brave Bird / other physical attack

Curse + almost anything slow = an offensive monster after a couple turns. The choice between Curse and Sword Dance depends on if you need power sooner or not (since it's not going to be outspeeding much anyway with a base 70 speed and no ev's). I prefer Curse because it makes the substitute extremely difficult to crack with a physical attack after a few turns. The choice between attacks depends on what coverage type you need. Alternately, you can run 2 attacks or a hazard in place of Substitute, but keep in mind there might be a compatibility issue depending on what it is.

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/phoenixleague-oumonotype-1788

Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Sturdy
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Atk
Impish Nature
- Spikes / Stealth Rock / Filler
- Roost
- Counter
- Iron Head

Have an outrageous dragon problem? Not anymore. Switch in on a predicted outrage. Then Counter the next outrage. Problem should be eliminated. :) Roost allows you to heal back the damage, so you can eliminate another similar problem later in the match. ;) This set is also helpful against spinners if your ghost is dead/doesn't exist, because the Rocky Helmet will likely make it not worth it for them to spin. On this set, I prefer Spikes in the first slot, because it often gets opportunities to lay down multiple layers unlike many other things that get them. The last move is primarily there to keep you from being taunt bait, and can do decent damage to predicted auto-switches such as Magic Bounce users.

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/frost-ou-32914

I feel that Curse Skarm is more of a liability than a gimmick. I also feel that Rocky Helmet suits Ferrothorn a lot better. (Not only can it set up spikes, but Iron Barbs + Rocky Helmet = Hell for physical dragons.)

 

[Spinda]

I feel that Curse Skarm is more of a liability than a gimmick. I also feel that Rocky Helmet suits Ferrothorn a lot better. (Not only can it set up spikes, but Iron Barbs + Rocky Helmet = Hell for physical dragons.)

Rocky helmet is mainly good on skarm because it punishes volt turn, taking u-turns with impunity while hurting the u-turner back significantly with rocky helmet + hazards really messes with volt turn as it puts it on a timer, a timer that is too low to wear the opposing team down the way a volt turn team should
Can't say I approve of the set itself, but I approve of the item :]

On the topic of Skarmory, though..
I've been using more of a midgame custap skarm set for offensive teams, it reliably sets up multiple hazards and its bulk gets it into custap range quite easily, but it also provides a really nice emergency check to a good amount of threats.
I've found this to be more effective than standard custapskarm most of the time as it's starting to become incredibly expected and practically ever team has a good counterlead for it, so you could use a lead that's more effective in the current metagame and worry about reliable hazards later.

Skarmory @ Custap Berry
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Spd / 232 SDef
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird

 

[Emmy2]

I feel that Curse Skarm is more of a liability than a gimmick. I also feel that Rocky Helmet suits Ferrothorn a lot better. (Not only can it set up spikes, but Iron Barbs + Rocky Helmet = Hell for physical dragons.)

Depends on what is needed on the team, typing-wise. The first one was made initially for a mono-flying team. As the only flying type capable of switching in on/potentially eliminating physical rock/ice types, I needed a set capable of eliminating them, and not just setting a bunch of hazards down and dying. For this purpose, Iron Head is the obvious attack choice, since both are weak to steel. Once certain threats are dead, it's not all that unusual for me to be able to reach 4x atk boosts on it, due to its bulk and reliable healing. (unlike many commonly suggested boosters, who have the defenses of a wet paper bag) It's not completely reliable, or viable against everything, but neither is anything else.

As for the other set, Skarm has 3 major advantages over Ferrothorn: Roost, Counter, and Sturdy. Counter will actually eliminate the dragon. Roost will allow it to be able to just do the same thing again later in the match. Sturdy allows for elimination of certain things that would otherwise kill it and not get hit all that hard. It can be useful for eliminating a dangerous sweeper, such as a scarfed Darmanitan or Victini on a sun team, where Skarmory would otherwise just be a vulnerability incapable of doing much, and the opponent isn't considering the possibility of me doing something other than putting up a layer of spikes or something.

Anyway, the reason I posted these is because they're actually gimmicky sets, as opposed to 95% of this thread which is just replacing one move or item on a commonly used set. And I've had reasonable amounts of success with them (more than "once in a blue moon"), considering that they're gimmicky sets on gimmicky teams.

 

[Gingar]

Depends on what is needed on the team, typing-wise. The first one was made initially for a mono-flying team. As the only flying type capable of switching in on/potentially eliminating physical rock/ice types, I needed a set capable of eliminating them, and not just setting a bunch of hazards down and dying. For this purpose, Iron Head is the obvious attack choice, since both are weak to steel. Once certain threats are dead, it's not all that unusual for me to be able to reach 4x atk boosts on it, due to its bulk and reliable healing. (unlike many commonly suggested boosters, who have the defenses of a wet paper bag) It's not completely reliable, or viable against everything, but neither is anything else.

As for the other set, Skarm has 3 major advantages over Ferrothorn: Roost, Counter, and Sturdy. Counter will actually eliminate the dragon. Roost will allow it to be able to just do the same thing again later in the match. Sturdy allows for elimination of certain things that would otherwise kill it and not get hit all that hard. It can be useful for eliminating a dangerous sweeper, such as a scarfed Darmanitan or Victini on a sun team, where Skarmory would otherwise just be a vulnerability incapable of doing much, and the opponent isn't considering the possibility of me doing something other than putting up a layer of spikes or something.

Anyway, the reason I posted these is because they're actually gimmicky sets, as opposed to 95% of this thread which is just replacing one move or item on a commonly used set. And I've had reasonable amounts of success with them (more than "once in a blue moon"), considering that they're gimmicky sets on gimmicky teams.

Yes, I understand. Roost really is a major advantage over Ferro. I just feel like an Impish Skarmory (with 252 Defense EV's and 248 in HP) Won't be taking much from physical attackers in the first place... So, "eliminating dangerous sweepers" seems kind of redundant honestly. Then again, to be fair... the set does carry Rocky Helmet. That in conjunction with Counter could end up doing a decent amount.