This is a team that I started while looking for viable electric types for common threats, like Togekiss and Milotic. It may even work in the next season because the near release of G-Lapras and Blastoise.
I laddered only a bit with this team.
Starting fresh from elo 1000 and reaching 1400 with just 3 losses, then I had some trouble adjusting my plays to this team but I managed to reach 1500 (then I stopped but could've reached higher).
Now take a seat, grab your juice and enjoy the ride.
The concept
It all started because of Weather Ball:
The most efficient way to use it, I find, it's like good ol' hidden power... Quickly Weather Ball had become an add-on to the team. A useful one.
Building the Team
Step #1
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Espeon, Jolteon and Charizard seemed like the best candidate possible for this move.
Step #2
This step was quite natural. I wanted Fake Tears and I wanted Prankster. I chose Grimm over Whimsi because of Fake Out and because I felt a lesser need for Tailwind and more for a selective Paralysis with Thunderwave. Grimmsnarl offers screens too and a potential good stab in Spirit Break, even uninvested.
In this particular case I think Grimmsnarl is simply more solid than Whimsicott.
Step #3
+
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Things were starting to barely get in shape.
At this point I knew I was still lacking a weather setter and a 'main' solid Pokémon (since Jolteon will often be in the bench).
Vanilluxe, imo, is the best 'neutral' Weather setter at the moment. With the possibility of powerful stab 100% accurate Blizzards, Freeze Dry and Aurora Veil. The fourth move I want is Protect, since Vanilluxe is a magnet for Fake Out.
It wasn't over tho...
I knew I wanted more options for Weather and realized that a Pokémon with useful Max Moves could be a Setter, a Threat, a Counter to opponent's Weathers and capitalize better on Fake Tears: I went for Dragapult or Goodra.
Even an high roll damage, with crit, will do 73,36% at most.
Being a Dynamaxed Pokèmon that can stand on his feet for quite some turns I considered adding a Poison move to boost allies and a Weakness Policy to top it all.
Step #4
Enters Conkeldurr.
Primarily for a good Exca+TTar counter, but also since I was lacking a physical hitter... The fact that it can work pretty well under Trickroom too played an important role while choosing.
Step #5
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The most difficult part and the most "still-up-for-debate" one. What was I still lacking? Still don't have a definitive answer :\
I feel pretty confident against Trickroom, that's even getting a bit lower in usage, so I don't think an Imprison/Reverse Trickroom is mandatory here...
I mean, Jolteon can set Electric Terrain for Butterfree/Vileplume and Fake Out will take care of sneaky scarf users. Rypherior and Torkoal are weak to my team too.
Plus Taunt on Vanilluxe is a solution I like: both unpredictable and unaffected by Psychic Terrain.
Testing Process
As said before I only laddered a bit, I think a couple of hours.
Starting fresh from elo 1000 and reaching 1400 with just 3 losses, then I had some trouble adjusting my plays to this team but I managed to reach 1500 (then I stopped but could've reached higher).
I honestly made a lot of mistakes and part of the "barely 1500" is my fault.
I wasn't used to prankster so I had trouble remembering about dark types, plus havind all of this weather-max-moves sometimes I messed the timing for aurora veil.
Showdown Replays
Final verdict
The team feels pretty good.
The greatest weakness is dealing with trickroom teams, it's manageable but you have to maneuver carefully, so be wary.
Rental Code
Pokepaste
https://pokepast.es/3a419374a8b87b14
I laddered only a bit with this team.
Starting fresh from elo 1000 and reaching 1400 with just 3 losses, then I had some trouble adjusting my plays to this team but I managed to reach 1500 (then I stopped but could've reached higher).
Now take a seat, grab your juice and enjoy the ride.
The concept
It all started because of Weather Ball:
All good and all nice, in theory. In practice it not a good idea for a core strategy, it's really gimmicky and unreliable.
The most efficient way to use it, I find, it's like good ol' hidden power... Quickly Weather Ball had become an add-on to the team. A useful one.
Building the Team
Step #1
Espeon, Jolteon and Charizard seemed like the best candidate possible for this move.
- Charizard has a pretty good moveset, I really didn't like the idea of changing something about the solid quartet FireAtk/AirSlash/SolarBeam/Protect... So I moved on.
- Espeon is really fast. This could potentially lead to a Modest Nature and still outspeed lots of threats, leaving some EV for devense.
- Jolteon has the same pros, but I liked it more for its Electric typing to deal with Togekiss, primarily.
I liked these calcs, plus now I knew two important thing: I needed a Fake Tears user and a Weather setter.
Step #2
This step was quite natural. I wanted Fake Tears and I wanted Prankster. I chose Grimm over Whimsi because of Fake Out and because I felt a lesser need for Tailwind and more for a selective Paralysis with Thunderwave. Grimmsnarl offers screens too and a potential good stab in Spirit Break, even uninvested.
In this particular case I think Grimmsnarl is simply more solid than Whimsicott.
Step #3
Things were starting to barely get in shape.
At this point I knew I was still lacking a weather setter and a 'main' solid Pokémon (since Jolteon will often be in the bench).
Vanilluxe, imo, is the best 'neutral' Weather setter at the moment. With the possibility of powerful stab 100% accurate Blizzards, Freeze Dry and Aurora Veil. The fourth move I want is Protect, since Vanilluxe is a magnet for Fake Out.
It wasn't over tho...
I knew I wanted more options for Weather and realized that a Pokémon with useful Max Moves could be a Setter, a Threat, a Counter to opponent's Weathers and capitalize better on Fake Tears: I went for Dragapult or Goodra.
- Dragapult, my favourite design this gen, seemed fun. Fast in order to set Weather when needed and Draco Meteor+Eject Pack+Clear Body felt powerful and useful.
But Dragapult has a problem, it's too frail for my tastes (since I already have a frail mon) and I realized I was using Jolteon too much. More then needed, therefore winning less. - Goodra, my first option that was discarded because the Eject combo seemed more useful, became the better choice.
It added the versatility I wanted since the team felt less combo-driven and more organic, plus Goodra has some great bulk (150 base Spdef for instance) and soon enough I noticed that I could spend 0EV in SpDef and still be a great wall.
Even an high roll damage, with crit, will do 73,36% at most.
Being a Dynamaxed Pokèmon that can stand on his feet for quite some turns I considered adding a Poison move to boost allies and a Weakness Policy to top it all.
Step #4
Enters Conkeldurr.
Primarily for a good Exca+TTar counter, but also since I was lacking a physical hitter... The fact that it can work pretty well under Trickroom too played an important role while choosing.
Step #5
The most difficult part and the most "still-up-for-debate" one. What was I still lacking? Still don't have a definitive answer :\
I feel pretty confident against Trickroom, that's even getting a bit lower in usage, so I don't think an Imprison/Reverse Trickroom is mandatory here...
I mean, Jolteon can set Electric Terrain for Butterfree/Vileplume and Fake Out will take care of sneaky scarf users. Rypherior and Torkoal are weak to my team too.
Plus Taunt on Vanilluxe is a solution I like: both unpredictable and unaffected by Psychic Terrain.
- But... I still thought about Jellicent, as a final and safer nail in the coffin of a possible TR team.
- Braviary, with Rock Slide, because I felt like I was still weak to Arcanine/Incineroar as Jolteon might be not enough to prevent it to Snarl my team. Plus it is a Potential Third Dynamax user, and I like versatility.
- Malamar, another mon that can take advantage of Arcanine. Plus it adds Dark tiping... and the Threat of Ally Switch. Cheap one, yes, but undeniably useful when used right and not mindlessly spammed.
- Milotic, simply one of the best mons this gen. It takes perfectly advantage of Pokémon like Arcanine and Incineroar, hitting back supereffectively and with a concrete possibility of Dynamaxing when boosted. But... another special attacker with a water stab. I dunno... But Coil+Hypnosis is so tempting.
- Dracovish, I mean... why not? There's even Goodra setting rain to further boost its damage output.
Ultimately I was unsure between Milotic, Dracovish and Braviary. I chose the latter since it offers more offensive Coverage to my team... But I'm still unsure. Between these three.
THE TEAM
Goodra @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Gooey
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 76 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 60 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Hydro Pump
- Sludge Bomb
Grimmsnarl @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Spirit Break
- Fake Tears
- Thunder Wave
Vanilluxe @ Focus Sash
Ability: Snow Warning
Level: 50
EVs: 20 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Aurora Veil
- Taunt
- Protect
Jolteon @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
Level: 50
EVs: 20 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Weather Ball
- Protect
Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Close Combat
- Thunder Punch
- Mach Punch
Braviary (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Rock Slide
- Tailwind
- Protect
THE TEAM
Goodra @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Gooey
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 76 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 60 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Hydro Pump
- Sludge Bomb
Grimmsnarl @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Spirit Break
- Fake Tears
- Thunder Wave
Vanilluxe @ Focus Sash
Ability: Snow Warning
Level: 50
EVs: 20 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Aurora Veil
- Taunt
- Protect
Jolteon @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
Level: 50
EVs: 20 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Weather Ball
- Protect
Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Close Combat
- Thunder Punch
- Mach Punch
Braviary (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Rock Slide
- Tailwind
- Protect
Testing Process
As said before I only laddered a bit, I think a couple of hours.
Starting fresh from elo 1000 and reaching 1400 with just 3 losses, then I had some trouble adjusting my plays to this team but I managed to reach 1500 (then I stopped but could've reached higher).
I honestly made a lot of mistakes and part of the "barely 1500" is my fault.
I wasn't used to prankster so I had trouble remembering about dark types, plus havind all of this weather-max-moves sometimes I messed the timing for aurora veil.
Showdown Replays
Final verdict
The team feels pretty good.
The greatest weakness is dealing with trickroom teams, it's manageable but you have to maneuver carefully, so be wary.
Rental Code
Pokepaste
https://pokepast.es/3a419374a8b87b14
Last edited:
