I've been playing the monotype tier for a while now and after some initial success with adapting my grass team to the new generation, I just can't seem to make it work anymore. I've been playing it a lot recently and no matter what I change, nothing seems to be working. So, I'm turning to you nice people to help me bring my team back up to the kick-butt shape it was in before. Without further ado, here's the team:
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 Def / 4 HP
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
Your typical hazards setter. I chose a defensive Ferrothorn because I really need the stealth rocks up and I tried a more offensive EV spread, but Ferrothorn never seemed to live long enough to get them up. Most of the time I'll lead off with this guy, get rocks up, and manage an attack or two before going down. I'm not sure if the grass type has a better hazards setter than Ferrothorn, and I've been pretty happy with this guy so far.
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Leech Seed
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ground]
Do I really need to explain why I have Megasaur on this team? Really? Yes? Fine, Megasaur is here to provide some special pressure as well as covering some weaknesses with that Thick Fat ability. I chose a more offensive spread because I need the type coverage. This guy has been amazing at tanking hits and dealing out damage. I don't really have any complaints because there's not much to complain about.
Ludicolo @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Rain Dance
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
- Surf
Ludicolo has been the newest addition to my team and I couldn't be happier. Since the rain covers one of my biggest weaknesses, I went ahead and chose the Damp Rock so I can cover that weakness longer. Ludicolo doesn't seem to mind the loss of power without a Life Orb and has ended up sweeping a couple teams here and there. It has great coverage and is nearly untouchable after using Rain Dance. If it lives long enough to abuse it, that is.
Breloom @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Spore
- Rock Tomb
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
Breloom has taken a hit this gen. I decided to swap out Swords Dance for Rock Tomb because of the extra coverage and unlike last gen, I'm switching out Breloom a lot. Spore is a staple move that no Breloom should go without and Mach Punch brings some much needed priority to the table. It's been difficult getting used to having Breloom as more of an offensive support role causing sleep, rather than being a physical sweeper, but Breloom still comes in handy in nearly every battle.
Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Defog
- Sucker Punch
- Seed Bomb
- Rock Slide
Another pokemon that has taken a hit this gen, but is still very valuable to this team. Shiftry is here for priority support. From KOing that Dragonite with a sliver of HP left to getting rid of that Yanmega that's a little too fast for comfort, Shiftry is there to put that sweeper in their place. Not to mention, the doubled speed in sun doubled with Rock Slide for pesky fire types really comes in handy. Many Charizard-Y's have fallen because of it, and many more will fall in the future.
Tangrowth @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Ancient Power
- Focus Blast
- Synthesis
Tangrowth is the only member of this team to have remained here since the beginning. Since Talonflame is a huge threat this gen, Tangrowth is here to stop it. Tangrowth can take that Brave Bird and strike back with a super effective Ancient Power. It's amazing how much this mass of vines can take and I laugh at opponents who try to overcome its bulk using physical attacks. Tangrowth has also caused a few rage-quits from a few flying type trainers who didn't like to see their Staraptor fall.
So there's the team. I'm not exactly sure what I could improve on since I have played with this team a lot. It has done extremely well in the past, taking three tournament wins, but I quickly went from nearly undefeated to a losing record. I'm open to any and all advice, including switching pokemon.
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 Def / 4 HP
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
Your typical hazards setter. I chose a defensive Ferrothorn because I really need the stealth rocks up and I tried a more offensive EV spread, but Ferrothorn never seemed to live long enough to get them up. Most of the time I'll lead off with this guy, get rocks up, and manage an attack or two before going down. I'm not sure if the grass type has a better hazards setter than Ferrothorn, and I've been pretty happy with this guy so far.
Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Leech Seed
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ground]
Do I really need to explain why I have Megasaur on this team? Really? Yes? Fine, Megasaur is here to provide some special pressure as well as covering some weaknesses with that Thick Fat ability. I chose a more offensive spread because I need the type coverage. This guy has been amazing at tanking hits and dealing out damage. I don't really have any complaints because there's not much to complain about.
Ludicolo @ Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Rain Dance
- Ice Beam
- Giga Drain
- Surf
Ludicolo has been the newest addition to my team and I couldn't be happier. Since the rain covers one of my biggest weaknesses, I went ahead and chose the Damp Rock so I can cover that weakness longer. Ludicolo doesn't seem to mind the loss of power without a Life Orb and has ended up sweeping a couple teams here and there. It has great coverage and is nearly untouchable after using Rain Dance. If it lives long enough to abuse it, that is.
Breloom @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Spore
- Rock Tomb
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
Breloom has taken a hit this gen. I decided to swap out Swords Dance for Rock Tomb because of the extra coverage and unlike last gen, I'm switching out Breloom a lot. Spore is a staple move that no Breloom should go without and Mach Punch brings some much needed priority to the table. It's been difficult getting used to having Breloom as more of an offensive support role causing sleep, rather than being a physical sweeper, but Breloom still comes in handy in nearly every battle.
Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Defog
- Sucker Punch
- Seed Bomb
- Rock Slide
Another pokemon that has taken a hit this gen, but is still very valuable to this team. Shiftry is here for priority support. From KOing that Dragonite with a sliver of HP left to getting rid of that Yanmega that's a little too fast for comfort, Shiftry is there to put that sweeper in their place. Not to mention, the doubled speed in sun doubled with Rock Slide for pesky fire types really comes in handy. Many Charizard-Y's have fallen because of it, and many more will fall in the future.
Tangrowth @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Ancient Power
- Focus Blast
- Synthesis
Tangrowth is the only member of this team to have remained here since the beginning. Since Talonflame is a huge threat this gen, Tangrowth is here to stop it. Tangrowth can take that Brave Bird and strike back with a super effective Ancient Power. It's amazing how much this mass of vines can take and I laugh at opponents who try to overcome its bulk using physical attacks. Tangrowth has also caused a few rage-quits from a few flying type trainers who didn't like to see their Staraptor fall.
So there's the team. I'm not exactly sure what I could improve on since I have played with this team a lot. It has done extremely well in the past, taking three tournament wins, but I quickly went from nearly undefeated to a losing record. I'm open to any and all advice, including switching pokemon.
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