Grass Monotype Team
Introduction
Hi everyone, this is my Balanced Grass Monotype team. This team peaked at 1439 ELO on the Monotype ladder and I would love some advice to fine-tune it and take it further. Generally Grass really struggles on the Monotype ladder so I wanted to see how far I could get with this team.
Teambuilding Process
The Monotype metagame is all about covering your weaknesses, so I started building this team with the defensive core of Ferrothorn (resists Flying, Bug, Ice; immune to Poison), Venusaur (resists Bug, Poison and Fire and Ice with Thick Fat) and Cradily (resists Fire, Flying, Poison) to give the team at least two resists to each of its weaknesses. For an offensive core I chose Serperior and Breloom, as these are the best sweepers on Grass full stop. Whimiscott was chosen to provide much needed support to the rest of the team, and really is the glue of this entire team.
The Team
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
Ferrothorn was chosen as it basically resists a lot of types, provides a critical poison switch in and provides invaluable utility to the team. Its role is to get rocks up (which is essential against 4/5 of Grass bad defensive match-ups) and then wreck any physical attackers with residual damage. It can function as a decent spin blocker as well. As many physical attackers are reluctant to touch Ferrothorn, I gave it Sassy nature and put max EVs into SpD to bulk it up from the special side as well, which many teams aren't prepared for. Knock Off is awesome against Evolite normal types, Ghost and Psychic teams and anything with a scarf, allowing the rest of the team to (especially Serperior) break through later on in the game.
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability:Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed
Mega-Venusaur is almost required on Grass teams; it provides fantastic synergy in the defensive core with Ferrothorn and can stall for days. Its role is to continually switch in throughout the game to soak up physical attacks, and PP stall with three forms of recovery + 30% poison chance. I have maximised its physical bulk to catch opposing teams off guard expecting a SpD Venusaur; it works especially well against Victini. Chlorophyll is used for the occasion that Sun is up against Fire teams to get a speed boost on the turn that it mega evolves.
Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Suction Cups
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Curse
Cradily completes the team's defensive core and was chosen to be my specially defensive wall. Its role is to continually switch in throughout the game on special attacks, Recover off the damage and find a chance to set up with Curse, making the most of its Suction Cups ability. It also works as a dedicated Charizard and Volcarona counter, being able to OHKO both with Rock Slide, and stop them short of completely wiping the rest of the team out. It usually isn't strong enough to withstand Mega-Pinsir unless it has already set up with Curse. Earthquake is there to hit Steel types that would otherwise wall it, and once at +2 can usually do a fair bit of damage.
Pokemon @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare
Serperior is Grass's premier special sweeper with Contrary, and really outclasses everything else that could be chosen for this slot. Its role is to come in late game and clean up the opposing side with the huge momentum behind Contary Leaf Storm. Dragon Pulse and HP Fire are the best coverage options and Glare can be useful to slow an opposing threat down, but isn't used much. Leftovers was chosen over Life Orb to stop it from killing itself before wining, especially if it is taking damage from being out-sped. Serperior can also switch in if I am anticipating a Defog to get an evasion boost.
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Rock Tomb
- Spore
Breloom is Grass's best option for a physical sweeper. Its role is usually to come in early in the game before rocks are up and follows the same procedure every time: Survive a hit with Focus Sash, Spore the opposing Pokemon, then the opponent switches and you use Rock Tomb to slow the switch in down; proceed to either Mach Punch or Bullet Seed until it dies. It usually manages to take down 1-2 Pokemon with it and takes the pressure off the rest of the team for the rest of the game. Its pretty much useless without the Sash intact so it usually leads unless I see a Sableye or a suicide lead that I can better counter with Whimsicott.
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Substitute
- Stun Spore
I love this Pokemon and it wins so many games for me; the result is usually based on how well I manage to play Whimsicott. It plays an important support role that allows the rest of the team to function, status and hazard control, and to stop set-up sweepers. I essentially switch it in whenever I predict a set up move; proceed to Encore, or Substitute if I predict a switch. I can then paralyse whatever switches in behind the safety of the sub and just switch out again when the sub is broken. Alternatively, I keep subbing until the paralyse hax kicks in, then Moonblast to deal a fair chunk of damage with SpA investment. Timid with Speed EVs makes it one of the fastest Pokemon on Grass and Prankster means I can always paralyse something, allowing Serperior to clean up late game without getting out-sped. I usually lead against Sableye as it is my best chance to beat it.
Threats
This team can struggle against status, especially toxic and burns as there are no Heal Bell support. Also the lack of viable Defoggers on Grass means that residual damage from hazards can really cripple the team. My usually strategy to to switch in to either Venusaur or Whimsicott if I predict a WoW, Venusaur or Ferrothorn if I predict Toxic and Ferrothorn or Cradily for Thunder Wave.
There are also a number of Pokemon that can destroy this team if given the chance (probably about two for each type!) but notably Mega-Charizard-X, Volcarona, Mega-Pinsir, Victini, Genesect, Sableye, Togekiss, Mamoswine, Heatran, and Skarmory.
Conclusion
Overall, I have had a lot of fun with this team, and a fair amount of success given it's a Grass monotype team. Hopefully with a few tweaks it can stay consistently in the 1400s and maybe even break 1500 on the ladder.
Introduction
Hi everyone, this is my Balanced Grass Monotype team. This team peaked at 1439 ELO on the Monotype ladder and I would love some advice to fine-tune it and take it further. Generally Grass really struggles on the Monotype ladder so I wanted to see how far I could get with this team.
Teambuilding Process
The Monotype metagame is all about covering your weaknesses, so I started building this team with the defensive core of Ferrothorn (resists Flying, Bug, Ice; immune to Poison), Venusaur (resists Bug, Poison and Fire and Ice with Thick Fat) and Cradily (resists Fire, Flying, Poison) to give the team at least two resists to each of its weaknesses. For an offensive core I chose Serperior and Breloom, as these are the best sweepers on Grass full stop. Whimiscott was chosen to provide much needed support to the rest of the team, and really is the glue of this entire team.
The Team
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
Ferrothorn was chosen as it basically resists a lot of types, provides a critical poison switch in and provides invaluable utility to the team. Its role is to get rocks up (which is essential against 4/5 of Grass bad defensive match-ups) and then wreck any physical attackers with residual damage. It can function as a decent spin blocker as well. As many physical attackers are reluctant to touch Ferrothorn, I gave it Sassy nature and put max EVs into SpD to bulk it up from the special side as well, which many teams aren't prepared for. Knock Off is awesome against Evolite normal types, Ghost and Psychic teams and anything with a scarf, allowing the rest of the team to (especially Serperior) break through later on in the game.
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability:Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed
Mega-Venusaur is almost required on Grass teams; it provides fantastic synergy in the defensive core with Ferrothorn and can stall for days. Its role is to continually switch in throughout the game to soak up physical attacks, and PP stall with three forms of recovery + 30% poison chance. I have maximised its physical bulk to catch opposing teams off guard expecting a SpD Venusaur; it works especially well against Victini. Chlorophyll is used for the occasion that Sun is up against Fire teams to get a speed boost on the turn that it mega evolves.
Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Suction Cups
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Curse
Cradily completes the team's defensive core and was chosen to be my specially defensive wall. Its role is to continually switch in throughout the game on special attacks, Recover off the damage and find a chance to set up with Curse, making the most of its Suction Cups ability. It also works as a dedicated Charizard and Volcarona counter, being able to OHKO both with Rock Slide, and stop them short of completely wiping the rest of the team out. It usually isn't strong enough to withstand Mega-Pinsir unless it has already set up with Curse. Earthquake is there to hit Steel types that would otherwise wall it, and once at +2 can usually do a fair bit of damage.
Pokemon @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare
Serperior is Grass's premier special sweeper with Contrary, and really outclasses everything else that could be chosen for this slot. Its role is to come in late game and clean up the opposing side with the huge momentum behind Contary Leaf Storm. Dragon Pulse and HP Fire are the best coverage options and Glare can be useful to slow an opposing threat down, but isn't used much. Leftovers was chosen over Life Orb to stop it from killing itself before wining, especially if it is taking damage from being out-sped. Serperior can also switch in if I am anticipating a Defog to get an evasion boost.
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Rock Tomb
- Spore
Breloom is Grass's best option for a physical sweeper. Its role is usually to come in early in the game before rocks are up and follows the same procedure every time: Survive a hit with Focus Sash, Spore the opposing Pokemon, then the opponent switches and you use Rock Tomb to slow the switch in down; proceed to either Mach Punch or Bullet Seed until it dies. It usually manages to take down 1-2 Pokemon with it and takes the pressure off the rest of the team for the rest of the game. Its pretty much useless without the Sash intact so it usually leads unless I see a Sableye or a suicide lead that I can better counter with Whimsicott.
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Substitute
- Stun Spore
I love this Pokemon and it wins so many games for me; the result is usually based on how well I manage to play Whimsicott. It plays an important support role that allows the rest of the team to function, status and hazard control, and to stop set-up sweepers. I essentially switch it in whenever I predict a set up move; proceed to Encore, or Substitute if I predict a switch. I can then paralyse whatever switches in behind the safety of the sub and just switch out again when the sub is broken. Alternatively, I keep subbing until the paralyse hax kicks in, then Moonblast to deal a fair chunk of damage with SpA investment. Timid with Speed EVs makes it one of the fastest Pokemon on Grass and Prankster means I can always paralyse something, allowing Serperior to clean up late game without getting out-sped. I usually lead against Sableye as it is my best chance to beat it.
Threats
This team can struggle against status, especially toxic and burns as there are no Heal Bell support. Also the lack of viable Defoggers on Grass means that residual damage from hazards can really cripple the team. My usually strategy to to switch in to either Venusaur or Whimsicott if I predict a WoW, Venusaur or Ferrothorn if I predict Toxic and Ferrothorn or Cradily for Thunder Wave.
There are also a number of Pokemon that can destroy this team if given the chance (probably about two for each type!) but notably Mega-Charizard-X, Volcarona, Mega-Pinsir, Victini, Genesect, Sableye, Togekiss, Mamoswine, Heatran, and Skarmory.
Conclusion
Overall, I have had a lot of fun with this team, and a fair amount of success given it's a Grass monotype team. Hopefully with a few tweaks it can stay consistently in the 1400s and maybe even break 1500 on the ladder.
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed
Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Suction Cups
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Curse
Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Glare
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Rock Tomb
- Spore
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Substitute
- Stun Spore
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
- Leech Seed
Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Suction Cups
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Recover
- Curse
Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Glare
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Rock Tomb
- Spore
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Substitute
- Stun Spore
