Guerrilla Warfare (UU Offensive)

[Thetwiggy13]

Guerrilla Warfare: "the use of hit-and run tactics by small, mobile groups of irregular forces operating in territory controlled by a hostile, regular force."​

. . .
Hi, I'm back with my 3rd UU RMT here on Smogon, and I've finally left my position on defensive teams. This is the most offensive team I've ever successfully ran, and I've had minimal problems in sweeping. This is my most successful team as well; right now I'm at about 19-1 with this team (although I already have some failed teams' losses on my account) on the ladder. Anyways, let me get onto the team:

​

Mienshao @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Reckless
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Hi Jump Kick
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Aerial Ace

This is the standard Lead Scout and one of the two members of my "Guerrilla Warfare." Mienshao is a monster behind Reckless and a Scarf, 2HKOing most opponents. Stone Edge hits Fire, Flying, and Bugs that think they can come in and beat Mienshao. U-turn is to scout, of course, and it allows me to either send in a hard counter to a Pokemon or to rack up on damage against those pesky Slowbro. Aerial Ace is for Heracross (although I'm hardly seeing any of those on the ladder anymore?). Mienshao is usually a late-game cleaner after doing its first-turn job, and always gets a sweep done. I must say that as long as any Ghost is off the field, Mienshao never lets me down. Don't worry, you'll top Heracross eventually!

Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Trait: Solid Rock
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Atk / 244 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail

Rhyperior is another possible lead that sets up rocks, stops setup sweepers, and can help stop Raikou from sweeping (although it fears any Hidden Power). Rock Blast breaks substitutes, sturdy, and has a cooler animation than Stone Edge. Earthquake hits Raikou hard, along with anything else weak to it. Dragon Tail is to stop Rhyperior from being setup bait and to have a move that hits Flygon for decent damage. Rhyperior may be a wall, but its uninvested attack stat should not be underestimated. It also is able to stop Stallbreaker Crobat in its tracks, as it always uses Taunt while I predict that and slam it with Rock Blast. Rhyperior is just one of those Pokemon that just doesn't faint that easily thanks to Solid Rock.

Victini @ Choice Band
Trait: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- V-Create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Zen Headbutt

After going from Banded to mixed to special, I've been informed (and persuaded by myself) to go back to the Banded set I originally had. Victini hits like a truck with its banded V-Create, destroying basically anything not resisting it. Bolt Strike hits the likes of Milotic and Suicune hard. U-Turn adds onto the reason I named the team "Guerrilla Warfare," as it scouts and helps decide the set each individual threat is running. Zen Headbutt provides a nice STAB that can hit hard without any recoil, and also gets the somewhat rare flinch chance. Victini hits super hard, and is my main answer to special walls.

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Roost

Zapdos is the newest member of my team, and is my reinforcement to cover threats. Thunderbolt is the strongest STAB to hit anything for decent damage. Heat Wave hits the unsuspecting Scarf Heracross, steel-types, and Roserade. HP Grass hits Swampert and Rhyperior nicely. Roost is going to replace Volt Switch since Stealth Rock is going to wear Zapdos down the most. Zapdos is on my team because it is immune to fighting- and ground-type attacks, spikes variations, and is able to force Flygon out, who suspects that I have HP Ice. Although Zapdos has gotten me out of situations before, it is the most replaceable member of my team. Leftovers gives Zapdos some recovery from those terrible rocks, and specifically those resisted attacks that will still hurt--such as Mienshao's HJK or Heracross' CC. Still--it has made a niche on my team that Raikou couldn't do. Now that I have Victini with Grass Knot, should I go with HP Ice again?

Roserade @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Sleep Powder
- Sludge Bomb
- Rest

Somehow I always end up with Roserade on my team, I guess it's my favorite Pokemon in UU. With Sleep Powder, Roserade can become a decent lead to stop Stealth Rock and aid in letting my setup sweeper, down below, to take control of the match. Leaf Storm packs a major punch--it really does. Most bulky waters switch out in a heartbeat, and even the likes of Umbreon can be hit really hard. Sludge Bomb hits Shaymin and fire-type switch-ins. Rest heals Life Orb damage and sleep fades with Natural Cure. With its grass/poison typing, it resists Raikou's STAB Thunderbolt and Aura Sphere (although not very common). Roserade also absorbs status and Toxic Spikes upon entry, which aids this team greatly. Absorbing status really benefits here because none of my Pokemon want to be burned or paralyzed.

252 SpA Life Orb Roserade Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Umbreon: 175-207 (44.41 - 52.53%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Electric]

While a physical Kingdra set was nice, it's really hard to set up if the opponent has hard-hitting Pokemon. Here Kingdra can act as a Wallbreaker, and this really helps Victini to sweep once Kingdra rids it of physical walls. Draco Meteor is an amazingly strong STAB move that crushes everything not Steel-typed or named Snorlax/Umbreon (although ~55% on Snorlax and ~50% on 252/252+ Umbreon will definitely leave a nice dent). Kingdra also hits hard with Hydro Pump, coming into fire-type attacks and basically absorbing them with its 4x resistance. Dragon Pulse is a safer option late-late game if I don't want to risk not having enough power for the last kill. HP Electric rounds the set off with a wonderful way to hit Empoleon, the bane of every Kingdra's existence. I chose Swift Swim over Sniper so that way I can speed tie other Kingdra variants under the rain.

Now that you've seen my team, I'll tell you the weaknesses. The only real problem I have is Stealth Rock, although I can play around it if I can cripple the user the first turn with Roserade, or set up a Substitute with Kingdra and begin sweeping early-game. Flygon can cause damage to this team, but Zapdos and Mienshao can stop it hopefully. Since Scarf Flygon's hit-and-run strategy usually doesn't do much damage, I can reliably KO it with either Mienshao or anything that can take an Outrage or Earthquake. I haven't come across a single Chandelure, but I'd imagine it to be a problem. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you'll be able to help!

Importable:

Hide

Mienshao @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Reckless
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Hi Jump Kick
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Aerial Ace

Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Trait: Solid Rock
EVs: 248 HP / 16 Atk / 244 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail

Victini @ Choice Band
Trait: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Zen Headbutt

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Roost

Roserade @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Sleep Powder
- Sludge Bomb
- Rest

Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Electric]

 

[PTJon7]

Hey solid looking team.

At a glance it seems like Ground types could be a problem, Victini and Rhyperior are weak to it and Roserade would most likely die to any decently powerful EQ. The only thing that can safely switch into an EQ is Zapdos and Scarf Zapdos can pretty easily get worn down thanks to entry hazards and the fact that two of it's attacks cause it to get shut down by Ground types. The easiest way to fix this in my opinion would to change Zapdos to a Life Orb variant with HP Grass over HP Ice to be able to OHKO Swampert and Rhyperior (and also deal better with Piloswine if you ever encounter it).

Now that I think about it, replacing Rhyperior with Piloswine could actually work, it shuts down Raikou completely and doesn't even get 2HKOd by Scarf Flygon's Outrage (252 Atk Flygon Outrage vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 132-156 (32.67 - 38.61%) -- 99.15% chance to 3HKO) while being able to OHKO it in return with Ice Shard. This is just a random thought, I'm not positive if this would actually work, but here's the set I use:

Piloswine @ Eviolite
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Icicle Spear
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock

 

[Thetwiggy13]

hey thanks for the rate! I've been using a scarf on Zapdos because of stealth rock + life orb damage, although roost can still fix this and switching with Volt Switch will make Zapdos die soon enough. Zapdos was mainly put in as a ground immunity. A couple nights ago I was looking for something that resisted fighting and ground, but also could take out Flygon. I will test Piloswine for sure, although my weakness to fire will be raised again.

Edit: Oops, Thick Fat negates super effecitve fire-type attacks. However, it doesn't have Leftovers recovery and can be worn down easily.

 

[PTJon7]

Well thanks to Thick Fat Piloswines atleast neutral to it, and anyway and Fire attack that comes your way is just an easy move to set up on with Kingdra. Victini also resists and can take them pretty well thanks to its nice natural bulk.

 

[Alfalfa]

Piloswine is hardly viable in UU, with all of those powerful fire types lurking around, even with Thick Fat:

252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Thick Fat Piloswine: 198-234 (49 - 57.92%) -- 95.7% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Thick Fat Piloswine: 216-254 (53.46 - 62.87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Chandelure Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Thick Fat Piloswine: 216-254 (53.46 - 62.87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

And Fighting types:

252 Atk Reckless Mienshao Hi Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 398-470 (98.51 - 116.33%) -- 93.75% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Heracross Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 306-362 (75.74 - 89.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Scrafty Hi Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 266-314 (65.84 - 77.72%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Machamp DynamicPunch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 288-342 (71.28 - 84.65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Hitmontop Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 200-236 (49.5 - 58.41%) -- 98.44% chance to 2HKO

And oh, Raikou can get past Piloswine with Aura Sphere:
252+ SpA Raikou Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Piloswine: 200-236 (49.5 - 58.41%) -- 98.83% chance to 2HKO

 

[PTJon7]

Yea I never meant for Piloswine to be switching into any of those things, but I'd say its pretty significant that only Mienshao's HJK could OHKO out of all those attacks.

It was just a random thought, theres a good chance Pilo just wouldn't work out on his team but it definitely is viable.

 

[KM]

Piloswine is hardly viable in UU, with all of those powerful fire types lurking around, even with Thick Fat:

252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Thick Fat Piloswine: 198-234 (49 - 57.92%) -- 95.7% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Thick Fat Piloswine: 216-254 (53.46 - 62.87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Chandelure Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Thick Fat Piloswine: 216-254 (53.46 - 62.87%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

And Fighting types:

252 Atk Reckless Mienshao Hi Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 398-470 (98.51 - 116.33%) -- 93.75% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Heracross Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 306-362 (75.74 - 89.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Scrafty Hi Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 266-314 (65.84 - 77.72%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Machamp DynamicPunch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 288-342 (71.28 - 84.65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Hitmontop Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Piloswine: 200-236 (49.5 - 58.41%) -- 98.44% chance to 2HKO

And oh, Raikou can get past Piloswine with Aura Sphere:
252+ SpA Raikou Aura Sphere vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Piloswine: 200-236 (49.5 - 58.41%) -- 98.83% chance to 2HKO

I don't understand the logic here. It's like saying Umbreon isn't viable because it gets hit by fighting types.

The fact that you've listed almost all of the most powerful wallbreaking moves in the tier and none of them are even guaranteed OHKOs is a sign that Piloswine is in fact very, very viable. Contrary to what you might think, there are actually a ton of viable defensive pokemon in UU that are weak to both Fire and/or Fighting. (e.g. Cobal, Registeel, Umbreon, Snorlax, Shaymin, Roserade...). Just because a poke is weak to a type doesn't make it defensively useless whatsoever, even if the type is one of the dominant offensive types.

More importantly, everything you listed as a "counter" to Piloswine could hypothetically lose to it in a 1v1 situation. Given that you only gave it 252 HP/4 Def, the rest of the investment must be in attack, leading to the following calcs.

252+ Atk Piloswine Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Victini: 300-354 (87.97 - 103.81%) + Ice Shard: (8.79 - 10.55%) -- (96.76 - 114.36) -- 82% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Piloswine Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Darmanitan: 482-570 (137.32 - 162.39%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Piloswine Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Chandelure: 326-386 (124.9 - 147.89%) -- guaranteed OHKO

And Fighting types:

252+ Atk Piloswine Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mienshao: 226-267 (83.39 - 98.52%) + Ice Shard: 33.57 - 39.85% -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Piloswine Icicle Spear (2 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heracross: 144-171 (31.89 - 37.87) + Ice Shard: 25.24 - 29.9% -- (57.13 - 67.77%) - almost OHKO
252+ Atk Piloswine Icicle Spear (3 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heracross: (47.84 - 56.81%) + Ice Shard: 25.24 - 29.9% -- (73.08 - 86.71%) - almost OHKO
252+ Atk Piloswine Icicle Spear (4 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heracross: (63.78 - 75.75%) + Ice Shard: 25.24 - 29.9% -- (89.24 - 105.65%) - guaranteed OHKO after SR
252+ Atk Piloswine Icicle Spear (5 hits) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heracross: (79.73 - 94.68%) + Ice Shard: 25.24 - 29.9% -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Piloswine Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Scrafty: 133-157 (49.07 - 57.93%) + Ice Shard: 19.92 - 23.61% -- (68.99 - 81.54) - almost OHKO
252+ Atk Piloswine Icicle Spear (5 hits) vs 0 HP/ 0 Def Scrafty: (60.88% - 73.8%) + Ice Shard: 19.92 - 23.61% -- (80.8 - 97.41) - possible OHKO after SR
252+ Atk Piloswine Icicle Spear (5 hits) vs 0 HP/ 0 Def Machamp: (71.65% - 85.7%) + Ice Shard: 22.74 - 27.1% -- (94.39 - 112.8) - probable OHKO, almost guaranteed after SR
Piloswine v Hitmontop - 50-70% Damage (I got lazy, okay >.>)


Yes, I realize that these hypotheticals aren't all guaranteed OHKOs, and that it sometimes relies on mutiple-hit Icicle spears or confusion not working. What I'm trying to say here is that up against the most powerful pokes in UU - even those that can hit it super effectively - eviolite Piloswine can not only take their hits but also deal a great amount of damage back. More importantly, if you just pair it with something like Qwilfish, those "crippling" weaknesses are all gone anyway.

TL;DR, but I just needed to defend Piloswine - it's a really underappreciated poke that a lot of people don't prepare for. I guess what I'm trying to say is give Piloswine a shot on your team, OP, it's really fun :)

 

[Thetwiggy13]

I decided to keep Rhyperior > Piloswine because Piloswine lacks recovery, phazing, and is kind of weak to common attacks, despite Thick Fat. I've tested it against some friends and although it does still hit hard and has priority, it is easily worn over time. Thank you for the suggestion, though--Piloswine was fun to try out! If only Donphan could come back to UU D:

 

[PTJon7]

Fair enough, good luck with the team it really is good man.

 

[Psychotic]

Hi twiggy,
This team looks quite solid, and I have a few suggestions for minor changes that you could make to it, to perhaps make it more efficient. I really don't think you should change any of the mons, each one is vital to the team's success and synergize really well with each other. There are a few moveset, EV, and item changes to consider though. Since Stealth Rock is always an issue when using 2 pokemon weak to rock type, I would definitely recommend using Grass Knot over Zen Headbutt on Victini. This would allow you to 2hko both Swampert and Rhyperior switch-ins, and help in keeping rocks off the field. There are rarely instances where it is better to Zen Headbutt than to nuke something with V-Create or Wild Charge. Another option is to use a Mixed Victini set with Life Orb. With Life Orb a V-Create + Grass Knot will KO both Swampert and Rhyperior, keeping rocks off the field.

Suggested Changes:

Hide

Victini @ Life Orb
Trait: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Naive Nature
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- U-turn
- Grass Knot

This is a minor change, the team looks excellent otherwise. Hope I helped!

 

[Thetwiggy13]

While running some damage calcs, I've realized that this really is a nice mixed set. Although with three Life Orb users now, and two of them being weak to Stealth Rock, should I use another item for one of them? Which one? Or is the power just too much to pass up?
(This is under the assumption that I don't have time to block rocks) And thank you so much for the Victini set!

 

[Psychotic]

If you were to remove Life Orb from one of your pokes, I would recommend taking it off of Zapdos, and experimenting with both Expert Belt and Leftovers as options. Zapdos is basically your only fighting type check, and it can't really afford to take both Stealth Rock and Life Orb damage if you want it to check fighting types reliably. Leftovers is probably your best bet, but you should also try Ebelt and see how it works.

 

[Thetwiggy13]

I have changed Victini to a special attacking set, and am thinking of making Kingdra into a DoubleDancer in Rain Dance and Dragon Dance. I'm not sure yet, any help would be amazing.


Edit: Finding out myself, and also having a good UU rater back me up, I'm just sticking with my Kingdra set as it is. It does fine, and while it takes two boosts to outspeed a lot of things, it's more for the power than the speed--and it does fine in both. Thank you GenXXZ :P

 

[GenXXZ]

I have changed Victini to a special attacking set, and am thinking of making Kingdra into a DoubleDancer in Rain Dance and Dragon Dance. I'm not sure yet, any help would be amazing.

Double Dance is a pretty clunky set in my opinion, although Kingdra probably has one of the best STAB coverages in the tier, and it could also really throw an opponent off. Just be careful while using it though. Setting up DoubD Kingdra is not easy.

Also, be verrryyyy careful with rain on this team. When rain is up, Rhyperior and Victini are severely crippled.

 

[Thetwiggy13]

Yes, someone had mentioned it on Pokebeach and I kind of like the set I'm running now, and if Kingdra goes down I don't have much at all to back the rain outside of maybe Roserade. I'm gonna edit that, rain doesn't work on this team. I'm sticking with the set I have. Although I'm willing to try anything

 

[Explorer]

My favorite Kingdra set is actually something a bit different, and is worth trying:

Kingdra (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SpA/252 Spe
Nature: Lonely
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Waterfall
-Draco Meteor

MixDra wrecks a lot, believe me. Substitute is intended to block status, but Roserade absorbs it anyway. Dragon Dance is your setup move, with Waterfall and Outrage as your STABs, hitting every top 10 threat very hard at +1 w/LO. Draco Meteor makes opponents think you are about to switch out and they can set up, but then you use Dragon Dance and start destroying their special walls with +1 Outrages.

Also, if you really want a Rapid Spinner you could replace Rhyperior with Armaldo but it's gimmicky and I wouldn't do it. If you try to replace it with Hitmontop then maybe drop Sleep Powder on Roserade for Spikes. Or, run these two sets, replacing Rhyperior and Roserade. Note your team will become more defensive with these changes:

Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP/252 SpD/4 Spe
Nature: Careful
-Toxic
-Low Sweep
-Rapid Spin
-Sucker Punch

Your spinner and utility Pokemon. You now have a source of priority and a status option besides sleep, and it will help you get around Froslass and opposing Rhyperior. Low Sweep can make fast Pokemon easier to revenge-kill, namely the few Scarfers (Raikou, Azelf) that outspeed your Scarf Mienshao. A better spinner than Blastoise for this team due to the priority and synergy.

Torterra (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 Def
Nature: Impish
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Wood Hammer
-Synthesis

This set gives a good defense-offense compromise, and overall Torterra is significantly bulkier than Roserade. Not only that, but its recovery doesn't require it to switch out, and Grass + Ground STAB beats Grass + Poison STAB by a long shot. This set makes replacing Rhyperior more manageable, as you have a bulky Stealth Rock user that hits hard with high-powered moves.

Good luck with the team! Let me know if this combination works for you!

 

[Thetwiggy13]

I may try the Kingdra set, although I already have two Life Orb users. Plus substitute blocks status while Lum Berry is a backup, but cures confusion as well. It's a wonderful combination. I can usually play around rocks, but if not I can always just Roost with Zapdos, and Victini usually runs a suicide mission anyways. Hitmontop is usually setup bait, though. Plus, while it does help with physical attacks and has priority, I just don't find much use with in on this offensive team. Trust me, I tried it the first go-around of this team, and it didn't go well. While Torterra is the final evolution of my favorite Pokemon, it just has weaknesses to fire- and ice- types that I can't really handle on this team. Plus Roserade absorbs status, something Torterra would be terrified to do, and therefore I enjoy switching Roserade in on Sableye, Bronzong (watch out for Gyro Ball), and other status inducers. Armaldo, from what I've heard of, doesn't find love from higher-up NU players because of its horrible typing. It resists like Normal and Poison, that's it. Most of the time, Spikes are only used along with Stealth Rock as well.

Thanks for the offers, though, I'll try out the Kingdra set for sure.

 

[Explorer]

Suggesting Armaldo was sort of a joke since this isn't a rain team, but even then, if you badly want a spinner, Kabutops would be better.

As an alternative to LO on Kingdra, you could try a Dragon Gem for a few additional KOs and no recoil.

 

[Thetwiggy13]

I definitely could, but the no-risk Outrage would be missed. I play around with it though

 

[Aecor]

Nice team.

I really suggest running max/max+ on Rhyperior because SubCM Raikou kind of poops on your D after Rhyperior is done. That little bit extra of Special Defense is really useful--and the adamant + 16 ATK Ev's won't do you TOO much, imo js.

Also, SubDD Kingdra isn't what it used to be. With Mienshao and all these heavy hitters around, you'll be hard-pressed to get a Sub and a DD up. I think the Specs set works best with your team. It hits really hard right off the bat, and it puts pressure on the special walls (Umbreon/Snorlax). Your only means of dealing with Umbreon is hitting HJK with Mienshao...not to mention the protects. Kingdra cannot beat Umbreon 1v1 (physical) since it has foul play, so the specs set will do a clean 45% on average. Specs Kingdra coupled with LO Offensive Roserade can handle most dedicated special walls. Another main reason why SubDD Kingdra isn't that great is because now you're susceptible to burns and getting phased. It relies on dodging two statuses (Burn and Para). With specs, no status will hinder you.

For Victini, I would recommend going with either Banded Physical or Expert Belt Mixed. LO with U-Turn kind of gives away the surprise value of switching up moves. If you go with Expert Belt, a move pool of U-Turn, Grass Knot, Blue Flare, and Psychic is pretty awesome. Personally, with Specs Kingdra, I would suggest BandedTini since it has the bulk to take hits if need be, and your team needs another hard hitter. Also, your Zapdos carries HP Grass, so a BandTini benefits more with your Zapdos than a Special Tini--the reason obviously being since you carry grass knot on your Victini. Your team has NO wall-breakers, so having a special and physical wall breaker will do you good. With this, you have an offensive FWG core with good power and bulk.

 

[Thetwiggy13]

Hey, thanks for rating my team! I've been working with the special sets for Kingdra. Anyways, I originally had Banded Victini, but someone told me to change it up and I did. Both kind of do the same thing, so I've been going back and forth between the two. The only real problem I've found with Kingdra is the seemingly ubiquitous Empoleon always roaring me away. Lately I've been just starting off with Kingdra and subbing on the Stealth Rock, and then demolish the whole team. I can see how Specs can help, though.

Thanks for the information and I'll definitely revert back to my banded Victini set.

Edit: After about 3 battles, I saw the raw power of specs Kingdra. Thanks so much for the suggestion! BandTini is welcomed back on my team with open arms as well. This also gives me a balance of physical/special, so that's fine.

That little bit extra of Special Defense is really useful--and the adamant + 16 ATK Ev's won't do you TOO much, imo js.

Can I get some example calcs on how useful max/max would be on Rhyperior? I'm only seeing a mere change, but I may be overlooking certain Pokemon?