GyaraVire Returns

[Nakun]

Alright, there are two things I want to start off by saying:
Firstly, I have reccently switched back to OU from DW (where I could use my Lightning Rod Specially-Defensive Zapdos) and have started using Electivire again, so I'm the least sure of Electivire.
Secondly, I own a Japanese copy of the game and haven't played the English one, so if my names are weird, sorry.

Team Preview:

Team Building Proccess (Breif):
I used Gyarados at the VGCs last year and it went pretty well, but it was even better in singles with Electivire. So, i decided that I wanted to keep Gyarados as my main poke for this gen too (saves me breeding time for WiFi.) Electivire did also get Wild Bolt now, which makes an all physical set possible, so no EV Splitting there. So, I have my core of Gyarados and Electivire. I decided on a Bulkydos because it just last longer than other Gyarados and I don't have a spinner (which may need to change...)
Because Gyarados was my main sweeper, bulky waters give me trouble. And so I chose Drapion as my lead, so I can get down some Toxic Spikes and maybe spread some poison around their team off the bat.
Doryuuzu is big, and Nattorei loves to switch into Gyarados, so I added Magnezone, who will tear either of those guys a new one.
For revenge Killing, I'm trying out a new Gengar with Hex and Venom Shock since I have a good chance of spreading poison around.
I'm at a loss for my last slot, currently I'm using Erufuun as a pivot. But I'm considering EvoLite Dusclops as a spin blocker or Tentacruel as a T-spiker / Spinner / Venom Shock abuser.

Team:

Drapion @ Black Sludge
Sniper / Careful
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpDef
Toxic Spikes
Whirlwind
Crunch
Earthquake

Lead, sets up T-Spikes pretty reliably. Can get a whirlwind in if I'm lucky and start Spreading the poison. Tried Dasutodasu for a bit, but it wasn't as reliable. Maybe I'll switch to it when it gets it's dream world ability, beacuse aftermath is nice.

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Intimidate / Impish
EVs: 156 HP / 72 Atk / 96 Def / 184 Spd
Dragon Dance
Waterfall
Taunt
Stone Edge

Primary sweeper. Comes in at an advantageous time, Dragon Dances, proceeds to move through teams. Because Breloom has been troublesome for me, I'm thinking about making Stone Edge, Bounce. Although that means that I lose Stone Edge for Salamance / Dragonite... I'm also considering EQ for steels...recently added Taunt so I can stop Nattorei or Skarmory before going to Magnezone.

Electivire @ Expert Belt
Motor Drive / Jolly
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Wild Bolt
Cross Chop
Earthquake
Ice Punch

Comes in on Electric attacks. The speed boost makes him a pretty good sweeper. Move aiming for good coverage and Expert Belt to help that. Misses the Flamethrower from the old Mixed Electivire set, but EQ is better I think.

Magnezone @ Balloon
Magnet Pull / Bold
EVs: 200 HP / 210 Def / 100 SpAtk
Magnet Rise
Thunderbolt
Hidden Power [Fire]
Flash Cannon

Cleans up steels. Haven't ever had a problem with them. Considering making Thunderbolt into Discharge because it's still a 2HKO on Skarmory and could paralyze other pokemon making things easier on Electivire and Pre-Dance Gyarados.

Gengar @ Life Orb
Levitate / Modest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spd
Hex
Venom Shock
Focus Blast
Giga Drain

Going for unconventional moves. Giga drain also helps out against things like Swampert and Quagsire when I see them. Base 130 BP Vemon Shock + STAB is really nice against pretty much everything. Focus Blast is there for steels when Magnezone is gone and for Tyranitars that could pursuit.

Erufuun @ Rugged Helmet
Prankster / Calm
EVs: 12 HP / 248 Def / 248 SpDef
Leech Seed
Cotton Guard
Stun Spore
U-Turn

Like I said, I don't know...Erufuun's time is limited. It works wonders at stalling though and helps me get back to a favorable possition. Although a spinner might be better to keep Gyarados' entries safer. Could also switch Stun Spore to Toxic to help Gengar more.


Problems:
Breloom. Considering Bounce to counteract that though.
Stealth Rocks.
Bulky Waters.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[WiredSushi]

Change rugged helmet to lefties on errufunn asit will allow it to annoy longer.

 

[puking_rainbows]

Hello there, Nakun.
You have a very interesting team there, but there are some changes to be done as you point out. The first thing I noticed is you have a horrible Life Orb Nidoking weakness, as many of your team members are exposed to his most common set with Ice Beam, Flamethrower and Thunderbolt.

First of all, I suggest getting rid your Erufuun and your Drapion and including a Donphan and a Skarmoy. Let me show it to you:

Skarmoy @ Leftovers
Careful nature ( +Sp.Def, -Sp.Atk )
Ability: Sturdy
Evs: 252 HP / 232 Sp.Def / 24 Spd

- Spikes
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird

Donphan @ Leftovers
Impish nature ( +Def, -Sp.Atk)
Ability: Sturdy
Evs:252 HP /252 Def/ 4Spd

- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake/Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard

Skarmory: The typical Skarmoy set. Set Spikes while Whirlind whenever you feel like. When you see he's going to die or just damaged from Brave Bird's recoil, just use Roost.
Bravebird can counter attack opponsing Brelooms and resist pretty good bulky waters.

Donphan: replaces Drapion. Gives you Stealth Rock and your so desired Rapid Spin to help Gyarados' survavility. IceShard obviously is for coverage as well as being a priority move. Finally, Earthquake for STAB. In fact, you can chose between Earthquake and StoneEdge depending on your knoweledge of your team, but you should definately chose StoneEdge if you fear opposing Gyarados. Note that Donphan resists Bounce esasily.

It's a not so perfect opinion I gave you, but I hope I colud be of any help. Good luck (:

 

[Baller_King_SAZ]

He is using Drapion for Toxic Spikes so using Donphan over him is a bad idea.

 

[puking_rainbows]

Ok then... You can try those Donphan and Skarmory sets if you want to (changing some strategy on your pokemon) or you could try Skarmoy instead of Erufuun and this Gliscor instead of Magnezone:

Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
Impish nature ( +Def, -Sp.Atk)
Evs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe

- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang / Facade
- Taunt / Protect

So... you can either choose if you want to use Ice Fang or Facade, though another option exists (a not so used one), which is running Fire Fang for those nasty Levitating Steel types, which Earthquake cannot hit them. On the last slot you can either Taunt if you fear they could set up or just stall them waiting them to get damaged by Toxic Spikes while you recover with your Toxic Orb and protect.

I guess this could be a viable option too.

 

[Jirachee]

How exactly they're gonna help against LO Nidoking? I don't understand.

 

[Nakun]

Yeah, about life Orb Nidoking, It seems that Drapion, as specially defensive could handle those moves well and threaten with EQ. I could shift some EVs into Speed to out speed it and avoid Earthpower. That might work out ok, but that would severly limit my bulk with Drapion.

But against Ice Beam / Thunderbolt / Flamethrower I don't see Skarmory (Thunderbolt and Flamethrower), Donphan (Ice Beam), or Gliscor (Ice Beam) helping.

EDIT: I just read this thread here, which seems to be trying for a similar effect (Water + Toxic Spikes.)
I think that if I replace Erufuun (or possibly Drapion) with Tentacruel, I get a spiker and a spinner, as well as a good Special Attacker. I am also considering switching out Electivire for Gliscor, because, while it gets no advantage from electric attacks, it doesn't take damage and has greater survivability than Electivire.
Thoughts?