Sup guys, I've played NU since BW1 and I almost feel as if I've simply built with everything worthwhile to use in the tier. Sure I could build with some shitty Pokemon but eh that's just not too fun for me. And if most of you guys know me, you probably know that I enjoy making other people excited during tournament matches. In the last two years, Smogtours lobby has gone increasingly insane whenever someone brings cool stuff, add that to the fact that I approach competitive Pokemon as a spectator sport, it makes sense that in tournaments I would bring whatever the crowd enjoys. Week 1 in SPL I tested it out, even though I didn't get the win due to 10% shenanigans, everybody really enjoyed it. A lot of people labeled me as a gym leader and I figured I could make a fun little gimmick out of this for tournaments. I made a team with every single type for NU, while a lot of types aren't nearly as good as some others (holy fuck Steel is so ass), bringing monotype to tournaments is a 100% legitimate strategy against players who often use big defensive cores. While you can often tailor your monotype teams to give you a stronger matchup against offense, monotype really shines against balanced defensive builds. Now it's my job to give you guys some guidelines on how to create an effective monotype team to compete.
1. Have legitimate counter-play to types you're weak against
Yeah sure, if you bring Mono Normal and somebody brings a scarf Fighting-type, it's probably hard to overcome. But if you're able to pack three Pokemon with legitimate priority, then with good play you can probably overcome it. No matter what type you choose, there are always effective methods of being able to counterplay whatever type you're weak against. Are you weak to it? Yeah obviously, but there are certainly ways to ensure you're not destroyed by it. Some advice on how to counter-play is...
@ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Gastro Acid / Earthquake
- Recover
- Rock Slide
This is a pretty funny set, this is basically my switch-in to Fire Blast. Fire-types are pretty annoying to Mono Grass obviously, and Max SpD Cradily can really help out against them. Gastro Acid was used to beat Sliggo and annoy Pokemon that relied on their ability to be effective. I'd rather not talk about the time I used Gastro Acid on Archeops and got absolutely shitslammed, but if you check calcs, this stands up decently against a lot of Fire-type Pokemon. And hey, Combusken needs to hit two Focus Blasts to beat this thing, if it hits two then just shrug and hope he misses a Fire Blast.
@ Lum Berry
Ability: Protean
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpA
Brave Nature
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast
- Shadow Sneak
- Stealth Rock
During Week 1, Scarf Sawk and other types would often pummel the teams understandably enough. Shadow Sneak gave me priority to check them as well, since Protean would change me to a Ghost-type after I use Shadow Sneak. Thankfully, Knock Off removing Eviolite from Rhydon/Piloswine and recovery off other things was nice. But since my team relied on priority, this was the perfect way to get creative with checking Fighting-type Pokemon.
@ Chople Berry
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
Bold Nature
- Counter
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Thunder Wave
This is probably the funniest lure I've used in a while. Ice really doesn't have much counterplay against Fighters unless you're willing to use ZHB Aurorus, and even then you risk Mach and Bullet Punch. So I decided to run a lure to not ruin Aurorus which was the set-up sweeper of my team with Rock Polish. This set takes less than 50% from Hariyama Close Combat, lives a Kabutops Life Orb Adamant Stone Edge 99% of the time, and Counter is able to get rid of it. I use Thunder Wave and Toxic on this set because thanks to its natural bulk, since it allows me to live Fire-type attacks and attacks in general from specially offense Pokemon, and Thunder Wave or Toxic is usually the best way to cripplea majority of them, since I use Counter on physical threats.
2. Create Roles Like A Normal Offensive Team
When creating monotype teams, I still find it really effective to have win conditions and dedicated answers to certain types. Gameplanning becomes much easier mid-game to late-game, and it creates something for your lures to actually do. Not just, jajajajaja i killed an AV Magmortar with Ice now I can uh... Use Ice Beam and get revenged by whatever Speed control your opponent uses on their team.
On my Mono Grass, my defensive core was Tropius / Cradily. Tropius took on whatever physical threats my opponent brought out while Cradily dealt with specially defensive. Try your best to make sure your defensive cores aren't weak to common types that they are supposed to beat. Don't have your physical wall have a weakness to Fighting or Dark if you can, and don't have your special wall be weak to Fire / Water (Or whatever type you feel is most common in the tier).
Then you have wallbreakers and win conditions, I was never a huge fan of stressing speed control for teams like this because your goal is probably to break balance, and how important is speed control worth if you're trying to gain matchup against bulk? You obviously want a fast team, but it's not as important, thanks to priority and a Defensive core. Sure scarfers are nice but generally you want a powerhouse or two in order to break up cores or net a kill almost every time against offense. The awesome part about having win conditions with Monotype teams is that the check and counter to your win condition are necessary to switch into the entire team. Therefore you're whittling down the counter as the game progresses thanks to an onslaught of attacks (one of the bullet points before) creating an easy way to open up holes for your win con.
3. Insult Your Opponent
You don't HAVE to do this. But it feels good. While losing to monotype is nothing to be ashamed about due to the tough matchup it can create (if you like using that as an excuse, I don't care for it). But it's definitely the exclamation mark for using a Godly team. Here are some examples of me insulting others while using monotype: (Self quoting is cringe usually, I'm just showing you the joy you can have)
Here are the monotype teams I've used in the past. And since Euro Balance is such a common thing that players bring nowadays, I really suggest that some of the top players attempt at bringing monotype once in a while as a counter-style.
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Only really gonna shoutout Finchinator rozes Kiyo iplaytennislol (advantage or w.e) for helping me test this stuff and sticking through my autistic changes and lures and dealing with me enough to keep telling me this shit is a good idea when in reality you guys probably only wanted me to bring this stuff because it's pretty funny to bring in an SPL environment. Like I said, I do it for the crowd. Enjoy~
1. Have legitimate counter-play to types you're weak against
Yeah sure, if you bring Mono Normal and somebody brings a scarf Fighting-type, it's probably hard to overcome. But if you're able to pack three Pokemon with legitimate priority, then with good play you can probably overcome it. No matter what type you choose, there are always effective methods of being able to counterplay whatever type you're weak against. Are you weak to it? Yeah obviously, but there are certainly ways to ensure you're not destroyed by it. Some advice on how to counter-play is...
- Get Creative with Lures
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Gastro Acid / Earthquake
- Recover
- Rock Slide
This is a pretty funny set, this is basically my switch-in to Fire Blast. Fire-types are pretty annoying to Mono Grass obviously, and Max SpD Cradily can really help out against them. Gastro Acid was used to beat Sliggo and annoy Pokemon that relied on their ability to be effective. I'd rather not talk about the time I used Gastro Acid on Archeops and got absolutely shitslammed, but if you check calcs, this stands up decently against a lot of Fire-type Pokemon. And hey, Combusken needs to hit two Focus Blasts to beat this thing, if it hits two then just shrug and hope he misses a Fire Blast.
Ability: Protean
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpA
Brave Nature
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast
- Shadow Sneak
- Stealth Rock
During Week 1, Scarf Sawk and other types would often pummel the teams understandably enough. Shadow Sneak gave me priority to check them as well, since Protean would change me to a Ghost-type after I use Shadow Sneak. Thankfully, Knock Off removing Eviolite from Rhydon/Piloswine and recovery off other things was nice. But since my team relied on priority, this was the perfect way to get creative with checking Fighting-type Pokemon.
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
Bold Nature
- Counter
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Thunder Wave
This is probably the funniest lure I've used in a while. Ice really doesn't have much counterplay against Fighters unless you're willing to use ZHB Aurorus, and even then you risk Mach and Bullet Punch. So I decided to run a lure to not ruin Aurorus which was the set-up sweeper of my team with Rock Polish. This set takes less than 50% from Hariyama Close Combat, lives a Kabutops Life Orb Adamant Stone Edge 99% of the time, and Counter is able to get rid of it. I use Thunder Wave and Toxic on this set because thanks to its natural bulk, since it allows me to live Fire-type attacks and attacks in general from specially offense Pokemon, and Thunder Wave or Toxic is usually the best way to cripplea majority of them, since I use Counter on physical threats.
- Keep Calm and Keep Attacking
- Shrug
2. Create Roles Like A Normal Offensive Team
When creating monotype teams, I still find it really effective to have win conditions and dedicated answers to certain types. Gameplanning becomes much easier mid-game to late-game, and it creates something for your lures to actually do. Not just, jajajajaja i killed an AV Magmortar with Ice now I can uh... Use Ice Beam and get revenged by whatever Speed control your opponent uses on their team.
On my Mono Grass, my defensive core was Tropius / Cradily. Tropius took on whatever physical threats my opponent brought out while Cradily dealt with specially defensive. Try your best to make sure your defensive cores aren't weak to common types that they are supposed to beat. Don't have your physical wall have a weakness to Fighting or Dark if you can, and don't have your special wall be weak to Fire / Water (Or whatever type you feel is most common in the tier).
Then you have wallbreakers and win conditions, I was never a huge fan of stressing speed control for teams like this because your goal is probably to break balance, and how important is speed control worth if you're trying to gain matchup against bulk? You obviously want a fast team, but it's not as important, thanks to priority and a Defensive core. Sure scarfers are nice but generally you want a powerhouse or two in order to break up cores or net a kill almost every time against offense. The awesome part about having win conditions with Monotype teams is that the check and counter to your win condition are necessary to switch into the entire team. Therefore you're whittling down the counter as the game progresses thanks to an onslaught of attacks (one of the bullet points before) creating an easy way to open up holes for your win con.
3. Insult Your Opponent
You don't HAVE to do this. But it feels good. While losing to monotype is nothing to be ashamed about due to the tough matchup it can create (if you like using that as an excuse, I don't care for it). But it's definitely the exclamation mark for using a Godly team. Here are some examples of me insulting others while using monotype: (Self quoting is cringe usually, I'm just showing you the joy you can have)
★CasedVictory:yeah whatever
★CasedVictory: suck my dick
+CasedVictory: backstabbing fuck
+CasedVictory: SUCK MY DICK BITCH
+soulgazer: ciele
+CasedVictory: CANCEL THIS DICK
+CasedVictory: that's what happens when you're fat
+CasedVictory: they dont call me casedvictory
+CasedVictory: because i ball out
+CasedVictory: they call me casedvictory
+CasedVictory: because i nut on fat canadian's eyes
★CasedVictory: suck my dick
+CasedVictory: backstabbing fuck
+CasedVictory: SUCK MY DICK BITCH
+soulgazer: ciele
+CasedVictory: CANCEL THIS DICK
+CasedVictory: that's what happens when you're fat
+CasedVictory: they dont call me casedvictory
+CasedVictory: because i ball out
+CasedVictory: they call me casedvictory
+CasedVictory: because i nut on fat canadian's eyes
Here are the monotype teams I've used in the past. And since Euro Balance is such a common thing that players bring nowadays, I really suggest that some of the top players attempt at bringing monotype once in a while as a counter-style.
Kecleon @ Lum Berry
Ability: Protean
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpA
Brave Nature
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast
- Shadow Sneak
- Stealth Rock
Audino @ Audinite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 240 HP / 172 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Fire Blast
- Grass Knot
- Healing Wish
Swellow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Boomburst
- Heat Wave
- U-turn
- Sleep Talk
Kangaskhan @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch
- Fake Out
Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Toxic Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Quick Attack
- Close Combat
Tauros @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Pursuit
- Rock Climb
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
Ability: Protean
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpA
Brave Nature
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast
- Shadow Sneak
- Stealth Rock
Audino @ Audinite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 240 HP / 172 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dazzling Gleam
- Fire Blast
- Grass Knot
- Healing Wish
Swellow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Boomburst
- Heat Wave
- U-turn
- Sleep Talk
Kangaskhan @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double-Edge
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch
- Fake Out
Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Toxic Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Facade
- Knock Off
- Quick Attack
- Close Combat
Tauros @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Pursuit
- Rock Climb
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 240 Atk / 16 SpA / 252 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Extrasensory
Sceptile @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 216 HP / 252 Atk / 40 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
Gogoat @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 32 SpD / 224 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Horn Leech
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Gastro Acid
- Recover
- Rock Slide
Abomasnow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Blizzard
- Earthquake
- Energy Ball
- Rock Slide
Tropius @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Harvest
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Air Slash
- Protect
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 240 Atk / 16 SpA / 252 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Extrasensory
Sceptile @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 216 HP / 252 Atk / 40 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
Gogoat @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 252 HP / 32 SpD / 224 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Horn Leech
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Gastro Acid
- Recover
- Rock Slide
Abomasnow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Blizzard
- Earthquake
- Energy Ball
- Rock Slide
Tropius @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Harvest
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Leech Seed
- Substitute
- Air Slash
- Protect
Piloswine @ Eviolite
Ability: Thick Fat
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Atk / 220 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Curse
Jynx @ Leftovers
Ability: Dry Skin
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Lovely Kiss
- Ice Beam
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
Regice @ Chople Berry
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
Bold Nature
- Counter
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Thunder Wave
Aurorus @ Never-Melt Ice
Ability: Refrigerate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rock Polish
- Hyper Voice
- Freeze-Dry
- Earth Power
Avalugg @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sturdy
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Mirror Coat
- Avalanche
Abomasnow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Earthquake
- Wood Hammer
- Blizzard
- Ice Shard
Ability: Thick Fat
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Atk / 220 SpD
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Curse
Jynx @ Leftovers
Ability: Dry Skin
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Lovely Kiss
- Ice Beam
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
Regice @ Chople Berry
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
Bold Nature
- Counter
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Thunder Wave
Aurorus @ Never-Melt Ice
Ability: Refrigerate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rock Polish
- Hyper Voice
- Freeze-Dry
- Earth Power
Avalugg @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sturdy
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Mirror Coat
- Avalanche
Abomasnow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Earthquake
- Wood Hammer
- Blizzard
- Ice Shard
Only really gonna shoutout Finchinator rozes Kiyo iplaytennislol (advantage or w.e) for helping me test this stuff and sticking through my autistic changes and lures and dealing with me enough to keep telling me this shit is a good idea when in reality you guys probably only wanted me to bring this stuff because it's pretty funny to bring in an SPL environment. Like I said, I do it for the crowd. Enjoy~
