Hello! I'm fairly new to Pokemon Showdown, I've been playing for about 2 weeks. When I got into this, I thought this would be something similar to the games. However, I've learned that there is way more depth in this than any other Pokemon related game. After slowly climbing up to around 1220, creating multiple different teams, and testing them out, I've managed to create (in my opinion) a strong hazard team that won 5 straight matches, propelling me up to 1341 in a very short period of time. I would like to know of there is any improvements I could make to this team to help climb the ladder. I appreciate any feedback!
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Spore
- Stealth Rock
- Sticky Web
- Magic Coat
Smeargle, my lead, is my pokemon to set up hazards, thanks to the fact that it can use almost any move in the game. Spore is there so I can put a pokemon to sleep, so I can set up at least one of my 2 entry hazard moves. Sticky Web (which lowers speed upon switch in) and Stealth Rock (which does damage upon switch in) is personally my favorite combination of hazards, it can get you out of any hole you might have accidentally created. Finally, Magic Coat is there to prevent similar strategies from my opponents working (it bounce back any status, and has +4 priority). Also there for a little bit of humor, there is nothing funnier than watching a Deoxys taunt, stealth rock, and spike itself.
Kyurem-Black @ Leftovers
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 56 HP / 236 SpA / 216 Spe
Rash Nature
- Substitute
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
Kyurem Black is my substitute attacker. With bulk and unique resistances, is is very easy to set up a Substitute. Once I get a Substitute off, it can become quite powerful. From there, Ice Beam is my primary STAB, and Earth Power provides strong coverage. Plus, thanks to it's ability Teravolt, which nullifies other abilities, I can use Ground type moves on any pokemon with the ability levitate. Fusion Bolt, my last move, is there to work off a giant 170 attack. Also, I could just use Blizzard instead of Ice Beam or Thunder instead of Fusion Bolt, but I'm the type of person that prefers accuracy over power, after a nasty match that saw hydro pump miss 3 times in a row.
Keldeo-Resolute @ Left Overs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Ghost]
Keldeo-Resolute, despite a poor movepool, can take advantage of it's strong special attack. With a Calm Mind or 2, Keldeo-Resolute can become a major threat. Scald is there for STAB, I chose it over Surf because it can burn, and Hydro Pump doesn't have accuracy. Secret sword also provide STAB, and is unique for doing physical damage but using Keldeo's SpA stat. Finally I chose Hidden Power Ghost to provide coverage for Jellicent, Celebi, Latias and Latios , Starmie, and more. I decided not to chose Icy Wind because Thunderus and Kyurem already have an Ice type move, and without it, Aegislash is my only Ghost coverage.
Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sacred Sword
- Shadow Sneak
- King's Shield
Aegislash is unique thanks to it's ability Stance Change, which changes the pokemon's stats and appearance based on the type of move it uses. It also helps that it can completely wall 2 major Megas: Mega Heracross and Mega Pinsir. This is a Tank set, designed to hit opponents, then use King's Shield to change back to a defensive form, letting me take hits much better than my offensive form. Shadow Ball is there for it's high STAB, while Shadow Sneak has priority, which is great for when I need it against a faster pokemon. My last offensive move, Sacred Sword is there so it can't be pursuit trapped (plus it ignores stat changes). Finally, King's Shield is there to change form and protect myself at the same time.
Heracross-Mega @ Heracronite
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake
- Pin Missile
Mega Heracross is possibly my strongest pokemon (when combined with Smeargle's Stealth Rock and Sticky Web, it has literally swept an entire team). When using the ability Skill Link, I have Pin Missile, a base 125 bug move with STAB and 95% accuracy, and Rock Blast, a base 125 rock move with 90% accuracy. Close Combat is there as a last resort in case of emergency, or if I'm trying to finish off an opponents final pokemon, and Earthquake is there solely for Aegislash, which completely walls Mega Heracross. Mega Heracross is my main sweeper once Smeargle lays out Stealth Rock and/or Sticky Web, and in my opinion, it's better than Mega Pinsir.
Thundurus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Agility
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Thundurus-Therian is very capable of sweeping with this moveset. With just 1 agility, it can outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, which can sweep better in the late game, than Nasty Plot, which is there for early/mid game sweep. I already have enough power just by getting one of the two off, but because Thunderus is strong enough to get both off, I am almost guaranteed to start sweeping, provided I can get off Nasty Plot and Agility once each. (It's still good if I can get just one of the 2 off as well) This is essentially a back up for Mega Heracross. Also, I chose Therian form because it has volt absorb, works wonders against electric types.
Let me know if there is any improvements you guys think I can make!
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Spore
- Stealth Rock
- Sticky Web
- Magic Coat
Smeargle, my lead, is my pokemon to set up hazards, thanks to the fact that it can use almost any move in the game. Spore is there so I can put a pokemon to sleep, so I can set up at least one of my 2 entry hazard moves. Sticky Web (which lowers speed upon switch in) and Stealth Rock (which does damage upon switch in) is personally my favorite combination of hazards, it can get you out of any hole you might have accidentally created. Finally, Magic Coat is there to prevent similar strategies from my opponents working (it bounce back any status, and has +4 priority). Also there for a little bit of humor, there is nothing funnier than watching a Deoxys taunt, stealth rock, and spike itself.
Kyurem-Black @ Leftovers
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 56 HP / 236 SpA / 216 Spe
Rash Nature
- Substitute
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
Kyurem Black is my substitute attacker. With bulk and unique resistances, is is very easy to set up a Substitute. Once I get a Substitute off, it can become quite powerful. From there, Ice Beam is my primary STAB, and Earth Power provides strong coverage. Plus, thanks to it's ability Teravolt, which nullifies other abilities, I can use Ground type moves on any pokemon with the ability levitate. Fusion Bolt, my last move, is there to work off a giant 170 attack. Also, I could just use Blizzard instead of Ice Beam or Thunder instead of Fusion Bolt, but I'm the type of person that prefers accuracy over power, after a nasty match that saw hydro pump miss 3 times in a row.
Keldeo-Resolute @ Left Overs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Calm Mind
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Ghost]
Keldeo-Resolute, despite a poor movepool, can take advantage of it's strong special attack. With a Calm Mind or 2, Keldeo-Resolute can become a major threat. Scald is there for STAB, I chose it over Surf because it can burn, and Hydro Pump doesn't have accuracy. Secret sword also provide STAB, and is unique for doing physical damage but using Keldeo's SpA stat. Finally I chose Hidden Power Ghost to provide coverage for Jellicent, Celebi, Latias and Latios , Starmie, and more. I decided not to chose Icy Wind because Thunderus and Kyurem already have an Ice type move, and without it, Aegislash is my only Ghost coverage.
Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sacred Sword
- Shadow Sneak
- King's Shield
Aegislash is unique thanks to it's ability Stance Change, which changes the pokemon's stats and appearance based on the type of move it uses. It also helps that it can completely wall 2 major Megas: Mega Heracross and Mega Pinsir. This is a Tank set, designed to hit opponents, then use King's Shield to change back to a defensive form, letting me take hits much better than my offensive form. Shadow Ball is there for it's high STAB, while Shadow Sneak has priority, which is great for when I need it against a faster pokemon. My last offensive move, Sacred Sword is there so it can't be pursuit trapped (plus it ignores stat changes). Finally, King's Shield is there to change form and protect myself at the same time.
Heracross-Mega @ Heracronite
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake
- Pin Missile
Mega Heracross is possibly my strongest pokemon (when combined with Smeargle's Stealth Rock and Sticky Web, it has literally swept an entire team). When using the ability Skill Link, I have Pin Missile, a base 125 bug move with STAB and 95% accuracy, and Rock Blast, a base 125 rock move with 90% accuracy. Close Combat is there as a last resort in case of emergency, or if I'm trying to finish off an opponents final pokemon, and Earthquake is there solely for Aegislash, which completely walls Mega Heracross. Mega Heracross is my main sweeper once Smeargle lays out Stealth Rock and/or Sticky Web, and in my opinion, it's better than Mega Pinsir.
Thundurus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Agility
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Thundurus-Therian is very capable of sweeping with this moveset. With just 1 agility, it can outspeed the entire unboosted metagame, which can sweep better in the late game, than Nasty Plot, which is there for early/mid game sweep. I already have enough power just by getting one of the two off, but because Thunderus is strong enough to get both off, I am almost guaranteed to start sweeping, provided I can get off Nasty Plot and Agility once each. (It's still good if I can get just one of the 2 off as well) This is essentially a back up for Mega Heracross. Also, I chose Therian form because it has volt absorb, works wonders against electric types.
Let me know if there is any improvements you guys think I can make!
