Hero (peaked # 3)

[Delko]

~ Hero ~​

​

Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome to this RMT. ^^
In Januari last year I started making a bulky offensive team, I posted an RMT about the first version of the team which you can find here. The team was made to support SD Lucario so it could get in a late game sweep. The team worked really well and although it never made it that high on the leaderboard I was satisfied with it. At that time I was obsessed with Hail stall so this team was cast aside and I started making a lot of Hail team. I totally forgot about the team until I rediscovered it again in August. The team was a bit outdated so I had to make some changes to it and this is the result I came up with:

The idea of the team is still to sweep late game with Lucario but I noticed that this isn't really a fresh idea anymore a and almost every decent team has a few ways to deal with Lucario. So I made the team in a way that all of the pokemon can start an eventual sweep. I start playing with on Shoddy battle (when Smogon University got taken down, I went to team Uber) and I noticed that team did really well. In September this team peaked at the third place on the leaderboard under my alt "-Tropius-". Another alt of mine "without you" is currently at the bottom of the leaderboard as well. I am retiring this team because gen 4 is coming to an end and because I have quite a few teams left to make an RMT of. Bellow you can find an in-depth look of the team, I hope you enjoy.

In depth view:

Azelf @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Explosion
- Psychic

Azelf acts as an offensive suicide lead for this team, allowing me to gain momentum right of the bat. Of course it's main job is to lay down Stealth Rock, but it isn't useless after that. Psychic OHKO the popular Machamp leads and it a good overall STAB attack. Fire Blast gives me momentum against Stall team leads such as Skarmory and Forretress. Explosion allows Azelf to go out with a bang, making sure it at least dent something. I used to have Life Orb as an item but I changed it to Focus Sash, because Azelf kept dying against opposing CB Azelf, Starmie, Gengar leads without getting SR up or doing anything.

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Tyranitar (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Ice Punch
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance

I have changed Scarftar into a Dragon Dance version. Tyranitar lures out Lucario's counters such as Gliscor and takes them out, making it easier for Lucario to sweep. Dragon Dance boosts both Tyranitar Speed and Attack, which often result in an early game sweep. Ice Punch is an excellent move that allows me to take out most pokemon weak to the less accurate Stone Edge but it hits Gliscor, Dragonite, Flygon and Grass types (mostly Breloom and Shaymin) much harder. Crunch is a strong STAB move and is obligatory on Tyranitar. Earthquake is for type coverage and allows Tyranitar to take care of the likes of Lucario, Heatran, Infernape, ... (who resist the other moves). With Lum Berry I can both fake a Choice Item early in the game but it also makes setting up a lot easier.

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Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 174 HP/224 Spd/112 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Calm Mind
- Hydro Pump
- Roar

Offensive Suicune with Roar instead of Hidden Power [Electric]. While this may seem like a weird move at first it actually is quite usefull. When I'm up against opposing Calm Minders who are setting up as well it can get +6, Roar them out and start sweeping. Hydro Pump is the main move, and is an insanely powerful STAB move, Ice Beam is used for coverage. I opted for a bulkier set here with Leftovers so it has an easier time setting up, and if needed it can be used defensively as well.

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Scizor (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/10 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit

Simply Choice Band Scizor. Scizor use mainly used early game to spam U-turn, while in the meanwhile scouting for counters for Lucario as they share a common group of counters. Bullet Punch saved me more then often against pokemon that could have probably swept me. I don't use Pursuit alot but it does have its merrits against things like Blissey or - 2 Celebi switching out. Superpower takes down the pokemon resisting U-turn or Bullet Punch. If needed Scizor can also act as a Trick absorber.

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Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP/228 Def/32 Spd
Calm nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Toxic

Zapdos replaced Rotom-w on this team, and is to be considered the glue of the team. Without this thing I would fall against so many threats (ranging from stall to SD Scizor). As the only wall on this team it is used to counter quite a bit. Thunderbolt is the main attacking STAB'ed move and deal pretty good damage even without SpA investments. Toxic helps me take down opposing walls like Vaporeon while I can just Pressure / Roost stall. Heat Wave gives good coverage with Thunderbolt and hits Steel types who are immune to Poison. And with Roost Zapdos can stay healthy all day long. I opted for a specially defensive variant here because Zapdos should also be able to counter special pokemon while still being strong on the physical defensive side.

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Lucario (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk/6 Def/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Extremespeed
- Bullet Punch

Lucario is the main sweeper of the team. With it's counters taken out or seriously damaged Lucario can finish the job with a late game sweep. I use the standard version with Sword Dance to boost the attack stat and Close Combat and Bullet punch to plow to the remainings of my opponent's team. ExtremeSpeed provides me with a pretty powerful priority move that takes out late game pokemon such as Scarfed Flygon. Since I replaced Scartar with a DD variant Bullet Punch is the prefered option here to take things on like Gengar and opposing Scarftar. Obviously I don't always get a chance to set up Sword Dance but even then hits from this guy hurts, the extra powerboost from Life Orb deserve a mention here.

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Well that was the team, I hope you have enjoyed it. If you have any questions, comments or whatsoever you can post them in a reply and I shall take a look at them. Oh and the titel "Hero" is a reference to the Halo Reach Medal, which you get when you are the last man standing and you still win the battle.

~ Delko

Changes will be made in red.

 

[Delko]

reserved for threat list (if needed).

 

[Tobes]

Wow, that's odd. I've been using that exact same Azelf set (except Timid over Modest) for months now without ever seeing anyone else use it. I think we both know how lovely it is to OHKO Machamp leads who think they'll survive at one percent. ^_^

This is a very solid team, but I can see other Lucario, Dragonite, and other Suicune giving you problems. Lucario can easily sweep you if Tyranitar is dead or extremely weakened. Suicune is a late game threat. Nothing you use can flat-out OHKO it, except for, occasionally, Azelf after SR and Sandstorm damage, who usually isn't surviving into late game. Because of this I suggest you run Jolly on Luke. This at the very least gives you a speed tie against Lucario and Suicune, allowing the possibility of an OHKO against the former and crippling the latter.

Dragonite gives you problems if it runs Heal Bell, since Rotom can't check it well. For this reason I suggest you run Scarfed Flygon. It stops DDNite and provides a check to the pokemon you listed (although you'll probably want to run Stone Edge). It also makes for a very good lategame cleaner, which fits in nicely with your team's strategy.

 

[Delko]

Thanks for the reply -Life-.
Dragonite actually isn't a problem as I have Suicune with Ice Beam, Tyranitar with Stone Edge and Scizor with Bullet Punch. And if needed even Lucario can come in and E-speed. Nonetheless I shall try your Scarfed Flygon suggestion.
You have a good point about Lucario, so I will definitly make him Jolly. That way I outspeed opposing Lucario, and Suicune will be outsped as well. Thanks!

 

[ginganinja]

Hey Delko. Great Team.
(Even though I am taking a break from rating i feel obliged to rate yours!)

Anyway it took me a while but I did seem to find some problems with the team.

Firstly any decent stall team will give you problem. Sure T-tar can take out Rotom but Skarmory can directly set up on T-tar and Scizor. Gyarados stops Lucario cold and will phase you around to rack up Spikes damage. To help break through stall a but better I suggest Explosion over Grass Knot on Azelf. I know that losing coverage on Swampert sucks but personally I think that you really need another way to breaking stall other than Lucario since 5/6 members of your team pretty much lose to SkarmBliss.

Next up I can see that you have some issues with Shaymin and Sub Tran. Shaymin can bew a problem since you have pretty much nothing that can take a LO Seed Flare bar scizor, and Scizor can lose out if it switchs in on a Earthpower or HP Fire. I am not denying that you can beat it, but you need to get a free switch (or do a lot of double switching.) Sub Tran is slightyl more of an issue since it can set up on a Scizor Bullet Punch/Pursuit, a T-tar pursuit, free switchs on Azelf and can switch into 75% of your Rotoms moveset without fear. In all these examples you switch out as it subs and you could be in for a spot of bother. Suicune can beat it 1v1 but gets Toxiced as it breaks your sub, Tyranitar (and Lucario) outspeed but takes a lot from an Earthpower. To fix this issue I suggest trying out a Specially Defensive Zapdos over Rotom running Thunderbolt/Heat Wave/Roost/ Filler (though I suggest a move like Toxic for stuff like Swampert and Dragonite.) It gives you a solid switch in to special attacks, beats Shaymin and still checks things that Rotom did like Scizor, Metagross and Gyarados.

Anyway hope I helped

Have a Nice Day!

 

[Aerrow]

Hi there Delko ^^, it looks like you've got a really cool team on your hands here man! I do however see a couple of Pokemon that can potentially cause this team major threats if they find the right opportunity to switch in and set up; agility Lucario is one the big problems this team has while substitute Gengar variants can also cause slight problems if you key checks have been weakened. Lucario can set-up on Scizor's bullet punch or Tyranitar's pursuit and easily outpace all of your Pokemon after a single Agility while also being able to OHKO the likes of Tyranitar, Rotom, Lucario and Azelf while also potentially being able to OHKO Suicune and Scizor with a small amount of entry hazard support. Substitute Gengar also falls in a similar vein as it can inflict massive amounts of damage to your entire team without fearing either Scizor or Tyranitar if it has a substitute up; Suicune is really the only Pokemon which can pose as a check to substitute Gengar. To help deal with both of these threats, I suggest replacing Tyranitar with a bulky dragon dance Gyarados for several reasons (the set is shown below).

[box]

Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP/80 Atk/88 Def/184 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk,-SpAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Waterfall[/box]
As you can see, this is tweaked version of the standard bulky dragon dance Gyarados set on-site; I have tweaked the set specially for the needs of your team for these reasons - the new EV spread will allow it to easily take agility Lucario's attacks while guaranteeing the KO with earthquake after stealth rock damage; also, Earthquake is suggested on the set over Taunt since this Gyarados is needed to check Luke. Also, due to the bulk of this Gyarados variant, it will guarantee at least one dragon dance against the standard substitute 3 attacks Gengar even after stealth rock damage allowing it eliminate the aforementioned Gengar while also presenting a new threat for the opponent to deal with. Other than that, I didn't see any other major threats although a couple of minor ones do need to played around with if you want to win against them; anyways, great team Delko! I hope this rate helped and good luck.

 

[The Grand Babido]

Hi Delko.

This is a fairly solid team and you have had a fair bit of success on the Team Uber server, so congratulations. However, I would like to suggest a few changes. The first is Explosion >> Grass Knot on Azelf. Swampert is rarely seen as a lead anymore as people have started to realise that it is not all that amazing. Explosion on Azelf acts as insurance policy against a number of threats to your team. For example, CroCune has the potential to sweep you as it can set up on a few of your team-members and shrug off Grass Knot and Rotom's Thunderbolt at +1. The laws of probability state that your Suicune should be able to crit opposing Suicune before it kills you, although that isn't a very ideal way to deal with said threat. Azelf's Explosion is not limited to CroCune and it can be used against other Pokemon that are problems for you during a match.

Alongside Suicune, your team does have a bit of a problem with offensive grass-types such as Shaymin and Celebi, and they both have the potential to absolutely destroy your team. I am not sure exactly how to fix this without disrupting your team's synergy too much, but a defensive Zapdos could perhaps fit over Rotom.

Without this little guy sweepers as Gyarados, Metagross, Zapdos, SD Scizor, ... can totally screw me over.

Suicune, Sandstorm, Stealth Rock and your two priority moves keep Gyarados in check perfectly. Zapdos covers Metagross well, but obviously isn't immune to Explosion so doesn't take it as well as Rotom. Tyranitar deals with most Zapdos comfortably. SD Scizor is beaten by Zapdos as well.

I don't know whether you will like this change, as I am a bit skeptical myself about it, but if you don't want offensive grass-types to take down most of your team, it is worth a try. If I can think of anything else, I will let you know.

Good team and good luck!

 

[Delko]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
I really like that Zapdos suggestion as it makes a lot of sense.
I'm definitly going to test that out, perhaps tweak a bit.
I'm also going to test out the Gyarados and Explosion on Azelf.
Thanks again ^^

 

[Faladran]

Hi Delko! Once again, you've built a pretty solid team, although this one seems a bit more offensively-minded than the previous one I remember rating. This team actually makes use of some of my favorite combinations: Scizor and Lucario to scout and weaken each others' counters, and Lucario and Offensive Suicune to function as a potent sweeping duo. As Aerrow brought up, Agility Lucario is a very dangerous threat to this team, as it can set up on ScarfTar's Pursuit or Crunch, and proceed to outspeed and hit every member of your team for heavy damage. Infernape is also very problematic, as it needs no setup and can even OHKO several of your Pokemon. Suicune and Rotom can switch into Fire attacks and Close Combat, respectively, but both are outsped and Infernape typically carries moves that deal major damage to both.

To alleviate your problems with Agility Lucario, I think that the bulky Gyarados that was suggested earlier would be worth trying out. It still provides you with a solid switch-in to Fire-type attacks, but Intimidate is really useful for checking physical threats. However, I really like the use of Taunt for its ability to give stall teams trouble. Without it, Gyarados can easily be statused or phazed away by Pokemon such as Blissey and Skarmory, who cannot be OHKO'd due to their high defenses. Taunt will shut down many stall teams' attempts at preventing Gyarados from sweeping. As an added bonus, Rotom happens to be one of the most used counters / checks to Gyarados, but provided that you Taunt on the switch, you can easily eliminate it with Tyranitar. This will allow you to sweep much more freely with Gyarados, as your opponent will likely have difficulty dealing with it after losing Rotom.

As for Infernape, there are a few ways to help deal with it. One change that would be easy to implement would be to simply change Rotom's set to that of a Choice Scarf variant. The loss of bulk is a bit problematic, but this would allow you to outspeed and revenge kill several dangerous threats, Infernape included. I think that Scarf Rotom also fits the offensive nature of your team better, but you'll have to do some testing to be sure.

Good luck with your team!

 

[Delko]

Thanks for the rate Faladran ^^
I shall try Gyarados although I'm a bit doubtful because of his SR weakness and the fast I have no spinner.
Lucario without SD cannot OHKO Rotom so I can get a burn on him, crippling him for the rest of the match. I'm testing Zapdos instead of Rotom now so wether I change it or not Lucario isn't that big of a problem. I shall test out Gyarados though.
Infernape is a dangerous pokemon indeed. I do have a 2 strong priority moves and Tyranitar outspeeds.
Thanks!

 

[Delko]

Bump.

EDIT: replaced Rotom with Zapdos.

EDIT 2: Changed Azelf a bit (Naive nature + Explosion> Grass Knot).