HIDDEN POTENTIAL
Introduction/Background
This team started off as one passer and 5 receivers, with Gorebyss passing the boosts and Metagross, Landorus, Jellicent, Salamence and Magnezone receiving them. The team had limited success, sweeping away any team that lacked a Taunt or Whirlwind/Roar user. Also, Trick users easily crippled Gorebyss by passing it Choice items, rendering it useless. To make it worse, the rest of the team failed to succeed if they received no boost since all that held them together was wide coverage and huge offensive stats. Without Speed boosts, they were easily run to the ground. So, I decided to add in another SmashPasser, Huntail. This remedied the situation to some extent, allowing me to better handle Trick users and those untimely crits. However, the problem of Taunt users still loomed and the rest of the team fuctioned even worse now, having less coverage due to the replacing of a team member. I shuffled some Pokemon in and out, hoping to find a golden combination that could fend for itself. It never came. When that hit me, I decided that I needed to limit the number of receivers while adding in Pokemon that could sweep/function without Shell Smash boosts. They needed to be able to do away with threats that would stop a Baton Pass. After extensive testing and experimenting, I came up with this team. It has worked beautifully so far, having few losses. Most of the losses were due to either extreme hax or misplays by me, mostly the latter. So, here is my team and I hope you enjoy it!
The Team
UglyPugly (Landorus-Therian) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Landorus-T functions as an effective lead, usually getting rid of anything that could be threatening to Gorebyss. Also, it can set up a bit after doing its job, aiding the rest of the team by breaking Sashes that could be a potential problem later on. Apart from that, Landorus-T can function as a receiver, since it has relatively nice synergy with Gorebyss and has an enormous Attack stat, which becomes even more devastating after a Shell Smash boost. Another function that Landorus-T serves is Intimidate support, encouraging switch outs from the likes of Garchomp since its sweeping capabilities are significantly reduced after Intimidate.
Earthquake is Landorus-T's primary attacking move, receiving STAB, making it even more deadly if it receives boosts. Stone Edge allows for coverage against Flying-types that may switch into a predicted Earthquake. U-turn, usually only used when Landorus-T leads, allows for decent damage with the exit, being useful in weakening the opponent for the switch in. Stealth Rock is key in this set, breaking Sashes and Sturdy, which would otherwise negate a OHKO and possibly dispose of accumulated stats.
This EV spread has one main purpose in goal: making Landorus bulky. This spread boosts both HP and Def so as to allow Landorus-T to take neutral priority moves that are common, such as Bullet Punch from Scizor. Some EVs are given to Attack to allow Landorus-T to deal decent damage when it does.
Humanitarian (Politoed) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Encore
Politoed mainly aims at winning weather wars, so as to cripple Chlorophyll abusers who could completely run through my team. Also, Politoed helps offset Genesect's Fire-type weakness and activate Gorebyss's Hydration, if need be. Apart from that, Politoed can function as a wall/stall of sorts, with its bulk.
Scald is Politoed's primary attacking move, due to its STAB bonus, rain boost and burn chance. Ice Beam allows for coverage against Grass-types, such as Venusaur, and Flying-type threats, such as the Kami trio. Toxic helps prompt switch outs, especially against Pokemon crucial in my opponent's strategy, such as weather setters, allowing for more abuse of entry hazards. Finally, Encore is a great way to destroy Pokemon that rely on set up, such as Rock Polish Genesect trying to sneak in an extra Speed boost or other boosters who think they can sneak a final boost in.
The EV spread aims to maximize Politoed's Special bulk, allowing it to avoid OHKOs that would otherwise be common. To aid in this, Politoed's HP is maximized so that it can compliment the Special bulk and work together with it to prevent OHKOs. The final tidbits were given to Defence, allowing for a little bit more resistance to Physical attacks that would be super effective.
Fish out of Water (Gorebyss) @ White Herb
Trait: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SDef / 232 Spd
Calm Nature
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Surf
- Substitute
Now we come to the heart of the team, the SmashPasser. Gorebyss carries the most weight in this whole team as it can decide the match if it can successfully pass a Shell Smash boost, minus the negatives, to a suitable sweeper. I chose Gorebyss over Huntail or Smeargle because it’s ability, Hydration, allowed it to take advantage of the ever so common Rain teams, while the others had practically useless abilities. Also, Gorebyss isn’t weak to any of the priority moves out there, while Smeargle falls to a Mach Punch, partially due to its fraility.
Shell Smash and Baton Pass are practically self explanatory on Gorebyss, being the reason its even here. Substitute, on the other hand, is less obvious. It is mainly on here because, if successfully set up, it allows Gorebyss to block many nuisances, such as Leech Seed, Thunder Wave and Toxic. Also, if passed through Baton Pass, it protects the receiver of the boosts from taking damage upon entrance. Surf allows Gorebyss to not be completely destroyed by Taunt and it allows Gorebyss to do away with some threats after using Shell Smash, such as Heatran, so that Genesect, for example, can come out safely.
The EV spread maximizes Gorebyss’s HP while increasing its Speed to a level that allows it to outrun certain threats, so that it can pass boosts after accumulating them. The remaining EVs are contributed to Special Defense, providing a small amount of resistance.
PseudoLegend (Dragonite) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
- ExtremeSpeed
Dragonite is the first receiver of boosts passed by Gorebyss and it is the only true physical attacker doing so. Dragonite will only receive the boosts in the presence of Dragon-types that Genesect probably couldn’t OHKO or in the presence of Sash carriers that could OHKO the other two receivers.
Dragon Claw is the main STAB move in this set, dealing huge damage, even when hitting for neutral damage. Fire Punch is reserved for Steel-types such as Forretress, Genesect and Scizor, all who Dragonite outruns after receiving boosts. Earthquake remains for Electric-types, such as Jolteon, and Heatran. Finally, Extremespeed was an iffy choice. First, it was Dragon Dance but, after seeing that Shell Smash boosts were good enough, I through in Extremespeed. It is extremely useful in cleaning up Focus Sashes, especially Cloyster.
The EV spread maximizes Dragonite’s Speed, so that it can outrun the likes of Genesect after receiving Shell Smash boosts from Gorebyss. Next, I maximized Dragonite’s Attack to the extent that it could be without receiving the nature boost. The rest of the EVs went into boosting Dragonite’s Special Defense so that it can help in those risky situations.
PrettyKitty (Espeon) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Stored Power
- Shadow Ball
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Espeon is probably the best receivers out of all three, mainly due to its moveset capabilties and its devastating power and speed. It provides good coverage, being able to hit anything for at least neutral damage, and hitting them hard when it does.
Stored Power is Espeon’s first STAB move and its primary move of choice in most situations, having a base power of 140 after receiving one Shell Smash boost. This, boosted further by STAB and its enormous Special Attack, deals devastating damage, even if resisted. Shadow Ball allows Espeon to hit Ghost-types for almost a guaranteed OHKO, especially since most common Ghost-types are frail, such as Gengar. Psyshock is Espeon’s second STAB move and the reason it will be my first choice, in most cases, for receiving boosts. Psyshock enables Espeon to effectively with Blissey, taking advantage of its menial Defense stat. This puts it ahead of Genesect in terms of capabilities while also doing the same with Dragonite since Defensive walls aren’t a problem. Hidden Power Fighting mainly allows for super effective damage against Dark- and Steel-types, the latter of which is common nowadays.
The EV spread allows Espeon to run maximum Speed, putting it far ahead of most Choice Scarf users after receiving Baton Pass boosts while also keeping it ahead of most non-Scarfed Pokemon without the boosts. The other chunk of EVs goes towards boosting Espeon’s Special Attack while the last bit aims to boost its Special Defense a bit.
Genocide (Genesect) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Download
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
The final receiver, and my most favorite one, is Genesect. Almost everyone is aware of the devastation it causes with a Choice Scarf and, to a mildly lesser extent, Life Orb or Choice Scarf. But, the sheer destruction it causes with 2x Special Attack and Expert Belt. On top of that Genesect no longer has to rely on Download to aid it in its rampage, elimination uncertainty and selective switching sincea Download is now only a bit of frosting on the grand cake of the destruction. To put the cherry on top, Genesect outruns max Speed Scarfed Genesect since they only get a 1.5x Speed boost versus Shell Smash’s 2x Speed boost.
Bug Buzz provides Genesect with a STAB move that hits for neutral damage. Although it doesn’t receive an Expert Belt boost, it still does devastating damage thanks to Genesect boosted Special Attack. Thunderbolt and Ice Beam form the lovely BoltBeam combo, providing extensive coverage, putting Expert Belt to good use. Flamethrower makes a nice addition, putting opposing Steel-types to rest.
Genesect’s EV spread maximizes its Speed, mainly to outrun Scarfed Pokemon originally faster than it. Also, this allows it to outrun most other Genesect in the case that it has to function without boosts. The rest of the EVs go toward Genesect’s immense Special Attack and the last tidbit of 4 EVs go toward its Special Defense.
Thanks for reading and, if you liked it or want to use it, please leave me a Luvdisc!
Importable:
Introduction/Background
This team started off as one passer and 5 receivers, with Gorebyss passing the boosts and Metagross, Landorus, Jellicent, Salamence and Magnezone receiving them. The team had limited success, sweeping away any team that lacked a Taunt or Whirlwind/Roar user. Also, Trick users easily crippled Gorebyss by passing it Choice items, rendering it useless. To make it worse, the rest of the team failed to succeed if they received no boost since all that held them together was wide coverage and huge offensive stats. Without Speed boosts, they were easily run to the ground. So, I decided to add in another SmashPasser, Huntail. This remedied the situation to some extent, allowing me to better handle Trick users and those untimely crits. However, the problem of Taunt users still loomed and the rest of the team fuctioned even worse now, having less coverage due to the replacing of a team member. I shuffled some Pokemon in and out, hoping to find a golden combination that could fend for itself. It never came. When that hit me, I decided that I needed to limit the number of receivers while adding in Pokemon that could sweep/function without Shell Smash boosts. They needed to be able to do away with threats that would stop a Baton Pass. After extensive testing and experimenting, I came up with this team. It has worked beautifully so far, having few losses. Most of the losses were due to either extreme hax or misplays by me, mostly the latter. So, here is my team and I hope you enjoy it!
The Team
UglyPugly (Landorus-Therian) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Landorus-T functions as an effective lead, usually getting rid of anything that could be threatening to Gorebyss. Also, it can set up a bit after doing its job, aiding the rest of the team by breaking Sashes that could be a potential problem later on. Apart from that, Landorus-T can function as a receiver, since it has relatively nice synergy with Gorebyss and has an enormous Attack stat, which becomes even more devastating after a Shell Smash boost. Another function that Landorus-T serves is Intimidate support, encouraging switch outs from the likes of Garchomp since its sweeping capabilities are significantly reduced after Intimidate.
Earthquake is Landorus-T's primary attacking move, receiving STAB, making it even more deadly if it receives boosts. Stone Edge allows for coverage against Flying-types that may switch into a predicted Earthquake. U-turn, usually only used when Landorus-T leads, allows for decent damage with the exit, being useful in weakening the opponent for the switch in. Stealth Rock is key in this set, breaking Sashes and Sturdy, which would otherwise negate a OHKO and possibly dispose of accumulated stats.
This EV spread has one main purpose in goal: making Landorus bulky. This spread boosts both HP and Def so as to allow Landorus-T to take neutral priority moves that are common, such as Bullet Punch from Scizor. Some EVs are given to Attack to allow Landorus-T to deal decent damage when it does.
Humanitarian (Politoed) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Encore
Politoed mainly aims at winning weather wars, so as to cripple Chlorophyll abusers who could completely run through my team. Also, Politoed helps offset Genesect's Fire-type weakness and activate Gorebyss's Hydration, if need be. Apart from that, Politoed can function as a wall/stall of sorts, with its bulk.
Scald is Politoed's primary attacking move, due to its STAB bonus, rain boost and burn chance. Ice Beam allows for coverage against Grass-types, such as Venusaur, and Flying-type threats, such as the Kami trio. Toxic helps prompt switch outs, especially against Pokemon crucial in my opponent's strategy, such as weather setters, allowing for more abuse of entry hazards. Finally, Encore is a great way to destroy Pokemon that rely on set up, such as Rock Polish Genesect trying to sneak in an extra Speed boost or other boosters who think they can sneak a final boost in.
The EV spread aims to maximize Politoed's Special bulk, allowing it to avoid OHKOs that would otherwise be common. To aid in this, Politoed's HP is maximized so that it can compliment the Special bulk and work together with it to prevent OHKOs. The final tidbits were given to Defence, allowing for a little bit more resistance to Physical attacks that would be super effective.
Fish out of Water (Gorebyss) @ White Herb
Trait: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SDef / 232 Spd
Calm Nature
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Surf
- Substitute
Now we come to the heart of the team, the SmashPasser. Gorebyss carries the most weight in this whole team as it can decide the match if it can successfully pass a Shell Smash boost, minus the negatives, to a suitable sweeper. I chose Gorebyss over Huntail or Smeargle because it’s ability, Hydration, allowed it to take advantage of the ever so common Rain teams, while the others had practically useless abilities. Also, Gorebyss isn’t weak to any of the priority moves out there, while Smeargle falls to a Mach Punch, partially due to its fraility.
Shell Smash and Baton Pass are practically self explanatory on Gorebyss, being the reason its even here. Substitute, on the other hand, is less obvious. It is mainly on here because, if successfully set up, it allows Gorebyss to block many nuisances, such as Leech Seed, Thunder Wave and Toxic. Also, if passed through Baton Pass, it protects the receiver of the boosts from taking damage upon entrance. Surf allows Gorebyss to not be completely destroyed by Taunt and it allows Gorebyss to do away with some threats after using Shell Smash, such as Heatran, so that Genesect, for example, can come out safely.
The EV spread maximizes Gorebyss’s HP while increasing its Speed to a level that allows it to outrun certain threats, so that it can pass boosts after accumulating them. The remaining EVs are contributed to Special Defense, providing a small amount of resistance.
PseudoLegend (Dragonite) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
- ExtremeSpeed
Dragonite is the first receiver of boosts passed by Gorebyss and it is the only true physical attacker doing so. Dragonite will only receive the boosts in the presence of Dragon-types that Genesect probably couldn’t OHKO or in the presence of Sash carriers that could OHKO the other two receivers.
Dragon Claw is the main STAB move in this set, dealing huge damage, even when hitting for neutral damage. Fire Punch is reserved for Steel-types such as Forretress, Genesect and Scizor, all who Dragonite outruns after receiving boosts. Earthquake remains for Electric-types, such as Jolteon, and Heatran. Finally, Extremespeed was an iffy choice. First, it was Dragon Dance but, after seeing that Shell Smash boosts were good enough, I through in Extremespeed. It is extremely useful in cleaning up Focus Sashes, especially Cloyster.
The EV spread maximizes Dragonite’s Speed, so that it can outrun the likes of Genesect after receiving Shell Smash boosts from Gorebyss. Next, I maximized Dragonite’s Attack to the extent that it could be without receiving the nature boost. The rest of the EVs went into boosting Dragonite’s Special Defense so that it can help in those risky situations.
PrettyKitty (Espeon) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Stored Power
- Shadow Ball
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Espeon is probably the best receivers out of all three, mainly due to its moveset capabilties and its devastating power and speed. It provides good coverage, being able to hit anything for at least neutral damage, and hitting them hard when it does.
Stored Power is Espeon’s first STAB move and its primary move of choice in most situations, having a base power of 140 after receiving one Shell Smash boost. This, boosted further by STAB and its enormous Special Attack, deals devastating damage, even if resisted. Shadow Ball allows Espeon to hit Ghost-types for almost a guaranteed OHKO, especially since most common Ghost-types are frail, such as Gengar. Psyshock is Espeon’s second STAB move and the reason it will be my first choice, in most cases, for receiving boosts. Psyshock enables Espeon to effectively with Blissey, taking advantage of its menial Defense stat. This puts it ahead of Genesect in terms of capabilities while also doing the same with Dragonite since Defensive walls aren’t a problem. Hidden Power Fighting mainly allows for super effective damage against Dark- and Steel-types, the latter of which is common nowadays.
The EV spread allows Espeon to run maximum Speed, putting it far ahead of most Choice Scarf users after receiving Baton Pass boosts while also keeping it ahead of most non-Scarfed Pokemon without the boosts. The other chunk of EVs goes towards boosting Espeon’s Special Attack while the last bit aims to boost its Special Defense a bit.
Genocide (Genesect) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Download
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
The final receiver, and my most favorite one, is Genesect. Almost everyone is aware of the devastation it causes with a Choice Scarf and, to a mildly lesser extent, Life Orb or Choice Scarf. But, the sheer destruction it causes with 2x Special Attack and Expert Belt. On top of that Genesect no longer has to rely on Download to aid it in its rampage, elimination uncertainty and selective switching sincea Download is now only a bit of frosting on the grand cake of the destruction. To put the cherry on top, Genesect outruns max Speed Scarfed Genesect since they only get a 1.5x Speed boost versus Shell Smash’s 2x Speed boost.
Bug Buzz provides Genesect with a STAB move that hits for neutral damage. Although it doesn’t receive an Expert Belt boost, it still does devastating damage thanks to Genesect boosted Special Attack. Thunderbolt and Ice Beam form the lovely BoltBeam combo, providing extensive coverage, putting Expert Belt to good use. Flamethrower makes a nice addition, putting opposing Steel-types to rest.
Genesect’s EV spread maximizes its Speed, mainly to outrun Scarfed Pokemon originally faster than it. Also, this allows it to outrun most other Genesect in the case that it has to function without boosts. The rest of the EVs go toward Genesect’s immense Special Attack and the last tidbit of 4 EVs go toward its Special Defense.
Importable:
UglyPugly (Landorus-Therian) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Humanitarian (Politoed) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Encore
Fish out of Water (Gorebyss) @ White Herb
Trait: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SDef / 232 Spd
Calm Nature
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Surf
- Substitute
PseudoLegend (Dragonite) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
- ExtremeSpeed
PrettyKitty (Espeon) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Stored Power
- Shadow Ball
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Genocide (Genesect) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Download
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Humanitarian (Politoed) @ Leftovers
Trait: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Encore
Fish out of Water (Gorebyss) @ White Herb
Trait: Hydration
EVs: 252 HP / 24 SDef / 232 Spd
Calm Nature
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Surf
- Substitute
PseudoLegend (Dragonite) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
- ExtremeSpeed
PrettyKitty (Espeon) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Stored Power
- Shadow Ball
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Genocide (Genesect) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Download
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
