Hey Smogon,
I would like to submit my team for your review. Ive been testing it extensively on PO and it has been performing exceedingly well. It was based on a highly successful OU team that has been modified and adapted to suit the current UU metagame. Please advise any weaknesses you notice or any advice for improving the team, i am completely open to constructive criticism.
That being said, here's the team:
Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
Defensive Hippowdon, Stealth Rock setter with Stone Edge over Slack Off. Hippowdon is not designed to stay around, just to resist physical attacks and either phase or inflict damage with EQ (Cobalion, Bisharp, Nidoking/Queen, Victini, Houndoom, Arcanine and Darmanitan, Rhyperior) or SE (Xatu, Zapdos, Crobat). The EVs are tailored to this purpose. Hippowdon forms part of my defensive core with Mandibuzz, both of whom are able to phase away set-up sweepers and defensive pokes.
Shaymin @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Seed Flare
- Earth Power
- Air Slash/HP(Ice)
- Rest
Life Orb Shaymin is a serious threat in the UU tier. It's coverage and power are extremely potent and a LO Seed Flare will do serious damage to anything unresisted, often 2HKOing with a Spec D drop. EV's are obvious, I'm running Timid nature as the extra speed is almost ALWAYS useful. Seed Flare and Earth Power are standard and i'm currently running Air Slash to handle heracross and grass-type switch-ins, although HP(Ice) can be similarly useful against Zapdos and Togekiss switches. Rest/Natural Cure provides much needed recovery and allows Shaymin to absorb status, heal up and re-enter the fray multiple times. Shaymin also forms a highly effective F/W/G core with Quagsire and Houndoom, as each are tailored to deal with threats to the other. This little guy is a powerhouse and performs brilliantly against any/all of the defensive threats in UU.
Mandibuzz (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Whirlwind
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Toxic
Mandibuzz is probably the premier special wall in UU. Ok that's an exaggeration, but Max Special D is able to effortlessly shrug off special attacks, roost, toxic or phase with whirlwind. It is extremely effective at brushing aside or wearing down special threats until they can be dealt with by the appropriate counter. Predicted/scarfed earthquakes, grass attacks aimed at quagsire and pretty much any special move this guy is made for. She has wonderful synergy with Quagsire and together they form an extremely solid foundation. Suicune is toxic'd or whirlwinded away, Porygon Z can only 3HKO with tri-attack, Togekiss is powerless, Houndoom can do nothing. Mandibuzz is ridiculously useful in handling almost all special attackers, excepting the Nido's (who 2-3HKO with IBeam/Tbolt and cannot be poisoned). Start using Mandibuzz as a special wall, you will NOT be disappointed. Is only taken down by Stone Edges/Rock blasts by krookodile and rhyperior, both of which are handled by Hippo/Quag, or by thunderbolts from zapdos/raikous, which are handled by Shaymin/Quag. Overcoat is a handy ability that enables Mandibuzz to outstall many common threats - unless she is poisoned, she will NOT go down easy.
Stoutland (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Frustration
- Wild Charge
Ahh stoutland. This guy is an absolute monster in the sand. Choice Band max attack frustration will dent all but the most physical of physically defensive pokes. Faster than the choice scarf users listed above that threaten Shaymin, including Victini, Darmanitan, Heracross, Flygon and Weavile; Stoutland is the most dangerous revenge killer in UU. What he lacks in coverage (no earthquake or CC) he makes up for in power. This guy cleans up late game. Once ghost and steel types are eliminated (by Stout/Houndoom and Hippo/Quag respectively) nothing stands in his way except bulky Suicunes, which necessitate Wild Charge and are usually dealt with effectively by Shaymin.
Quagsire (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Recover
- Toxic
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
I was finding that the premier offensive threats in the UU tier were primarily fire type (Victini, Arcanine and Darmanitan) with some water-types (azumarill, suicune) thrown in and set-up sweepers such as Sharpedo, Scrafty and Cobalion being similarly common. Enter a check for all of the above: QUAGSIRE. A less powerful Gastrodon with possibly the best ability in the game, Quagsire is almost a necessity in the current metagame. While many choose Rhyperior or Swampert they do not have the ability to cancel out an opponent's boosts, cripple and stall out some of the most dangerous threats around. With great synergy with mandibuzz defensively and houndoom/shaymin offensively, Quagsire is a tremendous asset to the team. EV's max out physical defense for obvious reasons. Waterfall and Earthquake are both required, as waterfall hits ground types (such as hippowdon) hard while earthquake deals effectively with rock & steel types.
Houndoom (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Grass]
This guy is basically here for Bronzong, who otherwise walls basically my entire team (apart from Shaymin, who can wear down with Seed flare 1on1). If i see bronzong in the team lineup i never send Houndoom in until i am sure i can come in safely and KO. HP grass is useful to prevent walling by Rhyperior and Quagsire, but for anything other than 4xweak it does very little damage. Houndoom also completely walls most Mew variants who carry psychic and will'o'wisp and Victinis, damaging or KOing with pursuit/sucker punch. Having a priority move on the team is also situationally useful to finish off weakened threats. Houndoom's attack is boosted by the EVs and the hasty nature ensures maximum speed with no drop in power. Houndoom is not meant to take hits - he is meant to come in, deal with specific threats and get out of there.
So that's the team. With Hippo in UU it was only a matter of time before people started abusing it: that time has come.
Thanks, peace
I would like to submit my team for your review. Ive been testing it extensively on PO and it has been performing exceedingly well. It was based on a highly successful OU team that has been modified and adapted to suit the current UU metagame. Please advise any weaknesses you notice or any advice for improving the team, i am completely open to constructive criticism.
That being said, here's the team:
Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
Defensive Hippowdon, Stealth Rock setter with Stone Edge over Slack Off. Hippowdon is not designed to stay around, just to resist physical attacks and either phase or inflict damage with EQ (Cobalion, Bisharp, Nidoking/Queen, Victini, Houndoom, Arcanine and Darmanitan, Rhyperior) or SE (Xatu, Zapdos, Crobat). The EVs are tailored to this purpose. Hippowdon forms part of my defensive core with Mandibuzz, both of whom are able to phase away set-up sweepers and defensive pokes.
Shaymin @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Seed Flare
- Earth Power
- Air Slash/HP(Ice)
- Rest
Life Orb Shaymin is a serious threat in the UU tier. It's coverage and power are extremely potent and a LO Seed Flare will do serious damage to anything unresisted, often 2HKOing with a Spec D drop. EV's are obvious, I'm running Timid nature as the extra speed is almost ALWAYS useful. Seed Flare and Earth Power are standard and i'm currently running Air Slash to handle heracross and grass-type switch-ins, although HP(Ice) can be similarly useful against Zapdos and Togekiss switches. Rest/Natural Cure provides much needed recovery and allows Shaymin to absorb status, heal up and re-enter the fray multiple times. Shaymin also forms a highly effective F/W/G core with Quagsire and Houndoom, as each are tailored to deal with threats to the other. This little guy is a powerhouse and performs brilliantly against any/all of the defensive threats in UU.
Mandibuzz (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Whirlwind
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Toxic
Mandibuzz is probably the premier special wall in UU. Ok that's an exaggeration, but Max Special D is able to effortlessly shrug off special attacks, roost, toxic or phase with whirlwind. It is extremely effective at brushing aside or wearing down special threats until they can be dealt with by the appropriate counter. Predicted/scarfed earthquakes, grass attacks aimed at quagsire and pretty much any special move this guy is made for. She has wonderful synergy with Quagsire and together they form an extremely solid foundation. Suicune is toxic'd or whirlwinded away, Porygon Z can only 3HKO with tri-attack, Togekiss is powerless, Houndoom can do nothing. Mandibuzz is ridiculously useful in handling almost all special attackers, excepting the Nido's (who 2-3HKO with IBeam/Tbolt and cannot be poisoned). Start using Mandibuzz as a special wall, you will NOT be disappointed. Is only taken down by Stone Edges/Rock blasts by krookodile and rhyperior, both of which are handled by Hippo/Quag, or by thunderbolts from zapdos/raikous, which are handled by Shaymin/Quag. Overcoat is a handy ability that enables Mandibuzz to outstall many common threats - unless she is poisoned, she will NOT go down easy.
Stoutland (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Frustration
- Wild Charge
Ahh stoutland. This guy is an absolute monster in the sand. Choice Band max attack frustration will dent all but the most physical of physically defensive pokes. Faster than the choice scarf users listed above that threaten Shaymin, including Victini, Darmanitan, Heracross, Flygon and Weavile; Stoutland is the most dangerous revenge killer in UU. What he lacks in coverage (no earthquake or CC) he makes up for in power. This guy cleans up late game. Once ghost and steel types are eliminated (by Stout/Houndoom and Hippo/Quag respectively) nothing stands in his way except bulky Suicunes, which necessitate Wild Charge and are usually dealt with effectively by Shaymin.
Quagsire (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Recover
- Toxic
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
I was finding that the premier offensive threats in the UU tier were primarily fire type (Victini, Arcanine and Darmanitan) with some water-types (azumarill, suicune) thrown in and set-up sweepers such as Sharpedo, Scrafty and Cobalion being similarly common. Enter a check for all of the above: QUAGSIRE. A less powerful Gastrodon with possibly the best ability in the game, Quagsire is almost a necessity in the current metagame. While many choose Rhyperior or Swampert they do not have the ability to cancel out an opponent's boosts, cripple and stall out some of the most dangerous threats around. With great synergy with mandibuzz defensively and houndoom/shaymin offensively, Quagsire is a tremendous asset to the team. EV's max out physical defense for obvious reasons. Waterfall and Earthquake are both required, as waterfall hits ground types (such as hippowdon) hard while earthquake deals effectively with rock & steel types.
Houndoom (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Grass]
This guy is basically here for Bronzong, who otherwise walls basically my entire team (apart from Shaymin, who can wear down with Seed flare 1on1). If i see bronzong in the team lineup i never send Houndoom in until i am sure i can come in safely and KO. HP grass is useful to prevent walling by Rhyperior and Quagsire, but for anything other than 4xweak it does very little damage. Houndoom also completely walls most Mew variants who carry psychic and will'o'wisp and Victinis, damaging or KOing with pursuit/sucker punch. Having a priority move on the team is also situationally useful to finish off weakened threats. Houndoom's attack is boosted by the EVs and the hasty nature ensures maximum speed with no drop in power. Houndoom is not meant to take hits - he is meant to come in, deal with specific threats and get out of there.
So that's the team. With Hippo in UU it was only a matter of time before people started abusing it: that time has come.
Thanks, peace
