I'm new and need help....

[DrakeX47]

As stated I'm new so sorry if there are any mistakes I made I read the "Must Reads" and tried my best to fill in as much as I could...as always with me any and all ADVICE is welcome and appreciated.

Overview: A balanced(I hope) team that works to whittle down opponents with entry hazards and eventually set-up Latias for the Calm Mind sweep.




Sorry I’m new at the whole competitive thing so I’m just learning and I am so intimidated by this site I wasn’t sure how to do the apprentice program….but anyway I didn’t do a Building process or a threat list as I said I’m new and would gladly do them if I could effectively complete them…

But without wasting anymore time here we go…

Forretress@Leftovers
Relaxed 252HP/252Sp.Def/6 Def.
Rapid Spin
Toxic Spikes
Stealth Rock
Explosion


Used as my lead and may also switch in to resistant pokes so I can set-up SR and TS and also Spin if needed. Explode on a problematic pokemon or one I may feel is key or important to my opponent’s team. As for why it’s used? Forretress covers most types and its defenses hold up for a bit while it sets up and allows me to think of how to handle the situation I may be put in. Coupled with Heatran, I have most types resisted or immunity already with just these, as they compliment each other well.

Gengar@Choice Scarf
Timid 252 Sp.Atk/252 Sp/6 Def
Focus Blast
Shadowball
Hidden Power(Ice)
Trick

Revenge Killer/Special attacker(not really sweeper) that tricks when Choice Scarf is used up. That’s the basics. Gengar covers Heatran as well as Umbreon well due to it being immune to the attacks most used to defeat them so it gets a free switch in and is also resistant to Umbreons’ other weakness in Bug. Dealing with those pesky dragons and getting in a free hit or two are this Gar’s forte. And when it’s done having fun with it’s hit and runs, it uses trick to cripple one of the opposing teams members by giving it Choice Scarf.

Umbreon@Leftovers
Careful 252HP/ 116 Def/ 142 Sp.Def
Wish
Yawn
Mean Look
Baton Pass

The wall that tries to trap Pokemon for Latias to set-up on(also maybe Gyrados could set-up as well) Besides trapping pokemon Umbreon is used to pass wishes unto my weakened pokemon or counters about to switch in. Also useful for forcing switches with yawn. Umbreon takes hits like a champ and coupled with wish it sticks around for a while. Ultimately used to set-up Latias by trapping for the Calm Mind sweep.

Latias@Leftovers
Timid 252 Speed/ 150 HP/ 108 Sp.Atk
Calm Mind
Reflect
Dragon Pulse
Recover

Switching in on fighting types in case Gar is absent and also backing forretress with perfect defensive typing between the two, form this pokes defensive capabilities as well as backing the others with levitate and its resistances. Latias’ main goal on the team is the finisher, hopefully Umbreon can trap a poke that isn’t a threat to Lati can set-up on is the main goal, first setting up reflect(in case I need to switch due to an unexpected surprise) and then Calm Minding up for the sweep.

Heatran@Choice Scarf
Naive 252Sp.Atk/ 252 Sp/ 6 Atk
Fire Blast
Earth Power
Hidden Power(Grass)

Good switch in for Forretress if a fire move is coming, as it can wreak havoc with a boosted fire blast, and also another revenge killler with scarf. Not to much to say here his resistances offer more switch ability other than from fortress and once he’s in safely try to predict who he’ll have to deal with in order to decide what move to lock myself into...not sure if I'll keep if I switch to Nape...

Gyrados@Life Orb
Adamant 252 Atk/ 252 Sp/ 6 Hp
Dragon Dance
Ice Fang
Earthquake
Waterfall

Gyrados again as most of my pokes do, backs up my other resists and mainly ADDS the WATER one which everyone else pretty much lacks as most water users have ice also(Latias’ doom) so he switches in often and succuessfully due to this and being immune to ground moves helps tremendously as well. And as the standard is, DD on the predicted switch and if its not a Zapdos or some electric he can’t OHKO then begin to unleash massive damage. Or DD again for good measure.


Thinking of switching Forretress to:

Infernape@Life Orb/Focus Sash
Naive 252 Sp. Atk/ 252 Speed/ 6 Atk
Grass Knot
Fire Blast
Close Combat
Hidden Power(Ice)


Thinking of switching Forretress out for this guy because:
Has been a really good lead that counters a lot of leads and other pokes that give this team trouble. Ape hasn’t been used on this team but from experiences on other teams, leading off with him has cost a few people 1 or 2 pokemon from the start as they assume the Lead ape set and then face this and switch on the assumption or stay in, either way not helping themselves as Ape destroys their choice. Not sure on which item to use, Sand Storm hurts both choices sadly so the decision is hard.



Team started out good, I really like it but I just got royally beaten 3 times by the following:

1) A subagility Empoleon(DD Salamence was there before the Gyrados was during this match)
2) A Hail Team
3) A spiritomb ith help from one zapdos tb and one scizor u-turn

Not sure if it's me or something flawed with the team and I don't mind being beaten because everyone loses but getting spanked three times in a row makes me reconsider things…

 

[DrakeX47]

Well I know that but 2 6-0 sweeps and a bad beating add to something I think. And also sorry I wasn't sure how to post pics so I guess copy paste didnt do it...


Anyone have any suggestions on how to make it stronger or ant critique at all?

 

[Tarquin]

I think your Scarf Gengar wants Thunderbolt over Hidden Power Ice or Trick, as niether of your scarfers can really tackle Gyarados and your Gengar has to risk Focus Blast to try and revenge Emploeon.

If you like switching Gyarados in often, I suggest using Leftovers instead of Life Orb, so that it can be a little more durable :). However, if you do keep Life Orb, then I suggest running Bounce over Ice Fang. Thanks to STAB, it only has 2.5 less power than Ice Fang and Bounce allows you to net a OHKO on standard Celebi after a DD. However, it should be noted that should you side with Leftovers, Bounce will only to from 84-93% Damage to the Standard Celebi.

Having unneccesary Scarfers gives your opponent more set up opportunities. As you already have a dedicated revenge killer in Gengar, who is just as powerful and faster than Heatran, I suggest changing Heatran to a BluffTran. Here is how he works. Choice scarf Heatran is by far the commonist Heatran set, so if you bring Heatran in on say a Celebi, your oppoent will feel safe switching to a fire resist. However, instead, you would use Substitute on the switch. Now you are safe from harm for a turn and can unleash all three attacks at your disposal. Life Orb if the preffered item here, but Expert Belt can also be used, as it disguises the fact you are a BluffTran a little more should you need to attack right away, no recoil you see ;).

Here is the actual set I suggest

Heatran @ Life Orb / Expert Belt / Leftovers
Flash Fire
Timid
EVs: 4hp / 252SpA / 252 Spe
Substitute
Fire Blast
Earth Power
Explosion / Hidden Power Grass / Hidden Power Electric

The reason for max speed is because your Heatran can be a reliable killer of other defensive or Scarf Heatran, as well as now it outruns Gyarados before a Dragonh Dance and Breloom and the fastest of Metagross, allowing you to pip them to the post and OHKO them all potentially. Swampert anhd Gyarados are two of Heatran's commonist switch-ins, so Hidden Power Grass or Electric can be used to get the jump on the, should you wish it. It should be noted that this Heatran is quite effective against stall. If you choose to run Explosion then it can smash it's way through the team and KO Blissey for you. If you choose to run HP Electric then, once you have eleminated Blissey, Heatran can 1/2HKO every pokemon on an average stall team when holding a Life Orb.

Finally, I whole heartedly suggest removing Fortress for a different lead. Toxic Spikes is rather obsolete and your team is more of an offensive model, designed to kill the opponent quickly, not to let the opponent slowly die. If you like the idea of drawing fire attacks to Heatran, go for Metragross, as far more effective lead allround. However, if you emply this strategy, you may leave the opponent's Azelf or Infernape's Focus Sash intact as you switch, so I would suggest running Occa Berry on your Metagross and Bullet Punch, so it can attempt to set up Stealth Rocks (much more useful for an offensive team) and break of kill the enemy too. Here is the set I suggest:

Metagross @ Occa Berry
Clear Body
Adamant
EVs: 252Hp / 228 Atk / 12 Def / 12 Spe
Bullet Punch
Earthquake
Meteor Mash
Stealth Rock

The extra 4 speed Evs are so you can outspeed and 2HKO opposing Metagross, should you wish. I would forgo Explosion here, as you mentioned before you liked Infernape for it's ability to counter common leads and this is Metagross' best set in that respect.

Good Luck with the team!
I hope my advice was beneficalynessness!

 

[DrakeX47]

Tarquinmacdonald that was epic! I love your ideas and will test them out immediately. My only other question is, is there anyway to incorporate that Nape into this team, metagross will suffice to say the least but I'd really like to switch things around and kind of have two versions of the team, one with metagross and one with nape. Any suggestions? Would have to replace heatran with something if nape was there right? And I'm guessing the rest of the team is ok?

 

[Tarquin]

The team looks great :)
Umbreon is very scared about U-Turn scizor, just a notice. But you surely know that already xD.

I just punched your team into the Marriland Team builder. I would not suggest replacing anything for Infernape, as currently your team is made of
1. Excellently Bulky Pokemon
2. 2 Resisitances to every type, except for Rock and Electric, for which you have only one resistance but also only one weakness. Therefore, I would only suggest Infernape should you feel a definate need for it's wall-breaking abilities, in order to get rid of Blissey. However, to deal with her I would take three procautionary measures with your current structure.

Give Heatran Explosion. This way, they will be forced to switch in Blissey, to stop you owning their team and you can blow it up. Be wary though, skilled players will use protect or switch to a steel just incase, so scout first with Fire Blast.

Give Gengar Trick. You already have =D Excellent for shutting down Blissey and CM suicune, latias and stuffles.

Athough Umbreon is cool, I feel a sweeper of your Choice (infernape? xD) Would do just as much good here in preparing for a Latias sweep, as during late game it's almost impossible to stop Latias once the opponent is significantly weakened. I would also consider using Refresh on your Latias, so it can set up on Blissey :)

Good Luck

 

[DrakeX47]

I guess I'll suck it up and try Nape on a different team then. Thanks for the help and the compliment the team I'm going to go test it now with the upgrades. I would say you guys are awesome but Tarquin sole the show here so you're awesome! And thanks for the two people that gave it a shot as well...even though your posts were removed.