Infernic Clime

[wilde32]

Hello, and welcome to my RMT topic. I am an active user of Pokemon Showdown! and I have decided to make an OU weather team. Rain I thought was too common, and I wanted to be a little more unique, so I chose the lesser-used sister weather, Sun. This team is mainly offensive, with 3 sweepers. I have had some success on PS, but I often lose to the higher-up members of the community, and I recognize that this team is not as good as it could be, so I have decided to post my team on Smogon for others to rate.
Well, with that out of the way... here's my team as it currently stands:

Infernic Clime

Ninetales @ Leftovers
Timid (+Spe -Atk)
Drought
Fire Blast
Will-O-Wisp
Roar
Substitute
252 hp/6 Sp.A/252 Spe

What sun team is complete without Ninetales? Ninetales is my sun setter, and with heavy Speed investment it can outspeed most common leads and set up a Substitute. Will-O-Wisp works with holding off physical attackers, which can dent Ninetales' lower Defense. Fire Blast does decent damage boosted by Sun and STAB, and Roar is to phaze away anything that walls or tries to set up on Ninetales. It has had trouble with Magic Bounce in the past, but I can usually scout a move and Roar myself out, or simply Fire Blast it and hope for the best.

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Venusaur @ Life Orb
Hasty (+Spe -Def)
Chlorophyll
SolarBeam
Earthquake
Hidden Power (Fire)
Growth
34 Atk/224 Sp.A/252 Spe

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Venusaur is my general Sun sweeper. After one Growth, it yields 416 Attack and 582 Special Attack, and coupled with its 568 Speed under sun, this thing is dangerous. SolarBeam is my main attack, which slaughters anything that doesn't resist it. Earthquake is for Fire types, and Blissey, while HP Fire deals with pesky Grass types and some other Bug/Steel types.

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Charizard @ Choice Scarf
Modest (+Sp.A -Atk)
Solar Power
Flamethrower
Air Slash
Hidden Power (Ice)
Focus Blast
6 hp/252 Sp.Atk/252 Spe

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Charizard is my backup sweeper, as it requires no former setup. Flamethrower has no drawbacks, and boosted by STAB, Sun, and Solar Power, it utterly destroys anything that isn't immune to it. The other three moves are mainly fillers; Hidden Power Ice is for Dragon types, and Focus Blast is solely for Heatran.

Donphan @ Leftovers
Impish (+Def -Sp.A)
Sturdy
Rapid Spin
Stealth Rock
Earthquake
Knock Off
252 hp/6 Atk/252 Def

Of course, running Charizard, Rapid Spin support is essential, and who other than Donphan? Donphan is prime for switching into physical sweepers, as he has amazing defense, and he can even hold his own with an Earthquake. He can also support the team with Stealth Rock. Knock Off is mainly for stall, as it negates an opponent's Leftovers. Although he has no recovery to call his own, he can be passed a Wish from Blissey.

Darmanitan @ Choice Scarf
Jolly (+Spe -S.Atk)
Sheer Force
Flare Blitz
Earthquake
U-Turn
Rock Slide
6 hp/252 Atk/252 Spe

Darmanitan is my much-needed physical sweeper to counter Blissey and many specially-orientated walls. Flare Blitz can OHKO many common threats and with a Speed boosing nature and Scarf, it can ensure to attack first. Earthquake is for coverage; and U-Turn is a good option in case my opponent decides to switch when I switch into Darmanitan. Rock Slide is mainly a filler option but it hits Volcarona among a few others.

Blissey @ Leftovers
Bold (+Def -Atk)
Natural Cure
Wish
Protect
Seismic Toss
Toxic
252 hp/252 Def/6 Spe

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As Donphan is to physical attacks, Blissey is to special. She is infamous for taking all the special attacks in the world, and just healing them back off. Here, I run a Wish set. Wish has the unique distinction of fully healing any of my other Pokémon that are injured, and it can heal itself by Protecting on the following turn. Seismic Toss does a reliable 100 damage to enemies and Toxic + Protect is the ace in the hole for late-game stall.
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Well, that concludes my team. Please take your time to rate my team. Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.
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[danceparty]

This seems like a great team to me! The sun cleverly boosts the Solarbeams and Fire attacks of this team, and the Blissey/Donphan is the most unique pairing (that works) I've ever seen!

10/10

 

[IbanezObsession]

Hi there, nice team, especially the fact that you're using the lesser-used weather.

Your main problem is that you have a hard time switching into powerful Water-type attacks as well as Rock-type attacks. A rain-based team can cause you problems, no doubt about it. To deal with that problem, I would recommend replacing Blissey with Specially Defensive Gastrodon. It will allow you to stop Volt-turn and also help out with your Water and Rock-type problem.

Gastrodon

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Gastrodon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Toxic
- Recover

I'm sorry that I don't have time to provide a full-fledged rate, but this is the best I can give you for now. You will lose the Wish-passing ability, but the Water-Rock weakness on your team is too strong to pass up Gastro.

Hope I helped!

 

[wilde32]

Thanks for the criticism, Ibanez. Gastrodon sounds like a good idea, although I'm not sure about Scald on a sun team...

 

[Iminyourcloset]

Hey wilde...This teams seems alright, except I fear that if Venu goes down in some freak accident, You're left with two similar-typed scarfers as your offensive prowess. I'm not sure speciffically how, but I believe That Darmanitan be replaced with a physical attacking pokemon fast enough not to need a scarf that can abuse Sun well.
I can only really think of terrakion. It can't abuse sun that well, but it does appreciate the water nulling. It can also rip holes in teams, and doesn't need the Scarf to be fast, at base 108, along with not being that non-bulky. I don't believe it conflicts much with your team, except possibly for Donphan, but It's just what I've been thinking, and it could help with offensive fighting moves and such. Hopefully, I didn't overlook something really stupid and look like an idiot o_o. Wow I haven't posted in forever :P I should get back on to this site, methinks

 

[IbanezObsession]

Thanks for the criticism, Ibanez. Gastrodon sounds like a good idea, although I'm not sure about Scald on a sun team...

As Gastrodon will be your main counter to rain, you will more than likely be using Scald in the rain, but you can always variate between that and Ice Beam if you want to.

 

[ZhengTann]

If you put Sheer Force on Darmanitan, I'd say Life Orb instead of Choice Scarf, since:
a) 1 less choice user would mean less pressure on Donphan to spin hazards,
b) Flare Blitz, just became unstoppable,
c) you can U-turn whenever it feels unsafe for Darmanitan.
with 95 Speed, I think Darmanitan doesn't need the Scarf-boost so desperately, since Charizard would fill that niche...

Expert Belt Landorus might pose a threat to this team, since it resists Venusaur's moves, threaten Darmanitan and Charizard with Stone Edge on the switch, not to mention the rest of your team can't do pittance against it. I'd recommend Ice Shard to replace Knock Off on Donphan. Ice-priority working off its respectable Attack stats can freeze those dragon- or flying-types bar Skarmory, when Skarmory is threatened by Charizard and Darmanitan anyways.

 

[laian]

Hey, this is golai from pokemon showdown

I agree with Ibanez about Gastro, he would probably patch up the holes in your team. However, it also depends on your style - everything depends on what you're comfortable with.

I would consider swapping out Charizard with Heatran. Heatran doesn't hit as hard, but is a lot more versatile defensively

Heatran

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Heatran @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Overheat
- Flamethrower
- HP Ice

Also, you might consider a suicide Ninetales too - whichever fits your playstyle better. It all depends on what you find yourself losing against more:

Nasty Suicide Ninetales

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Ninetales @ Focus Sash
Trait: Drought
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- WoW
- Energy Ball
- Flamethrower

Suicide ninetales isn't as suicidal as you might think. First off, it will destroy a lead politoed with nastyplot + energy ball (You're faster). Besides that, leave if you can't win, nastyplot if you're faster or detecting a switchout, WoW if you're slower, or just leave if you know WoW won't help. It's important to keep entry hazards out of the picture as much as possible, but since I assume you're going to lead with nine-tales, this set works wonders against most common leads

Ice Shard Donphan is a good idea too, but you would have to adjust your EVs to boost his attack respectively. Ice Shard donphan would be my go-to if you see a lot of landorus or salamence/dragonite stopping your tracks. If you swap Charizard for Heatran, you wont need spinning as much and you can go for Mamoswine to OHKO those pesky Dragon/Landorus/Gliscor

 

[wilde32]

Thanks all for the constructive criticism. Heatran sounds like a good defensive pivot but having him on my team would make me extremely weak to Ground moves, so I'm not sure I can have him on my team without extensively reordering my team. I'll probably go for Gastrodon, as Ibanez said. Shiftry actually sounds like a good replacement for Charizard, and I'm contemplating using him.

 

[Imanalt]

You absolutely need a water resist other than venu, as if rain is up venu is useless against waters. If you used a different stab attack on it, that woudl help, but you're still weak to it.

However, i strongly disagree with people sayign gastro>blissey, as i think the wish support is crucial to your team, instead, i migth suggest some form of wishpassing latias, as it helps with slight ground and your water weakness.

Next, I would suggest either heatran or infernape instead of Charizard, as i think darmanitan fills your need for a scarfer, and Tran and Nape are both neutral to rock instead of weak.

Tl;dr:
Energy ball or Seed bomb >> solar beam on venusaur
Latias>>blissey
set:

Hide

252hp, 4Spa, 252Spe
Timid (+spe, -Atk)@Leftovers
-Wish
-Protect/Hidden Power Fire
-Roar/Hidden Power Fire
-Dragon Pulse

Infernape or Heatran>>Charizard
Sets:

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Heatran:
4HP, 252Satk, 252 Spe
Timid (+spe, -atk) @Air balloon/Leftovers/Life orb
-Sunny Day
-Solar Beam
-Fire Blast
-Hidden Power Ice/Earth Power

Infernape:
252 Atk, 4 Satk, 252 Spe
Naive (+spe, -Sdef) @ Life Orb
-Overheat
-Close Combat
-U-turn
-Stone Edge

 

[Aquaaa]

First off, i'd replace Fire blast with Flamethrower on Ninetales, it's mostly acting as a wall/phazer, so more PP and accuracy is just better for it, it doesn't really need the extra power. I'd also replace Knock Off on Donphan for either Ice Shard or Stone Edge, you can pretty much guess most items anyway and it's not really that good, you could also use Assurance i suppose.

From what i can see, you'll get destroyed by sand teams and rain teams, Gastrodon patches up the rain weakness a bit, but if it gets toxic'd, you're screwed. I agree with Alt on the Heatran part, it's one of the best sunmons. If you did add it i would also recommend adding Celebi, for that whole Celetran thing, it also helps against rain teams and can atleast help against sand-teams by resisting their main STAB of earthquake. Not to sure what to replace it with though...Anyway sets:

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Heatran (M) @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP/252 SpDef/4 Def
Calm nature (+SpDef,-Atk)
- Hidden Power(Ice)
- Lava Plume
- Protect
- Roar

Standard Spdef Tran with HPice to hit Gliscors/Landorus' on switch ins which could potentially threaten your team.

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Celebi
Life Orb Modest
Moveset EVs 232 HP / 240 SpA / 36 Spe
- Thunder Wave
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power Fire / Earth Power / Psychic
- Recover /Leech Seed
232 HP / 240 SpA / 36 Spe

Totally not copypasted straight from Smogon. Butyeah, standard Tinkerbell set, Thunderwave can only make your life easier, paralyzing switchins, I would recommend Leech seed though, as you leech seed things and pass recovery to Heatran or whatever needs it most, Leaf Storm for reliable STAB and Hidden Power Fire can beat Scizors, Ferrothorns and such.

I would agree with Alt on the Latias thing too though...
Edit: Forgot to mention the Terrakion weakness, it can completely destroy your team, but Celebi can fix it for those without X-scissor..I think.

 

[NatGeo]

this team has some pretty big problems with opposing weather, considering that you really can't do much to opposing weather, especially rain because Politoed isn't too terribly affected by Will-O-Wisp. If you can't keep sun up constantly then you're wide open to other weathers, since about 1/2 of your team is reliant on sun to function properly. The sunny day variant of ninetales can fix this pretty easily, since you can predict the switchin and use Sunny Day, leaving them wide open to your sun sweepers for at least a few turns. The sunny day variant of ninetales also has a bit more offense, making sure that you can actually hurt Politoed and do some damage to Tyranitar. With that out of the way, Dragon types can easily take out most of the members of your team - DDNite with Lum Berry cleanly takes you out after a boost or two, since Donphan can't touch it. A great way to fix this would be to put Ice Shard over Knock Off on Donphan, while also taking quite a few EVs from defense and putting them into attack. This gives you a fairly solid check to Dragon-types, while also letting you take down the otherwise problematic Choice Scarf Landorus.

Lastly, I really think you should put Air Balloon Heatran over Charizard, like other people have suggested. This gives you another check versus Dragon-types, since you have HP Ice to hit most of them very hard. Heatran can also lay down SR, so that gives you the option of replacing SR on Donphan with another move like Head Smash (or just retain Knock Off if you really want it). Hope this helped!

 

[Mocirano]

Well, first things first, I am cool and awesome. You don't need a jolly and scarf for a poke with 95 base speed, Especially if it's not for revenge killing, Scarf is fine with adamant, that extra power could come in handy.And again agree with the gastro thing, rock slaughters your team. You could also slot in a sunny day somewhere, as your team gets clobbered if it loses the sun. May i also suggest disable or hypnosis on ninetales as it is bulky, and disable can shut down set up just like hypnosis can. An Opposing fire type can wreck four members of your team with EQ and Fire attacks. apart from that, the team is decently put together.
7/10