Intimidation Tactics: An OU RMT

[LittleCupFailure]

I have always used a number of different Pokemon with the Intimidate ability, and this generation seems like the best time to try basing a team off of this ability. The reason that I say this comes from the challenge of making such a team in the current OU environment, where a number of threats like Bisharp and the (slightly rarer) Defiant Thundurus have stymied the use of any stat-lowering Pokemon. I decided to try this kind of team out because of the fun that can be had. Here we go.

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 192 Atk / 4 Def / 224 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- Waterfall

Gyarados is probably the 'classic' Intimidate Pokemon in the eyes of many because of how popular a Pokemon it is. It's got good typing and stats, and a good ability pool as well. I like using the bulky Dragon Dance set on Gyarados in general, and it is the only boosting sweeper that this team has. It has good synergy with the other team members as well, which you will see soon. This set is a very common one, so I probably don't need to explain any of the rationale for using these moves.

Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- U-turn

You all know it and I know it as well; Landorus-T is a very cool Pokemon. It's one of the more offensively inclined Stealth Rock setters in the tier, and has great utility because it can use Knock Off and U-turn. Spamming these moves allows my team to block other teams' item users and gain momentum in the process. Earthquake is there because it's a good STAB move that comes off of Landorus-T's enormous base attack stat, and it nails the Steel-Types that some of my team members have a hard time with.

Manectric @ Manectite
Ability: Lightningrod
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Ice]

The mega evolution of this team is Manectric, but not just because it also has Intimidate. Manectric is an overlooked but still very powerful Pokemon in today's metagame, and its high speed and power allow it to wreck the physical walls that otherwise maim my primarily physically inclined team. Skarmory, Gliscor, opposing Landorus-T, Slowbro, Air Balloon Excadrill, and other threats are wrecked by this set, so it's a great choice in my opinion. Its sole weakness to Ground is negated by switching into either Gyarados or Landorus-T, and its pre-Mega ability of Lightningrod can be good situationally if I switch into Manectric from Gyarados.

Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Ice Punch
- Knock Off

Because I foresaw problems with Bisharp, I decided to use a Pokemon that can stop even a +2 Bisharp in its tracks: Conkeldurr. Mach Punch OHKO's the steel soldier, ensuring that no further problems with it arise during the match. Conkeldurr is also great at stomaching the Will-o-Wisps that cripple Gyarados and Landorus-T thanks to its Guts ability, and can break through up to 3 members of an opponent's team in some cases. This Pokemon is a strong contender in the metagame, and I really like it.

Latias @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Healing Wish
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Defog

Mandatory hazard support is mandatory. In all seriousness, Latias is a very interesting Pokemon. Good offensive, defensive, and speed stats make it very powerful, and its typing compliments Conkeldurr's very well. It's mostly on this team to help lure Bisharp into Conkeldurr's path by not using Defog when Bisharp is still on the field. Healing Wish is also a neat trick for revitalizing a Pokemon and bringing it back into battle, and it has a significant surprise factor to it (for some reason).

Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Heal Bell
- Wish
- Protect

Sylveon is sort of the glue of this team, placed here with the intention of soaking up all of the special attacks that target its teammates. It has good type synergy with Latias and Conkeldurr, and can support the whole team with Heal Bell and Wish. Hyper Voice provides good coverage as well.

So, that's the team. Let me know what you think in responses below.

 

[Timpsu]

Hey there! Gonna share a few thoughts on the team.

I encourage you to run a bulky spread of 88 HP / 192 Atk / 4 Def / 224 Spe on Gyarados. The Speed lets you outspeed everything up to Timid Noivern at +1, while the bulk makes it easier to keep your Substitutes up. If you like to invest more in bulk, you could also try to run 176 Speed, which outruns Timid Starmie at +1. I would also recommend running max HP / max Def on Lando-T with Impish nature, since you need all the bulk in order to combat strong physical attackers. This is also further compounded by the fact that most of your moves serve utility purposes, rather than being strong attacks. Also, 4 Speed EVs let you outspeed Jolly Azumarill. I would recommend you to use Draco Meteor on Latias, as Dragon Pulse is just too weak. Also your team has decent defensive synergy, letting you play Latias more than once. Also, replace Surf for something else. Thunderbolt gives you better coverage, whereas Psyshock offers a strong STAB to use against Conkeldurr, M-Venusaur and Keldeo.

The Intimidate chain is quite useful in today's metagame, because most of the best Pokemon are physically inclined. That's why I think the most relevant threats against your team are specially attacking threats, such as Clefable. You lack a super-effective move on it, and at +1 it can somewhat walk over your team. Against Sylveon it can just go boosting even further. Gengar can also be troublesome with its combination of Ghost + Poison STAB. That's my two cents, good luck with the team!

 

[SopS4nd]

I like your team I don't have much to say , follow the sugestions of timpsu good luck. Like timpsu said "The Intimidate chain is quite useful in today's metagame, because most of the best Pokemon are physically inclined."