INTIMIDATION VoltTurn HO Core (looking for critique) RMT

[Inglorion]

Ok so after researching the meta recently I've realized that Hyper Offense is the most viable playstyle for Gen VI so I ditched my Balanced team for this one. I really took the time to work out the synergistic kinks to this team so I'm quite hopeful for it, although there are some issues I'll list below that I hope to get some input on. It turned into something of a 3-teams-in-one team, with a crazy hybrid VoltTurn core/Fantasy Core (Steel/Dragon/Fairy)/Deosharp core. Anyway, let's get to it.

The Team

Mega Manectric @ Manectite
Lightningrod/Intimidate
252 SpA/252 Spd/4 Def
Timid Nature
-Thunderbolt
-Volt Switch
-Overheat
-HP Ice

Okay so this is obviously my ace pokemon, Mega, what have you. It's used for poking holes in teams with its switch initiative, along with its partner in crime, Lando-T. HP Ice for outspeeding and 1-2HKOing 4x Ice weak pokemon. Overheat to OHKO Mamoswine and Ferrothorn. Contributes to one of the team's strengths of destroying Bird spam offense.

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Intimidate
252 Spd/252 Att/4 Def
Adamant Nature
-U-Turn
-Knock Off
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge

Rounds out the double Intimidate VoltTurn core perfectly, being simply one of the best pivots in OU. EdgeQuake coverage is standard, Knock Off for Chansey specifically and it has great utility in pretty much any given situation. Choice Scarf was chosen to be about equal in Speed to M-Manectric, and to destroy Greninja leads with Adamant scarfed U-Turns. It's truly the glue to my whole team.

Deoxys-Speed @ Life Orb/Focus Sash(?)
Pressure
252 Spd/192 SpA/64 Att
Naive Nature
-Stealth Rock
-Taunt
-Psycho Boost
-Superpower

Firstly, the EVs: Psycho Boost OHKO anything SE on and 2HKOs anything it hits neutrally, full SpA won't change this. So I wanted to give Superpower more power when needed. Basically Deo-S acts as my main lead and sonic-fast taunter. Basically one of my main BP checks. I was considering using Focus Sash to guarantee a KO on Bisharp in certain situation because as you'll see later on, my team may have a weakness to Bisharp, which is to be expected from a double Intimidate team (Defiant).

Bisharp Life Orb
Defiant
252 Att/176 Spd/80 HP
Adamant Nature
-Knock Off
-Sucker Punch
-Iron Head
-Swords Dance

It's Bisharp, need I say more? Threatens Fairies offensively, prevents Defog, plows through OU after one Swords Dance boost. This is my main sweeper on the team who sacrifices the Speed most of my other teammates have for brute power. With those Speed EVs it outspeeds most of the relevant threats in its speed tier: primarily Heatran and Mandibuzz who typically run no Speed. Not much else to say about this beast.

Azumarill @ Sitrus Berry
Huge Power
188 HP/252 Att/64 Def
Adamant Nature
-Belly Drum
-Aqua Jet
-Play Rough
-Superpower

I needed something to resist the Knock Off spam going on in this meta, so good ol' Azumarill was chosen. Another slow yet ridiculously powerful setup sweeper (it's HO after all, I could use two sweepers). Instead of going full HP I shaved off a couple and threw them into Def specifically; this allows me to 100% survive a Knock Off and Iron Head from Adamant LO Bisharp. Also if the Sitrus Berry is consumed early in the match Knock Off spam will do pitiful damage to this thing.

Latios Life Orb
Levitate
252 SpA/252 Spd/4 Def
Timid Nature
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Thunderbolt
-Defog

Latios is my go-to switch-in for Charizards I've been unable to clearly identify before mega evolving. TBolt threatens Zard Y after Stealth Rock damage. Alternatively if it is Zard X I can switch to scarf Lando for the Intimidate and destroy it with an EQ. I was originally running Surf over TBolt till I realized Gliscor goes down to a LO Draco Meteor, and TBolt can do serious damage to Zard Y after the switch. Removes hazards if they get too bad, mostly just an offensive pokemon though as none of my team is weak to Stealth Rock.

​

Pros:
-Pretty much destroys Bird spam offense (Mega Manectric can survive two Brave Birds from Band Talon if he switches in already mega-evolved).
-Deoxys-S combined with VoltTurn gives Stall a really hard time.
-Amazing synergy between teammates, with no glaring weaknesses to any Types. The only pokemon you have to be careful around with this team is Mamoswine (who M-Man OHKOs with Overheat but doesn't like switching into), Sableye, and maybe Bisharp.
-Fast paced blink-and-it's-over matches for quick laddering.
-Multiple lead choices for whatever the battle calls for. Suspect a Greninja lead? Scarf Lando U-Turn. See Talon/Pinsir? Be sure to lead with Manectric to get him mega-evolved ASAP. And Deoxys-S for any other situations to get off Rocks and whatnot.

Cons:
-Bisharp has to be played around carefully so that Intimidate doesn't activate its Defiant at the wrong time.
-Some pokemon are frail but are given artificial bulkiness with Intimidates being thrown around frequently.
-Weak to some pretty good yet fairly uncommon pokemon (Mamoswine and Sableye).

My Concerns:

LO or Sash on Deoxys-S? Like I said Bisharp can really get the best of this team if not played around and sashed Deoxys Superpower is a good safety net for Bisharp.

Is there any glaring weaknesses I overlooked? If you had free reign over the team, what would you considering changing?

Thanks for taking the time to read everyone!

 

[NotSoClutch]

If you are looking for an offensive defogger over a specially defensive one, always use latios over latias. Latias can still run offensive sets, but they are generally bulky offensive sets and not life orb sets. The spot you slotted tbolt in is also more important than you think. Hidden power fighting, surf, and earthquake (in latios' case) are all better options to take out things like ttar, heatran, and bisharp that like to switch in. The rest of your team is fine although I personally believe bulky offense is the way to go.

 

[Inglorion]

If you are looking for an offensive defogger over a specially defensive one, always use latios over latias. Latias can still run offensive sets, but they are generally bulky offensive sets and not life orb sets. The spot you slotted tbolt in is also more important than you think. Hidden power fighting, surf, and earthquake (in latios' case) are all better options to take out things like ttar, heatran, and bisharp that like to switch in. The rest of your team is fine although I personally believe bulky offense is the way to go.

Thanks a lot for the response. Come to think of it, it would be nice to OHKO a Bisharp on a predicted switch-in, because like I said it sometimes gives my team trouble. Also I think I'll definitely switch to Latios instead of Latias, with the set of Draco Meteor/Psyshock/HP Fighting/Defog. That's actually kind of the godsend I needed, although it still can't survive a Sucker Punch it can threaten Bisharp on the switch-in.

As far as bulky offense goes I have a BO Sand Team with Mega Chomp/TTar so depending on my experiences on the ladder I'll see which team will serve me best. But battles with that team tend to go on for 40-50 turns meanwhile this team gets the job done in 15-20 turns usually, and I'm interested in quick laddering on the normal and suspect ladder right now. Anyway thanks a lot for your input I never even considered HP Fighting.

 

[NotSoClutch]

Thanks a lot for the response. Come to think of it, it would be nice to OHKO a Bisharp on a predicted switch-in, because like I said it sometimes gives my team trouble. Also I think I'll definitely switch to Latios instead of Latias, with the set of Draco Meteor/Psyshock/HP Fighting/Defog. That's actually kind of the godsend I needed, although it still can't survive a Sucker Punch it can threaten Bisharp on the switch-in.

Yeah, bisharp really is a pain. Its the reason I use mega scizor now tbh. However hidden power fighting does help a lot.

 

[Inglorion]

Yeah, bisharp really is a pain. Its the reason I use mega scizor now tbh. However hidden power fighting does help a lot.

Yeah, you really have to prepare for Bisharp in this metagame.

I also forgot to mention that this team wrecks Mega Mawile. Take your pick of which pokemon you want to KO it, M-Manectric or Lando-T.

 

[Inglorion]

Bump for more constructive criticism (if any).

 

[Prankster.]

Hello Inglorion! Your team name caught my eye while I was scrolling through the RMTs. I played volt turn a lot during gen 5, and I agree that it is still very usable. I just have some changes on a few sets. Personally, I would change your Landy-T's nature to jolly and run superpower. You need to score a competent ko on +1 mega Gyara, that otherwise runs through your entire team. On Deoxys-S, few routes you can go here. You could opt for the LO set and pack stealth rocks on it. I'm mentioning this because you aren't using double hazards. Yes, you lose taunt if you go this route. However, you better score nifty kos on things.

20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 406-478 (100.4 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 406-478 (100.4 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 208-247 (53.8 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 208-247 (53.8 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 32 HP / 0 Def Bisharp: 291-348 (104.3 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

I personally like Low Kick vs Superpower to avoid the drop in def. However, superpower does allow you to almost ohko Excadrill. Psycho Boost can ohko mega venusaur in a few cases as well. The spread is 20 Atk 252 Spatk and 236 speed(you reach 500). You can opt to use max speed as well if you'd like to speed tie otehr Deo-S.

Bisharp: I'd use 64 HP 252 Atk and 192 speed. You still outrun Rotom and other things before you get burned. You can also opt to run Pursuit > Swords Dance so you can better check Aeg and take out the Lati twins. You still hit everything hard. I'd say keep thunderbolt on Latias to get good chip damage in vs AV Azumarill which can cause a lot of harm to your team bar Megaman.

Overall a solid team though. Best of luck, I love this play style. If you have any concerns / questions, just ask and I'll try to help.

 

[Inglorion]

Hello Inglorion! Your team name caught my eye while I was scrolling through the RMTs. I played volt turn a lot during gen 5, and I agree that it is still very usable. I just have some changes on a few sets. Personally, I would change your Landy-T's nature to jolly and run superpower. You need to score a competent ko on +1 mega Gyara, that otherwise runs through your entire team. On Deoxys-S, few routes you can go here. You could opt for the LO set and pack stealth rocks on it. I'm mentioning this because you aren't using double hazards. Yes, you lose taunt if you go this route. However, you better score nifty kos on things.

20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 406-478 (100.4 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 406-478 (100.4 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 208-247 (53.8 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 208-247 (53.8 - 63.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
20 Atk Life Orb Deoxys-S Low Kick (80 BP) vs. 32 HP / 0 Def Bisharp: 291-348 (104.3 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

I personally like Low Kick vs Superpower to avoid the drop in def. However, superpower does allow you to almost ohko Excadrill. Psycho Boost can ohko mega venusaur in a few cases as well. The spread is 20 Atk 252 Spatk and 236 speed(you reach 500). You can opt to use max speed as well if you'd like to speed tie otehr Deo-S.

Bisharp: I'd use 64 HP 252 Atk and 192 speed. You still outrun Rotom and other things before you get burned. You can also opt to run Pursuit > Swords Dance so you can better check Aeg and take out the Lati twins. You still hit everything hard. I'd say keep thunderbolt on Latias to get good chip damage in vs AV Azumarill which can cause a lot of harm to your team bar Megaman.

Overall a solid team though. Best of luck, I love this play style. If you have any concerns / questions, just ask and I'll try to help.

Wow, thanks for taking the time to write that all out. I'm on my way home atm, it's a lot to take it but I'll go through all your suggestions when I have the Team Builder in front of me for reference. I hadn't considered the value of TBolt on Latios over HP Fighting considering it's my only Azu check and TBolt would allow for SE damage.

I forgot to even consider the threat of M-Gyarados, I guess I thought with two Intimidaters it wouldn't be much of an issue, but I'll take that Superpower on Lando into consideration. I actually asked Showdown Lobby one day what relevant threats Adamant Lando-T fails to outspeed and no one could answer. The answer is +1 M-Gyarados. Will definitely change to Jolly and I may lose Knock Off for Superpower; I feel I don't much have the opportunity to use Knock Off when it's Scarfed. Losing Adamant will cause me to be unable to OHKO Mawile but I have many other checks in place for that as opposed to M-Gyarados, so thanks a lot, that was a really helpful tip.

As far as the Deo set I believe there's a hazard set with Taunt, and then a SR set with three attacking moves. I guess the set I have on it falls somewhere between the two but isn't as effective as either. Definitely gonna take all of that into consideration when I have the TB in front of me. Thanks again!

 

[Prankster.]

You're welcome, it's no problem at all. I'll get back to you if I think of anything else. If you have the time, please upload a few replays. That way, viewers of your team may watch a few and can offer better feedback. Same as before, best of luck. Glad you found my post insightful.

 

[Inglorion]

Yeah, definitely. Check out some of these replays:

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/oususpecttest-124715559 (Don't even ask about that Gallade fiasco. Would've been over a lot sooner if Psycho Boost hadn't missed. Also, I had no idea any pokemon that doesn't resist Aqua Jet could survive one from a +6 Adamant Huge Power Azu. Kudos Magnezone.)

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-123682031 (Excuse the one or two unfortunate misplays in this one as well)

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/oususpecttest-124601381 (This one's just for lulz)

Anyway I started thinking about the M-Gyarados point, I ask you to consider these two scenarios:
The Complicated Scenario

Let's say Gyarados gets a perfect opportunity, a free switch-in to my Bisharp, which has no boosts, and has no moves that can hit Gyarados for good damage. M-Gyarados DD's, I switch to M-Manectric. M-Gyarados is now at +1 Speed and normal Att. Now, even with his Att stat at normal, considering M-Man's frailty, an EQ could probably still KO me, and Gyara outspeeds. So I switch to Landorus-T, and it's EQ hits nothing. Intimidate activates and Gyara is now at -1 +1 Speed. Then my Jolly Lando uses U-Turn, which hits for, I dunno, 50-60% damage? I haven't calc'd it, but you can see where I'm going with this. M-Manectric comes in to drop its Att down to -2, and it's only a matter of time until VoltTurn/mindgames brings it down.

Or,

The Simple Scenario

Same thing, Gyara gets a free switch in to my unboosted Bisharp. I switch to Azumarill on the same turn Gyara Dances. IIRC M-Gyarados' most popular move set is DD/Waterfall/Ice Fang/EQ. So barring flinches it can't touch Azu, who will I believe KO with Play Rough.

So I think you may have overestimated how weak my team is to M-Gyarados. Also, as far as Superpower on Lando, it strikes me as redundant. U-Turn already hits Dark Types for SE damage. Tyranitar and Bisharp are 4x weak to Fighting, but in the unlikely event that I have my Lando out against Bisharp who somehow didn't receive the Defiant boost, my STAB EQ will OHKO. EQ will NOT OHKO Tyranitar coming from Jolly Lando, but there's literally no move it runs that it can touch me with besides the rare Ice Beam. I'll most likely wind up just 2HKOing it with EQ or U-Turning out.

I appreciate the advice though as far as Jolly Lando/TBolt Latios/Deoxy-s sets are concerned. Thanks for reading.

 

[Prankster.]

You are correct, Azumarill can beat Gyarados 1 vs 1 in certain scenarios. However, some players will also go for chip damage until they have a prime opportunity to sweep. For example: You could be switching in Azumarill vs mega Gyarados and they will go for EQ.

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 64 Def Azumarill: 152-179 (39.1 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 64 Def Azumarill: 139-164 (35.8 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 64 Def Azumarill: 207-244 (53.3 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 64 Def Azumarill: 227-268 (58.5 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

These calculations are just showing that in the simple scenario, players may just go for the chip damage until later on. I wasn't underestimating per say, I'd call it more being prepared.
252 Atk Landorus-T U-turn vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 156-184 (46.9 - 55.4%) -- 71.9% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-T U-turn vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 156-184 (44.1 - 52.1%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-T Superpower vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 264-312 (74.7 - 88.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Landorus-T Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 524-620 (129.7 - 153.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Landorus-T Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Tyranitar: 400-472 (99 - 116.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock <<<< Most don't run max hp, just an example.

You're also forgetting that most Mega Tyranitar run a dd set and pack ice punch.

-1 252 Atk Mega Tyranitar Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 284-336 (89 - 105.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO <<<< Some people will ice punch as you switch in expecting the drop.

Superpower isn't redundant, and is better than KO in my opinion. Sure KO being on a scarf set almost guarantees at least one item a match. But I'd rather be prepared for the balloon Heatran(although rare), balloon Excadrill, rare balloon Bisharp, and other things. Sand rush is also becoming rather common lately. The lead Tar usually packs ice punch or ice beam. I'm not trying to argue with you at all, just saying that you need to be better prepared and that superpower will be more beneficial to your team. The complicated scenario is also very valid. Just be aware of chip damage.

 

[Inglorion]

You are correct, Azumarill can beat Gyarados 1 vs 1 in certain scenarios. However, some players will also go for chip damage until they have a prime opportunity to sweep. For example: You could be switching in Azumarill vs mega Gyarados and they will go for EQ.

252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 64 Def Azumarill: 152-179 (39.1 - 46.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 64 Def Azumarill: 139-164 (35.8 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 64 Def Azumarill: 207-244 (53.3 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 64 Def Azumarill: 227-268 (58.5 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

These calculations are just showing that in the simple scenario, players may just go for the chip damage until later on. I wasn't underestimating per say, I'd call it more being prepared.
252 Atk Landorus-T U-turn vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 156-184 (46.9 - 55.4%) -- 71.9% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-T U-turn vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 156-184 (44.1 - 52.1%) -- 14.1% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-T Superpower vs. 88 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 264-312 (74.7 - 88.3%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Landorus-T Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 524-620 (129.7 - 153.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Landorus-T Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mega Tyranitar: 400-472 (99 - 116.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock <<<< Most don't run max hp, just an example.

You're also forgetting that most Mega Tyranitar run a dd set and pack ice punch.

-1 252 Atk Mega Tyranitar Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 284-336 (89 - 105.3%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO <<<< Some people will ice punch as you switch in expecting the drop.

Superpower isn't redundant, and is better than KO in my opinion. Sure KO being on a scarf set almost guarantees at least one item a match. But I'd rather be prepared for the balloon Heatran(although rare), balloon Excadrill, rare balloon Bisharp, and other things. Sand rush is also becoming rather common lately. The lead Tar usually packs ice punch or ice beam. I'm not trying to argue with you at all, just saying that you need to be better prepared and that superpower will be more beneficial to your team. The complicated scenario is also very valid. Just be aware of chip damage.

Whoops, I forgot about the Ice Punch set. I was thinking of the mixed set.