Introduction:
Hi everyone! I've been playing competitive Pokemon for a few years now and thought I'd share my favorite team with you lot. I'm sure you've noticed that the team composition pictured above isn't what you'd expect for a competitive OU team. Originally this was because my favorite types have always been Steel, Bug, Water, Dragon, and at the time I just wanted to use all my favorite Pokemon on one team for fun, and to see how it compares to conventional OU teams. I was surprised by how well the team performed in the first few matches, so I began tweaking it to make it more competitive with great success, especially against stall. The team below is the result of hundreds of matches played, and I'm very happy to share it with others who agree that cool, unused mons can find a place in the OU meta as well. I'll begin by breaking down each pokemon individually, then will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the team as a whole.
Proof/Replays:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-890206681
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-890214352
Against stall:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-890804543
The Team:
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-Turn
Mega Scizor brings offensive pressure to the team as a physical wallbreaker, setup sweeper and defensive pivot. Unlike its Curse variant, this set carries Swords Dance to boost its Attack to sky-high levels twice as fast. This means that if our Rock Lobster is left unchecked for more than 2 turns, he'll likely capitalize on it for an easy victory. Access to powerful priority in Bullet Punch means that he can act as a revenge-killer in many situations and allows him to sweep if the enemy is crippled enough. Superpower is used to catch Pokemon by the likes of Ferrothorn, Kartana, Excadrill and even Heatran on the switch. Finally, U-turn allows us to gain momentum while inflicting decent damage.
252+ Atk Scizor-Mega Superpower vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 254-300 (97.6 - 115.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Scizor-Mega Superpower vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 304-358 (94.1 - 110.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252+ Atk Technician Scizor-Mega Bullet Punch vs. 20 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 274-324 (95.8 - 113.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Technician Scizor-Mega Bullet Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Alakazam-Mega: 169-201 (67.3 - 80%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Araquanid @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Bubble
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Liquidation
- Spider Web
- Toxic
- Rest
With unique resistances and great special bulk, Araquanid makes a good special wall and an even better trapper! This set allows you to eliminate many defensive threats and give stall teams the beating not that they deserve, but the one that they needed... And deserve. Liquidation is the only damaging move needed for this set, hitting for a nice 240 BP thanks to Water Bubble and even OHKO's frail mons that don't resist it. The ability also makes Araquanid the only Bug-type that resists Fire, is immune to burns, and is IMO the best counter to Heatran in the game.
0 SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Araquanid: 96-114 (28.2 - 33.5%) -- 85.3% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Araquanid in Electric Terrain: 212-252 (62.3 - 74.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ SpA Flash Fire Heatran Magma Storm vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Water Bubble Araquanid: 81-96 (23.8 - 28.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery and trapping damage
Latios @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Memento
Quite simply, Latios is the revenge killer of the team. Being faster than Pokemon like Scarf Kartana, Charizard-X and M-Gyarados after a DD boost, with the power to OHKO them in return earns Latios a spot on the team. Draco Meteor becomes very spammable when Fairies are out of the picture, otherwise Psychic provides a more consistent and less risky alternative at the cost of sheer power. Because Kartana falls to Draco Meteor, I decided against HP Fire and instead use Shadow Ball to hit Tapu Lele harder, as she can be difficult to deal with depending on her set. Finally, I use Memento over Trick typically as a last resort, to allow Scizor or Flygon to safely come in and attempt to set up for a sweep.
252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 255-301 (98 - 115.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 SpA Latios Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 256-303 (80.2 - 94.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Flygon @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
Despite his standing in RU, Flygons useful immunity to Electric and Ground-type attacks, spikes, and resistances to stealth rock allow him to come onto the field safely in many situations. While he doesn't quite bring the offensive presence of his dragon/ground relative, Garchomp; Flygon sets itself apart by having access to Dragon Dance and Levitate. With Dragonium Z, Flygon can hit something with a 285 BP nuke unboosted. Earthquake pairs well with Outrage to give Flygon great coverage, while Fire Punch can catch pokemon like Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Skarmory by surprise.
252+ Atk Flygon Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 68 Def Landorus-Therian: 288-339 (90.2 - 106.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+1 252+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 285-336 (101.4 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Flygon Fire Punch vs. 252 HP / 24 Def Ferrothorn: 348-412 (98.8 - 117%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+1 252+ Atk Flygon Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 398-470 (109.6 - 129.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Flygon Devastating Drake (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 212+ Def Tangrowth: 360-424 (89.3 - 105.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Magnezone acts as the teams special wallbreaker, and plays an important role in removing opposing steel types to make Scizor and Flygons jobs easier. The EV spread used allows Magnezone to outspeed important foes, such other Mega Scizor almost all Tyranitar variants. Thanks to his great typing, Magnezone is a good lead against the ever common Tapu Koko, and also makes a perfect defensive core with Araquanid, covering each others weaknesses and resisting almost everything between the two with the exception of Dark and Ghost type moves.
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Hidden Power Fire vs. 248 HP / 16 SpD Scizor-Mega: 428-504 (124.7 - 146.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 92 HP / 0 SpD Mawile-Mega: 253-298 (95.8 - 112.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 20 HP / 20 SpD Tapu Koko: 265-313 (92.6 - 109.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 259-306 (81.1 - 95.9%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Flash Cannon vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Tapu Bulu: 320-380 (93.2 - 110.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Brave Bird
- Defog
- Roost
Finally, Skarmory is the physical wall of the team, as well as the hazard setter and remover. Rocky Helmet is used over Leftovers to punish Pokemon that rely on U-Turn and provides valuable chip damage for our sweepers to capitalize on. The fantastic bulk of Skarmory lets it switch in on many Stealth Rock setters and safely Defog without fear of being knocked out. Brave Bird gives Skarmory a decent STAB move that saves it from being complete Taunt-bait.
Team Strengths:
Predictable openings from the opponent (people assume and play around suicide Araquanid lead)
Access to powerful priority and fast Draco Meteors for revenge killing
Great Defensive Typings and immunities across the team
5 immunities to Toxic Spikes and only 1 weakness to Stealth Rock
Good offensive presence without the frailty
Araquanid alone can break most stall teams
Magnezone trapping shenanigans help set teammates up for a sweep
Uses cool pokemon and is fun to play!
Team Weaknesses:
Only has a defogger (counterintuitive from Rapid Spin in many cases)
Stealth Rock the only form of entry hazard on the team
No resistance to Ghost and Dark attacks
No cleric (wish and status curing)
Only forms of recovery are Roost on Skarmory and Rest on Araquanid
No phazing moves
So that's it! This is my all-time favorite Pokemon team and I'm hoping others will find it fun as well :)
Please let me know what you guys think of my team, or if there's a way I can improve on it I'd enjoy hearing your impressions/opinions.
Team Pokepaste link can be found below:
https://pokepast.es/e84a1581898c481d
Thanks!
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