"Is It My Turn Yet?" - Offensive Team

[SevveN]

The Team At A Glance.

The Building

I originally tried to start off with trying to find 3 effective Special sweepers, and 3 Physical sweepers, and then try to work around weaknesses and whatnot. So I looked, and I ended up with Lucario, Scizor, Gyarados, Latias, Gengar, and Raikou.

I actually didnt test the team at that point. I myself like mixed sweepers, and I thought it'd help a bit with SkarmBliss and stall teams. So I chopped and changed a bit. I didn't have a decent lead, so I dropped Lucario and Scizor for Metagross, which seemed a bit more fitting.

So I have 2 Physical sweepers, and 3 Special sweepers. I wanted to chuck in Salamence, so I dropped Latias. MixMence has been a personal favourite of mine anyway, and I believe is more offensive which is what I was looking for.

So obviously there's only 5 there, and I wanted another Special sweeper. Also, I wanted to keep immunities high, especially to Ground, as 2 are already weak to it, and also Spikes. I looked and wasn't really liking my options, so I decided to try and get a MixAzelf to work. Decent Speed, Attack, and Special Attack, a decent Moveset, so why not?

I liked the team at this stage. I tested for a while, half an hour or so, I wasn't using metagross to its abilities as a lead, and it just wasnt working. I wanted a priority move, Stealth Rock, and Physical Sweeping capabilities. The only thing that really sprung to mind was Infernape, and I've never really used it as a lead. So I gave it a try.

Although it makes me a tad Rock weak, it worked well. I've tested it for a while, and I ended up with a decent win rate. The team was working well, every pokemon has swept at least 3 or 4 times, and I couldn't see many weaknesses. So that's really how I ended up with the team how it is now, so lets get to the good stuff eh?



A Closer Look

Infernape (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk/192 Spd/252 SAtk
Hasty nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
- Mach Punch
- Stealth Rock
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I've personally never used Infernape before this team (I am fairly new so don't get too freaked out), which i regret greatly. I know the general set runs Fake Out over Mach Punch, but I wanted the priority. I usually attack first, with Fire Blast or Close Combat as they Stealth Rock, then Mach Punch. Probably not as effective, but as I said, I prefer the priority. Fake Out does get priority, yes, but as we all well know that it's only usable once, and the first turn at that. I prefer Mach Punch over Fake Out because it's not a one off move. And also, I like the pure priority move. Or it can just revenge kill. After all, it does have a higher base power. I probably don't get stealth rock up quite as much as I would like, though, because I sometimes focus on killing before using my head. Overall this is a great lead, and the priority move is great for revenge killing.
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Gyarados (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
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Ah. Gyarados. Where to start? Honestly, it's probably the Pokemon I least switch to in battle. I don't know why but, it just flys under the radar. Ground moves constantly go to Gengar, Fire moves to Infernape or Salamence. Don't know why, it just does. But anyway, back to the set. As well all probably know, this things just a beast. After just one Dragon Dance this thing almost always leaves at least one Pokemon begging for mercy. Unfortunately with all the ScarfRotom's running around lately this can be put to an end just as fast as it started. I went Adament over Jolly because I simply like the sheer power. And I may be wrong (point it out if I am), but I don't recall their being anything of signifigance being outsped with Jolly anyway.
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Gengar (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Substitute
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Life Orb Gengar.. Shadow Ball Celebi's and annoying Psychics/Ghosts, Focus Blast any Blisseys or Tyranitars trying to ruin the fun, and Thunderbolt for Starmie, Suicune and the like, and Substitute to fend off status and occasionally on the switch or whenever I can to help sweeping capabilities. I've gone Substitute over Hidden Power Fire because it doesn't hit very much besides Scizor, although it can be problematic it's easily taken down eventually by the others. I am considering using Hidden Power Fire, though, as I can be outdone with a bit of prediction. Gengar probably has the most influence on the battle, it can tear it up early making things easier for the rest of my pokemon, or come in late and finish off my opponent. This works incredibly well in tandem with Raikou, any Ground attacks aimed at Raikou (and Infernape) are given to this guy. Also with it's incredibly decent speed, it can come in on almost anything non-Scarfed and put them away.
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Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Calm Mind
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
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Raikou: the most Underrated Pokemon in Competitive battling. It might be the element of suprise, or not being prepared, or not being aware of the damage it can cause. I don't know what it is, but it just seems to sweep, and sweep, and sweep. Can easily set up at least one Calm Mind, and if the opponent isn't the smartest ever, can set up quite a few more. Hidden Power Grass is an option instead of Ice, but I can have some troubles with Flygon and I want to be able to kill it as soon as possible. Averages at least one kill per battle. Substitute on the switch, attack, or set up. Simplicity at it's best. I think 115 base Special Attack and Speed. I also think i'll put some Special Attack EV's into HP, to increse sturdiness. All-in-all it's my favourite pokemon, and won't hesitate to let loose.
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Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 84 Atk/208 Spd/216 SAtk
Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Outrage
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Salamence, Salamence, Salamence. Personally I believe it's the hardest hitting Pokemon in OU battling. A Draco Meteor does 50% minimum to just about every Pokemon in the game. Outrage does a fairly close amount to the things that take it lighter then others, such as Blissey although Draco Meteor still does a nifty bit of damage. Fire Blast and Earth Quake for general Coverage, and to wear down things such as Snorlax to KO with Draco Meteor. Also, a little thing I picked up on, this is my only Pokemon weak to Ice. Apparently it's the most attacking type in the game, so that's a big plus for this team. But anyway, this is really my main SkarmBliss counter. This team doesn't like SkarmBliss, SkarmBliss doesn't like Salamence, Salamence + this team = Skarmbliss doesn't like this team. ;)
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Azelf @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 100 Atk/252 Spd/156 SAtk
Hasty nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Explosion
- Flamethrower
- Ice Punch
- Psychic
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Ahh.. My little experiment. Ice punch is good for catching Dragons and Celebi by suprise, but nothing else. Is there any better physical attacks for Azelf? But besides that, Psychic for STAB and good damage, Flamethrower for Steels and other Grass/Ice types, and Explosion to blow up on things that try to set up on it, like Gyarados. Although it's not the best on paper, it works suprisingly very well. Probably the element of suprise. But yeah, mixed attacker, staying that way unless i'm given a reason to change it. :)
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Problematic Pokemon

Swampert - Nothing can really stop this.. Unless Raikou or Gyarados can set up on something else, its a bitch to take down.

Magnezone - All Electrics really, but this guy is just a bitch, lol. Infernape can do okay, and Salamence, but its still a bitch.

Electivire - Team effort and sacrafice are needed to take this down. Can run havoc though.

Jolteon - Can OHKO most of my team, ScarfJolt annoys the hell outa me.

Rotom - Can also OHKO most of my team, and it just takes forever to take down.

Zapdos - Like all Electrics, my team hates it. Generally hard to take down.

Breloom - If it gets a Spore in, runs riot with almost everything.

Any help with these are much appreciated.


In Conclusion


In my opinion, a fairly good team. Not too much that really buggers it up, but it can get troublesome. Like all teams can. But anyway, enough typing. The first time I tried to post this I somehow fucked it up and had to start from scratch :(
So yeah, rating and opinions are welcome. Thank-you for reading :)

 

[-Terywj-]

Seeing as your team is mainly weak to Electric, you could consider an Electivire. As annoyingly common as Gyarados+Electivire is, you could use one to get rid of the Electric threats. Since you seem to like mixed attackers you could go with a MixVire:

Electivire @ Life Orb
Motor Drive / Mild
252 Sp Atk / 220 Spd / 36 Atk
~ Thunderbolt
~ Flamethrower
~ Earthquake
~ Hidden Power (Ice / Grass)

In this case it takes out most of your worries. Flamethrower wrecks Magnezone and Breloom. Earthquake crushes opposing Electric-types. Hidden Power Ice or Grass takes down Zapdos and Breloom respectively.

Edit: I also noticed adding a MixVire to your team allows you a nice flow of switches for example:
Gyarados is attacking...
Opponent switches in threat with Thunderbolt
Gyarados switches to Electivire on a Thunderbolt. Electivire eats it up for a speed boost.
Electivire is attacking...
Opponent switches in threat with Earthquake.
Electivire switches to Gengar on an Earthquake.

-Terywj

 

[SevveN]

MixVire suprisingly did cross my mind in the team building process at one stage. But i haven't considered it really since, but it does help with my electric type weakness. If i do put it over azelf, i become 3 ground weak. Though i do think it'd be worth the sacrifice. I'll think about it, i've never used electivire before. Also, i really enjoy the 4 spikes/toxicspikes/ground immunities as well.

Edit: Your points are pretty valid tery. I might try it out, i'll get back to you :P

 

[Megapants]

If you're having this much of a problem against Electrics, why not run MixVire? He hits almost has hard as Raikou does and you get access to more attacks because you don't have to set up.

Electivire @ Expert Belt
36 Atk, 252 SAtk, 220 Spe
Mild Nature
-Thunderbolt
-Flamethrower
-HP Grass
-Earthquake

Thunderbolt is for STAB, Flamethrower hits Breloom and Magnezone, HP Grass hits Swampert and Earthquake deals with all of those electric threats bar Zapdos.

EDIT: Gah, someone beat me to it. :P

 

[Garganator]

At first sight this team has problem with status, especially paralysis. Nothing can absorb it here and your team focuses on fast offense, so it's really a problem. Rock attacks as you mention are also a problem. If CBTar switches in, something will die for sure. In other words you need good, ground type to absorb those rock and electric attacks. There are two options - one offensive one and second one - defensive one. I would replace Raikou here, as I feel he's the weakest link here.

Defensive one contains Swampert. You may try running CursePert if you want to use it in more offensive way. If not, try to use Supporting Swampert. However you have Stealth Rock user, so you may put HP Electric (or gimmick HP Grass if Swampert really troubles you) to have decent answer against Gyarados and Salamence, which may be troublesome after one Dragon Dance.

More offensive ones are two - Rock Polish Rhyperior or... Torterra. For first both of them absorb those Thunder Waves and easily deal with those sickly strong electric and rock attacks. Rock Polish Rhyperior may carry Fire Punch, as it help him alot with three pokemon, which troubles his sweep - Bronzong, Skarmory and Scizor. CB Max Attack Adamant Scizor deals maximum 56% with Bullet Punch and you easily OHKO back with Fire Punch. Also Fire Punch isn't mentioned in analyses, which would help alot in luring Scizor, which troubles alot your Azelf and Gengar. Rhyperior deals quite well also with Jolteon and Zapdos without HP Grass. But thanks to Solid Rock he survives most of times one hit and easily OHKO back with super-effective move. Torterra on other hand deals easier with Swampert and any electric type with HP Grass. Both of them has their advantages and disadvantages. Rhyperior also has much higher attack. I guess both of them would help you alot. Also Rhyperior handles easily any Electivire, only being troubled by random HP Grass.

And about that Electivire choice - it may help, however it's so easily walled and he like other members of this team will die to any strong Rock attack. Anyway, if you'll choose E-Vire, use HP Grass just for Swampert.

I hope that helps.

 

[SevveN]

I'm trying Electivire atm and it just isn't seeming to work. It doesnt really just fit in sort of thing? And garganator, im not dropping raikou. His ability as a special sweeper is immense. However im going to try rhyperior over azelf. It looks alright on paper.. so i'll see how it goes.

 

[Annoying Old Party Man]

i would run hp grass on raikou to deal with swampert while still hitting grounds. It looses coverage on grass, but most grass types are special and can fend of attacks with cm and status with subs.

Dont use electrivire, its overated

 

[skizoo]

i like where your going with the whole sweeping team but use less of the Life orb, it won't do you good unless you have really good predictions in switches.

Reason why I said that because, once your opponent has a SandStorm team, your team will die quickly. Especially to Stall's in a sandstorm team. each pokemon will die fast with most of them with life orb. So take out some and find better items.

Also I see you lack Thunder moves, meaning none can conduct electricity. Substitute raikou for like a Scarfed Flygon to Scout teams, or use like electivire or even a Jolteon with Substitute, baton pass. So that if they use an electrical move and stuck because of choice scarf, band,etc. you have an opportunity to do substitute, then baton pass to one of your main sweepers, like gyrados.

other wise this team will do fine. Good luck. I hope I helped.

 

[Pollux-Castor]

Don't know if anyone said this but Gyarados barely misses out speeding Jolteon with Adamant 252 speed and 1 DD. I have never run Jolly but since Jolteon is such a problem for your team you may consider it.

Good luck with the team.

 

[xWOLFYx]

You could check out Snorlax of some sort as his incredible HP and SpDef allows him to absorb special attacks which seem to hurt you the most. Curselax can cause alot of teams trouble if they don't have a strong Fighting poke, but most teams do and Curselax is the most prepared for type of 'lax, IMO. Maybe try out Choice Band Snorlax as he can absorb Tbolts and hit hard with EQ and even maybe paralyze some stuff with Body Slam.

Also, while Electivire looks good on paper, I have yet to see one pull off a sucessful sweep. It has great coverage, sure, but it still just doesn't hit very hard.

I think Raikou would be better off with HP Grass since this will let you KO Swampert, who is a problem poke, and the only thing HP Ice lets you hit harder is Flygon / DNite / Mence / Gliscor / Zapdos. Flygon takes neutral damage from HP Grass and isn't too bulky, and if you have a sub up then you can hit him while he locks into EQ letting you bring in Gengar / Azelf for free. DNite / Mence still take alot of damage from SR and STAB TBolt. Gliscor would be stroked by HP Ice, so you might lose out here with HP Grass. Zapdos takes neutral damage from Tbolt and you resist his STAB, so without Roar you should be able to set up on Zapdos.

 

[SevveN]

@skizoo

Yeah their have been a few instances where this has happened. But without Life Orbs is there really anything else that helps it hit hard? I have a slight status problem.. so perhaps Lum Berry on Gyara? But besides that i cant think of anything that boosts power without locking it into it like a choice does.

@xWOLFYx

Snorlax could work, but it's too hard to set up really. And really, raikou is probably the most consistent sweeper in the team. Although, hp grass ive been thinking about for a while.

I think i might try a lot of these its really more trial and error to get it right i spose.