Status: Waiting for rates and somewhat playtesting
Peaked at 1187 (Smogon Rank #51)
Introduction:
Hello, Smogon! I have been playing Smogon standard OU for a long time. I had a decently successful team called "Kamehameha~!" a long time ago. However, that was during the time Deoxy-S was not banned from OU. Ever since that, I have not been very successful with any team AND I have been getting bored with the repetitiveness of it all. I decided to try NU less than a week ago because I've been playing Pokemon Emerald Nuzlocke challenge and saw a bunch of Pokemon that would (generally) be only viable in NU (and never seen in OU). I wanted to have some fun and looked into this new metagame. This is where you guys come in! I'm still lost in this metagame. From experience, I know a lot of OU standards and threats. However, in this metagame, I don't know squat! I don't even feel my team has good synergy. I just tend to find the best thing about each Pokemon and use it to the advantage against the other team. I need you guys to help improve my team to the best of your ability! Please use the team to your heart's content and help me discover my weaknesses. ALSO, I accept any criticism on the outline of this thread!
Oh! And the theme of my team is The Legend of Zelda. If you haven't noticed. ;)
Building Process
I started with Musharna. It looked like it had a lot of potential. With the decent defenses, calm mind, AND stored power. I definitely felt like it could do some work.
To complement my special set-up sweeper, I decided to add a physical set-up sweeper. I'm mostly bandwagoning because I remember a The Smog article saying how Samurott was amazing in NU.
I chose Swellow because I noticed my two attackers, albeit strong in their respective spectrum, were slow. So I added a fast hitter.
Added one more fast, but strong attacker to revenge kill again, as well as a fighting attack coverage.
From reading random Smogon analyses of NU Pokemon, it seemed like Sawk was a prominent Pokemon in teams, so I wanted to add something that can counter everything it has to offer. I brought in Weezing. It was the standard Smogon NU set, but I replaced Clear Smog with Fire Blast to add some fire coverage.
Remember how I started playing NU to just use Pokemon I don't normally use? Well I love Butterfree and finally it has some place as a sweeper in this game. So I just took the standard NU set for Butterfree.
Before even attempting my first battle, I immediately noticed that NONE of my Pokemon carried Stealth Rock. After carefully looking at all the choices (which was immense), I decided to go with Miltank because it was yet another one of my favorite Pokemon. I am glad it has good stats to be viable. Unfortunately, I had to replace Butterfree because Butterfree didn't really offer anything my other Pokemon didn't (other than Sleep status).
I played a decent amount of battles. Then the Smogon server went offline for a while, so I played Pokemon Online server. They didn't have a RU tier to limit the NU Pokemon, so I was against a lot of Smogon RU Pokemon. Almost every single team had a Rotom-C and always leaded with it. I know that I won't see it in the Smogon server, but it was annoying as heck! I quickly noticed how I was deadly weak against electric type attacks. None of my team resists it. So I guess I learned a good lesson playing Pokemon Online. I searched for a good electric conductor. Looked at all the grass types and all the ground types. I decided that Amoonguss was the best match as a counter for electric types. Since it had a poison type like Weezing, I replaced Weezing with it. And I never regretted the switch! Amoonguss is such a beast.
In-Depth:
Navi (Swellow) (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Protect
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
Man, this Pokemon hits like a Mother Trucker! The analysis isn't joking when it says that this Swellow's attack is the NU equivalent of Haxorus'. But it is WAY faster than Haxorus. I tend to "lead" with her because she's the only Pokemon in my team with U-turn which is nice for scouting. Also, protect allows me to scout too. I always try to save her for things that I know she'll OHKO; that way I can continue saving it for later and hope it'll dent, revenge, or OHKO anything else. She doesn't survive long because of Stealth Rocks and paper defenses, but nonetheless, she is able to make a dent in all teams (unless I'm caught off guard by rouge Choice scarfers). I see many Golem, Probopass, and other rock type leads that set-up Stealth rocks on my side. I tend to not care at all because the only thing that gets hurt by Stealth Rocks significantly is Swellow. I am more afraid of spikes than anything else. However, I don't like any of the rapid spinners in NU, which is why my team is lacking one.
LonLon (Miltank) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Heal Bell
- Milk Drink
- Body Slam
- Stealth Rock
LonLon is definitely the MVP in most matches. She is almost always my pivot Pokemon. She sometimes acts as a "lead" as well. Her name is MilTANK and she does exactly that. Thick fat is an amazing ability. I am able to take a scary Choice Specs Magmortar's Fire Blast and many other things. I try to set-up Stealth Rock, especially if the other team is significantly weak against stealth rocks. I use a combo of Heal Bell and Milk Drink to stall things and find time to Body Slam and get the fortuitous paralyze on Pokemon. Heal bell is amazing since it keeps my other Pokemon healthy. However, ghosts type completely wall her. I noticed that I tend to rely on Miltank a lot. Which is good and bad because it just shows how amazing she is, but when she dies, I tend to have a hard time.
Goron (Sawk) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Taunt
He is such an amazing revenge killer. That 125 base Atk allows him to take care of all frail sweepers and worn down Pokemon. The ability Sturdy is a godsend. As long as hazards are not set up on my side, I am able to take a hit as I come in then proceed with the revenge killing OR if it's already in with full HP, I am almost guaranteed to 2HKO the opposing Pokemon as long as it isn't a defensive wall. It is almost standard except for the fact I replaced Toxic with Taunt. I use it as a hit and run way of preventing set-up moves. I send in him, taunt, and switch. It does have limited uses, but tends to catch people off guard enough to make the niche work.
Deku (Amoonguss) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 118 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog
- Synthesis
The gal who replaced my beloved Weezing. I really like Weezing, but ever since I replaced him with Amoonguss, I don't think I'll ever go back. Amoonguss is able to come into electric attacks, spore incoming counters, or just stall things with Giga Drain and Synthesis. When I had a Weezing, I opt Clear Smog for Fire Blast, but I just recently learned how useful Clear Smog can be. As long as the set-up sweeper doesn't have high base Atk/SpAtk, I am usually able to wall it and prevent the set-up with Clear Smog. Absorbing Toxic Spikes is also a plus!
Zelda (Musharna) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Moonlight
The first Pokemon I saw in the NU metagame that I fell in love with immediately. I technically built my team around her, but there's not a very clear synergy (at least not one I see myself). I just really liked the idea of using strong defense and set-up calm mind. Stored Power is amazingly strong after I get a feel calm minds. Sometimes I do wish I had Psychic instead of Stored Power (for the immediate power), but in general, stored power is better since I am able to get a few Calm minds. I usually switch her in on resisted attacks and start setting up. I even sometimes switch her into a paralyze/burn because it serves as a way to be immune to toxic (which is dangerous for Musharna) and I can always just remove the status later with Miltank's heal bell.
Zora (Samurott) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 112 HP / 252 Atk / 144 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Waterfall
- Megahorn
- Aqua Jet
I mostly chose him as a physical set-up sweeper just because he looks so cool and, as I said in the team building process, a The Smog article raved about how strong he is in the NU metagame. Once he sets up a swords dance (or two!), I proceed with the sweep. If he does set up Swords Dance, he can make a dent on the opposing team, but I feel that he dies to quickly (due to Life Orb recoil as well). He is also my only Water-type and that's my favorite type. To be honest, out of all my team, I find that he is usually the least important against most team, to the point of him just being a sacrificial Pokemon. But I really need a strong water attack and priority in my team because I have found many times where it proved to be the key to victory.
Importable:
Ending Thoughts
So... People of Smogon. Here is my first NU team. I am loving the metagame soo much. Not as repetitive as OU these days. I really hope you enjoyed/endured my blabberings. And now, let the rates begin!
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
┬─┬ノ( º _ ºノ)
Peaked at 1187 (Smogon Rank #51)
Introduction:
Hello, Smogon! I have been playing Smogon standard OU for a long time. I had a decently successful team called "Kamehameha~!" a long time ago. However, that was during the time Deoxy-S was not banned from OU. Ever since that, I have not been very successful with any team AND I have been getting bored with the repetitiveness of it all. I decided to try NU less than a week ago because I've been playing Pokemon Emerald Nuzlocke challenge and saw a bunch of Pokemon that would (generally) be only viable in NU (and never seen in OU). I wanted to have some fun and looked into this new metagame. This is where you guys come in! I'm still lost in this metagame. From experience, I know a lot of OU standards and threats. However, in this metagame, I don't know squat! I don't even feel my team has good synergy. I just tend to find the best thing about each Pokemon and use it to the advantage against the other team. I need you guys to help improve my team to the best of your ability! Please use the team to your heart's content and help me discover my weaknesses. ALSO, I accept any criticism on the outline of this thread!
Oh! And the theme of my team is The Legend of Zelda. If you haven't noticed. ;)
Building Process
I started with Musharna. It looked like it had a lot of potential. With the decent defenses, calm mind, AND stored power. I definitely felt like it could do some work.
To complement my special set-up sweeper, I decided to add a physical set-up sweeper. I'm mostly bandwagoning because I remember a The Smog article saying how Samurott was amazing in NU.
I chose Swellow because I noticed my two attackers, albeit strong in their respective spectrum, were slow. So I added a fast hitter.
Added one more fast, but strong attacker to revenge kill again, as well as a fighting attack coverage.
From reading random Smogon analyses of NU Pokemon, it seemed like Sawk was a prominent Pokemon in teams, so I wanted to add something that can counter everything it has to offer. I brought in Weezing. It was the standard Smogon NU set, but I replaced Clear Smog with Fire Blast to add some fire coverage.
Remember how I started playing NU to just use Pokemon I don't normally use? Well I love Butterfree and finally it has some place as a sweeper in this game. So I just took the standard NU set for Butterfree.
Before even attempting my first battle, I immediately noticed that NONE of my Pokemon carried Stealth Rock. After carefully looking at all the choices (which was immense), I decided to go with Miltank because it was yet another one of my favorite Pokemon. I am glad it has good stats to be viable. Unfortunately, I had to replace Butterfree because Butterfree didn't really offer anything my other Pokemon didn't (other than Sleep status).
I played a decent amount of battles. Then the Smogon server went offline for a while, so I played Pokemon Online server. They didn't have a RU tier to limit the NU Pokemon, so I was against a lot of Smogon RU Pokemon. Almost every single team had a Rotom-C and always leaded with it. I know that I won't see it in the Smogon server, but it was annoying as heck! I quickly noticed how I was deadly weak against electric type attacks. None of my team resists it. So I guess I learned a good lesson playing Pokemon Online. I searched for a good electric conductor. Looked at all the grass types and all the ground types. I decided that Amoonguss was the best match as a counter for electric types. Since it had a poison type like Weezing, I replaced Weezing with it. And I never regretted the switch! Amoonguss is such a beast.
Navi (Swellow) (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Protect
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
Man, this Pokemon hits like a Mother Trucker! The analysis isn't joking when it says that this Swellow's attack is the NU equivalent of Haxorus'. But it is WAY faster than Haxorus. I tend to "lead" with her because she's the only Pokemon in my team with U-turn which is nice for scouting. Also, protect allows me to scout too. I always try to save her for things that I know she'll OHKO; that way I can continue saving it for later and hope it'll dent, revenge, or OHKO anything else. She doesn't survive long because of Stealth Rocks and paper defenses, but nonetheless, she is able to make a dent in all teams (unless I'm caught off guard by rouge Choice scarfers). I see many Golem, Probopass, and other rock type leads that set-up Stealth rocks on my side. I tend to not care at all because the only thing that gets hurt by Stealth Rocks significantly is Swellow. I am more afraid of spikes than anything else. However, I don't like any of the rapid spinners in NU, which is why my team is lacking one.
LonLon (Miltank) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Heal Bell
- Milk Drink
- Body Slam
- Stealth Rock
LonLon is definitely the MVP in most matches. She is almost always my pivot Pokemon. She sometimes acts as a "lead" as well. Her name is MilTANK and she does exactly that. Thick fat is an amazing ability. I am able to take a scary Choice Specs Magmortar's Fire Blast and many other things. I try to set-up Stealth Rock, especially if the other team is significantly weak against stealth rocks. I use a combo of Heal Bell and Milk Drink to stall things and find time to Body Slam and get the fortuitous paralyze on Pokemon. Heal bell is amazing since it keeps my other Pokemon healthy. However, ghosts type completely wall her. I noticed that I tend to rely on Miltank a lot. Which is good and bad because it just shows how amazing she is, but when she dies, I tend to have a hard time.
Goron (Sawk) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Taunt
He is such an amazing revenge killer. That 125 base Atk allows him to take care of all frail sweepers and worn down Pokemon. The ability Sturdy is a godsend. As long as hazards are not set up on my side, I am able to take a hit as I come in then proceed with the revenge killing OR if it's already in with full HP, I am almost guaranteed to 2HKO the opposing Pokemon as long as it isn't a defensive wall. It is almost standard except for the fact I replaced Toxic with Taunt. I use it as a hit and run way of preventing set-up moves. I send in him, taunt, and switch. It does have limited uses, but tends to catch people off guard enough to make the niche work.
Deku (Amoonguss) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 118 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog
- Synthesis
The gal who replaced my beloved Weezing. I really like Weezing, but ever since I replaced him with Amoonguss, I don't think I'll ever go back. Amoonguss is able to come into electric attacks, spore incoming counters, or just stall things with Giga Drain and Synthesis. When I had a Weezing, I opt Clear Smog for Fire Blast, but I just recently learned how useful Clear Smog can be. As long as the set-up sweeper doesn't have high base Atk/SpAtk, I am usually able to wall it and prevent the set-up with Clear Smog. Absorbing Toxic Spikes is also a plus!
Zelda (Musharna) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Moonlight
The first Pokemon I saw in the NU metagame that I fell in love with immediately. I technically built my team around her, but there's not a very clear synergy (at least not one I see myself). I just really liked the idea of using strong defense and set-up calm mind. Stored Power is amazingly strong after I get a feel calm minds. Sometimes I do wish I had Psychic instead of Stored Power (for the immediate power), but in general, stored power is better since I am able to get a few Calm minds. I usually switch her in on resisted attacks and start setting up. I even sometimes switch her into a paralyze/burn because it serves as a way to be immune to toxic (which is dangerous for Musharna) and I can always just remove the status later with Miltank's heal bell.
Zora (Samurott) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 112 HP / 252 Atk / 144 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Waterfall
- Megahorn
- Aqua Jet
I mostly chose him as a physical set-up sweeper just because he looks so cool and, as I said in the team building process, a The Smog article raved about how strong he is in the NU metagame. Once he sets up a swords dance (or two!), I proceed with the sweep. If he does set up Swords Dance, he can make a dent on the opposing team, but I feel that he dies to quickly (due to Life Orb recoil as well). He is also my only Water-type and that's my favorite type. To be honest, out of all my team, I find that he is usually the least important against most team, to the point of him just being a sacrificial Pokemon. But I really need a strong water attack and priority in my team because I have found many times where it proved to be the key to victory.
Importable:
Zelda (Musharna) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Moonlight
Navi (Swellow) (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Protect
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
Zora (Samurott) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 112 HP / 252 Atk / 144 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Waterfall
- Megahorn
- Aqua Jet
Deku (Amoonguss) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 118 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog
- Synthesis
Goron (Sawk) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Taunt
LonLon (Miltank) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Heal Bell
- Milk Drink
- Body Slam
- Stealth Rock
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Moonlight
Navi (Swellow) (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Protect
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
Zora (Samurott) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 112 HP / 252 Atk / 144 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Waterfall
- Megahorn
- Aqua Jet
Deku (Amoonguss) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 118 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog
- Synthesis
Goron (Sawk) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Taunt
LonLon (Miltank) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Heal Bell
- Milk Drink
- Body Slam
- Stealth Rock
Ending Thoughts
So... People of Smogon. Here is my first NU team. I am loving the metagame soo much. Not as repetitive as OU these days. I really hope you enjoyed/endured my blabberings. And now, let the rates begin!
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
┬─┬ノ( º _ ºノ)