It's that time again: "Smogon, I need your ratings!"

[Sei]

The Inglorious Bastards [OU Tier Success Team]

Notice: To those of you who have found this through my statistic, I have completely changed the original theme of this team. There is no further reason to continue on reading my RMT. Thanks for having an interest in my thread though. Have a good day.

Presenting...
The Inglorious Bastards

Okay. So this is the team I used for Wifi battling with my buddies. Stall team is this team's favorite one to face, as their tactic does nothing to hinder this team's sweep. Frail, speedy offensive teams are simply fun to Life Orb stall, since that coupled with SR will ultimately bring them to their demise, whilst they struggle to break the chain of this team and watch in horror as the table gets turned. And so, it also isn't so surprising that it can function rather well on Smogon's OU and Suspect tiers as well. It had, and still does when I play occasionally.

Here is a quote that sums up the battling style of this team nicely.
継続は力なり。
(Keizoku wa chikara nari.)
Literally: Continuance (also) is power/strength.
Meaning: Don't give up. Continuing on after a setback is its own kind of strength. Perseverance is power.
Kind of cliche, isn't it?​

Closer Look:

A few pointers:
1.) This team centers around the support of Dual Screen.
2.) All of the sweepers in this team are immune to Spikes and/or Toxic Spikes, with exception of Suicune.
3.) All of the sweepers are Set-Up Sweepers.

My opinions:
1.) No use of choice item mean the opponent will not be receiving any free turn, without taking some form of damage and/or status.
2.) This team can stand on its own against Balanced, Offensive, Rain Dance, Sandstream, and Stall teams; even the occasional Trick Room team.
3.) The use of Dual Screen allows for the element of surprise and the kind of sweeping not available without its supports.
4.) My best team, yet.

--------------
First up is the lead of the team...

Tyranitar @ Leftovers

Ability: Sandstream
Nature: Sassy (+SpD, -Spe)
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Atk / 60 SpA / 68 SpD

Payback

Stealth Rock

Ice Beam

Low Kick
....................
Comments & Suggestions:

Here is how our Tyranitar fare against the top 15 OU leads:

Aerodactyl:

Azelf:

Bronzong:

Crobat:

Forretress:

Heatran:

Hippowdon:

Jirachi:

Infernape:

Metagross:

Ninjask:

Roserade:

Smeargle:

Swampert:

Tyranitar:


Here is our trump card, but let's not get too far carried away and show it off yet...

Jirachi @ Leftovers

Ability: Serene Grace
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 Spe

Flash Cannon

Wish

Thunderbolt

Calm Mind
....................
Comments & Suggestions:

Oh boy, this Jirachi is one mean cookie to take a bite out of. With all that defensive distributions he isn't even going down against the likes of Gliscor and Swampert, although they can either Taunt or Roar out Jirachi which can be somewhat troublesome. Nonetheless, Jirachi's wishing support has been very beneficial for everyone on the team, as especially to Bronzong who doesn't have any form of recovery.

Since Jirachi now doesn't have Substitute, it'd be better if Jirachi can get the burn effect rather than a paralysis, as that 25% chance of being fully paralyzed is a huge turn-off.



This guy here, is a very special someone...

Latias @ Choice Spec

Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe

Draco Meteor

Trick

Surf

Thunderbolt
....................
Comments & Suggestions:



Then funny things happen with this guy...

Suicune @ Leftovers

Ability: Pressure
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 Spe

Ice Beam

Calm Mind

Surf

HP Elec
....................
Comments & Suggestions:

Suicune with Calm Mind and 3-attacks is what you would call a dark horse sweeper. If Blissey wants to wall Suicune, then Bronzong can come in on its Thunder Wave to which will boost its Gyro Ball, then Zapdos can switch and set up a Substitute and spill out Toxic on Blissey, which will always force her to switch out or face the death from Toxic's effect. And with the 4/6 members of the team being very physical based, Blissey won't be able to have many switch in, as Suicune is the only member who she can make a switch in, but that's only if Blissey managed to survive the physical onslaught to the very end.

Also because Mamoswine is such an annoying threat to this due to the three Ice weaknesses, Suicune is specifically given the large dosage of Def EV. After Salamence's Intimidate, a Jolly Life Orb'ed EQ does ~ 30%. The 156 Spe EVs is to let Suicune able to outrun the standard Celebi set and max speed Jolly Tyranitar.



And this guy makes everyone feel awkward...

Salamence @ Life Orb

Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SAtk)
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Dragon Claw

Dragon Dance

Earthquake

Roost
....................
Comments & Suggestions:


And not yet, we're not done finishing...

Zapdos @ Leftovers

Ability: Pressure
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 248 HP / 76 SpD / 184 Spe

Discharge

Toxic

Substitute

Roost
....................
Comments & Suggestions:

Zapdos is another very important member of the team as how much it has contributed will determine my chance of winning the match. For example let's say a CB Scizor switching in after our Salamence had fainted something. We all know that 99.99% of the time it will use Bullet Punch, and afterward Salamence will be revenge killed. So how can we change the outcome of such ugly scenario? We can switch over to Zapdos, who will greatly appreciate the safe switch in to set up a Substitute and then being very jubilated to Toxic whatever plans to switch in on Zapdos.

The worst match up for Zapdos would have to be the one and only Curse Snorlax, whom is very oblivious to poison as it easily heals away after a certain amount of Cursing. Now this is where Salamence, Gliscor, Bronzong and Metagross comes in to deal with Snorlax. Salamence's Intimidate does wonder on weakening Snorlax's damage output, while Gliscor can simply Taunt it, meaning it can no longer use Rest or Curse and will allow the effect of Toxic to stay. Bronzong and Metagross are very good at shielding and denting Snorlax too. As Bronzong's Dual Screen and with Metagross' ever so lovable Meteor Mash and bulkiness will make the foe Snorlax crumble before it can become a threat out of hand.

Feel you were not convinced by the damage calculation(s)? Go ahead and try the damage calculator below.
Clicky--> Libelldra Forge - Damage Calculator
Inputing values becomes a hassle? Use Smogon's Pokemon data base for attack and defense values.
Clicky--> Smogon University - Main Page​

 

[Sei]

NOTICE: Everything is still in-progress as I have loads of school work to attend to.
You can expect hidden changes in the upcoming weeks.

Threat List:

Defensive Threats:

Blissey - Let's see here. Thunder Wave and Toxics are annoying. A timely Taunt from Gyarados should be able to prevent the use of status, but still leaves Seismic Toss as a bother to deal with. What I'll most likely do is switching over to Rotom for the Seismic Toss, and then use Will-O-Wisp on her, causing her to lose ~12% (~6% w/Leftovers). That shouldt force her to switch out and to never come in...ever again. If she does, she's going to be taking hard physical hitting that will most likely 2-1HKO her.

Bronzong - Hypnosis is a rare move to see thanks to the Platinum adjustment. Gyarados and Rotom should be able to fool it around. If it decides to use Explosion, Rotom will be immune to it. And Gyarados can simply use Taunt on set that lacks Explosion. Sometimes I'll let Snorlax use one Curse with Reflect support and take that Explosion like a brave soldier, but usually better with Will-O-Wisp support too (It's ~45% with just Reflect and one Curse, while ~23% with Will-O-Wisp).

Celebi - It likes to use Thunder Wave a lot. First thing I'll do is switching in Jirachi/Metagross/Snorlax to see if it's using Leaf Storm/Grass Knot on Gyarados. The standard's Grass Knot does ~24% to Gyarados under Light Screen, and can Taunt it. Afterward it becomes a set-up bait for everyone else.

Cresselia - The Rest-Talk variance is dealt by Rotom, Metagross, Gyarados, and Snorlax. The Reflect + Thunder Wave variance gets shut down by Gyarados, and then Rotom, Metagross, and Snorlax. Not really consider a threat.

Forretress - Jirachi can 2HKO with Fire Punch after the Reflect/Intimidate suppression. Rotom can Will-O-Wisp it. Snorlax can Curses with Reflect + Intimidate supports, and 2HKO with Fire Punch.

Gliscor - This one is quite annoying, but Rotom will completely shut it down with Will-O-Wisp, and Shadow Ball will 3HKO it. With Reflect/Will-O-Wisp support, Salamence and Snorlax can actually set up on it.

Gyarados - Jirachi can try Thunder Waving. Metagross can OHKO with Thunder Punch. Rotom scares it away with its standard set, and a good thing actually. Will-O-Wisp and Reflect still kills it. If I have Reflect/Will-O-Wisp activated, Salamence and Snorlax can even set up on it.

Hippowdon - Rotom handles it with Reflect and Will-O-Wisp. Gyarados stops its Roaring. Snorlax can Curses after the Reflect/Will-O-Wisp supports. Even Salamence can set up on it afterward, with those physical shields.

Jirachi - My own Jirachi can trick it with Thunder Wave. Rotom can burn it. Metagross annoys it with its Earthquake. Salamence is now Jolly natured and have 50/50 of outspeeding and KO with EQ. Snorlax will require the Reflect + Will-O-Wisp supports to be able to survive the annoying Iron Head flinches and start Curses.

Rotom-A - Rotom can weaken it. Snorlax can try Cursing it front of it, getting at least +3 Atks b/c of burn, and then hitting it with Fire Punch. This thing is annoying to take down.

Skarmory - Rotom hurts it with Will-O-Wisp. Gyarados shuts it down with Taunt. Metagross can Thunder Punch it. Snorlax can even Curses and Fire Punch it.

Snorlax -

Suicune -

Swampert -

Tyranitar -

Vaporeon -

Zapdos -


Offensive Threats:

Azelf -

Breloom -

Celebi -

Gengar -

Gliscor -

Gyarados -

Heatran -

Infernape -

Jirachi -

Jolteon -

Kingdra -

Latias -

Lucario -

Machamp -

Magnezone -

Mamoswine -

Metagross -

Rotom-A -

Salamence -

Scizor -

Starmie -

Suicune -

Tyranitar -

Zapdos -

 

[DiamondMaster]

For the sizes, use [size= 3] for big, [size= 1] for small, offcourse, without the space.

4.) Possibly replacing Gyarados for someone else, as he leaves opening to too many threats. Suicune could be nice, although Toxic is majorly annoying. If CM-pseudo Suicune will net me more sweep and aid, then I shall replace Gyarados for it.

How about a status absorber or an Aromatherapist/Heal Beller?
neither Jirachi, Salamance and Snorlax like to take a burn, and on a lower extent, nobody in your team will.
One of the most common WoWers is Rotom-?, whom have acces to STAB ShadowBall, and will predict the Latias Switch in.
This would also allow you to get an extra moveslot free on Latias, instead of Refresh, Wish, Psychic, Loads of options :)

I suggest you to use Clefable, whom won't take damage from Status anyways, thus being a great Status Absorber.

Have you been running into a lot of toxic spikes in OU?

Thick Fat is typically much more useful for Snorlax while it sets up curse.

Through, with my addition you won't need Immunity, but for now, this snorlax is lacking Rest, another reason for having a Wisher in your team ;)

 

[Sei]

Have you been running into a lot of toxic spikes in OU?

Thick Fat is typically much more useful for Snorlax while it sets up curse.

I've ran into a lot of Toxic users, and they were swept because they didn't quite expect the immunity. And if I managed to have gotten up Light Screen, then Thick Fat and Snorlax's above average HP and SDef becomes more than enough to cushion those special attacks. And ideally, the majority tend to not use Ice and Fire on Snorlax due to the common ability of Thick Fat.

For the sizes, use [size= 3] for big, [size= 1] for small, offcourse, without the space.


How about a status absorber or an Aromatherapist/Heal Beller?
neither Jirachi, Salamance and Snorlax like to take a burn, and on a lower extent, nobody in your team will.
One of the most common WoWers is Rotom-?, whom have acces to STAB ShadowBall, and will predict the Latias Switch in.
This would also allow you to get an extra moveslot free on Latias, instead of Refresh, Wish, Psychic, Loads of options :)

I suggest you to use Clefable, whom won't take damage from Status anyways, thus being a great Status Absorber.

Through, with my addition you won't need Immunity, but for now, this snorlax is lacking Rest, another reason for having a Wisher in your team ;)

Were you one of the people who used to be at Pokethology? If not, well your user just looked familiar to me, that's all. And I copied my post from that site, so that'll explain the minor mess with the text size.

Clefable sounded nice. I will have to figure out the proper set that would cripple those physical switch-ins, and lessening the would-be fighting weakness.

I might try Rest on Snorlax again, but rest simply gives too much free turn when not timed correctly. Rest-talk temporarily solves the issue, but let those Heatran, Tyranitar, and Lucario get free set-up.

I'll test Clefable, but somehow it lack that semi-offensive power :/ I'll see how it goes.

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
Nature: Calm (+SDef, -Atk)
252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spe
-Seismic Toss
-Thunder Wave
-Encore
-Wish

Edit: Actually, I just found out how useful the Wish and Encore has become after a few play-testing. It totally ruins the Substitute + Toxic/Lava Plume tactics, and the Wish support is very, very generous.

 

[mtr]

Well, since your sig is the same as mine, I'll rate your team. From what the thread indicates, the actual number of people is way higher than 8%, but 8% is the classic internet meme.

Any gaping holes? (Offensive Threats)
Not really. You don't give any setup opportunities to threatening sweepers like Salamence or Gyarados, so you don't really need checks on them after they boost, as long as you play intelligently.

Any unbeatable bulwarks? (Defensive Threats)
A tankish Suicune (doesn't have to be a "Cro" set) gives you serious trouble. Many of them use HP Electric for Gyarados or Ice Beam for Salamence. Latias might be able to set up on them, but many Suicune are partnered by...guess who...Scizor, Tyranitar, and Metagross. It's not unbeatable, you will just have to play intelligently. If you want a good check for Suicune that can still mesh well with your team, consider a Jolteon over Snorlax.

Jolteon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Baton Pass
---

Jolteon does a nice job of taking the Electric attacks aimed at Gyarados, and is a great Thunder Wave absorber. Many offensive teams are weak to Jolteon as well. Finally, if you pass a Substitute to a Gyarados or Salamence, who are being targeted by Earthquake, you get 2 Dragon Dances for free. I used Shadow Ball for Rotom and Latias, and because you're on Wifi.

Optimality:
Well, try out Jolteon over Snorlax. JoltGyara is a great combination, as is JiraMence, so I think you might have fun with it.

Oh, and you shouldn't have to resort to Clefable to beat stall (most stall teams can PP Stall it anyways). That thing is utter deadweight against offense. At least Blissey is a potent special wall.

 

[Sei]

Jolteon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Baton Pass
---

Jolteon does a nice job of taking the Electric attacks aimed at Gyarados, and is a great Thunder Wave absorber. Many offensive teams are weak to Jolteon as well. Finally, if you pass a Substitute to a Gyarados or Salamence, who are being targeted by Earthquake, you get 2 Dragon Dances for free. I used Shadow Ball for Rotom and Latias, and because you're on Wifi.

Optimality:
Well, try out Jolteon over Snorlax. JoltGyara is a great combination, as is JiraMence, so I think you might have fun with it.

Oh, and you shouldn't have to resort to Clefable to beat stall (most stall teams can PP Stall it anyways). That thing is utter deadweight against offense. At least Blissey is a potent special wall.

Thank you.

I shall give Jolteon a try as well. And about Shadow Ball, if I were not limited to Wifi, then would it have been HP Ice?

 

[Stathakis]

i really don't know what you're trying to pull by not using either rest or selfdestruct on snorlax ~_~. a simple curse/rest/crunch/bodyslam set will serve you much better as a lategame sweeper. he can actually wall heatran and set up on him while you have lots of intimidating fighting resists to take on lucario. it feels like you're using snorlax in the lategame at which point you already have scouted the opponent and know whether or not to rest. I think that more often than not the recovery and the ability to be more reckless with snorlax's hp will help your more.

I also have a few qualms about the use of latias on this team. you already have a strong, reliable satk absorber on the team, and the rest of your mons are physical sweepers. I think you could be more successful with even more physical presence, to help you further weaken physical walls that try to come in on you, so you can sweep even more with the guys you have now. I would try an agiligross, as it can make great use of the screens, needing only one turn to set up and then being able to use the screens to power through its counters, which are few and far between. Metagross also makes it so that every single mon on the team hits the likes of gyarados, salamence, and scizor hard, meaning they cant try their setup or uturn antics. agiligross also helps you bundles when fighting offensive teams, since you deal with stall so well with stuff like taunt gyara and curselax. agiligross helps you to set up on the random rock attacks thrown at your flying type sweepers as well as pursuits from stuff trying to kill rotom. he also can take physical attacks marvelously, helping you to make good use of the intimidates and wow's going around (by setting up at pretty much zero cost to himself). metagross+snorlax also provides you with a pretty decent faux-defensive core.

with these changes, I feel you add some defensive backbone (snorlax can now take multiple special hits!) while still keeping the offensive nature of the team. try em out

 

[Sei]

i really don't know what you're trying to pull by not using either rest or selfdestruct on snorlax ~_~. a simple curse/rest/crunch/bodyslam set will serve you much better as a lategame sweeper. he can actually wall heatran and set up on him while you have lots of intimidating fighting resists to take on lucario. it feels like you're using snorlax in the lategame at which point you already have scouted the opponent and know whether or not to rest. I think that more often than not the recovery and the ability to be more reckless with snorlax's hp will help your more.

I also have a few qualms about the use of latias on this team. you already have a strong, reliable satk absorber on the team, and the rest of your mons are physical sweepers. I think you could be more successful with even more physical presence, to help you further weaken physical walls that try to come in on you, so you can sweep even more with the guys you have now. I would try an agiligross, as it can make great use of the screens, needing only one turn to set up and then being able to use the screens to power through its counters, which are few and far between. Metagross also makes it so that every single mon on the team hits the likes of gyarados, salamence, and scizor hard, meaning they cant try their setup or uturn antics. agiligross also helps you bundles when fighting offensive teams, since you deal with stall so well with stuff like taunt gyara and curselax. agiligross helps you to set up on the random rock attacks thrown at your flying type sweepers as well as pursuits from stuff trying to kill rotom. he also can take physical attacks marvelously, helping you to make good use of the intimidates and wow's going around (by setting up at pretty much zero cost to himself). metagross+snorlax also provides you with a pretty decent faux-defensive core.

with these changes, I feel you add some defensive backbone (snorlax can now take multiple special hits!) while still keeping the offensive nature of the team. try em out

Thank you.

I've made the suggested changes to the team, and the team really does feel a whole lot more complete.

 

[mtr]

Thank you.

I shall give Jolteon a try as well. And about Shadow Ball, if I were not limited to Wifi, then would it have been HP Ice?

Probably. HP Ice hits Flygon, Gliscor, and can revenge kill a Mixmence. Shadow Ball just stops Latias and Rotom from walling you.

 

[ARandomDude]

I don't know if this is my computer or what, but the types for Metagross' moves are messed up.

I would recommend the physically bulky set for your Salamence here (252 HP/176 Def/ 76 Spe Jolly) because I think this is the superior set for the moves you are running. Stuff like Gliscor and Scizor, which would impede your sweep, turn into set-up fodder.

 

[Sei]

I don't know if this is my computer or what, but the types for Metagross' moves are messed up.

I would recommend the physically bulky set for your Salamence here (252 HP/176 Def/ 76 Spe Jolly) because I think this is the superior set for the moves you are running. Stuff like Gliscor and Scizor, which would impede your sweep, turn into set-up fodder.

I was in a hurry to get to somewhere so I did not completely edit every little detail out. i.e. the type images. I will polish the format and every minor details once I get home and have myself in front of the laptop. I'm currently with an Ipod Touch so obviously the reediting would take too much of a hassle.

About your Salamence set, it's nice, but I will be using Reflect and Will O Wisp a lot often, so all those little boosts of defensive EVs doesn't necessarily help me too much. I really need as much power on Salamence now that it's Jolly natured and not Adamant. I also prefer the speed over the EVs you provided.

Believe me, I originally went with similar EV spread, but the Dual Screen has provided all the support I could ever need, and it worked more wonderfully after I went with the max attack and speed.

 

[Lee]

I don't normally rate anymore but I really appreciate the amount of effort that has got into the presentation of this RMT so I'll give it a whirl. Good job!

I'd say drop Rock Polish on Metagross in exchange for Explosion. You're expecting him to punch holes in the enemy defenses to create an opening for your other sweepers but without a boosting item, Metagross can be quite comfortably walled. A well timed Explosion on something like Celebi or Skarmory is really going to make life easier for Gyarados or Salamence.

Use the lawnmower form of Rotom...you have a slight Swampert problem so it'll be nice just to bluff him out. The threat of Blizzard really isn't buying you any free turns.

Agreeing with Stathakis that Snorlax needs Rest -assuming you've made that change, be sure to switch the ability to Thick Fat. Immunity is meh at the best of times and almost completely useless when you're using Rest.

 

[Sei]

Gists about Bulky Metagross and AgiliGross.

Thank you, Lee.

If I want to stay with the Rock Polish Meragross, I should just let it hold Life Orb for more punch. Correct?

If I want to go with 4-attack, physically bulky Metagross, I'll have to go with the more HP/Def EVs and with optimal Atk EVs just enough to allow the 2-1HKO on the primary targets of the countering.

Both really sounds nice at the moment. Rock Polish and Life Orb lets it able to do some permanent denting in the opponent's team, but come at the cost of losing Metagross faster. While the bulky Metagross could be able to fool some physical switch-in like Swampert, Gliscor, or Hippowdon and deliver them the close KO with an Explosion. Bulky Metagross does get trapped by Magnezone's Steel Killer set, unless Metagross were to run Jolly with certain Spe EVs.

I don't know for sure... Both really have their Pros and Cons.

Edit: I'll stick with AgiliGross for the offensive power. I already have plenty of physical supports from Reflect, Intimidate, and Will O Wisp.