The Journey Begins...
___
Intro:
Platinum changed many things, and one of the biggest of those would most certainly be-TRICK. Yes, the addition of Trick to nearly every psychic's and ghost's movepool. In case you didn't know Trick is a move in which the user "switches" items with with the opponent. This makes it very hard to maintain a certain team structure. Your Hippowdon could be tricked a choice scarf, making it near useless and open your team up to a DDtar sweep. Your Lucario could be tricked choice specs while it Swords Dances, making your late game sweeper inept. Trick can completely ruin the core of any team. I tried to make a team that laughed at those such attempts, and I think I succeeded.
While most non-psychic/ghost did not benefit from Trick there are a few that did. Trick is nullified by the ability Sticky Hold, however; only 3 pokemon claim this ability. This team will show how the 115th(November Statistics) most used pokemon in standard can now sit with the top tiers. Gastrodon is who I'm talking about. This team enables the help of Swampert's brother to stop trickers in their tracks. Also, don't consider this an anti-trick team. This team is structered to were trick doesn't bother it. But it wasn't completely tailored with an anti-trick theme.
I consider myself knowledgeable in the metagame with good prediction skills. However; I just can not make great teams, it is a skill that I am trying my hardest to polish. So please help me all you can!
The theme of the RMT is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, an amazing book series. Now, onto the team-
Thumbs Out:
Infernape (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 66 Atk/192 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Overheat
- Close Combat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Infernape is my lead. Choosing the right lead is possibly the hardest thing to do in building a team, but it is what I'm best at. I tried for the longest time to come up with an anti-lead that could set-up Stealth Rock easily. But I couldn't. Without a good lead or anti-lead your opponent's lead could run wild. As some of you have been brainwashed(I was also a victim) to beleive that you must attempt to have Stealth Rock set-up by turn 2. However; I have found it much more effective to lead with an anti-lead, and set-up Stealth Rock around early mid-game.
Scarf Jirachi is the King of leads now, and a good anti-lead needs to be able to counter his majesty. Overheat is a OHKO to 252 HP/ 0 SDef Jirachi. Close Combat is a good physical STAB move, Hidden Power [Ice] OHKOs Salamence, Flygon, Gliscor, ect... And U-turn is great for scouting and hitting those Latias for a good amount.
The EVs allow Infernape to reach 495 Spd, outspeeding Choice Scarfed positive nature base 100 speed tier. Max SAtk so Overheat can do massive damage. Rest go into Atk for harder hitting Close Combats and U-turns.
*Takes 12.5% from Stealth Rock and isn't affected by trick, seeing as he can use all choice items effectively.
---
Skarmory (M) @ Shed Shell
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP/176 Def/12 Spd/70 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Roost
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
Skarmory is my Stealth Rocker/Spiker. Whenever Infernape must U-turn a good amount of the time Skarmory will fall in. Skarmory can take many leads Infernape can't, forcing a switch on the opponent and a free Stealth Rock for me. Skarmory is probaly the sturdiest Stealth Rocker ever, and is one of a few that can spike also.
Skarmory is my physical wall that can take many threats such as Gyarados, Scizor, and Tyranitar to name a few. Near every match he'll get Stealth Rock up, and most of the time spikes, although Stealth Rock is priority. Shed Shell is for the rise in Magnezones that Scizor brought with it, but man, I really want leftovers here. It would help a lot.
The EVs are designed for walling. Max HP for better overall tanking. The 176 EVs hit 396 in Def. The last 4 EVs(172-176) gain 2 points instead of just 1 because of positive nature, a good number to stop at. I don't like running physical walls with no EVs in SDef. The 70 Evs hit 193 in Sdef, better to take neutral and resisted attacks on the special side.
Gastrodon walls his weaknesses. Skarmory-weak to Electric and Fire {resisted/immune by Gastrodon].
*Takes 12.5% from Stealth Rock and is protected from Trick by his friend Gastrodon.
---
Gastrodon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 250 HP/8 Def/252 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Recover
- Curse
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Gastrodon is my special wall. The star, Gastrodon! Always compared to Swampert in Standard and Quagsire in Under Used, but not anymore. This is simular to the Curepert set that Swampert uses. Except Gastrodon has Recover when Swampert must rely on Rest+Sleep Talk, sacrficing a move slot, making it easily walled. However; Gastrodon can use that extra moveslot for coverage. Earthquake is a great STAB move, and Earthquake+Stone Edge is only resisted by Claydol, Flygon, Breloom, Torterra, and Bronzong. I tried Waterfall+Body Slam(which also has great coverage) but soon found out that Gastrodon needed the extra power of Earthquake+Stone Edge to take on heavy hitters such as Lucario, Gyarados, and Salamence. I know Stone Edge is a bad move on something like this. Tankish sweepers arn't meant to use low pp and sub-par accuracy moves. However; this is Gastrodon's only option to use with Earthquake, since Stone Edge's predisesser Rock Slide does the same as a resisted Earthquake.
The EVs let Gastrodon hit a good 425 HP, 202 Atk, 174 Def, and 289 SDef. This maximizes his Cursing capabilities. He becomes very sturdy after 2 Curses. This Gastrodon is more about sturdiness than power prowess. He can take Specsmence's Draco Meteors easily and recover while thier SAtk keeps falling. He wins in setting-up wars with Dragon Dancers since he is negating thier Atk boost with his Def boost, but he is still raising his attacking ability. In this team(and with his Electric immunity) he gets many free switch-ins, which means a free Curse. After 1 Curse Gastrodon hits a stable-425 HP/303 Atk/261 Def/289 SDef.
Gastrodon's best feature, however; is his ability Sticky Hold. Many pokemon that attempt to set-up are hit with Trick and become useless. Gastrodon is immune to this and can use it to his advantage as a free switch-in or free set-up. Cursing Swampert is utterly defeated by trick. He also acts as a Scarfed Jirachi counter. He covers Skarmory's trick weakness also. Skarmory walls his weaknesses. Gastrodon-weak to Grass {resisted by Skarmory].
Gastrodon weighs 30.0 kg, therefore takes 60 base power Grass Knots.
*Takes 6.25% from Stealth Rock and is completely immune to Trick.
---
Rotom-c @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/6 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Discharge
- Will-o-wisp
Rotom is my team glue(kinda) and Rapid Spin blocker. Ever since I laid eyes on the new Rotom form's stats I loved the concept of them. Levitate+Electric typing is great! You gain an Electric, Flying, and Steel resistence and no weaknesses. He is immune to 3 very common and extremely powerful type moves-Fighting, Normal, and Ground. Electric, Steel, Flying, and Bug resistences are very usefull in this metagame. He was the last member picked, and when I looked over my team I noticed 4 of 5 members of my team couldn't take an Electric attack, 4 of 5 members couldn't take high-powered Fighting attacks, and 4 of 5 members couldn't take high-powered Ground attacks. I natually picked him to somewhat cover these weaknesses.
The EVs allow for maximum tanking capabilities. He hits 304 HP/344 Def/246 SAtk/251 SDef. He can counter several physical and some special threats. Scizor, Metagross, Breloom, Mamoswine, Lucario, ect... are all walled by him. His above average SAtk can aid him in countering. He is also a good status absorber and Rapin Spin blocker. The top 4 Rapid Spinners-Starmie, Forretress, Tentacruel, and Donphan are all walled completely by him. Discharge is for a good STAB move with a nice paralysis effect. Will-o-wisp is for physical attackers and can help wear done some walls.
I do have a problem with Rotom-c however. He just doesn't seem to aid me in any battles. He dies fast and doesn't counter enough pokemon. I hardely can ever stall with him either. I know it isn't him, it's me. I'm just not sure how to use him correctly or how to use correct movesets for him. I just have no skill using Rotom-c. He is an obvious edition to my team, covering weaknesses and blocking Rapid Spin. He is easily the biggest deadweight to my team, only because I can't use him correctly though. Please someone help with him! I've tried to replace him with Celebi and Gliscor but they don't work well with this team. If you have any suggestions on Rotom-c or how to play him please don't reframe.
*Takes 12.5% from Stealth Rock and is protected from Trick by his friend Gastrodon.
---
Starmie @ Choice Specs *Might Try Latias Over This, Just Testing.
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 172 HP/38 Def/252 Spd/48 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Trick
Starmie is my special attacker and wall breaker. It seems to me that people have forgotten Starmie gained Trick. I have never seen any Trick Starmies, although there may be several out there I havn't come across. Before Platinum, Choice Specs Starmie was great, and even better after with the implementation of Trick to it's movepool. Starmie is a great Blissey lure, who can be annoying to my team's more stall oriented type play. It also lures Vaporeons, Milotics, and Suicunes fairly easy. 100 base SAtk was never very good, even less so in D/P/Pt metagame. Choice Specs attempt to patch this up, and I think it does the job.
The EVs hit 304 HP/215 Def/361 Spd/373 SAtk/206 SDef. 304 is a leftovers number, the 38 Def EVs are there to help take physical hits a bit better. 361 Spd ties with positive nature base 115 speed tiers. The 48 SAtk EVs help 2HKO 252 HP/0 SDef Tyranitar 50% of the time with Stealth Rock up and no leftovers. Surf is a good STAB move, Thunderbolt and Ice Beam provide excelent coverage. Only Lanturn resist all 3 moves. Also, this Starmie is designed to take weaker Fighting type moves, which is the cause of few SAtk EVs.
*Takes 12.5% from Stealth Rock and not bothered by Trick as it can Trick back.
---
Lucario (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Extremespeed
- Ice Punch
Lucario is my physical and late-game sweeper. Lucario>Scizor any day. Scizor's Bullet Punch may be stronger then Lucario's Extremespeed but it is much more easy to wall also. Standard Lucario set in Platinum. I like Ice Punch>Stone Egde because of accuracy and the ability to hit Gliscor and Celebi harder. Extremespeed>Bullet Punch since Gengar is non-exsistent in Platinum and higher base power.
EVs allow for 350 Atk/279 Spd. After 1 Swords Dance he hits 700 Atk and Life Orb boost that up to 910 Atk, well capable of tearing up teams. Lucario has served me well, finishing off many games flawlessly. His complete disregard of Choice Band Tyranitar helps him set-up. With Stealth Rock and Spikes up a +2 Extremespeed OHKOs several pokes with wouldn't be able to before. I have no doubt in him, although I might try Stone Egde just for a change.
*Takes 3.125% from Stealth Rock and is only used late-game so isn't very susceptible to Trick.
---
Final Analysis:
In conclusion, my team is a mix of counters/walls/end game sweepers. This team has a very good winning ratio, however; I know it needs much improvement. Hope you enjoyed reading this RMT and that you will help me better this team.
---
Team Threats:
Tyranitar: Skarmory can wall most Tyranitars. CBtar can be a problem but Skarmory outspeeds most. If Skarmory fails then Gastrodon can survive a crit Stone Edge and easily handle boah.
Gyarados: I beleive this Skarmory can survive 2 +1 Waterfalls from a Max Atk Life Orb DDgyara. So Skarmory can easily handle it without flinch hax. And this Starmie is never OHKO'ed by Earthquake from the same Gyarados either. Rotom-c can also easily handle him.
Infernape: Starmie takes around 80% from Max SAtk Life Orb Infernape's Grass Knot. Rotom-c can take on non-Nasty Plot versions. And my Scarfape and Lucario can revenge kill him with a bit of prediction.
Azelf: Starmie can take on thunderboltless Azelfs. My scarfape can OHKO 0 HP/0 SDef Azelf about 50% of the time with Overheat. And Skarmory and Rotom-c can take predicted explosions.
Electivire: No better Electivire counter than Swampert, meaning his brother does a pretty good too. Gastrodon is never 2HKO'ed by Earthquake or Cross Chop. Rotom-c can handle Electivire very easily too, only being hit with Ice Punch.
Heracross: Rotom-c can take on Heracrosses that lack Night Slash, Skarmory can take on Scarfed versions. And Infernape can easily OHKO with Overheat.
Salamence: Gastrodon can take on any version on Salamence except for CB and some DDmences. Starmie can sometimes survive a +1 Life Orb Jolly Dragon Claw, if he Outrages Skarmory can Whirlwind him out. Rotom-c can survive a +1 Life Orb Jolly Outrage most of the time and burn Salamence. Infernape can come and revenge kill it and Lucario can OHKO with Extremespeed it if it has come in twice to Stealth Rock and taken Life Orb damage once. I obviously have some problems with DDmence.
Togekiss: Rotom-c can easily take all versions. Starmie can put a good dent in it with Thunderbolt and Ice Beam. Lucario and Infernape can revenge kill it with ease.
Gengar: Gastrodon can live 3 Life Orb Timid Gengar Shadow Balls, as long as he doesn't get a SDef drop. Infernape can OHKO with Overheat and Starmie can somewhat revenge kill it.
Lucario: Rotom-c can take on Crunchless versions. Starmie can revenge kill a weakened Lucario. And my Lucario can hope to win the speed tie can kill with Close Combat. I don't have much for Lucario.
Starmie: Gastrodon can take it with ease. Infernape put a dent in it with U-turn. Rotom-c can also hurt Starmie.
Weavile: Skarmory completely walls him. Gastrodon can take him also. Can be revenge killed with Infernape and Lucario too.
Dugtrio: The only pokemon I have that semi-fears Dugtrio is Lucario, who would OHKO anyway with a 1 Swords Dance Extremespeed. No one else fears him in the slightest.
Porygon-Z: Rotom-c can take on ones without Dark Pulse or Ice beam. Infernape can revenge kill all versions, Starmie the non-scarf ones. Lucario can kill off weakened ones.
Machamp: Rotom-c can take on non-guts versions. Skarmory can take on non-CB versions. If Starmie can bypass confusion it can kill Machamp.
Snorlax: Skarmory takes all versions, Gastrodon wins in a curse war because of Stone Edge's high crit ratio, unless Snorlax has Whirlwind.
Zapdos: Gastrodon walls all non-HP Grass/Toxic versions. Rotom-c can also wall it. Infernape, Starmie, and Lucario can hurt it with Ice attacks. I do, however; have huge problems with the Subroost toxic set.
Suicune: Can Whirlwind it out if it doesn't have too many Calm Minds, can trick Choice Specs to it while it Rests/Sleep Talks/or Calm Minds. Rotom-c can hit it hard with Discharge before it sets up.
Breloom: Rotom-c completly walls all Breloom. Ape can revenge kill and so can Lucario.
Ninjask: Scarfape outspeeds Ninjask first turn and OHKOs with Overheat. Skarmory can Whirlwind it out. Starmie could possibly Trick Choice Specs onto something to ruin the chain.
Metagross: Infernape OHKOs with Overheat. Rotom-c completely walls Metagross. Gastrodon and Skarmory can also. Starmie can Trick Specs on it fairly easy.
Heatran: Gastrodon completely walls HP ice variants. Starmie can come in and kill also.
Celebi: Infernape can OHKO with Overheat. Skarmory can wall non-HP fire versions. If they let me get a free Swords Dance Lucario could take care of it.
Jirachi: Gastron completly walls most sets. So can Rotom-c, Infernape OHKOs 252 HP/ 4 SDef variants.
Dragonite: Refer to Salamence, although I have less problems with Dragonite.
Mamoswine: Skarmory and Rotom-c completely wall him. Starmie can come in and revenage kill, so can Infernape and Lucario.
Gallade: Rotom-c can take care of him easily. Skarmory if it's not SD set. Starmie can Choice Specs him.
Yanmega: Skarmory can completely wall it, so can Rotom-c. Infernape can revenage kill aslong as it only has 1 Speed Boost. Lucario's extreme speed hurts. Gastrodon can take it's special attacks well.
Kingdra: Skarmory can Whirlwind if not mix set, Rotom-c can burn and take the mix set slightly better. Infernape's Close Combat and Lucario's Extremespeed can hurt.
Roserade: Skarmory takes ones without HP Fire. Infernape can OHKO with Overheat, Lucario's Extremespeed hurts. Rotom-c can stall her out.
Scizor:Skarmory can wall and Whirlwind Swords Dances away, Rotom-c is a complete counter. Infernape lives +2 Bullet Punch and OHKOs with Overheat. Lucario can take Bullet Punchs and hit back with Close Combat.
---
If you happen to see any grammatical errors please tell me, thanks!
The Hitchhikers
Platinum changed many things, and one of the biggest of those would most certainly be-TRICK. Yes, the addition of Trick to nearly every psychic's and ghost's movepool. In case you didn't know Trick is a move in which the user "switches" items with with the opponent. This makes it very hard to maintain a certain team structure. Your Hippowdon could be tricked a choice scarf, making it near useless and open your team up to a DDtar sweep. Your Lucario could be tricked choice specs while it Swords Dances, making your late game sweeper inept. Trick can completely ruin the core of any team. I tried to make a team that laughed at those such attempts, and I think I succeeded.
While most non-psychic/ghost did not benefit from Trick there are a few that did. Trick is nullified by the ability Sticky Hold, however; only 3 pokemon claim this ability. This team will show how the 115th(November Statistics) most used pokemon in standard can now sit with the top tiers. Gastrodon is who I'm talking about. This team enables the help of Swampert's brother to stop trickers in their tracks. Also, don't consider this an anti-trick team. This team is structered to were trick doesn't bother it. But it wasn't completely tailored with an anti-trick theme.
I consider myself knowledgeable in the metagame with good prediction skills. However; I just can not make great teams, it is a skill that I am trying my hardest to polish. So please help me all you can!
The theme of the RMT is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, an amazing book series. Now, onto the team-
Thumbs Out:
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 66 Atk/192 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Overheat
- Close Combat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Infernape is my lead. Choosing the right lead is possibly the hardest thing to do in building a team, but it is what I'm best at. I tried for the longest time to come up with an anti-lead that could set-up Stealth Rock easily. But I couldn't. Without a good lead or anti-lead your opponent's lead could run wild. As some of you have been brainwashed(I was also a victim) to beleive that you must attempt to have Stealth Rock set-up by turn 2. However; I have found it much more effective to lead with an anti-lead, and set-up Stealth Rock around early mid-game.
Scarf Jirachi is the King of leads now, and a good anti-lead needs to be able to counter his majesty. Overheat is a OHKO to 252 HP/ 0 SDef Jirachi. Close Combat is a good physical STAB move, Hidden Power [Ice] OHKOs Salamence, Flygon, Gliscor, ect... And U-turn is great for scouting and hitting those Latias for a good amount.
The EVs allow Infernape to reach 495 Spd, outspeeding Choice Scarfed positive nature base 100 speed tier. Max SAtk so Overheat can do massive damage. Rest go into Atk for harder hitting Close Combats and U-turns.
*Takes 12.5% from Stealth Rock and isn't affected by trick, seeing as he can use all choice items effectively.
---
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP/176 Def/12 Spd/70 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Roost
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
Skarmory is my Stealth Rocker/Spiker. Whenever Infernape must U-turn a good amount of the time Skarmory will fall in. Skarmory can take many leads Infernape can't, forcing a switch on the opponent and a free Stealth Rock for me. Skarmory is probaly the sturdiest Stealth Rocker ever, and is one of a few that can spike also.
Skarmory is my physical wall that can take many threats such as Gyarados, Scizor, and Tyranitar to name a few. Near every match he'll get Stealth Rock up, and most of the time spikes, although Stealth Rock is priority. Shed Shell is for the rise in Magnezones that Scizor brought with it, but man, I really want leftovers here. It would help a lot.
The EVs are designed for walling. Max HP for better overall tanking. The 176 EVs hit 396 in Def. The last 4 EVs(172-176) gain 2 points instead of just 1 because of positive nature, a good number to stop at. I don't like running physical walls with no EVs in SDef. The 70 Evs hit 193 in Sdef, better to take neutral and resisted attacks on the special side.
Gastrodon walls his weaknesses. Skarmory-weak to Electric and Fire {resisted/immune by Gastrodon].
*Takes 12.5% from Stealth Rock and is protected from Trick by his friend Gastrodon.
---
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 250 HP/8 Def/252 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Recover
- Curse
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Gastrodon is my special wall. The star, Gastrodon! Always compared to Swampert in Standard and Quagsire in Under Used, but not anymore. This is simular to the Curepert set that Swampert uses. Except Gastrodon has Recover when Swampert must rely on Rest+Sleep Talk, sacrficing a move slot, making it easily walled. However; Gastrodon can use that extra moveslot for coverage. Earthquake is a great STAB move, and Earthquake+Stone Edge is only resisted by Claydol, Flygon, Breloom, Torterra, and Bronzong. I tried Waterfall+Body Slam(which also has great coverage) but soon found out that Gastrodon needed the extra power of Earthquake+Stone Edge to take on heavy hitters such as Lucario, Gyarados, and Salamence. I know Stone Edge is a bad move on something like this. Tankish sweepers arn't meant to use low pp and sub-par accuracy moves. However; this is Gastrodon's only option to use with Earthquake, since Stone Edge's predisesser Rock Slide does the same as a resisted Earthquake.
The EVs let Gastrodon hit a good 425 HP, 202 Atk, 174 Def, and 289 SDef. This maximizes his Cursing capabilities. He becomes very sturdy after 2 Curses. This Gastrodon is more about sturdiness than power prowess. He can take Specsmence's Draco Meteors easily and recover while thier SAtk keeps falling. He wins in setting-up wars with Dragon Dancers since he is negating thier Atk boost with his Def boost, but he is still raising his attacking ability. In this team(and with his Electric immunity) he gets many free switch-ins, which means a free Curse. After 1 Curse Gastrodon hits a stable-425 HP/303 Atk/261 Def/289 SDef.
Gastrodon's best feature, however; is his ability Sticky Hold. Many pokemon that attempt to set-up are hit with Trick and become useless. Gastrodon is immune to this and can use it to his advantage as a free switch-in or free set-up. Cursing Swampert is utterly defeated by trick. He also acts as a Scarfed Jirachi counter. He covers Skarmory's trick weakness also. Skarmory walls his weaknesses. Gastrodon-weak to Grass {resisted by Skarmory].
Gastrodon weighs 30.0 kg, therefore takes 60 base power Grass Knots.
*Takes 6.25% from Stealth Rock and is completely immune to Trick.
---
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/6 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Discharge
- Will-o-wisp
Rotom is my team glue(kinda) and Rapid Spin blocker. Ever since I laid eyes on the new Rotom form's stats I loved the concept of them. Levitate+Electric typing is great! You gain an Electric, Flying, and Steel resistence and no weaknesses. He is immune to 3 very common and extremely powerful type moves-Fighting, Normal, and Ground. Electric, Steel, Flying, and Bug resistences are very usefull in this metagame. He was the last member picked, and when I looked over my team I noticed 4 of 5 members of my team couldn't take an Electric attack, 4 of 5 members couldn't take high-powered Fighting attacks, and 4 of 5 members couldn't take high-powered Ground attacks. I natually picked him to somewhat cover these weaknesses.
The EVs allow for maximum tanking capabilities. He hits 304 HP/344 Def/246 SAtk/251 SDef. He can counter several physical and some special threats. Scizor, Metagross, Breloom, Mamoswine, Lucario, ect... are all walled by him. His above average SAtk can aid him in countering. He is also a good status absorber and Rapin Spin blocker. The top 4 Rapid Spinners-Starmie, Forretress, Tentacruel, and Donphan are all walled completely by him. Discharge is for a good STAB move with a nice paralysis effect. Will-o-wisp is for physical attackers and can help wear done some walls.
I do have a problem with Rotom-c however. He just doesn't seem to aid me in any battles. He dies fast and doesn't counter enough pokemon. I hardely can ever stall with him either. I know it isn't him, it's me. I'm just not sure how to use him correctly or how to use correct movesets for him. I just have no skill using Rotom-c. He is an obvious edition to my team, covering weaknesses and blocking Rapid Spin. He is easily the biggest deadweight to my team, only because I can't use him correctly though. Please someone help with him! I've tried to replace him with Celebi and Gliscor but they don't work well with this team. If you have any suggestions on Rotom-c or how to play him please don't reframe.
*Takes 12.5% from Stealth Rock and is protected from Trick by his friend Gastrodon.
---
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 172 HP/38 Def/252 Spd/48 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Trick
Starmie is my special attacker and wall breaker. It seems to me that people have forgotten Starmie gained Trick. I have never seen any Trick Starmies, although there may be several out there I havn't come across. Before Platinum, Choice Specs Starmie was great, and even better after with the implementation of Trick to it's movepool. Starmie is a great Blissey lure, who can be annoying to my team's more stall oriented type play. It also lures Vaporeons, Milotics, and Suicunes fairly easy. 100 base SAtk was never very good, even less so in D/P/Pt metagame. Choice Specs attempt to patch this up, and I think it does the job.
The EVs hit 304 HP/215 Def/361 Spd/373 SAtk/206 SDef. 304 is a leftovers number, the 38 Def EVs are there to help take physical hits a bit better. 361 Spd ties with positive nature base 115 speed tiers. The 48 SAtk EVs help 2HKO 252 HP/0 SDef Tyranitar 50% of the time with Stealth Rock up and no leftovers. Surf is a good STAB move, Thunderbolt and Ice Beam provide excelent coverage. Only Lanturn resist all 3 moves. Also, this Starmie is designed to take weaker Fighting type moves, which is the cause of few SAtk EVs.
*Takes 12.5% from Stealth Rock and not bothered by Trick as it can Trick back.
---
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Extremespeed
- Ice Punch
Lucario is my physical and late-game sweeper. Lucario>Scizor any day. Scizor's Bullet Punch may be stronger then Lucario's Extremespeed but it is much more easy to wall also. Standard Lucario set in Platinum. I like Ice Punch>Stone Egde because of accuracy and the ability to hit Gliscor and Celebi harder. Extremespeed>Bullet Punch since Gengar is non-exsistent in Platinum and higher base power.
EVs allow for 350 Atk/279 Spd. After 1 Swords Dance he hits 700 Atk and Life Orb boost that up to 910 Atk, well capable of tearing up teams. Lucario has served me well, finishing off many games flawlessly. His complete disregard of Choice Band Tyranitar helps him set-up. With Stealth Rock and Spikes up a +2 Extremespeed OHKOs several pokes with wouldn't be able to before. I have no doubt in him, although I might try Stone Egde just for a change.
*Takes 3.125% from Stealth Rock and is only used late-game so isn't very susceptible to Trick.
---
Final Analysis:
In conclusion, my team is a mix of counters/walls/end game sweepers. This team has a very good winning ratio, however; I know it needs much improvement. Hope you enjoyed reading this RMT and that you will help me better this team.
---
Team Threats:
Tyranitar: Skarmory can wall most Tyranitars. CBtar can be a problem but Skarmory outspeeds most. If Skarmory fails then Gastrodon can survive a crit Stone Edge and easily handle boah.
Gyarados: I beleive this Skarmory can survive 2 +1 Waterfalls from a Max Atk Life Orb DDgyara. So Skarmory can easily handle it without flinch hax. And this Starmie is never OHKO'ed by Earthquake from the same Gyarados either. Rotom-c can also easily handle him.
Infernape: Starmie takes around 80% from Max SAtk Life Orb Infernape's Grass Knot. Rotom-c can take on non-Nasty Plot versions. And my Scarfape and Lucario can revenge kill him with a bit of prediction.
Azelf: Starmie can take on thunderboltless Azelfs. My scarfape can OHKO 0 HP/0 SDef Azelf about 50% of the time with Overheat. And Skarmory and Rotom-c can take predicted explosions.
Electivire: No better Electivire counter than Swampert, meaning his brother does a pretty good too. Gastrodon is never 2HKO'ed by Earthquake or Cross Chop. Rotom-c can handle Electivire very easily too, only being hit with Ice Punch.
Heracross: Rotom-c can take on Heracrosses that lack Night Slash, Skarmory can take on Scarfed versions. And Infernape can easily OHKO with Overheat.
Salamence: Gastrodon can take on any version on Salamence except for CB and some DDmences. Starmie can sometimes survive a +1 Life Orb Jolly Dragon Claw, if he Outrages Skarmory can Whirlwind him out. Rotom-c can survive a +1 Life Orb Jolly Outrage most of the time and burn Salamence. Infernape can come and revenge kill it and Lucario can OHKO with Extremespeed it if it has come in twice to Stealth Rock and taken Life Orb damage once. I obviously have some problems with DDmence.
Togekiss: Rotom-c can easily take all versions. Starmie can put a good dent in it with Thunderbolt and Ice Beam. Lucario and Infernape can revenge kill it with ease.
Gengar: Gastrodon can live 3 Life Orb Timid Gengar Shadow Balls, as long as he doesn't get a SDef drop. Infernape can OHKO with Overheat and Starmie can somewhat revenge kill it.
Lucario: Rotom-c can take on Crunchless versions. Starmie can revenge kill a weakened Lucario. And my Lucario can hope to win the speed tie can kill with Close Combat. I don't have much for Lucario.
Starmie: Gastrodon can take it with ease. Infernape put a dent in it with U-turn. Rotom-c can also hurt Starmie.
Weavile: Skarmory completely walls him. Gastrodon can take him also. Can be revenge killed with Infernape and Lucario too.
Dugtrio: The only pokemon I have that semi-fears Dugtrio is Lucario, who would OHKO anyway with a 1 Swords Dance Extremespeed. No one else fears him in the slightest.
Porygon-Z: Rotom-c can take on ones without Dark Pulse or Ice beam. Infernape can revenge kill all versions, Starmie the non-scarf ones. Lucario can kill off weakened ones.
Machamp: Rotom-c can take on non-guts versions. Skarmory can take on non-CB versions. If Starmie can bypass confusion it can kill Machamp.
Snorlax: Skarmory takes all versions, Gastrodon wins in a curse war because of Stone Edge's high crit ratio, unless Snorlax has Whirlwind.
Zapdos: Gastrodon walls all non-HP Grass/Toxic versions. Rotom-c can also wall it. Infernape, Starmie, and Lucario can hurt it with Ice attacks. I do, however; have huge problems with the Subroost toxic set.
Suicune: Can Whirlwind it out if it doesn't have too many Calm Minds, can trick Choice Specs to it while it Rests/Sleep Talks/or Calm Minds. Rotom-c can hit it hard with Discharge before it sets up.
Breloom: Rotom-c completly walls all Breloom. Ape can revenge kill and so can Lucario.
Ninjask: Scarfape outspeeds Ninjask first turn and OHKOs with Overheat. Skarmory can Whirlwind it out. Starmie could possibly Trick Choice Specs onto something to ruin the chain.
Metagross: Infernape OHKOs with Overheat. Rotom-c completely walls Metagross. Gastrodon and Skarmory can also. Starmie can Trick Specs on it fairly easy.
Heatran: Gastrodon completely walls HP ice variants. Starmie can come in and kill also.
Celebi: Infernape can OHKO with Overheat. Skarmory can wall non-HP fire versions. If they let me get a free Swords Dance Lucario could take care of it.
Jirachi: Gastron completly walls most sets. So can Rotom-c, Infernape OHKOs 252 HP/ 4 SDef variants.
Dragonite: Refer to Salamence, although I have less problems with Dragonite.
Mamoswine: Skarmory and Rotom-c completely wall him. Starmie can come in and revenage kill, so can Infernape and Lucario.
Gallade: Rotom-c can take care of him easily. Skarmory if it's not SD set. Starmie can Choice Specs him.
Yanmega: Skarmory can completely wall it, so can Rotom-c. Infernape can revenage kill aslong as it only has 1 Speed Boost. Lucario's extreme speed hurts. Gastrodon can take it's special attacks well.
Kingdra: Skarmory can Whirlwind if not mix set, Rotom-c can burn and take the mix set slightly better. Infernape's Close Combat and Lucario's Extremespeed can hurt.
Roserade: Skarmory takes ones without HP Fire. Infernape can OHKO with Overheat, Lucario's Extremespeed hurts. Rotom-c can stall her out.
Scizor:Skarmory can wall and Whirlwind Swords Dances away, Rotom-c is a complete counter. Infernape lives +2 Bullet Punch and OHKOs with Overheat. Lucario can take Bullet Punchs and hit back with Close Combat.
---
If you happen to see any grammatical errors please tell me, thanks!
