Local Tourney Doubles Team

TacoBot

There's going to be a small local tournament (with admittedly crappy prizes, which is why I'm going to Pokesav my team like any evil guy). The format is VGC-style, 4v4 Doubles. The ban list is also like VGC's if I'm reading it right. Therefore I would propose the following team:

Electrode@Life Orb/Choice Band/Sash
252 Atk 252 Speed
Hasty
-Explosion
-HP Water
-Thunderbolt
-Taunt

Get in there and Explode. End of story. HP Water is for dealing with Gyara + Rhyperior combos as well as Steelix, and Bolt is for general STAB. I worry about Kyogre + Swift Swimmers and Scarfers, which is why I considered Sash, but it's honestly a lesser option. I'm debating over LO and Band because LO gives more versatility in dealing with opponents (it's too predictable to simply explode after awhile) but Band lets me OHKO anything that doesn't resist, including those fat Ubers like Lugia. Taunt stops Trick Room on Ghosts, which I absolutely cannot afford to have because all except one of my Pokemon depend on their Speed for a living.

Gengar@Life Orb
252 Speed 252 Sp Atk
Timid
-Substitute
-Thunderbolt
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast

Gengar leads with Electrode, and serves as a good partner. STAB Shadow Ball solves enemy Ghosts, Focus Blast helps to take Rocks and Steels and Tyranitar, Thunderbolt beats enemy fliers (I'm looking at you Lugia and Skarm). Substitute lets Gengar give itself a safety net in the case that Explosion will likely take out both opposing Pokemon, so it can have more options when dealing with the next two.

Lickilicky@Focus Band/Liechi Berry
252 HP 252 Atk 4 Def
Adamant
-Explosion
-Earthquake
-Return
-Swords Dance

Lickilicky's role is to do damage and boost its attack while waiting for the opportunity to Explode. Being sent in after Electrode, Earthquake is a bog-standard damage dealer that hits all around for good damage while avoiding Gengar, while Return is more focused in its punishment. Swords Dance is the first move I will use if possible however, since it boosts Explosion's damage. I actually look more towards it using Swords Dance then Explosion, quickly ending the match after Electrode's Explosion. Chances are very high that Lickilicky will take punishment, and it might be enough to KO, thus the inclusion of Focus Band as an item choice, but Liechi is equally viable so that I can at least score a +1 Explosion if I use Explosion off the bat in the expectation that Lickilicky gets hammered.

Mewtwo@Leftovers/Sitrus Berry
204 HP 52 SpAtk 252 Speed
Timid
-Calm Mind
-Protect/Substitute
-Shadow Ball
-Aura Sphere

Mewtwo is my standard last mon. This will hopefully beat any Pokemon one-on-one to clinch me my victory. SBall/Aura Sphere has perfect coverage. With 2 CMs I should be able to 2HKO anything with either attack. Protect and Sub are to beat Exploders; Protect gives me extra priority to ensure I survive Explosion, but Sub protects me from status and other debiliating things, and Mewtwo also outspeeds all Exploders on average bar Electrodes. I chose the defensive CM spread because it is extremely likely that Mewtwo needs to take one or two hits while CMing, so a defensive EV spread will better serve this set. Leftys give Mewtwo what little recovery it can obtain without losing coverage or protection. Sitrus Berry is actually an option in VGC format because it takes place at Lv50. 30 HP is actually a lot at Lv50. I intend to redistribute the HP EVs if I actually go through with Sitrus Berry so as to maximise the recovery you can get from it.

Please comment and stuff. I know it does seem pretty flawed on many fronts which is why I'm putting it up for suggestions since I'm not well-versed in Doubles.
 
Sorry you aren't getting rates. Though I know Doubles, I'm not well-versed in the VGC metagame. Your team looks OK to me. There's nothing glaringly wrong with it at first glance.

Sitrus Berry restores 25% of your maximum HP in the 4th-gen games, so distribute Mewtwo's EVs however you want. I'd definitely take it over Leftovers.

Lickilicky can't do much to floating Ghost-types, which may be a problem for you. It looks like you're trying to do too much with it. Lickilicky doesn't really need Swords Dance in order to make its Explosion viable. It should KO most things that aren't Ghost-type or dual Rock/Steel-type without any help. I'd either get rid of either Swords Dance or Explosion in favor of Aqua Tail or Zen Headbutt or something that will give a bit more type coverage.
 
You're right, but I don't really want to lose the opportunity to lash out with a +2 Explosion/Earthquake and obliterate anything that's on the field (say for example Cradily?). Is it viable to drop Return? If not I think I'll drop Swords Dance. Lickilicky will probably end up exploding off the bat, so it's a bit eh. Do you foresee any probable situations where Mewtwo will need Protect over Sub, given your experience?

Because there's Item Clause, I'm a bit hung up about who to give Life Orb to as well. >_<
 
Lickilicky won't get the chance to SD, especially with base 50 speed. You can either run protect, or Power Whip to hit Kyogre hard. STAB Explosion needs no boost. I use this set in my VGC rain team, but would suit your team too.

Mewtwo@Lum Berry/Focus Sash
4 HP 252 SpAtk 252 Speed -Timid
-Protect | Aura Sphere | Thunder | Blizzard(or Ice Beam)

Protect has Synergy with Explosion. Protect is almost always better than sub. If your opponent double attacks Mewtwo, the sub will be broken first attack, then Mewtwo is KO'd by the second. Moves like Water Spout, Blizzard and EQ are common also. The 3 move cover the main VGC threats. Aura Sphere for Abomasnow and Dialga, Blizzard for Giritina, Rayquaza and Groundon, and finally Thunder to hit Palkia, Kyogre and anything else hard. Weather is common, Thunder will hit almost all the time.

Apart from that your team is fine. I like the Electrode set, but perhaps HP Ice is a greater choice of hidden power. BoltBeam coverage is always good to have. Good luck.
 
The Mewtwo you suggested seems more suited to leading since it works on outright crushing the enemy, but Gengar is a really good partner for Electrode especially because he can still do something when Electrode Explodes. So not very sure about the Mewtwo for my team since I intend mine to be bulkier and CM up for some beating.

I chose HP Water specifically to deal with Rocks and Steels who can live a blow from Gengar on top of Electrode's own Explosion (Steelix, Rhyperior, Heatran? etc), but I can foresee that I may need Ice for GyaraMence (I only just thought about it) if only to reduce the risk where I have to go ahead with -2 Explosion and end up not KOing anything D: Are there any other lead combos that necessitates HP Ice to beat, or is GyaraMence and Steelix going to be more rare than I think they will be?

I'm still thinking if I may end up in a hypothetical situation where Mewtwo is left one-on-one, which favours Sub so I get status protection, but Protect is fine too, especially if I have to Explode Lickilicky under TR for one reason or another. Still can't decide >.<

Does Gengar or Electrode need Life Orb more? Both would appreciate the damage boost, and neither can really afford to be locked into Choice... But I'm dependent on Electrode to rip my enemies a new one, while Gengar is just there to pummel leftovers and attempt to survive as long as possible while dealing out pain to enemy ghosts as well.
 
I've got experience in the VGC, and just about any smart player will see the Explode coming from a mile away. Electrode has crap Attack so if you are intent on Explode, just use a Scarfed Metagross or something. If you're facing people without VGC experience, take out Lickilicky and put on a Scarf Kyogre and watch him rape.
 
I'm dying in happiness now that I'm actually getting attention 8D

The Explode is obvious, but unavoidable unless they use Protect/bring in Ghosts due to Electrode's speed. Electrode also has the distinct advantage of having fast Taunt as well as being able to switch moves. I might still consider ScarfGross if -2 Explosion can take out GyaraMence combo though. What EVs do they generally run? Also, how does ScarfGross do against Kyogre leads?

Scarf Kyogre sounds good but I don't have access to Kyogre and it's more monstrous/fun to Explode and kill lots of stuff IMO 8D. I have no idea what sort of people are going to turn up there, probably like a bunch of little kids who don't know what they're doing and like 4-5 experienced people.

Is Expert Belt on Gengar viable?
 
Oh. HMMMMMMMM

Metagross' absolute maximum speed coupled with a Scarf still can't beat Base 130ers. Do you think Crobat and Jolteon will be common?

Is the standard Offensive Choice Scarf set good for Doubles?
 
TacoBot said:
Metagross' absolute maximum speed coupled with a Scarf still can't beat Base 130ers.
Click to expand...
At level 100, you're right. Metgross tops out at 393 Speed, just one point shy of 394, where Crobat and Jolteon sit.

However, if this tourney is really like the VGC, Pokémon are going to be scaled to level 50, where Metagross can reach 201 Speed with Choice Scarf, just one point higher than Crobat and Jolteon at 200.
 
I have a Teency weency bit of experience with VGC's. The most important thing about them that I noticed is that almost all of the pokemon on any given team within the top 16 or so have either Protect or Detect. I noticed that only your Mewtwo has it, and that it is possible that you might go for Sub instead. Dont.

Also, I might recommend Thunder>TBolt on your Electrode. Here's why
A) You have TBolt on your Gengar to cover some accuracy and
B) You seem to simply want to explode on your Gengar and send in either of your other two pokes... However, if you face a Rain Dance lead such as Kyogre, (which is very common in VGC styled tournys) you might want to get a STAB Thunder in on it before it can pull off a Water Spout, then giving you free will to explode, OR even better, if you go for a Choice (Specs IMO is the best in that situation) item, and it IS a RD team, you can sweep like crazy with your lead.

May I recommend this Elec instead:

Hasty Electrode @ Life Orb
SoundProof
252 SpAtk 100 Atk 156 Spd
-Thunder
-Taunt (Definitely a must have)
-HP FIRE (For even peskier and More popular Hail teams)
-Explosion
 
TheMaskedNitpicker said:
At level 100, you're right. Metgross tops out at 393 Speed, just one point shy of 394, where Crobat and Jolteon sit.

However, if this tourney is really like the VGC, Pokémon are going to be scaled to level 50, where Metagross can reach 201 Speed with Choice Scarf, just one point higher than Crobat and Jolteon at 200.
Click to expand...

Wow that's great, now I'm really spoilt for choice.

I just found out I can bring two extra Pokemon along in the back, I think I shall bring Metagross as a sub for GyaraMence. And also I have a free slot then, which I could always fill with a legend to wow the little children.

abyssmalstar said:
I have a Teency weency bit of experience with VGC's. The most important thing about them that I noticed is that almost all of the pokemon on any given team within the top 16 or so have either Protect or Detect. I noticed that only your Mewtwo has it, and that it is possible that you might go for Sub instead. Dont.

Also, I might recommend Thunder>TBolt on your Electrode. Here's why
A) You have TBolt on your Gengar to cover some accuracy and
B) You seem to simply want to explode on your Gengar and send in either of your other two pokes... However, if you face a Rain Dance lead such as Kyogre, (which is very common in VGC styled tournys) you might want to get a STAB Thunder in on it before it can pull off a Water Spout, then giving you free will to explode, OR even better, if you go for a Choice (Specs IMO is the best in that situation) item, and it IS a RD team, you can sweep like crazy with your lead.

May I recommend this Elec instead:

Hasty Electrode @ Life Orb
SoundProof
252 SpAtk 100 Atk 156 Spd
-Thunder
-Taunt (Definitely a must have)
-HP FIRE (For even peskier and More popular Hail teams)
-Explosion
Click to expand...

I was banking on 252 Atk and Life Orb to OHKO Kyogre and anything less bulky with a single Explosion.

Is GyaraMence common? A little afraid to be caught off guard and having to use a -2 Explosion which won't KO. Afraid of Rhyperior and Steelix too, especially the latter since I can't kill it and it can explode in my face.
 
So turns out I made this team legit. Some comments about how it did...

Mewtwo actually got run up against physical attackers more (and for some reason it's nearly always Garchomp) and so it got mauled a lot. The few times it was useful was cleaning up the last few scraps with blazing fast 31 IV Timid Speed.

The anti-Rain Electrode spread didn't really work out at all, I kept wishing I used 252 Atk EVs and Adamant nature as I originally planned. Explosion refused to KO a lot of Pokemon -_- On the upside I utterly destroyed this one Kyogre, but that's about it for usefulness (Most of the other Kyogres stopped my Electrode flat either with Scarf or their teammate killed me)

Gengar is definitely my MVP even with just Expert Belt. Flat-out slaughtered everything that had a weakness to it, and even for neutral damage dishes out massive hurt. The best part is that everyone is very worried about Lickilicky exploding so they smack it around more.

Lickilicky's spread is excellent, making it really tough to kill. I've only been unable to use Lickilicky's Explosion a few times, either due to being KO'd unexpectedly due to crit or just plain being too slow sometimes D: I only managed the Liechi Explosion once, it was pretty sad. :(

I got slaughtered by Rain/Trick Room/Rain + Trick Room + Exploders. Dear god.
 
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