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TheStormPow

TheStormPow

Hey so this is pretty self-explanatory.. I just made my first legit NU team and I think I need a few pointers, be it new movesets or entirely new Pokemon. So here's what I have:

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Importable:
Ballin' (Golem) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 68 HP / 188 Atk / 252 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch

Dang Fangs (Seviper) (F) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Shed Skin
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SAtk / 192 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse

Airhead (Drifblim) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 136 HP / 252 SAtk / 120 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Thunderbolt

War Never (Wartortle) (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 Spd
Hardy Nature
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic

Tweety (Swellow) (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- Steel Wing
- Protect

Babby (Cryogonal) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Confuse Ray
- Recover


Golem.png

Ballin' (Golem) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 68 HP / 188 Atk / 252 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch

I usually use him as my lead whenever I think having rocks up early will be useful, of course. Stone Edge is there since it's a little different (I don't see a whole lot of Golems using it, so certain Flying types may feel safe, thinking all I can do is ground stuff... Then again I'm new to NU). Sucker Punch works well when I'm about to die, since Golem is pretty easy to outspeed, and you never know when it might come in handy against certain Pokes. This set is sort of a tank in some ways, but also a physical attacker. He's meant to be out for a while and deal plenty of damage while also taking it okay.

seviper.png

Dang Fangs (Seviper) (F) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Shed Skin
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SAtk / 192 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse

Sort of a mixed attacker, really. Dark Pulse takes out psychic threats that Seviper outspeeds fairly well, or at least weakens them greatly. Sludge Bomb is my STAB move of choice when I feel like putting a status ailment upon my opponent. Giga Drain works well if I need a little pick-me-up or if I'm about to face a rock/ground type that could threaten me with an EQ. Flamethrower is sort of just there for whenever it's needed; not sure if there is an option I should be using instead. I almost don't like having specs on him since he's a mixed attacker, but it usually does do well when a move isn't resisted. Perhaps an Expert Belt would do better?

426.png

Airhead (Drifblim) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 136 HP / 252 SAtk / 120 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Thunderbolt

I find Drifblim to be pretty useful after a CM or two.. Shadow Ball is of course my STAB of choice, HP fighting does well against Dark types that I may outspeed, and TBolt is there as my misc. attack that is used whenever it's needed (I have a lot of those, huh). Since Drifblim is sort of a mixed attacker of sorts (not meant to sweep teams but to deal smaller, more ranged damage) I gave him lefties as opposed to specs or a Life Orb. He does have enough HP, however, to where I would maybe consider giving him an Orb...

008.png

War Never (Wartortle) (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 Spd
Hardy Nature
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic

I considered making my Cryogonal my spinner, but I feel like Wartortle is better at this honestly. While is Special Attack may not be much to write home about, Scald is good for using "whenever" since it has the high chance of burning the opponent. Seismic Toss deals a steady amount of damage despite not giving myself any extra support to my physical attack. Toxic is best used when I've succeeded in scaring out a ground/rock/fire/etc. Pokemon, even though I sometimes wonder if I should just use Scald anyway (since it may burn whoever they change out into, and if they stay in it's still super effective).

Swellow.png

Tweety (Swellow) (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- Steel Wing
- Protect

I always love a good Guts Pokemon, but Swellow's frailness and low health is kinda sucking.. Steel Wing probably looks really weird, but it's there for whenever I run into a rock type that I can outspeed, since a lot of people don't see it coming. The only thing is that a lot of rock types in NU are multityped to where my Steel isn't super effective, so I dunno. The rest is fairly self-explanatory; Facade for the great attack once Guts-activated (plus it's STAB which is awesome for something this powerful), Brave Bird is for dealing larger attacks to things that are weak against it, and protect is there for giving myself a free turn to activate Guts.

Cryogonal.png

Babby (Cryogonal) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Confuse Ray
- Recover

Again, another mixed attacker of sorts. Confuse Ray is there for when I may scare a grass/dragon type out and feel like putting some effect onto whoever they change out into. Recover is there since Cryogonal is of course not the bulkiest Pokemon by any means. Ice Beam and HP Rock are there for various reasons. Ice Beam is of course a great STAB move, and I prefer HP Rock over HP Ground since it seems to have better coverage, at least in my experience.​


I mainly feel like I may have too many "mixed attackers" and not really a wide enough range of offensive coverage... I dunno, I'm incredibly new to this tier so I don't know which direction to follow.

Thanks in advance for any constructive criticism; if there's any other info I need to provide, let me know.
 
Hi there and welcome to Smogon and to NU! So from first glance it looks like you need some help and don't worry! Thats what we're here for. So it looks like your team doesn't really have a goal in mind and I find that most good teams are made with a goal in mind whether it be getting a particular Pokemon to sweep or just breaking the opponent with offensive pressure or stall.

With that said I'm gonna try and help you achieve a Swellow sweep as Swellow is an amazing Pokemon and very strong. First thing is first, Golem's EVs need to be changed to because right now yours are inefficient and don't give Golem his maximum potential. Change Golem's evs to 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe. This lets him outspeed Minimum Speed Regirock and lets him weather hits from Swellow and he can better act as your bird check.

Next you need to identify your spinner so Swellow can keep switching in when it needs to. So I'm going to suggest that Cryogonal be your spinner as it is easily the most reliable spinner in NU currently. I recommend trying out a set of Ice Beam / Hidden Power Ground / Recover / Rapid Spin with 252 Spatk / 252 Spe with a Timid Nature and a Life Orb This lets Cryogonal act as a powerful Special attacker as well as a Rapid Spinner.

Now this means Wartortle is no longer useful. So I think a Samurott woujld help you out a lot more by breaking down the physical walls that Swellow hates such as Regirock, Golem, and Probopass. I think a set of Hydro Pump / Ice Beam / Grass Knot / Taunt with a Timid Nature and a Life Orb will work wonders as it ohko's almost everything that walls Swellow.

Next I don't really see what Seviper is doing for you as right now you really don't have any trouble with any defensive cores so I think a Amoonguss would fit really well over Seviper. Try out Spore / Giga Drain / Sludge Bomb/ Synthesis with Leftovers and an EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spdef with a Bold Nature. This lets Amoongus wall things like Samurott, Sawk, and Absol which could all prove trouble for Swellow. You can also use the Regenerator ability as it is now released. I'll provide the link for the server you can use it on at the end.

Swellow looks good except for the moveset. Remove Steel Wing for U-Turn which allows Swellow to act as a scout early game and then sweep late game when its checks/counters have been appropriately weakened.

And finally I think Drifblim could use a makeover to help Swellow sweep better. Try out Acrobatics / Substitute / Will-O-Wisp / Destiny Bond with a Jolly Nature and a Flight Gem. This way Drifblim can weaken Rocks types and such with Acrobatics and Will-O-Wisp and then take something with it with Destiny Bond further allowing Swellow to sweep.

And that is it! I know I feel like I changed alot but I think it will really help your team achieve a goal. Once you play NU a lot more you'll find out good sets and things like that (as some of your sets had wonky EVs which is fine!).

If you need anymore help feel free to come onto to IRC and chat with us #neverused guys as we can answer almost any question you may have! Hope this helped and good luck!!!

Here's the link for the updated server: http://play.pokemonshowdown.com/lobby

Here's the sets:

Golem (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Rock Blast
- Sucker Punch

Drifblim (F) @ Flying Gem
Trait: Unburden
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Acrobatics
- Substitute
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond

Amoonguss (F) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis

Cryogonal @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 6 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Recover
- Rapid Spin

Samurott (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 SAtk / 6 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
- Taunt
 
Hello TheStormPow, interesting team you have here!

At first glance, I see that there are some problems with the EV's and natures of your Pokemon. Golem's EV's are extremely inefficient right now; I would suggest using a spread of 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe to maximize both offense and defense while outspeeding key threats such as Regirock and Vileplume. Rock Blast is also generally more useful for breaking Substitutes while having more accuracy than Stone Edge.

Golem (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Sucker Punch
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake

Cryogonal needs a Timid nature to outspeed Haunter, Leafeon, Sawsbuck, and other important Pokemon in that range. I would also suggest using Rapid Spin over Confuse Ray to free up Wartorle's team slot for something more offensive and Hidden Power Ground over Hidden Power Rock because it provies better coverage, hitting common switch-ins such as Probopass and Carracosta harder.

Cryogonal @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Rapid Spin
- Hidden Power [Ground]

Since you're going to be using Cryogonal as your main Rapid Spinner, Wartortle can be replaced by Samurott, as it fits the offensive nature of your team better. A simple Swords Dance set would fit right into this team.

Samurott (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Aqua Jet
- Megahorn
- Waterfall
- Swords Dance

I would also suggest changing Drifblim into the Acroblim set since it helps break down Swellow's counters, allowing it to come in late game and clean up. The set you are currently using is easily revenge killed by the likes of Absol and Skuntank.

Drifblim (F) @ Flying Gem
Trait: Unburden
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Acrobatics
- Substitute
- Will-O-Wisp
- Destiny Bond

Finally, Steel Wing does pathetic damage to Rock-types even when you hit them super effectively. U-Turn allows you to get a weak hit in on Rock types while switching out at the same time, allowing another Pokemon such as Samurott or Golem to deal with them.


Swellow (F) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Facade
- Protect
- U-turn

Good luck with the team!

Edit: MMF already covered most of the changes I suggested, but you get the point.
 
0.0 wow, MMF and FLCL have both said everything that I would have said myself. So instead of giving you a lot of major changes, I'm going to list some major threats that you should watch out for (this is assuming you make the mentioned changes of course).

You have a major weakness to Electric-types, especially the Rotom formes. Rotom-S in particular is hard to deal with, especially if Cryogonal is down or has been Tricked a Scarf while locked into Rapid Spin or HP Ground. Golem is an uneasy check to it as long as it is alive, though you have admitted that you tend to lead with it. Hard hiiting Ice-types also cause a lot of trouble. With or without the changes, Piloswine can shred a considerable portion of your team.

Normally, I'd say that Regenerator Amoonguss would be a great asset to your team. But with this team, I find that it may slow down your offensive pressure. Perhaps changing Seviper to Skuntank. It'll give you a good way to handle Ghosts like Misdreavus, gives you more priority that you need, absorbs T-Spikes, and helps you with Psychic-types. Plus you have the added benefit of a decently fast Taunter to prevent defensive teams from stalling you out. Here's the set:

Skuntank (F) @ Life Orb/Leftovers/Dread Plate Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 252 Atk / 220 SDef / 36 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Poison Jab
- Sucker Punch
- Taunt


You can adjust the speed and special bulk to suit your needs as well, but this is the basic set. If I have anything else to add, I'll mention it! Good luck and Welcome to Smogon! :)
 
Thanks so much for the tips and info, all three of you. I've applied certain ones and tweaked a few things and I've noticed things going better (Samurott over Wartortle ferdayz lol). Awesome first impression for this team rating forum.
 
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