I used this team in Saturday's Smogon tour this weekend and haxed the hell out of some people on the way to the Semi-Finals. I had been using it for a couple weeks and decided I should post it here as I tested a new team out on Sunday in the Smogon Tour to get the same result of losing in the Semi-Finals :/ , but hopefully I learned from my mistakes with that team and can tweak it for further OU play. However, I don't want to totally abandon this team in favor of my new one as I think a few small changes could save it from its mediocrity and give some new life to it. Thanks to Taylor for the inspiration for the title as my team has the real possibility to lose more often than not and not win 100% of the time :( ;P , and also thanks to Smogon for the pictures used in this RMT.
Heatran (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 84 HP/240 Spd/184 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Dragon Pulse
---
My lead that leads because of the lack of a better lead on my team. This Heatran is built to take out the top threats that attempt to swap into it (except Blissey). Dragon Pulse is to hit Salamence and Garchomp hard when they think they can try to swap into a Fire Blast, Fire Blast is for STAB and general usefulness for scaring off common leads like Bronzong, and Earth Power is great for opposing Heatran trying to catch a Flash Fire Boost. HP:Electric is also a fun tool, as with this EV spread and Expert Belt I can OHKO 80 HP Gyarados (the sweeper orientated versions) when they swap into Fire Blast or Earth Power. The EV spread of Timid and 240 Speed sits me at 275 Speed to outspeed anything lingering around 270 speed, outspeed the majority of other Heatran that aren't using Choice Scarf, and most importantly outspeed any Gyarados swap ins to make them eat HP:Electric. This set is all about prediction and he can just be a bane to any offensive team that makes a poor swap into him. If the opposing team has no Blissey or I have managed to kill the opponents Blissey this guy can sweep teams easily.
I really dislike using him as a lead, but I also hate Gengar as a lead. He is based so much on prediction and using him before I have seen any of my opponents team kind of sucks. I tested him out in another team in a role where he didn't have to lead and he performs amazingly well when I can get some more insight into my opponents team and try to predict more accurately. Any advice or opinions on this situation about my starter would be great.
Heracross (M) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
---
Trying to use stall? This guy tears apart stall teams that don't carry Gliscor. If they do happen to carry Gliscor and Blissey then my goal is to essentially explode Gengar on Blissey to set up a potential CM Spiritomb sweep, Heatran sweep, or even Charge Beam Cresselia sweep if I get lucky. Anyway the simple idea behind this guy is to get him in a favorable situation to force a swap, Swords Dance on the swap, and then stare down the opposing team with +3 Attack and 295 speed. I used to run ~290 speed but then an opposing CMCune ran 295 speed, a Jirachi ran 295 speed, a Celebi ran 292 speed and Psychic... I just kept running across random things that I could at least tie or beat with Heracross and gave him the bump up to give him a chance to beat them to the punch. His main goal is to break up stall teams, and he also swaps in decently against CBTar trying to use Crunch/Equake (Heracross takes quite a bit of damage, but forces that swap usually to get my setup). This set is also a lot about prediction, as if I am forced to bring him in early game without seeing the opponent full team I might pass my chance on a Swords Dance on a swap and Stone Edge to stop the occassional Gengar swap in cold. It isn't all mindless Swords Dance then sweep as he can also do his damage with just the Flame Orb Activation and picking the right moves.
Garchomp (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
---
I am afraid to put a lack of a description as our mods don't appreciate it! He really doesn't need much explanation but he does fit a specific role for my team. He is here as a safety net and late game sweeper. I rely on Cresselia to stop alottttt of threats (Gyarados, Metagross, Garchomp, Infernape, etc!) and he can help against some of those threats if my opponent happens to take Cresselia out. If I bring him out early, like say into a Gengar (if someone swaps Chomp into your Gengar early game its scarfed 99% of the time as a nice little obvious tip ;P) and know I am forcing a swap I can get Stealth Rock set up. Fire Blast isn't really necessary as I carry Heatran to help with that and Heracross after a Swords Dance can take out Bronzong/Skarmory with an OHKO. If I let either of those guys linger for too long then chomp becomes useless sure, but I have plans to stop stall teams and get those two out before letting Chomp run loose.
Cresselia (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/108 Def/148 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Moonlight
- Charge Beam
- Ice Beam
---
My general overall wall. I use her to wall everything it feels like sometimes. She takes on Agiligross, Infernape, Garchomp, Salamence, Deo-E sometimes (if I get him on on a non Shadow Ball, though Spiritomb is the main counter obviously), Mamoswine, and the list goes on. Running Rest/Sleep Talk is unreliable and with Stealth Rock up sweeper orientated Gyarados will 2HKO me with Waterfall (and the offensive ones usually don't run Taunt so I can land a TWave to shut them down) - so I need the Thunder Wave - which also stops Agiligross, Infernapes, Salamence, etc. I take a chance they are running TTar/Hippowdon and will ruin Moonlight, but it is a chance worth taking as generally she should be there to stop a certain threat and probably be so beat up that she won't be able to do much the rest of the fight anyway. Even if she didn't carry Moonlight I would still use her with TWave/Charge Beam/Ice Beam. If they don't carry TTar she has the ability to sweep with Charge Beam boost and TWave support. A very underrated wall, but with TTar being such a force in the metagame it is understandable that she is tough to use. My team is pretty good at stopping TTar with Heracross/Chomp/Gengar having the ability to OHKO them.
Gengar (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 64 Atk/252 Spd/192 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Hypnosis
- Focus Blast
- Explosion
---
Easy to swap in with great resistances, and one of the best pokemon in this game. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast offer amazing coverage, Hypnosis to cripple something, and Explosion at the end. The EV's and item (Life Orb) give me a chance to OHKO the Calm Blissey, and the Bold Blissey still take ~80+% and becomes almost useless. Every offensive team needs this guy in my opinion. He is really difficult to counter without a Blissey, and can even possibly beat Blissey through Hypnosis/Focus Blast (or Explosion). Another pokemon all about prediction as he can abuse great resistances and good type coverage with his moves and sheer power. Hes one of those pokemon that ruin teams that don't carry Blissey, and if they do I can explode on them to set up Heatran to do some damage or let CM Spiritomb sweep up also.
I mentioned above I don't like him as a lead and really want to avoid him going up there. He is much more devastating when saved for late game if the opponent has several chipped off walls, and the overall popularity of Lum Berry Bronzong leads isn't great for Gengar as I'm forced into taking sleep early with Spiritomb more than likely on my swap out. I would also hate to lose him early as he gives me speed over opposing Garchomp's to threaten with Hypnosis/Shadow Ball to give me great advantages later battle.
Spiritomb (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Dark Pulse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
---
Deo-E counter and Gengar swap in primarily (not really a counter though with this EV spread). I'm really in limbo about him though. I used to run the Lum Berry Metagross (Pursuit/Bullet Punch/Explosion/Equake) that has been gaining popularity but decided to give Spiritomb a try. I have had mixed results with him and don't know what to do with him. I keep leaning on going back to that Metagross as he also takes on Deo-E and Gengar just as well and gives my team a priority move which is always useful. Other than my issues on deciding what to do with him he serves as a status absorber and late game cleanup if the situation presents itself.
That is the team. I have recently moved on to a new team, but I hope Smogon's great community can help me keep this team alive. Any help is great appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
Heatran (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 84 HP/240 Spd/184 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Dragon Pulse
---
My lead that leads because of the lack of a better lead on my team. This Heatran is built to take out the top threats that attempt to swap into it (except Blissey). Dragon Pulse is to hit Salamence and Garchomp hard when they think they can try to swap into a Fire Blast, Fire Blast is for STAB and general usefulness for scaring off common leads like Bronzong, and Earth Power is great for opposing Heatran trying to catch a Flash Fire Boost. HP:Electric is also a fun tool, as with this EV spread and Expert Belt I can OHKO 80 HP Gyarados (the sweeper orientated versions) when they swap into Fire Blast or Earth Power. The EV spread of Timid and 240 Speed sits me at 275 Speed to outspeed anything lingering around 270 speed, outspeed the majority of other Heatran that aren't using Choice Scarf, and most importantly outspeed any Gyarados swap ins to make them eat HP:Electric. This set is all about prediction and he can just be a bane to any offensive team that makes a poor swap into him. If the opposing team has no Blissey or I have managed to kill the opponents Blissey this guy can sweep teams easily.
I really dislike using him as a lead, but I also hate Gengar as a lead. He is based so much on prediction and using him before I have seen any of my opponents team kind of sucks. I tested him out in another team in a role where he didn't have to lead and he performs amazingly well when I can get some more insight into my opponents team and try to predict more accurately. Any advice or opinions on this situation about my starter would be great.
Heracross (M) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
---
Trying to use stall? This guy tears apart stall teams that don't carry Gliscor. If they do happen to carry Gliscor and Blissey then my goal is to essentially explode Gengar on Blissey to set up a potential CM Spiritomb sweep, Heatran sweep, or even Charge Beam Cresselia sweep if I get lucky. Anyway the simple idea behind this guy is to get him in a favorable situation to force a swap, Swords Dance on the swap, and then stare down the opposing team with +3 Attack and 295 speed. I used to run ~290 speed but then an opposing CMCune ran 295 speed, a Jirachi ran 295 speed, a Celebi ran 292 speed and Psychic... I just kept running across random things that I could at least tie or beat with Heracross and gave him the bump up to give him a chance to beat them to the punch. His main goal is to break up stall teams, and he also swaps in decently against CBTar trying to use Crunch/Equake (Heracross takes quite a bit of damage, but forces that swap usually to get my setup). This set is also a lot about prediction, as if I am forced to bring him in early game without seeing the opponent full team I might pass my chance on a Swords Dance on a swap and Stone Edge to stop the occassional Gengar swap in cold. It isn't all mindless Swords Dance then sweep as he can also do his damage with just the Flame Orb Activation and picking the right moves.
Garchomp (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
---
I am afraid to put a lack of a description as our mods don't appreciate it! He really doesn't need much explanation but he does fit a specific role for my team. He is here as a safety net and late game sweeper. I rely on Cresselia to stop alottttt of threats (Gyarados, Metagross, Garchomp, Infernape, etc!) and he can help against some of those threats if my opponent happens to take Cresselia out. If I bring him out early, like say into a Gengar (if someone swaps Chomp into your Gengar early game its scarfed 99% of the time as a nice little obvious tip ;P) and know I am forcing a swap I can get Stealth Rock set up. Fire Blast isn't really necessary as I carry Heatran to help with that and Heracross after a Swords Dance can take out Bronzong/Skarmory with an OHKO. If I let either of those guys linger for too long then chomp becomes useless sure, but I have plans to stop stall teams and get those two out before letting Chomp run loose.
Cresselia (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/108 Def/148 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Moonlight
- Charge Beam
- Ice Beam
---
My general overall wall. I use her to wall everything it feels like sometimes. She takes on Agiligross, Infernape, Garchomp, Salamence, Deo-E sometimes (if I get him on on a non Shadow Ball, though Spiritomb is the main counter obviously), Mamoswine, and the list goes on. Running Rest/Sleep Talk is unreliable and with Stealth Rock up sweeper orientated Gyarados will 2HKO me with Waterfall (and the offensive ones usually don't run Taunt so I can land a TWave to shut them down) - so I need the Thunder Wave - which also stops Agiligross, Infernapes, Salamence, etc. I take a chance they are running TTar/Hippowdon and will ruin Moonlight, but it is a chance worth taking as generally she should be there to stop a certain threat and probably be so beat up that she won't be able to do much the rest of the fight anyway. Even if she didn't carry Moonlight I would still use her with TWave/Charge Beam/Ice Beam. If they don't carry TTar she has the ability to sweep with Charge Beam boost and TWave support. A very underrated wall, but with TTar being such a force in the metagame it is understandable that she is tough to use. My team is pretty good at stopping TTar with Heracross/Chomp/Gengar having the ability to OHKO them.
Gengar (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 64 Atk/252 Spd/192 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Hypnosis
- Focus Blast
- Explosion
---
Easy to swap in with great resistances, and one of the best pokemon in this game. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast offer amazing coverage, Hypnosis to cripple something, and Explosion at the end. The EV's and item (Life Orb) give me a chance to OHKO the Calm Blissey, and the Bold Blissey still take ~80+% and becomes almost useless. Every offensive team needs this guy in my opinion. He is really difficult to counter without a Blissey, and can even possibly beat Blissey through Hypnosis/Focus Blast (or Explosion). Another pokemon all about prediction as he can abuse great resistances and good type coverage with his moves and sheer power. Hes one of those pokemon that ruin teams that don't carry Blissey, and if they do I can explode on them to set up Heatran to do some damage or let CM Spiritomb sweep up also.
I mentioned above I don't like him as a lead and really want to avoid him going up there. He is much more devastating when saved for late game if the opponent has several chipped off walls, and the overall popularity of Lum Berry Bronzong leads isn't great for Gengar as I'm forced into taking sleep early with Spiritomb more than likely on my swap out. I would also hate to lose him early as he gives me speed over opposing Garchomp's to threaten with Hypnosis/Shadow Ball to give me great advantages later battle.
Spiritomb (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Dark Pulse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
---
Deo-E counter and Gengar swap in primarily (not really a counter though with this EV spread). I'm really in limbo about him though. I used to run the Lum Berry Metagross (Pursuit/Bullet Punch/Explosion/Equake) that has been gaining popularity but decided to give Spiritomb a try. I have had mixed results with him and don't know what to do with him. I keep leaning on going back to that Metagross as he also takes on Deo-E and Gengar just as well and gives my team a priority move which is always useful. Other than my issues on deciding what to do with him he serves as a status absorber and late game cleanup if the situation presents itself.
That is the team. I have recently moved on to a new team, but I hope Smogon's great community can help me keep this team alive. Any help is great appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
