Introduction
Hi there,
I'm Gaju, and first of all I'd like to say that english is not my first language, so please forget about the mistakes I'll make. I'd describe myself as a new player, even if I've been playing showdown for a few years, as I actually never really invested in trying to play competitive or to build a team from myself - I'm basically what I'd call a casual.
I recently felt like I could try to build a team myself, I've been playing it a little, changed a few things, played it again and now I feel like I could use some advice. I'll try to make this post fit the forum's guidelines and as it seems to be a habit here I'll share some music with you before I start explaining the team.
Before I explain the sets in details, I'd like to talk a bit about this team came out : I wanted to make a team with what must be my favorite pokemon : M-Gallame. I tried to use him in a veil offense team with alolan ninetales, but it felt like I was always lacking some coverage/moves (for example I had some issues finding place for an entry hazards setter in a full-offensive team). I finally decided, even if I really like alolan ninetales, that it would be a better idea to build a more simple Bulky Offense team as a first team, and I'll come back playing Veil Offense once I'll get more used to building. After a few more changes to complete the team coverage I end up playing the following team. I'm doing pretty well atm, and I'm quite satisfied with it, but as I said I don't have this much experience in competitive play and I'm sure there's a lot improvements that could be made. That's why I came here to get some advice.
The Team
Gallade @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off
This set is almost the one recommended by smogon, and that's the one I'm using for now. The idea is to make some space for M-Gallade to set up with swords dance, after what he can easily make holes in the enemy team. He has a decent speed with Jolly nature, which combines quite well with psychic terrain priority suppression, letting him deal with a lot of different threats. I tried some little adjustments, like playing drain punch on close combat (I really like the healing power it gives to gallade, but I think I still prefer the explosive power of close combat) or playing Psycho cut instead of zen headbutt (which I kept, as a 70 base power is usually enough for M-Gallade to sweep, with a more reliable accuracy). I'm considering the idea to replace Knock Off with Ice Punch, but it would make him lose perfect coverage and the utility Knck Off can bring by removing items so I'm not sur what to do.
Bisharp (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
Bisharp is here to reinforce the offensive core of the team. His STAB combination is really helpful to deal with M-Gallade main counters as he hits hard on fairy and ghost types. I originally played him with swords dance, but I replaced it with pursuit to reinforce his potential as a revenge killer. Sucker Punch helps dealing with pokemons that are faster than M-Gallade (hello M-Alakazam). What I'm wondering with him is if I should change one of the 3 dark-type moves he has cause it might be too much, but I find him useful as he is now, so I'm not sure whether or not I should do it.
Landorus-Therian @ Rockium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
Let's talk about Landorus. He serves as a leader with stealth rock. Swords dance combined with earthquake and stone edge / continental crush allows him to deal with a large amount of opponent, such as usual leaders (ferrothorn, skarmory ...) or counters. I like this aggressive set, even if not having U-turn makes the team lose momentum.
Thundurus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Flash Cannon
I originally played thundurus on a nasty plot + agility set, which I couldn't make good use of, and I changed it to something that fits my current experience a lot more. Volt switch and thunderbolt are two very useful stabs, plus they give the team an other way (with Landorus) to deal with M-Gallade's third weakness : flying types. HP ice gives thundurus great coverage. Flash cannon is here to anticipate switches and counter Thundurus weaknesses (ice and rock), but I'm still not sure of what could be better between this and focus blast (more damage, less accuracy).
Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Taunt
- Focus Blast
Gengar is here to bring another special attacker. As a life orber, he really deals great damages with his 2 STAB moves. Focus blast completes perfect coverage, and taunt helps destroying stalls that would elseway heal and heal again.
Tapu Lele @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
My last pokemon si Tapu Lele, with a choice specs set. She brings psychic terrain to the team, and can deal a great amount of damage too. I don't really know what to say about her. Her role is simple and she completes the team in a very smooth way imo. I sometimes use her as a lead, especially when there's a threat in the enemy team that would counter Landorus and that I really don't want to get huge.
Conclusion
I'm finally done talking about the team. I tried to make the logic behind it understandable, but like I said I'm not that used to competitive building and there must be mistakes I didn't see. I think it still has some potential, sinc I've been playing this team and it gives a good feeling.
Concerning the main threats to this team, I've had some issues dealing with :
- M-Alakazam (bisharp helps a lot though).
- M-swampert is a problem too, he's really bulky and that might be because I'm not good enough but I've had some hard times killing him since I don't have any grass-move.
- Greninja really is a pain to me, but I think this is because there's a lot of different sets for him and I'm not experienced enough to predict what he'll do.
I'll end by apologizing again for my english, and thanking people who still took time reading me. I hope I've been clear enough so that you will be able to help me improve !