ORAS OU M-Scizor's balance

[Nineveh]

So hey, first, English isnt my mother language, so forgive me if there's some mistake, but i think i am readable.


Why am I posting this team ?
I always played Pokemon a lot until 6G, then left it completely, but since I'm hyped by S&M, i cameback and tried some stuff. I tried some stuff, checked important threats in OU, made this team and edited it few times.

When I got this "Final" version, I made a new account and reached 1400 ladder pretty easily (20/4), but things are going harder when it's higher, and since I feel like my team struggles a bit against some pokemon, this thread is a way of asking for some help.


How did I made the team ?
First, even though I knew building around your mega is recommanded, I thought it was good to play something I really now, and started with one of my favorite core.

NICO THE MADMAN (Landorus-Therian) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock​

Niony (Keldeo-Resolute) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def / 30 SpD
- Hydro Pump
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Bug]
​

So this is the "classic" Keldeo Lando-T core, there's nothing much to say about it, except explaining why I'm running Hidden Power Bug. I started with Icy Wind for dragons, but after building my team, I realized that i didn't need it, and kinda weak to Starmie/Latios/Serperior.

Pudding (Scizor-Mega) @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Swords Dance
- Roost
​

Since Steel types are pretty good with this core, I looked for one, and thought it was good idea to choose my Mega early. It provides a lot of pressure after setting up a Sword Dance when threat are down. It also gives me a slow U-Turn, making a lot of pressure with Keldeo Specs.

LAETEY THE VERYMAD (Kyurem-Black) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Beam
- Outrage
- Fusion Bolt
- Iron Head
​

At this moment, my team was slow, and only had a Defensive Scizor to revenge kill 110 Speed or more. Also, even though Keldeo specs is hard to wall, I needed something to pass through very big stall. I removed Icy Wind on keldeo when added it, and runs Iron Head because Clefable hurts me a lot, since taking a Fire Blast on Scizor would be a pain. It's main role is to be a revenge killer, and an awesome late game cleaner, making him a really important part of my team.

​

currently changing this to something else sorry, details below

you (Slowbro) @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Slack Off
- Psyshock
- Thunder Wave​

When I played this team at first, I had a Starmie there, and then quickly realized my team was sweeped to easily by Dragon Dance users, or really fast pokemon, like Mega Lopunny, I took Slowbro to deny them, and even para to helps for Kyurem's sweep.


What are my strategies in game ?
Most of the time, I just try to put enemy's threat into a range to get ko'ed by Kyurem, and abuse of Scizor's slow U-Turn to put a lot of pressure with Keldeo and Kyurem.
I try to lure a lot into HP Bug Keldeo. If i had to give a goal to this team, it's killing pokemons one by one, using either Keldeo/Clefable/Kyurem until Kyurem can just lock on a move and ends it.


Team problems :
Serperior hurts me a lot. Even if Kyurem-Black can revenge kill him, i almost always have to sac a poke.
Rotom-Wash has a lot of pressure, only Clefable can switch in safe, but it always gives a very cool Volt Switch.
Azumarill is kinda hard, I have no proper way to kill it, except with Kyurem's Fusion bolt, but i cant switch in a Play Rough.
Mew is a real threat when it runs Will-o-Wisp, since Clefable and Slowbro are my only switch-ins, and Slowbro is weak to thunderbolt.



Sorry if there's a lack of description, but I think a little usefull desc is better than a novel with useless stuff like "Landorus beats Heatran and Zone lol".

Thanks in advance !

 

[Fireflame]

Just by a quick glance, I can tell that the team is at an awkward phase. You don't have a reliable wincon, and in order to make Scizor a wincon, you need to give up Defog. Furthermore, you're randomly 6-0'd by Magnezone. Hopefully my rate will help. The changes will be in bold and the sets will be at the end.

First off, your Landorus-T set is subpar and your EVs aren't optimal. Rocky Helmet > Leftovers for a number of reasons. One, it allows you to reliably check physical attackers better such as Talonflame and punish them harder. Furthermore, Landorus-T will be one of your main pivots against physical attacks, and if hazards are up, it will be worn down very easily even with Leftovers recovery. Furthermore, Rocky Helmet allows you to punish common U-turn users like Tornadus-T, Jirachi, and Scizor before they get momentum. Next, I strongly advice you to go with U-turn > Knock Off. U-turn is a staple on any Landorus-T set. It forms a VoltTurn core (in this case, two U-turns) with Scizor which allows you to get extra momentum. Landorus also provides a slow U-turn, much like Scizor, which aids in gaining momentum without having your switch-in damaged or crippled. Moreover, having U-turn on Landorus-T is necessary because it hides your set. Most of the time, Landorus will be coming in on Pokemon it checks and then just U-turning out for momentum, especially early-game. Therefore, opponent's will not know if you are scarfed or not, and if you play smart (meaning you U-turn against foes that you outspeed), you can successfully bluff a scarf and take advantage of that. Furthermore, a spread of 248 HP / 244 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe is the optimal spread, as the 8 Speed EVs allow you to outspeed positive-natured base 50s like Azumarill.

Next up, your Scizor. I always use Mega Scizor in every OU team I have so hopefully these changes will help. The most immediate thing is to change the EVs. Those EVs are suboptimal and won't allow you to live certain attacks. A spread of 248 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD / 4 Spe is optimal. With this spread, you have enough Defense to survive the 2HKO from Mega Lopunny's High Jump Kick, and more Defense doesn't accomplish anything of significance except decrease damage taken. The 200 SpD EVs ensures that Mega Scizor is never OHKOed by Clefable's Fire Blast and Timid Mega Diancie's Hidden Power Fire, and never 2HKOed by Mega Gardevoir's Focus Blast and Life Orb Latios's Draco Meteor followed by a -2 Hidden Power Fire. This allows you to be checks to numerous physical and special attackers. The 4 Speed EVs allow you to outspeed opposing Mega Scizor running the same set, so you can Roost before they attack or U-turn out into a counter. Next, I really do think that the Bulky Swords Dance set is better than the Defog set. Right now, your team is lacking a reliably wincon, and having a swords dancer allows you to have that wincon. Furthermore, Bulky Swords Dance Scizor is a sweeper that can be played as an early-game defensive pivot due to Roost, slow U-turn, and increased bulk. Although Defog Scizor gets the job done, you have to remember that you're using up your mega slot for that.

Lastly, Clefable. That Clefable set is not good as of late because it is too situational. The standard Calm Mind set is much better, as it provides your team not only with much needed status, but also a secondary wincon for beating more defensive teams. However, I advise that you seek a replacement for Clefable. Right now, your using Clefable as a special attacker. Clefable is not meant to be played as a special attacker, or at least it isn't as effective as its defensive sets. Many other Pokemon excel at being a special wallbreaker, and you already have Keldeo on your team anyway. Your team lacks entry hazard control after the Scizor change and is EXTREMELY weak to Magnezone. I suggest you find a Pokemon that gets rid of hazards, whether in the form of Rapid Spin or Defog, synergizes well with your team, and covers the weaknesses you mentioned in the last section. I don't have time to do this now and it will take some time, so I'm just putting it out there.

Otherwise, that's the end of my rate. Hopefully I helped and good luck with your team!

TL;DR:

Leftovers -> Rocky Helmet; Knock Off -> U-turn; 248 HP / 244 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe

Defog set -> Bulky Swords Dance set; 248 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD / 4 Spe

Special attacker set -> Calm Mind set
STRONGLY SUGGEST REPLACING CLEFABLE

Sets

Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Swords Dance
- Roost

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 SpD
Calm Nature
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled
- Thunder Wave

 

[Nineveh]

So I followed your advices, and for replacing Clefable while adding a Defoger/Spinner, Specially Defensive Zapdos came up, since it gives me a cool switch in to serperior, and also helps for Zone;

I'd love to have your opinion on this, and if it's good, telling me if I should run Thunderbolt/Heat Wave or Volt Switch/Heat Wave (since I already have 2 U-Turn im not sure i really need this Volt Switch)

 

[Fireflame]

It depends on what you think your team needs. Volt Switch and Heat Wave is generally better due to the extra momentum that Zapdos provides. It can't hurt to get more momentum, so having two U-turns and one Volt Switch is fine. If you think you need more of an offensive presence, which would definitely help your team, then go for Thunderbolt + Heat Wave. When using thunderbolt, you need a certain amount of SpA EVs to OHKO mega pinsir. I'm on mobile right now so I can't check, but just go to the Zapdos smogon page and do the EVs for the special defense set. If you don't want thunderbolt, then don't do those SpA EVs since they only apply to thunderbolt. Don't go HP ice since you have Kyurem for that.

 

[Nineveh]

I tried some matchs with Thunderbolt and Volt Switch, and to be honest both are cool, personally i'll stay on tbolt though. So I run a basic set with Thunderbolt/Heat Wave/Roost/Defog and it helps me a lot. (Also checked smogon and added the right evs to ohko pinsir thanks)

I appreciated a lot playing Sword Dance M-Scizor, and I dont feel like he's kinda useless when playing it anymore, thanks for those cool advice !