The goal of this team is for SpDef lando and phys def Scizor to pivot in Magnezone to trap steels, and then bring in CB Melmetal as much as possible once any Ferrothorn and Corviknight are ko'd. Changes I have made to this team include changing Weavile to Garchomp and being generally unsure if I should use CB melm or CB kartana. if no knock off on weav or kart, it found a home on scizor by replacing swords dance. because I edited my team here, I assume it counts as my 'bump' for this post.
Garchomp @ Leftovers
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Scale Shot
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
A cleaner that gets a lot of opportunity to set up thanks to misty terrain provided by Fini as well as good pivoting; opportunity cost was the reason I chose this mon. Stone edge can be used as coverage since Ferro and Corviknight will hopefully be disposed of by zone, allowing it to dispose of other birds even if unboosted, and allowing it to be a Zapdos pivot. Because of its longevity, I would sometimes both break walls, be a pivot, and sweep all in the same game. As for fairies, I could generally pivot around them (except for Bulu...) while chipping all of them with earthquake. grassy terrain is the bane of this mon, but fortunately Scizor eats the setters for breakfast
Magnezone @ Leftovers
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Iron Defense
- Thunderbolt
- Body Press
- Toxic
standard bp Magnezone set; it is incredibly important that you trap Ferrothorn and Corviknight mainly. If you don't, the team collapses. also used as a check to choice locked Melmetal and Kartana. The rest of my team uses this mon like a loaded gun pointed to their steels' head. Garchomp and Melmetals use of its utility is self explanatory, but Landorus can keep rocks up easier, Scizor can u-turn to zone, and scarf Fini can potentially swap to zone on an expected Ferro. as an aside, this mon is important death fodder once the defensive steels are gone. toxic is almost never used, but it prevents it from being setup fodder.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 30 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Landorus reliably sets rocks and forms a pivoting core with Scizor, getting zone and other threats in safely. he checks fire types as well as providing a ground immunity. I am considering smack down or stone edge, as the Volcarona match up is poor, and it still allows you to threaten flying types such as Tornadus and Zapdos. smack down could be used to ground Landorus, but considering its main draw is beating Corviknight, it would be redundant considering u-turn into zone. if Scizor gets opportunity to roost, let Scizor take chip.
Tapu Fini @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 120 HP / 172 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Hydro Pump
- Trick
- Defog
Scarf Fini is a no-brainer on this team, as it provides hazard control, a Heatran check, trick stallbreaking, etc. because this mon is so important, has no recovery, and checks so much, it is often the timer this team has before it's defenses break down. it's role as a revenge killer is also important against Weavile, G-Zapdos, Urshifu, etc. Try to avoid chip on this pokemon, as it gets no recovery and often needs to stay alive to check any fire types. The EV spread is made to outspeed dragonite after a DD, and always 2HKO Heatran through leftovers.
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Swords Dance
- Roost
Forms a pivot core with Landorus, as well as being the designated soaker of knock offs and chip. checks not only physical threats but some special ones Lando can't cover, such as Kyurem and Tapu Lele (except specs psychic). it benefits greatly from having Magnezone around to scare off steel types from it. It also relies heavily on Lando, Tapu Fini, and garchomp to soak fire type attacks. Swords dance is rarely played, but it provides yet another alternative cleaner if need be. In spite of having roost, you still need to be careful about how much damage you take, lest you be unable to pivot or get a roost off.
Melmetal @ Choice Band
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Earthquake
- Superpower
- Thunder Punch
I needed a strong breaker that enjoyed steels being gone and this pokemon fit the bill. Sometimes I try CB Kartana, but I get a conundrum where every game I lose is caused by either a lack of speed or a lack of bulk, depending on which I choose. Landorus and scizor give both fair opportunities to attack, so I am not sure which is better. both give immediate power which this team needs, and kartana stomps slowbro while melmetal out muscles buzzwole and can still soften slowbro.
Garchomp @ Leftovers
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Scale Shot
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
A cleaner that gets a lot of opportunity to set up thanks to misty terrain provided by Fini as well as good pivoting; opportunity cost was the reason I chose this mon. Stone edge can be used as coverage since Ferro and Corviknight will hopefully be disposed of by zone, allowing it to dispose of other birds even if unboosted, and allowing it to be a Zapdos pivot. Because of its longevity, I would sometimes both break walls, be a pivot, and sweep all in the same game. As for fairies, I could generally pivot around them (except for Bulu...) while chipping all of them with earthquake. grassy terrain is the bane of this mon, but fortunately Scizor eats the setters for breakfast
Magnezone @ Leftovers
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Iron Defense
- Thunderbolt
- Body Press
- Toxic
standard bp Magnezone set; it is incredibly important that you trap Ferrothorn and Corviknight mainly. If you don't, the team collapses. also used as a check to choice locked Melmetal and Kartana. The rest of my team uses this mon like a loaded gun pointed to their steels' head. Garchomp and Melmetals use of its utility is self explanatory, but Landorus can keep rocks up easier, Scizor can u-turn to zone, and scarf Fini can potentially swap to zone on an expected Ferro. as an aside, this mon is important death fodder once the defensive steels are gone. toxic is almost never used, but it prevents it from being setup fodder.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 30 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Landorus reliably sets rocks and forms a pivoting core with Scizor, getting zone and other threats in safely. he checks fire types as well as providing a ground immunity. I am considering smack down or stone edge, as the Volcarona match up is poor, and it still allows you to threaten flying types such as Tornadus and Zapdos. smack down could be used to ground Landorus, but considering its main draw is beating Corviknight, it would be redundant considering u-turn into zone. if Scizor gets opportunity to roost, let Scizor take chip.
Tapu Fini @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 120 HP / 172 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Hydro Pump
- Trick
- Defog
Scarf Fini is a no-brainer on this team, as it provides hazard control, a Heatran check, trick stallbreaking, etc. because this mon is so important, has no recovery, and checks so much, it is often the timer this team has before it's defenses break down. it's role as a revenge killer is also important against Weavile, G-Zapdos, Urshifu, etc. Try to avoid chip on this pokemon, as it gets no recovery and often needs to stay alive to check any fire types. The EV spread is made to outspeed dragonite after a DD, and always 2HKO Heatran through leftovers.
Scizor @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 172 Def / 88 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Swords Dance
- Roost
Forms a pivot core with Landorus, as well as being the designated soaker of knock offs and chip. checks not only physical threats but some special ones Lando can't cover, such as Kyurem and Tapu Lele (except specs psychic). it benefits greatly from having Magnezone around to scare off steel types from it. It also relies heavily on Lando, Tapu Fini, and garchomp to soak fire type attacks. Swords dance is rarely played, but it provides yet another alternative cleaner if need be. In spite of having roost, you still need to be careful about how much damage you take, lest you be unable to pivot or get a roost off.
Melmetal @ Choice Band
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Earthquake
- Superpower
- Thunder Punch
I needed a strong breaker that enjoyed steels being gone and this pokemon fit the bill. Sometimes I try CB Kartana, but I get a conundrum where every game I lose is caused by either a lack of speed or a lack of bulk, depending on which I choose. Landorus and scizor give both fair opportunities to attack, so I am not sure which is better. both give immediate power which this team needs, and kartana stomps slowbro while melmetal out muscles buzzwole and can still soften slowbro.
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