Maintaining momentum

[mustbe18toride]

INTRODUCTION
​

Hi there, welcome to my RMT! It has been awhile since my last RMT, and I have been playing around with a new team since then. This team has a higher win rate than my last and is helping me on the ladder. My whole aim is to use very strong and hard hitting Pokemon, as well as fast, along with a Defensive support that allows them team to function no matter what the other team's theme is.

THE TEAM

Importable

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Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- X-Scissor
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

Forretress @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Volt Switch
- Gyro Ball

Garchomp @ Leftovers
Trait: Rough Skin
EVs: 148 Atk / 252 Spd / 108 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Substitute

Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 72 SDef / 36 HP / 148 SAtk
Timid Nature
- Recover
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock

Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Bold Nature
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss

Metagross @ Choice Band
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 96 Spd / 252 Atk / 162 HP
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- Hammer Arm
- Explosion

IN-DEPTH

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Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- X-Scissor
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake

ScarfTerrakion, one of the best Scarfers in the game, and overall just one of THE best Pokemon in the game. Terrakion is powerful, bulky, and most importantly, incredibly fast, even without Scarf. Throw in a Scarf and it's Speed is nearly unrivaled, even 252 Speed Gyarados/Dragonite/Haxorus +1 cannot out speed ScarfTerrakion. Terrakion overall is just an unstoppable monster, especially with STAB Close Combat/Stone Edge, it allows Terrakion to reliably kill off many Pokemon, 2HKOing Ferrothorns with Sp. Def investments, OHKOing Heatran, Blissey, and OHKOing nearly anything neutral against Fighting. In addition, Hydreigon and Tyranitar Think about it, 180 BP from a base 129 Attack screams threating and as it stands, Terrakion is a Pokemon EVERY team NEEDS to think about when being made. Stone Edge is another powerful STAB that hits part Flying types who resist Close Combat, namely Dragonite and Gyarados, as well as Volcarona who cannot hit Terrakion unless he packs something anti-meta.

Unfortunately Terrakion suffers from four moveslot syndrome and X-Scissor/Earthquake are just mainly fillers that do not see too much usage. X-Scissor has seen some usefulness, as it allows Terrakion to OHKO Espeon/Reiniclus (depending on their EV spreads) as well as Latias/Latios as well, though most people never seem to leave any of them in, especially when they know Terrakion has a Scarf. Earthquake allows Terrakion to hit Jirachi and Tentacruel as well.

Terrakion's power and speed allows momentum to be maintained, specifically because they will either switch or face an OHKO if the wrong Pokemon is in. Essentially, Terrakion is my revenge killer, which also helps in momentum

Forretress @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Volt Switch
- Gyro Ball

Now comes Forreftress, one the best Physical walls in the game and is who is crucial to the team.The RS + SR combo (Rapid Spin + Stealth Rock) is a vital element to ANY team, as Stealth Rock forces one to make every switch count as residual switching causes long term damage BUT this problem is alleviated by Rapid Spin. Rapid Spin here is the momentum maintaining key, as any form entry hazards are eliminated, allowing me to play the switching game easier and fearlessly.

Volt Switch allows Forretress to maintain momentum, especially in the case of DragMag teams, which Forretress also helps check. Dragons without Fire Blast cannot touch Forretress as well, as it brushes off Outrages as if they never even happened due to it's incredible Defense. Gyro Ball is Forretress' STAB that inflicts severe pain on any Pokemon that is not invested in EV's or is not of the Steel or Water type.

Garchomp @ Leftovers
Trait: Rough Skin
EVs: 148 Atk / 252 Spd / 108 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Substitute

Enter one of the best Dragons in the game. With near perfect coverage combo with STAB and only walled by Skarmory (and I believe Shedinja) , along with a base 130 Attack, Garchomp can destroy a team worse than Alduin can destroy Skyrim. This devastation is only made worse when Swords Dance and Substitute are thrown in the mix. With Garchomp's Substitute and base 102 Speed, Garchomp has free reign to do whatever he pleases, especially considering Garchomp has the ability to set up a +2 and get in a free a Dragon Claw, which is easily done with perfect timing and decent prediction.

Garchomp is an offensive pivot on my team, and is one of the huge offensive keys to help maintain momentum. Anything that switches out on Garchomp allows me to set up a Substitute and depending on the opponent has a priority/Roar or not, I am allowed to get a free Swords Dance or just a hit and run Dragon Claw/Earthquake in before my next move.

The EV spread may seem a bit strange, but it works out incredibly fine. To start, 252 Speed does not need explaining, but the 90 HP/166 Attack might. With 90 HP EVs, Garchomp reaches 384 HP, allowing Garchomp to create 96 HP Substitutes. With 166 Attack EV, Garchomp reaches 333 Attack, 25 short of 359 (252 Attack EV), which I personally have hardly noticed (especially at +2, and especially when NOT at +2) as the difference between the two is not hugely noticable, and 333 still hits HARD notably, 333 is just 8 points short of Adamant Toxicroak). However, if I invest enough HP EV to get 400 HP (100 HP Substitutes) Garchomp's Attack is a dwindling 316, and when I had that set, I noticed a huger difference between 316 vs 333/359.

Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 72 SDef / 36 HP / 148 SAtk
Timid Nature
- Recover
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock

Next, I decided I needed to stop Rain/Sun teams, as Terrakion/Garchomp/Forretress/Metagross function extremely well in Sandstorm (coincidence). Latias resists, Water/Electric/Fire/Grass all while having a very high Sp Def stats, as well as Speed + Sp. Attack. This allows Latias to maintain momentum vs Sun/Rain teams, especially Keldeo. In addition, Recover allows Latias to maintain further momentum by granting Latias a longer life span and mitigating Life Orb recoil.

Draco Meteor is a core and key skill on Latias, as it allows Latias to OHKO nearly anything that does not resist it (which happens to be ONLY Steels/the lesser seen Shedinja), and also Latias outspeeds EVERY OU Dragon that is not +1/Scarfed themselves (though it ties with her brother). Surf allows Latias to hit Heatran who would completely wall Latias with HP Fire, and also allows Latias to use rain to her advantage getting it a boost. Furthermore, it allows Latias to hit Landorus/Gliscor/Hippowdon for SE as well. HP Fire was here before, but with STAB Close Combat/ STAB Earthquake on Terrakion/Garchomp, I pretty much decided that I have Steels covered. Psyshock is thrown in as further STAB, allowing her to 2HKO Rotom- W/Tentacruel and OHKO Keldeo/Conkeldurr as well.

Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Bold Nature
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss

Everyone's favorite D/P/P favorite blob returns! Since Latias could not be the only girl in fear of the strong men, Blissey was called. Also because Blissey functions as one of the best Special walls still in the game. Keldeo and Psyshock have detrimental to Blissey's performance, but with the rest of my team able to work around those, Blissey is not easily dealt with. However, Blissey's most important skill is Aromatherapy and is vital. With Will - O - Wisp around nearly every Rotom - W/Jellicent, as well as Scald from Starmie/Slowbro/Vaporeon, and the occasional Thunder Wave, being Burn/Paralyzed can severely lessen the momentum I am aiming for, so Aromatherapy is a huge factor in momentum, as it allows my attackers to stay in and play the luck game against the inaccurate Will - O - Wisp users just for a bit longer since Aromatherapy removes Burn.

Seismic Toss/Toxic are Blissey's way of dealing damage to an enemy. Since every Pokemon that is not Blissey or HP EV invested does not normally reach 401 HP, Blisseys reliably does 100 damage every time and can 4HKO opposing walls that are not Ghost or Wish/Protect. If they are a Wish/Protect, Toxic allows Blissey to ruin their day, as they cannot hide for too long when poisoned.

Metagross @ Choice Band
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 96 Spd / 252 Atk / 162 HP
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Zen Headbutt
- Hammer Arm
- Explosion

Finally comes Metagross. I needed a +1 Priority attacker, and there was so many choices. However ultimately Metagross proved more effective than Scizor or Mamoswine (the addition of Mamoswine/Lucario made me 3/6 Fighting weak, and Breloom makes me 3/6 weak to Ice, and Infernape was to frail and weak). After a couple of games, Choice Band Explosion is a BEAST of a combo. Since Metagross has no recovery, it can literally go out with a bang when it's HP is about to hit zero. Almost anything not Steel/Ghost can be OHKO'd even with the Explosion nerf, 250 BP from 600 Attack does the trick. In late-game, CB Explosion is literally the BIGGEST game changer I have ever used. MANY games I have turned in my favor because of this

Bullet Punch and Metagross' reliable STAB moves. Normally, I just switch in and just press the Bullet Punch all day as 60 BP, +1 Priority, 600 Attack creates problems. Most anything resiting Bullet Punch, such as Jellicent/Rotom/Heatran take high damage from Zen Headbutt or Hammer Arm. Notably, Zen Headbutt can hurt Keldo/Conkeldurr/Tentacruel and Hammer Arm hits Steels hard, especially Jirachi/Skarmory on the switch. Due to Metagross' low Speed ( I only have enough to outspeed bulky Gyarados) the Speed drop is essentially redundant. There have been one or two occasions in which the Speed Drop occurs, putting me slower than Skarmory, so it Roosts and while it will not OHKO, it will have even less HP than it did before the Roost.

 

[Electrolyte]

Hey there!

First of all, I'd like to comment on how neat and nice this RMT looks. I'm surprised it hasn't gotten any rates yet!

It seems as if this team is going to have a lot of trouble defeating defensive teams. Def Skarmory pretty much just walls this team to death, as your physical sweepers can't get past it and Forretress / Blissey can't deal any real damage. I also think Slowbro / Amoonguss or Forretress can be annoying to get past, because you don't really have anything that can take a hit! Blissey is your only way of defeating these pokemon- as she has to Seismic Toss them to death. But what about those that can not be Seismic Tossed? Jellicent is a massive threat to this team because it walls Blissey, Forretress, and Metagross and can cripple and then wall Terrakion and Garchomp too. Ferrothorn can also be a massive roadblock (excuse the pun) because it can wall Garchomp / Metagross / Latias / Forretress and use Leech Seed and Iron Barbs to wear Blissey down. In general, this team doesn't seem as if it is able to effectively tear apart Rain stall because it lacks powerful, fast wallbreakers. To solve this problem, I think trying Thundurus-Therian instead of Metagross would be a great idea.

Thundurus-T @ Expert Belt
Timid / 4 Def / 252 Spe / 252 SpA
Nasty Plot / Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Ice / Focus Blast

So first off, let me explain why I think Metagross is unfit for the team. It's weak to Rain and Sun, two weathers you already have some troubles with, and makes the team's offense slow and prone to being setup on. Its ability to beat Sand is not as needed because Terrakion / Garchomp / Forretress already do that very well. Instead, Nasty Plot Thundurus-T is a pokemon I urge you to try over Metagross. It is the perfect wallbreaker for this team, as it synergizes well with many of the pokemon you have here. Its power, speed and coverage enable it to smash unprepared defensive teams- as its power skyrockets after a boost and it has the coverage to hit many common walls super effectively. With Thunderbolt, it OHKO's Jellicent and numerous other water types, including Vaporeon and Politoed, as well as Skarmory. It's also Thundurus-T's main STAB move, capable of hitting many pokemon that don't resist the attack very hard. Hidden Power Ice is Thundurus-T's coverage move- and allows it to use a good BoltBeam core to smash Ground / Grass / Dragon types that can tank Thunderbolt. Even without a boost, HP Ice OHKO's Gliscor, Landorus-i and -t, Garchomp, Salamence, and Dragonite. After a boost, it wipes out almost all pokemon weak to it. Focus Blast is Thundy's last coverage move. It is the perfect weapon against Steel types- letting Thundy KO Heatran and Ferrothorn after minimal prior damage. Focus Blast also OHKO's Tyranitar and Terrakion IN SAND without needing any boosts. Thundy-T is great because it can feign choice and grab numerous opportunities to continue setting up or just plain KO another opponent. It also provides the team with extra valuable Fighting, Steel, Bug, and Flying resistance.

Now, for a couple of minor changes. That Garchomp spread looks really weird; there is no use / benefit in using 108 HP evs, as it brings you down to an irregular number (unless you plan on decreasing SR damage but Chomp resists SR anyway) A simpler spread of 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly can be used for maximum attack / speed and offensive presence. If you value bulk / setup ability more than offensive power, you can try 188 HP / 68 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly, as this bumps your HP up to 404 so your Substitutes won't be broken by Seismic Toss, however most seismic tossers do not dare stay in against you.

Your Latias spread also looks weird. It may seem as if it gives you more special bulk, but this is actually not true, as the decrease in HP lowers the amount of bulk the SpDef evs give. A spread of 112 HP / 144 SpA / 252 Spe Timid is what I recommend you use. It gives you just as much special bulk to use against Venusaur, as well as added physical bulk so you can tank fighting type attacks when needed. The rest are put in to max out her Speed and give her as much power as possible with the remaining evs.

Good luck! I hope this helped!

 

[Tressed]

Hey, how's it going? Like Electrolyte says, your RMT looks nice and clean. Its nice.
Okay, so I'm basically gonna reiterate what Electrolyte said about your EV spreads. 96 HP Subs do pretty much nothing for Garchomp, so just run either of Electrolyte's sets. Same goes for Latias.
On Terrakion, drop X-Scissor and Earthquake. Like you say, they really don't have much of a purpose. X-Scissor for sure is just inferior. A super effective X-Scissor (160) actually deals out only slightly more damage than a neutral Stone Edge after STAB (150). Earthquake has more uses, but its still not an amazing option either. So I'm going to suggest swapping out X-Scissor and Earthquake for Rock Slide and Sandstorm. Rock Slide gives you a nice, reliable Rock move for when Stone Edge is overkill and missing would be horrendous. Sandstorm would allow you to negate any weather conditions your opponents might bring to the field, especially since once they see that you don't have a weather inducer, they won't think twice about sacking their inducer. You even have a good team to deal with Sand, as a good number of the Pokemon on your team are resistant to it, so this is a good option for you. Feel free to use either option.
Finally, put that Sp Atk EV on Blissey into Sp Def. You aren't running any special attacking moves, so its a good idea to put it into your bulk instead, turn some OHKOs into chances of OHKOs, right? Could save your butt in a pinch. Also, feel free to try Wish over Softboiled, to help heal your teammates, notably Forretress, which has no form of recovery beyond Leftovers, but plays an important role on your team, and Wish might also give Garchomp another shot at a sweep if the first one goes wrong.