Making a Comeback to the Game.. OU RMT.

[Rugaji]

As usual, I go back and fourth in this game, but now I'm back. I'm fully prepared in playing the game again and this is my first Comeback team. I'm not going to make much of an intro just to bore you guys out so without further adieu, here's my Comeback Team. B)

Team at a glance:

Team in depth:

Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Speed / 252 Def
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Stealth Rock
- Roar​

Swampert. MixPert is the best SR user in the game in my opinion. First of all, it's bulky. Secondly, it has great type coverage over other leads which makes it pretty hard to take down (aside from Life Orb + MixApe and Max Attack Metagross + Explosion). Setting up Stealth Rock is essential to my team and to any other team especially. Also, choosing MixPert for this team helps me scout through enemy teams' with Roar, and if no one ever tries to Taunt, I'll just keep Roaring until I see a reasonable switch-in to counter it. Earthquake for the obvious STAB, and anything that resists Earthquake gets hit by Ice Beam. So both move hits all types with neutral damage. I decided to not run with Protect > Roar because it seems that scouting doesn't work as well as it does for Roar, which may help with enemies taking SR damage.​

How does Swampert fair against the Top 10 leads of March '10?​

1. Azelf - When I face this elf, usually it will setup Stealth Rock and then Taunt me for some unusual reason. I normally setup SR as well, and I don't switch at all until I have taken more than 50% health. Azelf's Explosion is scary for Swampert, but I know the right time to switch because Swampert is still a great use after a leadoff to sponge hits for my team during the game

2. Swampert - Yes, I know I'm not the only one but it's an easy setup against the opposing 'Pert. Stealth Rock, then Roar.

3. Metagross - The only thing the Swampert is scared of is Explosion. Otherwise, it's Earthquake time after SR is up.

4. Aerodactyl - I don't know why, but I always Ice Beam after this thing taunts me. Why? Because it beats my whole team when comparing speed and I don't want anything getting hurt by Aero'. When something dangerous comes in on 'Pert, I switch into something safe to KO, then switch-in 'Pert into something safe, to setup SR.

5. Jirachi - Yeah, it will Trick me so I just go for the straight setup for SR. Sometimes, I switch into something that wants a Choice Scarf but I will usually setup the Stealth Rock. Who knows? Maybe 'Pert will have a good use of Choice Scarf?

6. Infernape - LeadApe's not a problem for 'Pert as far as it doesn't have Grass Knot. Ape Fake-Out's, so I go straight for the SR next turn and then attack. Some people are stubborn enough to let Ape stay in so it's an easy 6 - 5 to start the game.

7. Roserade - This is my only concern in the top 10 leads of this month. I still haven't faced one, but I guess I'd go for the switch and let one of my Pokemons' take such as Rotom-h which is a status inducer, and can RestTalk Roselia to take off Focus Sash although Toxic Spikes can hurt one of my most important Pokemon.

8 Tyranitar - Lead-off T-tar will normally Taunt first, so I'll switch to Scizor which has enough speed to hit with U-turn and proceed with Swampert's ST.

9 Ninjask - Easy. SR, then Roar.

10 Gliscor - I know I will get Taunted right from the start, so I'll Ice Beam it and hopefully have another chance to setup SR.

To be fair, Swampert can almost always get a guaranteed SR up before it's dead or switched-out. I find Swampert to be the best Lead in my opinion. It's actually my favorite Pokemon since Advance.

Star Fire (Latias) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 Speed
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Recover
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt​

My Latias is defined to add a little extra bulk into this team while also capable of sweeping with a few CMs up. She loves to eat Pursuits and Paybacks and retaliate with her STABd Dragon Pulse and Thunderbolt after +1 Calm Mind. Recover is to shrug off damage or come in on attacks like Grass, Eletric, etc. and heal herself back. Latias puts great synergy with Scizor and Swampert bedcause they almost cover all of their weakness. With 180 Speed, she lets me outspeed other 176 EVd LAtias which reaches 330, while my Latias hits 331 and can possibly Revenge kill other weakended Latias. MixMence is easily Revenge killed which is great for my team to try and get rid of as soon as possible. Thunderbolt for coverage and to keep a check over Gyarados, and CroCune after a few CMs to stop it from setting up because if it does, it can literally run through this team with easy if Swampert isn't alive to Phaze it. Dragon Pulse for the obvious STAB and and to hit non-ScarfGon would try and bluff me and think I would switch, as long as it uses a different move than its first one, I will destroy it.​

Machamp (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 232 HP / 252 Atk /16 Def / 8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Ice Punch
- Payback
- Substitute​

Previously, I had Thunderpunch over Substitute, but I noticed I already have some descent checks on Gyarados and so I decided to use Substitute. Substitute on a Pokemon who will normally switch such as Blissey, and I'll Sub', or T-tar who is too afraid to stay in on 'Champ and gives me a free setup, and lets me hit things really hard without Intimidate even affecting me. If Rotom-h or Gengar comes in on D-punch, I'll just Payback as it KOs Gengar and 2HKO or 3HKOs Rotom-h depending on how much Defense EVs its running + SR damage. Ice Punch is to help me take on Latias (as long as it doesn't carry Psychic; "rare") and a temporary Outraged locked-in New MixMence will do 34.8% - 41.2%, as where I'll retaliate with Ice Punch for the KO. Machamp's EVs help it hit hard and needs to do as much damage as possible to keep some major threats down while SR helps also. With Sub' it's going be very hard to take down. The 16 Defense EVs help me take just a bit more non STAB physical hits. 8 Speed EVs to outpace 4 EV Blisseys which are usually run by 252 HP / 252 Def or 252 Sp.Def, or whatever spread that contains 4 Speed EVs. Machamp takes care of some major threats especially with some good bulk on this team. x]​

Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
- Bullet Punch​

Standard CB Scizor. This thing is usually U-turning on enemies to scout enemy team because they will normally switch so I can switch in something I can hit hard with once Scizor is brought back. Superpower for high base power and to destroy Blissey and T-tar is it dares to stay in, but I normally use U-turn because I get free hit damage and free switch-out if they switch. Pursuit is primarily for Celebi and Latias and I'm hoping that they don't hold Hidden Power Fire because then I'm really screwed. Otherwise, Pursuit is a good check-up on ghosts' such as Gengar as well and Rotom. Bullet Punch, Technician, Choice Band, and STAB; it hits hard on anything that does not resist it. Bullet Punch is mostly use to revenge kill MixMence or any weakened enemies that are ready to sweep, Scizor is there to stop their show. Scizor helps me take-care of Jirachi in some cases because they don't run Hidden Power Fire and it would either U-turn, or switch. Overall, Scizor has great priorities against other teams and may give Gyarados some trouble as well, as long as it's weakened.​

Rotom-h @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/68 Def/188 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Will-o-wisp
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Overheat​

Rotom-h was in this team for one reason: to leave Stealth Rock in the air and help me Roar with Swampert to help reveal their team as much as possible. As suggested by Twist of Fate, Rotom is my status absorber and a good counter to lead-off Roserade that would stop Swampert from setting up. This Rotom is great at killing Gyarados even after +1 DD Waterfall and has the ability to also kill Lucario as I come in on Close Combat. Overheat to hit steals like Scizor, who is easily KOd, Metagross, Lucario, etc. T-bolt to hit Gyarados, and CroCune, which deals about 40% without a +1 CM. And WoW to hurt those offensive threats like T-tar. I love this Rotom.​

Lucy (Lucario) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Extremespeed
- Close Combat
- Crunch​

With Substitute Machamp on the team, Lucario won't have any trouble sweeping the opponent's team as Machamp and Lucario have similar counters. All you have to do is switch-in Machamp on something it threatens and Sub on the switch, your opponents will switch in his Machamp check such as Rotom-H and Gliscor for example which happen to be commonly used as Lucario counters, from there you must respond accordingly choosing the appropriate move to KO that certain Pokemon. With his counters out of the way, Lucario will be able to set-up a SD and sweep the opponent's team with ease

Lucario is also great at switching in on CB Scizor's locked-on Pursuit and setup, ready to sweep once all other threats are gone; Gyarados, ScarfTran, Gengar, etc. Close Combat 2HKOs every Pokemon in the game after SD is up. Extremespeed to revenge kill shit like weakened Salamence when it's locked in on Outrage or not. Crunch to hit bulky, non-speedy Rotom's and Starmie while I'm at full health. Lucario's a force to be reckoned with. It also helps me settle down Suicune and other walls such as Skarmory, who is easily KOd after SR damage + LO.​

This is my first team since coming back. I still see there are problems with the team but overall it has improved both defensively and offensively. I am still taking suggestions to make this team as flawless as possible. I'm very much happy with the Latias EV spread I invented and gave to her, as it helps her aid the team much more defensively and gives Jirachi a more possible setup during late-game situations.

P.S. - I do know that I have a potential weakness to CM Suicune, and if I let it Calm Mind once it can sweep without me doing much of anything =/ so maybe a suggestion to that? Thanks.

 

[ToF]

You have trouble with two major Pokemon: Mixmence and Dragon Dance Gyarados. Your Rotom-H doesn't have enough defense to take on Gyarados multiple times, and if it gets hit by Waterfall on the switch-in the first time, it will not be able to survive the subsequent +1 Waterfall next time. With Mixmence, nothing on your team can switch in more than once into a LO Draco Meteor, so I think that needs to be addressed as well. You don't want Scizor switching in constantly on LO Draco Meteors that hit it for around 40%.

I'm kind of confused as to why you have Magnezone on this team. What are you trying to trap, Scizor? Other Steels like Skarmory and Foretress you can easily handle with Rotom-H. I'd suggest just running HP Fire on Latias over Surf. Yes this makes you more vulnerable to Tyranitar and the like, so consider Reflect as well over Calm Mind. Calm Mind is really only necessary for CMCune, who can be covered to an extent by my next suggestion.

As for the Salamence issue, I'd suggest running a bulky CM Wish Jirachi, so you can reliable take most of Salamence's Dragon attacks. Instead of the traditional 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 Speed, try out 220 Sp.Def instead. This set functions similarly to the support set, with the addition of Calm Mind. I don't see what else I could slot in for Magnezone without removing some typing synergy as well. As for Salamence, the way you can play around it is bringing Jirachi on the Dragon attack, and then switching to Latias on the Earthquake or Fire Blast. Since I recommended Reflect on Latias, you will no longer die to Pursuiters like Scarftar and Scizor on the switchout.

The last comment is changing up Rotom-H's EV spread and moveset. Since I mentioned Gyarados was a problem, you need more investment in Def. Just run 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 Speed with the set of WoW / Thunderbolt / Rest / Sleep Talk. This gives you a status absorber as well as a good counter to said Gyarados.

Everything else is alright. Good luck.

 

[Conflict]

Im seconding TOF's suggestion, but want to give you an alternate and in my opinion better WishCMrachispread.

I suggest this one:
248 HP/86 Def/140 SDef/36 Spd
Nature: Bold

This Spread gives you more overall Bulk cause you dont need any more than 140 SDef-EV's. These 140 SDef-EV's secure, that you can reliable Set Up against a Choice Specs Latias, which cant 3hko you factoring SR and Leftovers-Recovery in, so you can Wish and CM up. Against Dragon-Attacks these 86 EV's wont make any roughly difference (2-3% max.). As an Bonus Salamence has only a very very little Chance of 2hkoing you with Draco Meteor on the Switch-In + Earthquake factoring in Stealth Rock, so you have an Last Resort against Mixmence. Also the more physical Bulk comes in handy against Scarftar - now he can't 2hko you with Earthquake factoring in Leftovers-Recovery. And Lead-Swampert has also a very low Chance of 2hkoing you with EQ (Leftovers-Recovery)....

I apologize for my bad english further more (no native speaker) and hope i could help you.

 

[Rugaji]

Great Suggestions!

Yes, I was very MixMence and Gyarados. I will try these suggestions out right now, but I'm going to try Twist of Fate's CM Wish Jirachi suggestion first for the first 10 matches and see how it fairs against MixMence, then for the other later matches, I will use the suggested CMWishRachi you suggested, Conflict, and see how it fairs. Thanks for these suggestions! I think they'll help my team take on those offensive threats even better.

As for Latias, I guess I'll run a defensive speedy Latias to at least outspeed base 100's such as Salamence that has 252 Naive / Hasty natures as well. So I guess hitting 329-330 Speed for Latias is more than good enough to hit faster than base 100's. I'll see what I can do to the Latias split Defense and HP / Sp.Atk as well and see if it's more of a major factor on this team @ Leftovers. :)

I'll also use that Rotom set but sticking with Timid to outpace CB, 0 Speed EVs Scizor. Thanks!

 

[Team Perfect]

hmmm... well i suggest that you dump your machamp set and use this one:


EV's: 252Hp 252Atk 4spe
Nature: Adamant
Ability: No Guard
Item: Leftovers
Moveset:

Dynamic Punch
Ice Punch
Rest
Sleep Talk

Yes! it is the one and only sleep talk machamp, this one help deal with sleep leads like roserade, which you seem to have difficulty with, because you take the sleep powder then you sleep talk and you have a 2/3 chance to draw an attack and both Dynamic punch or ice punch will take it out. You won't have to worry about physic types on this moveset because scizor takes care of them with its pursuits and rotom-h with shadow ball, i personally love the sleep talk machamp. Hope that helped

 

[DanTheMan111]

I don't have too much to suggest, other than 1. Taunt users kind of screw you over, and you have no taunt users of yourself. A possible fix is bumping swampert from the lead to magnerzone's spot and add another move other than stealth rocks, or running a standard skarmory spiker set
(with shed shell so your team isn't screwed by Magnezone), and using an Aerodactyl lead. If you play carefully, you can stop sleep, baton pass, stealth rocks, and some anti leads and walk away with an Aerodactyl for taunting and SRs up.

2. If you choose to keep your current set, try switching to Scizor on Aero lead, if they taunt, use bullet punch, if they stealth rock, use U-turn, to gain some early momentum.

3. Run HP fire on magnezone if you wish to keep him, having a grass move is definitely not needed in this metagame, and having the ability to beat Scizor and forry in one turn is big.

 

[Rugaji]

Thanks. I'll try these suggestions as soon as I'm out of school today (half-a-day). When I do get back on, I'll fix the team on the first post with the pics. and new evs, movesets, etc. So that I may continue to recieve more suggestions if the teams problems persist.

 

[Rugaji]

Notice: Team is updated. Still taking suggestions to make this team as flawless as possible, and yes the team can be used if you want to keep it.

 

[Nosferalto]

I really don't see how MixMence can be an issue really. I saw the team before and after the changes and I believe that Jirachi isn't really necessary. Scizor resists Dragon and can revenge kill Salamence with Bullet Punch or Latias with Dragon Pulse which outspeeds. Swampert can take an Outrage an retaliate with a x4 SE Ice Beam.

Anyway, I got your PM. This is a decent team. However, I believe that a SD Lucario will be very beneficial for your team over Jirachi. Here's the reasoning; With Substitute Machamp on the team, Lucario won't have any trouble sweeping the opponent's team as Machamp and Lucario have similar counters. All you have to do is switch-in Machamp on something it threatens and Sub on the switch, your opponents will switch in his Machamp check such as Rotom-H and Gliscor for example which happen to be commonly used as Lucario counters, from there you must respond accordingly choosing the appropriate move to KO that certain Pokemon. With his counters out of the way, Lucario will be able to set-up a SD and sweep the opponent's team with ease. Machamp is also arguably the best Scarf Tyranitar counter, a Pokemon that is usually used to check SD Lucario. Here's the set:

Lucario @ Life Orb
Adamant | 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Swords Dance | Close Combat | Crunch | Extreme Speed

Now, I also reccomend that you go back to 188 Spe and a Timid Nature on Rotom-H. This change made your team Lucario weak as it can set-up on Scizor locked onto Pursuit and sweep without much retaliation. With the 188 Spe EVs and a Timid Nature you will be able to out-speed Adamant max speed Lucario and threaten it with Overheat while being immune to Extreme Speed. Use this EV Spread: 252 HP / 68 Def / 188 Spe.
The difference in bulk really won't matter because you will always be 2HKOed by a +1 Waterfall. With your 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 Spe EV spread, Rotom-H takes 51.92% - 61.54% while with my EV spread you take 59.62% - 70.19%. As you can see you are always 2HKOed but with the 188 Spe EVs you are able to check Lucarios so the original change wasn't necessary at all.

Finally, there is one more change I would like to suggest, and that is Thunderbolt on Latias over HP Fire and an EV spread of 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 Spe as well as Calm Mind over Reflect. HP Fire is solely for Scizor which is already nicely handled by Rotom-H. Thunderbolt and CM will allow you to beat CroCune (Suicune) one on one with ease. CroCune is a huge threat to your team as you mentioned to me on irc and this change will remedy this weakness. With Thunderbolt and the EV Spread, Latias is able to take a +1 Stone Edge from Gyarados (47.95% - 56.71% precisely) and retaliate with Thunderbolt for the OHKO. With Rotom-H and this change you will have Gyarados covered with ease.



So, the changes summarized are:

• Replace Jirachi => SD Lucario
• Use 252 HP / 68 Def / 188 Spe with a Timid Nature on Rotom-H.
• Thunderbolt over HP Fire and Calm Mind over Reflect on Latias and use 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 Spe as an EV spread.

 

[Rugaji]

I guess it's back to the Rotom-h I first used for this team since the +1 Waterfall's no difference to either sets.

As for Latias, I'll make the changes right now, thanks for the rate. CroCune should be slightly easier to handle in a one on one.

B)

 

[Rugaji]

Possibly my last bump before making the finishing touch on my team. Anything else?

 

[Aircraft Cemetery]

Hello,

I got your private message, so I'll try my best to help.
When I read through Nosferalto's post above I noticed that he already mentioned most things I wanted to suggest too. SD Lucario just fits very well into your team because you have Machamp to weaken its main counters, Latias to lure choice Pursuit/Crunch and you won't need Lucario's slot to cover any dangerous threats as the rest of your team already does that quite nicely. A faster Rotom set will be needed to combat opposing SD Lucario, although you should still be very careful with locking your Scizor into Pursuit, as Jolly ones can really screw you over. Also take care of Rotom, as it is your only DD Gyarados check and won't like switching into Waterfall too often.
As your team is already quite solid by now, I think some nimor changes should suffice.

Swampert: Noting to change here. Good lead for your team that also features good synergy with the rest of your team. The only thing I'm worried about are Roserade leads, as it is guaranteed to incapacitate one member of your team with Sleep Powder and it will always get up 2 layers of Toxic Spkies. Also it heavily damages everything in your team with Leaf Storm or HP Fire. At least only 2 pokemon of your team are affected by TSpikes, but it will still be a nuisance.

Machamp: Those 16 Def EVs won't do much more than just putting them into HP. Anyway, 8 Speed and 252Attack EVs are given and the set is good. It will lure Ghosts and Gliscor and dispatch them with Payback and Ice Punch respectively.

Scizor: Nothing to change here. Just avoid switching into Draco Meteor too often as MixMence will really cause you trouble without Scizor.

Lucario: No changes needed here as well. Crunch is the best choice for the 4th slot and Adamant scores some important ohkoes after 1 SD and SR damage, for example Skarmory, Swampert, Suicune, Scarf Flygon and offensive Latias.

Rotom-H: The spread of 252HP, 188Spe, 68Def Timid is okay but I don't know if RestTalk is the best moveset here. If it was forced to rest before and a threat sets up, you will only have a 1/3 chance to hit Scizor, Lucario and Gyarados with the move you want, which can cost you the game. Also the lack of WoW will make it an easy Pursuit Bait for Tyranitar and Scizor if SleepTalk doesn't choose Overheat. WoW over Overheat could work better but as I said if you are asleep, the chance to do the right thing is very low. To solve this problem I have two ideas:
-Change your moves to Substitute, Thunderbolt, WoW and Shadow Ball. This set will ensure you won't be Pursuited too easily and you still handle Adamant Lucario and Scizor very well. The downgrade of this is the lack of recovery, so Gyarados becomes a bigges threat. Also even with max speed Jolly Lucario will always outspeed you and go for the ohko with +2 Crunch. Therefor you could also
-Change your Rotom set to the Choice Scarfer. The problem of this is obious: You are Pursuit Bait. The important advantage is the fact that it will very reliably check all sorts of DD Gyarados, SD Lucario and SD Scizor. Also being Pursuit Bait won't hurt too much as Lucario will love to get a free turn to set up. This set should work.
Rotom-H@Choice Scarf
Timid-252Spe, 252SpAtk, 4HP
-Shadow Ball
-Overheat
-Thunderbolt
-Trick
Trick can also come in handy as it cripples bulky stat uppers like Suicune, Snorlax and CM Jirachi, who give you trouble otherwise.
Both sets have their advantages and disadvantages, so you should test out what works best for you.

Latias: Hmm, with the set you use you just don't pack any power. Also you are still in need of a reliable CM Suicune and Jirachi check. Thunderbolt is not very reliable as everything will come down to the first crit against Cune (if Cune has Rest and Ice Beam) and Thunderbolt has little utility outside of that. What I would suggest is the following set:
Latias@Leftovers
Timid-252HP, 240Spe, 16Def
-Dragon Pulse
-Calm Mind
-Roar
-Recover
With this set you will absolutely screw all CM users, as you can roar them out if both of you are at +6/+6. Even without Reflect you will always survive Scarf Ttar's Crunch and Pursuit after Sand Storm and Stealth Rock. Same goes for Scizor's Pursuit and its Bullet Punch doesn't even 2hko. So you can freely roar them out. Also in contrast to your prsent set this Latias can be an effective Late Game sweeper once Ttar and Scizor are gone.

I think these changes should help. Good Luck !

 

[Rugaji]

The Rotom that I'm currently running for this team works effectively well. I tested the TrickRotom yesterday morning and it crewed me over a couple of times. As soon as I come in on Gyarados and they switch to a T-Tar or Scizor (odd,) and I have to switch out on Pursuit; meaning without Trick, I have the chance to WoW it and reduce their attack so my team can easily kill it. So in all, I'm not a fan of Trick sets "yet," so I'll stick to my regular set that has been functioning well. As for the Latias, even with all the HP and Defense, It's not able to survive any Pursuit or Crunch while switching and no switching from a Tyranitar, even CB Scizor without the STAB. But the Latias set I'm running now is able to take Bullet Punch for a 3HKO, while the set you recommended me lets Latias easily get 2HKOd.

Also, the Roar on Latias has been working exceptionally well, but it's running under my EVs just to revenge kill Salamence, and take more physical hits than the usual. I don't need the 240 Speed to hit Infernape, which can't really do anything with Stone edge as it 3HKOs it, but will get Roared or be attacked. :)
Thanks.

 

[forestflamerunner]

Just a thought for swampert.you might want to move it's 4 spa Eva to speed so you could beat other swampert to roar

 

[Aircraft Cemetery]

Hi again,

Yes, I'm aware of the desadvantages of Scarf Rotom for you, that's the reason why I also suggested the alternative non-Scarf set. While I'm still not in favour of RestTalk, you can keep it if you like of course.

As far as Latias is concerned you are free to use whichever EV spread you like, but you should definitely use Roar as it helps you check some really dangerous threats.

Solid team. Have a nice day.

 

[Rugaji]

@Aircraft Cemetery: I haven't build a team as solid as this for a long time. Thanks! Unfortunately, I can't keep testing Roar on Latias because now shoddy isn't working for me. -_-

@forestflamerunner: rofl, I'm in battle sitting and thinking why Swampert is always getting Roared before I use Roar. I'll fix that right now, but shoddy's not working. Thanks for the error.