So with my first post on smogon, i decided to do a RMT. I am not completely new to competitive battling, as I have been lurking smogon for a while, and have played shoddy since January. This team has done decently well on the ladder, but there are still a few problems with it.
The main goal of this team is to set Empoleon for a sweep, but I won't complain if one of my other sweepers wins it for me!
The main goal of this team is to set Empoleon for a sweep, but I won't complain if one of my other sweepers wins it for me!
At A Glance
The Lead
Roserade @ Focus Sash
Natural Cure
Timid (+Spe -Atk)
EV's: 4 HP, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
Roserade leads me off with some very useful toxic spikes. The spikes greatly help my team, specifically Empoleon, as they allow him to beat many special walls 1 vs 1. Hidden power is there because for some unknown reason, people really like to switch Scizor into this. I prefer leaf storm over grass knot as it has more power, and because grass doesnt hit much stuff super effective, Roserade needs it. Also can soak up opponents toxic spikes later in the match.
Roserade @ Focus Sash
Natural Cure
Timid (+Spe -Atk)
EV's: 4 HP, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
-Sleep Powder
-Toxic Spikes
-Leaf Storm
-Hidden Power Fire
-Toxic Spikes
-Leaf Storm
-Hidden Power Fire
Roserade leads me off with some very useful toxic spikes. The spikes greatly help my team, specifically Empoleon, as they allow him to beat many special walls 1 vs 1. Hidden power is there because for some unknown reason, people really like to switch Scizor into this. I prefer leaf storm over grass knot as it has more power, and because grass doesnt hit much stuff super effective, Roserade needs it. Also can soak up opponents toxic spikes later in the match.
The Wall
Cresselia @ Leftovers
Levitate
Bold (+Def -Atk)
EV's: 252 Hp, 252 Def, 4 SpA
Cresselia is the single best mixed wall in the game. Period. I love this thing so much. It provides my team with a ton of bulk, and is my go to guy when I am in doubt. It beats many sweepers 1 on 1, such as Nasty Plot Infernape, DD Gyarados, and various dragons. Cresselia, along with Empleon, have been with team since the very beginning, and forms it's core. Psychic is chosen over ice beam as i feel i need the other moves, and Psychic hits the most threats neutral.
Cresselia @ Leftovers
Levitate
Bold (+Def -Atk)
EV's: 252 Hp, 252 Def, 4 SpA
-Reflect
-Thunder Wave
-Moonlight
-Psychic
-Thunder Wave
-Moonlight
-Psychic
Cresselia is the single best mixed wall in the game. Period. I love this thing so much. It provides my team with a ton of bulk, and is my go to guy when I am in doubt. It beats many sweepers 1 on 1, such as Nasty Plot Infernape, DD Gyarados, and various dragons. Cresselia, along with Empleon, have been with team since the very beginning, and forms it's core. Psychic is chosen over ice beam as i feel i need the other moves, and Psychic hits the most threats neutral.
The Star
\
Empoleon @ Petaya Berry
Torrent
Modest (+SpA -Atk)
EV's: 12 HP, 252 SpA, 12 SpD, 232 Spe
Empoleon is the centre of my team, and rightfully so. He can be a total beast, turning aroung games i am down 3-1, even 4-1. I am currently conflicted over the last moveslot. I have tried both ice beam and grass knot, neither were very satisfactory,but grass knot performed slightly better. Recently, i got the idea of using hidden power bug, as that would hit grass types, Celebi, and Latias very hard, while still maintaining neutral over other waters. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Empoleon @ Petaya Berry
Torrent
Modest (+SpA -Atk)
EV's: 12 HP, 252 SpA, 12 SpD, 232 Spe
-Substitute
-Agility
-Surf
-Grass Knot
-Agility
-Surf
-Grass Knot
Empoleon is the centre of my team, and rightfully so. He can be a total beast, turning aroung games i am down 3-1, even 4-1. I am currently conflicted over the last moveslot. I have tried both ice beam and grass knot, neither were very satisfactory,but grass knot performed slightly better. Recently, i got the idea of using hidden power bug, as that would hit grass types, Celebi, and Latias very hard, while still maintaining neutral over other waters. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
The Anti Dragon
Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Snow Cloak
Jolly (+Spe -SpA)
EV's:252 Atk, 4 Def, 252 Spe
Mamoswine serves as a revenge killer, and my only priority user. I chose to use a life orb over choice band, as i found that after i would KO something with ice shard, something like SD Lucario would come and get a free set up. Life orb prevents this, and i really dont miss the extra power. Mamoswine eliminates Salamences and other dragons, who wall Empoleon to an extent, and can threaten to sweep my team. I am contemplating putting stealth rock over superpower, as i only really use it on TTar, who is also hit hard by Earthquake.
Snow Cloak
Jolly (+Spe -SpA)
EV's:252 Atk, 4 Def, 252 Spe
-Earthquake
-Ice Shard
-Stone Edge
-Superpower
-Ice Shard
-Stone Edge
-Superpower
Mamoswine serves as a revenge killer, and my only priority user. I chose to use a life orb over choice band, as i found that after i would KO something with ice shard, something like SD Lucario would come and get a free set up. Life orb prevents this, and i really dont miss the extra power. Mamoswine eliminates Salamences and other dragons, who wall Empoleon to an extent, and can threaten to sweep my team. I am contemplating putting stealth rock over superpower, as i only really use it on TTar, who is also hit hard by Earthquake.
The Scarfer
Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Download
Modest (+SpA -Atk)
EV's: 4 Def, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
Porygon-Z is another revenge killer, for more physically defensive threats. He also takes care of Latias to an extent, scaring him out with dark pulse. Porygon also often ends up as the last man standing, as does a good job cleaning up a weakened team.
Porygon-Z @ Choice Scarf
Download
Modest (+SpA -Atk)
EV's: 4 Def, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
-Dark Pulse
-Tri Attack
-Hidden Power Fighting
-Thunderbolt
-Tri Attack
-Hidden Power Fighting
-Thunderbolt
Porygon-Z is another revenge killer, for more physically defensive threats. He also takes care of Latias to an extent, scaring him out with dark pulse. Porygon also often ends up as the last man standing, as does a good job cleaning up a weakened team.
The Stallbreaker
Salamence @ Life Orb
Intimidate
Rash (+SpA -SpD)
EV's: 80 Atk, 252 SpA, 176 Spe
Classic Mixmence is my stallbreaker. I find that he works better than new mixmence, or even DDmence, at opening up the midgame. This spot used to belong to a NP Mixape, but i found i needed something that could actually damage Latias, so this has been added instead.
So there is my team. Most of the sets are standard, but i feel they all work. I will now go through a shortened threat list, to give you an idea of what i have problems with. (Red means major threat, Orange means medium threat)
Tentacruel: This thing annoys my team so much. He walls Empoleon, soaks up my spikes, and the only guys who can even touch him are Mamo and Cresselia. A major problem.
Latias: This thing also annoys my team, but to a lesser extent. Walls Empoleon, immune to spikes, and his ridiculous defenses mean i have a hard time denting it. I try to weaken it, then just not let it have time to recover, and hopefully Empoleon will take care of it.
Heracross: This thing can sweep my team quite easily, espically the swords dance versions. The choice ones are a little easier to deal with, but they are still problematic.
Vaporeon: This thing can be very hard to take down. Empoleon can sometimes beat it 1 vs 1 however.
Suicune: Same situation as Vaporeon.
Anyways that's my team. The two weak points are probably Porygon-Z and Salamence, but any suggestions are welcomed. I would like to keep the team focused around Empoleon however.
Salamence @ Life Orb
Intimidate
Rash (+SpA -SpD)
EV's: 80 Atk, 252 SpA, 176 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Fire Blast
-Brick Break
-Roost
-Fire Blast
-Brick Break
-Roost
Classic Mixmence is my stallbreaker. I find that he works better than new mixmence, or even DDmence, at opening up the midgame. This spot used to belong to a NP Mixape, but i found i needed something that could actually damage Latias, so this has been added instead.
So there is my team. Most of the sets are standard, but i feel they all work. I will now go through a shortened threat list, to give you an idea of what i have problems with. (Red means major threat, Orange means medium threat)
Tentacruel: This thing annoys my team so much. He walls Empoleon, soaks up my spikes, and the only guys who can even touch him are Mamo and Cresselia. A major problem.
Latias: This thing also annoys my team, but to a lesser extent. Walls Empoleon, immune to spikes, and his ridiculous defenses mean i have a hard time denting it. I try to weaken it, then just not let it have time to recover, and hopefully Empoleon will take care of it.
Heracross: This thing can sweep my team quite easily, espically the swords dance versions. The choice ones are a little easier to deal with, but they are still problematic.
Vaporeon: This thing can be very hard to take down. Empoleon can sometimes beat it 1 vs 1 however.
Suicune: Same situation as Vaporeon.
Anyways that's my team. The two weak points are probably Porygon-Z and Salamence, but any suggestions are welcomed. I would like to keep the team focused around Empoleon however.
