MaTrannieChamp Attempt

[FearZeCrawdaunt]

Alright, so this here's a Gen 4 OU team, but I gladly managed to find an incredibly specific niche role for a NU pokemon :)

So to start my team out, I wanted to use a Machamp for his laughably enjoyable No Guard DynamicPunch. And built my team around it.

Machamp
244HP/252Atk/12Spe
No Guard
Adamant
@Lum Berry

DynamicPunch
Payback
Bullet Punch
Ice Punch

Pretty standard set with a pretty standard explanation. I'm using Ice Punch>Stone Edge primarily because the rest of my team has a tough time facing earthquakes, and so a Dragonite or Gliscor poses a real threat to most of my team. It does mean I can't hit Gyarados with more than a DynamicPunch on the switch, but hey, confusion is never bad.

Heatran
4HP/252SpA/252Spe
Timid
@Shuca Berry

Stealth Rock
Fire Blast
Explosion
Hidden Power Grass

HP Grass to take care of Swampert, another fairly basic set without much need for explanation I would think. Timid nature used to make sure an exploding Azelf doesn't take out my (BAN ME PLEASE) before the fun can get started :) Also helps serve to outspeed some mediocre speed poke's ranging around 70-86 (90 is just 1 too fast).

Tyranitar
4HP/252Atk/252Spe
Jolly
@Life Orb

Dragon Dance
Stone Edge
Crunch
Aqua Tail

Going the Aqua Tail route. As I said earlier, this team has a big weakness in ground type moves, like earthquake. Thus, being able to get Hippowdon, as well as other Tyranitar. Skarmory and Scizor can deal with my Heatran if they want to switch in, though it would be a shame to drop my Dragon Dance. Aqua Tail still hits for neutral damage on both, though Stone Edge hits Skarmory neutrally anyways with more power. Essentially, I'll have to watch for them and scout to make sure Tyranitar can be used effectively. Despite DDTar being used primarily as a sweeper, it's key with this team to try and get him out shortly after Machamp dies, to bring in sandstorm as soon as possible to help facilitate a sweep attempt later from either Tar or Empoleon.

Gliscor
252HP/4Def/252Spe
Sand Veil
Jolly
@Leftovers

Taunt
Earthquake
Roost
U-Turn

Taunt and U-Turn define my Gliscor. He's my physical wall, provides an incredibly important ground immunity, whilst also giving me a fighting resistance, and with a sandstorm up from Tyranitar, can hope for some evasions thanks to Sand Veil. The ability to U-Turn is definitely the most important aspect of my team though, as Gliscor will be using it quite often to force switches and help me set up.

Empoleon
8HP/252SpA/248Spe
Modest
@Life Orb

Agility
Ice Beam
Surf
Grass Knot

Another sweeper the team enjoys. With his littany of resistances, and one turn setup with Agility, Empoleon serves decently well as a backup sweeper. The key notion here is that with a stealth rock up from Heatran, and sandstorm kicking about from Tyranitar, Empoleon is well supported enough to avoid using a Petaya berry, freeing up the moveslot for ideal coverage.

Finally, the reason I really like this set. I'm always a fan of throwing in a weird pokemon that no one sees coming, but this niche was so incredibly specific I really enjoyed it.

Gardevoir
4HP/252SpA/252Spe
Trace
Timid
@Choice Scarf

Thunderbolt
Psychic
Trick
Focus Blast

Still not quite sure which to use in the last moveslot, but let me explain why I'm using Gardevoir at all.

When going through this team, I noticed a couple big problems. One, Infernape would tear through my team given the right conditions. My team is pretty slow as is, and the best counters to Infernape are Gliscor and Machamp (Heatran can also work, but he's got his plate full as is). Gliscor works pretty well, but I wanted a backup plan in case he fell early. Choice Scarfed Gardevoir comes in and hits hard with a STAB psychic, which ought to get rid of any Infernape problem I may be dealing with. But the second reason is I noticed my team is mincemeat before a DDGyarados that's gotten the turn to set up. Provided the Dos is carrying Earthquake, nothing really stands in it's way. Bring in Gardevoir. Most DDGyarados don't invest fully in speed as after a DD they'll be faster than most anything they're trying to sweep. This important subtlety is Gardevoir's key to success. Being just 1 point slower than Gyarados (translating to about 3 stats), it's important that the DDDos isn't fully invested in speed. Thanks to this, Gardevoir can come in after a poke dies and trace intimidate Gyarados, lowering it's attack. The choice scarf functions to deliver a thunderbolt before Gyarados even knows what hit it.

Finally, Gardevoirs serves two alternate purposes. With a beastly 125 SpA, she doesn't make a bad revenge killer at all. The choice of Focus Blast or Shadow Ball really comes down to who I need to take out. Focus Blast might be useful for Lucario, provided Lucario doesn't extremespeed (with a Swords Dance? No way Gardevoir is surviving that). Shadow Ball hits other psychic types and any ghosts lurking about (though a STAB psychic will probably do more damage to a Rotom than a Shadow Ball).

The second purpose is to provide the option of Tricking a choice scarf onto some unfortunate opponent, seriously reducing their capacity. Trick is always appreciated on any team.

 

[Aeolian]

This team has potential so, as i'm in the mood, i'll give a little rating / changing / suggestions.
Changes in Bold
Explaination in Italics

Machamp @ Focus Sash
Ability: No Guard
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 244 HP / 252 Atk / 12 Spe
- Dynamic Punch
- Payback
- Bullet Punch
- Ice Punch

"Focus Sash? What are you kidding?" - I'm pretty sure thats what you're thinking.. And frankly i dont blame you.
See, who in their right mind, seeing a machamp lead is going to status it / put it to sleep etc, when they think it's going to have a Lum Berry.
Tricking people like that works incredibly well.

The EV spread is standard and even allows you to outspeed other Machamps. Obviously the only disadvantage to this is that you have a little problem with the others if they have a berry, but you can luck your way out of that easily.

Heatran @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Timid
EV's: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock

It's the standard heatran SR heatran and it works well. Explosion over Earth Power purely due to you already having enough checks to heatran.

Tyranitar @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Sandstream
Nature: Jolly
EV's: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Dragon Dance
- Aqua Tail

Couldnt agree more with that Aqua Tail idea my friend, and it's not redundant at all. I replaced your life orb for a babiri berry due to the potential of scizor coming in and Bullet Punching you to hell.

Gliscor @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- U-turn
- Roost
- Taunt
- Earthquake

Lovely wall breaker, however I'm predicting a few problems with some of the more common stall pokemon on the block and some of the special attackers.
The set is fine as it is but i would suggest you consider replacing it with an Infernape (Preferably Scarfed), as a lot of other scarfed / DD'ing pokemon may try and have it away with your team.

Empoleon @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Modest
EV's: 12 HP / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
- Ice Beam
- Agility
- Surf
- Substitute

You want a late game sweep which counters some of your weaknesses, well go with this... Your much more likely to get some heavy damage on the foes with this than other pokemon.

Gardevoir @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Trace
Nature: Timid
EV's: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Trick

Since i doubt you will be facing many Shedinja here in OU you shouldn't be needing Shadow Ball. Focus Blast will do just fine since you would have been resisted by many steel types. Psychic for gengar and Thunderbolt for anything Water or Flying type.

But unfortunately theres a problem... This is MAJOR fodder for Tyranitar... If you allow it to switch in, you will end up being most likely KO'ed by it's persuit when you try and switch out. If it's scarfed and it comes in when you use trick, your in even deeper trouble.
Bare that in mind.

It's a good team overall, but it needed a fair few changes and can probably do with a few more.
keep at it :)

 

[Texas Cloverleaf]

Disregard the above post about Machamp's item. You would be surprised at the number of Roserade and co. who will intentionally status you so as to remove your Lum for later in the match. Machamp doesn't get OHKO'ed by a whole lot either.

 

[FearZeCrawdaunt]

Yeah sorry, I shoulda put the EV's but they were generally just the standard EV's for the set... and I was also unsure of any changes I may have wanted to make to them. Thanks for the suggested EV spreads Aeolian :) And you know... the other suggestions :P

I would rather keep Lum Berry than Focus Sash, as most people will status it just to remove the Lum Berry, which leaves me screwed when they find out I didn't have it.

Other than that, Empoleon using the SubPetaya set seems counter to my goal, though a Life Orb wasn't doing much better. I enjoy Empoleons bulk thanks to his multiple resistances, and was planning on using him to sponge up some fire/water attacks that may threaten the rest of my team. Granted, the Life Orb would be dealing myself damage each time I used it, but I opted against the SubPetaya set as once I set up with SubPetaya, I can't switch him out and set up again, and without some boost in attack strength somehow, I may lack the necessary strength to 2HKO or 0HKO some pokes (though i haven't looked at who exactly, just figured that there would be a lot considering Empoleons good, but not great SpA).


Also, with good prediction, Tyranitar is always 2HKO'd by Focus Blast. Though relying on Focus Blast to hit twice is risky in and of itself...

 

[kingofmars]

I don't see why you aren't using Gengar over Gardevoir, as it has better sp.atk, speed, typing etc... Unless you're using trace that often in order to beat gyarados, I think you'll find this set to be useful

@ choice scarf
Timid nature
4HP/252Spa/252spe
-Shadow ball
-T-bolt
-Focus blast
-Trick/Hp ice/Explosion

This does everything your Gardevoir does but much, much better. The immunities to fighting, ground, and normal all allow Gengar to switch in more, the higher speed and sp.atk stats also allow it to more reliable revenge kill gyarados/Lucario. I reccomend running trick in the last slot, as it wrecks Blissey's/Snorlax's who like to switch in. However, HP ice allows you to revenge kill DD-Nite. Explosion is that last hope option to destroy annoying pokemon.

Also, can you please include the EV's for your pokemon, as it is difficult to rate without them.

 

[Aeolian]

Disregard the above post about Machamp's item. You would be surprised at the number of Roserade and co. who will intentionally status you so as to remove your Lum for later in the match. Machamp doesn't get OHKO'ed by a whole lot either.

That was mainly used to combat the increase of Starmies which keep popping up.

Other than that, Empoleon using the SubPetaya set seems counter to my goal, though a Life Orb wasn't doing much better. I enjoy Empoleons bulk thanks to his multiple resistances, and was planning on using him to sponge up some fire/water attacks that may threaten the rest of my team. Granted, the Life Orb would be dealing myself damage each time I used it, but I opted against the SubPetaya set as once I set up with SubPetaya, I can't switch him out and set up again, and without some boost in attack strength somehow, I may lack the necessary strength to 2HKO or 0HKO some pokes (though i haven't looked at who exactly, just figured that there would be a lot considering Empoleons good, but not great SpA).

I'll be honest, using that sub petaya would probably put the foe in more trouble if your countering the weaknesses as you have a perfect switch in to come in, set up and majorly dent the team.
Obviously it does come with its risks, but frankly i think it's worth it on this team as a major power house.

 

[FearZeCrawdaunt]

I don't see why you aren't using Gengar over Gardevoir, as it has better sp.atk, speed, typing etc... Unless you're using trace that often in order to beat gyarados, I think you'll find this set to be useful

@ choice scarf
Timid nature
4HP/252Spa/252spe
-Shadow ball
-T-bolt
-Focus blast
-Trick/Hp ice/Explosion

This does everything your Gardevoir does but much, much better. The immunities to fighting, ground, and normal all allow Gengar to switch in more, the higher speed and sp.atk stats also allow it to more reliable revenge kill gyarados/Lucario. I reccomend running trick in the last slot, as it wrecks Blissey's/Snorlax's who like to switch in. However, HP ice allows you to revenge kill DD-Nite. Explosion is that last hope option to destroy annoying pokemon.

edit: The more I look at the statement above, the more I realize it's actually wrong. Gengar definitely switches in easier, but it actually lacks the power to deal with my problems due to the lack of super effective STAB. Gardevoir 0HKO's Lucario 100% of the time with Focus Blast, just like Gengar. And same goes for Gyarados. Despite Gengar being able to switch in better, it actually lacks power as it can't deal super effective attacks to other fighting types like Infernape or Breloom. Gardevoir also has a chance of 0HKO'ing a full HP Machamp (with full HP EV's) though it's probably not high. With entry hazards or Sandstorm damage though, the chances would rise significantly as Gard is dealing an average of 348 damage to 252HP/16SpD Machamp.

Simply put Gardevoir's STAB psychic helps her fill a niche Gengar can't quite fill. That's not to say Gengar wouldn't do a great job on this team, but Gardevoir has her selling points, and they aren't insignificant either.

And Aeolian, I'll be trying out both Empoleons :) I do see the advantages of SubPetaya, but if LO can do the job while giving me an option to switch Empoleon out before the going gets rough, and bring him back in and re-set up at some point, then the dependability definitely plays a factor. Though hopefully I wouldn't be doing that anyways. I might even look at some damage calc's using Expert Belt. But I figure it's probably too weak if I cut the damage that much. SR and Sandstorm might help fill the gap though.

2nd edit:

Also, with respect to the Gardevoir thing, there was actually one alternative I thought about before, not Gengar. It's another obscure set.

Gyarados
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Adamant
@Choice Scarf

Waterfall/Aqua Tail
Earthquake
Stone Edge
Ice Fang

The idea would be that this Gyarados could come in on another Gyarados, lower it's Attack and then hit hard with a Stone Edge. But it was abandoned for the obvious reason that all this does is put my Gyarados on par with theirs, and mine would have had the disadvantage of having to switch in... i.e. it'd be more effective to wait til a poke dies anyways. Thus why I chose Gardevoir. But this Gyarados actually serves a lot of the same purposes as Gardevoir with respect to dealing with fighting threats.

 

[Aeolian]

Gyarados
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Adamant
@Choice Scarf

Waterfall/Aqua Tail
Earthquake
Stone Edge
Ice Fang

The idea would be that this Gyarados could come in on another Gyarados, lower it's Attack and then hit hard with a Stone Edge. But it was abandoned for the obvious reason that all this does is put my Gyarados on par with theirs, and mine would have had the disadvantage of having to switch in... i.e. it'd be more effective to wait til a poke dies anyways. Thus why I chose Gardevoir. But this Gyarados actually serves a lot of the same purposes as Gardevoir with respect to dealing with fighting threats.

i prefer CB Gyara / Specs Pert :D
but i see where you're coming from

 

[Faladran]

I'm not sure why you wouldn't just use Scarf Rotom-w in the last slot - the only thing Gardevoir has going for it is its status as an attractive female. Rotom does a better job of revenge killing, and provides you with useful immunities to Normal, Fighting, and Ground, which can be very helpful for switching into Explosion. A moveset of Thunderbolt / Shadow Ball / Hydro Pump / Trick allows it to perform similarly to Gardevoir.

Opposing Water-types are difficult to play around. Your only Water resist happens to be Empoleon, who fares poorly against threats such as Starmie, Suicune, and even some variants of Gyarados. Since Agility Empoleon functions poorly against good players without Toxic Spikes, I would recommend that you replace it with something that can get past opposing Waters. ChestoRest Kingdra could work as a potential replacement, although the SubCharge Lanturn I recommend in this post would also help, particularly against stall teams.

Good luck!