Intro
I am new to the Smogon community, and relatively new to Pokemon in general. Always been a lover of strategy games however, and there sure is a ton of strategy here. Looking for advice on how to improve my team. I am trying not to sell my soul to all of the top tier Mons, but still be competent. The final spot(Manaphy) is where I have the most questions and cannot decide what Mon to use. Thanks For the help!
My Pokemon:
Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Psyshock
- Draco Meteor
- Energy Ball
Obviously defog is a huge help, although my team isn't terribly destroyed by Stealth Rocks. Draco Meteor pains anything it hits(other than Faries). Latios can switch into many threats, tank a hit, and fire back huge. Energy Ball was put on here to keep things interesting, more water coverage which I have been having issues with. also, if people want to switch in Azumarill, energy ball is amazing. Psyshock is fairly obvious, but a very good move. While Energy Ball is great, I am aware that there may be better options and would love to hear ideas.
Bisharp @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
Sucker Punch is amazing, and crazy powerful. Gives my team priority which is great, and it is fun to play Sucker Punch mind games. Bisharp scares the hell out of Psychic and Ghost types, and they will often switch out, allowing me to Swords Dance. A good prediction can reward a Swords Dance, and from there Bisharp has more than a chance to sweep. Also Knock Off is just a great utility move with little resistances. Lum Berry to remove pesky burns. I did try both Black Glasses and Life Orb, but this has seemed best.
Volcanion @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 96 HP / 252 SpA / 160 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Substitute
- Sludge Wave
This has a bit of an issue with water types, as mentioned before. Volcanion can switch into an obvious water move, healing itself and hopefully forcing a switch. Burns/the raw power of Steam Eruption is great and can cripple many threats. Substitute has also been helpful for reading an opponent. Volcanion behind a sub can fire off a risk free Steam Eruption, and hopefully burn. Sludge Wave hits Fairy and Grass types that have some other typing weakening Fire Blast. Volcanion also flat out beats Ferrothorn, whom I hate.
Aerodactyl-Mega @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Aqua Tail
- Fire Fang
- Aerial Ace
My all time favorite late game sweeper. Great coverage and amazing attack stat hit crazy hard. Once his checks are removed, namely Garchomp/Azumarill/Lando-T, his is nearly unstoppable. Flying typing is great to avoid Earthquakes, giving him good synergy with Volcanion. I used to have Hone Claws instead of Fire Fang, but was too often punished for trying to setup. Also Fire Fang is great for Scizor. Aerodactyl is also a fairly strong Talonflame counter, who is a threat to nearly any team. Aerodactyl is not without drawbacks, but I think is still very good. Of course I am open to criticism.
Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Earthquake
- Superpower
I really love how damn hard Mamo hits. Easily deletes Lando-T, a huge threat to Aerodactyl. Also puts another piece of priority on my team, which is invaluable. Superpower hits most things Mamo can't with Ice moves or Earthquake. I often lead with Mamo, especially against teams with Lando-T and/or Gliscor. He is also a fantastic revenge killer with the Ice Shard priority. Being a Ground type is also good for Electric immunity and can save several of the others on my team. Mamo doesnt have great bulk however, and is a total glass cannon.
Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tail Glow
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Energy Ball
This final slot is where I often doubt myself. Manaphy is amazing, as is Tail Glow. One boost and Manaphy can often sweep, or at least make a gigantic dent in an opponent. People will often switch in Water types to resist Scald/Ice Beam, which is where energy ball is great. Energy Ball can also take out some other threats my team struggles with, such as Quagsire and other Water-Ground combos. Hydration is far from a terrible ability, but I had to drop Rain Dance for Energy Ball.It is nice to come in on an opponents Rain though. However, I am not always convinced that Manaphy vibes well with my team, and am completely open to suggestion.
I am new to the Smogon community, and relatively new to Pokemon in general. Always been a lover of strategy games however, and there sure is a ton of strategy here. Looking for advice on how to improve my team. I am trying not to sell my soul to all of the top tier Mons, but still be competent. The final spot(Manaphy) is where I have the most questions and cannot decide what Mon to use. Thanks For the help!
My Pokemon:
Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Psyshock
- Draco Meteor
- Energy Ball
Obviously defog is a huge help, although my team isn't terribly destroyed by Stealth Rocks. Draco Meteor pains anything it hits(other than Faries). Latios can switch into many threats, tank a hit, and fire back huge. Energy Ball was put on here to keep things interesting, more water coverage which I have been having issues with. also, if people want to switch in Azumarill, energy ball is amazing. Psyshock is fairly obvious, but a very good move. While Energy Ball is great, I am aware that there may be better options and would love to hear ideas.
Bisharp @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
Sucker Punch is amazing, and crazy powerful. Gives my team priority which is great, and it is fun to play Sucker Punch mind games. Bisharp scares the hell out of Psychic and Ghost types, and they will often switch out, allowing me to Swords Dance. A good prediction can reward a Swords Dance, and from there Bisharp has more than a chance to sweep. Also Knock Off is just a great utility move with little resistances. Lum Berry to remove pesky burns. I did try both Black Glasses and Life Orb, but this has seemed best.
Volcanion @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 96 HP / 252 SpA / 160 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Substitute
- Sludge Wave
This has a bit of an issue with water types, as mentioned before. Volcanion can switch into an obvious water move, healing itself and hopefully forcing a switch. Burns/the raw power of Steam Eruption is great and can cripple many threats. Substitute has also been helpful for reading an opponent. Volcanion behind a sub can fire off a risk free Steam Eruption, and hopefully burn. Sludge Wave hits Fairy and Grass types that have some other typing weakening Fire Blast. Volcanion also flat out beats Ferrothorn, whom I hate.
Aerodactyl-Mega @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Aqua Tail
- Fire Fang
- Aerial Ace
My all time favorite late game sweeper. Great coverage and amazing attack stat hit crazy hard. Once his checks are removed, namely Garchomp/Azumarill/Lando-T, his is nearly unstoppable. Flying typing is great to avoid Earthquakes, giving him good synergy with Volcanion. I used to have Hone Claws instead of Fire Fang, but was too often punished for trying to setup. Also Fire Fang is great for Scizor. Aerodactyl is also a fairly strong Talonflame counter, who is a threat to nearly any team. Aerodactyl is not without drawbacks, but I think is still very good. Of course I am open to criticism.
Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Earthquake
- Superpower
I really love how damn hard Mamo hits. Easily deletes Lando-T, a huge threat to Aerodactyl. Also puts another piece of priority on my team, which is invaluable. Superpower hits most things Mamo can't with Ice moves or Earthquake. I often lead with Mamo, especially against teams with Lando-T and/or Gliscor. He is also a fantastic revenge killer with the Ice Shard priority. Being a Ground type is also good for Electric immunity and can save several of the others on my team. Mamo doesnt have great bulk however, and is a total glass cannon.
Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tail Glow
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Energy Ball
This final slot is where I often doubt myself. Manaphy is amazing, as is Tail Glow. One boost and Manaphy can often sweep, or at least make a gigantic dent in an opponent. People will often switch in Water types to resist Scald/Ice Beam, which is where energy ball is great. Energy Ball can also take out some other threats my team struggles with, such as Quagsire and other Water-Ground combos. Hydration is far from a terrible ability, but I had to drop Rain Dance for Energy Ball.It is nice to come in on an opponents Rain though. However, I am not always convinced that Manaphy vibes well with my team, and am completely open to suggestion.
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