ORAS OU Mega Diancie team, need help

[lfcgilsonbtn]

Hi guys, first of all this is the first team I have posted on Smogon although I have been playing for a while, I'm an average player at best but would like to improve and I feel that one way to do this would be to have my team rated so I can better learn more of the ins and outs of team building.

Team at first glance


Teambuilding Process


I started my teambuilding with Mega Diancie because not only is it my favourite mega Pokémon at the moment but it has good typing and the stupidly good magic bounce ability. This partnered with the fact it deals with annoying mons like Mega Sableye rather easily I felt it was the perfect place to start.


With Diancie being my mega of choice I decided a Fairy, Dragon, Steel core would work best. I chose lati for its access to defog as well as its levitate ability to counter the obvious ground weakness. Bisharp fit as my teams steel type because it is the mon I felt most comfortable using and it can really punish defog users and even the occasional sticky web team as well the fact lati checks its fighting weakness so I feel these work well together.



The next thing I wanted on my team was a stealth rock user as well as a fast physical sweeper, I felt the ttar Excadrill combination would work here because they fill those roles really well and together they can win a lot of games by hitting too hard and too fast for some teams to keep up.



Finally, I noticed I had a huge problem with water type Pokémon in general so I decided to use Volcanion with hp grass as a counter to the likes of Suicune who I previously had a hard time even touching but I feel this still doesn't work as well as I thought it would on this team.

The sets

Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 8 Atk / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Earth Power
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Protect

I got this set from smogon, it said to run the 8 evs in attack in order to OHKO Mega charizard X but so far I haven't managed to do so so maybe this set needs a little work but overall I am happy with it. I chose against going for hp fire because I feel the speed drop can be really damaging when going up against a latios or a gengar with no switch ins left and ive actually been able to win the speed tie on several occasions to get out of those situations.



Bisharp @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 52 SpD / 204 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Knock Off

I use the pursuit variant of Bisharp because without it I found Gengar (who I've been seeing a lot of recently) and opposing Latios to provide some trouble to my team. I have considered running Swords dance instead and having ttar pursuit trap but I feel bisharp does it better and prefer the extra damage of crunch on ttar.


Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Thunderbolt
- Psyshock
- Draco Meteor

I chose to use both thunderbolt and psyshock because as mentioned previously water types such as Suicune and Manaphy can be very problematic and without psyshock I would have no way to take on mega Venusaur with super effective damage. I do feel however that it really lacks longevity as a defogger without access to roost.


Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 180 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Ice Beam
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

Bulky Rock and Sand setter with ice beam for landorus and garchomp who can somewhat combat or weaken Excadrill. Ttar is here over hippo because it has more of an offensive presence being able to really damage the likes of talonflame and thundurus who Excadrill may not want to swith In to to take a focus blast or will o wisp.



Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Earthquake

Air balloon I found necessary with this team as the majority are weak to ground type attacks. Without it a choice scarf lando could rip my team apart with little to no effort.

Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Sludge Bomb
- Fire Blast
- Steam Eruption

Volcanion doesn't really do the job I expected it to do but basically sludge bomb is for when ive switched into an azumarill and hp grass for every other water type it was supposed to check. (does well against quagsire but Suicune is still a big problem)

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any help that can be given.

 

[BreloomMyHomie]

Hey man, nice team you have there, but there are a couple of flaws. One of the biggest threats you struggle to play against is Mega Gyarados. The Dragon Dance Earthquake set not only can do a number to your team, but finds set up opportunities vs Bisharp, Tyranitar, and even Volcanion(though you do have 30% chance to burn with Steam Eruption). Mega Lopunny can be a slight issue as well; although you have sand rush Excadrill to check it, you still lack a solid fighting resist, let alone switch-in. Suicune can be a huge problem as well, despite you having a Water Absorb Pokemon on your team. This is because Volcanion can't be Suicune 1v1 due to its Choice Specs because locking yourself into only one move with a limited amount of PP, and then being Pressured stall isn't ideal. In addition, there's not much that wants to come in on Suicune besides Latios, but that can only come in a limited amount of times. Serperior can also be an issue, being able to repeatedly go for Leaf Storm when your opponent sends it out vs Tyranitar or Diancie; after getting 1-2 +2 Leaf Storm boosts, the majority of your team will faint by the time Bisharp or Excadrill(in the sand) comes and revenge kills it.

My first suggestion will be to replace Bisharp with Kyurem-B. Kyurem-B is a pretty good answer to Mega Gyarados as it can take a +1 Crunch and retaliate back with a Fusion Bolt. In addition, with a Choice Scarf, it gives your team another answer to Mega Lopunny other than Excadrill, and checks Serperior comfortably with Ice Beam, preventing it from doing a number to your team. It would also mean that Kyurem-B won't have to take any prior damage(with the exception of hazards) before you knock Gyarados out(with Fusion Bolt), since Scarf Kyurem-B outspeeds +1 Spe Mega Gyarados.

Next, I think CM Latios would be better for the team than 3 attacks+Defog. CM Latios is a pretty good balance breaker that can beat Suicune 1v1, as Psyshock ignores the Special Defense boosts that Suicune gets from CM, since it hits on the Physical side. Kyurem-B is a good check to Suicune as well, but if it gets burnt, then your Kyurem-B is rendered useless against it.

Thirdly, I recommend Hidden Power Fire>Earth Power on Diancie, as well as Fire Blast>Ice Beam on Tyranitar. With CM Latios as well as Scarf Kyurem-B, Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Skarmory lures are ideal in order for aforementioned sweepers can go haywire. In addition, I don't think Earth Power on Diancie for this team, considering that you have Excadrill as well as Scarf Kyurem-B with Earth Power to check it. Ice Beam does let you weaken Landorus-T if your opponent chooses to go for Stealth Rock instead of Earthquake, but I'll get into that later.

With these changes, Scarf Landorus-T becomes an issue. Kyurem-B does check it with Ice Beam, but you lack a solid switch-in. Excadrill can come in on an EQ with its Air Balloon, but not on a Superpower. This is why I'm suggesting Rotom-W>Volcanion. While Volcanion does give you a solid "Bulky SD" Mega Scizor check, Rotom-W can too with Will-O-Wisp. It's a bit more shaky, but the addition of Rotom-W gives your team a solid Landorus-T switch-in. Another reason why I suggested Rotom-W is Mega Gyarados. Kyurem-B is a great check, bu

With CM Latios on the team now, hazard control becomes an issue. Rapid Spin>Swords Dance on Excadrill provides hazard control, so your Pokemon, especially Kyurem-B, don't get worn down without taking damage from your opponents' attacks.

New Team

Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 8 Atk / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Protect

Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Psyshock
- Draco Meteor

Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 180 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Fire Blast
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Earthquake

Kyurem-Black @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Outrage
- Earth Power

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Pain Split

Good luck m8.

 

[RealTM]

Hey! Cool team. My first reaction is that there's a huge weakness to faster Pokemon because you don't have a reliable method of speed control. Aside from that, there's a GIGANTIC weakness to Mega-Medicham. Once an M-Medicham team picks off Latios and outlasts sand, it can OHKO the rest of your team.

Are you open to switching the actual Pokemon on the team? If not, then I'd highly suggest putting a Scarf on TTar; even then, it would take a good amount of maneuvering to fight your way through a team with fast Steel/Fighting (Scizor/Lopunny or Medicham for instance).

 

[Rezilient]

Hey man I like the team. You should consider using Assault Vest or Black Glasses on Bisharp. You still OHKO offensive Lati@s sets with AV and it provides your Bisharp with more longevity. I would go AV if you want some added bulk, but use Black Glasses if you want to remain more offensive. I hope this helped! :)

 

[lfcgilsonbtn]

Hey man, nice team you have there, but there are a couple of flaws. One of the biggest threats you struggle to play against is Mega Gyarados. The Dragon Dance Earthquake set not only can do a number to your team, but finds set up opportunities vs Bisharp, Tyranitar, and even Volcanion(though you do have 30% chance to burn with Steam Eruption). Mega Lopunny can be a slight issue as well; although you have sand rush Excadrill to check it, you still lack a solid fighting resist, let alone switch-in. Suicune can be a huge problem as well, despite you having a Water Absorb Pokemon on your team. This is because Volcanion can't be Suicune 1v1 due to its Choice Specs because locking yourself into only one move with a limited amount of PP, and then being Pressured stall isn't ideal. In addition, there's not much that wants to come in on Suicune besides Latios, but that can only come in a limited amount of times. Serperior can also be an issue, being able to repeatedly go for Leaf Storm when your opponent sends it out vs Tyranitar or Diancie; after getting 1-2 +2 Leaf Storm boosts, the majority of your team will faint by the time Bisharp or Excadrill(in the sand) comes and revenge kills it.

My first suggestion will be to replace Bisharp with Kyurem-B. Kyurem-B is a pretty good answer to Mega Gyarados as it can take a +1 Crunch and retaliate back with a Fusion Bolt. In addition, with a Choice Scarf, it gives your team another answer to Mega Lopunny other than Excadrill, and checks Serperior comfortably with Ice Beam, preventing it from doing a number to your team. It would also mean that Kyurem-B won't have to take any prior damage(with the exception of hazards) before you knock Gyarados out(with Fusion Bolt), since Scarf Kyurem-B outspeeds +1 Spe Mega Gyarados.

Next, I think CM Latios would be better for the team than 3 attacks+Defog. CM Latios is a pretty good balance breaker that can beat Suicune 1v1, as Psyshock ignores the Special Defense boosts that Suicune gets from CM, since it hits on the Physical side. Kyurem-B is a good check to Suicune as well, but if it gets burnt, then your Kyurem-B is rendered useless against it.

Thirdly, I recommend Hidden Power Fire>Earth Power on Diancie, as well as Fire Blast>Ice Beam on Tyranitar. With CM Latios as well as Scarf Kyurem-B, Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Skarmory lures are ideal in order for aforementioned sweepers can go haywire. In addition, I don't think Earth Power on Diancie for this team, considering that you have Excadrill as well as Scarf Kyurem-B with Earth Power to check it. Ice Beam does let you weaken Landorus-T if your opponent chooses to go for Stealth Rock instead of Earthquake, but I'll get into that later.

With these changes, Scarf Landorus-T becomes an issue. Kyurem-B does check it with Ice Beam, but you lack a solid switch-in. Excadrill can come in on an EQ with its Air Balloon, but not on a Superpower. This is why I'm suggesting Rotom-W>Volcanion. While Volcanion does give you a solid "Bulky SD" Mega Scizor check, Rotom-W can too with Will-O-Wisp. It's a bit more shaky, but the addition of Rotom-W gives your team a solid Landorus-T switch-in. Another reason why I suggested Rotom-W is Mega Gyarados. Kyurem-B is a great check, bu

With CM Latios on the team now, hazard control becomes an issue. Rapid Spin>Swords Dance on Excadrill provides hazard control, so your Pokemon, especially Kyurem-B, don't get worn down without taking damage from your opponents' attacks.

New Team

Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 8 Atk / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Protect

Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Psyshock
- Draco Meteor

Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 180 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Fire Blast
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock

Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Earthquake

Kyurem-Black @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
- Outrage
- Earth Power

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Pain Split

Good luck m8.

Thanks a lot I'll definitely try these changes out. Also, thanks for taking the time to give proper explanations and help me understand why changes were made, I can imagine it took a lot of time to write all that. :)

 

[lfcgilsonbtn]

Hey! Cool team. My first reaction is that there's a huge weakness to faster Pokemon because you don't have a reliable method of speed control. Aside from that, there's a GIGANTIC weakness to Mega-Medicham. Once an M-Medicham team picks off Latios and outlasts sand, it can OHKO the rest of your team.

Are you open to switching the actual Pokemon on the team? If not, then I'd highly suggest putting a Scarf on TTar; even then, it would take a good amount of maneuvering to fight your way through a team with fast Steel/Fighting (Scizor/Lopunny or Medicham for instance).

Hey, thanks for replying and yeah I'm open to changes, as BreloomMyHomie suggested running rotom w over volcanion this would also help against mega medicham if I could burn it wouldn't it?

 

[RealTM]

Rotom-W COULD help on a switch-in burn, but HJK OHKOs you if you don't get it. Hmm, I feel like Excadrill is the most expendable Mon here, especially since it isn't your Spinner. Gonna think about it for a bit!

Edit: Mega-Metagross is also a big big big threat once the Bisharp goes down

 

[lfcgilsonbtn]

Hey man I like the team. You should consider using Assault Vest or Black Glasses on Bisharp. You still OHKO offensive Lati@s sets with AV and it provides your Bisharp with more longevity. I would go AV if you want some added bulk, but use Black Glasses if you want to remain more offensive. I hope this helped! :)

thanks for the reply but I think I'm going to try the team without bisharp for a while but I'm grateful for you helping me man :)

Rotom-W COULD help on a switch-in burn, but HJK OHKOs you if you don't get it. Hmm, I feel like Excadrill is the most expendable Mon here, especially since it isn't your Spinner. Gonna think about it for a bit!

I could also drop swords dance for rapid spin? but I'm open to any suggestions :)