Proof:
Team building process:
I started with physically defensive Sableye to keep hazards away. But what I noticed is that people often pair up something like Ferrothorn with a sableye-killer like gardevoir or charizard. Trying to stay in on turn 1 will get you killed and switching out on turn 1 lets them get up hazards. This is why I went for fake out. I can almost always lead with sableye and safely get up my magic bounce, from there there is no chance a ttar or ferro will get rocks up later.
Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
Next I need something for fairies. How can I cover Gardevoir, Azumarill, Sylveon, and Diancie? The best pokemon to switch into those have to be bulky on both sides and some way of recovering HP. What I ended up with is Tangrowth and Tornadus-T.
Tangrowth's job is switching into Diancie. I can take a moon blast and heal up with giga drain. Tangrowth can also hit Azumarill really hard and works as a nice first line of defense against manaphy. Unfortunately giga drain does not OHKO manaphy and I'll have to work my butt off to actually kill it off. Fortunately, though, +3 ice beam doesn't OHKO me.
The moves giga drain, earthquake, and knock off are standard. The last move, however, takes some explanation. I wanted something that hits Thunderus-T super effective so I can convincingly beat it. But instead of HP Ice I decided on Ancient Power because that move can catch pinsirs and talonflames off guard when they think they can SD for free.
Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 232 HP / 24 Def / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Giga Drain/Leaf Storm
- Ancient Power
The second half of the regenerator core. Assault Vest Tornadus-T gives me much needed speed on an otherwise slow team and it can pick off things that have gotten to lower HP. It also works as a swiss army knife that checks/counters all sorts of things like Lando-I, Scizor, Latis, Gardevoir, and Breloom. I have enough speed to beat base 115s and the rest was dumped into HP and spdef to eat up special attacks like draco meteors. Hurricane, heat wave, and knock off are standard moves. Sludge wave is the last move to hit fairies as hard as possible.
Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 232 HP / 68 SpD / 208 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- Knock Off
- Sludge Wave
Alright, we have half a team here. A few things stand out as huge threats though. Namely Charizard and Clefable. Nothing except altaria counters both charizards so I went for the next best thing
This is a somewhat customized set that lacks the extraordinary bulk of FULL spdef investment but still carries enough to beat charizard-y. It can also work as a preliminary switch in onto charizard-x to open up a free switch into klefki or just switch directly into seismitoad. The nice thing about gyara is that, with dragon dance, it can beat pokemon like CM clefable and CM sableye who are otherwise really scary. The thing is, these battles depend on a lot of factors like whether i have knocked off clef's leftovers, whether I get good sleep talk choices, and whether we crit each other. The speed is to outspeed tyranitars and be faster than 115s after a dragon dance. The rest was placed into bulk.
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 216 HP / 108 SpD / 184 Spe
Careful Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Waterfall
4/6 team members and I still don't have stealth rocks. I decide to go for an interesting choice that pairs up extremely well with gyarados (my only set up sweeper)
While rocks is definitely the main draw to seismitoad, there are other factors at play. What I noticed with gyarados is that rotom-ws would always be coming in to stop my sweep. Tangrowth is not a satisfactory switch in here because it gives free momentum to my opponent. What I was looking for is a pokemon that is immune to volt switch and can't be beaten by rotom's hydro pumps or willo wisps. Seismitoad is one of the ONLY options that also can use stealth rocks. Then I just slapped on toxic to actually kill off rotom instead of just walling it, and maxed out physical bulk.
Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 200 HP / 252 Def / 56 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
At this point I need some sort of catch-all to all the set up sweepers out there. The last thing I want is something with a dragon dance or swords dance to get out of control. Some people choose quagsire and others choose clefable for the unaware traits but I choose:
Physically defensive klefki. With Thunder Wave and Toxic it can put a limiter on just about every sweeper out there. The typing also gives it great switch in opportunities against many foes, like Latis, Weavile, TTar, and Altaria. I am using spikes to accent the advantage I have in the hazards game and I use dazzling gleam instead of play rough because dazzle hits harder if Klefki got burned. Dazzle does a solid 45% or so to mega sableye, for example. And likewise hits altaria hard enough to prevent it from roosting forever.
Klefki @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Toxic
- Dazzling Gleam
THREAT LIST
I won't bother listing out things like Aerodactyl and Keldeo that are obviously easily handled. Instead I'll just write a few notes about the pokemon that are most troublesome to the team.
Standard OU Offensive Threats
Standard OU Defensive Threats
KRYPTONITE
This thing is just a pain in the ass. Gyarados beats the Magic Guard ones in theory and toxic beats the unaware ones in theory. It's just so damn bulky, even sludge wave only does around 40% and lets it calm mind up.
Extremely dangerous. Best case scenario is tangrowth switches in when it tail glows. I can survive an ice beam and giga drain it. Then I have to try to sac something or get klefki in and paralyze it, which lets tangrowth get the 2nd giga drain off. If I manage to knock off its leftovers the fight actually becomes significantly easier.
It 1-2HKOs every member of the team which means you have to predict 100% perfectly to win. If you can bring seismitoad in on fusion bolt or bring klefki in on ice beam then toxic/twave it, you'll win. Otherwise, klefki can take ONE earth power so keep that in mind. You NEED to status this thing, holy crap.
Usually paired up with pokemon like charizard and diancie but also used on some stall teams. It is very difficult to deal with. One thing I can use, though, is allow it to trap tangrowth and trick it a choice item, which at least prevents it from ever using trick or rest again. Still, this thing makes fights incredibly difficult if it gets a trap at the wrong time.
Played well it can take out 2 pokemons at the cost of its own life which can open up holes against me. On the other hand if I can get a status on it it becomes much less of a hassle. I try to bank on hazards and fake out chip damage to limit its switch in opportunities. Torn-T can switch and hit it really hard.
+
The only thing that can muscle past chansey is a boosted gyarados. Unfortunately mono-water is completely walled by these pokemon and gyarados can end up getting worn down or running out of PP. In this situation I have to rely on toxic to beat chansey and you can imagine how well that ends up. I REALLY need to get up hazards here, which is easier said than done if they have their own sableye.
Banded sacred fires just plain hurt and if seismitoad gets burned it is on a short time limit. I need to get hazards up or try to cripple it with knock off/status. There are certainly ways to "play around" these pokemon but usually not without trading pokemon.
Importable:
Team building process:
I started with physically defensive Sableye to keep hazards away. But what I noticed is that people often pair up something like Ferrothorn with a sableye-killer like gardevoir or charizard. Trying to stay in on turn 1 will get you killed and switching out on turn 1 lets them get up hazards. This is why I went for fake out. I can almost always lead with sableye and safely get up my magic bounce, from there there is no chance a ttar or ferro will get rocks up later.
Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
Next I need something for fairies. How can I cover Gardevoir, Azumarill, Sylveon, and Diancie? The best pokemon to switch into those have to be bulky on both sides and some way of recovering HP. What I ended up with is Tangrowth and Tornadus-T.
Tangrowth's job is switching into Diancie. I can take a moon blast and heal up with giga drain. Tangrowth can also hit Azumarill really hard and works as a nice first line of defense against manaphy. Unfortunately giga drain does not OHKO manaphy and I'll have to work my butt off to actually kill it off. Fortunately, though, +3 ice beam doesn't OHKO me.
The moves giga drain, earthquake, and knock off are standard. The last move, however, takes some explanation. I wanted something that hits Thunderus-T super effective so I can convincingly beat it. But instead of HP Ice I decided on Ancient Power because that move can catch pinsirs and talonflames off guard when they think they can SD for free.
Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 232 HP / 24 Def / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Giga Drain/Leaf Storm
- Ancient Power
The second half of the regenerator core. Assault Vest Tornadus-T gives me much needed speed on an otherwise slow team and it can pick off things that have gotten to lower HP. It also works as a swiss army knife that checks/counters all sorts of things like Lando-I, Scizor, Latis, Gardevoir, and Breloom. I have enough speed to beat base 115s and the rest was dumped into HP and spdef to eat up special attacks like draco meteors. Hurricane, heat wave, and knock off are standard moves. Sludge wave is the last move to hit fairies as hard as possible.
Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 232 HP / 68 SpD / 208 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- Knock Off
- Sludge Wave
Alright, we have half a team here. A few things stand out as huge threats though. Namely Charizard and Clefable. Nothing except altaria counters both charizards so I went for the next best thing
This is a somewhat customized set that lacks the extraordinary bulk of FULL spdef investment but still carries enough to beat charizard-y. It can also work as a preliminary switch in onto charizard-x to open up a free switch into klefki or just switch directly into seismitoad. The nice thing about gyara is that, with dragon dance, it can beat pokemon like CM clefable and CM sableye who are otherwise really scary. The thing is, these battles depend on a lot of factors like whether i have knocked off clef's leftovers, whether I get good sleep talk choices, and whether we crit each other. The speed is to outspeed tyranitars and be faster than 115s after a dragon dance. The rest was placed into bulk.
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 216 HP / 108 SpD / 184 Spe
Careful Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Waterfall
4/6 team members and I still don't have stealth rocks. I decide to go for an interesting choice that pairs up extremely well with gyarados (my only set up sweeper)
While rocks is definitely the main draw to seismitoad, there are other factors at play. What I noticed with gyarados is that rotom-ws would always be coming in to stop my sweep. Tangrowth is not a satisfactory switch in here because it gives free momentum to my opponent. What I was looking for is a pokemon that is immune to volt switch and can't be beaten by rotom's hydro pumps or willo wisps. Seismitoad is one of the ONLY options that also can use stealth rocks. Then I just slapped on toxic to actually kill off rotom instead of just walling it, and maxed out physical bulk.
Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 200 HP / 252 Def / 56 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
At this point I need some sort of catch-all to all the set up sweepers out there. The last thing I want is something with a dragon dance or swords dance to get out of control. Some people choose quagsire and others choose clefable for the unaware traits but I choose:
Physically defensive klefki. With Thunder Wave and Toxic it can put a limiter on just about every sweeper out there. The typing also gives it great switch in opportunities against many foes, like Latis, Weavile, TTar, and Altaria. I am using spikes to accent the advantage I have in the hazards game and I use dazzling gleam instead of play rough because dazzle hits harder if Klefki got burned. Dazzle does a solid 45% or so to mega sableye, for example. And likewise hits altaria hard enough to prevent it from roosting forever.
Klefki @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Toxic
- Dazzling Gleam
THREAT LIST
I won't bother listing out things like Aerodactyl and Keldeo that are obviously easily handled. Instead I'll just write a few notes about the pokemon that are most troublesome to the team.
Standard OU Offensive Threats
Belly Drum - Sableye can take a play rough and burn it. Torn-T seriously hurts it with Sludge Wave before it boosts. Tangrowth also seriously hurts it before a boost. Seismitoad and Klefki can toxic it and shorten the sweep.
Choice Band - Tangrowth switches in and scouts the move
Assault Vest - The easiest to deal with, Tangrowth isn't much hurt by it and Sableye can take a play rough and burn it
Swords Dance - A great weapon against me. It can't really SD for free against much, but it usually comes in when something is in range and they could SD if I switch out. Sabel can burn, Torn has heat wave, Seismitoad has Earth Power, Tangrowth has EQ, and Klef can try to twave and dazzle gleam. I really want spikes to be up so this thing takes damage when it comes in
Physical Attacker - Sableye can't switch in for fear of bullet seed but between gyara's intimidate, klefki's status, sabel's status, torn-t, and tangrowth it is usually manageable unless my resources are really limited.
Lead - Sableye breaks the sash and from there I can burn it or switch to something like torn-t
Swords Dance - Dangerous if it has toxic orb already but torn ohkos and klefki can beat some variants
Dragon Dance - Sableye can use fake out to scout which charizard it is and gyara switches in for intimidate. From there I can switch to seismitoad or klefki and try to predict what they're going to do.
Bulky Will-O-Wisp - Gyarados
Swords Dance + Tailwind - I probably have to sac or predict really well to get klefki in
Full Out Attacker - Gyarados. Klefki can also twave it if they are out of ground switch ins
Swords Dance - Insanely strong, the best bet is status. For example if it is paralyzed then tangrowth cleans it up
Choice Band - Also insanely strong and requires the same sort of methods
Choice Scarf - Scout with tangrowth
Choice Band - Scout with tangrowth
Swords Dance - Hopefully something like sableye or seismitoad is inside and prevents it from SD
Focus Sash -
Dragon Dance - status
Choice Band - since i have dragon and ground immunities as well as sturdy tangrowth, I can usually play around this
Full Out Attacker - Hazards and seismitoad basically
Sand Rush - this one takes prediction on both parties. Tangrowth and sableye beat it in theory but iron head flinches can change everything. If I switch in on a rapid spin that's amazing for sableye but 2 LO EQs can 2hko unfortunately.
Swords Dance - Pretty strong with lum berry. I have to go for 2 wisps but sableye gets crippled. If it ever gets in range torn can revenge with hurricane.
Stealth Rock - not threatening to sableye
Full out attacker - Actually extremely useful against my team. Status definitely helps against it.
Choice Scarf - Torn-T or Tangrowth is the usual switch in
Attacker - Very very dangerous. But klefki can take any hit and put the question to them. Torn-T can also outspeed and do serious damage with sludge wave. Gyarados can also come in and revenge it
Full Out Attacker - Tornadus-T handles it
Substitute Dragon Dance - I have to immediately go to tangrowth
Dragon Dance - Tangrowth and klefki manage it
Grass lure - gyarados handles all heatrans. The issue is some of them run hp grass or solar beam and seismitoad can't switch into those ones.
Swords Dance - No free turns basically. Klefki can also switch in once which gives an escape out to tangrowth and seismitoad
Substitute - these usually only run bolt/beam and klefki can actually force it out
Mixed - insanely strong! hopefully i can knock off its item or get status on it
Special Attacker - Torn-T and Gyarados can both beat it, but the rare rock slide variant is super dangerous. They can also get up rocks sometimes because sableye gets forced out
Double Dancer - get status on it asap!
Choice Scarf - Tangrowth
Pivot - Sableye
Life Orb Tank - Torn-T, Klefki, Gyarados, and Tangrowth can all take hits
Life Orb - Torn-T, Klefki, Gyarados, and Tangrowth can all take hits
Choice Specs - Tangrowth, Seismitoad. Set up a spikes if klefki got trapped :/
Choice Scarf - Tangrowth, Seismitoad. Set up a spikes if klefki got trapped :/
Full Out Attacker - Tough pokemon. Sometimes try to predict rocks and get sableye in, or sometimes switch gyara in for intimidate which lets seismitoad take over
Tail Glow - This is a group effort between torn-t, tangrowth, and klefki. If I can get it paralyzed it's easier to deal with
Calm Mind + Rain Dance - Seismitoad
Tail Glow + Rain Dance - I probably lose <_<
Full Out Attacker - Sableye
Swords Dance - I need to keep rocks up. Klefki can also switch in take any hit, even EQ, and go for a status
Pivot - Seismitoad and Tangrowth
Choice Band - Torn and Gyarados can handle it. Sableye can get a burn too if it didnt u-turn
3 Attacks Swords Dance - If there are no rocks on the field, torn can switch in on SD and heat wave
Geomancy Pass - Dangerous! I just have to do my best with knock offs, klefki twaves, or go for my own gyarados DD
Offensive Rapid Spin - Sableye doesn't spinblock the analytic ones but it is easy enough to kill
Calm Mind - Gyarados and Seismitoad outlast it
Choice Specs - I have to knock off the specs
Choice Band - Sableye and Seismitoad can beat them if HP is good
Nasty Plot - Tangrowth, Seismitoad, and even klefki all have options. I usually switch to tangrowth though
Nasty Plot - I need status on it. Alternatively gyarados can try to beat it
Life Orb - First i try to knock off the life orb. From there klefki can often switch in and scare it
Choice Band - Seismitoad and Klefki
Choice Scarf - Seismitoad and Sableye and Klefki
Smooth Rock - Sableye
Offensive Quiver Dance - Gyarados wins
Standard OU Defensive Threats
Wish Passer - If i can toxic or burn it then it is set up bait for gyarados. otherwise I have to use tangrowth
Physically Defensive - Tornadus-t
Specially Defensive - Tornadus-t
Support - Gyarados
Spikes - Sableye
Standard - Sableye
Physically Defensive - Sableye
Substitute + Protect - Gyarados
Stallbreaker - Seismitoad and Gyarados
Specially Defensive - Gyarados
Specially Defensive - Seismitoad and Gyarados
Physical Tank - Sableye
Specially Defensive - Sableye
Support - Torn-T, Klefki
Stallbreaker - any status helps here
Defensive - toxic
Physically Defensive - tangrowth and toxic
Support - Seismitoad
Prankster - Gyarados beats CM variants, scalds and klefki can beat the foul play variants
Physically Defensive - sableye
Tank - Seismitoad, Tangrowth
Wish + Protect - it starts by knock off the damn leftovers. from there gyarados can beat it
Defensive - kinda hart to beat if tornadus gets slept
Physically Defensive - status then just spam attacks
KRYPTONITE
The only thing that can muscle past chansey is a boosted gyarados. Unfortunately mono-water is completely walled by these pokemon and gyarados can end up getting worn down or running out of PP. In this situation I have to rely on toxic to beat chansey and you can imagine how well that ends up. I REALLY need to get up hazards here, which is easier said than done if they have their own sableye.
Importable:
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