This isn't my first RMT here, but my last one was such a long time ago that I forgot what the team actually was. However while I was trying out Gen 8, I had occasional fallbacks to Gen 7 because Gen 8 is a mess. Recently I brought about this team that was initially just a test but ended up quite attached to it, mainly because it breaks the usual OU mold and managed to get me one of my highest ratings so far. Although there's nothing too innovative in the works here, I still think it's one of my more creative teams in my teambuilder, and I wanted to try and bring it to light and gather some insight.
Tapu Bulu @ Leftovers
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Horn Leech
- Superpower
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Bulu anchors the team and provides the Grassy Terrain that other members of the team heavily appreciate. Bulu handily counters Ash-Gren and Koko and Swords Dance limits its passivity and lets it muscle through Ferrothorn and Magearna. Protect is used over Synthesis for the extra bit of passive recovery against Mega Alakazam and Lele. I did consider Stone Edge originally in the second slot, as Torn is quite a nuisance to the team and it dissuades Volcarona from setting up in front of Bulu, however the stronger hit on Chansey and Steel-types Superpower provided still ended up being more appreciated. Bulk Up was also considered in place of SD to help take on Mega Mawile and Medi better, however in most games I preferred the immediacy of SD against Ferrothorn and Heatran, and a +2 Superpower just flat-out OHKO's max HP Tran on the switch and actually has a chance to KO standard Ferrothorn from full as well.
+2 0 Atk Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 410-484 (106.2 - 125.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 0 Atk Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 252 HP / 24 Def Ferrothorn: 336-396 (95.4 - 112.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
Terrain Extender is an off-beat choice that seemed useful on paper, however the loss of recovery from losing Leftovers never seemed worth it, and Bulu's Terrain would still probably be replaced by opposing island guardians before it reaches the additional length from Terrain Extender anyway.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 180 SpD / 80 Spe
Calm Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
Heatran is the rocker and just a plain, defacto Fairy resist and a much needed full-on Fire immunity that adds to the team's backbone. The crux of Heatran's mid-game utility comes from trapping Pex and Chansey and beating them with Earth Power and Taunt, and countering Fairies, Serperior, and HP Ground-less Volcarona (strangely enough, most Volcs I encounter run Giga Drain), all while enjoying a nerf to opponent's Earthquakes and additional passive recovery because of Grassy Terrain. Magma Storm is still an incredible tool for ensuring safe switches for teammates and preventing the opponent from doubling (provided it hits), and puts the most pressure on Celesteela and Tangrowth. Earth Power is the necessary tool to be able to 1v1 a trapped Toxapex, but it still makes for a nice move to throw out without having to rely on Magma Storm's shaky accuracy. Taunt also offers nice utility by preventing Gliscor and Fini from Defogging rocks away by Taunting on the switch, with the caveat of not being able to do anything meaningful to Mega Charizard Y because of the lack of Toxic. Magma Storm's unreliable accuracy may also come back to bite me when trying to trap opponents like Zapdos, however. Nevertheless, Heatran has been an incredible asset to many a game and most likely won't be replaced for some time.
Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Secret Sword
- Scald
- Icy Wind
Keldeo was initially slotted over Greninja in the Fire-Water-Grass core here because of its ability to actually beat Chansey and AV Mag with Secret Sword, and I liked its better immediate power against Zapdos and Tyranitar and its ability to wear checks down like Bulu and Tangrowth with burns. It also has surprisingly useful defensive utility, as it can emergency check Weavile, Mega Charizard X, Mega Gyarados, and DD Mega Tyranitar, all of which Greninja would just crumple to. Of course if Greninja outperforms Keldeo when I decide to test it later, then by all means, Greninja is going on the team, but Keldeo has been doing just fine for me in the meantime. Keldeo in particular better enjoys matchups against rain teams, seeing as Ferrothorn isn't a safe switch-in at all and boosted Surfs from the opponent's own rain 2HKO just about any member of their team. HP Poison is being considered in the last slot for Fini, Bulu, and Tangrowth, as Icy Wind is a mostly dormant move that doesn't see much use outside of the occasional DD Dragonite.
Sceptile-Mega @ Sceptilite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Mega Sceptile is the main abuser of the Grassy Terrain and the main inspiration for building the team. It's always fun to use lower-tier Pokemon in OU and it feels incredibly awarding and satisfying when you manage to make them work. Mega Sceptile enjoys quite a few good matchups when it comes to OU, outspeeding and one-hit-KOing common neutral Pokemon from full under Terrain, and it doesn't even need a boost to OHKO other neutral threats with Leaf Storm:
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 291-343 (103.5 - 122%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Medicham-Mega: 264-312 (101.1 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian in Grassy Terrain: 415-490 (130 - 153.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny-Mega in Grassy Terrain: 357-420 (131.7 - 154.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
It also completely stuffs Rotom-W and outruns Dragonite and Tyranitar after a boost. Dragon Pulse is a disappointingly weak move in comparison to Leaf Storm, but still provides secondary STAB and still KO's what it needs to most of the time. Because Earthquake already safely hits Heatran, Focus Blast can be dropped for HP Fire for a more reliable way to hit Ferrothorn and dinks away at Celesteela. Mega Sceptile does have a handful of notable flaws when it comes to practice, namely it will almost always be forced out after a Leaf Storm SpA drop, in addition to being stuffed by other common OverUsed threats like Toxapex and Tangrowth and having to play around its own team's Grassy Terrain to hit Heatran with Earthquake. Despite this, Mega Sceptile is incredibly fun to use, and there is no sensation more satisfying than Leaf Storming an Ash-Gren into oblivion.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Fly
- Defog
- U-turn
Landorus is the stupid catch-all physical sponge that's ridiculously easy to slap onto teams. There isn't much more to say than that. I'm sure anyone who's used this thing knows how absurdly easy it is to switch it in and either Earthquake what's in front of you or U-turn out. Defog is a move I feel much easier to use on Gliscor than Lando-T, but Landorus was chosen here for its Z-Move, which Gliscor can never afford to run. Keeping Lando at full throughout the game lets it safely check Unburden Hawlucha with Supersonic Skystrike, and it can be used to break Tangrowth, Bulu, and Mega Venusaur provided I don't need it to check something else. Toxic was initially used over Fly Z and utilized Rocky Helmet to punish U-turns, but I valued Fly Z's ability to push damage more.
Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
- Knock Off
Again, not much of note. Just classic Scarf Kart + Grassy Terrain, nothing too original or exciting. Scarf Kart is one of the most reliable revenge killers and endgames in OU. One notable trait for this team however is its ability to outrun adamant Mega Swampert under rain and a +1 Magearna, so Kart can act as a neat failsafe against them in a pinch. Defog may be slotted in over Smart Strike so Landorus can run Toxic, but Smart Strike does have its moments against Magearna and Serperior. Knock is the most used move on the set, and is the easiest endgame to go for because of how many resists Kart's STABs have. Sacred Sword catches Magnezone on the switch and hits Mega Scizor harder than any other move.
As of the latest battle I've had on Showdown, I managed to hit #113 on the Gen 7 OU Ladder, so just shy of top 100, which is disappointing. Nevertheless, this is the very same team of six that I've used to reach that point (It's not my highest spot on the ladder ever, but getting an alt account to top 500s always feels neat).
Minisprites were taken from https://msikma.github.io/pokesprite/overview/dex-gen7.html
3D sprites were taken from https://projectpokemon.org/
Item sprites were taken from https://msikma.github.io/pokesprite/overview/inventory.html
Tapu Bulu @ Leftovers
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Horn Leech
- Superpower
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Bulu anchors the team and provides the Grassy Terrain that other members of the team heavily appreciate. Bulu handily counters Ash-Gren and Koko and Swords Dance limits its passivity and lets it muscle through Ferrothorn and Magearna. Protect is used over Synthesis for the extra bit of passive recovery against Mega Alakazam and Lele. I did consider Stone Edge originally in the second slot, as Torn is quite a nuisance to the team and it dissuades Volcarona from setting up in front of Bulu, however the stronger hit on Chansey and Steel-types Superpower provided still ended up being more appreciated. Bulk Up was also considered in place of SD to help take on Mega Mawile and Medi better, however in most games I preferred the immediacy of SD against Ferrothorn and Heatran, and a +2 Superpower just flat-out OHKO's max HP Tran on the switch and actually has a chance to KO standard Ferrothorn from full as well.
+2 0 Atk Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 410-484 (106.2 - 125.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 0 Atk Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 252 HP / 24 Def Ferrothorn: 336-396 (95.4 - 112.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
Terrain Extender is an off-beat choice that seemed useful on paper, however the loss of recovery from losing Leftovers never seemed worth it, and Bulu's Terrain would still probably be replaced by opposing island guardians before it reaches the additional length from Terrain Extender anyway.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 180 SpD / 80 Spe
Calm Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
Heatran is the rocker and just a plain, defacto Fairy resist and a much needed full-on Fire immunity that adds to the team's backbone. The crux of Heatran's mid-game utility comes from trapping Pex and Chansey and beating them with Earth Power and Taunt, and countering Fairies, Serperior, and HP Ground-less Volcarona (strangely enough, most Volcs I encounter run Giga Drain), all while enjoying a nerf to opponent's Earthquakes and additional passive recovery because of Grassy Terrain. Magma Storm is still an incredible tool for ensuring safe switches for teammates and preventing the opponent from doubling (provided it hits), and puts the most pressure on Celesteela and Tangrowth. Earth Power is the necessary tool to be able to 1v1 a trapped Toxapex, but it still makes for a nice move to throw out without having to rely on Magma Storm's shaky accuracy. Taunt also offers nice utility by preventing Gliscor and Fini from Defogging rocks away by Taunting on the switch, with the caveat of not being able to do anything meaningful to Mega Charizard Y because of the lack of Toxic. Magma Storm's unreliable accuracy may also come back to bite me when trying to trap opponents like Zapdos, however. Nevertheless, Heatran has been an incredible asset to many a game and most likely won't be replaced for some time.
Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Secret Sword
- Scald
- Icy Wind
Keldeo was initially slotted over Greninja in the Fire-Water-Grass core here because of its ability to actually beat Chansey and AV Mag with Secret Sword, and I liked its better immediate power against Zapdos and Tyranitar and its ability to wear checks down like Bulu and Tangrowth with burns. It also has surprisingly useful defensive utility, as it can emergency check Weavile, Mega Charizard X, Mega Gyarados, and DD Mega Tyranitar, all of which Greninja would just crumple to. Of course if Greninja outperforms Keldeo when I decide to test it later, then by all means, Greninja is going on the team, but Keldeo has been doing just fine for me in the meantime. Keldeo in particular better enjoys matchups against rain teams, seeing as Ferrothorn isn't a safe switch-in at all and boosted Surfs from the opponent's own rain 2HKO just about any member of their team. HP Poison is being considered in the last slot for Fini, Bulu, and Tangrowth, as Icy Wind is a mostly dormant move that doesn't see much use outside of the occasional DD Dragonite.
Sceptile-Mega @ Sceptilite
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Mega Sceptile is the main abuser of the Grassy Terrain and the main inspiration for building the team. It's always fun to use lower-tier Pokemon in OU and it feels incredibly awarding and satisfying when you manage to make them work. Mega Sceptile enjoys quite a few good matchups when it comes to OU, outspeeding and one-hit-KOing common neutral Pokemon from full under Terrain, and it doesn't even need a boost to OHKO other neutral threats with Leaf Storm:
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Tapu Koko: 291-343 (103.5 - 122%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Medicham-Mega: 264-312 (101.1 - 119.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian in Grassy Terrain: 415-490 (130 - 153.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Sceptile-Mega Leaf Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lopunny-Mega in Grassy Terrain: 357-420 (131.7 - 154.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
It also completely stuffs Rotom-W and outruns Dragonite and Tyranitar after a boost. Dragon Pulse is a disappointingly weak move in comparison to Leaf Storm, but still provides secondary STAB and still KO's what it needs to most of the time. Because Earthquake already safely hits Heatran, Focus Blast can be dropped for HP Fire for a more reliable way to hit Ferrothorn and dinks away at Celesteela. Mega Sceptile does have a handful of notable flaws when it comes to practice, namely it will almost always be forced out after a Leaf Storm SpA drop, in addition to being stuffed by other common OverUsed threats like Toxapex and Tangrowth and having to play around its own team's Grassy Terrain to hit Heatran with Earthquake. Despite this, Mega Sceptile is incredibly fun to use, and there is no sensation more satisfying than Leaf Storming an Ash-Gren into oblivion.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Fly
- Defog
- U-turn
Landorus is the stupid catch-all physical sponge that's ridiculously easy to slap onto teams. There isn't much more to say than that. I'm sure anyone who's used this thing knows how absurdly easy it is to switch it in and either Earthquake what's in front of you or U-turn out. Defog is a move I feel much easier to use on Gliscor than Lando-T, but Landorus was chosen here for its Z-Move, which Gliscor can never afford to run. Keeping Lando at full throughout the game lets it safely check Unburden Hawlucha with Supersonic Skystrike, and it can be used to break Tangrowth, Bulu, and Mega Venusaur provided I don't need it to check something else. Toxic was initially used over Fly Z and utilized Rocky Helmet to punish U-turns, but I valued Fly Z's ability to push damage more.
Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
- Knock Off
Again, not much of note. Just classic Scarf Kart + Grassy Terrain, nothing too original or exciting. Scarf Kart is one of the most reliable revenge killers and endgames in OU. One notable trait for this team however is its ability to outrun adamant Mega Swampert under rain and a +1 Magearna, so Kart can act as a neat failsafe against them in a pinch. Defog may be slotted in over Smart Strike so Landorus can run Toxic, but Smart Strike does have its moments against Magearna and Serperior. Knock is the most used move on the set, and is the easiest endgame to go for because of how many resists Kart's STABs have. Sacred Sword catches Magnezone on the switch and hits Mega Scizor harder than any other move.
As of the latest battle I've had on Showdown, I managed to hit #113 on the Gen 7 OU Ladder, so just shy of top 100, which is disappointing. Nevertheless, this is the very same team of six that I've used to reach that point (It's not my highest spot on the ladder ever, but getting an alt account to top 500s always feels neat).
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1359553110-a42yxyotpebjdmjgre4mrp1tqebbka8pw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1358470395-718q50gtjq07t9n4sgmwkl37dpn6stdpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1356854196-8rzc41slu6ehbyd9nysa79x5v03pi1tpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1356805376-kibi79i60otz91kpylhi4lsukxvuy4hpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1358470395-718q50gtjq07t9n4sgmwkl37dpn6stdpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1356854196-8rzc41slu6ehbyd9nysa79x5v03pi1tpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1356805376-kibi79i60otz91kpylhi4lsukxvuy4hpw
Minisprites were taken from https://msikma.github.io/pokesprite/overview/dex-gen7.html
3D sprites were taken from https://projectpokemon.org/
Item sprites were taken from https://msikma.github.io/pokesprite/overview/inventory.html
> 
@
