Introduction
Hello Smogon, welcome to another of my rate my teams. I haven't posted one in a while, simply because for that entire time I was either being tutored by my awesome tutor Plus or MAKING THIS TEAM. After my tutoring was finished, I realzied I couldn't use any of my old teams- on the first day, I pulled out my best team and watched Plus 6-0 me. By the end I was nearly beating him with some of the newer teams. So I wanted a great team, a masterpiece. I had planned on laddering with this, but... It's not finished. No matter what I do to this team (check out the team building process, there have been a LOT of changes) it just isn't right. It's not perfect, but damn do I love it. But I still need rates- I feel like I'm missing something, something that maybe a fresh pair of eyes could catch.
This team punctuated the end of my stream of mediocre teams. I had basically thrown together analysis sets and hit the find tab. When in search of non-gimmicky creativity, the C+C section is always my starting point (although my only uploads there were both denied, lol). Anyways, to make a long story short, I saw the OU Substitute Lanturn set and FELL IN LOVE. It had always been one of my favourite Pokemon, and filled in niches on my team no other Pokemon has the capacity to fill. Despite the UU status, I consider Lanturn a better pokemon than a good half of the OU tier (cough cough dusknoir cough). This team is to showcase this underrated, unprepared for and ridiculously powerful threat.
As for the title, it was just an album I liked that also happens to have a great name (sorry Death Cab, Narrow Stairs just isn't a good title). It took all of my willpower to not just call it Lanturn, CHARGE! I don't actually use these names on shoddy, because I don't want you all to recognize the team. :) Plus some of them don't fit.
Team Notes
-1 Pokmeon weak to Stealth Rock, 5 neutral
-2 Pokemon vulnerable to Toxic Spikes, 3 immune, 1 absorber
-5 Pokemon vulnerable to Spikes, 1 immune
-3 Pokemon vulnerable to Sandstorm, 2 immune, 1 inducer
-6 Pokemon vulnerable to Hail
At A Glance
Upon Further Inspection
Roserade @ Choice Scarf *In The Arms of Sleep*
252 SpAtk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
-Leaf Storm
-Hidden Power Fire / Ice
-Sleep Powder
-Toxic Spikes
Got the idea from the Smog, this lead is the shit- yes, he is paired with ShucaTran. Nobody seems to expect a scarfed Roserade- not even you should, I already have a scarfer! He gets the edge on common leads, and has his uses mid-game for threatening bulky waters and revenging threats with Sleep Powder or other good moves. But that's not the main reason I picked him- If you'll notice, this team DOES NOT like toxic spikes, and his hidden purpose is to absorb them so that Lanturn isn't permanently ruined.
You'll notice I chose Toxic Spikes over Sludge Bomb. That's because Sludge Bomb is perfectly useless and absolute filler. If I do get a chance and have little else to do, I may lay down some Toxic Spikes because this team certainly has the capability to abuse it, Lanturn in particular. The slashed Hidden Power comes down to whether or not Salamence is banned- if he becomes Uber, I'll stick with Fire, if he's stays, I'll use Ice.
Roserade and Heatran function like CeleTran and enjoy great synergy together, and are my main core in the early game.
Lead Comparison:
252 SpAtk / 252 Spe / 4HP
Naive (+Spe, -SpDef)
-Explosion
-Fire Blast
-Earth Power
-Stealth Rock
Heatran is my obligatory stealth rocker. I resent having to use such a boring set, but it's really the best for what it needs to do. With Roserade as a lead, Heatran gets countless opportunities to set up rocks and just fire off powerful attacks. Him and Roserade are my entry hazards core, and my major Pokemon for the early game.
Hidden Power is to hit those cocky Swamperts and generally be awesome. I usually use it in the early game or mid-game if I don't know exactly whats switching in, because most switch ins get hit HARD by it. I don't really see the applicaiton of Earth Power beyond opposing Heatrans, whom I definitely don't want to test my luck against with a speed tie. Shuca Berry is simply invaluable for things like Metagross, Gyarados and Salamence, who try to Earthquake me. I occasionally explode against these if they seem threatening enough. Surprisingly, however, in all my testing I had little trouble with Salamence. Explosion coming from Heatran is to literally and figuratively go out with a bang, because honestly, he's not the most important member to the team, unlike some of my previous teams, and if I can take another with me, all the better.
EDIT: Earth Power was added because HP Grass was somewhat unneeded, and catching other heatran's on the switch is nice and all.
Gyarados @ Leftovers *Galapagos*
248 HP / 252 HP / 12 Spe
Impish nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
-Rest
-Roar
-Sleep Talk
-Waterfall
I had been hesitant to use a rest-talker on an offensive team, but this gyarados works a lot better than the old. While still fulfilling many of the same roles as the DD Gyarados used to, Gyarados maintains a far higher level of basic survivability, and I don't have to worry about counting stealth rock turns because he can rest.
The other great thing about this gyarados is his role as a status absorber. With both Roserade, Tyranitar and Gyara, this team has little or no problem with status of any variety. The bonus of having a phazer is awesome too. Cro-blanks, instead of being tricked, can be phazed away, while I keep trick as a failsafe or for something like Blissey. Gyarados is vital as my glue against Infernape, Flygon, and numerous other threats, and giving him recovery has proven wise.
Gyarados @ Leftovers *Galapagos*
156 HP / 88 Atk / 96 Def / 168 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
-Bounce
-Dragon Dance
-Taunt
-Waterfall
Jolly Gyarados is so fantastic. Jolteon think that just because I'm bulky and taunting, I'm Adamant. The chance of them switching into a +1 Gyarados only to get maimed is worth running Jolly. Anyways, although the moveset doesn't look it, I don't really sweep as much with this guy as I do break teams, scout them and hold the team together. Gyarados is important to my survival against Machamp and Flygon, if I may choose a few.
Unlike Stone Edge or Earthquake Gyarados, this guy uses Celebi as mere set-up fodder with taunt and does loads of damage with bounce. In fact, Gyarados is my first answer to many of the things that Lanturn find worrying (Heatran, Celebi, Gliscor, etc.) I don't appreciate the stealth rock weakness, but if Roserade works right, they don't come up the first five turns. But I can honestly say that using Life Orb on a recovery-less, stealth rock weak Pokemon that provides fantastic resistances is simply a waste. With the banning of Latias and possibly Mence, Gyarados fills a niche as an offensive Pokemon that's also a great team player.
156 HP / 88 Atk / 96 Def / 168 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
-Bounce
-Dragon Dance
-Taunt
-Waterfall
Jolly Gyarados is so fantastic. Jolteon think that just because I'm bulky and taunting, I'm Adamant. The chance of them switching into a +1 Gyarados only to get maimed is worth running Jolly. Anyways, although the moveset doesn't look it, I don't really sweep as much with this guy as I do break teams, scout them and hold the team together. Gyarados is important to my survival against Machamp and Flygon, if I may choose a few.
Unlike Stone Edge or Earthquake Gyarados, this guy uses Celebi as mere set-up fodder with taunt and does loads of damage with bounce. In fact, Gyarados is my first answer to many of the things that Lanturn find worrying (Heatran, Celebi, Gliscor, etc.) I don't appreciate the stealth rock weakness, but if Roserade works right, they don't come up the first five turns. But I can honestly say that using Life Orb on a recovery-less, stealth rock weak Pokemon that provides fantastic resistances is simply a waste. With the banning of Latias and possibly Mence, Gyarados fills a niche as an offensive Pokemon that's also a great team player.
These three Pokemon form the highly potent Suspect/UU f/w/g core. In the early game, the defensive coverage they bring to the table is unreal. The next Pokemon are the appendages of our core, doing much of the fancy work and working off the support the core provides.
===
Rotom-W @ Choice Scarf *Bullet with Butterfly Wings*
252 Spe / 24 SpAtk / 232 HP
Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
-Shadow Ball
-Thunderbolt
-Trick
-Will-o-wisp
As you can see in my signature, the #1 Pokemon I suggest to people in rates is Rotom-A (Second is gliscor, third is starmie). Ironic that it didn't occur to me! This team, no matter what I did to it, was weak to water types, simply put- as you can see in the team building process, Roserade's slot changed a lot, and yes used to have rotom. It didn't occur to me to change something else. Yes, scarf scizor is sexy, but rotom stops the threats I need it too. He's not glamourous or exciting, but damn does he work. The team's main revenge killer, he's also the glue of the team, and together with roserade stop the waters that aren't set up fodder for Lanturn (Gyarados you whore you).
For being a stop to so many threats, I don't understand why people don't max his HP- the base stat is so low, its far worth the investment (think of bold 252 blissey, except less so). The point is that it's simply a greater value, and with his naturally high defenses, he's just difficult to take out. Will o wisp is also the most versatile move for the last slot, and stops most physical attackers.
But the number one reason to use this guy is TRIIICK. Trick is the only way to stop Crocune with any efficiency, and almost nobody really appreciates it! If your team is desperately weak to something, just add trick, it's a failsafe, because just everything is easier to handle when it can only use one move. If I manage to cripple blissey with it, lanturn beats all of stall by itself.
Scizor @ Choice Scarf *Bullet with Butterfly Wings*
252 Spe / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly (+Spe, -SpAtk)
-Bullet Punch
-Pursuit
-Superpower
-U turn
Who remembers when scarftar became popular? The ability to outrun positive 115's and then pursuit them made him an instant hint for disposing of Starmie, Latias, Azelf, and Gengar. This Scizor, simply said, is just fantasic. With U turn it seems you have to choose between powerful (CB Scizor) or fast (Flygon, Jirachi). This guy combines both! Scizor is basically guarenteed a kill on Gengar, Azelf and Starmie if he can only switch in, which is honestly a lot easier than it is with Tyranitar. Anybody that knows anything about anything knows that getting Gengar and Starmie out of the way is beneficial for any team, because, put simply, these Pokemon cause problems- Scizor is the solver. :) The element of surprise is big here, because Starmies stay in as I OHKO them with U turn. Also, he actually is capable of revenging Heatran, Infernape and Lucario with Super power, who would normally cause him some problems. He is my team's scout and revenge killer.
Some of you may question Bullet punch when he already has a scarf, but revenging things like +2 Tyranitar (fuck how did that happen?) and just having priority is great. Scizor is capable of revenging anything, no longer just things that are weak to Bullet punch. He's even faster than Scarftar, which of course has it's uses. I can think of scores of situations where having a scarf scizor over a band one is great- no more mind games with MysticGar, and no more Celebi getting cheeky with HP Fire. To sum it up, this Scizor is very similar to ScarfTar in the early days of his inception- unexpected and powerful, netting guarenteed KOes on things that could normally outsmart him, and revenging things that normally sweep past him.
Tyranitar @ Lum Berry *Zero*
252 Spe / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly (+Spe, -SpAtk)
-Crunch
-Dragon Dance
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
My favourite guy on the team. DD Tyranitar is a dangerous sweeper, but that's not really why. Lum Berry on this guy is simply the best item for him. Remember how Rotom would try to be smart and will o wisp you? Set up fodder. Toxic Spikes? Not a problem (at least the first time). But best of all is the fact that THIS TYRANTIAR IS A BRELOOM CHECK. I can switch into a spore and fire punch for a KO. Sometimes they even switch into me! I am proud to say that my team does not run Celebi and is not weak to Breloom. The Lum berry also makes him a last-ditch status absorber if Roserade is dead- think of Salamence on Team Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.
I love Earthquake and all, but 5-moveslot syndrome has its way here. I needed the STABs, and I've always wanted to use Jolly Lum Tyrantar, so giving it DD seemed like the best way to go. Tyranitar can actually pretty good at sweeping, and if he gets two DD's (which is not difficult with the Lum berry intercepted possible efforts at crippling him), it's game over.
The other fantastic thing about Lum berry is the ability to bluff items, which as we all know, can be very powerful. First, I can bluff a choice item by using an attack and switching out- I've had Forretres switch into a Crunch plenty of times. Even after they discover I'm a dragon dancer, they'll assume I'm using babiri- this sometimes works in my favour, for players who try to status me instead of just sending out CB Scizor.
EDIT: Despite my great love for this as a breloom check, I was mainly just being stubborn at including my own set. With Gyara added, I really had no excuse, and Earthquake won out. :/
Lanturn @ Leftovers *Porcelina of the Vast Oceans*
52 Hp / 252 SpAtk / 56 Spe / 148 SpDef
Modest (+SpAtk, -Atk)
-Charge Beam
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Substitute
How do you counter CM 3-attacks Suicune, Jolteon, Starmie, or even Agility Empoleon? For most, Blissey is the only counter, and for offensive teams, these Pokemon are uniformly problematic. Lanturn solves this by resisting the combination of Water, Electric and Ice and just being awesome. Not even the most anoying Pokemon in the game (Sub Twave Jirachi) beats this team, because Lanturn counters him too! Lanturn always has opportunities to switch in because of his unique typing. Once he gets a sub up, gliscor and salamence switch ins get the tables turned and are promptly KOed. Rinse and repeat.
But Lanturn really shines against stall. If I get the toxic spikes up with Roserade, they automatically lose- even without, I only need Blissey dead or weakened to plow through the team in its entirety. Lanturn can switch into any Blissey, preferably without Seismic Toss, but even with Lanturn has a chance.
The final service Lanturn provides is VOLT ABSORB. I can't stress enough how awesome it is to have somebody not only immune to thunder wave, but who benefits from it. Gyarados can lure in things like Jolteon and let Lanturn set up. Against offense, however, kills are mostly one at a time. But that's fine, because in the late game, he pulls his own weight by far.
Team Building Process- Creation
I obviously started with Lanturn.
The next two pokemon were decided on at roughly the same time- I wanted Gyarados, as a counter to most of Lanturn's counter, and Skarmory, to act as a spiker and enjoy perfect synergy with Lanturn.
I wanted a Pokemon that could lure out Lanturn's counters before I sent it out, so I could focus on eliminating it. Heatran was added.
I didn't exactly want my only bulky water slayer to be Lanturn. I also needed a solid counter for Gyarados, who currently gave my team a lot of trouble. Rotom was the next choice.
I performed a quick threats list run through and found Gengar, heatran and Infernape my biggest nuisances. Tyranitar was added to help alleviate this.
Team Building Process- Testing
I realized that neither Tyranitar or Skarmory were performing as desired... I changed Skarmory to a scarf Scizor to help me out with Infernape, Heatran and most importantly Gengar, and changed Tyranitar to a Lum Berry dragon dancer, to help with breloom and lure out Lanturn's counters.
As proud as I was of my Rotom set (I actually posted it in QC), after SDS shot it down I started losing faith in it. Basically, my core for the majority of the game (Heatran, Tyranitar and Gyarados) didn't like water types AT ALL. Rotom ended up dying in the early game, so they gave me a lot of trouble. I decided to have Heatran and Rotom switch places.
Rotom was still my weak chain! I decided to replace it for Celebi to strengthen my core (celetran, f/w/g).
(sorry, no pictures, I ran over the limit. but you get the picture, there's a roserade here over Celebi)
After I faced Roserade for somehow the first time in my testing (lol) I realized how damaging toxic spikes were to the team! I decided to add a Roserade of my own to absorb them.
Threats List, stolen from nobody, taken the top 50 threats from june stats
Black means handled well.
Orange means it can be trouble.
Red means it will always get a kill; big problem.
Had to totally re-edit threats list, so please excuse me if I accidentally mention scizor.
Special Thanks
I'd like to thank my tutor Plus- I never knew I could learn so much. My whole outlook on shoddy, team building and smogon in general has changed because of our sessions. If you are an intermediate battler and looking for a way to improve, don't ever overlook Smogon's apparently awesome tutoring program.
~finis
