Hello, friends! I don't touch the forums, but you may recognise me from Showdown. I shitpost in frequent the UU room, and used to be in the OU room quite frequently. But while the UU chat is my home, I believe OU to be the tier I'm strongest in, and thus the one that I play the most.
That said, you ever had one of those teams that just works like a machine? Like, whatever happens, you always have a way to handle it? This is one of those teams. I built this in 3 minutes at 5 in the morning because I wanted to use Mega Zam, but it really doesn't show. I don't have any tasty ladder score to show you, but it has served very well for my skill level (1400-1500's).
Now let's look at the team in-depth.
Zamuel L. Jackson (Alakazam) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Substitute
This is the guy that I wanted to build the team around. He cleans like a god, and eats offence alive.
^Now imagine that burger is an opposing offence team.
He takes on pretty much anything that is slower than it, and has very few switch ins with its coverage. If it's not a resist or a special wall, it's going to take at least half. It takes on Keldeo, Gengar, and Starmie, while also checking Lati@s, Mega Metagross, and weather abusers (namely Excadrill). I've been preferring Psychic over Psyshock because it hits physically bulky threats like Gliscor and Mega Venusaur harder, and they are a pain for me otherwise. Unfortunately, this also means I have a harder time breaking things that boost with Calm Mind, such as Mega Latias and Suicune (which, although not all that common, actually bodies me lol). Substitute gives me a free hit on a predicted switch and eases prediction, and also gives me options when the opponent switches into, say, a Pursuit user. All in all, Mega Alakazam a very anti-meta threat with its insane speed and power, and able to sweep and / or nuke something at any point in the game.
Some Weeb Shit (Gengar) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt
- Sludge Wave
- Will-O-Wisp
Why does everyone name this thing after something from anime lol. This thing is my dedicated stallbreaker, shutting down the likes of Chansey, Mega Slowbro, Mega Altaria, and Clefable easily, while also luring in threats like T-tar and Bisharp with Will-o-Wisp. Taunt can also surprise setup mons like Zard X, Sub CM Keldeo, and Manaphy. I've chosen Black Sludge over Life Orb for longevity, since power isn't necessary for breaking stall. Gengar's ability to wear down walls gives Mega Zam a lot of breathing room, since the damage it dishes out helps it get a lot of important KO's against mons that would otherwise stick around throughout the game, particularly Rotom-Wash.
bersherp Thunder Thighs (Bisharp) @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Low Kick
Give nicknames pls. Anyway, Bisharp is here to check the Lati twins, Jirachi, Gengar, Tyranitar, Weavile, Mega Metagross, and opposing Bisharp (which is why it has Jolly Nature + Low Kick). Mega Altaria also cannot set up with this thing in, which is awesome because not many things aren't setup fodder for that turkey bastard. Lastly, Bisharp can deter Defoggers from getting rid of my Stealth Rock because of Defiant, which can be very important if my opponent has, say, a Talonflame or a Volcarona. Lum Berry is also a possibility to be able to check Mew, since most Mew run enough Speed to outspeed and burn Bisharp, which can be really annoying. However, this leaves Bisharp with a lot less power, which it really needs since the power drop without Adamant Nature or Life Orb is very noticeable:
252 Atk Life Orb Bisharp Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 400-476 (99 - 117.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Bisharp Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 308-366 (76.2 - 90.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
I'm highly considering switching this thing for Weavile, since it checks the same threats as Bisharp, but is considerably faster, and can act as a surefire check to Tornadus-T, which as it stands annoys the hell out of my team. It can also take on Latis and Bisharp better.
Jimmy Talon (Talonflame) @ Leftovers / Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Roost
This thing sweeps like anything. He's pretty straightforward. Force a switch late game, SD, and win. EV's outspeed base 115's, which is nice since that means you don't have to Brave Bird an opposing Raikou. Unfortunately, this means that you miss out on a lot of power, and some important KO's, which means that everyone else has more work to do wearing the team down for a late-game sweep. Sharp Beak is a potential option to make up for this, but this means you lose out on Leftovers recovery, which is really, really nice, since you don't have to Roost as frequently.
If Zard X sets up a DD it can be a huge threat. My best bet against it is to wear it down as it sets up, and keep Heatran's Balloon intact to revenge with Earth Power. If I'm particularly desperate, I can get the chip damage I need off with Talonflame, but if it's my win condition, which it frequently is, then I can be put in the back very quickly.
The SD set is such a problem for me, if it sets up before me. My best check is Heatran, which does about 45% with Fire Blast, and can Earth Power it if it decides to Roost. However, I need chip damage on it in either of those cases, since Earth Power isn't a guaranteed OHKO, which I can usually get with Brave Bird recoil. I could potentially run Stone Edge over Flash Cannon to guarantee that Tran can take it on. If Heatran is dead (and if I let it die when this thing's around I deserve to lose TBH), I just have to make it kill itself with recoil. Why does this thing shit on offence so hard OML.
Another thing that completely doodoos on offence. This thing can last the entire game and annoy me with Fake Out chip damage, as well as hit like a truck with its unresisted STAB's. I have to get Zam's Mega speed off before it if I want to deal with it early (though this usually doesn't happen since everyone who has Lopunny just leads with it), but otherwise, my only hope is to eventually get it in versus Mega Zam or Talonflame, usually late game.
I have literally no switch-ins. At all. Depending on the set, I can check with Bisharp, Heatran (with its Balloon intact), Gengar, or Mega Zam. If it gets up a Substitute on the switch, I am in deep shit, especially if it's a max speed variant. You basically have to scout its set, which probably means sacking a mon, and work from there.
In a word, this thing is annoying. Really annoying.This ugly af bird can really ruin me, since it can chew hits all day from the things I have to outspeed it, and Regen it off like it's nothing. Furthermore, its coverage can smack my entire team. I have to wear it down with Mega Zam or Talon to keep it from annoying me throughout the game, though this generally means I am down to only one win condition. As I've said before, Weavile over Bisharp could very easily alleviate this. Please tell me what you think (.n_n.)
Although I have lots of priority with Bisharp and Talonflame, as well as some insane speed with Zam, a well-played Scarfer can sweep me late game, since I don't have one of my own.
I have no Electric resists, which allows common VolTurn mons to get initiative against me whenever they please. This can be really troublesome, especially since my team is so frail bar Heatran, which means Heatran will often by whittled very quickly against VolTurn cores. I have to get up rocks ASAP and pressure with my sanic mons.
IMPORTABLE -- FEEL FREE TO USE, BECAUSE APPARENTLY PEOPLE GIVE A SHIT WHEN OTHER PEOPLE USE THEIR TEAMS
That said, you ever had one of those teams that just works like a machine? Like, whatever happens, you always have a way to handle it? This is one of those teams. I built this in 3 minutes at 5 in the morning because I wanted to use Mega Zam, but it really doesn't show. I don't have any tasty ladder score to show you, but it has served very well for my skill level (1400-1500's).
Now let's look at the team in-depth.
Zamuel L. Jackson (Alakazam) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Substitute
^Now imagine that burger is an opposing offence team.
He takes on pretty much anything that is slower than it, and has very few switch ins with its coverage. If it's not a resist or a special wall, it's going to take at least half. It takes on Keldeo, Gengar, and Starmie, while also checking Lati@s, Mega Metagross, and weather abusers (namely Excadrill). I've been preferring Psychic over Psyshock because it hits physically bulky threats like Gliscor and Mega Venusaur harder, and they are a pain for me otherwise. Unfortunately, this also means I have a harder time breaking things that boost with Calm Mind, such as Mega Latias and Suicune (which, although not all that common, actually bodies me lol). Substitute gives me a free hit on a predicted switch and eases prediction, and also gives me options when the opponent switches into, say, a Pursuit user. All in all, Mega Alakazam a very anti-meta threat with its insane speed and power, and able to sweep and / or nuke something at any point in the game.
Some Weeb Shit (Gengar) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Taunt
- Sludge Wave
- Will-O-Wisp
Why does everyone name this thing after something from anime lol. This thing is my dedicated stallbreaker, shutting down the likes of Chansey, Mega Slowbro, Mega Altaria, and Clefable easily, while also luring in threats like T-tar and Bisharp with Will-o-Wisp. Taunt can also surprise setup mons like Zard X, Sub CM Keldeo, and Manaphy. I've chosen Black Sludge over Life Orb for longevity, since power isn't necessary for breaking stall. Gengar's ability to wear down walls gives Mega Zam a lot of breathing room, since the damage it dishes out helps it get a lot of important KO's against mons that would otherwise stick around throughout the game, particularly Rotom-Wash.
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Low Kick
252 Atk Life Orb Bisharp Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 400-476 (99 - 117.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Bisharp Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Jirachi: 308-366 (76.2 - 90.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
I'm highly considering switching this thing for Weavile, since it checks the same threats as Bisharp, but is considerably faster, and can act as a surefire check to Tornadus-T, which as it stands annoys the hell out of my team. It can also take on Latis and Bisharp better.
Hot Potato (Heatran) @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Flash Cannon / Taunt
Heatran is so important on this team. Not only does he get up rocks, but his Balloon can act as a clutch check to things like Excadrill, Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, Garchomp, and Kyurem-Black. In fact, his Balloon is often a win condition against those mons. Furthermore, he is a counter to the most annoying and reliable hazard setter in the tier, Ferrothorn, which I would otherwise have to rely on Focus Blast against. He is also my failsafe against Talonflame, wearing it down with rocks, resisting its Flying STAB's, and stopping it from Roosting with Earth Power. Taunt is also an option over Flash Cannon if you feel safe enough against Mega Diancie and Kyurem Black, since a secondary stop to status moves is very handy. Most notably, this can stop Clefable or Mega Venusaur from spamming their recovery moves and hoping for a miss like the fuccbois they are, in the case that I let my checks for them die.Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Flash Cannon / Taunt
Jimmy Talon (Talonflame) @ Leftovers / Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Roost
How Do I Eat (Starmie) @ Life Orb
Ability: Analytic / Natural Cure
EVs: 60 HP / 196 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Psyshock
- Rapid Spin
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
Seriously how does this thing eat? Starmie provides my all-important hazard control, making life much easier for the rest of the team, especially Talonflame. Its EV's make it a very safe switch-in to Keldeo (our only safe switch-in TBH). Its speed tier is absolutely delicious, since it allows it to get off a spin versus a crazy amount of common hazard setters, such as Garchomp, Gliscor, Hippowdon, and defensive Landorus-T, while simultaneously threatening those mons with its coverage. I'm very much considering Natural Cure over Analytic, since Starmie isn't here so much for offensive presence as it is utility, and getting worn down by status could be a massive pain against the more persistent hazard setters, such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and the occasional Empoleon.Ability: Analytic / Natural Cure
EVs: 60 HP / 196 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: NaN Atk
- Psyshock
- Rapid Spin
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
THREATLIST:
My safest switch-in to this bloody horse is Starmie, and it can only do that once or twice. After that, my ability to handle this thing is very limited, especially if my opponent decides to be cheeky and double to Bisharp or something. Scarf isn't that threatening, despite outspeeding my entire team, since it isn't that powerful, but Specs can smack me, and Sub CM can be a headache to wear down, though Gengar + Starmie can usually do that well enough.
Another thing that completely doodoos on offence. This thing can last the entire game and annoy me with Fake Out chip damage, as well as hit like a truck with its unresisted STAB's. I have to get Zam's Mega speed off before it if I want to deal with it early (though this usually doesn't happen since everyone who has Lopunny just leads with it), but otherwise, my only hope is to eventually get it in versus Mega Zam or Talonflame, usually late game.
I have no Electric resists, which allows common VolTurn mons to get initiative against me whenever they please. This can be really troublesome, especially since my team is so frail bar Heatran, which means Heatran will often by whittled very quickly against VolTurn cores. I have to get up rocks ASAP and pressure with my sanic mons.
IMPORTABLE -- FEEL FREE TO USE, BECAUSE APPARENTLY PEOPLE GIVE A SHIT WHEN OTHER PEOPLE USE THEIR TEAMS
Any and all suggestions for improving this squad are welcome and appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read (.n_n.)
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