Momentum!

[baccano]

Hey guys, i have played Pokemon Online and now Pokemon Showdown for almost a year now. i have been coming here reading movesets and looking at RMTs for a while. Ive decided to make an account now that i have made my best team yet. Ive been winning pretty frequently, but i still got room to improve. Any rates or opinions would be appreciated.

My main goal is to switch Infernape and Rotom around and weaken the opposing until i can "sneak in" Volcorona to set up and destroy as long as he can, and then have Dragonite set up and late game sweep.

First, Meet Team Momentum:

Team Offence :

Team Dugtrio :

Infernape @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 108 Atk / 148 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature
- Close Combat
- Overheat
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]

The first part of my momentum core, my main lead alternating with Rotom-W, Infernape is just a beast. he can outspeed most of the metagame with a scarf, most importantly, Genesect (such an overpowered lead) pretty basic Infernape. He is also a great revenge killer, especially taking down dragons that take down most of my team with HP Ice. EVs are for revenge killing.

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 156 HP / 150 SAtk / 202 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hidden Power [Ice]

The second part of my momentum core, this guy counters Politoed and other Special attackers. Hydro Pump puts a giant dent into anything on neutral. he helps tack threats to my offensive core (Dragonite and Volcarona) such as Mamoswine and, if Dugtrio is down, Heatran. I really dont understand the use for Pain Split, but Will-O-Wisp is useful. HP Ice is for endgame dragons, while early game Dragons and flying types are taken down by Infernape.
I have taken some of the HP and Special Attack EV and put them into Special Defence, since he tends to take more Special attack than physical.

Forretress @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Volt Switch

The Pivot of this little momentum team, Infernape and Rotom go to this guy when they cant avoid a strong physical hit that this guy resists.I have added Stealth rock because Dugtrio almost never sets it up anyways. If Dugtrio has Stealth Rock, Forrtress can add Spikes. Volt Switch is for momenum switching, and when things like Heatran come in to scare away Forretress, they tend to just use Stealth Rock or Substitute, but if they attack, forretress can take a hit for the team so Dugtrio can switch in without damage. Perhaps his most important role is to rapid spin away rocks so Team Offense doesnt take huge damage from Rocks.

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
- ExtremeSpeed
- Fire Punch

My personal favorite pokemon, the second part of my main offensive core along with Volcarona, Dragonite uses Dragon Dance and mid-endgame sweeps. i need the Lum berry since any Status move hurts him pretty badly. Outrage can end in me being walled easily, Fire Punch is for steel walls (although i rarely need to worry about them with Team Momentum and Dugtrio) among other things. ExtremeSpeed is to beat the priority users that so taunt Dragonite. Obviously Stealth Rock is annoying for Dragonite since it breaks Multiscale, which is what Forrestress is for.

Volcarona @ Focus sash
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fiery Dance
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Rock]

Volcarona is the first part of my Team offense, and it hits like a "Special" Truck, one quiver dance makes him faster than anything without a scarf, Fiery Dance raises his SAtk ridiculously fast. Bug Buzz is for extra STAB, and HP Rock is for Dragons and and things that resist his STAB. A lot of people use Life Orb, but Vulcarona is so frail, the recoil hurts bad. He deals enough damage with one Quiver Dance, especially with Fiery Dance raising his SAtk constantly. HP Rock is just so useful. I have changed the item to Focus sash because i like him as a glass cannon.

Dugtrio @ Focus Sash
Trait: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Reversal
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake

Dugtrio does what Dugtrio does, and he does it like a boss. Stealth Rock is for when he has an extra turn or when i know the opponent cant do anything. The rest is basic Reversal Dugtrio antics. Nuf said.

Again, Any rates or opinions would be appreciated! Ill be sure to start rating other people now! :)

Hide

Dugtrio @ Focus Sash
Trait: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Reversal
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 156 HP / 150 SAtk / 202 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Infernape @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 108 Atk / 148 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature
- Close Combat
- Overheat
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
- ExtremeSpeed
- Fire Punch

Forretress @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Volt Switch

Volcarona @ Focus Sash
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fiery Dance
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Rock]

 

[Dr Ciel]

Hey there and cool looking team ya got going on! I see you are trying out some sort of VoltTurn offense, utilizing your Volt Switcher and U-Turners in order to wear down the opposing team and then proceed to finish off the opponent with your set-up sweeper of choice. Anyways, to kick off this rate, I would like to say that there are no real glaring weaknesses that this team has, so I shall suggest some EV and moveset changes in addition to changing a Pokemon or two, so let's get to it shall we? Okay, first and foremost, I would change that Infernape EV spread to 108 Atk / 148 SpA / 252 Spe over your current one. The reason as to why use this spread is simple, to mazimize Infernapes offensive capabilities, while still managing to outspeed many common "leads" in the OU tier, such as Landorus and Genesect. Moving on, I suggest using a 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD on Forretress over your current spread. Again, the reason for the spread is simple, as it allows Forretress to sponge most of the physical attacks aimed at it. Onto the Dragonite, I understand that it is your late-game sweeper, but I would try out a Sub + DD set over your current one. This set is odd, yes, but allow me to explain. Once Volcarona destroys most of D-Nites checks, he can come in and set up a Sub, DD up and Dragon Claw the opponent to death. On your Volcarona, I would use Leftovers > Rock Gem, because Leftovers can restore a little bit of Volcaronas health at the end of each turn, so that'll be helpful to restore residual damage a bit at a time. Well, that's all I can say for this team. I hope my advice helped just a bit. Have fun and good luck with your team!

Set

Dragonite @ Leftovers Lv. 100 -- Multiscale

Nature: Jolly - EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 60 SpD / 132 Spe

- Substitute
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
- Roost

~Dr Ciel~ (The doctor is OUT)

 

[Electrolyte]

Hi,

Cool team you've got here! You've got a solid volt-turn core with a spinner and two sweepers, and your structure is quite solid. I would definitely change some of your sets, however, because of the more offensive nature of your team. Dragonite's moveset can definitely be improved- as if you're not using Rain Waterfall is not the best idea. Forretress should also be made bulkier physically- allowing it to take hits when needed, due to the frailty of your team. Rotom could probably ditch Substitute for a status move, as you really don't have any uses for Substitutes if you don't carry status or set up. Volarona's item could also be improved, just as DrCiel posted.

I think the most beneficial change you can make for your team right now is by changing Forretress's set. Right now you've got a mixed spread- jack of all trades, master of none. It would definitely be more helpful if you stashed all of those investments into physical defense- for a spread of 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpDef Relaxed. This gives you a lot more physical bulk- at the exchange of SpA (which you shouldn't really be investing) and SpDef (which Forretress does not handle well anyway.) Max physical defense lets you tank Banded Outrages, set hazards as your opponent confuses themselves, and then abuse momentum and VoltTurn. I also think replacing Toxic Spikes with Gyro Ball would be a good idea. Gyro Ball lets you hit Terrakion really hard- and it's a big threat that you should definitely cover without dugtrio. I personally find Toxic Spikes less as effective compared to SR and spikes on VoltTurn because the strategy is based off of forcing switches a lot- and since your opponent shoild be switching out at least every other turn, the poison will not jave much time to build up. That, and also because some steels such as Ferrothorn are already really problematic, and immune to TSpikes.

With TSpikes gone, the slot for status is once again open- and I advise you to replace Rotom's Substitute with WiloWisp. It cripples physical attackers, does extra damage, and aids Volca and Dnite as they setvup by weakening the attacks thrown at them. WiloWisp also causes a lot more switches- as many common switch ins to Rotom-W such as Breloom or Ferrothorn are pretty much stopped dead by burns, and lose the ability to counter reliably. Substitute is a great move, and I commend you for using it, but for a pokemon that switches in and out so often, Substitute is unnecessary.

The last thing I would change would be Dragonite's moveset. Waterfall is a weak coverage move, and is outclassed by Fire Punch / EQ outside of Rain. I would use Fire Punch instead, allowing you to beat Ferrothorns, Forretresses, and Skarmory's. Heatran will wall you now, however your team is multiple ways of dealing with heatran- as it should be reluctant to switch in in fear of Dugtrio. Infernape and Rotom counter Heatran as well.

Finally, as DrCiel said, I'd give Volca Leftovers instead of Rock Gem, for the extra longevity.

Nice job!

 

[baccano]

Wow, so much text! thanks guys, it makes me feel like my team has potential lol. Thanks a whole lot guys, i will test out your suggestions, and later i will edit my post with any changes. (I dunno how to change text colors and make those open and hide tabs lol)

 

[haunter]

Two SR user on a team is not necessary. If you're going to replace toxic spikes on Forretress, then go for gyro ball, as Electrolyte suggested. I would keep TS though, since, if your opponent lacks a spinner, it can help wear down some Pokemon that are troublesome for your team such as LO Stoutland, opposing Volcarona, Terrakion etc.

I'm surprised that nobody pointed out how weak your team is to rain offense. Nothing on your team can take hits from LO Starmie and specs Tornadus, the latter in particular can easily get past your current Rotom because 252 SpAtk Choice Specs Tornadus-T Hurricane vs 156 HP/100 SpDef Rotom-W: 40% - 47,14%. Basically you only get to switch into Tornadus once and that's assuming that Rotom has not taken any prior damage. Anything else is either outsped and 1-2hko'd or can't do much to it. I suggest that you make your Rotom specially defensive:


- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split / Hidden Power Grass
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
Evs: 248 HP / 28 SpA / 232 SpD

With this spread Tornadus can only do 32,89% - 38,82% with hurricane and you get to check scarf-Genesect and some rain sweepers better. I'm suggesting HP Grass as an option cause I noticed that your team is pretty weak to Gastrodon.

Hope this helps.

 

[baccano]

hey guys, thanks for all the rates. i have changed up some aspects of my team, especially EVs. Im kind of wary of taking away as much Special attack as you guys are suggesting, but i do believe Rotom needs to put some special attack into his special defence. im gonna take it slowly, testing and raising/lowering EVs until i get a perfect ratio. im trying HP Grass, but i havent come to a situation recently where i needed eather, so i dont really have an opinion yet. I know its strange that i have two Stealth rock users, but Dugtrio only uses his for filler, its incredibly rare for him to bother with it. besides, even if Dugtrio sets up Rocks, Forretress can just use spikes. lastly, i like volcarona as a pure glass cannon. Focus sash is great on something with such great attacking stats, it gives him one turn to set up Quiver Dance and sweep, assuming there isnt Sandstorm/Hail, and Forretress handles switch in hazards.

anyways, thats all i got for now. please keep giving suggestions and i will keep experimenting. if there are any Pokemon Showdown tournaments on Smogon i will surely enter. (dunno where any scedule is though)

 

[baccano]

Its been a few days. so im just gonna bump this once.

 

[Red3mpti0n]

Forretress can sometimes work in this meta, but if you do anything but Volt Switch, it is usually deadweight. It's just become the ultimate set-up fodder with all the RP and DD sweepers in OU. If you want a physical pivot, I'd recommend Landorus-T > Forretress with a spread of 200 HP/64 Atk/244 Def with an Impish nature. It too, has access to SR and U-turn and has a much better offensive presence than Forretress. That will also let you use Sucker Punch > SR on Dugtrio to pick off weakened threats that outspeed it.

If you're that worried about losing spin support, I'd try to fit Starmie in over any other spinner, as it helps maintain momentum better than the rest.

I have changed the item to Focus sash because i like him as a glass cannon.

You should either remove this or change Volc's Rock Gem. Not sure which one you actually have.