I have a weird OCD habit of trying to avoid any duplicate typing on my teams. For the same reasons I like making teams with Pokemon from the same generation. Obviously, these are not the best team building practices, but I can typically come up with something competitive. This is a team I made recently that I enjoy and wanted to share.
Hazard Setter/Defensive Pivot
Carbink @ Normal Gem
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Explosion
Oh yeah, you are not drunk or blind. Carbink is my hazard setter. He is also a Rock/Fairy type which is important since I already had decided on Zygarde and he is Ground/Dragon. Why does this matter you say? Well, obviously I couldn't have used Tyrantrum since I already have a Dragon type! Now you understand the true extent of my psychosis.
With that said, Carbink is not totally useless. It sets up Stealth Rock, and its a solid switch-in for Talonflame. There are times where I can even get off a Light Screen or Reflect, but in most cases I only use SR and Explosion. I am considering dropping either Light Screen and/or Reflect in favor of Toxic and/or Protect. Basically, anything but SR is up in the air on this set. Any feedback on that would be great.
Revenge Killer
Talonflame @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Bulk Up
- Roost
This is a set seen in lots of RTMs and Youtube videos. I doubt this set or Pokemon need much explanation(Priority BB = Revenge), but I will explain my item choice. I have found that Safety Goggles can be a nice choice over Lefties for its added utility. Plus, I also like to use a different item on every Pokemon if possible. Sweet! With Safety Goggles you can switch-in on predicted Spores and Sleep Powders. Its also really good vs Smeargle turn 1 since they will almost always go for Spore and then either have to switch or not get any use out of Smeargle at all.
With Tryanitar being so popular the fact that you aren't losing HP to Sandstorm damage is essentially equal to Leftovers. At least it is my understanding that you recover the same HP you loose from Sandstorm when you are holding Lefties. I originally started using this item on a team where I was using Tyranitar myself, but I have been using it whenever I use this since then.
Spin Blocker/Wall Breaker
Aegislash @ Air Balloon
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SAtk
Quiet Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sacred Sword
- Shadow Sneak
- King's Shield
Aegislash is the first member of my Steel, Ground and Water core. So many of the Physical Walls that will come in on Aegislash predicting a Swords Dance, only to take huge chunks of damage from a Shadow Ball. This mixed set allows Aegislash to break through Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Gliscor, Tyranitar and Rotom in hopes that Zygarde and/or Talonflame can then sweep.
Holding Air Balloon I can come in on Excadrills to block Rapid Spin and then get off a Shadow Ball on something. I've always hated going up againt that trollish Sub-Toxic Gliscor set and with the Balloon intact it can't touch this set. Air Balloon might be the best item on Aegishlash in this meta with so many powerful ground types everywhere trying to counter it.
Setup Sweeper
Zygarde @ Lum Berry
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
If only Zygarde got Dragon Claw it might be really good. With that said, it's bulk does make it capable of getting off multiple DDs along with the help of Lum Berry to protect me from Toxic and Wil-O-Wisp. Extreme Speed helps me from getting revenged killed by faster threats. Earthquake is the attack I end up using most often along with Extreme Speed and occasionally I'm able to or end up needing to lock myself into Outrage.
Specially Defensive Tank
Clawitzer @ Assault Vest
Ability: Mega Launcher
EVs: 252 HP / 136 SAtk / 120 SDef
Modest Nature
- Water Pulse
- Aura Sphere
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
This is my personal touch on this team. I'm sure many of you have come-up with similar sets independently, but this is what I came up with for Clawitzer. DRUM ROLL PLEASE! ASSAULT VEST CLAWITZER! Oh yeah, read them and weep. In all seriousness though, this set is alright. With the investment in SDef and the AV you can tank Volt Switchs from Rotom-W. In a recent game I took less than 70% from a Mega Manectric Thunderbolt if that gives you an idea of bulk it has.
Even with the investment to SDef Clawitzer still hits 341 SAtk. I don't think Clawitzer is very effective without the ability to take multiple hits. Without AV Clawitzer is just a slow Pokemon that will hit something hard, but doesn't tend to stay around very long. It seems like type of Poke that was made for Assault Vest.
Special Sweeper
Heliolisk (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 16 HP / 240 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
I believe Heliolisk has underated utility in OU. It resists Flying and Steel type moves and is immune to Water and Ghost type moves. Fighting moves are less prevalent than last generation. Its a pretty decent switch-in to Rotom-W, although a Wil-O-Wisp will shorten its lifespan a bit. It usually scares out Greninja as well. BoltBeam Coverage plus Focus Blast seams to be pretty solid. Tyranitar gets wreaked if he tries to come in on one and Defensive Rotom-W task about 40-45%.
With 16 IVs in HP you get to a Life Orb number with no noticeable drop in power. I've chosen Volt-Switch for the added power over the consistent momentum U-Turn might offer. I do find myself wishing Heliolish had enough raw power that I could run Wise Glasses or Expert Belt instead of Life Orb just to keep him around longer, but he really misses the extra power. Choice Specs may be the way to go, but I haven't tested it yet. What do you guys think?
Conclusion
Obviously, this is not a SUPER CEREAL TEAM. Just look at some of the criteria I used to select the team members. But I was able to put together a team with all 6th gen pokes that are different types, with different items and no Mega. I really need a Rapid Spinner or Defoger on this team for Talonflame, but Avalug is so bad and I already have Carbink. I don't think there are any other options that would fit the criteria. Anyways, thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read this RTM and I will appreciate any feedback.
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