Mono Steel RMT

[waveman23]

This is my first RMT. I've been using this team for a few days and it's averaging more wins than losses at this point, which is always good. I like mono teams so I decided to go with a mono-Steel team.

The Line-up:

I was fascinated by Gravity since I've hardly ever seen it used, so I decided to incorporate it into this team. And yes, it is very satisfying to nail a Skarmory or Zapdos with an Earthquake, lol. I'm also a little new to this, so I could probably use a little help tinkering with the EVs a bit. But so far it's been mainly effective.

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• Lead-off

Bronzong @ Focus Sash
Ability: Heat Proof
EVs: 155 Atk/100 Def/255 SpD
Nature: Brave (+Attack, -Speed)
-Stealth Rock
-Gravity
-Payback
-Explosion

Heat Proof was obviously chosen over Levitate for Gravity purposes. You'd be surprised how many people don't go for the Earthquake because they think it has Levitate. Focus Sash ensure that at least a Stealth Rock or Gravity can be used. Payback works well for common Taunt leads (Azelf) who think they can stop you from setting up Stealth Rock. It also works well for Rotom appliances who switch in after a Taunt expecting Explosion. Luckily the this team doesn't worry about Stealth Rock much at all. Explosion is there to take out the likes of Infernape (common switch-in to Bronzong I've noticed) and to clear the field for someone who can take advantage of Gravity. I gave it some Attack EVs so Payback can usually 2HKO Azelf and to give Explosion enough bite.

• Gravity Sweeper

Metagross @ Salac Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 255 Attack/255 Defense
Nature: Jolly (+Speed, -Special Attack)
-Bullet Punch/Dynamic Punch
-Earthquake
-Meteor Mash
-Gravity

Metagross' main job is to EQ whatever it can before Gravity wears out or it gets KO'd. It has Gravity itself just in case. Dynamic Punch and Meteor Mash both enjoy the evasion loss under Gravity, but I've found Dynamic Punch to be a little less than reliable even still. Bullet Punch is great for priority on the otherwise slow Metagross. I wanted to give it a big defense boost with the EVs so it can usually take one boosted EQ from Gyarados, which will usually activate Salac Berry.

• Steel Wall

Registeel @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 143 HP/112 Defense/255 Special Defense
Nature: Impish (+Defense, -Special Attack)
-Amnesia
-Curse/Iron Defense
-Toxic/Dynamic Punch/Earthquake
-Gravity/Substitute

Registeel has caused a few rage quits. Depending on whom I'm facing, I use Amnesia or Curse/Iron Defense to skyrocket the defenses. Substitute+Leftovers makes it hard to hit. Toxic is there for stall with Iron Defense, Curse+(Gravity if needed)+Dynamic Punch to hit hard and confuse. The EVs bring its Defense to 400 and Special Defense to 399, so they become pretty high after just one boost. Registeel is highly vulnerable to Gengar switch-ins on sets without Gravity and Earthquake.

• Life Orb Sweeper

Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 255 Attack/255 Defense
Nature: Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack)
-Bullet Punch
-Swords Dance
-X-Scissor
-Superpower

Scizor has a pretty standard move-set. Scizor can usually take an Earthquake or a Close Combat relatively well compared to the rest of the team. Bullet Punch is a classic, especially if it's backed up by Swords Dance+Life Orb+Technician. Superpower decimates Heatran if it isn't Scarfed. Scizor can usually take down one or two opposing Pokemon before it succumbs to a Fire attack or Life Orb recoil.

• Torrent

Empoleon @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 200 Defense/255 Special Attack/55 Special Defense
Nature: Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack)
-Agility
-Grass Knot
-Ice Beam
-Hydro Pump

Empoleon ties with Kingdra for my all time favorite Pokemon (both are on my Mono Water team), so naturally I had to include him. This isn't anything novel, Empoleon uses Agility on the switch or takes the hit to activate Petaya Berry, and I can usually set up a clean sweep. Hydro Pump under Gravity is a sure hit. It does monstrous amounts of damage if Petaya Berry and Torrent are both activated. Grass Knot ruins any Swampert that get any bright ideas. Ice Beam covers Celebi and dragons. But when in doubt, Hydro Pump on this set.

• Misc. Sweeper

Lucario @ Choice Specs
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 255 Speed, 255 Special Attack
Nature: Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack)
-Aura Sphere
-Shadow Ball
-Hidden Power Fire
-Psychic

Last but certainly not least is Lucario. Aura Sphere is a given, perfect accuracy, high-powered STAB is hard to turn down. HP Fire is there for the likes of Jirachi, Metagross, and Scizor. Lucario can switch into a predicted Iron Head from Jirachi and hopefully flinch to boost his speed, then retaliate with HP Fire. Shadow Ball covers Rotom appliances. Psychic does wonders against Breloom (the bane of my existence) and No Guard Machamp. Special Lucario seemed appropriate, my team seemed more Physical.

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And that's that. I was thinking about adding Magnezone somewhere in there but I didn't like the 4x Ground weakness. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[Sin]

OK, the first thing i noticed, You Have No Idea How To Use Gravity. If Zong has Gravity, go with Earthquake, you'll kill a lot more switchins/ Leads but because you're using it as a lead you have no chance at pulling off a sweep because of Stealth Rocks, you would have to have Earthquake AND Payback to pull off an effective sweep. Needless to say, you can get rid of Explosion and put in EQ. I don't mean to sound rude but I almost thought of you as a noob but you have a really solid team. Props to You! :) On another note...
An electric move should really be considered SOMEWHERE, to deal with TauntingDD Gyrados, a major protential problem. So if you're against MonoType Water, Gyra doesn't bring you down. Ice Beam can be taken out for Hp-Elec on Empoleon because if you're against MonoType Grass, Luke can handle them with ease. I hope this helps! (or at least makes you ponder my comments x3)
If you try my Zong change, I suggest switching your lead to ScarfRachi in place of Metagross a set with ThunderPunch or Thunder/Gravity/Trick/Iron Head with a naive nature still gives you the Grav user and a chance to hax a bit.
Gravity is my favorite move and I never would have thought of it in a MonoType team. Good Luck!

 

[Juice!]

Props on using a monotype team, that's pretty cool. =)

First up, Swords Dance + Superpower is counterproductive on Scizor. Why raise his attack with SD just to lower is with Superpower? Use Brick Break. That also breaks screens. And with Technician, Bug Bite is stronger than X-Scissor, plus you might steal something cool like a pinch berry.

On your Metagross you have your EVs as 255/255 but the most you ever need to put into a stat is 252. So make it 252/252 and then you can put 4 EVs into another stat to boost something up by a point. Also, what exactly is Salac Berry doing for Metagross? It seems so random. Something like Leftovers for some healing or Life Orb for extra power seems like it would do a lot more for you.

Also something you might want to think about trying could be Rock Polish Aggron. Head Smash has no recoil damage with Rock Head and has much better accuracy under Gravity. Not to mention it hits like a fucking freight train. Just bring it in on a Choiced attack it resists, or something it forces out, Rock Polish on the switch and then go to town.

Good luck with the team. =)