Relicanth is one of my favourite pokémon that got a boost in DP, and happens to be incredibly good when his typing doesn't get in the way of him doing anything. Of course, combined with his speed, that's a lot. So I thought: "Why not Agilitify him?" Then I thought: "What exactly can take a Swords Danced Head Smash?"
Thus, I led onto building this team that looks terrible on paper but does oddly well (probably because this team doesn't give the opponent room for error/bad luck).
Compatikaiser (Scizor) (F) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 HP/26 Def/232 Spd
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Agility
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor
- Baton Pass
Okay, BPing Swords and Agility with one poke isn't the wisest of plans. But you'll see the results in a minute. Speed lets it just beat out Bulkygyara if it comes in to Taunt, rest in defense for obvious reasons.
---
Headache (Relicanth) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 34 HP/252 Atk/224 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Head Smash
- Double-edge
- Waterfall
If the first plan succeeds, 404 speed and 795.6 Attack with STAB Rock Smash. That's enough to OHKO Skarm without even Stealth Rock support. In fact, the only pokémon that really threaten Reli after the BP are Specscario and Swampert, neither of which are switching in any time soon. Stealth Rock is a nice thing to have at this point, of course.
---
Manly Fish (Lanturn) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 40 HP/36 Spd/192 SAtk/240 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Surf
Lanturn has always been my favourite since netbattle, and that hasn't really changed. He's no dedicated wall, but his Status and ability to take special hits is greatly enjoyed by the team, as well as the Electric Absorbtion.
---
I AM ANGRY (Gyarados) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP/252 Atk/184 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
I was looking at what threatened the above 3, and concluded that Gyara would do well on this team. Sure enough, she's proved to be very effective at decimating pretty much everything. DDgyara's Build with a variation of Bulkygyara allows it decent offensive power and the ability to halt walls completely. Stone edge is much appreciated.
---
Anorexic Bodyguard (Weavile) (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Brick Break
- Ice Punch
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard
Starmie is NOT getting away with decimating my sweepers. =(
Weavile covers a lot of holes in this team, providing great anti-ghost/star/dragon support, and a vital revenge kill. I don't find much use for Night Slash in comparison to Pursuit, so Ice Shard is there in case I let some Dragon nublet set up on me.
---
Zamzeed (Claydol) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/200 Def/56 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Light Screen
- Grass Knot
Really, this is where the good news stops and the bad news starts. 3 Bulky Pokémon and Weavile don't offer enough defensive support, and the lack of a Swampert Counter is dire. Thus, I was left with a choice. Celebi or Claydol. And to be honest, I haven't decided on one yet. On one hand we have a Spinner with Light Screen support, and on the Other an Aromatherapist (Celebi also has SR access, no?). Both have similar typing and have similar jobs, but I can't decide who's more effective for this team.
OU Threat List:
Tyranitar:
Reli, when set up, has no trouble with Tyranitar, but can't actually counter him. Should be able to take a Neutral hit, too. Gyara doesn't like Stone Edge, but again, with one DD TTar can't do much. Weavile can't hop in, but this it TTar we're talking about. Claydol can threaten variants without Crunch.
Gyarados:
Reli can take out Gyarados fairly reliably, as long as he isn't sent into an EQ/boosted hit. Gyara was built partly to waste other Gyaras. Stone Edge FTW.
Infernape: Some variants are a threat.
Gyarados is a great counter for Thunderpunchless variants, and if it does have punch, then we have Lanturn. To paralyze it.
Azelf:
Weavile is the obvious counter as long as I don't get Flamethrower'd.
Electivire:
Okay, this is a Vire weak team. :( Granted, it's only a serious threat if Weavile's locked into Pursuit/Shard or no-one is set up.
Heracross:
Stone edge hurts, but Gyarados counters him for the most part.
Salamence:
Gyarados can cause it problems, for the most part.
Togekiss:
No major counters, but half of the team can deal with Kiss well.
Gengar:
I hate hypnosis, I really do. Weavile makes his mark here, though.
Garchomp:
For the most part, Gyara and Weavile are effective enough.
Lucario:
Gyarados's resistances prove once again to be a serious asset. Cario is a threat, though.
Starmie:
With Lanturn and Weavile on this team, Starmie really isn't going to successfully destroy both Gyara and Relicanth unless I'm really unlucky/Stupid.
Weavile:
<3 Gyarados.
Dugtrio:
Gyarados once again and to a lesser extent, Weavile.
Porygon-Z:
This is a hard one, but Lanturn and Weavile can cause Pory problems with their resistances and Status/Brick Break.
Machamp:
Okay, I can't counter this one. :( But Machamp is badass, so I can accept that every team has a hole.
Snorlax:
Weavile, Relicanth, Scizor and Gyara can out-setup/smash his stomach in.
Zapdos:
Lanturn likes non-HP grass variants, and then the bruisers can hit it hard if set up.
Suicune:
Lanturn is surprisingly good at beating Cune out.
Breloom:
Scizor is a good Breloom counter.
Ninjask:
Gyara has taunt, and a lot of pokémon like this tasty morsel.
Metagross:
Really depends on the moveset, here. For the most part, Metagross is beatable.
Heatran:
Gyarados is not coming off this team. Ever.
Celebi:
Scizor and Weavile can both give this onion an early grave.
Jirachi:
Another threat to the team, sadly.
Dragonite:
Depends on Nite's moveset.
Mamoswine:
We can pick on its water weak, but Mamoswine's slightly fast.
Gallade:
The real worry is Gallade's status.
Yanmega:
Weavile and Lanturn FTW.
Kingdra:
Gyarados and Lanturn for the most part give Kingdra problems, but it's still a nightmare to stop.
Roserade:
Scizor 2HKOs Rose, and Weavile has no trouble.
Scizor:
Gyarados and Relicanth primarily.
--
Criticism is appreciated, as long as it doesn't completely alter the team. The following questions are mainly the important ones;
~ Who should I use as a Starter? None of the pokémon seem a particularly good choice for that job.
~ Are there any faster pokémon that don't detract from the team? Should I use Gliscor over Scizor?
~ Celebi over Claydol, a good idea?
~ Should I put more status inflictors onto this team?
Thus, I led onto building this team that looks terrible on paper but does oddly well (probably because this team doesn't give the opponent room for error/bad luck).
Compatikaiser (Scizor) (F) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 HP/26 Def/232 Spd
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Agility
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor
- Baton Pass
Okay, BPing Swords and Agility with one poke isn't the wisest of plans. But you'll see the results in a minute. Speed lets it just beat out Bulkygyara if it comes in to Taunt, rest in defense for obvious reasons.
---
Headache (Relicanth) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 34 HP/252 Atk/224 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Head Smash
- Double-edge
- Waterfall
If the first plan succeeds, 404 speed and 795.6 Attack with STAB Rock Smash. That's enough to OHKO Skarm without even Stealth Rock support. In fact, the only pokémon that really threaten Reli after the BP are Specscario and Swampert, neither of which are switching in any time soon. Stealth Rock is a nice thing to have at this point, of course.
---
Manly Fish (Lanturn) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 40 HP/36 Spd/192 SAtk/240 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Surf
Lanturn has always been my favourite since netbattle, and that hasn't really changed. He's no dedicated wall, but his Status and ability to take special hits is greatly enjoyed by the team, as well as the Electric Absorbtion.
---
I AM ANGRY (Gyarados) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP/252 Atk/184 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
I was looking at what threatened the above 3, and concluded that Gyara would do well on this team. Sure enough, she's proved to be very effective at decimating pretty much everything. DDgyara's Build with a variation of Bulkygyara allows it decent offensive power and the ability to halt walls completely. Stone edge is much appreciated.
---
Anorexic Bodyguard (Weavile) (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Brick Break
- Ice Punch
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard
Starmie is NOT getting away with decimating my sweepers. =(
Weavile covers a lot of holes in this team, providing great anti-ghost/star/dragon support, and a vital revenge kill. I don't find much use for Night Slash in comparison to Pursuit, so Ice Shard is there in case I let some Dragon nublet set up on me.
---
Zamzeed (Claydol) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/200 Def/56 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Light Screen
- Grass Knot
Really, this is where the good news stops and the bad news starts. 3 Bulky Pokémon and Weavile don't offer enough defensive support, and the lack of a Swampert Counter is dire. Thus, I was left with a choice. Celebi or Claydol. And to be honest, I haven't decided on one yet. On one hand we have a Spinner with Light Screen support, and on the Other an Aromatherapist (Celebi also has SR access, no?). Both have similar typing and have similar jobs, but I can't decide who's more effective for this team.
OU Threat List:
Tyranitar:
Reli, when set up, has no trouble with Tyranitar, but can't actually counter him. Should be able to take a Neutral hit, too. Gyara doesn't like Stone Edge, but again, with one DD TTar can't do much. Weavile can't hop in, but this it TTar we're talking about. Claydol can threaten variants without Crunch.
Gyarados:
Reli can take out Gyarados fairly reliably, as long as he isn't sent into an EQ/boosted hit. Gyara was built partly to waste other Gyaras. Stone Edge FTW.
Infernape: Some variants are a threat.
Gyarados is a great counter for Thunderpunchless variants, and if it does have punch, then we have Lanturn. To paralyze it.
Azelf:
Weavile is the obvious counter as long as I don't get Flamethrower'd.
Electivire:
Okay, this is a Vire weak team. :( Granted, it's only a serious threat if Weavile's locked into Pursuit/Shard or no-one is set up.
Heracross:
Stone edge hurts, but Gyarados counters him for the most part.
Salamence:
Gyarados can cause it problems, for the most part.
Togekiss:
No major counters, but half of the team can deal with Kiss well.
Gengar:
I hate hypnosis, I really do. Weavile makes his mark here, though.
Garchomp:
For the most part, Gyara and Weavile are effective enough.
Lucario:
Gyarados's resistances prove once again to be a serious asset. Cario is a threat, though.
Starmie:
With Lanturn and Weavile on this team, Starmie really isn't going to successfully destroy both Gyara and Relicanth unless I'm really unlucky/Stupid.
Weavile:
<3 Gyarados.
Dugtrio:
Gyarados once again and to a lesser extent, Weavile.
Porygon-Z:
This is a hard one, but Lanturn and Weavile can cause Pory problems with their resistances and Status/Brick Break.
Machamp:
Okay, I can't counter this one. :( But Machamp is badass, so I can accept that every team has a hole.
Snorlax:
Weavile, Relicanth, Scizor and Gyara can out-setup/smash his stomach in.
Zapdos:
Lanturn likes non-HP grass variants, and then the bruisers can hit it hard if set up.
Suicune:
Lanturn is surprisingly good at beating Cune out.
Breloom:
Scizor is a good Breloom counter.
Ninjask:
Gyara has taunt, and a lot of pokémon like this tasty morsel.
Metagross:
Really depends on the moveset, here. For the most part, Metagross is beatable.
Heatran:
Gyarados is not coming off this team. Ever.
Celebi:
Scizor and Weavile can both give this onion an early grave.
Jirachi:
Another threat to the team, sadly.
Dragonite:
Depends on Nite's moveset.
Mamoswine:
We can pick on its water weak, but Mamoswine's slightly fast.
Gallade:
The real worry is Gallade's status.
Yanmega:
Weavile and Lanturn FTW.
Kingdra:
Gyarados and Lanturn for the most part give Kingdra problems, but it's still a nightmare to stop.
Roserade:
Scizor 2HKOs Rose, and Weavile has no trouble.
Scizor:
Gyarados and Relicanth primarily.
--
Criticism is appreciated, as long as it doesn't completely alter the team. The following questions are mainly the important ones;
~ Who should I use as a Starter? None of the pokémon seem a particularly good choice for that job.
~ Are there any faster pokémon that don't detract from the team? Should I use Gliscor over Scizor?
~ Celebi over Claydol, a good idea?
~ Should I put more status inflictors onto this team?
