I - Introduction:
Hey everyone, DEG here, been a long time since I have took ladder seriously, it isn't just my thing but after the Core Challenge #32 got released it caught my attention, as a person that mains dark, I always wanted to try Mega-Houndoom and see how effective it is in Monotype, so here I went building this team around it. So the team was done without even trying to fit Sableye considering how overrated it is on dark monos and the fact that I don't really like using it, but that didn't stop the team from being successful as it got me in the 1600s for the first time after ladder reset. I won't talk much longer but I'll introduce the team under the form of a small story and at the end I'll give some full shout outs and normal shout outs, so without a further ado here we go~
II - Team Building Process:
Although there's not a lot to be said here but here I go:
Starting with the Core of Mega Houndoom+Tyranitar (
III - Into the Darkness:
[Wanting to know the secrets of the dark side you dive deep into your nightmares, marching towards the unknown as you hear sounds echoing around you, scared you decide to run away but you find yourself trapped in an unfamiliar aura, as you look around you, you notice red eyes starring in yours reaching your soul, paralyzed you watch it get closer to you as it face begins to show you realize it's Houndoom in it's Mega form. It gets closer and mutters a few words "Welcome to the Darkness, I'll be your guide." as it smiles quietly.]
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
~ Into the nothing, faded and weary
I won't leave and let you fall behind ~
As I stated above, Houndoom Mega is a part of the core, it is an underrated threat which I wanted to put the lights on, thanks to it's great typing it has the capabilities to help against different match ups such as bug that causes a lot of trouble for dark, grass and lot of under prepared teams that doesn't have the Pokemon to resists both of it's stabs, Nasty plot let's it set up on a predicted switch making it a scary, fast threat. Sludge Bomb is used as a coverage move to take Fairies, notably the likes of Clefable, Gardevoir...
[As you walk slowly with Houndoom the weather changes, turning to stormy making it nearly impossible to move while the Dog of Death moving swiftly gets near a giant rock, telling him to stop the storm. As the weather slowly came back to normally, Tyranitar moved slowly toward you. Houndoom Mega introduced the moving boulder to you "This is Tyranitar, first protector. It creates a stormy weather slowing down the enemy making him tank more hits as he attacks back'', He walked slowly, looked at me then added: ''Let's move further''.]
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Stone Edge
- Fire Blast
- Stealth Rock
~ I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster ~
The second part of my core, Tyranitar serves mainly as a rock setter, while dark have troubles with bugs in general, Tyranitar is one of these Pokemon that can force Stealth Rocks into the field against bug thanks to it's amazing special defense and typing it is able to set up rocks against common bug leads such as Galvantula, Shuckle. Thunder wave is used to slow down crippling the opposite Pokemon, Stone edge as for Tyranitar's main stab, and fire blast helps against the odds of Skarmory, Forretress which can removes the rocks away or Ferrothorn that can cripple Tyranitar otherwise. I decided to put chopple berry as it's easier to pull a T-wave or any attack against fighting mono which I'm weak to, leftovers could be used for longevity.
[Moving Slowly toward your goal, you distinguish between the darkness a dead tree, perched on it a vulture, waiting for it's prey with no sound as it eyes swift from left to right. ''It is Mandibuzz, It waits for it's target to make a sound then attacks it, devouring it slowly and painfully'']
Three Walls Four Walls (Mandibuzz) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- Taunt
~ I can't wait to die so all the mouths
Of the vultures can be fed ~
Mandibuzz oh Mandibuzz, one of my favorite Pokemon. It is a premium defensive wall, with a great typing that helps dark check lot of it's threats such as Heracross, Scizor, Gallade and most physical attackers, it forms a great defensive core with Tyranitar which sponges special hits launched toward Mandibuzz. Foul Play, main attacking move for mandibuzz as it gains STAB and has the defensive capabilities to handle most physical attackers in the game, while hazards don't annoy this team much it is great to have some hazard control in Defog and lastly I use taunt over brave bird, as it can be used to stop specially Chansey or slower walls that can status Mandibuzz and replenish their health back.
[''It trains day and night to slay our worst enemies, fairies. The day they appeared in this world, our faction has been in danger, thanks to the help of Bisharp we are able to fight back but most of the time it's not enough'' Houndoom showed disappointment in his face as he said slowly these words then continue to move further'']
Mastermind (Bisharp) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
~ I need a hero to save my life
A hero'll save me just in time ~
Bisharp is my first physical attacker, thanks to it's amazing offensive stats Bisharp finds itself being able to sweep easier, and is one of my fairy checks thanks to it's typing. Lum Berry is used to keep off burn not reaching Bisharp mainly from Rotom-Wash, Mew or scald burns from the odds of Empoleon, Slowbro while being able to set up a Sword Dance against them, also it keeps away paralysis from the odds of Porygon2 or Chansey...
[As you got closer to the end, you noticed a lake in such a place that caught your attention as you try to go to check it you are stopped by Houndoom warning you about Crawdaunt the mythical creature that isn't even afraid of attacking it's own comrades for it's own good, it has such power that even Mandibuzz has trouble going against it, as you hear these words you take a step back and continue walking while starring at the lake while it disappear slowly in the darkness]
Pikapi >~< (Crawdaunt) @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
~ The throne must be such a sad and lonely place
Living breathing flesh and blood, sweat and tears swept under the rug ~
Crawdaunt is used as my premium wall breaker, thanks to it's ability and raw power, it is able to take on bulky pokemon that can threatens this team such as Porygon2, Alomomola, Chansey, Quagsire... Sword Dance over Dragon Dance is to maximize it's sweeping capabilities while predicting a switch in as it can easily take on other Pokemon with a boosted Aqua Jet. I run jolly to outspeed uninvested fast bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, or speed invested Skarmory.
[As you enter the last chamber, the air became nearly impossible to breath as you see, sitting on his thrones, with dark holes surrounding it, something that looks like a space creature, afraid to get closer you look at Houndoom as it talks softly: ''Meet our master, Hoopa-Unbound!'' then he adds in a loud voice ''Oh Lord Hoopa-Unbound! I have found us a new King.'' Hoopa-Unbound stands, stares right into your eyes, testing your soul as it can see the darkness in it, puts all of it's hands on you, takes the rest of the light from your soul, devouring it leaving you with the darkness as it mutters with a creepy voice ''Welcome to the Dark side my King.'']
Space Bound (Hoopa-Unbound) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magician
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Energy Ball
- Hyperspace Hole
- Hyperspace Fury
~ Count me, count me, call my name
Don't leave me out the chain
These Crimson tears falling and my shirt is blood-stained
And the devil's forever in my veins ~
Hoopa-Unbound is used as grass, ground and specially my fighting check as it holds two key moves in Energyball and Hyperspace Hole, as for it's other moves I decided to add Hyperspace Fury as a great physical STAB bypassing substitute helping against Sub Mega Gardevoir, and Gunk shot that helps killing the nasty fairies. As I lacked speed, I gave Hoopa-Unbound a choice scarf making it run smoothly with a great synergy beside the team.
IV - Conclusion:
Here we are, oh I'm not done yet? This was so hard to type, and I still have threatlist, replays and shout outs, back to typing!
This Pokemon literally gets a kill everytime it safe switchins, I have to sack something and revenge kill it with Hoopa-Unbound or get directly a switch and paralyze it with Tyranitar, never sack Hoopa-Unbound when you see a Mega Gardevoir as it can carry sub and trick Bisharp into sucker punch failing.
Same case as above, can be checked by Crawdaunt and Hoopa-Unbound.
Can easily set up hazards and damage my team cause I have no way to set up except from cheap damage and revenge killing.
It can literally OHKO everything on the team and can only be killed, sadly by Hoopa-Unbound which should be preserved at all cost.
Other threats less scary threats contains;
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Thanks for reading!
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- Taunt
~ I can't wait to die so all the mouths
Of the vultures can be fed ~
Mandibuzz oh Mandibuzz, one of my favorite Pokemon. It is a premium defensive wall, with a great typing that helps dark check lot of it's threats such as Heracross, Scizor, Gallade and most physical attackers, it forms a great defensive core with Tyranitar which sponges special hits launched toward Mandibuzz. Foul Play, main attacking move for mandibuzz as it gains STAB and has the defensive capabilities to handle most physical attackers in the game, while hazards don't annoy this team much it is great to have some hazard control in Defog and lastly I use taunt over brave bird, as it can be used to stop specially Chansey or slower walls that can status Mandibuzz and replenish their health back.
[''It trains day and night to slay our worst enemies, fairies. The day they appeared in this world, our faction has been in danger, thanks to the help of Bisharp we are able to fight back but most of the time it's not enough'' Houndoom showed disappointment in his face as he said slowly these words then continue to move further'']
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
~ I need a hero to save my life
A hero'll save me just in time ~
Bisharp is my first physical attacker, thanks to it's amazing offensive stats Bisharp finds itself being able to sweep easier, and is one of my fairy checks thanks to it's typing. Lum Berry is used to keep off burn not reaching Bisharp mainly from Rotom-Wash, Mew or scald burns from the odds of Empoleon, Slowbro while being able to set up a Sword Dance against them, also it keeps away paralysis from the odds of Porygon2 or Chansey...
[As you got closer to the end, you noticed a lake in such a place that caught your attention as you try to go to check it you are stopped by Houndoom warning you about Crawdaunt the mythical creature that isn't even afraid of attacking it's own comrades for it's own good, it has such power that even Mandibuzz has trouble going against it, as you hear these words you take a step back and continue walking while starring at the lake while it disappear slowly in the darkness]
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
~ The throne must be such a sad and lonely place
Living breathing flesh and blood, sweat and tears swept under the rug ~
Crawdaunt is used as my premium wall breaker, thanks to it's ability and raw power, it is able to take on bulky pokemon that can threatens this team such as Porygon2, Alomomola, Chansey, Quagsire... Sword Dance over Dragon Dance is to maximize it's sweeping capabilities while predicting a switch in as it can easily take on other Pokemon with a boosted Aqua Jet. I run jolly to outspeed uninvested fast bulky Pokemon such as Mandibuzz, or speed invested Skarmory.
[As you enter the last chamber, the air became nearly impossible to breath as you see, sitting on his thrones, with dark holes surrounding it, something that looks like a space creature, afraid to get closer you look at Houndoom as it talks softly: ''Meet our master, Hoopa-Unbound!'' then he adds in a loud voice ''Oh Lord Hoopa-Unbound! I have found us a new King.'' Hoopa-Unbound stands, stares right into your eyes, testing your soul as it can see the darkness in it, puts all of it's hands on you, takes the rest of the light from your soul, devouring it leaving you with the darkness as it mutters with a creepy voice ''Welcome to the Dark side my King.'']
Ability: Magician
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Energy Ball
- Hyperspace Hole
- Hyperspace Fury
~ Count me, count me, call my name
Don't leave me out the chain
These Crimson tears falling and my shirt is blood-stained
And the devil's forever in my veins ~
Hoopa-Unbound is used as grass, ground and specially my fighting check as it holds two key moves in Energyball and Hyperspace Hole, as for it's other moves I decided to add Hyperspace Fury as a great physical STAB bypassing substitute helping against Sub Mega Gardevoir, and Gunk shot that helps killing the nasty fairies. As I lacked speed, I gave Hoopa-Unbound a choice scarf making it run smoothly with a great synergy beside the team.
IV - Conclusion:
Here we are, oh I'm not done yet? This was so hard to type, and I still have threatlist, replays and shout outs, back to typing!
Other threats less scary threats contains;
Long Shoutouts to people I cherish the most, they have been with me since the beginning helping me, and are special for me~
Wyn: Well ofc the first shout out goes to Pika, this dude right here has helped me so much in every single way, in team building, helping me when I need it, fun times. Thanks to him I got into Dark Monotype and had lot of fun, we have gone through everything together and share lot of great memories. Thank you for everything Pika :^).
The Infern0: Such a nerd, we haven't met for so long but were already so close, you're like a sister me, we talks for hours without noticing. We made lot of great memories and spend so much time talkingand making fun of other people!. PS; You're so silly.
Articuno I: Oh man where do I begin, such a noobish andamazing bad person, our PMs are literally one of the weirdest PMs ever, this dude can expose me easily if he wanted to ;] DoW you're still a meme you and your useless sites! Don't forget to flex your dongers DoW ᕙ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ᕗ
love's escort: Hue I know everything and could expose you in 1 min jkjk. We haven't also met for so long but you're still a great friend, fun to talk to. I'm so tired so yea won't add a lot!
scpinion: This guy is an amazing person and is ready to help when in need, also chemistry buddy!
Monoroom Name shoutouts and some others, yea I got lazy been typing for the past hours ;_;
BlackBloodz truedrew Anttya Bondie BlackSchwan Misaka Mikoto Stunfisk The Great slurmz Dirpz Chleg Feliburn dusk raimon Lord B33 Twix Joshz BetathunderBushtushGhast Azelea
k there's more but they don't have a smogon :[ If you get mad I'll add your names dw!
Special shout out to all haters :^)
Wyn: Well ofc the first shout out goes to Pika, this dude right here has helped me so much in every single way, in team building, helping me when I need it, fun times. Thanks to him I got into Dark Monotype and had lot of fun, we have gone through everything together and share lot of great memories. Thank you for everything Pika :^).
The Infern0: Such a nerd, we haven't met for so long but were already so close, you're like a sister me, we talks for hours without noticing. We made lot of great memories and spend so much time talking
Articuno I: Oh man where do I begin, such a noobish and
love's escort: Hue I know everything and could expose you in 1 min jkjk. We haven't also met for so long but you're still a great friend, fun to talk to. I'm so tired so yea won't add a lot!
scpinion: This guy is an amazing person and is ready to help when in need, also chemistry buddy!
Monoroom Name shoutouts and some others, yea I got lazy been typing for the past hours ;_;
BlackBloodz truedrew Anttya Bondie BlackSchwan Misaka Mikoto Stunfisk The Great slurmz Dirpz Chleg Feliburn dusk raimon Lord B33 Twix Joshz BetathunderBushtushGhast Azelea
k there's more but they don't have a smogon :[ If you get mad I'll add your names dw!
Special shout out to all haters :^)
Inferno (Houndoom-Mega) @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
One Wall Two Walls (Tyranitar) @ Chople Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Stone Edge
- Fire Blast
- Stealth Rock
Three Walls Four Walls (Mandibuzz) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 8 SpD / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- Taunt
Mastermind (Bisharp) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Pikapi >~< (Crawdaunt) @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
Space Bound (Hoopa-Unbound) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magician
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Energy Ball
- Hyperspace Hole
- Hyperspace Fury
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
One Wall Two Walls (Tyranitar) @ Chople Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Stone Edge
- Fire Blast
- Stealth Rock
Three Walls Four Walls (Mandibuzz) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 8 SpD / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- Taunt
Mastermind (Bisharp) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Pikapi >~< (Crawdaunt) @ Life Orb
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Jet
- Crabhammer
- Knock Off
Space Bound (Hoopa-Unbound) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magician
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Energy Ball
- Hyperspace Hole
- Hyperspace Fury
Thanks for reading!
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