Tournament Monotype Team Rating Competition 2 - Round 2

[Conflux]

Approved by the RMT Leaders

Judges: maroon | Conflux | Decem | Ticken​

Welcome to the latest edition of the Team Rater Competition! The tier this time around will be SS Monotype. For each round we'll post a team, and participants will have one week to complete a rate of said team. When the round is over, the participants who submitted the best rates will move onto the next round. If you are eliminated and want to receive feedback on your rate, the hosts will be more than happy to provide that upon request. Each round will last one week. Failure to rate the team within the one week time period will result in disqualification unless you're able to give us a valid reason. Please only sign up if you can commit to rating one team every week for the next month. If you're currently involved in or are looking to start rating Monotype teams, I highly encourage you to participate as this promises to be a great learning experience. Here's to a fun and competitive tournament!


Important notes:

• The top two rates from each round in addition to the rates in the final round will count towards the Team Rater badge
  
• Each round will last one week. Failure to rate the team within the one week time period will result in disqualification unless you're able to give us a valid reason. Please only sign up if you can commit to rating one team every week for the next month.
• Please submit your rates to the hosts via Smogon conversation.
• If you are eliminated and would like some feedback on your rate and how you can improve going forward, feel free to ask us.
• At the end of each round, we will announce the best rate from that round and a quick overview of what we liked in the rates submitted.

Participants

Roxiee Derpeddeath Harpp ashbala99 Maki Felines The Thunderbirds Hyperspace12

Submit your rate via Smogon Conversation to the judges.
The deadline is February 28th @ 11:59PM GMT+1
Good luck to everyone!​

 

[Conflux]

Before we move on to the team for Round 2, we'd like to highlight the top 2 rates from Round 1; congratulations to Maki and Harpp. They both added Taunt over Thunder Wave on Grimmsnarl which is a good call, and changed the Zarude set to a Bulk Up variant with Chople Berry and Taunt. Harpp ended his rate by swapping out Drain Punch for Close Combat on Urshifu and keeping the Choice Scarf, whereas Maki decided to add Krookodile over Mandibuzz which is a solid option on HO, change Urshifu to Bulk Up to take advantage of Screens, and give Substitute and Heavy Slam to Tyranitar which isn't standard but it's a cool set that can potentially catch people off guard.

Here are the rates:

Given team

Grimmsnarl (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Spirit Break
- Thunder Wave

Mandibuzz (F) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic

Zarude @ Choice Band
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Close Combat
- Darkest Lariat
- U-turn

Urshifu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Wicked Blow
- Sucker Punch
- U-turn

Tyranitar @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch

Moltres-Galar @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Berserk
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Hurricane
- Fiery Wrath
- Agility

This seems to be a pretty good attempt at a dual-screen offensive team however it can make some use of changes that will make it even better!

The first change I would like to suggest is to use Taunt over Thunder Wave on the Grimmsnarl set, Taunt is better over Thunder Wave since it prevents defog users like Mantine, Zapdos, Rotom-W, and, Mandibuzz from clearing away dual screen which is the whole essence of this team. Hence Taunt should be used so that offensive teammates get dual-screen support effectively. Taunt also has the added benefit of stopping setup sweepers like Corviknight, Dragonite, and Tapu Bulu. Suggested set after the change:

Grimmsnarl (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Spirit Break
- Taunt

The next change that I would like to suggest is to use a Bulk Up Zarude set to deal with a type like Water much better as that set is not susceptible to a status like a burn from Scald as it runs Jungle heal and a Bulk Up set goes really well with dual-screen support letting it set it up comfortably.

Zarude @ Chople Berry
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Power Whip
- Taunt
- Jungle Healing

A Chople Berry is utilized to prevent Urshifu-R and Terrakion from immediately threatening it while Taunt keeps Toxapex from using Haze against it.

The next change I would like to suggest is to use Close Combat over Drain Punch on Urshifu-S. Close Combat is a lot better to heavily damage Pokemon such as Heatran, Melmetal, and Ferrothorn where Drain Punch falls short.

Urshifu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Wicked Blow
- Sucker Punch
- U-turn

The team after changes:

Click Me

Grimmsnarl (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Spirit Break
- Taunt

Mandibuzz (F) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic

Zarude @ Chople Berry
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Power Whip
- Taunt
- Jungle Healing

Urshifu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Wicked Blow
- Sucker Punch
- U-turn

Tyranitar @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch

Moltres-Galar @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Berserk
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Hurricane
- Fiery Wrath
- Agility

Thank you.

Yahallo! Neat team you got going around here, but I'd like to note some changes which in my humble opinion could significantly improve the overall build.
->

Krookodile

Krookodile @ Focus Sash
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Taunt

Starting things off, I would suggest a major change in replacing Mandibuzz for Krookodile; while Mandibuzz is certainly a great option on balance oriented Dark-type teams as a defensive pivot, I believe that the hyper offensive style of play this team is aiming for would much rather appreciate a Stealth Rock setter to punish switches as well as apply entry damage for giving sweepers a better chance of rolling past opposing teams. Adding Krookodile to the team also helps with the Electric-type matchup for obvious reasons as without it, Volt Switch users, most notably Regieleki could constantly spam the move without suffering any repercussions.

New Set

Grimmsnarl (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 132 SpD / 124 Spe
Careful Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Spirit Break
- Taunt

Moving on to minor changes, I would first like to suggest replacing Thunder Wave with Taunt and giving Grimmsnarl a new spread of 252 HP / 132 SpD / 124 Spe with a Calm nature. While it was already important to make sure that screens would be up, the addition of Krookodile as a hazard setter only makes preventing potential Defog users like Mantine and Weezing-Galar from clearing the field more important. Furthermore, with the removal of Mandibuzz, no longer is there a Defog user to help clear hazards when things get dicey on the field; adding Taunt to Grimmsnarl allows for the potential of preventing opposing teams from getting hazards up in the first place. Running 124 EVs in speed lets Grimmsnarl be faster than Klefki to prevent it from setting up potential screens and hazards.

New Set

Zarude @ Chople Berry
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 108 HP / 148 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Jungle Healing
- Bulk Up
- Taunt

For the second minor suggestion, I believe that it would be better to run a set up variant of Zarude rather than Choice Band to better make use of screens as well as to improve the general Water-type matchup, which is the main reason to run it in the first place. Since the current Zarude set and general team is extremely prone to status from Pokemon like Toxapex, I believe that a Jungle Healing set would work well for the team. Taunt allows Zarude to 1v1 Toxapex which would otherwise be able to stall out Bulk Ups and Power Whips. Chople Berry is to improve the teams rain matchup as Barraskewda is incredibly hard to deal with otherwise. The spread allows Zarude to OHKO Urshifu-R using Power Whip without any prior chip or boost while maximizing speed with the remaining EVs in health.

New Set

Urshifu @ Black Glasses
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Wicked Blow
- Close Combat / Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Bulk Up

Though the team does lack speed control, I believe running that running Choice Scarf on Urshifu-S may not be the best bet and that this specific type of team can make do without it (but priority from Sucker Punch certainly helps). Without additional power from Black Glasses and the ability of setting up with Bulk Up, you may find a difficult time muscling past Steel- and Flying-type teams to name a few. Drain Punch can be ran on Urshifu-S to improve better longevity in exchange for raw power.

New Set

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Heavy Slam
- Stone Edge
- Substitute

While EdgeQuake coverage is certainly deadly and the current Tyranitar set can be great in certain matchups, it may be better to run a different set focusing on matchups that the team is struggling in. I propose switching to a set with both Substitute and Heavy Slam to give Fairy-type teams a run for their money as behind screens, Tyranitar is able to threaten virtually the entire team after a single Dragon Dance. Substitute allows Tyranitar to take advantage of potential Klefkis hoping to set up screens and continue posing as a threat. This moveset can also be great against Poison-type teams lacking Haze Toxapex.

New Import

Grimmsnarl (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 132 SpD / 124 Spe
Careful Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Spirit Break
- Taunt

Krookodile @ Focus Sash
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Taunt

Zarude @ Chople Berry
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 108 HP / 148 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power Whip
- Jungle Healing
- Bulk Up
- Taunt

Urshifu @ Black Glasses
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Wicked Blow
- Close Combat
- Sucker Punch
- Bulk Up

Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Heavy Slam
- Stone Edge
- Substitute

Moltres-Galar @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Berserk
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Hurricane
- Fiery Wrath
- Agility

Round 2 team:


Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Tomb
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock

The first member of this Dragon-type team is a lead Garchomp with Focus Sash to ensure Stealth Rock go up in most cases. Rock Tomb provides Rock coverage and lowers the opponent's Speed so its teammates or Garchomp itself can take advantage and fire off an attack. Toxic is nice for crippling bulky Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Mandibuzz.


Latias (F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Draco Meteor
- Defog
- Healing Wish

The next Pokemon is Latias. Choice Scarf is used for Speed control and to get off a fast Healing Wish. The team lacks hazard removal otherwise so added Defog.


Dragapult @ Leftovers
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Substitute
- Dragon Darts
- Phantom Force

Dragapult is one of the best Dragon-type Pokemon thanks to its high Speed and solid typing so it was an easy pick. Went with a Dragon Dance set to make it a dangerous set up sweeper and threaten teams that lack counterplay.


Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower

SubPlot Hydreigon was the next choice as its a great Steel breaker thanks to the combination of Dark Pulse and Flamethrower and it's also solid at threatening other types such as Poison, Fire, and Electric.


Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake

Added Dragonite next and went with a Dragon Dance set. Dual Wingbeat is a nice Flying STAB move and works well with Earthquake because most Pokemon that resist Flying get hit super effectively by Earthquake. Extreme Speed provides priority and a way to pick off weakend foes or faster Pokemon.


Dracovish @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Strong Jaw
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fishious Rend
- Crunch
- Psychic Fangs
- Leech Life

The last Pokemon on the team is Dracovish. Went with a Choice Scarf set to be as fast as possible and abuse Fishious Rend. Psychic Fang is mainly for Poison-types that can switch in comfortably on Fishious Rend such as Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Toxicroak. Crunch hits Pokemon such as Slowbro and Jellicent, and Leech Life is for Celebi.

Importable

Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Tomb
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock

Latias (F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Draco Meteor
- Defog
- Healing Wish

Dragapult @ Leftovers
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Substitute
- Dragon Darts
- Phantom Force

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dual Wingbeat
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake

Dracovish @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Strong Jaw
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fishious Rend
- Crunch
- Psychic Fangs
- Leech Life

 

[Rio Vidal]

Tagging all the participants who have not submitted rates yet.

users

Roxiee Derpeddeath ashbala99 Maki Felines The Thunderbirds

Extending the deadline to Tuesday @ 10PM EST (GMT-5), please make sure to get it absolutely done by then!