Monty's Double Dragon Defense (Team 3D)

[monty1104]

This is my 2nd RMT. My first one, a u-turn based team, was quite fun to use, but didnt get me ranked very high. I didnt mind too much, since I had so much fun playing with the team, but now that I am understanding the metagame a bit better, I decided to try and make a more successful team, but still using some not so popular pokemon. However while tweaking the team, I found that pokemon are popular for a reason. Still, there is one pokemon in there that is rarely seen on teams.

Team Building Process

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After looking through some base stats of pokemon, I discovered Registeel. 80/150/150 defenses with a pure steel typing! Why does nobody use this pokemon? It completely walls a majority of the metagame. Even those that have SE moves against it very rarely get the OHKO

Registeel's main drawback is lack of a recovery move. This is where Blissey comes in. Blissey's main role is passing off her massive wishes to keep the team healthy. Her wishes allow other pokemon to switch in to Blissey's counters and get healed. She also runs heal bell to keep the team status free.

Sure, youre thinking "but Blissey and Registeel are both weak to fighting!! This is where my two "dragons" come in (yes I'm aware Gyarados isn't actually a dragon, but look at him, he's a friggen Dragon!!!!). Both Gyarados and Dragonite can switch into common fighting types like Conkledurr, Machamp and Infernape, set up and sweep away.

Looking at my team, I notice that none of my pokemon resist electric attacks, and Gyarados in particular draws in electric attacks. Enter Electivire. Motordrive provides an immunity to electric attacks aimed at Gyarados and provides a boost to allow a sweep.

Suicune provides a decent all round pokemon. Calm Mind adds to his walling capabilities and adds to his attack.

After a few games, I found that my team was horribly affected by Spikes, SR and Toxic Spikes. So I needed a rapid spinner. I didnt really want to use Forretress, because apart from laying spikes and toxic spikes, and rapid spinning, he was dead weight. And I didnt want Spikes and Toxic spikes, because that would then require (ideally) a spin blocker. So I decided on Specs Starmie. She can come in, spin away hazards and get back out, or, feign a spin, then smash the incoming pokemon with a strong attack.

It turns out Electivire sucked, so on the suggestion of August, I tried CM Virizion. I just love it!

Now, here's the team.

Registeel @ Leftovers
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide

Registeel is my usual lead. The only common lead that really threatens it is Infernape. Heatran lead usually doesnt run full SpAtk EV's. I usually lead with Toxic, unless I see Forretress. Get rocks up and switch out. I love Regiseel leads against Ninetails. Yeah, sounds silly, but a switch out to Blissey, followed by T-wave really messes with teams. Iron head is for STAB, and Rock Slide is mainly for Shedinja, because I found out the hard way that I had absolutely nothing to hit it with otherwise.

Weaknesses:

Fighting; Gyarados, Dragonite, Starmie​

Fire; Gyarados, Starmie, Dragonite​

Ground; Gyarados, Dragonite, Virizion​

Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Heal Bell
- Seismic Toss
- Wish
- Thunder Wave
T-Wave works well here, can usually catch Blisseys counter on the switch and paralyze it. Tweaked the EV's and nature so it can actually take a surprise physical hit. Wish is really important to this team, especially Starmie, who will often be switching in to hazards and then taking damage in an attempt to rapid spin. Also helps Dragonite keep Multiscale intact, unless SS or hail is up.


Weaknesses

Fighting; Gyarados, Dragonite, Starmie​

Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 136 HP / 156 Def / 216 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
Tried full on wall Starmie. It sucked. Tried Specs Starmie, it didnt last long enough. I found this set on a website somewhere, I tried it and it works. It still cant take too much damage, but it is fast enough to outspeed non choice Infernape and Gengar, which can both be a bit of a pain, especially Infernape who destroys both of my walls. The Defensive EV's allow be to take a +1 LO Earthquake From Gyarados, so if I switch in on the DD, I can kill it with T-Bolt.

Weaknesses:

Electric; Virizion​

Grass; Dragonite, Registeel, Virizion​

Bug; Registeel, Gyarados, Dragonite​

Ghost; Registeel, Blissey​

Dark; Registeel, Virizion​

Dragonite (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Brick Break
- Dragon Claw
Multiscale Dragonite. Just Awesome! Seriously, the amount of times I've swept with this bad boy is astonishing. Dragonite loves rapid spin support to keep multiscale intact. Once this is achieved, one Dragon Dance allows me to OHKO so many pokemon it is frightening. Roost allows me to possibly regenerate multiscale, and to recover life orb damage. Brick Break and Dragon Claw provide unresisted coverage (correct me if I'm wrong, but I haven't discovered anything that resists it yet). EDIT: Yes i did, god damn Shedinja!

Weaknesses:

Ice; Registeel, Starmie​

Rock; Registeel, Virizion​

Dragon; Registeel​

Virizion @ Leftovers
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Focus Blast
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]
CM Virizion is brilliant. It is fast, which allows 1 CM most of the time. I run Timid to get the most out of its speed. Focus Blast is there mainly for Ferrothorn, but it has also come in handy against Chansey and Blissey. Giga Drain is there for recovery, which i prefer to the extra 5BP attack Energy Ball. HP Ice is for Gliscor, Dragonite and Salamence.

Weaknesses:

Fire; Gyarados, Starmie, Dragonite​

Ice; Registeel, Starmie​

Poison; Registeel,​

Psychic; Starmie, Registeel​

Flying; Registeel,​

Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang

Similar strategy to Dragonite. Switch in to a resisted/weakened pokemon, Dragon Dance and attack. I decided to run Ice Fang over Stone Edge for coverage on other dragons. Gyarados loves to switch in on lead Infernape and also Lucario, setup and sweep from the beginning of the match. Jolly Nature allows Gyarados to outrun base 130's after one DD, which is plenty of speed. Only Deoxys, Electrode, Ninjask and Accelgor have a speed stat higher than this. Moxie make him unstoppable after one DD and a kill.

Weaknesses:

Electric; Virizion​

Rock; Registeel, Virizion​

So, thats my attempt of a team. Let me know what you think, what can be changed to fix it, etc.

Although on the surface this looks like a very attacking team, I tend to use it conservatively. I use switches to take advantage of typing and often use Registeel, Blissey and Gyarados as pivot switches to get a better match up.

 

[monty1104]

Aerodactyl - Can be tricky if running edge-quake. Combination of Registeel and Gyarados

Breloom -Setup bait for Gyarados and Dragonite.

Conkeldurr -Setup bait for Gyarados and Dragonite.

Darmanitan - Setup bait for Gyarados and Dragonite. Starmie can revenge it

Deoxys-S - toxiced by Registeel then taken care of later

Dragonite - Can be an issue, Gyarados is a good check, Registeel is good unless it is running firepunch/brickbreak. Starmie can revenge assuming Multiscale is broken, and Virizion does well here too.

Empoleon -never faced one with this team TBH, but I'd think Gyarados would use it as setup bait

Espeon - Registeel completely walls it unless it runs HP Fire. Even then, it Can take the hit and switch out.

Excadrill - I like to switch Gyarados in on an earthquake for a free attack drop, then switch back to registeel to take the rock slide. Hard to deal with.

Gengar - A real pain. If it subs up i'm in trouble, but usually dragonite can set up on it and get rid of it. Starmie outspeeds it and can be handy.

Gyarados - Lead Gyarados' are taken out by registeel. Others can be revenged by Starmie, as long as I switch in on the DD

Haxorus - Will be smashed by Dragonite if it is already set up. Virizion is a good shot here too.

Heatran - Starmie, Dragonite, and Gyarados.

Heracross - Dragonite can take it out, and pretty much anything can revenge it.

Hydreigon - Gyarados or Virizion

Infernape - Gyarados will destroy this unless it runs stone edge, then i just hope for a miss. This is probably the pokemon that causes be the most difficulty.

Jirachi - So many different sets, it's hard to say. Registeel walls most sets, can often be beaten in a stall war with blissey.

Jolteon - Blissey completey walls it and can wear it down.

Kingdra - I hate this thing. Just gotta try and take it with Dragonite. Registeel is a real help if it can get a toxic in.

Kyurem - Another one I havent faced yet. Can cause a problem especially if scarfed. Just hope one of my dragons is set up when it comes in.

Landorus - Gyarados has no problem here.

Latios - Gyarados can take it, Registeel and Blissey wall it.

Lilligant - Gyarados is a good bet. can Take a hit and take it with Ice fang. Virizion is a good check.

Lucario - Gyarados again. Sets up all over Lucario.

Machamp - Dragonite and Gyarados set up on Machamp with ease.

Magnezone - Another one I hate. Usually this is a Blissey special.

Mamoswine - A tough one. Starmie is a good bet here.

Metagross - Another tough one here. Gyarados is the only one with a SE attack on it.

Mienshao - Once again Gyarados and Dragonite.

Reuniclus -Dragonite is pretty good here. Reuniclus usually wont run HP Ice, so Dnite cn setup, roost and repeat.

Roserade - No Problem here. Blissey and Registeel wall it, Gyarados can get it with ice fang

Salamence - A Virizion special. Registeel can usually wall it, even if it is running fire blast.

Sawsbuck - Dragonite is good here

Scizor - Gyarados and Dragonite can take common Scizors pretty well

Scrafty-I hate this thing. Usually Starmie can revenge it at worst. Virizion can usually check it.

Shaymin - Dragonite does well here/

Sigilyph - Another annoyance. If it sets up I'm screwed. Best bet is to wear it down with Blissey

Smeargle - As long as I hit it first its no problem.

Starmie - Can be tough due to many sets it runs. Virizion is a decent bet here, with its high spDef it can usually take a psychic or ice beam then get it with gigadrain and recover alot of its hp.

Terakion - Another tough one. Can be pain if running both Stone Edge and Close Combat. Virizion is the only real chance I have against it.

Thundurus -Virizion can take it.

Tornadus - Gyarados is fine here.

Tyranitar - Virizion says hello.

Venusaur - Paralysis is a necessity here. Then I can take it out with most things.

Victini - Starmie is good here, as is Gyarados (unless it runs fusion bolt)

Virizion - Dragonite takes it

Volcarona - Gyarados completely smashes this.

Weavile - Can be annoying. Registeel is probably my best bet here.

Zoroark - Well, can run so many sets its crazy to predict. Registeel can usually wall it to work out its set, then something appropriate can take it.

 

[monty1104]

Blissey - Dragonite can take it down, otherwise Gyarados or Virizoin can do it in a pinch.

Bronzong - Dragonite or Virizion

Celebi - Virizion or Gyarados

Chansey - A real pain in the ass. Gotta get a couple of DD's up with Deagonite usually, Virizion is pretty good too.

Deoxys-D - Dragonite or Registeel

Dusclops - Dragonite or Gyarados. Or Toxic stall.

Ferrothorn - Virizion specialty. No one ever expects focus blast (I dont know why :s )

Forretress - Another pain. Usually Blissey takes him out surprisingly enough.

Gliscor - Virizion or Gyarados. Starmie in a pinch

Hippowdon - Gyarados or Starmie, or Virizion

Jellicent - Starmie or Virizion. Usually Starmie. It comes in to spin block and cops a T-Bolt.

Latias - Dragonite or Virizion

Murkrow - Starmie, Gyarados or Virizion

Ninetales - Gyarados. Usually t-wave it first though.

Politoed - Starmie or Virizion

Porygon2 - God I hate this thing. Usually Toxic stall or Stall war with Blissey

Rotom-W - Virizion.

Skarmory - Virizion or Gyarados.

Snorlax - Virizion or Dragonite

Suicune - Starmie or Virizion.

Swampert - Gyarados

Tentacruel - Gyarados.

Vaporeon - Starmie or Toxic stall. Or Virizion.

Whimsicott - Whatever I can use to get rid of this little bitch

Xatu - Starmie or Gyarados

Zapdos - Dragonite.

 

[Princess Bubblegum]

You actually made a pretty good team, but Electivire sucks to be honest. There are many better ways of deal with electric hits. Just a few I am throwing around:

-Ferrothorn: sets up entry hazards for you, and synergy wise it also fits well into your team.
-Virizion: makes a decent wall breaker just like Electivire, but its much better.
-Nidoking: has plenty of raw power, and can actually sweep with it, and fits onto your team just like Electivire
-Gastrodon: might not seem logical with Gyrados on the team, but they share no common weakness, and Gastrodon is a more realistic approach to electric attacks, since in this metagame the main pokemon the fires off those is Rotom-W.

Also, gyrados and dragonite don't wall Excadrill, as almost always it has rock slide. And Latios isn't walled well by Registeel, sure it can take a draco meteor, but that’s about it, and Registeel itself can't do much. It might be better to go with Scizor or Jirachi in its place, but since your team was made around the thing I suppose you can let it slide.

 

[monty1104]

Yeah, I thought Electivire was going to be the weak link. I might try Virizon in the place of Electivire. Ive never had much success with Gastrodon. Ive had plenty of success with Nidoking in UU, but never tried it in OU.

And you would be surprised at what kind of hits registeel can take. It can easily take a draco meteor from latios, then with the drop in spatk, it forces the switch.

 

[august]

You have a large weak to a number of fighting pokemon, the biggest of which is:
-Rock Polish and Choice Band Terrakion: nothing switches in safely. If Terra comes in safely against Registeel or Blissey with Stealth Rock down, it can 2HKO almost your entire team.
Starmie: 62.78% - 74.06% from Close Combat. Stone Edge will OHKO
Gyarados: 35.65% - 42.30% from Close Combat, so you can only switch in once. Stone Edge will OHKO.
Dragonite: Since Stealth Rock eliminates Multi Scale, you take 47.37% - 55.73%. A 2HKO.
Rock Polish Terrakion is even more threatening because it doesn't even have to switch out, because it OHKOs everything with only a Life Orb boost.

Terrakion has a very limited number of counters, which makes it very difficult to check. Physically defensive psychic pokemon can switch into Close Combat but must be wary of Stone Edge. Physically defensive Reuniclus over Starmie would give you a much better late game sweeper in addition to the already potent Gyarados and Dragonite as well as a solid sponge against the Fighting attacks that trouble your team.

If you choose to try Reuniclus, you can use
Reuniclus @ Leftovers, Bold 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Focus Blast | Psyshock | Recover | Calm Mind with Magic Guard.

I also agree with the suggestion of Virizion over Electivire. Virzion gives you a much better switch into Rock-type attacks and is a solid check against rain teams and can surprise Gliscor with Hidden Power [Ice] (assuming you are running Calm Mind) which can open up the door late game for Dragonite. Speaking of Dragonite, I think Fire Punch over Brick Break is a much better alternative for Scizor, Jirachi, Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Forretress and the like.

With the removal of Starmie, you are in need of a new Rapid Spinner. In place of Registeel, Forretress fits very well, sharing the Steel-typing that gives Registeel its defensive prowess but the added Bug-typing also removes crucial weaknesses to Ground and Fighting and adds only Fire, which Blissey/Gyarados/Dragonite can which into with adequate Rapid Spin support. Forretress comes in to spin against Ferrothorn and Skarmory a bit easier than Starmie, and also doesn't have to worry about Pursuit from powerhouse physical attackers like Tyranitar or Starmie. Two things that also prove Forretress's superiority on your team over Registeel are Spikes and Volt Switch.

Spikes will allow Gyarados and Dragonite an easier sweep late game, and are useful all throughout the game to weaken things like the aforementioned Terrakion as well as Tyranitar, Excadrill, and every other Grounded pokemon barring ones with Magic Guard. Forretress also gets numerous oppurtunities to lay Spikes due to its typing, being able to come in on common Choice locked Dragon, Rock, Steel, and Grass attacks. It also sets up on Special Defensive Jirachi, one of the few counters to CM Recover Reuniclus.

The most common switch ins to Forretress are Fire-types. Your 2 primary sweepers both resist Fire and can set up. With Volt Switch, Forretress can easily turn the momentum in your favor as your opponent goes to their Fire-type looking for a chance to KO Forretress. If you choose to use Forretress, you can try 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Def and a Calm nature with Rapid Spin / Volt Switch / Stealth Rock / Spikes

With the changes I suggested, you may have slight problems with Tyranitar, but luckily Virizion checks it decently well and Reuniclus can lure it in, survive Crunch and OHKO with a +1 Focus Blast. But just to be safe, you may want to throw Thunder Wave on Blissey so there is truly no where for Tar to come in.

Hope I helped!

 

[monty1104]

Thanks for the in depth rate! Although I loathe taking Registeel out of my team, all it seems to be doing is sponging hits and paralyzing the odd unsuspecting foe. Forretress really is more functional (as I mentioned in my own Team Building section). Another thing I tried to do was to use pokemon I've never really used before, and Virizon and Reuniclus fit that bill.

I've been testing out sub swords dance Virizon and it works quite well. It does lack coverage though. I thought of running a CM Virizon, but I really don't like having Focus Blast on my sets since it's accuracy sucks. Especially if I run it on Reuniclus, I wouldn't like it on 2 members. Do you have any interesting CM sets for Virizon?

As for Dragonite, I have tried fire punch over brick break but found myself constantly walled by Heatran.

 

[august]

Generally I use Calm Mind / Hidden Power [Ice] / Focus Blast / Giga Drain on CM Virizion. Focus Blast does have shaky accuracy but its really your only option for Ferrothorn and Tyranitar unfortuneately!

Also if you find yourself walled by Heatran using Fire Punch you can still use Earthquake > Brick Break, which resisted only by Skarm/Bronzong

 

[monty1104]

Tried a few of the suggestions. Settled on using Virizion. Changed the EV's and movesets on Registeel, Blissey and Starmie. Changed Gyarados' nature and ability. I think its a more complete team.

I tried Forretress and Reuniclus. I dont know what it is with Forretress, but it just doesnt want to fit in here! And I tried Reuniclus, but it didnt add anything really. It just sits in the shadow of CM Virizion. I also tried a sub SD set on Virizion, but the coverage with HP Ice is a huge bonus.

And I also added the defensive threat list.