This is my first RMT, although not my first team. I joined the Apprentice Program, but thanks to my computer, I basically could not communicate with my Tutor. The experience did help with prediction and team building however, so I thank him for that.
Anyway, without further adieu ...
My Team:
Metagross (Vince) @ Choice Scarf
Jolly
Clear Body
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
~ Earthquake
~ Meteor Mash
~ Pursuit
~ Trick
My lead, although not a very good one. Maybe I'm just using it wrong. I used to have Bullet Punch in place of Trick; thought I'd get more out of it. Does alright against most leads, loses to most Jirachi though, due to Shuca Berry (or which ever berry reduces ground damage). Probably the least helpful member of the team; can't seem to take hits of any type. Thinking about switching in Swampert as the lead and changing this to just a bulky tank thing, but I'm up for any suggestions.
Swampert (Julie) @ Leftovers
Relaxed
Torrent
240 HP / 216 Def / 52 SpA
~ Earthquake
~ Ice Beam
~ Roar
~ Stealth Rock
A great member. EQ and IB gives great coverage, while Roar prevents most set ups (especially Salamence; they don't seem to expect the IB). Wish I could get Protect in place of SR though, but I'm not sure where else I'd put it. His bulkiness is questionable also; he just can't seem to take hits as well as I'd like to. A better EV spread or an equally useful member would be welcomed.
Rotom-c (Jordan) @ Leftovers
Bold
Levitate
252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
~ Discharge
~ Will-o-Wisp
~ Rest
~ Sleep Talk
Resttalkin' Rotom. Should definately change Discharge to TBolt. To be honest, this guy was haphhazardly thrown in, but he works alright, especially against Lucario. Again, can't seem to take hits as well as I'd like to. He's also Pursuit bait and walled by Heatran. The EV spread I just found looking at other threads; definately not a good idea. If someone could give a reason for this spread or provide a better one, it would be greatly appreciated.
Heatran (Dave) @ Lum Berry
Timid
Flash Fire
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
~ Flamethrower
~ Dragon Pulse
~ Toxic
~ Substitute
Weird, I know, but it works pretty well. The Lum Berry prevents me from giving away my strategy while making sure I don't get TWave'd. This guy is a great switch in against Bronzong, Breloom, or status inducing leads. As they switch out thinking I'm Scarf'd, I get a free Sub and hopefully (if it doesn't miss) a free Toxic. Dragon Pulse is in case I can't predict quite right, and Flamethrower is just STAB. I had Overheat but the drop was too much; might replace it with Fire Blast. Quite a useful member, but Scarftran might help with making sure certain pokes don't run rampant (Celebi, Infernape, etc.).
Bronzong (Alex) @ Light Clay
Relaxed
Levitate
252 HP / 68 Def / 188 SDef (0 Spe IV)
~ Explosion
~ Gyro Ball
~ Light Screen
~ Reflect
My screener and a pretty good one at that. Can come in on quite a few pokes and set up with little worry. Also baits fire attacks to Heatran. Explosion and Gyro Ball aren't the best attacks available, but the former lets me soften up the opponent for Gyarados and Gyro Ball helps against Ghosts, with Bronzong basically being my only defense against them. A Wish passer would really help this guy, but I don't know where to fit one in.
Gyarados (Isaac) @ Leftovers
Adamant
Intimidate
158 HP / 108 Atk / 128 Def / 116 Spe
~ Dragon Dance
~ Taunt
~ Waterfall
~ Stone Edge
The final line of defense ... or offense. As somewhat evident with my team, my strategy was to cripple the opponent's team with status, set up some screens with 'Zong, DD and sweep. This almost never goes through however. Considering that the only Rock move is on a poke weak to Electric, Zapdos gives me huge trouble. The EVs, although useful for taking hits, I find, in the end, it would benefit me more to go all out offense. I was also thinking of just replacing this with Latias or another somewhat bulky and offensive poke.
My main problem with this team is that it's just too defense oriented to provide true pressure. I rely too much on resists to get the job done, instead of forcing switches as much as I would like to. There just isn't much momentum to keep the team ahead. Lack of both immediate speed and priority really hurts as well. Any suggestions are welcome regarding moveset changes, poke changes, etc.
Oh, and the sprites are from here:
http://sfc.pokemon-inside.net/platinum.php
Pretty groovy site; should be in the sticky.
Thanks for the rate, even if you just scanned the topic.
Anyway, without further adieu ...
My Team:
Metagross (Vince) @ Choice Scarf
Jolly
Clear Body
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
~ Earthquake
~ Meteor Mash
~ Pursuit
~ Trick
My lead, although not a very good one. Maybe I'm just using it wrong. I used to have Bullet Punch in place of Trick; thought I'd get more out of it. Does alright against most leads, loses to most Jirachi though, due to Shuca Berry (or which ever berry reduces ground damage). Probably the least helpful member of the team; can't seem to take hits of any type. Thinking about switching in Swampert as the lead and changing this to just a bulky tank thing, but I'm up for any suggestions.
Swampert (Julie) @ Leftovers
Relaxed
Torrent
240 HP / 216 Def / 52 SpA
~ Earthquake
~ Ice Beam
~ Roar
~ Stealth Rock
A great member. EQ and IB gives great coverage, while Roar prevents most set ups (especially Salamence; they don't seem to expect the IB). Wish I could get Protect in place of SR though, but I'm not sure where else I'd put it. His bulkiness is questionable also; he just can't seem to take hits as well as I'd like to. A better EV spread or an equally useful member would be welcomed.
Rotom-c (Jordan) @ Leftovers
Bold
Levitate
252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
~ Discharge
~ Will-o-Wisp
~ Rest
~ Sleep Talk
Resttalkin' Rotom. Should definately change Discharge to TBolt. To be honest, this guy was haphhazardly thrown in, but he works alright, especially against Lucario. Again, can't seem to take hits as well as I'd like to. He's also Pursuit bait and walled by Heatran. The EV spread I just found looking at other threads; definately not a good idea. If someone could give a reason for this spread or provide a better one, it would be greatly appreciated.
Heatran (Dave) @ Lum Berry
Timid
Flash Fire
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
~ Flamethrower
~ Dragon Pulse
~ Toxic
~ Substitute
Weird, I know, but it works pretty well. The Lum Berry prevents me from giving away my strategy while making sure I don't get TWave'd. This guy is a great switch in against Bronzong, Breloom, or status inducing leads. As they switch out thinking I'm Scarf'd, I get a free Sub and hopefully (if it doesn't miss) a free Toxic. Dragon Pulse is in case I can't predict quite right, and Flamethrower is just STAB. I had Overheat but the drop was too much; might replace it with Fire Blast. Quite a useful member, but Scarftran might help with making sure certain pokes don't run rampant (Celebi, Infernape, etc.).
Bronzong (Alex) @ Light Clay
Relaxed
Levitate
252 HP / 68 Def / 188 SDef (0 Spe IV)
~ Explosion
~ Gyro Ball
~ Light Screen
~ Reflect
My screener and a pretty good one at that. Can come in on quite a few pokes and set up with little worry. Also baits fire attacks to Heatran. Explosion and Gyro Ball aren't the best attacks available, but the former lets me soften up the opponent for Gyarados and Gyro Ball helps against Ghosts, with Bronzong basically being my only defense against them. A Wish passer would really help this guy, but I don't know where to fit one in.
Gyarados (Isaac) @ Leftovers
Adamant
Intimidate
158 HP / 108 Atk / 128 Def / 116 Spe
~ Dragon Dance
~ Taunt
~ Waterfall
~ Stone Edge
The final line of defense ... or offense. As somewhat evident with my team, my strategy was to cripple the opponent's team with status, set up some screens with 'Zong, DD and sweep. This almost never goes through however. Considering that the only Rock move is on a poke weak to Electric, Zapdos gives me huge trouble. The EVs, although useful for taking hits, I find, in the end, it would benefit me more to go all out offense. I was also thinking of just replacing this with Latias or another somewhat bulky and offensive poke.
My main problem with this team is that it's just too defense oriented to provide true pressure. I rely too much on resists to get the job done, instead of forcing switches as much as I would like to. There just isn't much momentum to keep the team ahead. Lack of both immediate speed and priority really hurts as well. Any suggestions are welcome regarding moveset changes, poke changes, etc.
Oh, and the sprites are from here:
http://sfc.pokemon-inside.net/platinum.php
Pretty groovy site; should be in the sticky.
Thanks for the rate, even if you just scanned the topic.
