ORAS OU My First Competitive Team - Bulky MZard X

[Jabuloso]

Introduction
Hello guys! First of all, I'm a new player to competitive pokemon so I really don't have any teambuilding knowledge. This is the first team I ever made, and my first post here too. The team was created based on a YouTuber team - namely Flashfire - with some personal replacements. The first team was this one: http://pastebin.com/TNJY0Y0g. After a few battles, I decided to make some changes. So, I switched Magnezone and Breloom for Zapdos and Clefable, which led me to better results. The problem is: I don't know if I was lucky, if it was my opponents who played badly, if it was I who played well, or if the team is actually pretty good or whatever. So, let's go to the team!

Teambuilding Process
As I said, the team was initially a premade team, and after some battles I made some changes that I felt necessary. The first one was Magnezone for Clefable. I eventually realized that I wasn't doing well with Magnezone for I don't even know how to use it properly, so I prefered to put a cleric like clefable in my team. The second change was Breloom for Zapdos. The reason was the same: I don't know how to play Breloom. Another thing I changed was in Zard's set. The lack of Fire coverage was costing me some battles, so I changed Earthquake for Flare Blitz. And then I tested it a few times.

The Team

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Dragon King (Charizard-Mega-X) @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 144 HP / 252 Atk / 112 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
- Flare Blitz

Well, I won't say too much in the descriptions cause I don't have enough knowledge to do so. What I can say is that I love bulky MZard X! One Dragon Dance and outspeeds, as far as I know (with my minimum experience), almost everything. Dragon Claw and Flare Blitz are the STAB moves, and Roost is for dealing with the recoil and any damage it receives in the battle.

Angelica (Clefable) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Protect
- Moonblast
- Aromatherapy

The cleric. Wish+Protect are good for stalling, and Aromatherapy removes status conditions on the team, obviously, which is really good. Moonblast for damage. I don't have, as I said before, too much to say about the mons, and this is the best I can do...

Sky Armor (Skarmory) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Roost
- Drill Peck

I. Love. Skarmory. It's just too good! It's amazingly bulky, and with Rocky Helmet it can deal with a bunch of physical attackers. Lost track of how many times I won because of this little guy. Stealth Rock setter, Whirlwind to prevent sweepers from setting up, Roost for sustain, and Drill Peck for damage.

D'Artagnan (Keldeo-Resolute) @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Secret Sword

Keldeo is the special sweeper, dealing with stallers and walls for Charizard X. Imo they have pretty good synergy. And I really love SubMind Keldeo. Works incredibly well! So, Scald and Secret Sword are the STAB moves, Substitute for aiding in setting Calm Mind.

Bloo (Mew) @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Psychic
- Roost
- Taunt

Mew is the defogger, as I couldn't run MZard X without entry hazard cleaners. So, EVs on HP and SpD allows him to execute it's function of defogging without taking tons of damage. Psychic is for dealing some damage, Roost for sustaining some damage, Defog for, you know, Zard, and Taunt... Well, I don't know why I chose Taunt, but works, so... Yeah, Taunt.

Thunderbird (Zapdos) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 176 Def / 68 SpA / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Roost

Last but not least, Zapdos. Physically defensive Zapdos. It can withstand some damage while still causing damage too. Thunderbolt it's the best STAB move for him overall, I think, Heat Wave for dealing with Steel-types, HP Ice for Rock-types and Ground-types, and Roost for recovering.


This the team, I hope you can help me improving!

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[Fireflame]

This team is pretty nice, but there are definitely problems that need fixing. My rate will focus on fixing your current Pokémon instead of replacing Pokémon. This allows to test your current Pokémon based on my rate (and others), and then if that doesn't work you can start looking for replacements. I will have all of my suggested sets at the end of the rate. Also, my bold lettering indicates changes in the set, and is also in my suggested sets in the hide tab.

Charizard:
I don't have a problem with your moveset, but your EV spread is underwhelming. Your team right now has 4 walls and 2 damage-dealers, so right now your team is more defensive and is lacking offense. Therefore, having that HP investment in unnecessary because you have so many walls as it is. I suggest a standard EV spread of 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def. This allows you to outspeed more Pokémon, and at +1, be virtually uncontested.


Clefable:
Your Clefable needs major work, however. The fact stands that you have 4 walls, including Clefable. However, the rest of your walls all have reliable recovery moves. Keldeo is fine without recovery as it is primarily used for wallbreaking/revenge-killing, and your Charizard also has Roost. Therefore, Soft-Boiled > Wish. Wish takes too long and forces you to take Protect, and Soft-Boiled doesn't force you to have Protect. Switch your ability to Magic Guard, as it allows you to switch into hazards without taking damage, as well as taking burns/poison for your team. (Also you can't have Soft-Boiled and Unaware in the same set).

Although your team excels at recovery, none of your Pokémon have any status moves. Therefore, you should swap Protect with Thunder Wave/Toxic which cripples sweepers and walls, respectively. It depends on what you want, but as long as you have one of these you are fine.

Moreover, I don't agree with having Aromatherapy. Zapdos tanks paralysis, Skarmory tanks Toxic, Charizard tanks burn, Clefable tanks toxic and burn with Magic Guard, and your Mew has Synchronize. Only keep Aromatherapy if you experience a lot of status hurting your team, but I doubt you will. Instead, Calm Mind > Aromatherapy. Calm Mind allows you to keep an offensive presence with Moonblast while also gaining valuable Special Defense. If you want Clefable to be a full support, then you can use Protect (or Aromatherapy), but you already have Mew as your support.

Lastly, the EV spread you have is incredibly weak. Walls need max HP investment in order to be viable. Having both defenses maxed out without any HP is almost like not having any defenses at all. Because Calm Mind is boosting your Special Defense, a spread of 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe with a Bold Nature will max out your Defense, minimize damage from Stealth Rocks, and allow you to outspeed other Clefable. You don't need any Special Defense investment because of Calm Mind. Alternatively, you can run a spread consisting of 252 HP / 172 Def / 84 SpD with a Calm Nature in order to avoid 2HKOs from: Mild Life Orb Kyurem-B's Ice Beam, Thundurus's Thunderbolt, Mega Diancie's Moonblast, Mega Manectric's Thunderbolt, Jolly Mega Lopunny's Return, Latios's Psyshock, and Jolly Mega Gyarados's Waterfall. You also avoid the OHKO from Choice Band Scizor's Bullet Punch. However, I prefer the former spread because the latter is too situational.


Skarmory:
I don't use Skarmory much, but what I do know is that Drill Peck should NOT be your STAB attack. Replace it with Iron Head or Brave Bird; Iron Head deals with Fairy types and can flinch, and Brave Bird is used for the raw damage. The rest of the set is fine. Consider Spikes, Taunt, or Toxic as possible options. If Rocky Helmet isn't useful, swap it out with Leftovers, but Rocky Helmet is a great item as well. Also, I recommend the EV spread of 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe with a Careful Nature, as Skarmory has poor Special Defense. This EV spread allows it to tank both physical and special attacks, since Skarmory has ridiculous Defense without any boosts. I don't know what the 24 Speed EVs are used for, but tune down either HP or SpD if you want it.


Keldeo:
If that Sub-Calm Mind Keldeo set is actually working then don't change it, but I feel that it is unnecessary considering the fact that you already have 4 walls. Keldeo is mainly used for it's power, and having Substitute and Calm Mind makes you lose out on coverage and is walled easily by Special Defense fairies like Clefable as well as Pokémon like Dragonite, who resist both your stab. Therefore, I recommend a standard Keldeo set, with Life Orb/Choice Specs/Choice Scarf, and Scald, Secret Sword, Hydro Pump, and Icy Wind. Life Orb/Choice Specs gives you much more power, while Choice Scarf allows for revenge-killing. Hydro Pump is your main attack for damage, Scald and Secret Sword for STAB, and Icy Wind for coverage.


Mew:
As far as your Mew goes, it should be the dedicated Special Defense tank. However, I do not think Mew should be your defogger. Your defogger should be Zapdos, since HP Ice in unnecessary. This frees up a move slot, and Mew should have a status move. Therefore, Will-O-Wisp > Defog. Will-O-Wisp allows you to cripple sweepers and provides somewhat of an offensive presence. Getting rid of Defog isn't a big deal because Zapdos is going to have it. Next, Soft-Boiled > Roost; Roost just looks... weird. Anyway, you might want to consider using Knock Off instead of Psychic, (Knock Off gives more utility without being Taunt bait) but any of the two is fine. Lastly, a spread of 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe is useful because the speed investment lets Mew outspeed Jolly Tyranitar and Adamant Bisharp, two very popular and threatening Pokémon in OU.


Zapdos:
Lastly, your Zapdos. First off, if you got that EV spread from Smogon, the 68 SpA EVs are solely used to guarantee a OHKO on Mega-Pinsir with Thunderbolt, which is incredibly situational. I think a simpler spread of 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe is more useful because it gives that extra tankiness. If you are using this spread then put the 31 Def IVs back. Next, Volt Switch > Thunderbolt. Volt Switch gives your team much needed momentum, as none of your other Pokémon have Volt Switch or U-Turn. The damage difference isn't a problem (except the OHKO on Mega-Pinsir, but when will this situation happen?). You have Hiddep Power Ice for Ground types, but a ground type isn't doing to stay when Zapdos is out since Zapdos is immune to the ground STAB, and Volt Switch already hits Rock types for neutral. Therefore, Defog > Hidden Power Ice. As I mentioned before, Zapdos should be your defogger. This is because Zapdos does not need HP Ice, and it allows Mew to carry a status move. Keep Heat Wave so you can hit Pokémon like Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Excadrill.

The sets

Charizard-Mega-X @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
- Flare Blitz

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic/Thunder Wave
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind

Skarmory @ Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP/ 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Roost
- Iron Head/Brave Bird

Keldeo-Resolute @ Life Orb/Choice Specs/Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
- Secret Sword

Mew @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Psychic/Knock Off
- Soft-Boiled
- Taunt

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Heat Wave
- Defog
- Roost

And, yeah, that's my rate. It took a while actually, but I hope this helps!

 

[Cenamazing]

This is a decent team, but it has a few problems. For one thing, it lacks a pokemon with straight-up power that can deal with threats immediately, as all of your sweepers are set-up pokemon. This makes your team very weak to bulky pokemon that can tank hits, as you're forced to set up to deal damage. It's also a bit too passive, and many of your pokemon are defensive and don't deal enough damage. It's clear you don't want to run stall since you chose Mega Charizard X, but you've created this strange semi-stall team that doesn't want to be a semi stall team. So, I converted it to a balanced Mega Charizard X Team.
Change your Mega Charizard X EV Spread
Charizard-Mega-X @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Roost
- Flare Blitz
This was a pretty obvious change to make. You should always run Max Atk and Speed on Mega Charizard X so it gets the most out of it's sweeping potenital.
Swap Zapdos for Tangrowth
Tangrowth @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Ice
I'm just going to go right out and say it: ZAPDOS IS NOT A GOOD POKEMON IN OU. It was good back in UU, but now it's just outclassed by everything. It's outclassed by Skarmory as a defensive flying type, it's outclassed by Rotom-W as a defensive electric type, and it's outclassed by Latios, Skarmory, and Mew as a defogger. There is no reason to use it in this tier. Tangrowth moved up to OU Today, actually, and it works great with Charizard X. It can already take physical hits very well, but with AV, it can also take a lot of special hits, even LIVING A DRACO METEOR FROM LATIOS. And it doesn't need recovery when it has Regenerator. It also deals with the ground, rock, and water types that prevent Charizard X from sweeping like Hippodown, Tyranitar, Azumarill, ect. Overall, Tangrowth is a great teammate for Charizard X who can really help you out.
Swap Unaware Cleric Clefable with a CM Magic Guard Variant.
Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 108 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Soft-Boiled
- Thunder Wave
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
Unaware Clefable doesn't have a place in the meta. It's completely outclassed by Quagsire, and it's pointless when Magic Guard is a much better option. It's the ultimate Calm Mind Wall, being immune to the normal methods of wallbreaking such as Toxic and Entry Hazards. It's fairy typing is also very useful, only weak to steel and poison, while being able to destroy fairy and fighting types, two of the most common offensive typings in the metagame. One tip I have is to always run Thunder Wave. Thunder Wave is, quite literally, the most broken move in pokemon. It cripples sweepers, and ruins strategies by preventing opponents from taking their turn 25% of the time.
Change your Skarmory Set
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
Running Speed on Skarmory is pointless, and Drill Peck isn't nearly as strong as Brave Bird, so I immediately changed those two things. I maximized it's defensive potential and made it your defogger so you can better deal with hazards. I also gave it whirlwind so it can stop set-up sweepers. I made Skarmory your defogger over Mew as I wanted to remove Mew from your team in the first place. You had too many defensive pokemon on your team, so I wanted to add something a bit less passive.
Replace Mew with Heatran
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Lava Plume
- Toxic
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
Heatran provides your team with something incredibly valuable: the ability to beat stall. Oh, and Stealth Rocks. Heatran also beats Mega Heracross and Mega Scizor, two incredibly threatening pokemon, when running max speed. It also has a 30% chance to burn opposing physical attackers with Lava Plume, and can wear down Stally pokemon with it's combination of Taunt and Toxic. All in all, Heatran is an incredibly useful pokemon for your team.
Change your Keldeo set
Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
- Secret Sword
Remember what I said earlier about your team not having a wallbreaker? Well, I probably should have gotten to this sooner, but better late then never, right? Specs Keldeo is one of the strongest wallbreakers in the meta. It destroys everything that doesn't resist water with Hydro Pump, eliminates annoying steel and dark types with secret sword, burns it's checks with scald, and can 2HKO Latios on the switch using the speed drop provided by Icy Wind. It makes your team much more offensively strong, and better as a result.