Hey there, & welcome to the RMT. So after getting tired of the tiers I usually play, NU and UU, I decided to find something different. I'm not a fan of standard, partly because I'm not great at it lol. So I discovered Little Cup. I had tried LC before, once; I made a really horrible team and after having absolutely no success with it, gave it up in anger. However after coming back to it, with much more skill in teambuilding and competitive battling in general, I took another crack at it, and this is what I came up with.
The team is pretty standard. It uses some pretty predictable sets, but some that are a little different and catch people off guard occasionally. I have little to no experience in LC obviously, so I am sure there are a lot of things I have overlooked / I'm not using properly. Also, my EV spreads are a complete shot in the dark and I imagine I will be corrected immediately, but you learn from your mistakes I guess :p
The team as a whole is pretty much balanced. I try to keep as much offensive pressure on the opponent as I can, while still stopping threats from setting up with my walls. It's not focused on a particular goal, although it's worth saying that half my games finish with a Scarf Murkrow sweep :D
Gastly (F) @ Oran Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 52 Def / 196 SAtk / 196 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Disable
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
I needed a fast pokemon to take on Fighting types. I chose Gastly since I had a lot of good times with Haunter in NU, who combined with Spikes can really screw up the opponent's team. Anyway this is a SubDisable set, you know how it works obviously. Gastly's three immunities and 4x resistances, including ones to Normal, Fighting and Bug, make it the ideal Mienfoo counter. Smogon don't see to have this set listed, but it's been really effective for me so far so I'm fine with it. Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb are my two STABs, and hit rather hard against most of my targets - Ferroseed can't do much to me anyway. The EVs are trying to maximise Special Attack and Speed with the rest thrown into bulk. Oran Berry lets me set up at least two more substitutes than usual, which becomes very helpful later on in the game.
Murkrow (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Insomnia
EVs: 244 Atk / 76 SAtk / 188 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Brave Bird
- Heat Wave
- Sucker Punch
- Dark Pulse
This Pokemon is so good. It's the top percentage of LC definitely. This is a scarf set that someone recommended, and it's working out amazingly. Its brilliant speed and amazingly powerful STAB move in Brave Bird let it sweep pretty easily when stuff like Bronzor is removed. Heat Wave is to cover that annoying thing, and hits Ferroseed for major damage too. Sucker Punch revenge kills sweeping Misdreavus, and a lot of Shell Smashers. If I'm honest, I never use Dark Pulse. Hypothetically it gives me a STAB move without drawbacks and that's not blocked by sub, but I never need one. So any replacements are welcome. Murkrow doubles as a revenge killer and my main sweeper, and EVs give me maximum Attack and Speed, with the rest in Special Attack to make my Heat Wave hit harder.
Foongus (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 204 HP / 236 Def
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog
- Synthesis
Foonguss was put in this team for a reliable check to Drilbur and his Sandstorm buddies. With max Defense and Eviolite, he can easily tank an Earthquake and either Spore the pokemon or KO it with Giga Drain. Clear Smog is a move I usually dislike, and would never use it on Amoonguss since it's not very powerful at all, but it actually deals with DD Scraggy who could boost in my face if something's already asleep. Synthesis is for that reliable recovery, even more vital because of the lack of Leftovers. This guy also removes Toxic Spikes which can be a pain if I'm facing a stall team. Regenerator is part of what makes this guy so good, and his advantage over Shroomish as a Spore user; he can come in easily, and even if you mispredict you can often switch back out regaining 1/2 of the HP lost or even more.
Chinchou (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 76 HP / 144 Def / 228 SDef / 60 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Discharge
- Heal Bell
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
The second defensive pivot, Resttalk Chinchou is really good. Excellent HP along with reasonable defenses boosted by Eviolite, as well as fantastic typing (including Volt Absorb) let her counter a large amount of threats to my team, including Murkrow, Staryu and Shellder. What's so sweet about this poke with Rest and Sleep Talk is that she has a 33% chance to select Heal Bell in her sleep, which not only cures my whole team but wakes her up early to get another Rest off. Discharge > Scald just to kill Murkrow quicker than it kills me really, not sure which one is the better choice so I'm open to suggestions.
Munchlax (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 84 HP / 252 Atk / 172 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Return
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
- Pursuit
I noticed I had an annoying Ice weakness, so without wanting to screw up my synergy too badly, looked for a pokemon with Thick Fat. My viable options were basically limited to Makuhita and Munchlax, so I picked Munchlax as it can back up my team's special defense really well while maintaning offensive presence. He fills no particular role in the team, but when I'm not feeling confident with my prediction I can usually switch him in, tank the hit, and go from there. He's also my most reliable switchin to that stupid Ferroseed, as it doesn't care about Thunder Wave or Leech Seed and can 2HKO it easily with Fire Punch. Pursuit is there mainly to cover Misdreavus, it can't 2HKO me so it dies whether it switches out or not. The moves and EVs are rather Smogon standard, but there might be a pokemon better suited for this spot.
Dwebble (F) @ Oran Berry
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 236 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Rock Blast
- X-Scissor
This pokemon was the last added to my team, and thus, again, could probably be replaced by a different pokemon. Basically it sets hazards and tries not to die... Rock Blast and X-Scissor are my two STABs, and hit pretty hard with the attack investment. Jolly allows me to outpace Adamant Shell Smash Dwebble and KO (I think) with Rock Blast. Spikes allow me to get a little bit of residuals on my opponent, and makes cleaning up with Murkrow a lot easier. Rocks wear down opposing Murkrows and Dwebbles. Honestly this pokemon usually switches in once per game, sticks around for a while, and then gets killed, but it's usually done it's job by then so it's all good.
The team is pretty standard. It uses some pretty predictable sets, but some that are a little different and catch people off guard occasionally. I have little to no experience in LC obviously, so I am sure there are a lot of things I have overlooked / I'm not using properly. Also, my EV spreads are a complete shot in the dark and I imagine I will be corrected immediately, but you learn from your mistakes I guess :p
The team as a whole is pretty much balanced. I try to keep as much offensive pressure on the opponent as I can, while still stopping threats from setting up with my walls. It's not focused on a particular goal, although it's worth saying that half my games finish with a Scarf Murkrow sweep :D
Gastly (F) @ Oran Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 52 Def / 196 SAtk / 196 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Disable
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
I needed a fast pokemon to take on Fighting types. I chose Gastly since I had a lot of good times with Haunter in NU, who combined with Spikes can really screw up the opponent's team. Anyway this is a SubDisable set, you know how it works obviously. Gastly's three immunities and 4x resistances, including ones to Normal, Fighting and Bug, make it the ideal Mienfoo counter. Smogon don't see to have this set listed, but it's been really effective for me so far so I'm fine with it. Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb are my two STABs, and hit rather hard against most of my targets - Ferroseed can't do much to me anyway. The EVs are trying to maximise Special Attack and Speed with the rest thrown into bulk. Oran Berry lets me set up at least two more substitutes than usual, which becomes very helpful later on in the game.
Murkrow (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Insomnia
EVs: 244 Atk / 76 SAtk / 188 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Brave Bird
- Heat Wave
- Sucker Punch
- Dark Pulse
This Pokemon is so good. It's the top percentage of LC definitely. This is a scarf set that someone recommended, and it's working out amazingly. Its brilliant speed and amazingly powerful STAB move in Brave Bird let it sweep pretty easily when stuff like Bronzor is removed. Heat Wave is to cover that annoying thing, and hits Ferroseed for major damage too. Sucker Punch revenge kills sweeping Misdreavus, and a lot of Shell Smashers. If I'm honest, I never use Dark Pulse. Hypothetically it gives me a STAB move without drawbacks and that's not blocked by sub, but I never need one. So any replacements are welcome. Murkrow doubles as a revenge killer and my main sweeper, and EVs give me maximum Attack and Speed, with the rest in Special Attack to make my Heat Wave hit harder.
Foongus (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 204 HP / 236 Def
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog
- Synthesis
Foonguss was put in this team for a reliable check to Drilbur and his Sandstorm buddies. With max Defense and Eviolite, he can easily tank an Earthquake and either Spore the pokemon or KO it with Giga Drain. Clear Smog is a move I usually dislike, and would never use it on Amoonguss since it's not very powerful at all, but it actually deals with DD Scraggy who could boost in my face if something's already asleep. Synthesis is for that reliable recovery, even more vital because of the lack of Leftovers. This guy also removes Toxic Spikes which can be a pain if I'm facing a stall team. Regenerator is part of what makes this guy so good, and his advantage over Shroomish as a Spore user; he can come in easily, and even if you mispredict you can often switch back out regaining 1/2 of the HP lost or even more.
Chinchou (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 76 HP / 144 Def / 228 SDef / 60 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Discharge
- Heal Bell
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
The second defensive pivot, Resttalk Chinchou is really good. Excellent HP along with reasonable defenses boosted by Eviolite, as well as fantastic typing (including Volt Absorb) let her counter a large amount of threats to my team, including Murkrow, Staryu and Shellder. What's so sweet about this poke with Rest and Sleep Talk is that she has a 33% chance to select Heal Bell in her sleep, which not only cures my whole team but wakes her up early to get another Rest off. Discharge > Scald just to kill Murkrow quicker than it kills me really, not sure which one is the better choice so I'm open to suggestions.
Munchlax (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 84 HP / 252 Atk / 172 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Return
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
- Pursuit
I noticed I had an annoying Ice weakness, so without wanting to screw up my synergy too badly, looked for a pokemon with Thick Fat. My viable options were basically limited to Makuhita and Munchlax, so I picked Munchlax as it can back up my team's special defense really well while maintaning offensive presence. He fills no particular role in the team, but when I'm not feeling confident with my prediction I can usually switch him in, tank the hit, and go from there. He's also my most reliable switchin to that stupid Ferroseed, as it doesn't care about Thunder Wave or Leech Seed and can 2HKO it easily with Fire Punch. Pursuit is there mainly to cover Misdreavus, it can't 2HKO me so it dies whether it switches out or not. The moves and EVs are rather Smogon standard, but there might be a pokemon better suited for this spot.
Dwebble (F) @ Oran Berry
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 236 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Rock Blast
- X-Scissor
This pokemon was the last added to my team, and thus, again, could probably be replaced by a different pokemon. Basically it sets hazards and tries not to die... Rock Blast and X-Scissor are my two STABs, and hit pretty hard with the attack investment. Jolly allows me to outpace Adamant Shell Smash Dwebble and KO (I think) with Rock Blast. Spikes allow me to get a little bit of residuals on my opponent, and makes cleaning up with Murkrow a lot easier. Rocks wear down opposing Murkrows and Dwebbles. Honestly this pokemon usually switches in once per game, sticks around for a while, and then gets killed, but it's usually done it's job by then so it's all good.
