My First Real Team [Tested-ish]

[Gregolo]

Hey guys, I'm new to the community and my roommate got me into the whole pokemon scene, and now I think I like it more than he does :3

I'm trying to get a little more competitive since well, it's the next logical step.

Did 20 matches on Pokemon Showdown with this setup and went 16 wins 4 losses. Not a huge metric to work with, but I at least know the team isn't garbage and was hoping for some input xD -- Anyway, here goes!


Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Nature: Sassy
Ability: Iron Barbs
EV Spread: 252 HP / 48 ATK / 208 SpD
Moves:
-Stealth Rock
-Power Whip
-Leech Seed
-Protect

I almost always lead with Ferrothorn unless I know the other guy is going to throw out a hard counter right off the bat (sun teams, it seems). I love me some leech seed but think Power Whip is sometimes disappointing. I say that because whenever I can tank another pokemon, I usually can't kill it very well either in a lot of cases (grass bulk types).


Lucario @ Life Orb
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Inner Focus
EV Spread: 4 HP / 252 ATK / 252 SPE
Moves:
-Close Combat
-ExtremeSpeed
-Ice Punch
-Crunch

Lucario seems pretty awesome, it's nice having an ice move to surprise pesky flying and ground types that seem to do very well against my team. Did I mention ground seems to be a big hole in my team? yea... Anyway, Lucario seems to be pretty self explanatory and I loves him long time.


Haxorus @ Choice Scarf
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Mold Breaker
EV Spread: 12 HP / 252 ATK / 244 SPE
Moves:
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Brick Break
-Dragon Claw

Haxorus seems like he might be my 'the hell is this doing on this team?' Pokemon. I love him, and hate him. Some matches he seems like he's breaking bad and capping all the knees, while other matches he feels like dead weight. This might just be because I'm not setting him properly but I'm not really sure about that. Again, with scarf... It's a love hate relationship.


Chandelure @ Fire Gem
Nature: Modest
Ability: Flash Fire
EV Spread: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SPD
Moves:
-Flamethrower
-Shadow Ball
-Overheat
-Hidden Power Fighting

I added HP Fighting after I realized that Heatran is a jerk, seems to work fine. Other than that I find this Pokemon to be absolutely hilarious, Sunny Day + Overheat + Fire Gem = Resists? What Resists? lol. Feels like a staple sweeper on my team.


Ninetails @ Air Balloon
Nature: Modest
Ability: Drought
EV Spread: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 SPE
Moves:
-Flamethrower
-Energy Ball
-Protect
-Hidden Power Ice

Feels kinda weak when you consider it's power as a single Pokemon, but when you combine it with my Chandelure and Venusaur (and those stupid weather fights I seem to get into) it feels very much like the Cheerleader with a rocket launcher for my team. Air Balloon because of spikes wrecking me (grumpy face).


Venusaur @ Life Orb
Nature: Modest
Ability: Chlorophyll
EV Spread: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 SPE
Moves:
-Growth
-Sleep Powder
-Grass Knot
-Hidden Power Fire

Love this guy when Sunny Day is out. My only complaint is that sometimes I feel he isn't that great for hitting things. I mean, Sleep Powder + Growth and then Grass Knot is either drop-your-pants amazing, or mediocre. I'd like a STAB move that isn't so wacky on conditions (pokemon weight? lolwut), but I can't seem to really think of anything.





Anyway, that's my team and I apologize if I have any obvious dumb flaws but it's the best I could come up with on my own and would really appreciate some insight from some more experienced players.

Thanks in advance!


Cheers.

 

[xsonic34]

Just curious, what keeps you from running SolarBeam/Giga Drain or even Energy Ball on your Venusaur? I would personally go with Giga Drain as it can help offset some Life Orb damage. However, SolarBeam is much stronger.
As for your team, Stealth Rocks seem to be a problem. Also, 252 HP on Chandelure doesn't seem very good. I don't have very much experience with Chande but I do know that it isn't exactly bulky.
As with most sun teams, the majority of your team is walled by Heatran. Only Lucario and Haxorus can beat it but neither of them can safely switch in on Heatran.

 

[Gregolo]

For what it's worth, with Hidden Power Fighting on Chandelure, I've never been threatened by a Heatran. It's immune to it's fire tricks and usually 2HKOs him.

 

[blitzlefan]

Definitely try Giga Drain on Venasaur, as it's a more reliable STAB move, with an excellent secondary effect. :)

Also, as your team has a significant ground weakness, with 3 weaknesses and no resists, I recommend you use Salamence, as it's secondary Flying type grants immunity to ground-type moves, especially if you're not sure about Haxorus. It's an excellent sweeper, as its ability, Moxie, boosts its speed one stage for every kill it nets. A little better bulk, and 3 points extra speed over Haxorus in case you want to use Salamence purely as a revenge killer. If so, I recommend you use a Jolly nature though.

Salamence (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

Also, your Ferrothorn's nature seems a little out of place, as you should only use a Sassy nature with Gyro Ball as to increase its base power. Also, as Lucario is an excellent sweeper, thought a little on the slow side, I recommend this set for Ferrothorn, as the speed drop due to paralysis can really set Lucario up for a sweep.

Ferrothorn (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave

Also, the Fire Gem on Chandelure, and the Air Balloon and Protect on Ninetales seem a little bit weird, so I suggest maybe running Choice Specs on Chandelure, as with Paralysis support and the SpA boost, Chandelure becomes a lot more threatening. Also consider running Will-O-Wisp over Protect on Ninetales, as to cripple physical attackers, and as Ninetales is a lot more afraid of Stealth Rock than it is of Spikes and seeing how Air Balloon breaks just after one hit, a Life Orb/Leftovers would be useful simply for the extra power it grants/extra staying power.

Lastly, as you have no Rapid Spinner, and your sun team is at a natural disadvantage to rain teams, consider an offensive Starmie, as it helps provide defensive synergy as it resists water and fighting moves and can spin away the hazards that plague Chandelure, Ninetales, and (possibly?) Salamence. Bolt-Beam coverage is amazing in OU, and it's high speed stat never disappoints.

Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin

OK! Hope this rate helped! Have fun with Pokemon and... GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TEAM!

 

[Gregolo]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it =p

Edit: I do like the idea of Starmie but I honestly can't think of what Pokemon's slot it would take.

 

[brandharro]

I've never been threatened by a Heatran.

 

[TooMuchSugar]

Chandelure should probably run Fire Blast > Overheat; it doesn't decrease his special attack, so he can stay in longer. This probably works well with the Specs suggested by blitzlefan.