My First RMT - Magnezone Sweep!

[monkeyscantcry]

I've made a few teams before, and become pretty familiar with the metagame and the mechanics of competitive Pokemon, but this is a team that I have worked on and am interested in developing even further.

I got the idea when I was looking through the Smogon Pokedex entry for Magnezone, which (along with its pre-volutions) is my favorite Pokemon. I had used it before as a Choice Scarfed revenge/steel killer to support the team, but I was wondering if I could build a team around it. I saw the SubSalac set, and realized that I had never encountered it before, and decided to give it a try.

Team at a glance:

Team Building Process:

Magnezone is the star of the team, so it is the obvious starting point.

I decided that it would be good to have a dragon alongside Magnezone. Dragonite attracts steels for Magnezone, and can sweep if there is no steel to stop it. They also cover each other's weaknesses very well.

Choice Scarf Gengar seemed like a good inclusion, with the ability to trick a scarf onto more defensive steel types such as Skarmory, Bronzong, and Forretress in order to make Magnezone able to set up more easily. It also attracts Pursuit/Bullet Punch from Choice Banded Scizor and Metagross, both of which allow Magnezone to come in and set up. It is also a good revenge killer.

Roserade seemed like a good lead, being able to set up Toxic Spikes to wear down some of the pokemon that can live through Magnezone's boosted attacks.

Vaporeon and Swampert were added to further support the team with moves like Wish, Stealth Rock, and Roar.

I wasn't happy with Vaporeon's performance, and I wanted another fast Pokemon with strong type coverage. I had never used Infernape before and was interesting in trying one out.

The team really wasn't working the way I wanted it to, so I decided to cut it back down to the three members that were working the best and fill the rest with needed typed. Breloom has the sleep-inducing ability and Grass STAB of Roserade and the Fighting STAB of Infernape, so it seemed good. Aerodactyl seemed like a good lead, with Taunt, a Rock STAB, and high speed. Finally, looking at the types that I had and what I had weaknesses and resistances to, and another Steel type seemed necessary. Heatran has the strong Fire attack that this team really needs, and the Ground attack and ability to fight Dragons that Swampert had.

After more testing and suggestions from people's responses, Stealth Rock was given to Heatran, freeing up the lead spot for Machamp and its diverse attacks, and Dragonite was replaced with the superior Salamence.

A closer look:

Machamp @ Lum Berry

Nature: Adamant, Ability: No Guard
EVs: 240 HP/248 Atk/16 SpD/4 Spe

DynamicPunch

Payback

Ice Punch

Bullet Punch

Following Cost's advice, I decided to try out Machamp as an anti-lead. This thing is a monster, can take out just about any other lead one on one, and often brings down one or two other team members with it. Bullet Punch is also a good asset for the team, as it is the only priority move here, as well as the only Steel-type move. Payback is also useful as the only move super effective against Psychics and Ghosts outside of Gengar's Shadow Ball.

Synergy with the rest of the team:
Flying attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.
Psychic attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.

Breloom @ Toxic Orb

Nature: Adamant, Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 12 HP/252 Atk/244 Spe

Spore

Substitute

Focus Punch

Seed Bomb

Breloom's ability to induce sleep and hit hard from behind a Substitute usually means it can take out at least one Pokemon and sleep another. Its ability to devastate Swampert is especially useful, as Swampert is fairly dangerous to this team. The sleep also helps greatly as it strongly encourages switches, allowing me to see the opponent's team and determine what I have to do to get Magnezone to sweep without having to take turns using moves like Roar.

Synergy with the rest of the team:
Fire attacks are resisted by Heatran and Salamence.
Ice attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.
Poison attacks are resisted by Heatran, Gengar and Magnezone.
Flying attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.
Psychic attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.

Heatran @ Shuca Berry

Nature: Naive, Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA/4 SpD/252 Spe

Stealth Rock

Fire Blast

Earth Power

Hidden Power

I was a little skeptical about including Heatran in this team, since its typing is so similar to Magnezone and I already had a Choice Scarf user, but it is different enough to deserve inclusion. It is much bulkier than Gengar, meaning it can switch in much more often. It is great for scouting the other team, since when it switches in, the opponent almost always switches right after, and is weak against some of the same things as Magnezone. Its type coverage is also strong, and is a great check to a lot of the metagame.

The ability to switch attacks is useful, and Heatran is bulky enough not to need the Speed boost from Choice Scarf. It is now the Stealth Rock user for the team, and has been given HP Grass for more type coverage, notably against Swampert. I'm considering switching HP Grass for something else, like Explosion or Roar. I don't know though.

Synergy with the rest of the team:
Water attacks are resisted by Breloom and Salamence.
Fighting attacks are resisted by Gengar and Salamence.
Ground attacks are resisted by Breloom, Gengar and Salamence.

Gengar @ Choice Scarf

Nature: Timid, Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def/252 SpA/252 Spe

Shadow Ball

Hidden Power

Thunderbolt

Trick

Gengar is a fantastic revenge killer, coming in to take down dangerous threats or cripple walls with Trick. It is also great Pursuit bait, allowing Magnezone to set up due to the low base power of Pursuit and the fact that most Pursuit users are choiced. Like Heatran, it often causes the opponent to switch when it comes it, allowing me to learn more about the opponent's team. Also, while it's poor defenses don't help the job, Gengar can make it difficult for the opponent to spin Stealth Rock away. HP Ice was added in order to revenge kill Dragon Dance Salamence, since the team already has two Fighting attackers.

Synergy with the rest of the team:
Psychic attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.
Ghost attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.
Dark attacks are resisted by Machamp, Breloom, Heatran and Magnezone.

Salamence @ Life Orb

Nature: Naive, Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 232 Atk/24 SpA/252 Spe

Dragon Dance

Outrage

Earthquake

Fire Blast

Salamence is a devastating sweeper, and it and Magnezone cover each other's weaknesses perfectly. The Pokemon that resist its powerful Outrage are those that Magnezone can come in and set up on. Without those Steel types, Salamence can tear through teams with the help of a Dragon Dance or two. It serves the same role in my team that Dragonite did, but it does it better. I decided to use Fire Blast over Roost since I was having a lot of trouble with stall due to having no mixed attackers. I'm still not sure if this will be enough, but it's worth a try.

Synergy with the rest of the team:
Ice attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.
Rock attacks are resisted by Machamp, Breloom, Heatran and Magnezone.
Dragon attacks are resisted by Heatran and Magnezone.

Magnezone @ Salac Berry

Nature: Timid, Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 28 HP/252 SpA/228 Spe

Substitute

Charge Beam

Thunderbolt

Hidden Power

This is the center of the team. Once I have seen the opponent's team and ideally have removed problematic Pokemon, I wait for an opportunity to come in and wreak havoc. This Magnezone can set up on Scizor locked into Bullet Punch or Pursuit, Jirachi locked into Iron Head (as long as I don't get flinched to death), almost any steel with a Choice Scarf tricked onto it from Gengar, and more. Usually, I kill the opposing Steel type with at least +1 SpA, usually +2, +1 Spe, and a Substitute. At this point, I usually take out at least three Pokemon, and sometimes more. The only downside is that since Magnezone goes down to low health and consumes its item in order to set up, it isn't going to be switching out and coming back once it gets going. This is a very strong Pokemon and has impressed me quite a bit.

Synergy with the rest of the team:
Fire attacks are resisted by Heatran and Salamence.
Fighting attacks are resisted by Gengar and Salamence.
Ground attacks are resisted by Breloom, Gengar and Salamence.

Entry hazard analysis:
1 Pokemon is weak to Stealth Rock, 2 are Neutral, and 3 are Resistant.
4 Pokemon are vulnerable to Spikes.
1 Pokemon is vulnerable to Toxic Spikes.

Thanks for looking at this. Please comment and rate. I'd really like to keep working on this and make it good.

 

[Archangel0408]

Glad to see another fellow Dragonite user! That being said this set seems like it might be fairly limited. you might want to try this instead, I've been using it with great success.

Dragonite @ Leftovers
EV Spread: 200 Hp / 126 Atk / 126 Def / 58 Spe

Dragon Dance
Dragon Claw
Superpower
Extreme Speed

This set makes Dragonite a little more versatile of a sweeper and thus makes your team better. Hope this helps!

 

[monkeyscantcry]

Threat List:

Offensive:

Azelf: As a lead, Aerodactyl can Taunt it, set up Rocks, and hopefully break it's Focus Sash before dying. Any version of it can also be revenge killed fairly easily by Gengar.

Breloom: This one is a little tricky. Someone has to take the sleep, but Dragonite can set up on it if it doesn't have Stone Edge. Magnezone's HP Ice can take it down while it is sweeping, but it can't risk switching in on a Focus Punch. Heatran can Fire Blast it if it can get a free switch in.

Celebi: I haven't encountered one yet, but it seems like Heatran, Gengar and Magnezone can all do significant damage with their respective super effective attacks.

Dugtrio: This can be bad if it comes in and traps Heatran or Magnezone, but as far as taking it down goes, Breloom can Seed Bomb, Gengar can take it out if it is locked into something other than Sucker Punch, Dragonite can come in on a choiced Earthquake and start Dragon Dancing.

Electivire: This Pokemon must be removed before Magnezone can sweep, but it itself isn't all too threatening. Aerodactyl can Earthquake and Heatran can Earth Power, and everyone else but Magnezone can hit it pretty hard.

Empoleon: This is not too threatening. Magnezone can trap it and take it down, Gengar can outspeed ever after an Agility and use Thunderbolt, Breloom can Focus Punch, and Aerodactyl can Earthquake.

Flygon: If they've already set up, Dragonite and Magnezone both have super effective moves. Heatran can revenge kill with Dragon Pulse if it's locked into something other than Earthquake. It can be a bit of a problem, though.

Gengar: My own Gengar can take it out with Shadow Ball, and Heatran can come in on anything other than Focus Blast and take it down. Aerodactyl can outspeed non-Scarf versions and hit hard with Rock Slide.

Gliscor: Magnezone can run through it with Hidden Power if it is set up, but otherwise it is outsped and OHKO'd by Earthquake. This guy can be pretty dangerous. It doesn't usually have much to hurt Breloom, though, and can also be weakened or Exploded on by Heatran.

Gyarados: Magnezone and Gengar can both take it down with Thunderbolt, and Aerodactyl can do some damage with Rock Slide. It isn't very much of a threat.

Heatran: This thing can be a little bit dangerous if it gets a Substitute, but everyone on the team except for Magnezone has a super effective attack for it, making it pretty manageable.

Heracross: I haven't come across one, but I could imagine that it wouldn't like Heatran's Fire Blast, and that a choiced one locked into a Bug or Fighting move could be setup fodder for Dragonite. Other than that, though, I don't have too many answers for it.

Infernape: Gengar and Heatran can revenge kill it, and Aerodactyl can outspeed it and hit with an Earthquake. Dragonite can also take it on if it has a dragon dance or if it doesn't have to worry about a super effective move, although it seems like most Infernapes have either Stone Edge or HP Ice.

Jirachi: Choice Scarf versions are set up bait for Magnezone if they lock themselves into Iron Head, which they often do against Aerodactyl and Breloom. Also, if it tricks its Scarf onto Magnezone while Magnezone uses Charge Beam and gets a boost, Magnezone can run through any Pokemon that don't take special Electric attacks very well. Heatran and Dragonite also both have moves to deal with it, and Breloom can Focus Punch through it from behind a Substitute fairly easily.

Kingdra: Heatran can do some damage with Dragon Pulse, and Magnezone can get through it with SpA boosts, but other than that, I have to wear it down with other attacks. This isn't all that hard, but Kingdra can do some damage after setting up.

Lucario: Aerodactyl and Heatran both outspeed it and have strong moves against it, although I don't think that Aerodactyl can survive a +2 ExtremeSpeed. It's pretty manageable, though. I haven't run into the Choice Specs version, but if it locks itself into something that Magnezone resists, it can be setup fodder.

Machamp: This is the biggest threat to this team. It usually takes out 2 or 3 of Pokemon before I can bring it down, and the Lum Berry that it usually holds means that Breloom's Spore doesn't even slow it down. I don't have any super effective moves against it, so I have to just hit it hard with STABs until it finally goes down.

Magnezone: This thing isn't too much of an issue. It can come in on Heatran's Dragon Pulse and take it down, but other than that it doesn't do too much damage. Heatran, Aerodactyl and Dragonite can all do significant damage to it, and it's bulk and Electric resistance mean that if my Magnezone traps it if it's locked into something non-threatening, like Flash Cannon or a non-Fire Hidden Power, I can get quite a few Charge Beam boosts and a Salac activation from it.

Mamoswine: Heatran double-resists Ice Shard and can hit hard with Fire Blast, and Gengar can Focus Blast it if it's Choiced and locked into something other than Ice Shard. Breloom can also Focus Punch it from behind a Substitute. It's moderately threatening, though.

Metagross: Metagross can be put to sleep by Breloom, hit hard by Dragonite and Heatran, and set up on by Magnezone if locked into something harmless due to holding a Choice Band or a Choice Scarf Tricked by Gengar. Agility versions can be tough to handle if they set up, though.

Ninjask: It isn't much of an issue. It takes a lot of damage from Stealth Rock, and can't do much to Aerodactyl, Heatran, Gengar or Magnezone, all of whom can hit it super effectively.

Porygon-Z: This thing is pretty strong, but is outsped by half of the team, and Gengar especially can come in on its Tri-Attack and KO with a Focus Blast. Even Breloom can take it out if it has a Substitute from which it can Focus Punch.

Rhyperior: Gengar's Focus Blast, Breloom's Seed Bomb and Heatran's Earth Power are all pretty strong here, with the other three team members also possessing super effective moves. However, this thing is dangerous, and it will usually take more than one Pokemon to take it down, especially in Sandstorm.

Roserade: It isn't very much of a problem, with it being fairly frail and Toxic Spikes not effecting my team at all. If it doesn't have HP Ice and Sleep Clause is already activated, Dragonite can come in and set up on it. The same is true for Magnezone if it does have HP Ice instead of HP Fire. Heatran can also hit it super effectively and some in on just about everything it carries except for Sleep Powder.

Rotom-A: Gengar can take it out with Shadow Ball, but other than that, I don't have too much to do against it. It generally doesn't pose too much of a threat though, and I can usually get through it with Gengar, or Heatran if necessary.

Salamence: Everyone knows how dangerous this thing is. Aerodactyl and Heatran both outspeed it with no Dragon Dance boosts and have super effective moves against it, but once it gets a Dragon Dance, things can get difficult. Magnezone can survive an Outrage and KO back with HP Ice, but that involves at least one of my other Pokemon dying first.

Scizor: This guy is not a problem, and Choice Band versions are great set up fodder for Magnezone if they get locked into Bullet Punch or Pursuit. Heatran can also take it out with Fire Blast. A Swords Dance version could be a problem if Heatran is out of the picture, though.

Snorlax: These guys don't seem too common, but Breloom seems like it could handle it pretty well. Gengar can also make it quite a bit less useful by Tricking a Scarf onto it as well. If it manages to get a few Curses, Breloom can Spore it, Sub up and Focus Punch.

Starmie: Gengar can revenge kill it easily and Magnezone and Breloom can both bring it down from behind Substitutes. Aerodactyl can outspeed and do significant damage to more offensive versions, while bulkier Rapid Spinners without Ice Beam can be handled by Dragonite.

Suicune: Seed Bomb and Thunderbolt are both strong super effective moves that I can use against Suicune, and RestTalk versions don't like being tricked a Scarf. Heatran can also explode on it if necessary. It isn't a huge threat.

Togekiss: This thing is pretty annoying, but Aerodactyl can hit it hard with Rock Slide, and Dragonite's bulk and inability to flinch make it manageable. Even with its special bulk, it doesn't enjoy taking Thunderbolts from Gengar or Magezone, especially if Magnezone has SpA boosts. Also, Heatran can always Explode on it if necessary.

Tyranitar: This guy, while strong, is usually slow and not too threatening. Everyone on the team except for Magnezone has super effective moves against it and can handle it pretty well. However, its special bulk and non-weakness to Magnezone's attacks mean that it can halt Magnezone's sweep, so it needs to be taken out before Magnezone can run through the opposing team.

Weavile: This thing doesn't see too much use, but its Choice Banded Ice Shard might cause problems if Heatran can't come in to stop it and Breloom isn't out with a Sub. If it's locked into something else, though, Aerodactyl and Gengar both outspeed it and hit it hard. It isn't something that I have to worry about too much.

Yanmega: Stealth Rock hits it hard, and so do Rock Slide, Thunderbolt and Fire Blast. This thing might muscle its way through a Pokemon or two, and can put Breloom in an awkward position, but it isn't going to be sweeping my team.

Zapdos: This is a pretty big threat. Aerodactyl can hit it with Rock Slide and versions without Heat Wave can be dealt with by Magnezone. Similarly, versions without HP Ice can be dealt with by Dragonite. However, until I know what it's doing, it can do some serious damage, especially if I mispredict. If absolutely necessary, Gengar can use trick or Heatran can Explode.

Defensive:

Blissey: This is another Pokemon that must be removed before Magnezone can sweep. Breloom can hurt it pretty badly with Spore and Focus Punch, and Gengar can give it a Choice Scarf. Heatran can Explode on it if absolutely necessary, and Dragonite can deal with it after setting up.

Bronzong: Heatran can Fire Blast it, and Gengar can Trick Choice Scarf onto it. This is especially useful since Magnezone can come in on choiced Bronzong later to set up. Also, Breloom can hit it with a Spore.

Celebi: Gengar and Heatran can both devastate it, and Magnezone can also do significant damage with HP Ice. Leech Seed and Thunder Wave can be annoying, especially on Dragonite, but I can get through it.

Cradily: I haven't run into one of these yet, but I imagine that it wouldn't like Choice Scarf, Focus Punch, Spore, Focus Blast, or boosted HP Ice. I could see it being annoying in Sandstorm, but it seems manageable.

Cresselia: Explosion, Trick and Taunt are all strong moves against it. Magnezone can also set up on it from behind a Substitute, since it doesn't carry moves that will do much damage. Gengar's Shadow Ball still hurts despite such great defenses, also.

Crobat: Crobat's speed is its greatest asset, and I have a Pokemon which outspeeds it as well as one that ties with it, and both have super effective moves against it. Gengar is especially useful here, since it is immune to Super Fang, double-resists U-Turn, and resists Poison.

Donphan: If Magnezone has set up, it can get through with a super effective HP Ice. Otherwise, getting through can be a bit more difficult, especially with Breloom's weakess to Ice Shard. Heatran and Gengar can both do some damage also, but the combination of Ice Shard and Earthquake is a little scary.

Drapion: I haven't run into this one, but it seems like it doesn't take Earthquakes or Earth Powers too well, and isn't going to do much to my sweepers once they set up. I really don't think I have to worry about this one, especially since it almost never shows its face in OU.

Dusknoir: Gengar can hit it hard with Shadow Ball, and Magnezone isn't too scare of it. Will-O-Wisp can be a problem, but this guy is not too hard to bring down, especially if Aerodactyl can manage to Taunt it.

Empoleon: Magnezone has no problem trapping and destroying this thing, and everyone else can hit super effectively as well. It is not a problem.

Forretress: Spikes are pretty annoying, but Forretress itself can be taken down by Heatran or Magnezone fairly easily. The only things that Magnezone has to worry about when setting up on it are Earthquake and Explosion, and if Gengar can trick over a Choice Scarf, those aren't even issues anymore.

Gliscor: The same thing that I said for Gliscor in the offensive section can be said here. It isn't stopping a sweep in progress, but beforehand it can be dangerous. My Pokemon can hopefully wear it down, though.

Gyarados: No matter how bulky it is, Gyarados is not surviving a Thunderbolt from a base 130 SpA stat. If that isn't accessable, Rock Slide and Dragon Claw can get in for some damage as well.

Hariyama: I don't know why this is even on this checklist, as I've never even heard of it being used in OU, but it doesn't seem too hard to break. It might be able to get through a Pokemon or two, but not without being severely wounded. I'm not worried about it.

Heatran: As I said before, if it gets a Sub up, it's dangerous, but otherwise, it is easy to bring down. If it does get a Substitute, I probably have to sacrifice a Pokemon to break it, but that's totally doable if necessary.

Hippowdon: This can be bad for my physical attackers, and Sandstorm is kind of annoying, but Spore, Trick and HP Ice are all useful here. However, this is one of the only Pokemon that makes me wish I still had Toxic Spikes support. I can usually break this guy, though, although Slack Off makes him last a while.

Jirachi: I have so many super effective attacks against it that I really don't have to worry much. It can potentially make things a little more complicated if it manages to Thunder Wave one of my sweepers, but other than that it's not much of a threat.

Ludicolo: Its typing means I can't hit it super effectively, but it doesn't have much to do to Magnezone or Dragonite, meaning they can probably set up on it. Leech Seed seems annoying, but I can switch around without taking too much damage from this thing if there aren't too many entry hazards out.

Machamp: Again, I have some problems with this thing. RestTalk means Spore doesn't do much to it, and my inability to hit it with a super effective attack means I have to throw Pokemon at it until it's worn down. This guy is tricky to beat.

Magnezone: Again, not a huge issue with all of the super effective attacks I have at my disposal. Magnezone can even come in and set up on it under certain circumstances. I can take this out with just about any of my Pokemon.

Mesprit: I have never heard of this being used in OU, either. It seems like it doesn't want to get hit by powerful moves like Explosion, STAB Shadow Ball, boosted Thunderbolt and boosted Dragon Claw, though. Some of its utility moves might cause headaches, and it can reasonably hard, but it doesn't seem like it will last too long.

Metagross: I haven't really seen defensive variants of this, but I think I would deal with them roughly the same way that I deal with offensive ones. Super effective moves are all over my team and most will outspeed. The only complication is Bullet Punch, which is dangerous to Aerodactyl and Gengar, but not Heatran.

Milotic: This thing can be a headache, but it doesn't commonly carry any moves that do much to Magnezone, so that is one solution. There is also always Explosion, and Seed Bomb does pretty good damage as well. Aerodactyl, Heatran and Dragonite probably aren't doing much here, though.

Miltank: Focus Punch and Focus Blast are both hitting hard here, and it really loses a lot of its longevity if it gets Tricked. Other than Aerodactyl and maybe Dragonite, most of my Pokemon can probably beat it.

Porygon2: Most Porygon2 aren't going to be able to do much to Magnezone or Heatran, and Gengar and Breloom can hit it quite hard as well. Ice Beam does pretty good damage to Dragonite, but no Intimidate means it won't be the same as when it counters Salamence.

Regirock: Focus Blast, Trick and Earth Power are all strong, and Breloom can put it to sleep and hit pretty hard with Focus Punch despite Regirock's huge Defense. Dragonite can do significant damage with Earthquake too after a few Dragon Dances.

Registeel: Gengar can Trick a Scarf onto it, making it easy for Magnezone to set up. Otherwise, Everyone has super effective attacks except for Magnezone, who can still come in and set up from behind a Substitute, making it not a very big threat.

Rhyperior: It can take a few hits, but strong attacks like Focus Blast, Focus Punch, Seed Bomb and Earth Power aren't making it easy for this thing to stick around. I haven't seen too many defensive versions anyway.

Rotom-A: Gengar's Shadow Ball is the best answer to it, but if that isn't an option, Heatran, Aerodactyl, Dragonite and Breloom can do decent damage and try to wear it down.

Salamence: This doesn't seem like it should be on the checklist, but bulky versions would probably be taken down just like any other: with Rock Slide, Dragon Pulse and HP Ice.

Scizor: Heatran and Magnezone are very strong here, and can easily overpower it. Even if it uses Swords Dance, Heatran can still OHKO with Fire Blast and live through Bullet Punches with its double Steel resistance.

Shaymin: Heatran's Fire Blast is the only real super effective option here, but it will probably get the job done. If it can get around Earth Power somehow, Magnezone can hit with HP Ice as well. Gengar's Shadow Ball, while not super effective, will probably do decent damage as well, and without an Ice attack, Shaymin won't be doing much to stop Dragonite from setting up.

Shuckle: It may have enormous defenses, but its only real attacking option is Toxic, meaning Magnezone is free to fire off Charge Beams as long as it wants. Similarly, Heatran can Fire Blast away without worry, and Breloom can Focus Punch. If it's an Acupressure version, it can be Tricked a Scarf or Taunted, making it useless.

Skarmory: Spikes are annoying, but Magnezone has no problem coming in and destroying Skarmory with Thunderbolt. Gengar can also do the same thing, and Heatran can use Fire Blast. Aerodactyl, Breloom and Dragonite can't do much to it, though.

Slaking: I'm not too worried about Slaking, as Gengar can hit it hard with Focus Blast and I have plenty of Pokemon who can take advantage of getting a free turn due to Truant.

Slowbro: Gengar and Magnezone can both do significant damage without having to worry too much, and Breloom can Spore it and bring it down with Seed Bombs as long as it can avoid Ice Beams.

Snorlax: Again, this is the same situation as the Snorlax in the offensive section. I have powerful Fighting attacks, Pokemon that can set up, and disruptive moves to stop it from getting out of hand.

Spiritomb: This can be dangerous, especially with Will-O-Wisp, but it is not unanswerable, and Heatran can take anything that it can do. Breloom and Magnezone can also be fairly unthreatened if they are behind Substitutes as well.

Starmie: Defensive Starmie can't stand up to Breloom, Dragonite, Gengar or Magnezone, and isnt a threat at all unless it carries Ice Beam, in which case Gengar and Magnezone can both still answer it very well, and the other two are a little more tricky. However, it is still not to difficult to bring down.

Suicune: I have plenty of ways to answer it using super effective Grass and Electric moves as well support moves that make it unable to boost up enough to get out of hand. Gengar is great here since it can Thunderbolt if Suicune doesn't have any Calm Minds up or it can Trick a Choice Scarf if Suicune is boosting.

Swampert: Swampert is one of the Pokemon that can interrupt Magnezone mid-sweep and bring it down, meaning that it needs to be removed prior to Magnezone setting up. Breloom does a good job of this, and Gengar can drastically decrease its usefulness with Trick.

Tentacruel: Tentacruel is not a threat, as Toxic Spikes don't hurt me, and all of my Pokemon but Breloom have moves that are super effective against it. There is not much that it can do to Magnezone or Dragonite (If it has no Ice Beam) and everyone else except for Breloom outspeeds it and hits hard.

Togekiss: The method for dealing with this is the same as that for dealing with the offensive versions, since even offensive Togekiss tend to be fairly bulky. It is not a huge threat.

Tyranitar: Tyranitar's weakness to Ground and double weakness to Fighting make it not too difficult to take down, since almost everyone on the team can hit it super effectively. It can be problematic during Magnezone's sweep though, depending on how many SpA boosts were received, meaning it's best to try and remove it beforehand.

Umbreon: There is almost nothing that Umbreon can do to Breloom, who can hit back with a STAB, super effective Focus Punch. Focus Blast, Explosion, and Dragon Dance-boosted Dragon Claw also do quite a bit of damage, making Umbreon not too big a threat.

Vaporeon: Depending on what moves it has, different Pokemon can set up on it. Without Ice Beam, it is vulnerable to Breloom, and without Toxic, Dragonite can come in by alternating a certain combination of Roost and Dragon Dance, since Ice Beam only does about 70% to Dragonite, meaning it does about 35% after a Roost. Gengar and Magnezone can also both do significant damage with Thunderbolt.

Walrein: It can't Toxic stall against Magnezone or Breloom, both of which can set up and hit it hard. Aerodactyl and Gengar also have super effective attacks to use, and Trick renders most Walrein near-useless.

Weezing: I can't hit it super effectively, but its lack of a reliable recovery move and fairly low SpD stat mean that it isn't too hard to wear down with Heatran, Gengar and Magnezone. It isn't seen too much in OU, anyway.

Zapdos: Defensive Zapdos is tough for this team to handle, since it can take most of my unboosted attacks quite well. Magnezone can hope to set up on it, but that will only work well if it doesn't have Heat Wave or Roar. Aerodactyl and Heatran can use Rock Slide and Fire Blast/Explosion respectively to do decent damage, and if it is Tricked, it will not be as much or a problem. It is probably the biggest defensive threat for this team, though, except for maybe Machamp.

 

[monkeyscantcry]

Glad to see another fellow Dragonite user! That being said this set seems like it might be fairly limited. you might want to try this instead, I've been using it with great success.

Dragonite @ Leftovers
EV Spread: 200 Hp / 126 Atk / 126 Def / 58 Spe

Dragon Dance
Dragon Claw
Superpower
Extreme Speed

This set makes Dragonite a little more versatile of a sweeper and thus makes your team better. Hope this helps!

Thanks! I think I'll try it out.

Anyone else have any comments?

 

[Mr_br_kill]

I really like the concept, it's simirlir tooo my empoleon time, (but I think your's is better), but I noticed Dugtrio is extremly dangerus. You really can only renvenge kill it, but it will take out ether heatran or Magnazone. Love the scarfed Genger (works wounders for me too), I agree with Achangel0408 about dragonight. I love dragonight, but maybye Kingdra could do better? In the rain, Magnazone can use thunder to take out even more, but then rain screws over Heatran? I don't know, just an Idea.

 

[PinkLemonade]

I would reccomend changing Aero back to Roserade as Toxic Spikes really are beneficial to special sweepers so they can beat blissey 1 on 1.

Heatran into a Specially Bulky SR variant
That said, you already have Scarf Gengar, so you could potentially change


Heatran @ Leftovers
Calm ; 244 Hp / 220 Spe / 44 SpD
Stealth Rock
Fire Blast
Earthpower
Roar


Heatran is an extremely underrated defensive beast with 91/106/106 defenses, and with this EV spread you get maximum special bulk, while hitting 245 speed outspeeding 36 Spe neutral base 100's (Celebi, Zapdos, Jirachi) 244 is also a lefties number, Roar lets you phase, and rack up SR damage to scout the opponents team, and potentially weaken any potential counters to Magnezone and Dragonite.


On Gengar, I would opt to change Focus Blast into HP Ice so you can revenge kill +1 Salamence without having to wait for LO recoil damage to get it into KO range.




Also, Please don't try that Dragonite set the above user reccomended, those are extremely random ev's and that is a terrible EV spread as he even wastes some. Superpower + DD is not reccomended , and Extreme Speed on a DD set is extremely redundant.

Stick with the standard EV spread, or go with a more specially bulky variant suitable for your team.

Dragon Dance
Dragon Claw
Earthquake
Roost


always on dragonite. If you're using 3 attacks, you're just using an inferior salamence.

 

[monkeyscantcry]

I really like the concept, it's simirlir tooo my empoleon time, (but I think your's is better), but I noticed Dugtrio is extremly dangerus. You really can only renvenge kill it, but it will take out ether heatran or Magnazone. Love the scarfed Genger (works wounders for me too), I agree with Achangel0408 about dragonight. I love dragonight, but maybye Kingdra could do better? In the rain, Magnazone can use thunder to take out even more, but then rain screws over Heatran? I don't know, just an Idea.

True, Dugtrio can easily destroy Heatran and Magnezone, but it doesn't do too much damage to the rest of the team.

While rain would allow Magnezone to use Thunder, it probably wouldn't be worth it, since it would probably take more turns than the rain would last or Magnezone to get the opportunity to switch in, set up and sweep.

I would reccomend changing Aero back to Roserade as Toxic Spikes really are beneficial to special sweepers so they can beat blissey 1 on 1.

Heatran into a Specially Bulky SR variant
That said, you already have Scarf Gengar, so you could potentially change


Heatran @ Leftovers
Calm ; 244 Hp / 220 Spe / 44 SpD
Stealth Rock
Fire Blast
Earthpower
Roar


Heatran is an extremely underrated defensive beast with 91/106/106 defenses, and with this EV spread you get maximum special bulk, while hitting 245 speed outspeeding 36 Spe neutral base 100's (Celebi, Zapdos, Jirachi) 244 is also a lefties number, Roar lets you phase, and rack up SR damage to scout the opponents team, and potentially weaken any potential counters to Magnezone and Dragonite.


On Gengar, I would opt to change Focus Blast into HP Ice so you can revenge kill +1 Salamence without having to wait for LO recoil damage to get it into KO range.




Also, Please don't try that Dragonite set the above user reccomended, those are extremely random ev's and that is a terrible EV spread as he even wastes some. Superpower + DD is not reccomended , and Extreme Speed on a DD set is extremely redundant.

Stick with the standard EV spread, or go with a more specially bulky variant suitable for your team.

Dragon Dance
Dragon Claw
Earthquake
Roost


always on dragonite. If you're using 3 attacks, you're just using an inferior salamence.

Seems like good advice. I tried the Dragonite set, and I never used ExtremeSpeed, only used Superpower when Earthquake would have been better anyway, and and severely missed Roost.

Gengar with HP Ice will definitely help me with Salamence, and it makes Dragon Pulse dramatically less necessary, meaning that I can try out that bulky Heatran. The only thing I'm skeptical about is Roserade, as it seems like it would make Breloom a little redundant. I'm willing to try it out, though.

 

[les gets]

Hi, this is a cool team you have here. I have a few suggestions for you:

My first suggestion for your team is to change your bulky DD Dragonite to an offensive DD Salamence. I know you probably don't like hearing this but Salamence is a better DDer than Dragonite in every aspect except bulkiness which doesn't make much of a difference most of the time from my own experience. You could make a case with Extremespeed or Superpower...but you don't use either of those two attacks so that is irrelevant, lol. You could use a bulky DD Salamence, but I think the offensive DD Salamence is better simply because I think Magnezone would appreciate it more, with stuff being worn down more. DD Mence also attracts Bullet Punch more than your Dragonite which makes it easy for Magnezone to set up.

Another suggestion I have for you is to use a ShucaTran instead of your Choice Scarf Heatran. The reason I suggest this is because your Scarf Gengar already does a good job of revenging stuff. You can keep the same EVs and attacks, however I think you should change Dragon Pulse to something else such as a Hidden Power of some kind. If you don't think Breloom can handle it, Hidden Power Grass can come in handy for bulky ground and water-types that will get in Magnezone's way (swampert, hippowdon, etc).

If you opt for Stealth Rock on Heatran, you can change your Aerodactyl to an anti-lead. According to the Smog, Heatran pairs up well with both Machamp and Scarf Roserade. If you want to prevent Stealth Rock from being set up like Aerodactyl did, then Scarf Roserade accomplishes this; if you want to kill / dent as much stuff as possible early in the game, use Machamp.

I'm in a bit of a hurry so that's all I have for now, good luck with your team!

 

[monkeyscantcry]

Hi, this is a cool team you have here. I have a few suggestions for you:

My first suggestion for your team is to change your bulky DD Dragonite to an offensive DD Salamence. I know you probably don't like hearing this but Salamence is a better DDer than Dragonite in every aspect except bulkiness which doesn't make much of a difference most of the time from my own experience. You could make a case with Extremespeed or Superpower...but you don't use either of those two attacks so that is irrelevant, lol. You could use a bulky DD Salamence, but I think the offensive DD Salamence is better simply because I think Magnezone would appreciate it more, with stuff being worn down more. DD Mence also attracts Bullet Punch more than your Dragonite which makes it easy for Magnezone to set up.

Another suggestion I have for you is to use a ShucaTran instead of your Choice Scarf Heatran. The reason I suggest this is because your Scarf Gengar already does a good job of revenging stuff. You can keep the same EVs and attacks, however I think you should change Dragon Pulse to something else such as a Hidden Power of some kind. If you don't think Breloom can handle it, Hidden Power Grass can come in handy for bulky ground and water-types that will get in Magnezone's way (swampert, hippowdon, etc).

If you opt for Stealth Rock on Heatran, you can change your Aerodactyl to an anti-lead. According to the Smog, Heatran pairs up well with both Machamp and Scarf Roserade. If you want to prevent Stealth Rock from being set up like Aerodactyl did, then Scarf Roserade accomplishes this; if you want to kill / dent as much stuff as possible early in the game, use Machamp.

I'm in a bit of a hurry so that's all I have for now, good luck with your team!

Thanks for the suggestions! I put them in, and I've been liking Machamp a lot.

I edited the first post with team changes, but I'm still looking for more advice from anyone who wants to help!