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My First Team - PU

Hello world! I've recently started to play PU and have had great success in doing so – I've gone 21-2 and found myself at #5 on the ladder. Having said that, I still feel like this team needs improvements. Any questions, comments, or criticism you might have is appreciated; don't shy from being harsh!

The Team

Hypno.png


Mr. Wood (Hypno) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Insomnia
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 Def
Calm Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss

My special wall, who has saved me many a game. Hypno has immense bulk for PU and insomnia can sponge incoming sleep powders. The glue to my team, Hypno can toxic stall special attackers and provide key wish pass support. Even super effective special hits are taken well by Hypno, rarely causing more than 50% damage. Seismic Toss helps ensure I break any substitues and provides ensured damage. Couldn't be happier with this Pokémon.

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Pumpkins (Lairon) (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Rock Head
EVs: 56 Atk / 252 HP / 200 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Roar

Lairon is a premiere physical wall in PU. With his ridiculous base 140 defense + the Eviolite, Lairon completely absorbs anymove that isn't Fighting or Ground. Even then, weaker moves like Drain Punch rarely do more than 40% and that is a 4x super effective move. Stealth rocks are obligatory and Head Smash deals major damage. Earthquake helps with coverage but I'm considering using Superpower instead. Roar is unexpected and prevents threats like Fraxure, Throh, and Simipour from setting up.

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Sun-Dried (Vileplume) (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Sunny Day
- Sleep Powder
- SolarBeam
- Sludge Bomb

Vileplume proves to be an extremely viable sunny day sweeper in PU. With her 100 base special attack stat, Life Orb boosted SolarBeam dents even the bulkiest of special walls. When a counter like Muk or Golbat comes in, Sleep Powder nullifies the threat. Sludge Bomb takes out the bulkier grass types of PU, such as Leafeon, and Meganium. 'Plume is pretty easily walled however by steel types which are fairly common in the meta game. I realize this particular set has its flaws and doesn't utilize Vile's defensive capabilities, but for now, it has been working.

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Pierce (Fraxure) (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Mold Breaker
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Low Kick

Other than Rampardos, Fraxure is the most threating physical attacker in PU, and one of the few dragons. My Sub/Dragon Dance set works wonders in the meta game. When opposing walls enter, with the intent of putting a status on my Fraxure, I sub-up and proceed to Dragon Dance to my content. Low Kick provides surprisingly good coverage, as the only hard counters to a boosted Outrage are steel types. Few 'mons can switch in to the dragon without fear of a 2HKO. With the Eviolite, Fraxure is surprisingly bulky, being able to survive un-STAB ice moves with ease. An integral part of my team, this Pokémon has transformed my team from sub-par to above average.

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Chuck's Mom (Rotom-Frost) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Trick

The standard scarf Rotom-Frost set –– a staple of PU. You might notice a lack of Blizzard: that's because the inaccurcy of the move combined with my luck result in utter dissapointment when it continues to miss. I find that STAB Hidden Power Ice works just as well, without the let down of a miss. Rotom-F is also excellent lead with the ability to cripple walls with Trick. It seems that every member of the Rotom family is viable in one tier or another, and it is Rotom-Frost that is an all-around awesome Pokémon in PU.

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Carvanha (Basculin-Blue-Striped) (F) @ Choice Band
Trait: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Double-Edge
- Superpower
- Waterfall

My ace-in-the-hole. Basculin is extremely powerful in the current meta game. Grass types that want to switch in experience big damage from Choice Banded, STAB, Adaptability boosted Waterfall. Superpower takes care of steel types, while Double-Edge straight up deals damage. Aqua Jet has won me many a game, and Basculin's base 92 attack stat make it one of the most powerful priorities moves in all of the tier.



:nerd: :nerd: :nerd: :nerd: :nerd:



While I've very good luck playing with this team, I recognize that it has flaws. Stealth Rocks do a hefty toll to my team, and I've seriously contemplated the addition of a spinner. Many games, I find Vileplume to be ineffective and the first to become death fodder. When statused, Basculin is next to useless. I am pressured into not making double switches because of the residual damage due to rocks and other hazards. Plain and simple, this team could use work. So please, hate on it!
 
Hihi, this is actually the first PU team ever in the RMT section since May, so good job on that! This is also my first ever PU rate, so let's get started!

Lairon may want a 252 HP / 252 Atk EV Spread to hit harder. The bulk isn't too necessary as Lairon can already take hits even without defensive investment, and the Attack EVs can help out more in the long run.

I also think Superpower > Low Kick on Fraxure is a better alternative, as Low Kick has little to no benefits in the tier due to the lack of heavy Steel types, and Superpower has a fixed 120 Base Power the first time you use it, so it is much more reliable than Low Kick.

Lastly, Rotom should be running a Timid Nature to outspeed opposing Choice Scarf Rotom and Scarf Golduck, who are threats to your team once Hypno and Vileplume get slightly weakened.

Well, good luck and I hope my suggestions helped you out! :toast:
 
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