So, this generation is the first time I tried to be competitive, after some time, and a few discarded choices, I've got a team I'm pretty happy with. There is one exception, but I'll mention that when I get to it. All pokemon are 5IVs, with only the missing one being Attack / Special attack, as appropriate. The sole exception is Goodra, who lacks Special Defense (Because it's already high to the point of comedy).
Galvantula
Traits
- Modest Nature, Compound Eyes
- Special Attack / Speed EVs
- Preferred Item: Zap Plate
Moveset
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Sticky Web
- Volt Switch
Explanation: My preferred lead. With high speed and special attack, it's STAB'ed and Zap Plate enhanced Thunder with a 91% hit rate is one HELL of a blast, allowing it to one-shot a fairly large variety of targets. The sticky web will be deployed if I think it can survive a hit, and if the enemy doesn't have too many fliers. Bug Buzz is there for more type coverage, but as a sound based move, it can also shoot around Substitutes. Volt Switch doesn't get that much use, as Galvantula tends to fight to the death, but sometimes, swapping into a wall is a good idea.
Speaking of which...
Cloyster
Traits
- Impish Nature, Skill Link
- HP / Attack EVs
- Preferred Item: Expert Belt
Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Razor Shell
- Shell Smash
Explanation: A physical wall with some very healthy attacks. Skill Link turns Icicle Spear and Rock Blast into 125 power attacks with no drawback (and Icicle Spear even gets STAB and 100% hit rate). When the enemy has a Talonflame, this guy comes out first. No resistance to Flying or Fire attacks, but the high defense ensures it'll survive the first hit. And Rock Blast guarantees there won't be a second one. Smart Talonflames will switch out, which is still a good deal on my part.
Shell Smash allows this guy to transition from a physical wall into a sweeper. With it's slightly below average speed, against many targets, Cloyster can Shell Smash after the enemies action, and then one-shot them before it's lowered defenses come into play. Expert Belt is chosen because Ice, Rock and Water have some pretty strong coverage, so it's not too hard to find a weakness. Even if I can't, STAB'ed and Skill Link Icicle Spear is still a hell of a thing.
Only real downside here is that it falls easily to special attacks. Low special defense, mediocre HP and a weakness to grass and electric isn't too nice. But hey, there's always...
Goodra
Traits
- Hardy Nature, Gooey
- HP / Defense EVs
- Preferred Item: Assault Vest
Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
Explanation: With Dragon type resistances and a MASSIVE special defense, along side strong HP, this is the closest you can get the having immunity to Grass, Electric, Fire and Water attacks all at once. Even it's weakness, Fairy and Ice, are primarily special attacks, and can only rake in relatively small amounts of damage. Defense EVs and Gooey mean that physical attackers aren't much better off. The only real counter here is physical dragon attacks, which are unfortunately not uncommon.
It's moveset is chosen for simple versatility. Type coverage, as well as a physical attack, means it can hit just about everything. Dragon Pulse is less there for type coverage, but just to serve as a strong attack against anything not weak to Ground, Fire or Electric.
With versatile offense and a defense that ranges from solid to incredible, Goodra is my most well rounded pokemon. But hey, sometimes being well rounded is for chumps, and you just want one stat to be as high as it can be...
Mawile
Traits
- Adamant Nature, Intimidate
- HP / Attack EVs
- Required Item: Mawilite
Moveset
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
Explanation: Mega Mawile is not just the pokemon with the highest attack in the game. It has the highest of either Attack OR Special Attack in the game. This thing has three mouths, the better to eat your soul with. Play Rough is a simple attack, but you don't need to do anything fancy when you have that much offense, just high accuracy and STAB. Sucker Punches use is obvious, little can survive a second hit from Mega Mawile, and this makes sure that second hit comes in before theirs. Just have to be careful, though, because the enemy will suspect it, and try to take advantage of it's downside to regain some tempo of their own.
Swords Dance speaks for itself, taking the highest attack in the game and doubling it. Brick Break offers some needed type coverage and allows Mawile to end Reflect. With Fairy / Steel typing providing some good resistances against a lot of types, and her Intimidate, she's also pretty safe to switch into, and fairly resilient for someone with as much power as she has.
For me, Mega Mawile was love at first site. Once I saw this hideous monstrosity in a Pokemon game, I knew I had to have it. But you still can't overcome your first love. Which in my case is my first pokemon. Which is the first pokemon in the whole pokedex...
Venusaur
Traits
- Timid Nature, Overgrow
- Special Attack / Speed EVs
- Preferred Item: Venusaurite
Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- Leech Seed
Explanation: My favorite pokemon in the whole team. And not just because of sentimental value, he's also the most successful pokemon in my team. Mega Venusaur has well rounded defenses, and is only weak to the relatively uncommon Flying and Psychic attack. Sleep Powder starts off almost any fight, and with Venusaurs maxed out speed, it allows him to race out most targets, even those with the kinds of attacks that can cause serious harm. Once the enemy is asleep, I can Sludge Bomb them for some strong damage, or Giga Drain to bring back the HP that was lost.
Leech Seed is also a key skill, which when combined with Sleep Powder, allows Mega Venusaur to take on even Steel enemies, who are immune to poison and resistant to grass. Plain simple outlasting and high regeneration makes this guy capable of presenting a clear and present danger to just about anyone. Of course, against grass types, he's reduced to Sludge Bombing, but that means the one type that can resist his Powder and Seeds are taking super-effective damage from a hardly ignorable attack (although, the common grass/poison pairing does often mean it's merely normally effective). Psychics and Flyers present a real danger, but without one of those types, or a properly setup sweeper, Venusaur is at least going down swinging.
===
Unfortunately, I can't get as enthusiastic about the sixth member of my party. In fact, that's largely why I made this topic. As happy as I am with the rest of my team, my sixth member just feels a bit lackluster. I don't hate her, but whereas all the others have a clearly defined purpose, she seems a bit shoved in. So I'll be dropping format here a bit.
My last team-member is Gardevoir, with Light Clay, Dual Shields, Moonblast and Focus Blast. I like Dual shields, and with solid speed, she's not too bad at it. However, the moves are there just because they feel like they should be there. Also, with Moonblast already being strong against Fighting types, Psychic / Psyshock only really bring anti-poison fire-power to the table (which, admittedly, is something Moonblast is resisted by). A Fighting type move seemed nice for type coverage, and my team has something of a shortage of fighting attacks.
So, besides advice for the rest of my team, I'm really looking for what to do with my final team member. Is there a way to spruce Gardevoir up, or should I just breed something else? I'll provide a list of my other fully bred pokemon, along side their intrinsic traits (Nature, IVs, Egg Moves, Ability) and maybe one of them can fill the hole. Again, all 5IV, missing IV is mentioned only when it's not Attack/Special Attack.
Gardevoir
- Modest
- Synchronize
Gogoat
- Adamant
- Sap Sipper
Greninja
- Quirky
- Protean
- Missing Defense IV
Vaporeon
- Modest
- Hydration
- Wish / Yawn Egg Moves
Glaceon
- Modest
- Ice Body
- Wish / Yawn Egg Moves
Ninetails
- Modest
- Drought
- No Vulpix specific moves kept
Garchomp
- Jolly
- Sand Veil
- Perfect IVs (he's a male, I've put him out to stud for my Monsters and Dragons :D)
Lastly, I can breed myself a Prankster Klefki without too much trouble. A friend left me a pair of Bold 5 IV male and female, with the 'wrong' IVs missing. I should be able to rustle up one soon. To be honest, this is looking like my best choice. A support pokemon is missing from my group, and either this or maybe a defensive and Wish using Vaporeon would fit the bill. Klefki would likely fill the role of more dedicated Dual-Screener.
So, there we go. I welcome criticism on my 5 favorite members, and suggestions for what to put in the sixth slot. It doesn't need to be any of the ones I listed above, I'd be happy to breed up something new. I'm just looking for something to really add to the party. A support-mon like Klefki isn't bad, but it really couldn't hurt to bring another high (special) attacker to the party with type coverage that Mawile and Galvantula can't provide. But while I know what kind of enemy party preview screens bring out what pokemon from my current 5, Gardevoire doesn't really have any defined purpose, and in the "Pick 3" metagame, it means she rarely gets picked.
Galvantula
Traits
- Modest Nature, Compound Eyes
- Special Attack / Speed EVs
- Preferred Item: Zap Plate
Moveset
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Sticky Web
- Volt Switch
Explanation: My preferred lead. With high speed and special attack, it's STAB'ed and Zap Plate enhanced Thunder with a 91% hit rate is one HELL of a blast, allowing it to one-shot a fairly large variety of targets. The sticky web will be deployed if I think it can survive a hit, and if the enemy doesn't have too many fliers. Bug Buzz is there for more type coverage, but as a sound based move, it can also shoot around Substitutes. Volt Switch doesn't get that much use, as Galvantula tends to fight to the death, but sometimes, swapping into a wall is a good idea.
Speaking of which...
Cloyster
Traits
- Impish Nature, Skill Link
- HP / Attack EVs
- Preferred Item: Expert Belt
Moveset
- Icicle Spear
- Rock Blast
- Razor Shell
- Shell Smash
Explanation: A physical wall with some very healthy attacks. Skill Link turns Icicle Spear and Rock Blast into 125 power attacks with no drawback (and Icicle Spear even gets STAB and 100% hit rate). When the enemy has a Talonflame, this guy comes out first. No resistance to Flying or Fire attacks, but the high defense ensures it'll survive the first hit. And Rock Blast guarantees there won't be a second one. Smart Talonflames will switch out, which is still a good deal on my part.
Shell Smash allows this guy to transition from a physical wall into a sweeper. With it's slightly below average speed, against many targets, Cloyster can Shell Smash after the enemies action, and then one-shot them before it's lowered defenses come into play. Expert Belt is chosen because Ice, Rock and Water have some pretty strong coverage, so it's not too hard to find a weakness. Even if I can't, STAB'ed and Skill Link Icicle Spear is still a hell of a thing.
Only real downside here is that it falls easily to special attacks. Low special defense, mediocre HP and a weakness to grass and electric isn't too nice. But hey, there's always...
Goodra
Traits
- Hardy Nature, Gooey
- HP / Defense EVs
- Preferred Item: Assault Vest
Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
Explanation: With Dragon type resistances and a MASSIVE special defense, along side strong HP, this is the closest you can get the having immunity to Grass, Electric, Fire and Water attacks all at once. Even it's weakness, Fairy and Ice, are primarily special attacks, and can only rake in relatively small amounts of damage. Defense EVs and Gooey mean that physical attackers aren't much better off. The only real counter here is physical dragon attacks, which are unfortunately not uncommon.
It's moveset is chosen for simple versatility. Type coverage, as well as a physical attack, means it can hit just about everything. Dragon Pulse is less there for type coverage, but just to serve as a strong attack against anything not weak to Ground, Fire or Electric.
With versatile offense and a defense that ranges from solid to incredible, Goodra is my most well rounded pokemon. But hey, sometimes being well rounded is for chumps, and you just want one stat to be as high as it can be...
Mawile
Traits
- Adamant Nature, Intimidate
- HP / Attack EVs
- Required Item: Mawilite
Moveset
- Play Rough
- Sucker Punch
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
Explanation: Mega Mawile is not just the pokemon with the highest attack in the game. It has the highest of either Attack OR Special Attack in the game. This thing has three mouths, the better to eat your soul with. Play Rough is a simple attack, but you don't need to do anything fancy when you have that much offense, just high accuracy and STAB. Sucker Punches use is obvious, little can survive a second hit from Mega Mawile, and this makes sure that second hit comes in before theirs. Just have to be careful, though, because the enemy will suspect it, and try to take advantage of it's downside to regain some tempo of their own.
Swords Dance speaks for itself, taking the highest attack in the game and doubling it. Brick Break offers some needed type coverage and allows Mawile to end Reflect. With Fairy / Steel typing providing some good resistances against a lot of types, and her Intimidate, she's also pretty safe to switch into, and fairly resilient for someone with as much power as she has.
For me, Mega Mawile was love at first site. Once I saw this hideous monstrosity in a Pokemon game, I knew I had to have it. But you still can't overcome your first love. Which in my case is my first pokemon. Which is the first pokemon in the whole pokedex...
Venusaur
Traits
- Timid Nature, Overgrow
- Special Attack / Speed EVs
- Preferred Item: Venusaurite
Moveset
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- Leech Seed
Explanation: My favorite pokemon in the whole team. And not just because of sentimental value, he's also the most successful pokemon in my team. Mega Venusaur has well rounded defenses, and is only weak to the relatively uncommon Flying and Psychic attack. Sleep Powder starts off almost any fight, and with Venusaurs maxed out speed, it allows him to race out most targets, even those with the kinds of attacks that can cause serious harm. Once the enemy is asleep, I can Sludge Bomb them for some strong damage, or Giga Drain to bring back the HP that was lost.
Leech Seed is also a key skill, which when combined with Sleep Powder, allows Mega Venusaur to take on even Steel enemies, who are immune to poison and resistant to grass. Plain simple outlasting and high regeneration makes this guy capable of presenting a clear and present danger to just about anyone. Of course, against grass types, he's reduced to Sludge Bombing, but that means the one type that can resist his Powder and Seeds are taking super-effective damage from a hardly ignorable attack (although, the common grass/poison pairing does often mean it's merely normally effective). Psychics and Flyers present a real danger, but without one of those types, or a properly setup sweeper, Venusaur is at least going down swinging.
===
Unfortunately, I can't get as enthusiastic about the sixth member of my party. In fact, that's largely why I made this topic. As happy as I am with the rest of my team, my sixth member just feels a bit lackluster. I don't hate her, but whereas all the others have a clearly defined purpose, she seems a bit shoved in. So I'll be dropping format here a bit.
My last team-member is Gardevoir, with Light Clay, Dual Shields, Moonblast and Focus Blast. I like Dual shields, and with solid speed, she's not too bad at it. However, the moves are there just because they feel like they should be there. Also, with Moonblast already being strong against Fighting types, Psychic / Psyshock only really bring anti-poison fire-power to the table (which, admittedly, is something Moonblast is resisted by). A Fighting type move seemed nice for type coverage, and my team has something of a shortage of fighting attacks.
So, besides advice for the rest of my team, I'm really looking for what to do with my final team member. Is there a way to spruce Gardevoir up, or should I just breed something else? I'll provide a list of my other fully bred pokemon, along side their intrinsic traits (Nature, IVs, Egg Moves, Ability) and maybe one of them can fill the hole. Again, all 5IV, missing IV is mentioned only when it's not Attack/Special Attack.
Gardevoir
- Modest
- Synchronize
Gogoat
- Adamant
- Sap Sipper
Greninja
- Quirky
- Protean
- Missing Defense IV
Vaporeon
- Modest
- Hydration
- Wish / Yawn Egg Moves
Glaceon
- Modest
- Ice Body
- Wish / Yawn Egg Moves
Ninetails
- Modest
- Drought
- No Vulpix specific moves kept
Garchomp
- Jolly
- Sand Veil
- Perfect IVs (he's a male, I've put him out to stud for my Monsters and Dragons :D)
Lastly, I can breed myself a Prankster Klefki without too much trouble. A friend left me a pair of Bold 5 IV male and female, with the 'wrong' IVs missing. I should be able to rustle up one soon. To be honest, this is looking like my best choice. A support pokemon is missing from my group, and either this or maybe a defensive and Wish using Vaporeon would fit the bill. Klefki would likely fill the role of more dedicated Dual-Screener.
So, there we go. I welcome criticism on my 5 favorite members, and suggestions for what to put in the sixth slot. It doesn't need to be any of the ones I listed above, I'd be happy to breed up something new. I'm just looking for something to really add to the party. A support-mon like Klefki isn't bad, but it really couldn't hurt to bring another high (special) attacker to the party with type coverage that Mawile and Galvantula can't provide. But while I know what kind of enemy party preview screens bring out what pokemon from my current 5, Gardevoire doesn't really have any defined purpose, and in the "Pick 3" metagame, it means she rarely gets picked.
