My First X/Y Team, Looking for Help

[LtDan]

Hi there! Thanks for taking the time to take a look at my team. I've been a long-time lurker. I've been playtesting this team for awhile now and I really do enjoy it, but I'm hitting a few walls and could use some CC/feedback on how I can play even better. Without further ado, team preview!

Charizard @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Atk
Mild Nature
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Earthquake
- Flame Charge

Mega Charizard Y is a phenomenal wallbreaker. I try to bring him in on something non-threatening and Flame Charge on the switch-in, giving Charizard the speed he needs to break through common switch ins. Fire Blast in the sun is just scary coming off of 154 Sp. Attack, Solar Beam is for coverage to common switch-ins (Hello Azumarill), and Earthquake is great for hitting things that would otherwise wall Charizard Y for good damage, namely Tentacruel. I really like Charizard Y's utility, so I'd rather not get rid of the guy.

Houndoom @ Life Orb
Ability: Early Bird
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 Atk
Hasty Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Sucker Punch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Fire Blast

Houndoom. What can I say about this dark dog other than people do not expect it to do the things it does. I generally use Houndoom as my lead Pokemon because it does a phenomenal job at countering common hazard leads such as Galvantula or Smeargle. Dark Pulse will OHKO Cloyster and do ~60-70% on Gorebyss, getting rid of annoying Shell Smash leads that try to rip through my team early. Of my entire team, Houndoom is the one I am least negotiable on, but I will make changes if it turns out to be the only weak link.

Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 184 Def / 252 HP / 72 Spd
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Toxic

Toxic Orb Gliscor is a tank. I run Roost over Protect for the simple fact that with Roost, I can stall out threats such as Azumarill while Toxic wears it down for the KO. Knock Off does wonders, and if I bring Gliscor out on a predicted switch I can get rid of a useful Life Orb or Leftovers early. Earthquake is mostly for coverage.

Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Psyshock
- Surf
- Calm Mind

Latios was my favorite Pokemon in Gen III. I loved his design, his stats, everything. He was my first RNG roamer that I managed to catch, and so the blue Eon Pokemon has a lot of significance for me. I love the damage that Latios manages to pull off, but I feel like I'm missing something for it. I've considered running HP Fire over Calm Mind, but between Charizard and Houndoom I usually find I have enough fire coverage. I'd like to keep Latios on the team if I can, but it's probably currently one of the weaker links.

Gardevoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Moonblast
- Will-O-Wisp

Gardevoir functions as my special wall for the team. This elegant creature will use and abuse the opponent if they're not careful. Wish/Protect is nice for self healing, but Gardevoir also can heal up a teammate if it needs to. Charizard really appreciates the heal if Rocks are up and Tentacruel hasn't managed to get rid of them yet. Trace is Trace, and it's really useful for coming in on Intimidate users and forcing the switch. Will-O-Wisp for residual damage and/or neutering Physical sweepers, but she definitely doesn't want to stay in on anything that damages from the physical side.

Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 240 Def / 252 HP / 16 Spd
Bold Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Sludge Bomb
- Haze

Tentacruel is my spinner, and quite honestly I feel to be the weakest link for this team. Scald/Sludge Bomb so that the jellyfish doesn't become Taunt bait, and Haze can neuter set-up sweepers like Dragonite or Gyarados.



-- Other notes
I know this team has a glaring Ice weakness. I'm looking to patch that up.
I have problems with Mega Mawile and to a lesser extent, Talonflame.
I currently lack hazards. Looking to change this, if possible

Thanks for the help! I do appreciate it :)

 

[LtDan]

Posted this at weird off-hours, and it got burried. So, bump.

 

[firestarwarrior]

umm, maybe you want to have psyshock instead of will o wisp on gardevoir so she has coverage against posion types and not just be support.
Also, no protect or sub on Gliscor? WHHAAT?
Umm, houndoom can't exactly counter smeargle, dat focus sash.... You might want to get rid of him, he isn't that great as a lead counter. Maybe put a zapdos for counters to Cloyster and Gorebess(Thunderbolt) and also Galavantua(Heat Wave).
Hope I helped on improving your team, and unburying your thread!

 

[Oranos]

If you insist on using houndoom (I get it, he's a frigging hell hound), I would massively suggest using mega houndoom and turning charizard into a ninetails. This will allow you to get the most from your houndoom; I just can't see non - mega houndoom as being a really serious option (although you do have good coverage on his weaknesses. Since you mentioned you were in the market for a tentacruel replacement, might I suggest the ever useful rotom-wash? This will also allow you to have an effective starter besides houndoom (who, if you use mega houndoom, shouldn't be out until the sun is bright anyway). Rotom also solves your talonflame problem, plus Rapid spin is blocked by a large number of pokemon in the current ou meta, and is pretty predictable on tentacruel. I would suggest using Defog on latios instead, especially since you don't have any entry hazards yourself.

If you really must keep both charizard and houndoom then at least consider bringing in rotom. I also feel like zard/doom would really appreciate dual screens, since they are not particularly bulky. You can run a dual screen gardevoir set with moon blast and wish as the last 2 moves, losing wisp socks but protect isn't such a big deal, I've used dual screens gardevoir to great effect this gen. Anyhow hope some of this helps, I'm pretty new to posting suggestions (long time competitive battler though :D )