Greeting all. My name is Accipender, and I’ve been competitively battling since the days of DP, but had about a year-long hiatus until the recent release of HG/SS reignited my interest in Pokemon. This is a team that I’ve been using since I’ve restarted, and it’s been pretty good, but I feel it could be better. It’s based on Protoss units (StarCraft) because I am a fan of the franchise and wanted to have a themed team. So, without further ado, rate away and thanks in advance!
TEAM AT A GLANCE:
ANTI-LEAD
Zealot (Gallade) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 56 HP/252 Atk/200 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Shadow Sneak
This guy is probably my favorite lead I’ve ever used, able to pretty reliably counter every lead save Jirachi and Rosearade. This nets me at least a one Pokemon advantage and scouting their next Pokemon so I can more easily counter.
Anti-Lead in action:
Azelf – SS is a 2HKO, and, seeing as he usually SRs first turn, he never deals damage. Gallade is at 80% HP and I’m up one Pokemon.
Swampert – SD first turn while they SQ/EQ. Proceed to Leaf Blade and OHKO. Up one Pokemon and only at 90% HP
Metagross – since many carry Trick, I usually play it safe and CC, which is a 2HKO.
Aerodactly – SD while it lays rock. CC while it EQs me (~50% damage to me, 99% to him because of sash). SS for the kill.
Jirachi – one of the two leads that gives me trouble. I CC and pray that he doesn’t hax me to death.
Infernape – In theory, he should pose a threat, but in practice, I SD and CC and SS and have never died.
Rosearade – Other lead that gives me trouble. Like Jirachi, I go straight for the throat and CC, but Rosearade is faster and may mess me up with Shadow Ball or Sleep Powder.
Tyranitar – I laugh in his face with my 4x STABbed CC.
Ninjask – SD while he’s protecting, slip in a SS if I feel that I can get it through.
Gliscor – SD while he lays rocks. Leaf Blade while he attacks me (usually EQ and not a OHKO) and then SS for the kill.
Why he’s a Zealot: Gallade is a Zealot in every way. Both are psyonic warriors, heck, they both look similar with the sword-arm. Also, Gallade is my lead, and fits in with the early game use of zealots.
SCOUT/SUBPASSER
High Templar (Jolteon) (M) @ Leftovers.
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
Jolteon is the support Pokemon on my team. He’s /usually/ the second out, so that I can scout effectively. He subs to scout moves or switches and can baton pass subs to others, usually Gyarados or Infernape to set up. But even without the support role, Jolteon is surprisingly useful. Many underestimate him, and lose a Pokemon or two in the process. Attacking option of Bolt/Beam because of the awesome type coverage and STAB.
Why he’s a High Templar: As any SC player will tell you, the best use of HTs is their Psi Storm ability, which basically creates a thunderstorm on the ground. Thus, the electric mouse was a good fit. Also, Jolteon’s physical attack is abysmal, which is an apt parallel to HT’s complete lack of a physical attack.
DRAGON DANCER/PHYSICAL SWEEPER
Carrier (Gyarados) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
My Main setup beast on the team, Gyarados works wonders with his synergy with Jolteon. Jolteon will pass him a sub while they switch or hit Gyara with an EQ. Gyarados proceeds to DD while they switch/break the sub and then hammer with his three attacking options (Waterfall for STAB and flinch hax, SE for fliers, especially fellow Gyaras, and Rotoms, EQ for opposing waters and steels). Then, when they pull out an electric type, a switch back to Jolteon to refill his HP, and I’m back where I started. One of the main things that I think could be improved is Gyara’s attacks: is EQ/SE/Waterfall the best three move combo?
Why he’s a carrier: Gyarados might as well be a flying cannon with his stats and DD. Much like carriers, they are feared for their ability to cause lots of damage before they’re brought down.
SPECIAL TANK
Archon (Latias) (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Trick
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
Latias is my special tank. Having two fast special sweepers, I elected Specs over Scarf, but wanted the added power of Specs over Life Orb. Now, the moves. First of all, the STAB: Draco Meteor and CSpecs go togther like bread and butter; its usually not a good idea to stay in too terribly long with a slow sweeper, so might as well get more bang for your buck during the brief stay on the field. Trick is to stop walls dead in their tracks by throwing them a choice item, which is somewhat unexpected mid-game. TBolt is for hitting waters and fliers and most steels. Surf is to hit fires and grounds. Like Gyarados, I especially would like to see suggestions for movepool changes here.
Why he’s a Archon: Huge Psionic warrior relying on spells instead of swords sounds just like Latias. Additionally, I usually save Latias for mid-late game against walls, thus paralleling Archons’ lategame arrival.
MIXED SWEEPER
Dragoon (Infernape) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk/192 Spd/64 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Overheat
My mixed sweeper. CC for good STAB, SD for pumping up attacks on switches and against walls, SE for hitting fliers, who resist my CCs, and Overheat to hit physical walls, especially steels and celebis/shaymins. Again, if the movepool could be bettered, please suggest!
Why he’s a dragoon: You just can’t have a proper Protoss team without the quintessential Dragoon, and Infernape just didn’t perfectly match a unit, so he got stuck with Dragoon.
REVENGE KILLER
Dark Templar (Gengar) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice] TESTING: Icy Wing
- Focus Blast
---
My revenge killer! Usually I go with the STAB Shadow Ball, as there is only one immunity and one resistance (Normal and Steel respectively), and, with STAB factored in, is basically a more accurate Focus Blast (120 BP, chance to lower SDef). Tbolt is to kill DD Gyaras (He outspeeds +1 Speed Adamant Gyaras) and other less notable fliers. HP Ice is to revenge kill dragons and fliers that resist TBolt (s/a Gliscor). Focus Blast is kind of an afterthought that I only use in a pinch (against normals), so I’d be up for changing that.
Why he's a Dark Templar: He's a fast moving, shadowy, powerful but fragile, attacker, and one for whom any competent opponent should be prepared. Wait, was I talking about Gengar or Dark Templars? Exactly.
Thanks in advance for any rates!
~Accipender
TEAM AT A GLANCE:
ANTI-LEAD
Zealot (Gallade) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 56 HP/252 Atk/200 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Shadow Sneak
This guy is probably my favorite lead I’ve ever used, able to pretty reliably counter every lead save Jirachi and Rosearade. This nets me at least a one Pokemon advantage and scouting their next Pokemon so I can more easily counter.
Anti-Lead in action:
Azelf – SS is a 2HKO, and, seeing as he usually SRs first turn, he never deals damage. Gallade is at 80% HP and I’m up one Pokemon.
Swampert – SD first turn while they SQ/EQ. Proceed to Leaf Blade and OHKO. Up one Pokemon and only at 90% HP
Metagross – since many carry Trick, I usually play it safe and CC, which is a 2HKO.
Aerodactly – SD while it lays rock. CC while it EQs me (~50% damage to me, 99% to him because of sash). SS for the kill.
Jirachi – one of the two leads that gives me trouble. I CC and pray that he doesn’t hax me to death.
Infernape – In theory, he should pose a threat, but in practice, I SD and CC and SS and have never died.
Rosearade – Other lead that gives me trouble. Like Jirachi, I go straight for the throat and CC, but Rosearade is faster and may mess me up with Shadow Ball or Sleep Powder.
Tyranitar – I laugh in his face with my 4x STABbed CC.
Ninjask – SD while he’s protecting, slip in a SS if I feel that I can get it through.
Gliscor – SD while he lays rocks. Leaf Blade while he attacks me (usually EQ and not a OHKO) and then SS for the kill.
Why he’s a Zealot: Gallade is a Zealot in every way. Both are psyonic warriors, heck, they both look similar with the sword-arm. Also, Gallade is my lead, and fits in with the early game use of zealots.
SCOUT/SUBPASSER
High Templar (Jolteon) (M) @ Leftovers.
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
Jolteon is the support Pokemon on my team. He’s /usually/ the second out, so that I can scout effectively. He subs to scout moves or switches and can baton pass subs to others, usually Gyarados or Infernape to set up. But even without the support role, Jolteon is surprisingly useful. Many underestimate him, and lose a Pokemon or two in the process. Attacking option of Bolt/Beam because of the awesome type coverage and STAB.
Why he’s a High Templar: As any SC player will tell you, the best use of HTs is their Psi Storm ability, which basically creates a thunderstorm on the ground. Thus, the electric mouse was a good fit. Also, Jolteon’s physical attack is abysmal, which is an apt parallel to HT’s complete lack of a physical attack.
DRAGON DANCER/PHYSICAL SWEEPER
Carrier (Gyarados) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
My Main setup beast on the team, Gyarados works wonders with his synergy with Jolteon. Jolteon will pass him a sub while they switch or hit Gyara with an EQ. Gyarados proceeds to DD while they switch/break the sub and then hammer with his three attacking options (Waterfall for STAB and flinch hax, SE for fliers, especially fellow Gyaras, and Rotoms, EQ for opposing waters and steels). Then, when they pull out an electric type, a switch back to Jolteon to refill his HP, and I’m back where I started. One of the main things that I think could be improved is Gyara’s attacks: is EQ/SE/Waterfall the best three move combo?
Why he’s a carrier: Gyarados might as well be a flying cannon with his stats and DD. Much like carriers, they are feared for their ability to cause lots of damage before they’re brought down.
SPECIAL TANK
Archon (Latias) (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Trick
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
Latias is my special tank. Having two fast special sweepers, I elected Specs over Scarf, but wanted the added power of Specs over Life Orb. Now, the moves. First of all, the STAB: Draco Meteor and CSpecs go togther like bread and butter; its usually not a good idea to stay in too terribly long with a slow sweeper, so might as well get more bang for your buck during the brief stay on the field. Trick is to stop walls dead in their tracks by throwing them a choice item, which is somewhat unexpected mid-game. TBolt is for hitting waters and fliers and most steels. Surf is to hit fires and grounds. Like Gyarados, I especially would like to see suggestions for movepool changes here.
Why he’s a Archon: Huge Psionic warrior relying on spells instead of swords sounds just like Latias. Additionally, I usually save Latias for mid-late game against walls, thus paralleling Archons’ lategame arrival.
MIXED SWEEPER
Dragoon (Infernape) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk/192 Spd/64 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Overheat
My mixed sweeper. CC for good STAB, SD for pumping up attacks on switches and against walls, SE for hitting fliers, who resist my CCs, and Overheat to hit physical walls, especially steels and celebis/shaymins. Again, if the movepool could be bettered, please suggest!
Why he’s a dragoon: You just can’t have a proper Protoss team without the quintessential Dragoon, and Infernape just didn’t perfectly match a unit, so he got stuck with Dragoon.
REVENGE KILLER
Dark Templar (Gengar) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice] TESTING: Icy Wing
- Focus Blast
---
My revenge killer! Usually I go with the STAB Shadow Ball, as there is only one immunity and one resistance (Normal and Steel respectively), and, with STAB factored in, is basically a more accurate Focus Blast (120 BP, chance to lower SDef). Tbolt is to kill DD Gyaras (He outspeeds +1 Speed Adamant Gyaras) and other less notable fliers. HP Ice is to revenge kill dragons and fliers that resist TBolt (s/a Gliscor). Focus Blast is kind of an afterthought that I only use in a pinch (against normals), so I’d be up for changing that.
Why he's a Dark Templar: He's a fast moving, shadowy, powerful but fragile, attacker, and one for whom any competent opponent should be prepared. Wait, was I talking about Gengar or Dark Templars? Exactly.
Thanks in advance for any rates!
~Accipender
