My OU team, with some special mindgames (?)

[just4poke]

My team

Lead:

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP/216 Def/52 S. Atk.
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spe)
- Earthquake
- Hydro Pump
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Beam

Just your standard mixpert. It's bulky enough to at least get out stealth rocks (usually). Nothing much left to say really. It's ground typing is an electric counter (along with Rotom), really benefiting Gyarados. It can do some okay damage to the opponent, so he or she will have to be cautious. I also used hydro pump over surf for a larger impact.

Bronzong @ Macho Brace
Ability: Heatproof
EVs: 252 HP/86 Atk/80 Def/92 S. Def
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spe)
- Explosion
- Gyro Ball
- Trick
- Hypnosis

This guy would probably bring up a lot of questions. First, why heatproof over levitate? Well, most other people would use levitate, causing my oponent to assume that this baby have the mentioned ability as well. Thus, they use a fire move, hoping to 1HKO or at least 2HKO this bronze bell. However, they do not know that I have heatproof, causing them to not get their expected result. Of course, any smart person would know from then on that EQ would hit me, in which case I am ****ed. However, not so fast! I have 2 people immune to ground moves (Rotom S and Gyarados). I think I have prepared it well enough to use heatproof. Also, don't worry about switching in on EQs because most likely, I won't be switching in on an attack with this guy. He's mostly for "revenging" fast sweepers (although without killing it). Hopefully, he'll be able to survive an attack from them (another reason to use heatproof, so that if they use flame thrower or some other fire move *cough heatran* I can survive it). I trick them with Macho Brace, slowing them down, and crippling their sweeping ability.
Also, another question would be, where's the EQ on this guy? Well, he's not built for attacking. He's built for tricking and taking hits. I really like the Hypnosis because it either forces them to switch, or expecting to wake up soon enough (since Bronzong isn't the best damage threat). If they go with the latter, I can switch in with Lucario or Gyarados and most likely get a free turn to set up.

Note* I'm thinking of getting rid of its EVs in attack and just splitting it between the defenses. Any comment on this?

Porygon Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Download
EVs: 4 HP/252 S. Atk/252 Spe
Modest Nature (+S. Atk, -Atk)
- Tri Attack
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Fighting)

My revenge killing, graphical duck. The Choice Scarf gives it a whopping 417 speed, making it outrun a lot of stuff. Also, download is preferable since I'll be switching in after the enemy has unfortunately killed its teammate, so hopefully I can get a S. Atk boost. If I had adaptability, it would only help with one move, and since I am choice scarfed, if I use my other moves, it would not help at all until I switch out. He's has a straightforward position, but a more difficult one at that since I have to predict with him many times.

Rotom S @ Leftovers (couldn't find the picture for it :[ )
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/40 S. Atk/216 Spe.
Modest Nature (+S. Atk, -Atk)
- Discharge
- Confuse Ray
- Shadow Ball
- Air Slash

A pseudo parafusion ghost. The confuse ray obviously contributes towards the "fusion" part, while the Discharge provides a respectable 30% paralysis rate (thus, pseudo "para"), without completely getting rid of the offensive part. He also acts as an anti-rapid spinner, although I'm not necessarily using him for that (main role is annoying people). If I get both paraylisis and confusion part, then I believe I read that the enemy has a 3/8th chance of attacking me. Factor that in with Air Slash (30% flinch rate) and Shadow Ball's 20% chance of lowering S. Def, you've got some one damn good ghost and annoyer. Coupled with that, it also has levitate, making it able to freely switch in if I can expect a EQ or Earth Power (by heatran most likely) while I have my Lucario out (and maybe Bronzong, if they figured out I don't have levitate). Its weakness would be dark (covered by Lucario) and other ghosts (this won't hit Porygon z, although I would prefer not to show him till I need a revenge kill).

Note* I am thinking of having Dark Pulse instead of hidden power fighting on Porygon Z because of the fact that it would then completely counter ghosts, who serve a problem for Rotom, especially if they're faster than me (i.e. Gengar). Any suggestions on this?

Lucario @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -S. Atk)
- Swords Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Close Combat
- edit* Crunch

A straight forward set-up sweeper. The Hypnosis with Bronzong can couple nicely with this set, hopefully giving me a turn to set up with Swords Dance. The moves are pretty much self explanatory, with Close Combat being my staple move. I was actually thinking of putting Blaze Kick over Stone Edge since I am lacking a fire move on the entire team (can pose trouble with scizor and Forretress). NEED SUGGESTIONS ON THE CHOICE.

Edit* Due to many suggestions, I have decided to put Crunch on this Lucario.

Gyarados @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -S. Atk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Earthquake

Again, a very straightfoward Dragon Dancing gyarados. It's electric weakness is covered by Swampert (immune) and Rotom S (resistant). It also serves as a person who counters many EQ or Earth Power users (Hippodown, Heatran, Offensive Salamence etc.). Nothing else to explain really


Problems within my own team:
I have 2 Life Orb holders without recovery. This may seem unfavorable, but I don't want to give up their offensive capabilites either. However, seeing as how they both require setting up attacks too, I guess that Life Orb on both is not compleretly necessary. I need suggestions on this.

My lack of fire moves. Unless I replace stone edge with Blaze Kick on Lucario, I'll have NO fire moves whatsoever. This may pose a problem. I need help with this too. Scizors and Forretress can cause problems, although a swords danced Lucario can take care of them not too badly, assuming they're under hypnosis.

Defensive counters against my team:
Swamper: I have no good way of getting rid of him. I do not have any grass moves, and he is very bulky... I need help with this guy. He can ruin my team, especially if he's rest talker. Only possible way to counter against him would be to confuse him (since Rotom S is immune to one of his attack), but I can't paralyze him due to his ground typing (something that I take advantage of too =P). HELP

Snorlax: A rest talking one with crunch (although not that common) is deadly to me. ESPECIALLY, when it's paired up with a wish passing jirachi. If the opponent kills my Lucario before he or she sends out this guy, I am totally ****ed. HELP
Offensive Counters:
Swords Dancing Lucario: He can kill my own Lucario, as well as kill Porygon Z (if I am being dumb, and he predicts correctly). However, for the most part, he shouldnt be too bad since Porygon Z should be faster (hit him with hidden power fighting, good bye you blue dog!).

Please point out anything else I'm missing. I really think this team has potential, but I want others' opinions.



edit* I have a question. How about adding

Gengar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 S. Atk/252 Spe
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
- Trick
- Hypnosis
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball/Thunderbolt

This guy would replace my Bronzong. Yes, he is completely opposite in that he cannot be played defensively. However, with this build, he'll have over 515 speed with good IVs, outrunning A LOT of stuff. This would help him be a fast as hell sleep inducer (assuming it hits), hopefully bringing an end to many sweepers (like some people mentioned, nasty plot infernape, agility Empoleon, opposing gengars etc). Also, the trick can ruin many stallers. I have a dillema between Thunderbolt and Shadowball. Although fighting and ghost type moves put together are not resisted by anyone, thunderbolt is still a good move. I need help on the choice. Also, in general, would you say that the two would be a good trade off, or should I take out porygon for this guy? The major flaw I see with that is I would be very vulnerable to ghost and dark attacks (barring Lucario).
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[ghost]

On Lucario:

Drop Stone Edge and put on Crunch. You don't have too many ways to handle, Rootom, a major Lucario counter. Most of the thinks you hit with Blaze Kick are already hit hard enough by Close Combat.

 

[Kachalski]

Possible Problem Pokemon:

Infernape
Empoleon
Lucario

How to Solve this:

First my I say very nice team. Now lets get down to it. I'll start from the top. Nasty Plot Mixape, after Gyarados goes down, will give your team incredible grieth. After a Nasty Plot, the combination of Grass Knot, Close Combat, and Flamethrower/Fire Blast will completly take out your team. Your only chance may be a lucky Tri-Attack, but if Infernape packs Focus Sash, then there is literally no way to stop him. I would suggest running ScarfLatias/Starmie over Porygon-Z. Both of those Pokemon make an excellent counter to Infernape, Salamence, Opposing Latias, and several other Pokemon. Now onto Empoleon. Empoleon has 2-3 Possible places to get into this team on. After an Agility, he outspeeds every one of your Pokemon, and even Lucario's Extemespeed isn't enough to KO him. Ice Beam also KO's Gyarados After SR damage. The counters I list to Infernape shoudl be enough to deal with Empoleon though, so I wouldn't worry to much there. Finally, Lucario. A Jolly Lucario with Crunch can also KO your team, after your own Lucario is out. After Gyarados has taken around two SR Damage's, Extremespeed will KO it. Your best option is turning that Rotom-C into a Rotom-H. This will extend what Rotom can do for your team, as that set is available for Rotom-H, just minus the Air Slash. Another possible way to counter this is to turn Gyarados into the Bulky Variant. I could also suggest Infernape to counter Empoleon and Lucario, as this also solves your problem of a fire type move. Ovreall, Good Team.

 

[Def Jam]

I like the bronzong idea, but Iron Ball is much better an item to trick than Macho Brace, (I've treid it on a metagross...didn't work so well <__<) but bronzong gets heatproof and no one is going to Eq a Zong if they don't know it has heatproof.

 

[Infiltrator]

First off here's an Rotom-S pic, special thanks to Arkeis.com:

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Now, down to business. First off, the team looks solid, but I noticed your team hates running into Gengar. Gengar will do some serious damage with Focus Blast. Focus Blast will be able to OHKO both your Porigon-Z(If your opponent predicts correctly) and Lucario.

Then it can take down your Gyarados with Thunderbolt and then move onto to your Swampert if it carries Energy Ball. Though your Porygon-Z is scarfed, an Scarf Gengar won't show no fear since it will outspeed and then proceed to KO it with Focus Blast.

Bronzong will be able to handle it though, but it should beware of Shadow Ball and its effect of lowering your Special Defense. CB Pursuit Scizor can answer well to Gengar. Scizor can come in on Gengar's Shadow Ball and Pursuit, heck even Bullet Punch Scizor will KO it. There's also things like Metagross who Gengar will have a tough time taking it down.

 

[Shiny Missingno.]

Nice team. However, there are still a few things that could improve it, which is what's so great about this board. First off:

I like the bronzong idea, but Iron Ball is much better an item to trick than Macho Brace, (I've treid it on a metagross...didn't work so well <__<) but bronzong gets heatproof and no one is going to Eq a Zong if they don't know it has heatproof.

This is a very good idea. Iron Ball gives the same 50% drop in speed, but also makes flying types and levitating pokes susceptible to ground attacks and entry hazards that they would usually avoid (spikes and toxic spikes).

Second, you said you'd like to change your Lucario's moveset. I like your idea of replacing stone edge with blaze kick. A team without at least one fire move is just asking for trouble from Scizor. Blaze Kick has the same critical hit increase of stone edge, but with slightly better accuracy and slightly less power. One other good idea is to use crunch in that final moveslot, which gives great coverage alongside close combat. This also helps you counter Rotom and Gengar, two big threats to your team.

One final suggestion I would make is to maybe rethink your Porygon's moveset. Porygon's special attacking movepool is quite large, and tinkering with your moveset could help you counter some potential threats. Tossing HP fighting in favor of either shadow ball or dark pulse might cost you a bit of type coverage, but it would also give you a solid counter to those aforementioned ghosts. Another choice for that final moveslot is trick. Tri-attack, thunderbolt, ice beam, trick w/ a choice scarf is the set I run on my Porygon, and I have to say it works quite well (for my team, anyway). You still get fantastic type coverage and power from those three attacks, plus you can effectively ruin most walls by tricking a scarf onto them. Or you could drop the boltbeam combo altogether, keep the HP fighting, and still go with dark pulse/shadow ball. Just something to think about.

 

[Infiltrator]

Lucario doesn't need Blaze Kick to take down Scizor. Close Combat works fine enough. Though I would recommend Crunch over Stone Edge since it provides better coverage for Lucario.

 

[frogbandit]

I'd suggest Stone Edge over Ice Fang on your Gyarados. It still deals with dragons (salamence) fine, while also dealing with opposing Gyaras and flying types.

 

[just4poke]

24 hour bump :]