My Penguin can March! An OU RMT

[I love cookies]

Can't beat me! I'm Empoleon!

Introduction
Well here is one of my teams that have done OKAY on Shoddy. It's gotten me to the CRE of 1400, but I can't seem to get any higher mostly because of the Hax teams and luck based events. I hate Togekiss and Jirachi.... That's why I need your help to make this team better an get on the Smogon Leaderboard. Merry Christmas!


At a Glance

Team Building Process

When I first started building this team I wanted to sweep with the Mighty Penguin of OU, Empoleon.

Then I thought about what beat Empoleon. Hmmm. Bulky waters and Blissey since I was using Ice Beam over Grass Knot. Toxic Spikes beat them. Roserade and Tentacruel came to my mind. Roserade held no similar weaknesses as Empoleon, so it went on my team.

I also think of what else beats Blissey. Pusuit-users. T-Tar and Scizor sprang into my mind. T-tar shared a ground weakness with Empoleon and that was bad. Scizor had U-turn to get my Empoleon safetly into play, so Scizor hopped onto the team.

Another thing that prevented the penguin from sweeping were very fast pokemon and scarved pokemon. T-Wave stopped them dead in the tracks. I came up with the magical pixi fairy Celebi.

What would stop my opponent from blowing away my T-Spikes and Stealth Rock? A spin-blocker might come in handy. Good spin blockers would be Rotom-Formes, Dusknoir, and Spiritomb. Since I'm playing on Shoddy and I can use Formes I chose the Oven of Epicness.

I noticed I had a gaping weakness to fire. I also needed something fast to kill stat-uppers. An Exploding Heatran Appeared!

After playing with the suggestions I have gotten I came up with this!


The Team

Roserade (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Toxic Spikes
- Sleep Powder
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [ICE]

Summary:Roserade is one of the best and favorite leads in all time in my opinion. I chose HP ICE to stop those pesky Gliscor leads and the Mences that think they can set up on me. Also while using HP ICE I get the extra 31 ivs in speed. If I used HP FIRE I would have 30 ivs in speed meaning I would lose the speed tie against other base 90 speed. Focus Sash guarentees me at least one layer of T-spikes at worst. Usually with this beast I can sleep one pokemon, damage something with Leaf Storm or HP ICE, and get two layers of T-Spikes. Without any boosts Roserade can still take a great chunk out of a pokemon's health bar with Leaf Storm. Max Speed and Sp.att Ev's provide Roserade with the most power to do what it can do best, damage their team.

Against 10 Top Leads:

-If it's not Lum Berried then I just sleep it and Toxic Spikes from there.

-I can either use Leaf Storm to KO or predict the switch and sleep it.

-I Leaf Storm while it taunts. Then I proceed to KO using HP ICE after it uses Stealth Rock.

-I HP ICE as it taunts. Then I KO using HP ICE while it's using Steath Rock.

-A little troublesome as it can Iron Head flinch me all the way till I'm dead. I usually switch to Heatran or Rotom-H.

-It's dangerous because it can Fake Out and then KO me with Fire Blast.

Bronzong-I sleep it and set out the Toxic Spikes.

-I switch to Heatran and Fire Blast away.

-I can either sleep it and set out the Toxic Spikes or I can switch to Machamp and set up a Sub.

-I Leaf Storm or sleep the switch.



Synergy:

--> Heatran

--> Machamp, Heatran, Empoleon

--> Latias, Heatran , Empoleon

--> Rotom-H, Heatran, Empoleon

Latias (F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
Summary:Latias is the first of my revenge killers. It deals with many of the threats in the current metagame. Salamence, Flygon, and much more. Latias invites T-tar and Scizor to come in. With some good prediction I can switch to one of the counters Rotom-H or Machamp. Draco Meteor is a move that came instantly into my mind as it has 140 Base Power and is STABed. Surf and Thunderbolt is there for good type coverage. Trick is a fabulous move as it can cripple many pokemon that could endanger Empoleon's late game sweep. Those are Suicune, Vaporeon, and Blissey. The basic 252/252 ev spread equips Latias with the best power and speed it could have.

Synergy:

--> Machamp, Heatran, Empoleon

--> Rotom-H, Heatran, Empoleon

--> Heatran, Empoleon

--> Machamp, Heatran, Empoleon
--> Heatran, Empoleon

Rotom-h @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/120 Def/136 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Discharge
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Will-o-wisp

Summary:A spin blocker is always nice to have on your team when you have 2 forms of entry hazards. I chose this kind of Rotom because it could absorb status, stall other pokemon out through toxic spikes damage, and it could survive longer. Rest and Sleep Talk were obvious because I needed to keep my spin blocker from dying until I killed all their spinners on their team. The next move I thought of was an electric STAB move. Thunderbolt and Discharge. Discharge was a better move because I could damage pokemon not affected by Toxic Spikes through paralysis. Will-O-Wisp was there to lower the stats of Scizor and T-tar common switch ins to Rotom-H. The ev's given provide Rotom-H with the right amount of bulk on each spectrum of the offensive pokemon.

Synergy:

--> Heatran, Empoleon

--> Machamp,Heatran, Empoleon

Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fire Blast
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Earth Power

SummaryHere is one of my revenge killers, the Fiery Beast Heatran. It is capable of absorbing the fire attacks aimed at Roserade and turning it into fire-power with Flash Fire. Fire blast>Flamethrower because it provides more power. I'm not that worried about the accuracy. Explosion is a nice move to have on any fast and powerful pokemon. It's like a self-destruct button. ;D Stealth Rock is on this set to make mind games with my opponent making them think this is a Shuca variant. making them think this isn't scarfed may cost them the game by 1. They might be out sped. 2. Making predictions according to the knowledge of this is a "Shuca variant" Earth Power is there to kill other Heatrans and other fire types.

Synergy:

--> Roserade, Empoleon

--> Roserade, Rotom-H

--> Rotom-H

Machamp (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 216 HP/252 Atk/40 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Payback
- Stone Edge
- Substitute

Summary:Machamp is so helpful to his team! Many people think it's a Rest talk version, but it's actually a Sub 3 Attacks Machamp. I usually switch into something I can threaten with Machamp, they switch and I sub on the switch. That gives me at least one hit with Dynamic Punch making them confused. Payback is here to wound the switch-ins on DynamicPunch like Rotom Formes, Dusknoir, and other Ghost pokemon. Stone Edge is here for hitting those flying types that avoid the Toxic Spikes. What makes this Machamp so good is its ability "No Guard". It lets Machamp never miss. These ev's let Machamp outspeed Blissey and hit them with Dynamicpunch. They were recomended by Sprinkles on Smogon.

Synergy:

--> Rotom-H
--> Latias, Heatan, Empoleon

Empoleon (M) @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 12 HP/12 Def/232 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
- Substitute
- Surf
- Ice Beam

Summary:The best late-game sweeper in all of OU? Yes that's true it there is the right support which is provided by the rest of my team. With one Agility, the Torrent Boost, Petaya Boost, STAB, and Modest nature this thing is Boss even though it fails to OHKO Blissey the massive pink blob, but if I got Blissey down to 35% or less Empoleon could take it down. I chose Ice Beam over Grass Knot because I felt that it was a better option. I send this guy at late-game when I know there whole team and pick out the checks to Empoleon. First I switch Empoleon into one of the many resistances Empoleon has. I sub up to prevent Crits from harming me. Then I agility once or twice depending is my sub holds up. After that I sub down till I reach 25% or less (the evs provide that) and I sweep with surf.

Synergy:

--> Roserade, Rotom-H

--> Roserade, Latias, Rotom-H

--> Roserade, Latias, Rotom-H,


That's my team. Rate away please! Merry Christmas!

​

Threat List:
(Currently testing with new team)

 

[The SPrinkLer]

Hi. I really like this team, and I'm a big fan of Toxic Spikes, but I see a few weaknesses. The biggest weakness I can see is a Babiri Berry DDTar. It can easily set up on Rotom locked into the wrong move, and survive Scizor's Bullet Punch due to the Babiri Berry. Tyranitar then proceeds to wreck havoc on your team, since it's largely special based, and Tyranitar has monstrous SpD due to the Sandstorm boost. Tyranitar then proceeds to wreck your team with the appropiate moves. To help beat Tyranitar, and to add another abuser of Toxic Spikes by utilizing Substitute, I want you to try a Substitute Machamp over Scizor. Machamp provides a great counter to any version of Tyranitar, and can set up a Substitute predicting a switch, or straight up hit it with Dynamicpunch. Machamp also lures in Rotom and Salamence/Gyarados, and hits them with Payback and Stone Edge respectively. Here's the set:

Machamp @ Leftovers
216 hp/ 252 att/ 40 spd
Adamant Nature/No Gaurd
Dynamicpunch/ Payback/ Substitute/ Stone Edge

The EVs are to ensure to outspeed no speed Blissey before it can cripple you with Thunder Wave or Toxic. Machamp also works great with Toxic Spieks behind a substitute, outstalling things like Swampert which can potentially phaze you out, if it gets lucky. I hope this helps, and good luck with the team!

 

[I love cookies]

Thanks for the rate Sprinkles! I'll definitely consider the Machamp. I'll probably switch it out.

 

[Delko]

Hello

I suggest Grass Knot instead of Leaf Storm on Roserade. The Special Attack drop let's Salamence survive a HP ice, so it can get a DD up. That drop can also make Roserade be used as set up fodder.

Another suggestion I have is to trade Celebi out for Zapdos. Celebi is bait for Scizor and Tyranitar. Zapdos makes a great Toxic Staller with the Sub-Roost technique. Another thing that helps is the ability of Zapdos: Pressure. This allows you to PP stall out the likes of Machamp since with Pressure Machamp can only use Stone Edge (and Dynamic Punch) 4 times each. Will you can just Substitute and Roost of the damage. Dynamic Punch will not confuse you when hitting your Sub. Payback will also not do a lot to Zapdos.

Zapdos @ leftovers/ timid/ pressure
248 P, 76 Spe, 184 SDef

- Substitute
- Roost
- Thunderbolt
- Roar/ HP ice

--> Like I said this will help you with your Machamp problem by PP stalling it. The Sub-Roost combo (Substitute + Roost) will annoy when poiwon will slowly drain the Health of your opponents pokémon. Thunderbolt is to have one attack move, besides it has STAB. Pokémon immune to Toxic Spikes are flying types, these are taken care of by Thunderbolt as well. If you want extra SR damage Roar is the fourth move, otherwise you could replace this with HP Ice to do more damage against Levitate pokémon (Latias, ...), as well as doing damage to Gliscor, who is immune to Thunderbolt and Toxic Spikes.

I don't see your weakness to Tyranitar as his health is drained by poison as well. You can apply your Sub-Roost Zapdos technique here.

Since this team likes other entry hazzards to be set up, you could try Forretress here instead of Scizor. it has the same typing as Scizor but is more defensive.

Forretress @ leftovers - shed shell/ impish
252 HP, 112 Atk, 144 Def

- Toxic Spikes EDIT: of course I meant Stealth Rock here! ^^'
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake/ Payback

--> With Foretress, you could set up all entry hazards. It's also a vital spinner, taking away spikes, SR, Leech Seed from you opponent. Earthquake is best used with Leftovers so you have a decent chance against Magnezone, Shed Shell on the other hand is best used with Payback (let's you take on anti-spinners like Rotom; ...).

With all those entry hazzards set up, you should consider changing Scarftran to a Tormenttran. This also reduces your amount of choiced pokemon. Besides you can bring in Heatran on so many occasions (Fire attack vs Foretress/ Roserade, Ice attack vs Zapdos/ Roserade, ...).

Heatran @ leftovers/ calm/ flash fire
244 HP, 32 SAtk, 12 Sdef, 220 Spe

- Substitute
- Protect
- Lava Plume
- Torment

--> While Zapdos takes care of the Flying pokémon immune to TS, Heatran takes care of steel types. When set up Tormentran will be a b*tch to take out. It can soften your opponents team for an Empoleon sweep. Lava Plume also has 30 % to inflict a birn so if Tyranitar is being dangerous it will not be for long.

Hope this helped!

 

[DJXO9]

You called?

Anyways, first thing i noticed is the fact you have Choice Scarfs on both Heatran and Rotom-H. One of them should keep the Scarf, but I think it should be Heatran. As your spin-blocker, you want Rotom-H around for a while. Also, without the Scarf, Rotom would also be able to help in spreading paralyses with Discharge and some burns with Will-O-Wisp.

Rotom-H @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP | 120 Def | 136 Sp Def
- Discharge
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

That is the set straight of the analysis. You can tweak the Defense and Special Defense EVs as you like, but you should keep max HP. In my experience, this set has been very useful, and helps at walling a lot of things. Heatran still has a Scarf, and will be able to revenge all the stuff Rotom-H would've been too. I can't really think of anything else at the moment, but if I do, I'll let you know! Good luck!

 

[I love cookies]

Thanks for the rates guys!

 

[yond]

Well i got your pm late haha. looking through yout team i was going to suggest the zapdos and machamp as quoted. SEeing the forretress, i suggest you try it.

If you play around with the team after these edits and include a threat list. So we can see what bugs you that we can catch on paper, i could do a full rate. Otherwise my days are stated and i dont like being redundant.

Machamp @ Leftovers
216 hp/ 252 att/ 40 spd
Adamant Nature/No Gaurd
Dynamicpunch/ Payback/ Substitute/ Stone Edge

Zapdos @ leftovers/ timid/ pressure
248 P, 76 Spe, 184 SDef

- Substitute
- Roost
- Thunderbolt
- Roar/ HP ice

Forretress @ leftovers - shed shell/ impish
252 HP, 112 Atk, 144 Def

- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake/ Payback

 

[Senzairu]

Hey, nice team you have here. A couple suggestions though. I think you should get rid of Celebi since paralysis support seems ridiculous when you have two scarfers, a max speed Roserade, a priority move, and an Empoleon utilizing agility.

First of all, DDmence could sweep your whole team if given the chance so I suggest this in place of Celebi:

Latias @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid nature (+Speed, -Attack)
~ Draco Meteor
~ Surf
~ Thunderbolt
~ Trick

This moveset will let you take down Mence and Gyara after a DD and it will help you to revenge kill enemy Agility Empoleons. Now, this would give you three Choice Scarf users, so I think you should change your Heatran set to this:

Heatran @ Shuca Berry/Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Naive nature (+Speed, -Special Defense)
~ Fire Blast
~ Earth Power
~ Stealth Rock
~ Explosion

This set will still give your team its desired Stealth Rock and will allow Heatran to function with a bit more flexibility. Shuca Berry is the preferred item to help Heatran survive the popular Earthquake, or even an enemy Scarftran's Earth Power.

Hope this helps!

 

[reyscarface]

Hello.

Yes, change Celebi. Im wondering why nobody has mentioned that you have an insane Fire weakness, 3 of your pokes are weak with only 1 thing to take the hits. Rotom and Empoleon wont enjoy LO Fire Blasts, which means a LO Heatran can seriously trouble your team. Celebi seems out of place here, because it seems as if you just slapped it to have SR support. Instead of Celebi I think Swampert will benefit you better, not only it gives you a great Fire attack taker, but gives you also Stealth Rock, a DD Tyranitar Counter, and a DD Mence Counter. The set I had in mind was the Standard Swampert, Mixpert, with Ice Beam, Earthquake, SR, and Roar.

With basically all the threats covered, I see little to no reason to use a Scarftran, since you have Rotom for Gyara and sweepers arent troubling you much. On its place, either a Stall breaking Taunt Heatran can work there or a Substitute Heatran.

Heatran @ Life Orb - Timid
252 Sp Atk, 252 Speed, 4 Att
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- HP Grass / Explosion
- Taunt / Substitute

3 moves to attack, Taunt lets you break stall by making things like Blissey not touch you (Seismic Toss Bliss can though) and is good to stop set-up, sub is more of a safe hit against offensive teams. HP Grass hits Waters for 2HKOs and OHKOs Pert, while Explosion OHKOs Blissey and Latias.

If you think Heatran isnt working, you can always try a Latias. It gives you a much needed dragon pokemon, while keeping the fire resist. The set I had in mind is Calm Mind Latias, with Dragon Pulse, Recover, Calm Mind, and the last move will define what it will do. Reflect is a total Offensive team destroyer, since you can scout Scizors and company and even set-up on them, while using Refresh there will let you beat Blissey easily, which makes you an insane Stall Breaker. Its up to preference really.

Thats pretty much everything, feel free to ignore me or test them out, good luck.

 

[KnightoftheWind]

I notice that you are pretty weak to Heatran. Every team member can be killed off by Heatran in some way. Roserade, Celebi, Scizor and Rotom are roasted by Fire Blast while your own Heatran and Empoleon are dealt with by Earth Power. While your Heatan can switch-in on Fire Blasts, it can get real nasty if your opponent predicts this and uses Earth Power, and there, you've just lost your only Fire resist and now Heatran can fire off its STAB move without worry.

Now, while Celebi is an excellent choice for spreading paralysis, it's not the only one. I suggest that you switch Celebi for this Gyarados.

Gyarados @ Leftovers | Adamant
248 HP / 248 Def / 12 Spe
Rest / Sleep Talk / Waterfall / Thunder Wave

Yes, Gyarados does learn Thunder Wave, and can make good use of it too. Much like your Celebi did, Gyarados can use its STAB to scare away Ground-types and start slowing down the opposition. It is actually arguably better at the job then Celebi, as it can scare away Gliscor, unlike Celebi, who only does around 20% with Grass Knot. It retains Celebi's useful resistances to Water and Fighting, whilst adding new ones such as Bug, Fire and Steel.

With Celebi gone, you now lack a way to set-up Stealth Rock. I suggest running Stealth Rock on your Heatran. This has the added advantage of psychology, as the use of Stealth Rock suggests to your opponent that you have a Shuca Berry, and it act accordingly that assumption. Use it over Explosion or Dragon Pulse. Which one to keep is up to you. Explosion helps against Blissey, defensive Latias and Gyarados, whilst Dragon Pulse helps against Kingdra, Salamence and offensive Latias.

Finally, I suggest changing Scizor's EV spread to 162 HP / 180 Atk / 168 SpD. This allows Scizor to switch-in more comfortably to foes like Latias and Gengar, which is important as with your current EV spread, Scizor takes around 50% from a Timid Specs Latias' Draco Meteor. Scizor still hits very hard, so don't worry too much about the Attack decrease.

Good luck with your team.

 

[I love cookies]

Thanks for all the rates everyone! I updated my team with the most of the suggestions you gave me.