My Team could use some Work (OU team)

Megamaster37

First attempt didn't go too well.

Right, so I did a few battles with my OU Team, and so far its 5-1. Thats GOOD, but I'm trying to beat that person I lost to (3-0). (aka My Team can't beat good Teams) My Team probably has some flaws, I just CAN'T FIND THEM! So now I request your Help (especially with items).

The Team:

1. Metagross @ Focus Sash
Adamant, 252 Att/252 Def
Stealth Rock
Zen Headbutt
Earthquake
Bullet Punch.

My Lead. Its main purpose is to set up Stealth Rock (mostly to annoy Salamence), although it is capable of sweeping some Teams. Focus Sash almost guaruntees it can S-Rock, but there's still a small chance it won't get it off. After using Stealth Rock, Bullet Punch is my Main choice, seeing as Metagross isn't EV'ed in Speed and is slower than most Leads and Anti-Leads. Zen headbutt provides a Strong STAB attack, while EQ lets Metagross try to take down some other Pokes after setting down those annoying Pointy rocks.

2. Gyarados @ Muscle Band
Lonely, 252 Attack/252 Speed
Dragon Dance
Ice Fang
Earthquake
Waterfall

My Teams most effective Pokemon. Uses D-Dance then gets a good-effective hit on all 492 Pokemon. Most likely on my Team to Sweep other Teams. I definately need a new Item for this thing, seeing as with its almost-good item it can be so good. I'm hoping to get an Umbreon or Vaporeon with Substitute and Baton Pass so it can get in D-Dances without being hurt, or possibly a Speed Boost/Swords Dance Ninjask. I think this pokemon is the least of my worries, although it could use a Nature-Change to Adamant. Earthquake helps to take down most Electric-types, except zapdos, which can be taken care of using Ice Fang.

3. Zapdos @ Wise Glasses
Timid, 252 Sp.Att/252 Speed
Agility
AncientPower
Heat Wave
Thunderbolt

My Team's Number 1 Special Sweeper. Uses Agility to Out-Run all Pokemon then goes for the KO. Has excellent Type-Coverage. I think Agility should be replaced, although I don't need another damaging move and I can't seem to find a good Stat-Booster (Although AncientPower has powered it up quite often). I may try to set up a Nasty Plot Ambipom/Speed Boost Ninjask Baton Pass chain for this thing in the future, but as of now this seems to be the Pokemon that needs the least hanging on my team.

4. Gengar @ Wise Glasses
Modest, 252 Sp.Att/252 Speed
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Psychic
Hypnosis

Puts opponents to Sleep, then brutally assaults their HP bar. Can take down most Pokemon, its main weakness is Fast Psychic-types like Alakazam. Its Defense is a mere 127, and needs fixed somehow. It's Nature could use a Change to Timid too, but I'm not a big fan of Hacking (I don't even have an AR). It knows the seemingly standard Gengar moves: Psychic, Shadow Ball, and Focus Blast, so its pretty much the Average Gengar.

5. Lucario @ Enigma Berry
Adamant, 252 Att/252 Speed
Drain Punch
ExtremeSpeed
Stone Edge
Swords Dance

With Max Attack, Speed, and Sp.Defense, my Lucario is pretty mean. Uses Swords Dance to Highten Attack, then goes in for the kill. Drain Punch is there to give it a Good-Powered attack as well as Restore HP. ExtremeSpeed helps to get in a Last-Shot hit, as well as get in a Move against pokemon that will likely OHKO it. If anyone can find a move to replace Stone Edge with that keeps it's Type Coverage good, please do, because Stone Edge's 80% hit rate doesn't please me. Enigma Berry is a decent item, but like most of my other Pokes, it should probably be changed.

6. Heatran @ Leftovers
Modest, 252 HP/252 Sp.Att
Earth Power
Dark Pulse
Iron Defense
Lava Plume

Iron Defense needs to be changed. Has good type coverage (like all my Pokes) and beats down upon other Pokes with its 31 Sp.Attack IVs. Could probably use a New Item. Sometime soon I hope to replace Lava Plume with the more-Powerful Heat Wave (but I'm in need of Shards to do that). Heatran is definately the slowest Pokemon on my team, with a low Base Speed and no Speed EVs, but it's other stats make up for the slow-ness. Main problem with this is it's x4 weakness to ground (aka, Earthquake and Earth Power) so any move suggestions to help beat those Ground-types would be greatly appreciated.

7. Salamence @ Leftovers
Adamant, 252 Att/252 Speed
Earthquake
Dragon Claw
Crunch
Aerial Ace

My Substition, in case I don't want to use Lucario or Heatran. I plan to remove Aerial Ace for Roost. With its Maxed-Out IVs, it can Out-Run plenty of Pokes and deal punishing blows to most opponents. I'm completely wide open to any movesets that you can offer (other than Egg Moves) because I feel this moveset isn't using Salamence's stats to their Full Potential, and it's item doesn't help much either. When suggesting movesets, try to include something to destroy those Ice-Type pokemon that Salamence hates so much.

Yeah, Changing the Items are my #1 concern. (Hope I have enough Details this time)
Thanks for any advice!
 
Ok, the movesets and items need big fixes.

1. For metagross lead, you should not run zen headbutt, but explosion to take something down. Shuca or occa berry is better, because metagross isn't being OHKO by non fire or ground and this helps with fake out.

2. Why run lonely? You are not going mixed. Run adamant. Muscle band is outclassed by life orb.

3. Once again, run LO. HP Grass is needed to not be walled by ground types.

4. LO again! Run the standard with timid: Focus Blast, Shadow ball, T-bolt, HP fire/explosion.

5. Close combat. It has twice the power of drain punch. I don't even know what an enigma berry does but LO should go over it.

6. Run a scarftran. sorry but dark pulse on heatran is just bad. Fire move + Earth power + Hidden power + dragon pulse/explosion.
 
I've never quite liked Explosion, but for a lead that makes sense.

I have Lonely because i caught it myself and it took me an hour to get one with a Attack+ Nature with more than 10 IVs. (He has 28) I'm trying to find an Adamant one, but I've had no luck so far. I don't believe I have any Life orbs.

I'll try to get a LO, and I'll check to see what it's HP is, although I might need another suggestion for a 4th move if its not Grass, I love this things IV spread too much to get a new one. Yep, HP isn't Grass.

You like Life Orb alot don't you? And the moveset is.....good. I doubt its HP will be Fire, but Explosion isn't a bad move for Gengar (I accually had one with Explosion in LG)

Engima Berry allows the Pokemon to re-gain 1/4 max HP after taking a Super-Effective hit. Its not a good item. It used to know Close Combat, but I didn't want to lower it's Defenses just for One good hit. I'll change Drain Punch, but Close Combat is just a very bad move in my mind.

You like Hidden Power alot too. Well, I'm not getting an Entire new team just for the Hidden Powers, but I'm definately changing some attacks. And lucky you, I actually have a Choice Scarf. (HP is a Good Psychic)
 
Lead Metagross is best off with:
lum berry+Meteor Mash/EQ+Bullet Punch+Stealth Rock+Explosion

Gyarados should have either the life orb or leftovers and an adamant nature.

On Zapdos change the item to either leftovers or life orb and ancientpower to Hidden Power grass or something else, ancientpower sucks badly.

Gengar definitely needs a life orb and thunderbolt should replace psychic. Psychic has pretty bad coverage. Also I'd suggest changing Gengar to a timid nature in order to tie with the plus-natured max speed base 110s such as latias and opposing gengar as well as guaranteeing to be faster than +speed natured 100s.

Lucario BADLY needs a life orb. Close combat should probably replace drain punch too because of the massive power it boasts after a SD. Stone Edge can be replaced by Crunch or Bullet Punch if desired.

You should probably change heatran to the standard scarf-tran for a good revenge killer.
Heatran @Choice scarf 252spA, 252Spe, 4HP Naive
moves: fireblast/flamethrower + Earth power + Dragon Pulse + Explosion

Your substitute salamence is not good at all. Aerial Ace and Crunch need to be subbed out for Dragon Dance and either Draco Meteor (to catch physical walls off guard) or Fire Blast (To kill skarmory+other steels) so that your Mence becomes a traditional DD Mence which is almost always much better than your Aerial Ace version.
 
Yeah, I know Gyarados & Gengar need better natures, thats in my First post.

Zapdos's Hidden Power is Psychic. Any other suggestions?

I didn't know Lucario could learn Crunch....

A completely New Heatran? Better get the trade offers out...

Ugh, breeding. I'd rather trade, but I have what I need...
 
Your team needs some serious fixing as far as I'm concerned.

First off, Metagross should not have Focus Sash, as it is already very bulky and focus sash won't help it at all. I suggest running Lum Berry to beat Roserade and Smeargle leads who try to put you to sleep. I would also suggest replacing Zen Headbutt for Explosion or Meteor Mash. Zen Headbutt might sound useful with STAB, but it provides horrible type coverage.

Your Salamence moveset is horrible. You don't need Aerial Ace because of its low power. Replace it with Stone Edge. Replace Dragon Claw with Outrage. Brick Break should also be included in this set. Also, if you are running 252 attack/252 speed, it should be a late game sweeper. However, your Salamence doesn't even have Dragon Dance. If you don't want to use a boosting move and want to attack straight away, just use a Choice Band as your item.

For your Gyarados, switch the nature from Lonely to Adamant, since you're not using special attacks at all. Replace Muscle Band with either Life Orb or Leftovers because, IMO, Muscle Band on a Gyarados is pretty useless.

Gengar doesn't need Wide Glasses to be an effective sweeper. Hypnosis has shaky accuracy, correct, but Gengar's role is to be a special attacker, not a sleep inducer. I would replace Wide Glasses with Life Orb, and replace Hypnosis with Thunderbolt or Explosion. As with Focus Blast's accuracy, well there's not that much you can do about it. You should also replace Zapdos' Wide Glasses with either Life Orb or Leftovers, depending if you want an offensive Dos or a defensive Dos.

Good luck in the future.
 
Well, your Salamence moveset sure beats the one mine has (not my moveset, got it in a trade)

Losing Zen Headbutt for Explosion sounds like a plan. Only one thing, Explosion is a TM, right? Which one?

Gengar's new moveset looks great. Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, Explosion.

Working on Gyarados. Now I just need those Life Orbs.

BTW, I just improved to 6-1 with this team. Won 1-0. If all this advice works I'll be invincible.
 
If these pokemon are in your game and you are using them in Wi-fi and you do not feel like restarting to get a new heatran, you might be able to get away with a modest scarf-tran and simply use a flamethrower/fire blast TM on it, use the dragon pulse TM to replace iron defense, and go to the explosion move tutor (I swear there was one in D/P/Pt) and have it replace Dark Pulse. The scarf, you've already said you have.
If this is on shoddy battle, you can change your hidden power and moves easily and there should be no problem
 
Yeah, this is my WiFi team. I don't have Shoddy.

I have one big problem with all this advice: Too many Life Orbs. Yeah, Life Orb is a Good item, but I doubt anyone is really stupid enough to have 4 of their 6 Pokemon practically committing suicide in the battle (I've won several battles by small margins of HP, that, with Life Orbs, wouldn't have happened).

I'm fine with giving 1 or 2 Pokemon Life Orbs, but 3 or 4 is a bit too much. If instead of saying 'This Pokemon needs a Life Orb' for every one, you'd accually show that you know how to give suggestions and maybe not suggest the same thing every time, or maybe suggest 2 items, that'd be great. (In case you haven't noticed yet, I don't like to make my Pokemon lose HP. The main idea in Pokemon is to keep you Pokemon alive, not to purposely kill it)
 
but by not using the life orbs on your pokemon, you will miss out on important kos sometimes and will be killed by the opponets move most of the time, and mix sets defiently need life orbs so they can hit harder with both physical and special attacks.
 
Berserker Lord said:
but by not using the life orbs on your pokemon, you will miss out on important kos sometimes and will be killed by the opponets move most of the time, and mix sets defiently need life orbs so they can hit harder with both physical and special attacks.
Click to expand...

I didn't say I wouldn't use Life Orbs completely, just that giving it to 4 of my 6 Pokemon seems like a bit too much (Lucario and Gengar will have definately have Life orbs). I'm sure there are other good items for my Pokemon other than Life Orb, but you guys seem to like it alot. (Besides, I don't have a single one yet. I need to give them something while I go get them. And I'm occasionally forced to battle under the Duplicate Items Clause, so multiple Life Orbs wouldn't work then.)
 
if you are gong to use salamence, then you will definetly want to use life orb on it too because leftovers are basically usless on him and the other power boosting items are either too weak or they hamper you abilty to sweep
 
Berserker Lord said:
if you are gong to use salamence, then you will definetly want to use life orb on it too because leftovers are basically usless on him and the other power boosting items are either too weak or they hamper you abilty to sweep
Click to expand...
Salamence is Mainly a Back-Up in case I know my Opponent's team will usually beat *Pokemon*, so yeah, I plan to use it sometimes.

Where can I get Life Orbs in the Game (Platinum)?
 
Megamaster37 said:
First attempt didn't go too well.

Right, so I did a few battles with my OU Team, and so far its 5-1. Thats GOOD, but I'm trying to beat that person I lost to (3-0). (aka My Team can't beat good Teams) My Team probably has some flaws, I just CAN'T FIND THEM! So now I request your Help (especially with items).

The Team:

1. Metagross @ Focus Sash
Adamant, 252 Att/252 Def
Stealth Rock
Zen Headbutt
Earthquake
Bullet Punch.

My Lead. Its main purpose is to set up Stealth Rock (mostly to annoy Salamence), although it is capable of sweeping some Teams. Focus Sash almost guaruntees it can S-Rock, but there's still a small chance it won't get it off. After using Stealth Rock, Bullet Punch is my Main choice, seeing as Metagross isn't EV'ed in Speed and is slower than most Leads and Anti-Leads. Zen headbutt provides a Strong STAB attack, while EQ lets Metagross try to take down some other Pokes after setting down those annoying Pointy rocks.

2. Gyarados @ Muscle Band
Lonely, 252 Attack/252 Speed
Dragon Dance
Ice Fang
Earthquake
Waterfall

My Teams most effective Pokemon. Uses D-Dance then gets a good-effective hit on all 492 Pokemon. Most likely on my Team to Sweep other Teams. I definately need a new Item for this thing, seeing as with its almost-good item it can be so good. I'm hoping to get an Umbreon or Vaporeon with Substitute and Baton Pass so it can get in D-Dances without being hurt, or possibly a Speed Boost/Swords Dance Ninjask. I think this pokemon is the least of my worries, although it could use a Nature-Change to Adamant. Earthquake helps to take down most Electric-types, except zapdos, which can be taken care of using Ice Fang.

3. Zapdos @ Wise Glasses
Timid, 252 Sp.Att/252 Speed
Agility
AncientPower
Heat Wave
Thunderbolt

My Team's Number 1 Special Sweeper. Uses Agility to Out-Run all Pokemon then goes for the KO. Has excellent Type-Coverage. I think Agility should be replaced, although I don't need another damaging move and I can't seem to find a good Stat-Booster (Although AncientPower has powered it up quite often). I may try to set up a Nasty Plot Ambipom/Speed Boost Ninjask Baton Pass chain for this thing in the future, but as of now this seems to be the Pokemon that needs the least hanging on my team.

4. Gengar @ Wise Glasses
Modest, 252 Sp.Att/252 Speed
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Psychic
Hypnosis

Puts opponents to Sleep, then brutally assaults their HP bar. Can take down most Pokemon, its main weakness is Fast Psychic-types like Alakazam. Its Defense is a mere 127, and needs fixed somehow. It's Nature could use a Change to Timid too, but I'm not a big fan of Hacking (I don't even have an AR). It knows the seemingly standard Gengar moves: Psychic, Shadow Ball, and Focus Blast, so its pretty much the Average Gengar.

5. Lucario @ Enigma Berry
Adamant, 252 Att/252 Speed
Drain Punch
ExtremeSpeed
Stone Edge
Swords Dance

With Max Attack, Speed, and Sp.Defense, my Lucario is pretty mean. Uses Swords Dance to Highten Attack, then goes in for the kill. Drain Punch is there to give it a Good-Powered attack as well as Restore HP. ExtremeSpeed helps to get in a Last-Shot hit, as well as get in a Move against pokemon that will likely OHKO it. If anyone can find a move to replace Stone Edge with that keeps it's Type Coverage good, please do, because Stone Edge's 80% hit rate doesn't please me. Enigma Berry is a decent item, but like most of my other Pokes, it should probably be changed.

6. Heatran @ Leftovers
Modest, 252 HP/252 Sp.Att
Earth Power
Dark Pulse
Iron Defense
Lava Plume

Iron Defense needs to be changed. Has good type coverage (like all my Pokes) and beats down upon other Pokes with its 31 Sp.Attack IVs. Could probably use a New Item. Sometime soon I hope to replace Lava Plume with the more-Powerful Heat Wave (but I'm in need of Shards to do that). Heatran is definately the slowest Pokemon on my team, with a low Base Speed and no Speed EVs, but it's other stats make up for the slow-ness. Main problem with this is it's x4 weakness to ground (aka, Earthquake and Earth Power) so any move suggestions to help beat those Ground-types would be greatly appreciated.

7. Salamence @ Leftovers
Adamant, 252 Att/252 Speed
Earthquake
Dragon Claw
Crunch
Aerial Ace

My Substition, in case I don't want to use Lucario or Heatran. I plan to remove Aerial Ace for Roost. With its Maxed-Out IVs, it can Out-Run plenty of Pokes and deal punishing blows to most opponents. I'm completely wide open to any movesets that you can offer (other than Egg Moves) because I feel this moveset isn't using Salamence's stats to their Full Potential, and it's item doesn't help much either. When suggesting movesets, try to include something to destroy those Ice-Type pokemon that Salamence hates so much.

Yeah, Changing the Items are my #1 concern. (Hope I have enough Details this time)
Thanks for any advice!
Click to expand...
1. Focus Sash does nothing for Metagross. Neither does the 252 def EV's and zen headbutt. Put those EV's in HP not in Def. Replace Focus Sash with Occa berry or even leftovers if you feel you can get stealth rocks up and get out before someone can hurt you. earthquake can be replaced with meteor mash which honestly is probably a better choice than earthquake. earthquake is only good for heatran and infernape leads both of which will beat you. zen headbutt is completely useless. explosion instead.

2. try catching an adamant gyarados. it shouldnt be too hard; lonely really is a bad nature for something with no special moves. use 74HP/252att/184speed. that will put you ahead of positive 115speed pokemon after dragon dance. since you dont look like the type to have flawless IV's, you're going to have to add a few more than 184 into speed to get it to hit that magic 244 gyarados needs. the moveset is fine but your team would benefit more from stone edge rather than ice fang. stone edge kills everything ice fang would (with the exception of flygon but that's usually not coming in on a +1 gyrados unless its scarved). if you replace ice fang with stone edge also replace earthquake with bounce to cover grass types. muscle band is ok, but i'd recommend either leftovers or life orb. since metagross usually doesn't prevent too many leads from stealth rocking, you want leftovers to heal off the damage.

3. ancientpower isn't doing anything. and if you're waiting for the 1/10 chances of the stat boost, then you have to rethink your strategy. with agility using zapdos doesn't need 252 speed ev's. it's overkill really. 116speed ev's is enough to put you ahead of scarfed 125 speed pokemon like weavile. (leftover EV's go in HP btw). you probably don't have access to HP grass/ice on your zapdos so use roost instead of ancientpower. signal beam is worth a shot too if you like fucking tyranitars who try to stone edge you. wise glasses doesn't do much. many people are suggesting life orb, because it IS an awesome item. use it! leftovers works here too.


4. Why would you waste a slot with a psychic type move on a non psychic type pokemon? you need thunderbolt! and as much as it's been said before, gengar needs life orb. even choice specs works here. ive never had a gengar that survives an attack so the recoil is not to worry.

5. enigma berry? has it ever actually been used in a battle? lucario is frail beyond frail, and to expect it to live through a SUPER EFFECTIVE attack (not to mention most neutral attacks) is dumb. LIFE ORB LIFE ORB LIFE ORB! close combat over drain punch always.

6. i don't know much about heatran, but dark pulse isn't going to kill anything because everything you could possibly use it against will outspeed and kill you. flamethrower or fire blast over lava plume. why risk the accuracy of heat wave for 5 extra power than flamethrower? fire blast also only has 5 less accuracy and alot more power. try sub over iron defense.
 
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