VGC My VGC doubles team: feat. Mega Gyarados

[Maxwell002]

So this is my VGC team for upcoming tournaments etc. Still a little unsure of some things, so some help would be much appreciated.

Gyarados (M) @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake

This is the core of my team. Its Intimidate ability hurts physical attackers, and when it mega evolves, its Mold Breaker abilty allows it to hit Rotom and other Levitate users hard. The moveset and EVs are quite standard, allowing it to be fast and deadly. This Pokemon is a great counter to Heatran, Aegislash and Landorus, especially after a Dragon Dance set up, which gives my team some much needed physical attacking power. Gyarados is a great Pokemon which few predict.

Volcarona @ Focus Sash
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Will-O-Wisp

This Volcorona functions as a speedy special attacker that my team needs. It has excellent type coverage, with three attacking moves of different types. It is slightly different to the usual Quiver Dance set, but I found that by the time I had set up a Quiver Dance, this frail Pokemon didn't have the turns to properly utilise it. The strategy behind this Pokemon is to, unless a more obvious option exists like using Will-O-Wisp on a physical attacker or using Giga Drain on a water or rock type, use Fiery Dance to hopefully get the special attack boost. From there you can just sweep away with this specially offensive beast.

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 100 SpA / 156 Def
IVs: 0 Speed
Quiet Nature
- King's Shield
- Wide Guard
- Shadow Ball
- Flash Cannon

Aegislash provides some balance to my team. Aegislash's ability allows it to be both a defensive member of my team (and King's Shield puts pressure on physical attackers), while being an amazing special sweeper. Aegislash has 0 Speed IVs to try to tank hits in its Shield Forme. Wide Guard allows protection from Earthquake, as well as Rock Slide for Volcorona, Icy Wind for Gliscor Pixilate Hyper Voice for Mega Gyarados, while hitting back hard on many of these common users like Tyranitar, Cresselia, Gardevoir, and Sylveon. Aegislash is a team member I simply couldn't leave out.

Ferrothorn @ Lum Berry / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Atk / 52 SpD
IVs: 0 Speed
Brave Nature
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed / Stealth Rock
- Protect

This Pokemon is both a wall and attacker. Gyro Ball gives (normally) a strong powered move with 100 accuracy, whereas Power Whip is much stronger with less accuracy. Leech Seed gives recovery, whereas Stealth Rock helps with the fire type weakness my team suffers from. Protect helps deal with any weaknesses that hopefully my team can cover.

Clefable @ Situs Berry
Ability: Unaware / Magic Guard
EVs:252 HP / 108 Def / 32 SpA / 116 SpD
Bold Nature
- Follow Me
- Ice Beam / Moonblast / Icy Wind / Thunderbolt / Dazzling Gleam
- Heal bell / Wish / Helping Hand / Protect
- Heal bell / Wish / Helping Hand / Protect

This is my teams support. I am very unsure about this Pokemon, as with so many options it makes it hard to decide. I know I shouldn't post this Pokemon in this section as it is incomplete, but I just have no idea and would really appreciate some help.

Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def /4 Spd
Impish Nature
- Protect
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Earthquake

This is the standard toxic stall Gliscor set. This Pokemon is always of great annoyance to my opponents, as between its amazing healing with Poison Heal, and stalling moves like Substitute, Protect and Toxic, this Pokemon is nearly unstoppable. Earthquake is used in the final slot to still be of some use after taunt, as well as being able to direct damage should the chance arise.


Things I'm really unsure of:
- With two steel types on the team, a fire weakness shows. Should I include a stealth rock user to accomodate for this weakness (I already have a few that are able to learn it on this team: Gliscor, Clefable, Ferrothorn). If that's the case, should I teach Gyarados dragon tail, to force switches? Otherwise, any other Pokemon on this team with reliable rock moves?
- I've been told in the past to use Crunch Gyarados, and am interested in which move to replace?
- Clefable: With such a broad support move pool, I'm unsure what to keep.
- An item for Ferrothorn

 

[hexmarie]

Sweet team! If you don't want double Steel-types, you could replace one with a Tailwind user such as Zapdos or Suicune to have speed control. But they both seem to work well here, so it's really up to you. Besides that, I only have a couple suggestions for Clefable.
Clefable: I wouldn't suggest using Wish as VGC is more fast paced. However, if you find it works for your team, your could use it in conjunction with Protect. Icy Wind is probably the best option to have speed control. M-Gyarados appreciates the Helping Hand support.

Suggested Sets

Clefable @ Situs Berry
Ability: Unaware / Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 32 SpA / 116 SpD
Bold Nature
- Follow Me
- Icy Wind
- Helping Hand / Wish / Heal Bell
- Protect / Heal Bell

Hope I could help a little, and good luck at premier leagues!

 

[Maxwell002]

Thanks for the advice. Any ability for Clefale in particular? Also is gyro ball's power affected by tailwind, or is it like trick room?

 

[DaAwesomeDude1]

Hey there, that's a pretty neat team you have. For starters, I definitely suggest changing Gyarados's nature from Adamant to Jolly because, unfortunately, Gyarados is too slow. With an Adamant Nature, Gyarados still doesn't outspeed max Speed Choice Scarf Adamant Landorus-T after a Dragon Dance, so a Jolly Nature is absolutely necessary in order to outrun Landorus-T. As far as I know, Jolly Gyarados still gets the same KOs that Adamant Gyarados gets, so you're not missing out on much. And I do agree with what people have told you, go for Crunch instead of Earthquake. Earthquake honestly only has one target, and that is Rotom-W. The sad part about it is that even at +1, Earthquake still doesn't OHKO Rotom. That's why Crunch is a lot better, as it, like Earthquake, is a 2HKO on Rotom while also being able to hit Pokemon like Aegislash, Cresselia, and Grass-types harder.

Calcs

• +1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 44 Def Rotom-W: 132-156 (84 - 99.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
  
• +1 252 Atk Mold Breaker Mega Gyarados Crunch vs. 252 HP / 44 Def Rotom-W: 106-126 (67.5 - 80.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

I know that you're conflicted on what item to run on Ferrothorn, so I suggest keeping Lum Berry. Lum Berry allows Ferrothorn to beat Rotom-W 1v1, which is important considering you're pretty weak to it. Stealth Rock also isn't necessary at all in VGC because games are fairly fast paced, so unlike a singles metagame, switching isn't as common, so you won't get much mileage out of it. I would definitely keep Leech Seed in that slot. Also to answer your question, Gyro Ball will not do more damage under Tailwind. It works the same as Trick Room, since Tailwind doesn't physically alter the Speed stat unlike something like Agility or Rock Polish.

As for Clefable, 28 Special Attack EVs gives the same stat as 32 Special Attack EVs, so I suggest moving those 4 extra EVs into Speed. Keep in mind that Level 50 stats works differently than Level 100. Assuming your Pokemon has 31 IVs, the first stat point is raised with 4 EVs, while every point after that requires 8 EVs to raise it a point. As for the ability, going Unaware is definitely your best bet. Toxic isn't very relevant in VGC, so the only status Clefable has to worry about is Burn, which doesn't rack up damage each turn so Clefable doesn't mind it too much, and Clefable doesn't really mind the residual damage from Hail and Sand anyways. Unaware allows Clefable to potentially redirect a hit from a +2 Kangaskhan, which is crucial, as it allows Clefable to live that hit. For the rest of Clefable's moves, I suggest going Moonblast | Helping Hand | Protect. Moonblast allows Clefable to not be Taunt bait, and is also great against Hydreigon, which currently walls Gyarados pretty badly. Helping Hand, as mentioned above, is great for Gyarados since it is a bit weak and is susceptible to Intimidate. Helping Hand can also allow a +1 Gyarados to pick up an OHKO on standard Rotom-W with Crunch, which is super legit. Protect is generally better than Wish and Heal Bell, as Wish is pretty useless in VGC because it only heals up Clefable and turns don't last long enough where the Wish healing can come in handy and Clefable should be able to redirect any status aimed at Gyarados or your other Pokemon, so Heal Bell isn't too needed. Protect can increase Clefable's longevity, which is super important for a bulky Pokemon like Clefable.

Now for bigger changes, I suggest using Safety Goggles Heatran over Volcarona. Your team is REALLY weak to Sun teams, with Charizard + Venusaur being able to hit 4 of the 6 members of your team for super effective damage, while doing major damage to the other two. Goggles Heatran gives you a MUCH better matchup against Sun, as Charizard, unless carrying HP Ground which isn't very common, and Venusaur can't touch Heatran or put it to sleep. Goggles Heatran also completely beats Amoonguss, another major threat to your team.

Finally, I suggest using Choice Scarf Landorus-T instead of Gliscor. Gliscor is more of a singles Pokemon. Toxic stalling isn't very beneficial in VGC because it takes wayyy too long, and unlike singles where there is one threat on the field, there are two, making Gliscor's walling opportunities very little. Landorus-T is essentially a better version of Gliscor as it is much faster with a Choice Scarf and much stronger. It gives you a reliable way of beating Charizard Y, a major threat to your team, with Rock Slide while also offering crucial Intimidate support to facilitate Gyarados setting up or increase Clefable's longevity. It also gives you a VERY reliable Fighting-type switch-in. amr97's spread of 12 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Def / 4 SpD / 148 Spe with an Adamant Nature allows Landorus-T to survive a +1 Life Orb Bisharp's Sucker Punch while outspeeding Jolly Weavile.

Once again man, that's a pretty sweet team. Definitely watch out for Sun, as it can still be a major threat to your team. Hope I helped man and good luck with the team!!! :]

Sets

Gyarados (M) @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Crunch

Ferrothorn @ Lum Berry Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Atk / 52 SpD
IVs: 0 Speed
Brave Nature
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Protect

Clefable @ Situs Berry
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 28 SpA / 116 SpD / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
- Follow Me
- Moonblast
- Helping Hand
- Protect

Heatran @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Flash Cannon / Ancient Power / Hidden Power Ice
- Protect

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Def / 4 SpD / 148 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
- U-Turn

 

[Maxwell002]

Thanks. I've thought about a few of these ideas but will make these changes now. Any reason for Timid over the more commonly run Modest? (Heatran I mean)

 

[DaAwesomeDude1]

Honestly either way works, I just went with Timid since fast Heatran is gaining a lot of popularity and it outruns Breloom

 

[Maxwell002]

Ok thanks for that!:)

 

[Serapis]

Okay, so like always Dad's covered most of the big stuff but I'd like to add my two cents to a couple of thing's he said as well as make a suggestion or two of my own.

Gliscor: If Hidden Power Ice wasn't a thing, I'd be all over Gliscor. As it is, having this thing lose the Thundurus is the final nail in the coffin for Gliscor's competitive use in VGC. Add to that the damage it takes from the every present Hyper Voice and Char-Y's Heat Wave and general lack of ability to retaliate, Gliscor finds itself as an unforgivably passive Pokemon. Beyond all that, even in situations where it can pull off the endgame win with Toxic stalling, timer stall is rather common in high level VGC events and so unless you get it down to a 1v1 even Toxic/Poison Heal will fail you.

Clefable: I second dad's suggestion of Follow Me/Moonblast/Helping Hand/Protect here. Not much to say as he fully explained this one.

Gyarados: Earthquake is better than Crunch on Gyarados. Nomrally. Seeing as your team has no way to avoid Gyara's EQ, however, I do see the logic behind Crunch. "But what about the Landorus-T that dad suggested?" Well, yes, but if you have a Landorus-T on the field why do you need Gyarados to be the one using Earthquake? I mean, Mold Breaker is pretty great but the fact that it can't reliably OHKO Rotom-W is definitely an issue.

So, that's mostly been rehash/explanation. Looking at your team (assuming the changes suggested by Dad are adopted) I see one massive issue. You're using Triple Steel. While Aeg is the Fighting immune Steel, Heatran is the Fire immune Steel and Ferro is the Ground neutral steel, that's still not good. Combined with Gyarados (once Mega-Evolved) you have 3 Fighting weaknesses and 4 if your opponent happens to have a Mega-Lopunny. Landorus-T and it's Intimidate are a good start towards fixing the issue, however it's not an end all be all. I might actually suggest using Talonflame in the Volcorona/Heatran slot. It can deal decent damage to Charizard with Life Orb Brave Bird and it can OHKO Venusaur (though Sash can be a thing). A set of Brave Bird/Flare Blitz or Overheat/Tailwind/Protect should cover all of your bases, remove a Fighting weakness, add a resistance and also give your priority Tailwind. Still, the big drawback here is that it makes you more Thundurs weak, which is never a good thing. Ferro does well enough against the genie if it can get up a Leech Seed and Landorus-T's Rock Slide is nice, but the rest of your team kinda loses to the thing.

On the topic of Thundurus, Raichu is a good foil to Mega-Gyarados with Lightning Rod and Fake Out/Encore to annoy opponents with. Where would it go? Well, I'll be honest and admit I'm not really certain. Having not played the team myself I can't really determine how valuable each member is. My initial thought is to drop Ferro or Aeg because they seem out of place (in the context of you having both of them) but I don't know how much they do or don't do for you. So, just consider Raichu in a general sense.

Oh, and last but not least, I'd go with Substitute on that Aegislash. Slow Lefties Aeg benefits more from Substitute than anything else in my opinion. Wide Guard does block Rock Slide, but Sub allows you to avoid flinches when you have it up, dodge Sucker Punches while doing something productive and set up endgame win conditions.

So, hope that helped. Good luck with the team man!

 

[Maxwell002]

Thanks. I was thinking of swapping aegislash for heatran and volcorona for something else instead