So a month ago I made a post asking for improvements for an old team. Well after many adjustments and lots of trial and error, I think I've created a pretty great team. At the time of writing, I'm on an 11 game win streak that's shot me up from 1189 to 1408, the first time I've ever reached 1400 in any tier in any gen. Obviously, my win streak is gonna end at some point but I want to see what you guys think so I can keep pushing up the ladder.
Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Scald
- Haze
- Toxic Spikes
Toxapex has insane bulk; it's the Ferrothorn of Gen 7. Because of this, its main goal is to cripple the other team in 3 different fashions. Baneful Bunker is overrated IMO, so I use Toxic Spikes instead to break down walls. Secondly, there's Scald, to have some kind of attacking move while having a chance to cripple physical attackers at the same time. Finally, I use Haze to prevent the opposition from trying to set-up sweep, IDK if it's unconventional or not but I've gotten a lot of angry messages during matches lol. Recover is used to extend my longevity even further when combined with Regenerator and Black Sludge. EV's and Nature are geared towards Defense and HP.
Tapu Lele @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Along with Toxapex, Tapu Lele is the only other 'Mon I have that was on the original team I posted, and it's easy to see why thanks to Psychic Terrain. It's my late game sweeper, and probably the most important member of the team, even if it doesn't see much action since the goal of this team is to take out everything that could cause problems for Tapu Lele. Psychic-Terrain boosted Choice-Specs boosted max SpAtk Psyshock is ridiculously OP (I like to use Psyshock to lure in Physical walls). Moonblast is used for my other STAB, HP Fire is there so I can 1v1 steel types (only if I have to, normally I try to avoid it). I used to have Focus Blast on it but I've used it probably twice through 60-odd matches so I subbed it for Shadow Ball instead. EV's and Nature geared towards SpAtk and Speed.
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
M-Gyarados is my set-up sweeper. It's my backup plan if Tapu Lele dies early, and it's probably racked up the most kills of anyone on this team. I love it because yes, it does need Dragon Dance to be good, but once you have it set up it's nearly impossible unless it's against Tapu Fini, Azumarill or Pheromosa. In addition, it has the bulk to beat M-Metagross 1v1 once it's Mega Evolved, which is huge since Metagross is probably the most used Pokemon in the metagame right now. Dragon Dance to set up, Crunch and Waterfall for STAB, and Ice Fang to round out my coverage (Idk if Earthquake would be better, I haven't played around with it enough). EV's and Nature geared towards Speed and Attack.
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 192 Def / 16 SpD / 52 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Taunt
- Surf
- Defog
Tapu Fini is one of the best Defog users in the metagame right now, thanks to its bulk and solid defensive typing. In addition, Tapu Fini complements Gyarados very well thanks to Defog getting rid of the SR that normal Gyarados hates and Misty Terrain prevents him from getting burned. Taunt is used to prevent set-up sweepers from using Fini as bait, while Moonblast and Surf round out its coverage (There's no point in running Scald because MT activates every time Fini enters). Defensive Nature, EV's are spread to find good all around bulk while a small portion is invested into speed)
Mamoswine @ Focus Sash
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash
Mamoswine is my Stealth Rock user, while also having a decent Attack stat to do some damage back. Usually my lead, and can also be used as a sacrificial lamb later on if necessary. Earthquake and Icicle Crash for STAB, while Ice Shard makes it an excellent revenge killer thanks to its high attack stat. Focus Sash so it's guaranteed to get up rocks, while Oblivious is used so it can't get taunted. EV's and Nature are geared towards Attack and Speed
Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 128 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
Lastly, we have Magnezone, who is an excellent fit on this team for multiple reasons. For starters, being a slow Volt-Switch user gives me chances to gain momentum without having to risk Tapu Lele being 2HKO or wasting M-Gyarados's great bulk. In addition, it has the ability to trap the steel types that are the bane of Tapu Lele thanks to Magnet Pull, allowing it to dispose of Skarmory, M-Scizor, and Celesteela with ease. Finally, it has decent enough bulk and great special attack to do some damage early on in matches. Volt Switch is used for momentum, Flash Cannon and Thunderbolt for STAB, and HP Fire to do damage against the Steel-types it traps that aren't part flying. EV's and Nature are geared towards Special Attack, while 128EV's in speed to outspeed mininum speed Scizor, and the rest for HP.
So what do you guys think?
Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Scald
- Haze
- Toxic Spikes
Toxapex has insane bulk; it's the Ferrothorn of Gen 7. Because of this, its main goal is to cripple the other team in 3 different fashions. Baneful Bunker is overrated IMO, so I use Toxic Spikes instead to break down walls. Secondly, there's Scald, to have some kind of attacking move while having a chance to cripple physical attackers at the same time. Finally, I use Haze to prevent the opposition from trying to set-up sweep, IDK if it's unconventional or not but I've gotten a lot of angry messages during matches lol. Recover is used to extend my longevity even further when combined with Regenerator and Black Sludge. EV's and Nature are geared towards Defense and HP.
Tapu Lele @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Along with Toxapex, Tapu Lele is the only other 'Mon I have that was on the original team I posted, and it's easy to see why thanks to Psychic Terrain. It's my late game sweeper, and probably the most important member of the team, even if it doesn't see much action since the goal of this team is to take out everything that could cause problems for Tapu Lele. Psychic-Terrain boosted Choice-Specs boosted max SpAtk Psyshock is ridiculously OP (I like to use Psyshock to lure in Physical walls). Moonblast is used for my other STAB, HP Fire is there so I can 1v1 steel types (only if I have to, normally I try to avoid it). I used to have Focus Blast on it but I've used it probably twice through 60-odd matches so I subbed it for Shadow Ball instead. EV's and Nature geared towards SpAtk and Speed.
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
M-Gyarados is my set-up sweeper. It's my backup plan if Tapu Lele dies early, and it's probably racked up the most kills of anyone on this team. I love it because yes, it does need Dragon Dance to be good, but once you have it set up it's nearly impossible unless it's against Tapu Fini, Azumarill or Pheromosa. In addition, it has the bulk to beat M-Metagross 1v1 once it's Mega Evolved, which is huge since Metagross is probably the most used Pokemon in the metagame right now. Dragon Dance to set up, Crunch and Waterfall for STAB, and Ice Fang to round out my coverage (Idk if Earthquake would be better, I haven't played around with it enough). EV's and Nature geared towards Speed and Attack.
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 192 Def / 16 SpD / 52 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Taunt
- Surf
- Defog
Tapu Fini is one of the best Defog users in the metagame right now, thanks to its bulk and solid defensive typing. In addition, Tapu Fini complements Gyarados very well thanks to Defog getting rid of the SR that normal Gyarados hates and Misty Terrain prevents him from getting burned. Taunt is used to prevent set-up sweepers from using Fini as bait, while Moonblast and Surf round out its coverage (There's no point in running Scald because MT activates every time Fini enters). Defensive Nature, EV's are spread to find good all around bulk while a small portion is invested into speed)
Mamoswine @ Focus Sash
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash
Mamoswine is my Stealth Rock user, while also having a decent Attack stat to do some damage back. Usually my lead, and can also be used as a sacrificial lamb later on if necessary. Earthquake and Icicle Crash for STAB, while Ice Shard makes it an excellent revenge killer thanks to its high attack stat. Focus Sash so it's guaranteed to get up rocks, while Oblivious is used so it can't get taunted. EV's and Nature are geared towards Attack and Speed
Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 128 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
Lastly, we have Magnezone, who is an excellent fit on this team for multiple reasons. For starters, being a slow Volt-Switch user gives me chances to gain momentum without having to risk Tapu Lele being 2HKO or wasting M-Gyarados's great bulk. In addition, it has the ability to trap the steel types that are the bane of Tapu Lele thanks to Magnet Pull, allowing it to dispose of Skarmory, M-Scizor, and Celesteela with ease. Finally, it has decent enough bulk and great special attack to do some damage early on in matches. Volt Switch is used for momentum, Flash Cannon and Thunderbolt for STAB, and HP Fire to do damage against the Steel-types it traps that aren't part flying. EV's and Nature are geared towards Special Attack, while 128EV's in speed to outspeed mininum speed Scizor, and the rest for HP.
So what do you guys think?
