Hello to everyone on these forums! I am Raven8, and I am a newcomer to the world of competitive battling.
Years and years ago I played Pokemon Blue, got pretty good, and quit for one reason or another. After some time, I went online just to see what had happened in this world since then, and quickly discovered Smogon. Seeing all of the strategies and information that run so rampant here, I quickly came to a realization: I wasn't pretty good at Pokemon, I stunk! So, long story short, I bought Black in September and played in preparation for X and Y, and am now trying to play on a higher metagame than before.
This is my main X/Y team, which has evolved quite a bit since its initial incarnation. Most of the movesets are taken directly from Smogon or are variations there-of. I've had quite a bit of luck with this team, but really want advice so that I can understand a more competitive player's perspective.
Deoxys-D @ Red Card
Timid nature, 252 HP, 252 Speed, 4 Sp. Def
Pressure
-Stealth Rock
-Recover
-Taunt
-Magic Coat
Main Role: Lead
My generally designated lead, and a fairly straight-forward set. I try to open with stealth Rock or Magic coat based on what it looks like the opponent is going to do. I opted for Recover to help keep rocks on the field. I also use him as a switch-in on Toxic-poisoned foes on occasion, courtesy of Sylveon, who is mentioned below. I opted for a Red Card because it generally puts opposing leads in a very bad spot. There have been many times that it prevented Stealth Rock on my side entirely as they're switched out after taunting, then they don't have the advantage of full HP when they return.
Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Adamant nature, 252 HP, 252 Sp. Def, 4 Attack.
Sand Stream
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Earthquake
-Pursuit
Main Role: Special Wall
This guy has carried my team more times than I can count. I'm sure that I don't have to say just how amazing a special wall Assault Vest Tyranitar is... I've seen him survive a Focus Blast from Mega Mewtwo Y, and he even tanks even non-fighting super effective hits like a pro. He also hits fairly hard and tends to wreck with Pursuit. Not to mention he helps me in weather wars, as most of my team doesn't mind a sandstorm. I know that you guys understand just how great this guy is, but DANG I love what he does.
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Impish nature, 252 HP, 252 Defense, 4 Sp. Def.
Sturdy
-Roost
-Spikes
-Brave Bird
-Whirlwind
Main Role: Physical Wall
This one should be fairly self-explanatory, as I believe that this is Skarm's most common move-set. He primarily works as a spiker/physical wall with the ability to phase the opponent. Tyranitar handles most Electric/Fire attacks that Skarm hates, though neither one appreciates Fighting too much.
Sylveon @ Leftovers
Calm nature, 252 Defense, 252 HP, 4 Sp. Atk.
Pixilate
-Wish
-Protect
-Toxic
-Hyper Voice
Main Roles: Wish Passer, Status Inducer, Lesser Mixed Wall
Really did not expect to like Sylveon, but she sure as heck grew on me. The move-set is fairly standard and straight-forward, and in a lot of ways she's been one of the staples for my team. She can put an expiration date on many walls with Toxic, can take special hits almost as well as Tyranitar with Wish in play, and takes physical hits surprisingly well as well. Her typing also has great synergy with both Tyranitar and Skarmory, as between the three of them, SOMETHING can switch in.
Terrakion @ Focus Band
Jolly nature, 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP.
Justified
-Stone Edge
-Close Combat
-X-Scissor
-Iron Head
Main Role: Revenge Killer
He hits like a ton of bricks and can eliminate most targets with one of these moves. I know that everyone knows how good Terrakion is, and I can't help but agree. When I throw this guy out, he tends to almost always score at least 1 KO, frequently 2. Given the more defensive base that I have up until now, I tend to make quite a few holes for this guy to slip through and wreak havoc, and he makes a fantastic surprise switch-in at numerous points in the battle.
Pinsir @ Pinsirite
Jolly nature, 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP.
Moxie>Aerilate
-Return
-Quick Attack
-Earthquake
-Swords Dance
Main Roles: Boosting Sweeper/Cleaner
This is actually the final goal of the set. I try my best to use my more defensive core and Terrakion to weaken the opponent's team and punch holes, and then I pull out Pinsir to either A: clean up what's left or B: get in a Swords Dance and turn into death incarnate. By the time the opponent has dealt with my other shenanigans, they're usually no longer in a position to deal with Pinsir, and I'm just fine with that.
My Thoughts/Observations
The biggest issues that I tend to have are against physically-based Fire types. In particular, Infernape. To a lesser extent I see problems with Talonflame, but Tyranitar can generally switch in and make quick work of it, in spite of the cost of around 1/2 HP on average. I have some problem with status, in particular Burn on Tyranitar and Toxic Poison on Sylveon, but I really don't want to sacrifice Toxic for Heal Bell on Sylveon. In general, I feel as though this team may not have a ton of offensive power behind it, but of any team I've made, it has the best all-around synergy and the ability to deal with the most threats, though I'm sure that those frequenting this forum who have read this far already have a way to shut my entire team down completely. =P
Well, thank you very much for taking a look, and I am very open to all comments and opinions. My main goal is to improve, so please don't pull any punches.
Years and years ago I played Pokemon Blue, got pretty good, and quit for one reason or another. After some time, I went online just to see what had happened in this world since then, and quickly discovered Smogon. Seeing all of the strategies and information that run so rampant here, I quickly came to a realization: I wasn't pretty good at Pokemon, I stunk! So, long story short, I bought Black in September and played in preparation for X and Y, and am now trying to play on a higher metagame than before.
This is my main X/Y team, which has evolved quite a bit since its initial incarnation. Most of the movesets are taken directly from Smogon or are variations there-of. I've had quite a bit of luck with this team, but really want advice so that I can understand a more competitive player's perspective.
Deoxys-D @ Red Card
Timid nature, 252 HP, 252 Speed, 4 Sp. Def
Pressure
-Stealth Rock
-Recover
-Taunt
-Magic Coat
Main Role: Lead
My generally designated lead, and a fairly straight-forward set. I try to open with stealth Rock or Magic coat based on what it looks like the opponent is going to do. I opted for Recover to help keep rocks on the field. I also use him as a switch-in on Toxic-poisoned foes on occasion, courtesy of Sylveon, who is mentioned below. I opted for a Red Card because it generally puts opposing leads in a very bad spot. There have been many times that it prevented Stealth Rock on my side entirely as they're switched out after taunting, then they don't have the advantage of full HP when they return.
Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Adamant nature, 252 HP, 252 Sp. Def, 4 Attack.
Sand Stream
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Earthquake
-Pursuit
Main Role: Special Wall
This guy has carried my team more times than I can count. I'm sure that I don't have to say just how amazing a special wall Assault Vest Tyranitar is... I've seen him survive a Focus Blast from Mega Mewtwo Y, and he even tanks even non-fighting super effective hits like a pro. He also hits fairly hard and tends to wreck with Pursuit. Not to mention he helps me in weather wars, as most of my team doesn't mind a sandstorm. I know that you guys understand just how great this guy is, but DANG I love what he does.
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Impish nature, 252 HP, 252 Defense, 4 Sp. Def.
Sturdy
-Roost
-Spikes
-Brave Bird
-Whirlwind
Main Role: Physical Wall
This one should be fairly self-explanatory, as I believe that this is Skarm's most common move-set. He primarily works as a spiker/physical wall with the ability to phase the opponent. Tyranitar handles most Electric/Fire attacks that Skarm hates, though neither one appreciates Fighting too much.
Sylveon @ Leftovers
Calm nature, 252 Defense, 252 HP, 4 Sp. Atk.
Pixilate
-Wish
-Protect
-Toxic
-Hyper Voice
Main Roles: Wish Passer, Status Inducer, Lesser Mixed Wall
Really did not expect to like Sylveon, but she sure as heck grew on me. The move-set is fairly standard and straight-forward, and in a lot of ways she's been one of the staples for my team. She can put an expiration date on many walls with Toxic, can take special hits almost as well as Tyranitar with Wish in play, and takes physical hits surprisingly well as well. Her typing also has great synergy with both Tyranitar and Skarmory, as between the three of them, SOMETHING can switch in.
Terrakion @ Focus Band
Jolly nature, 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP.
Justified
-Stone Edge
-Close Combat
-X-Scissor
-Iron Head
Main Role: Revenge Killer
He hits like a ton of bricks and can eliminate most targets with one of these moves. I know that everyone knows how good Terrakion is, and I can't help but agree. When I throw this guy out, he tends to almost always score at least 1 KO, frequently 2. Given the more defensive base that I have up until now, I tend to make quite a few holes for this guy to slip through and wreak havoc, and he makes a fantastic surprise switch-in at numerous points in the battle.
Pinsir @ Pinsirite
Jolly nature, 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP.
Moxie>Aerilate
-Return
-Quick Attack
-Earthquake
-Swords Dance
Main Roles: Boosting Sweeper/Cleaner
This is actually the final goal of the set. I try my best to use my more defensive core and Terrakion to weaken the opponent's team and punch holes, and then I pull out Pinsir to either A: clean up what's left or B: get in a Swords Dance and turn into death incarnate. By the time the opponent has dealt with my other shenanigans, they're usually no longer in a position to deal with Pinsir, and I'm just fine with that.
My Thoughts/Observations
The biggest issues that I tend to have are against physically-based Fire types. In particular, Infernape. To a lesser extent I see problems with Talonflame, but Tyranitar can generally switch in and make quick work of it, in spite of the cost of around 1/2 HP on average. I have some problem with status, in particular Burn on Tyranitar and Toxic Poison on Sylveon, but I really don't want to sacrifice Toxic for Heal Bell on Sylveon. In general, I feel as though this team may not have a ton of offensive power behind it, but of any team I've made, it has the best all-around synergy and the ability to deal with the most threats, though I'm sure that those frequenting this forum who have read this far already have a way to shut my entire team down completely. =P
Well, thank you very much for taking a look, and I am very open to all comments and opinions. My main goal is to improve, so please don't pull any punches.
