Hello, I've been looking around for references and such, and I've finally got a team that has done pretty well on Shoddy. I'm fairly new to competitive battling, but I just had to try it. I would like some tips because my team is pretty horrible despite the awesomeness its done for me. Anyway, this is my Gen 4 OU team. Input would be nice!
A couple things - I can't RNG any legendaries (yet) and I can't use Rotom forms.
I need a good start when I'm leading off. Most people I know use suicide leads or defensive ones that can be used later. Instantly, I decided on Machamp, the Poke that almost everyone hates.
Now I need to set up some entry hazards. Stealth Rock isn't too bad, even though I prefer Spikes. I decided on Swampert because I haven't seen him lately and I never gave him love in R/S/E.
Now I need a sweeper. I really like Gyarados ever since RBY and his Electric weakness is covered by Swampert.
I wasn't sure what to do now, so I just stuck Scizor on. He's got amazing attack and is great at scouting. Other then that, I just saw him and put him on.
Well, I need a wall now. I like both Vaporeon and Cressila, so I added them both. Its stupid, but I wasn't sure what to and so far, and they've done their own fair share to the team.
Everyone
Machamp @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 236 HP / 246 Att / 12 Sp / 16 SpD
DynamicPunch
Ice Punch
Payback
Bullet Punch
I like starting things off with a bang. Machamp is the perfect option for quick and powerful action. Standard EV and moveset. I usually use him as a suicide lead (bad idea I know), and as long as no ghost that can burn me comes in, I have at least 2 - 3 kills for 1. I put 12 Sp Evs to outspeed other Machamps. I love this set and it works wonders. Most Azelfs I see don't Psychic me because Stealth Rock is their priority. Other leads usually switch or ragequit over confusion.
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 98 SpD
Stealth Rock
Waterfall
Ice Beam
Roar
Standard Swampert. Comes in for Stealth Rock after a dead or healthy Machamp and either Roars to death or comes back for some tanking.
Gyarados @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Att / 252 Sp / 4 Def
Dragon Dance
Waterfall
Stone Edge
Bounce
I haven't seen a fully offensive Gyarados in a while, and really like him. Its pretty standard as well, but if Cress sets up a Reflect, most people assume (out of experience) that he's somewhat defensive and offensive. Like most Gyarados', I DD on the switch or wall something that can't hurt me. I used Bounce because at + 2 and Life Orb it scouts one move and is his strongest attack. He's OHKO'd or done about 85% when I've Bounced.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Att / 8 Def
Bullet Punch
U-Turn
SuperPower
Night Slash
Standard CB set with several changes. Usually, he scouts or Bullet Punches, so 8 Sp isn't too necessary. I put on Night Slash for the lulz because I'd rather scout than Pursuit. I haven't used it too much, except for those teams that use Cress for massive damage on the switch. I'm also not sure what I should switch it for.
Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Bold
EVs: 188 HP / 252 Def / 68 SpD
Wish
Protect
Surf
Toxic
Before Smogon's changed the Wish support to the above, my own set was similar to this. I used the standard because it works wonders. Vaporeon either passes wishes or cripples opposing walls with Toxic. If an opposing water type comes in I'll usually just Toxic and Protect stall to force a switch. Surf is for STAB.
Cresselia @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 / 170 Def / 88 SpD
Reflect
Moonlight
Psychic
Toxic
This is my only custom set, though Smogon has a similar and more defensive one. Nevertheless, nothing, and I mean NOTHING has ever 2 or 3HKO'd Cress behind a Reflect with no criticals. Even those annoying Scizors and Tyranitars who have the balls to set up my face can't kill this awesome lady. I'm considering Light Screen over Toxic, but my team doesn't really need it. I'm considering other options, but would like some input. Psychic is there for those Gengars and weakened Pokes who think they can set up and kill. I know Psychic doesn't OHKO Gengar, but it breaks subs and (hopefully) sometimes forces switches.
Weaknesses
Since I'm fairly new, I'm not sure of my weaknesses. The only problem I've ever had is a DD Gyarados after Vaporeon is gone. If someone could tell me some other things, I'd be happy to know.
Conclusion
This is my team. I know it sucks, but I like it. I also know its somewhat ironic to my name because I like my own sets. However, until I gain more experience, I'm running standard sets. I do know that I'm missing a Grass, Water and Fire core, and that's because the core usually has 1 or 2 legendaries in it. Its great that Shoddy is around to help, but I need Smogon's help too. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks for reading.
A couple things - I can't RNG any legendaries (yet) and I can't use Rotom forms.
I need a good start when I'm leading off. Most people I know use suicide leads or defensive ones that can be used later. Instantly, I decided on Machamp, the Poke that almost everyone hates.
Now I need to set up some entry hazards. Stealth Rock isn't too bad, even though I prefer Spikes. I decided on Swampert because I haven't seen him lately and I never gave him love in R/S/E.
Now I need a sweeper. I really like Gyarados ever since RBY and his Electric weakness is covered by Swampert.
I wasn't sure what to do now, so I just stuck Scizor on. He's got amazing attack and is great at scouting. Other then that, I just saw him and put him on.
Well, I need a wall now. I like both Vaporeon and Cressila, so I added them both. Its stupid, but I wasn't sure what to and so far, and they've done their own fair share to the team.
Everyone
Machamp @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 236 HP / 246 Att / 12 Sp / 16 SpD
DynamicPunch
Ice Punch
Payback
Bullet Punch
I like starting things off with a bang. Machamp is the perfect option for quick and powerful action. Standard EV and moveset. I usually use him as a suicide lead (bad idea I know), and as long as no ghost that can burn me comes in, I have at least 2 - 3 kills for 1. I put 12 Sp Evs to outspeed other Machamps. I love this set and it works wonders. Most Azelfs I see don't Psychic me because Stealth Rock is their priority. Other leads usually switch or ragequit over confusion.
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 98 SpD
Stealth Rock
Waterfall
Ice Beam
Roar
Standard Swampert. Comes in for Stealth Rock after a dead or healthy Machamp and either Roars to death or comes back for some tanking.
Gyarados @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Att / 252 Sp / 4 Def
Dragon Dance
Waterfall
Stone Edge
Bounce
I haven't seen a fully offensive Gyarados in a while, and really like him. Its pretty standard as well, but if Cress sets up a Reflect, most people assume (out of experience) that he's somewhat defensive and offensive. Like most Gyarados', I DD on the switch or wall something that can't hurt me. I used Bounce because at + 2 and Life Orb it scouts one move and is his strongest attack. He's OHKO'd or done about 85% when I've Bounced.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Att / 8 Def
Bullet Punch
U-Turn
SuperPower
Night Slash
Standard CB set with several changes. Usually, he scouts or Bullet Punches, so 8 Sp isn't too necessary. I put on Night Slash for the lulz because I'd rather scout than Pursuit. I haven't used it too much, except for those teams that use Cress for massive damage on the switch. I'm also not sure what I should switch it for.
Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Bold
EVs: 188 HP / 252 Def / 68 SpD
Wish
Protect
Surf
Toxic
Before Smogon's changed the Wish support to the above, my own set was similar to this. I used the standard because it works wonders. Vaporeon either passes wishes or cripples opposing walls with Toxic. If an opposing water type comes in I'll usually just Toxic and Protect stall to force a switch. Surf is for STAB.
Cresselia @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 / 170 Def / 88 SpD
Reflect
Moonlight
Psychic
Toxic
This is my only custom set, though Smogon has a similar and more defensive one. Nevertheless, nothing, and I mean NOTHING has ever 2 or 3HKO'd Cress behind a Reflect with no criticals. Even those annoying Scizors and Tyranitars who have the balls to set up my face can't kill this awesome lady. I'm considering Light Screen over Toxic, but my team doesn't really need it. I'm considering other options, but would like some input. Psychic is there for those Gengars and weakened Pokes who think they can set up and kill. I know Psychic doesn't OHKO Gengar, but it breaks subs and (hopefully) sometimes forces switches.
Weaknesses
Since I'm fairly new, I'm not sure of my weaknesses. The only problem I've ever had is a DD Gyarados after Vaporeon is gone. If someone could tell me some other things, I'd be happy to know.
Conclusion
This is my team. I know it sucks, but I like it. I also know its somewhat ironic to my name because I like my own sets. However, until I gain more experience, I'm running standard sets. I do know that I'm missing a Grass, Water and Fire core, and that's because the core usually has 1 or 2 legendaries in it. Its great that Shoddy is around to help, but I need Smogon's help too. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks for reading.
