Hey guys, welcome to my first RMT EVAR! (Or post, for that matter…) I'm migzoo, better known as +migzootwo. NU has been my favorite/best tier for quite some time now, so I thought I'd share my most favorite/best team. I've been using this team for quite a long time now, back in the days when PO was still king and Showdown spit out error messages after every battle. (JK don't hate me Cathy/Zarel) I stopped using the team during that weird period on PO when I think Zangoose and/or Gardevoir was kicked out of NU. Or maybe it was Golurk? Anyhow, this team has gotten me a great deal of success, peaking at 8 on the Showdown ladder before the reset. No I don't have screenshots, so take my word for it. But I couldn't for the life of me get past #8, so suggestions/comments are welcome. Anyways here it is: NU Offense by migzoo.
Ampharos @ Choice Specs
Trait: Static
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SAtk / 216 Spd
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
One of the staples of this team from the very beginning, bespectacled Ampharos. Ampharos is bulky enough to live pretty much anything not super-effective, then do massive damage. With Choice Specs, Thunderbolt is capable of OHKOing every offensive threat that doesn't resist it. I've messed around with the speed EVs a little bit, so that it can outspeed offensive Piloswine, which it OHKOs with Focus Blast. Focus Blast also KOs Regice after rocks, who would otherwise take special attacks with relative ease. Unfortunately, even with glasses Ampharos' poor vision causes it to often miss Focus Blasts. Even with 216 EVs, Ampharos is slower than most offensive threats, which is helpful because it can Volt Switch out to Zangoose and activate its Toxic Orb. If Volt Switch doesn’t kill, Zangoose can usually finish the job. Ever since Swellow and Braviary dropped down, having a bulky electric type has become a valuable commodity. Static is nice for the odd paralysis after switching into Brave Birds, Fake Outs, and U-turns, and has saved me from losing more than once.
Gardevoir @ Choice Specs
Trait: Trace
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Signal Beam
Yes, another pair of Choice Specs. Psychic destroys things even harder than Ampharos’ Thunderbolt. Gardevoir and Ampharos function similarly to Double *insert type* cores, in that they are both strong special attackers and one can whittle down/obliterate their common checks/walls. The unique part of this core is that they are both Choice Specs. Although speed may appear to be an issue, this is covered by their teammates and their respectable bulk. Trace is nice mainly for the ever-common Regenerator and Chlorophyll/Swift Swim. I am considering switching Timid for Modest because Gardevoir is being outsped by Timid Ludicolo in the rain, even after Trace. Another thing is Signal Beam versus Shadow Ball. I prefer Signal Beam for a reliable way to hit Dark types, but Shadow Ball has slightly higher base power and kills offensive Golurk. Skuntank can be an issue, so I often double switch into Armaldo or Ampharos when my opponent predicts me to Psychic. As a side note, I ran Specs Exeggutor in the first version of this team, but Gardevoir is so much better because of extra speed and Trace.
Armaldo @ Leftovers
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 112 Def / 16 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- X-Scissor
- Rock Blast
- Rapid Spin
90% of the reason Armaldo is on the team is for Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin. Rapid Spin is nice because I am constantly switching out my choiced pokemon, and preserving Sawk’s Sturdy is very important. Stealth Rock has increased in importance with the popularization of the Tangela/Alomomola/Regice core, since Ampharos/Gardevoir wreck Tangela and Alomomola as long as Regice out of the picture. X-Scissor with max attack hits hard, as does Rock Blast. X-Scissor is the STAB of choice, and 2HKOs Musharna. Rock Blast can often surprise Ninjask, Sub Haunter, and anything with a Sash. EVs give Armaldo a Stealth Rock friendly HP number, and enough speed to outrun standard Altaria when rain is up, as well as fellow support Armaldo.
Sawk (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
The scarfer. The fastest Pokemon on the team in normal conditions. If Sawk has Sturdy intact and Zangoose is still around, it is very difficult for the opponent to sweep. I prefer Sturdy over Mold Breaker because I feel it has been much more useful than the occasional Earthquake hitting a Levitator. Granted, this makes Haunter, Weezing, and Sturdy Pokemon more of an issue, but as of now I am using Sturdy. This set is pretty much self-explanatory. I used to run Reversal, but I rarely used it. When Primeape dropped, I tried it out for the extra speed and U-turn, but I missed the extra power and Sturdy. Sawk and Gardevoir work pretty well together, although Misdreavus poses a threat to the two.
Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Toxic Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Facade
- Night Slash
- Quick Attack
In the late-game, I usually find either Sawk or Zangoose sweeping, but Zangoose can easily break walls too. Facade razes cities. With Toxic Boost activated, Quick Attack usually kills Jynx after Stealth Rock. I used to run Adamant, but I was being outsped by too many things. Jolly is nice. Unfortunately, Zangoose is frail and gets worn down quickly. I tried Swellow for a little bit, also for the extra speed and U-turn, but with a Flying typing and no Close Combat, Rock was a big issue. Also, Zangoose is my favorite Pokemon.
Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
The newest addition to the squad. For a long time this spot was occupied by Rock Polish Golurk (Dynamic Punch/Earthquake/Stone Edge) but my team was very weak to Ground and Water types, mainly other Golurks. Golurk had more lead sweeping potential and was Dynamic Punch made it a better lead in general, but I found myself sacrificing a pokemon everytime my opponent had a Golduck or Golurk. Ludicolo handles Golduck, Golurk, and Golem without hassle, so my team is no longer as Gol-weak. For some reason Ludicolo rarely ends up cleaning up. This set is nice in that I have beaten most opposing Ludicolo. Funnily enough, I have never come across a situation in which Armaldo took advantage of the rain that Ludicolo set up. My irl friend (+Sevvv) used this team with success as well, winning a Voice NU tourney with it. Instead of using Ludicolo, he switched out Life Orb/Rock Polish for Choice Band. Banded Golurk takes out other Golurk with ease, but Water types are still a problem and four choiced Pokemon is a bit much. +NU Moon suggested I use Rain Dance Seismitoad, but I chose Ludicolo for the Grass neutrality and Ground resistance.
Weaknesses (In decreasing order of threat):
Offensive Scolipede: Its speed and versatile movepool were the reason why it was RU and the reason why it’s such a threat to this team. Scolipede can outspeed and kill Gardevoir, Ludicolo, and Zangoose with Megahorn. Earthquake hurts Ampharos a lot. Armaldo can live unboosted Aqua Tail or Rock Slide, but it might not kill with Rock Blast. Sawk might miss Stone Edge.
Banded Sawk: Ouch. Worst case scenario is Jolly Banded with Sturdy. Gardevoir is outsped, and can’t OHKO, and is 2HKOed by Close Combat in return.
Standard Skuntank: The most annoying Dark type for Gardevoir, because of Pursuit and Sucker Punch. I’ve gotten better at mind games/predicting, but I can’t freely Psychic as long as it’s around. Without Ampharos or Zangoose, this team cannot handle the Weezing Skuntank core.
Sub Jynx: Lovely Kiss is bad, since switching in a poisoned Zangoose is dangerous. I have no Ice resistance. Scarf Jynx is also a threat, but not as much so.
Annoying Liepard: Because hax. I hate Liepard with a passion, a sentiment which I have periodically interjected into the main chat.
Scarfed Tauros: Maybe it was just this one team, but I lost to the same person twice in a day. Tauros outspeeds my entire team, and can sweep with Double-Edge if Armaldo is gone.
Aqua Jet: Basculin and moreover, Floatzel, can sweep my team if Ludicolo is gone. Floatzel can take advantage of Ludicolo’s rain, or simply wreak havoc with Life Orb or Choice Band.
Standard Misdreavus: It can burn all my physical attackers, dent Gardevoir with Shadow Ball, and outspeed Ampharos. It blocks Armaldo’s spin, which could mean Sawk’s Sturdy being broken. It is immune to Sawk and Zangoose’s STABs. 2HKOed by Gardevoir’s Psychic and Ampharos’ Thunderbolt though.
Protect: With so many choice users, Protect is bad. Protect is worse on Stall teams, because it forces me to double switch, and thus take damage from hazards. Protect is even worse on teams with a Dark type and a Ground type, since I can’t just fire away Psychics and Thunderbolts. Protect is annoying on Alomomola, when paired with Regice and Tangela. As stated earlier, I need Stealth Rock for those teams to wear down Regice.
Custap Golem: The Stealth Rock user that makes it hardest for Armaldo to spin.
CM Musharna: If I’m locked in on Psychic, it Calm Minds as I switch to Armaldo or Zangoose. I outspeed and do over half with X-Scissor/Facade, but it can KO in return with +1 Psychic with a little bit of prior damage.
Ampharos @ Choice Specs
Trait: Static
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SAtk / 216 Spd
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
One of the staples of this team from the very beginning, bespectacled Ampharos. Ampharos is bulky enough to live pretty much anything not super-effective, then do massive damage. With Choice Specs, Thunderbolt is capable of OHKOing every offensive threat that doesn't resist it. I've messed around with the speed EVs a little bit, so that it can outspeed offensive Piloswine, which it OHKOs with Focus Blast. Focus Blast also KOs Regice after rocks, who would otherwise take special attacks with relative ease. Unfortunately, even with glasses Ampharos' poor vision causes it to often miss Focus Blasts. Even with 216 EVs, Ampharos is slower than most offensive threats, which is helpful because it can Volt Switch out to Zangoose and activate its Toxic Orb. If Volt Switch doesn’t kill, Zangoose can usually finish the job. Ever since Swellow and Braviary dropped down, having a bulky electric type has become a valuable commodity. Static is nice for the odd paralysis after switching into Brave Birds, Fake Outs, and U-turns, and has saved me from losing more than once.
Gardevoir @ Choice Specs
Trait: Trace
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Signal Beam
Yes, another pair of Choice Specs. Psychic destroys things even harder than Ampharos’ Thunderbolt. Gardevoir and Ampharos function similarly to Double *insert type* cores, in that they are both strong special attackers and one can whittle down/obliterate their common checks/walls. The unique part of this core is that they are both Choice Specs. Although speed may appear to be an issue, this is covered by their teammates and their respectable bulk. Trace is nice mainly for the ever-common Regenerator and Chlorophyll/Swift Swim. I am considering switching Timid for Modest because Gardevoir is being outsped by Timid Ludicolo in the rain, even after Trace. Another thing is Signal Beam versus Shadow Ball. I prefer Signal Beam for a reliable way to hit Dark types, but Shadow Ball has slightly higher base power and kills offensive Golurk. Skuntank can be an issue, so I often double switch into Armaldo or Ampharos when my opponent predicts me to Psychic. As a side note, I ran Specs Exeggutor in the first version of this team, but Gardevoir is so much better because of extra speed and Trace.
Armaldo @ Leftovers
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 112 Def / 16 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- X-Scissor
- Rock Blast
- Rapid Spin
90% of the reason Armaldo is on the team is for Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin. Rapid Spin is nice because I am constantly switching out my choiced pokemon, and preserving Sawk’s Sturdy is very important. Stealth Rock has increased in importance with the popularization of the Tangela/Alomomola/Regice core, since Ampharos/Gardevoir wreck Tangela and Alomomola as long as Regice out of the picture. X-Scissor with max attack hits hard, as does Rock Blast. X-Scissor is the STAB of choice, and 2HKOs Musharna. Rock Blast can often surprise Ninjask, Sub Haunter, and anything with a Sash. EVs give Armaldo a Stealth Rock friendly HP number, and enough speed to outrun standard Altaria when rain is up, as well as fellow support Armaldo.
Sawk (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
The scarfer. The fastest Pokemon on the team in normal conditions. If Sawk has Sturdy intact and Zangoose is still around, it is very difficult for the opponent to sweep. I prefer Sturdy over Mold Breaker because I feel it has been much more useful than the occasional Earthquake hitting a Levitator. Granted, this makes Haunter, Weezing, and Sturdy Pokemon more of an issue, but as of now I am using Sturdy. This set is pretty much self-explanatory. I used to run Reversal, but I rarely used it. When Primeape dropped, I tried it out for the extra speed and U-turn, but I missed the extra power and Sturdy. Sawk and Gardevoir work pretty well together, although Misdreavus poses a threat to the two.
Zangoose @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Toxic Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Facade
- Night Slash
- Quick Attack
In the late-game, I usually find either Sawk or Zangoose sweeping, but Zangoose can easily break walls too. Facade razes cities. With Toxic Boost activated, Quick Attack usually kills Jynx after Stealth Rock. I used to run Adamant, but I was being outsped by too many things. Jolly is nice. Unfortunately, Zangoose is frail and gets worn down quickly. I tried Swellow for a little bit, also for the extra speed and U-turn, but with a Flying typing and no Close Combat, Rock was a big issue. Also, Zangoose is my favorite Pokemon.
Ludicolo @ Life Orb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Giga Drain
- Ice Beam
The newest addition to the squad. For a long time this spot was occupied by Rock Polish Golurk (Dynamic Punch/Earthquake/Stone Edge) but my team was very weak to Ground and Water types, mainly other Golurks. Golurk had more lead sweeping potential and was Dynamic Punch made it a better lead in general, but I found myself sacrificing a pokemon everytime my opponent had a Golduck or Golurk. Ludicolo handles Golduck, Golurk, and Golem without hassle, so my team is no longer as Gol-weak. For some reason Ludicolo rarely ends up cleaning up. This set is nice in that I have beaten most opposing Ludicolo. Funnily enough, I have never come across a situation in which Armaldo took advantage of the rain that Ludicolo set up. My irl friend (+Sevvv) used this team with success as well, winning a Voice NU tourney with it. Instead of using Ludicolo, he switched out Life Orb/Rock Polish for Choice Band. Banded Golurk takes out other Golurk with ease, but Water types are still a problem and four choiced Pokemon is a bit much. +NU Moon suggested I use Rain Dance Seismitoad, but I chose Ludicolo for the Grass neutrality and Ground resistance.
Weaknesses (In decreasing order of threat):
Offensive Scolipede: Its speed and versatile movepool were the reason why it was RU and the reason why it’s such a threat to this team. Scolipede can outspeed and kill Gardevoir, Ludicolo, and Zangoose with Megahorn. Earthquake hurts Ampharos a lot. Armaldo can live unboosted Aqua Tail or Rock Slide, but it might not kill with Rock Blast. Sawk might miss Stone Edge.
Banded Sawk: Ouch. Worst case scenario is Jolly Banded with Sturdy. Gardevoir is outsped, and can’t OHKO, and is 2HKOed by Close Combat in return.
Standard Skuntank: The most annoying Dark type for Gardevoir, because of Pursuit and Sucker Punch. I’ve gotten better at mind games/predicting, but I can’t freely Psychic as long as it’s around. Without Ampharos or Zangoose, this team cannot handle the Weezing Skuntank core.
Sub Jynx: Lovely Kiss is bad, since switching in a poisoned Zangoose is dangerous. I have no Ice resistance. Scarf Jynx is also a threat, but not as much so.
Annoying Liepard: Because hax. I hate Liepard with a passion, a sentiment which I have periodically interjected into the main chat.
Scarfed Tauros: Maybe it was just this one team, but I lost to the same person twice in a day. Tauros outspeeds my entire team, and can sweep with Double-Edge if Armaldo is gone.
Aqua Jet: Basculin and moreover, Floatzel, can sweep my team if Ludicolo is gone. Floatzel can take advantage of Ludicolo’s rain, or simply wreak havoc with Life Orb or Choice Band.
Standard Misdreavus: It can burn all my physical attackers, dent Gardevoir with Shadow Ball, and outspeed Ampharos. It blocks Armaldo’s spin, which could mean Sawk’s Sturdy being broken. It is immune to Sawk and Zangoose’s STABs. 2HKOed by Gardevoir’s Psychic and Ampharos’ Thunderbolt though.
Protect: With so many choice users, Protect is bad. Protect is worse on Stall teams, because it forces me to double switch, and thus take damage from hazards. Protect is even worse on teams with a Dark type and a Ground type, since I can’t just fire away Psychics and Thunderbolts. Protect is annoying on Alomomola, when paired with Regice and Tangela. As stated earlier, I need Stealth Rock for those teams to wear down Regice.
Custap Golem: The Stealth Rock user that makes it hardest for Armaldo to spin.
CM Musharna: If I’m locked in on Psychic, it Calm Minds as I switch to Armaldo or Zangoose. I outspeed and do over half with X-Scissor/Facade, but it can KO in return with +1 Psychic with a little bit of prior damage.
