Alright, well, this is my first time posting a RMT on Smogon. I've been testing this for about the past 2 weeks, and it's been doing alright on me. I'd like some ideas on how to improve it, and maybe a general idea of what I'm doing right or wrong. Wise advice will be written in Pink!
Overview
Well, as you can see, it's a fairly stereotypical offensive team. I tried not to use Scizor, Salamence, or Latias, because I've become a bit bored with them. Most of my Pokemon run slightly lesser used set to get an element of surprise.
Machamp @ Lum Berry (No Guard)
EVS: 252 Hp/ 168 Atk/ 96 SpD
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA) 19 SpE IVs
Dynamic Punch
Encore
Substitute
Stone Edge
Comments: Machamp is an amazing lead, in my experience. With a rise in Metagross and Swampert usage, this thing's become very invaluable to me. SR is usually their #1 priority, which promptly gets Encored. I Substitute on the switch, and proceed to hurt things with either Dynamic Punch or Stone Edge. The garunteed Confusion is really useful, which causes even more switches. The EVs garuntee that Azelf's psychic will never OHKO, and Bronzong's Gyro Ball will not even break my sub. It's really nice how I can open with nearly any move except Stone Edge; there's either massive damage and confusion, a pokemon that's effictively tricked a Choice item, or I'm safely behind a substitute. He also shares some counters with Agiligross and Gyarados, which I'll try to rough up a bit before Machamp goes down.
Jolteon @ Zap Plate (Volt Absorb)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
Thunderbolt
Substitute
Hidden Power (Ice)
Toxic
Comments: Another one of my favorite Pokes, Jolteon serves as Gyarados' partner in crime. Their immunities to Electric and Ground attacks, respectively, help a lot in setting up. Now, you've noticed, why am I running Zap Plate over Choice Specs? As I've stated before, I don't like mispredicting and getting locked into 1 move. A Zap Plate gives me only 0.3 less of a boost than Choice Specs, and most importantly, it allows me to feign Specs when I don't feel like using Substitute. Blissey gets lured in and Toxic'd, meaning it has to switch out. Bulky Ground types that I could've OHKO'd with HP Ice get nailed next turn. Surprise value eis great for this; it also serves as my check against Gyarados and non-DD Salamence. It functions.. alright against Latias, as I can poison it while it hopefully sets up, predicting a switch. I can also just outright Substitute on a switch, which causes a lot of problems; most Pokemon can be 2HKO'd by Jolteon's Thunderbolt. She also serves as my second "scout," along with Machamp, and is used to force switches so I can get a general idea of what my opponent's up to.
Lucario @ Choice Specs (Inner Focus)
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe/ 4 SpD
Timid Nature (+Spe, -SpA)
Aura Sphere
Vacuum Wave
Hidden Power (Rock)
Dark Pulse
Comments: I know I just mentioned that I don't like being locked into a move, but this was too good to resist. In June, only about 15% of Lucario ran max SpA, which implies a Choice Specs set. This thing is so neglected, it's sort of funny. Lucario's dangerous enough that people aren't going to waste time being cautious; they're going to get a counter in or try to OHKO as quickly as possible. I use this "panic" to my advantage. Lucario's counters are all physical walls or flying types with Intimidate; all of these guys also tend to have very low SpD, which I abuse to the fullest. Against an unknown switch-in, I generally use HP Rock; it crushes Gyara, Zapdos, and Salamence, dealing a respecable OHKO at best, or a 2HKO at worst. People also tend to forget that Lucario's SpA is higher than its physical Atk (!). Aura Sphere is for decent STAB, Vacuum Wave for revenge kills, and Dark Pulse for ghosts who hope to get in for free on my predicted Close Combat, or Aura Sphere. I use Lucario to cripple dedicated walls to give Gyara and Meta an easier time.
Mamoswine @ Leftovers (Snow Cloak)
EVs: 176 Hp / 116 Atk / 196 Spe / 20 SpD
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpA) ~By now, you've probably noticed I'm paranoid of speed ties.~
Stealth Rock
Ice Shard
Toxic
Earthquake
Mamoswine's the most recent addition to my team, and probably the most replaceable. I needed someone to set up SR, and preferably give me a check to DDers who've set up a bit too much for comfort. Really, I'm not too sure about Mamoswine; it's attack is amazing, and Toxic is a nasty surprise for many pokes that try to abuse an immunity to EQ and not minding Ice shard. Still, I've found that Mamo usually ends up as set-up bait for DD Gyara, who switches in as I SR. Should I run Stone Edge over Toxic? But that would give me 3 guys already using a Rock type attack.. any ideas? Like I said, this guy's replacable, because I haven't really gotten a "feel" for him yet. Once again, he hurts people who resist Gyarados and Metagross. STAB EQ coming from 130 Atk hurts.
Gyarados @ Leftovers (Intimidate)
EVs: 156 Hp / 108 Atk / 100 Def / 144 Spe
Adamant Nature ( Atk, - SpA)
Stone Edge
Waterfall
Bounce
Dragon Dance
Comments: I love this thing. After a DD, which is pretty easy, considering Gyara's immunity, and extremely useful resistances, I'm ready to cause pain. By the time Gyara comes out, a lot of things that could've stood in his way before or either dead, bleeind, lacerated, or... you get the idea. Hopefully, the presence of Jolteon and Mamoswine will also discourage Electric type attacks; once he gets in, let the rampage begin! Waterfall is standard fare as a STAB water attack; Stone Edge to hit enemy Gyara, while Bounce gives me an extremely powerful move that dodges status, buys me lefties recovery time, and allows me to scout switches. Bouncing on the turn Starmie comes in is hilarious, and Water + Flying + Rock gives surprisingly good coverage. However, I sometimes find that I'm forced to switch in Gyara early, particularly against ScarfTran, because I have no other resists to Fire. However, Machamp can take 2 Flamethrowers if needed, so it's not too big of an issue. If there's a more efficient EV spread, please tell me!
Metagross @ Leftovers/Lum/Occa Berry (Clear Body)
EVs: 112 Hp / 252 Atk / 12 Def / 132 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
Meteor Mash
/
Ice/Thunder Punch
Rock Polish (Agility's for losers!)
Earthquake
And finally, Gyarados' other BFF: Metagross! After a Rock Polish, he outruns virtually everything, and with that monstrous Attack stat, something's going to die. He's extremely bulky, resistant to all forms of priority, and destroys both stall and fragile sweepers. He is also pretty easy to get in, and hopefully, between my 5 other team members, most of his counters are going to be dead. I was really sceptical when I first used him, but he's proven me wrong time and time again; he needed a speed boost, not an attack boost. I've used him, and now I love him. I've got a problem with which attacks to run, though; Explosion seems pretty tempting, and when I run only 1 elemental punch, I get walled by Gyarados or Hippodon, respectively. I'd like some advice on that... otherwise, maximized attack to pulverize things, 144 Speed to outrun nearly everything after a Rock Polish, and Steel + Ground + Ice for coverage.
Thanks for reading through my team, oh omniscient and benevolent souls. If you can help me in any way, I'd greatly appreciate it! Right now, my main problem is stall with good prediction, and DD Gyara. If anyone has some ideas on that, please tell me.
~Threat List to come~
Well, as you can see, it's a fairly stereotypical offensive team. I tried not to use Scizor, Salamence, or Latias, because I've become a bit bored with them. Most of my Pokemon run slightly lesser used set to get an element of surprise.
Machamp @ Lum Berry (No Guard)
EVS: 252 Hp/ 168 Atk/ 96 SpD
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA) 19 SpE IVs
Comments: Machamp is an amazing lead, in my experience. With a rise in Metagross and Swampert usage, this thing's become very invaluable to me. SR is usually their #1 priority, which promptly gets Encored. I Substitute on the switch, and proceed to hurt things with either Dynamic Punch or Stone Edge. The garunteed Confusion is really useful, which causes even more switches. The EVs garuntee that Azelf's psychic will never OHKO, and Bronzong's Gyro Ball will not even break my sub. It's really nice how I can open with nearly any move except Stone Edge; there's either massive damage and confusion, a pokemon that's effictively tricked a Choice item, or I'm safely behind a substitute. He also shares some counters with Agiligross and Gyarados, which I'll try to rough up a bit before Machamp goes down.
Jolteon @ Zap Plate (Volt Absorb)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
Comments: Another one of my favorite Pokes, Jolteon serves as Gyarados' partner in crime. Their immunities to Electric and Ground attacks, respectively, help a lot in setting up. Now, you've noticed, why am I running Zap Plate over Choice Specs? As I've stated before, I don't like mispredicting and getting locked into 1 move. A Zap Plate gives me only 0.3 less of a boost than Choice Specs, and most importantly, it allows me to feign Specs when I don't feel like using Substitute. Blissey gets lured in and Toxic'd, meaning it has to switch out. Bulky Ground types that I could've OHKO'd with HP Ice get nailed next turn. Surprise value eis great for this; it also serves as my check against Gyarados and non-DD Salamence. It functions.. alright against Latias, as I can poison it while it hopefully sets up, predicting a switch. I can also just outright Substitute on a switch, which causes a lot of problems; most Pokemon can be 2HKO'd by Jolteon's Thunderbolt. She also serves as my second "scout," along with Machamp, and is used to force switches so I can get a general idea of what my opponent's up to.
Lucario @ Choice Specs (Inner Focus)
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe/ 4 SpD
Timid Nature (+Spe, -SpA)
Comments: I know I just mentioned that I don't like being locked into a move, but this was too good to resist. In June, only about 15% of Lucario ran max SpA, which implies a Choice Specs set. This thing is so neglected, it's sort of funny. Lucario's dangerous enough that people aren't going to waste time being cautious; they're going to get a counter in or try to OHKO as quickly as possible. I use this "panic" to my advantage. Lucario's counters are all physical walls or flying types with Intimidate; all of these guys also tend to have very low SpD, which I abuse to the fullest. Against an unknown switch-in, I generally use HP Rock; it crushes Gyara, Zapdos, and Salamence, dealing a respecable OHKO at best, or a 2HKO at worst. People also tend to forget that Lucario's SpA is higher than its physical Atk (!). Aura Sphere is for decent STAB, Vacuum Wave for revenge kills, and Dark Pulse for ghosts who hope to get in for free on my predicted Close Combat, or Aura Sphere. I use Lucario to cripple dedicated walls to give Gyara and Meta an easier time.
Mamoswine @ Leftovers (Snow Cloak)
EVs: 176 Hp / 116 Atk / 196 Spe / 20 SpD
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpA) ~By now, you've probably noticed I'm paranoid of speed ties.~
Mamoswine's the most recent addition to my team, and probably the most replaceable. I needed someone to set up SR, and preferably give me a check to DDers who've set up a bit too much for comfort. Really, I'm not too sure about Mamoswine; it's attack is amazing, and Toxic is a nasty surprise for many pokes that try to abuse an immunity to EQ and not minding Ice shard. Still, I've found that Mamo usually ends up as set-up bait for DD Gyara, who switches in as I SR. Should I run Stone Edge over Toxic? But that would give me 3 guys already using a Rock type attack.. any ideas? Like I said, this guy's replacable, because I haven't really gotten a "feel" for him yet. Once again, he hurts people who resist Gyarados and Metagross. STAB EQ coming from 130 Atk hurts.
Gyarados @ Leftovers (Intimidate)
EVs: 156 Hp / 108 Atk / 100 Def / 144 Spe
Adamant Nature ( Atk, - SpA)
Comments: I love this thing. After a DD, which is pretty easy, considering Gyara's immunity, and extremely useful resistances, I'm ready to cause pain. By the time Gyara comes out, a lot of things that could've stood in his way before or either dead, bleeind, lacerated, or... you get the idea. Hopefully, the presence of Jolteon and Mamoswine will also discourage Electric type attacks; once he gets in, let the rampage begin! Waterfall is standard fare as a STAB water attack; Stone Edge to hit enemy Gyara, while Bounce gives me an extremely powerful move that dodges status, buys me lefties recovery time, and allows me to scout switches. Bouncing on the turn Starmie comes in is hilarious, and Water + Flying + Rock gives surprisingly good coverage. However, I sometimes find that I'm forced to switch in Gyara early, particularly against ScarfTran, because I have no other resists to Fire. However, Machamp can take 2 Flamethrowers if needed, so it's not too big of an issue. If there's a more efficient EV spread, please tell me!
Metagross @ Leftovers/Lum/Occa Berry (Clear Body)
EVs: 112 Hp / 252 Atk / 12 Def / 132 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
And finally, Gyarados' other BFF: Metagross! After a Rock Polish, he outruns virtually everything, and with that monstrous Attack stat, something's going to die. He's extremely bulky, resistant to all forms of priority, and destroys both stall and fragile sweepers. He is also pretty easy to get in, and hopefully, between my 5 other team members, most of his counters are going to be dead. I was really sceptical when I first used him, but he's proven me wrong time and time again; he needed a speed boost, not an attack boost. I've used him, and now I love him. I've got a problem with which attacks to run, though; Explosion seems pretty tempting, and when I run only 1 elemental punch, I get walled by Gyarados or Hippodon, respectively. I'd like some advice on that... otherwise, maximized attack to pulverize things, 144 Speed to outrun nearly everything after a Rock Polish, and Steel + Ground + Ice for coverage.
Thanks for reading through my team, oh omniscient and benevolent souls. If you can help me in any way, I'd greatly appreciate it! Right now, my main problem is stall with good prediction, and DD Gyara. If anyone has some ideas on that, please tell me.
~Threat List to come~
