So after nearly 5 months, I took it upon myself to actually devise a team for Wifi OU and Dream World, a team that has proven quite effective so far! However, I feel as though I'm missing some key aspects that would make this team work better.
After countless battles of getting Xatu'd or Espeon'd, I eschewed entry hazards in favor of the team I'll list BELOW...
Also, any changes made to the team are bolded.
Oiracul (Lucario) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Steadfast
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Crunch
- Swords Dance
Lucario's set was chosen for its "one kill guaranteed" properties, and the fact that it has the ability to munch'n'crunch Xatu and Espeon when they come out. Ferrothorn is shut down pretty quickly, I'd say, and if anything physical like Infernape or (god forbid) SB Blaziken comes in, counter and extreme speed to get a hit in on the next pokemon sent out. Alternatively, I can withdraw and save for when I use Cresselia. If I use Cresselia, I can Lunar Dance my way out of the hole and I can score maybe another hit or so with Lucario on something Lucario resists (seeing as FS is consumed after one use. OTL) I chose this pokemon because Aerodactyl, Metagross, and Swampert, all leads I had used in the past, were being killed and/or being used as setup fodder, so I decided to just get rid of the whole entry hazard ideal entirely.
Later on, as per a suggestion by Windsong, I switched around Lucario to be a Swords Dance sweeper, since Wi Fi OU had team display, a feature that completely nullified the whole concept of a lead.
"Lastly, with the introduction of Team Preview, the concept of leads is pretty much gone, so you don't really need a designated lead. I'd switch Lucario to a Swords Dance set instead, which pairs very well with Infernape, as the two lure in and weaken each other's counters with ease."
Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SDef
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Ice Fang
- Protect
- Taunt
- Earthquake
Gliscor became a favorite of mine for it's toxic stalling abilities (in more than one way, considering poison heal.) Substitute also helps to buffer heavy hitters' attacks, toxic poisons most adversaries, and for the annoying steel type every now and then, Earthquake settles it (barring Skarmory, of whom I have not seen.) Gliscor is great with scouting, because I can always switch in either Cress or Latias for defensive purposes.
The switch introduces Taunt and Ice Fang, while taking away Substitute and Toxic, so stall breaking is easier. It also shuts down hazard'rs. EV spread was changed accordingly to Windsong's suggestion.
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Dragon Pulse
- Roar
Latias was put in there for a special sweeper. Most of my team until I included her was full of physical sweepers, and I needed something not only powerful, but something that didn't die too often. Switching Latios for Latias cost some power, but Latios gets killed far too easily, and I like that I can switch Latias in on something like Jellicent or the like and start setting up Calm Mind with few qualms.
The new switch that calls for Roar over Refresh caused me to suffer from T-wave, but baton passing teams, pokemon I just didn't like, and anything else besides Excadrill were roared away and shut down. I considered putting in a SR'r, but every other battle had Espeon or Xatu on it, so I eschewed that idea.
Infernape (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 180 Def / 76 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Flare Blitz
I had previously placed in Mienshao in here as both a u-turner and a fast attacker than can take out enemy Lati(o/a)s, but I learned quickly that doing so was useless. A former opponent suggested the use of Infernape, so I tried it, and fell in love instantly. Infernape simply has to switch in on something it resists and use Swords Dance once. Unless I come into contact with something w/ Unaware, Infernape's speed and moveset allow it to shut down threats like Blissey, Xatu, Metagross, Ferrothorn, and the like. Espeon is the only threat to this set, and that was already solved earlier with the inclusion of Lucario, and Cresselia.
Dusknoir (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 228 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Earthquake
- Shadow Sneak
Dusknoir....well....Idk. I'm considering switching to Eviolite Dusclops, but I like having Leftovers there. But then again, Dusknoir's only got pain split, and it might as well lose some HP to do some damage to enemies. I'm not sure. But anyway, Dusknoir is there to spread burns around and possibly cripple fast sweepers whose names aren't Conkeldurr. Hi-jump Kick users are shut down if they miss, and are subsequently burned. EQ is okay for doing some damage, as well as Shadow Sneak, though neither of these do that much damage, so I don't rely on these, in fact I'm considering switching THOSE out as well. Any ideas?
Jirachi @ Leftovers Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd
Hardy Nature
- Iron Head
- Thunder Wave
- Wish
- Fire Punch
Jirachi's inclusion meant the exclusion of Cresselia. The switch was a wise one indeed. While I miss dual screens, I found eventually that it wasn't very reliable, and it was far easier to T-wave the enemy, and switch in one of my main offensive players (Lucario or Infernape) to clean up. Wish support helps with recovering the health of pokemon, and Fire punch is there solely for type coverage, though I doubt it'll see much use. In fact, I might decide to go instead for protect. Idk.
Even after eschewing entry hazards, I find that Dusknoir is repeatedly getting owned by Xatu and Espeon. I've lessened my status spreading, but at the same time, Conkeldurrs that keep switching in on my precious Dusknoir are annoying, because Guts just adds to their immense power. The ability to shut down baton passers from Latias has come in quite handy, though. (Not that I've won often!)
I feel as though there are still critical weaknesses I'm not seeing right now, and I was hoping the veterans out there could point those out for me! Thanks!
~Dawnrider
After countless battles of getting Xatu'd or Espeon'd, I eschewed entry hazards in favor of the team I'll list BELOW...
Also, any changes made to the team are bolded.
Oiracul (Lucario) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Steadfast
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Crunch
- Swords Dance
Lucario's set was chosen for its "one kill guaranteed" properties, and the fact that it has the ability to munch'n'crunch Xatu and Espeon when they come out. Ferrothorn is shut down pretty quickly, I'd say, and if anything physical like Infernape or (god forbid) SB Blaziken comes in, counter and extreme speed to get a hit in on the next pokemon sent out. Alternatively, I can withdraw and save for when I use Cresselia. If I use Cresselia, I can Lunar Dance my way out of the hole and I can score maybe another hit or so with Lucario on something Lucario resists (seeing as FS is consumed after one use. OTL) I chose this pokemon because Aerodactyl, Metagross, and Swampert, all leads I had used in the past, were being killed and/or being used as setup fodder, so I decided to just get rid of the whole entry hazard ideal entirely.
Later on, as per a suggestion by Windsong, I switched around Lucario to be a Swords Dance sweeper, since Wi Fi OU had team display, a feature that completely nullified the whole concept of a lead.
"Lastly, with the introduction of Team Preview, the concept of leads is pretty much gone, so you don't really need a designated lead. I'd switch Lucario to a Swords Dance set instead, which pairs very well with Infernape, as the two lure in and weaken each other's counters with ease."
Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SDef
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Ice Fang
- Protect
- Taunt
- Earthquake
Gliscor became a favorite of mine for it's toxic stalling abilities (in more than one way, considering poison heal.) Substitute also helps to buffer heavy hitters' attacks, toxic poisons most adversaries, and for the annoying steel type every now and then, Earthquake settles it (barring Skarmory, of whom I have not seen.) Gliscor is great with scouting, because I can always switch in either Cress or Latias for defensive purposes.
The switch introduces Taunt and Ice Fang, while taking away Substitute and Toxic, so stall breaking is easier. It also shuts down hazard'rs. EV spread was changed accordingly to Windsong's suggestion.
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Dragon Pulse
- Roar
Latias was put in there for a special sweeper. Most of my team until I included her was full of physical sweepers, and I needed something not only powerful, but something that didn't die too often. Switching Latios for Latias cost some power, but Latios gets killed far too easily, and I like that I can switch Latias in on something like Jellicent or the like and start setting up Calm Mind with few qualms.
The new switch that calls for Roar over Refresh caused me to suffer from T-wave, but baton passing teams, pokemon I just didn't like, and anything else besides Excadrill were roared away and shut down. I considered putting in a SR'r, but every other battle had Espeon or Xatu on it, so I eschewed that idea.
Infernape (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 180 Def / 76 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Flare Blitz
I had previously placed in Mienshao in here as both a u-turner and a fast attacker than can take out enemy Lati(o/a)s, but I learned quickly that doing so was useless. A former opponent suggested the use of Infernape, so I tried it, and fell in love instantly. Infernape simply has to switch in on something it resists and use Swords Dance once. Unless I come into contact with something w/ Unaware, Infernape's speed and moveset allow it to shut down threats like Blissey, Xatu, Metagross, Ferrothorn, and the like. Espeon is the only threat to this set, and that was already solved earlier with the inclusion of Lucario, and Cresselia.
Dusknoir (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 228 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Earthquake
- Shadow Sneak
Dusknoir....well....Idk. I'm considering switching to Eviolite Dusclops, but I like having Leftovers there. But then again, Dusknoir's only got pain split, and it might as well lose some HP to do some damage to enemies. I'm not sure. But anyway, Dusknoir is there to spread burns around and possibly cripple fast sweepers whose names aren't Conkeldurr. Hi-jump Kick users are shut down if they miss, and are subsequently burned. EQ is okay for doing some damage, as well as Shadow Sneak, though neither of these do that much damage, so I don't rely on these, in fact I'm considering switching THOSE out as well. Any ideas?
Jirachi @ Leftovers Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SDef / 32 Spd
Hardy Nature
- Iron Head
- Thunder Wave
- Wish
- Fire Punch
Jirachi's inclusion meant the exclusion of Cresselia. The switch was a wise one indeed. While I miss dual screens, I found eventually that it wasn't very reliable, and it was far easier to T-wave the enemy, and switch in one of my main offensive players (Lucario or Infernape) to clean up. Wish support helps with recovering the health of pokemon, and Fire punch is there solely for type coverage, though I doubt it'll see much use. In fact, I might decide to go instead for protect. Idk.
Even after eschewing entry hazards, I find that Dusknoir is repeatedly getting owned by Xatu and Espeon. I've lessened my status spreading, but at the same time, Conkeldurrs that keep switching in on my precious Dusknoir are annoying, because Guts just adds to their immense power. The ability to shut down baton passers from Latias has come in quite handy, though. (Not that I've won often!)
I feel as though there are still critical weaknesses I'm not seeing right now, and I was hoping the veterans out there could point those out for me! Thanks!
~Dawnrider
