I don't know what happened to me. All of a sudden, I couldn't keep using the standard sandstorm team I usually use. Now, I just want to have fun, so I'm starting to ease into using more "not standard" movesets. Some Pokes here are standard, but until I can get really good, I'll have to settle for this. Please rate, and help me to improve!
Role Call!
Main objective:
-Set up Lucario to sweep.
-...Well what else is there?!?!?
Alakazam@Choice Scarf
Timid (Inner Focus)
252 Sp. A / 252 Spd / 6 Hp
Psychic
Trick
Hidden Power Ice
Grass Knot
WTF! Zam with a Scarf! No it isn't a typo. Behold! The fastest thing in all of Pokemon! Even outrunning the famous Speed Deoxys! It serves as a nice lead, crushing both scarf Gengar and Salamence leads. Bronzong may be a little threatening, what with Gyro Ball, but I'm hoping they'll predict a switch and use SR instead, allowing me a free Trick! I need someone to run a damage calc to see if a Gyro Ball from a standard Brongzong can kill a Timid Zam in one hit. Keep in mind the Bronzong will be scarfed when attacking hee hee. Even if it doesn't get an oppurtunity to Trick, it still serves as a great revenge killer. Completely takes ScarfChomp by surprise, thinking this'll be an easy KO. Gengar is in the same boat, along with Deoxys and scarf Heracross. One problem is that there are fewing things that I can trick scarf to, as Specs can be tricked to Gyarados, Garchomp, and such, but not Scarf. Only bulky walls and tanks can be targeted. Also, I'm worried how much firepower we'll lose with just scarf, and Pursuit Weavile kind of slaughters us (heck any pursuit user for that matter). It'll be much easier for Lucario to sweep if Celebi, Cresselia, and Slowbro all have a Choice Scarf. As for moveslots, Psychic is a must, along with Trick. Grass Knot is for common Hippowdon and Swampert leads, and Hidden Power Ice for Salamence leads, and possibly revenge killing Dragonite and Garchomp. Shadow Ball also has its usage for getting Azelf and Starmie. I need help deciding moves.
Purpose:
-Get an early surprise move, and take out one opponent.
-Serve as a revenge killer.
-Burden a wall for the rest of the match.
-Gives Lucario an easier time to sweep later on.
-Draws out physical sweepers and walls, giving us a better understanding of their team make-up.
Gliscor@Leftovers
Impish (Hyper Cutter)
252 Hp / 252 Def / 6 Atk
Earthquake
Ice Fang
Roost
Stealth Rock
Oh great, a standard Pokemon. Oh well, this is OU isn't it? It simply sets up Stealth Rock to weaken opponents for a sweep, not very different from Hippowdon. It serves as a solid physical wall, and decent offensive coverage. Something important is that it'll stop Heracross and physical Lucario, both of which give our Lucario trouble. It's not so bad really. Spiritomb walks all over these first two Pokes, and we need a reliable special wall. We also need an answer to Weezing, Hippowdon (Alakazam isn't a "counter"), Weavile, and Electivire. Gyarados and bulky waters = problem, along with Cress.
Purpose:
-Serves as a stable physical wall.
-Sets up SR, to weaken opposing Pokemon.
-Being a physical wall, it'll cause many switches among physical sweepers, and stop Heracross and physical Lucario, which give Lucario problems.
Heatran@Leftovers
Timid (Flash Fire)
252 Spd / 232 Sp. Atk / 20 Hp
Taunt
Lava Plume
Earthpower
Explosion
Well at least this isn't standard. Here's the plan really: Come in on a wall, preferably something that'll use Will-O-Wisp, or has no moves that will hurt Heatran, Taunt, and begin the bashing. I didn't want another Scarf Heatran, as it's too common, and we already have Zam for our speed-killing needs. I've never used a Heatran like this, but reading that it'll be able to take down Blissey and Cress just sounds so much fun! Weavile won't do much except for Brick Break, which isn't that threatening. Spiritomb will hands down die from this. Weezing, same thing with Spiritomb. I just love how Heatran can completely handicap and destroy two of Gliscor's worst enemies. It's another wall-breaker, which will be able to slow down Cress and eliminate it, making it easier for Lucario, and get rid of bulky ghosts, which Lucario also hates. Dusknoir and Spiritomb won't know what'll hit them! Bulky waters are a worry, despite Zam's Grass Knot possibility. Hippowdon, Electivire, and Gyarados also remain as threats. Infernape worries me :(
Lava Plume deserves consideration, as burning Cresselia sounds so sweet!
Purpose:
-Provides coverage for Gliscor and Zam, stopping some of their big counters.
-Eliminates bulky ghost types, allowing Lucario an easier sweep.
-Beats or at the very least whittles down Blissey and Cresselia, allowing an easier sweep.
-Provides a helpful fire immunity.
-Typing and decent defenses gives a good walling combo with Gliscor.
Vaporeon@Leftovers
Bold (Water Absorb)
252 Def / 188 Hp / 68 Sp.Atk
Wish
Surf
Protect
Hidden Power Electric
Gee, I don't know. Vaporeon never seemed to me like a powerful double wall. I don't think it is, but it makes a pretty good bulky water. Wish is there obviously for self recovery, but also to pass Wishes onto other teammates, the biggest one being Heatran. Surf for reliable stab, Toxic for stalling, and Protect to let Toxic and Wish do their things. This guy will be our main switch-in to Hippowdon if Zam didn't Grass Knot it, and also our answer to Infernape. Because we're lacking Hidden Power Electric, I'm afraid Gyarados will walk all over us. Electivire is also a problem. Not much to say really, except it's mostly used to take out bulky ground types, and maybe Toxic stall the bulky waters. I'm worried without a cleric, then once Vaporeon is poisoned or burned, it's pretty much gone after a few turns. Everyone else doesn't have much of a problem with passive damage, so I'll see how well we do without a cleric for now. Again, Electivire screws us over, and Gyarados is a bit frightening. Salamence is also a bit of a threat. I really hope Heatran can take a Draco Meteor.
Purpose:
-Wish-pass to other teammembers.
-Weaken things through Toxic-stalling.
-Take out or weaken bulky ground and water types.
-Stops Infernape
Spiritomb@Leftovers
Calm (Pressure)
252 Hp / 152 Def / 106 Sp.Def
Will-O-Wisp
Shadow Ball
Rest
Sleep Talk
Hooray! We have a status absorber! It's also going to be (not the best, but decent) Electivire counter. Switch in, rest if necessary, and hope to god Will-O-Wisp hits. Because it's going to be facing off against Electivire, Shadow Ball would be a better option, as we don't want to voluntarily activate motor drive. Then again, HP electric strikes Gyarados hard, and even if Electivire gets the boost, a burn will render it useless. But SleepTalk could easily backfire, so Shadow Ball is a safer option. Spiritomb also makes a great Gengar and Azelf counter, which is very useful. It's not our primary concern, but it can block rapid spin so SR stays. Donphan gets burned, and Starmie is hit hard no matter which path we take. I think Spiritomb will make me proud. It also completes a sturdy Spiritomb/Vaporeon/Heatran/Gliscor combo, lol.
Purpose:
-Absorb status
-Counter Electivire, and to a lesser extent Gyarados
-Blocks Rapid Spin
-Counters common threats
Lucario@Life Orb
Adamant (Inner Focus)
252 Atk / 252 Spd / 6 Hp
Close Combat
Extremespeed
Swords Dance
Stone Edge
Saving our best for last. Once the field is full of dying Pokemon, either statused, whittled down, and ready to be wiped, Lucario comes out and dances. Then he sweeps! The main strategy here is have Heatran out. Hopefully they'll bring in some sort of wall, Blissey, Bronzong, etc. Heatran Taunts, and hopefully they will stay in, while I switch in Lucario. They can't status from the Taunt, they switch, and I SD on the same turn. And the destruction begins! I chose Bullet Punch mainly for Gengar and Aerodactyl, but I'm worried Infernape will outspeed and kill us. Close Combat for stab, Stone Edge for Gyarados, Salamence, and any other flying type. Extremespeed remains as a viable option. As for our remaining threats, Gyarados may be running rampant, but with Stone Edge it shouldn't be TOO much of a problem. Electivire is an easy CC target. Specsmence worries me.
Well, that's the team :)
Problems:
-No reliable special wall (unless Vaporeon counts as one)
-Weakness to trapping strategies (Pursuit>Alakazam, Arena Trap>Heatran)
-No reliable answer to Gyarados
-No answer to Subseeders
-Specsmence may give us trouble
If there are any more, tell me, and if they seem reasonable I'll post them here!
Pros:
-Unexpected lead
-Wish-passing
-SR support
-RS blocking
-Status absorber
-Revenge killer
-Diverse typing
-A few unexpected movesets
Rate away! Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Note: This is a Wifi team, so please don't suggest to go get a certain Hidden Power or something like that. Thank you.
Role Call!
Main objective:
-Set up Lucario to sweep.
-...Well what else is there?!?!?
Alakazam@Choice Scarf
Timid (Inner Focus)
252 Sp. A / 252 Spd / 6 Hp
Psychic
Trick
Hidden Power Ice
Grass Knot
WTF! Zam with a Scarf! No it isn't a typo. Behold! The fastest thing in all of Pokemon! Even outrunning the famous Speed Deoxys! It serves as a nice lead, crushing both scarf Gengar and Salamence leads. Bronzong may be a little threatening, what with Gyro Ball, but I'm hoping they'll predict a switch and use SR instead, allowing me a free Trick! I need someone to run a damage calc to see if a Gyro Ball from a standard Brongzong can kill a Timid Zam in one hit. Keep in mind the Bronzong will be scarfed when attacking hee hee. Even if it doesn't get an oppurtunity to Trick, it still serves as a great revenge killer. Completely takes ScarfChomp by surprise, thinking this'll be an easy KO. Gengar is in the same boat, along with Deoxys and scarf Heracross. One problem is that there are fewing things that I can trick scarf to, as Specs can be tricked to Gyarados, Garchomp, and such, but not Scarf. Only bulky walls and tanks can be targeted. Also, I'm worried how much firepower we'll lose with just scarf, and Pursuit Weavile kind of slaughters us (heck any pursuit user for that matter). It'll be much easier for Lucario to sweep if Celebi, Cresselia, and Slowbro all have a Choice Scarf. As for moveslots, Psychic is a must, along with Trick. Grass Knot is for common Hippowdon and Swampert leads, and Hidden Power Ice for Salamence leads, and possibly revenge killing Dragonite and Garchomp. Shadow Ball also has its usage for getting Azelf and Starmie. I need help deciding moves.
Purpose:
-Get an early surprise move, and take out one opponent.
-Serve as a revenge killer.
-Burden a wall for the rest of the match.
-Gives Lucario an easier time to sweep later on.
-Draws out physical sweepers and walls, giving us a better understanding of their team make-up.
Gliscor@Leftovers
Impish (Hyper Cutter)
252 Hp / 252 Def / 6 Atk
Earthquake
Ice Fang
Roost
Stealth Rock
Oh great, a standard Pokemon. Oh well, this is OU isn't it? It simply sets up Stealth Rock to weaken opponents for a sweep, not very different from Hippowdon. It serves as a solid physical wall, and decent offensive coverage. Something important is that it'll stop Heracross and physical Lucario, both of which give our Lucario trouble. It's not so bad really. Spiritomb walks all over these first two Pokes, and we need a reliable special wall. We also need an answer to Weezing, Hippowdon (Alakazam isn't a "counter"), Weavile, and Electivire. Gyarados and bulky waters = problem, along with Cress.
Purpose:
-Serves as a stable physical wall.
-Sets up SR, to weaken opposing Pokemon.
-Being a physical wall, it'll cause many switches among physical sweepers, and stop Heracross and physical Lucario, which give Lucario problems.
Heatran@Leftovers
Timid (Flash Fire)
252 Spd / 232 Sp. Atk / 20 Hp
Taunt
Lava Plume
Earthpower
Explosion
Well at least this isn't standard. Here's the plan really: Come in on a wall, preferably something that'll use Will-O-Wisp, or has no moves that will hurt Heatran, Taunt, and begin the bashing. I didn't want another Scarf Heatran, as it's too common, and we already have Zam for our speed-killing needs. I've never used a Heatran like this, but reading that it'll be able to take down Blissey and Cress just sounds so much fun! Weavile won't do much except for Brick Break, which isn't that threatening. Spiritomb will hands down die from this. Weezing, same thing with Spiritomb. I just love how Heatran can completely handicap and destroy two of Gliscor's worst enemies. It's another wall-breaker, which will be able to slow down Cress and eliminate it, making it easier for Lucario, and get rid of bulky ghosts, which Lucario also hates. Dusknoir and Spiritomb won't know what'll hit them! Bulky waters are a worry, despite Zam's Grass Knot possibility. Hippowdon, Electivire, and Gyarados also remain as threats. Infernape worries me :(
Lava Plume deserves consideration, as burning Cresselia sounds so sweet!
Purpose:
-Provides coverage for Gliscor and Zam, stopping some of their big counters.
-Eliminates bulky ghost types, allowing Lucario an easier sweep.
-Beats or at the very least whittles down Blissey and Cresselia, allowing an easier sweep.
-Provides a helpful fire immunity.
-Typing and decent defenses gives a good walling combo with Gliscor.
Vaporeon@Leftovers
Bold (Water Absorb)
252 Def / 188 Hp / 68 Sp.Atk
Wish
Surf
Protect
Hidden Power Electric
Gee, I don't know. Vaporeon never seemed to me like a powerful double wall. I don't think it is, but it makes a pretty good bulky water. Wish is there obviously for self recovery, but also to pass Wishes onto other teammates, the biggest one being Heatran. Surf for reliable stab, Toxic for stalling, and Protect to let Toxic and Wish do their things. This guy will be our main switch-in to Hippowdon if Zam didn't Grass Knot it, and also our answer to Infernape. Because we're lacking Hidden Power Electric, I'm afraid Gyarados will walk all over us. Electivire is also a problem. Not much to say really, except it's mostly used to take out bulky ground types, and maybe Toxic stall the bulky waters. I'm worried without a cleric, then once Vaporeon is poisoned or burned, it's pretty much gone after a few turns. Everyone else doesn't have much of a problem with passive damage, so I'll see how well we do without a cleric for now. Again, Electivire screws us over, and Gyarados is a bit frightening. Salamence is also a bit of a threat. I really hope Heatran can take a Draco Meteor.
Purpose:
-Wish-pass to other teammembers.
-Weaken things through Toxic-stalling.
-Take out or weaken bulky ground and water types.
-Stops Infernape
Spiritomb@Leftovers
Calm (Pressure)
252 Hp / 152 Def / 106 Sp.Def
Will-O-Wisp
Shadow Ball
Rest
Sleep Talk
Hooray! We have a status absorber! It's also going to be (not the best, but decent) Electivire counter. Switch in, rest if necessary, and hope to god Will-O-Wisp hits. Because it's going to be facing off against Electivire, Shadow Ball would be a better option, as we don't want to voluntarily activate motor drive. Then again, HP electric strikes Gyarados hard, and even if Electivire gets the boost, a burn will render it useless. But SleepTalk could easily backfire, so Shadow Ball is a safer option. Spiritomb also makes a great Gengar and Azelf counter, which is very useful. It's not our primary concern, but it can block rapid spin so SR stays. Donphan gets burned, and Starmie is hit hard no matter which path we take. I think Spiritomb will make me proud. It also completes a sturdy Spiritomb/Vaporeon/Heatran/Gliscor combo, lol.
Purpose:
-Absorb status
-Counter Electivire, and to a lesser extent Gyarados
-Blocks Rapid Spin
-Counters common threats
Lucario@Life Orb
Adamant (Inner Focus)
252 Atk / 252 Spd / 6 Hp
Close Combat
Extremespeed
Swords Dance
Stone Edge
Saving our best for last. Once the field is full of dying Pokemon, either statused, whittled down, and ready to be wiped, Lucario comes out and dances. Then he sweeps! The main strategy here is have Heatran out. Hopefully they'll bring in some sort of wall, Blissey, Bronzong, etc. Heatran Taunts, and hopefully they will stay in, while I switch in Lucario. They can't status from the Taunt, they switch, and I SD on the same turn. And the destruction begins! I chose Bullet Punch mainly for Gengar and Aerodactyl, but I'm worried Infernape will outspeed and kill us. Close Combat for stab, Stone Edge for Gyarados, Salamence, and any other flying type. Extremespeed remains as a viable option. As for our remaining threats, Gyarados may be running rampant, but with Stone Edge it shouldn't be TOO much of a problem. Electivire is an easy CC target. Specsmence worries me.
Well, that's the team :)
Problems:
-No reliable special wall (unless Vaporeon counts as one)
-Weakness to trapping strategies (Pursuit>Alakazam, Arena Trap>Heatran)
-No reliable answer to Gyarados
-No answer to Subseeders
-Specsmence may give us trouble
If there are any more, tell me, and if they seem reasonable I'll post them here!
Pros:
-Unexpected lead
-Wish-passing
-SR support
-RS blocking
-Status absorber
-Revenge killer
-Diverse typing
-A few unexpected movesets
Battle Strategies:
-Heatran sets up Lucario: Heatran Taunts a wall, switch to Lucario, who doesn't get hit by status or support moves. Lucario SD's on the switch, we sweep.
-Zam Opening Prediction:
Gengar: Use Psychic, they'll expect to be faster if they have a CS and Hypnosis. We kill them through surprise!
Swampert: Might suspect Grass Knot, switch in case they bring in a Pursuit-er.
Bronzong: Trick the Scarf
Gyarados: Risky, may DD predicting a switch. Scarf may help them to take on Lucario if they have EQ. NEED SUGGESTIONS HERE!
Salamence: Hidden Power them. Won't expect Ice.
Azelf: Switch, without Shadow Ball, can't do much.
Hippowdon: May suspect Grass Knot, but too costly to predict wrong. Grass Knot anyways.
Infernape: Will expect Psychic, we switch in case of Pursuit-er (Note: Until we know they don't have a Pursuit-er, we can't Trick predicting a Blissey/Cress switch in).
Those are some common leads, if you have any dangerous leads that might need attention, tell me!
-More will be added when I get good with this team! ^^That's just a sample of my bag of tricks!-Heatran sets up Lucario: Heatran Taunts a wall, switch to Lucario, who doesn't get hit by status or support moves. Lucario SD's on the switch, we sweep.
-Zam Opening Prediction:
Gengar: Use Psychic, they'll expect to be faster if they have a CS and Hypnosis. We kill them through surprise!
Swampert: Might suspect Grass Knot, switch in case they bring in a Pursuit-er.
Bronzong: Trick the Scarf
Gyarados: Risky, may DD predicting a switch. Scarf may help them to take on Lucario if they have EQ. NEED SUGGESTIONS HERE!
Salamence: Hidden Power them. Won't expect Ice.
Azelf: Switch, without Shadow Ball, can't do much.
Hippowdon: May suspect Grass Knot, but too costly to predict wrong. Grass Knot anyways.
Infernape: Will expect Psychic, we switch in case of Pursuit-er (Note: Until we know they don't have a Pursuit-er, we can't Trick predicting a Blissey/Cress switch in).
Those are some common leads, if you have any dangerous leads that might need attention, tell me!
Rate away! Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Note: This is a Wifi team, so please don't suggest to go get a certain Hidden Power or something like that. Thank you.
