I had to prepare a team for the first X/Y tournament on another site, so I started to think about what mons to use, and wich style. I knew pretty well the 5th gen metagame, but having no practice at all with the new one, I didn't really new what to prepare for. I've always used balanced teams, or offensive with two support pokémon to glue them, but considering all the new entries and opportunities given here, I wanted to do something different.
And, as a result, I ended up using only Pokémon I'm well acquainted with.
Gengar was the firt mon I breeded in this gen, so he was naturally my starting point.
Sableye is a mon I really love, and really fun to use. In this gen I think it shares a surprising sinergy with Gengar (I'll explain later), so he got the spot.
Now things were getting serious. The third member would define the stile of my team. In the end I opted for Scizor, a excellent mon that in X/Y, thanks to Fairy's weakness to Stell, is even better.
I like Pyroar, but in all honestly, his typing is underwelming. Normal stab is useless, and the weakness to Fight is nasty. So I went back to my always trusted Arcanine.
At this point I wanted a good water type attacker. My first choise was Cloyster, but then my team would have had a bigger SR weakness, wich, considering how much relying on switching it is, isn't good at all. I decided to go for Mega-Blastoise, to get even a spinner. (FUN FACT: till now I've never used a Mega Evo. NOT ONCE. Neither in the main game)
Finally, the mon that had to close the circle. In the beginning, considering I wasn't using any new PKMN, I was tempted by Tyrantrum, but his weaknesses, combined with his disappointing ability (and the fact that the much more appealing Rock Head is yet unreleased), made me decide to have the perfect trio (water-fire-grass). And Breeloom was.
BEFORE READING: this tournament applies the Item Clause, so, if you see unusual items for these sets, now you know why they're there. And this is a 3DS tournament, so we'll have only officially released mons.
PHOBOS, THE REVENGE KILLER / WALL BREAKER
Gengar @ Poison Sludge
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spa, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
-Substitute
-Thunderball/Dazzling Gleam
-Shadowball
-Focus Blast/Sludge Bomb
Gengar act as fast revenge killer and wall breaker. I know that his most efficient strategy is the Disable one, but I didn't want to sacrifice coverage. The Substitute is there to trick Sucker Punch users, or put it up on Aegislash the turn he sets up thinking I'll switch (even if I have to watch out for the Shadow Sneak). I can't decide between Thunderball and Dazzling Gleam. The first is a way to dispose of Water types (especially Gyarados), but the other one puts a dent on Dark Types and is a good way to handle Bulletproof Chesnaught.
Same doubts about Focus Blast and Sludge Bomb, even if the latter will be probably the best choice for this gen (but then Ferrothorn would be a bitch to kill).
TROLOLOL, THE TROUBLE MAKER/DEALER
Sableye @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP, 252 SPDef, 4 Def
Calm Nature (+SPDef, -Atk)
-Will o' wisp
-Taunt
-Recover
-Shadow Sneak
As I mentioned, Sableye and Gengar now share good sinergy because of they' resiste each others weaknesses. The EV spread gives him the bulk to do the dirty job: trolling the enemy. Will o' wisp nerfs strong phisycal attackers as Lucario, Garchomp, and so on. Taunt defends him from set up sweepers, and checks Ferrothorn. Recover makes possible to stall the burned enemy, and Shadow Sneak give him the edge against near-death opponents, and a way to deal with Wobbufet and Gengar.
ZORO, THE BULKY TRAPPER
Scizor @ Life orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Atk, 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Spa)
-Roost
-Pursuit
-Bullet Punch
-U-Turn
Scizor works as counter for fairies and ghosts. That pursuit is sure to get Gengar and Honedge, not counting how much Bullet Punch hurts. I sacrificed speed investment and set up power for bulk, giving Roost to keep him health for a longer time, and the space to sweep. U-Turn is there to gain momentum, and because Bug Bite requires a 4th gen tutor.
RICKY BENSON, THE JACK OF TRADES
Arcanine @ Skill Belt/Assault vest/Choice Band
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Spa)
-Flare Blitz
-Wild Charge
-Close Combat
-Extreme Speed
A great return; this set is so good, so good! I don't think I need to explain it. It aims to hit everything, as strong as possible. Normally I would run a Life Orb on it, but because of Item Clause (and because I think that, because of Roost, Scizor is a better LO abuser), I ended up using a Skill Belt, given the elemental coverage. But I considered the Assault Vest because, considering this is an all attacking set, I might use it, but really don't know if that bulk is really worthy the loss of power. Finally, Choice Band is pure destruction, but being locked in a single move ruins the versatility of this set, wich is its greatest value. I ask your opinion on this matter.
GAMERA, THE OFFENSIVE MEGA-SPINNER
Mega-Blastoise @ Blastoisinite
Trait: Mega Launcher
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Spa, 4 Spd
Modest Nature (+Spa, -Atk)
-Rapid Spin
-Water Pulse
-Dark Pulse
-Ice Beam
Looking for an alternative spinner, I had a new way to use and old pal. The presence of a spinner gives some breath to his frailer companions (especially Arcanine), that really appreciate the possibility to come in and check another's weakness.
The sheer power of its Spa after full investment is impressive. Any spin blocker has to watch out befor coming in, as that Dark Pulse will annihilate them (with a sure 2HKO on Aegislash). Water Pulse is he better choice, having the strenght of Surf, plus the confusion chance. Finally, I decided to go for Ice Beam over Aura Sphear, to have Ice coverage, which is always good (even if right now dragons are kinda of a rare sight), but now Ferrothorn can wall this ad infinitum.
CATHERINE, THE SPORE CANNON
Breloom @ ???
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Spa)
-Spore
-Sword Dance
-Mach Punch
-Seed Bomb
Another classic set. Initially I wanted to go for a SubSeed set with Poison Heal, to give the team some more bulk. But Drain Punch, mandatory for it, is a gen 5 tutor's move (as for all the possible partners), wich sucks.
Nothing really to say about this: it abuses the ability to induce sleep, force switches, set up, and wreak shit. The only problem right now is that, because of Item Clause, I really don't know what item give her. A Life Orb would be nice, but it applies the same discourse made for Arcanine. So yeah, give some hints!
Overall the team seems pretty good, having a good sinergy between its members, and there aren't big threats, as far as I can see. But there's surely room for improvements. Thanks for reading, and for your help.
And, as a result, I ended up using only Pokémon I'm well acquainted with.
BUILDING PROCESS
Gengar was the firt mon I breeded in this gen, so he was naturally my starting point.
Sableye is a mon I really love, and really fun to use. In this gen I think it shares a surprising sinergy with Gengar (I'll explain later), so he got the spot.
Now things were getting serious. The third member would define the stile of my team. In the end I opted for Scizor, a excellent mon that in X/Y, thanks to Fairy's weakness to Stell, is even better.
I like Pyroar, but in all honestly, his typing is underwelming. Normal stab is useless, and the weakness to Fight is nasty. So I went back to my always trusted Arcanine.
At this point I wanted a good water type attacker. My first choise was Cloyster, but then my team would have had a bigger SR weakness, wich, considering how much relying on switching it is, isn't good at all. I decided to go for Mega-Blastoise, to get even a spinner. (FUN FACT: till now I've never used a Mega Evo. NOT ONCE. Neither in the main game)
Finally, the mon that had to close the circle. In the beginning, considering I wasn't using any new PKMN, I was tempted by Tyrantrum, but his weaknesses, combined with his disappointing ability (and the fact that the much more appealing Rock Head is yet unreleased), made me decide to have the perfect trio (water-fire-grass). And Breeloom was.
TEAM ANALYSIS
BEFORE READING: this tournament applies the Item Clause, so, if you see unusual items for these sets, now you know why they're there. And this is a 3DS tournament, so we'll have only officially released mons.
PHOBOS, THE REVENGE KILLER / WALL BREAKER
Gengar @ Poison Sludge
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spa, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
-Substitute
-Thunderball/Dazzling Gleam
-Shadowball
-Focus Blast/Sludge Bomb
Gengar act as fast revenge killer and wall breaker. I know that his most efficient strategy is the Disable one, but I didn't want to sacrifice coverage. The Substitute is there to trick Sucker Punch users, or put it up on Aegislash the turn he sets up thinking I'll switch (even if I have to watch out for the Shadow Sneak). I can't decide between Thunderball and Dazzling Gleam. The first is a way to dispose of Water types (especially Gyarados), but the other one puts a dent on Dark Types and is a good way to handle Bulletproof Chesnaught.
Same doubts about Focus Blast and Sludge Bomb, even if the latter will be probably the best choice for this gen (but then Ferrothorn would be a bitch to kill).
TROLOLOL, THE TROUBLE MAKER/DEALER
Sableye @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP, 252 SPDef, 4 Def
Calm Nature (+SPDef, -Atk)
-Will o' wisp
-Taunt
-Recover
-Shadow Sneak
As I mentioned, Sableye and Gengar now share good sinergy because of they' resiste each others weaknesses. The EV spread gives him the bulk to do the dirty job: trolling the enemy. Will o' wisp nerfs strong phisycal attackers as Lucario, Garchomp, and so on. Taunt defends him from set up sweepers, and checks Ferrothorn. Recover makes possible to stall the burned enemy, and Shadow Sneak give him the edge against near-death opponents, and a way to deal with Wobbufet and Gengar.
ZORO, THE BULKY TRAPPER
Scizor @ Life orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Atk, 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Spa)
-Roost
-Pursuit
-Bullet Punch
-U-Turn
Scizor works as counter for fairies and ghosts. That pursuit is sure to get Gengar and Honedge, not counting how much Bullet Punch hurts. I sacrificed speed investment and set up power for bulk, giving Roost to keep him health for a longer time, and the space to sweep. U-Turn is there to gain momentum, and because Bug Bite requires a 4th gen tutor.
RICKY BENSON, THE JACK OF TRADES
Arcanine @ Skill Belt/Assault vest/Choice Band
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Spa)
-Flare Blitz
-Wild Charge
-Close Combat
-Extreme Speed
A great return; this set is so good, so good! I don't think I need to explain it. It aims to hit everything, as strong as possible. Normally I would run a Life Orb on it, but because of Item Clause (and because I think that, because of Roost, Scizor is a better LO abuser), I ended up using a Skill Belt, given the elemental coverage. But I considered the Assault Vest because, considering this is an all attacking set, I might use it, but really don't know if that bulk is really worthy the loss of power. Finally, Choice Band is pure destruction, but being locked in a single move ruins the versatility of this set, wich is its greatest value. I ask your opinion on this matter.
GAMERA, THE OFFENSIVE MEGA-SPINNER
Mega-Blastoise @ Blastoisinite
Trait: Mega Launcher
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Spa, 4 Spd
Modest Nature (+Spa, -Atk)
-Rapid Spin
-Water Pulse
-Dark Pulse
-Ice Beam
Looking for an alternative spinner, I had a new way to use and old pal. The presence of a spinner gives some breath to his frailer companions (especially Arcanine), that really appreciate the possibility to come in and check another's weakness.
The sheer power of its Spa after full investment is impressive. Any spin blocker has to watch out befor coming in, as that Dark Pulse will annihilate them (with a sure 2HKO on Aegislash). Water Pulse is he better choice, having the strenght of Surf, plus the confusion chance. Finally, I decided to go for Ice Beam over Aura Sphear, to have Ice coverage, which is always good (even if right now dragons are kinda of a rare sight), but now Ferrothorn can wall this ad infinitum.
CATHERINE, THE SPORE CANNON
Breloom @ ???
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Spa)
-Spore
-Sword Dance
-Mach Punch
-Seed Bomb
Another classic set. Initially I wanted to go for a SubSeed set with Poison Heal, to give the team some more bulk. But Drain Punch, mandatory for it, is a gen 5 tutor's move (as for all the possible partners), wich sucks.
Nothing really to say about this: it abuses the ability to induce sleep, force switches, set up, and wreak shit. The only problem right now is that, because of Item Clause, I really don't know what item give her. A Life Orb would be nice, but it applies the same discourse made for Arcanine. So yeah, give some hints!
NOTABLE THREATS
Even if the team lacks testing, I can foresee some trouble makers.
Klefki, depending on the set, will give annoiance for sure. Prankster T.Wave can be a serious problem, considering how many sweepers relying on being fast I have. Unfortunately it wins the prakster race with Sableye, so the possibilities are two: I taunt him on the switch, or will have to handle in some way.
Aegislash can actually be handled in many ways by this team, but if it gets the time to set up, Shadow Sneak can be a problem.
Mega Gengar can be troublesome thanks to his trapping ability, outspeeding the weakened sweeper and revenge kill it (especially being immune to two out of three priorities in my team), but if I manage to hit him, each one of my mons should have enough power to even 1HKO him (bar Breelom, whose attacks are immune or resisted, even if I think a +2 Seed Bomb would hurt a lot).
Klefki, depending on the set, will give annoiance for sure. Prankster T.Wave can be a serious problem, considering how many sweepers relying on being fast I have. Unfortunately it wins the prakster race with Sableye, so the possibilities are two: I taunt him on the switch, or will have to handle in some way.
Aegislash can actually be handled in many ways by this team, but if it gets the time to set up, Shadow Sneak can be a problem.
Mega Gengar can be troublesome thanks to his trapping ability, outspeeding the weakened sweeper and revenge kill it (especially being immune to two out of three priorities in my team), but if I manage to hit him, each one of my mons should have enough power to even 1HKO him (bar Breelom, whose attacks are immune or resisted, even if I think a +2 Seed Bomb would hurt a lot).
CONCLUSIONS
Overall the team seems pretty good, having a good sinergy between its members, and there aren't big threats, as far as I can see. But there's surely room for improvements. Thanks for reading, and for your help.
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