So this team has taken me from a measly 800 rating to a 1200 CRE, but that still isn't very good I'm told. So, I'm posting it here in the hopes of advice on what fundamentals I'm missing out on. My play style is all out attack; I'm not that great at prediction yet, and I'm just learning how to calculate attacks + deviate from given sets. Synergy is another concept I struggle with; if you have links to recent topics or articles that I should read, please post them! So without further ado, here is my team.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP/4 Atk/252 Def/4 Spd
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Ice Beam
One of the most common leads, but with +1 Speed to out-roar other Swampert leads. I find it's really effective. It has the bulk to set up Stealth Rock, and then go on doing whatever it wants. If I can get an easy hit in, I'll take it. Otherwise, I'll start using Roar in order to scout their team. I find that I can usually get two or three in if the opponent knows what they're doing before Swampert falls. If I find a pokemon I can switch into, I'll take advantage of that. Match-up with other common leads below.
-- Roar (Scizor can kill later)
-- Ice Beam 2HKO
-- Roar (Metagross will deal with later)
-- Earthquake (2HKO)
-- Earthquake (2HKO)
-- Switch out to Metagross, use Grass Knot
Lucario (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- Extremespeed
- Swords Dance
Classic Swords Dance Lucario. Usually he comes out mid to late game. I don't often have time to use Swords Dance, but if I play him smart he doesn't need it. Extremespeed will kill most pokemon Close Combat weakens. Crunch is useful because my only other dark move is with Scizor, who is locked into Choice Band.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
I don't use U-Turn so much, as Swampert scouts with roar. He works well with Lucario, two powerful sweepers. A bit more bulky than lucario, most of the time he'll come out first. Bullet Punch is the preferred attack. Pursuit for Gengar and Starmie... this is another very standardized set.
Metagross @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 112 HP/252 Atk/12 Def/132 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Thunderpunch
- Grass Knot
Agiligross, but without Agility. I was having some serious problems with Swampert and Machamp leads, so I needed an attack that could take both on. I found that I never used Agility on my Metagross, and that he was bulky enough to survive hits from both. I switched in Grass Knot -- OHKO on Machamp, and 2HKO Swampert (usually Swampert kills Metagross first, but is weakened enough where E.S. or B.P. from Lucario or Scizor will end it). Also, Metagross can take Magnezone with an E.Q. which is very helpful on this team.
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 232 Atk/252 Spd/24 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
I save this guy for late game sweep. Depending on the game, I might Dragon Dance or just instant outrage. He can take a balanced game and usually turn it into a win for me. Fire Blast also deals with the occasional Breloom, which is very helpful.
Gyarados (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
Another late game sweep, Gyarados is quite helpful. I get a Dance off most times, and then just keep hitting hard until I fall. Usually will come into an E.Q. aimed at Metagross, Scizor, or Lucario.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't go too deep into the sets because they are incredibly standard. This team has had mixed results -- as mentioned, it's taken me from a 800 to a 1200 without being that great of a trainer. If you see any glaring problems, please mention them.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP/4 Atk/252 Def/4 Spd
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Ice Beam
One of the most common leads, but with +1 Speed to out-roar other Swampert leads. I find it's really effective. It has the bulk to set up Stealth Rock, and then go on doing whatever it wants. If I can get an easy hit in, I'll take it. Otherwise, I'll start using Roar in order to scout their team. I find that I can usually get two or three in if the opponent knows what they're doing before Swampert falls. If I find a pokemon I can switch into, I'll take advantage of that. Match-up with other common leads below.
Lucario (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- Extremespeed
- Swords Dance
Classic Swords Dance Lucario. Usually he comes out mid to late game. I don't often have time to use Swords Dance, but if I play him smart he doesn't need it. Extremespeed will kill most pokemon Close Combat weakens. Crunch is useful because my only other dark move is with Scizor, who is locked into Choice Band.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
I don't use U-Turn so much, as Swampert scouts with roar. He works well with Lucario, two powerful sweepers. A bit more bulky than lucario, most of the time he'll come out first. Bullet Punch is the preferred attack. Pursuit for Gengar and Starmie... this is another very standardized set.
Metagross @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 112 HP/252 Atk/12 Def/132 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Thunderpunch
- Grass Knot
Agiligross, but without Agility. I was having some serious problems with Swampert and Machamp leads, so I needed an attack that could take both on. I found that I never used Agility on my Metagross, and that he was bulky enough to survive hits from both. I switched in Grass Knot -- OHKO on Machamp, and 2HKO Swampert (usually Swampert kills Metagross first, but is weakened enough where E.S. or B.P. from Lucario or Scizor will end it). Also, Metagross can take Magnezone with an E.Q. which is very helpful on this team.
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 232 Atk/252 Spd/24 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
I save this guy for late game sweep. Depending on the game, I might Dragon Dance or just instant outrage. He can take a balanced game and usually turn it into a win for me. Fire Blast also deals with the occasional Breloom, which is very helpful.
Gyarados (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
Another late game sweep, Gyarados is quite helpful. I get a Dance off most times, and then just keep hitting hard until I fall. Usually will come into an E.Q. aimed at Metagross, Scizor, or Lucario.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't go too deep into the sets because they are incredibly standard. This team has had mixed results -- as mentioned, it's taken me from a 800 to a 1200 without being that great of a trainer. If you see any glaring problems, please mention them.
