Resource ORAS OU Simple Questions, Simple Answers (Read the OP First!)

[TaBuu]

Aight quick question:
All around the forums I've been seeing the notion that Choiced Pokemon that lack a pivot move such as U Turn or Volt Switch are not "very effective" choices (pardon the pun).
I can see where it's coming from but could someone give me a legitimate answer explaining this? What's changed in Gen VI that's made non pivot Choice Pokemon less viable?

 

[Vixana]

Aight quick question:
All around the forums I've been seeing the notion that Choiced Pokemon that lack a pivot move such as U Turn or Volt Switch are not "very effective" choices (pardon the pun).
I can see where it's coming from but could someone give me a legitimate answer explaining this? What's changed in Gen VI that's made non pivot Choice Pokemon less viable?

Nothing. Nothing has changed. Being choiced into say ... Outrage and a fairy is brought in, you are forced to switch. Possibly getting tricked and choiced into Taunt could force a switch too.

However, if you are running banded Lucario with Brick Break, Extremespeed, Poison Jab and Close Combat and are sending that in at the same moment that an opponent sends in Ageislash, you will be giving a free turn.
Of course, it does not necessarily have to be all x0 moves to have a need for a switch, a choiced special attacker will often have trouble with Blissey.

The reason for having a pivoting move is for when you expect to not be able to do much to your target. In that way you simply do not lose the turn without any significant effect. Many mons can be brought into KO range simply by a bit of prior damage.

 

[AfroThunderRule]

Sorry for the dumb question, can assist pick Whirlwind/Roar in 6th gen? :o

 

[sporeing]

I wouldn't say it is the best idea, but as long as you are using one that is a trick/switcheroo user and are using volt/turn it should be fine. If not, you better have some damn good pivots or you will find yourself losing momentum often.

I've seen it been done but generally it's not a good idea especially if you don't have a proper spinner or your prediction sucks. You will be forced to switch a lot or you may end up sacrificing something needlessly. Use what you like, everyone has their own style, but I would strongly caution against it because there are generally better alternatives. What do you plan on running?

Thanks for the reply guys, really appreciate it. I was just checking some general rules as I have yet to start team building. Would 2 choice users be okay though?

 

[TooMuchSugar]

Thanks for the reply guys, really appreciate it. I was just checking some general rules as I have yet to start team building. Would 2 choice users be okay though?

In general two is fine, but any more is pushing it.

 

[SoulRed12]

Thanks for the reply guys, really appreciate it. I was just checking some general rules as I have yet to start team building. Would 2 choice users be okay though?

Also keep in mind the more choice users you have the more vulnerable you become to entry hazards because of the extra switching required. I think the average is one to two per team.

 

[jamberine]

Would a jynx with mean look trick leppa berry and a gothitelle with rest, heal pulse, recycle, and trick leftovers(doesn't really matter, but might as well give your opponent that healing) get around the current endless battle clause? Trap a pokemon with jynx, trick it the leppa, then go out to your gothitelle and take it back with trick.

 

[SoulRed12]

Would a jynx with mean look trick leppa berry and a gothitelle with rest, heal pulse, recycle, and trick leftovers(doesn't really matter, but might as well give your opponent that healing) get around the current endless battle clause? Trap a pokemon with jynx, trick it the leppa, then go out to your gothitelle and take it back with trick.

In theory yes, though it would be easier to deal with than e.g. Slowbro since Jynx is frail and would have to take two hits from something before it could switch to Gothitelle. Also, it would be easier to beat because Gothitelle would have to rest for two turns, meaning it takes three hits before it can rest again unlike Slowbro who can simply heal 50% each turn. Also while Gothitelle is sleeping, the opponent might kill itself with struggle in the meantime depending on when Gothitelle had to rest. All that said, yes, if Jynx switches in on the right pokemon (a category which might, ironically, include certain kinds of Slowbro), the duo could indeed pull it off.

 

[SilverCrobat]

What calculator did you use? And did you use it before EV training and at what level? If the level was off by 1 in the calculator compared to in game then it could skew results. If you want to check the IVs and EVs and be 100% certain you need to upload it to Pokecheck.org. If it really has a 26 IV then giving it a powerbelt will only ever let it have a 26 IV

I used the calculator from serebii.net. And, yes, i used it at lv. 1 before EV training. The judge says "its fantastic in that regard" so thats 26 IV in DEF, i guess... So what is your advice? I breed again without power belt, untill i get another "Bold" "capable of taking hits" Feebas and recheck using the calculator AFTER EV training? Grtz

BTW, is the fact that he has 26 iv in defense the reason for the fact that some of my bred feebas still had another characterstic besides 'capable of taking hits' even though i used power belt on that milotic with 277 (26 iv) defense? Probably right? Thanks in advance!

 

[Deleted User [105998]]

I used the calculator from serebii.net. And, yes, i used it at lv. 1 before EV training. The judge says "its fantastic in that regard" so thats 26 IV in DEF, i guess... So what is your advice? I breed again without power belt, untill i get another "Bold" "capable of taking hits" Feebas and recheck using the calculator AFTER EV training? Grtz

BTW, is the fact that he has 26 iv in defense the reason for the fact that some of my bred feebas still had another characterstic besides 'capable of taking hits' even though i used power belt on that milotic with 277 (26 iv) defense? Probably right? Thanks in advance!

That is exactly why you where getting feebas with other characteristics some times. What I would used to do back in BW and BW2 is I would take a level 4 patrat with hypnosis and a smoke ball and search for dittos. I would catch 1 or 2 boxes of them until I got one with a perfect 31 in a stat for every stat. (Similar to friend safari dittos in X&Y but these dittos didn't have any guaranteed IVs so you had to be lucky) Then when breeding I would give the non ditto an everstone and then ditto the correct power item. I'd do this until I had 3 perfect IVs on the pokemon I was breeding. Its a bit time consuming but was the best way to get competitive pokemon without hacking or using RNG abuse.

 

[Hidious]

Thanks for the reply guys, really appreciate it. I was just checking some general rules as I have yet to start team building. Would 2 choice users be okay though?

Two choice users are fine. Really the only reason ever to use choice items is for wallbreaking (band/specs) or late game sweeping (scarf). However, both of those roles can be supplemented w/ a mixed attacker (Mega Lucario, Mega Garchomp, Aegislash, etc...) or a priority user (Talonflame, Dragonite, Mega Pinsir, etc...) Choice items are great, but relying on them too much can lose you games. Sometimes its better just to use a life orb or expert belt. However, there is no denying the sheer power of a choice specs latios draco meteor or the usefulness of a choice scarf genesect U-Turn.

 

[KidDracula]

Mega Absol All out attacker IV spread question..

Okay, so I'm somewhat new I understand how to Pass abilities, natures, IVs and calculate EVs and obtain egg moves, however Naive nature would increase speed and lower sp. Def. Putting this into consideration would this be a good iv spread 31/31/31/31/x/31. I chose sp. def as a non maxed IV due to the fact that it's going to be lowered so it seems useless to max it out unless you're a masochist trying to get a 6iv one.

thanks.

http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/completed-absol.3490639/

Here's a link to the Mega Absol build I'm interested in.

 

[Pyritie]

Would a jynx with mean look trick leppa berry and a gothitelle with rest, heal pulse, recycle, and trick leftovers(doesn't really matter, but might as well give your opponent that healing) get around the current endless battle clause? Trap a pokemon with jynx, trick it the leppa, then go out to your gothitelle and take it back with trick.

In theory yes, though it would be easier to deal with than e.g. Slowbro since Jynx is frail and would have to take two hits from something before it could switch to Gothitelle. Also, it would be easier to beat because Gothitelle would have to rest for two turns, meaning it takes three hits before it can rest again unlike Slowbro who can simply heal 50% each turn. Also while Gothitelle is sleeping, the opponent might kill itself with struggle in the meantime depending on when Gothitelle had to rest. All that said, yes, if Jynx switches in on the right pokemon (a category which might, ironically, include certain kinds of Slowbro), the duo could indeed pull it off.

(I still think there are better ways to stop endless battles like just banning heal pulse instead of leppa + recycle)

 

[kefkakrazy]

I have a Chesnaught I'm running on my XY cart as a physical tank/spiker. Bulletproof, Toxic/Synthesis/Spiky Shield/Spikes.

The problem is twofold: first, certain types (especially Ghost) are giving me a lot of trouble, and second, he doesn't often get a chance to set up multiple layers of spikes.

I'm considering replacing one of the moves on his set with Payback, in order to give him a little bit of teeth against the Ghosts that are giving me trouble, especially Aegislash. The most likely victim is Spiky Shield.

Any thoughts? Should I be considering a different move, such as Wood Hammer for STAB? It looks like I need to rebreed for a -speed nature to undercut Aegislash in terms of speed, at least, so in the immediate sense I may be stuck with the Wood Hammer.

 

[MegaZard29]

I just got a Kyurem and I'm working with what I have until PokeBank comes out. The Kyurem I have unfortunately does not have Earth Power, but I'd still like to use it anyways. Could I get some suggestions as to what I could possibly use in that slot?

/inb4 don't use Kyurem without Earth Power

Shoutout to Game Freak for not giving Kyurem Earthquake -_-

 

[Grey Knight]

I just got a Kyurem and I'm working with what I have until PokeBank comes out. The Kyurem I have unfortunately does not have Earth Power, but I'd still like to use it anyways. Could I get some suggestions as to what I could possibly use in that slot?

/inb4 don't use Kyurem without Earth Power

Shoutout to Game Freak for not giving Kyurem Earthquake -_-

C

 

[UnhandledException]

I just got a Kyurem and I'm working with what I have until PokeBank comes out. The Kyurem I have unfortunately does not have Earth Power, but I'd still like to use it anyways. Could I get some suggestions as to what I could possibly use in that slot?

/inb4 don't use Kyurem without Earth Power

Shoutout to Game Freak for not giving Kyurem Earthquake -_-

Focus Blast is really your only option although its considerably less useful than EP. It has the advantage of hitting Ferrothorn too, and can still hit stuff like Heatran(if you see any). That said if it has HP Fire then you can use that as well.

 

[Jukain]

Aight quick question:
All around the forums I've been seeing the notion that Choiced Pokemon that lack a pivot move such as U Turn or Volt Switch are not "very effective" choices (pardon the pun).
I can see where it's coming from but could someone give me a legitimate answer explaining this? What's changed in Gen VI that's made non pivot Choice Pokemon less viable?

Well, there are a couple reasons for this. Mainly, there are so many Pokemon that can switch into a Choiced Pokemon's attack, take it, and proceed to set up and demolish your team. As a general rule, Choiced Pokemon with U-turn or Volt Switch tend to perform better because then the opponent doesn't get that free setup turn. Non-pivot Choice Pokemon are definitely viable, as seen in things like ScarfChomp, Band/Scarfrak, etc. Also, Pokemon with Trick or Switcheroo tend to be able to live without U-turn, as sending away your Choice item gives free opportunities, too. It's not really a not very effective sort of thing; they're just more difficult to work. I think this applies more to Scarfers, too, as Band/Specs Pokemon tend to have the ability to punch massive holes in the Pokemon that switch in, and thus don't need U-turn/Volt Switch as much. So yeah; essentially, you're seeing a hyperbole of a thing that's pretty true, that Choiced Pokemon without U-turn/Volt Switch are slightly less effective.

 

[Cynthetik]

How many pokemon in a full weather dedicated team should possess a weather move/ability?

I have a sunny day team with a Charizard and Ninetales, and possibly some additional pokemon with Sunny Day.

I have a Hippowdon and Tyranitar with Sandstream.

Since the weather ability nerfs, I need to have my weather up as much as possible.

 

[Jukain]

How many pokemon in a full weather dedicated team should possess a weather move/ability?

I have a sunny day team with a Charizard and Ninetales, and possibly some additional pokemon with Sunny Day.

I have a Hippowdon and Tyranitar with Sandstream.

Since the weather ability nerfs, I need to have my weather up as much as possible.

That's hard to say. Honestly, here's what I would do. Run Heat Rock Ninetales and Smooth Rock Tyranitar, and in the cae of Ninetales, run a backup setter just in case (Megazard Y is fine). You don't need Hippowdon, or honestly any backup setter on a sand team. There's a limited amount of Pokemon able to abuse sand, and generally the eight turns are enough. Plus, Tyranitar is an excellent Pokemon with many switch-in opportunities, and isn't all too difficult to keep healthy thanks to its immense special bulk, as well as numerous resistances.

 

[Otto]

With the change to infiltrator: what would the best set for an infiltrator jumpluff?^^ what EV's should it need to outspeed the most important 'mons in the current metagame?

Can anyone please help me? Having problems deciding on natures and ev's especially now that sun doesn't matter anymore.

 

[DestinyGallade]

Can anyone please help me? Having problems deciding on natures and ev's especially now that sun doesn't matter anymore.

jolly 252 spd. Put a little into hp ( the lower the hp the you benefit from leech seed. Put the rest into atk if your using acrobatics and in one of your defenses if not

 

[tango1075]

Can't seem to find one... Can someone help me out with a move set/spread for a beheeyem? Kinda wanna play around and see what this guy's all about! CHeers!

 

[a_dollar]

Is there a smogon equivalent for japan? or Does anyone know what standard rules they play by/what is different to smogons? I saw a thread about it on old generations saying that double team and OHKO moves are considered all good from the competitive japanese perspective so just wondering what their rules would be like for x and y compared to ours

 

[MegaZard29]

Hey friends, so I wanted your opinion on this set that I brewed up for Swampert. Swampy has been one of my favorite Pokemon since 3rd Gen, and it only helps that testing with him has revealed that he's a great check to Talonflame, Aegislash, Garchomp, and Tyranitar, just to name a few. So I thought about it: Swampert has good Attack and bulk, but with the meta becoming increasingly aggressive, how can I improve his bulk while still maintaining the power level I've come to expect from him? The answer: Assault Vest.

Swampert
@ Assault Vest
-Adamant Nature
-EVs: 252 Attack / 248 HP / 8 Sp. Def
-Moves:

• Waterfall
• Earthquake
  
• Hammer Arm
• Avalanche

So, many of the old things about Swampert, both good and bad, are present with this set. He retains his good bulk and offensive power, along with great coverage in regards to his moves. However, he still lacks reliable recovery, can only take so many hits, and is slow. So I tried to enable Swampert to play an even greater offensive tank role by maxing Attack and utilizing the rest of the EVs to maintain his bulk and ability to tank Special Attacks.

What do you guys think? If you have any suggestions or thoughts about how I can improve this idea, let me know, please!