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Today I'd like you to present my boyfriend's current team. Before you may ask why he doesn't write this RMT by himself - he doesn't have a Smogon account and his English is horrid -even worse than mine. He does indeed play for a longer than me, but I'm more active and I'm better than him - women are just way brighter - *hides*. Anyway his top rating with this team was like 1350, which was his best up until now. I believe that he could get a higher rating with this team, but he hasn't enough experience and well he's regulary winning against people with a 1550+ rating, but often fails against teams that contains rare Pokémon, even when this team is horrible. In my opinion this team is the best team he made til today and it's a step forward for him to become a good battler. So, rate and critisize this team. The issue is that my boyfriend want to get tips from other gamers and not just me.
As you may noticed already, this team is focused on a Empoleon sweep, to specify on a SubPetaya-sweep. I think nobody disagrees that Empoleon is one of the best late-game sweepers and even the best special late-game sweeper. This team should enable Empoleon everything he needs to set-up and sweep. You may ask what this team differs from other Empoleon-teams? I don't know, but he made this team by himself, at least I can't imagine that he copied it and he told me that he made it (he's really honest).
Team creation:
I didn't make this team, my boyfriend made this team almost alone - I'm really proud of him. So I can't really tell you how this team was made, but you can really think how it was made:
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A closer look at this team
Roserade (♀) @
Timid - Natural Cure
4/0/0/252/0/252
<Toxic Spikes>
<Sleep Powder>
<Leaf Storm>
<HP Fire>
Timid - Natural Cure
4/0/0/252/0/252
<Toxic Spikes>
<Sleep Powder>
<Leaf Storm>
<HP Fire>
Roserade is one of the most useful and best leads in my opinion. Since Roserade has become popular, he has become one of my favorite leads of all time. My boyfriend took her as a lead, because of TS-support, which is very important for this team. Roserade has the advantage that she can sleep slower leads and hit faster taunt leads hard with Leaf Storm. HP Fire is for coverage. After Roserade sleeps a lead, she is free to lay down TS. Usually my boyfriends attacks faster Taunt leads and sleeps all slower leads (even Hippo/Swampi). This way you can deal with all leads beside Infernape, which Swampert can beat, because most Infernape leads don't wear GK.
The EVs are typical for a suicide lead: max spA/spe for hitting hard and max speed. I suggested to take 32 spA into HP, for not getting 2HKO's by Gross' BP, but he doesn't want to accept this. PS: Anyone saying that Toxic Spikes are bad, because most Pokémon are not hit by it: They hit all the Pokémon that need to be hit, because this team doesn't care 'bout levitators and steels. Also, grounded poison PKMN (Roserade, Tentacruel) are rare and my boyfriend has Rotom for blocking Rapid Spin.
The EVs are typical for a suicide lead: max spA/spe for hitting hard and max speed. I suggested to take 32 spA into HP, for not getting 2HKO's by Gross' BP, but he doesn't want to accept this. PS: Anyone saying that Toxic Spikes are bad, because most Pokémon are not hit by it: They hit all the Pokémon that need to be hit, because this team doesn't care 'bout levitators and steels. Also, grounded poison PKMN (Roserade, Tentacruel) are rare and my boyfriend has Rotom for blocking Rapid Spin.
Tyranitar (♂) @
Adamant - Sand Stream
252/252/4/0/0/0
Adamant - Sand Stream
252/252/4/0/0/0
<Pursuit>
<Earthquake>
<Stone Edge>
No doubt, Tyranitar has awesome stats, movepool and ability and a horrid typing. OK, SS boosts spDef, because of rock typing. Anyway, this should be kinda a bulky offensive Tyranitar. You have the ability to hit hard and take hits. Tyranitar was choosen for this team, because it effectively eliminates Latias with Pursuit and Crunch and still has good coverage with Earth Quake + Stone Edge. Also, Tyranitar lures in Scizor, because of Steel weakness (and Bug and Fighting weakness..). It's worth sacrificing Tyranitar to a CB-Scitor, just for being able to set up on him.
My boyfriend wanted to take Tyranitar hits from both sides, so he maximied HP and still hit hard (-> max atk + adamant). He thinks it's unimportant to invest into speed, because Tyranitar is slow. I suggested to scarf his Tyranitar (along with changing the EV spread) for effectively killing Gengar and generally revenge killing, but he decided against it, because he said that Scarf-Tyranitar is a set-up fodder for so many dangerous threats like Salamence, Gyara, Lucario, etc.) and he looses so much of his bulk.
My boyfriend wanted to take Tyranitar hits from both sides, so he maximied HP and still hit hard (-> max atk + adamant). He thinks it's unimportant to invest into speed, because Tyranitar is slow. I suggested to scarf his Tyranitar (along with changing the EV spread) for effectively killing Gengar and generally revenge killing, but he decided against it, because he said that Scarf-Tyranitar is a set-up fodder for so many dangerous threats like Salamence, Gyara, Lucario, etc.) and he looses so much of his bulk.
Swampert (♀) @
Relaxed - Torrent
252/4/252/0/0/0
<Earthquake>
<Ice Beam>
<Stealth Rock>
<Roar>
Relaxed - Torrent
252/4/252/0/0/0
<Earthquake>
<Ice Beam>
<Stealth Rock>
<Roar>
Yes, this is the lead set, actually it's also usefull in midgame. My boyfriend took him, because he needed a Pokémon that can use SR and phaze dangerous Pokémon away. He thinks that Swampert is the best to do that, because of Swampert's good typing and stats. The combination of IB+EQ allows Swampert to get rid of some Pokémon that may want to set-up on Swampert, like Salamence. For that reason she hasn't any water STAB.
My boyfriend is really happy with this Swampert, because so many teams are unprepared for Swampert. Along with TS support and a TS-absorber, Swampert has a lot of fun. Also, Swampert provides a useful electric immunity, but it isn't like Tyranitar and Rotom can't take electric attacks....
My boyfriend is really happy with this Swampert, because so many teams are unprepared for Swampert. Along with TS support and a TS-absorber, Swampert has a lot of fun. Also, Swampert provides a useful electric immunity, but it isn't like Tyranitar and Rotom can't take electric attacks....
Rotom-h (o) @
Bold - Leviate
252/0/168/0/0/88
<Thunderbolt>
<Shadow Ball>
<Reflect>
<Will-o-Wisp>
Bold - Leviate
252/0/168/0/0/88
<Thunderbolt>
<Shadow Ball>
<Reflect>
<Will-o-Wisp>
Here it is: Rotom-h. Rotom ends up in like every team my boyfriend and I make. You shouldn't be surprised, because Rotom-h is just a fantastic Pokémon. He furfills many roles in this team: Tanking certain Pokémon, crippling with W-o-W and hitting suprisingly hard with STAB Tunderbolt + Shadow Ball. Also, you shouldn't forget that Rotom bravely protects holy Toxic Spikes.
You may ask: Is WoW not uneffective with Toxic Spikes? No, it isn't. It still cripples steel Pokémon and levitating Pokémon. Along with Reflect, Rotom protects my team from physical attacks and yeah, Reflect + WoW will make physical attackers useless. It's awesome to see Scizors hitting you for under 5%. We never ever had considered to use Overheat on Rotom-h. Why? It almost always will let our team in a bad situation. -2spA is a downfall on Rotom-h and we would need to either give up Reflect or WoW, but both moves are useful together.
The only thing I don't like is the lack of recovery. Tyranitar's SS will wear down Rotom-h after some time. I often wish that Rotom-h would have a fourth moveslot just for Pain Split.
You may ask: Is WoW not uneffective with Toxic Spikes? No, it isn't. It still cripples steel Pokémon and levitating Pokémon. Along with Reflect, Rotom protects my team from physical attacks and yeah, Reflect + WoW will make physical attackers useless. It's awesome to see Scizors hitting you for under 5%. We never ever had considered to use Overheat on Rotom-h. Why? It almost always will let our team in a bad situation. -2spA is a downfall on Rotom-h and we would need to either give up Reflect or WoW, but both moves are useful together.
The only thing I don't like is the lack of recovery. Tyranitar's SS will wear down Rotom-h after some time. I often wish that Rotom-h would have a fourth moveslot just for Pain Split.
Empoleon (♂) @
Modest - Torrent
12/0/12/252/0/232
<Surf>
<Grass Knot>
<Agility>
<Substiute>
Modest - Torrent
12/0/12/252/0/232
<Surf>
<Grass Knot>
<Agility>
<Substiute>
The star of this team. Everybody knows this set. With it's 13 immunities Empoleon can easily set up Agility, sub three times and sweep. Empoleon's counters should be dead by this time, or are beaten with the help of Toxic Spikes. Grass Knot is chosen over Ice Beam, because it's easier to deal with the Pokémon that are beaten with the help of Ice Beam, than the myriads of bulky water you may encounter.
The EVs allow my boyfriend to activate Petaya Berry after 3 subs and sweep with max power. I hope that I don't need to tell you how powerful Torrent boosted STAB +1 Surf is.
The EVs allow my boyfriend to activate Petaya Berry after 3 subs and sweep with max power. I hope that I don't need to tell you how powerful Torrent boosted STAB +1 Surf is.
Yanmega (♂) @
Modest - Speed Boost
104/0/0/252/0/152
<Protect>
<Bug Buzz>
<Air Slash>
<HP Ground>
Modest - Speed Boost
104/0/0/252/0/152
<Protect>
<Bug Buzz>
<Air Slash>
<HP Ground>
Yes, this may be a weird choice. Where is the rapid-spinner? Are you serious? My boyfriend is, and I agree him that Yanmega is a great choice for the last slot. Even without SR, Yanmega won't survive many hits. It's main job is either to prepare the Empoleon sweep by sweeping many threats to Empoleon, mainly Latias and Celebi, while luring in Scizor and other priority users. Also, Yanmega can come after Empoleon died to kill the things that are still there, like Latias, which Tyranitar may failed to kill or Celebi.
My boyfriend always tell me that Yanmega gets more kills that Empoleon and in fact he is the hidden star of that team. He benefits as much from Toxic Spikes like Empoleon and has better coverage and an easier set-up. Bug Buzz and Air Slash are obviously STAB moves, whith the latter having a good chance to flinch. HP Ground is for coverage and for killing Heatran, Jirachi, Lucario, Metagross, Magnezone, etc. You may ask why I need Protect, but it's really essential. Without Protect the whole team may fail to Infernape. Yanmega kills Infernape with Air Slash and can outspeed him with Protect. Leftovers is for fighting against SS and for not getting killed by SR (2x) + SS.
I often suggested to replace Swampert for Starmie and replace one move on Tyranitar for SR. This would give him an easier time against Infernape and would spin away SR for Yanmega and Spikes for the whole team, but he thinks it's a waste of space.
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Rate, Critisize, Flame, Discuss, whatever. Don't forget it's not my team, but that of my boyfriend. I may be later add a threat list / a list how Roserade deals against most leads and my teams against most Pokémon.
Thank you
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My boyfriend always tell me that Yanmega gets more kills that Empoleon and in fact he is the hidden star of that team. He benefits as much from Toxic Spikes like Empoleon and has better coverage and an easier set-up. Bug Buzz and Air Slash are obviously STAB moves, whith the latter having a good chance to flinch. HP Ground is for coverage and for killing Heatran, Jirachi, Lucario, Metagross, Magnezone, etc. You may ask why I need Protect, but it's really essential. Without Protect the whole team may fail to Infernape. Yanmega kills Infernape with Air Slash and can outspeed him with Protect. Leftovers is for fighting against SS and for not getting killed by SR (2x) + SS.
I often suggested to replace Swampert for Starmie and replace one move on Tyranitar for SR. This would give him an easier time against Infernape and would spin away SR for Yanmega and Spikes for the whole team, but he thinks it's a waste of space.
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Rate, Critisize, Flame, Discuss, whatever. Don't forget it's not my team, but that of my boyfriend. I may be later add a threat list / a list how Roserade deals against most leads and my teams against most Pokémon.
Thank you
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