Reign of Dragonite
So, here's my first stab a building a real team. This time, I'm not going to just toss a bunch of favorites in the team, then slowly try to worm out the weaknesses. All teams need a starting point, so we'd might as well start with one of my favorites, who also happens to be a great Pokemon, Dragonite.
Ymir (M) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 HP/52 Atk/204 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
At these Spd Evs, I'm able to outspeed a scarfed Starmie at +2, which is the ultimate goal of this build. Yache berry is there to almost guarantee me a turn of set-up, while giving me the possibility of two turns if my opponent is using Ice Beam. Ice Shard is a little tougher to deal with due to priority, but managable. Dragon Claw and Fire Punch give me excellent coverage, resisted only by Heatran, who will be reluctant to switch-in with the threat of Earthquake, and Heatproof Bronzong, but those are far too rare to worry about.
Next, we need something to take on a lot of those guys that threaten Dragonite. I've stumbled upon possibly the best option out there:
Snorlax (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Def
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Seed Bomb
- Body Slam
- Earthquake
- Crunch
As soon as I learned that Snorlax learned Seed Bomb for some mucked up reason, I knew I needed it on this set. Normally, bulky waters don't expect a super-effective move from Snorlax, so I'm sure to get a nice KO. The only Dragonite threat that I'll have to worry about with this set is Skarmory, who walls this set like it was born to. Thick fat and high SDef allows me to take on Ice Shards and Ice Beams with laughable damage. Scizor massively threatens this pokemon with Superpower, and generally makes it tough for Dragonite to get any set-up time, so I'll need something to take care of a lot of those pesky Steel and Ice types that will threaten my sweep even more.
For some more great threatening coverage against some big problems Dragonite will run into, here comes Electivire!
Electivire (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Spd/4 SAtk
Lonely nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Fire Punch
- Thunderbolt
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
Here's pretty much the standard Electivire, slightly modified for better coverage. Fire and Ice punch take care of quite a few threats, Cross Chop is pretty much my only fighting type move (which I'm thinking about replacing with Low Kick), and Thunderbolt is there for any physical walls that move my way, like Skarmory.
Alright, time for a breakdown. So far, we have the following weaknesses and resistances happening:
Vaporeon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
- Heal Bell
I've decided to give Vaporeon this set without an attacking move, because my team is a steel-mashing machine. The only poison type I'm expecting trouble from is Tentacruel, who is handily handled by Electivire or Snorlax. Heal bell for clerical happiness, and Wish passing to keep Dragonite alive for future sweeps. I really wanted Baton Pass for the slow switch, but the utility in this set it too good to "pass" up. He he ho ha.
Enough of that...
Time for another chart!
[Chart2]
At this point, I've got to pick a lead and something to round-off my type coverage. According to the chart...
Swampert (M) @ Rindo Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Counter
- Mirror Coat
- Protect
- Roar
Swampert provides me with some nice coverage, and a physical wall that I was seriously lacking. This set has been extremely successful, catching almost everything coming at it off-guard. With Counter and Mirror Coat, this guy becomes one of the beefiest Wobuffet impersonators. Roar lets me scout a ton of my opponent's team, which will help with my decision to begin the Dragonite sweep or not on top of preventing any sort of set-up.
At this point, I'm lacking a lead, and sporting a handy Grass weakness and lack of resistance for a lot of things. I think the obvious choice is Metagross.
Metagross @ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/236 Atk/12 Def/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
Again, a somewhat standard set, but with Pursuit instead of Explosion. This allows me to hit Azelf, and make sure it'll never see another day. It also gives me two semi-priority moves to scare off a lot of threats. So far, I haven't had to run from any leads other than Bronzong.
Aaaand, here's the final tally:
My team overall is looking very good for switch-ins. The only thing it looks like I have to worry about is the odd Earthquake, but most EQ users I'm worried about are outsped by +1 Electivire, and smacked around by Swampert.
1) Aerodactyl – Metagross, Swampert
2) Alakazam – Metagross, Vaporeon, Snorlax
3) Azelf – Snorlax, Metagross
4) Blissey – Snorlax(twave), Metagross(toxic), Vaporeon
5) Breloom – Dragonite, Electivire
6) Bronzong – Dragonite, Electivire
7) Celebi – Electivite, Swampert, Dragonite
8) Cresselia – Snorlax, Metagross
9) Donphan – Vaporeon
10) Dragonite – Swampert, Vaporeon
11) Dugtrio – Vaporeon, Swampert
12) Dusknoir – Snorlax, Metagross
13) Electivire – Snorlax, Metagross
14) Empoleon – Metagross, Snorlax
15) Flygon – Vaporeon, Swampert
16) Forretress – Dragonite, Electivire
17) Gliscor – Electivire, Swampert
18) Gyarados – Electivire, Vaporeon
20) Heracross – Dragonite, Electivire
21) Hippowdon – Vaporeon, Swampert
22) Infernape – Swampert, Vaporeon
23) Jirachi – Dragonite, Snorlax, Metagross
24) Jolteon – Swampert, Snorlax
25) Kingdra – Vaporeon, Swampert
26) Latias – Vaporeon, Swampert, Electivire
27) Lucario – Dragonite, Vaporeon, Metagross
28) Machamp – Swampert
29) Magnezone – Metagross, Electivire
30) Mamoswine – Metagross, Electivire
31) Metagross – Metagross, Electivire
32) Ninjask – Metagross, Dragonite, Electivire
33) Porygon-Z – Snorlax, Electivire
34) Rhyperior – Vaporeon, Swampert
35) Salamence – Vaporeon, Swampert
36) Scizor – Dragonite, Elevtivire
37) Skarmory – Electivire, Dragonite
38) Snorlax – Electivire, Vaporeon
39) Rotom-X – Swampert, Metagross(non-H), Snorlax
40) Starmie – Vaporeon, Snorlax
41) Suicune – Vaporeon, Snorlax
42) Swampert – Vaporeon, Snorlax
43) Tentacruel – Snorlax, Metagross
44) Tyranitar – Metagross, Snorlax, Electivire
45) Togekiss – Electivire, Snorlax, Dragonite
46) Vaporeon – Vaporeon, Swampert, Electivire
47) Weavile – Electivire, Vaporeon
48) Yanmega – Snorlax, Vaporeon
49) Zapdos – Swampert, Snorlax
Final look:
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So, here's my first stab a building a real team. This time, I'm not going to just toss a bunch of favorites in the team, then slowly try to worm out the weaknesses. All teams need a starting point, so we'd might as well start with one of my favorites, who also happens to be a great Pokemon, Dragonite.
Ymir (M) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 HP/52 Atk/204 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Roost
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
At these Spd Evs, I'm able to outspeed a scarfed Starmie at +2, which is the ultimate goal of this build. Yache berry is there to almost guarantee me a turn of set-up, while giving me the possibility of two turns if my opponent is using Ice Beam. Ice Shard is a little tougher to deal with due to priority, but managable. Dragon Claw and Fire Punch give me excellent coverage, resisted only by Heatran, who will be reluctant to switch-in with the threat of Earthquake, and Heatproof Bronzong, but those are far too rare to worry about.
Next, we need something to take on a lot of those guys that threaten Dragonite. I've stumbled upon possibly the best option out there:
Snorlax (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Def
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Seed Bomb
- Body Slam
- Earthquake
- Crunch
As soon as I learned that Snorlax learned Seed Bomb for some mucked up reason, I knew I needed it on this set. Normally, bulky waters don't expect a super-effective move from Snorlax, so I'm sure to get a nice KO. The only Dragonite threat that I'll have to worry about with this set is Skarmory, who walls this set like it was born to. Thick fat and high SDef allows me to take on Ice Shards and Ice Beams with laughable damage. Scizor massively threatens this pokemon with Superpower, and generally makes it tough for Dragonite to get any set-up time, so I'll need something to take care of a lot of those pesky Steel and Ice types that will threaten my sweep even more.
For some more great threatening coverage against some big problems Dragonite will run into, here comes Electivire!
Electivire (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Spd/4 SAtk
Lonely nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Fire Punch
- Thunderbolt
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
Here's pretty much the standard Electivire, slightly modified for better coverage. Fire and Ice punch take care of quite a few threats, Cross Chop is pretty much my only fighting type move (which I'm thinking about replacing with Low Kick), and Thunderbolt is there for any physical walls that move my way, like Skarmory.
Alright, time for a breakdown. So far, we have the following weaknesses and resistances happening:
Vaporeon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
- Heal Bell
I've decided to give Vaporeon this set without an attacking move, because my team is a steel-mashing machine. The only poison type I'm expecting trouble from is Tentacruel, who is handily handled by Electivire or Snorlax. Heal bell for clerical happiness, and Wish passing to keep Dragonite alive for future sweeps. I really wanted Baton Pass for the slow switch, but the utility in this set it too good to "pass" up. He he ho ha.
Enough of that...
Time for another chart!
[Chart2]
At this point, I've got to pick a lead and something to round-off my type coverage. According to the chart...
Swampert (M) @ Rindo Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Counter
- Mirror Coat
- Protect
- Roar
Swampert provides me with some nice coverage, and a physical wall that I was seriously lacking. This set has been extremely successful, catching almost everything coming at it off-guard. With Counter and Mirror Coat, this guy becomes one of the beefiest Wobuffet impersonators. Roar lets me scout a ton of my opponent's team, which will help with my decision to begin the Dragonite sweep or not on top of preventing any sort of set-up.
At this point, I'm lacking a lead, and sporting a handy Grass weakness and lack of resistance for a lot of things. I think the obvious choice is Metagross.
Metagross @ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/236 Atk/12 Def/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
Again, a somewhat standard set, but with Pursuit instead of Explosion. This allows me to hit Azelf, and make sure it'll never see another day. It also gives me two semi-priority moves to scare off a lot of threats. So far, I haven't had to run from any leads other than Bronzong.
Aaaand, here's the final tally:
My team overall is looking very good for switch-ins. The only thing it looks like I have to worry about is the odd Earthquake, but most EQ users I'm worried about are outsped by +1 Electivire, and smacked around by Swampert.
1) Aerodactyl – Metagross, Swampert
2) Alakazam – Metagross, Vaporeon, Snorlax
3) Azelf – Snorlax, Metagross
4) Blissey – Snorlax(twave), Metagross(toxic), Vaporeon
5) Breloom – Dragonite, Electivire
6) Bronzong – Dragonite, Electivire
7) Celebi – Electivite, Swampert, Dragonite
8) Cresselia – Snorlax, Metagross
9) Donphan – Vaporeon
10) Dragonite – Swampert, Vaporeon
11) Dugtrio – Vaporeon, Swampert
12) Dusknoir – Snorlax, Metagross
13) Electivire – Snorlax, Metagross
14) Empoleon – Metagross, Snorlax
15) Flygon – Vaporeon, Swampert
16) Forretress – Dragonite, Electivire
17) Gliscor – Electivire, Swampert
18) Gyarados – Electivire, Vaporeon
20) Heracross – Dragonite, Electivire
21) Hippowdon – Vaporeon, Swampert
22) Infernape – Swampert, Vaporeon
23) Jirachi – Dragonite, Snorlax, Metagross
24) Jolteon – Swampert, Snorlax
25) Kingdra – Vaporeon, Swampert
26) Latias – Vaporeon, Swampert, Electivire
27) Lucario – Dragonite, Vaporeon, Metagross
28) Machamp – Swampert
29) Magnezone – Metagross, Electivire
30) Mamoswine – Metagross, Electivire
31) Metagross – Metagross, Electivire
32) Ninjask – Metagross, Dragonite, Electivire
33) Porygon-Z – Snorlax, Electivire
34) Rhyperior – Vaporeon, Swampert
35) Salamence – Vaporeon, Swampert
36) Scizor – Dragonite, Elevtivire
37) Skarmory – Electivire, Dragonite
38) Snorlax – Electivire, Vaporeon
39) Rotom-X – Swampert, Metagross(non-H), Snorlax
40) Starmie – Vaporeon, Snorlax
41) Suicune – Vaporeon, Snorlax
42) Swampert – Vaporeon, Snorlax
43) Tentacruel – Snorlax, Metagross
44) Tyranitar – Metagross, Snorlax, Electivire
45) Togekiss – Electivire, Snorlax, Dragonite
46) Vaporeon – Vaporeon, Swampert, Electivire
47) Weavile – Electivire, Vaporeon
48) Yanmega – Snorlax, Vaporeon
49) Zapdos – Swampert, Snorlax
Final look:
