Hello. This is going to be my first time posting on Smogon. This team is designed to be a bit of a defensive balanced team. I tried a general offensive team before, but ever since the ban of Salamence and Latias, I've decided to try out a different strategy.
Team at a glance:
*based on Swampert, Scizor, Heatran, Zapdos, Slowbro, and Kingdra
Swampert @ Leftovers
Torrent
Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 6 Atk / 252 Def
Earthquake
Avalanche
Protect
Stealth Rock
I chose Swampert for its general bulk and its decent coverage with EQ and Avalanche. Opposing Levitating Bronzong leads are not easily dealt with, however. Protect is there in case opposing Metagross or Bronzong attempt to Explode on me after they've set up their Rocks. Heatran, Scizor, and Zapdos are able to take the Grass attacks aimed at Swampert.
Scizor @ Life Orb
Technician
Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 10 Def
Swords Dance
Bullet Punch
Bug Bite
Superpower
Not much to say about Scizor that hasn't already been said in countless RMTs. The fire attacks aimed at Scizor are covered by Heatran, Swampert, Slowbro, and Kingdra. Fighting attacks, such as those coming from opposing Scizor, are covered by Zapdos and Slowbro.
Heatran @ Salac Berry
Flash Fire
Timid
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SpATK / 252 Spe
Substitute
Flamethrower
Earth Power
Hidden Power Electric
Since the Choice Scarf variant is more popular, I opted for the SubSalac set to hopefully get a free Sub up when my opponent switches. With the 6 HP EVs, Heatran reaches 324 HP, which means I shouldn't need more than three substitutes to get down to berry level and attempt to use Heatran as a speedier special attacker. I chose HP Electric to deal with Gyarados and other Water-types. Any Ground attacks aimed at Heatran can be dealt with by the Substitute or by Zapdos. Zapdos and Slowbro help against Fighting attacks. Slowbro and Kingdra can take the Water attacks.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Pressure
Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 38 Spe
Thunderbolt
Heat Wave
Hidden Power Grass
Roost
I use Zapdos as my physical wall. It does well, not being KO'd by Bronzong's Explosion, assuming Zapdos is at near full health. Being hit by Toxic is a problem, though, and switching out to avoid increasing poison damage only hurts it more if Stealth Rock is in play. HP Grass is for opposing Swampert. If any Ice attacks are predicted, I will switch into Heatran, Slowbro, or Scizor. If Rock attacks are coming, Swampert can come in. I've had this Zapdos for about a year now, and I'm not sure why I have those 38 Speed EVs when they could be going to Defense or Special Attack.
Slowbro @ Choice Specs
Own Tempo
Modest
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpATK / 6 SpDEF
Surf
Psychic
Trick
Ice Beam
I don't really like facing off against Machamp, so Slowbro is usually brought in to scare away the bulky fighter with its Own Tempo and resistance to Fighting, along with the threat of Psychic. I opted for Specs here since it's good for the surprise factor, although I wonder if I should just go with a more traditional set, as being locked into Psychic against a DD Tyranitar which has Pursuit isn't fun. As well, a Machamp which uses Substitute on the turn I switch into Slowbro may easily bring in a counter upon the Substitute's destruction, even if they aren't privy to the item. I opted for Ice Beam as the third attack to hit Grass types which do not have a Poison secondary typing, particularly Celebi who resists Surf and Psychic, on the switch. The extra damage Ice Beam does to Dragons is welcome as well. Trick is there to stop any walls or physical attackers which aren't using Choice items, although in the past I've rarely Tricked the Pokemon I wanted to. If there are any powerful Grass, Ghost, Dark or Bug type attacks, Scizor or Heatran is switched in. Electric attacks are nullified by Swampert.
Kingdra @ Chesto Berry
Swift Swim
Adamant
EVs: 48 HP / 96 Atk / 80 Def / 120 SpDef / 166 Spe
Dragon Dance
Rest
Waterfall
Outrage
I took this from the underrated OU movesets in Issue 10 of the Smog. To summarize, DD until in danger, Rest off the damage, and wake up with the berry. If possible, DD again, and then proceed to sweep with an option of two STAB attacks. The EVs are for bulkiness while I stat up. I try and save Kingdra for late game, when I'm hoping the Steel Pokemon have been fainted or at least weakened enough through my Fire-, Ground- and Fighting-attacks. The problem I face is when I'm against a Dragon type (particularly Dragonite), and I know that they have some healthy Steel types remaining. Kingdra's +1 or +2 Waterfall may not be able to take Dragonite down, even with Stealth Rock damage, yet if I go to Outrage, the Steel type is coming out right away. Should I maybe get a different natured Kingdra and use Draco Meteor instead of Outrage?
Strengths I've found: All of these Pokemon have a resistance to Steel attacks, which means that Bullet Punches are not as threatening. Type synergy against super-effective attacks helps the team's survival.
Weaknesses I've found: Entry hazards will stay on my side of the field, given that I have no spinner. Repeated switching, which this team has a tendency to do, will mean repeated hazard damage. Half of the team will be hit with Toxic Spikes, and five Pokemon are succeptible to Spikes. Also, once the opponent determines my strategy, it will be very easy to counter, as the opponent will use normal-effective attacks or determine the attack which would be super-effective on the switch-in, or just take the time to set up as I switch. I also do not have a Phazer, which means I can be set up on that much easier. I also lack a dedicated wall against Special Attacks. Status ailments severely hamper the team, though Kingdra can Rest off its own ailment.
Thanks for your feedback.
Team at a glance:
*based on Swampert, Scizor, Heatran, Zapdos, Slowbro, and Kingdra
Swampert @ Leftovers
Torrent
Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 6 Atk / 252 Def
Earthquake
Avalanche
Protect
Stealth Rock
I chose Swampert for its general bulk and its decent coverage with EQ and Avalanche. Opposing Levitating Bronzong leads are not easily dealt with, however. Protect is there in case opposing Metagross or Bronzong attempt to Explode on me after they've set up their Rocks. Heatran, Scizor, and Zapdos are able to take the Grass attacks aimed at Swampert.
Scizor @ Life Orb
Technician
Adamant
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 10 Def
Swords Dance
Bullet Punch
Bug Bite
Superpower
Not much to say about Scizor that hasn't already been said in countless RMTs. The fire attacks aimed at Scizor are covered by Heatran, Swampert, Slowbro, and Kingdra. Fighting attacks, such as those coming from opposing Scizor, are covered by Zapdos and Slowbro.
Heatran @ Salac Berry
Flash Fire
Timid
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SpATK / 252 Spe
Substitute
Flamethrower
Earth Power
Hidden Power Electric
Since the Choice Scarf variant is more popular, I opted for the SubSalac set to hopefully get a free Sub up when my opponent switches. With the 6 HP EVs, Heatran reaches 324 HP, which means I shouldn't need more than three substitutes to get down to berry level and attempt to use Heatran as a speedier special attacker. I chose HP Electric to deal with Gyarados and other Water-types. Any Ground attacks aimed at Heatran can be dealt with by the Substitute or by Zapdos. Zapdos and Slowbro help against Fighting attacks. Slowbro and Kingdra can take the Water attacks.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Pressure
Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 38 Spe
Thunderbolt
Heat Wave
Hidden Power Grass
Roost
I use Zapdos as my physical wall. It does well, not being KO'd by Bronzong's Explosion, assuming Zapdos is at near full health. Being hit by Toxic is a problem, though, and switching out to avoid increasing poison damage only hurts it more if Stealth Rock is in play. HP Grass is for opposing Swampert. If any Ice attacks are predicted, I will switch into Heatran, Slowbro, or Scizor. If Rock attacks are coming, Swampert can come in. I've had this Zapdos for about a year now, and I'm not sure why I have those 38 Speed EVs when they could be going to Defense or Special Attack.
Slowbro @ Choice Specs
Own Tempo
Modest
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpATK / 6 SpDEF
Surf
Psychic
Trick
Ice Beam
I don't really like facing off against Machamp, so Slowbro is usually brought in to scare away the bulky fighter with its Own Tempo and resistance to Fighting, along with the threat of Psychic. I opted for Specs here since it's good for the surprise factor, although I wonder if I should just go with a more traditional set, as being locked into Psychic against a DD Tyranitar which has Pursuit isn't fun. As well, a Machamp which uses Substitute on the turn I switch into Slowbro may easily bring in a counter upon the Substitute's destruction, even if they aren't privy to the item. I opted for Ice Beam as the third attack to hit Grass types which do not have a Poison secondary typing, particularly Celebi who resists Surf and Psychic, on the switch. The extra damage Ice Beam does to Dragons is welcome as well. Trick is there to stop any walls or physical attackers which aren't using Choice items, although in the past I've rarely Tricked the Pokemon I wanted to. If there are any powerful Grass, Ghost, Dark or Bug type attacks, Scizor or Heatran is switched in. Electric attacks are nullified by Swampert.
Kingdra @ Chesto Berry
Swift Swim
Adamant
EVs: 48 HP / 96 Atk / 80 Def / 120 SpDef / 166 Spe
Dragon Dance
Rest
Waterfall
Outrage
I took this from the underrated OU movesets in Issue 10 of the Smog. To summarize, DD until in danger, Rest off the damage, and wake up with the berry. If possible, DD again, and then proceed to sweep with an option of two STAB attacks. The EVs are for bulkiness while I stat up. I try and save Kingdra for late game, when I'm hoping the Steel Pokemon have been fainted or at least weakened enough through my Fire-, Ground- and Fighting-attacks. The problem I face is when I'm against a Dragon type (particularly Dragonite), and I know that they have some healthy Steel types remaining. Kingdra's +1 or +2 Waterfall may not be able to take Dragonite down, even with Stealth Rock damage, yet if I go to Outrage, the Steel type is coming out right away. Should I maybe get a different natured Kingdra and use Draco Meteor instead of Outrage?
Strengths I've found: All of these Pokemon have a resistance to Steel attacks, which means that Bullet Punches are not as threatening. Type synergy against super-effective attacks helps the team's survival.
Weaknesses I've found: Entry hazards will stay on my side of the field, given that I have no spinner. Repeated switching, which this team has a tendency to do, will mean repeated hazard damage. Half of the team will be hit with Toxic Spikes, and five Pokemon are succeptible to Spikes. Also, once the opponent determines my strategy, it will be very easy to counter, as the opponent will use normal-effective attacks or determine the attack which would be super-effective on the switch-in, or just take the time to set up as I switch. I also do not have a Phazer, which means I can be set up on that much easier. I also lack a dedicated wall against Special Attacks. Status ailments severely hamper the team, though Kingdra can Rest off its own ailment.
Thanks for your feedback.
