I've never been able to break away from using Metagross/Zapdos/Scizor/Latias. At the VERY least, Scizor and Latias. However, this means it's showing it's age... For one thing, I am unsure how to deal with Rotom-Appliances. They handle Metagross, Machamp, Scizor, and Celebi pretty damn well. Latias is weak to Shadow Ball but the only thing I could do is launch off a Draco Meteor with it. Bulky waters are also a problem if Celebi is down. Heatran can also cause trouble if Latias is down.
Metagross @ Occa Berry ** Interdiction
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Atk / 8 Def / 16 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Stealth Rock
My most reliable lead which goes up against the frail leads pretty darn well. Azelf and Aerodactyl get smashed with Meteor Mash, then Bullet Punch. Infernape gets hit with Earthquake then Bullet Punch. For bulkier leads I have other plans. Set up SR against a Swampert/Metagross/Heatran, then switch to Celebi/Zapdos/Latias, whomever is appropriate. Choice Scarf Jirachi can be a problem, and I'll be honest I'm not sure what to switch to. Zapdos can take the Iron Head hit but it'll be flinched a lot. However the threat of Trick can be pretty bothersome. I've read that 12 Defense should be needed for defense against Dugtrio, but really it's only one point plus Dugtrio is now a UU threat. So the extra point in speed could come in handy. Later in the game it's useful for utilizing the resistances of a Steel type as needed, to come in on various threats such as Dragons, Tyranitar, etc. It's priority move helps as well.
Machamp (M) @ Leftovers ** Gilgamesh
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Atk / 176 Def / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Stone Edge
A physical tank of sorts. 72 Attack EVs translates to 345 Attack which sounds good enough to me, to lay the beating with a Dynamicpunch. 176 Defense EVs show as 240 Defense, the rest in HP and 8 in Speed EVs to outrun those who sit at 4. He's the go to guy for when Metagross comes up against a Sleep lead, and if Tyranitar rears it's ugly head Machamp can save the day if Scizor cannot. Resttalk can let it takes statuses as well. Unfortunately Rotom-Appliance is a common switch in to this guy. Even though I should open up with Stone Edge, should I just use Payback instead? I then get worried about bulky Flying types such as Salamence, Gyarados and Zapdos. Granted Salamence is taken care of, Celebi is the ONLY other answer to Gyarados and if not Machamp can hope to hit it with Stone Edge. Zapdos can be handled by Latias, but it'll help to hit Zapdos with something else, too. So really I'm not sure...
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band ** Oblivion
Trait: Technician
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
- U-turn
My magnum opus. Seriously, it's terribly easy to use and fits... anywhere. It's just that awesome, really. And does it need explanation? Bullet Punch picks off frail, faster things. Pursuit catches those who dare flee from the great insect warrior who dons the boxing gloves of steel. Superpower shows Scizor's might and smites those who dare try to stand up to him. U-turn reflects Scizor's mobility and can scout out those who dare switch into Scizor! I gave it Special bulk to take Special hits nicely. It can switch into many things and immediately threaten their team in some way.
Latias (F) @ Life Orb ** Oathkeeper
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 Spd / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Recover
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
My angel. She has incredible Special Defense even without investment, so she can easily switch in on Flamethrowers, Thunderbolts, Surfs. She's my answer to Heatran since Heatran threatens Scizor, Metagross, and Celebi. In fact I have to rely on Latias a lot. Scizor also have special bulk, so that can help somewhat... I chose the Life Orb set due to it's immediate power and freedom, and I kind of need some Special firepower and Latias is willing enough to do so. However, if I have to rely on her for terrific Special offense, as well as taking many Special hits... well, that's a team design flaw I need to fix somehow.
Celebi @ Life Orb ** Timeless
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 232 HP / 48 Spd / 228 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Leaf Storm
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
Tinkerbell Celebi. Thunder Wave supports Machamp's slow speed, and the fact this team as a whole isn't too fast save for Latias. Hidden Power Fire for Scizor/Forretress, and Leaf Storm can be pretty damaging and Recover to heal up wounds. While Celebi can also pack some special firepower, I kind of need it if I want to take care of any Suicune that come up. If I were to change this to a Defensive set, Suicune can be a problem. Leaf Storm can do a heavy amount of damage to make it fall.
Zapdos @ Leftovers ** Siegfried
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn
Another physical wall. I choose U-turn over a Hidden Power, simply due to the utility. SR can take it's toll but it's worth it-- Say if a Tyranitar switches into Zapdos, if I U-turn as it does so I can then switch to Machamp/Scizor and immediately threaten their Tyranitar. Aside from that, this is the regular set which threatens enemy Scizor, Metagross, Celebi to an extent, etc.
Problems:
-Rotom-Appliance for sure. I honestly don't know how to deal with it.
-Half the team is weak to Fire, only one resist. I should've thought this through... and even then Latias can't survive EVERYTHING hard as she tries.
-Stall teams are a problem.
No matter what though, Scizor and Latias cannot leave. They are just too awesome. Still, I'm not sure how exactly to fix or change this team.
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Threat List:
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* Green means they are not a problem.
* Orange means they can threaten my team somewhat if I don't stop it soon.
* Red means they can threaten my team greatly if I don't stop it soon.
Offensive Threats
Aerodactyl : Metagross gets past it any day.
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Alakazam : Scizor.
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Azelf : Metagross has a field day, again. He has to watch out for Trick, though.
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Breloom : Machamp takes the sleep, Scizor nails it.
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Dragonite : Scizor, Metagross, or Latias.
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Dugtrio :...Impossible to counter of course. But Scizor and Metagross have priority attacks.
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Electivire : ...Lol. Even when resisted, Scizor's Bullet Punch does a terribly good number on it. Machamp will suffice as well.
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Empoleon : Celebi, Machamp, Latias, Zapdos.
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Flygon : ...I have to predict around it, since it's got U-Turn and Dragon/Ground/Fire hits a lot of my team super-effectively. Once safely in, avoiding a Fire Blast, Scizor can do a number with Bullet Punch. Once safely in, avoiding an Outrage, Latias can knock it out with Draco Meteor. It's all about knowing what that move is.
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Gengar : Scizor, Metagross.
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Gyarados : Celebi, but aside from that I might have troubles.
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Heatran : Latias is my first answer. If she's down Heatran can be a bit of a bother.
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Heracross : My own Scizor can show him who's the dominant bug. Or just Zapdos if it lacks Stone Edge.
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Infernape : Latias. Machamp should do okay, as will Zapdos.
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Jirachi : Zapdos deals with it pretty well, but has to watch out for Trick.
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Jolteon : Even when resisted, Scizor's Bullet Punch is pretty good. Or just send in Latias. However, the fact is that it's hard to counter thanks to Baton Pass. Still, Scizor can try.
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Kingdra : Celebi will be my first answer but I can't guarrantee much...
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Latias : Scizor, Metagross.
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Lucario : Zapdos is my first check, then Machamp.
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Machamp : Zapdos if it has Payback, Metagross if it has Stone Edge. Both have to watch out for Dynamicpunch's confusion.
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Magnezone : Zapdos, Latias.
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Mamoswine : Scizor, and Machamp. If Life Orb I will have to predict around it.
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Metagross : Zapdos or Machamp.
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Porygon-Z : Scizor, Metagross.
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Rhyperior : Scizor, Latias if she switches in on Earthquake.
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Salamence : Scizor, Metagross, Machamp, Zapdos, Latias, Celebi. Amazing how my team can handle it in their own way-- it's all about just taking a hit safely, however. Metagross and Scizor have their Steel type and priority attacks, Machamp and Zapdos have their physical bulk and Stone Edge/Thunderbolt, Latias if it can outspeed, can Thunderbolt as well or Draco Meteor and Celebi should be able to take a hit if it can, Thunder Wave and then leave it up to someone else.
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Scizor : Zapdos. Usually Choice Banded, so Metagross and my own Scizor can take advantage of a resisted Bullet Punch or something.
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Starmie : Celebi, however Ice Beam can be troublesome. Everyone else can't really do much although Latias can take an Ice Beam and then Thunderbolt it, not so sure about Zapdos.
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Togekiss : Scizor, Latias, Zapdos.
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Tyranitar : Scizor, Metagross, Machamp.
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Weavile : Scizor, Metagross, Machamp.
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Yanmega : Scizor, Metagross.
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Defensive Threat List:
Blissey : Machamp, Scizor, Metagross.
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Bronzong : Zapdos, Machamp.
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Celebi : Scizor, Metagross, Zapdos sometimes.
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Cresselia : Scizor, Metagross.
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Donphan : Latias, Celebi.
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Forretress : Zapdos, Latias if Surf hits hard enough, Celebi if it gets in and HP Fire.
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Gliscor : Latias.
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Hippowdon : Latias, Celebi.
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Skarmory : Zapdos.
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Snorlax : Scizor, Metagross, Machamp.
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Suicune: Celebi, however outside Celebi I'm afraid it's a ticking time bomb as Scizor, Metagross and Machamp cannot do much and the Thunderbolts from Latias and Zapdos can only hurt a bit and it will start to CM up. Huge problem.
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Swampert : Celebi, however if Celebi is down I'll just have to wear it down.
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Tentacruel : Metagross, Zapdos, Latias.
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Vaporeon : Latias, Zapdos, Celebi.
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Zapdos : Latias, Machamp.
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Metagross @ Occa Berry ** Interdiction
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Atk / 8 Def / 16 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Stealth Rock
My most reliable lead which goes up against the frail leads pretty darn well. Azelf and Aerodactyl get smashed with Meteor Mash, then Bullet Punch. Infernape gets hit with Earthquake then Bullet Punch. For bulkier leads I have other plans. Set up SR against a Swampert/Metagross/Heatran, then switch to Celebi/Zapdos/Latias, whomever is appropriate. Choice Scarf Jirachi can be a problem, and I'll be honest I'm not sure what to switch to. Zapdos can take the Iron Head hit but it'll be flinched a lot. However the threat of Trick can be pretty bothersome. I've read that 12 Defense should be needed for defense against Dugtrio, but really it's only one point plus Dugtrio is now a UU threat. So the extra point in speed could come in handy. Later in the game it's useful for utilizing the resistances of a Steel type as needed, to come in on various threats such as Dragons, Tyranitar, etc. It's priority move helps as well.
Machamp (M) @ Leftovers ** Gilgamesh
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 72 Atk / 176 Def / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Stone Edge
A physical tank of sorts. 72 Attack EVs translates to 345 Attack which sounds good enough to me, to lay the beating with a Dynamicpunch. 176 Defense EVs show as 240 Defense, the rest in HP and 8 in Speed EVs to outrun those who sit at 4. He's the go to guy for when Metagross comes up against a Sleep lead, and if Tyranitar rears it's ugly head Machamp can save the day if Scizor cannot. Resttalk can let it takes statuses as well. Unfortunately Rotom-Appliance is a common switch in to this guy. Even though I should open up with Stone Edge, should I just use Payback instead? I then get worried about bulky Flying types such as Salamence, Gyarados and Zapdos. Granted Salamence is taken care of, Celebi is the ONLY other answer to Gyarados and if not Machamp can hope to hit it with Stone Edge. Zapdos can be handled by Latias, but it'll help to hit Zapdos with something else, too. So really I'm not sure...
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band ** Oblivion
Trait: Technician
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
- U-turn
My magnum opus. Seriously, it's terribly easy to use and fits... anywhere. It's just that awesome, really. And does it need explanation? Bullet Punch picks off frail, faster things. Pursuit catches those who dare flee from the great insect warrior who dons the boxing gloves of steel. Superpower shows Scizor's might and smites those who dare try to stand up to him. U-turn reflects Scizor's mobility and can scout out those who dare switch into Scizor! I gave it Special bulk to take Special hits nicely. It can switch into many things and immediately threaten their team in some way.
Latias (F) @ Life Orb ** Oathkeeper
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 Spd / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Recover
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
My angel. She has incredible Special Defense even without investment, so she can easily switch in on Flamethrowers, Thunderbolts, Surfs. She's my answer to Heatran since Heatran threatens Scizor, Metagross, and Celebi. In fact I have to rely on Latias a lot. Scizor also have special bulk, so that can help somewhat... I chose the Life Orb set due to it's immediate power and freedom, and I kind of need some Special firepower and Latias is willing enough to do so. However, if I have to rely on her for terrific Special offense, as well as taking many Special hits... well, that's a team design flaw I need to fix somehow.
Celebi @ Life Orb ** Timeless
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 232 HP / 48 Spd / 228 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Leaf Storm
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
Tinkerbell Celebi. Thunder Wave supports Machamp's slow speed, and the fact this team as a whole isn't too fast save for Latias. Hidden Power Fire for Scizor/Forretress, and Leaf Storm can be pretty damaging and Recover to heal up wounds. While Celebi can also pack some special firepower, I kind of need it if I want to take care of any Suicune that come up. If I were to change this to a Defensive set, Suicune can be a problem. Leaf Storm can do a heavy amount of damage to make it fall.
Zapdos @ Leftovers ** Siegfried
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn
Another physical wall. I choose U-turn over a Hidden Power, simply due to the utility. SR can take it's toll but it's worth it-- Say if a Tyranitar switches into Zapdos, if I U-turn as it does so I can then switch to Machamp/Scizor and immediately threaten their Tyranitar. Aside from that, this is the regular set which threatens enemy Scizor, Metagross, Celebi to an extent, etc.
Problems:
-Rotom-Appliance for sure. I honestly don't know how to deal with it.
-Half the team is weak to Fire, only one resist. I should've thought this through... and even then Latias can't survive EVERYTHING hard as she tries.
-Stall teams are a problem.
No matter what though, Scizor and Latias cannot leave. They are just too awesome. Still, I'm not sure how exactly to fix or change this team.
--------
Threat List:
---------
* Green means they are not a problem.
* Orange means they can threaten my team somewhat if I don't stop it soon.
* Red means they can threaten my team greatly if I don't stop it soon.
Offensive Threats
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Defensive Threat List:
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