OU Singles Team... :D

[L3un1t]

Seeing as this is my first post, try to refrain from judging me for any lack of knowledge I might display. While I am not new to the metagame itself, I am new to actually posting on this forum. Many (if not all) pokes on my team have been constructed by other members in this forum (i.e. found on 5th gen OU Analysis Index), so do not be surprised if they sound familiar. Additionally, I rarely list examples of actual pokes my team deals with. If this is a problem, i can always add it in later. Anyways, let the rating begin!

Mienshao @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4
Nature: Naive
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Aerial Ace
- U-turn

This is usually my starting poke, as he can get free damage on anything not ghost-type with Fake Out. High Jump Kick is the main STAB move here, dealing massive damage that doesn't wall Mein or resist it. Additionally, High Jump Kick lets him deal with Ferrothorn.However, this move can backfire tremendously if the opponent switches into a ghost-type or protects. Aerial Ace provides some needed coverage (HP Ice is on Luke) can threaten other fighting pokes, such as Conkeldurr or other Mienshao. Lastly, U-turn is for switching out of threats (that I can outspeed) and for dealing with psychic pokes, who take it pretty hard (though it is an obvious move, so is likely to force a switch on such opponents). Mienshao is my primary physical attacker, and serves to hit hard and fast on anything not resisting it.

Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature:Bold
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Spd
-Wish
-Toxic
-Softboiled
-Seismic Toss

Blissey is clearly my special wall, and can take almost every attack that isn't physical (and survives many that are). Blissey fits into my team as it provides Wish support, which is invaluable, and fulfills the role of my special wall. I was considering Jellicent for this role, but the massive Wish support and the ability to dent special attackers is what sells Blissey.

Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
Nature: Impish
EVs: HP 252, Def 252, Spd 4
-Stealth Rock
-Slack Off
-Earthquake
-Roar

Hippowdon is my main physical tank. He allows me to set up Stealth Rocks at some point. While I usually do not get them off early, they are nevertheless crippling to many pokemon, such as Volcanora and Charizard (the latter is rarely seen, but deserves mention), and give residual damage (yeah, you know what Stealth Rocks do). Slack off is for Recovery, Earthquake provides him with an attacking move, and Roar can phaze out anyone silly enough to attempt to set up. He can also take any fire/electric attacks aimed at Lucario, which frequently occurs.

Lucario @ Choice Specs
Nature: Modest
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Spa, 252 Spe, 4 HP
-Aura Sphere
-Dark Pulse
-HP Ice
-Vaccuum Wave

This wonderful poke serves as a special attacker for my team, and usually destroys those unprepared. Lucario often has physical walls come in on it, such as Gliscor. HP Ice takes care of any enemy Hippowdon or Gliscor, two pokes that can wall Mienshao. Vaccuum Wave can take out weakened pokes, which is always useful. Aura Sphere, while being a powerful STAB move, can also 2HKO that too common Ferrothorn (do not quote me on that).

Exadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 Hp
-Rock Slide
-Earthquake
-Rapid Spin
-Swords Dance

This Exadrill is both my Rapid Spinner and my late-game sweeper, taking Kingdra's place. So long as Sandstorm is active, he simply plows through any remaining Pokemon. If he has the opportunity to get off a Swords Dance, I basically won the game. IF Cresselia has the oppertunity to set up dual screens, then Exadrill really has few things to fear.

Cresselia @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP, 148 Def, 40 SpD, 68 Spe
-Reflect
-Lunar Dance
-Light Screen
-Thunder Wave

This Cresselia is mainly to support my team and cripple the opponents, while acting as a Special wall of sorts.. Dual Screens are greatly appreciated by everyone, along with the ability to cripple Chlorophyll sweepers, such as Sawsbuck. It is easy to pass wishes to, as Cress has significant Bulk. Lastly, Lunar Dance is the savior of any Pokemon on my team that are a step away from fainting, particularly Mienshao, Luke, and Exadrill.

Final Comments

Several pokes in this team can be switched with others...replace Bliss with Jellicent, Lucario with Porygon-Z, and Hippowdon with a defensive Gliscor. My team has a hard time dealing with ghost-type pokemon, as they are immune to luke and mien's STAB moves, vaccuum wave (the only priority with the exception of fake out), and Seismic Toss, which is Blissey's only attacking move. Physic pokes also have the potential to plague Mien and Luke, as safely switching in Mien or Luke against these threats is difficult at times. Dealing With Scizor can be troublesome, thanks to the lack of Fire-type moves.

That pretty much sums up my team. It would really be appreciated if personal opinions/solutions to problems were addressed, as well as the viability of alternate pokes. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY OBVIOUS THREATS NOT COVERED MENTIONED. Thank you for reading all of this, and try not to hate the word pokes because of me! :D

EDITS: Kingdra and Victini have been replaced with Exadrill and Cresselia. For the sake of my sanity, I will keep both Kingdra and Victini's analysis below:

Vicinti @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Spe, 4 Atk
-V-create
-Final Gambit
-U-turn
-Fusion Bolt

This Vicinti is meant to stop any walls (under 100 base HP), or sweepers slower than itself, that have attempted to set up. V-create hits hard on just about everything (even without the evs) U-turn and Fusion Bolt provide coverage against , as well as attacking moves that do not murder Vicinti's stats. Final Gambit is amazingly fun to use. When Vicinti has full health, it has the potential to disregard any boosted defense and typing, and OHKOs anything under 404 hp. Blissey's Wish support is vital here, as Stealth Rock and other damage really hurts this Vicinti's potential to remove threats not expecting it.

Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 80 Atk, 176 Spe, 252 Spa
-Rain Dance
-Waterfall
-Hydro Pump
-Draco Meteor

This is meant to be a late-game sweeper, and is the poke I believe the least in on this team. Rain Dance doubles it's speed for 5 turns, Waterfall provides physical STAB , Hydro provides Special STAB, as well as Draco Meteor. Additionally, as the metagame oozes with rain teams, he can take complete advantage of their infinite rain. I say this is the poke i trust in the least simply because he is usually not needed, thus not tested often. Everything he can do, I am pretty sure my other pokes can cover. The times I have actually used him in late game after removing possible threats, he can decimate the remaining team.

 

[L3un1t]

I thought it would be useful to list threats to my team here. ONLY THREATS. If i missed any, please point out which ones.


Breloom - This thing can wreak havoc on my team late in game. There really isn't anything outside of Luke that can take care of it, and even that is iffy.

Conkeldurr (Roobushin) - Hippowdon can wall it off pretty nicely, but taking a bulky version down can be annoying. Lucario, taking advantage of Conkeldurr's abysmal SpD, can hit it pretty hard.

Excadrill (Doryuuzu) - This thing is incredible, but difficult to deal with. Usually I either have to sacrifice a poke to get a safe switch into my own Exadrill, who then then *hopefully* beat it, preferably thanks to Reflect support

Gliscor- If Luke dies, then this Gliscor can be pretty annoying. I can hope to kill it with Exadrill, but OHKOing it is unlikely.

Gyarados - ehh... Exadrill can Rock Slide it, but not much I can do to it outside of that.

Haxorus (Ononokusu) - When Scarfed, I fear Haxorus. Hippowdon has a hard time walling simply because it is a truck, but Luke can kill it with HP Ice,

Jellicent (Burungeru) - While a special wall, Mien can't do much to it. It can pass a burn off to both Mien and Exadrill. Luke is my best bet for taking it down, as Dark Pulse 3HKO's it. Seeing as how it will waste a burn on Luke (if it thinks Luke is physical), it might be easier to deal with.

Kingdra - Threatens both my walls if mixed, and my whole team as well if it is running Rain Dance.

Latias - If it gets off a few Calm Minds and Hippowdon isn't around, things can go badly. Hippowdon can barely, if at all, take a hit from it. Blissey would be a perfect wall, but Psyshock exploits Blissey's nonexistant defense.

Latios - Pretty much the same deal as Latias, just less bulky.

Lucario - If it runs Agility or has a scarf (for some reason), a physical Lucario can make life miserable. Special has fighting moves as well, but blissey can take them pretty well (usually)

Metagross - Agiligross likes to sweep. It does this rather well against my team. Lucario MIGHT be able to KO it with an aura blast if it is somewhat weakened, but a healthy agiligross makes my team weep.

Ninetales - Blissey can wall it, but can't do much back outside of seismic toss. Hippowdon is great for getting rid of that sun, but hates Solar Beam.

Rotom-W - Can be difficult to deal with if Bliss isn't around. The lack of grass-type moves really shows against this thing, and it alone.

Scizor- Blissey hates him, Hippowdon laughs at him. If it is a Swords Dance Scizor, then it has the potential to make a dent in my team.

Slowbro - Once again, Grass-type moves would be nice here. If both Mien and Luke are down, this thing walls my team until the world ends.

Starmie - Blissey doesn't mind, so long as it doesn't have Psyshock (they carry Psyshock, riiiiight? :3)

Terrakion (Terakion) - Mien and Luke can take care of it. If they are gone, so is a win.

Thundurus (Borutorosu) - Bissey makes desperate attempts to wall it off, but Taunt shuts Bliss down. If it has HP Ice, then its a GG unless Luke HP ices it back.

Vaporeon - It can wall my team for a good portion of the game, unless Hippowdon shouts LEEEROOOY at it, phazing Vaporeon out.

Wobbuffet - Wobbuffet is always a threat. While Luke can take it out, he can't directly switch in to him. Since my team has an abundant lack of status moves (i.e. Toxic), Wobbuffet can easily claim a kill against my team.

Nidoqueen- While Lucario can simply HP Ice it, switching into Luke usually prompts a switch. That being said, Nidoqueen can set up Toxic Spikes easily on my team. While T Spikes are ignored by HALF of my team, Hippowdon and Blissey (least of all) dislikes them. Mienshao actually enjoys getting poisoned, as this prevents a burn from any Jellicent or anything with Flame Body. The main thing to take away from this is that Nidoqueen is difficult to take down, but doesn't inflict lasting harm.

 

[Max212]

Providing a threat list helps raters provide better rates. But if you are going to make a threat list, you need to provide explanations for EVERY Pokemon, don't leave us with a half-finished list.

 

[Princess Bubblegum]

Providing a threat list helps raters provide better rates. But if you are going to make a threat list, you need to provide explanations for EVERY Pokemon, don't leave us with a half-finished list.

I have to disagree, sometimes I see posting the whole threat list to be extremely repetitive and sometimes pointless, I would much rather have someone outline the threats that really matter, and only them.

As for your team, its kinda off, your using Hippo, but have 2 other weather abusers. One of which has a weather move contrary to what you want. I would ditch the last 2 pokemon totally, and switch them for other pokemon that fit into your team or take advantage of sand. I think Exadrill might work better then Victini and a bulky water like Jellicent or Vaporeon would be better then Kindra. Although I am just throwing ideas around, 2 other pokemon might be better, but they really to need to go.

 

[Max212]

I have to disagree, sometimes I see posting the whole threat list to be extremely repetitive and sometimes pointless, I would much rather have someone outline the threats that really matter, and only them.

As for your team, its kinda off, your using Hippo, but have 2 other weather abusers. One of which has a weather move contrary to what you want. I would ditch the last 2 pokemon totally, and switch them for other pokemon that fit into your team or take advantage of sand. I think Exadrill might work better then Victini and a bulky water like Jellicent or Vaporeon would be better then Kindra. Although I am just throwing ideas around, 2 other pokemon might be better, but they really to need to go.

Ah, I understand. Thanks for the heads-up, I will keep that in mind.

 

[L3un1t]

Providing a threat list helps raters provide better rates. But if you are going to make a threat list, you need to provide explanations for EVERY Pokemon, don't leave us with a half-finished list.

Lol, I didn't finish the threat list out of complete laziness, so that'll be worked on throughout the day/weekend. I'm only worried about mentioning the pokes that I have a hard time dealing with.

I would ditch the last 2 pokemon totally, and switch them for other pokemon that fit into your team or take advantage of sand. I think Exadrill might work better then Victini and a bulky water like Jellicent or Vaporeon would be better then Kindra. Although I am just throwing ideas around, 2 other pokemon might be better, but they really to need to go.

I agree, and I have been experimenting with replacing Vicinti w/Exadrill. Pretty effective when combined with Hippowdon, as my Exadrill is the following:

Exadrill @ Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP 252 Atk 252 Spe
-Swords Dance
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin

i was thinking of having a reflect+screening Cresselia replace Kingdra (although weak Baton Passers benefit from her the most, Luke and Mien wouldn't mind the defense boosts, as they'll be able to survive for longer periods). Probably just going to finish up threat list, then start testing that.

 

[Max212]

I agree with scarfwynaut, your last two Pokemon aren't really benefiting from Sand Storm. I also don't understand why you would set up sand, only to omit it by using Rain Dance.

The Excadrill will be a wonderful addition replacing Kingdra so it can take advantage of Sand Rush, instead of Kingdra having to use Rain Dance to gain the same effects.

 

[L3un1t]

I agree with scarfwynaut, your last two Pokemon aren't really benefiting from Sand Storm. I also don't understand why you would set up sand, only to omit it by using Rain Dance.

Well, the original train of thought was that I would like to counter pretty much any weather team. Kingdra can Rain Dance sandstorm and sun away, and Hippowdon gets rid of rain+sun. Now, however, I realize that Kingdra is better replaced with something that actually takes advantage of Sandstorm.

 

[L3un1t]

Bump

 

[kaiijy]

the entire idea of running Rapid Spin in Excadrill just doesn't look good, whenever Excadrill gets a chance to Rapid Spin it should be a chance used to Swords Dance. Just replace it with Return, which helps him cover up. Chople Berry Excadrill resists Adamant Technician Life Orb Breloom's Mach Punch (80atk is all it needs) and OHKO's back with Return.

Excadrill will never OHKO Gliscor, specially since your Excadrill doesn't run Balloon (which is not that bad actually), so Gliscor can switch in into your STAB Earthquake and OHKO you in the next turn with his STAB Earthquake.

 

[L3un1t]

the entire idea of running Rapid Spin in Excadrill just doesn't look good, whenever Excadrill gets a chance to Rapid Spin it should be a chance used to Swords Dance. Just replace it with Return, which helps him cover up. Chople Berry Excadrill resists Adamant Technician Life Orb Breloom's Mach Punch (80atk is all it needs) and OHKO's back with Return.

Excadrill will never OHKO Gliscor, specially since your Excadrill doesn't run Balloon (which is not that bad actually), so Gliscor can switch in into your STAB Earthquake and OHKO you in the next turn with his STAB Earthquake.

I used to run him with Return;however, I found that against really resilient stall teams, Rapid Spin can be invaluable (i.e. if someone sets up 3 layers of spikes and a restalk Milotic phazes). As this is supposed to be a late-game sweeper, Return is probably a better option, as I can handle a greater number of threats, but the lack of Rapid Spin has been the bane of me when a good stall team turns its ugly head.

I've found that having Cresselia set up dual screens paves the way for an Exadrill sweep. I suppose Gliscor could stop a potential sweep by forcing me to switch to Luke (I have actually halted +2 Exadrill sweeps of my own with Gliscor, he doesn't even take half from +2 Rock Slide). If he does crop up, there really isn't much I can do about it even with Return (unless I'm completely ballsy and give Exadrill HP Ice, which he can't even run).

I also had the sudden realization that a Trick room team could very well murder me, particularly if Reunicilus pops up on one. I GUESS Mien could deal with Reunicilus before it gets the trick room off. Otherwise, it can just Calm Mind and Focus Blast everything bar Cresselia, who doesn't like Special attacks to begin with. Any suggestions on how I could deal with this would be nice.

 

[MrGible]

Err, you realize that Aerial Ace does outdamage Acrobatics on Mienshao correct?

 

[L3un1t]

Err, you realize that Aerial Ace does outdamage Acrobatics on Mienshao correct?

Wow...I don't know what I was thinking. I actually didn't Pokesav this thing, so perhaps I though Aerial Ace wasn't available to Mien. Otherwise, I don't know what was going on. Its a five point difference though, and acrobatics is rarely used, so it never really made a difference. Still changing it though.

 

[L3un1t]

bump...for the last time :C

 

[Jirachee]

Putting the nature of all your pokemon would really help.

 

[L3un1t]

Putting the nature of all your pokemon would really help.

Most of the poke's natures are pretty obvious, but i added them anyway