SM OU OU team - Chipping the way for Greninja

FetchdTooFar · Jan 16, 2019

Introduction

I really like Mega-Venusaur, easily my favorite mega. So naturally I wanted to make a team revolving around him and his bulky support options. I'm not new to competitive battling but I'm new to building teams. I generally use teams I see on YouTube but with OST on the horizon (first round's already here) I thought I'd give it a shot to make my own with my favorite big, friendly plant-frog.

Usually, I work towards an endgame where Greninja sweeps/cleans up or I can successfully wall the remaining 'Mons with one of my own. I've noticed my very weak to Mega-Medicham and Volcarona. I think it's because of the team, but if that's not the case I'm just bad. :']

The Team

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The star. Bulky and provides leech seed support. Helps deal with Ash-Greninja and the Tapus(minus Lele).

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Adds electric coverage and a decent chance at paralysis. So far, sacking this 'mon against Medicham has been my play to paralyze it and I've been too lucky.

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The Unaware wonder wall. Wish+Heal Bell support is very nice for the bulky defensive 'Mons to help them last longer and continue chipped the way for Greninja.

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Max DEF, helmet+skin Garchomp to punish the physical attackers and chip at U-turns when led off with. Provides Rocks and Roar to deny setting up.

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Fire-immunity and Z-user. Only here to file the Z slot and take out Steel types+Pex.

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Specs Greninja for POWER and a sweeper. I usually keep him in the back until everything has been chipped away by the others, or send it in when there's a safe Battle-Bond chance.

Thanks in advance :] Good luck on your OST matches!

Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 156 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Roost
- Heat Wave
- Defog

Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Protect
- Moonblast
- Heal Bell

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Def / 168 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Roar

Heatran @ Groundium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Toxic

Greninja @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Surf
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam

DKM · Jan 22, 2019

Hey FetchdTooFar, Mega Venusaur is an interesting pick which has much more potential in a meta without Zygarde. It's one of the only Pokemon that can switch into Mega Mawile reliably, it also keeps Shift Gear Magearna and Ash-Greninja in check. This team looks pretty good and reminds me of another team that was commonly used a while ago.

Although it does have a couple of issues I noticed. For example the stall mathup is quite difficult, while Heatran can pressure these teams it can never win the matchup on its own. This team also lacks a scarfer which is fine, but you'll need to have defensive checks to both speed boosting setup sweepers such as Magearna and Volcarona (which are dealt with by Venusaur and Garchomp + Water Shuriken respectively) and naturally fast Pokemon, one of these being Mega Alakazam which is not dealt with very well.

Major Changes

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: First I suggest replacing Clefable for CM + Pain Split Magearna. Clefable doesn't do a whole lot for this team apart from provide a Dark-resist which Magearna does aswell, Unaware Pokemon aren't really necessary apart from on full stall so I decided to remove it. CM + Pain Split Magearna is a set that has gained alot of popularity recently, it can beat most stall teams on its own by setting up Calm Mind boosts and using Pain Split to beat Chansey 1v1, Twinkle Tackle can be used to remove their Unaware Pokemon (Quagsire or Clefable) to secure the win. Thanks to the HP and SpDef investment this Magearna set can also check Mega Alakazam throughout the battle. The Defense lets it live an Earthquake from Landorus-T or a HJK from Mega Medicham when at full; Thunderbolt allows it to beat Toxapex and Celesteela.

> [optional]: Next I suggest an optional change of using Tornadus-T instead of Zapdos, this gives you a better speed tier and a better check to Mega Medicham and Kartana since it can live a hit from either, outspeed them, and force them out with Hurricane. It also has the added utility of Knock Off and U-turn which can help in multiple ways, for example removing opposing Heatran's Leftovers to help Magearna sweep. The spread I'm using is one I made, the Defense allows you to live one Ice Punch from Mega Medicham at full, the HP increases Regenerator recovery, and the speed outpaces Choice Scarf Tyranitar which isn't very common but its a safe benchmark if you don't want Max speed. There are alot of defensive Tornadus-T spreads so feel free to use another if you think it's better.

Minor Changes

EV Spread change: I changed the Garchomp spread to a standard 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 Spe with an Impish nature, the speed makes sure you outpace Heatran, Max HP and the rest in defense. Running Max HP is better for taking Bug Buzz from Volcarona so it can get off an Earthquake and put it in Water Shuriken range.

> : Now that Magearna is using a Z-crystal Heatran must choose another item. Even offensive Heatran variants appreciate recovery from Leftovers so its still the best item to use, although there are a couple of other creative options such as a Shuca Berry set, Chople Berry, or Binding Band. Although Leftover's consistency is usually better.

Spikes > Ice Beam: Lastly, I suggest using Spikes on Ash-Greninja instead of Ice Beam. Spikes can be set up on the many switches Ash-Greninja forces and they pressure its switch-ins such as Tapu Bulu, Assault Vest Magearna and Toxapex. While Ice Beam is useful coverage against Grass-types, Spikes is much more consistent at pressuring all of Ash-Greninja's checks, which is why it's the more common choice.

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To conclude, Pokemon that are still threatening to the team include Buginium Z Volcarona, as it can OHKO Garchomp with Z-Bug Buzz most of the time, so you'll have to scout for it by switching into Heatran. Mega Medicham can still pose a threat, although the only real counters to it are Reuniclus and Slowbro. Tornadus-T can switch in once and force it out, Magearna can live one hit from full, and Ash-Greninja can also outspeed it. Mega Charizard X can also be very problematic, try to keep up Stealth Rock if possible as your best chance will probably be getting it into Water Shuriken range by making it take chip through recoil, hazards etc.

I hope you like the changes, let me know if you have any questions. Good luck

Venusaur-Mega @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 156 SpD / 16 Spe Calm Nature
- Leech Seed
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Hidden Power [Fire]

Tornadus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 208 HP / 84 Def / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Defog
- U-turn
- Knock Off

Magearna @ Fairium Z
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 224 SpA / 8 SpD Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Pain Split
- Fleur Cannon
- Thunderbolt

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Roar

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Toxic

Greninja @ Choice Specs
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Surf
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Spikes

FetchdTooFar · Jan 22, 2019

DKM, thanks for the contribution!!

I will definitely unleash these new changes onto the ladder! Magearna doesn't a nature in the import, should it be +Def, +SpDef, or +SpAtk?

DKM · Jan 23, 2019

FetchdTooFar said:
DKM, thanks for the contribution!!

I will definitely unleash these new changes onto the ladder! Magearna doesn't a nature in the import, should it be +Def, +SpDef, or +SpAtk?

It should be a Modest nature

SM OU OU team - Chipping the way for Greninja

FetchdTooFar

DKM

Are you feeling nervous? Are you having fun?

FetchdTooFar

DKM

Are you feeling nervous? Are you having fun?