This is a team that I have been developing over the last few months and once I am satisfied with it I shall take it WiFi!
This is an offensive team, playing to break their walls and late game sweep with Metagross. Oh, since switching the metagross I have begun advancing again :). I still need to improve my playing style but I think that my team itself is working very nicely. However, I'm sure my team still has plenty of smaller faults, so please take the time to read over it and comment :)
Entry Hazards
Stealth Rock:
Hits 1 Pokemon for 2x Damage
Hits 3 Pokemon for 1x Damage
Hits 2 Pokemon for 0.5x Damage
Spikes:
Hits 4 Pokemon
Toxic Spikes:
Hits 2 Pokemon
Issues:
Paralyse teams I struggle with, although Metagross, Starmie and Swampert can absorb it and Scizor can still BP. The main problem with them is the lack of Ice Beam on Swampert.
Only one Ice attack on the team right now, the lackluster HP Ice. And Scizor can pursuit Gengar, who carries it, so I might lose it and FAIL.
I am inexperianced with Stall Teams so struggle with prediction there.
Pursuit OHKOs two of my team members (Starmie and Gengar).
Here is my team at a glance :
General Team Strategy :
As one of my main attackers have a Stealth Rock Weakness, Starmie sets out to rectify this and often take a lead with it too. From this point, Scizor, Gengar and Salamence go toe to toe with the enemy, attempted to eliminate them. Early on in the game, Swampert switches in (which is easy for the lil' Mudfish to do) and set up Stealth Rock. It can then haze away the pokemon that tries to set up on it and switch out for later use. Now, at this point, here is how the battle usually stands. My Starmie is gone, but it's role is nicely filled by Gengar. Scizor or Salamence are knocked out or normally weakened as is Swampert. At this point, I break out Metagross I will switch in on a) a choice attacker b) an ice attack on salamence or c)a switch or filler attack. After one Agilty, Metagross cleans up the last of the enemy and will blow up on anything it can't defeat conventionally. Occasionally I bring Metagross in mid-game, to break it open.
My Team: Poke'Hoofle!
Anti-Lead
Mayble the Starmie @ Life Orb
Natural Cure
Timid
Evs:4HP, 252SpA, 252Spe
Hydro Pump
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Rapid Spin
Moves:
Hydro Pump is an excellent attack on this unusual but very effective anti-lead. All Metagross, fearing only a 3HKO from a leftovers surf, stay in and Stealth Rock. I then can 2HKO them with Hydro Pump. I then thunderbolt (which finished them off and killed incoming waters to wall Hydro Pump) or Rapid Spin as they switch away. For fragile sash leads, I Hydro Pump them to 1Hp then rapid spin to finish them off and blow away rocks Thunderbolt provides an effective check against Gyarados and can run through teams that don't pack a ground type. Starmie can't sweep for too long, due to Life Orb, but the extra power attains it an average of 2 kills a battle. Ice Beam allows it to break dragons and Gliscor late-game.
EVs and Nature:
Max Speed outspeeds everybody but Aerodactyl, Jolteon, Weavile and Scarfers and ties with Azelf, who is often carries psychic and fire blast, so it finds it difficult to KO Starmie.
Team :
This Lead often removes the chance of Metagross and Heatran blowing up one of my other Team-mates. It also keeps Salamence and my other pokemon much more stable by removing Stealth Rock. However, later in the game, it is not a sturdy spinner so mid-game Stealth Rock sometimes still hurts me :'(. Natural Cure allows Starmie to absorb status leads as well. It can cover bulky ground types, flyers and gyarados later on as well as Dragons.
Issues:
Lead Breloom can be catastrophic if I predict wrongly. Spore can be absorbed well with Natural Cure, but Seed Bomb will OHKO. Scizor can pursuit KO.
Synergy:
Grass to Scizor, Salamence, Gengar
Electric goes to Swampert
Bug goes to Scizor, Gengar, Salamence
Ghost goes to Scizor
Dark goes to Scizor
Revenger
Emily the Gengar @ Choice Scarf
Levitate
Timid
Evs: 56HP, 252SpA, 192Spe
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Thunderbolt
Hidden Power Ice
Moveset:
Shadow Ball is a powerful STAB, key, as this set has less SpA than most Choice Scarf Gengar, due to the lack of Modest nature. I hurts the rotom appliances fairly well, Azelf, Alakazam and hits well on Metagross and Bronzong. BoltBeam it essential as this set is designed to outrun all DD Salamence and Gyarados and revenge kill them. It also hurts Hippowdon, Gliscor, Vaporeon, Bulky Waters and more! Finally, Focus Blast hits steels, Tyranitar, Dark types and pretty much anything that walls the other moves. I know that trick is glaringly absent from this set. This is for two reasons, 1. I hate using it and I struggle to use it effectively, 2. I feel I need all these moves equally.
Evs and Nature:
I run a timid Gengar to outspeed ALL DD Salamence and... pretty much everything else, even Jolteon. Because of the timid nature, Gengar does not need all it's speed Evs, so they have gone into Hp for added survivability.
Team:
This is a true revenge killer. It will rid my team of that mean old Sweeping Dragon, as well as numerous other threats. With a bit of predicition, it can also get some surprise wall 1HKO or 2HKOs, giving my other pokemon more room. She also takes Fighting, Normal and Ground Attacks wonderfully.
Issues:
Scizor's pursuit, obviously, it like another weakness. Gengar counters so much that it can frustrate you, when you revenge one thing then the opponents sends in another pokemon you know you could own without scarf :P
Synergy:
Psychic goes to Metagross, Scizor or Starmie
Ghost goes to Scizor
Dark goes to Scizor
Wall Breaker
Jasper the Salamence @ Life Orb
Intimidate
Naive
Evs: 16Att, 240SpA, 252Spe
Draco Meteor
Outrage
Flamethrower
Earthquake
Moveset:
I used to run an infernape over this slot, and having run this set, I realise it hits more walls more effectively, especially those I have no other counter for. Draco Meteor is almost a cure-all... accept it's a Death...All? It certainly Kills most enemies and dents any others. The only trouble is that I sometimes need my Flamethrower after this attack, but it's now weak :o
Outrage Is normally used after Draco Meteor or when Salamence can do no more, due to low Hp or no more specific targets. It's powerful and combined with Earthquake, kills Blissey. Flamethrower kills (comence list of must-kills) Scizor, Skarmory, Fortress, Heracross, Breloom, Bronzong (after some persistance) and Celebi. Earthquake here is a powerful steel killer, that isn't affected by Draco meteor's SpA drop. It here deales with Lucario, Jirachi, non-HpIce Infernape, Magnezone, Heatran and Metagross (flamethrower recommended here, as Metagross has lower SpD)
EVs and Nature:
Max Speed, to outrun fast walls, unboosted sweepers and the like. I like the attack and spec attack evs here, as I use both ends of the spectrum roughly equally, and these ev's give my roughly equal Att and SpA stats.
Team:
This is a WallBreaker, sent in to destroy any unprepared pokemon or any pokemon that Stand in the way of Scizor or Metagross sweeping. Salamence also absorbs a ton of attacks, such as ground, fighting, steel, bug, grass and so on.
Issues:
The main disadvantages this Wall Breaker has over Infernape is the lack of speed, tieing with other Salamence is pretty risky. After Draco Meteor, Flamethrower becomes much weaker.
Synergy:
Ice goes to Starmie, Scizor or Metagross
Rock goes to Swampert or Metagross
Dragon goes to Scizor or Metagross
Trapper
Alice the Scizor @ Choice Band
Technician
Adamant
Evs: 252Att, 246HP, 12Spe
Bullet Punch
Superpower
U-Turn
Pursuit
Moveset:
Love or Hate it, I love Cb Scizor and the moves it provides. U-Turn is excellent for scouting, gaining advantage defeating weakened psychic types, such as Latias, Jirachi and Cresselia. Pursuit deals with some of the above as well, but also traps Gengar and Azelf (although it often uses fire to avoid this). Superpower hits Tyranitar and Blissey for a 1HKO, but also several dents lots of pokemon than are sent in to take it, such as bulky waters. Finally, Bullet Punch is still as broken as ever, capable or late game sweeping, destroying sweepers and giving Scizor a last powerful hit on it's deathbed.
EVs and Nature:
max Attack and adamant nature, to deal the most damage with all of Scizor's powerful moves. A little trickle of Speed outspeeds fully Hp boosted Scizor, but most my Ev's also go into Hp as well, bulking Scizor up.
Team:
Scizor has so many roles. It can trap annoying choice scarfers, late-game sweep, kill blissey, absorb outrage, hit ANYTHING first and take Salamence's Ice threats. U-Turn also allows Scizor to scout for Salamence and Gengar.
Issues:
Magnezone goes without saying, so U-turn is recommended until you know their team, or predicting with Superpower. Being set up on, although Gengar kills most of these, except for Kingdra.
Synergy:
Fire goes to Starmie, Swampert or Salamence
Late-Game Sweeper (Still testing explosion over Ice/Thunderpunch)
Snoof the Metagross @ Lum Berry
Clear Body
Adamant
EVs: 252Att, 132Spe, 112HP, 12Def
Agility
Earthquake
Ice Punch/Thunderpunch/Rock Slide/Explosion
Meteor Mash
Moveset:
This is a replacement for Gyarados. It covers my big rock weakness and lessens my electric weakness (Swampert is immune anyway). Anyway, as with Gyarados, I avoid bring out Metagross until the late game, when it's counters are down. I switch in on a choice move or a counterable pokemon and agility up. From this point, Meteor Mash hits most enemies, giving me a change to boost my attack as well. Meanwhile, Earthquake handles bulky steels, fires, weaker waters and to an extend, Swampert. Currently I am running rock slide, which will stop bulky fliers from ruining my sweep, as well as late game Gyarados and Dragons that the opponent has saved. Thunderpunch would be nice, but for me it hits less pokemon that I encounter in the late game, only Vaporeon, Starmie and Togekiss. Suicune can heal off the damage, so it doesn't count. Rock Slide only hits Gyarados and Zapdos Harder than Meteor Mash, and Starmie, Salamence and Gengar handle them. Ice punch is still an option I am considering, to give me a second dragon killer. Explosion, however if my cure all for this set. Metagross is almost never compulsary and Explosion kills all the counters that Metagross can't cope with, namely full Health Salamence, Dragonite, Suicune, Zapdos and Gyarados. All of these will vastly help my team after they die.
Evs and Nature:
As Metagross doesn't boost it's attack so max attack is needed. 132 Speed outruns Choice Scarf Heatran after agility, which can be a serious late game threat, although I do not see many. 12 Def prevents a 1HKO from CB Dugtrio and The rest goes into HP for bulkiness, which is complimented by Leftovers.
Team:
Metagross takes rock, dragon and steel attacks, if Scizor finds itself out of action. I acts as the Late Game sweeper of the team, being bulky enough to force its way through most weakened pokemon by this point. If I give it explosion, it can also function to break open a midgame stall.
Issues:
It can't counter every late game threat (to be expected :P). Explosion helps this, leaving only fortress and Skarmory left, who aren't big threats. However, explosion ends the end game sweep.
Synergy:
Fire goes to Starmie, Salamence, Swampert
Ground goes to Gengar or Salamence
Tank
Hoofle the Swampert @ Leftovers
Relaxed
Torrent
EVs: 240Hp, 56SpA, 194Def, 20Def
Hydro Pump
Earthquake
Stealth Rock
Roar / Ice Beam
Moveset:
Hydro Pump hits Scizor and other pokemon quite hard and Earthquake smashes up steels such as Metagross and Heatran. Stealth Rock really improves my team's potential for 2HKOes and is normally the first move I use with this set, on a switch. Roar is good for hurting Salamence and Gyarados with Stealth Rock, hazing and screwing up an opponents switch in. Ice Beam is a possible choice of this however, killing suck baton passers as Zapdos, Ninjask and Yanmega and giving me a dragon attacker to fall back on. Roar is generally a bit more useful though. However, as my strategy involves loads of switches between both players, this is only useful on some pokemon setting up, such as Rhyperior and Scizor or beating Baton Passing Chains.
EVs and Nature:
These EVs strongly link Swampert to defensive angle, as the two types it needs to absorb, fire and electric, it resists anyhow. The speed Evs outrun TyraniBoah and the SpA Evs allow Hydro Pump to 2HKO Skarmory and Co.
Team:
Swampert absorbs electric and fire attacks (I have no other electric resistances, so this stops SpecsJolt). It sets up SR, allowing all my other pokemon to have a nice time. Roar stops my team being a-set up on, and gives me the solution to baton pass that I never had:O. This is also my only reliable SD Scizor counter.
Issues:
It could be bulkier, to be honest, but it still does well. This set can't Ice Beam Salamence. This is because I can roar it away as it sets up. Flygon is just a difficulty. It doesn't have Heatran's secondary fire attack and can;t take to many powerful Scizor attacks. It's slow.
Synergy:
Grass goes to Scizor, Salamence, Gengar or Metagross.
SO that is my team :)
I welcome all comments and suggestions!
The only rules are have is... please don't suggest Hypnosis to me, as I hate using it more than I can squeak!
Please leave detailed comments.
Please don't tell me a random weakness without a suggestion :)
Tarquin the SnoofleDoofle
Changes Made So Far:
Have replaced Gyarados with AgiliGross, to take rock attacks while still late game sweeping.
Swampert replaced Heatran, due to it's superior defenses, Stealth Rock and phazing.
Threat List
Offensive Threat List
Abomasnow: Salamence, Scizor, Metagross and Gengar.
Aerodactyl: Starmie takes him down to 1Hp with Hydro Pump. He hits me with Stone Edge, doing roughly 55% damage, I finish him off with Rapid Spin and remove rocks. After than, Stealth Rock kills 1HP Aero and Scizor kills it otherwise, as does gengar. Swamper can Hydro Pump
Alakazam: Scizor can pursuit, Gengar can revenge kill, Swampert absorbs at least one attack and can phaze or Earthquake.
Azelf: Scizor and Metagross can have a go, but both are 1 or 2hkoed by Fire Blast. Explosions go to any of my steels and Gengar can revenge kill.
Breloom: Let prefferably Starmie snooze, as it has Natural Cure. Switch to Scizor, U-turn to break the substitute and go to Starmie / Salamence/ Gengar. If he sleeps again then Starmie will re-absorb the Spore.
Crobat: Scizor and Metagross resist it’s attacks but Metagross can be snoozed without agility. Gengar can kill with thunderbolt.
Dragonite: Salamence intimidates and is faster than MixNite. Metagross and Scizor Wall Outrage. Gengar can Revenge Kill or switch in on a DD.
Dugtrio: Metagross isn’t KOed and can hit back for a 1HKO. Scizor kills with BP. Gengar is faster and can switch out. Salamence can Switch out, so only Starmie and Heatran are threatened.
Electivire: Lure it for an icepunch, switch to Scizor and U-turn for big Damage. Gengar outspeeds and is immune to fighting earthquake, plus it takes the other punches okay. Swampert takes all attacks and Earthquakes.
Empoleon: Gengar thunderbolts, Starmie thunderbolts an un-set-up one. Salamence Earthquakes, Scizor uses Superpower, Metagross has Thunderpunch. Swampert Earthquakes.
Flygon: Metagross does well against U-turn / Stone Edge and Outrage. Can revenge or predict kill with Gengar. Can be killed by Starmie if not Scarfed. Same with Salamence. Steels wall outrage. Swampert can try and Hydro Pump...
Froslass: Scizor, Gengar,
Gallade: Salamence is an okay revenger, unless it has stone edge or ice punch. However, Outrage should kill it. Metagross can hurt it with Earthquake and Meteor Mash. Scizor can attack with Bullet Punch or U-turn. Gengar can try for a 2HKO with Shadow Ball.
Gengar: Usually choiced. I lure in a shadow ball / hp ice and Scizor pursuits it. If it’s not choiced, I can still lure out that attack and bullet punch it. Gengar outspeeds normal Modest ones.
Gyarados: Intimidate, Draco Meteor works well with Salamence. Starmie revenges bulky Gyarados and Gengar Revenge kills ALL Gyarados.
Heatran: Salamence can switch in on an earth attack or fire attack and Earthquake back. AgilityGross can Earthquake. Gengar KOs with Focus Blast. Starmie outruns some and Hydro Pumps. Swampert has Earthquake.
Heracross: Salamence do well against Megahorn and Close Combat, Metagross does well against Stone Edge. Scizor can OHKO when it’s around 80%. Starmie and Gengar can revenge kill with Ice Beam.
Infernape: Starmie OHKO’s all but ScarfApe, which is rather rare. For those, I have numerous options. I can lure a fighting attack with Heatran and switch in Gengar. Salamence absorbs Fire, Fighting and Grass, so can switch in on these moves if it is choiced. Scizor can revenge kill the weakened Ape. Swampert takes all but Grass Knot and has Hydro Pump and Earthquake.
Jirachi: Swampert has Earthquake. Salamence Kills with Earthquake, except for scarfed versions. Gengar can kill this version and Metagross can absorb fire punch with only 35% and earthquake.
Jolteon: Metagross is okay, and can Earthquake. Scizor can revenge kill them if they are weakened. Swampert takes electric attacks and can hit back with Earthquake.
Kingdra: Switch in Salamence as it sets up, intimidating it, then switch in Metagross on the Outrage. Metagross can set up on it and earthquake.
Latias: Scizor, Gengar can hurt badly with Shadow Ball or HP Ice. AgiliGross can Ice Punch.
Lucario: Gengar absorbs Extremespeed and Kills with Focus Blast. Starmie kills with Hydro Pump. Metagross. Salamence can outspeed it OHKO with flamethrower. Swampert can Earthquake.
Machamp: Salamence can outspeed and OHKO. Dynamic Punch confusion is the worst thing. I can usually switch Gengar on Dynamic Punch and then switch in Metagross, who takes all of his attacks well and can Meteor Mash. Swampert takes the hits well and can Hydro Pump
Magnezone: Swampert walls HP Fire sets. Metagross can earthquake as can Salamence if it isn’t Scarfed. Gengar can Focus Blast. Scizor can switch in and Superpower, but be careful not to get caught in a pursuit or BP too early incase the opponent has Magnezone.
Mamoswine: Metagross KOs with Meteor Mash and isn’t OHKOed by earthquake. Scizor can come in on the ice shard and KO with bullet punch. Starmie can OHKO with Hydro Pump. Gengar can Focus Blast. Swampert has Hydro Pump.
Metagross: Scizor can come in on the meteor mash, take 35%ish from the earthquake and then U-turn to Salamence or Gengar who can OHKO from there. Starmie 2HKOs with Hydro Pump is only OHKOed back by CB sets.
Porygon-Z: Scizor, Gengar tackle Choice Scarfians. Starmie, Salamence can handle Nasty Plotters. Heatran can switch into anything but HP Fight
Raikou: Metagross has Earthquake and isn’t hurt too badly. Scizor hurts with Bullet Punch and rapes substitutes. Gengar can attack first but probably won’t OHKO. Swampert has Earthquake.
Rhyperior: Try not to let it set up. Starmie out runs and OHKOs with Hydro Pump. Scizor 2HKOs with bullet punch. Metagross can meteor mash. Salamence can use draco meteor, which is a possible KO without sandstorm. Gengar can Focus Blast. Swampert can OHKO with Hydro Pump.
Salamence: Scizor can kill it at about 60%. Metagross does well against Outrage / Draco Meteor. Gyarados does well against earthquake and flamethrower / fire blast can come in and intimidate the DD version, and then switch to my steel on the outrage. Gengar can stop a DD sweep and Starmie can stop MixMence or Choice Mence
Scizor: Salamence can do okay if it’s at good health. Heatran switches in on a CB Bullet Punch. Gengar can finish it off with Thunderbolt if it switches in on a fighting move. SD set can be killed by Starmie. Metagross can absorb all but X Scissor. Swampert Hydro Pumps and phazes SD.
Staraptor: Metagross walls it decently. Scizor does also and can bullet punch. Gengar revenge kills as does Starmie.
Starmie: Use resistances to get Scizor in on an Ice Beam and then pursuit it and U-turn out. Gengar revenge kills. Starmie is a last resort.
Togekiss:Gengar can thunderbolt, as can Starmie. Scizor kills it in poor health. Metagross does well with a resistance to air slash and can meteor mash it for big damage. Salamence can hit with Outrage. Swampert can absorb Thunderwaves.
Tyranitar: Scizor OHKOs with bullet punch. Metagross can come in on the stone edge. Scizor does well against crunch. Gengar can revenge kill as can Starmie.
Weavile: Scizor kills. CB weavile is normally attacking Gengar, Starmie or Salamence. If it uses fighting, switch to Scizor, Starmie, Salamence or Gengar. Ice -> Scizor, Metagross Dark-> Scizor, Salamence (somewhat)
Yanmega: Unless it has hypnosis metagross 2HKOs with meteor mash. If it does have hypnosis I still have a 40% chance to win. If I do get hypnotised Salamence. Scizor can do a lot of damage with bullet punch and bug buzz and air slash won’t kill scizor. Gengar can Hp Ice unless it’s speed boosted to mental levels.
Defensive Threat List:
Blissey: Metagross can Meteor Mash. Salamence can 2HKO. Scizor has superpower. Gengar can 3HKO with Focus Blast Swampert can Haze or Earthquake
Bronzong: Scizor comes in, U-turns it and then salamence or Gengar to finish it off with Flamethrower and Shadow Ball. Swampert can Hydro Pump
Celebi: Scizor unless it has HP fire. Salamence has flamethrower and Gengar and Starmie have Ice.
Cresselia: Scizor does a lot of damage with U-turn. If it comes on salamence, draco meteor + outrage will wear it down enough for one of my other team members to finish it off. Gengar has shadow ball.
Donphan: Ice shard doesn’t KO salamence after SR and intimidate and I can OHKO with draco meteor. Usually switches in on salamence and proceeds to die with draco meteor. Gengar and Starmie revenge kill.
Foretress: Salamence and Swampert. Gengar Walls the crap out of Earthquake versions. Steels wall the Gyro Ball version.
Gliscor: Salamence with draco meteor. Starmie and Gengar do well.
Hippowdon: Pretty much always leads and I Hydro Pump. Gengar and Salamence can also kill it.
Shedinja:Stealth Rock 2HKOes Sashers so Swampert roar :), Salamence, Scizor Pursuit, Gengar can try but gets owned by Shadow Sneak
Skarmory: SwampertSalamence, Gengar, Starmie.
Snorlax: Scizor’s CB superpower. Gengar has Focus Blast. Swampert Phazes.
Suicune: Gengar and Starmie hit hard with Thunderbolt, even after CM. If it comes in on Salamence, Draco Meteor plus outrage will significantly weaken it so one of my pokes can finish it off.
Swampert: Usually comes in on Salamence. Draco Meteor should take it out. Gengar can kill it off if it’s weakish. Starmie also with Hydro Pump 2HKOs.
Tentacruel: Metagross has Earthquake. Salamence OHKOs with earthquake. Gengar can try and Thunderbolt, as can Starmie.
Vaporeon: Starmie and Gengar can 2HKO with Thunderbolt. draco meteor + outrage will beat it if it comes in on salamence. If it has Ice Beam, Scizor or Starmie. If it has Hp electric, Salamence beats it.
Zapdos: Salamence KOs with draco meteor after SR. Metagross has thunderbolt and isn’t 1HKOed by Heat Wave. Gengar and Starmie have Ice Beam.
This is an offensive team, playing to break their walls and late game sweep with Metagross. Oh, since switching the metagross I have begun advancing again :). I still need to improve my playing style but I think that my team itself is working very nicely. However, I'm sure my team still has plenty of smaller faults, so please take the time to read over it and comment :)
Entry Hazards
Stealth Rock:
Hits 1 Pokemon for 2x Damage
Hits 3 Pokemon for 1x Damage
Hits 2 Pokemon for 0.5x Damage
Spikes:
Hits 4 Pokemon
Toxic Spikes:
Hits 2 Pokemon
Issues:
Paralyse teams I struggle with, although Metagross, Starmie and Swampert can absorb it and Scizor can still BP. The main problem with them is the lack of Ice Beam on Swampert.
Only one Ice attack on the team right now, the lackluster HP Ice. And Scizor can pursuit Gengar, who carries it, so I might lose it and FAIL.
I am inexperianced with Stall Teams so struggle with prediction there.
Pursuit OHKOs two of my team members (Starmie and Gengar).
Here is my team at a glance :
General Team Strategy :
As one of my main attackers have a Stealth Rock Weakness, Starmie sets out to rectify this and often take a lead with it too. From this point, Scizor, Gengar and Salamence go toe to toe with the enemy, attempted to eliminate them. Early on in the game, Swampert switches in (which is easy for the lil' Mudfish to do) and set up Stealth Rock. It can then haze away the pokemon that tries to set up on it and switch out for later use. Now, at this point, here is how the battle usually stands. My Starmie is gone, but it's role is nicely filled by Gengar. Scizor or Salamence are knocked out or normally weakened as is Swampert. At this point, I break out Metagross I will switch in on a) a choice attacker b) an ice attack on salamence or c)a switch or filler attack. After one Agilty, Metagross cleans up the last of the enemy and will blow up on anything it can't defeat conventionally. Occasionally I bring Metagross in mid-game, to break it open.
My Team: Poke'Hoofle!
Anti-Lead
Mayble the Starmie @ Life Orb
Natural Cure
Timid
Evs:4HP, 252SpA, 252Spe
Hydro Pump
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Rapid Spin
Moves:
Hydro Pump is an excellent attack on this unusual but very effective anti-lead. All Metagross, fearing only a 3HKO from a leftovers surf, stay in and Stealth Rock. I then can 2HKO them with Hydro Pump. I then thunderbolt (which finished them off and killed incoming waters to wall Hydro Pump) or Rapid Spin as they switch away. For fragile sash leads, I Hydro Pump them to 1Hp then rapid spin to finish them off and blow away rocks Thunderbolt provides an effective check against Gyarados and can run through teams that don't pack a ground type. Starmie can't sweep for too long, due to Life Orb, but the extra power attains it an average of 2 kills a battle. Ice Beam allows it to break dragons and Gliscor late-game.
EVs and Nature:
Max Speed outspeeds everybody but Aerodactyl, Jolteon, Weavile and Scarfers and ties with Azelf, who is often carries psychic and fire blast, so it finds it difficult to KO Starmie.
Team :
This Lead often removes the chance of Metagross and Heatran blowing up one of my other Team-mates. It also keeps Salamence and my other pokemon much more stable by removing Stealth Rock. However, later in the game, it is not a sturdy spinner so mid-game Stealth Rock sometimes still hurts me :'(. Natural Cure allows Starmie to absorb status leads as well. It can cover bulky ground types, flyers and gyarados later on as well as Dragons.
Issues:
Lead Breloom can be catastrophic if I predict wrongly. Spore can be absorbed well with Natural Cure, but Seed Bomb will OHKO. Scizor can pursuit KO.
Synergy:
Grass to Scizor, Salamence, Gengar
Electric goes to Swampert
Bug goes to Scizor, Gengar, Salamence
Ghost goes to Scizor
Dark goes to Scizor
Revenger
Emily the Gengar @ Choice Scarf
Levitate
Timid
Evs: 56HP, 252SpA, 192Spe
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Thunderbolt
Hidden Power Ice
Moveset:
Shadow Ball is a powerful STAB, key, as this set has less SpA than most Choice Scarf Gengar, due to the lack of Modest nature. I hurts the rotom appliances fairly well, Azelf, Alakazam and hits well on Metagross and Bronzong. BoltBeam it essential as this set is designed to outrun all DD Salamence and Gyarados and revenge kill them. It also hurts Hippowdon, Gliscor, Vaporeon, Bulky Waters and more! Finally, Focus Blast hits steels, Tyranitar, Dark types and pretty much anything that walls the other moves. I know that trick is glaringly absent from this set. This is for two reasons, 1. I hate using it and I struggle to use it effectively, 2. I feel I need all these moves equally.
Evs and Nature:
I run a timid Gengar to outspeed ALL DD Salamence and... pretty much everything else, even Jolteon. Because of the timid nature, Gengar does not need all it's speed Evs, so they have gone into Hp for added survivability.
Team:
This is a true revenge killer. It will rid my team of that mean old Sweeping Dragon, as well as numerous other threats. With a bit of predicition, it can also get some surprise wall 1HKO or 2HKOs, giving my other pokemon more room. She also takes Fighting, Normal and Ground Attacks wonderfully.
Issues:
Scizor's pursuit, obviously, it like another weakness. Gengar counters so much that it can frustrate you, when you revenge one thing then the opponents sends in another pokemon you know you could own without scarf :P
Synergy:
Psychic goes to Metagross, Scizor or Starmie
Ghost goes to Scizor
Dark goes to Scizor
Wall Breaker
Jasper the Salamence @ Life Orb
Intimidate
Naive
Evs: 16Att, 240SpA, 252Spe
Draco Meteor
Outrage
Flamethrower
Earthquake
Moveset:
I used to run an infernape over this slot, and having run this set, I realise it hits more walls more effectively, especially those I have no other counter for. Draco Meteor is almost a cure-all... accept it's a Death...All? It certainly Kills most enemies and dents any others. The only trouble is that I sometimes need my Flamethrower after this attack, but it's now weak :o
Outrage Is normally used after Draco Meteor or when Salamence can do no more, due to low Hp or no more specific targets. It's powerful and combined with Earthquake, kills Blissey. Flamethrower kills (comence list of must-kills) Scizor, Skarmory, Fortress, Heracross, Breloom, Bronzong (after some persistance) and Celebi. Earthquake here is a powerful steel killer, that isn't affected by Draco meteor's SpA drop. It here deales with Lucario, Jirachi, non-HpIce Infernape, Magnezone, Heatran and Metagross (flamethrower recommended here, as Metagross has lower SpD)
EVs and Nature:
Max Speed, to outrun fast walls, unboosted sweepers and the like. I like the attack and spec attack evs here, as I use both ends of the spectrum roughly equally, and these ev's give my roughly equal Att and SpA stats.
Team:
This is a WallBreaker, sent in to destroy any unprepared pokemon or any pokemon that Stand in the way of Scizor or Metagross sweeping. Salamence also absorbs a ton of attacks, such as ground, fighting, steel, bug, grass and so on.
Issues:
The main disadvantages this Wall Breaker has over Infernape is the lack of speed, tieing with other Salamence is pretty risky. After Draco Meteor, Flamethrower becomes much weaker.
Synergy:
Ice goes to Starmie, Scizor or Metagross
Rock goes to Swampert or Metagross
Dragon goes to Scizor or Metagross
Trapper
Alice the Scizor @ Choice Band
Technician
Adamant
Evs: 252Att, 246HP, 12Spe
Bullet Punch
Superpower
U-Turn
Pursuit
Moveset:
Love or Hate it, I love Cb Scizor and the moves it provides. U-Turn is excellent for scouting, gaining advantage defeating weakened psychic types, such as Latias, Jirachi and Cresselia. Pursuit deals with some of the above as well, but also traps Gengar and Azelf (although it often uses fire to avoid this). Superpower hits Tyranitar and Blissey for a 1HKO, but also several dents lots of pokemon than are sent in to take it, such as bulky waters. Finally, Bullet Punch is still as broken as ever, capable or late game sweeping, destroying sweepers and giving Scizor a last powerful hit on it's deathbed.
EVs and Nature:
max Attack and adamant nature, to deal the most damage with all of Scizor's powerful moves. A little trickle of Speed outspeeds fully Hp boosted Scizor, but most my Ev's also go into Hp as well, bulking Scizor up.
Team:
Scizor has so many roles. It can trap annoying choice scarfers, late-game sweep, kill blissey, absorb outrage, hit ANYTHING first and take Salamence's Ice threats. U-Turn also allows Scizor to scout for Salamence and Gengar.
Issues:
Magnezone goes without saying, so U-turn is recommended until you know their team, or predicting with Superpower. Being set up on, although Gengar kills most of these, except for Kingdra.
Synergy:
Fire goes to Starmie, Swampert or Salamence
Late-Game Sweeper (Still testing explosion over Ice/Thunderpunch)
Snoof the Metagross @ Lum Berry
Clear Body
Adamant
EVs: 252Att, 132Spe, 112HP, 12Def
Agility
Earthquake
Ice Punch/Thunderpunch/Rock Slide/Explosion
Meteor Mash
Moveset:
This is a replacement for Gyarados. It covers my big rock weakness and lessens my electric weakness (Swampert is immune anyway). Anyway, as with Gyarados, I avoid bring out Metagross until the late game, when it's counters are down. I switch in on a choice move or a counterable pokemon and agility up. From this point, Meteor Mash hits most enemies, giving me a change to boost my attack as well. Meanwhile, Earthquake handles bulky steels, fires, weaker waters and to an extend, Swampert. Currently I am running rock slide, which will stop bulky fliers from ruining my sweep, as well as late game Gyarados and Dragons that the opponent has saved. Thunderpunch would be nice, but for me it hits less pokemon that I encounter in the late game, only Vaporeon, Starmie and Togekiss. Suicune can heal off the damage, so it doesn't count. Rock Slide only hits Gyarados and Zapdos Harder than Meteor Mash, and Starmie, Salamence and Gengar handle them. Ice punch is still an option I am considering, to give me a second dragon killer. Explosion, however if my cure all for this set. Metagross is almost never compulsary and Explosion kills all the counters that Metagross can't cope with, namely full Health Salamence, Dragonite, Suicune, Zapdos and Gyarados. All of these will vastly help my team after they die.
Evs and Nature:
As Metagross doesn't boost it's attack so max attack is needed. 132 Speed outruns Choice Scarf Heatran after agility, which can be a serious late game threat, although I do not see many. 12 Def prevents a 1HKO from CB Dugtrio and The rest goes into HP for bulkiness, which is complimented by Leftovers.
Team:
Metagross takes rock, dragon and steel attacks, if Scizor finds itself out of action. I acts as the Late Game sweeper of the team, being bulky enough to force its way through most weakened pokemon by this point. If I give it explosion, it can also function to break open a midgame stall.
Issues:
It can't counter every late game threat (to be expected :P). Explosion helps this, leaving only fortress and Skarmory left, who aren't big threats. However, explosion ends the end game sweep.
Synergy:
Fire goes to Starmie, Salamence, Swampert
Ground goes to Gengar or Salamence
Tank
Hoofle the Swampert @ Leftovers
Relaxed
Torrent
EVs: 240Hp, 56SpA, 194Def, 20Def
Hydro Pump
Earthquake
Stealth Rock
Roar / Ice Beam
Moveset:
Hydro Pump hits Scizor and other pokemon quite hard and Earthquake smashes up steels such as Metagross and Heatran. Stealth Rock really improves my team's potential for 2HKOes and is normally the first move I use with this set, on a switch. Roar is good for hurting Salamence and Gyarados with Stealth Rock, hazing and screwing up an opponents switch in. Ice Beam is a possible choice of this however, killing suck baton passers as Zapdos, Ninjask and Yanmega and giving me a dragon attacker to fall back on. Roar is generally a bit more useful though. However, as my strategy involves loads of switches between both players, this is only useful on some pokemon setting up, such as Rhyperior and Scizor or beating Baton Passing Chains.
EVs and Nature:
These EVs strongly link Swampert to defensive angle, as the two types it needs to absorb, fire and electric, it resists anyhow. The speed Evs outrun TyraniBoah and the SpA Evs allow Hydro Pump to 2HKO Skarmory and Co.
Team:
Swampert absorbs electric and fire attacks (I have no other electric resistances, so this stops SpecsJolt). It sets up SR, allowing all my other pokemon to have a nice time. Roar stops my team being a-set up on, and gives me the solution to baton pass that I never had:O. This is also my only reliable SD Scizor counter.
Issues:
It could be bulkier, to be honest, but it still does well. This set can't Ice Beam Salamence. This is because I can roar it away as it sets up. Flygon is just a difficulty. It doesn't have Heatran's secondary fire attack and can;t take to many powerful Scizor attacks. It's slow.
Synergy:
Grass goes to Scizor, Salamence, Gengar or Metagross.
SO that is my team :)
I welcome all comments and suggestions!
The only rules are have is... please don't suggest Hypnosis to me, as I hate using it more than I can squeak!
Please leave detailed comments.
Please don't tell me a random weakness without a suggestion :)
Tarquin the SnoofleDoofle
Changes Made So Far:
Have replaced Gyarados with AgiliGross, to take rock attacks while still late game sweeping.
Swampert replaced Heatran, due to it's superior defenses, Stealth Rock and phazing.
Threat List
Offensive Threat List
Abomasnow: Salamence, Scizor, Metagross and Gengar.
Aerodactyl: Starmie takes him down to 1Hp with Hydro Pump. He hits me with Stone Edge, doing roughly 55% damage, I finish him off with Rapid Spin and remove rocks. After than, Stealth Rock kills 1HP Aero and Scizor kills it otherwise, as does gengar. Swamper can Hydro Pump
Alakazam: Scizor can pursuit, Gengar can revenge kill, Swampert absorbs at least one attack and can phaze or Earthquake.
Azelf: Scizor and Metagross can have a go, but both are 1 or 2hkoed by Fire Blast. Explosions go to any of my steels and Gengar can revenge kill.
Breloom: Let prefferably Starmie snooze, as it has Natural Cure. Switch to Scizor, U-turn to break the substitute and go to Starmie / Salamence/ Gengar. If he sleeps again then Starmie will re-absorb the Spore.
Crobat: Scizor and Metagross resist it’s attacks but Metagross can be snoozed without agility. Gengar can kill with thunderbolt.
Dragonite: Salamence intimidates and is faster than MixNite. Metagross and Scizor Wall Outrage. Gengar can Revenge Kill or switch in on a DD.
Dugtrio: Metagross isn’t KOed and can hit back for a 1HKO. Scizor kills with BP. Gengar is faster and can switch out. Salamence can Switch out, so only Starmie and Heatran are threatened.
Electivire: Lure it for an icepunch, switch to Scizor and U-turn for big Damage. Gengar outspeeds and is immune to fighting earthquake, plus it takes the other punches okay. Swampert takes all attacks and Earthquakes.
Empoleon: Gengar thunderbolts, Starmie thunderbolts an un-set-up one. Salamence Earthquakes, Scizor uses Superpower, Metagross has Thunderpunch. Swampert Earthquakes.
Flygon: Metagross does well against U-turn / Stone Edge and Outrage. Can revenge or predict kill with Gengar. Can be killed by Starmie if not Scarfed. Same with Salamence. Steels wall outrage. Swampert can try and Hydro Pump...
Froslass: Scizor, Gengar,
Gallade: Salamence is an okay revenger, unless it has stone edge or ice punch. However, Outrage should kill it. Metagross can hurt it with Earthquake and Meteor Mash. Scizor can attack with Bullet Punch or U-turn. Gengar can try for a 2HKO with Shadow Ball.
Gengar: Usually choiced. I lure in a shadow ball / hp ice and Scizor pursuits it. If it’s not choiced, I can still lure out that attack and bullet punch it. Gengar outspeeds normal Modest ones.
Gyarados: Intimidate, Draco Meteor works well with Salamence. Starmie revenges bulky Gyarados and Gengar Revenge kills ALL Gyarados.
Heatran: Salamence can switch in on an earth attack or fire attack and Earthquake back. AgilityGross can Earthquake. Gengar KOs with Focus Blast. Starmie outruns some and Hydro Pumps. Swampert has Earthquake.
Heracross: Salamence do well against Megahorn and Close Combat, Metagross does well against Stone Edge. Scizor can OHKO when it’s around 80%. Starmie and Gengar can revenge kill with Ice Beam.
Infernape: Starmie OHKO’s all but ScarfApe, which is rather rare. For those, I have numerous options. I can lure a fighting attack with Heatran and switch in Gengar. Salamence absorbs Fire, Fighting and Grass, so can switch in on these moves if it is choiced. Scizor can revenge kill the weakened Ape. Swampert takes all but Grass Knot and has Hydro Pump and Earthquake.
Jirachi: Swampert has Earthquake. Salamence Kills with Earthquake, except for scarfed versions. Gengar can kill this version and Metagross can absorb fire punch with only 35% and earthquake.
Jolteon: Metagross is okay, and can Earthquake. Scizor can revenge kill them if they are weakened. Swampert takes electric attacks and can hit back with Earthquake.
Kingdra: Switch in Salamence as it sets up, intimidating it, then switch in Metagross on the Outrage. Metagross can set up on it and earthquake.
Latias: Scizor, Gengar can hurt badly with Shadow Ball or HP Ice. AgiliGross can Ice Punch.
Lucario: Gengar absorbs Extremespeed and Kills with Focus Blast. Starmie kills with Hydro Pump. Metagross. Salamence can outspeed it OHKO with flamethrower. Swampert can Earthquake.
Machamp: Salamence can outspeed and OHKO. Dynamic Punch confusion is the worst thing. I can usually switch Gengar on Dynamic Punch and then switch in Metagross, who takes all of his attacks well and can Meteor Mash. Swampert takes the hits well and can Hydro Pump
Magnezone: Swampert walls HP Fire sets. Metagross can earthquake as can Salamence if it isn’t Scarfed. Gengar can Focus Blast. Scizor can switch in and Superpower, but be careful not to get caught in a pursuit or BP too early incase the opponent has Magnezone.
Mamoswine: Metagross KOs with Meteor Mash and isn’t OHKOed by earthquake. Scizor can come in on the ice shard and KO with bullet punch. Starmie can OHKO with Hydro Pump. Gengar can Focus Blast. Swampert has Hydro Pump.
Metagross: Scizor can come in on the meteor mash, take 35%ish from the earthquake and then U-turn to Salamence or Gengar who can OHKO from there. Starmie 2HKOs with Hydro Pump is only OHKOed back by CB sets.
Porygon-Z: Scizor, Gengar tackle Choice Scarfians. Starmie, Salamence can handle Nasty Plotters. Heatran can switch into anything but HP Fight
Raikou: Metagross has Earthquake and isn’t hurt too badly. Scizor hurts with Bullet Punch and rapes substitutes. Gengar can attack first but probably won’t OHKO. Swampert has Earthquake.
Rhyperior: Try not to let it set up. Starmie out runs and OHKOs with Hydro Pump. Scizor 2HKOs with bullet punch. Metagross can meteor mash. Salamence can use draco meteor, which is a possible KO without sandstorm. Gengar can Focus Blast. Swampert can OHKO with Hydro Pump.
Salamence: Scizor can kill it at about 60%. Metagross does well against Outrage / Draco Meteor. Gyarados does well against earthquake and flamethrower / fire blast can come in and intimidate the DD version, and then switch to my steel on the outrage. Gengar can stop a DD sweep and Starmie can stop MixMence or Choice Mence
Scizor: Salamence can do okay if it’s at good health. Heatran switches in on a CB Bullet Punch. Gengar can finish it off with Thunderbolt if it switches in on a fighting move. SD set can be killed by Starmie. Metagross can absorb all but X Scissor. Swampert Hydro Pumps and phazes SD.
Staraptor: Metagross walls it decently. Scizor does also and can bullet punch. Gengar revenge kills as does Starmie.
Starmie: Use resistances to get Scizor in on an Ice Beam and then pursuit it and U-turn out. Gengar revenge kills. Starmie is a last resort.
Togekiss:Gengar can thunderbolt, as can Starmie. Scizor kills it in poor health. Metagross does well with a resistance to air slash and can meteor mash it for big damage. Salamence can hit with Outrage. Swampert can absorb Thunderwaves.
Tyranitar: Scizor OHKOs with bullet punch. Metagross can come in on the stone edge. Scizor does well against crunch. Gengar can revenge kill as can Starmie.
Weavile: Scizor kills. CB weavile is normally attacking Gengar, Starmie or Salamence. If it uses fighting, switch to Scizor, Starmie, Salamence or Gengar. Ice -> Scizor, Metagross Dark-> Scizor, Salamence (somewhat)
Yanmega: Unless it has hypnosis metagross 2HKOs with meteor mash. If it does have hypnosis I still have a 40% chance to win. If I do get hypnotised Salamence. Scizor can do a lot of damage with bullet punch and bug buzz and air slash won’t kill scizor. Gengar can Hp Ice unless it’s speed boosted to mental levels.
Defensive Threat List:
Blissey: Metagross can Meteor Mash. Salamence can 2HKO. Scizor has superpower. Gengar can 3HKO with Focus Blast Swampert can Haze or Earthquake
Bronzong: Scizor comes in, U-turns it and then salamence or Gengar to finish it off with Flamethrower and Shadow Ball. Swampert can Hydro Pump
Celebi: Scizor unless it has HP fire. Salamence has flamethrower and Gengar and Starmie have Ice.
Cresselia: Scizor does a lot of damage with U-turn. If it comes on salamence, draco meteor + outrage will wear it down enough for one of my other team members to finish it off. Gengar has shadow ball.
Donphan: Ice shard doesn’t KO salamence after SR and intimidate and I can OHKO with draco meteor. Usually switches in on salamence and proceeds to die with draco meteor. Gengar and Starmie revenge kill.
Foretress: Salamence and Swampert. Gengar Walls the crap out of Earthquake versions. Steels wall the Gyro Ball version.
Gliscor: Salamence with draco meteor. Starmie and Gengar do well.
Hippowdon: Pretty much always leads and I Hydro Pump. Gengar and Salamence can also kill it.
Shedinja:Stealth Rock 2HKOes Sashers so Swampert roar :), Salamence, Scizor Pursuit, Gengar can try but gets owned by Shadow Sneak
Skarmory: SwampertSalamence, Gengar, Starmie.
Snorlax: Scizor’s CB superpower. Gengar has Focus Blast. Swampert Phazes.
Suicune: Gengar and Starmie hit hard with Thunderbolt, even after CM. If it comes in on Salamence, Draco Meteor plus outrage will significantly weaken it so one of my pokes can finish it off.
Swampert: Usually comes in on Salamence. Draco Meteor should take it out. Gengar can kill it off if it’s weakish. Starmie also with Hydro Pump 2HKOs.
Tentacruel: Metagross has Earthquake. Salamence OHKOs with earthquake. Gengar can try and Thunderbolt, as can Starmie.
Vaporeon: Starmie and Gengar can 2HKO with Thunderbolt. draco meteor + outrage will beat it if it comes in on salamence. If it has Ice Beam, Scizor or Starmie. If it has Hp electric, Salamence beats it.
Zapdos: Salamence KOs with draco meteor after SR. Metagross has thunderbolt and isn’t 1HKOed by Heat Wave. Gengar and Starmie have Ice Beam.
