Hello, this is an OU team that I have built about a week back. With some testing, I only won ~50% of my battles... I seem to either have trouble with super-stall or super-offensive teams, or my prediction skills are still kinda mushy.
Team at a glance:
Even after all that testing, my team is still constantly switching around. For example, I replaced Lead Heatran, CBScizor, and Offensive Gyarados with Infernape, Tyranitar, and Salamence. If it improves the overall synergy of this team, I am open to changes in Pokémon.
So let's begin...
Infernape (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk/192 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fire Blast
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- Stealth Rock
A neat little lead. Fake out is a really cool move, because it could destroy a focus sash at the blink of an eye. In addition, its high speed usually ensures that he will lay down stealth rock, and if he is forced out, he will usually have broken a sash, and he can always come back in and do so later.
I don't really have to care about his weaknesses, but you never know...
Ground attacks are redirected to Celebi and Salamence.
Water attacks are sponged by Celebi, Salamence (to an extent), and Starmie (somewhat).
Psychic attacks are gladly taken by Celebi, Tyranitar, Starmie, and Jirachi.
Flying attacks (kinda rare, but still) go to Tyranitar and Jirachi.
Tyranitar (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
- Crunch
Tyranitar used to be a hard hitter, but now he does comparably with Scizor in revenge killing. Well... with this set he's a bit more easily walled by things like Swampert, but with all that speed he can use speedy pursuits to take down frailer ghosts and Crunch Rotom appliances before the inevitable burn. He's my main check against CM-Jirachi as well. To top it all off, he absorbs the otherwise fatal Trick quite nicely.
Fighting attacks are taken by Celebi, Starmie, and Salamence.
Ground attacks are redirected to Celebi and Salamence.
Steel attacks are sponged by Jirachi and Starmie (to an extent).
Water attacks are gladly taken by Celebi, Salamence, and Starmie (sorta).
Grass can get lawn mower'd by Celebi, Salamence, and Jirachi.
Bug, you say? Enter exterminators Salamence and Infernape (if it's still healthy).
Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP/220 Def/36 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Leech Seed
- Grass Knot
- Recover
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Celebi has always been one of my favorite Pokes back in the good ol' RSE days, and this generation is no different. He's my main check to Gyarados, and with leech seed he can often come on top of many of his pursuing friends, like TTar, who can't even OHKO with a choice banded crunch and will usually be trying to force me out with a choice banded pursuit. Even if I take a crunch or night slash, leech seed will usually rebound me to ~40-50% health, and Jirachi can hell me too.
Fire attacks are redirected to TTar, Salamence, and occasionally Starmie.
Ice can be endured by Jirachi, sometimes TTar, and sometimes Starmie.
Bug will be stopped cold by Salamence and at times Infernape.
Ghosts are taken care of by TTar; Jirachi is usually able to absorb them, too.
Dark can be out-darked by TTar (it's a bit risky as soon as TTar faints though).
Flying attacks are handled by Tyranitar and Jirachi.
Poison is tolerated by TTar and Jirachi.
Hmm, did I forget to mention Tyranitar?
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 80 HP/176 Spd/252 SAtk
Rash nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Draco Meteor
- Roost
- Brick Break
- Fire Blast
Classic Mixmence, and my first real sweeper. I'm still a young grasshopper at the art of prediction, but every once in a while I can align everything correctly, and that's when it's truly deadly.
Roost means that mispredictions are not the end of the world.
Rock-Jirachi (holy crap, only one poke resists this, though thankfully none are too weak to it either).
Ice-gladly absorbed by Jirachi and Starmie.
Dragon-Jirachi (I think it would be sensible to have more than one dragon resist, especially considering how Jirachi already seems to have a crapload on its plate).
Jirachi+mean, airborne dragon sweeper=bff. Lol.
Starmie @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Recover
- Rapid Spin
- Thunderbolt
As the other half of my offensive core, LO Starmie is pretty cool; I wonder why I didn't notice it until now. Its LO-powered surfs (I shy away from hydro pump because it likes to miss at the most crucial times) do loads of damage, and 2HKOes just about every pursuiter unless they're bulkier than Blissey. It can also rapid spin pretty well, for it can severely dent just about every spiker as well as 2HKO rotom appliances even with surf, and Scarfed versions get walled by TTar. After Salamence (hopefully) takes out stuff like Blissey, this can come back and sweep late game (but I've never seen it ever last long enough to do so).
Even with recover, however, I usually find that LO Starmie does not last long at all (sometimes, I don't even get the spinning job done). In fact, I usually find that I hardly use recover; I'm considering switching recover for Ice Beam to nab those grass types and revenge mix-mence, and Jirachi's there to heal off the residue damage, right?
Dark remains a damn pain, even if it can severely dent its users. TTar, however, usually likes coming in after a choiced pursuit, though.
Electric attacks go to Celebi. Tyranitar can also take them alright.
Grass is happily fulfilled by Celebi, Jirachi, and Salamence.
Buggers are checked by Salamence and sometimes Infernape.
Ghosts get ghosted by Tyranitar and sometimes Jirachi.
Don't you just hate how there are so many awesome Pokemon that are just unfortunately marred by so many weaknesses? Oh well... I guess that's better than losing to a Tyranitar 100% of the time.
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 240 HP/160 Def/32 Spd/76 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Wish
- U-turn
- Body Slam
- Ice Punch
Finally, the part that glues my team all together. Jirachi performs some amazing utililty roles; Wish brings many of my Pokemon happiness, prolonging the lives of Tyranitar, Salamence, and Starmie, and sometimes even re-healing Celebi (if, for example, it just finished a toe-to-toe with a Pursuit thug), or Infernape if I ever need him again. U-turn is cool for scouting/breaking sub-seed, and does decent damage to stuff like TTar and Celebi. It also usually allows my target Pokemon to receive the wish safely, which is integral if Salamence is at 30% health or something. Body Slam spreads paralysis really well (and is nice for paralyzing Gliscor or Mamoswine), and Ice Punch is a neat check to Salamence once it's been locked into Outrage or something.
Ground gets grounded by Celebi and Salamence.
Flaming Wars are contained by Tyranitar, Salamence, or Starmie.
Hopefully you finished that wall of text without your eyelids drooping, but unfortunately, a threat list also needs to be accounted for... orange for mild/moderate threats, and red for OMFG I'ma get 6-0ed!
If you don't want to read:
Moderate threats/annoyances: Electivire, Empoleon, Flygon, Jirachi, Mamoswine, Weavile.
Dangerous threats: Jolteon, Ninjask, Suicune.
Team at a glance:
Even after all that testing, my team is still constantly switching around. For example, I replaced Lead Heatran, CBScizor, and Offensive Gyarados with Infernape, Tyranitar, and Salamence. If it improves the overall synergy of this team, I am open to changes in Pokémon.
So let's begin...
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk/192 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fire Blast
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- Stealth Rock
A neat little lead. Fake out is a really cool move, because it could destroy a focus sash at the blink of an eye. In addition, its high speed usually ensures that he will lay down stealth rock, and if he is forced out, he will usually have broken a sash, and he can always come back in and do so later.
I don't really have to care about his weaknesses, but you never know...
Ground attacks are redirected to Celebi and Salamence.
Water attacks are sponged by Celebi, Salamence (to an extent), and Starmie (somewhat).
Psychic attacks are gladly taken by Celebi, Tyranitar, Starmie, and Jirachi.
Flying attacks (kinda rare, but still) go to Tyranitar and Jirachi.
Against top 10 leads as of March 2010:
1. Azelf: Fake out to remove its sash, then switch to Tyranitar to kick it permanently out of the match.
2. Swampert: Hmm, this guy. I usually either set SR up as they set up SR, and/or tail it to Celebi to force this guy out.
3. Metagross: Fake out is not nearly as important here, but... might as well, right? I'll fire blast, and if it attacks, I'll fire blast again; otherwise, I'll just pop up some rocks along with him.
4. Aerodactyl: Infernape can't stop this guy alone either. Go to Starmie as it taunts, surf as it sets up rocks, and rapid spin to finish it off [I'll need to watch out for ghosts.]
5. Jirachi: This guy I'll have to be careful with. Usually I'll just fire blast and see what happens. Most of the time, it either U-turns or Tricks; if it uses trick, then I'll have temporarily prevented it from using stealth rock, and Infernape doesn't really mind losing its sash because it'll take all sorts of residue damage.
6. Infernape: Switch to Starmie as the other ape does a fake out, surf as it sets up SR, and rapid spin for the KO and removing the stones.
7.Roserade: The main reason I'm using Infernape. Fake out removes its sash, and then I'm free to fire blast it to death. Even if it's choice scarfed and sleeps me, I don't usually mind, especially since I lack a ghost.
8. Tyranitar: Set up stealth rock, because most of the time it's too pussy to risk a close combat.
9. Ninjask: Now, this thing... unfortunately, I don't have a CB scizor or a phazer. Thankfully, with SR up it's not coming back in anytime soon. I haven't actually seen this (probably thanks to the usage of scizor), but I'll have to look out for it at some point...
10. Gliscor: Set up SR as it SRs. Afterwards, I'll fire blast it to hell, I guess.
1. Azelf: Fake out to remove its sash, then switch to Tyranitar to kick it permanently out of the match.
2. Swampert: Hmm, this guy. I usually either set SR up as they set up SR, and/or tail it to Celebi to force this guy out.
3. Metagross: Fake out is not nearly as important here, but... might as well, right? I'll fire blast, and if it attacks, I'll fire blast again; otherwise, I'll just pop up some rocks along with him.
4. Aerodactyl: Infernape can't stop this guy alone either. Go to Starmie as it taunts, surf as it sets up rocks, and rapid spin to finish it off [I'll need to watch out for ghosts.]
5. Jirachi: This guy I'll have to be careful with. Usually I'll just fire blast and see what happens. Most of the time, it either U-turns or Tricks; if it uses trick, then I'll have temporarily prevented it from using stealth rock, and Infernape doesn't really mind losing its sash because it'll take all sorts of residue damage.
6. Infernape: Switch to Starmie as the other ape does a fake out, surf as it sets up SR, and rapid spin for the KO and removing the stones.
7.Roserade: The main reason I'm using Infernape. Fake out removes its sash, and then I'm free to fire blast it to death. Even if it's choice scarfed and sleeps me, I don't usually mind, especially since I lack a ghost.
8. Tyranitar: Set up stealth rock, because most of the time it's too pussy to risk a close combat.
9. Ninjask: Now, this thing... unfortunately, I don't have a CB scizor or a phazer. Thankfully, with SR up it's not coming back in anytime soon. I haven't actually seen this (probably thanks to the usage of scizor), but I'll have to look out for it at some point...
10. Gliscor: Set up SR as it SRs. Afterwards, I'll fire blast it to hell, I guess.
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
- Crunch
Tyranitar used to be a hard hitter, but now he does comparably with Scizor in revenge killing. Well... with this set he's a bit more easily walled by things like Swampert, but with all that speed he can use speedy pursuits to take down frailer ghosts and Crunch Rotom appliances before the inevitable burn. He's my main check against CM-Jirachi as well. To top it all off, he absorbs the otherwise fatal Trick quite nicely.
Fighting attacks are taken by Celebi, Starmie, and Salamence.
Ground attacks are redirected to Celebi and Salamence.
Steel attacks are sponged by Jirachi and Starmie (to an extent).
Water attacks are gladly taken by Celebi, Salamence, and Starmie (sorta).
Grass can get lawn mower'd by Celebi, Salamence, and Jirachi.
Bug, you say? Enter exterminators Salamence and Infernape (if it's still healthy).
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP/220 Def/36 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Leech Seed
- Grass Knot
- Recover
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Celebi has always been one of my favorite Pokes back in the good ol' RSE days, and this generation is no different. He's my main check to Gyarados, and with leech seed he can often come on top of many of his pursuing friends, like TTar, who can't even OHKO with a choice banded crunch and will usually be trying to force me out with a choice banded pursuit. Even if I take a crunch or night slash, leech seed will usually rebound me to ~40-50% health, and Jirachi can hell me too.
Fire attacks are redirected to TTar, Salamence, and occasionally Starmie.
Ice can be endured by Jirachi, sometimes TTar, and sometimes Starmie.
Bug will be stopped cold by Salamence and at times Infernape.
Ghosts are taken care of by TTar; Jirachi is usually able to absorb them, too.
Dark can be out-darked by TTar (it's a bit risky as soon as TTar faints though).
Flying attacks are handled by Tyranitar and Jirachi.
Poison is tolerated by TTar and Jirachi.
Hmm, did I forget to mention Tyranitar?
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 80 HP/176 Spd/252 SAtk
Rash nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Draco Meteor
- Roost
- Brick Break
- Fire Blast
Classic Mixmence, and my first real sweeper. I'm still a young grasshopper at the art of prediction, but every once in a while I can align everything correctly, and that's when it's truly deadly.
Roost means that mispredictions are not the end of the world.
Rock-Jirachi (holy crap, only one poke resists this, though thankfully none are too weak to it either).
Ice-gladly absorbed by Jirachi and Starmie.
Dragon-Jirachi (I think it would be sensible to have more than one dragon resist, especially considering how Jirachi already seems to have a crapload on its plate).
Jirachi+mean, airborne dragon sweeper=bff. Lol.
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Recover
- Rapid Spin
- Thunderbolt
As the other half of my offensive core, LO Starmie is pretty cool; I wonder why I didn't notice it until now. Its LO-powered surfs (I shy away from hydro pump because it likes to miss at the most crucial times) do loads of damage, and 2HKOes just about every pursuiter unless they're bulkier than Blissey. It can also rapid spin pretty well, for it can severely dent just about every spiker as well as 2HKO rotom appliances even with surf, and Scarfed versions get walled by TTar. After Salamence (hopefully) takes out stuff like Blissey, this can come back and sweep late game (but I've never seen it ever last long enough to do so).
Even with recover, however, I usually find that LO Starmie does not last long at all (sometimes, I don't even get the spinning job done). In fact, I usually find that I hardly use recover; I'm considering switching recover for Ice Beam to nab those grass types and revenge mix-mence, and Jirachi's there to heal off the residue damage, right?
Dark remains a damn pain, even if it can severely dent its users. TTar, however, usually likes coming in after a choiced pursuit, though.
Electric attacks go to Celebi. Tyranitar can also take them alright.
Grass is happily fulfilled by Celebi, Jirachi, and Salamence.
Buggers are checked by Salamence and sometimes Infernape.
Ghosts get ghosted by Tyranitar and sometimes Jirachi.
Don't you just hate how there are so many awesome Pokemon that are just unfortunately marred by so many weaknesses? Oh well... I guess that's better than losing to a Tyranitar 100% of the time.
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 240 HP/160 Def/32 Spd/76 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Wish
- U-turn
- Body Slam
- Ice Punch
Finally, the part that glues my team all together. Jirachi performs some amazing utililty roles; Wish brings many of my Pokemon happiness, prolonging the lives of Tyranitar, Salamence, and Starmie, and sometimes even re-healing Celebi (if, for example, it just finished a toe-to-toe with a Pursuit thug), or Infernape if I ever need him again. U-turn is cool for scouting/breaking sub-seed, and does decent damage to stuff like TTar and Celebi. It also usually allows my target Pokemon to receive the wish safely, which is integral if Salamence is at 30% health or something. Body Slam spreads paralysis really well (and is nice for paralyzing Gliscor or Mamoswine), and Ice Punch is a neat check to Salamence once it's been locked into Outrage or something.
Ground gets grounded by Celebi and Salamence.
Flaming Wars are contained by Tyranitar, Salamence, or Starmie.
Hopefully you finished that wall of text without your eyelids drooping, but unfortunately, a threat list also needs to be accounted for... orange for mild/moderate threats, and red for OMFG I'ma get 6-0ed!
Aerodactyl - Starmie can undermine a SR lead. Celebi also laughs at the CB set.
Azelf - If it's a lead, fake out followed by Tyranitar. Tyranitar just owns this thing.
Breloom - Celebi can usually get it out of the way. If I already set up SR, then I'll have Infernape take the sleep, for his usefulness dramatically declines after those rocks go up.
Dragonite - Celebi can really frustrate this guy with its infinite defenses and leech seed. Jirachi is also a good check with ice punch. Furthermore, Salamence outspeeds it...
Electivire - I lack a direct counter for this guy. Thankfully, not only is he not seen often, but prediction, along with sending my TTar in on a non-cross chop, will force him out. In addition, he will have quite a hard time coming in while also simultaneously being threatening.
Empoleon - This one also lacks a direct counter. Thankfully, +1 Ice beam will probably not OHKO Celebi, and if it has grass knot, then Starmie and Salamence arguably come to mind. The Agility+3 attacks is even easier to counter, because it will not even get to torrent mode for a while. In addition, it cannot really come in on anybody but Jirachi or a locked Tyranitar, and if Jirachi's body slam works... well, bye bye.
Flygon - Another bad prediction game. Only one Pokemon (Salamence) can withstand the pressures of both Earthquake and U-Turn, and it's susceptible to Outrage Thankfully, the common Choice Scarf version will rarely be using outrage (unless the player is outrageous or a prediction legend). I'll have to be prepared with losing my Salamence in the process (and losing half of my offensive muscle in the process), though.
Gengar - I'll probably send in Jirachi first to check for Substitute. If it subs, I'll ice punch; if not, then I'll switch to Tyranitar to finish this bad boy off.
Gyarados - Celebi can use a combination of leech seed, grass knot, and recover to outstall this guy. If it's running ice fang or bounce, Celebi will take heavy damage, but then an alerted me will switch accordingly.
Heatran - A triumvirate of Tyranitar, Salamence, and Starmie can check this guy. He can be a pain every once in a while.
Heracross - Salamence is usually a good check for this little bugger. I rarely see him these days...
Infernape - Starmie provides a good check. Tyranitar is fair game too...
Jirachi - Tyranitar is a nice check for CM versions, though Flash Cannon hurts. If he is healthy enough, Infernape is a cool second check. I usually use my own Jirachi against Iron Head versions; those are a pain in the ass.
Jolteon - Damn. The Life Orb versions... Tyranitar can absorb 2 or 3 thunderbolts, but all others are 2HKOed with the proper move.
Kingdra - Celebi is an excellent check to this. Leech Seed can quickly frustrate non-substitute versions, while Grass Knot hits a stellar 150.
Latias - Checked by Tyranitar. Pursuing Scarfed ones is fun, and so is Crunching CMers who over-confidently stay in.
Lucario - Salamence and Starmie are neat checks. Revenge killing this with Tyranitar is fun too.
Machamp - No-guard dynamic punch is a pain in the ass. Thankfully, counter-offensives such as Leech Seed and Draco Meteor are now 100% accurate, and payback doesn't even seem to 2HKO Celebi. Payback also limits the response on a Salamence, but confusion hax can still cost many a game...
Magnezone - Jirachi can escape from it, Salamence usually goes before it, Celebi doesn't really mind its attacks, and Tyranitar checks it quite handily. Explosion is annoying, but that comes at the cost of their magnet.
Mamoswine - Another prediction game. Celebi takes a good 40% from Ice Shard, making it a bit iffy, but Grass Knot does at least successfully take it down. Once weakened sufficiently, Tyranitar can rightfully laugh at it too.
Metagross - Celebi can tank any non-choice band. Choice banded variants can be sponged by a combination of Celebi and Jirachi. Jirachi's body slams also paralyze Metagross, significantly reducing its usefulness.
Ninjask - Thankfully this is not used often... it's also nice to know that it won't be coming back after SR, but the thought of a strong and speedy Lucario is scary...
Roserade - Infernape deals with this one well. If it has a scarf, I don't really care too much if Infernape gets sleeped either...
Salamence -Jirachi is a cool check if it keeps spamming Draco Meteor. If it's locked into outrage, ice punch can take it out too.
Scizor - Jirachi can absorb U-turns pretty well. As for swords dance, Starmie checks it pretty well.
Smeargle - Lead Smeargles can't really do anything. Belly Drum Smeargles is kinda helpless too, facing a good old fake out.
Starmie - Tyranitar is my friend. Celebi can check ones without ice beam.
Togekiss - Tyranitar can pierce it with some sharp stones. Salamence and Starmie can force it out.
Tyranitar - No sure-fire counter, though most of my Pokemon can go toe-to-toe with him and win. Firing off U-turns with Jirachi allows for a good laugh too.
Weavile - Choice bands are no problem, but swords dance ones could be a bit tricky. A well-timed body slam hurts, though, and he can come in on practically nothing.
Defensive Threats
Blissey - None of my walls really mind this fatass. Salamence and Tyranitar for the lolz.
Bronzong - Starmie, Infernape, and (to a lesser extent) Salamence can take him on reasonably.
Celebi - Tyranitar for pursuit bait,Salamence for some overpowered fire blasts, Jirachi for some U-turns (which also sheds leech seed). Thunder wave is pretty frustrating though, especially since I lack ground types.
Dusknoir - Starmie handles it pretty well; it won't be blocking rapid spin for much longer after a couple surfs. Infernape laughs at its Will-O-Wisps.
Forretress - Starmie threatens it; so does Salamence.
Gliscor - Salamence owns unless it runs ice fang for some reason... Starmie also forces it out.
Hippowdon -Starmie and Celebi threaten it pretty well.
Rotom-A - Starmie can get past it; Tyranitar is a pretty good check.
Skarmory - Starmie once again... Salamence too, and Celebi can at least hurt it.
Snorlax - Salamence can hurt it pretty badly, but has to watch out for paralysis.
Suicune - Starmie can check it, but once it gets a couple calm minds going it becomes a huge problem. Usually, I'll try to predict a rest and send in Tyranitar to get some crunches in.
Swampert - Celebi threatens it very nicely. Starmie can rapid spin while damaging it pretty well.
Tentacruel - Starmie threatens thunderbolts and can rapid spin toxic spikes. Jirachi can also paralyze it with body slam; finally, Tyranitar can come in and give a nice crunch or earthquake.
Vaporeon - Starmie.
Zapdos - Tyranitar checks it nicely.
Azelf - If it's a lead, fake out followed by Tyranitar. Tyranitar just owns this thing.
Breloom - Celebi can usually get it out of the way. If I already set up SR, then I'll have Infernape take the sleep, for his usefulness dramatically declines after those rocks go up.
Dragonite - Celebi can really frustrate this guy with its infinite defenses and leech seed. Jirachi is also a good check with ice punch. Furthermore, Salamence outspeeds it...
Electivire - I lack a direct counter for this guy. Thankfully, not only is he not seen often, but prediction, along with sending my TTar in on a non-cross chop, will force him out. In addition, he will have quite a hard time coming in while also simultaneously being threatening.
Empoleon - This one also lacks a direct counter. Thankfully, +1 Ice beam will probably not OHKO Celebi, and if it has grass knot, then Starmie and Salamence arguably come to mind. The Agility+3 attacks is even easier to counter, because it will not even get to torrent mode for a while. In addition, it cannot really come in on anybody but Jirachi or a locked Tyranitar, and if Jirachi's body slam works... well, bye bye.
Flygon - Another bad prediction game. Only one Pokemon (Salamence) can withstand the pressures of both Earthquake and U-Turn, and it's susceptible to Outrage Thankfully, the common Choice Scarf version will rarely be using outrage (unless the player is outrageous or a prediction legend). I'll have to be prepared with losing my Salamence in the process (and losing half of my offensive muscle in the process), though.
Gengar - I'll probably send in Jirachi first to check for Substitute. If it subs, I'll ice punch; if not, then I'll switch to Tyranitar to finish this bad boy off.
Gyarados - Celebi can use a combination of leech seed, grass knot, and recover to outstall this guy. If it's running ice fang or bounce, Celebi will take heavy damage, but then an alerted me will switch accordingly.
Heatran - A triumvirate of Tyranitar, Salamence, and Starmie can check this guy. He can be a pain every once in a while.
Heracross - Salamence is usually a good check for this little bugger. I rarely see him these days...
Infernape - Starmie provides a good check. Tyranitar is fair game too...
Jirachi - Tyranitar is a nice check for CM versions, though Flash Cannon hurts. If he is healthy enough, Infernape is a cool second check. I usually use my own Jirachi against Iron Head versions; those are a pain in the ass.
Jolteon - Damn. The Life Orb versions... Tyranitar can absorb 2 or 3 thunderbolts, but all others are 2HKOed with the proper move.
Kingdra - Celebi is an excellent check to this. Leech Seed can quickly frustrate non-substitute versions, while Grass Knot hits a stellar 150.
Latias - Checked by Tyranitar. Pursuing Scarfed ones is fun, and so is Crunching CMers who over-confidently stay in.
Lucario - Salamence and Starmie are neat checks. Revenge killing this with Tyranitar is fun too.
Machamp - No-guard dynamic punch is a pain in the ass. Thankfully, counter-offensives such as Leech Seed and Draco Meteor are now 100% accurate, and payback doesn't even seem to 2HKO Celebi. Payback also limits the response on a Salamence, but confusion hax can still cost many a game...
Magnezone - Jirachi can escape from it, Salamence usually goes before it, Celebi doesn't really mind its attacks, and Tyranitar checks it quite handily. Explosion is annoying, but that comes at the cost of their magnet.
Mamoswine - Another prediction game. Celebi takes a good 40% from Ice Shard, making it a bit iffy, but Grass Knot does at least successfully take it down. Once weakened sufficiently, Tyranitar can rightfully laugh at it too.
Metagross - Celebi can tank any non-choice band. Choice banded variants can be sponged by a combination of Celebi and Jirachi. Jirachi's body slams also paralyze Metagross, significantly reducing its usefulness.
Ninjask - Thankfully this is not used often... it's also nice to know that it won't be coming back after SR, but the thought of a strong and speedy Lucario is scary...
Roserade - Infernape deals with this one well. If it has a scarf, I don't really care too much if Infernape gets sleeped either...
Salamence -Jirachi is a cool check if it keeps spamming Draco Meteor. If it's locked into outrage, ice punch can take it out too.
Scizor - Jirachi can absorb U-turns pretty well. As for swords dance, Starmie checks it pretty well.
Smeargle - Lead Smeargles can't really do anything. Belly Drum Smeargles is kinda helpless too, facing a good old fake out.
Starmie - Tyranitar is my friend. Celebi can check ones without ice beam.
Togekiss - Tyranitar can pierce it with some sharp stones. Salamence and Starmie can force it out.
Tyranitar - No sure-fire counter, though most of my Pokemon can go toe-to-toe with him and win. Firing off U-turns with Jirachi allows for a good laugh too.
Weavile - Choice bands are no problem, but swords dance ones could be a bit tricky. A well-timed body slam hurts, though, and he can come in on practically nothing.
Defensive Threats
Blissey - None of my walls really mind this fatass. Salamence and Tyranitar for the lolz.
Bronzong - Starmie, Infernape, and (to a lesser extent) Salamence can take him on reasonably.
Celebi - Tyranitar for pursuit bait,Salamence for some overpowered fire blasts, Jirachi for some U-turns (which also sheds leech seed). Thunder wave is pretty frustrating though, especially since I lack ground types.
Dusknoir - Starmie handles it pretty well; it won't be blocking rapid spin for much longer after a couple surfs. Infernape laughs at its Will-O-Wisps.
Forretress - Starmie threatens it; so does Salamence.
Gliscor - Salamence owns unless it runs ice fang for some reason... Starmie also forces it out.
Hippowdon -Starmie and Celebi threaten it pretty well.
Rotom-A - Starmie can get past it; Tyranitar is a pretty good check.
Skarmory - Starmie once again... Salamence too, and Celebi can at least hurt it.
Snorlax - Salamence can hurt it pretty badly, but has to watch out for paralysis.
Suicune - Starmie can check it, but once it gets a couple calm minds going it becomes a huge problem. Usually, I'll try to predict a rest and send in Tyranitar to get some crunches in.
Swampert - Celebi threatens it very nicely. Starmie can rapid spin while damaging it pretty well.
Tentacruel - Starmie threatens thunderbolts and can rapid spin toxic spikes. Jirachi can also paralyze it with body slam; finally, Tyranitar can come in and give a nice crunch or earthquake.
Vaporeon - Starmie.
Zapdos - Tyranitar checks it nicely.
If you don't want to read:
Moderate threats/annoyances: Electivire, Empoleon, Flygon, Jirachi, Mamoswine, Weavile.
Dangerous threats: Jolteon, Ninjask, Suicune.
