Hey all, during this playtest, I think we've all gotten a good handle on what Syclant can do; lead, sweeper, revenge killer, etc. This is a team I came up with, using a well known concept. It might not be the best, but it sure is fun and I wanted to share it with you guys. I hope you like it!
Team at a glance:
Team In Depth:
@ Choice Scarf
Flash Fire
Naive
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Spe/ 252 SpA
IVed for HP Ice for legality
Move Set:
Fire Blast
Earth Power
Explosion
Stealth Rock
Comment:
A Pseudo-Suicide lead who I love to use. Firstly, I outspeed non-scarfed leads so I can not be Taunted and if they are scarfed, they won't know I am as well since they will likely be faster. Secondly, if I predict the enemy will put up Rocks, I can attack and KO next turn (unless I miss) taking no damage. Thirdly, I am Trick-Scarf immune. My only fear is enemies using berries to confuse me but that's unpredictable anyway and more luck of the draw. Even if I go for a quick rocks, I likely won't be KOed letting me have a powerful revenge killer down the line.
@ Choice Band
Levitate
Lonely
EVs: 252 Atk/ 176 Spe/ 80 SpA
Move Set:
Earthquake
Outrage
U-Turn
Fire Blast
Comment:
The first of my U-Turn army. CB-Flygon is my go-to switch in since he has top tier typing and an ability to enhance it. He resists all entry hazards (does anyone else?) and is a pro at causing switches with his powerful STABs. This is when I can U-Turn to my trapping duo or something more suited should the need arise. Late game, his massive Outrages can plow through slower remains. He's also a good secondary check for Shed Shell Skarmory with his underestimated Fire Blasts. He's a great scout with some bite and he's one of the best U-Turners which is a perfect role on my team.
@ Choice Scarf
Magnet Pull
Naive
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Spe/ 252 SpA
IVed for HP Fire
Move Set:
Thunderbolt
Flash Cannon
Explosion
HP Fire
Comment:
Good ol' Scarf-Zone is my Steel killer (duh). He doesn't need to change attacks since he is meant to counter very specific things like Scizor locked into Bullet Punch or without U-Turn. He can also take on weakened, un-Scarfed Heatran as well as Skarmory, Forretress, etc, etc. It also never hurts to have a fast Explosion but above all, Magnezone is part of my trapping duo, a great switch from U-Turns for Scizor and particularly Syclant who fears Steel types greatly.
@ Choice Band
Arena Trap
Joly
EVs: 40 HP/ 252 Atk/ 216 Spe
Move Set:
Earthquake
Sucker Punch
Stone Edge
Aerial Ace
Comment:
The other trapper who is perfect to murder Heatran and anything weakened from my strong U-Turns. Earthquake is his bread and butter and if all he does is kill Heatran, he's done his job. The Choice Band is needed since, like Magnezone, I use him to kill very specific things and the extra power is very helpful to kill things at higher HP, like Starmie, Syclant, etc.
@ Choice Scarf
Mountaineer
Naive
EVs: 128 Atk/ 252 Spe/ 128 SpA
IVed for HP Fire
Move Set:
HP Fire
U-Turn
Ice Beam
Earth Power
Comment:
The Scarf and speed boosting nature may seem over kill, but this guy out speeds nearly everything in the meta game. He can KO opposing Scarfers (Heatran, Flygon) and since most won't use a +speed nature, he can take on Scarfed base 115s even with HP Fire. He can use his Ice Beam to take on DDers too or even a Rain Dance Kingdra since they rarely go max speed. Enough about the speed though, Syclant is a fantastic lure thanks to Mountaineer and with U-Turn, his counters can be nuked by my trappers. This is aided by the fact that Scizor shares similar counters. His move set allows him to take on some counters in a pinch, provided I have good prediction, and people really underestimate the speed, or don't expect a Scarf. I EVed him to do some good damage with his U-Turn, even Intimidated he does about 15% to non-Bulky Salamence, but I wanted his special attacks to hurt too. Input here would be greatly appreciated.
@ Choice Band
Technician
Adamant
EVs: 248 HP/ 252 Atk/ 8 Spe
Move Set:
Bullet Punch
U-Turn
Pursuit
Superpower
Comment:
CB Scizor is the perfect example of typing, ability, move pool and stats complimenting each other. His extreme power, good bulk and ability to force switches and scout with U-Turn make him a no-brainer for my team. I use Syclant to lure out Heatran and other Steels, kill them with my trappers and wreck havoc with Scizor. There isn't much that hasn't been said already since he is the focal point of my team and the other comments should funnel towards Scizor. He's a champ.
Overall comment:
As you can see I have all Choice users but with U-Turn and trappers, I am rarely hindered by being locked into a move and I don't have to push my prediction to the limit as you might expect. You'll also notice I have no Stealth Rock weakness and due to my excessive switching, Toxic Spikes won't be able to get going on anyone (of the 2 it can actually affect). This style of team works in OU too but with Syclant, I can amplify Scizor's effectiveness and add a powerful dimension that would otherwise be unavailable.
I look forward to your comments and criticism.
Team at a glance:
Team In Depth:
@ Choice Scarf
Flash Fire
Naive
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Spe/ 252 SpA
IVed for HP Ice for legality
Move Set:
Fire Blast
Earth Power
Explosion
Stealth Rock
Comment:
A Pseudo-Suicide lead who I love to use. Firstly, I outspeed non-scarfed leads so I can not be Taunted and if they are scarfed, they won't know I am as well since they will likely be faster. Secondly, if I predict the enemy will put up Rocks, I can attack and KO next turn (unless I miss) taking no damage. Thirdly, I am Trick-Scarf immune. My only fear is enemies using berries to confuse me but that's unpredictable anyway and more luck of the draw. Even if I go for a quick rocks, I likely won't be KOed letting me have a powerful revenge killer down the line.
@ Choice Band
Levitate
Lonely
EVs: 252 Atk/ 176 Spe/ 80 SpA
Move Set:
Earthquake
Outrage
U-Turn
Fire Blast
Comment:
The first of my U-Turn army. CB-Flygon is my go-to switch in since he has top tier typing and an ability to enhance it. He resists all entry hazards (does anyone else?) and is a pro at causing switches with his powerful STABs. This is when I can U-Turn to my trapping duo or something more suited should the need arise. Late game, his massive Outrages can plow through slower remains. He's also a good secondary check for Shed Shell Skarmory with his underestimated Fire Blasts. He's a great scout with some bite and he's one of the best U-Turners which is a perfect role on my team.
@ Choice Scarf
Magnet Pull
Naive
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Spe/ 252 SpA
IVed for HP Fire
Move Set:
Thunderbolt
Flash Cannon
Explosion
HP Fire
Comment:
Good ol' Scarf-Zone is my Steel killer (duh). He doesn't need to change attacks since he is meant to counter very specific things like Scizor locked into Bullet Punch or without U-Turn. He can also take on weakened, un-Scarfed Heatran as well as Skarmory, Forretress, etc, etc. It also never hurts to have a fast Explosion but above all, Magnezone is part of my trapping duo, a great switch from U-Turns for Scizor and particularly Syclant who fears Steel types greatly.
@ Choice Band
Arena Trap
Joly
EVs: 40 HP/ 252 Atk/ 216 Spe
Move Set:
Earthquake
Sucker Punch
Stone Edge
Aerial Ace
Comment:
The other trapper who is perfect to murder Heatran and anything weakened from my strong U-Turns. Earthquake is his bread and butter and if all he does is kill Heatran, he's done his job. The Choice Band is needed since, like Magnezone, I use him to kill very specific things and the extra power is very helpful to kill things at higher HP, like Starmie, Syclant, etc.
@ Choice Scarf
Mountaineer
Naive
EVs: 128 Atk/ 252 Spe/ 128 SpA
IVed for HP Fire
Move Set:
HP Fire
U-Turn
Ice Beam
Earth Power
Comment:
The Scarf and speed boosting nature may seem over kill, but this guy out speeds nearly everything in the meta game. He can KO opposing Scarfers (Heatran, Flygon) and since most won't use a +speed nature, he can take on Scarfed base 115s even with HP Fire. He can use his Ice Beam to take on DDers too or even a Rain Dance Kingdra since they rarely go max speed. Enough about the speed though, Syclant is a fantastic lure thanks to Mountaineer and with U-Turn, his counters can be nuked by my trappers. This is aided by the fact that Scizor shares similar counters. His move set allows him to take on some counters in a pinch, provided I have good prediction, and people really underestimate the speed, or don't expect a Scarf. I EVed him to do some good damage with his U-Turn, even Intimidated he does about 15% to non-Bulky Salamence, but I wanted his special attacks to hurt too. Input here would be greatly appreciated.
@ Choice Band
Technician
Adamant
EVs: 248 HP/ 252 Atk/ 8 Spe
Move Set:
Bullet Punch
U-Turn
Pursuit
Superpower
Comment:
CB Scizor is the perfect example of typing, ability, move pool and stats complimenting each other. His extreme power, good bulk and ability to force switches and scout with U-Turn make him a no-brainer for my team. I use Syclant to lure out Heatran and other Steels, kill them with my trappers and wreck havoc with Scizor. There isn't much that hasn't been said already since he is the focal point of my team and the other comments should funnel towards Scizor. He's a champ.
Overall comment:
As you can see I have all Choice users but with U-Turn and trappers, I am rarely hindered by being locked into a move and I don't have to push my prediction to the limit as you might expect. You'll also notice I have no Stealth Rock weakness and due to my excessive switching, Toxic Spikes won't be able to get going on anyone (of the 2 it can actually affect). This style of team works in OU too but with Syclant, I can amplify Scizor's effectiveness and add a powerful dimension that would otherwise be unavailable.
I look forward to your comments and criticism.
