Ciao amici di Smogon! This is my first RMT in the ORAS metagame (and second in total). Here I'll show you a balanced team with some hyper offensive mons and sand support. Every mon checks determinate threats: if not preserved until the threat it checks is gone, you'll have a hard time. I know it's not a team that can reach the top of ORAS ladder but i'm very satisfied with the results obtained with it. Indeed, I peaked 1601 before being kicked out of the ladder x) Here's the proof (I'm Tommerz):
And now the team!
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 HP / 248 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
Excadrill is my lead 50% of times, when I see an opposing Talonflame/Charizard/no defogger or spinner. The attacks are standard, the EVs and item are not. It's my main answer to Mega Manectric and Raikou and my team only electric resistance. Air Balloon helps it face other Excadrill under sand and set the rocks easily against lead Landorus lacking superpower and Garchomp. Since I also use Tyranitar I opted for Sand Rush instead of Mold Breaker, thus allowing me to outspeed base 145 Speed under sand.
Gardevoir @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Taunt
Mega Gardevoir is a bomb. 99% of the times just click hyper voice and see Scizor lose half its HP. And then switch otherwise you're dead. Almost max Sp. Atk. allows me to 2KOs some specially defensive walls after rocks (232+ SpA Pixilate Mega Gardevoir Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Celebi: 229-270 (56.6 - 66.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery). HP Ground is for Heatran (obviously) but it can be replaced with HP Fire for Ferrothorn (I know Focus Blast hits super effectively both but i'm not brave enough to risk a heart attack anytime I use it). Taunt is for Slowbro that want to T-wave you and Ferrothorn. Trace on Gardevoir makes me copy some Intimidates, wall Thundurus-Therian and trap Magnezone. The 24 EVs invested in Defense are for surviving a LO Sucker Punch from jolly Bisharp.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 212 HP / 252 SpA / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
- Lava Plume
- Substitute
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp
That's bulky offensive Heatran for you. We have the standard Lava Plum and Earth Power. Then Substitute on a taunted Ferrothorn or whatever can't touch you, lure a Garchomp/Azumarill/Landorus and burn them next turn. The 44 EVs in Speed are quite random, just to outspeed other Heatran I guess (who would put 44 EVs in a Heatran?)
Poliwrath @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Circle Throw
- Scald
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Here's what you wouldn't expect to find in OU! Since no one expects it, some don't know it has Water Absorb and give you a chance to heal for free. Physical defensive Poliwrath completely walls some mons commonly found in the current metagame such as Bisharp, Weavile, Scizor, Mega Lopunny and others. RestTalk paired with Rocky Helmets can hurt a lot those that think they can bring it down with continuous hits. Circle Throw is for shuffling the opponent mons in and out the field and racking up some Stealth Rocks damage while Scald is for its cool burn chance everyone is well aware of. Some calculations:
252+ Atk Choice Band Scizor U-turn vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 70-83 (18.2 - 21.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 64-75 (16.7 - 19.5%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Bisharp Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 122-144 (31.8 - 37.5%) -- 94% chance to 3HKO
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Rock Slide
- Ice Beam
Scarf Tyranitar has seen a huge increase in usage, and for good reasons. At max. Speed and with a scarf Tar outspeeds base 115 Speeds. It's main role is to pursuit trap spinner/defoggers, namely Starmie and the Lati twins. Ice beam is for those double switches that make you face a Garchomp/Landorus. Crunch and Rock Slide are for STAB but I mainly use the first one (I use Rock Slide over Stone Edge for the same reason I don't run Focus Blast on Mega Gardevoir). Sand Stream helps me get a little bit of damage on the opposing mons and gives Excadrill a chance to revenge kill something.
Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
And the last slot goes to... Thundurus! It's my lead the other 50% of times, when I think rocks aren't that necessary. There are so many around in OU that you are thinking about skipping this description but wait.. this doesn't have T-wave? Here for you is this fantastic wallbreaker that secures me a couple kills per game! Probably it's not the first time you see mixed Thundurus but this version with 4 attacks is kinda uncommon. Defiant is for getting free boosts from lead landorus (just hope they aren't scarfed or they miss with Stone edge), while the Life Orb is for increasing the damage output. Watch out tho: if your opponent is skilled enough to constantly switching, you'll get worn out by LO damage without killing anything.
The specs variant can turn out to be troublesome if they realize Poliwrath has water Absorb. Its type-sharing friend can switch and take another secret sword but can only phase it with Circle Throw. Absolutely keep alive Thundurus or Excadrill under sand can 2KO it.
Mega Lopunny speed makes it a huge problem. Poliwrath at full health can check it pretty decently and hit it back with Circle Throw for half HP. Make sure to switch into its Fake Outs so that it's also worn down by rocky helmets. Otherwise Excadrill under sand can take care of it.
Those set up flying types are a pain in the ass. Gyarados without Bounce can be taken care of by Poliwrath but if it has it it's pretty much GG. Mega Gardevoir and Thundurus can kill Talonflame but if it manages to set up a couple Bulk Ups it gets problematic. Thanks God Hawlucha is not used because after a sword dance I can only hope for a HJK miss to survive.
Here there are some replays of some matches I've won:
Thank you guys for reading till the end my RMT and I hope you'll start to acknowledge Poliwrath's might :)
Also, any suggestion is highly appreciated (apart from substituting Poliwrath or anyone else for Hyppowdown)!
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 HP / 248 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
Excadrill is my lead 50% of times, when I see an opposing Talonflame/Charizard/no defogger or spinner. The attacks are standard, the EVs and item are not. It's my main answer to Mega Manectric and Raikou and my team only electric resistance. Air Balloon helps it face other Excadrill under sand and set the rocks easily against lead Landorus lacking superpower and Garchomp. Since I also use Tyranitar I opted for Sand Rush instead of Mold Breaker, thus allowing me to outspeed base 145 Speed under sand.
Gardevoir @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Taunt
Mega Gardevoir is a bomb. 99% of the times just click hyper voice and see Scizor lose half its HP. And then switch otherwise you're dead. Almost max Sp. Atk. allows me to 2KOs some specially defensive walls after rocks (232+ SpA Pixilate Mega Gardevoir Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 84 SpD Celebi: 229-270 (56.6 - 66.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery). HP Ground is for Heatran (obviously) but it can be replaced with HP Fire for Ferrothorn (I know Focus Blast hits super effectively both but i'm not brave enough to risk a heart attack anytime I use it). Taunt is for Slowbro that want to T-wave you and Ferrothorn. Trace on Gardevoir makes me copy some Intimidates, wall Thundurus-Therian and trap Magnezone. The 24 EVs invested in Defense are for surviving a LO Sucker Punch from jolly Bisharp.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 212 HP / 252 SpA / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
- Lava Plume
- Substitute
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp
That's bulky offensive Heatran for you. We have the standard Lava Plum and Earth Power. Then Substitute on a taunted Ferrothorn or whatever can't touch you, lure a Garchomp/Azumarill/Landorus and burn them next turn. The 44 EVs in Speed are quite random, just to outspeed other Heatran I guess (who would put 44 EVs in a Heatran?)
Poliwrath @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Circle Throw
- Scald
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Here's what you wouldn't expect to find in OU! Since no one expects it, some don't know it has Water Absorb and give you a chance to heal for free. Physical defensive Poliwrath completely walls some mons commonly found in the current metagame such as Bisharp, Weavile, Scizor, Mega Lopunny and others. RestTalk paired with Rocky Helmets can hurt a lot those that think they can bring it down with continuous hits. Circle Throw is for shuffling the opponent mons in and out the field and racking up some Stealth Rocks damage while Scald is for its cool burn chance everyone is well aware of. Some calculations:
252+ Atk Choice Band Scizor U-turn vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 70-83 (18.2 - 21.6%) -- possible 5HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 64-75 (16.7 - 19.5%) -- guaranteed 6HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Bisharp Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Poliwrath: 122-144 (31.8 - 37.5%) -- 94% chance to 3HKO
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Rock Slide
- Ice Beam
Scarf Tyranitar has seen a huge increase in usage, and for good reasons. At max. Speed and with a scarf Tar outspeeds base 115 Speeds. It's main role is to pursuit trap spinner/defoggers, namely Starmie and the Lati twins. Ice beam is for those double switches that make you face a Garchomp/Landorus. Crunch and Rock Slide are for STAB but I mainly use the first one (I use Rock Slide over Stone Edge for the same reason I don't run Focus Blast on Mega Gardevoir). Sand Stream helps me get a little bit of damage on the opposing mons and gives Excadrill a chance to revenge kill something.
Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
And the last slot goes to... Thundurus! It's my lead the other 50% of times, when I think rocks aren't that necessary. There are so many around in OU that you are thinking about skipping this description but wait.. this doesn't have T-wave? Here for you is this fantastic wallbreaker that secures me a couple kills per game! Probably it's not the first time you see mixed Thundurus but this version with 4 attacks is kinda uncommon. Defiant is for getting free boosts from lead landorus (just hope they aren't scarfed or they miss with Stone edge), while the Life Orb is for increasing the damage output. Watch out tho: if your opponent is skilled enough to constantly switching, you'll get worn out by LO damage without killing anything.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-266783616 Poliwrath checks Scizor and non HJK Mega Lopunny.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-267626694 How the team works (even without Mega Gardevoir!). I could have killed Raikou at least a couple times with Excadrill but for some stupid reasons i didn’t x)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-267630173 Thundurus kills half team and Poliwrath laughs at +4 Mega Scizor.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-268035505 Thanks God that Mega Alakazam had Psychic instead of Psyshock x)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-268409969 With a bit of luck Mega Gardevoir won me the game (usually Poliwrath deals with rain teams but this was too offensive oriented).
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-271097152 Excadrill under sand clears the path to victory.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-267626694 How the team works (even without Mega Gardevoir!). I could have killed Raikou at least a couple times with Excadrill but for some stupid reasons i didn’t x)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-267630173 Thundurus kills half team and Poliwrath laughs at +4 Mega Scizor.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-268035505 Thanks God that Mega Alakazam had Psychic instead of Psyshock x)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-268409969 With a bit of luck Mega Gardevoir won me the game (usually Poliwrath deals with rain teams but this was too offensive oriented).
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-271097152 Excadrill under sand clears the path to victory.
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 HP / 248 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
Gardevoir @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Taunt
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 212 HP / 252 SpA / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
- Lava Plume
- Substitute
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp
Poliwrath @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Circle Throw
- Scald
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Rock Slide
- Ice Beam
Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 HP / 248 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
Gardevoir @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 24 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Ground]
- Taunt
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 212 HP / 252 SpA / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
- Lava Plume
- Substitute
- Earth Power
- Will-O-Wisp
Poliwrath @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Circle Throw
- Scald
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Rock Slide
- Ice Beam
Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Also, any suggestion is highly appreciated (apart from substituting Poliwrath or anyone else for Hyppowdown)!
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