THIS IS A PRE-BANK TEAM
Tyranitar @ Chopple Berry / Leftovers
Ability: Sandstream
IVs: 252 HP / 64 Atk / 194 SpDef
Nature: Sassy
- Stealth Rocks
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
Obviously with the lack of truly viable stealth rockers available pre-ban Tyranitar had to be up there as one of the most reliable and best of them. I'm running a bulky set right now, currently testing out Chopple over Leftovers it allows me to get off a pursuit/crunch on Gengar that stay in fearing the obvious pursuit, providing I'm healthy enough anyway. I miss the constant recovery but in all honestly it isn't that bad as much games Tyranitar is there to set up rocks and die.
Now this whole dynamic completely changes if the opposing team has a Talonflame on their side. Tyranitar, even with no physical investment becomes my number #1 switch in to it. I prefer to trap it with pursuit rather than go for stone edge. If rocks were already set then it's pretty much over for it. It takes a clean 40%+ against most Talonflame variants. If rocks aren't set, then it's not the end of the world, it just becomes a bit of a pain to deal with if I have no lefties as I'm being whittled down slowly. But I haven't faced this problem yet and most Talonflame will never beat me out right thanks to the treat of Tyranitar and Rotom.
However if the other teams runs both Talonflame and Gengar then I have to dedicate Tyranitar to one, and it often always is Taloneflame as Gengar can be dealt with by other mons fairly easily.
Garchomp @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 HP / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Substitute
Well, Sand veil is unbanned and honestly is no where near as prominent and as threatening as it used to be. With Sand turns being massively limited it makes Sand Veil hax less dominant, but obviously still annoying. (It has won me games many times so far even win reduced turns)
The good old Sub/SD set is amazing as always with the hax, but not as good pre-bank in my opinion thanks to all the togekiss and more people using Skarm thanks the lack of reliable hazard users. So I've opted for Stone Edge just for Togekiss.
There isn't much more to say about this set other than it's the standard SD chomp, I come in one things that I know I can get a free SD on and if it carries the potential Scald/Wilo and I know I can kill it cleanly after a +2 and Lum eating the burn then I will. Otherwise Chomp stays back unless I can see a good opportunity to bait in fairies for Scizor.
Rotom-W @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpDef / 252 Def
Bold Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hidden Power Ice / Fire
I believe both hidden powers can at often times be redundant, I found fire to be the least useful of the two as often times I couldn't OHKO most Bulky Mega Scizor and couldn't OHKO ferrothorn so it often lead to me being set up on or weakened. HP Ice is there just for a surprise factor really, hasn't really done much at all though often that take out a few Dragonites and Mence with Lum. Any suggestions for the 4th slot is welcome as pre-bank it seems terrible. I have been considering Rest with a Chesto berry but could I possible get some insight on that from people who've tested it.
Other than that here's my Rotom, one of the best Pokemon right now, pre-bank and post. It's incredibly versatile, has switch initiative. Even if I do not dedicate it to checking Talonflame it's sheer presence alone is often enough. I run bold over calm and max defensive EVs even though I do not use it directly for Talonflame. I find with Rain not as blatant as it used to be it gives rotom to power to shut down other pokemon and allows my Tyranitar to tank most special hits fairly well. Defensive rotom is brilliant for Gyarados, scizor. Almost anything really. The obvious things it struggles with is Mega Gyarados' mold beaker and obviously Excadrill. Not much more to say. It's Rotom, it's fat, threatening and does what it always has done.
Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 SpDef
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Thief
- Roost
I completely underestimated Mega Scizor before trying it out- which was dumb. Scizor is an absolute beast, as if there was any doubt he wasn't going to be successful this gen. I hadn't used a Bulky SD set since late gen 4, back then I used it with a Lum Berry, now that isn't possible and obviously it hurts but it can be played around in some instances. It sucks being burnt but even when burnt this thing can easily set up to +6 on most things, almost everything pre-bank can be considered set up fodder for it, so even if it gets burnt it can set up to +6 and kill the last few remainder or put a massive dent into their team.
I used to run max attack and max speed as I felt it already had impressive defensive, and it does with base 70/140/100 I loved max speed for outspeeding most defensive rotoms and obviously tentacruel, which in turn made playing around those potential burns easier as I could just OHKO Rotoms and Tentracruels at +2 with Thief (lol) But then I missed the pure bulk of max hp max spdef. It's just so fat and bulky, it's incredible.
My goal with it often is to evaluate the team I'm facing, judge who needs to be eliminated for Scizor to successfully sweep and deal with them ASAP. If it's more than 3 pokes (unlikely) then I'll use Scizor more aggressively. My next step is to see who Scizor can set up on to help play around those potential burns more. A big one that comes to mind is Gliscor and Ferrothorn. Everytime one of these is on the other team it just becomes an instant win often. Sometimes I get a free +2 and dent their team or straight out sweep them if my checks are gone, and if their Gliscor or Ferro is being really stupid (more so Gliscor) and stays in, I can set up to +6 and sweep them.
Without a doubt one if the stars of the team, can use a bit of babying as it can be tough to avoid burns without the speed but it can really just smash teams to bits whilst taking no damage at all. Completely underrated and in my new favourite set, above the banded one.
Aegislash @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Atk / 232 SpAtk
Rash Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power Ice
- Shadow Sneak
Originally I was using the standard Shield/SD set but as the weeks went on it became more and more predictable, then people tried to play more aggressively, then that become predictable, eventually it ended up working against which obviously is never fun. However, the mixed set is amazing, things come in expecting a SD or Shield or even a SS, then get smacked with a massive Shadow Ball, it's a breaker and a decent spin blocker, I don't often care enough as I just use rocks and everyone seems to be using excadrill now- but it's there if need be.
Hidden power Ice for Gliscor (even if Shadow ball almost KOs it lol) and Dragons that are x4 weak to it. Shadow sneak just for the priority and it still hurts a lot, let's not forget it has base 150 attack okay? Plus it's holding a spooky plate, aiding both Shadow Ball and Shadow Sneak, and it definitely helps. Things that come in taking a 80%+ of their health from Shadow Ball seem to think I don't carry the sneak as well; then die. It's great.
Let's also not forget it's 150 in both defences, even uninvested it lets you switch into practically everything and fire off a shadow ball on the switch to dent the team more. It really is just a solid pokemon, and I personally believe this is the best way to play it current. SD just seems inferior now to me, I mean when it works it's great, but I prefer the mixed set for now.
Greninja @ Choice Specs / Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 4 ATK / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature
- U-Turn
- Surf (fuck hydro)
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
This thing hits like a truck, I prefer LO over specs, I've been testing out specs recently though; and it hits so so hard, it does a ton still with a LO thanks to protean providing STAB on everything anyway. It's fast and sometimes can clean up games for me, which always surprises me. I've been considering a Choice Scarf on it as it seems to a suedo revenge killer now, only thing it doesn't revenge are mons at +1 or other scarfers. But I wonder, would I miss the damage?
Regardless, Greninja replaced Gengar and I'm happy with it so far, it helps a bit with Excadrill who is a bit of a problem for me already. Other than that there isn't really a lot to it. I prefer U-Turn on my LO spec, but when running Specs I use Hidden power fire.
THEATS / PESTS
Will post more as they're discovered. This team is current 18-1 and 2100 right now.
Thanks for reading.
IMPORT
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