After experimenting a bit with a couple of different team comps, I have decided on a VoltTurn team, with choiced Scizor and Rotom-W acting as my core. They are backed up by Forretress who acts as a physical wall as well as a hazard setter and Rapid Spinner. Greninja and Noivern are both there for fast U-Turns and coverage, as well as Noivern's Infiltrator ability. Finally, the team is wrapped up by M-Gengar, who acts as a trapper for walls and late game sweeper. However, I'm starting to feel like Gengar isn't suited to this team. I'm not sure if a better option would be a bulkier physical sweeper. I'm looking into replacements now.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Atk / 16 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Brick Break
- Pursuit
- U-turn
One of the classic halves of a VoltTurn core, Scizor packs some decent physical damage when banded. He packs the usual Bullet Punch and U-Turn, as well as Brick Break to deal with common Steel typed threats that resist his STABs. Pursuit is included for trapping of Ghost and Psychic pokemon, but it can be switched out for Quick Attack to have a priority move that hits threats that resist Bullet Punch, like Volcarona or Gyarados. Scizor can deal with Rotom-W's more common checks, such as specially defensive walls like Chansey or Blissey, and can switch into Grass attacks that would otherwise ruin Rotom-W's day.
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 232 HP / 56 SpA / 220 Spd
Modest Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
The other half of the core, Rotom-W is a well established VoltTurn partner for Scizor. Rotom-W resists the fire attacks that Scizor hates so much and can trounce a number of common checks to Scizor such as Gyarados and Skarmory. Rotom-W comes equipped with the usual STABs of Hydro Pump and Volt Switch, as well as Hidden Power [Ice] to deal with dragons and flying threats, and Will-O-Wisp to cripple physical attackers.
Gengar @ Gengarite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Sludge Bomb
M-Gengar is a monster who can switch on and destroy defensive walls that aren't expecting him. Due to Shadow Tag, they can't get away, and thus get pounded into goo by M-Gengar's attacks. Gengar runs the usual Shadow Ball, and also runs Sludge Bomb to deal with Fairies. Thunderbolt is used for coverage, to deal with pokemon like Skarmory. Dazzling Gleam is also thrown on for coverage versus dragons and to neutrally hit pokemon that resist his other attacks. However, Gengar is checked hard by strong priority users, such as Scizor, as well as pokemon with Sucker Punch or Pursuit. Also, due to his pitiable defenses, Gengar can't stay out for long before he is crippled. As such, you must pick your battles carefully and trap pokemon he can deal with.
Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Volt Switch
Forretress's main priority is to remove hazards that can so quickly rack up damage on a VoltTurn team. Forretress also comes with Stealth Rock, which he can throw out if the opportunity presents itself, but that isn't it's main goal. Gyro Ball is used to nail faster pokemon, namely Gengar, who might be switching in to Spinblock. Finally, Volt Switch can be used to keep up momentum while preserving the life of the pokemon switching in, due to Forretress's low speed. While his typing is the same as Scizor's, Forretress is much more defensively bulky, and can resist attacks that would otherwise cripple Scizor. Forretress is checked by any Fire attack, and is obviously Spinblocked by Ghost type pokemon, but is backed up on these fronts by Rotom-W, similarly to Scizor.
Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
- Grass Knot
- U-turn
Greninja is crazy fast, and can has STABs on all attacks thanks to Protean. Greninja packs Ice Beam for dragon and flying types, Dark Pulse to deal with ghosts and psychic type pokemon, Grass Knot for coverage, and U-Turn to keep up momentum. Grass Knot is filler right now, but I couldn't really think of a better option. Maybe a Hidden Power? In any case, Greninja is checked by special walls, and can be screwed over by scarfers or priority abusers like Lucario or Breloom. Greninja is also fairly ineffective against fairy types and must U-Turn out to preserve momentum.
Noivern @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Air Slash
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- U-turn
Noivern, similar to Greninja, is a fast special attacker. Noivern's Infiltrator ability allow it to nail pokemon who are hiding behind a substitute, like Breloom. STAB'd Draco Meteor is Noivern's go to attack, hitting most things neutrally, other then Steel and Fairy types. STAB'd Air Slash is used for coverage versus Fighting and Grass pokemon, while Flamethrower is used for coverage to deal with the ever present Steel pokemon. Noivern is destroyed by anything with an Ice attack, and must be wary around Fairy types and other Dragons. However, due to Noivern's speed, it is generally able to U-Turn away before anything nasty happens. Noivern is also weak to Stealth Rocks, so Forretress must be vigilant in his Spinning to preserve his dragon/bat friend.
So there you have it. I'm pretty sure there are some changes that could be made to make the team more efficient, and I'm still getting into competitive battling, so I'm not familiar with all the major threats yet. As such, there are probably some defensive holes I haven't yet considered. Also, only having one proper physical attacker may be a problem. Anyway, I'd appreciate any comments or criticisms you can throw my way. Thanks for reading!
EDIT - Fixed some incorrect EVs.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Atk / 16 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Brick Break
- Pursuit
- U-turn
One of the classic halves of a VoltTurn core, Scizor packs some decent physical damage when banded. He packs the usual Bullet Punch and U-Turn, as well as Brick Break to deal with common Steel typed threats that resist his STABs. Pursuit is included for trapping of Ghost and Psychic pokemon, but it can be switched out for Quick Attack to have a priority move that hits threats that resist Bullet Punch, like Volcarona or Gyarados. Scizor can deal with Rotom-W's more common checks, such as specially defensive walls like Chansey or Blissey, and can switch into Grass attacks that would otherwise ruin Rotom-W's day.
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 232 HP / 56 SpA / 220 Spd
Modest Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Def
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
The other half of the core, Rotom-W is a well established VoltTurn partner for Scizor. Rotom-W resists the fire attacks that Scizor hates so much and can trounce a number of common checks to Scizor such as Gyarados and Skarmory. Rotom-W comes equipped with the usual STABs of Hydro Pump and Volt Switch, as well as Hidden Power [Ice] to deal with dragons and flying threats, and Will-O-Wisp to cripple physical attackers.
Gengar @ Gengarite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Sludge Bomb
M-Gengar is a monster who can switch on and destroy defensive walls that aren't expecting him. Due to Shadow Tag, they can't get away, and thus get pounded into goo by M-Gengar's attacks. Gengar runs the usual Shadow Ball, and also runs Sludge Bomb to deal with Fairies. Thunderbolt is used for coverage, to deal with pokemon like Skarmory. Dazzling Gleam is also thrown on for coverage versus dragons and to neutrally hit pokemon that resist his other attacks. However, Gengar is checked hard by strong priority users, such as Scizor, as well as pokemon with Sucker Punch or Pursuit. Also, due to his pitiable defenses, Gengar can't stay out for long before he is crippled. As such, you must pick your battles carefully and trap pokemon he can deal with.
Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Volt Switch
Forretress's main priority is to remove hazards that can so quickly rack up damage on a VoltTurn team. Forretress also comes with Stealth Rock, which he can throw out if the opportunity presents itself, but that isn't it's main goal. Gyro Ball is used to nail faster pokemon, namely Gengar, who might be switching in to Spinblock. Finally, Volt Switch can be used to keep up momentum while preserving the life of the pokemon switching in, due to Forretress's low speed. While his typing is the same as Scizor's, Forretress is much more defensively bulky, and can resist attacks that would otherwise cripple Scizor. Forretress is checked by any Fire attack, and is obviously Spinblocked by Ghost type pokemon, but is backed up on these fronts by Rotom-W, similarly to Scizor.
Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
- Grass Knot
- U-turn
Greninja is crazy fast, and can has STABs on all attacks thanks to Protean. Greninja packs Ice Beam for dragon and flying types, Dark Pulse to deal with ghosts and psychic type pokemon, Grass Knot for coverage, and U-Turn to keep up momentum. Grass Knot is filler right now, but I couldn't really think of a better option. Maybe a Hidden Power? In any case, Greninja is checked by special walls, and can be screwed over by scarfers or priority abusers like Lucario or Breloom. Greninja is also fairly ineffective against fairy types and must U-Turn out to preserve momentum.
Noivern @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Air Slash
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- U-turn
Noivern, similar to Greninja, is a fast special attacker. Noivern's Infiltrator ability allow it to nail pokemon who are hiding behind a substitute, like Breloom. STAB'd Draco Meteor is Noivern's go to attack, hitting most things neutrally, other then Steel and Fairy types. STAB'd Air Slash is used for coverage versus Fighting and Grass pokemon, while Flamethrower is used for coverage to deal with the ever present Steel pokemon. Noivern is destroyed by anything with an Ice attack, and must be wary around Fairy types and other Dragons. However, due to Noivern's speed, it is generally able to U-Turn away before anything nasty happens. Noivern is also weak to Stealth Rocks, so Forretress must be vigilant in his Spinning to preserve his dragon/bat friend.
So there you have it. I'm pretty sure there are some changes that could be made to make the team more efficient, and I'm still getting into competitive battling, so I'm not familiar with all the major threats yet. As such, there are probably some defensive holes I haven't yet considered. Also, only having one proper physical attacker may be a problem. Anyway, I'd appreciate any comments or criticisms you can throw my way. Thanks for reading!
EDIT - Fixed some incorrect EVs.
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