Introduction
Scizor, the best scouter in the game, has scared of many Pokemon from being used in ladders. I wanted to have fun with these Pokemon, and I decided to make them usable in a team, with a way to beat Scizor, so I can freely use these underrated threats. With the right support, these threats can see the light and wreak havoc to teams that were both prepared and unprepared. Of course the team needs to be prepared for more than just Scizor since it is only used in average about 30% of all the ladder matches. Many teams without Scizor would not be prepared for teams that involve sweepers that Scizor hard counters. Worst case scenario, both teams were unprepared for each other.
Team Building
So I wonder what's a good way to destroy Scizor. If I want to switch to a counter, it might U-Turn, and if I stay, it Bullet Punches for a kill. I know for sure that one sure definate way to end Scizor is to trap him with Magnezone, and the only way to do so, is to catch it on a Bullet Punch. So my plan is to just stay in on Scizor, and let it Bullet Punch away, then kill. Magnezone is amazing for the job.
So now I want to use a sweeper who attracts Scizor's Bullet Punch. Now I want to make this team based around sweepers who can do alot of damage, but it gets horribly countered by Scizor. I like Weavile. It gets great coverage in STAB Ice, STAB Dark, and Fighting attacks. Scizor gives him problems since he resists Ice, Dark, and the Fighting attack usually has low power, so Weavile can't even stay in since U-Turn will destroy him. HG/SS did him a favor and brought him Low Kick, which has a Base Power of 100 for scizor, instead of Brick Break's 75. So Weavile is able to deal great damage to Scizor if he does not Bullet Punch. Weavile makes a great bait for Scizor, and an amazing physical sweeper overall.
I need an other sweeper that attracts Scizor. This time it shall be a special attacker. I notice that if it is frail or not, if it is weak to Steel, it will go down to Scizor's BP. Rock and Ice are also weak to fighting, so it would be wise to pair the typing to be weak to steel, but either neutral or immune to fighting. For special attackers who fear Bullet Punch: there is Gengar, Alakazam, Honchkrow(mixed), Azelf, PorygonZ, Glaceon, Articuno, and Nasty Plot Toxicroak. If I wanted to use any of these, they would need to be able to kill Scizor in one hit. Toxicroak, Articuno, and Glaceon wouldn't be able to do so without Hidden Power Fire, but they wouldn't make good coverage with their other main methods of attacking. Alakazam just dies to any priority in the game, and his main methods of attack offer weak coverage that require the coverage of low power moves. PorygonZ is very powerful after a Nasty Plot, but he's just not as versatile with his average Speed. Honchkrow also suffers from Speed issues. Sow what's left is Gengar, and Nasty Plot Azelf. Gengar has amazing synergy with Magnezone, and to an extent, with Weavile as well. Azelf is just extremely powerful after a Nasty Plot. Both of them have problems with Weavile if it switches in on a NVE attack or Nasty Plot. So I'm going to need a Pokemon who sets up on Pursuit users. Gengar loses a point in Speed if it uses Hidden Power Fire, and that's not very cool... Azelf's Nasty Plot set is fully resisted by Latias, and Heatran if it lacks Hidden Power Fighting. So if appears I have a Latias weakness. I'm going to have to go with Gengar, since it has a STAB Shadow Ball to dent Latias switchins, Focus Blast for Heatran switchins, and Hidden Power Fire for Weavile. None of these are sure OHKOs without some Stealth Rock, so I need some support there. Oh and what a darn coincidence that Gengar itself is a spinblocker. Common spinners are Starmie, Tentacruel, who are met with Thunderbolt, Forretress gets fried by HP Fire.
The sweepers hate Paralysis, and Weavile hates Burn. Keeping them alive with Wish is also beneficial. Pokemon that can learn Wish+Heal Bell/Aromatherapy are: Blissey, Clefable, Delcatty, all Eeveelutions, Gardevoir, Togekiss, and Wigglytuff. My Cleric needed to be able to take hits, expecially Special attacks, so Delcatty, Wigglytuff, Leafeon, were out. While Blissey is the queen of taking Special hits, she can't take a Choice Banded attack, especially from Scizor, who is faster than her, who will kill her with either U-Turn or Superpower before she tries to Flamethrower. While Clefable can hit harder with Special attacks, it is also slower than Scizor. Vaporeon, Flareon and Jolteon provide a nice Steel resist, but Jolteon and Flareon can't take much more physical hits. Umbreon is slow and is horribly hurt by U-Turn, and can't do much to Latias. Vaporeon has Ice Beam to help wear down Latias, Gardevoir and Togekiss have access to Light Screen to help my frail sweepers switch in to Special attacks. Gardevoir has Will-o-Wisp, to soften physical hits, and Togekiss has an awesome Special attack stat and a good stab to cause some raging flinches. So now I'm stuck between:
Vaporeon (130HP/60Def/95SpD): Heal Bell, Wish, Ice Beam/Toxic, Surf
Gardevoir (68HP/65Def/115SpD): Heal Bell, Wish, Will-o-Wisp/Taunt, Light Screen/Taunt
Togekiss (85HP/95Def/115SpD): Heal Bell, Wish, Light Screen, Air Slash/Flamethrower/HP Ice
Now I gotta think about situations. Scizor is probably already taken care of since I need to use a cleric to heal my sweepers. So I'm gonna bring up the other possible Clerics that Scizor has threatened.
Blissey (255HP/10Def/135SpD): Heal Bell, Wish, Ice Beam, Thunder Wave
Clefable (95HP/73Def/90SpD): Heal Bell, Wish, Ice Beam, Thunder Wave
Umbreon (95HP/110Def/130SpD): Heal Bell, Wish, Mean Look, Baton Pass/Yawn
Umbreon is a Dark type like Weavile, so sharing Bug and Fighting weaknesses will be a pain to try to get Umbreon to aid Weavile. If Weavile is gone, the team will have problems with Dragon Dance Salamence and Blissey. The way I can get this prevented is if I send out Gengar as my first sweeper, which will check to see if there are any Blisseys in the team, and keep away any Gyarados. Umbreon can have its way with enemy Blissey by trapping them, forcing them to sleep, and Pass to Weavile or a physical attacking lead. Gardevoir could use Taunt to prevent Blissey from using Thunder Wave on my Wish receiver
I have an answer to Dragons through Weavile, so using Ice Beam is not necessary. I can use HP Electric on Vaporeon, Thunderbolt on Blissey, Clefable, and Gardevoir. Gardevoir can use Will-o-Wisp to take care of Gyarados, and Taunt for Blissey. When I think of Umbreon's way to deal with Blissey, it wouldn't have a way to get it to sleep, since Blissey could Thunder Wave and Umbreon's Synchronize could just bounce the paralysis back preventing Sleep. I could use Taunt on Umbreon, but then I'd have massive 4-move syndrome.
Of all this utility, I'd say Gardevoir is the one who fits well with the team, as it can Taunt against walls, and lower their tanking capabilities with Will-o-Wisp, which also hurts Gyarados, and Tyranitar and incoming Weavile. I also love its ability, Trace, so I get a very safe switch agaisnt Choiced Heatran, Jolteon, and outstall Vaporeon with Taunt and Wish, forcing it to use a weak HP Electric or Ice Beam. It also breaks Skarmory, as I can burn it to reduce Brave Bird's power, and heal myself with Wish.
I needed a Rapid Spinner. If Weavile or even Gengar want to be able to come in with a Wish passed from Gardevoir, then need to make sure that there are no entry hazards in to shave damage, because they can kill before they get healed. For the viable spinners, I have to pick between:
Blastoise (79HP/100Def/105SpD)
Claydol (60HP/105Def/120SpD)
Donphan (90HP/120Def/60SpD)
Forretress (75HP/140Def/60SpD)
Hitmontop (50HP/95Def/110SpD)
Starmie (60HP/85Def/85SpD)
Tentacruel (80HP/65Def/120SpD)
I needed a spinner that had a way to deal with Spin blockers. Starmie, Tentacruel, and Blastoise get hurt by a STAB Thunderbolt from Rotom-A, while all they can do is use a weak Surf. Claydol's main method of attacking is Earth Power, which Rotom-A is immune to, and gets hurt by STAB Shadow Ball. Forretress and Donphan have a Dark type move to deal with Ghosts. However, Donphan's Assurance only hurts when the Ghosts switch in as they are hurt by Stealth Rock. Forretress does provide a nice Steel typing, and the ability to throw in Spikes, and it's almost guaranteed to be able to use a Base 100 Dark type move in Payback. There are problems though, as Rotom-A can have the defense to survive two Paybacks, while it will be able to take out Forretress in two hits, or even one Overheat. Hitmontop is a bit bulky and its Fighting typing is nice for a STAB Close Combat to deal with Blissey, Tyranitar and Snorlax. It has a good Special Defense stat to take an attack from a Defensive Rotom. Hitmontop also has access to a move that nullifies the Normal and Fighting immunity in Ghosts, so it will be able to Rapid Spin away, and hit with Close Combat.
Well now that I have my team, I'm gonna need a solid lead. I wanted a bulky lead that was able to set up Rocks, but I wasn't sure if it should be able to stay alive for a while. For viable Stealth Rock Leads, there are:
Aerodactyl (80HP/65Def/75SpD)
Azelf (75HP/70Def/70SpD)
Bronzong? (67HP/116Def/116SpD)
Celebi (100HP/100Def/100SpD)
Empoleon (84HP/88Def/101SpD)
Heatran (91HP/106Def/106SpD)
Hippowdon (108HP/118Def/72SpD)
Infernape (76HP/71Def/71SpD)
Jirachi (100HP/100Def/100SpD)
Mamoswine (110HP/80Def/60SpD)
Metagross (80HP/130Def/90SpD)
Swampert (100HP/90Def/90SpD)
Uxie (75HP/130Def/130SpD)
I want a lead that can stick around after setting up rocks, and provide another Dragon resist, so the list was narrowed down to Bronzong, Empoleon, Heatran, Jirachi, and Metagross. Empoleon leads use Focus Sash so it's not able to switch in again with Stealth Rock in the field, unless I spin them out, even then, the low speed proves it useless. Bronzong just isn't considered viable anymore as there are too many Trick or Taunt leads that stop it. While Heatran does have Flash Fire to take a Fire attack aimed at Magnet Risen Magnezone, it still has those weaknesses that Fire type users commonly have answers to, like Infernape's Close Combat, Salamence's Earthquake, although the ability to beat other Heatran, Rotom-H, and Zapdos are nice, although Heatran should still watch out for STAB Thunderbolts. Metagross leads are either TrickScarf, or SR, MM/EQ, BP, Explosion. Jirachi can also use TrickScarf and has a nice U-Turn for Latias switching out after their Draco Meteor causes them to drop two stages of their Special Attack. There is two huge cons of Jirachi though. If Jirachi is in the team, the team has a huge Fire weakness as there are three Pokemon weak to it, and none that resists it barring Gardevoir tracing Flash Fire. Another problem is since Jirachi is Choiced, if it does not Trick it away or switch out before Magnezone comes in, then Jirachi is dead with Magnezone in full health with a Substitute and an immunity to Ground. For a first try, I'm going to pick Heatran as my lead, since it can come in late game to damage stuff.
Changes
Well it appears that I am Agiligross and SDScizor weak, big time. Gengar and Weavile beat the same Pokemon, and Gengar's Electric and Fire coverage is done better by Rotom-H, who has an amazing typing that resists almost everything Metagross and Scizor have barring weak Pursuits. It can definitely take a hit with defensive EVs and Leftovers and Wish support let it live long. It was really cool having Gengar and Weavile together as a sweeping pair, but this team has no room for favoritism.
Team Prepare[d] for Trouble
Hatred
Heatran@Shuca Berry
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid
Flash Fire
Fire Blast
Hidden Power Grass
Earth Power
Stealth Rock
I chose this lead as an to provide an extra Dragon resist to come in later, and to absorb Fire attacks which my team is weak to. Metagross and Jirachi would give my team an even harder Fire weakness. Jirachi would also attract Magnezone and destroy it. STAB Fire Blast hurts many Pokemon and it will hurt even those who resist it shall it receive the Flash Fire Boost. Hidden Power Grass is used to hurt Swampert harder than Explosion would. Earth Power hurts other Heatran and my Heatran makes a great switch to other Heatran, as most of them are Choiced.
Against:
Aerodactyl- Switch to Hitmontop, Spin to remove Rocks and break Focus Sash, and hurt it with Close Combat, and then Sucker Punch.
Azelf- Fire Blast away.
Infernape- This lead gives me trouble. Hitmontop gets props for switching in with an Intimidate, making it weak to a Rapid Spin to Close Combat KO. This makes me need to outpredict, and the cost of it is revealing my team.
Swampert- Stealth Rock, then Hidden Power Grass.
Jirachi- Fire Blast away.
Metagross- Stealth Rock, then Fire Blast away
Roserade- Switch to Hitmontop to take the sleep, and come back to Heatran and Fire Blast.
Heatran- This sucks. I should Earth Power first, then Stealth Rock, and then revenge kill it with Weavile.
Smeargle- Get Hitmontop on the Sleep, and switch back to Heatran and Fire Blast away and set up Rocks.
Hippowdon- Stealth Rock and then Fire Blast.
Synergy
Dang, nothing can take a Water attack for Heatran, oh well it's just a lead. But Water Absorb Vaporeon can't touch Gardevoir.
Electric Chair
Magnezone@leftovers
140 HP / 72 Def / 196 SpA / 100 Spe
Modest
Magnet Pull
Substitute
Magnet Rise
Thunderbolt
Flash Cannon
The EVs ensure that a substitute won't be broken by two Choice Band Scizor Bullet Punches. Hidden Power Ice is not really needed since Thunderbolt is strong enough to 2HKO Salamence, and Weavile uses Ice Shard to get rid of all Dragons. When I want an auxilliary attack, first I want to think of what would like to switch in on a Magnet Risen Magnezone. There are Pokemon with high Special Defense, and those that carry strong Super Effective hits. For Special Defensive Pokemon, there are Blissey, Snorlax, Tyranitar, and Latias. Pokemon with Super Effective Hits are Heatran, Infernape, Lucario, Breloom, Heracross, Machamp, Zapdos, and Electivire. The viable attacking options I can use to deal with these Pokemon are Flash Cannon, and many different elements of Hidden Power. HP Fire helps get rid of Lucario, Breloom, and Heracross, although it is useless against the Special Defensive beasts. HP Ground would dispose of Heatran quickly, and it hits Tyranitar and Electivire, but it quite weak against the other Special walls, Breloom and Heracross. HP Fighting destroys Tyranitar badly, but everything else is hurt slightly harder with Thunderbolt. Flash Cannon is another STAB that hits Tyranitar hard, and it has a small chance of lowering Special Defense of the other Special Walls. Blissey cannot do much to Magnezone in a Substitute, so I might as well do something to hurt its walling ability. For other threats, Lucario, Breloom, Heracross, Machamp and Zapdos are still hurt by neutral STAB attacks. Electivire and Heatran have their abilities Traced by Gardevoir, making her immune to their main STAB attack, and she can set up a Light Screen or burn Elecitivire to soften other attacks, then heal away with Wish. If my own Heatran is still alive, it can absorb Fire Blast and scare away with Earth Power, and take on the team with a boosted Fire Blast.
Synergy
Dark Night
Weavile@Life orb
32 HP / 252 Atk / 40 SpD / 184 Spe
Jolly
Pressure
Swords Dance
Night Slash
Ice Shard
Low Kick
I guess you can say this is the one Pokemon this team was built around. This is a fantastic sweeper with nothing except Scizor getting in its way. It makes a great Revenge Killer with its high speed and coverage. After a Swords Dance, Night Slash and Low Kick really hurts. Ice Shard takes out suspected Choice Scarf and Priority users. A boosted Low Kick with OHKO Scizor after Stealth Rock. Night Slash will gladly destroy Starmie, Latias (if it's not Scarfed), Gengar, Rotom-A, and many other weaker and slower Pokemon as Night Slash is Weavile's main attack. Ice Shard will definitely take on Salamence, Flygon, and Scarf Latias.
Synergy
Furnace
Rotom-H@Leftovers
252 HP / 44 SpA / 212 Spe
Timid
Levitate
Substitute
Overheat
Thunderbolt
Shadow Ball
This is another tankish Pokemon who hits many Pokemon harder than they hit him. Its Ghost typing is useful to block Rapid Spin, and STAB Thunderbolt hurts Starmie and Tentacruel, and Overheat annihilates Forretress. Overheat gives Rotom-H the pleasure of OHKOing Scizor, and immensely hurting Metagross. The Levitate/Ghost/Electric typing make sure that Agiligross do not stampede all over this team, as well as Swords Dance Scizor ruining this. Before I send in an Overheat, I use Thunderbolt first just to see if there are Heatran in the team, except agaisnt Lucario. I will always kill that jackal right away if it got in a Swords Dance. If my own Heatran is still alive, I can use Overheat freely, and their most likely Choiced Heatran might use a boosted Fire attack, so I can send in my own Heatran, and scare it away with Earth Power. Substitute is mostly used for scouting threats. The EVs help outspeed Adament Lucario, and to 2HKO Latias and OHKO Gengar (w/ Stealth Rock) with Shadow Ball. If Tyranitar or Blissey come in I switch to Hitmontop.
Synergy
Nurse
Gardevoir@Leftovers
252 HP / 64 SpD / 192 Spe
Calm
Trace
Heal Bell
Wish
Will-o-Wisp
Light Screen
This is my go-to supporter. Trace is such a great ability to have. Gardevoir can bounce back Intimidates at Gyarados and Salamence, and cripple them forever with Will-o-Wisp. It can change its ability to be immune to a Pokemon's main STAB. Heatran and Electivire won't be able to hurt Gardevoir with their strongest attack, and from there, Gardevoir can set up a Light Screen to make her job easier and to switch with less early. She can also burn Electivire, as most mixed sets use Cross Chop as the only physical move, which she resists. Wish is used to keep herself and her teammates alive. They will certainly love it since Life Orb drains their HP. If ever the case a random Pokemon uses Thunder Wave on my sweepers, Gardevoir can remove that status with Heal Bell. Light Screen will prevent Latias from doing way too much damage with Draco Meteor, and since the second attack does half the damage, it's easy to switch anyone else in, preferably Weavile, since he can set up Swords Dance on the switch. Gardevoir is also one of my go-to supporters against Blissey, as it can take the Thunder Wave, use either Wish or Light Screen and then get out freely since she Traces Natural Cure. In a case of Choiced Flygon using Earthquake against Heatran, I can predict depending on the situation and switch in with an immunity by Tracing Levitate, although U-Turn makes everything risky.
Skarmory will get burned, having their durability decrease while cutting the damage of Brave Bird.
The EVs help outspeed Jolly Tyranitar.
Synergy
Janitor
Hitmontop@Leftovers
252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish
Intimidate
Foresight
Rapid Spin
Close Combat
Stone Edge
This is my valued Spinner. I choose Hitmontop because he can Rapid Spin through Ghosts with Foresight. Rapid Spin helps ensure that Weavile or anyone else do not die upon entry to receive a Wish from Gardevoir. Intimidate is a great ability to help Hitmontop live against Physical attack. With Light Screen Support and Intimidate and/or Burn support, Hitmontop is very bulky. I can use both Hitmontop and Gardevoir as Double switches for Gyarados and Salamence. If I make the switch on a Dragon Dance, they will likely use Dragon Dance again, and use Gardevoir as the second switch. As they Dragon Dance again, Gardevoir will use that turn to use Will-o-Wisp and cripple them forever.
Hitmontop comes in if Tyranitar or Weavile kill or scare Rotom-H, scaring them away with STAB Fighting moves.
Stone Edge is used for hurting Salamence and Gyarados badly. It's my best move against Ghosts who like to use moves like Will-o-Wisp, Substitute, Pain Split, Hypnosis, etc. since Sucker Punch would just leave me helpless, and my coverage in Close Combat and Stone Edge dents Dragon Dancers.
Synergy
Old Teammates
Nightmare
Gengar@Life Orb
4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid
Levitate
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast
Thunderbolt
Hidden Power Fire
Any suggestions?
