• Check out the relaunch of our general collection, with classic designs and new ones by our very own Pissog!

Process of Elimination (Peaked #37)

Hey guys, this is my first RMT though i've been playing for 4 months. This team has been going fairly well and has got me to #37, which is not too bad for me. The reason I am posting it is because i've started to run into some problems. I'll explain these later, on to the team!



Team Building Process
So after building a few teams I decided that I would evaluate all their faults to make a better one. The main problem I had was that all my pokemon lacked significant power or speed without having to set up, and therefore I found it hard to beat things like Bulky Taunt Gyarados. I decided to rectify this by having two extremely powerful pokemon on my team.


214.png
381.png


These pokes cause a lot of switches, so I decided to add a spiker. I had always liked Skarmory for his bulk, typing and ability to temporarily check Excadrill. So I added him in.



214.png
381.png
227.png


I added in Rotom-W, a poke I had always wanted to use, to cover Skarmory's fire weakness, as well as spreading status. To cover Skarmory's electric weakness I added in Tangrowth, who with his new ability Regeneration, worked as a decent physical wall as well as an annoyer with paralysis and leech seed.


214.png
381.png
227.png
465.png
503.png

I needed a pokemon that could take out weakened pokemon with ease, and who better to do this than Shadow Tag Chandelure.

214.png
381.png
227.png
465.png
609.png
503.png


The team was going well, though I was wondering why nearly all of my opponents were using Arceus, than I realised that Shadow Tag Chandelure was uber. I tried many replacements, Siglyph, Infernape, Breloom, Conkledurr and Terrakion, I settled on Conkledurr.


214.png
381.png
227.png
465.png
534.png
503.png



Tangrowth was next to useless, so I replaced him with a Specially Defensive Heatran, I tweaked the EV's a bit and I fell in love. This is the best Heatran set I had ever used.

214.png
381.png
227.png
485.png
534.png
503.png



Heracross was just not fast enough, so I tried a Scarf Heracross, still not good enough so I changed to a Scarf Genesect. I discovered that Soul Dew was allowed so I gave that to Latios. And this is the final product of my team.




649.png
381.png
227.png
485.png
534.png
503.png




There are a few problems with this team:
-I struggle against mixed Kingdra on drizzle teams
-Spike stacking teams make me play more offensively than I would like
-Can't break through well built stall teams, though then again, what can?



The Team


Skarmory@Leftovers
227.png

Sturdy
252 HP/252 DEF/4 SPE
Impish

Stealth Rock
Spikes
Whirlwind
Roost

Skarmory is my physical wall and my spiker. He is used to switch into threats like Excadrill and Conkledurr, where he can either set up spikes or phaze the opponent's poke. He is important to check DDnite who, once he gets a sub up and a dragon dance under his belt, gives me hell.

I have opted for physically bulky Skarmory because his two weaknesses are mainly special attacks (thunderbolt and flamethrower) and he is definately not staying in for either.

The way I play with Skarmory is usually quite reckless. Unless I see something like Excadrill, Dragonite or Reuniclus in team preview, I usually use him as a suicide spiker. If I do need him to counter some threats, I switch him in on Physical pokemons, and set up layers or roost as they switch, I repeat this until i've got down all my entry hazards, or until it becomes too dangerous to do anymore. Against teams with Excadrill and the other threats he checks, I usually don't let him get below 50% HP. He is definate taunt bait but if I expect taunt I usually just switch.

Synergy: Fire-Heatran/Rotom-W
Electric- Latios



Genesect@Choice Scarf
649.png

Download
252 SpAtk/248 Spe/8 Atk
Hasty

U-turn
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Flamethrower

Genesect is my revenge killer, momentum keeper and hard hitter. He switches in on resisted weak attacks and threatens the opponent with Super Effective moves. I usually bring him on any free opportunity, like a predicted toxic or swords dance and take out the threat or u-turn to Latios to finish the job.

The EV's are pretty much standard, max Special Attack to do as much damage as possible seeing as most of his moves are Special, 248 Speed is enough to outspeed Scarf Hydreigon by 1 point who is the only pokemon of note in that speed tier, the rest into Attack to do slightly more damage with U-turn. Hasty so that I am fast enough to, as I said, take out Scarf Hydreigon. Also, Genesect is rarely taking hits, so a -Def nature doesn't harm me at all.

The way I play with Genesect is quite conservative. I usually just U-turn out if I'm unsure. I often need Genesect to clean up late game as well as take out threats like Gyarados, Starmie, and Lati@s. Genesect keeps the opponent in constant fear of a super effective move, creating a lot of switches and racking up entry hazard damage.

Synergy: Fire-Heatran/Latios/Rotom-W




Latios@Soul Dew
381.png

Levitate
252 Spatk/252 Spe/4 Def
Timid

Draco Meteor
Hidden Power [Fire]
Surf
Recover

Latios is my premier hard hitter. He switches into things like Earthquake and Thunderbolt and fires of an extremely powerful attack. He is also a great late game cleaner, using Surf and Hidden Power in conjunction with his blistering speed to take out weakened pokes. Once I have all my layers set up and steels weakened, using Draco Meteor nearly guarantees me a KO.

The EV's are to maximise Special Attack and speed, alowing me to take out other Dragons like Haxorus and Salamence if they haven't got their speed boosts. Draco Meteor is for STAB, as well as being a ridiculously high powered attack that dents anything not called Blissey, it even does >50% to Tyranitar, combine this with all my layers I can take out Tyranitar if he switches in to Pursuit me.

I use Genesect and Latios together to weaken the opponent as each one resists the others weaknesses. Between these two there are so many switches it isn't funny and if I can get Genesect in unscathed and U-turn to Latios, the opponent usually loses a Poke. I also switch Latios into weaker special attacks, as with Soul Dew his Special Defence reaches a whopping 385. He is especially useful for taking out opposing Heatran. I U-turn from Genesect to Heatran to take the Flamethrower, switch to Latios to dodge the Earth Power and KO with Surf.

Synergy: Ice-Rotom-W/Heatran/Genesect/
Bug- Skarmory/Heatran/Genesect/Conkledurr
Dragon-Skarmory/Heatran/Genesect
Dark-Skarmory/Heatran/Genesect/Conkledurr
Ghost-Skarmory/Heatran/Genesect



Heatran@Leftovers
485.png

Flash Fire
200 Hp/ 108 SpAtk/ 200 SpDef
Calm

Substitute
Flamethrower
Earthpower
Hidden Power [Ice]

Usually my MVP, Heatran is here as a special tank as well as to take Skarmory's Fire weakness. He switches in and nabs the Flash Fire boost, then I set up a Sub and take out as many pokemon as I can. You would be surprised how many people switch in Salamence, Landorus or Latios only to be faced with a newly erected Substitute. Normally if I get a sub up with a Flash Fire boost, the opponent loses I pokemon. He also is a near perfect counter to Genesect and Venusaur not running Earthquake.

I pulled the EV's out of a place I am probably not allowed to tell you about, and they are brilliant. The max damage from a Download boosted Thunderbolt is 34%, so if I switch into the Thunderbolt, I am brought down to 87.5% by Stealth Rock then to 54% by the attack, I come back up to 60% because of leftovers. Next turn I can either kill Genesect or if I think he is going to switch, which he most likely will, I can use substitute. Even if he stays in and Thunderbolts I am only bought down to 26%, allowing me to substitute and KO Genesect the next turn with Flamethrower. I know it seems like i've gone to a lot of trouble to counter Genesect, but he really screws my team over and I can't rely on a speed tie with my own Genesect because I run 1 less speed than normal. The moves are their because they provide great coverage and let me take out opposing Heatran, Salamence, Haxorus, Dragonite, Scizor and Lati@s once behind a sub.

The way I play with Heatran varies between matches. I use him to provide free switch in's for Latios, Rotom-W and Skarmory by luring Earthquakes, then exploting these switch in's by statusing, spiking or spamming Draco Meteor. I switch him in on Scizor and Ferrothorn and Sub up, allowing me to use a super effective attack on their switch in's, weakening the opponent one by one.

Synergy: Water- Latios/Rotom-W
Ground- Rotom-W/Latios/Skarmory
Fighting- Latios


Conkledurr@Leftovers
534.png

Guts
252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def
Adamant

Drain Punch
Mach Punch
Payback
Bulk Up

Conkledurr is my stat upping sweeper, Excadrill counter and win condition. He is also my only priority user. My team finds priority usefull to pick off weakened Pokes and with a few Buk Ups under his belt Conkledurr does this job nicely. He is also a decent status absorber, activating his Guts ability.

The EV's are standard, max HP for bulk and max Attack to hit harder. The extra EV's in defence to take hits slightly better, though it only saves me .2% HP against Excadrills Earthquake. Conkledurr takes a max of 50% from Excadrill's Earthquake, while doing ~75% with Mach Punch. If I can switch him in on either Rock Slide or X-scissor then I can take out Excadrill with Mach Punch if i'm in doubt of surving the earthquake, or can OHKO with Drain Punch. Bulk Up is to attempt a sweep, Drain Punch as my main STAB, Payback for coverage ( I hate Stone Edge) and Mach Punch for Priority.

The way I play with Conkledurr is just switch him in on things he forces out middle to late game, use Bulk Up and damage the switch in as best I can. If I have all my layers up this is quite easy, most mons are easily picked off by +1 Drain Punch. If I predict a Thunderwave Conkledurr is the only poke who can switch in. I usually keep him safe until needed if I am playing an opponent with Excadrill.

Synergy: Psychic- Heatran/Skarmory/Latios
Flying- Heatran/Skarmory/Rotom-W




Rotom-W@Leftovers
503.png

Levitate
112 HP/252 SpAtk/144 Spe
Modest

Thunderbolt
Hydro Pump
Will O Wisp
Painsplit

Rotom is needed to maintain synergy and helps to counter things like Metagross, Snorlax, Dragonite, Gyarados, Tyranitar, Breloom and Scizor with Will O Wisp. Rotom-W hits hard with it's dual stabs and can outspeed and Will O Wisp many threats.

252 SpAtk EV's allow me to capitalize on Rotom-W's above average Special Attack, while 144 Spe EV's allow me to outpace all Tyranitar, max speed Adamant Breloom and max speed Adamant Scizor and cripple them with burns. The rest is dumped into HP for added survivability Pain Split lets me recover HP, Will O Wisp cripples threats, Hydro Pump hits hard and is the only Water attack Rotom-W gets, Thunderbolt is STAB and reliable.

I switch Rotom-W into things like Bullet Punch, Earthquake and the likes and try to cripple the attacker with Will O Wisp or just hit them hard with a stab. Rotom-W is probably the weakest link in my team and I definately do not mind replacing him.


Synergy: Grass- Latios/Genesect/Heatran/Skarmory





How I Play with My Team


* I usually lead with Rotom-W, as he can burn Tyranitar, OHKO Hippowdon, OHKO Ninetales, damage Politoed and burn Metagross and Dragonite.
* Once I have dealt with the opponents lead I usually set up Stealth Rock with Skarmory, waiting to see what their Skarmory counter is.
* I play around their counter to get in Latios or Genesect and deal with their counter, or damage the Pokemon they switch in. After this I deal with the next pokemon they have sent in with either Heatran, Rotom-W or Skarmory and weaken them or set up spikes
* Once I have all my layers up I find a way to force switches, either by using Genesect and Latios or switching in pokemon to counter their pokemon, e.g. Heatran on Scizor or Rotom-W on Gyarados.
* I weaken as many pokemon as I can until I can bring in Conkledurr and clean up.





A Final Look

227.png
649.png
381.png
485.png
534.png
503.png

(Rotom-W is just a little bit slow)

btw, sorry Dezza Laa that this team looks similar to a few of yours, i did not mean it to be that way that's just how the team evolved.
 
Threat List
Offensive Threats

dpicon142.png
Aerodactyl - Genesect can outspeed and Skarmory can take his hits allowing me to switch as he taunts
567.png
Archeops - Genesect outspeeds and gets him below 50% for Defeatist to activate
Ani482MS.png
Azelf - Most are special sweepers so Heatran can take them, Genesect can outspeed and u-turn
625.png
Bisharp - Lol, Mach Punch
Ani286MS.png
Breloom - I really do not know. I usually use Rotom-W to take the spore and then phaze with Skarmory or use Genesect and Latios in conjunction to kill.
609.png
Chandelure - Heatran walls it
638.png
Cobalion - Have not seen one, though Conkledurr can Mach Punch and Skarmory can phaze
534.png
Conkeldurr - Latios' Draco Meteor kills it, Skarmory can phaze
555-normal.png
555.png
Darmanitan - Can switch to Heatran for the flare blitz, switch to latios to check if he was choiced and take the brick break if he wasn't, then KO with Draco Meteor or surf.
386-speed.png
Deoxys-S - Outsped
dpicon149.png
Dragonite - Rotom-w can Will O Wisp, Skarmory can Phaze, stealth rock negates wonder scale and allows genesect or Latios to OHKO
621.png
Druddigon -A threat? I have only seen 1 and it was ice beamed to hell
604.png
Eelektross - Outsped and KO'd by Latios and Genesect
dpicon466.png
Electivire -Outsped by Latios and Genesect and KO'd
Ani395MS.png
Empoleon -Genesect
196MS.png
Espeon -U-turn from Genesect and finished by Latios

530.png
Excadrill -Skarmory can phaze to weaken it with spikes so that conkledurr can finish it
445.png
Garchomp - Thank God he is uber, he beat me so many times it wasn't funny
649.png
Genesect - Heatran
Ani094MS.png
Gengar - Genesect can out speed, Heatran can KO and Latios can speed tie
623.png
Golurk - Skarmory can take hits and if I can get a free switch in for latios or genesect I can KO
Ani130MS.png
Gyarados - Rotom-W can KO, I can use skarmory as taunt bait allowing a switch in for Genesect
612.png
Haxorus - Skarmory walls, Latios outspeeds and so does Genesect
Ani485MS.png
Heatran - Heatran takes the flamethrower, allowing a switch in for latios to dodge the earth power and KO with surf

635.png
Hydreigon - Genesect outspeeds
Ani392MS.png
Infernape - Latios walls his stabs and outspeeds
Ani385MS.png
Jirachi -Sub CM gives me a bit of trouble, but heatran can usually take it
Ani135MS.png
Jolteon - Genesect can outspeed while heatran can tank
647.png
Keldeo - Outsped by Latios and Genesect
Ani230MS.png
Kingdra - Smart switching until life orb recoil does it in, or if I can get it to outrage on latios I can at least damage with genesect
553.png
Krookodile - Skarmory walls, Genesect outspeeds, Latios can come in on earthquake and surf it
646.png
Kyurem -Out sped with genesect and if it is not scarfed then so does latios, mach punch from conkledurr does some damage while heatran can wall
645.png
Landorus - Genesect can outspeed non scarfed versions,as does latios, i can easily play around scarfed versions
381.png
Latios -Heatran can wall most of the attacks, genesect can outspeed
549.png
Lilligant - Heatran walls it
Ani448MS.png
Lucario - Outsped by latios and genesect and physical versions are walled by skarmory
Ani068MS.png
Machamp -Hope that confusion hax doesn't get me and OHKO with Draco Meteor
Ani462MS.png
Magnezone - The only one he can take out is skarmory and genesect if locked into the wrong attack, though i use team preview to avoid this
Ani473MS.png
Mamoswine - Walled by skarmory, outsped by genesect
648-step.png
Meloetta-S - Haven't seen
648-voice.png
Meloetta-V - Haven't seen
Ani376MS.png
Metagross - Skarmory walls, as does heatran barring earthquake, rotom burns
620.png
Mienshao -out sped by genesect who can come in on the resisted fake out
579.png
Reuniclus - phazed by skarmory and u-turned then draco meteored by latios, though I have to switch between skarmory and latios for the trick room versions
dpicon407.png
Roserade - Heatran
373.png
Salamence - Genesect and Latios outspeed
586.png
Sawsbuck - Skarmory walls
Ani212MS.png
Scizor - Skarmory, Heatran and rotom wall
560.png
Scrafty- Skarmory phazes, conkledurr mach punches
497.png
Serperior - Heatran
492-land.png
Shaymin - Genesect out speeds
561.png
Sigilyph - Don't let him set up, phaze him or destroy him with draco meteor
dpicon235.png
Smeargle - let rotom take the sleep so that skarmory can phaze
Ani121MS.png
Starmie - Genesect out speeds unless scarfed, in which case i can play around it
639.png
Terakion -Mach punch and skarmory
642.png
Thundurus - Heatran tanks and genesect outspeeds
dpicon468.png
Togekiss - Genesect outspeeds
641.png
Tornadus -Heatran can take some attack, while genesect outspeeds
Ani248MS.png
Tyranitar -Rotom can burn, skarmory can wall @ genesect can u-turn
003MS.png
Venusaur - Heatran is my only hope
494.png
Victini - Heatran can take the v-create and latios can take brick break
640.png
Virizion -genesect and latios can kill it
637.png
Volcarona - Heatran usually walls
Ani461MS.png
Weavile -Mach Punch
571.png
Zoroark - Got to know if it's him or not, if in doubt just switch and u-turn like crazy

Defensive Threats

594.png
Alomomola - Thunder bolt from genesect and rotom
Ani242MS.png
Blissey - conkledurr can switch in and set up while taking the toxic like a king
Ani437MS.png
Bronzong - heatran
Ani251MS.png
Celebi -u-turn
113.png
Chansey -conkledurr
386-defense.png
Deoxys-D -u-turn
563.png
Cofagrigus -.....
558.png
Crustle -overpowered by draco meteor
Ani356MS.png
Dusclops - set up bait for skarmory and can be weakened by genesect and latios
598.png
Ferrothorn - Heatran
Ani205MS.png
Forretress - Heatran
569.png
Garbodor - lol
526.png
Gigalith - Conkledurr
Ani472MS.png
Gliscor - Genesect, Latios and rotom
Ani450MS.png
Hippowdon - Rotom OHKO's most variants
593.png
Jellicent - Genesect and Latios
380.png
Latias -Genesect
630.png
Mandibuzz -genesect and latios
198MS.png
Murkrow - genesect
038MS.png
Ninetales - rotom and heatran
186MS.png
Politoed - rotom and genesect
233.gif
Porygon2 - conkledurr
Ani479OMS.png
Rotom-H - latios and Rotom-w
Ani479WMS.png
Rotom-W - latios and genesect in tandem
545.png
Scolipede -latios and genesect
Ani227MS.png
Skarmory - Heatran
Ani143MS.png
Snorlax -conkledurr
Ani245MS.png
Suicune - genesect and latios and rotom
Ani260MS.png
Swampert -skarmory set up bait, draco meteor does a heap of damage
dpicon073.png
Tentacruel -genesect
Ani134MS.png
Vaporeon -genesect and latios
547.png
Whimsicott -heatran, genesect
Ani178MS.png
Xatu - genesect and latios
Ani145MS.png
Zapdos -genesect and latios
 
This seems like a well built team. I do think that your team is weak to mixape. Once latios is gone, it can sweep most of your team, and if your opponent predicts that your latios is switching in he can use U-turn for the OHKO. Your only other mon with a chance of stopping it is rotom-w, which will take massive damage for Close Combat.
Also, I ran a similar defensive Heatran set on my team. I replaced it with Jellicent and found it a lot more effective. Jellicent is a sure stop to mixape, having a resistance and immunity to its STABs. It also can hand out burns all day long, hit pretty hard with Shadow Ball/surf, and has access to instant recovery.
 
Your Rotom-W is to slow for what you are doing with him. Try a Choice Scarf, you can Volt Switch out of trouble and it will make him fast enough to take down common leads like Choice Scarf Tyranitar. Besides lead Pokemon usually don't need Leftovers. And if you need a set for the already suggested Jellicent heres one.

Jellicent @ Leftovers
Calm
252 Hp 252 Defense
Taunt
Recover
HP(Fire)
Scald

Good Luck, Dragone
 
This seems like a well built team. I do think that your team is weak to mixape. Once latios is gone, it can sweep most of your team, and if your opponent predicts that your latios is switching in he can use U-turn for the OHKO. Your only other mon with a chance of stopping it is rotom-w, which will take massive damage for Close Combat.
Also, I ran a similar defensive Heatran set on my team. I replaced it with Jellicent and found it a lot more effective. Jellicent is a sure stop to mixape, having a resistance and immunity to its STABs. It also can hand out burns all day long, hit pretty hard with Shadow Ball/surf, and has access to instant recovery.

Ok, i'll try that. Usually i've been playing around mixape fairly well but if he's in the hands of an experienced player he can give me grief. The only problem is that i'll be losing my genesect counter.

Your Rotom-W is to slow for what you are doing with him. Try a Choice Scarf, you can Volt Switch out of trouble and it will make him fast enough to take down common leads like Choice Scarf Tyranitar. Besides lead Pokemon usually don't need Leftovers. And if you need a set for the already suggested Jellicent heres one.

Jellicent @ Leftovers
Calm
252 Hp 252 Defense
Taunt
Recover
HP(Fire)
Scald

Good Luck, Dragone

Thanks, i'll try this set though i'm worried about it not being specially bulky enough, though it does have recovery. Could you suggest a set for Rotom-W?
 
Skarmory seems like taunt bait. I'd add brave bird over roost/whirlwind if you are using it as a suicide spiker, or over stealth rock if you would prefer it to stick around and be a phazing wall.

If you're worried about stealth rock, give it to Heatran and swap out earthpower. You don't lose out on too much coverage by doing this, given Heatran wouldn't be staying in against water or ground/rock types anyway.
 
* I usually lead with Rotom-W, as he can burn Tyranitar, OHKO Hippowdon, OHKO Ninetales, damage Politoed and burn Metagross and Dragonite.

Just want to point out that you only stand a chance to OHKO Ninetales with Rotom if it's not defensive and doesn't have Drought.
 
Back
Top