XY OU Project Alpha (Revamp)

[Tdub]

EDIT: I know the title says XY Ou, but it's ORAS OU. Sorry.

So I created this team near the beginning of the XY metagame. Now that ORAS has shaken things up, I feel like my team is decent, but behind the times when it comes to what is successful and what is not. So, here's the very first team I ever made, due for a checkup.

Team Preview

In Depth:

Manticore (Ferrothorn) (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Power Whip

A fairly standard Ferrothorn, in my opinion, but still effective. My usual lead, Ferrothorn sets up Stealth Rocks if I see anything that they'd be usefull against. T-Wave cripples the fast threats such as Lati@s and certain Megas, and Leech Seed helps with residual damage in addition to everything they may be taking from Iron Barbs and Rocky Helmet. Power Whip prevents Taunt and OHKO's Espeon and the like, who some people like to switch in thinking they're being so clever with Magic Bounce. (Mega Sableye not so much).

Unut (Azumarill) (F) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 16 HP / 252 Atk / 240 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off
- Ice Punch

I feel like this guy never really gets to shine, even though he really should. SpDef EVs and Assault Vest mean this guy can eat a Giga Drain and hit back with Ice Punch, and take Sludge Bombs like a champ. Ice Punch is my only real answer to Landorus and such, and is mostly unexpected. Knock Off is always useful, Play Rough is fairly standard, and Aqua Jet cleans up messes. Sounds great on paper.

Helios (Volcarona) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 192 Def / 68 Spd
Bold Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Roost

Ah, the star player! For being the lowest tiered, Volcarona puts in nothing but the finest of work. Quiver Dance is scary to almost anything. I'm doing my best to find the replay where my boosted Volcarona eventually took down a Charizard Y. Roost is for recovery from nasty Toxics and Stealth Rocks, and allows for more turns to set up. Fiery Dance also raises SpAtk on occasion, and Bug Buzz goes through Subs. Defensive EVs and Bold nature mean Volcarona can take physical hits enough to burn the foe with Flame Body. I really love this guy, and it's not just because he's my favorite Pokemon.

Hades (Gliscor) (M) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 244 HP / 32 Def / 232 Spd
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Stone Edge
- Protect

A semi-standard Gliscor set. I replaced Substitute with Stone Edge because I felt Sub wasn't getting used near as much as it was worth taking up a slot for, and as soon as I got one set up, they'd just switch into something that flies. Because of that swap, Gliscor serves as my main Talonflame and Charizard X counter. (Boosted X gives me a problem though)

Zeus (Latios) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Defog
- Thunderbolt
- Draco Meteor

Latios is here to clear away rocks for Volcarona and Pinsir, and kill Rotom-W with Draco Meteor. Really, that's all it usually does. It's kind of irritating. I'd love to run recovery if I didn't need an electric move so bad. Really, I feel Latios is the weakest player on the team, and I'd love to do something about it.

Khepri (Pinsir-Mega) (M) @ Pinsirite
Ability: Aerilate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Quick Attack
- Return
- Earthquake

Mega-Pinsir.... Is Mega Pinsir. Return hits like a truck on anything and if I have a chance to Swords Dance, the other guy usually forfeits. Quick Attack cleans up and Earthquake deals with electric types that I typically outspeed, although Close Combat is seriously being considered. Really, nothing special.

The Chopping Block

Here are the ones I would be least sad to replace:

Latios feels almost useless in almost every battle. I really need Defog or Rapid Spin, so until I get a better option, I'm stuck with it, but I'm really looking for that option.

Azumarill feels almost the same way to a lesser degree. I really need a counter to Lando-T, though. Also, if Giratina-O comes into OU, Azu will be needed more than ever.

Mega Pinsir seems fine, but maybe there's a more current Mega that fills the same role in a better way.

If your suggestions involve replacing Volcarona, there better be a fantastic case for it. It's too instrumental to the team's success.

 

[Chesty]

So I look at your team and I notice this right away. You have two pokemon weak to electric. Three pokemon weak to ice. Two pokemon weak to water. And two pokemon weak to fire. I think the first thing we should do is toss mega pinsir. Mega pinsir is weak to Ice, fire, flying, and electric. Mega pinsir I think is creating problems for your team and is slowing your team down. Now the pokemon that would best replace mega pinsir for your team for mega manectric.

Mega manectric is also faster then mega pinsir
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Mega Pinsir: 330-390 (121.7 - 143.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

With a thunderbolt mega manectric is guaranteed to OHKO with a thunderbolt.

-1 252 Atk Mega Pinsir Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Manectric: 198-234 (70.4 - 83.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

So let's factor into account that mega manectric has intimidate which is extremelly helpful because Physical attackers have increased in the metagame. With intimidate mega pinsir is only guaranteed to 2HKO and it mega pinsir doesn't even outspeed mega manectric.

I think you should use mega manectric because you're building a team around volcarona. Volcarona is extremelly weak to water types.

Now I think you should also change the moveset on latios and try this moveset
Timid
Choice specs
Max investment in special attack and speed
Draco meteor
surf (surprisingly good coverage)
Pyshock
Hidden power fire

So with draco meteor against a fully invested calm rotom wash this happens.
252 SpA Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 212+ SpD Rotom-W: 226-267 (74.3 - 87.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

If rotom was runs a calm nature with leftovers. Draco meteor can 2HKO and rotom wash can't touch latios. Also Rotom wash would create huge problems for your team.

I think you can also change the moveset on your azumarill

Adamant max invested in attack and HP

Aqua jet
play rough
superpower/knock off
belly drum
Sitrus berry

If you land a belly drum and recover with sitrus berry you can sweep so many teams. I know this because I use azumarill.

Also if you want you can swap out ferrothorn for skarmory. Skarmory runs stealth rocks and defog which would cover your team from rocks. Be aware though you now have azumarill and skarmory weak to electric types. Yes you can switch into regular manectric and absorb everything but be aware of that.

I think you can also swap in gliscor for one of these two pokemon which would be staraptor or dragonite.

So if you went the standard Jolly staraptor set let me show you how powerful this thing is.

252 Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Palkia: 333-393 (103.4 - 122%) -- guaranteed OHKO

That's right Staraptor can OHKO palkia. However the draw back here your weak to rock electric and ice. Doesn't help your team but you added some fast brutal power in exchange

252+ Atk Choice Band Dragonite Outrage vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Palkia: 660-776 (204.9 - 240.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Dragonite can OHKO palkia as well. And he only get's 2HKO from a spacial rend so he can survive a hit even if he is slower. However drawback your weak to rock and ice.

Summary: Make the changes to latios and azumarill and I think you can swap Gliscor in for something better. I also think you can swap in mega pinsir for mega manectric.

Team overview and opinion: Overall I think you have a solid team. I think your main problem is the several weakness's you have. I may not have done the best job addressing your problem but I gave some suggestions that can improve your team and allows you to hit with brute force.

I hope my suggestions help:) And this is advice so you don't have to take it. If you need a few pokemon for this team check out my trade thread in my signature and we can work out a trade maybe that involves me helping you with whatever I have.