Hello, everybody! This is my attempt at a lower tier team, but I know it's not that good. I'm about even on wins and losses (although recently lag has cost me several games, so my ladder score is WAY down). So, here's Project Beta!
This is a semi-balanced team that works well together. The basic strategy is to lead with Darmanitan and go from there, with two defensive and a specially defensive slots, and then balanced offensive slots for physical (Darmanitan) and special (Azelf and Noivern). Mega Ampharos functions as a late-game sweeper. So, here's an in-depth look at Project Beta!
Ares (Darmanitan) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 44 Spd
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Earthquake
Darmanitan is my usual lead, and a very valued team member. There is absolutely NOTHING in UU (besides Flash Fire Chandelure) that wants to take a Choice Band, Sheer Force Flare Blitz from Darmanitan. I don't care if it's quad-resisted, physically defensive, whatever. It hurts teams when they lose their lead in the first turn. Chandelure is also killed by Earthquake, along with Arcanine and opposing Darmanitans. U-Turn gets me the upper hand if the opponent's lead is bad for Darmanitan (and slower) and Superpower is for Porygons and such. The EV spread is basic and suggested by Showdown.
Poseidon (Empoleon) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Beam
- Flash Cannon
This is a different Empoleon set. Scald and Stealth Rocks are normal, and if I feel I need Rocks up, this is usually what comes in after Darmanitan's U-Turn. Ice Beam deals with Flygons coming in, and kills Noiverns, who can't really touch Empoleon. Ice Beam also kills all but the most specially defensive Tangrowth, and Flash Cannon takes care of Fairies (does a decent amount to Florges). The EVs make Empoleon my go-to guy for Special Defense, taking on everything but the Nido couple.
Sekhmet (Azelf) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Energy Ball
- Fire Blast
Azelf is one of my sweepers. This Azelf chooses Choice Scarf and Shadow Ball over Life Orb and Nasty Plot because I needed something to outspeed Flygons and deal with irratants such as Mew. The Scarf also allows her to outspeed and kill Pokémon like Nidoking. Energy Ball handles Swampert and others that like to to think Azelf can't hit them, and Fire Blast is great for the surprise on Mega Aggron and others. All in all, I really like the surprise Speed factor that many people don't expect.
Typhon (Forretress) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Forretress and Azelf are the two newest members to the team. On Forretress' very first battle, and Baton Pass gave an opposing Heracross a x3.5 attack. Forretress took an Earthquake from it easy and killed it with Gyro Ball. Because of this, I recognize the amazing might of Forretress' Defense, and utilize it whenever I can. The 0 Speed IVs make Gyro Ball the best it can be, hurting Florges badly. Spikes can be set up if there's time for additional damage to the foe's team, and Rapid Spin protects Darmanitan and Noivern while keeping my hazards on the field. Toxic starts wearing down opposing Megas and defensive Pokémon.
Apophis (Noivern) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Boomburst
Everytime Noivern comes in, he kills something. That's true for a lot of battles, and I owe a lot of wins to this guy. Draco Meteor will hit everything but Fairies and AV Metagross for a large amount, while Hurricane is STAB and the ability to kill Heracross and such makes up for its awful accuracy. Roost takes care of Life Orb damage. (I chose LO over Choice Specs because many people expect the Specs and are surprised when I don't switch and kill with a different move). Boomburst is a 140 BP move with 100% accuracy and no bad side effects, good for revenge killing, going through Substitute, and general awesomeness. I chose Frisk over Infiltrator because Boomburst already goes through Substitute and sometimes I need to know if the foe has a choice item, it AV, and stuff like that.
Thor (Ampharos-Mega) (M) @ Ampharosite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Volt Switch
Not really much to say here, but Mega Ampharos does well late game. Sometimes I can finish the match without ever having to bring him in. When I do use him, Tbolt and Dragon Pulse hit hard STAB, Focus Blast hits what they can't (if it hits at all) and Volt Switch gets him off the field if he doesn't need to be there. He can usually take an Earthquake, but a lot of people don't expect him to. On a few occasions, other people predict the Mega and use Ice Beam, but I have fun by not Mega Evolving and surprising them.
I know this team needs a lot of work, so PLEASE tell me what I should do. Moveset changes, Pokémon replacement, item switches, I'm willing to consider every suggestion. Thank you!






This is a semi-balanced team that works well together. The basic strategy is to lead with Darmanitan and go from there, with two defensive and a specially defensive slots, and then balanced offensive slots for physical (Darmanitan) and special (Azelf and Noivern). Mega Ampharos functions as a late-game sweeper. So, here's an in-depth look at Project Beta!

Ares (Darmanitan) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 44 Spd
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Earthquake
Darmanitan is my usual lead, and a very valued team member. There is absolutely NOTHING in UU (besides Flash Fire Chandelure) that wants to take a Choice Band, Sheer Force Flare Blitz from Darmanitan. I don't care if it's quad-resisted, physically defensive, whatever. It hurts teams when they lose their lead in the first turn. Chandelure is also killed by Earthquake, along with Arcanine and opposing Darmanitans. U-Turn gets me the upper hand if the opponent's lead is bad for Darmanitan (and slower) and Superpower is for Porygons and such. The EV spread is basic and suggested by Showdown.

Poseidon (Empoleon) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Beam
- Flash Cannon
This is a different Empoleon set. Scald and Stealth Rocks are normal, and if I feel I need Rocks up, this is usually what comes in after Darmanitan's U-Turn. Ice Beam deals with Flygons coming in, and kills Noiverns, who can't really touch Empoleon. Ice Beam also kills all but the most specially defensive Tangrowth, and Flash Cannon takes care of Fairies (does a decent amount to Florges). The EVs make Empoleon my go-to guy for Special Defense, taking on everything but the Nido couple.

Sekhmet (Azelf) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Energy Ball
- Fire Blast
Azelf is one of my sweepers. This Azelf chooses Choice Scarf and Shadow Ball over Life Orb and Nasty Plot because I needed something to outspeed Flygons and deal with irratants such as Mew. The Scarf also allows her to outspeed and kill Pokémon like Nidoking. Energy Ball handles Swampert and others that like to to think Azelf can't hit them, and Fire Blast is great for the surprise on Mega Aggron and others. All in all, I really like the surprise Speed factor that many people don't expect.

Typhon (Forretress) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Forretress and Azelf are the two newest members to the team. On Forretress' very first battle, and Baton Pass gave an opposing Heracross a x3.5 attack. Forretress took an Earthquake from it easy and killed it with Gyro Ball. Because of this, I recognize the amazing might of Forretress' Defense, and utilize it whenever I can. The 0 Speed IVs make Gyro Ball the best it can be, hurting Florges badly. Spikes can be set up if there's time for additional damage to the foe's team, and Rapid Spin protects Darmanitan and Noivern while keeping my hazards on the field. Toxic starts wearing down opposing Megas and defensive Pokémon.

Apophis (Noivern) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Boomburst
Everytime Noivern comes in, he kills something. That's true for a lot of battles, and I owe a lot of wins to this guy. Draco Meteor will hit everything but Fairies and AV Metagross for a large amount, while Hurricane is STAB and the ability to kill Heracross and such makes up for its awful accuracy. Roost takes care of Life Orb damage. (I chose LO over Choice Specs because many people expect the Specs and are surprised when I don't switch and kill with a different move). Boomburst is a 140 BP move with 100% accuracy and no bad side effects, good for revenge killing, going through Substitute, and general awesomeness. I chose Frisk over Infiltrator because Boomburst already goes through Substitute and sometimes I need to know if the foe has a choice item, it AV, and stuff like that.

Thor (Ampharos-Mega) (M) @ Ampharosite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Volt Switch
Not really much to say here, but Mega Ampharos does well late game. Sometimes I can finish the match without ever having to bring him in. When I do use him, Tbolt and Dragon Pulse hit hard STAB, Focus Blast hits what they can't (if it hits at all) and Volt Switch gets him off the field if he doesn't need to be there. He can usually take an Earthquake, but a lot of people don't expect him to. On a few occasions, other people predict the Mega and use Ice Beam, but I have fun by not Mega Evolving and surprising them.
I know this team needs a lot of work, so PLEASE tell me what I should do. Moveset changes, Pokémon replacement, item switches, I'm willing to consider every suggestion. Thank you!
Poseidon (Empoleon) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Beam
- Flash Cannon
Ares (Darmanitan) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 44 Spd
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Earthquake
Sekhmet (Azelf) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Energy Ball
- Fire Blast
Typhon (Forretress) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Apophis (Noivern) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Boomburst
Thor (Ampharos-Mega) (M) @ Ampharosite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Volt Switch
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Beam
- Flash Cannon
Ares (Darmanitan) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 44 Spd
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Earthquake
Sekhmet (Azelf) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Energy Ball
- Fire Blast
Typhon (Forretress) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 Atk
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Apophis (Noivern) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Boomburst
Thor (Ampharos-Mega) (M) @ Ampharosite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Volt Switch