Hello, thank you for taking the time to read my RMT. This is my first RMT, and I am really looking to improve this team as I like the idea of it but it needs some adjustments. I've used premade teams in the past, and made teams with 6 Pokemon thrown together haphazardly. This is my first attempt at really building a solid team.
Team Overview:
The basic premise of this team is to lure AV Magearna and Toxapex with Z-Dig Greninja to allow Mega Alakazam and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele to have fun. Magnezone traps Steel types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Celesteela, and opposing Magnezone as well. Hazard stack weakens things for Mega Alakazam, as I do not run Calm Mind.
Team Members:
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Recover
- Shadow Ball
Mega Alakazam with Recover and 3 attacks. Psychic hurts most things, with notable exceptions being Magearna, Chansey, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Greninja. I had Focus Blast for Ferrothorn initially, but changed to Dazzling Gleam as I found having a guaranteed hit against Greninja better than a risky Focus Blast. I usually handle opposing Ferrothorn well without Focus Blast on Zam. I still miss Focus Blast against Heatran, though Recover helps in the matchup if I manage to Trace Flash Fire. Shadow Ball is there for opposing Psychic types and Blacephalon. I usually save this for late game, to finish the game by clicking Psychic a few times. It helps against rain by Tracing Swift Swim on Kingdra and Mega Swampert. I'm not sure about the EV's and nature - where should the last 4 EV's go? Is Timid necessary or should I run Modest?
Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Focus Blast
Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, great for revenge killing and sweeping end game with Moonblast. Psychic Terrain is great for preventing Scizor from Bullet Punching me. Sometimes I lead with this, but I find it most effective revenge killing midgame or late game. Psyshock is STAB and to hit Chansey harder than Psychic. Moonblast is great for Greninja, opposing Psychic types, and of course Dragon types. I commonly use Tapu Lele to revenge kill Dragonite after 1 Dragon Dance. I usually click Moonblast. Psyshock is good if Steel and Dark types are gone. I pretty much only click HP Fire on a hard read of Ferrothorn/Scizor switching in to sponge an expected Psychic or Fairy move. If I bring out Tapu Lele against these foes on purpose, people often switch out expecting HP Fire. So far I've only clicked Focus Blast once, against Excadrill. I've considered Specs for the extra power against Chansey, but I find Scarf Moonblast so good that I hesitate to change it.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Defog
- Earthquake
U-turn
Defensive Landorus-Therian, with the spread from the Smogon Dex. I don’t like having Stealth Rock and Defog on the same mon, and I miss Explosion against things like Volcarona. This is often my lead, as getting up Stealth Rock early is important especially against Volcarona. Can you tell I’m concerned about Volcarona? U-Turn is nice if opposing Ferrothorn switch into Lando hoping to get up hazards, allowing me to trap it with Magnezone.
I really want 6 moves on this thing: Earthquake, Explosion, HP Ice, U-Turn, Stealth Rock, and Defog. I’m not really sure how to change it, as I feel I need both rocks and spikes, and I don’t want Ferrothorn to be double hazards, as you’ll see I need another moveslot on Ferrothorn as well. Lando I feel is the most changeable, as it often seems to be the least important member of the team, as crazy as that sounds. Maybe Balloon Excadrill with rocks and rapid spin?
Greninja @ Groundium Z
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Dig
- Ice Beam
- Gunk Shot
U-turn
The star of the team, Greninja often picks up multiple kills in a match due to the surprise of a mostly physical Greninja. Z-Dig is mostly for Magearna and Toxapex, though Heatran may stay in on this if I’ve shown myself to be Physical and they suspect I lack a Water move. Ice Beam destroys Landorus-Therian, Gliscor, and Garchomp even with minimal investment. Gunk Shot is the move against the Tapus. If I am a Ground type from Z-Dig, I may be able to Gunk Shot Tapu Koko. I click Gunk Shot against Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Lele, and things like Gardevoir if I expect they do not have a Scarf. U-Turn is great for chip and momentum, though Ice Beam followed by Z-Dig may be the play if you expect Magearna or Toxapex to switch in. I’ve even used Dig in janky endgame situations, though that is rare. This thing can’t take any hits whatsoever; even Scald from Toxapex is threatening, because a burn would severely weaken Z-Dig.
Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
Volt Switch
Magnezone is here to trap and eliminate Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Celesteela, making Psychic and Fairy type moves safer to click. Even against teams lacking a bulky Steel type to trap, Magnezone often puts in more work than I expect. Its typing allows it to switch in on things like Serperior, though a boosted HP Fire hurts. Flash Cannon demolishes Landorus-Therian and Garchomp switching in to block an Electric move. It can threaten Greninja, though it fears Specs Surf, Hydro Pump, and Dark Pulse. I run Modest for the power; would Timid allow me to outspeed anything important?
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD
Careful Nature
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Power Whip
This thing is seriously broken. I usually think of myself as an offensively oriented player, but sometimes being annoying with Ferrothorn is just fun. Ferrothorn often wastes rain turns against Pelipper and Tornadus, as they Defog my Spikes while I heal up with Leech Seed and Spike up again. It’s my main switch in to Greninja, though Specs Dark Pulse hurts. It can hold its own against most things in the tier, other than Fire and Fighting types, by Leech Seeding and Spiking up. Power Whip is there for STAB, and hits Water, Ground, and Rock types hard. If rocks aren’t up, Dragonite can switch in on this with impunity and begin to set up. It’s also setup bait for Volcarona which is often the end of the game. Thunder Wave would catch both of them on the switch, but what do I drop? Protect? I’ve also considered dropping Protect for Knock Off. It would help against Chansey and Kartana, two problems for this team. So many moves, so few moveslots.
Difficult Pokemon for this team to deal with:
Replays:
1. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136679463
Magnezone puts in a ton of work against Serperior and Mega Mawile, and Greninja takes out Toxapex with Z-Dig to allow Tapu Lele to sweep with Moonblast. It's funny, because my opponent also had a Groundium Z Greninja, and didn't scout with Baneful Bunker.
2. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136650502.
Against rain. Things were looking bad as my opponent managed to get my Ferrothorn into range of Mega Swampert's Earthquake since I failed to click Power Whip on turn 26. The end game shows the power of Mega Evolving Alakazam at the right time.
3. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136980977
Breaking stall. An unfortunate Power Whip miss against Mega Sableye almost cost me the game, but my opponent fails to click Protect with Clefable to guarantee a Wish, and Lando manages to crit EQ to kill Clef. An annoying sequence with last mon Tangrowth gets me the win.
4. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136962190
Hawlucha can be a threat but a healthy Tapu Lele can revenge kill if Hawlucha has not used Swords Dance.
5. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136646775
Beating Trick Room due to a superb early game. Alolan Marowak was scared of Water or Dark moves that I didn't even have. Landorus switches in expecting Z-Focus Blast from Magearna, but blanks a Z-Thunderbolt instead, which was amazing.
Importable:
https://pokepast.es/0b4316ecb4f738d4
Team Overview:
The basic premise of this team is to lure AV Magearna and Toxapex with Z-Dig Greninja to allow Mega Alakazam and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele to have fun. Magnezone traps Steel types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Celesteela, and opposing Magnezone as well. Hazard stack weakens things for Mega Alakazam, as I do not run Calm Mind.
Team Members:
Alakazam @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Recover
- Shadow Ball
Mega Alakazam with Recover and 3 attacks. Psychic hurts most things, with notable exceptions being Magearna, Chansey, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Greninja. I had Focus Blast for Ferrothorn initially, but changed to Dazzling Gleam as I found having a guaranteed hit against Greninja better than a risky Focus Blast. I usually handle opposing Ferrothorn well without Focus Blast on Zam. I still miss Focus Blast against Heatran, though Recover helps in the matchup if I manage to Trace Flash Fire. Shadow Ball is there for opposing Psychic types and Blacephalon. I usually save this for late game, to finish the game by clicking Psychic a few times. It helps against rain by Tracing Swift Swim on Kingdra and Mega Swampert. I'm not sure about the EV's and nature - where should the last 4 EV's go? Is Timid necessary or should I run Modest?
Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Focus Blast
Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, great for revenge killing and sweeping end game with Moonblast. Psychic Terrain is great for preventing Scizor from Bullet Punching me. Sometimes I lead with this, but I find it most effective revenge killing midgame or late game. Psyshock is STAB and to hit Chansey harder than Psychic. Moonblast is great for Greninja, opposing Psychic types, and of course Dragon types. I commonly use Tapu Lele to revenge kill Dragonite after 1 Dragon Dance. I usually click Moonblast. Psyshock is good if Steel and Dark types are gone. I pretty much only click HP Fire on a hard read of Ferrothorn/Scizor switching in to sponge an expected Psychic or Fairy move. If I bring out Tapu Lele against these foes on purpose, people often switch out expecting HP Fire. So far I've only clicked Focus Blast once, against Excadrill. I've considered Specs for the extra power against Chansey, but I find Scarf Moonblast so good that I hesitate to change it.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Defog
- Earthquake
U-turn
Defensive Landorus-Therian, with the spread from the Smogon Dex. I don’t like having Stealth Rock and Defog on the same mon, and I miss Explosion against things like Volcarona. This is often my lead, as getting up Stealth Rock early is important especially against Volcarona. Can you tell I’m concerned about Volcarona? U-Turn is nice if opposing Ferrothorn switch into Lando hoping to get up hazards, allowing me to trap it with Magnezone.
I really want 6 moves on this thing: Earthquake, Explosion, HP Ice, U-Turn, Stealth Rock, and Defog. I’m not really sure how to change it, as I feel I need both rocks and spikes, and I don’t want Ferrothorn to be double hazards, as you’ll see I need another moveslot on Ferrothorn as well. Lando I feel is the most changeable, as it often seems to be the least important member of the team, as crazy as that sounds. Maybe Balloon Excadrill with rocks and rapid spin?
Greninja @ Groundium Z
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Dig
- Ice Beam
- Gunk Shot
U-turn
The star of the team, Greninja often picks up multiple kills in a match due to the surprise of a mostly physical Greninja. Z-Dig is mostly for Magearna and Toxapex, though Heatran may stay in on this if I’ve shown myself to be Physical and they suspect I lack a Water move. Ice Beam destroys Landorus-Therian, Gliscor, and Garchomp even with minimal investment. Gunk Shot is the move against the Tapus. If I am a Ground type from Z-Dig, I may be able to Gunk Shot Tapu Koko. I click Gunk Shot against Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Lele, and things like Gardevoir if I expect they do not have a Scarf. U-Turn is great for chip and momentum, though Ice Beam followed by Z-Dig may be the play if you expect Magearna or Toxapex to switch in. I’ve even used Dig in janky endgame situations, though that is rare. This thing can’t take any hits whatsoever; even Scald from Toxapex is threatening, because a burn would severely weaken Z-Dig.
Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
Volt Switch
Magnezone is here to trap and eliminate Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Celesteela, making Psychic and Fairy type moves safer to click. Even against teams lacking a bulky Steel type to trap, Magnezone often puts in more work than I expect. Its typing allows it to switch in on things like Serperior, though a boosted HP Fire hurts. Flash Cannon demolishes Landorus-Therian and Garchomp switching in to block an Electric move. It can threaten Greninja, though it fears Specs Surf, Hydro Pump, and Dark Pulse. I run Modest for the power; would Timid allow me to outspeed anything important?
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD
Careful Nature
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Power Whip
This thing is seriously broken. I usually think of myself as an offensively oriented player, but sometimes being annoying with Ferrothorn is just fun. Ferrothorn often wastes rain turns against Pelipper and Tornadus, as they Defog my Spikes while I heal up with Leech Seed and Spike up again. It’s my main switch in to Greninja, though Specs Dark Pulse hurts. It can hold its own against most things in the tier, other than Fire and Fighting types, by Leech Seeding and Spiking up. Power Whip is there for STAB, and hits Water, Ground, and Rock types hard. If rocks aren’t up, Dragonite can switch in on this with impunity and begin to set up. It’s also setup bait for Volcarona which is often the end of the game. Thunder Wave would catch both of them on the switch, but what do I drop? Protect? I’ve also considered dropping Protect for Knock Off. It would help against Chansey and Kartana, two problems for this team. So many moves, so few moveslots.
Difficult Pokemon for this team to deal with:
Replays:
1. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136679463
Magnezone puts in a ton of work against Serperior and Mega Mawile, and Greninja takes out Toxapex with Z-Dig to allow Tapu Lele to sweep with Moonblast. It's funny, because my opponent also had a Groundium Z Greninja, and didn't scout with Baneful Bunker.
2. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136650502.
Against rain. Things were looking bad as my opponent managed to get my Ferrothorn into range of Mega Swampert's Earthquake since I failed to click Power Whip on turn 26. The end game shows the power of Mega Evolving Alakazam at the right time.
3. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136980977
Breaking stall. An unfortunate Power Whip miss against Mega Sableye almost cost me the game, but my opponent fails to click Protect with Clefable to guarantee a Wish, and Lando manages to crit EQ to kill Clef. An annoying sequence with last mon Tangrowth gets me the win.
4. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136962190
Hawlucha can be a threat but a healthy Tapu Lele can revenge kill if Hawlucha has not used Swords Dance.
5. https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-1136646775
Beating Trick Room due to a superb early game. Alolan Marowak was scared of Water or Dark moves that I didn't even have. Landorus switches in expecting Z-Focus Blast from Magearna, but blanks a Z-Thunderbolt instead, which was amazing.
Importable:
https://pokepast.es/0b4316ecb4f738d4
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