Combusken @ Life Orb
Trait: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Sky Uppercut
- ThunderPunch
- Protect
I've used Combusken with decent success in UU, so when I found it was legal I leaped at the chance to use it in a tier where it could really succeed. After 1 speed boost Combusken outspeed pretty much every pokemon without a Scarf, and after 2 its tough for anything to outspeed it. I've opted for a physical variant because I hate having to use such low accuracy STAB attacks (Fire Blast and Focus Blast). Flare Blitz's BP is equal to those 2 moves and doesn't miss, so I figure that makes up for Sky Uppercut's low BP. Thunder Punch is really just for Water types, but I feel like another move could take it's place, Swords Dance maybe?
Stoutland @ Choice Band
Trait: Scrappy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Superpower
- Crunch
- Wild Charge
Choice Band Stoutland is extremely powerful, anything that doesn't resist Return will take massive damage from it. While Stoutland doesn't have the best speed stat (base 80) it makes up for it by it's very nice bulk. I opted for a Jolly nature just to make sure Stoutland outspeeds as many things as possible, and I figure its powerful enough without Adamant nature anyway. Stoutland's other moves rounds out it's coverage nicely, though I mostly just use Stoutland to wallbreak with STAB Return. Scrappy is a godsend for Stoutland, as even Ghosts can't safely switch into it.
Vileplume @ Black Sludge
Trait: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 Spd
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Synthesis
I have bulky offensive Vileplume mainly for it's excellent typing, granting my team a great way to deal with Water and Fighting types. Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb grant surprisingly good coverage, and HP Fire helps round out Vileplumes coverage really well. I feel like Vileplume is kind of dispensable, I just find it's typing to be really useful for this team. Of all the things on the team I think Vileplume could be the easiest to replace, but I can't think of anything to replace it with.
Shiftry @ Lum Berry
Trait: Early Bird
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Seed Bomb
- Nature Power
- Swords Dance
I always think that its extremely important to have access to priority attacks on any team, and Shiftry does just that for this team. Swords Dance + Lum Berry makes it much easier for Shiftry to set up, as it won't have to fear Scalds, Thunder Waves, or Toxics. Nature Power is really useful for Shiftry, as it gives it an excellent way to deal with Steel and Fire types that would otherwise cause Shiftry some trouble. In the majority of games I don't really set up with Shiftry, I usually try and keep it around for late game so it can help clean up with Sucker Punch.
Chinchou @ Eviolite
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 224 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 28 Spd
Modest Nature
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Bulky offensive Chinchou has really surprised me, as its actually quite awesome. Firstly, its the team's only real answer to Rotom-F, resisting Blizzard and immune to T-Bolt/Volt Switch. 28 Speed EVs enable it to outspeed uninvested base 70s, but I honestly don't know if that is useful at all, I have no clue about speed tiers in PU. Chinchou's STABs give pretty nice coverage, and Ice Beam rounds it out awesomely. Volt Switch is always useful as a way to grab some momentum for the team.
Bronzor @ Eviolite
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Gyro Ball
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Stealth Rock
Bronzor is the team's Stealth Rocker and Dragon resist. While I don't see Fraxures very often, I still feel the need to be prepared for any Dragon that comes my way. I wouldn't mind replacing Bronzor, as its a real momentum killer. It does have excellent bulk however, and thanks to it's really low speed Gyro Ball can sometimes do pretty decent damage. I chose Dual Screens for it just because I honestly couldn't think of any moves that would be better for it. Any other attack would just be a waste of time, as Bronzor is weak as hell. I would be very willing to get rid of this thing as long as another Stealth Rocker takes its place.
I would love any input possible on this team, I really want to make it as good as possible in such a fun tier. Thanks!
