I don't ever ladder seriously. I've never been that good, I have a long way to go before I become 'good' at the game in my opinion. But, I felt like laddering one day and wanted to use something interesting 'Yet also purposely kinda bad :p).
I'd never done a mono-type team before when I wasn't playing against friends, but I remembered a team I once demolished them with - A Mono-Water, Full Choice-Specs team. Real bad, but real fun if you can get it rolling and are good with your predictions. :]
(The primary reason its bad is that it's outdated. This was a team I used in BW/BW2 against my friends - This team is significantly worse than it already is due to Gen 6 mechanic changes, but I wanted to get it rated anyways. For the sake of fun, y'know?)
(P.S - This is the first team thread I've ever written :D Any criticism in terms of improving my thread writing for the future would be very much appreciated. Thanks!)
Pokemon #1
swag. (Politoed) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Psychic/Hidden Power [X]/Toxic
- Focus Blast
A Staple to this team, Politoed was one of 3 Pokemon on this team that I felt I 100% needed to have to make it remotely decent. It's ability, Drizzle, is something this team can heavily depend on for powering up STAB. Combine that with the STAB boost of water moves, and the Choice Specs boost, and it's doing some good damage to most Pokemon that come up against it.
Scald is there as the STAB for Politoed, as I wanted to use it as my lead - various lead Pokemon either have Sturdy or carry a Sash, and the Burn chance can be extremely helpful in rendering those useless. Ice Beam is a fairly standard coverage move on Water types, enabling Politoed to smack Grass Pokemon for decent damage. Focus Blast is needed for Ferrothorn and Chansey to have any hope at whittling them down somehow. Hidden Power is my more common choice over Psychic, as Psychic is rarely used and offers little coverage - However, Advantages in Psychic's favor is smacking Pokemon such as Keldeo, and being slightly stronger than HP anything (If Psychic is ever called for). Toxic is also always a nice option if neither Psychic or HP are appealing, which is sometimes the case.
Pokemon #2
Jace (Starmie) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psyshock/Psychic
- Ice Beam/Rapid Spin
- Thunderbolt/Rapid Spin
- Hydro Pump
Starmie was the 2nd Pokemon I deemed as a necessity for this team. With this spread, Starmie hits 361 Speed, faster than everything else on the team and (admittedly) one of the only speedy Pokemon on this team, as it's mostly full of bulk. Starmie's arguably great movepool and base 100 Sp.Atk also made it a decently hard hitter, especially in the rain.
Psyshock is my primary choice of STAB, being able to hit special walls such as Chansey or Blissey for at least decent damage in comparison to the entirely special moveset of this team - However, Psychic is also a nice option due to its extra base power. Thunderbolt is there to hit Pokemon such as Zard-Y, which Starmie is faster than, for good damage, as well as other Bulky Water types it may have to face. Ice Beam, similarly to Politoed's use, is for Coverage against Grass. However, if entry hazards are an issue, either of these could be replaced for Rapid Spin depending on which 2 moves of the 3 is most important for you. Finally, Starmie needs Water STAB - so why not give it it's most powerful STAB? Hydro Pump in the rain hits like a truck - providing it hits, of course.
Pokemon #3
JuviLaxus (Lanturn) (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunder
- Signal Beam/Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
The 3rd Pokemon I deemed as necessary on this team, due to the Volt Absorb ability is posseses. This allows is to take on the plethora of Electric-Types used in OU with relative ease, with the passive healing for Volt Absorb being a nice boon if predicted correctly. Due to its offensive spread, it can also deal a good amount of damage to Physically Defensive/Offensive Rotom-W and Mega-Manectric with Thunder/Hydro-Pump respectively.
Volt Switch and Thunder provide as a powerful Dual Electric STAB, with Volt Switch granting the team some kind of offensive momentum when used correctly. Lanturn can switch into Pokemon such as Rotom-W or Choiced Threats such as Victini if predicted correctly. Rotom-W can't touch Lanturn for the most part - the most it can do (from my experience) is Will'O'Wisp or switch, granting you a good chunk of damage with Thunder, or some momentum change with Volt Switch. Signal Beam is there for Grass Type Pokemon, but particularly for the rare Celebi - Ice Beam is arguably a better, alternative option. Hydro Pump acts as Lanturn's powerful Water STAB, capable of doing severe damage in the Rain despite its mediocre Sp.Atk.
Pokemon #4
NapoleHitler (Empoleon) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD/Atk
Modest/Mild Nature
- Scald
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam/Icy Wind/Aqua Jet/Stealth Rock
- Flash Cannon
Empoleon - one of my favourite starters of all time, and the main powerhouse of the team. With 111 Base Sp.Atk it holds the title of having the highest Special Attack on the team, and along with 84/88/101 Defenses and Steel typing, Empoleon is a crucial and common switch in to various Pokemon, as it can tank various resisted hits with its various resistances due to its fantastic Steel typing.
Scald was used over more powerful options, as the burn chance (as mentioned with politoed) gives it a good niche over Hydro Pump, along with it being 100% accurate. It also still hits super hard in the rain, combined with Empoleons great special attack and Choice Specs. Grass Knot is there to help do a considerable chunk to Bulky Water types, such as other Politoed, that would otherwise somewhat wall Empoleon. Ice Beam is for coverage against Grass and Ground, though Icy Wind can grant a supportive option for faster Pokemon such as Starmie. You could also run Aqua Jet or Stealth Rock over either of these moves. Aqua Jet grants at least some form of priority that can pick off weak Pokemon unexpextedly late game. Stealth Rock provides a reliable Sturdy, Sash, and Multiscale breaker, as well as reliable damage on anything that switches in. Flash Cannon acts as a solid (no pun intended) Steel-Type STAB move - demolishing most Fairy Types and doing a good chunk to even those with resistances.
Pokemon #5
SLICK DICK (Gastrodon) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Gastrodon, while not necessary, holds a good amount of advantages on this team, to the extent that I felt it'd be a great addition. Its Ground typing is fantasic offensively, being the tied best offensive type in the game, and Defensively, allowing me a second Electric immunity if Lanturn dies. It also has Storm Drain, which could punish pesky Water types that attempt to abuse your rain, and allowing you to wreck them with your Sp.Atk boost afterwards.
With a Base 92 Sp.Atk stat, Gastrodon isn't the strongest Pokemon, but I isn't to be taken lightly either. Earth Power and Rain-Boosted Scald provide powerful STAB coverage over a range of types, with Scald burns being a nice bonus. Ice Beam is there primarily for flying types as opposed to Grass, as most Grass Pokemon outspeed Gastrodon and can KO with a 4xSTAB move. Hidden Power Grass is mostly there for filler, as it almost never sees the light of day - however, it may have the rare use of doing considerable damage to bulky water types, such as other Gastrodon (unlikely) or even a decent chunk to Mega Swampert in the ORAS Meta.
Pokemon #6
Trashados (Gyarados) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Flying]
- Thunder
- Earthquake
I know what you're thinking...hear me out. I saved the best till last.
*coughcough60BaseSp.Atkcoughcough*
I couldn't decide on a 6th Pokemon, and didn't want to use anything too powerful (i.e. Keldeo, Keldeo, or Keldeo), so I decided on Gyarados - for 2 reasons. Firstly, it has an amazing movepool to make use of on the Special side, and secondly...nobody expects a specially offensive Gyarados, so you force a lot of bluffs by scaring out Pokemon with the threat of a (Mega) Dragon Dance variant for example. Intimidate is also a fantastic ability to have, as lowering a Pokemon's attack can turn a 1HKO into a 2HKO when used wisely. Mind the Bisharp, though.
Hydro Pump acts as Gyarados' most powerful offensive move, especially when backed up by rain. Hidden Power Flying, however, is the ace up Gyara's sleeve. While not the strongest move, it provides Flying STAB and is incredibly unorthodox, allowing you to scoop up some decent damage on a Fighting or Grass Type Pokemon. Thunder provides coverage against other Water types (such as other Gyarados!), and 100% accuracy with a Paralysis chance is nothing to complain about either. The last move is something I'm undecided on - Earthquake is a seemingly good option, able to smack Steel Types and being arguably one of the best attacks in the game due to its power and reliability (Plus the fact that Gyara's attack is still higher than its Sp.Atk :] )
That's the team. It's by far away a good team, but it's something I enjoy using casually. I just wanna know how exactly how bad it is. Thanks for reading this super long thread, and thanks in advance for any feedback! ^-^
I'd never done a mono-type team before when I wasn't playing against friends, but I remembered a team I once demolished them with - A Mono-Water, Full Choice-Specs team. Real bad, but real fun if you can get it rolling and are good with your predictions. :]
(The primary reason its bad is that it's outdated. This was a team I used in BW/BW2 against my friends - This team is significantly worse than it already is due to Gen 6 mechanic changes, but I wanted to get it rated anyways. For the sake of fun, y'know?)
(P.S - This is the first team thread I've ever written :D Any criticism in terms of improving my thread writing for the future would be very much appreciated. Thanks!)
Pokemon #1
swag. (Politoed) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Psychic/Hidden Power [X]/Toxic
- Focus Blast
A Staple to this team, Politoed was one of 3 Pokemon on this team that I felt I 100% needed to have to make it remotely decent. It's ability, Drizzle, is something this team can heavily depend on for powering up STAB. Combine that with the STAB boost of water moves, and the Choice Specs boost, and it's doing some good damage to most Pokemon that come up against it.
Scald is there as the STAB for Politoed, as I wanted to use it as my lead - various lead Pokemon either have Sturdy or carry a Sash, and the Burn chance can be extremely helpful in rendering those useless. Ice Beam is a fairly standard coverage move on Water types, enabling Politoed to smack Grass Pokemon for decent damage. Focus Blast is needed for Ferrothorn and Chansey to have any hope at whittling them down somehow. Hidden Power is my more common choice over Psychic, as Psychic is rarely used and offers little coverage - However, Advantages in Psychic's favor is smacking Pokemon such as Keldeo, and being slightly stronger than HP anything (If Psychic is ever called for). Toxic is also always a nice option if neither Psychic or HP are appealing, which is sometimes the case.
Pokemon #2
Jace (Starmie) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psyshock/Psychic
- Ice Beam/Rapid Spin
- Thunderbolt/Rapid Spin
- Hydro Pump
Starmie was the 2nd Pokemon I deemed as a necessity for this team. With this spread, Starmie hits 361 Speed, faster than everything else on the team and (admittedly) one of the only speedy Pokemon on this team, as it's mostly full of bulk. Starmie's arguably great movepool and base 100 Sp.Atk also made it a decently hard hitter, especially in the rain.
Psyshock is my primary choice of STAB, being able to hit special walls such as Chansey or Blissey for at least decent damage in comparison to the entirely special moveset of this team - However, Psychic is also a nice option due to its extra base power. Thunderbolt is there to hit Pokemon such as Zard-Y, which Starmie is faster than, for good damage, as well as other Bulky Water types it may have to face. Ice Beam, similarly to Politoed's use, is for Coverage against Grass. However, if entry hazards are an issue, either of these could be replaced for Rapid Spin depending on which 2 moves of the 3 is most important for you. Finally, Starmie needs Water STAB - so why not give it it's most powerful STAB? Hydro Pump in the rain hits like a truck - providing it hits, of course.
Pokemon #3
JuviLaxus (Lanturn) (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunder
- Signal Beam/Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
The 3rd Pokemon I deemed as necessary on this team, due to the Volt Absorb ability is posseses. This allows is to take on the plethora of Electric-Types used in OU with relative ease, with the passive healing for Volt Absorb being a nice boon if predicted correctly. Due to its offensive spread, it can also deal a good amount of damage to Physically Defensive/Offensive Rotom-W and Mega-Manectric with Thunder/Hydro-Pump respectively.
Volt Switch and Thunder provide as a powerful Dual Electric STAB, with Volt Switch granting the team some kind of offensive momentum when used correctly. Lanturn can switch into Pokemon such as Rotom-W or Choiced Threats such as Victini if predicted correctly. Rotom-W can't touch Lanturn for the most part - the most it can do (from my experience) is Will'O'Wisp or switch, granting you a good chunk of damage with Thunder, or some momentum change with Volt Switch. Signal Beam is there for Grass Type Pokemon, but particularly for the rare Celebi - Ice Beam is arguably a better, alternative option. Hydro Pump acts as Lanturn's powerful Water STAB, capable of doing severe damage in the Rain despite its mediocre Sp.Atk.
Pokemon #4
NapoleHitler (Empoleon) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD/Atk
Modest/Mild Nature
- Scald
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam/Icy Wind/Aqua Jet/Stealth Rock
- Flash Cannon
Empoleon - one of my favourite starters of all time, and the main powerhouse of the team. With 111 Base Sp.Atk it holds the title of having the highest Special Attack on the team, and along with 84/88/101 Defenses and Steel typing, Empoleon is a crucial and common switch in to various Pokemon, as it can tank various resisted hits with its various resistances due to its fantastic Steel typing.
Scald was used over more powerful options, as the burn chance (as mentioned with politoed) gives it a good niche over Hydro Pump, along with it being 100% accurate. It also still hits super hard in the rain, combined with Empoleons great special attack and Choice Specs. Grass Knot is there to help do a considerable chunk to Bulky Water types, such as other Politoed, that would otherwise somewhat wall Empoleon. Ice Beam is for coverage against Grass and Ground, though Icy Wind can grant a supportive option for faster Pokemon such as Starmie. You could also run Aqua Jet or Stealth Rock over either of these moves. Aqua Jet grants at least some form of priority that can pick off weak Pokemon unexpextedly late game. Stealth Rock provides a reliable Sturdy, Sash, and Multiscale breaker, as well as reliable damage on anything that switches in. Flash Cannon acts as a solid (no pun intended) Steel-Type STAB move - demolishing most Fairy Types and doing a good chunk to even those with resistances.
Pokemon #5
SLICK DICK (Gastrodon) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Gastrodon, while not necessary, holds a good amount of advantages on this team, to the extent that I felt it'd be a great addition. Its Ground typing is fantasic offensively, being the tied best offensive type in the game, and Defensively, allowing me a second Electric immunity if Lanturn dies. It also has Storm Drain, which could punish pesky Water types that attempt to abuse your rain, and allowing you to wreck them with your Sp.Atk boost afterwards.
With a Base 92 Sp.Atk stat, Gastrodon isn't the strongest Pokemon, but I isn't to be taken lightly either. Earth Power and Rain-Boosted Scald provide powerful STAB coverage over a range of types, with Scald burns being a nice bonus. Ice Beam is there primarily for flying types as opposed to Grass, as most Grass Pokemon outspeed Gastrodon and can KO with a 4xSTAB move. Hidden Power Grass is mostly there for filler, as it almost never sees the light of day - however, it may have the rare use of doing considerable damage to bulky water types, such as other Gastrodon (unlikely) or even a decent chunk to Mega Swampert in the ORAS Meta.
Pokemon #6
Trashados (Gyarados) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Flying]
- Thunder
- Earthquake
I know what you're thinking...hear me out. I saved the best till last.
*coughcough60BaseSp.Atkcoughcough*
I couldn't decide on a 6th Pokemon, and didn't want to use anything too powerful (i.e. Keldeo, Keldeo, or Keldeo), so I decided on Gyarados - for 2 reasons. Firstly, it has an amazing movepool to make use of on the Special side, and secondly...nobody expects a specially offensive Gyarados, so you force a lot of bluffs by scaring out Pokemon with the threat of a (Mega) Dragon Dance variant for example. Intimidate is also a fantastic ability to have, as lowering a Pokemon's attack can turn a 1HKO into a 2HKO when used wisely. Mind the Bisharp, though.
Hydro Pump acts as Gyarados' most powerful offensive move, especially when backed up by rain. Hidden Power Flying, however, is the ace up Gyara's sleeve. While not the strongest move, it provides Flying STAB and is incredibly unorthodox, allowing you to scoop up some decent damage on a Fighting or Grass Type Pokemon. Thunder provides coverage against other Water types (such as other Gyarados!), and 100% accuracy with a Paralysis chance is nothing to complain about either. The last move is something I'm undecided on - Earthquake is a seemingly good option, able to smack Steel Types and being arguably one of the best attacks in the game due to its power and reliability (Plus the fact that Gyara's attack is still higher than its Sp.Atk :] )
That's the team. It's by far away a good team, but it's something I enjoy using casually. I just wanna know how exactly how bad it is. Thanks for reading this super long thread, and thanks in advance for any feedback! ^-^
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