SS OU Rate my first team : F-Sight Lele + Banded Shifu Balanced (+1800 ELO)

Hi everyone ! This is my first RMT and I wanted to share with you guys this balanced team with which I had fun climbing the ladder. This team allowed me to get past 1700 ELO not only on my main account, but also on my three alt accounts in just a couple of days. Despite having a generally good matchup against common OU builds, this team can definitely struggle in some situations. This is why I would like you guys to give me some constructive feedback. Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the team. SHOUTOUT TO LudwigFrog (https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ludwigfrog.550704/) for the structure of the post


TEAM
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PokePaste : Untitled 114 (pokepast.es)


1. Proof
2. Teambuilding Process
3. The Pokémon
4. Threat List
5. Replays
6. Conclusion








1-PROOF OF PEAK

TOP 264 on my main : yung_iznamakin
TOP 266 on my alt : 2(H2O)
TOP 201 on my alt : 2(H2O)-Alt
TOP 174 on my alt : drop a baby
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2-TEAMBUILDING PROCESS

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I wanted to build the team around Future Sight Lele and Victini. With Future Sight, it forces in some matchups steel types switch-ins. Then, Victini can destroy them by switching-in and clicking V-Create. This strategy allows Victini to get rid of bulky steel types that prevent Lele from sweeping. But this core do not like the presence of bulky dark types such as Tyranitar and Mandibuzz, or even Umbreon that runs protect.

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Because of that, Urshifu was the perfect addition to the team. Banded Shifu scares dark types and does a lot of damage to Mandibuzz. Also, with its Unseen Fist ability, it can hit through protect and destroy Umbreon.

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I needed a pokémon that could check physical pokémon as well as rain wallbreakers. That's why I went for a defensive Dragonite. With its Multiscale ability, it can easily handle the likes of Kartana, Urshifu and even some spAtk pokémon that do not hit hard enough to kill it. Especially against rain, this guy will be your MVP since the entire team is weak to it. It is the perfect switch-in to Heatran since he can threaten it with Earthquake. Also, D-Nite lengthens the survivability of the team by being able to use heal bell and remove rocks.

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Next, I needed some kind of SpDef Tank that could easily take hits from the likes of Lele and Dragapult and be a switch-in to Weavile since every other mon on the team is weak to it. So I went for AV Special Defense Melmetal.

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Finally, a ground type was necessary to avoid getting swept by the likes of Regieleki. I also needed a rocks setter. A classic SpDef Landorus would fit the team perfectly. Landorus being able to toxic ensures we are able to play around set up pokémon.










3-THE POKÉMON

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Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Future Sight
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Psyshock


Tapu Lele is the speed control of the team. With Future Sight, Lele will pressure Buzzwole and Toxapex, allowing Victini and Urshifu to make holes in the opponent's team. Psyshock let it destroy Galarian Slowking and Blissey on switch-in. Moonblast is the fairy stab this set is going to run. Focus Blast can be used in as a last resort if Victini and Shifu failed to break steel types, but Thunderbolt or Thunder can be run instead of Focus Blast to pressure Corviknight and Slowbro/Slowking. Modest nature is not necessary, but it is greatly appreciated (I'll explain why in Victini's review) since it allows that Future Sight to hit at maximum power and that Psyshock to 2HKO Blissey on switch-in. By running Modest, you're not sacrificing too much speed since it still outspeeds common threats such as Dragapult, Zeraora and +1 Dragonite.


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Victini @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- U-turn
- V-create
- Bolt Strike
- Expanding Force


Victini is an offensive pivot. It pairs extremely well with Lele because as I said, Lele will keep Toxapex out of sight and that will allow Victini to do its job, which is to get rid of steel types for Tapu Lele to be effective. V-Create is the main fire stab, also the most powerful fire move in Pokémon. Bolt Strike allows it to hit the likes of Slowbro/Slowking, Toxapex and Tapu Fini very hard. I'm running Expanding Force since it does a lot damage when psychic terrain is on, which Tapu Lele sets up. If you find yourself in a situation where you haven't Future Sighted and Toxapex is sure to come in, Expanding Force will come in handy as it does massive damage to Toxapex, even with a 4 SpAtk investment thanks to Lele summoning psychic terrain.
Calc : 4 SpA Victini Expanding Force (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Toxapex in Psychic Terrain: 248-294 (81.5 - 96.7%)
Finally, U-Turn helps keep momentum. I'm running heavy-duty boots to keep it as healthy as possible since it can be a switch-in to Tapu Lele, and OHKO it with V-Create. Hasty Nature on this guy is a debatable choice. Personally, I wanted to go for maximum power Expanding Force, while being able to hit very hard on its physical moves. This Future Sight + Victini combo can be very deadly and will force your opponent to make sacrifices. It basically OKHOs almost everything that is not a dark-typed Pokémon.

Some interesting Calcs :

Against Slowking : 252 Atk Victini Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Slowking: 282-334 (71.5 - 84.7%)
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Slowking in Psychic Terrain: 94-111 (23.8 - 28.1%)


Against Slowbro : 252 Atk Victini Bolt Strike vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Slowbro: 160-190 (40.6 - 48.2%)
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Slowbro in Psychic Terrain: 168-198 (42.6 - 50.2%)

Against Gastrodon : 252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Gastrodon: 167-197 (39.2 - 46.2%)
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Future Sight vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Gastrodon in Psychic Terrain: 229-270 (53.7 - 63.3%)


As you can see, this combo OHKOs Slowbro and Slowking after stealth rocks damage. Gastrodon can live, but will be at a very low percentage. The only non dark-typed that could live this would be something like Swampert, but he would still take massive damage and would not be able to heal it back.


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Urshifu-Rapid-Strike (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Unseen Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Close Combat
- Surging Strikes

- Aqua Jet

Urshifu is the main wallbreaker of the team and also a great offensive pivot. Against dark-typed Pokémon like Tyratinar, Mandibuzz or Umbreon, this guy will be an ace. Tapu Lele will lure those dark-typed Pokémon out with Future Sight, allowing Shifu to take them down and the Future Sight strategy to be effective. It can also be a switch-in to Pokémon like Heatran, defensive Landorus and Weavile, but has limited survivability. It can get chipped very easily with rocky helmet. Here I opted for choice band for maximum power output. Close Clombat is his main fighting stab move. It allows it to 2HKO full defense Corviknight : 252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Corviknight: 204-241 (51.1 - 60.4%), full defense Scizor : 252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Scizor: 211-250 (61.5 - 72.8%) and even full defense Mandibuzz : 252 Atk Choice Band Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 204-241 (48.2 - 56.9%). Surging Strikes is his best water stab move. It is very effective against Reflect/Aurora Veil and Pokémon trying to set up their defense. Aqua Jet is Urshifu's main priority stab move. It comes in handy against Blacephalon, Volcarona and weakened setup Pokémon. Finally, U-Turn, which preserves momentum, helps luring out the likes of Toxapex and Buzzwole, allowing Lele to come in for free.


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Dragonite (M) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
Careful Nature
- Defog
- Earthquake
- Heal Bell
- Roost


Dragonite is the defensive wall of the team. He is amazing at walling Kartana, Urshifu, Volcanion, Heatran, Blacephalon and even rain wallbreakers such as Barraskewda and Seismitoad because of its Multiscale ability. This guy is the perfect answer to Heatran, since it can defog if Heatran decides to set up stealth rocks and threaten it with Earthquake. Heal bell allows Dragonite to provide support to the team for better longevity and to prevent Urshifu and Melmetal from getting burned. Finally, Roost allows him to get back at full health and take advantage of its Multiscale ability. Scarfed Kartana literally cannot kill this thing, but D-Nite can chip it with Earthquake.

Some interesting Calcs :

Scarfed Kartana Knock Off : 252 Atk Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 57-68 (14.7 - 17.6%)
does about 30-35% without Multiscale

Scarfed Kartana Smart Strike : 252 Atk Kartana Smart Strike vs. 252 HP / 216 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 62-73 (16 - 18.9%)
does about 32-38% without Multiscale

Banded Kartana Knock Off : 252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 216 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 86-101 (22.2 - 26.1%)
does about 44-52% without Multiscale

Banded Kartana Smart Strike : 252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Smart Strike vs. 252 HP / 216 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 93-110 (24 - 28.4%)
does about 48-58% without Multiscale

As you can see, Scarfed Kartana is not a problem at all for this Dragonite. However, Banded Kartana can be a little bit more annoying to deal with since it can 2HKO it without Multiscale. But Banded Kartana is great news for Lele since it can OKHO with Focus Blast or kill it with Moonblast if chipped enough. At least knowing the calcs will help you determine if it is banded or scarfed and will help you play around it. This Dragonite also walls scarfed Blacephalon and OHKOs it with Earthquake.

Some interesting Calcs :

Scarfed Blacephalon Shadow Ball : 252 SpA Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 40+ SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 63-75 (16.3 - 19.4%)
does about 32-38% without Multiscale

Specs Blacephalon Shadow Ball : 252 SpA Choice Specs Blacephalon Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 40+ SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 96-113 (24.8 - 29.2%)
does about 49-58% without Multiscale

As you can see, Scarfed Blacephalon is not a problem if D-Nite doesn't get SpDef drop. However, Specs Blacephalon can really threaten it, but D-Nite can always kill it with Earthquake.


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Melmetal @ Assault Vest
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 120 HP / 116 Atk / 252 SpD / 20 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Thunder Punch
- Ice Punch

- Earthquake

Melmetal is a very important Pokémon on this team as it is the one who can take on Special Attackers such as Tapu Lele and Dragapult. He can destroy Dragon Dance Dragapult and Dragonite, Calm Mind Tapu Fini and Clefable, etc. It is one of the few Pokémon that can tank hits very well and fire back effectively with its amazing Double Iron Bash stab and coverage. The 20 EV Speed spread lets it outspeed other AV Melmetals. It is imperative to keep it as healthy as possibly because he can take on Special Attackers as well as some Physical Attackers like Weavile that threaten the whole team. Shoutout again to LudwigFrog for this set.


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Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
IVs: 28 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- U-turn

- Toxic

At last, we have a Classic SpDef Landorus. There is not much to say about this guy. It does the basic things a Landorus would do. This guy is our Electric immunity and it fits the team very well by being able to set rocks up, toxic other Landos and bulky Pokémon, and preserving momentum with U-Turn. Earthquake is its main stab. The 28 IV Speed spread ensures we get the slow U-Turn against Landos that run 216 speed thinking they are slower than those running 217 speed. Not running minimum speed Lando ensures we can still outspeed defensive Heatrans. You can run Yache Berry over leftovers, allowing you to be able to tank and kill Nikoding.












4-THREAT LIST

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Nidoking is a major threat. He is very dangerous as this team doesn't have a safe switch-in to it. However, you can threaten it by playing around it. Let's say for example I I just killed Weavile with Moonblast. My opponent then knows Lele is scarfed, so as a result, he is going to bring in Nidoking and most likely going to use Sludge Wave. Then I switch into Lando, forcing it to use Ice Beam since it does not want to get killed by Earthquake, then switching again to Shifu or Victini. Both of them can pressure Nidoking and force it to switch out. As said earlier, running Yache Berry on Lando will allow it to survive Ice Beam and OHKO Nidoking with Earthquake. If this guy is on the opponent's team, make sure to lead Lele, Shifu or Victini. Very dangerous Pokémon, but not unstoppable.

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Weavile can be scary, but not as scary as Nidoking. Fortunately, Melmetal and Urshifu on this team can pressure him out, but have limited survivability. Making sure that Shifu and Melmetal are as healthy as possible will be the key to dealing with this guy. If this guy is on the opponent's team, make sure to lead Shifu or Lele.

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Dragonite can handle a classic Urshifu set (like the one that is on the team). However, a Shifu that runs Ice Punch will destroy Dragonite, so you do need to very careful with that. The good news is that this Ice Punch variant of Urshifu is not so common.

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Galarian Zapdos can be very deadly to this team since it can do a lot of damage to Dragonite if Banded. Calc : 252 Atk Choice Band Zapdos-Galar Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 216 Def Multiscale Dragonite: 120-142 (31 - 36.7%). Dragonite definitely cannot wall this guy's Brave Bird. You'll need to switch into Melmetal to threaten it. Fortunately, this thing is very easy to chip down (Brave Bird recoil) and Lele can threaten it. Definitely do not lead Lando if you see this guy !

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Arctozolt as well can be very annoying to deal with. He basically threatens the whole team while being able to sub. However, Melmetal can live its attacks and destroy it. Against hail, it is necessary to keep Melmetal healthy because of this guy.

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Same thing with this guy, although Landorus can deal with him very easily. Dracozolt is definitely less annoying than Arctozolt.

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If this guy sets ups, it's literally game over and there is not much you can do about it. When fighting a team that runs it, you always gotta have on the terrain something that can pressure it to prevent it from using Swords Dance (ideally Tapu Lele, Victini, or Melmetal). Then, it cannot OHKO your team and you can kill it. I'll show you later a replay where I lose to him.

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Same thing with this guy. Both Clangourous Soul and Belly Drum sets are deadly for this team. Timid scarfed Lele outspeed hims at +1, but I want to go for that maximum damage Future Sight. When fighting against setup Kommo-O, You always gotta have on the terrain something that can kill it (Lele, Melmetal, and Victini) before it gets the opportunity to set up. If you have Urshifu on the terrain, he can deal massive damage to this guy with Close Clombat, preventing it form using Belly Drum/Clangourous Soul.

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Scarfed Blacephalon is not a problem for this team as Dragonite can handle him. But Specs Blacephalon is very troublesome. If you get SpDef drop on Dragonite or Blacephalon just keeps spamming shadow ball because it'll kill eventually, do not hesitate to use Earthquake as it OHKOs it.

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Specs Dragapult is not that troublesome for this team, but it will definitely be able to click Shadow Ball for free when Melmetal, Dragonite, and Landorus are weakened. Making sure these guys are as healthy as possible is the way to go about it. Also, if you run into the Dragon Dance set, Melmetal will be your savior. Without him, you're done for.


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Trick Room is by far the worst possible watchup for this team . Crawdaunt basically destroys the entire team if Melmetal and Shifu are gone. You need to keep them healhty at all costs.

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Same thing with this guy. However, unlike Crawdaunt, you can play around it with Landorus and Dragonite. Urshifu also threatens it as it can't OHKO it without Swords Dance boosts.

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Tornadus is not that much of a threat to the team. He is more annoying than anything else as it outspeeds everything on the team except scarfed Lele, but he can knock off its choice scarf since Lele has no way of OHKO-ing this guy. The only thing on the team that threatens it is Melmetal. The only way of killing that guy is chipping it with Melmetal or Urshifu (on switch-in), so Tapu Lele can finish easily finish it off.












5-REPLAYS

Against Semi-Stall : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1594325407
Against Offense : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1594325407
Against Balanced #1 : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1594150265
Against Hyper Offense (Hawlucha destroys me) : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1594390833-r4386x57b7985k8wtg396ilux6f7rlopw

Against Balanced #2 : https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1593984711-02ru6b18astkgps4qs1jv57oz6enqefpw

I actually have a lot of replays using that team but I cannot share them, since I downloaded them instead.








6-CONCLUSION

The team generally matches up well against balanced and stall teams by being able to maintain offensive pressure against defensive walls. However, it can crumble against Hyper Offense. I would love some feedback on how I could improve that team while maintaining its wallbreaking potential. Feel free to tell me what did I do wrong and how I should have played those matches. With that being said, thanks you guys for reading and see you next time !
 

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You might want to lower your landorus's speed IVs even further. Most landos run 23 speed IVs to underspeed other landos while outspeeding crawdaunt, so something like 22 speed IVs might work. If needed, you could also run minimum speed.
 
Your Dragonite actually doesn’t beat bulky versions of Volcarona. I’d be on the lookout for those since they kind of run through this team with some chip on Victini.
Thanks for the advice ! I've ran a few times against setup Volcarona and the way I handled them was chipping them with Dragonite or Landorus then using Aqua Jet with Shifu. But is there a better way, like something I could change on team that could allow me to deal with them better ?
 
You might want to lower your landorus's speed IVs even further. Most landos run 23 speed IVs to underspeed other landos while outspeeding crawdaunt, so something like 22 speed IVs might work. If needed, you could also run minimum speed.
Thanks for the advice ! I'll definitely think about it
 

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