Rate My OU Baton Pass Team

Pokemaster 3000

I have always liked thinking of creative battling strategies, but haven't had the time to make competitive teams on my Diamond game. I recently downloaded Shoddy so I am excited about the limitless possibilities for team building. One strategy that I had always wanted to use was the baton pass chain. I know many people believe these teams aren't very effective, but I would like some advice to make this team as strong as possible.

My Team at a Glance

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A Closer Look
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Ninjask (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 244 HP/52 Atk/212 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Protect
- X-Scissor
- Substitute
- Baton Pass

I have had no problems using this lead. I can protect first turn to get a guaranteed speed boost. This will also scout for taunt. If the opposing lead doesn't taunt, I can sub and stall while I get more speed boosts. If the opponent does taunt, I can baton pass to Gliscor.
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Smeargle (M) @ Shed Shell
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 216 HP/196 Def/96 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Ingrain
- Spore
- Spider Web

This Smeargle is meant to trap something and put it to sleep so I can set up. I have yet to use this as I have usually been able to set up without it. (Or my chain is completely broken down and I can't get him in with a sub) Ideally, I would pass him Drifblim's sub with defence and sp. defence boosts, as well as the speed from Ninjask.
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Mr. Mime (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 252 HP/216 SAtk/40 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Calm Mind
- Grass Knot
- Thunderbolt

This Set is meant to counter phazers such as Swampert, Hippowdon and Skarmory. It hasn't been of much use to me yet, but I have heard that it can be pretty useful, so I don't know what to think of this one.
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Gliscor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 104 HP/252 Atk/152 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Aqua Tail
- Baton Pass
- Roost
- Swords Dance

I designed this Gliscor to counter Aerodactyl in case my lead gets taunted. However, while battling on Shoddy I have noticed Aerodactyl isn't the only taunter I should be looking out for. Is there anything better that I could use instead of Gliscor to counter taunters?
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Drifblim (M) @ Ganlon Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 252 HP/188 Def/68 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Baton Pass
- Shadow Ball
- Stockpile
- Substitute

Once Ninjask uses as many speed boosts as possible, I usually switch to Drifblim. I can sub up and use three stockpiles, then baton pass on to Gliscor for some swords dance boosts. After enough subs the ganlon berry is activated, giving another defense boost. If I do replace Gliscor I would need something else to use an attack boosting move. The only problem I have noticed with this set is that having only a ghost attacking move means I can't attack normal types, should this move be replaced with something else?
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Nidoking (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Rivalry
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Thunderpunch
- Poison Jab

I picked Nidoking as my receiver for two reasons. It has access to Ice, Electric, and Ground moves, so nothing can completely resist its attacks. Also, it is one of my favorite pokemon. I have been disappointed in Nidoking because it is unable to do anything if just one thing goes wrong during the chain passing process. What would be a better finisher? I know boltbeam is more common and powerful than physical alternatives, so I'm thinking of using a special sweeper. This would also eliminate my need for a swords dancer to replace Gliscor.
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So that's my team. I mainly need help countering taunters and finding a good finisher. I would really appreciate any help to make it harder for opponents to break this chain. Thanks!
 
Although this looks good on paper, i believe we need to see a record of some sort ( rough estimates of wins and losses, nothing more ) and a threat list of which pokemon give your team trouble and how you might be able to take care of them, if you would like your team to be helpfully rated.
 
Yea I agree with Izzetmaster. This team only looks good on paper. This team is easily picked off by priority moves and Taunt-users. You shouldn't make your entire team baton pass based. You should have some back-up pokemon just in case your initial strategy fails. Just some of my thoughts, but I am not really sure of this team's success rate. Hope I helped.
 
I would consider this over Drifblim just so you aren't as vulnerable to all the nasty pursuit and ghost moves out there.

Vaporeon (F) @ Leftovers | Calm
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Def / 128 Spe
Baton Pass / Acid Armor / Wish / Surf

This will boost defense by 2 stages and you can also use wish to heal your other team members as you baton pass to "catch" the incoming attack. Surf is here so you can throw out some damage but you can use ice beam or HP electric if you feel like they might help more.

However if your Drifblim pulls off his stunt a lot of times then by all means keep him. If you feel he starts to become a weak point and often fails then you can take up this advice.
 
I rarely play Baton Pass teams, but there are two things I hate with BP teams.

Stuff that can't fend for itself, and the concept of "passing to a 6th pokemon".

All 6 pokemon in a BP team should be able to Baton Pass. The fact is, if you are doing it correctly, it won't matter what moves you have in the end. Your last pokemon should be a durable Baton Passer that can hit hard. With that in mind, I suggest

Scizor @ Leftovers
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Atk
- X-Scissor
- Roost
- Baton Pass
- Brick Break

With the speed boosts, you won't need Bullet Punch, and with the attack boost, you won't need Superpower. But more importantly, you can win even without getting all the boosts - you won't always get every boost under your belt before you need to start sweeping, and it's more important to deal damage, then keep the chain going if something can actually counter you. At least that's my feeling on BP teams based on how I used them in Advance.

Also, Vaporeon > Driftblim.
 
Try...

Metagross @ Life Orb | Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Iron Head / Earthquake / Thunder Punch / Ice Punch

Ancien's idea might work but I've never tried it out. Traditionally baton pass chains have a pokemon at the end of the chain. Maybe give both a whirl.
 
Ashitaka said:
Yea I agree with Izzetmaster. This team only looks good on paper. This team is easily picked off by priority moves and Taunt-users. You shouldn't make your entire team baton pass based. You should have some back-up pokemon just in case your initial strategy fails. Just some of my thoughts, but I am not really sure of this team's success rate. Hope I helped.
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what is this back up pokemon going to do if the chain fails? it can't take on an entire team by itself?

I find sword dance ninjask is fine on it's own, same with belly drum, spore, sub, salac smergle, what is the point in a whole team of passers, when these two can do it all by themselves?

An inventive team would be gravity, they are much more underused, much more threatning and work when things go wrong.
 
to humilate opponetts BP a SD,amnesia/calm mind, iron defense, agility, nastyplot to naughty/curious life orbed SUPER BIBAREL with
surf
waterfall
superpower
shadow ball
 
You could try using Octillery as a receiver because it's ability prevents it from being forced to switch out. It may have awful speed, but Ninjask's speed boosts will cover that and it has many special attacking options.
 
Pretty typical OU BP Chain, although there is a common mistake you have made that most people don't realize.

First of all, most people will say Smeargle needs that Shed Shell to get out IF he has Ingrained and then been Taunted. First of all, most people easily recognize the common Taunters: Gliscor, Azelf, Aerodactyl, Crobat, Gyarados, Honchkrow, Weavile and Infernape, so Baton Passing out (which after Speed boosts passed, which Smeargle should have, Smeargle won't need Shed Shell) is the best idea most of the time. If you ever get a chance to pass Ingrain or a Sub, you would have to have something trapped that DOESN'T have Taunt, so having Leftovers on Smeargle is best option. I know by experience Shed Shell has lesser situations it is used in than Leftovers. Lastly, Ninjask's very presence as your lead draws in phazers (Swampert, Hippowdon, Suicune, Skarmory) and Taunters (above) immediately, so using him isn't going to go over well. Zapdos, like on the article, actually functions better. He is immune to Earthquake unlike his fellow Agility passer Jolteon, he has sturdy defenses, great Special Attack, the ability to phaze, and he also scares away Skarmory. He gets up an Agility almost every game as well in only one turn. He sometimes gets lucky and passes a Substitute. Having resistances on a BP team is crucial, as well as a way of making a chain unstoppable. Trapping an opponent is one way, building up boosts and health is even better. Wish Passing is integral, which is why Vaporeon is seen frequently on these teams. Her bulk lets her revenge Dragon Dancers safely, she covers Infernape, Heatran etc., and she has the Wish-Protect strategy to utilize. Drifblim is a one time use mostly, and every BP team doesn't require all of the Pokemon to know Baton Pass. I suggest you riddle your team with Pokemon who like Speed right off the bat (Swords Dance Scizor, Trapper/ Belly Passer Smeargle, Thick Club Marowak, Pure Power Medicham, etc). They don't require Baton Pass, but can use it for swift KOs. This leaves you some insurance in case a part of your chain dies. Which is more important? Making an endless chain, or an unbreakable one? Neither actually. Both are impossible against a well prepared team, so it's best to have team members ready to cause immediate problems. As in the Baton Pass chain article, I suggest using Mixed Lucario as insurance and a reciever.

That's about it for me, not much more to say, but yeah, you really should post the win/loss ratio and a threat list or something...
 
If you're worried about Taunt on the opposing lead e.g. from Aerodactyl and Azelf, I would use Baton Pass Lead Lopunny. See Lopunny's analysis for further situation; Magic Coat reflects Taunt, and it has the defenses to guarantee one Speed pass. If you're not interested in Lopunny (but I highly suggest so, as with Mr. Mime on your team, you can avoid Roar. If you do continue to use Ninjask, have this EV spread: 248 HP / 52 Atk / 184 Def / 24 Spe. This gives an odd HP stat, so you can switch into SR twice and live ignoring Leftovers. 24 Spe is to outrun Azelf. You still have enough Def to avoid a OHKO from CB Jolly Weavile's Ice Shard and usually avoid a 2HKO from Adamant Lucario's Extremespeed.

This team has absolutely no way of stopping Lucario, SD Scizor. and CurseMamo Nothing threatens them and stops them from preparing a sweep, thanks to their priority attacks getting past Smeargle's Spore. This is difficult on a BP team, but the next two Pokemon I am going to suggest can help you against this threat.

Use Umbreon in place of Gliscor. It has Taunt to stop opposing Taunt, set uppers, status and phazers (and with Lopunny's Speed boost, it'll outspeed all of these Pokes before they can Taunt you). Umbreon have Mean Look to permanently lock a Pokemon in, so for example, as long as you keep Gyarados Taunted, it cannot use Taunt or DD to have any hopes of threatening your team (besides the crits that can't be stopped). It can also provide Wish support for the team to keep it healthy. The only set upper that poses a threat to Umbreon is Lucario, but the next Poke suggested will deal with it.

Swap Drilfbim for Vaporeon (as already suggested a couple of times) so you can Acid Armor to give yourself +6 Def to take physical assault. Acid Armor will enable you to take assualt from Lucario (even Umbreon). Use the Baton Pass set (check the analysis) with Aqua Ring and Roar as your other move. Aqua Ring is for team support. Roar is so that you can phaze Skarmory and other Whirlwind users that Mr. Mime can't stop before they can phaze you. Or at least until Smeargle gets that Ingrain boost. Special set uppers like Nasty Plot Infernape and Azelf are still hard to deal with, though at least Smeargle can Spore them, and then Mr. Mime can (hopefully) set up CM on them and/or pick them off with Thunderbolt.

Smeargle should have Substitute instead of Spider Web. It provides protection from status, and Umbreon already has Mean Look. Use 96 HP / 120 Def / 40 SpD / 252 Spe with a Jolly nature so Smeargle outruns most things. The Speed is important so Smeargle can use Spore before it takes a hit. If you absolutely cannot avoid status e.g. a Toxic aimed at Vaporeon, it's best if Smeargle takes the bite, as it only needs to spend a short time in play to get the Spore and Ingrain support (and maybe a Sub too) that your team really needs.

Mr. Mime should have Encore instead of Grass Knot. Hippowdon and Swampert are no threat thanks to Soundproof. And when you send in Mr. Mime, you should have at leeast +4 Def from Vaporeon to take their Earthquakes, and Mean Look support from Umbreon (it should ideally be the 5th Pokemon that you reveal to the team, unless you really need Mr. Mime to block Roar). Encore will lock your opponent into a useless move, and it is gamebreaking with Mean Look if you lock them into a move you can easily take. It can also help Mr. Mime get those much needed CM boosts, especially considering I have removed your SD passer.

We have to change your receiver, as you no longer have SD boosts. I recommend special Lucaio with Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, HP Ice and Vacuum Wave and a LO. It OHKOs every Pokemon in OU. Vacuum Wave is to bypass Pokemon that might use priority moves

Hope this helps.
 
Isn't that why Smeargle has Ingrain to baton pass?
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Personally I think Suction Cups is the more reliable option. Smeargle doesn't have the best defenses and if it can't use spore before the opponent or isn't protected by a substitute it is likely to be KOed. Like darknessmalice said, Lucario and Siczor both have priority moves that can destroy Smeargle. Besides, Octillery can become a great special sweeper which this team might need as it's only special attackers are Mr. Mime and Drifblim's SB.
 
greenlucario8 said:
Personally I think Suction Cups is the more reliable option. Smeargle doesn't have the best defenses and if it can't use spore before the opponent or isn't protected by a substitute it is likely to be KOed. Like darknessmalice said, Lucario and Siczor both have priority moves that can destroy Smeargle. Besides, Octillery can become a great special sweeper which this team might need as it's only special attackers are Mr. Mime and Drifblim's SB.
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Octillery cannot Baton pass. If it were to be used, it would be the receiver. Baton Passing to it for the sole purpose of stopping Whirlwind will end the Baton pass chain before it gets all the required boosts. Ingrain allows the whole team to have phazing immunity. It's not that bad a receiver though, but it won't have the Speed for the job.
 
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