Hi,
I think Sun in OU is undervalued. I wanted to make a Sun team in OU that's competitive and one that I can use in the ladder and pop-up tournaments. I have practiced and workshopped this team over the past week. I would really appreciate your input and feedback!
The team:
View attachment 390918
Venusaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Growth
- Giga Drain
- Weather Ball
- Earth Power
This is the standard Venusaur set, and he is the main firepower for my team. The ultimate goal is to switch in on a favorable matchup, set up Growth, then do as much damage as possible before the sun sets. Earth Power is preferred over Sludge Bomb as Earth Power counters Heatran, which would otherwise wall Venusaur. Venusaur is hard countered by Moltres, Charizard, Unaware Clefable, Dragonite, and takes major damage from Weavile and Mamoswine Ice Shard. The rest of the team is designed to counter these checks as well as provide support.
View attachment 390920
Torkoal @ Heat Rock
Ability: Drought
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Body Press
- Rapid Spin
With its abysmal speed, he sets up weather second against every other weather setter when led (unless I'm facing a Lvl 1 Hippopotas something), so it either overrides the other team's weather or forces a different lead. Lava Plume also threatens Ferrothorn and Corviknight, which if I bait a switch out from one of those two I can get a free switch into Venusaur, or free turn to set Stealth Rock up. Most of the time I lead with Torkoal, unless I hard read that their Torkoal counter will be led. Hippowdon is still a problem (Tyranitar is threatened by Body Press), as well as anything else that carries Earthquake or Stone Edge. I need to keep this guy alive to reset Sun, especially if there are opposing weather setters.
View attachment 390921
Corviknight @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- U-turn
- Body Press
This set is pretty standard Corviknight is the main physical wall and defogger. U-turn allows me to pivot into a more fragile Pokemon since it usually goes second against most offensive threats, or pivot into a bad matchup for my opponent. Considered including Toxic, but I don't think the team is tanky enough as a whole for toxic to be very useful over the moves listed.
View attachment 390922
Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss
The special wall. Unaware has saved my butt numerous times against opposing Pokemon that have been allowed to set up, plus most of Clefable's counters are checked by the rest of the team. Clefable counters Tapu Fini, Volcarona, and basically every other special attacker that doesn't pack a super-effective move. It can also take some physical hits with its reliable recovery in Soft-Boiled, and is often a safe switch in. Clefable also counters Ditto that has transformed into my Venusaur. The one problem Pokemon, I think, would be Bisharp as I would have to switch, allowing Bisharp a free Swords Dance. I thought about adding Sunny Day to the moveset as a backup sun setter, but that has not been useful in practice.
View attachment 390924
Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
Rhyperior is the flying-type counter. Stone Edge threatens Moltres, Tornadus, and Charizard, all of which check the rest of the team. I am considering Rock Blast as it's more accurate, and threatens FEAR pokemon. Earthquake threatens Rock types (especially Nihilego) that would otherwise be annoying, and can do a lot of chip damage to most other pokemon. Iron Head threatens opposing Clefable and is good coverage against Pokemon that resist Rock or Ground. I was conflicted with the final move slot. I didn't want to go for another attacking move or Stealth Rock (I think it may be too redundant with Torkoal also having it). Rock Polish seemed nice, but I wanted to keep the HP investment. So I settled on Swords Dance. Rhyperior can set up in front of many Pokemon, but the low speed means it is still countered by grass and water moves. Rhyperior also does not check Pelipper at all, in fact, the reverse is true, as Rhyperior does not want to eat a Scald. I went for Bulky Physical Attacker EVs as I feel a full defensive set doesn't compensate for Rhyperior's weaknesses (mainly it's 4x weakness to Water and Grass), and the offensive set can deal chip damage to switch ins. I've been taking Rhyperior in and out of the team as I've been playing.
View attachment 390923
Darmanitan @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Iron Head
This is probably the one that I'll receive criticism for. I was looking for a physical attacker and revenge killer, and Scarf Darmanitan fits that role at least. Flare Blitz boosted by Sun and Sheer Force is absolutely insane and does massive damage even to Pokemon that resist it. U-turn allows me to switch after I revenge kill something with low HP without being locked in due to the Scarf. Superpower seemed good for the Fighting coverage, and Iron Head can threaten Rock types that have been worn down. I considered other options for this role such as Solar Blade Kartana but Darmanitan seemed to perform better in practice. Darmanitan's weakness is Stealth Rock, faster Scarf users, or priority (i.e. Aqua Jet), so the number of times I can send out Darmanitan is limited.
Alternate Options (i.e. Pokemon I've swapped in and out):
View attachment 390925
Celesteela @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Solar Beam
- Shock Wave
- Flash Cannon
- Flamethrower
I don't think Celesteela will be good as long as Corviknight is on the team, but it has proved very useful in my practice games. Shock Wave can OHKO Pelipper, and in the sun Celesteela can deal some serious damage with Flamethrower or Solar Beam. With Beast Boost Celesteela has sweeping potential and with its natural bulk it can take a hit, then deal heavy damage to an opposing Pokemon for Darmanitan or Venusaur to finish off. I thought about a defensive (e.g. Leech Seed) set, but I think it's too passive and can allow opponents to set up (they just ignore the leech seed and sweep).
View attachment 390928
Nihilego @ Power Herb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Meteor Beam
- Power Gem
- Sludge Bomb
- Thunderbolt
Nihilego is my other flying counter. I can switch it into most flyers, and it can get a meteor beam off on whatever pokemon switches in, and deal heavy damage with the extra SpA boost. Though this is not without its downsides. Problem is, it's often too frail to stay in for long. Nihiliego is walled by Ferrothorn and countered by Scizor and Metagross due to their access to Bullet Punch and defensive typing. Thunderbolt is good for Corviknight and Celesteela, but Celesteela can tank a Thunderbolt or Meteor Beam and then whack Nihilego right back if Nihiliego is unboosted. Often I found that Nihilego would faint too early then Moltres, Tornadus, or other checks to the rest of my team can run rampant.
Charizard
Charizard is built for the Sun. Problem is, I don't have a spot for it. Venusaur seems to do what Solar Power Charizard does, isn't weak to Stealth Rocks, and has more sweeping potential. Charizard probably has more base Special Attack with Solar Power included but I think it's too redundant with the rest of the team. I also considered a Dragon Dance set with Fire Punch and Dual Wingbeat, but I opted not to do so.
Counter:
Priority / Speed Control - I have had a very hard time against priority moves, Dragon Dance (or other speed-boosting setup move) sweepers or Blaziken. Priority can finish off a weakend Venusaur or Darmanitan, crippling my firepower. Other than Clefable, I don't have much that can wall most Dragon Dance sweepers, which can usually outspeed Venusaur if given the chance to set up. Corviknight works ot this effect, but gets worn down too quickly. My best Blaziken counter is Rhyperior, but Rhyperior needs to be at full HP in order to tank a Close Combat, then use Earthquake. So Blaziken can get a free kill in as I have to use something as death fodder in order to get Rhyperior out at full HP. If Blaziken gets off a Swords Dance, it's gg.
Thank you for reading my absolute novel of a post and would greatly appreciate feedback!
I think Sun in OU is undervalued. I wanted to make a Sun team in OU that's competitive and one that I can use in the ladder and pop-up tournaments. I have practiced and workshopped this team over the past week. I would really appreciate your input and feedback!
The team:
View attachment 390918
Venusaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Growth
- Giga Drain
- Weather Ball
- Earth Power
This is the standard Venusaur set, and he is the main firepower for my team. The ultimate goal is to switch in on a favorable matchup, set up Growth, then do as much damage as possible before the sun sets. Earth Power is preferred over Sludge Bomb as Earth Power counters Heatran, which would otherwise wall Venusaur. Venusaur is hard countered by Moltres, Charizard, Unaware Clefable, Dragonite, and takes major damage from Weavile and Mamoswine Ice Shard. The rest of the team is designed to counter these checks as well as provide support.
View attachment 390920
Torkoal @ Heat Rock
Ability: Drought
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Body Press
- Rapid Spin
With its abysmal speed, he sets up weather second against every other weather setter when led (unless I'm facing a Lvl 1 Hippopotas something), so it either overrides the other team's weather or forces a different lead. Lava Plume also threatens Ferrothorn and Corviknight, which if I bait a switch out from one of those two I can get a free switch into Venusaur, or free turn to set Stealth Rock up. Most of the time I lead with Torkoal, unless I hard read that their Torkoal counter will be led. Hippowdon is still a problem (Tyranitar is threatened by Body Press), as well as anything else that carries Earthquake or Stone Edge. I need to keep this guy alive to reset Sun, especially if there are opposing weather setters.
View attachment 390921
Corviknight @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- U-turn
- Body Press
This set is pretty standard Corviknight is the main physical wall and defogger. U-turn allows me to pivot into a more fragile Pokemon since it usually goes second against most offensive threats, or pivot into a bad matchup for my opponent. Considered including Toxic, but I don't think the team is tanky enough as a whole for toxic to be very useful over the moves listed.
View attachment 390922
Clefable @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss
The special wall. Unaware has saved my butt numerous times against opposing Pokemon that have been allowed to set up, plus most of Clefable's counters are checked by the rest of the team. Clefable counters Tapu Fini, Volcarona, and basically every other special attacker that doesn't pack a super-effective move. It can also take some physical hits with its reliable recovery in Soft-Boiled, and is often a safe switch in. Clefable also counters Ditto that has transformed into my Venusaur. The one problem Pokemon, I think, would be Bisharp as I would have to switch, allowing Bisharp a free Swords Dance. I thought about adding Sunny Day to the moveset as a backup sun setter, but that has not been useful in practice.
View attachment 390924
Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance
Rhyperior is the flying-type counter. Stone Edge threatens Moltres, Tornadus, and Charizard, all of which check the rest of the team. I am considering Rock Blast as it's more accurate, and threatens FEAR pokemon. Earthquake threatens Rock types (especially Nihilego) that would otherwise be annoying, and can do a lot of chip damage to most other pokemon. Iron Head threatens opposing Clefable and is good coverage against Pokemon that resist Rock or Ground. I was conflicted with the final move slot. I didn't want to go for another attacking move or Stealth Rock (I think it may be too redundant with Torkoal also having it). Rock Polish seemed nice, but I wanted to keep the HP investment. So I settled on Swords Dance. Rhyperior can set up in front of many Pokemon, but the low speed means it is still countered by grass and water moves. Rhyperior also does not check Pelipper at all, in fact, the reverse is true, as Rhyperior does not want to eat a Scald. I went for Bulky Physical Attacker EVs as I feel a full defensive set doesn't compensate for Rhyperior's weaknesses (mainly it's 4x weakness to Water and Grass), and the offensive set can deal chip damage to switch ins. I've been taking Rhyperior in and out of the team as I've been playing.
View attachment 390923
Darmanitan @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Iron Head
This is probably the one that I'll receive criticism for. I was looking for a physical attacker and revenge killer, and Scarf Darmanitan fits that role at least. Flare Blitz boosted by Sun and Sheer Force is absolutely insane and does massive damage even to Pokemon that resist it. U-turn allows me to switch after I revenge kill something with low HP without being locked in due to the Scarf. Superpower seemed good for the Fighting coverage, and Iron Head can threaten Rock types that have been worn down. I considered other options for this role such as Solar Blade Kartana but Darmanitan seemed to perform better in practice. Darmanitan's weakness is Stealth Rock, faster Scarf users, or priority (i.e. Aqua Jet), so the number of times I can send out Darmanitan is limited.
Alternate Options (i.e. Pokemon I've swapped in and out):
View attachment 390925
Celesteela @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Solar Beam
- Shock Wave
- Flash Cannon
- Flamethrower
I don't think Celesteela will be good as long as Corviknight is on the team, but it has proved very useful in my practice games. Shock Wave can OHKO Pelipper, and in the sun Celesteela can deal some serious damage with Flamethrower or Solar Beam. With Beast Boost Celesteela has sweeping potential and with its natural bulk it can take a hit, then deal heavy damage to an opposing Pokemon for Darmanitan or Venusaur to finish off. I thought about a defensive (e.g. Leech Seed) set, but I think it's too passive and can allow opponents to set up (they just ignore the leech seed and sweep).
View attachment 390928
Nihilego @ Power Herb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Meteor Beam
- Power Gem
- Sludge Bomb
- Thunderbolt
Nihilego is my other flying counter. I can switch it into most flyers, and it can get a meteor beam off on whatever pokemon switches in, and deal heavy damage with the extra SpA boost. Though this is not without its downsides. Problem is, it's often too frail to stay in for long. Nihiliego is walled by Ferrothorn and countered by Scizor and Metagross due to their access to Bullet Punch and defensive typing. Thunderbolt is good for Corviknight and Celesteela, but Celesteela can tank a Thunderbolt or Meteor Beam and then whack Nihilego right back if Nihiliego is unboosted. Often I found that Nihilego would faint too early then Moltres, Tornadus, or other checks to the rest of my team can run rampant.
Charizard
Charizard is built for the Sun. Problem is, I don't have a spot for it. Venusaur seems to do what Solar Power Charizard does, isn't weak to Stealth Rocks, and has more sweeping potential. Charizard probably has more base Special Attack with Solar Power included but I think it's too redundant with the rest of the team. I also considered a Dragon Dance set with Fire Punch and Dual Wingbeat, but I opted not to do so.
Counter:
Priority / Speed Control - I have had a very hard time against priority moves, Dragon Dance (or other speed-boosting setup move) sweepers or Blaziken. Priority can finish off a weakend Venusaur or Darmanitan, crippling my firepower. Other than Clefable, I don't have much that can wall most Dragon Dance sweepers, which can usually outspeed Venusaur if given the chance to set up. Corviknight works ot this effect, but gets worn down too quickly. My best Blaziken counter is Rhyperior, but Rhyperior needs to be at full HP in order to tank a Close Combat, then use Earthquake. So Blaziken can get a free kill in as I have to use something as death fodder in order to get Rhyperior out at full HP. If Blaziken gets off a Swords Dance, it's gg.
Thank you for reading my absolute novel of a post and would greatly appreciate feedback!
really helps in all sun teams
who can pressure the team with psychic/psyshock