Hey guys, a new member here. I'm kinda nervous about making this my first post but... Hey guys, I am new to this forum, and slightly to the metagame.
Please feel free to critique my sets as I'm still relatively new to OU and might have looked over the main threats in it.
Also, on a pre-team note, I'm very bad at battling Stall in general. I really struggle to get past threats like MegaSaur and Chansey... as they can effectively stall whatever I make... So then, with that out of the way. Now with the team!
Slowbro @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 112 SpA / 144 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Fire Blast
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
Let's start with this one... Assault Vest Slowbro eats up so many hits and gives a lot of momentum as a very good Offensive Pivot. Scald and Psychic are Obvious STABs, without them I can't possibly hurt threats like Heatran, T-Tar, Keldeo, MegaSaur, etc. Scald over Surf for the 30% burn Chance as that makes Bro even more bulky. Fire Blast is obviously for Ferrothorn and Scizor, which otherwise can come in and threaten Slowbro with a Power Whip / Hazards or Pursuit / Knock Off respectively. Ice Beam is to cover things like Thundurus and most Dragons that aren't afraid of Burn from Scald or Psychic's Damage.
The EVs shown are to be able to avoid the 2HKO from Sheer Force LO Landorus's Earth Power after Sand damage, granted there are no Hazards in play, so I can then Ice Beam it and kill it off, potentially. This Special Defense investment also means that if Slowbro switches in onto a LO Thundurus Focus Blast, it can take a Thunderbolt the turn after, (if Rocks are on this side it's up to Rolls to dictate that). The Nature + the spare EVs go into Special Attack to maximize Slowbro's Power overall since it's only using Attacking moves.
Tyranitar @ Black Glasses
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Atk / 20 SpA / 84 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fire Blast
- Rock Slide
- Pursuit
- Crunch
Tyranitar, oh Tyranitar... Something needs to be trapped? Welp, here comes Tyranitar to trap it. Since this Tyranitar is my main Lati Twin / Zard Y Check, I thought it needed to ensure they couldn't plow through my team or support their team too much, by trapping them in with Pursuit. Crunch is a safer STAB in case I allow a switch or if I guess that they'll stay in, plus, that defense drop is nice to force "switches". I chose Rock Slide over Stone Edge because while Stone Edge is the much stronger option. I do love safety. One specific match when I played around with Stone Edge's accuracy reminded me why I shouldn't rely on it for a STAB option. Sure, I do miss some 2HKOs, like 252 HP 0 DEF Azu, but when I use Rock Slide, I mainly use it for the Pokemon that it hits Super Effectively or hits hard in general. Fire Blast is for Scizor, Ferrothorn, and potential Excadrill that may come in on Tyranitar.
The EV spread, Attack-wise, allows me to OHKO Latios with a Pursuit when it switches, even if my Black Glasses are lost, due to a potential Knock Off predict. The 20 Special Attack EVs are for Fire Blast to OHKO 252 HP / 252+ SpD Scizor with three layers of Spikes up. The Sassy Nature and Special Defense EVs are to help Tyranitar against the things Slowbro can't handle like Mega Manectric, which otherwise destroys this defensive line.
Mandibuzz @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Tailwind
- Defog
Mandibuzz handles a ton of Physical Attackers so well and is my last line of Defense to Mega Pinsir, mainly if they carry Close Combat. Most of these moves are standard on Mandibuzz, exception being Tailwind, which helps Roserade, Magnezone, and Tyranitar to nab some kills they couldn't normally go for. Roserade could opt to attack ScarfChomp for instance (bad example, but I digress). 0 Attack IVs help against other Foul Play users, such as Sableye and Klefki.
The EVs may look a bit strange for a stock Phys. Defensive Mandibuzz, but... I mainly don't carry 248 HP EVs because I want to run this set in Pokemon X / Y, in which the Standard Battles are level 50. (My HP would still be odd at level 50) otherwise, I am running Max Defense on this Mandibuzz because my other two bulky mons aren't invested in their Phys. Defense, despite being able to take a few Physical Hits.
Roserade @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Spikes
Scarf Roserade is really something else and it's a fun pokemon to use in general. Outspeeding Landorus and Thundurus and hitting them with a Technician Boosted HP Ice is always nice, (note: HP Ice OHKOs Landorus, not Thundurus, who thankfully doesn't OHKO back with its HP Ice) Roserade handles so many Bulky Water types as well, such as Rotom-W, Azu, etc. And Spikes is there for team support as it helps the others gain OHKOs / 2HKOs that they couldn't normally achieve. It's also there to bait in Skarmory, which there's a certain someone for that.
The EVs are to maximize Power and Speed. Not much to say, but here are some Calcs.
Magnezone @ Air Balloon
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch
I really love Steel Types. I really do. Most have good designs and are incredibly bulky in one way or another. But sometimes, one must destroy them to beat the other team. Magnezone is so good at stopping Steel Types and putting a ton of pressure on them just by being on the team preview. This is also my first stop to Mega Pinsir, except if they carry Close Combat, which sadly has a chance of OHKO'ing Magnezone, though thankfully it is only a 12.5% when it's Jolly, which can still happen, don't get me wrong, but I can't secure survival unless I cut into Magnezone's Great Special Attack, which is the main reason I'm using him.
The EVs are there to Outspeed Scizor outspeeding 4 Speed Heatran. This is also expecting the Scizor and I to be level 50, since you know, X/Y Standard Rules... Otherwise the rest of the EVs go into HP to spread the bulk out evenly. I cannot change my HP secure survival from a CC, it's just not going to happen...
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate (MoldBreaker)
EVs: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Dragon Dance
When one looks at Mega Gyarados and Gyarados side by side, they'll notice two things. One is that sweet and coveted Intimidate + Set-Up Potential. Second, they'll notice that Gyarados put on a few pounds to become what appears to be an angry tempura shrimp. However, if one gazes into those pounds, they'll notice that Mega Gyarados is a very Bulky Pokemon, a Bulky and Scary Attacker I might add. And so, I gave him a Bulky Dragon Dance set to help keep his sweep going. Also, Tailwind helps this Pokemon by giving it speed before it Dragon Dances so it can potentially fish for a kill even before starting its Set-Up.
The EVs I gave to it help its bulk a ton. 95-109-130 bulk is fantastic even without investment, however, the HP investment is really worth it. The HP isn't set to do anything in particular as it was the Leftover stat as the other two were set values. The Attack was maxed to ensure Gyarados can destroy walls with EQ and Waterfall, and the Offensive set of MegaSaur is 2HKO'd with Ice Fang after Spikes. The Speed is at 92 EVs to outspeed 44 Neutral Speed Rotom-W (at level 50) and hopefully OHKO with EQ, it most likely won't OHKO at with a 6.3%. However, there is a percentage there.
I'm hoping for good critiques and good options that could really fit onto this team better, because again, I'm new so, I might have not counted for certain Pokemon like some Megas or other defensive Walls.
*Also, little side note, I'm going to breed this team..., so I would really love options that are available through breeding in X/Y, though I'll definitely look very hard at ones that aren't available as well.*
Please feel free to critique my sets as I'm still relatively new to OU and might have looked over the main threats in it.
Also, on a pre-team note, I'm very bad at battling Stall in general. I really struggle to get past threats like MegaSaur and Chansey... as they can effectively stall whatever I make... So then, with that out of the way. Now with the team!
Slowbro @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 112 SpA / 144 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Fire Blast
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
Let's start with this one... Assault Vest Slowbro eats up so many hits and gives a lot of momentum as a very good Offensive Pivot. Scald and Psychic are Obvious STABs, without them I can't possibly hurt threats like Heatran, T-Tar, Keldeo, MegaSaur, etc. Scald over Surf for the 30% burn Chance as that makes Bro even more bulky. Fire Blast is obviously for Ferrothorn and Scizor, which otherwise can come in and threaten Slowbro with a Power Whip / Hazards or Pursuit / Knock Off respectively. Ice Beam is to cover things like Thundurus and most Dragons that aren't afraid of Burn from Scald or Psychic's Damage.
The EVs shown are to be able to avoid the 2HKO from Sheer Force LO Landorus's Earth Power after Sand damage, granted there are no Hazards in play, so I can then Ice Beam it and kill it off, potentially. This Special Defense investment also means that if Slowbro switches in onto a LO Thundurus Focus Blast, it can take a Thunderbolt the turn after, (if Rocks are on this side it's up to Rolls to dictate that). The Nature + the spare EVs go into Special Attack to maximize Slowbro's Power overall since it's only using Attacking moves.
Tyranitar @ Black Glasses
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Atk / 20 SpA / 84 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fire Blast
- Rock Slide
- Pursuit
- Crunch
Tyranitar, oh Tyranitar... Something needs to be trapped? Welp, here comes Tyranitar to trap it. Since this Tyranitar is my main Lati Twin / Zard Y Check, I thought it needed to ensure they couldn't plow through my team or support their team too much, by trapping them in with Pursuit. Crunch is a safer STAB in case I allow a switch or if I guess that they'll stay in, plus, that defense drop is nice to force "switches". I chose Rock Slide over Stone Edge because while Stone Edge is the much stronger option. I do love safety. One specific match when I played around with Stone Edge's accuracy reminded me why I shouldn't rely on it for a STAB option. Sure, I do miss some 2HKOs, like 252 HP 0 DEF Azu, but when I use Rock Slide, I mainly use it for the Pokemon that it hits Super Effectively or hits hard in general. Fire Blast is for Scizor, Ferrothorn, and potential Excadrill that may come in on Tyranitar.
The EV spread, Attack-wise, allows me to OHKO Latios with a Pursuit when it switches, even if my Black Glasses are lost, due to a potential Knock Off predict. The 20 Special Attack EVs are for Fire Blast to OHKO 252 HP / 252+ SpD Scizor with three layers of Spikes up. The Sassy Nature and Special Defense EVs are to help Tyranitar against the things Slowbro can't handle like Mega Manectric, which otherwise destroys this defensive line.
Mandibuzz @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Roost
- Tailwind
- Defog
Mandibuzz handles a ton of Physical Attackers so well and is my last line of Defense to Mega Pinsir, mainly if they carry Close Combat. Most of these moves are standard on Mandibuzz, exception being Tailwind, which helps Roserade, Magnezone, and Tyranitar to nab some kills they couldn't normally go for. Roserade could opt to attack ScarfChomp for instance (bad example, but I digress). 0 Attack IVs help against other Foul Play users, such as Sableye and Klefki.
The EVs may look a bit strange for a stock Phys. Defensive Mandibuzz, but... I mainly don't carry 248 HP EVs because I want to run this set in Pokemon X / Y, in which the Standard Battles are level 50. (My HP would still be odd at level 50) otherwise, I am running Max Defense on this Mandibuzz because my other two bulky mons aren't invested in their Phys. Defense, despite being able to take a few Physical Hits.
Roserade @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Spikes
Scarf Roserade is really something else and it's a fun pokemon to use in general. Outspeeding Landorus and Thundurus and hitting them with a Technician Boosted HP Ice is always nice, (note: HP Ice OHKOs Landorus, not Thundurus, who thankfully doesn't OHKO back with its HP Ice) Roserade handles so many Bulky Water types as well, such as Rotom-W, Azu, etc. And Spikes is there for team support as it helps the others gain OHKOs / 2HKOs that they couldn't normally achieve. It's also there to bait in Skarmory, which there's a certain someone for that.
The EVs are to maximize Power and Speed. Not much to say, but here are some Calcs.
- 252 SpA Technician Roserade Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Thundurus: 230-272 (76.6 - 90.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252 SpA Technician Roserade Hidden Power Ice vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Zapdos: 208-246 (54.3 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252 SpA Technician Roserade Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Multiscale Dragonite: 192-226 (59.2 - 69.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252 SpA Roserade Leaf Storm vs. 16 HP / 240 SpD Assault Vest Azumarill: 254-302 (73.6 - 87.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (I saw this on the Analysis page for Azu, so I figured I might as well put this in)
- 252 SpA Roserade Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Rotom-W: 284-336 (93.4 - 110.5%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
Magnezone @ Air Balloon
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 104 HP / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch
I really love Steel Types. I really do. Most have good designs and are incredibly bulky in one way or another. But sometimes, one must destroy them to beat the other team. Magnezone is so good at stopping Steel Types and putting a ton of pressure on them just by being on the team preview. This is also my first stop to Mega Pinsir, except if they carry Close Combat, which sadly has a chance of OHKO'ing Magnezone, though thankfully it is only a 12.5% when it's Jolly, which can still happen, don't get me wrong, but I can't secure survival unless I cut into Magnezone's Great Special Attack, which is the main reason I'm using him.
The EVs are there to Outspeed Scizor outspeeding 4 Speed Heatran. This is also expecting the Scizor and I to be level 50, since you know, X/Y Standard Rules... Otherwise the rest of the EVs go into HP to spread the bulk out evenly. I cannot change my HP secure survival from a CC, it's just not going to happen...
Gyarados @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate (MoldBreaker)
EVs: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Dragon Dance
When one looks at Mega Gyarados and Gyarados side by side, they'll notice two things. One is that sweet and coveted Intimidate + Set-Up Potential. Second, they'll notice that Gyarados put on a few pounds to become what appears to be an angry tempura shrimp. However, if one gazes into those pounds, they'll notice that Mega Gyarados is a very Bulky Pokemon, a Bulky and Scary Attacker I might add. And so, I gave him a Bulky Dragon Dance set to help keep his sweep going. Also, Tailwind helps this Pokemon by giving it speed before it Dragon Dances so it can potentially fish for a kill even before starting its Set-Up.
The EVs I gave to it help its bulk a ton. 95-109-130 bulk is fantastic even without investment, however, the HP investment is really worth it. The HP isn't set to do anything in particular as it was the Leftover stat as the other two were set values. The Attack was maxed to ensure Gyarados can destroy walls with EQ and Waterfall, and the Offensive set of MegaSaur is 2HKO'd with Ice Fang after Spikes. The Speed is at 92 EVs to outspeed 44 Neutral Speed Rotom-W (at level 50) and hopefully OHKO with EQ, it most likely won't OHKO at with a 6.3%. However, there is a percentage there.
I'm hoping for good critiques and good options that could really fit onto this team better, because again, I'm new so, I might have not counted for certain Pokemon like some Megas or other defensive Walls.
*Also, little side note, I'm going to breed this team..., so I would really love options that are available through breeding in X/Y, though I'll definitely look very hard at ones that aren't available as well.*
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