Hello there Smogonites, this is TPP, the non-trolling optimistic voice of the forum.
Now that I'm less of a noob than many months ago (I will always be noobish), I can understand pokemon more so I've gone through maybe 3 or 4 teams recently. I'm currently getting owned in all of them with this new one, but I refuse to revert back to teams I know and can play well with. Without further ado, my team.
Azelf @ Choice Scarf
Naive; 8 HP, 4 Atk, 244 Sp Atk, 252 Speed
Explosion/Trick/Psychic/Stealth Rock
This is my lead, an Azelf that can be credited to Atticus. Basically I like to Trick on stuff I can survive against (i.e. Aero) or on stuff that might Stealth Rock first turn. Otherwise, I Stealth Rock first turn while they do something slower than me (for example, I used to get pissed at Breloom leads trying to Spore me; a quick Psychic to the face alleviated that anger quickly). If I can Stealth Rock first turn, its job is done. It can then either Explode if I feel like it or it can be switched out- to either Trick a Scarf on something I don't like, or to get a really fast Explosion off.
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Jolly; 250 HP/56 Atk/204 Speed
Outrage/U-Turn/Crunch/Earthquake
I was pleasantly surprised by using Flygon as I always thought I had enough of an early game presence. However, Flygon serves as an excellent switch in to almost anything after Azelf has done its job. Outrage for the late game makes Flygon excellent as a cleaner as well. I usually U-Turn to scout (obviously). I put Crunch because I saw a potential problem with Rotom formes and Starmie, but there's probably a better option here (namely Thunderpunch).
Metagross @ Iron Ball
Adamant; 236 HP/252 Attack/20 Speed
Trick/Explosion/Earthquake/Meteor Mash
I really wanted to incorporate a non-lead Trick user without potentially screwing up another member of my team with Choice Scarf (those counter-Trickers piss me off). Metagross serves as a tank for any Outrage, which is needed on this team badly. Additionally, it can screw over some of its switch-ins like the Rotom formes and promptly go for the EQ. If all else fails, a powerful Explosion does the job.
Infernape @ Life Orb
Naive; 4 HP/252 Sp. Atk/252 Speed
Grass Knot/Nasty Plot/Fire Blast/Close Combat
Pretty standard NP Ape, as far as that goes. Nothing is more satisfying than watching a noob Blissey switch in after I NP and promptly OHKO it with Close Combat. This is pretty much the powerhouse behind my team, and it's really pretty cool. I used to run Vacuum Wave over Grass Knot, but I found that Grass Knot is badly needed on this set for more coverage.
Starmie @ Life Orb
Timid; 4 HP/252 Sp. Atk/252 Speed
Hydro Pump/Recover/Ice Beam/Thunderbolt
I used to have yet another TrickScarf user in the form of Starmie, but having too many Trick users got really annoying and was sort of noobish. Starmie is an awesome sweeper and works great with Metagross in particular who can pretty much shrug anything off that was originally fired at Starmie. Obligatory BoltBeam with Hydro Pump for STAB. Oddly enough, I never use Recover; usually I can just start attacking and not worry about health (I play Starmie late game, which might be incorrect)
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Bold; 248 HP/228 Def/32 Speed
Roost/Thunderbolt/Heat Wave/Hidden Power Grass
This is the utility bulky Pokemon I typically go to after Azelf. It covers a lot and is bulky enough so that I can scout the hit/Pokemon, then switch to the appropriate counter. I've never used a Zapdos in the past and I'm pretty pleased with it. I used to run HP Ice but I badly got owned my Swampert so I switched to HP Grass- I've got Starmie and Flygon to revenge most Dragon types.
My problems that I see right now:
•Tyranitar leads
•Other stuff (This is newly edited and I need to see what's wrong with this team)
Threat List:
•Tyranitar: I've got Vacuum Wave on Lucario, Close Combat for Nape, Trick stuff to it and adjust accordingly.
•Gyarados: Starmie can revenge nicely (even after a DD) and Zapdos can do its thing.
•Infernape: Azelf if it's still around, possibly Dragonite.
•Electivire: lol. Dragonite, Zapdos, Azelf if it's around.
•Heracross: Azelf, Zapdos, Nape
•Salamence: I've got HP Ice on both Zapdos and Lucario. Only Zapdos is maybe a counter for it.
•Togekiss: Zapdos can fare pretty well. Infernape could hit it hard with Fire Blast, too.
•Gengar: Azelf Psychic and and hard hit I can get on it.
•Lucario: My own Lucario's Vacuum Wave, Zapdos' Heat Wave, Nite EQ, Infernape, etc. Lucario is owned.
•Starmie: My Starmie can show up and revenge it well. Zapdos is also effective, even if the other Starmie has Ice Beam.
•Weavile: Vacuum Wave with Lucario, Zapdos can Heat Wave, stuff like that.
•Alakazam: Could be a problem. Not really sure about it actually; however, I have yet to face one after 30 or so battles with this team.
•Machamp: Very annoying. Azelf can blow up or Psychic if it's still alive. Zapdos can wall decently I suppose, even though Stone Edge can hurt.
•Jolteon: Another huge problem. Jolteon has swept this team once and I don't have a surefire counter for it.
•Snorlax: Infernape can Close Combat.
•Zapdos: My own Zapdos can do well, and Starmie could revenge decently.
•Blissey: LOL. Infernape can bluff all special, then own with Close Combat.
•Suicune: Starmie can hit hard. Zapdos can do well too.
•Breloom: Azelf does great! Also Starmie can Ice Beam and Zapdos can wall it and hit back with Heat Wave.
•Ninjask: Hate these noobmons :D But Infernape can keep spamming Fire Blast, Zapdos owns it, etc.
•Metagross: Zapdos could go in with its natural bulk and hit Gross with Heat Wave. Infernape could do excellently too.
•Heatran: The biggest problem on my team. I'd love Starmie to have Surf for stuff like ScarfTran. But otherwise I rely on Lucario's Fighting moves to hopefully take it out.
•Celebi: Infernape can outspeed and hit hard. Maybe Zapdos too.
•Jirachi: Similar to Metagross. Zapdos or Infernape.
•Scizor: Zapdos makes for an excellent counter.
Sorry that it's repetitive. But this concludes my second RMT! As always, I appreciate any constructive criticism given.
EDIT: Changed a few things because I didn't want to create a whole new RMT; it's pretty similar regardless. Disregard the Counters/Threats thing please, I didn't feel like updating :P
Now that I'm less of a noob than many months ago (I will always be noobish), I can understand pokemon more so I've gone through maybe 3 or 4 teams recently. I'm currently getting owned in all of them with this new one, but I refuse to revert back to teams I know and can play well with. Without further ado, my team.
Azelf @ Choice Scarf
Naive; 8 HP, 4 Atk, 244 Sp Atk, 252 Speed
Explosion/Trick/Psychic/Stealth Rock
This is my lead, an Azelf that can be credited to Atticus. Basically I like to Trick on stuff I can survive against (i.e. Aero) or on stuff that might Stealth Rock first turn. Otherwise, I Stealth Rock first turn while they do something slower than me (for example, I used to get pissed at Breloom leads trying to Spore me; a quick Psychic to the face alleviated that anger quickly). If I can Stealth Rock first turn, its job is done. It can then either Explode if I feel like it or it can be switched out- to either Trick a Scarf on something I don't like, or to get a really fast Explosion off.
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Jolly; 250 HP/56 Atk/204 Speed
Outrage/U-Turn/Crunch/Earthquake
I was pleasantly surprised by using Flygon as I always thought I had enough of an early game presence. However, Flygon serves as an excellent switch in to almost anything after Azelf has done its job. Outrage for the late game makes Flygon excellent as a cleaner as well. I usually U-Turn to scout (obviously). I put Crunch because I saw a potential problem with Rotom formes and Starmie, but there's probably a better option here (namely Thunderpunch).
Metagross @ Iron Ball
Adamant; 236 HP/252 Attack/20 Speed
Trick/Explosion/Earthquake/Meteor Mash
I really wanted to incorporate a non-lead Trick user without potentially screwing up another member of my team with Choice Scarf (those counter-Trickers piss me off). Metagross serves as a tank for any Outrage, which is needed on this team badly. Additionally, it can screw over some of its switch-ins like the Rotom formes and promptly go for the EQ. If all else fails, a powerful Explosion does the job.
Infernape @ Life Orb
Naive; 4 HP/252 Sp. Atk/252 Speed
Grass Knot/Nasty Plot/Fire Blast/Close Combat
Pretty standard NP Ape, as far as that goes. Nothing is more satisfying than watching a noob Blissey switch in after I NP and promptly OHKO it with Close Combat. This is pretty much the powerhouse behind my team, and it's really pretty cool. I used to run Vacuum Wave over Grass Knot, but I found that Grass Knot is badly needed on this set for more coverage.
Starmie @ Life Orb
Timid; 4 HP/252 Sp. Atk/252 Speed
Hydro Pump/Recover/Ice Beam/Thunderbolt
I used to have yet another TrickScarf user in the form of Starmie, but having too many Trick users got really annoying and was sort of noobish. Starmie is an awesome sweeper and works great with Metagross in particular who can pretty much shrug anything off that was originally fired at Starmie. Obligatory BoltBeam with Hydro Pump for STAB. Oddly enough, I never use Recover; usually I can just start attacking and not worry about health (I play Starmie late game, which might be incorrect)
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Bold; 248 HP/228 Def/32 Speed
Roost/Thunderbolt/Heat Wave/Hidden Power Grass
This is the utility bulky Pokemon I typically go to after Azelf. It covers a lot and is bulky enough so that I can scout the hit/Pokemon, then switch to the appropriate counter. I've never used a Zapdos in the past and I'm pretty pleased with it. I used to run HP Ice but I badly got owned my Swampert so I switched to HP Grass- I've got Starmie and Flygon to revenge most Dragon types.
My problems that I see right now:
•Tyranitar leads
•Other stuff (This is newly edited and I need to see what's wrong with this team)
Threat List:
•Tyranitar: I've got Vacuum Wave on Lucario, Close Combat for Nape, Trick stuff to it and adjust accordingly.
•Gyarados: Starmie can revenge nicely (even after a DD) and Zapdos can do its thing.
•Infernape: Azelf if it's still around, possibly Dragonite.
•Electivire: lol. Dragonite, Zapdos, Azelf if it's around.
•Heracross: Azelf, Zapdos, Nape
•Salamence: I've got HP Ice on both Zapdos and Lucario. Only Zapdos is maybe a counter for it.
•Togekiss: Zapdos can fare pretty well. Infernape could hit it hard with Fire Blast, too.
•Gengar: Azelf Psychic and and hard hit I can get on it.
•Lucario: My own Lucario's Vacuum Wave, Zapdos' Heat Wave, Nite EQ, Infernape, etc. Lucario is owned.
•Starmie: My Starmie can show up and revenge it well. Zapdos is also effective, even if the other Starmie has Ice Beam.
•Weavile: Vacuum Wave with Lucario, Zapdos can Heat Wave, stuff like that.
•Alakazam: Could be a problem. Not really sure about it actually; however, I have yet to face one after 30 or so battles with this team.
•Machamp: Very annoying. Azelf can blow up or Psychic if it's still alive. Zapdos can wall decently I suppose, even though Stone Edge can hurt.
•Jolteon: Another huge problem. Jolteon has swept this team once and I don't have a surefire counter for it.
•Snorlax: Infernape can Close Combat.
•Zapdos: My own Zapdos can do well, and Starmie could revenge decently.
•Blissey: LOL. Infernape can bluff all special, then own with Close Combat.
•Suicune: Starmie can hit hard. Zapdos can do well too.
•Breloom: Azelf does great! Also Starmie can Ice Beam and Zapdos can wall it and hit back with Heat Wave.
•Ninjask: Hate these noobmons :D But Infernape can keep spamming Fire Blast, Zapdos owns it, etc.
•Metagross: Zapdos could go in with its natural bulk and hit Gross with Heat Wave. Infernape could do excellently too.
•Heatran: The biggest problem on my team. I'd love Starmie to have Surf for stuff like ScarfTran. But otherwise I rely on Lucario's Fighting moves to hopefully take it out.
•Celebi: Infernape can outspeed and hit hard. Maybe Zapdos too.
•Jirachi: Similar to Metagross. Zapdos or Infernape.
•Scizor: Zapdos makes for an excellent counter.
Sorry that it's repetitive. But this concludes my second RMT! As always, I appreciate any constructive criticism given.
EDIT: Changed a few things because I didn't want to create a whole new RMT; it's pretty similar regardless. Disregard the Counters/Threats thing please, I didn't feel like updating :P
