Introduction
So basically I used to lurk around the wifi trading area, I used to be a breeder, and did not pay too much attention to battling during this time, although i did a fair bit, however now I am going to focus on competitive battling. I have been in several clans already, so I consider myself quite a good player, however I have not played in about a year and a half, although I just did a few battles recently, and I will be uploading them to YouTube soon.
With this in mind, I have decided to make a team, basically based around a fairly generic OU team (which is currently 5-0!!), and would like input from fellow smogonites to make my team even better! There are a few problems that I can identify, but also would like you to be as critical as possible when rating my team. Thanks for reading guys! Keep in mind I am using Platinum, and will not be able to use HGSS specials.
Team Preview
IMAGES FROM POKEMON ELITE 2000
Team in Depth
The Lead
Aerodactyl @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure | Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
-Stealth Rock
-Taunt
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
Explanation:
Pretty simple lead, just a standard lead Aerodactyl. Stealth Rock is a great way to start any match, and can severly cripple many pokemon which can be devastating otherwise, it also puts pressure on switches, and really hurts those using Life Orb.
I benefit from Taunt, as it really does stop many other leads from getting their Stealth Rocks down, while still being able to get mine up. It also means that Zapdos and Gyarados do not take the 25% switch in damage, which can be critical to their individual purposes. The attacks Earthquake and Stone Edge provide great coverage, and Stone Edge has 180 Base power thanks to STAB, making it a very dangerous move, especially with 252 Atk EVs. 252 EVs is so that I outspeed or am at least even with other Aerodactyl leads, and some other pokemon such as Jolteon which can be an early switch in for the KO.
The Revenge Killer, End Game Sweeper and Scouter
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate | Nature: Naughty
EVs: 252 Atk / 80 SpA/ 176 Spe
Moveset:
-Earthquake
-Fire Blast
-Outrage
-U-Turn
Explanation:
Possibly my favourite OU pokemon. Flygon makes for a great pokemon due to several key characteristics, which few other dragon pokemon share. For starters, it has a great move pool, which includes nearly all the most powerful moves in the game, such as Outrage (STAB), Earthquake (STAB) and Fire Blast. Not only this, but it also has U-Turn, and paired with its typing which resists Stealth Rock, this pokemon becomes a great revenge killer, end game sweeper with Outrage, or just to finish a Pokemon that is trying to set up.
He works very well in this team, as you can imagine, his synergy with Gyarados is great because he is of Ground type, and can then U-Turn for a possible free switch in.
The Physical Tank Sweeper
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate | Nature: Adamant
EVs: 156 HP / 104 Atk / 100 Def / 150 Spe
Moveset:
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
-Bounce
Explanation:
Currently my second favourite team member, this guy just kicks butt. His great all round stats, paired with EVs that make him able tank a few hits, but his naturally high SpD makes him even more dangerous. He is a natural counter to Scizor and Lucario, and his ability already makes him a physical tank, to take down other tank sweepers, while being able to set up a Dragon Dance or two.
Now the moveset to me looks like a problem, but has not been in the previous few battles. I used to run Dragon Dane | Taunt | Waterfall | Stone Edge, but so far the stated set has worked wonders. Bounce is no gimmick, it gets the STAB bonus, and also gives an extra leftovers healing turn, which can really make a difference. The 30% paralysis also comes in handy against possible scarf switch ins, to which I could also go to flygon, or just finish off depending on what is appropriate.
The Physical Tank
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure | Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP / 228 Def / 32 Spe
Moveset:
-Roost
-Thunderbolt
-Heatwave
-Hidden Power Grass [69]
Explanation:
Possibly the most underrated Pokemon for a long time. Zapdos has great typing, and has such good stats, I have no idea why this is not in the top 3 Pokemon. Think of it like this, it can wall Scizor without breaking a sweat, as well as take down many other defensively weaker sweepers. Its naturally high SpA and Spe mean that without any SpA EV investment, Zapdos can still dish out damage like a sweeper, while remaining very physically tank.
Moveset is mainly for coverage, Thunderbolt being the primary STAB move, while Heatwave covers Scizor in particular, but also other Steel types and grass which resist by STAB move. Hidden Power Grass is for Ground type pokemon which are immune to my STAB, and is specifically placed for Swampert, who will probably kill Aerodactyl without getting Stealth Rocks down.
The Special Sweeper
Latias @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate | Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
-Draco Meteor
-Trick
-Dragon Pulse
-Surf
Explanation:
This pokemon initially entered my team as a filler, as I needed a reliable special sweeper. I did not really want such a generic OU pokemon, but this was one that I had, and it looks fairly sturdy, however I think that its moveset needs reworking, and possibly a change to the CM set or Life Orb Sweeper Set.
I actually cannot comment to much on Latias, as in the 5 battles I have played in, Latias has not been used at all, and I am wondering whether another special sweeper could replace it. I am thinking along the lines of Gengar or a Special Luacrio. Lucario would do extremely well, and would provide good synergy with its Steel typing.
The Bulky Star
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace | Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP / 80 SpA / 176 Spe
Moveset:
-Flash Cannon
-Thunderbolt
-Calm Mind
-Substitute
Explanation:
Another very special set. I love how unused this set is, opposed to the ever popular scarf set, it also gives a nice little spook to usual counters such as Skarmory who hope to ruin my day. This guy has such great typing, and with huge all round stats, is quite a bulky figure, and can take a hit or two.
Flash Cannon is chosen over Psychic, because I have a gaping dragon weakness, and the STAB from Flash Cannon is nice against not only Salamence, but allows me to at least deal neutral damage to Latias, who is quite a problem if running the scarf set. Jirachi has counters that are few and far between, and as many special walls use special attacks, they struggle to hold back Jirachi thanks to calm mind. Its speed EVs are to outrun Jolly 252 Spe Lucario.
Thanks for reading guys, feel free to rate, and suggestions are highly appreciated.
So basically I used to lurk around the wifi trading area, I used to be a breeder, and did not pay too much attention to battling during this time, although i did a fair bit, however now I am going to focus on competitive battling. I have been in several clans already, so I consider myself quite a good player, however I have not played in about a year and a half, although I just did a few battles recently, and I will be uploading them to YouTube soon.
With this in mind, I have decided to make a team, basically based around a fairly generic OU team (which is currently 5-0!!), and would like input from fellow smogonites to make my team even better! There are a few problems that I can identify, but also would like you to be as critical as possible when rating my team. Thanks for reading guys! Keep in mind I am using Platinum, and will not be able to use HGSS specials.
Team Preview
IMAGES FROM POKEMON ELITE 2000
Team in Depth
The Lead
Aerodactyl @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure | Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
-Stealth Rock
-Taunt
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
Explanation:
Pretty simple lead, just a standard lead Aerodactyl. Stealth Rock is a great way to start any match, and can severly cripple many pokemon which can be devastating otherwise, it also puts pressure on switches, and really hurts those using Life Orb.
I benefit from Taunt, as it really does stop many other leads from getting their Stealth Rocks down, while still being able to get mine up. It also means that Zapdos and Gyarados do not take the 25% switch in damage, which can be critical to their individual purposes. The attacks Earthquake and Stone Edge provide great coverage, and Stone Edge has 180 Base power thanks to STAB, making it a very dangerous move, especially with 252 Atk EVs. 252 EVs is so that I outspeed or am at least even with other Aerodactyl leads, and some other pokemon such as Jolteon which can be an early switch in for the KO.
The Revenge Killer, End Game Sweeper and Scouter
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate | Nature: Naughty
EVs: 252 Atk / 80 SpA/ 176 Spe
Moveset:
-Earthquake
-Fire Blast
-Outrage
-U-Turn
Explanation:
Possibly my favourite OU pokemon. Flygon makes for a great pokemon due to several key characteristics, which few other dragon pokemon share. For starters, it has a great move pool, which includes nearly all the most powerful moves in the game, such as Outrage (STAB), Earthquake (STAB) and Fire Blast. Not only this, but it also has U-Turn, and paired with its typing which resists Stealth Rock, this pokemon becomes a great revenge killer, end game sweeper with Outrage, or just to finish a Pokemon that is trying to set up.
He works very well in this team, as you can imagine, his synergy with Gyarados is great because he is of Ground type, and can then U-Turn for a possible free switch in.
The Physical Tank Sweeper
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate | Nature: Adamant
EVs: 156 HP / 104 Atk / 100 Def / 150 Spe
Moveset:
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
-Bounce
Explanation:
Currently my second favourite team member, this guy just kicks butt. His great all round stats, paired with EVs that make him able tank a few hits, but his naturally high SpD makes him even more dangerous. He is a natural counter to Scizor and Lucario, and his ability already makes him a physical tank, to take down other tank sweepers, while being able to set up a Dragon Dance or two.
Now the moveset to me looks like a problem, but has not been in the previous few battles. I used to run Dragon Dane | Taunt | Waterfall | Stone Edge, but so far the stated set has worked wonders. Bounce is no gimmick, it gets the STAB bonus, and also gives an extra leftovers healing turn, which can really make a difference. The 30% paralysis also comes in handy against possible scarf switch ins, to which I could also go to flygon, or just finish off depending on what is appropriate.
The Physical Tank
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure | Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP / 228 Def / 32 Spe
Moveset:
-Roost
-Thunderbolt
-Heatwave
-Hidden Power Grass [69]
Explanation:
Possibly the most underrated Pokemon for a long time. Zapdos has great typing, and has such good stats, I have no idea why this is not in the top 3 Pokemon. Think of it like this, it can wall Scizor without breaking a sweat, as well as take down many other defensively weaker sweepers. Its naturally high SpA and Spe mean that without any SpA EV investment, Zapdos can still dish out damage like a sweeper, while remaining very physically tank.
Moveset is mainly for coverage, Thunderbolt being the primary STAB move, while Heatwave covers Scizor in particular, but also other Steel types and grass which resist by STAB move. Hidden Power Grass is for Ground type pokemon which are immune to my STAB, and is specifically placed for Swampert, who will probably kill Aerodactyl without getting Stealth Rocks down.
The Special Sweeper
Latias @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate | Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moveset:
-Draco Meteor
-Trick
-Dragon Pulse
-Surf
Explanation:
This pokemon initially entered my team as a filler, as I needed a reliable special sweeper. I did not really want such a generic OU pokemon, but this was one that I had, and it looks fairly sturdy, however I think that its moveset needs reworking, and possibly a change to the CM set or Life Orb Sweeper Set.
I actually cannot comment to much on Latias, as in the 5 battles I have played in, Latias has not been used at all, and I am wondering whether another special sweeper could replace it. I am thinking along the lines of Gengar or a Special Luacrio. Lucario would do extremely well, and would provide good synergy with its Steel typing.
The Bulky Star
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace | Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP / 80 SpA / 176 Spe
Moveset:
-Flash Cannon
-Thunderbolt
-Calm Mind
-Substitute
Explanation:
Another very special set. I love how unused this set is, opposed to the ever popular scarf set, it also gives a nice little spook to usual counters such as Skarmory who hope to ruin my day. This guy has such great typing, and with huge all round stats, is quite a bulky figure, and can take a hit or two.
Flash Cannon is chosen over Psychic, because I have a gaping dragon weakness, and the STAB from Flash Cannon is nice against not only Salamence, but allows me to at least deal neutral damage to Latias, who is quite a problem if running the scarf set. Jirachi has counters that are few and far between, and as many special walls use special attacks, they struggle to hold back Jirachi thanks to calm mind. Its speed EVs are to outrun Jolly 252 Spe Lucario.
Thanks for reading guys, feel free to rate, and suggestions are highly appreciated.
