Returning to the competitive scene after a long break...

Blarg92

Edit : Swapped Gyarados for Starmie, made some minor changes as well, which are bolded

Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 108 HP/226 Atk/176 Spd
Jolly nature (+Speed, -SAtk) -as someone pointed out, the power most likely won't make a difference, whereas the speed could
- Trick
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Body Slam

My new favorite lead. He can cripple someone with trick, or keep the choice scarf and be a revenge killer, depending on the opponent’s team. The speed beats base 90 scarfers with a +speed nature, and 108 HP hits a lefties number.

On a previous version of this team, I used thunder instead of body slam. Thunder allows him to really hurt stuff that’s weak to it, like Skarmory or Gyarados. On the other hand, body slam is a more consistent method of paralysis (60% vs. 42% and it hits ground types). It also allows me to go all-physical instead of splitting my attack. I’m kinda torn on what to do here, suggestions?

Rotom-h @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/6 SAtk
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Will-o-wisp
- Thunderbolt
- Overheat
- Substitute -Better than protect. Sub + pain split sounds really cool, but I'm not sure if I can get away with just one attack.

Pretty simple. This is one of my checks against fighting and bug attackers like Lucario or Scizor, and makes a good physical tank in general. If I suspect a switch, I’ll toss a WoW out there in case Tyranitar comes in.

Flygon (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 42 Atk/216 Spd/252 SAtk
Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Roost

Ok, so he needs to go. The thing is, he has a rather unique typing and I'm not sure who to replace him with. I need a wall breaker.

Starmie @ Life orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 36 HP/252 SAtk/212 Spd
Timid nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Ice beam
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
- Recover

If this turns out to be too frail, I can switch to a more defensive version. But I like Starmie, and he helps with some of my biggest weaknesses.

Loch Ness (Swampert) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/6 Atk/252 Def
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
- Ice Beam

I’ve never liked Swampert in the past, but this has worked surprisingly well. He’s good for switching in early and setting up SR, and then just tanking away. The set is pretty standard, except I reasoned icebeam will hit most things harder than avalanche. Roar could possibly be replaced, but I’ve never really felt the need for hydro pump either.

Iron Man (Scizor) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 78 HP/252 Atk/180 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
- Bug bite

I think this is pretty self explanatory. 180 speed EVs beats Suicune and Cresselia that don’t invest in speed. The Suicune part has saved me numerous times. Also, I went with leftovers instead of live orb because experience has shown me time and time again that leftovers is the better option.
I like the SD set, but I can switch to CB for wall-breaking purposes if necessary.

Problems:

Gengar can be a problem, especially if Jirachi has ditched the choice scarf. Gengar probably can’t sweep my entire team early on, but I don’t have a good switch-in to stop him either. Actually, I don’t have a good pokemon for taking sleep moves in general.

I’m sure there’s other stuff I’m missing, and I also realize it’s impossible to counter everything, but I’m sure there’s room for improvement with my team, and I’m open to suggestions.
 
First off You should use Waterfall on Gyarados, I say ditch taunt it's not as useful as it once was. Gyarados needs a strong stab attack that does immediate damage. I also think you should add roost to Scizor instead of brick break. It is much more effective and brick break doesn't really do you much good.
 
little loven said:
First off You should use Waterfall on Gyarados, I say ditch taunt it's not as useful as it once was. Gyarados needs a strong stab attack that does immediate damage.
Click to expand...

I was actually thinking of replacing Gyarados with Starmie, thoughts on this?
But if I do keep him, I'll definitely put waterfall on there.

little loven said:
I also think you should add roost to Scizor instead of brick break. It is much more effective and brick break doesn't really do you much good.
Click to expand...

Brick break actually hurts steels (Heatrans seem to love switching in on Scizor, and that's how I make them regret it). Pretty important type coverage if you ask me. Also, Scizor isn't meant to be too defensive so I've never felt the need for roost.
 
Both Starmie and Shuca Empoleon would work great for your team. You don't really need a scarfmie or a spinner so I would recommend Bulky LO Starmie with 3 attacks and recover, and for empoleon I would recommend Agility, Grass Knot, Hydro Pump, and Ice beam. Celebi could also fill the same slot, but doesn't do as well against Infernape.

You may also consider Choice Band Gyara, with Payback, Waterfall, EQ, Stone Edge.
 
Hi

Solid team, but I have a few suggestions. The first is to get rid of protect on Rotom as it's nit much use. Instead, a move like Shadow Ball would be far beneficial. Also, Overheat and willowisp accomplish similar jobs for rotom like stopping physical steel types. I would reccomend using a move like substitute to catch ttars on the switch, or pain split for better longevity. My next suggestion is to get rid of Mix flygon and using Mix Infernape or Life orb starmie. Aside from pure surprise value, Flygon lacks the power to dent many Pokemon even with STAB Draco meteor.

Good luck!
 
I have a few suggestions that may help your team counter some of the problems you've listed.
First, i suggest changing Rotom-H to a choice scarf set, such as...
Rotom-H @ Choice Scarf
Nature:Timid
Evs:252SpA/4SpD/252Spe
Ability:Levitate
-Trick
-Tbolt
-Overheat
-Shadow Ball

With the aforementioned set you can Outspeed and OHKO any Gengar(Barring Choice Scarf). This also can help deal some damage to Magnezone and Empoleon. It can cripple many Pokes with trick if you are afraid of Pokes setting up on you.

If you go with the set i suggested you should change Gyarados to a more defensive set...
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Nature:Adamant
Evs:156Hp/72Atk/96Def/184Spe
Ability:Intimidate
-Dragon Dance
-Taunt
-Waterfall
-Bounce/Earthquake

This set can check many offensive threats thanks to Gyarados' bulk and Intimidate. Assuming they will switch to get rid of the Intimidate, You can proceed to set up then stop any phazers with Taunt. This set also deals with Infernape barring an electric attack.
Hope I helped :)
 
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