REVEEEEEENGE, Standard Ladder RMT
Having had moderate success with my previous two teams on the ladder, I decided to make a new team centered around Pokemon I have never played with before. I felt like this would be an exercise to help me improve my skills as well as an opportunity to get familiar with a new set of Pokemons. Anywho on to the Pokemon.
My first selection was Scizor. Since getting back I have been dying to try it. With Bullet Punch and Technician Scizor is capable of revenge killing many threats with a STAB priority attack. I was also told that its usage is to go down with Latias being absent in OU, so I figured why not?
Originally I had plans for Machamp who I have never played with to be paired with Scizor. However, after going through Scizor's analysis an additional time, I decided to add Flygon to my team. Flygon is immune to Ground type attacks and has the added bonus of being immune to Electric type attacks.
Having two Choice item Pokemon on my team I decided to try my hand at Wish Passing. Jirachi and Blissey came to mind but having played with Jirachi a lot and loathing Blissey I decided to go with Vaporeon who could eliminate specific threats like Gyarados, Salamence, or Infernape while being immune to Water attacks.
Save a Fighting type resist the team seemed to be working well. I remembered Flygon's analysis mentioned pairing Scizor and Flygon with Infernape. Since Vaporeon does a good job of removing Pokemon like Salamence and Gyarados off the field, why the hell not?
I started looking for a lead. I had my eyes on Metagross who is a very sturdy Pokemon with a sky high attack stat. He looked amazing, priority STAB attack, durable, the ability to OHKO some of its counters, and access to Stealth Rock. However I did not like the fact he only had one immunity, and a weakness to Fire and Ground type attacks. While already covered on my team, I felt his weaknesses would hurt me more than help me and so came Swampert! I've noticed MixPert with Protect in the lead slot a lot more often recently and with good reason. The ability to scout attacks and take hits is great. Swampert also brought an additional immunity as well as a resistance to Rock and Steel type attacks.
For my last slot I wanted to have additional resistances or immunities. Rotom-W is immune to Fighting, Normal, and Ground attacks and looked like an interesting Pokemon. A third Choice item on my team with only one sweeper wasnt looking pretty. So, I decided on Celebi who even though has seven weaknesses, has the ability to recover off entry hazards damage. With a Life Orb equipped and the ability to recover health, Celebi would make great use of Leaf Storm.
The only type not covered is Flying >.>
Having had moderate success with my previous two teams on the ladder, I decided to make a new team centered around Pokemon I have never played with before. I felt like this would be an exercise to help me improve my skills as well as an opportunity to get familiar with a new set of Pokemons. Anywho on to the Pokemon.
" I am awful"
My first selection was Scizor. Since getting back I have been dying to try it. With Bullet Punch and Technician Scizor is capable of revenge killing many threats with a STAB priority attack. I was also told that its usage is to go down with Latias being absent in OU, so I figured why not?
Originally I had plans for Machamp who I have never played with to be paired with Scizor. However, after going through Scizor's analysis an additional time, I decided to add Flygon to my team. Flygon is immune to Ground type attacks and has the added bonus of being immune to Electric type attacks.
Having two Choice item Pokemon on my team I decided to try my hand at Wish Passing. Jirachi and Blissey came to mind but having played with Jirachi a lot and loathing Blissey I decided to go with Vaporeon who could eliminate specific threats like Gyarados, Salamence, or Infernape while being immune to Water attacks.
Save a Fighting type resist the team seemed to be working well. I remembered Flygon's analysis mentioned pairing Scizor and Flygon with Infernape. Since Vaporeon does a good job of removing Pokemon like Salamence and Gyarados off the field, why the hell not?
I started looking for a lead. I had my eyes on Metagross who is a very sturdy Pokemon with a sky high attack stat. He looked amazing, priority STAB attack, durable, the ability to OHKO some of its counters, and access to Stealth Rock. However I did not like the fact he only had one immunity, and a weakness to Fire and Ground type attacks. While already covered on my team, I felt his weaknesses would hurt me more than help me and so came Swampert! I've noticed MixPert with Protect in the lead slot a lot more often recently and with good reason. The ability to scout attacks and take hits is great. Swampert also brought an additional immunity as well as a resistance to Rock and Steel type attacks.
For my last slot I wanted to have additional resistances or immunities. Rotom-W is immune to Fighting, Normal, and Ground attacks and looked like an interesting Pokemon. A third Choice item on my team with only one sweeper wasnt looking pretty. So, I decided on Celebi who even though has seven weaknesses, has the ability to recover off entry hazards damage. With a Life Orb equipped and the ability to recover health, Celebi would make great use of Leaf Storm.
The only type not covered is Flying >.>
Spreads and Movesets:
(Swampert) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 Def
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Protect
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
Pretty standard MixPert. He is reliable, he gets his job done and takes hits well. He is immune to Sandstorm damage which is a plus, to me at least. He survives LO Mence Draco Meteor and OHKOs him with Ice Beam after Life Orb. Contemplating switching the EV spread around a bit so that I can OHKO Dragonite with Ice Beam.
---
(Suicune) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
With its natural bulk Suicune is an efficient sweeper. Calm Mind further boosts his ability to damage many Pokemon with Hydro Pump while HP Electric serves to stop Gyarados and opposing Water type Pokemon in their tracks. Ice Beam allows me to deal with Dragonite, Salamence, and Flygon swiftly. Gliscor and Breeloom are also taken care of iffen they wants ta bang!
A Gyarados and Salamence counter in one package.
---
(Infernape) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk/252 Spd/192 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Close Combat
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Grass Knot
Though Infernape boasts a huge movepool, I feel like I was under-utilizing him in the Sword Dancing set. Rather than aim to sweep with Infernape, I will aim to handle various threats. With this set my only hard counter is Vaporeon who can shrug off both Grass Knot and Close Combat. Swampert is destroyed by Grass Knot and after Stealth Rocks Gyarados is 2HKOd. Starmie has to be careful because I have a chance to OHKO it on the switch with proper prediction.
Blissey, Skarmory, Gliscor, Salamence, Scizor, Celebi, Jirachi, Metagross, Heatran, Tyranitar, Forrestress, AND SO MANY MORE. All gone.
---
(Scizor) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Quick Attack
- U-turn
- Superpower
I chose Quick Attack over Pursuit on Scizor to be pick off some of the weakened Pokemon who resist Bullet Punch. Priority attacks are a beautiful thing and Scizor makes very good use of them with Technician. Scizor also stops sweeps, forces switches, and sends unsuspecting Blissey to the Poke Center.
---
(Shaymin) @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 32 HP/224 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Seed Flare
- Rest
As suggested I replaced Celebi with Shaymin. While Celebi has a greater movepool and often seen as the superior Pokemon, Shaymin is still perfectly viable even in todays metagame. Not having seven weaknesses like Celebi and having Seed Flare is huge for Shaymin. This is my answer for Vaporeon as well as Starmie and other Bulky Waters. Ice Beam from Vaporeon and Starmie only 2HKOs me while I always OHKO Starmie and have a good chance to OHKO Vaporeon. Hidden Power Fire allows me to hit Pokemon like Skarmory, Scizor, and Breelom who would love a chance to bully Shaymin around. Oh and Earthpower means Jolteon can choke on an infinite supply of penis (takes care of Heatran too).
---
(Flygon) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
Ive been anxious to try Flygon for a while now. The only thing Flygon can do better than Salamence is revenge kill thanks to its immunity to Stealth Rocks and Electric attacks. U-Turn allows Flygon to scout better than Salamence. Flygon also gets a great STAB in the form of Earthquake. Much like Salamence, Flygon can also attempt a sweep with STAB Outrage once specific Pokemon are out of the way or weakened. Stone Edge allows me to hit Togekiss, Gyarados, and Salamence all in one package.
---
I wasnt going to make another thread but Ive got no other resource to go to for help >.>
The NEW idea is to handle threats accordingly, playing smartly to prevent things like three layers of Spikes or a +2 Dragon Dance Tyranitar. While Pokemon like Scizor and Flygon are very predictable, Infernape and to a lesser extent Suicune and Shaymin are volatile threats capable of handling popular threats.
Threatlist:
Aerodactyl - While in the lead position, Swampert 2HKOs him with Ice Beam. Thanks to most Aerodactyl leads using Taunt on the first turn, they are dead after they put up Stealth Rock. His frailness means he really inst a problem to the rest of my team.
Azelf - In the lead position, I can scout for Grass Knot with Swampert. I then have the option of switching out to Vaporeon who can take his attacks as well as protect himself from Explosion.
Breloom - I can rely on my speed to eliminate him with Infernape or Shaymin.
Dragonite - In the lead spot Swampert can not OHKO him, however after Stealth Rocks Swampert can handle him well. Suicune, Infernape and Flygon also carry SE attacks and Scizor can pick him off with Bullet Punch.
Electivire - Flygon and Swampert can deal massive damage to it with STAB Ground attacks, exploiting its defenses (75/67/85). Shaymin can also strike it with SE damage while resisting Thunderbolt and Cross Chop watching only for Ice Punch/HP Ice.
Empoleon - Shaymin can handle most versions of him.
Flygon - Swampert can takem on just fine. Suicune survive his STAB attacks and retaliate with Ice Beam.
Gengar - Exploiting his frail defenses is the way to go.
Gyarados - Suicune is a hard counter for him with HP Electric. Flygon carries SE for him, outspeeding him after a Dragon Dance.
Heatran - Every Pokemon on my team can deal SE damage to it. Flygon, Suicune, and Swampert do it better than the others do.
Heracross -A lot of things hurt him.
Infernape -Suicune and Swampert can survive Close Combats but have to watch for Grass Knot. Flygon only fears an HP Ice on the switch.
Jirachi - Shouldnt be a problem for Swampert or Flygon. I gotta watch out for Choice Scarf Ice Punch.
Jolteon -Depending on his HP, Swampert and Flygon can handle him. Shaymin also resists Thunderbolt and takes laughable damage from HP Ice.
Kingdra - Tricky, but Shaymin can deal with it. Dont want to lock myself into Outrage >.>
Lucario -Shaymin doesnt fear him. Flygon and Swampert can deal with him.
Machamp - :|
Magnezone -If its not Scarfed, Ive got plenty of ways for it to die.
Mamoswine - Everything deals SE damage to it.
Metagross -Because of his movepool he can be tricky but Ive got lots of stuff for it.
Ninjask -Don't allow him a chance to pass Swords Dance :O
Roserade -Speed.
Salamence -Swampert! He can be revenge killed too.
Scizor -Napey and Shaymin?
Smeargle -Without a status absorber he can set up for free vs. anything not Infernape.
Starmie -Shaymin. Alternatively, U-Turn from Flygon then QA from Scizor.
Togekiss -With no hard counter my best bet is to outspeed it or revenge kill it.
Tyranitar -You better be Scarfed or youll get knocked out swiftly. Dragon Dance Tyranitar can be tricky as he often carries a Baibiri Berry.
Weavile - Ive only got to watch out for Ice Shard on Flygon or boosted neutral attacks on Swampert/Suicune.
Defensive Threats
Blissey -Scizor and Infernape hate your guts. Watch out.
Bronzong - I dont have a hard counter but plenty of Pokemon deal lots of damage to it.
Celebi - It doesnt like Bug attacks from Scizor or Flygon and Infernape is packing Fire Blast. Shaymin can deal with it kinda.
Dusknoir - :|
Forretress -Fire Blast and HP Fire. Ouch.
Gliscor -Suicune, Swampert, and Infernape all have a chance to OHKO.
Hippowdon - Suicune and Shaymin have SE STAB attacks. He wont like Grass Knot from Infernape
Rotom-A -ugh
Skarmory - Infernape
Snorlax - Infernape and Scizor can deal crazy damage to it.
Suicune -Shaymin?
Swampert -Shaymin?
Tentacruel -Swampthing and Shaymin kinda
Vaporeon -Shaymin loves you.
Zapdos - Depends.
(Swampert) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 Def
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Protect
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
Pretty standard MixPert. He is reliable, he gets his job done and takes hits well. He is immune to Sandstorm damage which is a plus, to me at least. He survives LO Mence Draco Meteor and OHKOs him with Ice Beam after Life Orb. Contemplating switching the EV spread around a bit so that I can OHKO Dragonite with Ice Beam.
---
(Suicune) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
With its natural bulk Suicune is an efficient sweeper. Calm Mind further boosts his ability to damage many Pokemon with Hydro Pump while HP Electric serves to stop Gyarados and opposing Water type Pokemon in their tracks. Ice Beam allows me to deal with Dragonite, Salamence, and Flygon swiftly. Gliscor and Breeloom are also taken care of iffen they wants ta bang!
A Gyarados and Salamence counter in one package.
---
(Infernape) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk/252 Spd/192 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Close Combat
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Grass Knot
Though Infernape boasts a huge movepool, I feel like I was under-utilizing him in the Sword Dancing set. Rather than aim to sweep with Infernape, I will aim to handle various threats. With this set my only hard counter is Vaporeon who can shrug off both Grass Knot and Close Combat. Swampert is destroyed by Grass Knot and after Stealth Rocks Gyarados is 2HKOd. Starmie has to be careful because I have a chance to OHKO it on the switch with proper prediction.
Blissey, Skarmory, Gliscor, Salamence, Scizor, Celebi, Jirachi, Metagross, Heatran, Tyranitar, Forrestress, AND SO MANY MORE. All gone.
---
(Scizor) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Quick Attack
- U-turn
- Superpower
I chose Quick Attack over Pursuit on Scizor to be pick off some of the weakened Pokemon who resist Bullet Punch. Priority attacks are a beautiful thing and Scizor makes very good use of them with Technician. Scizor also stops sweeps, forces switches, and sends unsuspecting Blissey to the Poke Center.
---
(Shaymin) @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 32 HP/224 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Seed Flare
- Rest
As suggested I replaced Celebi with Shaymin. While Celebi has a greater movepool and often seen as the superior Pokemon, Shaymin is still perfectly viable even in todays metagame. Not having seven weaknesses like Celebi and having Seed Flare is huge for Shaymin. This is my answer for Vaporeon as well as Starmie and other Bulky Waters. Ice Beam from Vaporeon and Starmie only 2HKOs me while I always OHKO Starmie and have a good chance to OHKO Vaporeon. Hidden Power Fire allows me to hit Pokemon like Skarmory, Scizor, and Breelom who would love a chance to bully Shaymin around. Oh and Earthpower means Jolteon can choke on an infinite supply of penis (takes care of Heatran too).
---
(Flygon) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
Ive been anxious to try Flygon for a while now. The only thing Flygon can do better than Salamence is revenge kill thanks to its immunity to Stealth Rocks and Electric attacks. U-Turn allows Flygon to scout better than Salamence. Flygon also gets a great STAB in the form of Earthquake. Much like Salamence, Flygon can also attempt a sweep with STAB Outrage once specific Pokemon are out of the way or weakened. Stone Edge allows me to hit Togekiss, Gyarados, and Salamence all in one package.
---
I wasnt going to make another thread but Ive got no other resource to go to for help >.>
The NEW idea is to handle threats accordingly, playing smartly to prevent things like three layers of Spikes or a +2 Dragon Dance Tyranitar. While Pokemon like Scizor and Flygon are very predictable, Infernape and to a lesser extent Suicune and Shaymin are volatile threats capable of handling popular threats.
Threatlist:
Defensive Threats
