My in-game pokemon ultra sun team - pokemon will be introduced in an order I might play them. Catching methods will be mentioned if relevant.
Qing Shu (Cottonee) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 1
Serious Nature
IVs: 0 HP
- Leech Seed - full HP restore
- Endeavor - takes opposing pokemon down to at least Leech Seed range
- Substitute - synergy with leech seed, can also be used to stall out status damage
- Encore - can ease predictions when the opponent is encored
Notes: 0 HP IVs let Cottonee get 5 substitutes up (providing his HP is initally full). Level 1 pokemon should always have a neutral nature. If you want to give Cottonee EVs make sure your Poke Pelago is maxed out.
Bai Ning Bing (Cloyster) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Spear - 125 BP STAB move
- Toxic Spikes - useful hazard for this team, also easy to set up - especially if Cottonee has already locked the opposing pokemon into a move
- Shell Smash - one of the best set up moves in the game imo
- Rapid Spin - hazard removal
Notes: Leech Seed + Encore from Cottonee allows Cloyster to come in and regain his (or her? Bai Ning Bing reference) Focus Sash if hazards are up through Leech Seed recovery.
Togedemaru @ Shell Bell
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 1
- Endeavor - will typically bring the opposing pokemon down to 1 HP
- Fake Out - can bring Togedemaru back to full HP if its taken minimal hazard damage
- U-turn - synergy with Shell Bell and more effective than Nuzzle at finishing off pokemon imo
- Spiky Shield - allows for extra turns of status damage and gives a less reliable way to finish off the opposing pokemon
Notes: Shell Bell allows Togedemaru to regain all its HP whenever it lands an Endeavor. If U-turn is used to finish off a pokemon, Togedemaru should be on 2 HP (negating minimal hazard damage) and can come back in if Cottonee has used Leech Seed - either Spiky Shield or Fake Out to regain full HP (or Endeavor if you want to predict the unlikely switch).
Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Sassy Nature
- U-turn - allows for Cottonee and Togedemaru to switch in safely
- Bullet Punch - priority move boosted by Technician (once Scizor mega evolves) - has synergy with endeavor
- Roost - increases Scizor's longevity - useful for a pivoter
- Swords Dance - gives Scizor sweeping potential
Notes: Checks Xerneas, Swords Dance should only rarely be used ahead of U-turn.
Groudon-Primal @ Red Orb
Ability: Desolate Land
EVs: 252 SpA / 104 SpD / 152 Spe
Mild Nature
- Stealth Rock - a required move on a required pokemon
- Eruption - some synergy with Leech Seed
- Rock Tomb - coverage for Salamence
- Precipice Blades - used on almost every Groudon set to my knowledge
Notes: Groudon-Primal is required on essentially all offensive teams, enough said really.
Zygarde @ Groundium Z
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 30 HP
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows - hits most of the tier for neutral damage, some synergy with Groudon as it knocks down flying type pokemon
- Substitute - synergy with Toxic spikes
- Dragon Dance - finally a set-up move that will be consistently used
- Dragon Tail - synergy with Toxic spikes
Notes: 30 HP IVs allows Power Construct to activate after 2 Substitutes. To catch a 30 HP IV Zygarde in-game pain split on something like Beheeyem can be used. Beheeyem can be used in SOS chaining as well, otherwise, for pokemon like Xerneas, use ditto to check IVs.
I'd appreciate different pokemon recommendations specific to Ultra Sun - also note that the core of Cottonee and Togedemaru is most effective in Ubers where there are less multi-hit moves - the only stable way to completely counter both of them.
Qing Shu (Cottonee) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 1
Serious Nature
IVs: 0 HP
- Leech Seed - full HP restore
- Endeavor - takes opposing pokemon down to at least Leech Seed range
- Substitute - synergy with leech seed, can also be used to stall out status damage
- Encore - can ease predictions when the opponent is encored
Notes: 0 HP IVs let Cottonee get 5 substitutes up (providing his HP is initally full). Level 1 pokemon should always have a neutral nature. If you want to give Cottonee EVs make sure your Poke Pelago is maxed out.
Bai Ning Bing (Cloyster) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Skill Link
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Spear - 125 BP STAB move
- Toxic Spikes - useful hazard for this team, also easy to set up - especially if Cottonee has already locked the opposing pokemon into a move
- Shell Smash - one of the best set up moves in the game imo
- Rapid Spin - hazard removal
Notes: Leech Seed + Encore from Cottonee allows Cloyster to come in and regain his (or her? Bai Ning Bing reference) Focus Sash if hazards are up through Leech Seed recovery.
Togedemaru @ Shell Bell
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 1
- Endeavor - will typically bring the opposing pokemon down to 1 HP
- Fake Out - can bring Togedemaru back to full HP if its taken minimal hazard damage
- U-turn - synergy with Shell Bell and more effective than Nuzzle at finishing off pokemon imo
- Spiky Shield - allows for extra turns of status damage and gives a less reliable way to finish off the opposing pokemon
Notes: Shell Bell allows Togedemaru to regain all its HP whenever it lands an Endeavor. If U-turn is used to finish off a pokemon, Togedemaru should be on 2 HP (negating minimal hazard damage) and can come back in if Cottonee has used Leech Seed - either Spiky Shield or Fake Out to regain full HP (or Endeavor if you want to predict the unlikely switch).
Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Sassy Nature
- U-turn - allows for Cottonee and Togedemaru to switch in safely
- Bullet Punch - priority move boosted by Technician (once Scizor mega evolves) - has synergy with endeavor
- Roost - increases Scizor's longevity - useful for a pivoter
- Swords Dance - gives Scizor sweeping potential
Notes: Checks Xerneas, Swords Dance should only rarely be used ahead of U-turn.
Groudon-Primal @ Red Orb
Ability: Desolate Land
EVs: 252 SpA / 104 SpD / 152 Spe
Mild Nature
- Stealth Rock - a required move on a required pokemon
- Eruption - some synergy with Leech Seed
- Rock Tomb - coverage for Salamence
- Precipice Blades - used on almost every Groudon set to my knowledge
Notes: Groudon-Primal is required on essentially all offensive teams, enough said really.
Zygarde @ Groundium Z
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
IVs: 30 HP
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows - hits most of the tier for neutral damage, some synergy with Groudon as it knocks down flying type pokemon
- Substitute - synergy with Toxic spikes
- Dragon Dance - finally a set-up move that will be consistently used
- Dragon Tail - synergy with Toxic spikes
Notes: 30 HP IVs allows Power Construct to activate after 2 Substitutes. To catch a 30 HP IV Zygarde in-game pain split on something like Beheeyem can be used. Beheeyem can be used in SOS chaining as well, otherwise, for pokemon like Xerneas, use ditto to check IVs.
I'd appreciate different pokemon recommendations specific to Ultra Sun - also note that the core of Cottonee and Togedemaru is most effective in Ubers where there are less multi-hit moves - the only stable way to completely counter both of them.