Hello everyone! This is my first time at Smogon, so hopefully this team isn't incredibly flawed, although it isn't a typical Scarftran, Scizor, Skymin, Zapdos etc. team.
This team is going to be used on the Shoddy Offical Server (I already have a pretty good rating there) where Garchomp, Deoxys Speed and Wobba are not banned so please take that into account when rating. I do have a Smogon Shoddy account so maybe, if this team is successful, I'll try it there. Additionally, I may make this team on the DS as I have the Japanese Platinum ready and waiting.
"MAYBOURNE" THE CLEFABLE (F) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVS: 210 HP, 252 Attack, 48 Speed
Lonely Nature (+Attack, -Defence)
- Trick
- Facade
- Protect
- Flamethrower
I'm not really sure what role Clefable plays on my team or whether it is a good lead. Anyway, I always like to include one UU on my team if possible and I chose Clefable because it is just so versatile. The idea behind this Clefable is that it Protects on the first turn, then it either Tricks away its Toxic Orb or attacks with Facade. If the lead happens to be a Scizor, Forretress or other pokemon weak to fire, I Flamethrower right away. Maybe I should replace Flamethrower with Fire Blast?
Clefable has no problems with Scizor that don't decide to Superpower/Brick Break, Blissey (who gets 2HKOed by Facade, I think) and walls in general. However, Clefable has a horrible time with those damn Tyranitars I would like help in dealing with this. Clefable fares quite well against the omnipresent Bronzong. Against Gengar, first turn I Protect to block any potential Hypnosis and then I switch accordingly if Gengar decided to attack. Maybe Spiritomb could make a better lead?
WOW! I was just playing against someone on Shoddy and Clefable's Facade took out a Blissey who was at 94% health!
"GREVORLIA" THE SPIRITOMB (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVS: 252 HP, 140 Attack, 118 Sp. Defence
Careful Nature (+Sp. Defence, -Sp. Attack)
- Will-O-Wisp/Hypnosis
- Sucker Punch
- Taunt
- Pain Split
A standard Spiritomb if I'm not mistaken. It has been working very well but I can't decide between Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis, although I'm leaning towards the former. Pain Split for helpful, albeit unreliable, recovery and keeps Spiritomb alive. Taunt is just a great move in general and completely shuts down Bronzong. I only have 2 more base Speed than him so Gyro Ball will not be hurting! Sucker Punch works great against things I've already Taunted and allows Spiritomb to put a serious dent in Gengar, Azelf, Gardevoir, Alakazam and many other Pokemon.
Spiritomb has no weaknesses which is very helpful, but maybe a Rotom appliance could do better? I love Spiritomb though, it's my favourite Poke! Anyway, Spiritomb has problems with Outrage DDMence, although I usually switch to Skarmory if I sense an incoming Outrage. Spiritomb's burns have come in very handy against the likes of Scizor. Sucker Punch also puts a significant dent in Skymin (how I hate it).
"DEMENTIA" THE PORYGON-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Download
EVS: 6 HP, 252 Sp. Attack, 252 Speed
Modest Nature (+ Sp. Attack, -Attack)
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Tri Attack
- Hidden Power (Fighting)/Trick
Scarfgon-Z will probably become the new standard. He makes a great revenge killer and Download gives all my attacks a boost. Porygon-Z's Sp. Attack is huge and he can seriously damage anything not named Blissey, Snorlax or Regice. BoltBeam provides amazing coverage while Tri Attack is great for a strong STAB attack. HP Fighting "covers" my Tyranitar weakness and helps coverage, but Trick could be useful in crippling walls.
Ice Beam sends Skymin and Salamence to their icy graves while Gyarados enjoys a Thunderbolt to the face. However, I think Gyara outspeeds Porygon-Z after 2 Dragon Dances. Tri Attack can damage just about anything that doesn't resist it. HP Fighting kills Tyranitar and the Rock/Steel Types trying to shrug off Tri Attack. Porygon-Z has problems with the aforementioned special walls and anything with Mach Punch. It also hates paralysis.
"ALUMINAIR" THE SKARMORY (M) @ Leftovers/Shed Shell
Ability: Keen Eye
EVS: 252 HP, 98 Attack, 156 Defence, 4 Speed
Impish Nature (+Defence, -Sp. Attack)
- Stealth Rock
- Drill Peck
- Whirlwind
- Roost
The standard Skarm! He may need a bit more Sp. Defence to deal with Skymin, but he's been working great as a Physical Wall. Stealth Rock is pretty much a requirement for my team and together with Whirlwind can cause a lot of passive damage. I chose Drill Peck rather than Brave Bird, because I could not stand the recoil. Roost is for reliable recovery as long as the opponent does not use Earthquake! I think I'm gonna go Leftovers, as I seen next to no Magnezones.
Skarmory helps greatly against Heracross and can Whirlwind away any pokes with huge stat bonuses. He can also kill Skymin as long he manages to get an attack in against that damn Air Slash flinching. Infernape is a common switch-in to Skarmory who may get a nasty surprise on the switch-in from Drill Peck, otherwise I switch. Scarftran is a problem for Skarmory, but sensing a fire attack, I usually switch to Kingdra.
"HARMLESS SEAHORSE" THE KINGDRA (M) @ Scope Lens
Ability: Sniper
EVS:6 HP, 252 Attack, 252 Speed
Jolly Nature (+Speed, -Sp. Attack)
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Substitute
I may replace this with Swampert (for the Electric immunity), but I need both a 4x Fire resist for Heatran, and a 4x Water resist for Gyara. Kingdra also has a resistance to Scizor's Bullet Punch. Kingdra is basically a bulky Salamence, who can DD up. However, it lacks the huge raw power. Nevertheless, after one or two DDs, it can deal quite a lot of damage with Outrage. Hydro Pump damages Phys. Walls trying to absorb my hits although Subsitute may be more useful. Kingdra only has one weakness (to a fairly uncommon attack type) which is helpful!
Scope Lens + Sniper = Death to my opponent too!
Kingdra is my usual switch-in to Scarftran and Gyarados. He can wall quite well for a Physical Sweeper and after one DD can pose quite a threat. Kingdra has problems with Empoleon however, though I've only seen him once in Standard. Annoying Steel types also like to switch in on Outrage.
CHANGE MADE - Substitute over Hydro Pump meaning I can change the nature to Jolly!
"PARICUTIN" THE INFERNAPE @ Expert Belt
Ability: Blase
EVS: 26 Attack, 252 Sp. Attack, 232 Speed
Naive Nature (+Sp. Attack, -Sp. Defence
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Fire Blast
Infernape serves as my main sweeper and often has to do most of the work. As such, he is one of my most valuable team members. Nasty Plot seemed stupid on such a frail Pokemon like Infernape so I went for the ability to kill Salamence, Gliscor and other Pokes trying to wall me. I try to keep HP Ice a secret for as long as possible. Maybe I should go Flamethrower over Fire Blast. Grass Knot and Close Combat are both very helpful and poweful. I went Expert Belt over Life Orb because I hate the recoil and I want Infernape to survive as long as possible.
Infernape works well against Scizor but Skymin's Air Slashs really hurt. Infernape can also switch in on Scarftran's Fire attacks and deal huge damage back with Close Combat. Infernape can also revenge kill Tyranitar if it doesn't have a Sub up or a DD under its belt. Infernape can OHKO Gliscor, Salamence and Dragonite (I think) and is a great asset to my team!
KNOWN THREATS
PROBLEM - EEK! Since posting this RMT, I've been swept 5-0 by a SubTar! Please help!
This team is going to be used on the Shoddy Offical Server (I already have a pretty good rating there) where Garchomp, Deoxys Speed and Wobba are not banned so please take that into account when rating. I do have a Smogon Shoddy account so maybe, if this team is successful, I'll try it there. Additionally, I may make this team on the DS as I have the Japanese Platinum ready and waiting.
"MAYBOURNE" THE CLEFABLE (F) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVS: 210 HP, 252 Attack, 48 Speed
Lonely Nature (+Attack, -Defence)
- Trick
- Facade
- Protect
- Flamethrower
I'm not really sure what role Clefable plays on my team or whether it is a good lead. Anyway, I always like to include one UU on my team if possible and I chose Clefable because it is just so versatile. The idea behind this Clefable is that it Protects on the first turn, then it either Tricks away its Toxic Orb or attacks with Facade. If the lead happens to be a Scizor, Forretress or other pokemon weak to fire, I Flamethrower right away. Maybe I should replace Flamethrower with Fire Blast?
Clefable has no problems with Scizor that don't decide to Superpower/Brick Break, Blissey (who gets 2HKOed by Facade, I think) and walls in general. However, Clefable has a horrible time with those damn Tyranitars I would like help in dealing with this. Clefable fares quite well against the omnipresent Bronzong. Against Gengar, first turn I Protect to block any potential Hypnosis and then I switch accordingly if Gengar decided to attack. Maybe Spiritomb could make a better lead?
WOW! I was just playing against someone on Shoddy and Clefable's Facade took out a Blissey who was at 94% health!
"GREVORLIA" THE SPIRITOMB (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVS: 252 HP, 140 Attack, 118 Sp. Defence
Careful Nature (+Sp. Defence, -Sp. Attack)
- Will-O-Wisp/Hypnosis
- Sucker Punch
- Taunt
- Pain Split
A standard Spiritomb if I'm not mistaken. It has been working very well but I can't decide between Will-O-Wisp and Hypnosis, although I'm leaning towards the former. Pain Split for helpful, albeit unreliable, recovery and keeps Spiritomb alive. Taunt is just a great move in general and completely shuts down Bronzong. I only have 2 more base Speed than him so Gyro Ball will not be hurting! Sucker Punch works great against things I've already Taunted and allows Spiritomb to put a serious dent in Gengar, Azelf, Gardevoir, Alakazam and many other Pokemon.
Spiritomb has no weaknesses which is very helpful, but maybe a Rotom appliance could do better? I love Spiritomb though, it's my favourite Poke! Anyway, Spiritomb has problems with Outrage DDMence, although I usually switch to Skarmory if I sense an incoming Outrage. Spiritomb's burns have come in very handy against the likes of Scizor. Sucker Punch also puts a significant dent in Skymin (how I hate it).
"DEMENTIA" THE PORYGON-Z @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Download
EVS: 6 HP, 252 Sp. Attack, 252 Speed
Modest Nature (+ Sp. Attack, -Attack)
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Tri Attack
- Hidden Power (Fighting)/Trick
Scarfgon-Z will probably become the new standard. He makes a great revenge killer and Download gives all my attacks a boost. Porygon-Z's Sp. Attack is huge and he can seriously damage anything not named Blissey, Snorlax or Regice. BoltBeam provides amazing coverage while Tri Attack is great for a strong STAB attack. HP Fighting "covers" my Tyranitar weakness and helps coverage, but Trick could be useful in crippling walls.
Ice Beam sends Skymin and Salamence to their icy graves while Gyarados enjoys a Thunderbolt to the face. However, I think Gyara outspeeds Porygon-Z after 2 Dragon Dances. Tri Attack can damage just about anything that doesn't resist it. HP Fighting kills Tyranitar and the Rock/Steel Types trying to shrug off Tri Attack. Porygon-Z has problems with the aforementioned special walls and anything with Mach Punch. It also hates paralysis.
"ALUMINAIR" THE SKARMORY (M) @ Leftovers/Shed Shell
Ability: Keen Eye
EVS: 252 HP, 98 Attack, 156 Defence, 4 Speed
Impish Nature (+Defence, -Sp. Attack)
- Stealth Rock
- Drill Peck
- Whirlwind
- Roost
The standard Skarm! He may need a bit more Sp. Defence to deal with Skymin, but he's been working great as a Physical Wall. Stealth Rock is pretty much a requirement for my team and together with Whirlwind can cause a lot of passive damage. I chose Drill Peck rather than Brave Bird, because I could not stand the recoil. Roost is for reliable recovery as long as the opponent does not use Earthquake! I think I'm gonna go Leftovers, as I seen next to no Magnezones.
Skarmory helps greatly against Heracross and can Whirlwind away any pokes with huge stat bonuses. He can also kill Skymin as long he manages to get an attack in against that damn Air Slash flinching. Infernape is a common switch-in to Skarmory who may get a nasty surprise on the switch-in from Drill Peck, otherwise I switch. Scarftran is a problem for Skarmory, but sensing a fire attack, I usually switch to Kingdra.
"HARMLESS SEAHORSE" THE KINGDRA (M) @ Scope Lens
Ability: Sniper
EVS:6 HP, 252 Attack, 252 Speed
Jolly Nature (+Speed, -Sp. Attack)
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Substitute
I may replace this with Swampert (for the Electric immunity), but I need both a 4x Fire resist for Heatran, and a 4x Water resist for Gyara. Kingdra also has a resistance to Scizor's Bullet Punch. Kingdra is basically a bulky Salamence, who can DD up. However, it lacks the huge raw power. Nevertheless, after one or two DDs, it can deal quite a lot of damage with Outrage. Hydro Pump damages Phys. Walls trying to absorb my hits although Subsitute may be more useful. Kingdra only has one weakness (to a fairly uncommon attack type) which is helpful!
Scope Lens + Sniper = Death to my opponent too!
Kingdra is my usual switch-in to Scarftran and Gyarados. He can wall quite well for a Physical Sweeper and after one DD can pose quite a threat. Kingdra has problems with Empoleon however, though I've only seen him once in Standard. Annoying Steel types also like to switch in on Outrage.
CHANGE MADE - Substitute over Hydro Pump meaning I can change the nature to Jolly!
"PARICUTIN" THE INFERNAPE @ Expert Belt
Ability: Blase
EVS: 26 Attack, 252 Sp. Attack, 232 Speed
Naive Nature (+Sp. Attack, -Sp. Defence
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Fire Blast
Infernape serves as my main sweeper and often has to do most of the work. As such, he is one of my most valuable team members. Nasty Plot seemed stupid on such a frail Pokemon like Infernape so I went for the ability to kill Salamence, Gliscor and other Pokes trying to wall me. I try to keep HP Ice a secret for as long as possible. Maybe I should go Flamethrower over Fire Blast. Grass Knot and Close Combat are both very helpful and poweful. I went Expert Belt over Life Orb because I hate the recoil and I want Infernape to survive as long as possible.
Infernape works well against Scizor but Skymin's Air Slashs really hurt. Infernape can also switch in on Scarftran's Fire attacks and deal huge damage back with Close Combat. Infernape can also revenge kill Tyranitar if it doesn't have a Sub up or a DD under its belt. Infernape can OHKO Gliscor, Salamence and Dragonite (I think) and is a great asset to my team!
KNOWN THREATS
- As I have said before, Tyranitar is a huge problem for this team especially if he has a Sub up or a few DDs under his belt. Usually, I have to sacrifice Porygon-Z to break his Sub, and then Infernape must Close Combat it, assuming it doesn't switch.
- Skymin is just awful. Skarmory can take the hits quite well but gets flinched to death. I need Skarmory for the Stealth Rocks too. Porygon-Z can efficiently revenge kill it but can't really switch in.
- Garchomp is not banned on the Shoddy Official Server and the Yache Version can be deadly. It will usually cost me either Infernape or Porygon-Z.
- Scarftran, although not life-threatening, is a bit of an annoyance. He switches from Kingdra though, which gives Kingdra a free DD!
PROBLEM - EEK! Since posting this RMT, I've been swept 5-0 by a SubTar! Please help!
