RMT Blitzkrieg - Stall Team

[Guolin]

I loved how fun it was to use Gliscor, relishing in my enemies' frustration and rage. So I wanted to make a team revolving around the concept of frustrating/annoying stall Pokemon.

Personal restriction:
No Pokemon in and after Gen 5. Mega Evolutions are ok, Gen 5-6 moves and abilities are ok, but I like the challenge of only using the Pokemon I knew as a kid and teenager.

I will however break this restriction sparingly if necessary for a Pokemon that can cover critical weaknesses.

Team Building Process:
Mega Tyranitar / Chansey / Togekiss / Gliscor / Skarmory / Starmie
Togekiss (specially defensive tank) covered Tyranitar's weaknesses, Starmie was my physically defensive tank with great Rapid spinner, and Tyranitar was just a really strong specially defensive tank who also dealt with magic guarders like Alakazam and Sigillyph.

Mega Tyranitar / Chansey / Togekiss / Gliscor / Skarmory / Blastoise
I felt like I needed a more bulky Rapid Spinner with less weaknesses to moves like Pursuit and U-turn. Blastoise was still physically defensive.

Tyranitar / Chansey / Togekiss / Gliscor / Skarmory / Mega Blastoise
Tyranitar with Assault Vest did his job better, and I felt Blastoise was much stronger in his Mega Forme.

Tyranitar / Chansey / Togekiss / Gliscor / Skarmory / Tentacruel
Still not satisfied with my rapid spinner. Tentacruel offered a much more optimal tank playstyle, and had Toxic Spikes/Toxic and Haze to accentuate my stall team's goals. This is the team that I spent the most time with, and so I begin really feeling what my team's main weakness was: Weakness to/easily walled by Steel.

Heatran / Chansey / Togekiss / Gliscor / Skarmory / Forretress
Heatran was my answer to Specially Offensive/Physically Defensive Steel-types, the ones that my Gliscor couldn't take out. Also more steel-killing ability meant a much easier stall for my Toxic-spamming team. Forretress synergized with Heatran better in my opinion, as it let me run Stealth Rock (leaving Skarmory to Spikes duty instead) and offer even better bulk than Tentacruel, while its Fire-type weakness is shut down by my Heatran with Ancientpower. Heatran's weakness to Earthquake is also covered by Forretress should Skarmory be dead, while Tentacruel would have still been hit hard.

Heatran / Chansey / Mega Venusaur / Gliscor / Skarmory / Forretress
Current version of my team. Mega Venusaur allows me to run a Mega Evolution that finally fit very well with my Stall strategy. It still takes special Fighting-type moves well (which Togekiss was supposed to do before), nicely taking care of Keldeo. More ability to stall with toxic and a huge healing potential. Togekiss' grass and bug killing abilities are now covered by Heatran. Only problem is that I no longer have as great of a kill potential against dragons and fighting-types.

Heatran (F) @ Leftovers

Trait: Flash Fire

EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef

Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)

- Lava Plume

- Protect

- Roar

- Ancient Power

Specially defensive tank, a fantastic switch-in to special sweepers like Volcarona, Talonflame, etc. when they try to nail my Skarmory or Forretress with a Fire-type move. Lets me get away with running so much weakness to Fire. Also has the huge bonus of dealing with steel types that my Gliscor can't EQ away, such as Special Attacking Steel-types or Steel-types with resistances to Ground. This means that I can eventually stall their entire team to death with Toxic damage. Roar is essential to get rid of set up sweepers that this team is so weak to as well as potentially juggle the enemy team on SR/spikes.
==================

Chansey (F) @ Eviolite

Trait: Natural Cure

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef

Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)

- Wish

- Soft-Boiled

- Heal Bell

- Toxic

Specially defensive wall, fantastic for spreading toxic to everyone on their team. Heal bell is essential because burns and poisons cripple my HP-stacking team. The Wish support also synergizes fantastically with the defensive nature of my team, as dying teammates can easily tank the turn before the Wish comes through, even with low HP, and have the capability to keep healing back up.
==================

Venusaur (F) @ Venusaurite

Trait: Chlorophyll

EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef

Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)

- Synthesis

- Giga Drain

- Leech Seed

- Toxic

Specially defensive tank, probably the best Mega Evolution for a stall team. After Thick Fat is calculated, it only has weaknesses to Flying and Psychic - both of which are beautifully resisted by Heatran (for special damage) and Skarmory (for physical damage). In addition to the he massive amount of healing it gets, Venusaur ensures my toxic stacking will destroy the enemy team. Also takes special Fighting-type hits well, which otherwise decimate my team.
==================

Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb

Trait: Poison Heal

EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 Spd

Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)

- Protect

- Substitute

- Toxic

- Earthquake

Physically defensive tank. A generally surefire way to get rid of physical sweepers and anyone with toxic damage ticking on them. Earthquake is absolutely essential to get rid of physically offensive Steel-types, notably Aegislash and Bisharp, who otherwise resist everything else I try to throw at it. Also takes physical Fighting-type hits well, which otherwise decimate my team.
==================

Skarmory (F) @ Leftovers

Trait: Sturdy

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef

Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)

- Spikes

- Whirlwind

- Roost

- Brave Bird

Physically defensive tank, potentially lead. Easily sets up Spikes against physically offensive pokemon, which soften up targets real nice and open up opportunities to juggle enemies with whirlwind and Heatran's Roar. Whirlwind also helps deal with the setup sweepers (notably Sword Dancers) that this team is so weak to, also allowing Skarmory to suicide-whirlwind with sturdy as a last resort.
==================

Forretress (F) @ Leftovers

Trait: Sturdy

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef

Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)

- Rapid Spin

- Stealth Rock

- Volt Switch

- Gyro Ball

Physically defensive wall. Easily sets up Stealth Rock with Sturdy. Rapid Spin is essential due to SR/spikes/toxic spikes crippling my team's bulk.

Weaknesses I have discovered while using this team:
Players that are good enough to switch Pokemon out efficiently :)

Pokemon are "overworked". Each Pokemon has multiple crucial functions - for example, my Heatran is needed to counter Steel types and special sweepers. If he suicides to get rid of a special sweeper, but the enemy still has untouchable steel types, I'm kind of screwed.

Magic Guard. Maybe this is a weakness shared with all stall teams, but I've been swept by a Sigillyph who was the last Poke and almost got swept by an Alakazam. Previously, I did have a Tyranitar that would fantastically deal with both of these threats, but I eventually replaced him with Heatran to get rid of steel types better. I could bring him back in, replacing Chansey (meaning less stall potential, greater weakness to status conditions, less residual damage), or Mega Venusaur (meaning even more weakness to fighting types, less stalling potential, much less ability to deal with Water types (!!), less residual damage).

I'd really appreciate any comments or criticisms of my team. I definitely could use it, because trying to balance this team has been a general pain in the ass. I've gone through at least 10 versions of this team, switching Pokemon in and out to cover certain weaknesses, and I still feel like there are plenty more that stop me from getting too far up with this team.

Importable:

Heatran (F) @ Leftovers

Trait: Flash Fire

EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef

Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)

- Lava Plume

- Protect

- Roar

- Ancient Power

Chansey (F) @ Eviolite

Trait: Natural Cure

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef

Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)

- Wish

- Soft-Boiled

- Heal Bell

- Toxic

Venusaur (F) @ Venusaurite

Trait: Chlorophyll

EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef

Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)

- Synthesis

- Giga Drain

- Leech Seed

- Sludge Bomb

Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb

Trait: Poison Heal

EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 Spd

Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)

- Protect

- Substitute

- Toxic

- Earthquake

Skarmory (F) @ Leftovers

Trait: Sturdy

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef

Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)

- Spikes

- Whirlwind

- Roost

- Brave Bird

Forretress (F) @ Leftovers

Trait: Sturdy

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef

Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)

- Rapid Spin

- Stealth Rock

- Volt Switch

- Gyro Ball

 

[AM]

Pokemon are "overworked". Each Pokemon has multiple crucial functions - for example, my Heatran is needed to counter Steel types and special sweepers. If he suicides to get rid of a special sweeper, but the enemy still has untouchable steel types, I'm kind of screwed.

When running teams that are more based on stall that's generally the idea. You need to put in extra work to keep those elements up and running so they can maintain their function in battle. Anyways as you mentioned Magic Guard can be a problem but especially for this team since it's so reliant on toxic stalling your opponent and stacking hazard damage. Tyranitar or Bisharp can help deal with those threats you mentioned. I would consider running Bisharp over Tyranitar somewhere since the sand will reduce the amount of energy gained from Venusaurs Giga Drain, hindering it's longevity a bit. A plus about Bisharp is that it has Knock off for when you do come across those pesky Sigilyphs, that way it can't pass on a status with Psycho Shift. Running both Forretress and Skarmory seems redundant to me since it adds on the Fire weaknesses and they generally serve similar functions. When you consider replacements I would consider switching out Forretress as Skarmory's abilitiy to phase with Whirlwind is highly useful. You can also use Skarmory as a defogger and have Heatran lay down the Stealth Rock over Ancientpower, since you'll be roaring away mons such as Talonflame and Volcarona to tack on the Stealth Rock damage. As long as you have poisoned them with either Gliscor or Chansey they shouldn't be too much of a problem. Those are some things to consider so good luck.

 

[Guolin]

Thanks for the reply!

The reason for Forretress is to put more setup hazards in case my Skarmory faints, so that I'm not so reliant on toxic stalling. Bisharp does otherwise actually sound like a fantastic replacement to Forretress. I would assume Sucker Punch against Alakazam? Also, would I still build the usual physically offensive set on him, sacrificing stalling ability for threat handling?

 

[AM]

Thanks for the reply!

The reason for Forretress is to put more setup hazards in case my Skarmory faints, so that I'm not so reliant on toxic stalling. Bisharp does otherwise actually sound like a fantastic replacement to Forretress. I would assume Sucker Punch against Alakazam? Also, would I still build the usual physically offensive set on him, sacrificing stalling ability for threat handling?

Here's the usual set for Bisharp to consider.

Hide

Bisharp @ Life Orb / Focus Sash / Dread Plate
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Speed / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance / Pursuit

Also one mon dedicated to handle certain threats can help your stall team more efficiently for the most part. In this case it helps deal with two mons that generally aren't hindered by your toxic stall/hazard setting strategy. Generally you can choose swords dance for more potential power output and or sweeping capabilities while pursuit can trap ghost mons as well as psychic mons such as Alakazam and Latios (ones that aren't running Bisharp coverage at least).

 

[TheInsanity]

For stall the fwg (fire/grass/water) can help for find more resistance.

U already have a fight resistance (megasaur), so i suggest to remove gliscor for quagsire:

Quagsire (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Careful Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic / Haze
- Earthquake / Haze / Rock Slide

With unaware u don't have to worry against mons wich try to set up. Same electric immunity and u can try to burn physical attacker. Haze can vive u the opportunity to shut down the boost, rock slide is for overpredict megazard y switch in.

 

[Guolin]

I changed Bisharp for Forretress, and I'm liking it a lot so far. The ability to take out annoying threats is amazing, but I'm not too sure about the significantly decreased hazard damage from my team. I feel like my team relies a lot more on poison and making sure SR always stays up.

Also, I'm not entirely sure about the switch from Gliscor for Quagsire. I really like Gliscor's ability to take physical Fighting moves and just generally troll enemies to death. Does Quagsire's advantages outweigh Gliscor's?

 

[AM]

Also, I'm not entirely sure about the switch from Gliscor for Quagsire. I really like Gliscor's ability to take physical Fighting moves and just generally troll enemies to death. Does Quagsire's advantages outweigh Gliscor's?

The suggestions provided usually are catered to deal with certain threats in the meta and overall great suggestions to consider. If for whatever reason you don't feel like something isn't working out by all means use what you believe works for you. Just make sure you've played enough matches to notice the changes and see why or why not they are working before coming to a final conclusion. Good luck and keep it up.

 

[ApplepieFTW]

I changed Bisharp for Forretress, and I'm liking it a lot so far. The ability to take out annoying threats is amazing, but I'm not too sure about the significantly decreased hazard damage from my team. I feel like my team relies a lot more on poison and making sure SR always stays up.

Also, I'm not entirely sure about the switch from Gliscor for Quagsire. I really like Gliscor's ability to take physical Fighting moves and just generally troll enemies to death. Does Quagsire's advantages outweigh Gliscor's?

Yes it does it is much better it fully stops set-up sweepers and gliscor doesnt so yeah prolly change it :]

 

[Guolin]

The suggestions provided usually are catered to deal with certain threats in the meta and overall great suggestions to consider. If for whatever reason you don't feel like something isn't working out by all means use what you believe works for you. Just make sure you've played enough matches to notice the changes and see why or why not they are working before coming to a final conclusion. Good luck and keep it up.

I meant no disrespect, I was just curious as to what exactly made Quagsire a better choice than Gliscor. Dalai_Drama mentioned about getting more resistances, but Gliscor seemed to have a crucial resistance to Fighting (which Bisharp, Heatran, and Chansey are all weak to) and immunity to Ground (which Heatran and Bisharp are both weak to), as well as increased Defense. Stopping set-up sweepers is indeed a fantastic advantage, I agree, which I've actually played against a couple times today while trying Quagsire. I just want to make sure I'm not missing any crucial advantages of Quagsire/disadvantages of Gliscor that are relevant to my team.