Hi everyone, just wanting to get some advice on a team I made, centred around M Alakazam and it's ridiculous SpA. Without further ado, here it is:
My starting point was M Alakazam as the main selling point of this team. It is excellent as a late game cleaner-upper and it is great as an early game nuke as well. It's Trace ability is as helpful as ever with Beast Boost and Soul-Heart abilities flying around, and if it snags one of them it becomes an unstoppable snowball.
Next I added Ash-Greninja and Buzzwole to complete my Psychic/Dark/Fighting core. Ash-Greninja is a crazy Special Attacker that is like Alakazam in that it is fast and hits hard, but has frail defenses. Buzzwole was a good Physical attacker in the meta at the time I made the team, and was great cleaning up.
Next, I wanted to introduce some speed control against enemy Greninja and other fast threats to Alakazam in the meta. Galvantula was good as it could set up Webs, then spam a high-powered Thunder or Bug Buzz until it died. In an ideal situation, it took out 2 lead ‘mons, but usually it just set up Webs and died, which is fine by me.
When it comes to hazard removal, Excadrill, Fini, Starmie, Latios, M-Scizor and Skarmory. Exca was the obvious choice because I couldn’t afford to Defog and lose my Webs, and Starmie didn’t synergise with my team well. It also functioned as a Fast, LOrb attacker that could tear down Koko and Charizard Y.
Lastly, I added Staraptor to my team as a Poke that could come in, deal hefty Physical damage, and leave. It can pretty much 2HKO a Chansey with Close Combat, and Reckless Boosted Brave Bird hits like a truck.
Buzzwole was really underperforming, and I wasn’t satisfied with the team’s vulnerability, so I added bulky Conkeldurr to substitute for Buzzwole, which turned out well.
The Sets
Alakajam (Alakazam-Mega) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Shadow Ball
Alakazam is the offensive nuke that holds this team together. He has such potent SpA that he can knock down pretty much anything in one hit, barring Chansey. Magic Guard lets him come in even if there are SRs down, Psychic is high powered STAB, Focus Blast and Shadow Ball for coverage, and HP Fire as an ace-in-the-hole against Kartana. Modest over Timid because 2HKOs suck.
Blueberry Jam (Greninja-Ash) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam
Ash Greninja is too OP. It’s SpA is stupid, and it has incredible speed. Focus Sash allows it to get at least 2 hits off, Dark Pulse and Hydro Pump for STAB, Water Shuriken for priority, and Ice Beam for coverage.
Veiny Jam (Conkeldurr) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Poison Jab
To complete the Psy/Dark/Fight combo, Conkeldurr is a wrecking ball. Takes hits, deals them out again, regens health -- this thing is a complete BEAST. Sheer Force makes Ice Punch and Poison Jab supremely powerful coverage options, Drain Punch for recovery and Mach Punch for that sweet, sweet priority.
Lemon Marmalade (Galvantula) @ Life Orb
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ice]
This team loves webs, as it lets ‘Zam, Gren and Exca to outspeed pretty much everything in the meta. It also gets an excellent ability in Compound Eyes that gives Thunder an accuracy of 90. It has great SpA that lets it do serious damage even on resisted hits. Bug Buzz is a secondary STAB just in case, and HP Ice makes short work of Garchomp switches.
Fig Jam (Excadrill) @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
This team needs a great Hazard Remover (mainly for Ash-Gren and Staraptor’s sake), as which Excadrill functions perfectly as. EQ is a great stab, forming an EdgeQuake like combo wit Rock Slide. SD is for a predicted switch that makes Excadrill an absolute attacking BEAST.
Raspberry Jam (Staraptor) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Final Gambit
- U-turn
Yay! It’s time for my favourite Birb, Staraptor. This guy is fast, strong, and can clean up late game trouble. Brave Bird with Reckless destroys walls, and CC makes short work of Chansey. Final Gambit is a gimmick against annoying threats like Landorus. U-Turn can be used to scout and build great momentum.
Thanks for reading guys! Any feedback will be appreciated, as well as formatting help as this is only my second post!
My starting point was M Alakazam as the main selling point of this team. It is excellent as a late game cleaner-upper and it is great as an early game nuke as well. It's Trace ability is as helpful as ever with Beast Boost and Soul-Heart abilities flying around, and if it snags one of them it becomes an unstoppable snowball.
Next I added Ash-Greninja and Buzzwole to complete my Psychic/Dark/Fighting core. Ash-Greninja is a crazy Special Attacker that is like Alakazam in that it is fast and hits hard, but has frail defenses. Buzzwole was a good Physical attacker in the meta at the time I made the team, and was great cleaning up.
Next, I wanted to introduce some speed control against enemy Greninja and other fast threats to Alakazam in the meta. Galvantula was good as it could set up Webs, then spam a high-powered Thunder or Bug Buzz until it died. In an ideal situation, it took out 2 lead ‘mons, but usually it just set up Webs and died, which is fine by me.
When it comes to hazard removal, Excadrill, Fini, Starmie, Latios, M-Scizor and Skarmory. Exca was the obvious choice because I couldn’t afford to Defog and lose my Webs, and Starmie didn’t synergise with my team well. It also functioned as a Fast, LOrb attacker that could tear down Koko and Charizard Y.
Lastly, I added Staraptor to my team as a Poke that could come in, deal hefty Physical damage, and leave. It can pretty much 2HKO a Chansey with Close Combat, and Reckless Boosted Brave Bird hits like a truck.
Buzzwole was really underperforming, and I wasn’t satisfied with the team’s vulnerability, so I added bulky Conkeldurr to substitute for Buzzwole, which turned out well.
The Sets
Alakajam (Alakazam-Mega) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Shadow Ball
Alakazam is the offensive nuke that holds this team together. He has such potent SpA that he can knock down pretty much anything in one hit, barring Chansey. Magic Guard lets him come in even if there are SRs down, Psychic is high powered STAB, Focus Blast and Shadow Ball for coverage, and HP Fire as an ace-in-the-hole against Kartana. Modest over Timid because 2HKOs suck.
252+ SpA Alakazam-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 160-190 (53.1 - 63.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Alakazam-Mega Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 288-340 (90.2 - 106.5%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. 240 HP / 140 SpD Mew: 316-372 (85.4 - 100.5%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kartana: 780-920 (301.1 - 355.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Alakazam-Mega Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard: 271-321 (91.2 - 108%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Alakazam-Mega Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 288-340 (90.2 - 106.5%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Alakazam-Mega Shadow Ball vs. 240 HP / 140 SpD Mew: 316-372 (85.4 - 100.5%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Alakazam-Mega Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kartana: 780-920 (301.1 - 355.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Alakazam-Mega Psychic vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Charizard: 271-321 (91.2 - 108%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
Hahahhahhah! There are none.
Blueberry Jam (Greninja-Ash) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam
Ash Greninja is too OP. It’s SpA is stupid, and it has incredible speed. Focus Sash allows it to get at least 2 hits off, Dark Pulse and Hydro Pump for STAB, Water Shuriken for priority, and Ice Beam for coverage.
252 SpA Greninja-Ash Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 536-632 (168 - 198.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 180-213 (59.8 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 240 HP / 140 SpD Mew: 258-306 (64.3 - 76.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Greninja-Ash Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 508-600 (141.8 - 167.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Greninja-Ash Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 180-213 (59.8 - 70.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Greninja-Ash Dark Pulse vs. 240 HP / 140 SpD Mew: 258-306 (64.3 - 76.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Greninja-Ash Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 508-600 (141.8 - 167.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
There is a reason why it has a Sash...
Veiny Jam (Conkeldurr) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Poison Jab
To complete the Psy/Dark/Fight combo, Conkeldurr is a wrecking ball. Takes hits, deals them out again, regens health -- this thing is a complete BEAST. Sheer Force makes Ice Punch and Poison Jab supremely powerful coverage options, Drain Punch for recovery and Mach Punch for that sweet, sweet priority.
-1 252+ Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Conkeldurr Ice Punch vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 468-556 (146.7 - 174.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 165-195 (54.8 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Conkeldurr Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 393-463 (139.8 - 164.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Conkeldurr Poison Jab vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Tapu Fini: 302-356 (88 - 103.7%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 165-195 (54.8 - 64.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Conkeldurr Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 393-463 (139.8 - 164.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Sheer Force Conkeldurr Poison Jab vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Tapu Fini: 302-356 (88 - 103.7%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 48 HP / 0 SpD Conkeldurr: 278-330 (76.5 - 90.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 48 HP / 0 SpD Conkeldurr in Electric Terrain: 303-357 (83.4 - 98.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 48 HP / 0 SpD Conkeldurr: 186-220 (51.2 - 60.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Magnet Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 48 HP / 0 SpD Conkeldurr in Electric Terrain: 303-357 (83.4 - 98.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Magearna Flash Cannon vs. 48 HP / 0 SpD Conkeldurr: 186-220 (51.2 - 60.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Lemon Marmalade (Galvantula) @ Life Orb
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ice]
This team loves webs, as it lets ‘Zam, Gren and Exca to outspeed pretty much everything in the meta. It also gets an excellent ability in Compound Eyes that gives Thunder an accuracy of 90. It has great SpA that lets it do serious damage even on resisted hits. Bug Buzz is a secondary STAB just in case, and HP Ice makes short work of Garchomp switches.
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Thunder vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 169-200 (56.1 - 66.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 338-400 (105.9 - 125.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 240 HP / 140 SpD Mew: 273-322 (68 - 80.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 322-380 (89.9 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 338-400 (105.9 - 125.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Bug Buzz vs. 240 HP / 140 SpD Mew: 273-322 (68 - 80.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Galvantula Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 322-380 (89.9 - 106.1%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO
Yeah... No.
Fig Jam (Excadrill) @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
This team needs a great Hazard Remover (mainly for Ash-Gren and Staraptor’s sake), as which Excadrill functions perfectly as. EQ is a great stab, forming an EdgeQuake like combo wit Rock Slide. SD is for a predicted switch that makes Excadrill an absolute attacking BEAST.
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 390-460 (129.5 - 152.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 502-593 (178.6 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Charti Berry Volcarona: 312-369 (100.3 - 118.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard: 536-634 (180.4 - 213.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 502-593 (178.6 - 211%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Charti Berry Volcarona: 312-369 (100.3 - 118.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Charizard: 536-634 (180.4 - 213.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Hmm. A lot of these 'Mons seem to have jack shit defences.
Raspberry Jam (Staraptor) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Final Gambit
- U-turn
Yay! It’s time for my favourite Birb, Staraptor. This guy is fast, strong, and can clean up late game trouble. Brave Bird with Reckless destroys walls, and CC makes short work of Chansey. Final Gambit is a gimmick against annoying threats like Landorus. U-Turn can be used to scout and build great momentum.
252 Atk Staraptor Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 328-386 (46.6 - 54.9%) -- 64.5% chance to 2HKO
Staraptor Final Gambit vs. 0 HP Kartana: 311-311 (120 - 120%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 241-285 (75.5 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Staraptor Final Gambit vs. 0 HP Magearna: 311-311 (103.3 - 103.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 232-274 (64.8 - 76.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Staraptor Final Gambit vs. 0 HP Kartana: 311-311 (120 - 120%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Landorus-Therian: 241-285 (75.5 - 89.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Staraptor Final Gambit vs. 0 HP Magearna: 311-311 (103.3 - 103.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 232-274 (64.8 - 76.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Yeah. Rip.
Thanks for reading guys! Any feedback will be appreciated, as well as formatting help as this is only my second post!
Alakajam (Alakazam-Mega) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Shadow Ball
Blueberry Jam (Greninja-Ash) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam
Veiny Jam (Conkeldurr) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Poison Jab
Lemon Marmalade (Galvantula) @ Life Orb
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Fig Jam (Excadrill) @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
Raspberry Jam (Staraptor) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Final Gambit
- U-turn
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Shadow Ball
Blueberry Jam (Greninja-Ash) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
- Ice Beam
Veiny Jam (Conkeldurr) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Poison Jab
Lemon Marmalade (Galvantula) @ Life Orb
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Fig Jam (Excadrill) @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
Raspberry Jam (Staraptor) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Final Gambit
- U-turn
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