Hi Guys! This is my first time trying to setup a team for competitive battling so please bear with what I might have to present. I've read much of the suggestions and stuff at the smogon strategy dex and now I've tried to put up a team that can hopefully work as one cohesive unit. I'm not exactly looking to counter one particular pokemon, rather build the team as something that can take on most possibilities without being too helpless.
So here they are: Update as of June 8, 2009 1:00 PM, GMT+8, Another RMT probably necessary. Changes made in GREEN.
#1 - Azelf - Suicidal Anti-Lead
Azelf @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EV Spread: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Naive
Moveset:
- Taunt
- Explosion
- Psychic
- Fire Blast
My Notes:
I dropped my earlier Swampert (MixPert build) in exchange for a somewhat faster Azelf. It's another experiment I opted to use since I've decided to shift my tactics from being mostly defensive to an offensive stance. Taunt prevents enemy setup from anything slower than Azelf, although I'm having slight trouble with the faster types that attempt to put it to sleep (Crobat for one). Fire Blast for steel-type leads and Psychic for Poison leads like Breloom. Type coverage is average at best and if it's close to dying I just detonate it and let it take off as much HP from the enemy.
This is a bit unconventional from the Smogon articles for Azelf since I replaced the normally-used Stealth Rock with Taunt. I'm not much of an entry hazard setup myself and I'd rather not let the enemy perform initial setup as well. Not sure if that would be a recommended move though.
#2 - Gyarados - Electric Lure, Offensive Mode
Gyarados @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EV Spread: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Speed
Nature: Adamant
Moveset:
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Stone Edge
My Notes:
The bulky build for Gyarados was scrapped as per my resolve to be more offensive in combat and thus I opted to place an offensive Gyarados with DD and Life Orb. Hopefully this change won't make much difference to its capabilities, since it won't be taking sleep anymore but still can serve as an electric lure for Electivire. It might have a few gaping holes with this change though, since that means I'm losing my bulks in exchange for offensive strike.
#3 - Infernape - Special Sweeper
Infernape @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EV Spread: 64 Atk / 252 SpAtk / 192 Speed
Nature: Hasty
Moveset:
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
My Notes:
Infernape's an experimental addition to my team. Nasty Plot boosts its SpAtk, enough to take on bulky steel types and trip the heavy rock / ground types it might encounter. I intend his use to cover for Swampert's weaknesses (primarily grass types) if in case the lead falls.
I'm still not sure how Infernape fits into the general picture, but I hope someone can provide a better build for Infernape or better yet another Pokemon that can serve his purpose in a better way. Maybe another Pokemon that can sync with the team's general offensive objective?
#4 - Dusknoir - Tank
Dusknoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EV Spread: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 228 Def
Nature: Impish
Moveset:
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
My Notes:
Pseudo-Status Inducer and tank at the same time, Dusknoir has been modified a bit to include anti-dragon typing and EQ for its stable of moves. Might be able to cripple those nasty physical monsters like Tyranitar. I've also seen this Dusknoir wall some hits from some bulky types like Hippowdon and recover it off with Pain Split. Somehow the type coverage is average and I'd need to see more of this guy in action to see what more it can do. For now its reliability as a ghost-typed tank hasn't failed me yet.
#5 - Scizor - Assistant Main Sweeper (Physical)
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EV Spread: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Speed
Nature: Adamant
Moveset:
- Bullet Punch
- U-Turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
My Notes:
I replaced my beloved secondary sweeper Gallade with a Scizor, and while I'm still adjusting, I hope Scizor does live up to its reputation (although is there still a way Gallade can be incorporated into the team?). I found its moveset intriguing but interesting to use at the same time. I'd use him for scouting the field with U-Turn and getting at well-predicted switch-outs with Pursuit. Bullet Punch to take out those close to fainting.
I did realize its hellish usefulness when it managed to revenge kill sweep one battle I just had, eliminating three pokemon with its marvelous Bullet Punch. Thanks for the suggestions on this one Haunter, looks like Gallade's being outshined by this steel cutter!
#6 - Electivire - Main Sweeper (Physical)
Electivire @ Life Orb
Ability: Motor Drive
EV Spread: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
Nature: Adamant
Moveset:
- Thunderpunch
- Ice Punch
- Cross Chop
- Earthquake
My Notes:
I fell in love with Electivire the first time I saw his strategy article here in smogon. Capable of taking on majority of the types in Pokemon with its diverse moveset, I placed him as my main sweeper, deadlier if he has been boosted by the Milotic-Electric lure to trigger his Motor Drive.
I managed to sweep one battle when he was motor-driven with Earthquake alone (and maybe that's partly due to the fact that the enemy team carried Electrics with it), even taking out another Electivire.
******
So there it is, an initial draft of my intended team. I know there are still some gaping holes that I haven't noticed somewhere, but I'd welcome your comments and suggestions. I would request constructive ones, though, as I am well aware that I'm just a beginner at this and am susceptibly prone to being shot down in flames. >_<
EDIT: Has been revised once according to Haunter's suggestions. Many thanks Haunter! :D. I've also performed revisions on some of my team members, and I hope it doesn't disrupt their synergy somehow. I want a team that can function as a well-oiled fighting machine without being too weak on one or two aspects. Comments are very much appreciated again, thanks!
Many thanks! Credits to www.arkeis.com for the images as well XD
So here they are: Update as of June 8, 2009 1:00 PM, GMT+8, Another RMT probably necessary. Changes made in GREEN.
#1 - Azelf - Suicidal Anti-Lead
Azelf @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EV Spread: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Naive
Moveset:
- Taunt
- Explosion
- Psychic
- Fire Blast
My Notes:
I dropped my earlier Swampert (MixPert build) in exchange for a somewhat faster Azelf. It's another experiment I opted to use since I've decided to shift my tactics from being mostly defensive to an offensive stance. Taunt prevents enemy setup from anything slower than Azelf, although I'm having slight trouble with the faster types that attempt to put it to sleep (Crobat for one). Fire Blast for steel-type leads and Psychic for Poison leads like Breloom. Type coverage is average at best and if it's close to dying I just detonate it and let it take off as much HP from the enemy.
This is a bit unconventional from the Smogon articles for Azelf since I replaced the normally-used Stealth Rock with Taunt. I'm not much of an entry hazard setup myself and I'd rather not let the enemy perform initial setup as well. Not sure if that would be a recommended move though.
#2 - Gyarados - Electric Lure, Offensive Mode
Gyarados @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EV Spread: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Speed
Nature: Adamant
Moveset:
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Stone Edge
My Notes:
The bulky build for Gyarados was scrapped as per my resolve to be more offensive in combat and thus I opted to place an offensive Gyarados with DD and Life Orb. Hopefully this change won't make much difference to its capabilities, since it won't be taking sleep anymore but still can serve as an electric lure for Electivire. It might have a few gaping holes with this change though, since that means I'm losing my bulks in exchange for offensive strike.
#3 - Infernape - Special Sweeper
Infernape @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EV Spread: 64 Atk / 252 SpAtk / 192 Speed
Nature: Hasty
Moveset:
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
My Notes:
Infernape's an experimental addition to my team. Nasty Plot boosts its SpAtk, enough to take on bulky steel types and trip the heavy rock / ground types it might encounter. I intend his use to cover for Swampert's weaknesses (primarily grass types) if in case the lead falls.
I'm still not sure how Infernape fits into the general picture, but I hope someone can provide a better build for Infernape or better yet another Pokemon that can serve his purpose in a better way. Maybe another Pokemon that can sync with the team's general offensive objective?
#4 - Dusknoir - Tank
Dusknoir @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EV Spread: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 228 Def
Nature: Impish
Moveset:
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
My Notes:
Pseudo-Status Inducer and tank at the same time, Dusknoir has been modified a bit to include anti-dragon typing and EQ for its stable of moves. Might be able to cripple those nasty physical monsters like Tyranitar. I've also seen this Dusknoir wall some hits from some bulky types like Hippowdon and recover it off with Pain Split. Somehow the type coverage is average and I'd need to see more of this guy in action to see what more it can do. For now its reliability as a ghost-typed tank hasn't failed me yet.
#5 - Scizor - Assistant Main Sweeper (Physical)
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EV Spread: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Speed
Nature: Adamant
Moveset:
- Bullet Punch
- U-Turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
My Notes:
I replaced my beloved secondary sweeper Gallade with a Scizor, and while I'm still adjusting, I hope Scizor does live up to its reputation (although is there still a way Gallade can be incorporated into the team?). I found its moveset intriguing but interesting to use at the same time. I'd use him for scouting the field with U-Turn and getting at well-predicted switch-outs with Pursuit. Bullet Punch to take out those close to fainting.
I did realize its hellish usefulness when it managed to revenge kill sweep one battle I just had, eliminating three pokemon with its marvelous Bullet Punch. Thanks for the suggestions on this one Haunter, looks like Gallade's being outshined by this steel cutter!
#6 - Electivire - Main Sweeper (Physical)
Electivire @ Life Orb
Ability: Motor Drive
EV Spread: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
Nature: Adamant
Moveset:
- Thunderpunch
- Ice Punch
- Cross Chop
- Earthquake
My Notes:
I fell in love with Electivire the first time I saw his strategy article here in smogon. Capable of taking on majority of the types in Pokemon with its diverse moveset, I placed him as my main sweeper, deadlier if he has been boosted by the Milotic-Electric lure to trigger his Motor Drive.
I managed to sweep one battle when he was motor-driven with Earthquake alone (and maybe that's partly due to the fact that the enemy team carried Electrics with it), even taking out another Electivire.
******
So there it is, an initial draft of my intended team. I know there are still some gaping holes that I haven't noticed somewhere, but I'd welcome your comments and suggestions. I would request constructive ones, though, as I am well aware that I'm just a beginner at this and am susceptibly prone to being shot down in flames. >_<
EDIT: Has been revised once according to Haunter's suggestions. Many thanks Haunter! :D. I've also performed revisions on some of my team members, and I hope it doesn't disrupt their synergy somehow. I want a team that can function as a well-oiled fighting machine without being too weak on one or two aspects. Comments are very much appreciated again, thanks!
Many thanks! Credits to www.arkeis.com for the images as well XD
