NOTE: This is my old post, edited so as not to just create another thread for no reason. This is a new team, so please ignore the first few old comments. Thanks! Changes from suggestions have been bolded.
Alright, so this will be my second run in the VGC, and thusly my second run at forming a 4 pokemon doubles team. I have to say, it's fairly awkward to go from singles to doubles, and even more so to go from lv.50 only doubles to including certain ubers. So bear with me here, I'm a bit shaky with teams like this.
Anyway, after watching various Japanese battles as well as hopping around for information, it seems that, as predicted, Groudon and Kyogre are bringing the sun and rain respectively. TR is less common, but it's still a thought to be considered.
From what I can tell, most people seem to be picking a weather and sticking with it, the more common one being rain. My goal with this team here was not to be based on a weather, but rather be able to work with whatever conditions arise, and suffer no direct negative affects. You can't predict what kind of team your opponent will use, so why not be ready for them all? I don't intend to dominate in all situations, I mostly just want to be able to handle it and keep myself in the game. So here we go:
Leads:
Palkia@Haban berry
Pressure
Timid/Modest, whichever I manage to get.
252 S Atk/ 252 Spd/ 6 HP
- Protect
- Fire Blast
- Thunder
- Spacial Rend
After I decided on this Palkia, I realized that it's pretty much exactly like the RD one described on Skarmbliss, sans the water moves. Protect is obvious, and I'm very partial to double protecting on the first turn unless I know for certain that I don't have to. Fire Blast and Thunder are for working in the Sun/Rain respectively should I meet lead Groudons and Kyogres. Kyogre seems more likely, so I'm not all that worried about having a move to take down the don. Spacial Rend for crazy stab and lead Giras, who while are uncommon, should not be overlooked. Thunder is also for Lugia and Ho-oh, cause I'm cool with risking a huge miss.
I think my main concern with him is other Palkia, whether or not they end up faster with Spacial Rend or Draco Meteor. I know they'll basically all run 252 spd, and I'm not sure what to do about it.
Weavile@ Focus Sash
Pressure
Impish
252 S Atk/ 252 spd/ 6 HP
- Protect
- Ice Shard
- Fake Out
- Night Slash
Mmmm, Weavile. He's pretty boss if he doesn't die on the first turn. Anyway, protect is for the above and survivability. He is also fairly safe under hail should I encounter lead Obamas, and he doesn't care about Rain. Sun weakens Ice shard though, but that's about it. This is actually very self explanatory, methinks. I just don't know if I should have Focus Sash over Life Orb. Is damage more important than lasting another turn? I risk having a broken sash from Fake Out Ludicolo in the rain, so I'm not sure. Kingdra is also a bastard, but I have yet to see a lead one. He goes down with Spacial Rend anyway.
Double Pressure FTW.
Ludicolo@ Leftovers
Swift Swim
Modest
252 S atk/ 196 Spd/ 60 HP
- Protect
- Hydropump
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam
Essentially a modified -for- doubles offensive rain ludicolo. If rain is up, it's all good, and if I can't get him in on rain, then I hope those speed EVs get some use. Hydropump can OHKO things like Metagross, and basically almost everything that doesn't resist. I probably could have gone for surf and accuracy, but it's base attack power goes down with more than one opponent. Grass Knot is lovely and can kill late game Ogres and Dons if it has to, and Ice Beam for Dragons that Weavile can't deal with before he dies. I always hope I can switch him in on Rain so I don't have to set it up myself, but we can't always get what we want.
He doesn't like Toxicroak, really, but hopefully I can take care of any I see before he comes out.
Giratina@ Lum berry????
Bold
Pressure
248 HP/ 248 Def/ 12 Sp Atk
- Protect
- Rain Dance
- Dragon Pulse
- Shadow Ball
Yeah, this is pretty much half of the Great Wall Gira, but I'd love some heavy background bulk that isn't based on Sp Atk and Speed alone. Originally I wanted something that could cancel out TR, but that wasn't working out so I hope he can work OK should TR pop up. I can't really do anything besides outlast it with this team.
I really don't know about lum berry, but I don't want him falling to status ailment or anything. Okay okay okay, the Rain Dance factor. If I get a chance to set it up, then I will because it will help me infinitely. I'm hoping that I can rip some mean stab off with my only two attacking moves, even without CM or any sort of boost. I'm a bit worried if I end up with Obama late game, but chances are that Ludicolo would take him down with Hydro Pump first if it hits. I guess this whole idea is a bit shaky, but I think it will be really effective if I hit late game weather.
I just have to hope to god that I take out any Rayquaza before they whittle me down to my two back mates.
Is protect really necessary, do you think? He has explosion immunity already, and other double hitter moves don't do much. I guess if I see a SE attack coming, the it'd be useful, but I can't help but think I'm missing something important.
Any help would be appreciated, feel free to rip my team apart and spit it back out on my foot should it suit you. Thanks in advance.
Alright, so this will be my second run in the VGC, and thusly my second run at forming a 4 pokemon doubles team. I have to say, it's fairly awkward to go from singles to doubles, and even more so to go from lv.50 only doubles to including certain ubers. So bear with me here, I'm a bit shaky with teams like this.
Anyway, after watching various Japanese battles as well as hopping around for information, it seems that, as predicted, Groudon and Kyogre are bringing the sun and rain respectively. TR is less common, but it's still a thought to be considered.
From what I can tell, most people seem to be picking a weather and sticking with it, the more common one being rain. My goal with this team here was not to be based on a weather, but rather be able to work with whatever conditions arise, and suffer no direct negative affects. You can't predict what kind of team your opponent will use, so why not be ready for them all? I don't intend to dominate in all situations, I mostly just want to be able to handle it and keep myself in the game. So here we go:
Leads:
Palkia@Haban berry
Pressure
Timid/Modest, whichever I manage to get.
252 S Atk/ 252 Spd/ 6 HP
- Protect
- Fire Blast
- Thunder
- Spacial Rend
After I decided on this Palkia, I realized that it's pretty much exactly like the RD one described on Skarmbliss, sans the water moves. Protect is obvious, and I'm very partial to double protecting on the first turn unless I know for certain that I don't have to. Fire Blast and Thunder are for working in the Sun/Rain respectively should I meet lead Groudons and Kyogres. Kyogre seems more likely, so I'm not all that worried about having a move to take down the don. Spacial Rend for crazy stab and lead Giras, who while are uncommon, should not be overlooked. Thunder is also for Lugia and Ho-oh, cause I'm cool with risking a huge miss.
I think my main concern with him is other Palkia, whether or not they end up faster with Spacial Rend or Draco Meteor. I know they'll basically all run 252 spd, and I'm not sure what to do about it.
Weavile@ Focus Sash
Pressure
Impish
252 S Atk/ 252 spd/ 6 HP
- Protect
- Ice Shard
- Fake Out
- Night Slash
Mmmm, Weavile. He's pretty boss if he doesn't die on the first turn. Anyway, protect is for the above and survivability. He is also fairly safe under hail should I encounter lead Obamas, and he doesn't care about Rain. Sun weakens Ice shard though, but that's about it. This is actually very self explanatory, methinks. I just don't know if I should have Focus Sash over Life Orb. Is damage more important than lasting another turn? I risk having a broken sash from Fake Out Ludicolo in the rain, so I'm not sure. Kingdra is also a bastard, but I have yet to see a lead one. He goes down with Spacial Rend anyway.
Double Pressure FTW.
Ludicolo@ Leftovers
Swift Swim
Modest
252 S atk/ 196 Spd/ 60 HP
- Protect
- Hydropump
- Grass Knot
- Ice Beam
Essentially a modified -for- doubles offensive rain ludicolo. If rain is up, it's all good, and if I can't get him in on rain, then I hope those speed EVs get some use. Hydropump can OHKO things like Metagross, and basically almost everything that doesn't resist. I probably could have gone for surf and accuracy, but it's base attack power goes down with more than one opponent. Grass Knot is lovely and can kill late game Ogres and Dons if it has to, and Ice Beam for Dragons that Weavile can't deal with before he dies. I always hope I can switch him in on Rain so I don't have to set it up myself, but we can't always get what we want.
He doesn't like Toxicroak, really, but hopefully I can take care of any I see before he comes out.
Giratina@ Lum berry????
Bold
Pressure
248 HP/ 248 Def/ 12 Sp Atk
- Protect
- Rain Dance
- Dragon Pulse
- Shadow Ball
Yeah, this is pretty much half of the Great Wall Gira, but I'd love some heavy background bulk that isn't based on Sp Atk and Speed alone. Originally I wanted something that could cancel out TR, but that wasn't working out so I hope he can work OK should TR pop up. I can't really do anything besides outlast it with this team.
I really don't know about lum berry, but I don't want him falling to status ailment or anything. Okay okay okay, the Rain Dance factor. If I get a chance to set it up, then I will because it will help me infinitely. I'm hoping that I can rip some mean stab off with my only two attacking moves, even without CM or any sort of boost. I'm a bit worried if I end up with Obama late game, but chances are that Ludicolo would take him down with Hydro Pump first if it hits. I guess this whole idea is a bit shaky, but I think it will be really effective if I hit late game weather.
I just have to hope to god that I take out any Rayquaza before they whittle me down to my two back mates.
Is protect really necessary, do you think? He has explosion immunity already, and other double hitter moves don't do much. I guess if I see a SE attack coming, the it'd be useful, but I can't help but think I'm missing something important.
Any help would be appreciated, feel free to rip my team apart and spit it back out on my foot should it suit you. Thanks in advance.