Gardevoir @Leftovers
Timid Nature
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Spe / 104 Def
Ability: Trace
Thunderbolt
Will-o-Wisp
Taunt
Focus Blast
I decided to try this Gardevoir set as a lead. Gyarados leads have really defleated in numbers in the past months that Deoxys-S has been allowed in OU play. After that, I've been seeing them come in late game and sweep, usually with a Wacan Berry, Choice Band for Life Orb. The EVs let Gardevoir hit a 259 speed, topping many leading threats as well as Gyarados later in the game.
There's a reason that I chose Gardevoir over Gengar or Mismagius who can both run this set, actually. That reason is mainly that Gardevoir has access to more bulk and Trace. Trace can just about neutralize or screw over any other lead's ability. Gengar has access to Levitate, however, it isn't quite bulky enough to take hits from other leads. Mismagius doesn't really have the extra bulk and typing needed to lead.
Weavile is another reason that I've been using Gardevoir as it's one of the few psychic leads that can stand up to it. An unboosted Jolly Weavile's Night Slash won't OHKO and neither will a Choice Banded Pursuit without the switch out boost. Focus Blast can and will eliminate it.
Bottom Line
Gardevoir has been one of my favorite Pokemon since 3rd generation and an excellent lead in 4th generation. I usually lead with more power than this, however, once something gets the chance to setup, it's more of a headache more myself. Trace makes Gardevoir able to switch out and back in whenever needed, usually, it's a safe switch in.
Lopunny @Leftovers
Jolly Nature
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Spe / 40 Def
Ability: Cute Charm
Encore
Baton Pass
Substitute
Focus Punch
Lopunny has remained to be a proud staple of my team. The EVs let Lopunny outspeed positive base 100s and that's basicly all I need from it. I could run 236 speed EVs to outspeed Jolly Garchomp, however, without Switcheroo, that's basicly useless. Mot Jolly Garchomp users are aware of Encore by the time they bring Garchomp out and think that Lopunny will outspeed it while it's able to 2KO with Earthquake.
The reason for Lopunny is because of its typing, actual duability, Baton Pass and Encore. Not much has a combination of those 3 and a base 110 speed to setup easier. Nothing more to say about why Lopunny's here.
I used to run Healing Wish, however, sacrificing Lopunny isn't really as useful as SubPassing. I ran Focus Punch for the longest time without Substitute behind it mainly for Blissey and switch outs.
Bottom Line
Lopunny is one of two Pokemon that have stayed on my team, having the same use. I mainly use Lopunny for setup fodder or stoppong sweepers in their tracks. Most people are surprised at what Lopunny can take and dish out at the same time.
Lucario @Life Orb
Adamant Nature
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Ability: Steadfast
Close Combat
Extremespeed
Swords Dance
Crunch
The center of my team. The plan is for Lucario to get a Swords Dance up and hopefully a Substitute from Lopunny. With Lucario's typing, there's a large number of things for it to switch in on.
No other Pokemon can do what Lucario does for my team. If it's able to get up a Swords Dance, Lucario can break a team wiiiiiiiide open. Nothing much to replace it with.
The set covers enough from Cresselia to Heatran and if Lucario is able to get a Substitute up, it's chaotic. Nothing else more to say.
Bottom Line
Lucario is the main sweeper of my team and has been able to either sweep whole teams, or, break them wide open for cleaning up.
Bronzong @Leftovers
Sassy Nature
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Atk / 128 SpD
Ability: Levitate
Gyro Ball
Hypnosis
Stealth Rock
Grass Knot
After a very long PM conversation with Forbidden, I've decided to replace Mesprit with Bronzong. Bronzong can work better over Mesprit in terms of support and as a reliable counter for Garchomp.
The reason that I chose Bronzong was mainly because of typing and power... really, it was Forbidden's suggestion, however, he made a good point. I can always put Garchomp to sleep and 2KO with Gyro Ball. Bronzong also gets Hypnosis and a low base speed to basicly take out higher base speeds such as Deoxys-S, Azelf and Scarf'd Pokemon.
The set is pretty much what you'd already expect, Hypnosis, Gyro Ball and a support move, however, I decided to add Grass Knot for oncoming threats to my team such as Mamoswine and Swampert.
Bottom Line
Bronzong will be the new support on my team. It will definately prove to be more useful than Mesprit with its better typing and ability to counter other threats to my team.
Vaporeon @Leftovers
Bold Nature
EVs: 188 HP / 252 Def / 68 SpA
Ability: Water Absorb
Surf / Hydro Pump
Roar
Ice Beam
Wish
I needed to lighten some pressure on Mesprit as well as some Wish support. Vaporeon provides both as well as some Phazing opportunities.
Vaporeon has replaced Weavile on my team due to the fact that Mesprit needs to have less pressure on itself. More protection against Suicune, Weavile and Infenape is what Vaporeon can bring to the table. Not much can do that and provide Wish support.
Mostly, it's pretty much a self-explanitory set, however, I'm thinking about running Hydro Pump for some extra power against switch ins, however, Surf has a more reliable accuracy and it lets Vaporeon have a better chance against PP stalling.
Bottom Line
Vaporeon has been providing Wish support as well as taking away a lot of pressure on Mesprit in terms of being able to counter Infenape effectively.
Jirachi @Choice Specs
Timid Nature
EVs: 108 SpD / 112 HP / 140 SpA / 148 Spe
Ability: Serene Grace
Psychic
Hidden Power Fire
Thunderbolt
Grass Knot
The clean up, basicly. Whatever Lucario can't take down, Jirachi can just come in and clean up whatever mess is left afterwards. I changed the EV spread so that Gengar 3KOs Jirachi with a Life Orb'd Shadow Ball.
Jirachi's overall duability allows it so switch in whenever it needs to and pick off whatever Lucario can't. The reason I chose SpecsJirachi is because that I usually run a SubMind set and with Jirachi's main use for just coming in late game and picking off anything left, it's a bit less useful rather than just setting up and potentially having to switch out once it gets the chance to KO one Pokemon and once again, setup.
The set provides enough late game coverage. Hidden Power Fire thrashes other Jirachi and Metagross, Psychic for STAB, Grass Knot for Swampert and Thunderbolt as a filler move for more coverage.
Bottom Line
Jirachi always serves its purpose of cleaning of afterwards. By that time, anything that can cause major problems will be severely weakened and ready to be picked off.
Overall
Well, this team is pretty new and yet, I've been able to test it out on Shoddy. It's only been screwed over my hax, however, this team has been able to surprise, then, topple most of the teams I face.
Problems
SpecsMence leads have been able to ruin my team a few times, however, Jirachi has been able to scare it away after switching in on a hopefully Draco Meteor.
ScarfTyranitar has been becoming more popular and with that in mind, I can say that it provides many problems for my team. Vaporeon would be able to take it out with Hydro Pump, however, it brings me back to the threat of the accuracy problems and problems in stalling enviorments.
ScarfCross has the potential to rip my team apart if Jirachi goes down.
