There is a pokemon able to handle most of the pokemon in this again after a little bit of damage. There is a pokemon whose speed and attack and special attack make it able dish out pain from either end of the spectrum. Ladies and Gentleman presenting the king of sweeps, the perfect janitor: Infernape, who coincidentally is who this team is based around.
Team at a Glance:
Team building Process:
Well obviously a team based around Infernape has to have an Infernape in it right? So ape it is
I made a list of OU pokemon that could outspeed Infernape because there is no way ape is taking a hit from anything. Aerodactyl, Alakazam, Azelf, Dugtrio, Gengar, Jolteon, Latias, Ninjask, Starmie, Weavile. Since ape has no chance of beating these pokemon I need members who can take care of every one of them. Aero and Azelf being suicide leads almost all of the time are not really big concerns. Zam, Dugtrio, Ninjask and Weavile are endangered and almost extinct from today’s metagame. Still, all it takes is one to lose. Three out of four only appearing as leads, most players aren’t really sad to see them go. So to handle these a CB Scizor seems like a given. Being able to BP them to death or pursuit them when they switch out, there was no hesitation.
Scizor being able to scare atleast, Aero, Zelf, Gengar, Latias, Ninjask, Starmie, and Weavile (though Starmie and Latias can usually hurt Scizor too), I needed that could handle Jolteon and Latias. A scarf Lati of my own seems leaped to mind. With its powerful Draco Metoer, it was sure to atleast severely injure something. Also a levitator/flier is nice.
Now these two cover mostly all of the pokemon faster than ape (barring scarfed pokes), and Latias can revenge kill, Mence, Gyra and Kingdra after a DD. But, with pursuit as ubiquitous as it is, I didn’t want Lati out too soon only to get pursuited to death. So another pokemon that could handle a good portion of ape counters while hittin really hard was necessary. I thought about Heracross. Yes, Heracross! Nearly as endangered as LOLvire Heracross is something that I hadn’t faced in a while. As I was contemplating Hera, I thought just because I have checks for pokemon faster than Hera, ape can’t OHKO everything it outspeeds. Another list was in order. Not OHKOs after stealth rock: (best move against standard movesets)
Bronzong: 51.48% - 60.36%
Celebi: 57.92% - 68.07%
Cresselia: 26.80% - 31.53%
Dusknoir: 67.27% - 79.22%
Machamp: 52.08% - 61.46%
Togekiss: 52.41% - 61.50%
Vaporeon: 57.37% - 67.63%
Zapdos: 49.74% - 58.59%
And some I can’t touch like Gyra, Vappy and Tentacruel. Giving pokemon damaging quicky but not being able to KO them......hmm sounds like something Hera can do. Hera it is.
Ok honestly, for Gyara, I don’t really know why I chose it for this team, except that it is a beast. It’s also a bulky sweeper that after one DD can threaten most things and after two is nearly unstoppable. Gyara can handle some pokemon that the team has problems with. It seemed like a good idea.
I wanted a lead that was bulky because most of this team isn’t and is able to set up rocks most of the time and no one on this team really like T-wave so I chose Swampert.
And thats the team. Now for the individual movesets:
Swampert @ Leftovers
Relaxed//Torrent
232 Hp / 252 Def / 26 Sp Def
-Earthquake
-Ice Beam
-Protect
-Stealth Rock
I can’t remember what the ev spread is for, so if anyone can remind me or suggest a better build, I’m all ears. This used to work well until recently (for some reason everyone has breloom on their team), so I’m thinking about replacing it with Bronzong, but Swampert has helped me out it in many situations. Also three fire weaks wouldn’t be nice (even though I’d still have a couple resists). I chose protect on pert because of all the trick leads, if I see a trick coming, I just switch to hera. Ice beam over Hydro Pump or Surf because I wasn’t using Surf anyways.
Heracross @Choice Scarf
Adamant//Guts
6 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
-Close Combat
-Megahorn
-Stone Edge
-Sleep Talk
Scarfcross can take care of a lot faster than ape but frail pokemon and dent walls, allowing ape to pick them off. Adamant because Timid Heatran is easily handled. I send this out usually right after Swampert to start dishing out the pain. Quickly brings out the Scizors and scarftrans which allow Gyara to set up pretty much right off the bat. I switch it into scarfloom (not regular Breloom’s though because they will set up a sub which means I have to switch out after the first turn anywasy) and other sleep inducing leads as Hera can still dish out pain while asleep.
Gyarados @Leftovers
Adamant//Intimidate
74 Hp / 252 Atk / 184 Spd
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
DD Gyara is a beast. When Scizor’s come in to BP Hera after some defensive drops or Timid tran comes out with Fire Blast or Earth Power, Gyara can come in and set-up. Because, Gyara isn’t sweeping too often early game, I might switch it to a Choice Band to inflict damange without set-up. I don’t like the idea of three choice items though. I ran Bounce for a while, but most of the team can handle Celebi and Breloom. Edit: Ev's are changed to 184 to outspeed base 115 thanks to Erodent.
Latias @ Choice scarf
Modest//Levitate
6 Hp / 252 Sp Atk / 252 Spd
-Draco Meteor
-Surf
-Thunderbolt
-Trick
Scarf Latias to revenge kill, mence and gyara after a DD. Not much outspeeds it and kills frail fast things to open the way for ape. Trick to help against stall, which usually comes now with multiple ways to stop ape. I don’t know if the speed is necessary, but I don’t know what to make it (not too good with ev’s thats why they’re all smogon recommended). I save this until opponents bring out mence and gyara. If it gets pursuited, it usually means an opportunity for my Gyara to set up.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Adamant//Technician
200 Hp / 252 Atk / 56 Spd
-Bullet Punch
-U-turn
-Superpower
-Pursuit
A little bulkier to help with switches. Scizor and Heracross probably switch in more than every other pokemon on this team. Scizor is vital to take down Latias and Starmie, even if it means Scizor is going to die soon after. Usually there is one pokemon per team that Scizor needs to pursuit. Again both Heracross and Scizor invite tran for set-up fodder.
Infernape @ Life Orb
Naive//Blaze
24 Atk / 252 Sp Atk / 232 Spd OR 64 Atk / 252 Sp Atk / 192 Spd
-Flamethrower
-Grass Knot
-Hp Ice
-Close Combat
The star of the show. I believe I’ve said enough about this to just leave the description blank. But in case you skipped all that before, I’ll say it quickly here. Infernape has the unique ability to take on more than half of the current OU pokemon after they’ve been given a little bit of damage. Once I see that my opponent is out of pokemon that can hinder and Infernape sweep, I let him loose and it usually gg then. I’ve recently switched back to the smogon recommended ev spread, simply because I felt the extra speed is really unnecessary except to handle other apes which Latias, scarfhera and Gyarados can easily do.
OU Threats:
Aerodactyl: A suicide lead and pert can handle him. If not I guess Latias or Scizor
Alakazam: Usually a lead but not common either way. Scizor and Latias again.
Azelf: Another suicide lead. Heracross, Latias and Scizor all have their way with Azelf, also pert can use protect if I think they’re going to explode, and its not hurting Latias with anything else.
Blissey: Ape, Heracross and Scizor.
Breloom: Again, I might let Heracross take the spore if it’s a scarf lead. Other ways pert falls asleep and Scizor take the hit. I don’t like this at all if it comes into Swampert.
Bronzong: I need to get a little bit of damage on this through, U-turn or if it comes in to take a Draco Meteor, then ape can handle it.
Celebi: Same as Bronzong.
Cresselia: It’s a bit of a problem. Pretty much the reason for Heracross. Stab Megahorn hurts it. I’ll try to pursuit it with Scizor for a little damage. Can’t really do much though except spread paralysis. I sometimes trick Lati’s scarf onto it.
Donphan: Ape after a little damage. Latias or Gyarados work.
Dragonite: Ape, Latias, Heracross or Swampert.
Dugtrio: Latias, Swampert Gyarados.
Dusknoir: Will-O-Wisp goes to Heracross obviously. It can’t really do much else.
Electivire: Lol, everything can handle this except Scizor and Gyara.
Empoleon: Heracross and Ape before agility. I think Latias outspeeds it after.
Flygon: Latias can revenge kill scarf Flygon or switch into EQ, Otherwise Ape or Heracross can handle it and Swampert can switch into anything except Draco Meteor without too much difficulty.
Foretress: Ape, if its going to explode I let scizor or pert take it.
Gengar: Between Latias, Scizor and Heracross, they can switch into all its attacks. Heracross takes the hypnosis. It can hit pretty hard while asleep.
Gliscor: Infernape can sweep. Swampert or Latias can switch into EQs.
Gyarados: Latias can switch in on the DD and force a switch or get a KO. Hera outspeeds Adamant Gyara, I think.
Heatran: Latias or Gyarados can take scarf Heatran. Everything except Scizor can handle others.
Heracross: I’m pretty sure I’m the only one that uses it but, Latias can take scarf and I’ll can switch Gyara into choice banded CCs.
Hippowdon: Gyara can set-up on non roar variants. Latias and Ape work too.
Infernape: Raped by Latias and Gyarados. Heracross can revenge kill it.
Jirachi: Ape can take non scarf variants. Scarf are a little bit of a problem but Swampert can EQ it.
Jolteon: Only Latias can take this, but I have to be careful not to switch into Shadow Ball. Swampert too if it doesn’t have Hp Grass.
Kingdra: A problem if it uses Rain Dance instead of DD. Otherwise, Latias. If it does start the rain. send out Swampert to stall it with Protect.
Latias: Scizor for scarfs; I don’t care if it dies to take this out. Heracross can revenge kill non-scarfs or switch into the Calm Mind.
Lucario: A problem after SD, but Gyarados can take its attacks and KO with EQ.
Machamp: Let something take the Dynamic Punch and hope I can hit.
Magnezone: Ape, Heracross and Swampert. I usually U-turn early game with Scizor, except against Latias, so it’s not really a problem.
Mamoswine: Heracorss can take Ice Shard or EQ and KO with CC.
Metagross: Usually a lead and they love to blow up on Swampert, so I Protect. Agiligross can’t hurt Swampert either.
Ninjask: It’s going to BP so I switch to Scizor to U-turn out or BP if it doesn’t have a sub up.
Porygon-Z: I haven’t seen this in months, but Scizor rapes it. Heracross and Latias can revenge kill it (Latias can probably switch into it too).
Rhyperior: Swampert or Latias (barring subs). Ape OHKO with Grass Knot and Hera CCs hurt.
Rotoms: I don’t like them but Ape can KO after a little damage. I usually let Swampert hurt it a little with Ice Beam.
Salamence: Latias switches it on the DD variants and forces them out. Mixmence can be revege killed by Ape and Heracross.
Scizor: Swampert can take most hits and hit hard with EQ. Ape OHKO’s obviously but BP plus LO recoil plus Stealth Rocks isn’t ideal.
Skarmory: Ape and Latias.
Smeargle: BP from Scizor or pretty much anything else after leads spore Swampert.
Snorlax: Heracross, Infernape or Scizor. And Latias can trick it.
Starmie: Scizor’s pursuit Latias and Heracross can take it. Latias can take all of its attacks too.
Suicune: CM cune’s are a problem. I usually switch to Latias and trick a scarf onto it.
Swampert: Ape and Latias.
Tenacrulel: Latias or Gyarados. Bulky waters are not my favourites.
Togekiss: Scizor and Heracross. Paralysis goes to Scizor.
Tyranitar: Scizor, Heracross, Infenape and Swampert.
Vaporeon: Latias or hit it hard with Heracross and attempt to sweep with Infernape
Weavile: Swampert or Scizor
Zapdos: Hit it with Stone edge from Heracross. Thats all I can do. Or get it too about half and then Ape can handle it.
There it is Rate/Steal/Comment please!
Team at a Glance:






Team building Process:
Well obviously a team based around Infernape has to have an Infernape in it right? So ape it is

I made a list of OU pokemon that could outspeed Infernape because there is no way ape is taking a hit from anything. Aerodactyl, Alakazam, Azelf, Dugtrio, Gengar, Jolteon, Latias, Ninjask, Starmie, Weavile. Since ape has no chance of beating these pokemon I need members who can take care of every one of them. Aero and Azelf being suicide leads almost all of the time are not really big concerns. Zam, Dugtrio, Ninjask and Weavile are endangered and almost extinct from today’s metagame. Still, all it takes is one to lose. Three out of four only appearing as leads, most players aren’t really sad to see them go. So to handle these a CB Scizor seems like a given. Being able to BP them to death or pursuit them when they switch out, there was no hesitation.


Scizor being able to scare atleast, Aero, Zelf, Gengar, Latias, Ninjask, Starmie, and Weavile (though Starmie and Latias can usually hurt Scizor too), I needed that could handle Jolteon and Latias. A scarf Lati of my own seems leaped to mind. With its powerful Draco Metoer, it was sure to atleast severely injure something. Also a levitator/flier is nice.



Bronzong: 51.48% - 60.36%
Celebi: 57.92% - 68.07%
Cresselia: 26.80% - 31.53%
Dusknoir: 67.27% - 79.22%
Machamp: 52.08% - 61.46%
Togekiss: 52.41% - 61.50%
Vaporeon: 57.37% - 67.63%
Zapdos: 49.74% - 58.59%
And some I can’t touch like Gyra, Vappy and Tentacruel. Giving pokemon damaging quicky but not being able to KO them......hmm sounds like something Hera can do. Hera it is.















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And thats the team. Now for the individual movesets:

Swampert @ Leftovers
Relaxed//Torrent
232 Hp / 252 Def / 26 Sp Def
-Earthquake
-Ice Beam
-Protect
-Stealth Rock
I can’t remember what the ev spread is for, so if anyone can remind me or suggest a better build, I’m all ears. This used to work well until recently (for some reason everyone has breloom on their team), so I’m thinking about replacing it with Bronzong, but Swampert has helped me out it in many situations. Also three fire weaks wouldn’t be nice (even though I’d still have a couple resists). I chose protect on pert because of all the trick leads, if I see a trick coming, I just switch to hera. Ice beam over Hydro Pump or Surf because I wasn’t using Surf anyways.

Heracross @Choice Scarf
Adamant//Guts
6 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
-Close Combat
-Megahorn
-Stone Edge
-Sleep Talk
Scarfcross can take care of a lot faster than ape but frail pokemon and dent walls, allowing ape to pick them off. Adamant because Timid Heatran is easily handled. I send this out usually right after Swampert to start dishing out the pain. Quickly brings out the Scizors and scarftrans which allow Gyara to set up pretty much right off the bat. I switch it into scarfloom (not regular Breloom’s though because they will set up a sub which means I have to switch out after the first turn anywasy) and other sleep inducing leads as Hera can still dish out pain while asleep.

Gyarados @Leftovers
Adamant//Intimidate
74 Hp / 252 Atk / 184 Spd
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
DD Gyara is a beast. When Scizor’s come in to BP Hera after some defensive drops or Timid tran comes out with Fire Blast or Earth Power, Gyara can come in and set-up. Because, Gyara isn’t sweeping too often early game, I might switch it to a Choice Band to inflict damange without set-up. I don’t like the idea of three choice items though. I ran Bounce for a while, but most of the team can handle Celebi and Breloom. Edit: Ev's are changed to 184 to outspeed base 115 thanks to Erodent.

Latias @ Choice scarf
Modest//Levitate
6 Hp / 252 Sp Atk / 252 Spd
-Draco Meteor
-Surf
-Thunderbolt
-Trick
Scarf Latias to revenge kill, mence and gyara after a DD. Not much outspeeds it and kills frail fast things to open the way for ape. Trick to help against stall, which usually comes now with multiple ways to stop ape. I don’t know if the speed is necessary, but I don’t know what to make it (not too good with ev’s thats why they’re all smogon recommended). I save this until opponents bring out mence and gyara. If it gets pursuited, it usually means an opportunity for my Gyara to set up.

Scizor @ Choice Band
Adamant//Technician
200 Hp / 252 Atk / 56 Spd
-Bullet Punch
-U-turn
-Superpower
-Pursuit
A little bulkier to help with switches. Scizor and Heracross probably switch in more than every other pokemon on this team. Scizor is vital to take down Latias and Starmie, even if it means Scizor is going to die soon after. Usually there is one pokemon per team that Scizor needs to pursuit. Again both Heracross and Scizor invite tran for set-up fodder.

Infernape @ Life Orb
Naive//Blaze
24 Atk / 252 Sp Atk / 232 Spd OR 64 Atk / 252 Sp Atk / 192 Spd
-Flamethrower
-Grass Knot
-Hp Ice
-Close Combat
The star of the show. I believe I’ve said enough about this to just leave the description blank. But in case you skipped all that before, I’ll say it quickly here. Infernape has the unique ability to take on more than half of the current OU pokemon after they’ve been given a little bit of damage. Once I see that my opponent is out of pokemon that can hinder and Infernape sweep, I let him loose and it usually gg then. I’ve recently switched back to the smogon recommended ev spread, simply because I felt the extra speed is really unnecessary except to handle other apes which Latias, scarfhera and Gyarados can easily do.
OU Threats:
Aerodactyl: A suicide lead and pert can handle him. If not I guess Latias or Scizor
Alakazam: Usually a lead but not common either way. Scizor and Latias again.
Azelf: Another suicide lead. Heracross, Latias and Scizor all have their way with Azelf, also pert can use protect if I think they’re going to explode, and its not hurting Latias with anything else.
Blissey: Ape, Heracross and Scizor.
Breloom: Again, I might let Heracross take the spore if it’s a scarf lead. Other ways pert falls asleep and Scizor take the hit. I don’t like this at all if it comes into Swampert.
Bronzong: I need to get a little bit of damage on this through, U-turn or if it comes in to take a Draco Meteor, then ape can handle it.
Celebi: Same as Bronzong.
Cresselia: It’s a bit of a problem. Pretty much the reason for Heracross. Stab Megahorn hurts it. I’ll try to pursuit it with Scizor for a little damage. Can’t really do much though except spread paralysis. I sometimes trick Lati’s scarf onto it.
Donphan: Ape after a little damage. Latias or Gyarados work.
Dragonite: Ape, Latias, Heracross or Swampert.
Dugtrio: Latias, Swampert Gyarados.
Dusknoir: Will-O-Wisp goes to Heracross obviously. It can’t really do much else.
Electivire: Lol, everything can handle this except Scizor and Gyara.
Empoleon: Heracross and Ape before agility. I think Latias outspeeds it after.
Flygon: Latias can revenge kill scarf Flygon or switch into EQ, Otherwise Ape or Heracross can handle it and Swampert can switch into anything except Draco Meteor without too much difficulty.
Foretress: Ape, if its going to explode I let scizor or pert take it.
Gengar: Between Latias, Scizor and Heracross, they can switch into all its attacks. Heracross takes the hypnosis. It can hit pretty hard while asleep.
Gliscor: Infernape can sweep. Swampert or Latias can switch into EQs.
Gyarados: Latias can switch in on the DD and force a switch or get a KO. Hera outspeeds Adamant Gyara, I think.
Heatran: Latias or Gyarados can take scarf Heatran. Everything except Scizor can handle others.
Heracross: I’m pretty sure I’m the only one that uses it but, Latias can take scarf and I’ll can switch Gyara into choice banded CCs.
Hippowdon: Gyara can set-up on non roar variants. Latias and Ape work too.
Infernape: Raped by Latias and Gyarados. Heracross can revenge kill it.
Jirachi: Ape can take non scarf variants. Scarf are a little bit of a problem but Swampert can EQ it.
Jolteon: Only Latias can take this, but I have to be careful not to switch into Shadow Ball. Swampert too if it doesn’t have Hp Grass.
Kingdra: A problem if it uses Rain Dance instead of DD. Otherwise, Latias. If it does start the rain. send out Swampert to stall it with Protect.
Latias: Scizor for scarfs; I don’t care if it dies to take this out. Heracross can revenge kill non-scarfs or switch into the Calm Mind.
Lucario: A problem after SD, but Gyarados can take its attacks and KO with EQ.
Machamp: Let something take the Dynamic Punch and hope I can hit.
Magnezone: Ape, Heracross and Swampert. I usually U-turn early game with Scizor, except against Latias, so it’s not really a problem.
Mamoswine: Heracorss can take Ice Shard or EQ and KO with CC.
Metagross: Usually a lead and they love to blow up on Swampert, so I Protect. Agiligross can’t hurt Swampert either.
Ninjask: It’s going to BP so I switch to Scizor to U-turn out or BP if it doesn’t have a sub up.
Porygon-Z: I haven’t seen this in months, but Scizor rapes it. Heracross and Latias can revenge kill it (Latias can probably switch into it too).
Rhyperior: Swampert or Latias (barring subs). Ape OHKO with Grass Knot and Hera CCs hurt.
Rotoms: I don’t like them but Ape can KO after a little damage. I usually let Swampert hurt it a little with Ice Beam.
Salamence: Latias switches it on the DD variants and forces them out. Mixmence can be revege killed by Ape and Heracross.
Scizor: Swampert can take most hits and hit hard with EQ. Ape OHKO’s obviously but BP plus LO recoil plus Stealth Rocks isn’t ideal.
Skarmory: Ape and Latias.
Smeargle: BP from Scizor or pretty much anything else after leads spore Swampert.
Snorlax: Heracross, Infernape or Scizor. And Latias can trick it.
Starmie: Scizor’s pursuit Latias and Heracross can take it. Latias can take all of its attacks too.
Suicune: CM cune’s are a problem. I usually switch to Latias and trick a scarf onto it.
Swampert: Ape and Latias.
Tenacrulel: Latias or Gyarados. Bulky waters are not my favourites.
Togekiss: Scizor and Heracross. Paralysis goes to Scizor.
Tyranitar: Scizor, Heracross, Infenape and Swampert.
Vaporeon: Latias or hit it hard with Heracross and attempt to sweep with Infernape
Weavile: Swampert or Scizor
Zapdos: Hit it with Stone edge from Heracross. Thats all I can do. Or get it too about half and then Ape can handle it.
There it is Rate/Steal/Comment please!