So here is a team I've created about 2 months ago. It keeps me in a comfy top 20 spot when I'm active, and when I'm playing really good or get lucky, I'm around top 15-10. I considered it balanced at first but when I played versus some dude who ran full stall we were talking and he called my team "semi-stall" which is probably the best way to describe my team.
It started it all off when I was looking at the Gyarados analysis and saw the mono-attacker set. I recalled a time where I struggled mightily against it. I wanted to build a team around it since I figured it could be like a physical version of CroCune. The analysis advised against it and they were right. It is a wall first and a sweeper second. Still, I created one of my more successful teams thanks to it, and I do get off a late game sweep sometimes with it, mostly against full stall. It's an excellent stall breaker. Every team member supports it in some way because originally this was to set up a Gyarados sweep. These days a Gyarados sweep is an after thought and I tend to play by racking up damage, then killing off the weakened pokemon by revenge kill or switching in something. This team has an unintentional FWG core.
Anyways, lets start.
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
I was always a Banded T-Tar type of guy but gave this one a chance. Its purpose was to kill Starmie (And my god, what an excellent job it does), Rotom, and general revenge killing. I love this guy just because of how easily it handles Starmie. 4 SpD EV's because I like to switch him into special attacks.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
Wow. This guy surprised me the most. I never used this set before and was far more excited to use Gyarados and Shaymin sets that I hadn't tried before but this one is EASILY the best out of the three. The strategy is for Heatran to switch on to something, force a switch, and set up a sub. Most Heatran switches are bulky waters that abhor Toxic. I tend to kill off bulky waters, opposing Heatran, Dragonite, and Tyranitar with this set.
This guy is one of the most important members of my team especially since I don't have clear cut answers to Dragon Dance Tyranitar and Dragonite. The Toxic, Stealth Rocks, and Sandstorm has prevented me from being swept by any of them, I can't honestly remember a time I got swept by them versus someone who didn't hax me.
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 156 Def / 96 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
Ahh, Gyarados. I much prefer it as a defensive pokemon. I built the whole team around this guy. These days it is a mixed wall first. I'll kill off all my guys against stall players, assuming opposing Rotom, Starmie, and Leech Seed Celebi are gone. This guy easily handles mix Flygon and Nite, though to a lesser degree thanks to his resistance to Water and higher power. I like to get off Intimidate to force switches or to cushion the impact for my other team members. Can take hits from both sides of the spectrum. I just found out the other day that not even Sub Split Gengar likes to fight this guy.
4 EV's are taken from HP and put into Defense to greater increase physical bulk and to switch into SR 5 times. I have a spinner but those rooted in reality know you're not always going to get it off immediately and this guy switches into a lot.
Shaymin @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 76 SpA / 180 Spd
Modest Nature
- Leech Seed
- Seed Flare
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Earth Power
Shaymin is cool. It was my last member to be added. I needed one more member who was synergetic with the rest of my team, handles Gyarados, and could support my team. Celebi fits the bill but has a ton of weaknesses, mainly a nasty Pursuit weakness and has a tougher time versus Blissey because it doesn't have the great fire power that Seed Flare has. Shaymin does not fear Tyranitar in general or Scizor's Pursuit.
I'm running the classic Leech Seed set but with 3 attacks, for extra insurance versus the Dragonite who would be a potentially huge issue without that extra Ice attack. I don't need Sub because I'm protected against status with Natural Cure and don't care for protection against Seismic Toss. Overall, the few times I use HP Ice, justify me keeping it there.
This guy mainly switches in versus resisted attacks, Gyarados, Tyranitar, and Blissey. The idea is to Leech Seed something, and switch in my Forry or Gyarados to keep them healthy. It also helps to beat Stat Uppers and keep the damage going. This is EV'ed to outrun non-Scarf Heatran.
Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def / 80 SpA / 176 SpD
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
Good old Blissey. A staple on most of my teams. I'm using the classic D/P EV's. I like the old EV set because even when it is super effective, it doesn't always KO opposing mon's. This gives it that extra punch to KO 4x weak Dragon's in one hit and break though offensive Sub Rotom's, who usually put in a very small investment in HP to let the Sub survive an uninvested Ice Beam / Flamethrower. It's also nice to put heavy damage on the rare Dugtrio.
IIRC the EV spread gives only a slightly greater Special Bulk than the 252 HP / 252 Def spread but without compromising its attack. This is a special sponge first and foremost, I'll take the slightly weaker defense to better be able to take on Special threats. Plus, Gyarados is often aiding it with the Intimidate drop, artificially boosting its defense.
Blissey's job is to sponge special attacks and pass Wishes to other Pokemon. Everyone appreciates it but it is mainly for Forry and Gyarados. Ice Beam since Dragonite and Flygon like to switch in. Protect also helps me stall guys out, and scout the constant Choice users that like to switch in to Blissey. Overall, Blissey sees the least action but is important nonetheless.
Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Payback
- Explosion
I remember seeing a lot of great players using this guy. I personally never found him great to use, mostly because it's just not that durable(for me). Without a reliable recovery move, it slowly gets chipped away. Even though it takes physical attacks well 1) It is susceptible to spikes, and is only neutral versus rocks. 2) Its special bulk is awful, god forbid I get hit by a Surf and lose 50% of my health.
Well with Leech Seed and Wish, I have found a way to keep this guy alive the entire match, making entry hazards much less threatening. I like to Payback instead of Spin the first time, if I can tell I'm facing a stall player. I love this spread because not even bulky Rotom likes to switch in on Payback. It also gives that extra umph with Explosion. I chose Explosion as my final insurance vs set up sweepers or to just go out with a bang if I'm low on health. Forry spins mainly so Gyarados can switch in repeatedly.
Well, I posted this team because it is good but I think it can use some improvement. My main issue, and this is where I need you guys help, is that I'm missing on the important Rock resist. That is my biggest issue. I've even struggled against a CB Aero. The only reason my lack of a Rock resist isn't THAT bad is because Stone Edge is inaccurate and has low PP. My dilemma is that everyone has their own niche in this team. If I switch out Forry for say, a Hippowdon, I can set up Rocks and resist Rock attacks but I cant spin. If I use Hitmontop, I can spin and resist Rock, but I don't see anywhere else I can put on Rocks.
My second biggest weakness is a personality flaw, actually. I just go with whatever pops up in my head first, whether battling or posting, I don't usually think things through, which means my rank can go really low out of nowhere but that isn't something that can be improved here.
I also have an odd HP Electric Tentacruel weakness. I play around it and have only faced it against one guy but man it is an odd weakness.
It started it all off when I was looking at the Gyarados analysis and saw the mono-attacker set. I recalled a time where I struggled mightily against it. I wanted to build a team around it since I figured it could be like a physical version of CroCune. The analysis advised against it and they were right. It is a wall first and a sweeper second. Still, I created one of my more successful teams thanks to it, and I do get off a late game sweep sometimes with it, mostly against full stall. It's an excellent stall breaker. Every team member supports it in some way because originally this was to set up a Gyarados sweep. These days a Gyarados sweep is an after thought and I tend to play by racking up damage, then killing off the weakened pokemon by revenge kill or switching in something. This team has an unintentional FWG core.
Anyways, lets start.
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
I was always a Banded T-Tar type of guy but gave this one a chance. Its purpose was to kill Starmie (And my god, what an excellent job it does), Rotom, and general revenge killing. I love this guy just because of how easily it handles Starmie. 4 SpD EV's because I like to switch him into special attacks.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
Wow. This guy surprised me the most. I never used this set before and was far more excited to use Gyarados and Shaymin sets that I hadn't tried before but this one is EASILY the best out of the three. The strategy is for Heatran to switch on to something, force a switch, and set up a sub. Most Heatran switches are bulky waters that abhor Toxic. I tend to kill off bulky waters, opposing Heatran, Dragonite, and Tyranitar with this set.
This guy is one of the most important members of my team especially since I don't have clear cut answers to Dragon Dance Tyranitar and Dragonite. The Toxic, Stealth Rocks, and Sandstorm has prevented me from being swept by any of them, I can't honestly remember a time I got swept by them versus someone who didn't hax me.
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 156 Def / 96 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
Ahh, Gyarados. I much prefer it as a defensive pokemon. I built the whole team around this guy. These days it is a mixed wall first. I'll kill off all my guys against stall players, assuming opposing Rotom, Starmie, and Leech Seed Celebi are gone. This guy easily handles mix Flygon and Nite, though to a lesser degree thanks to his resistance to Water and higher power. I like to get off Intimidate to force switches or to cushion the impact for my other team members. Can take hits from both sides of the spectrum. I just found out the other day that not even Sub Split Gengar likes to fight this guy.
4 EV's are taken from HP and put into Defense to greater increase physical bulk and to switch into SR 5 times. I have a spinner but those rooted in reality know you're not always going to get it off immediately and this guy switches into a lot.
Shaymin @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 76 SpA / 180 Spd
Modest Nature
- Leech Seed
- Seed Flare
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Earth Power
Shaymin is cool. It was my last member to be added. I needed one more member who was synergetic with the rest of my team, handles Gyarados, and could support my team. Celebi fits the bill but has a ton of weaknesses, mainly a nasty Pursuit weakness and has a tougher time versus Blissey because it doesn't have the great fire power that Seed Flare has. Shaymin does not fear Tyranitar in general or Scizor's Pursuit.
I'm running the classic Leech Seed set but with 3 attacks, for extra insurance versus the Dragonite who would be a potentially huge issue without that extra Ice attack. I don't need Sub because I'm protected against status with Natural Cure and don't care for protection against Seismic Toss. Overall, the few times I use HP Ice, justify me keeping it there.
This guy mainly switches in versus resisted attacks, Gyarados, Tyranitar, and Blissey. The idea is to Leech Seed something, and switch in my Forry or Gyarados to keep them healthy. It also helps to beat Stat Uppers and keep the damage going. This is EV'ed to outrun non-Scarf Heatran.
Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def / 80 SpA / 176 SpD
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
Good old Blissey. A staple on most of my teams. I'm using the classic D/P EV's. I like the old EV set because even when it is super effective, it doesn't always KO opposing mon's. This gives it that extra punch to KO 4x weak Dragon's in one hit and break though offensive Sub Rotom's, who usually put in a very small investment in HP to let the Sub survive an uninvested Ice Beam / Flamethrower. It's also nice to put heavy damage on the rare Dugtrio.
IIRC the EV spread gives only a slightly greater Special Bulk than the 252 HP / 252 Def spread but without compromising its attack. This is a special sponge first and foremost, I'll take the slightly weaker defense to better be able to take on Special threats. Plus, Gyarados is often aiding it with the Intimidate drop, artificially boosting its defense.
Blissey's job is to sponge special attacks and pass Wishes to other Pokemon. Everyone appreciates it but it is mainly for Forry and Gyarados. Ice Beam since Dragonite and Flygon like to switch in. Protect also helps me stall guys out, and scout the constant Choice users that like to switch in to Blissey. Overall, Blissey sees the least action but is important nonetheless.
Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Payback
- Explosion
I remember seeing a lot of great players using this guy. I personally never found him great to use, mostly because it's just not that durable(for me). Without a reliable recovery move, it slowly gets chipped away. Even though it takes physical attacks well 1) It is susceptible to spikes, and is only neutral versus rocks. 2) Its special bulk is awful, god forbid I get hit by a Surf and lose 50% of my health.
Well with Leech Seed and Wish, I have found a way to keep this guy alive the entire match, making entry hazards much less threatening. I like to Payback instead of Spin the first time, if I can tell I'm facing a stall player. I love this spread because not even bulky Rotom likes to switch in on Payback. It also gives that extra umph with Explosion. I chose Explosion as my final insurance vs set up sweepers or to just go out with a bang if I'm low on health. Forry spins mainly so Gyarados can switch in repeatedly.
Well, I posted this team because it is good but I think it can use some improvement. My main issue, and this is where I need you guys help, is that I'm missing on the important Rock resist. That is my biggest issue. I've even struggled against a CB Aero. The only reason my lack of a Rock resist isn't THAT bad is because Stone Edge is inaccurate and has low PP. My dilemma is that everyone has their own niche in this team. If I switch out Forry for say, a Hippowdon, I can set up Rocks and resist Rock attacks but I cant spin. If I use Hitmontop, I can spin and resist Rock, but I don't see anywhere else I can put on Rocks.
My second biggest weakness is a personality flaw, actually. I just go with whatever pops up in my head first, whether battling or posting, I don't usually think things through, which means my rank can go really low out of nowhere but that isn't something that can be improved here.
I also have an odd HP Electric Tentacruel weakness. I play around it and have only faced it against one guy but man it is an odd weakness.
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