Hello everyone! As the newest member of the Smogon Community, it is with great joy that I post my first RMT thread. I am not a prodigal team creator, nor am I a master battler. I have had moderate success through some battling experience and by lurking around the forums. Special thanks goes to Xephyr for his excellent RU threat list, and to the Smogon community as a whole, for just being so awesome! :)
[size=+2]Team At A Glance...[/size]
[pimg]344[/pimg][pimg]65[/pimg][pimg]114[/pimg][pimg]435[/pimg][pimg]36[/pimg][pimg]428[/pimg]
A Closer Look...
[pimg]344[/pimg][pimg]344[/pimg][pimg]65[/pimg][pimg]114[/pimg][pimg]435[/pimg][pimg]36[/pimg][pimg]428[/pimg]
A Closer Look...
Claydol @Leftovers
Levitate
252 Hp/92 Def/68 Spec Atk/96 Spec Def
Calm Nature (-Atk/+Spec Def)
~Stealth Rock
~Rapid Spin
~Ice Beam
~Earth Power
In my quest for a solid lead, I looked for two things: The ability to safely spin away pesky entry hazards, while holding the ability to dish them back out in style. Thus, burst forth Claydol, my all-time favorite Hoenn pokemon and general bad ass. Claydol holds an important spot on my team, having synergy with Honchkrow, while also being able to spin away entry hazards. The EV spread, while a tad unorthodox, gives Claydol enough special bulk to safely live a Bug Buzz from Speed Boost Yanmega while not sacrificing the necessary physical bulk, to switch into STAB Stone Edges directed at Honchkrow. Ice Beam and Earth Power provide enough power to force switches, threatening away Yanmega after Stealth Rock damage.
[pimg]65[/pimg]
Alakazam(M) @Leftovers
Synchronize
4 Hp/252 Spec Atk/ 252 Spd
Timid Nature(-Atk/+Spd)
~Substitute
~Calm Mind
~Focus Blast
~Psyshock
My main special sweeper. Alakazam sets up Calm Mind's behind his sub while laughing at the feeble attempts of stallers such as Evolite Ferroseed, or Cresselia. I have had great success with Alakazam, especially as a clean up sweeper, when my opponents priority users have been KO'd. Psyshock is present to create a psuedo mixed sweeper feel while retaining STAB, while Focus Mis--I mean Focus Blast is there to dark and steel types(When it doesnt miss).
[pimg]114[/pimg]
Tangela(M) @Evolite
Regenerator
252Hp/252 Def/4 Spec Atk
Bold Nature (-Atk/+Def)
~Giga Drain
~Leech Seed
~Knock Off
~Sleep Powder
The physical half of my defensive core, Tangela can switch into, nearly, any physical attacks that threaten the rest of my team barring STAB Brave Birds from Swellow/Honchkrow or STAB Flare Blitz's from Entei/Emboar. Tangela switches into the physical attack, and threatens away the opponent with Sleep Powder. This switch gives Tangela a valuable niche in my team, as he is able to either use Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, or Knock off on the switch, potentially crippling his counter. Giga Drain is present to give Tangela some extra heal, while providing an adequate form of damage on the foe. Regenerator allows Tangela to heal when switching to his defensive partner Clefable or to Gastrodon, depending on the situation.
[pimg]435[/pimg]
Honchkrow(M) @Choice Band
Moxie
4 Hp/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly Nature (-Spec Atk/+Spd)
~Brave Bird
~Sucker Punch
~Frustration
~Pursuit
Honchkrow is my main physical sweeper, presenting the ability to both threaten, and chase away his opponents due to his tremendous Atk stat and STAB Brave Birds/Sucker Punch. Moxie provides Honchkrow a supplement to the lost Atk from having a Jolly nature over Adamant. Jolly gives Honchkrow the edge it needs to outspeed and OHKO opposing Adamant Honchkrows. Frustration is present as a filler as Moxie Honchkrow is unable to learn Superpower, an additional perk to the InsomniaKrow. Can switch in as a revenge killer and use Pursuit to OHKO fleeing foes while boosting it's already monstrous Atk stat. I have had battles where two Pursuit kills allowed me to OHKO a third foe before being taken down. Has great synergy with Claydol, having the ability to complement each others weaknesses to great success.
[pimg]36[/pimg]
Clefable(F) @Leftovers
Magic Guard
252 Hp/252 Spec Def/4 Spec Atk
Calm Nature (-Atk/+Spec Def)
~Wish
~Protect
~Thunder Wave
~Flamethrower
Clefable is the special half of my defensive core. I freaking love this thing. Clefable is my answer to both sets of Yanmega, able to switch in on STAB Bug Buzz's and TWave to shut them down. Wish+Protect provide a reliable form of healing, while Magic Guard protects Clefable from residual damage. Excellent partner with Tangela, who can switch into physical Fighting moves. Flamethrower allows Clefable to force switches on Yanmega or the ever popular Evolite Ferroseed. Wish passing from Clefable has saved me in many a battle.
[pimg]428[/pimg]
Gastrodon-E(M) @Leftovers
Storm Drain
176 Def/252 Spec Atk/80 Spec Def
Modest Nature(-Atk/+Spec Atk)
~Surf
~Ice Beam
~Earth Power
~Recover
Gastrodon is the mid-point for my teams synergy, able to switch into attacks that would normally threaten both of my defensive cores, with his natural bulk. Storm drain allows him to absorb and gain a boost from Water attacks, allowing him to threaten them away with his now +1 STAB Earth Power or Surf. Modest with Max Spec atk gives Gastrodon the UMPH! he needs to OHKO many RU threats such as Rhyperior, Swellow, Entei, while putting the hurt on Sharpedo's that believe they can scare him off. Gastrodon has one of the highest survivability rates on my team, and provides a replacement physical wall to Tangela after he is KO'd.
This team is still incomplete and needs some work. If you notice any fatal flaws or points of critique in my team please feel free to comment. If I have made a noobish error or require serious reconstruction, also please note, as I am able to handle it. I am glad to be a part of this community and hope that your reviews will bring me greater success in the future. Again, special thanks to Zephyr and the Smogon community for inspiration.
Thank you!
