Hi guys, I'm a bit new to Smogon, so please excuse my inexperience. :P
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Spikes
- Spore
- Dragon Tail
- Stealth Rock
I usually start with Smeargle. With the Focus Sash, I can get at least a Spore and Stealth Rock in; I can also use Spikes if they are weak or decide to set up. I chose Dragon Tail over Whirlwind because it does a bit of damage, and gets around Taunt.
I chose Smeargle over other Stealth Rock/Spikes setters due to Spore. That's one less Pokemon that can be fully used for the opponent. When it gets close, that just might make the difference.
I think hazard setters are important, since every bit of damage counts. A 2HKO may not be possible if my Pokemon has low HP, and Stealth Rock and/or Spikes may just turn my attack into a OHKO.
Uxie @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Memento
- Thunder Wave
I usually go to Uxie next, and have it set up Dual Screens. After this, I paralyze the opponent most of the time. Then, I either use Memento to weaken the Pokemon and make it easy for my next Pokemon to endure their attacks, or just switch, depending on how dangerous I think the Pokemon I'm currently battling is.
I chose Uxie for its high defences, so I would be able to set up Dual Screens, paralyze the opponent, use Memento, without being knocked out. Uxie does this pretty well.
I feel the Dual Screens can help my Moltres especially, being susceptible to many common moves. The Memento can also help neutralize any threats, instead of having it wreak havoc on my team.
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
- Substitute
- Encore
I just think Whimsicott is an all around awesome Pokemon. I can drive people nuts with this, and probably leave a Pokemon or two poisoned by the time she kicks the bucket. SubSeeding and Leftovers keep me healthy and safe from status conditions. Encore allows me to trap the Pokemon I'm battling in a stat-boosting move or something of the sort to suck more of their health, and makes it easier for another Pokemon to switch in and finish, if I choose to do that.
I think Whimsicott is a better SubSeeder than any other Pokemon in this tier, because of its awesome ability. It helps my team, since opponents tend to make many switches while trying to defeat Whimsicott. Slowly, many of those Pokemons' health are drained before they are finally able to take Whimsicott down. This makes for an easy clean-up by the rest of my team.
Cryogonal @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SAtk / 252 Spd
Calm Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Toxic
Cryogonal is a Special Wall, and coupled with Uxie's Light Screen, is pretty hard to get by. It is also my Rapid Spinner, which clears up entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, due to Moltres' 4x weakness to it. STAB Ice Beam, with Cryogonal's great Special Attack, helps take down most Flying-types and Dragon-types. Toxic allows me to slowly weaken the Pokemon, while Recover allows Cryogonal to keep going.
I chose Cryogonal over other Rapid Spinners for its Special Defense, and for its powerful STAB Ice-type attack. It's essential to my team, because of its Rapid Spin. Its high speed makes sure that most of the time, the entry hazards will at least be cleared before Cryogonal faints.
Hariyama @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 172 SDef / 84 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Fake Out
I use Hariyama as my physical attacker, with the Toxic Orb preventing him from falling asleep, freezing, and so on and so forth. Fake Out is used first to allow the Toxic Orb to activate, which activates Guts. I then have Bullet Punch for going first, and Close Combat and Stone Edge for powerful type coverage.
I like Hariyama better than other Fighting-types for its bulk. It can survive a few attacks, and dish out extremely powerful ones as well. Much of my team is stall/not very offensive, so Hariyama is important for it physical strength.
Moltres @ Life Orb
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Finally, Moltres is my main special attacker. Fire Blast gives me a very powerful STAB move, Air Slash is another STAB move; a little less powerful, but the 30% flinch rate it quite useful. Finally, Hidden Power [Grass] rounds out my type coverage. These moves allow me to hit most things for either super effective or neutral damage. Roost helps it to heal Stealth Rock damage, if Cryogonal hasn't already taken care of it, and to heal Life Orb damage, and other damage.
I chose Moltres over other special sweepers because of its decent bulk, and its awesome Special Attack. Like Hariyama, it is one of my few real attackers, making it vital to my team.
One of the Pokemon that often hurt my team is Sigilyph. It is usually brought on when my Whimsicott is in play. Leech Seed and Toxic are rendered useless, and Sigilyph usually gets at least one turn to set up.
But other than that, I win sometimes and I lose sometimes. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to improve my team?
Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Spikes
- Spore
- Dragon Tail
- Stealth Rock
I usually start with Smeargle. With the Focus Sash, I can get at least a Spore and Stealth Rock in; I can also use Spikes if they are weak or decide to set up. I chose Dragon Tail over Whirlwind because it does a bit of damage, and gets around Taunt.
I chose Smeargle over other Stealth Rock/Spikes setters due to Spore. That's one less Pokemon that can be fully used for the opponent. When it gets close, that just might make the difference.
I think hazard setters are important, since every bit of damage counts. A 2HKO may not be possible if my Pokemon has low HP, and Stealth Rock and/or Spikes may just turn my attack into a OHKO.
Uxie @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Memento
- Thunder Wave
I usually go to Uxie next, and have it set up Dual Screens. After this, I paralyze the opponent most of the time. Then, I either use Memento to weaken the Pokemon and make it easy for my next Pokemon to endure their attacks, or just switch, depending on how dangerous I think the Pokemon I'm currently battling is.
I chose Uxie for its high defences, so I would be able to set up Dual Screens, paralyze the opponent, use Memento, without being knocked out. Uxie does this pretty well.
I feel the Dual Screens can help my Moltres especially, being susceptible to many common moves. The Memento can also help neutralize any threats, instead of having it wreak havoc on my team.
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Impish Nature
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
- Substitute
- Encore
I just think Whimsicott is an all around awesome Pokemon. I can drive people nuts with this, and probably leave a Pokemon or two poisoned by the time she kicks the bucket. SubSeeding and Leftovers keep me healthy and safe from status conditions. Encore allows me to trap the Pokemon I'm battling in a stat-boosting move or something of the sort to suck more of their health, and makes it easier for another Pokemon to switch in and finish, if I choose to do that.
I think Whimsicott is a better SubSeeder than any other Pokemon in this tier, because of its awesome ability. It helps my team, since opponents tend to make many switches while trying to defeat Whimsicott. Slowly, many of those Pokemons' health are drained before they are finally able to take Whimsicott down. This makes for an easy clean-up by the rest of my team.
Cryogonal @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SAtk / 252 Spd
Calm Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Toxic
Cryogonal is a Special Wall, and coupled with Uxie's Light Screen, is pretty hard to get by. It is also my Rapid Spinner, which clears up entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, due to Moltres' 4x weakness to it. STAB Ice Beam, with Cryogonal's great Special Attack, helps take down most Flying-types and Dragon-types. Toxic allows me to slowly weaken the Pokemon, while Recover allows Cryogonal to keep going.
I chose Cryogonal over other Rapid Spinners for its Special Defense, and for its powerful STAB Ice-type attack. It's essential to my team, because of its Rapid Spin. Its high speed makes sure that most of the time, the entry hazards will at least be cleared before Cryogonal faints.
Hariyama @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 172 SDef / 84 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Fake Out
I use Hariyama as my physical attacker, with the Toxic Orb preventing him from falling asleep, freezing, and so on and so forth. Fake Out is used first to allow the Toxic Orb to activate, which activates Guts. I then have Bullet Punch for going first, and Close Combat and Stone Edge for powerful type coverage.
I like Hariyama better than other Fighting-types for its bulk. It can survive a few attacks, and dish out extremely powerful ones as well. Much of my team is stall/not very offensive, so Hariyama is important for it physical strength.
Moltres @ Life Orb
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Hidden Power [Grass]
Finally, Moltres is my main special attacker. Fire Blast gives me a very powerful STAB move, Air Slash is another STAB move; a little less powerful, but the 30% flinch rate it quite useful. Finally, Hidden Power [Grass] rounds out my type coverage. These moves allow me to hit most things for either super effective or neutral damage. Roost helps it to heal Stealth Rock damage, if Cryogonal hasn't already taken care of it, and to heal Life Orb damage, and other damage.
I chose Moltres over other special sweepers because of its decent bulk, and its awesome Special Attack. Like Hariyama, it is one of my few real attackers, making it vital to my team.
One of the Pokemon that often hurt my team is Sigilyph. It is usually brought on when my Whimsicott is in play. Leech Seed and Toxic are rendered useless, and Sigilyph usually gets at least one turn to set up.
But other than that, I win sometimes and I lose sometimes. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to improve my team?
