Scirocco at Dawn

[Sixxy]

SCIROCCO AT DAWN​

INTRODUCTION

I have been familiar with Pokémon since its inception; however, I have only been aware of the competitive level of play for about a year. Beyond that, I have only been playing competitively for less than two weeks. Obviously, I was faced with a steep learning curve consisting of basic strategy, team building, understanding the metagame, discovering my preferred playstyle, remembering base stats and weaknesses, preferred EV spreads, and the list goes on. I did not have anyone to show me the ropes, so I decided the best way to get a handle on things was to research top tier pokes, read articles, and watch strategy and battle videos. Once I had that down, it was time to download PO and get some real exposure.

As weather is a dominating force in OU and sand has the highest usage, I decided to start with that. My first team consisted of a Mixed Tyranitar, DD Haxorus, Jellicent, Skarmory, Special Attack Heatran, and Banded Scizor. Surprisingly, I actually won my first few battles and maintained a 2:1 win ratio for my first session. This irritated me, because I wanted to get annihilated by skilled players to learn from them. Since then, I have logged a lot more PO sessions, testing out all forms of weather and all types of teams. I discovered that I was very fond of offensive teams and sand teams. Thus, I decided to scrap every team I had and start over again.

TEAM OVERVIEW

TEAM ANALYSIS

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 224 SDef / 36 Spe
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Wish
- Iron Head
- Body Slam

This role was initially filled by a Deoxys-D running an –S set to quickly set up hazards and to wall Special Attacks. After testing, I did not really like Deoxys-D and replaced it with a Celebi to set up Rocks and check Rain teams. However, I found Tentacruel was already an excellent check and replaced the lowered utility of Celebi with Jirachi.

Part one of my para-flinch-hax shenanigans defensive core has incredible utility. Jirachi sets up rocks, passes critical wishes, walls special attacks, and can be the most annoying thing to the opposing team. The EV spread, like a lot of my team, has a increased speed investment to out-speed the opposing SD Jirachi. Thanks to its ability, and steel-typing protecting it from the residual sand damage, this set can cripple and out-stall a large chunk of the metagame.

Unfortunately, replacing Deoxys-D and Celebi with Jirachi did bring the total amount of weaknesses of Ground-type attacks up to three, however, with two pokes being immune to Ground-type attacks, I am not overly considered.

Synergy
Ground: Landorus and Gyarados
Fire: Tentacruel, Gyarados, and Tyranitar

Gyarados (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Waterfall
- Taunt
- Dragon Tail

Gyarados initially ran a Bulky DD set accompanied with Dragon Tail to phase threats. As a late game DD’er, it was hard for the opposition to counter. However, it was easily checked by dragon-types. Once Jirachi made its way onto the team, I realized that together they form a perfect defensive core. So, I dropped the DD set and made Gyarados more defensive. Gyarados and Jirachi have great synergy, being able to completely paralyze and flinch-out the opposing team.

Taunt prevents anything from setting up on it, as well as forcing walls to switch out or get KO’d. STAB Waterfall acts as its only attacking move, and abuses its decent attack stat. Dragon Tail is my only phasing move, and I am considering replacing it with Roar. Dragon Tail adds some residual damage, yet it cannot break subs like Roar can. Intimidate weakens physical threats, making up for its somewhat low defense and enabling safer double switches.

Synergy
Rock: Jirachi and Scizor
Electric: Landorus

Landorus (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spe
Naive Nature (+Spe, -SDef)
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Jirachi and Gyarados cover each other’s weakness well, but Gyarados 4x weakness to electricity is still evident. Landorus is able to cover that weakness, as well as having its own weaknesses covered by the defensive pairing to form a perfectly synergized core that contains many critical roles.

Landorus is my one of my main sweepers, despite scarf making it more of a revenge killer. I opted for the scarf’d set for early U-turn scouting and to ensure I could attack first. This is an extremely standard set, but I prefer it over Substitute and Bulk-Up sets as it provides more coverage. Landorus forces a lot of switches, making it excellent fodder for a double switch into a counter to their counter.

Synergy
Water: Gyarados and Tentacruel
Ice: Jirachi, Tentacruel, and Scizor

Tyranitar (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Fire Punch

I needed a sandstreamer to make Landorus more threatening and inflict residual damage. As this team is more offensive, Tyranitar was auto-in. Its weaknesses were also covered completely by the team’s core, making for perfect synergy. I dabbled with the mixed set for a long time, but a physical set is much more threatening to the metagame. It also allows Tyranitar to act as a much needed second sandsweeper.

As Landorus was already scarfed, and I knew in the back of my mind that I wanted a banded Scizor to fill holes in the team, I went with a Dragon Dancing set. A +1/+1 Tyranitar eliminates the need for choice items, while Expert Belt allows it bluff a choice band without revealing the Dragon Dance early. As DD Tyranitar is so uncommon, it is fairly easy to set up. The surprise factor in this and well, any metagame is critical, not a lot of teams can handle a +1/+1 Tyranitar.

Sandstorm SDef boost makes Tyranitar extremely bulky. Two STAB moves and Fire Punch allow it the most coverage, being able to win the weather war and annihilate Ferrothorn, Forretress, Skarmory, Jirachi as well as Scizor on the switch. If Tyranitar comes in once its counters have been checked and sets up, it’s game.

Synergy
Fighting: Landorus, Scizor, Gyarados, and Tentacruel
Ground: Landorus and Gyarados
Bug: Landorus, Tentacruel, and Gyarados
Steel: Jirachi, Scizor, and Gyarados
Water: Tentacruel and Gyarados
Grass: Jirachi and Scizor

Tentacruel (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Giga Drain

Due to Landorus switching in and out a lot, I needed a spinner to abuse it more. Tentacruel fills that role, has great synergy with my sandsweepers, and provides another Water-type resist. Tentacruel also serves the niche of being a pseudo-spinner upon switching in by absorbing Toxic Spikes. Finally, with a Life Orb set, it is able to check rain teams, break walls, revenge kill, and most importantly, take the opponent by surprise.

Tentacruel has great speed at base 100 and with this set, it is able to OHKO Gliscor, slow grass type, a broken Multi-Scale Dragonite, and essentially anything slower than it and weak to Water, Grass, or Ice. Giga Drain has the added benefit of counter balancing Life Orb and KO’ing Water-types. Scald is deadly in its own right thanks to secondary burn effect, but if I leave Rain in play, it’s quite devastating. The ability allows it to switch in on Leech Seed and Ice Beam the user.

Synergy
Ground: Landorus and Gyarados
Electric: Landorus
Psychic: Tyranitar, Scizor, and Jirachi

Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit

As I alluded to earlier, Scizor patches up a lot of holes in this team, acts as a pseudo-revenge killer, Fighting-type check, and powerhouse priority user. Scizor easily synergizes with the rest of team due to three Fire-type resists. It also adds a plethora of welcomed resistances.

U-Turn is for scouting and great damage, and together with the devastating priority Bullet Punch make up the majority of the usage in this set. However, Superpower and Pursuit do have their merits. As this is a standard set, so there is not much else to say about it other than the extra speed investment is to out speed other banded Scizors.

Synergy
Fire: Tentacruel, Gyarados, and Tyranitar

IMPORTABLE

Hide

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 224 SDef / 36 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Wish
- Iron Head
- Body Slam

Gyarados (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Waterfall
- Taunt
- Dragon Tail

Landorus (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Tyranitar (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Fire Punch

Tentacruel (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Giga Drain

Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit

CONCLUSION

As a last note on the team, I believe Gyarados’ and Jirachi’s sets are great as is bar Roar vs. Dragon Tail. Tentacruel could be replaced by Starmie to drop my Earth-type weaknesses down to two, yet Starmie has less bulk, cannot pseudo-spin upon switching in, and does not add the surprise factor that Life Orb Tentacruel does. I love Tyranitar, however, I am hard pressed between either max Atk or max HP investment. As far as the choice users, it is merely an issue of Choice vs. Set-up sets. On one hand, I appreciate the auto-boost, but on the other, being locked into one move can hurt sometimes. I do miss having Spike support, but I do not see a way to fit it in without sacrificing a lot of momentum and synergy.

I am quite satisfied with this team as a whole, despite it transitioning from offensive to a more balanced approach. I feel I have nearly and quite quickly overcome the learning curve of breaking into the game. Hopefully the next time I provide a RMT, it will be from the top of the ladder. Thank you for your time, and forthcoming critiques.

 

[Black Rain]

Hi, this is a fairly solid team without much weakness from what I can see. However, I do see Rotom-W as posing somewhat of an annoyance to this team, but with good playing, you can easily get around it. However, I do suggest testing out Gastrodon > Tentacruel. Since you're putting good offensive pressure on your opponent, I think your opponent may have trouble setting up free hazards. Rain in general can also pose as an annoyance to your team, though Tentacruel can surprise it pretty well, but Latios threatens it, and T-tar gets 2HKO'd because it lacks special bulk from Surf.

 

[Venom]

Very standard team here, not much to say. Success with this types of teams doesn't really come from how you use this Pokemon but how you play it, just a few recommendations. I would recommend reconsidering Dragon Dance on Gyarados. Gyarados has been blessed since Gen I for having Dragon Dance and completely sweeping shit, and it ain't no different now. Thunderwave is good but Gyarados isn't the best Pokemon to be running it. Dragon Dance / Waterfall / Earthquake / Stone Edge or Bounce is a good set that destroys shit late game. It doesn't have to be that bulky too.

I can't really say much more really, it's a very standard team, I can't say anything more. Play with it some more and as you play better players you'll find what's a problem for your style.

 

[coughing]

Hi there welcome to smogon!
Congrats on doing such a great job in two weeks, you have some good standard pokemon here, a couple seem a little out of place but i'll come round to it by rating the mon and sets individually and then as a whole team.

Jirachi Solid! nothing needs changing here

Scizor Again, everything seems to be in order, higher attack over special bulk is good since tyranitar is there to sponge draco meteors from latios. A swords dance set could be considered however.

Tyranitar Somewhat unique, but the set isn't incredibly effective in todays metagame. I would not suggest this if you still keep scizors choice band(too many choice items), but if you decide to change to a swords dance set, i would suggest trying out a choice band set on tyranitar with Stone edge/superpower/pursuit/crunch. It would synergise well with jirachi since CB T-tar is a monster with paralysis support.

Landorus Perfecto.

Tentacruel Ok, giga draiinnn not so good. You are placing him here for rapid spin support which in all honesty is not needed a great deal to support Landorus since it takes no damage to spikes and only a little from stealth rock. It doesn't really fit in your team, i'll suggest a change below

Gyarados A fantastic pokemon offensively, or defensively on a stall team, but your team isn't really a stall team so the defensive version of gyarados doesn't really fit and isn't doing a great deal for your team, just like tentacruel.

In summary:
Ok, so some weaknesses are... Rotom-W, for which i would suggest changing tentacruel to Nasty plot celebi. And for gyarados i really think a dragon dance set should be adopted... But without dragon tail! I'll post the sets below

Hide

Celebi@leftovers
Trait: Natural cure, Modest nature (+spa)
252spa/200spe/56hp
-Nasty plot
-Giga drain
-Psychic
-Hidden power [Fire]

Nasty plot to boost spa, giga drain for waters and tyranitar, psychic for abundant fighting types, tentacruel, and solid STAB to hit dragonite after SR damage, Hidden power fire is for pesky scizor who think they can U-turn out, also for ferrothorn and opposing celebi.

Gyarados@leftovers
Trait:Intimidate, Adamant nature (+Atk)
204spe/56hp/248atk
-Substitute
-dragon dance
-waterfall
-bounce/stone edge

Gyarados loathes status, so substitute helps you avoid that, people usually only carry one counter for gyarados: rotom-w, which usually carries volt switch, setting up a sub will mean it will volt switch out and you can continure to set up. Bounce helps against bulky grass types (ie celebi) and stone edge can hit dragons such as salamence and dragonite hard, and rotom-w for neurtal damage

I hope i helped and good luck!

 

[Sixxy]

Hi, this is a fairly solid team without much weakness from what I can see. However, I do see Rotom-W as posing somewhat of an annoyance to this team, but with good playing, you can easily get around it. However, I do suggest testing out Gastrodon > Tentacruel. Since you're putting good offensive pressure on your opponent, I think your opponent may have trouble setting up free hazards. Rain in general can also pose as an annoyance to your team, though Tentacruel can surprise it pretty well, but Latios threatens it, and T-tar gets 2HKO'd because it lacks special bulk from Surf.

Rotom-W is truly a nuisance, but not that much of a critical threat overall. I am going to test out the other suggestions below to see if I like the more offensive flare better, but I will definitely keep Gastrodon in mind for the future. I've never used one and rarely face it, so it could be a really fun poke.

Thank you for the rate and making me aware of how useless Rapid Spin was in this type of team.

Very standard team here, not much to say. Success with this types of teams doesn't really come from how you use this Pokemon but how you play it, just a few recommendations. I would recommend reconsidering Dragon Dance on Gyarados. Gyarados has been blessed since Gen I for having Dragon Dance and completely sweeping shit, and it ain't no different now. Thunderwave is good but Gyarados isn't the best Pokemon to be running it. Dragon Dance / Waterfall / Earthquake / Stone Edge or Bounce is a good set that destroys shit late game. It doesn't have to be that bulky too.

I can't really say much more really, it's a very standard team, I can't say anything more. Play with it some more and as you play better players you'll find what's a problem for your style.

I'm going to test out a less bulky DD Gyarados as well as coughing's other suggestions. Thank you for the rate.

Hi there welcome to smogon!
Congrats on doing such a great job in two weeks, you have some good standard pokemon here, a couple seem a little out of place but i'll come round to it by rating the mon and sets individually and then as a whole team.

Jirachi Solid! nothing needs changing here

Scizor Again, everything seems to be in order, higher attack over special bulk is good since tyranitar is there to sponge draco meteors from latios. A swords dance set could be considered however.

Tyranitar Somewhat unique, but the set isn't incredibly effective in todays metagame. I would not suggest this if you still keep scizors choice band(too many choice items), but if you decide to change to a swords dance set, i would suggest trying out a choice band set on tyranitar with Stone edge/superpower/pursuit/crunch. It would synergise well with jirachi since CB T-tar is a monster with paralysis support.

Landorus Perfecto.

Tentacruel Ok, giga draiinnn not so good. You are placing him here for rapid spin support which in all honesty is not needed a great deal to support Landorus since it takes no damage to spikes and only a little from stealth rock. It doesn't really fit in your team, i'll suggest a change below

Gyarados A fantastic pokemon offensively, or defensively on a stall team, but your team isn't really a stall team so the defensive version of gyarados doesn't really fit and isn't doing a great deal for your team, just like tentacruel.

In summary:
Ok, so some weaknesses are... Rotom-W, for which i would suggest changing tentacruel to Nasty plot celebi. And for gyarados i really think a dragon dance set should be adopted... But without dragon tail! I'll post the sets below

Hide

Celebi@leftovers
Trait: Natural cure, Modest nature (+spa)
252spa/200spe/56hp
-Nasty plot
-Giga drain
-Psychic
-Hidden power [Fire]

Nasty plot to boost spa, giga drain for waters and tyranitar, psychic for abundant fighting types, tentacruel, and solid STAB to hit dragonite after SR damage, Hidden power fire is for pesky scizor who think they can U-turn out, also for ferrothorn and opposing celebi.

Gyarados@leftovers
Trait:Intimidate, Adamant nature (+Atk)
204spe/56hp/248atk
-Substitute
-dragon dance
-waterfall
-bounce/stone edge

Gyarados loathes status, so substitute helps you avoid that, people usually only carry one counter for gyarados: rotom-w, which usually carries volt switch, setting up a sub will mean it will volt switch out and you can continure to set up. Bounce helps against bulky grass types (ie celebi) and stone edge can hit dragons such as salamence and dragonite hard, and rotom-w for neurtal damage

I hope i helped and good luck!

Wow, I really like this. I am going to test out NP Celebi and DD Gyarados right away. If I find I don't need the super-boosted Bullet Punch as much, I'll switch-up the band to Tyranitar, and use an SD set on Scizor. Thanks a lot!

 

[Olympus]

Just a minor nitpick, I find roar to be a lot more useful than Dragon Tail. Although taunt can stop it, roar lets you phase bulky threats behind subs such as Breloom and ironically, bulky DD Gyarados.

 

[Sixxy]

Just a minor nitpick, I find roar to be a lot more useful than Dragon Tail. Although taunt can stop it, roar lets you phase bulky threats behind subs such as Breloom and ironically, bulky DD Gyarados.

Roar is definitely more useful on a defensive Gyarados.

After a lot of testing:

• DD Gyarados is generally more useful than defensive.
• Slowbro and Gastrodon are fun, but not super effective.
• Celebi adds a third fire weakness and gives me a harder time against sun.
• Ferrothorn, with protect or in the rain completely walls the entire team.
• Aside from taking out Dragonite, Gliscor and Bulky Waters, LO Tentacruel is easily checked.
• Scarf Ttar, CB Ttar, SubSD Landorus, SD Scizor all have their benefits, but I can't decide on which sets vs. sets in the first post will be the most useful most of the time.
• I can't find a dedicated Special Sweeper for this team.

Essentially, I run into the issue that all my teams ended up with, having a solid 5 pokes and nothing solid to fill that last slot.

This team has taught me to play slower and think out moves more thoroughly, so that is probably the best thing to take away from it all. Ultimately, I'm just going to take a break and come back with a fresher and more objective approach.