Scizor strikes again!

[Jukain-Arashi]

Hey guys, so I decided to make another OU team because the last one got boring. So here it is, it's been doing good so far on the Smogon server and I'd like to get some suggestions on it. Here goes...

Quick Glance:

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Empoleon @ Focus Sash
Modest
Torrent
156 HP / 252 SpA / 100 Spe
- Hydro Pump
- Aqua Jet
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Beam

So here's my lead. I chose Empoleon mainly because of it's typing. With Empoleon, I can take out many of the common leads. I try to set up Stealth Rocks on the first turn. Once the rocks are up, I either sweep whatever lead is out, or switch to a counter. Against Aerodactyl leads, I Hydro Pump first to take it out, because they usually carry Taunt. I'm considering on replacing this guy with a Donphan lead, but I'd like some input before doing so.

Infernape @ Life Orb
Naive
Blaze
64 Atk / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
- Nasty Plot
- Flamethrower
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot

This is the Nasty Plot set for Infernape. I chose this set because my most important team members are physically based, so I needed some that can use Special attacks so I don't get walled by a phys. wall (i.e. Hippowdon). I usually get a Nasty Plot in by forcing a switch. Then I just begin sweeping with Flamethrower on Steels and anything else that is weak to it. Grass Knot is very useful in taking out Grounds and Swampert. Infernape's also my answer to Blissey who can be a pain in the @$$.

Tyranitar @ Babiri Berry
Adamant
Sand Stream
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
- Dragon Dance
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Fire Punch

Tyranitar is my physical sweeper. His main job is to get everything ready for Scizor by weakening as many Pokemon as he can. He Dragon Dances on the switch, and then start pounding away at whatever is in it's way. I leave this guy in unless I suspect a Fighting attack to be come it's way. Fire Punch aids in taking out Steel types such as Skarmory. Stone Edge does wonders on incoming Salamence and Gyarados. Crunch is my answer to Gengar (unless it's Scarfed) and other Ghosts.

Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Bold
Water Absorb
188 HP / 252 Def / 68 Spe
- Wish
- Protect
- Surf
- HP [Electric]

Vaporeon works really well with this team. I send in Vappy when I predict a Water-type attack aimed for Infernape or Tyranitar, allowing it to freely recover HP. HP [Electric] helps out in taking out other Water types. The Wish support that I get from Vappy helps out Scizor since he is switching in and out most of the time. Surf is there for STAB and Protect to scout. Not much to say about Vaporeon really, it's a simple role for it to play.

Dusknoir @ Leftovers
Impish
Pressure
252 HP / 28 Atk / 228 Def
- Will-o-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch

Here's the tank of this team. Main purpose for this guy is to come in on a Fighting attack aimed at Scizor or Tyranitar. Earthquake gives me a nice way of hitting Heatran. Ice Punch gives great coverage when used in conjunction with Earthquake. Will-o-Wisp seriously cripples any Pokemon switching in, as long as it doesn't miss. And Pain Split is for hanging on there long enough to stall my opponent into defeat.

Scizor @ Life Orb
Adamant
Technician
200 HP / 252 Atk / 56 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Roost

Here's the star of almost all my teams now. Scizor is absolutely a beast and one of the most powerful Pokemon in OU. Previously I've been using the CB set, but I noticed that being locked into one move caused me to switch a lot. I decided to opt with the SD set because it gives a little more freedom. Most of the time I try to scare something off so I can set up. Once I'm done setting up, I start using Bullet Punch on almost everything that comes my way. Roost helps me eliminate the Life Orb recoil. Usually, by the time Scizor comes in I can OHKO most Pokemon with Bullet Punch.

 

[199 Lives]

Alright first of all Duskinior needs to be swapped for Rotom-A. Rotom is not only a much better pokemon but it provides a valuable electric and ground resist which you desperately need.

Rotom @ Leftovers
Bold
Levitate
252 HP / 168 Def / 88 Spe
Rest
Sleep Talk
Thunderbolt
Will-O-Wisp

This set also provides a useful status absorber which your team needs.

Tyranitar should have a Babari Berry over Leftovers or else Fire Punch is going to be useless because Scizor will just revenge kill you.

I can also see a huge SD Lucario weakness. To help combat this without changing around to much in your team or would change Infernape to a physically based mix ape, with Mach Punch to pick off Lucario.

Infernape @ Life Orb
Naive
Blaze
252 Atk/ 64 SpA/ 192 Speed
Close Combat
U-Turn
Overheat
Mach Punch

I could change alot more but I feel lazy right now, hope I helped.

 

[Jukain-Arashi]

The reason I chose Dusknoir over any of the Rotom forms is because I can't use the Rotom forms on wifi. This team will mainly be used for wifi purposes.

Also, about Infernape, would it not be better to use Flamethrower/Fire Blast >> Overheat because of the stat drop?

 

[teh_demon]

i found that if you give scizor an occa berry it last longer with or without roost and bugbuzz is a good option as well but it depends on what your aiming for
and a chopleberry for ttar because you havent got any obvious counters for a fighting type

 

[Pika25]

The reason I chose Dusknoir over any of the Rotom forms is because I can't use the Rotom forms on wifi. This team will mainly be used for wifi purposes.

Heart Gold and Soul Silver iirc, allow Rotom-A to be used on Wifi. Too bad you'll have to wait 'til March of 2010... Until then, Dusknoir will be used in Rotom's slot. Come March, which Rotom are you using over Dusknoir? Are you even using the appliance-specific attack on said Rotom?

 

[Jukain-Arashi]

I was considering on using Rotom-W over Dusknoir once HG/SS is released.

 

[supermarth64]

Hello there. Your team has a few patches that it needs fixing, but that's what raters are here for.

First of all, I noticed quite a large Ground-type weakness, as none of your Pokemon resist those moves. Vaporeon and Dusknoir have the bulk to take them, but it's better to be immune to those moves then to have to unreliably take them. Your Infernape won't have time to set up much due to Latias being OU and being pretty much the perfect counter to it (except U-turn Scizor), so I'd suggest using a Mixmence instead. Mixmence allows you to hit hard from both sides of the spectrum and break stall just like Infernape can. However, it doesn't require setting up a Pokemon and also provides you with a way to siwthc into Ground-type moves. Try out this set over your current Infernape:

Salamence @ Life Orb
Naive | 32 Atk / 224 SpA / 252 Spe
Draco Meteor / Fire Blast / Brick Break / Roost

Draco Meteor is sheer power, completely demolishing Pokemon that don't resist it or have high Special Defense. Fire Blast is there to handle Steel-type Pokemon that resist Draco Meteor such as Forretress and Skarmory, while Brick Break 2HKOes Blissey and Heatran. Roost is there to heal off Life Orb, Sandstorm, and Stealth Rock damage, as all three of them will quickly wear down Salamence.

Next off, with only one Ground-type resist on your team, I'm still not confident enough about your team's chances. Your team also has problems with SD Lucario once it's set up, as Dusknoir can't take a SDed Crunch and Vaporeon has trouble handling Close Combats. The solution for both would be to replace Dusknoir with Gliscor, as both of them provide a way to handle Fighting-type attacks, while Gliscor has the useful Ground-type resist and a way to handle Lucario. With Taunt, Gliscor can also take on stall teams easily and handle non-HP Ice Jolteon along with Subroost Zapdos. The set that I'm recommending is the Stallbreaker set, which is:

Gliscor @ Leftovers
Jolly | 252 HP / 36 Atk / 220 Spe
Earthquake / Roost / Taunt / U-turn or Toxic

Earthquake is there for STAB and to handle Lucario, while Roost allows Gliscor to heal up. Taunt prevents Stall teams from having their way along with Subroost Zapdos, while U-turn scouts and adds momentum to your team. Toxic is there in case you want to status opposing teams. Gliscor has great synergy with Tyranitar, as sandstorm activates Gliscor's Sand Veil and Gliscor can resist Tyranitar's Fighting-type weakness. The given EVs allow Gliscor to outspeed all forms of Lucario except for the rare Agility and Choice Scarf Lucarios.

Finally, your Tyranitar is very prone to being revenge killed by Scizor without a Babiri Berry. Therefore, I'd recommend using that over Leftovers, as it'll allow Tyranitar to take a Bullet Punch and KO back with a Fire Punch.

That's about it. Good luck with your team!

Edit: I knew I forgot one thing. If you're going to use Roost on your Scizor, then you might as well use the Bulky SD Scizor set. With this set, it allows Scizor to heal up while setting up, especially in front of things like Vaporeon and Suicune. It also lets you have a Scizor that can easily take Draco Meteors and heal them off. Just use the same set except alter your EVs so that it's 200 HP / 252 Atk / 56 Spe.

 

[Jukain-Arashi]

Okay I've decided to replace Brick Break with Bug Bite since I can handle Steel types pretty well with my other Pokemon. I'm changing Scizor's set to Bulky SD and putting Babiri Berry on Tyranitar.