Set Up For Mr. Curselax

Dick Smith

Team
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Magmortar @ Choice Specs
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe / 4 SpDef
Modest nature
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast

This guy takes out a bunch of the most commonly used Leads in todays metagame. Overheat is the primary move, taking 60%+ off most Pokemon, and if my opponent happens to switch I’m almost guaranteed a KO. It’s basically deal damage until you faint. Many, many people underestimate the power of stab Overheat, which is, in my opinion, what makes this guy so dangerous. Thunderbolt, HP Ice and Focus Blast offer great coverage, something which most fire types – like Heatran – lack.


Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 86 Atk / 80 Def / 92 SpD
31 Speed IVs
Sassy nature
- Explosion
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hypnosis

What? A Bronzong without Gyro Ball? Correct. I am probably in a minority here, arguing that Gyro Ball poses practically no threat in the current game. It is a mediocre attack, and can rarely be used to actually hurt teams. Bronzong is a terrific support, being able to set up rocks and then sends things in to a cat nap. Gyro ball is only good against Pokemon such as Weavile and a few other Scarfed sweepers, which I rarely see these days. I’m much more likely to switch out into something that could hurt my sleeping prey. Explosion guarantees one KO if used right and Earthquake hits Magnezone, Mamoswine, Heatran and Infernape. He’s a stalling wall, not designed to sweep teams.


Tentacruel @ Leftovers
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD
Calm nature
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Toxic Spikes
- Surf
- Rapid Spin

With Hidden Power Electric, Tentacruel can take enemy Tentacruel, Gyrarados, Starmie, Empoleon and a bunch of UU waters with relative ease. Rapid Spin is an obvious move, and Toxic Spikes help set up some secondary damage combined with Bronzong’s Stealth Rock. Surf is for good stab. I would consider Knock Off, however I’ve found that HP Electric currently helps my team a touch more. Sludge Bomb also seems useless. Deals with Infernape exteremely well, which would otherwise cause all kinds of trouble for me.

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Weavile @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Jolly nature
- Brick Break
- Night Slash
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard

Mismagius, Dusknoir, Gengar, Azelf, Alakazam, Gardevoir/Gallade and Starmie are a few of the main threats that fear Weavile’s stab Pursuit, whether it is on the switch or not. Sweeping Dragons and Aerodactyl are taken care of by Ice Shard, and Weavile can switch in to them fairly safely if Stealth Rock isn’t in play. Brick Break hits Tyranitar hard, while dealing decent damage to Blissey and Snorlax. Night Slash is a solid stab attack, which hurts most things, especially if a critical hit falls my way.


Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
Timid nature
- Calm Mind
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover

Celebi is an absolute life saver. Calm Mind + Baton Pass and Celebi were born to go together. With great speed, I’m almost guaranteed to get in a Baton Pass. With above par defenses and recover, getting in at least one Calm Mind/s is close to a certainty. Grass Knot also deals good stab damage to things such as Tyranitar, Gyarados and to a lesser extent Weavile. However, the biggest dilemma with this set is who do I pass to? I would love to pass to Magmortar if the option is there, but Snorlax is often the main recipient.


Snorlax @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 168 HP / 120 Def / 220 SpD
Careful nature
- Curse
- Body Slam
- Earthquake
- Crunch

Good old Curselax. I remember first using this guy in Gold. God I loved it. Snorlax has been one of my favourite Pokemon since the day I first battled (and lost to) Red at Mt. Silver. Many people say that Snorlax has lost the awesomness he once had, but I still think he poses a severe threat to opposition teams. If I can I will predominately use him as a late game sweeper, when hopefully I have taken care of anything that will counter it. If I can I will also bring him out on a Baton Pass chain with Celebi, which provides him a touch more bulkiness. Crunch is mainly in there to deal with annoying ghosts.

~*~*~*~*~

Currently thinking:
- May include a Special Sweeper to receive CMs from Celebi’s.
- Blissey could work nicely.
- Gyarados may be more useful than Tentacruel.
- Skarmory is possibly better suited here than Bronzong.
- A Perish Trapper Mismagius could be handy.

Possibilities for my Team:

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Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Stone Edge

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Skarmory @ Shed Shell
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 40 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish nature
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Roost
- Brave Bird

~*~*~*~*~

Threat List:

Aerodactyl: A threat to my team, which is why I’m considering Gyarados be brought in. Bronzong can put it to sleep and let Weavile attempt to Ice Shard it, or just explode on it.

Alakazam: Weavile says hello.

Azelf: Weavile will pursuit you.

Blissey: Magmortar, Bronzong and Snorlax all beat most Blissey.

Gyarados: Tentacruel is my main way of taking this guy out.

Breloom: Weavile can Ice Shard and Celebi can set up.

Bronzong: Magmortar OHKO.

Celebi: Magmortar and Weavile both kill you.

Cresselia: Weavile and Snorlax both deal quite well with it.

Donphan: Bronzong laughs in its face.

Dragonite: Weavile OHKOs.

Dugtrio: Bronzong can deal with it. Celebi has a go.

Dusknoir: Weavile.

Electivire: Could potentially be a threat, though Bronzong can usually deal with it.

Empoleon: Tentacruel breaks it.

Flygon: Weavile.

Forretress: Magmortar loves Forretress.

Gengar: Weavile pursuits it.

Gliscor: Ice Shard (Weavile) deals with Gliscor.

Gyarados: Gyarados is a potential threat, though Tentacruel can usually take it down.

Heatran: Heatran is a threat, no two ways about it. I don’t have anything to counter it. Considering bringing in Gyarados.

Heracross: Magmortar deals with it, as does Bronzong.

Infernape: Hello Tentacruel.

Jirachi: Magmortar, Snorlax, Bronzong.

Jolteon: Snorlax, Bronzong, Magmortar.

Kingdra: Kingdra has the ability to hurt me. Tentacruel does a little damage to it, and then Snorlax can finish it off.

Latias: Weavile loves Psychic Dragons.

Lucario: Bronzong, Curselax.

Machamp: Magmortar deals with it.

Magnezone: Magmortar, Snorlax, Bronzong.

Mamoswine: Bronzong loves Mamoswine.

Metagross: Magmortar KOs you everyday of the week.

Ninjask: Magmortar can break its substitutes, though doesn’t prevent it from Baton Passing. Weavile also tries, though I do have trouble with it.

Porygon-Z: Fragile. Weavile hits it hard with Brick Break.

Rhyperior: Celebi uses Grass Knot, Magmortar can Focus Blast.

Salamence: Weavile loves Salamence.

Scizor: Magmortar KO.

Skarmory: Magmortar loves steels.

Snorlax: Can be exploded by Bronzong, hurt by Weaviles Brick Break, Magmortars Focus Blast and a few curses from my Snorlax before it comes out makes it a target of Body Slam.

Starmie: Weavile hits it with Pursuit.

Suicune: Tentacruel usually deals with it. Snorlax has a crack as well.

Swampert: Celebi hits Swampert hard.

Tentacruel: It usually becomes a Tentacruel vs Tentacruel thing. Snorlax and Bronzong have been known to dispatch of it as well.

Togekiss: Most of the time it leads, and is KOed by Magmortar.

Tyranitar: Celebi and Weavile both take him.

Vaporeon: Bronzong could put him to sleep and let someone else take care of it, or just explode on it. Tentacruel can occasionally get rid of it, as well as Celebi and Snorlax.

Weavile: Bronzong deals with it extremely well. My own Weavile usually wins as well.

Yanmega: Magmortar dispatches it with ease.

Zapdos: Snorlax, Bronzong and Magmortar all give it a shot. [/FONT]
 
Okay, I would probably drop your Magmortar for an Infernape lead. A Fake out/Mach Punch/ Overheat/Stealth Rock Infernape lead to be exact. Equip it with a Focus sash and you're set. As far as I remember, that will take out every common OU lead out and about right now. As long as you use it right, you've got a nice little mon on your hands!

The rest of your team is fine. Nothing to really change up until we get to snorlax. That's the only CurseLaxs I've ever seen that gets walled by Toxic ahah. Definitely drop Earthquake for Rest. After a few curses, Body Slam and Crunch will take out everything that needs to be taken care of. If a Lucario or other Steel comes in, (primarly one who can use Explosion/Fight move) you have Zong or Celebi to come in respectively.


Also, I just noticed this, but drop Baton Pass for HP Fire. You have nothing to really pass to so why bother. Just go for a Calm Mind sweep if you have the chance, I have used and seen that little thing be used, and it's got to be one of the deadliest little mons if played correctly. Those buly ev's should be fine, however if you feel the need to go more offensive that's always an option as well.

Well this was a -really- quick rate as I have to go to bed. Game tomorrow! I'll check in tomorrow for clarifications etc. Nice team btw. Good Luck. :D

~SoT
 
SoT: First things first, thanks for coming and rating! A forum could do with a few more people like you around. Now to respond to the rate. You wouldn't believe how many people I've battled have been like "hahaha a Magmortar lead," and then when their lead gets beaten with Magmortar sustaining practically no damage, "I didn't know Magmortar could hit that hard!" I will definitely test out that Infernape lead, however I'm synical of it being more useful than the current Magmortar lead. I highly suggest you try it out, SoT ... just so you see where I'm coming from. An upside to having that Infernape lead, however, is Stealth Rock. It would free up a slot on my Bronzong which could be used for Trick, Gyro Ball, Reflect/Light Screen, Rest or Trick Room.

Yeah, I reckon Rest would be a decent option, it's just hard to use in todays game. 2 turns of sleep leaves me open to someone setting up, which is not a great feeling. However if I stick to only bringing Snorlax out late game, there's not a huge chance of that happening. Will test it out for sure.

Yeah, I've been tossing and turning about what to do - drop Baton Pass for HP Fire, or bring a special based sweeper in to my team. I'm going to try both, and I'll start with HP Fire.

NightFalcon: Thanks! Team Building is a tricky business that requires quite a bit of 'picking something, testing it, re-testing it, and then fixing/changing it'. So it's a timely thing to get right. I don't pretend that I've got it right yet, but I'm getting closer. So thanks for the compliment.
 
You have Gyarados twice on your thread list.. and with good reason.
Tentacruel won't stop Gyarados, a life orb one with eq will deal with Tentacruel. Even Celebi without lots of def ev's/twave/reflect won't stop Gyarados from sweeping.

May I suggest to change your Celebi in a more standard one with a bold nature and alot of defense ev's. This way you can handle Gyarados much better. I don't see the point of cm passes at all since there is nothing Celebi can pass to besides Magmortar, who is limited in it's moves. You can still make it a calm minder with enough def ev's to be a thread on it's own. Toxic Spikes won't hinder Celebi either from setting up since Tentacruel can absorb them. So that is covered nicely.

I don't like Magmortar at the lead position.. it is not fast enough imo and since most people run very fast leads or focus sash leads it won't give you enough advantages. imo you should run hp grass on it to deal with the common Swampert leads. hp ice is only useful for gliscor but overheat will do more then enough to him.
If you want to keep a lead in the direction of Magmortar then I would suggest Scarf Typhlosion. Most opponent leads are sashed so they can set up stealth rock after all but with Typhlosion you almost ensured that you will kill there lead with it's Eruption.

Edit: I didn't read SoT's post, maybe an Infernape lead is better although I never used that for myself
 
Rojo23: Yeah, Gyarados is a threat, no doubt. However Bronzong deals with all variants of it. I have had a Bold, more defensive Celebi, but I really do prefer my current one. I've also been playing with HP Fire over Baton Pass, which is looking good.

Everyone says it, and I always disagree. Magmortar is an above par lead. Why he isn't seen more in OU baffles me. He takes out common leads such as Infernape, Tyranitar, Yanmega, Metagross, etc. I'm obviously on my own in this matter, but until Magmortar stops working, I'm going to keep using him.

Thanks for the rate!
 
Actually Magmortar is terrible as a lead with the choice specs. It's set-up fodder for ninjask. In addition Aerodactyl and Azelf laugh and set up stealth rock as their focus sashes are completely indifferent to the power of the choice specs. Then they Stone Edge/Psychic you as you finish them off. Also Swampert leads love your Magmortar lead. Magmortar DOES learn a priority move however, and I would recommend it if you like using him as a starter so you can kill aero as he taunts/SR's on you. Also, drop the specs for something a little more flexible. Like the expert belt so you can do so.

Anywho. I didn't mean to get CRAZY or anything, as I like your originality, but I just think your lead is absolutely terrible right now.
 
Dick Smith said:
Rojo23: Yeah, Gyarados is a threat, no doubt. However Bronzong deals with all variants of it. I have had a Bold, more defensive Celebi, but I really do prefer my current one. I've also been playing with HP Fire over Baton Pass, which is looking good.
Thanks for the rate!
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No. Bronzong does not deal with Gyarados at all, gyro ball won't do anything and hypnosis has poor accuracy besides that Gyarados can taunt Bronzong to prevent hypnosis. Your only option is to explode on Gyarados which isn't great at all if that is your only way to deal with Gyarados.
Although the cm Celebi set is cool to use, I really suggest a more defensive spread with twave to take care of Gyarados.
You could replace your Bronzong for Skarmory, but Skarm isn't a great Gyara counter at all.
 
Dude why would you think Magmorter would make a efficient lead when there's choice scarfed Breloom with stone edge which will OHKO your guy I see that your looking for some early kills in the game but that's not going to happen with shucca berry heatrans their earth power will OHKO you aswell. I'f you really want kills I have two suggestions first one is make magmortar scarfed to outspeed breloom and outspeed scarfed trans later on in the game where you can overheat breloom and focus blast heatran. My main and most officiant suggestion would be to drop magmortar and add Infernape as a lead he is better in every way. So here's the ape I would suggest you go for.

Infernape @ Focus Sash
64 Atk / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
Blaze Naive
- Fake Out
- Stealth Rocks
- Close Combat
- Fire Blast
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Alright Basic Infernape lead here which fits in your team more officantly and will be more effective in the long run. Fake Out to remove other infernape or azelf sashes and to flinch but it's not mainly used for that. Stealth rocks is needed in mostly every team. This also allows you to get rid of bronzong and add anything else. Close Combat for stab and mainly for other infernape leads and heatran leads. Fire Blast mainly for other steels not heatran only metagross mostly.

Also having hypnosis on bronzong is useless now since it had a 10% accuracy drop when plat came out so it's now 60% and that's very unreliable now because I will miss a lot. I would suggest add gyro ball over that but then he has SR and that's sort of useless so go with adding Skarmory the exact one I see possibility for the team list so now you have a phazor and the teams more effective now.
 
Rojo23: My Bronzong deals with Gyarados. I explode, he goes down. It eliminates one of the main threats for my team, so in my opinion, it's well worth it. My Bronzong doesn't even have Gyro Ball if you'd actually read my post.

RainDance: Lol people and their Magmortar bagging! If it makes you happy I'll test something new out! But stop with the Buuburn bashing!
 
Well... let's see here. The biggest problems Curselax faces are A) Someone switching in something that easily scoffs off its attacks, or B) Someone Tricks a Choice Item onto it, therby locking it in to one attack that can be laughed off by one or more Pokemon on the team, C) they wear you down with special attacks while you try to set up, or D) They burn you, thereby crippling your sweeping power and longevity.

You opted with 3 attacks, which solves A), as the only thing that resists Crunch, Earthquake, and Body Slam is Skarmory (though he still poses a threat. This also helps with B), as it is a lot harder to sneak in the tricker while you are Resting. However, it fails miserably at C) and D), as you are now incredibly vulnerable to Burning and Special attackers, and also don't fare too well against Taunters.

One suggestion I have is CB Tyranitar and/or CB Scizor as your trappers. They are a lot more sturdy, and thus can take down threats to Snorlax like Rotom-A and Gengar a lot easier. This can also allow you to drop to two attacks on Snorlax -Body Slam and Quake, hit everything bar the two aforementioned ghosts, Bronzong, and Skarmory. To solve the Bronzong/Skarmory problem, I'd suggest Magnezone.

Also Magmortar is terrible as a lead. His Overheat is weaker than Heatran's, and his "coverage" is beaten by Heatran's Dragon Pulse/Explosion + Earth Power any day, while having a much worse set of weaknesses and resistances and a worse Ability. He also lacks Taunt, Trick, Stealth Rock, Fake Out, Counter, any Status Move, or honestly anything that makes a Lead any good. Seems to me like most of the time you're going to Overheat uselessly on a Metagross who runs Occa Berry and then turns around and earthquakes you to death. And then sets up rocks on your switch-in, as there isn't much on your team that's inherently "threatening".
 
Dick Smith said:
Rojo23: My Bronzong deals with Gyarados. I explode, he goes down. It eliminates one of the main threats for my team, so in my opinion, it's well worth it. My Bronzong doesn't even have Gyro Ball if you'd actually read my post.
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Hm forgot that your Bronzong didn't had Gyro Ball. But I was talking about Bronzong in general.
Players will suspect you to explode your Bronzong if you switch him in on Gyarados so they'll switch to a ghost/steel. At that point your virtually lost the battle since you have no other way dealing with a Gyarados sweep.
 
Rojo23 said:
Hm forgot that your Bronzong didn't had Gyro Ball. But I was talking about Bronzong in general.
Players will suspect you to explode your Bronzong if you switch him in on Gyarados so they'll switch to a ghost/steel. At that point your virtually lost the battle since you have no other way dealing with a Gyarados sweep.
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I suggest a Choice Scarf Rotom-H with Trick/Discharge or Tbolt/Overheat/Shadow Ball or HP of Choice. Not only is it one of the hardest counters to Dragon Dance Gyarados (Timid 252 Speed Scarfed Rotom-H always outspeeds Jolly 252 Speed +1 Gyara and OHKOs with Tbolt/Discharge), but it is also a very hard counter to other potent threats, including Scizor (resists Bullet Punch, U-Turn/X-scissor, immune to Superpower/Brick Break, OHKOs with overheat) and Lucario (Immune to Extremespeed/Close Combat, resists Bullet Punch, always outspeeds and OHKOs with Overheat, the only thing to fear is a Crunch on the switch-in, which I believe you are bulky enough to take). Also with Shadow Ball it makes a potent counter to non-scarfed Azelf, Gengar, Alakazam, and other Psychic/Ghost types. Hidden Power over Shadow Ball allows it to counter CB Flygon and MixMence (HP Ice), Swampert (HP Grass), Heatran (HP Ground, though Discharge does a good amount to him and has a good chance of paralysis, plus you outspeed), Tyranitar (HP Fighting can 2HKO if he switches in to you threatening Pursuit). Trick lets him cripple Blissey, Snorlax, and several other common switch-ins, while providing a great way to screw up Calm Mind/Curse users and Baton Pass Chains.

Really, replace either Celebi or Bronzong with this guy, I have a hard time NOT recommending him for any given team given how much he can do. I mean, what other Pokemon can boast a positive matchup against Gyarados, Scizor, Lucario, Blissey, and your choice of several others?
 
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