- She Found Now -
a bulky offensive team
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I've never really been into teambuilding; it just takes so long for me to decide on the pokemon and synergies. But that was until I saw this amazing bulky Latias set, I just had to try it out. It's just a lot more fun playing a specific strategy in battle rather than "winning" with a generic team.
As you might've guessed by now, the main strategy here is to achieve a Lati sweep. Of course it's not always the way to go, as a lot of times her teammates are quite capable. Note that most of them can handle Scizor and Tyranitar (her main obstacles), while 4 of them also take advantage of the volt-turn strategy to gain momentum.
As for laddering, it now stands at #24 on showdown, though peaked at 2004 rating iirc.
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- Overview -
In Detail
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 Spd
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dragon Pulse
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Substitute
What a cutie. Latias is played with extreme care. Even a scald burn could potentially ruin her as it hinders her ability to switch in more often and set up. As explained here, the extra bulk could really prove useful when she could set up on a wider variety of pokemon. Not only that, it's always nice to have another check to some of the physical (and also special) hitters in the game, or not die to random U-Turns like her brother. Just look out for Tyranitar/Scizor lurking in the corner.
Latias is also the perfect answer to sun teams, although CB V-Create could be very annoying.
Trait: Justified
EVs: 20 Atk / 236 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Close Combat
- Volt Switch
- Taunt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
This is usually the safest lead, to taunt SR users or get a nice momentum going with Volt Switch. He really helps handling the dragons (that are usuallly faster than Latias), as HP Ice is used mainly for Garchomp, Salamence and Dragonite, while Close Combat hits Hydreigon and Kyurem-B. He also forms a nice defensive core with Latias and Landorus-T.
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Naughty Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
This is the standard offensive pivot set but with HP Ice over Stone Edge. I don't like Stone Edge. In fact, I don't like moves that are not 100% accurate, as they usually tend to miss on the most critical part of the game. HP Ice helps against dragons, Gliscor, and other Landos. Stone Edge on the other hand can easily be PP stalled by faster flying threats with sub/roost, especially Dragonite. The reduce in sp.def from his hasty nature is not so welcome, but it's also not so crucial as I don't intend to keep him on most special attackers.
His lack of speed investment is the biggest issue, because sometimes it prevents him from setting up SR, being that the metagame is full with faster pokemon that threaten him. Despite that, what I mostly like about him is Intimidate and especially the electric immunity, which can be very useful at gaining back the momentum when your opponent is choice locked on Volt Switch.
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Quick Attack
- Superpower
- Bullet Punch
I can't really say anything special about this guy because it is, you know, the most used pokemon, and for a good reason. I find Quick Attack more useful than Pursuit here because: 1) Snorlax does a pretty good job at trapping Alakazam, Starmie and the likes, 2) Quick Attack is a safety net against Volcarona who is weakened by SR, 3) if I suspect a switch, U-Turn is usually my go to move anyway.
I guess his spot is the most debatable here, although priority is very important against weakened and faster foes, for example a weakened Cloyster after a shell smash, who would otherwise smash me to oblivion.
Trait: Natural Cure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 52 HP / 252 SAtk / 204 Spd
Modest Nature
- U-Turn
- Psychic
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Celebi is another important team member, as nothing on the team likes to be leech seeded or receive any status. STAB Psychic handles Tentacruel, Breloom and Toxicroak mainly. Expert Belt + Giga Drain helps Celebi heal damage without losing it later to LO, and it already nets the right KO's. It also helps handling Tyranitar who tries to Pursuit (although I would try to avoid this match up). HP Fire is mainly my fastest way of removing unsuspecting Ferrothorn/Forretress/Scizor. As for U-Turn, it helps gaining momentum and dents other Celebi who are usually slower. Earth Power isn't really needed here because Heatran is easily handled by Latias and Snorlax (to a lesser extent). I might consider going full speed just so I don't get surprised by Signal Beam from timid Rotow-W (although we will speed tie due to HP Fire).
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 SDef
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 SAtk
- Return
- Pursuit
- Fire Punch
- Superpower
Thick Fat helps against my weakness to ice to fire, while his huge sp.def and HP helps against special sweepers like Volcarona and sash Alakazam who are quite tricky to face. To my surprise, a lot of people don't take Snorlax seriously enough and think he just sits there waiting to die, only to be hit by a STAB Return, which does nice damage even on steels. It's also good vs common Trick users who don't appreciate CB at all. Snorlax is usually my go to guy if I'm not sure about what to do or I don't feel like taking big risks. For a while I tried using Tyranitar instead (for the specially defensive tank role), but it felt like he was doing more harm than good, with his ton of weaknesses and Latias taking sandstorm damage.
Threats
The Sheer Force set could be quite tricky to handle. Unless his matchup is Celebi, one wrong move usually means one dead pokemon, so I play very cautiously against it.
When sunny, the CB/LO set usually means something has to be sacrificed, unless it's facing Snorlax or Latias.
Nothing on my team likes Hurricane and it could be difficult to handle. Snorlax is my best bet, although it dents him pretty hard. Latias is the second best bet, but it must be at full health and not get confused by it.
Importable
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 Spd
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dragon Pulse
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Substitute
Cobalion @ Expert Belt
Trait: Justified
EVs: 20 Atk / 236 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Close Combat
- Volt Switch
- Taunt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Naughty Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Quick Attack
- Superpower
- Bullet Punch
Celebi @ Expert Belt
Trait: Natural Cure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 52 HP / 252 SAtk / 204 Spd
Modest Nature
- U-turn
- Psychic
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Snorlax @ Choice Band
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 SDef
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 SAtk
- Return
- Pursuit
- Fire Punch
- Superpower
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 Spd
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dragon Pulse
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Substitute
Cobalion @ Expert Belt
Trait: Justified
EVs: 20 Atk / 236 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Close Combat
- Volt Switch
- Taunt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Naughty Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Quick Attack
- Superpower
- Bullet Punch
Celebi @ Expert Belt
Trait: Natural Cure
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 52 HP / 252 SAtk / 204 Spd
Modest Nature
- U-turn
- Psychic
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Snorlax @ Choice Band
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 SDef
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 SAtk
- Return
- Pursuit
- Fire Punch
- Superpower
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I'll still be playing this team, and maybe trying out new things, so feel free to make suggestions. Thanks!
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