The other day I was up late on Shoddy playing around with my hail team when I ran into a person who was running a mono ground team. Needless to say, I beat him with a nearly all Ice squad, but it gave me the idea for my own mono team. I tried thinking what the best types were, and thats when I got the idea. Steel. They have immunity to toxic spikes, nearly all resist SR(or are at least neutral to it), and they have all sorts of different strategies to abuse with them. This is where I came up with the idea for this team, which I named entirely after the Jackson 5 (save Jermaine, because his full name was too long for shoddy). I've been using it quite effectively, but I feel it has plenty room for improvement, also If someone had this idea already (and I hope they have) I don't care. Just rate it as if you've never seen it before.
So without further ado, here is my (nearly) mono steel team. It has three choice scarfers, but I think they work pretty well together.
Jackie Jackson (Jirachi) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 80 HP/252 Atk/176 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Trick
Trick is a staple on Trickrachi. If the lead is anything not named Azelf, Aerodactyl, or Abomosnow, I generally trick it. It's great to screw up opponent leads, even if they get SR down, the rest of my pokes don't really mind.
- U-turn
This is my escape move. If i've lost my scarf and im facing someone slower, (like say a non-scarf magnezone or swampert) I U-turn out to something that can handle it better.
- Stealth Rock
Standard on a lead, I can generally make it in a match without Stealth Rock, but If i can get it up (along with a layer or two of spikes from skarmory) then I have pretty much given myself a huge advantage.
- Iron Head
STAB and flinch hax make this move invaluable. I have beaten so many pokes on flinch hax that I can't even imagine, the record I have is 13 flinches in a row on a magnezone + Swampert, KO'ing the first and all but KOing the second, respectively.
Trickrachi is one of my favorite leads in the game, as it can handle almost anything in some way. It also is a great revenge killer/softener if I keep the scarf on late in a match. I abuse people using fire attacks on it to help me get into Heatran.
---
Michael Jackson (Empoleon) (M) @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 14 HP/252 Spd/12 SAtk/232 SDef
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
Standard on Sub Petaya, though if I dont think I will outspeed pokes anyway I will just surf or GK straight off.
- Surf
STAB + Torrent + Petaya + Agility = GG if I have taken out most counters (I'm looking at you Vaporeon/Kingdra)
- Substitute
For sub Petaya to work, you need substitute, this helps me if I know the opponent will switch as well.
- Grass Knot
This is for other bulky waters and Gyra. It has saved me several times.
Empoleon is my late game sweeper. I generally save it to be my last poke to come out if I can help it, unless I see an opening that it can come in on straight off, and assuming I know the opponents team pretty well already.
---
Latoya Jackson (Skarmory) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP/126 Def/22 Spd/110 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Roost
50% heal while losing flying is only bad when Luke or Scizor is using CC/Superpower respectively
- Whirlwind
Standard for scouting the opponents team and racking up SR + Spike damage. I also use it to force out stat uppers.
- Spikes
The second part of my risidual damage. It's amazing to do free damage on switch ins.
- Brave Bird
Staple attacking move, I use it over drill peck for the extra power, and since I can roost off any damage I take.
Skarmory has a bit of a different EV investment than standards, making it survive special hits a bit better. Its another one of my fire attracting pokes that I use to draw hits on heatran, even moreso than jirachi because EP and EQ don't hit it.
I've been thinking about running shed shell on it to escape the occasional magnezone that always OHKO it with T-bolt.
---
Marlon Jackson (Rotom-h) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Overheat
The reason I chose H-rotom over all others. Its my best scizor counter (though I find myself using T-bolt on scizors just as much) It's also great for general hard hits and runs.
- Trick
Again, perfect for use against walls/ruining opponents ideas. I also use this if Rotom is one of my last pokes and I need variety over speed.
- Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is for STAB and makes Rotom my main Gyra/bulky water counter because it outspeeds Magnezone
- Will-o-wisp
This move is more filler. I chose it over shadow ball because it can help take out late game walls like blissey or celibi that can't switch out, its also more useful against Swampert/T-Tar as Overheat and T-bolt will do nothing to them in the long run.
Rotom is my only non-steel type, but he still keeps the immunity to toxic spikes. He is my best counter to special walls, as I just trick them then proceed to laugh in their face as the either switch out or get set up on by Skarm or Empoleon.
---
Randy Jackson (Heatran) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
Special EQ is great for Heatran, mostly against other heatrans. Its also good to use against T-tar or any other random rock types that come in.
- Flamethrower
Flamethrower is standard STAB. After Heatran takes a flash fire boost (and this is almost every game) it can 2HKO anything that isnt a bulky water (and sometimes even those) It's also great for steel types like Magnezone and Scizor.
- Substitute
Substitute is great to use on opposing heatrans, this is because they often think I am scarfed and their fire move is pointless so they run. I then set up a Sub and effectively get a free turn in.
- Toxic
This is for walls late game like Blissey or Celebi. I will also use this if I don't know what the opponent is about to send in, or I use it against stat uppers like Salamence/Gyra who wont take much from Flamethrower if I am behind a sub already.
---
Heatran is my saving grace. He takes all the fire hits from anything and always gives me the advantage in those situations. Most people seem to think its scarfed (even when I switch in to SR and it takes damage and then heals from lefties) so I can abuse that against Scarftran to get a free sub, or if I know what they are switching into, a free KO.
Tito (Magnezone) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Flash Cannon
Flash cannon is mostly for STAB, but it also is what I use against Ice types that show up or T-tar
- Thunderbolt
STAB and my best abuser for Gyra if it doesnt have a DD. I generally abuse this as it does decent damage to anything that isn't immune
- Hidden Power [Ice]
This is my dragon killer/Celibi/Zapdos killer. I use it against Gliscor or Salamence/non CM latias to take them down pretty easily.
- Explosion
Explosion is for Blissey that I can't trick, CM latias, or just anything I generally need to kill fast.
---
This is my true revenge killer. It takes out any steel types without worry and works well against non DD'd Salemence/Gyra. its also a great Latias switch in as it can absorb most attacks that it has and either explode in its face or HP ice it to death.
I've been thinking of replacing this with a Jolteon to absorb electric attacks, and give it HP ice as well. But I love that magnezone can trap steels.
Ok, I'm just going to list my main threats that generally get me, as I can cover most things.
Blissey: If I can't trick it or explode on it then it can be a real pain.
Bulky Zapdos: can wall my HP ice and usually force me to explode with Magnezone, Can generally get the rest of my badly if I dont get it down fast.
Magnezone: if I don't have in Heatran or Rotom it nearly always gets a free kill, and if he switches multiple times he can take out half my team before I've gotten enough damage on him to kill him.
Other than that I can generally handle most things, as Heatran, Empoleon, or Rotom can OHKO or 2HKO most things.
So without further ado, here is my (nearly) mono steel team. It has three choice scarfers, but I think they work pretty well together.
Jackie Jackson (Jirachi) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 80 HP/252 Atk/176 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Trick
Trick is a staple on Trickrachi. If the lead is anything not named Azelf, Aerodactyl, or Abomosnow, I generally trick it. It's great to screw up opponent leads, even if they get SR down, the rest of my pokes don't really mind.
- U-turn
This is my escape move. If i've lost my scarf and im facing someone slower, (like say a non-scarf magnezone or swampert) I U-turn out to something that can handle it better.
- Stealth Rock
Standard on a lead, I can generally make it in a match without Stealth Rock, but If i can get it up (along with a layer or two of spikes from skarmory) then I have pretty much given myself a huge advantage.
- Iron Head
STAB and flinch hax make this move invaluable. I have beaten so many pokes on flinch hax that I can't even imagine, the record I have is 13 flinches in a row on a magnezone + Swampert, KO'ing the first and all but KOing the second, respectively.
Trickrachi is one of my favorite leads in the game, as it can handle almost anything in some way. It also is a great revenge killer/softener if I keep the scarf on late in a match. I abuse people using fire attacks on it to help me get into Heatran.
---
Michael Jackson (Empoleon) (M) @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 14 HP/252 Spd/12 SAtk/232 SDef
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
Standard on Sub Petaya, though if I dont think I will outspeed pokes anyway I will just surf or GK straight off.
- Surf
STAB + Torrent + Petaya + Agility = GG if I have taken out most counters (I'm looking at you Vaporeon/Kingdra)
- Substitute
For sub Petaya to work, you need substitute, this helps me if I know the opponent will switch as well.
- Grass Knot
This is for other bulky waters and Gyra. It has saved me several times.
Empoleon is my late game sweeper. I generally save it to be my last poke to come out if I can help it, unless I see an opening that it can come in on straight off, and assuming I know the opponents team pretty well already.
---
Latoya Jackson (Skarmory) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP/126 Def/22 Spd/110 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Roost
50% heal while losing flying is only bad when Luke or Scizor is using CC/Superpower respectively
- Whirlwind
Standard for scouting the opponents team and racking up SR + Spike damage. I also use it to force out stat uppers.
- Spikes
The second part of my risidual damage. It's amazing to do free damage on switch ins.
- Brave Bird
Staple attacking move, I use it over drill peck for the extra power, and since I can roost off any damage I take.
Skarmory has a bit of a different EV investment than standards, making it survive special hits a bit better. Its another one of my fire attracting pokes that I use to draw hits on heatran, even moreso than jirachi because EP and EQ don't hit it.
I've been thinking about running shed shell on it to escape the occasional magnezone that always OHKO it with T-bolt.
---
Marlon Jackson (Rotom-h) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Overheat
The reason I chose H-rotom over all others. Its my best scizor counter (though I find myself using T-bolt on scizors just as much) It's also great for general hard hits and runs.
- Trick
Again, perfect for use against walls/ruining opponents ideas. I also use this if Rotom is one of my last pokes and I need variety over speed.
- Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is for STAB and makes Rotom my main Gyra/bulky water counter because it outspeeds Magnezone
- Will-o-wisp
This move is more filler. I chose it over shadow ball because it can help take out late game walls like blissey or celibi that can't switch out, its also more useful against Swampert/T-Tar as Overheat and T-bolt will do nothing to them in the long run.
Rotom is my only non-steel type, but he still keeps the immunity to toxic spikes. He is my best counter to special walls, as I just trick them then proceed to laugh in their face as the either switch out or get set up on by Skarm or Empoleon.
---
Randy Jackson (Heatran) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
Special EQ is great for Heatran, mostly against other heatrans. Its also good to use against T-tar or any other random rock types that come in.
- Flamethrower
Flamethrower is standard STAB. After Heatran takes a flash fire boost (and this is almost every game) it can 2HKO anything that isnt a bulky water (and sometimes even those) It's also great for steel types like Magnezone and Scizor.
- Substitute
Substitute is great to use on opposing heatrans, this is because they often think I am scarfed and their fire move is pointless so they run. I then set up a Sub and effectively get a free turn in.
- Toxic
This is for walls late game like Blissey or Celebi. I will also use this if I don't know what the opponent is about to send in, or I use it against stat uppers like Salamence/Gyra who wont take much from Flamethrower if I am behind a sub already.
---
Heatran is my saving grace. He takes all the fire hits from anything and always gives me the advantage in those situations. Most people seem to think its scarfed (even when I switch in to SR and it takes damage and then heals from lefties) so I can abuse that against Scarftran to get a free sub, or if I know what they are switching into, a free KO.
Tito (Magnezone) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Flash Cannon
Flash cannon is mostly for STAB, but it also is what I use against Ice types that show up or T-tar
- Thunderbolt
STAB and my best abuser for Gyra if it doesnt have a DD. I generally abuse this as it does decent damage to anything that isn't immune
- Hidden Power [Ice]
This is my dragon killer/Celibi/Zapdos killer. I use it against Gliscor or Salamence/non CM latias to take them down pretty easily.
- Explosion
Explosion is for Blissey that I can't trick, CM latias, or just anything I generally need to kill fast.
---
This is my true revenge killer. It takes out any steel types without worry and works well against non DD'd Salemence/Gyra. its also a great Latias switch in as it can absorb most attacks that it has and either explode in its face or HP ice it to death.
I've been thinking of replacing this with a Jolteon to absorb electric attacks, and give it HP ice as well. But I love that magnezone can trap steels.
Ok, I'm just going to list my main threats that generally get me, as I can cover most things.
Blissey: If I can't trick it or explode on it then it can be a real pain.
Bulky Zapdos: can wall my HP ice and usually force me to explode with Magnezone, Can generally get the rest of my badly if I dont get it down fast.
Magnezone: if I don't have in Heatran or Rotom it nearly always gets a free kill, and if he switches multiple times he can take out half my team before I've gotten enough damage on him to kill him.
Other than that I can generally handle most things, as Heatran, Empoleon, or Rotom can OHKO or 2HKO most things.
