SILENTHILL'S DESTROYERS
After testing out a lot of teams on ShoddyBattle under the alias of 'silenthill', I finally derived my current team. Now it doesn't have such an offensive central theme like husk's team, but it balances both offense and defense quite well. They are called 'Destroyers' because that's what they do: they utterly destroy stuff popular in the metagame.
Plan of Action:
A classic example of not what this team does is sending Celebi in to counter non-Crunch SDLucario. All Celebi can do in return is muster a Leech Seed or maybe even a Psychic / HP Fire that won't kill.
This team is bent on countering popular metagame threats completely, while also pressuring the opponent offensively. More will be described within the team itself, under the 'Purpose' section of each pokemon.
@ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 160 HP / 132 SpAtk / 216 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
Starmie is a decent lead against most other leads. Leads such as SR Aerodactyl are surely going to lose. If Bronzong uses Stealth Rock, Starmie can spin it away. If it uses Hypnosis, Starmie can just switch out. Gyarados leads are often scared away, and Salamence has no business with Starmie.
Purpose: Obviously to spin away Toxic Spikes, Spikes and Stealth Rocks which threaten the overall durability and ‘destroy-ability’ of my team. It is also an offensive counter to threats such as Infernape, Heatran and Garchomp. Now, to explain the use of Life Orb on Starmie. Admittedly, having to spend 10% on Rapid Spinning seems a total waste, and yes, Life Orb Starmie isn’t always a good choice. But for me personally, Starmie with Life Orb is just that much more. Heatran and Gengar are now OHKO’ed by Surf, Azelf too if it’s taken a bit of damage, and BulkyWaters just take that much more damage from Thunderbolt. Besides, Recover is there to make some compensation for the HP loss, and Starmie is never shy of opportunities to heal itself up.
@ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Calm nature (+SpDef, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Psych Up
Summary:
Ice Beam is generally powerful against stuff not resistant to it, and Thunderbolt is part of the BoltBeam combo. Thunder Wave slows down special sweepers that can potentially get past this ‘special wall’, like Azelf, Porygon-Z or Infernape switch-ins. And Psych Up is the fun part of using Regice because now it can switch into Suicune, Raikou and Jynx anyday. Heatran owns this, but I’ve always got Starmie and Swampert to cover up.
Purpose: Special wall, but it does so much more than just stopping Zapdos and Starmie and others. Obviously, Thunder Wave cripples almost whatever switches into this (yes, even Metagross to a certain extent). Also, Regice serves as a counter to those omni-present Gyarados, and if I’m really in a pinch, those Garchomps. Most Gyara run Waterfall, Ice Fang, EQ so I’m safe from Stone Edge most of the time, whereas Thunderbolt OHKOs it (needs confirmation on this, because I usually Tbolt it when its on 60-something% health). Regice also survives Swords Dance EQ from Garchomp, and Ice Beam will OHKO regardless of Yache Berry.
@ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SpAtk)
- Ice Punch
- Ice Shard
- Brick Break
- Pursuit
Summary: A Choice Bander but not your generic one. Two Ice moves are there: Ice Punch is to hit hard in general; and Ice Shard hits Sub-Salac Garchomp and DD-Mence / DD-dragonite.
Purpose: Three purposes: 1. provides some basic offense to the team. 2. Provides a good insurance policy against Garchomp, DD-Gyara, Sub-Salac, Reversal pokes. 3. Most importantly, Weavile destroys things like Gengar and Azelf. Azelf is often EV’ed to survive Weavile Pursuit, so I’ll have to wait until I deal some damage to it before going for the kill. I cannot lose Weavile, nor show its hand too early in the game, or the opponent will learn to predict Focus Blasts / Flamethrowers. Furthermore, my primary sweeper in the team is SDLucario, and Weavile is vital in coming in on Gliscor and beating him up with Pursuit / Ice Punch to set up for my Lucario.
@ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spd
Impish nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Stealth Rock
- Roost
Summary: Standard physical Gliscor with 72 speed EVs outspeed Tyranitar.
Purpose: Stops my really bad Heracross weakness. But it also makes short work of SDLucario and Breloom, as well as providing Garchomp walling. Stealth Rock, as I've since realized through peer edits, is invaluable on the team, since its effectively destroys stuff like Zapdos and Moltres, which counters my end sweeper Lucario. Aerial Ace was considered by Heracross is usually defeated by EQ anyway, although Breloom remains a problem. However, by allowing Swampert to absorb the Spore, Gliscor should do fine.
@ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Summary: Swampert takes on non-GrassKnot-Metagross, Tyranitar, and Gyarados most of the time with ease. EQ / SE is a classic combo, allowing it to handle most physical threats, including the above mentioned three, although Skarmory comes in on this easy.
Purpose: A general wall to handle stuff Gliscor can’t handle well, like Ice Beam / Dark Pulse Tyranitar, Gyarados and Electivire. It also helps with handling Specs Heatran Fire Blasts better. Rest-Sleep Talk allows Swampert provides the much-needed status-absorber position in my team. Furthermore, although this is a rather secondary provision for the team, Swampert also lures in Celebis, which Regice, Weavile and the Pokemon coming next can all easily take advantage of…
@ Leftovers
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 HP / 20 Atk / 152 Def / 52 SpDef / 32 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Extremespeed
- Crunch
Summary: What are the much-touted counters to SDLucario? Gliscor, number one, is going to be gotten rid of before I begin my sweep. And, for some reason, they know beforehand I am using Crunch Lucario rather than Lucario variants, there is possibly Gyarados, Salamence, Zapdos, Moltres even. I am aware that I am not the first to use Bulky SDLucario, but it seriously owns. Non-CB-Gyara can rarely OHKO this bulky a Lucario with EQ, Zapdos probably can’t even 2HKO with Thunderbolt. Lucario can get an extra Swords Dance or even two SD’s and KO with ExtremeSpeed. I’m not sure whether Moltres can OHKO since I never seen one against my Lucario, but if it can, I’ll switch to Starmie or Swampert. When its dead, I can resume my sweep; Lucario has Leftovers to heal itself after all. Salamence is another pest, but if its sufficiently weakened and / or it isn’t BulkyMence, it should fall to once-SD Extremespeed.
Purpose: Lucario is the team's sweeper, wall-breaker, whatever you want to call it. It easily switches in to Tyranitar and non-TWave Celebis, since it can shrug off Leech Seed with Leftovers there, and from there I can begin the sweep once everything is set up well. It is hard to find the perfect time for the sweep, but a Lucario this bulky can do wonders.
THREAT LIST:
Tyranitar – Swampert most reliably; Lucario can also easily switch in on any move but EQ.[/FONT]
Gyarados – Non-SE Gyara is stopped by Regice, otherwise Swampert.
Infernape – Well-played Infernape could be highly tricky, but Starmie should handle it.
Azelf – Weavile for NP versions. If Azelf is EV’ed to survive Pursuit, Lucario can always ExtremeSpeed it at low health. Life Orb versions are handled by Swampert / Regice
Electivire – Swampert, with Sp.Def EVs Electivire can’t OHKO it even with HP Grass
Heracross – Gliscor, thanks very much.
Salamence – Swampert is the general switch-in; DD versions stopped by Swampert, Regice too on Rock-Slide less ones; CSpecs ones owned by Regice (Flamethrower 3HKOs at max); CB ones owned by Gliscor, Swampert
Togekiss – Regice
Gengar – Weavile can come in and revenge kill on Shadow Balls, Regice does nicely in a pinch since Focus Blast fails to even 2HKO sometimes.
Garchomp – Starmie, Gliscor, Weavile as insurance policy
Raikou – Combination of Gliscor and Swampert with Regice to scout.
Lucario – CB versions and SD versions stopped by Gliscor; CSpecs versions are covered by maneuvering through Starmie / Swampert / Regice.
Tauros / Slaking / Staraptor: Gliscor / Lucario / Swampert; Slaking Returns are painful but Gliscor can always Roost on the second turn
Starmie – Regice
Weavile - Lucario, Swampert
Dugtrio – Besides Regice, which it probably can’t even OHKO most of the time, ‘what can it trap and kill’ is a better question
Alakazam – Trick versions are annoying mothers, but Regice / Weavile should own it
PorygonZ – Regice + it can’t really setup on anything but Gliscor, which can Knock Off
Medicham – Tricky, especially Scarfed versions. Maybe Starmie / Swampert / Gliscor combination.
Slowbro – CMSlowbro causes trouble; Lucario is bulky enough to set up 2 SD's or so and KO it with Crunch though.
Machamp – CB versions usually by Gliscor / Starmie switch-ins
Jolteon – Regice
Aerodactyl – Swampert; Taunt / SR leads are owned by Starmie lead
Snorlax – EQ-less versions: Lucario, although paralysis sucks; Regice maybe;
Zapdos - Garchomp usually takes this out. SR is useful in beating this as gengar and lucario can suddenly 2hko them and Gyara can ohko after a DD.
Suicune – Regice.
Sceptile – Weavile / Regice; Gliscor for physical variants
Breloom – Gliscor, perhaps. Swampert to absorb sleep.
Ninjask – Lucario Extremespeed; actually this is pretty dangerous
Metagross – Gliscor, Starmie; not listing Swampert because of Grass Knot versions
Heatran – non-HPGrass versions are stopped by Swampert and Starmie. As for those with HP-Grass most of them are CSpecs, so Starmie should outpredict it
Celebi – Regice loves switching in on Celebi, and so does Lucario and Weavile on non-Twave versions
Jirachi – Lucario, Swampert
Deoxys-S – Swampert. Lucario and Weavile handles it when its at low health
Overall Summary
It took some time and a lot of testing to come up with this team, but obviously there are going to be some flaws, such as a marked weakness to CSpecs Lucario and a really lucky ParaCurseLax. However, my style of play is more offensive, and hopefully I will be able to knock out their Pokemon before they get a chance to set up. Although my team looks extremely defensive, it is to be played in the offensive style, with Lucario constantly pressuring the opponent, and Starmie too, if the opponent has no Blissey. Rate and comment away.
After testing out a lot of teams on ShoddyBattle under the alias of 'silenthill', I finally derived my current team. Now it doesn't have such an offensive central theme like husk's team, but it balances both offense and defense quite well. They are called 'Destroyers' because that's what they do: they utterly destroy stuff popular in the metagame.
Plan of Action:
A classic example of not what this team does is sending Celebi in to counter non-Crunch SDLucario. All Celebi can do in return is muster a Leech Seed or maybe even a Psychic / HP Fire that won't kill.
This team is bent on countering popular metagame threats completely, while also pressuring the opponent offensively. More will be described within the team itself, under the 'Purpose' section of each pokemon.
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 160 HP / 132 SpAtk / 216 Spd
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
Starmie is a decent lead against most other leads. Leads such as SR Aerodactyl are surely going to lose. If Bronzong uses Stealth Rock, Starmie can spin it away. If it uses Hypnosis, Starmie can just switch out. Gyarados leads are often scared away, and Salamence has no business with Starmie.
Purpose: Obviously to spin away Toxic Spikes, Spikes and Stealth Rocks which threaten the overall durability and ‘destroy-ability’ of my team. It is also an offensive counter to threats such as Infernape, Heatran and Garchomp. Now, to explain the use of Life Orb on Starmie. Admittedly, having to spend 10% on Rapid Spinning seems a total waste, and yes, Life Orb Starmie isn’t always a good choice. But for me personally, Starmie with Life Orb is just that much more. Heatran and Gengar are now OHKO’ed by Surf, Azelf too if it’s taken a bit of damage, and BulkyWaters just take that much more damage from Thunderbolt. Besides, Recover is there to make some compensation for the HP loss, and Starmie is never shy of opportunities to heal itself up.
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Calm nature (+SpDef, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Psych Up
Summary:
Ice Beam is generally powerful against stuff not resistant to it, and Thunderbolt is part of the BoltBeam combo. Thunder Wave slows down special sweepers that can potentially get past this ‘special wall’, like Azelf, Porygon-Z or Infernape switch-ins. And Psych Up is the fun part of using Regice because now it can switch into Suicune, Raikou and Jynx anyday. Heatran owns this, but I’ve always got Starmie and Swampert to cover up.
Purpose: Special wall, but it does so much more than just stopping Zapdos and Starmie and others. Obviously, Thunder Wave cripples almost whatever switches into this (yes, even Metagross to a certain extent). Also, Regice serves as a counter to those omni-present Gyarados, and if I’m really in a pinch, those Garchomps. Most Gyara run Waterfall, Ice Fang, EQ so I’m safe from Stone Edge most of the time, whereas Thunderbolt OHKOs it (needs confirmation on this, because I usually Tbolt it when its on 60-something% health). Regice also survives Swords Dance EQ from Garchomp, and Ice Beam will OHKO regardless of Yache Berry.
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SpAtk)
- Ice Punch
- Ice Shard
- Brick Break
- Pursuit
Summary: A Choice Bander but not your generic one. Two Ice moves are there: Ice Punch is to hit hard in general; and Ice Shard hits Sub-Salac Garchomp and DD-Mence / DD-dragonite.
Purpose: Three purposes: 1. provides some basic offense to the team. 2. Provides a good insurance policy against Garchomp, DD-Gyara, Sub-Salac, Reversal pokes. 3. Most importantly, Weavile destroys things like Gengar and Azelf. Azelf is often EV’ed to survive Weavile Pursuit, so I’ll have to wait until I deal some damage to it before going for the kill. I cannot lose Weavile, nor show its hand too early in the game, or the opponent will learn to predict Focus Blasts / Flamethrowers. Furthermore, my primary sweeper in the team is SDLucario, and Weavile is vital in coming in on Gliscor and beating him up with Pursuit / Ice Punch to set up for my Lucario.
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spd
Impish nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Stealth Rock
- Roost
Summary: Standard physical Gliscor with 72 speed EVs outspeed Tyranitar.
Purpose: Stops my really bad Heracross weakness. But it also makes short work of SDLucario and Breloom, as well as providing Garchomp walling. Stealth Rock, as I've since realized through peer edits, is invaluable on the team, since its effectively destroys stuff like Zapdos and Moltres, which counters my end sweeper Lucario. Aerial Ace was considered by Heracross is usually defeated by EQ anyway, although Breloom remains a problem. However, by allowing Swampert to absorb the Spore, Gliscor should do fine.
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Summary: Swampert takes on non-GrassKnot-Metagross, Tyranitar, and Gyarados most of the time with ease. EQ / SE is a classic combo, allowing it to handle most physical threats, including the above mentioned three, although Skarmory comes in on this easy.
Purpose: A general wall to handle stuff Gliscor can’t handle well, like Ice Beam / Dark Pulse Tyranitar, Gyarados and Electivire. It also helps with handling Specs Heatran Fire Blasts better. Rest-Sleep Talk allows Swampert provides the much-needed status-absorber position in my team. Furthermore, although this is a rather secondary provision for the team, Swampert also lures in Celebis, which Regice, Weavile and the Pokemon coming next can all easily take advantage of…
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 HP / 20 Atk / 152 Def / 52 SpDef / 32 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Close Combat
- Swords Dance
- Extremespeed
- Crunch
Summary: What are the much-touted counters to SDLucario? Gliscor, number one, is going to be gotten rid of before I begin my sweep. And, for some reason, they know beforehand I am using Crunch Lucario rather than Lucario variants, there is possibly Gyarados, Salamence, Zapdos, Moltres even. I am aware that I am not the first to use Bulky SDLucario, but it seriously owns. Non-CB-Gyara can rarely OHKO this bulky a Lucario with EQ, Zapdos probably can’t even 2HKO with Thunderbolt. Lucario can get an extra Swords Dance or even two SD’s and KO with ExtremeSpeed. I’m not sure whether Moltres can OHKO since I never seen one against my Lucario, but if it can, I’ll switch to Starmie or Swampert. When its dead, I can resume my sweep; Lucario has Leftovers to heal itself after all. Salamence is another pest, but if its sufficiently weakened and / or it isn’t BulkyMence, it should fall to once-SD Extremespeed.
Purpose: Lucario is the team's sweeper, wall-breaker, whatever you want to call it. It easily switches in to Tyranitar and non-TWave Celebis, since it can shrug off Leech Seed with Leftovers there, and from there I can begin the sweep once everything is set up well. It is hard to find the perfect time for the sweep, but a Lucario this bulky can do wonders.
THREAT LIST:
Tyranitar – Swampert most reliably; Lucario can also easily switch in on any move but EQ.[/FONT]
Gyarados – Non-SE Gyara is stopped by Regice, otherwise Swampert.
Infernape – Well-played Infernape could be highly tricky, but Starmie should handle it.
Azelf – Weavile for NP versions. If Azelf is EV’ed to survive Pursuit, Lucario can always ExtremeSpeed it at low health. Life Orb versions are handled by Swampert / Regice
Electivire – Swampert, with Sp.Def EVs Electivire can’t OHKO it even with HP Grass
Heracross – Gliscor, thanks very much.
Salamence – Swampert is the general switch-in; DD versions stopped by Swampert, Regice too on Rock-Slide less ones; CSpecs ones owned by Regice (Flamethrower 3HKOs at max); CB ones owned by Gliscor, Swampert
Togekiss – Regice
Gengar – Weavile can come in and revenge kill on Shadow Balls, Regice does nicely in a pinch since Focus Blast fails to even 2HKO sometimes.
Garchomp – Starmie, Gliscor, Weavile as insurance policy
Raikou – Combination of Gliscor and Swampert with Regice to scout.
Lucario – CB versions and SD versions stopped by Gliscor; CSpecs versions are covered by maneuvering through Starmie / Swampert / Regice.
Tauros / Slaking / Staraptor: Gliscor / Lucario / Swampert; Slaking Returns are painful but Gliscor can always Roost on the second turn
Starmie – Regice
Weavile - Lucario, Swampert
Dugtrio – Besides Regice, which it probably can’t even OHKO most of the time, ‘what can it trap and kill’ is a better question
Alakazam – Trick versions are annoying mothers, but Regice / Weavile should own it
PorygonZ – Regice + it can’t really setup on anything but Gliscor, which can Knock Off
Medicham – Tricky, especially Scarfed versions. Maybe Starmie / Swampert / Gliscor combination.
Slowbro – CMSlowbro causes trouble; Lucario is bulky enough to set up 2 SD's or so and KO it with Crunch though.
Machamp – CB versions usually by Gliscor / Starmie switch-ins
Jolteon – Regice
Aerodactyl – Swampert; Taunt / SR leads are owned by Starmie lead
Snorlax – EQ-less versions: Lucario, although paralysis sucks; Regice maybe;
Zapdos - Garchomp usually takes this out. SR is useful in beating this as gengar and lucario can suddenly 2hko them and Gyara can ohko after a DD.
Suicune – Regice.
Sceptile – Weavile / Regice; Gliscor for physical variants
Breloom – Gliscor, perhaps. Swampert to absorb sleep.
Ninjask – Lucario Extremespeed; actually this is pretty dangerous
Metagross – Gliscor, Starmie; not listing Swampert because of Grass Knot versions
Heatran – non-HPGrass versions are stopped by Swampert and Starmie. As for those with HP-Grass most of them are CSpecs, so Starmie should outpredict it
Celebi – Regice loves switching in on Celebi, and so does Lucario and Weavile on non-Twave versions
Jirachi – Lucario, Swampert
Deoxys-S – Swampert. Lucario and Weavile handles it when its at low health
Overall Summary
It took some time and a lot of testing to come up with this team, but obviously there are going to be some flaws, such as a marked weakness to CSpecs Lucario and a really lucky ParaCurseLax. However, my style of play is more offensive, and hopefully I will be able to knock out their Pokemon before they get a chance to set up. Although my team looks extremely defensive, it is to be played in the offensive style, with Lucario constantly pressuring the opponent, and Starmie too, if the opponent has no Blissey. Rate and comment away.
