Six-Man Band

[Blumenwitz]

This is the team I've been sticking with for the past week or so. I've made it to the mid-1300s on the OU ladder, so it's working out pretty decently, but I feel like it still needs some work.

(Edits since the beginning of the thread are in bold)

Tangrowth @ Lum Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP/224 Atk/32 Sp Def
Brave Nature
- Power Whip
- Infestation
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed

I decided to switch from Ambipom to Tangrowth for my lead, since Tangrowth is bulkier and provides my team with some much- needed Grass coverage. He's an anti-lead of sorts; Infestation is there to allow him to trap some of the more frail leads (like Smeargle) and take them out early on.

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Def
Impish Nature
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Roost
- Drill Peck

Skarmory's there to switch into physical threats and set up hazards with impunity. In particular, I've noticed that he laughs at anything Scizor can throw at him, as well as Gliscor. I've also been using him to stop setups/ baton passers in their tracks (hence the presence of Roar). Drill Peck's there to give him some offensive presence.

Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Toxic
- Heal Bell
- Wish
- Seismic Toss

Blissey's my special tank/ cleric. She serves the dual purpose of sponging up special attacks and keeping the rest of my team (particularly Blastoise-Mega and Skarmory) alive and healthy. To be honest, I created this team before I knew that the whole Skarmory/ Blissey defensive combo was popular here, but I'm glad that I stumbled upon it, because it's been working out great for me.

Blastoise-Mega @ Blastoisinite
Ability: Mega Launcher
EVs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 128 SpD
Modest Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Water Pulse
- Aura Sphere
- Ice Beam

In addition to spinning, Blastoise-Mega's role is to put pressure on some of the more physically- oriented walls and hazard setters of OU, particularly Donphan, Gliscor and Ferrothorn. I know some people prefer to run Dark Pulse over Aura Sphere, but frankly, I like being able to 2HKO Ferrothorn and blast Tyranitar into oblivion.

It's important to keep him alive, since my last two mons, Gyarados and Rotom, really benefit from the Rapid Spin support. That's why I used some of my EVs to expand his already impressive bulk (and Blissey's there to back him up with Wish and Heal Bell support).

Rotom-H @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Ice
- Trick

I've decided to go with Rotom-H over Darmanitan, for a few reasons. Firstly, my team could use another specially offensive breaker, since most of the other offensive members are physically oriented. Secondly, Volt Switch allows it to work effectively as a pivot. Thirdly, Rotom-H's Electric- type STAB coverage allows me to deal with a lot of dangerous OU threats, particularly Talonflame, a mon who's always sort of given my team a hard time.

Gyarados @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Iron Head
- Outrage
- Dragon Dance

I decided to run Gyarados as my late-game sweeper in lieu of Hawlucha. While Gyarados may not be as fast, his offensive and defensive stats are considerably greater, and he doesn't worry about priority attacks/ revenge killers to the extent that Hawlucha does.

 

[RP2865]

So, I'm RP2865, who will spare you some awkward introductory sentence and get on with the team building!
Notice: I personally frown upon using two pokemon with sashes, and will provide replacements.
I tried a sort of multi-hit-move anti-lead like your Ambipom (Cinccino, and it didn't work), and have some other recommendations. The first one is a really anti lead:
Tangrowth @ Yache Berry/Assault Vest (I have NO experience with this and made it up as I'm writing this, so feel free to change)
EVs: 252 HP/224 Atk/32 Sp Def
Ability: Regenerator
Bullet Seed
Knock Off
Sleep Powder/Infestation
Hidden Power Fire
Nature: Sassy/Brave
The EVs are pretty strange, so let me explain. 224 EVs in attack let you OHKO 4 HP 0 Def neutral natured towards defense Greninja if bullet seed hits three times. Don't worry about U-turn, as a non invested u-turn can nearly be healed just by switching out (regenerator). 252 Atk is also an option to give you a 93.8% chance to OHKO 252 HP 0 Def Smeargle with four hits of bullet seed. If you run brave, just stick with 224 Atk. This set is generally bulked towards tangrowth's weaker special defense. If you run AV, you miss out on the great utility of sleep powder, but you can hit pokemon like smeargle with infestation, trap, and kill them. HP Fire is to deal respectable damage to Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Foretress, but don't stay IN on Scizor all of the time.Here's another, viable lead that...
works in a very different way.
Azelf @ Focus Sash
252 Atk, 252 Spe, 4 HP
Ability: Levitate
Taunt/Stealth Rock
Explosion
Knock Off
Fire Blast/Zen Headbutt

Ah, I love this set and have used it myself. Max speed and HP for practical reasons. Taunt shuts down Ferrothron, Foretress, and Smeargle. Of course, Stealth Rock is fine if you want hazards set up. Explosion is still very powerful despite the Gen V nerf, Knock off for Utility: Now, you have a tough choice. Fire Blast means that you aren't setup bait for Ferrothorn and Scizor, but Zen Headbutt means that you can deal respectable damage to Chansey after you knock off its eviolite without exploding. Decisions, decisions. (Fire blast is recommended).

I'll skip right to the end for now. I believe that there are much better options for that teamslot, to be frank. Here is one of a great number of options:
Gyarados @ Life Orb (or Red Card, because LO recoil sucks)
Abilty: Moxie (< important)
252 Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Adamant
Dragon Dance
Waterfall/Aqua Tail
Earthquake
Stone Edge/x

Here's another set I use. Set up a DD when you can, take advantage of that sweet coverage, and let loose the Gyarados! The reason I wrote /x next to stone edge is because SE isn't called Stone Miss for nothing, and here are the other options gyarados has: (only the decent ones)
Bounce
Outrage
Iron Head
Ice Fang/Avalanche
Consider these. Stone Edge is still great, though.

(For the record, even though I really don't recommend Hawlucha, Herb+Sky Attack never works in the long run. Ever.
For Darmanitan, consider (but don't do because "I told you to", think about it" Choice Band for more power. And for mons who CAN tank Flare Blitz:

Flash Fire Heatran. Enough Said. He can even Wow your switch in.

Politoed:
252+ Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Politoed in Rain: 63-75 (16.4 - 19.5%) -- possible 6HKO

Arcanine:
-1 252+ Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Arcanine: 118-140 (30.7 - 36.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
(-1 is due to intimidate. You know what happens if the arcanine has flash fire.)

Milotic:
252+ Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Milotic: 123-146 (31.2 - 37%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
If you burn it, you're probably screwed MORE because of marvel scale.

Tyranitar:
252+ Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 135-160 (33.4 - 39.6%) --
guaranteed 3HKO
Can set up DD in your face.

Magikarp: This guy's a bit of a glass cannon, but is he a killer.
252+ Atk Sheer Force Darmanitan Flare Blitz vs. 0 HP / 252 Def Magikarp: 166-196 (91.7 - 108.2%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
He may die, but if that 50% chance works against you,:
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magikarp Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Darmanitan: 338-402 (96.2 - 114.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
Oh gawd.
Happy team building!

 

[Blumenwitz]

First and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to look at my team!

The Tangrowth set intrigues me, though I think I'd be better off running Leech Seed in lieu of HP Fire. As far as items go, I'm leaning towards either a Lum Berry or Leftovers. Also, do you think Power Whip would be viable as its main physical STAB, or is it too inaccurate/ unreliable?

Other than that, I think I'll go for it, especially since my team could use some Grass- type coverage, considering the ubiquity of Rotom-W.

The Gyarados set looks hella dope, but I have one question about it; what role did you design it for? I'm asking because you mentioned that Life Orb recoil sucks (and it does, in most cases), but if it's supposed to take on Hawlucha's late-game sweeping role, the recoil shouldn't be a problem.

As far as Darmanitan goes, I appreciate the suggestion, but I think I'll stick with Choice Scarf. And hey, I didn't say there were no mons that could tank Flare Blitz :P

Again, thank you for the feedback.

 

[RoyalBlue]

Pretty cool team you have here :)
Let's start off by saying that this team looks super fun, but it looks like it gets rolled over by some standard stuff. Just to name a few: ZardX, Life Orb Latios, Talonflame, Mixed ZardY, Keldeo etc.

So as a suggestion, I think you should replace Darmanitan with Rotom-H so that you can deal with ZardY a bit better, while also checking Talonflame with relative ease. Plus, it can gain momentum with Volt Switch, cripple walls with Trick and spam powerful Overheats.

<img src="/download/sprites/bw/499.png" alt="" />
Rotom-H @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk/ 252 Spe/ 4 Def
Modest/Timid Nature
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power Grass/Ice
- Trick

Next, I would consider replacing Blastoise with Azumarill. Sure this means you don't have a spinner (I'll get to that) but this gives you a solid check to Keldeo while not having to rely on pivoting in and out of walls. Plus, it has ridiculous power and has Prioirity in the form of Aqua Jet.

On Skarmory, if you replace Blastoise, I'd suggest adding Defog over Spikes. Otherwise, replace Spikes with Roost. You absolutely need recovery on Skarmory. Without a Spinblocker or Defiant abuser, Spikes+Rocks will easily get wiped off since almost all teams have a form of hazard removal. Rocks easily being the more important of the two, replace Spikes.

Although its completely up to preference, why not Chansey over Blissey? Although you lack Lefties, you take physical hits a LOT better.

Lastly, I'd replace Hawlucha with something else. It's frail and gets stop cold by quite a few top tier Pokemon. Landorus-T, Thundurus- I (Prankster T-Wave), Aegislash, Zapdos etc. Mot sure what, but is imagine you'd want something to sweep. Maybe a Terrakion, Garchomp, Lucario, Aegislash etc.

Anyways that's it for now. Sorry for my terrible writing. Super tired. Good luck

 

[RP2865]

First and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to look at my team!

The Tangrowth set intrigues me, though I think I'd be better off running Leech Seed in lieu of HP Fire. As far as items go, I'm leaning towards either a Lum Berry or Leftovers. Also, do you think Power Whip would be viable as its main physical STAB, or is it too inaccurate/ unreliable?

Other than that, I think I'll go for it, especially since my team could use some Grass- type coverage, considering the ubiquity of Rotom-W.

The Gyarados set looks hella dope, but I have one question about it; what role did you design it for? I'm asking because you mentioned that Life Orb recoil sucks (and it does, in most cases), but if it's supposed to take on Hawlucha's late-game sweeping role, the recoil shouldn't be a problem.

As far as Darmanitan goes, I appreciate the suggestion, but I think I'll stick with Choice Scarf. And hey, I didn't say there were no mons that could tank Flare Blitz :P

Again, thank you for the feedback.

On tangrowth, leech seed is perfectly fine, but just remember the coverage you miss. Power Whip is a great move, the only reason I didn't put it is to bypass Focus Sashes with bullet seed. The reason I said Life Orb recoil was a problem, even for late sweeping, is illustrated by this example:
If I was versing a Mega Charizard X, I would need to set up a dragon dance to outspeed and OHKO with earthquake. During that time, it could attack.
252+ Atk Tough Claws Mega Charizard X Dragon Claw vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Gyarados: 228-268 (68.6 - 80.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Because I only have 31.4% HP left at max (and as low as 19.3%), I can only attack for four turns before LO recoil kills me (and maybe only two turns). I'm not sure how LO would work with your team. And I know you didn't say that nobody could tank a flare blitz, I was just warning you. And for the feedback, no problem.