SkarmBliss for the 5th Generation

Well i started out with a basic setup and through a bunch of great advice here and hit and miss testing on PO i've finally come to this team, it's doing quite well for me, thusfar there isnt really any particular poke i have a great deal of trouble with, Fighting types can give me a bit of a hassle if Zapdos is down, but otherwise im alright. Without further ado, here's SkarmBliss for the 5th Generation


The team at a glance
skarmory.jpg
heatran.jpg
scizor.jpg
zapdos.jpg
kingdra.jpg
chansey.jpg





In Depth

skarmory.jpg

Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Roost
This is a Skarmory build i found back in 4th generation somewhere on this site and quickly fell in love. It can usually get all the entry hazards down, shuffle around with Whirlwind for some dmg and scouting. After the hazards are down he really doesnt have a whole lot of a purpose though, so im considering throwing Brave Bird in the mix somewhere, not sure where i could fit it in though.




heatran.jpg

Heatran (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Dragon Pulse
This guy loves switching in on the fire attacks that Skarmory draws out and getting a flash fire boost. Fire Blast is there for STAB and Earth Power is for opposing Fire Types. I went with HP Electric as opposed to Grass for water types, Switch in on a fire attack, they expect Earth Power so they switch to a water type and they get hit with the HP electric i used instead ^_^ prediction wins matches. I usually switch this guy in to take Draco Meteors and other dragon attacks so Dragon Pulse seemed the best bet to fire back with



scizor.jpg

Scizor (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Brick Break
- U-turn
Probably a standard Scizor set. Bullet Punch for priority, Bug bite as opposed to x-scissor to pair with Technician, Brick Break for steels and coverage, and U-Turn to keep the momentum of my team going, overall this guy covers a few nice holes in my team.


zapdos.jpg

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Roost
Would have really liked to run lightningrod on this guy, but it isnt compatable with Heat Wave, and that's a bit of a necessity. This guy can handle any steels without problem. Most people dont expect heat wave, and they definately dont expect HP ice. He switches in on Earth attacks aimed at Heatran, and Fighting attacks aimed at those who are weak. HP Ice drops any grounds that would switch in. Roost is for longevity


kingdra.jpg

Kingdra (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
- Rest
Needed something that wasnt afraid of water attacks and this guy came to mind. Turns out he works extremely well on the team. Opted for a physical build, standard dragon dance but ran Rest/Lum berry to dragon dance till im low, rest off the dmg, activate lum berry then sweep. May swap Outrage to Dragon Tail to rack up more dmg with the entry hazards but thats still up in the air


chansey.jpg

Chansey (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Heal Bell
- Protect
- Toxic
The final half of the SkarmBliss combo(kindof) Running a Chansey w/ evolite rather than Blissey so i dont have to be so afraid of Physical attacks. This guy is almost completely cleric with Toxic just for a bit of stall/dmg abilities. Rather not run seismic toss as i cant afford the moveslot for it




As i said, overall im pretty happy with the team. I havent seen any huge holes myself, but if theres something im missing or some EV's i could/should tweak please let me know. Thank you all for any advice
 
I like your team, I actually used a skarmory just like that in 4th gen, but there are some problems.

1. Skarmory doesn't really need speed, but it's special defense is rather lacking. I reccomend switching it to 252 HP/252 Sp Def/4 Def with a Careful nature.

2. Heatran looks good, but explosion's no good anymore. Long story short, it does alot less damage now. Try another special attack in it's place, say, dragon pulse.

3. I have no problem with jellicent, apart from he doesn't look too bulky. But if you say he's fine, he's fine.

4. You listed gliscor as a special attacker. I'm pretty sure he's physical :P
Also, drop acrobatics and fling. Acrobatics works best with a flying gem, but with gliscor, it's better to get the hp recovery from toxic orb. Try replacing acrobatics and fling with roost and night slash.

5. I don't like venusaur, but I'm not sure how to change it, so I'll keep quiet on that.

6. A good idea with blissey is to run chansey with eviolite. This boosts chansey's defenses higher than blisseys, with the only cost being 10 HP (you get 704 instead of 714)

Keep recover on jelly, if it's gonna be bulky, you'll need recover. Jelly's fine, and with dragon pulse on heatran that should patch your dragon weakness a bit.
 
Just something for you to consider, if you use Eviolite on Chansey, you could change its EV spread to 252 Def and 252 Sp.Def, investing not as much HP onto Chansey won't make that much of a difference. Of course, if you might not want to this if your just concentrating on Chansey being a Special wall, since even with eviolite chansey's max defense it doesn't reach 200
If you want to change your Jellicent, Vaporeon or Slowking would do the job. Both are bulky and have acceptable Sp.Attk
For your Venusaur, if you want seed support replace it with Prankster Whimiscott or Defensive Ferrothorn
 
Nice team. I just have a few suggestions. I would run with this set on skarmory since you already have lots of special defense in this team. (jellicent and blissey.)


Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Spikes / Brave bird (I would probably go with Bravebird so taunt doesn't completely shut you down and for added damage agains grasses and fightings.
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind

It's pretty similar to yours but will make up for your physical weakness.

Also I would go with this set on Jellicent becuase his special attack isn't very high anyway,plus this makes him into a special wall.

Woko (Jellicent) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Recover
- Surf /scald
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp / energy ball

Just don't run with will-o-wisp and scald on the same set becuase its a little redundant.
If you feel like you need more defense you could also try this slowbro which will give you a little bit of a excadrill counter and is great for machamp and conkeldur.

Slowbro (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Psychic
- Fire Blast
- Slack Off

Also I think you should replace Venasur but I don't know what for. Maybe You could use a revenge killer on this team.

Mamoswine (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Oblivious
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Stone Edge

If you take this suggestion you could also take a choice band over scarf for extra damage. Also maybe on blissey run protect over t wave cause too status conditions may not be a good idea but if you want you could keep it. Hope I helped. Take the suggestions you like and leave the ones you don't.
-Good Luck.
 
Recover on Jellicent is vital for it's survival. Take out Ice Beam, and replace it with Recover. On Landorous, remove Focus Blast + Psychic and replace with Stone Edge + HP Ice. Change the EVs on Landorus to 252 Atk + Spd
 
I know this might sound silly, but for Skarmory, what about Rock Slide over Spikes? My thinking is this: Skarmory walls all but very few pokes.
What gets through?
Electric and fire both are Super effective
Rock and ice are neutral.

While it might not get STAB or even be the highest amount of damage, I was just thinking- why not give it a try?
 
I recommend putting Stealth Rock on Heatran and Brave Bird on Skarmory. It's not fun getting shut down by taunt :p
 
I know this might sound silly, but for Skarmory, what about Rock Slide over Spikes? My thinking is this: Skarmory walls all but very few pokes.
What gets through?
Electric and fire both are Super effective
Rock and ice are neutral.

While it might not get STAB or even be the highest amount of damage, I was just thinking- why not give it a try?

Actually rather interesting idea, definately something i might have to try out, however rock slide doesnt have the highest BP, i doubt id even be scoring 2-3hkos while fighting ele and fire pokes who can 1-2hko me, plus id have to re-distribute the EV spread
 
@ Medoic
Rock Slide on Skarmory is just plain stupid. Brave Bird hits fire types harder regardless, and Spikes is necessary for people to actually be afraid of Skarmory.

Anyway, on Blissey, definitely run Protect over Thunder Wave, as it is necessary, otherwise your Blissey might not have a chance to heal it's HP, especially if a Fighting Type pokemon comes in on the turn Blissey uses Wish. Also you need an attacking move, so replace Heal Bell with Seismic Toss so Blissey can actually damage the opponent and break Substitutes.

On Jellicent, definitely run the standard Stallbreaking set, as a sweeping Jellicent in non-VGC is just plain silly.

Jellicent (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP/ 216 Def / 44 Speed

Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt
- Recover
- Shadow Ball

Taunt can help you deal with pokemon like Calm Mind Reuniclus, which can destroy your team otherwise. It is also damaged by Shadow Ball, just like Latios. Will-O-Wisp hampers physical sweepers, and Recover is necessary on a wall.

On Ferrothorn, run a Brave Nature in order to power up Gyro Ball further.

Your Landorous set seems pretty weird; the standard scarf set should work much better.

Landorus (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Speed
Naughty Nature
- U-Turn
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Ice
- Stone Edge

Stone Edge can help beat Thundurus, which causes you some problems. Hidden Power Ice is necessary in order to deal with common Gliscor switch ins. U-turn is almost necessary on every choice scarfer; Adamant is used as the nature because Garchomp is banned and that was the main reason to use a +speed nature on the scarf set.
 
Thanks to all for your advice, though several of my builds may not be anything near standard i think that gives me a slight edge as people arent expecting some of the movesets im running, a quote i use quite often is

"Expect the unexpected
And whenever possible
Be the unexpected"

with the exception of what ive already stated with a claydol switch and slowbro, the only change im looking at is bullet seed over power whip on ferrothorn for an awnser to substitute
 
On Heatran, why not run ancient power to vanquish a quiver dancing volcarona? because chances are a player will have his volcarona with hp ground or fighting for a O or 2hko. After 2-3 quiver dances the only thing that could stop a hp ground volcarona is blissey unless kingra pulls a miraculous OHKO without the chance to set up a DD.
 
Put Hidden Power Grass on Heatran over HP Electric because you're pretty much walled altogether by Gastrodon.

And change Heatran's ability to Modest, you aren't really outspeeding anything important in OU with Timid, I was told this by an Official Team Rater :]
 
For Chansey (or any wall Pokemon, really) :

You ALWAYS want to max out HP before putting in Def/Sp. Def. It gives the Pokemon a bigger sponge to absorb damage with.
 
what would you reccoment for an EV spread then? i figured with Chanseys high HP that the 252 in both defenses+evolite would pay off more in the long run. It seems to do alright, he can take hits from quite a wide array of both physical and special(obiously i dont keep him in too long on the physical though, but psyshock is usually a 3hko which is easially wishable)
 
I dont see how HP Electric is better than HP Grass on Heatran...you still hit everything just as hard minus you not being able to even effect Swampert..HP Grass is much better and Balloon is an option over Life Orb
 
HP Ele is sometimes my only choice for an attack against other Air Balloon Heatran. I'll test HP grass out and see how it works though. Air balloon is something i definately have considered, everyone and thier mother runs EQ now, I don't like loosing the extra power that LO offers(though heatran hits quite hard as it is)
 
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