ORAS OU Snake & Dragon Offense

DaGuyWithAFace

DaGuyWithAFace

Allow me to Introduce myself! I was a lurker in the budding competitive community for quite a long time (since the days of FRLG) and in BW1 decided to officially make an account and join. I have two showdown accounts, one to coincide with the forums one, and one for my Youtube Channel (Defender Seven). I have since been playing the lower and mid ladders of all tiers, and recently I have been looking to better myself and make it to the top. I have had moderate success with this team (I broke 1450 for the first time since BW1 OU with it), but I know there are improvements that can be made, as always. So, here I am, and without further ado, here is my team.


645-s.png
530.png
036.png
479-w.png
497.png
006-mx.png


Quick Overview: This team has one objective, and one objective only: Win. Landorus-T is defensive and sets up Stealth Rocks to break potential sturdy/focus sash carriers, as well as check 4/5 types that threaten Serperior. Excadrill functions as both my spinner and my revenge killer, able to deal considerable damage to or outright kill opposing threats that can stop Serperior or Charizard. Clefable is a cleric that keeps everyone healthy. Rotom-W provides T-wave & Willo support and can deal some nice damage with powerful STABs. Serperior can paralyze incoming threats, pick off weakened opponents and gain a boost with Leaf Storm, and attempt to sweep from there. Mega Charizard X rounds out as the main sweeper; he sets up Dragon Dances and attempts to sweep, forming a solid pair with Serperior.

Detailed Sets & Explanations:


645-s.png

Survivor (Landorus-Therian) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 8 SpD / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Knock Off

A variation of the standard defensive Landorus-T, this is my lead, hazard setter, scout, and physical wall. Stealth Rocks are very self-explanatory, they break Sturdy, Focus Sash, and are a very nice check to common threats to my team such as Talonflame or opposing Mega Charizard, as well as the less common Dragonite and Mega Pinsir. Earthquake is a powerful STAB that can deal reasonable damage to opposing teams even without investment thanks to Lando-T's huge base 145 attack stat. Knock Off and U-turn should also be self-explanatory. The 16 SpD EVs allow me to take an HP Ice from Mega Manectric, with maximum HP and the rest in Def for maximum physical bulk.



530.png

Buttsecks (Excadrill) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide



Scarf Excadrill is, in my opinion, an interesting but worthy choice. Forgoing Stealth Rocks (Lando-T already carries them) and any attempt at bulk, I instead utilize Excadrill's large 135 base Attack and modest 88 base speed to have a potent revenge killer. 220 Speed EVs with a Choice Scarf allow Excadrill to hit 439 Speed, which outpaces Mega Alakazam and Mega Aerodactyl, and then lets Exca dispatch them with the move of choice. Maximum Attack investment lets me hit as hard as possible. The rest of the EVs go to HP for slightly more bulk. Rapid Spin is to keep my side of the field clear of hazards for Charizard and, to a lesser extent, Serperior and Thundurus. Earthquake and Iron Head are solid STAB moves with Rock Slide for Flying coverage; the latter two also having a nice, albeit unreliable, flinch chance.

036.png

Pinky (Clefable) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 SpD
Bold Nature
- Cosmic Power
- Wish
- Heal Bell
- Moonblast


Pinky functions as my cleric as well as my special wall (Landorus being the physical wall). Leftovers are for passive recovery. Moonblast allows for a small offensive presence, weakening or dispatching opposing Dragon, Dark, and Fighting types. Cosmic Power sets up on opponents, and thanks to Unaware their setup does no good (unless they're Excadrill or Mega Gyarados). Heal Bell cures the entire team of status; this is mostly to avoid Charizard or Serperior being Paralyzed or Poisoned. The EVs allow Clefable to take two Brave Birds from Swords Dance Talonflame in order to get off a Wish for a teammate if necessary.



479-w.png

Scrub (Rotom-Wash) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Thunder Wave

Rotom-W functions as offensive support. Thunder Wave paralyzes opposing threats that can set up on me, or that threaten Serperior and Charizard, such as Gyarados, Mega Gallade, or even opposing Mega Charizad X and Serperior. Volt Switch is a consistent STAB move that can dent opposing teams for my sweepers to finish off, and gives crucial momentum to my side. Hydro Pump grants good neutral coverage and nails Gliscor, offensive Heatran, and opposing Lando-T & Excadrill. Speed EVs let Rotom-W outspeed Belly Drum Azumarill..


497.png

Rosa (Serperior) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 16 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare

Here is one of the two main characters in this cast of crazy creatures! Serperior has been a favorite of mine ever since BW1 released, and now she finally has some toys to play with with the big boys. Life Orb is preferred to get a good damage output, but Leftovers can be used for longevity, as this set lacks Giga Drain. 16 HP EVs give a tiny bit of extra bulk; Maximum SpA investment to hit as hard as possible, and 236 Speed EVs allow Serperior to outspeed base 110's and below; namely Mega Metagross, Mega Diancie, Mega Latias, Mega Gallade, Latios, and Gengar. Leaf Storm is the self-explanatory, obligatory STAB move. Dragon Pulse, when paired with Leaf Storm and HP Fire, has near perfect neutral coverage (only missing out on hitting Heatran), and dealing solid damage to, or outright KO'ing switch-ins and slower threats, namely Mega Charizards. Glare is used to paralyze switch-ins that may carry Choice Scarf.



006-mx.png

Gen1 Defense (Charizard-Mega-X) (M) @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Flare Blitz
- Roost

Last but not least, the dragon. Mega Charizard X has been a potent sweeper since its debut in XY, and this did not change with ORAS in mid-gen. 96 HP EVs are solely for surviving a hit from Talonflame that try to revenge kill, with these deducted from Speed, as Serperior and Excadrill are plenty fast to deal with speed issues. Dragon Dance is self-explanatory and allows Charizards' missing speed to be less of a factor, as well as boosting Attack to terrifying levels. Dragon Claw and Flare Blitz are Tough-Claws boosted STABs that have outstanding neutral coverage; Roost is used for longevity; Earthquake was previously run, but Roost replaced it since Heatran is sufficiently checked.




Past Members:



642.png

Chaintail (Thundurus) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 244 HP / 108 Def / 52 SpA / 72 SpD / 32 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast


700.png

Bubblegum (Sylveon) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 248 HP / 224 Def / 36 SpD
Calm Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Heal Bell
- Hyper Voice


Conclusion: I hope that this team was worth your time reading over, and if there are improvements (I am sure there are) then I will not hesitate to consider them. This is the first team that I built over my long career without any friend or mentor support, and I am proud of it. I hope to see you on the ladder; maybe you'll see the team in action yourself!


Importable: (I could not figure out the spoiler tag code so if somebody would be kind enough to explain i'd appreciate it :P )


Survivor (Landorus-Therian) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 12 SpD / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Knock Off

Buttsecks (Excadrill) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide

Pinky (Clefable) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 148 SpD
Bold Nature
- Cosmic Power
- Wish
- Heal Bell
- Moonblast

Scrub (Rotom-Wash) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Thunder Wave

Rosa (Serperior) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 16 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare

Gen1 Defense (Charizard-Mega-X) (M) @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Flare Blitz
- Roost


Replay Footage: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-209388556 (original team)

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/oususpecttest-209854111 (Rotom-W and Clefable added)
 
Last edited:
Hi, cool team.

This team looks pretty cool, with the use of not one, but two underrated Pokemon in Serperior & Charizard Mega X, so kudos to you on all that. Your team suffers from some fatal flaws however, all of which I shall address in this rate, so let's get right into it.

A well played Swords Dance Excadrill can do some massive damage do your team, should it get a Swords Dance up. Your Landorus will be unable to check it due to him having a chance to be OHKO'd by a +2 Iron Head, or cleanly 2HKOd by a +1 one (+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-T: 224-265 (58.6 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery and
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-T: 298-352 (78 - 92.1%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock). Your own Excadrill is unable to check it due to him simply being out-sped & flat out KOd. To remedy this situation, I'm going to recommend running a Physically Defensive Rotom-Wash in place of your current Thundurus. Rotom-W can easily switch in on Excadrill & can either burn it or KO it with STAB Hydro Pump. Rotom-W also provides you a check to Mamoswine, which albeit rare, can do some heavy damage to your team. Now, I'll pretty much be nitpicking from this point out, so be warned. I would heavily suggest running Giga Drain on Serperior over Glare. With all the residual damage from hazards & Life Orb, Serperior will get worn down easily, & Giga Drain can offset this damage. Finally, I'd suggest running a spread of 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe with an Adamant Nature over your current one. This spread allows you to outrun Jolly Heracross-Mega, which once again, a threat to your team.

479-wash.gif

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe
Bold Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
642.gif
Thundurus ------------------------------------->
479_whosshu.gif
Rotom-W

497.gif
Serperior: Glare -> Giga Drain

6.gif
Charizard: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe & Jolly ------------------------------------> 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe & Adamant

Good luck!
 
Hi, cool team.

This team looks pretty cool, with the use of not one, but two underrated Pokemon in Serperior & Charizard Mega X, so kudos to you on all that. Your team suffers from some fatal flaws however, all of which I shall address in this rate, so let's get right into it.

A well played Swords Dance Excadrill can do some massive damage do your team, should it get a Swords Dance up. Your Landorus will be unable to check it due to him having a chance to be OHKO'd by a +2 Iron Head, or cleanly 2HKOd by a +1 one (+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-T: 224-265 (58.6 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery and
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Excadrill Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-T: 298-352 (78 - 92.1%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock). Your own Excadrill is unable to check it due to him simply being out-sped & flat out KOd. To remedy this situation, I'm going to recommend running a Physically Defensive Rotom-Wash in place of your current Thundurus. Rotom-W can easily switch in on Excadrill & can either burn it or KO it with STAB Hydro Pump. Rotom-W also provides you a check to Mamoswine, which albeit rare, can do some heavy damage to your team. Now, I'll pretty much be nitpicking from this point out, so be warned. I would heavily suggest running Giga Drain on Serperior over Glare. With all the residual damage from hazards & Life Orb, Serperior will get worn down easily, & Giga Drain can offset this damage. Finally, I'd suggest running a spread of 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe with an Adamant Nature over your current one. This spread allows you to outrun Jolly Heracross-Mega, which once again, a threat to your team.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the input! While I do want Giga Drain on Serperior, I would more readily replace Dragon Pulse, as Glare is an excellent support option to paralyze incoming threats that may be scarfed. The Charizard EV spread I will give a try for sure. As for Rotom-W, I question how it can counter Excadrill...I thought it was the other way around, with Excadrill having Mold Breaker. In addition, I don't see how my Excadrill is outsped, as you listed Life Orb Excadrill as the threat, and mine runs Choice Scarf. Could you elaborate a bit?
 
DaGuyWithAFace said:
I appreciate the input! While I do want Giga Drain on Serperior, I would more readily replace Dragon Pulse, as Glare is an excellent support option to paralyze incoming threats that may be scarfed. The Charizard EV spread I will give a try for sure. As for Rotom-W, I question how it can counter Excadrill...I thought it was the other way around, with Excadrill having Mold Breaker. In addition, I don't see how my Excadrill is outsped, as you listed Life Orb Excadrill as the threat, and mine runs Choice Scarf. Could you elaborate a bit?
Click to expand...

Personally, I would never forgo Dragon Pulse for Giga drain, for Serperior doesn't have the greatest offensive movepool, and it strives for the extra coverage what with all the dragons running around in OU. Also, Rotom-W can switch into an iron head aimed at sylveon, as it resists it, and Excadrill is fearful of a STAB Hydro Pump. Although you are right, that Excadrill's earthquake is something Rotom-W doesn't like, you can switch into Lando-T, getting a Atk drop, and scaring Excadrill out to set out rocks. Also, instead of hitting Heatran with earthquake on Zard X, I might test out roost, to extend his reign of terror. As you said, with the EVs in HP, Zard X can fire off a roost while Talon(f)lame U-Turns in fear.


Nice Team!
 
Personally, I would never forgo Dragon Pulse for Giga drain, for Serperior doesn't have the greatest offensive movepool, and it strives for the extra coverage what with all the dragons running around in OU. Also, Rotom-W can switch into an iron head aimed at sylveon, as it resists it, and Excadrill is fearful of a STAB Hydro Pump. Although you are right, that Excadrill's earthquake is something Rotom-W doesn't like, you can switch into Lando-T, getting a Atk drop, and scaring Excadrill out to set out rocks.
Click to expand...

That makes a bit more sense. I will try out Rotom-W on the team and see if it works out! As for Giga Drain on Serperior, I will try it over Glare, although I really do enjoy being able to paralyze potential scarfers on the switch-in.
 
DaGuyWithAFace said:
I appreciate the input! While I do want Giga Drain on Serperior, I would more readily replace Dragon Pulse, as Glare is an excellent support option to paralyze incoming threats that may be scarfed. The Charizard EV spread I will give a try for sure. As for Rotom-W, I question how it can counter Excadrill...I thought it was the other way around, with Excadrill having Mold Breaker. In addition, I don't see how my Excadrill is outsped, as you listed Life Orb Excadrill as the threat, and mine runs Choice Scarf. Could you elaborate a bit?
Click to expand...

Sand Rush doubles your speed in Sand, as you may know.

This is Sand Rush Excadrill:

275 x 2 = 550 Total Speed

This is Choice Scarf Excadrill (With your Speed EVs)

203 x 1.5 = 439 Total Speed

Therefore, you are out-run easily & OHKOd by Earthquake.
 
Sand Rush doubles your speed in Sand, as you may know.

This is Sand Rush Excadrill:

275 x 2 = 550 Total Speed

This is Choice Scarf Excadrill (With your Speed EVs)

203 x 1.5 = 439 Total Speed

Therefore, you are out-run easily & OHKOd by Earthquake.
Click to expand...

Ahh I see. I will definitely try out the Rotom-W then; I have not seen many Excadrill without Mold Breaker.
 
i feel like landorus-T should run at least 8 speed to outrun 44 speed rotom-w, which is its standard spread (to outspeed belly drum azu).

Since you already have several ways to get rid of heatran, for ZardX, I recommend roost>EQ and I really recommend flare blitz > fire punch. Jolly ZardX is a bit weak already and you'll really struggle to OHKO things with a +1 fire punch or dragon claw. Flare blitz gives you the power you want, and is mandatory if you dont run roost IMO.
 
It's a well built team man...... Very little wrong with it. I see a hide weakness in your team to SD talonflame. At +2 it practically wipes your team out. And sylveon is weak physically so I would recommend using clefable instead as with unaware it is a reliable check to most set up sweepers ( watch out for mega gyara though). Please use Flare Blitz over fire punch and roost over earthquake. You have two Pokemon which can check heatran and you dont need a third. Flare blitz gives you immediate power that charizard X desperately needs.

Hope I helped :)
 
i feel like landorus-T should run at least 8 speed to outrun 44 speed rotom-w, which is its standard spread (to outspeed belly drum azu).

Since you already have several ways to get rid of heatran, for ZardX, I recommend roost>EQ and I really recommend flare blitz > fire punch. Jolly ZardX is a bit weak already and you'll really struggle to OHKO things with a +1 fire punch or dragon claw. Flare blitz gives you the power you want, and is mandatory if you dont run roost IMO.
Click to expand...
It's a well built team man...... Very little wrong with it. I see a hide weakness in your team to SD talonflame. At +2 it practically wipes your team out. And sylveon is weak physically so I would recommend using clefable instead as with unaware it is a reliable check to most set up sweepers ( watch out for mega gyara though). Please use Flare Blitz over fire punch and roost over earthquake. You have two Pokemon which can check heatran and you dont need a third. Flare blitz gives you immediate power that charizard X desperately needs.
Click to expand...


Making these edits now! Later I will edit the OP to include the new members, as well as a past members section.
 
Hmmm, not sure why Dr. Ciel is recommending 96/252/160 adamant zardX; that's an older XY zardX spread which outruns adamant excadrill (so you would need 2 dragon dances to outspeed excadrill in the sand, which you usually don't get). I would only run this spread if you run flare blitz/outrage/tailwind/swords dance zardX, which outspeeds sand rush exca after tailwind.

The ZardX spread of 72 hp/252 attack/184 speed jolly outruns max speed scarfed landorus-T, which is very common. More speed as needed is fine too.

Also I'm really not a fan of cosmic power clefable; its kind of asking to be crit and it doesn't even increase moonblast's damage.
Furthermore, I actually like sylveon > clefable since clefable is so passive; at least sylveon can deal decent damage with hyper voice. Landorus-T with rock slide or rock tomb (over knock off) and rotom-W more than handle talonflame easily so you don't really need fable. Sylveon can run a defensive EV spread if you find it too weak defensively.
 
Hmmm, not sure why Dr. Ciel is recommending 96/252/160 adamant zardX; that's an older XY zardX spread which outruns adamant excadrill (so you would need 2 dragon dances to outspeed excadrill in the sand, which you usually don't get). I would only run this spread if you run flare blitz/outrage/tailwind/swords dance zardX, which outspeeds sand rush exca after tailwind.

The ZardX spread of 72 hp/252 attack/184 speed jolly outruns max speed scarfed landorus-T, which is very common. More speed as needed is fine too.

Also I'm really not a fan of cosmic power clefable; its kind of asking to be crit and it doesn't even increase moonblast's damage.
Furthermore, I actually like sylveon > clefable since clefable is so passive; at least sylveon can deal decent damage with hyper voice. Landorus-T with rock slide or rock tomb (over knock off) and rotom-W more than handle talonflame easily so you don't really need fable. Sylveon can run a defensive EV spread if you find it too weak defensively.
Click to expand...


I had actually been considering either going back to Sylveon, or swapping out Moonblast for Stored Power. Hadn't really decided, but Bubblegum (listed under the past members section) may very well be returning to the team.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top