Introduction
Recently it has been really difficult for me to think of a creative team to use since everything is so focused on Jynx, Primeape, and Scolipede. However, Zeb and MMF mentioned the idea of using Nasty Plot Midreavus, which really intruged me since could really catch the opponent by surprise due to most people using the defensive set to counter Primeape and Scolipede. I figured it would go along well with hazard support since it couldn't get very many kills by itself and doubles as a spin blocker capable of handling every spinner to some extent. Garbodor was chosen over Scolipede for its ability to counter Fighting-types more comfortably, as Misdreavus couldn't take hits as well as it normally would. Also featured are Carracosta and Serperior; two other sweepers that are very effective in the current metagame.
This team has been relatively successful on the ladder and has won me a bunch of battles for NUgger Bridge when I was the challenger. It has some annoying threats which I will go over later, but it can generally deal with everything as long as I don't misplay or get haxed.
The Team
Piloswine @
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 240 HP | 252 Atk | 16 Spd
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Icicle Spear
- Ice Shard
I always carry a Ground-type on my teams since Electric-types would otherwise have their way with Volt Switch. Other candidates usually include Golem, Seismitoad, and Golurk but Piloswine deals with Jynx better than those Pokemon due to its massive bulk when equipped with Eviolite. The moves are as standard as it gets, but they're still really effective when it comes to supporting the team and hitting hard. Icicle Spear has the advantage of always breaking Jynx's substitutes and could get in some extra hits.
Garbodor @
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 252 HP | 240 Def | 16 Spd
Nature: Impish (+Def, -SAtk)
- Spikes
- Toxic
- Gunk Shot
- Rock Blast
It might seem ironic for me to use Garbodor in the current metagame when I used to hate on it all the time, but this guy is just simply too useful to let go of. What seperates it from Scolipede is its ability to counter Primeape, which—unlike Sawk—doesn't run Earthquake. Rocky Helmet punishes it for trying to U-Turn out and is great for racking up damage on basically every physical threat. Toxic allows me to wear down the opponent even more, allowing me to grab free turns to set up Spikes as the residual damage kicks in. It is great for crippling Musharna without Heal Bell, Wartortle, various Ground-types, and other common switch-ins to Garbodor.
Serperior @
Trait: Overgrow
EVs: 4 Def | 252 SAtk | 252 Spd
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Substitute
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Rock]
This is one of the most underrated sweepers in the tier and is capable of sweeping through entire teams once it gets going. It's really easy to set up on something like Alomomola or Seismitoad or force Golurk and friends out with the threat of Giga Drain. Serperior's high speed makes it hard to revenge kill without a Choice Scarf user and it usually has enough bulk to survive a hit or two from those Pokemon. The greatest thing about this set is that if I can't do enough damage to the opponent, I can simply Substitute down into Overgrow range, which allows me to land a huge hit on the opponent and regain back a lot of HP. Hidden Power Rock is the best possible coverage move for Serperior since it hits Scolipede, Jynx, and Flying-types.
Carracosta @
Trait: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 Atk | 4 Def | 252 Spd
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Shell Smash
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
Shell Smash Carracosta is one of the most dangerous physical attackers in the tier. After a boost, even Tangela is cleanly 2HKOed while Alomomola can be finished off with a full field of hazards. Aqua Jet makes this set extremely hard to revenge kill since Rotom-S and Primeape can be picked off as long as they have been worn down a little bit. Carracosta acts as the Flying and Normal type check of the team as Solid Rock allows it to take even their coverage moves exceptionally well. Standard Kangaskhan cannot hope to even 2HKO with Earthquake.
Misdreavus @
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def | 252 SAtk | 252 Spd
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
Defensive Misdreavus is so common in today's metagame that nobody really expects this set anymore. One I grab a Nasty Plot by forcing a switch against a Pokemon Misdreavus normally counters, something is usually going to faint or be severely crippled. The first three moves are pretty standard, but Will-O-Wisp is usually never seen on Offensive Misdreavus. I like it because you can land a burn in on Pokemon that will otherwise give you a lot of troubles, such as Skuntank or Lickilicky. However, Pain Split or Substitute are viable options and both have their benefits.
Jynx @
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 Def | 252 SAtk | 252 Spd
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Ice Beam
- Trick
Jynx is usually seen sweeping through teams with a Life Orb or Nasty Plot set while taking advantage of Lovely Kiss, but its Choice Scarf set is also one extremely effective at what it does. Although you don't have a momentum grabbing move such as U-Turn or Volt Switch, Jynx's coverage and excellent offensive typing allows it to act as a revenger killer for basically every threat in the metagame. It also has a decent surprise factor which allows me to get a quick kill on Pokemon such as Scolipede and Swellow looking to do the same thing. Trick can come in handy against defensive teams or in case I need cripple something like Metang or Munchlax really badly for some reason.
Threat List
- Riolu: This little guy can usually be stopped by Carraocosta's Aqua Jet, but Some variants may run enough speed which means that I am helpless against it. Probably the biggest threat to this team, but luckily it's uncommon.
- Jynx: To much dismay this team doesn't have a dedicated Jynx counter so I usually sacrifice Garbodor to sleep and take it down with Piloswine, Serperior, or my own Jynx if the opponent is weakened enough. Hazards really hurt it and sets carrying Leftovers usually dooesn't hit hard enough to sweep this team.
- Gardevoir: It is similar to Jynx in that nothing can switch into it safely, but it lacks the ability to put something to sleep meaning it can only get a free kill if it comes in on Garbodor since it can't OHKO anything else.
- Roselia: It can wall Serperior and Misdreavus to an extent; and Spikes really hurts this team due to nothing having reliable recovery, but it can be taken down by Jynx and Piloswine rather easily. Considering changing Carracosta to Jolly to outspeed and smack around this guy.
- Primeape: Only dangerous if Garbodor dies while setting up Spikes, which unfortunately happens pretty often. Misdreavus can still take hits pretty well from the Choice Scarf set and Carracosta or Piloswine can hit it with priority so it can usually be managed.
- Moo: The paralysis it spreads is really annoying and it often carries Sap Sipper which renders Serperior useless until it is removed from the game. Luckily, those sets usually lack a way to hit Misdreavus or Carracosta, but the occasional offensive set with Punishment might prove to be dangerous.
Conclusion
This RMT is dedicated to CBB
