Snow is Gone (Gen 4 Hail team)

[Delko]

Snow is Gone (Gen 4 Hail team).
Pics made by me, approved by Fatecrashers.​

Introduction:​

Hello and welcome to my last Gen 4 RMT.
I shall finish this gen with my favorite type of team, Hail stall.
This team has a long history: I started using it at the end of the year 2009.
After having it used for a little while I posted this RMT.
Since then I made various other Hail stall teams with all of them having something new in it with which I had positive results.
Now, a little over a year later, I am making my final Hail team for the fourth generation.
Although I will obviously continue in gen 5 ^^.
Anyway, since this is kind of a nostalgic I decided to add a little shoutout to thank the people that have helped so far.​

I hope you'll enjoy the team and if you like you can comment, rate, ...​

Changes will be in red.​

In depth view:​

Abomasnow (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 188 HP / 252 Atk / 68 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)​

- Ice Shard
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Seed Bomb​

Why this Pokemon?​

Credit for this set goes to Haldar who used something similar against me during the Smogon tour, and I've been using this version over all defensive variants all the times. This things not only counters all bulky waters (and LO Starmie is a real common sight these days), but with Ice Shard I can also revenge kill things like Dragonite, Flygon and SD Gliscor. Normally I don't lead of with Abomasnow right away but this variant actually does pretty good against common leads (Machamp isn't that common anymore), it has the chance to OHKO Swampert with Seed Bomb, Ninjask dies to Ice Shard (which comes in handy since I don't have a (p)hazer), Aerodactyl dies to Seed Bomb + Ice Shard and will Taunt first most of the time. Against Azelf and Heatran I switch to my own Heatran on the Fire Blast / Taunt and take them out with either Fire Blast or Earth Power, so most of those leads wont get their Steath Rocks up. Starting the Hail on turn 1 not only destroys opposing Focus Sash'es but it also shows me what kind of pokemon my opponent is using. Like lead Jirachi, I Protect turn on so I can see it's item (it's either Choice Scarf or Leftovers). Nonetheless, since Abomasnow is such an important member of this team (I need Hail up to stall with Walrein and with Sandstorm being common ...) I try to keep him around as long as possible.​

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Heatran @ @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SDef
Naive nature (+SAtk, -Atk)​

- Explosion
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Pulse
- Earth Power​

Why this pokemon?​

Heatran is the revenge killer of the team, being able to switch in on Fire or Ice attacks the rest of my team despise. The moveset and EV's spread is fairly standard so not much could be said about that though. I use Dragon Pulse instead of HP Grass so I can hit Flygon and Kingdra harder. At first I had Flamethrower but Fire Blast's power is just needed. Earth Power is obligatory on Heatran and gives me good coverage.

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Gliscor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)​

- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Aerial Ace​

Why this Pokemon?​

After making a dozen Hail teams there is one thing I concluded, Gliscor is one of those pokemon that works really well on a Hail team. Being able to counter the two biggest threats to a team like this: Tyranitar and Lucario. Gliscor's pretty good defenses allow to take most physical attacks with ease anyway. Aerial Ace might look weird at first but this move allows me damage Levitators (Gengar won't be able to Sub up) and Flyers as well doing SE against the likes of Breloom who could otherwise be a big threat to me otherwise. I didn't see much use in running max speed since I couldn't do much against opposing Gliscor anyway (I don't run Toxic since I have Toxic Spikes) so I used enough to outspeed Lucario and other base 90's and used the remaining EV's to krank up his defensive stat.​

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Tentacruel (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)​

- Rapid Spin
- Blizzard
- Surf
- Toxic Spikes​

Why this Pokemon?​

Tentacruel's resistance to Fire and Fighting attacks, as well as his ability to spin and to set up / absorb Toxic Spikes make him a solid pokemon to use on a Hail team. He is also a good counter against Heatran and Infernape, two pokemon that would be difficult to handle otherwise. Surf is a reliable STAB move and helps with the weakness against Heatran and Infernape. Blizzard abuses Hail and does a good amount to Grass and Dragon types..​

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Rotom-f @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)​

- Thunderbolt
- Blizzard
- Rest
- Sleep Talk​

Why this Pokemon?​

Rotom-f doesn't have much use outside of a Hail team but in one it can show it's true potential. Acting as the status absorber and Spin Blocker of the team it is a very important member. But outside those facts it is also used to counter some specific theats that could otherwise destroy this team, most notable Zapdos (with Heat Wave), Agility-Gross, among others. Because of the Hail making Blizzard a 100% accurate move Rotom can handle offensively with the Boltbeam combination making it rarely as sitting duck and set-up fodder. The special defense EV's allow Rotom to take special hits a bit better.​

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Walrein (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Ice Body
EVs: 220 HP / 252 Def / 36 SDef
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)​

- Substitute
- Protect
- Surf
- Toxic​

Why this Pokemon?​

Stallrein's only way to show it's true potential is running it in a Hail team. While I didn't use Walrein as much as I wanted because I never felt it was good enough to be efficient in OU, I really wanted to use him this time. As most of you might know it could be deadly staller under the right circumstances with his Protect + Subsitute combo while keeping his health Ice Body. It might sound stupid to run Toxic when using Toxic Spikes on the team but that way I can still affect Flyers / Levitators, status healing pokemon, or when I just didn't had the chance to lay them down (or a second time if they where absorbed). Surf is used as the main attack move because it's STAB'ed and it has decent PP. And unlike Blizzard, it can also hurt to Steel types who are immune to poison.​

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Shoutouts:​

Hide

San_Pellegrino: for being a cool smogonist. Good Battler as well.​

Snorlaxe: for speaking French so I can practice it. Good rater and contributor as well.​

Uragg: for being a good battler, contributor and person overall.​

Optimusje: just because Dutch people are cool. ^^​

Lucalibur: for not only amusing me with Pokemon but with other stuff as well. You do like your Fusion Monsters don't you?​

Ginganinja: for being a good rater of my teams (yes all of them).​

Fatecrashers: for being one of the best artist in Smogon, who made my avatar.​

Don Honchkrorleone: for the beautiful Christmas and New Year cards!​

Aerrow: for making a joint RMT with me a year ago. And even though your becoming a big man with badges now, you still remember me.​

STEELDRAGON: for speaking dutch with me (most of the time).​

IronBullet93: very good battler that I know for a while now, your getting better every time we meet. ^^​

Nosferalto: Not only a great rater but speaks French as well!​

Fabbles: for being a great tutor and a friendly person overall.​

And all the others who I might have forgotten to put here.​

 

[Delko]

Threatlist.

Scizor: Countered by Heatran and Rotom.​

Heatran: My own Heatran, Tentacruel or revenge kill by Gliscor. If Walrein is behind Sub he can Surf it.​

Tyranitar: Gliscor is a solid counter. Abomasnow outspeed the -Spe Natured ones and can deal heavy damage with Seed Bomb. Boah are a bit dangerous though, although they're not that common.​

Gyarados: Rotom is my main counter. Abomansnow can handle it decently as well if it lacks Stone Edge / Bounce.​

Gengar: Can be annoying, most of the time I counter with Tentacruel as Shadow Ball will only 3HKO. As long as it doesn't have a Sub up Abomasnow can deal hefty damage with Ice Shard.​

Jirachi: Heatran still OHKO's Jirachi, even at +2 SDef while it can't do much in return. Gliscor can handle the physical ones quite well.​

Rotom-A: Heater versions are handled by Heatran (who can also absorb Trick), washer versions by Abomasnow.​

Starmie: Abomasnow walls it pretty good. Rotom can take a hit thanks to it's special defence investement and Thunderbolt in return.​

:Infernape: Tentacruel is my sure counter, and if needed I can revenge kill it with Walrein who survives a CC when at full health. If Infernape doesn't have HP Ice, Gliscor can take him out as well (still takes a chunk from Fire Blast). Mixed versions who sweep late game are a bit annoying, but with Life Orb and Hail damage and potential Toxic from the Toxic Spikes I can outstall him if played properly.​

Metagross: Rotom covers it and Heatran can revenge kill if needed. Zen headbutt versions with Leftovers could be a bit dangerous but Gliscor can deal a big amount of damage with EQ.​

Swampert: Abomasnow can deal a big amount of damage with Seed Bomb.​

Blissey: Leech Seed drains a lot of health from Blissey. Seismic Toss will not break the Sub from Wallrein (who is faster so it can Sub before getting hit with a status move) and can then continue Toxic Stall.​

Machamp: Heatran deals with Machamp leads pretty good. Rotom can wall it as well.​

Lucario: Gliscor and Heatran can handle it. Rotom can take a hit from it as well.​

Azelf: As a lead Azelf is not my favorite opponent. Usually I switch to Abomasnow on the predicted Taunt or Stealth Rock (it will not Fire Blast against Heatran) so I can get the Hail started to destroy it's Sash. Then back to Heatran to take it out with Overheat or to Rotom on the Explosion. Nasty Plot sweepers have to be stalled by Hail damage and Life Orb recoil or at least weakened so Ice Shard can finish it off.​

Breloom: Tentacruel and Gliscor are both faster and can KO it with either Sludge Bomb or Aerial Ace (Taunt shuts Leech Seed, etc down as well). Rotom can outstall it as well.​

Gliscor: With 100% accurate Blizzards on the team Gliscor isn't really a problem. Abomasnow has Ice Shard as well to deal with it.​

Flygon: Ice Shard is a KO, Rotom can take the physical hits with ease.​

Skarmory: Heatran can kill it with Overheat and Rotom with Thunderbolt, I use this as set up bait for Tentacruel as well as spin fodder.​

Vaporeon: Abomasnow pretty much walls it. Thunderbolt and HP Grass from Rotom and Heatran respectfully deal big amounts of damage as well.​

Jolteon: Abomasnow counters it (although since I'm not max SDef anymore Specs HP Fighting can hurt), Heatran and Gliscor can deal with it as well if it's stuck on a move.​

Suicune: Abomasnow is the best counter for it. Rotom can Thunderbolt it as well.​

Dragonite: Blizzard from Rotom is my first way to go. DD nites are revenged killed by Abomasnow's Ice Shard.​

Celebi: Countered depending on the moveset, most of the time I use Rotom and Blizzard it. Heatran can be use as well.​

Magnezone: Gliscor and Heatran can counter it pretty nicely.​

Zapdos: Rotom is my main check. Abomasnow is good as well if it doesn't have Toxic or Heat Wave.​

Kingdra: Abomasnow can pressure it into using Outrage so Heatran can come in safely and finish it off, it could be dangerous though. Rain sweepers are no problem since I use Hail.​

Togekiss: Rotom resists Air Slash, is immune against Aura Sphere and can Rest of the Paralysis while in return in can go with either of the Boltbeam moves.​

Bronzong: Rotom walls it to no end, Heatran can deal with it as well.​

 

[ginganinja]

Lol Delko uses Walrein on his hail team for once.

Also geez its been a while since i rated a Gen 4 team but I gotta keep up my record of rating your teams man!

Anyway as far as I can see I don't really like Jirachi on the team. Sure, its a nice trick absorber and its perfect for "last pokemon" situations, on the other hand its pretty much a free switch for Heatran who can blast off Fire attacks crippling your team. Tentacruel (and to a lesser extend Wallrein) cannot sponge Fire Attacks forever especially since Tentacruel has no recovery. I really think you need a Heatran on this team so you can deal with opposing Fire attacks. In a perfect world I would suggest your own SpD Heatran (can handle other Heatran, toxic stuff) but you lose out on SR and a trick absorber. You personally I would prefer you ran with a LO Heatran rather than Specs since SR is important to this team and being locked into SR with Specs is usually a bad idea.

Anyway thats my 2 cents rate for the moment, might post again later with a better rate.



Oh and thanks for the shoutout man

 

[Mutiny]

this is quite a tidy looking hail team.

however i agree with jirachi not being an ideal lead, with heatran so common. perhaps try a froslass lead: @focus sash
Evs:252Speed/252SpA/4SpD
Nature:Timid
-Spikes
-Taunt
-Destiny Bond
-Ice Beam

with a high base speed and a timid nature froslass will be able to stop most opposing leads that attempt to lay down entry hazards with taunt. It can then proceed to lay down spikes itself. If you are worried of pokemon switching in that threaten strong fire attacks (such as heatran) you can lay down spikes on the switch, lay down a second layer the next move (or taunt if you suspect stealth rock) hold on with the sash and then use destiny bond to remove one of your main threats the following move.

Froslass can also be brought in late game once the hail has been summoned with stab ice beam and a decent special attack, and a nice ability in snow cloak. its immunity to fakeout and explosion is also nice.

 

[Delko]

Thanks for the rate guys, and just as I thought:

>

EDIT: @ Mutiny: Yeah Froslass is a great pokemon on Hail teams and I've had success with it in the past. But it's really hard to find a slot on this team for it. I could use it instead of Rotom-f as Froslass' part Ghost type allow it to act as a spin-blocker as well but that leaves my team open to other threats like Zapdos, Metagross, etc. Thanks for the suggestion!

EDIT 2: changes have been made.

 

[Delko]

Bump.

 

[AB2]

Hi Delko, this seems like a very nice and unique 4th Gen hail team. First of all this is quite a solid and well presented team and I had difficulty finding a weakness in it; however I do notice one slight problem, Agility Metagross that packs Zen Headbutt over Thunderpunch. Since hail negates leftovers, Life Orb Zen Headbutt is likely a 2HKO on your Rotom after stealth rocks. Also, I notice that Kingdra has the potential to really give you some trouble. Chesto Rest DD Kingdra can set up for free on Heatran locked into overheat and Walrein [sort of] and precede to break down a great portion of your team. Your metagross issue is quite easily fixed really, I would simply run Will-O-Wisp over Blizzard on Rotom, or just switch to a Rest Talk Rotom-H. If you can burn Metagross while it is using Zen Headbutt on Rotom, then obviously your team can easily deal with it from there. Lum Berry Agiligross aren't really a worry as they are very uncommon and can't 2HKO Rotom anyways.

Now my next suggestion will help you out with the Kingdra weakness that you currently hold. Really, I feel that you could use a pokemon to replace Tentacreul, but has similar resistances. As you pointed out before, Tentacreul makes a very solid pokemon on a hail team because it can sponge fire and fighting type attacks; however I would really like you to try out Rest Talk Gyarados over Tentacreul. Rest Talk Gyarados still allows you to win against Infernape and Heatran, but it also allows you to phaze and win against Kingdra as well.

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Impish 248 HP | 252 Def | 8 SpD Intimidate
Rest | Sleep Talk | Waterfall | Roar

Now, you may notice that I just suggested that you get rid of your rapid spinner. I really think that you would benefit from putting another rapid spinner elsewhere who can also set up entry hazards. This is why I want to recommend Forretress over Heatran in the lead position. This will allow you to rapid spin from possibly the beginning of the game as well as get up hazards quite efficiently. Also, Forretress is a steel type just like Heatran meaning that it has similar resistances so you won't be losing anything synergy wise. Contrary to the popular belief, Forretress is quite a good lead, being able to spike on common opposing leads such as Metagross and the occasional Swampert.

Forretress @ Leftovers
Careful 252 HP | 252 SpD | 4 Def Sturdy
Stealth Rocks | Toxic Spikes | Rapid Spin | Payback

Not only does Forretress give you the benefit from rapin spinning in the beginning of the game, but it also provides you with a sub split Gengar check, which as you stated in your threat list, you were in need of. As a quick side note, I would like to suggest that you run 252 HP | 252 Spe | 4 Def for an EV spread on your Gliscor with Toxic over Ariel Ace. That EV spread allows you to break down stall teams much easier, especially ones with opposing Gliscor. It gives you a 50% chance to get a Toxic off on opposing Gliscor which can be detrimental to your team, especially if you are able to outstall it with hail and toxic. Also, you have enough insurance against Breloom to run Toxic over Ariel Ace on Gliscor.

Alright that is all I have to say for now, this is quite a nice team. Good Luck!

 

[comatthew6]

Fire Blast should be used over Overheat on heatran - it doesn't like the SpA drops at all. Shuca should also be used over Choice Specs, as it allows Heatran to survive an Earthquake in most cases. I see your team is really weak to Aerodactyl + Starmie, as none of your Pokemon can beat this combination. As AB2 said, use a Defensive Rotom-A, as it can stop both (the latter to only an extent though). Otherwise, seems like a solid hail team that can give many standard teams problems.

 

[tomtom5858]

Hi

It's HOLE-POKIN' TIME!

I know it isn't common, but Air Slash LO Shaymin will steadily take down your team. EPower obviously OHKOs Heatran, Air Slash 2 or 3KOs Abomasnow, while Ice Shard manages only a 3KO. If threatened by Rotom, It only has to Rest, switch out, and come back in to terrorize your team. Seed Flare 2KOs Rotom, can 2KO Tentacruel, and easily OHKO Walrein.

How to solve this, I dunno, but I hope I poked a big hole in your team. Good luck! ^^

 

[comatthew6]

Hi

It's HOLE-POKIN' TIME!

I know it isn't common, but Air Slash LO Shaymin will steadily take down your team. EPower obviously OHKOs Heatran, Air Slash 2 or 3KOs Abomasnow, while Ice Shard manages only a 3KO. If threatened by Rotom, It only has to Rest, switch out, and come back in to terrorize your team. Seed Flare 2KOs Rotom, can 2KO Tentacruel, and easily OHKO Walrein.

How to solve this, I dunno, but I hope I poked a big hole in your team. Good luck! ^^

Replace one of your Pokemon with Blissey. It doesn't seem like your team has room for it, though.

 

[NatGeo]

Ah, I rememember my first RMT was hail...
But back to business, really well built team. Just a nitpick here, but would it be a good idea to run Roar over Toxic on Walrein? Given the amount of hazards ou are laying down residual damage can rack up. You already have toxic Spikes on your Tentacrual as well. However, if you lean towards keeping Walrein in, be my guest.

 

[Nosferalto]

Solid Hail team man! Hail seems to be one of your favourite playstyles and this is a promising line-up. Heatran over Jirachi was an excellent suggestion, so I'm glad that Heatran is currently included on this team. Upon examination, I can see this team struggling against LO variants of Shaymin and Gengar as well as a mild Kingdra weakness (Chesto Rest and Sub variants). A well played MixNite can also be problematic and DD Extreme Speed Dragonite can prove to be difficult to handle. Fixing these issues isn't as hard as it seems. First of all, I'm going to recommend using a Choice Scarf Heatran, Heatran is a decent Shaymin switch-in but Earthpower is an issue, which is why a Scarf Heatran might be beneficial here as it can act as a mid-game revenge killer for your team, outpacing all of these threats and checking most Dragonite variants and Gengar. With this change, move Gliscor to the lead slot and give it SR > Aerial Ace. Gliscor is an excellent lead in the current metagame, setting up SR while Taunting other leads whilst still being able to come back late game and doing what it does best.

Max out Speed on Gliscor as it allows you to tie with other Gliscor. Could prove to be useful sometimes...

Gliscor is a decent lead but it loses to Machamp and we still need a check to DD Kingdra. Since Machamp almost always carries Lum Berry and DD Kingdra also uses Sub and Lum Berry to block status, WoW won't work here on Rotom-F. I'd advocate Reflect over Blizzard. With this change, Machamp leads are effectively checked as Payback does very little damage with Reflect up and Kingdra and Breloom (which is the reason you ran Aerial Ace on Gliscor) are covered very well. Reflect's utility doesn't end there, it protects Rotom-F from Pursuit, which is crucial considering how important it is to your team. Additionally, Reflect gives your team a shield against physical attacks and allows Rotom-F's team-mates to set-up with greater ease, so consider this move instead of Blizzard.

Tu ne m'as pas mis sur la liste Delko, mais bonne chance comme même =D

 

[Delko]

Okay thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'm sure going to test it all.

Rotom-f:got the suggestion to use Will-o-wisp / Reflect instead of Blizzard. This is a good suggestion, although I'll probably go with Reflect because Will-o-wisp is a bit difficult with Toxic Spikes.

Gyarados > Tentacruel: Gyarados is a big addition to any stall team and I've used Hail teams with him in past so I know it's good. In fact I did use to run a team of Forretress and Gyarados together.

Forretress > Heatran: Although that would make up for the loss of Tentacruel's Rapid Spin, another 4x Fire Weakness would be to hard to handle with Gyarados as my only resist, especially if Stealth Rock is up. Infernape with Stone Edge is a going to be though opponent, but nonetheless I shall try it.

I know it isn't common, but Air Slash LO Shaymin will steadily take down your team. EPower obviously OHKOs Heatran, Air Slash 2 or 3KOs Abomasnow, while Ice Shard manages only a 3KO. If threatened by Rotom, It only has to Rest, switch out, and come back in to terrorize your team. Seed Flare 2KOs Rotom, can 2KO Tentacruel, and easily OHKO Walrein.

True, but even the more common ones with HP Fire > Air Slash are difficult. That's were stalling needs to be done. smart switching and let Poison, Hail and recoil damage take it down. It could be tough though.

Heatran: Choice Scarf instead of Specs makes a lot of sense so that is a certain change, thanks. Obviously I shall give Gliscor SR instead of Aerial Ace then. And Heatran get's Dragon Pulse instead. Also, here Fire Blast will be better then Overheat.

Oh and Nosferalto, I added you to the list ^^

EDIT: changes made to the team.