There Is a Choice To Be Made
Our choices show what we truly are, far more than our abilities
Introduction
Ever since I got back into Pokemon, I've been in a huge slump. I was hardly able to keep my rating on Shoddy above 1200. Pitiful, I know. However, this team has ended my slump. I've easily increased my rating by 200 points since I started using it, but I can't seem to get any higher than 1400 so I've come here for help.
As my title suggests, this team is comprised mostly of Choice users. The one exception to this is Infernape. The team's goal is to unleash the true power of certain Pokemon by outfitting them with Choice items. As you might imagine, this is a heavily prediction based team. The wrong move can often prove costly. However, when used correctly, the payoffs are enormous. The raw power that these Pokemon posses when holding Choice items make my opponent hard pressed to switch into my attacks safely.
Descriptions
The Leads
Breloom @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Poison Heal
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spe, -SpA)
- Spore
- Superpower
- Seed Bomb
- Stone Edge
Heatran @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive nature (+Spe, - SpD)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Explosion
You may be thinking that I'm crazy, but to answer your questions: Yes, I do have two leads. It's a well known fact that there is no such thing as the perfect lead. Every lead has it's own flaws. By using two Pokemon to lead my team, I avoid that. Breloom starts off the battle by putting my opponent's lead to sleep with Spore. This is very important to my team because it keeps Stealth Rock off the field which is nice because nobody on my team has recovery. Naturally, I'm locked into Spore at this point so I have to switch out. That's where Heatran comes in. For some reason, most people assume that Breloom is a standard Sub/Puncher so they send in something to take down Breloom not realizing that I'm switching out. Heatran covers all of Breloom's weaknesses so it's a perfect candidate to bring in. The majority of the time, the Pokemon that my opponent sends in is very scared of Heatran, thus forcing a switch and allowing me to set up Stealth Rock freely. It also keeps Heatran's Scarf a secret which nets me a few surprise kills later in the battle. People don't expect Heatran to be Scarfed after using Stealth Rock.
The Core
As illustrated by the image below, the core of my team resists every type (barring Fighting and Flying) at least twice. This lets me make creative switches and it helps me to avoid getting out predicted by my opponent.
When I was building this team, I started off with Breloom. Then I brought in Heatran to cover Breloom's weaknesses. Latias covers Heatran's weaknesses and Scizor comes in to cover Latias. When I was looking at the my team's weaknesses and resistances at this point, I saw that every Pokemon I had chosen had a resistance to Grass so Swampert was the obvious next pick. Swampert also packs a vital resistance to Rock which lets me cover the ever threatening Tyranitar. They all work together to cover each other which allows me to keep up the offensive while minimizing the amount of damage that I take on each switch.
Breloom @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Poison Heal
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spe, -SpA)
- Spore
- Superpower
- Seed Bomb
- Stone Edge
Once Breloom has finished it's job as a lead, it serves as my check to Gyarados. I am able to out speed Gyarados even after a Dragon Dance (barring Jolly version) and then hit it with Stone Edge which OHKO's after Stealth Rock damage. By switching in on the Dragon Dance, I can take it down without taking any damage. Breloom is also important to my team's success because it gladly switches in on Toxic attempts and enjoys the recovery that it brings. Superpower lets me revenge kill DD Tar early in the game when I want to keep Infernape hidden. It also lets me threaten things like Blissey and Snorlax. Seed Bomb provides me with a strong STAB attack and a way to threaten bulky waters.
Heatran @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive nature (+Spe, - SpD)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Explosion
Heatran's job is to clear the way for my main sweeper, Latias. Heatran takes down the Steel types that wall Draco Meteor with a combination of Fire Blast and Earth Power. It also takes down dedicated special walls like Blissey and Snorlax with Explosion, paving the way for Latias to wreak havoc.
Latias @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest nature (+SpA, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Dragon Pulse
Latias is my main sweeper. It hits incredibly hard with a Modest nature and Choice Specs. Not alot of Pokemon can withstand a Specs boosted Draco Meteor and the few that can are taken care of by the rest of my team or by Latias herself. Surf lets me hit any Steel types and Tyranitar that might try to switch in on my Draco Meteors. Thunderbolt is mainly only for Empoleon as Draco Meteor hits other Water types harder. Dragon Pulse lets me pull off a late game sweep of a weakened team without taking the Special Attacks drops from Draco Meteor.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant nature (+Atk, - SpA)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Scizor finds it's way easily onto my team. It's hard hitting attacks and ability to control momentum were just what my team needed. U-turn allows me to hit Pokemon very hard and then switch in another Pokemon without taking damage. This works great on my team because nobody has recovery and I am able to maintain momentum. It also works great in tandem with Infernape by using Pursuit on threats that can end my sweep such as Latias, Gengar, and Scarfed Rotom. In return, Infernape holds threats like Tyranitar, Empoleon, Lucario in check with Mach Punch which means using Pursuit isn't a huge risk.
Swampert @ Choice Band
Ability: Torrent
104 HP / 204 Atk / 100 Def / 100 Spe
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch
Swampert was basically thrown onto the team because I had 5 resistances to Grass and he seemed like a good fit. I was more or less right. Swampert has performed great - surprising lots of opponents with his power and providing nice bulk for my team, but I feel like there is another Pokemon that would be more useful. The EV's are nicked straight from the analysis so if you don't understand them, check them out here. Any suggestions here are welcome.
The Clean Up Crew
Infernape (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spe, -SpA)
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Fire Punch
- Mach Punch
Infernape's main job is to finish off stall teams. While the core of my team can fire off strong attacks, they can't compete with the defensive prowess of dedicated stall teams. In return, the rest of my team takes down Pokemon like Hippowdon, Rotom, and Suicune who will prevent an Infernape sweep. Infernape also finishes off balanced and offensive teams with a his dual STAB moves and STAB priority.
Conclusion
That's the team. Any rates are appreciated.
Special thanks to my friend Sumeet who inspired me to make a Choice team.
Well, that's it. Rate/hate/steal!