tennisace
not quite too old for this, apparently
approved by talkingtree
OP adapted from laptops' adaptation from Memoric
originally hosted by Memoric
art by Datsplashtho
OP adapted from laptops' adaptation from Memoric
originally hosted by Memoric
art by Datsplashtho
Welcome to the SS Doubles Teambuilding Competition! This is a weekly competition which you can join at any time. Basically, what we are going to do here is see who can build the better team, hence the name. Each week, I will post a core, set, theme, or Pokemon and then you guys will post an importable of a team featuring said concept. Along with the team, you will post a short summary that may include: your teambuilding process, how the team works, replays, etc.; it's gonna look like a mini-RMT of sorts. After a few days, I will close submissions and then anyone can come and vote on the team which they think is best. The winner of the week will get some sweet bragging rights while also having their team featured for everyone to see in the teams Hall of Fame!
Rules and Mechanics
Here's the process of how this competition will be hosted:
- Five (5) days of submission of teams and discussion. Post your entry on the thread, be sure to follow this format!
Code:
<sprites> [hide=Importable][/hide] [hide=Description][/hide]
- Two (2) days of voting for the winning team
- Importable of your team in a hide tag
- A brief description of your teambuilding process and how the team plays in another hide tag together.
- Basically, that means you'll be using TWO hidetags in total.
If you're using sprites, place them outside of the hide tags, not inside them!
Discussion and Changes: People are free to talk about their and other people's teams in this thread. People can make suggestions to other people's teams but only to an extent; while you can suggest small things such as a nature change or move change, don't change up their team's structure or rebuild it because there's a different forum (RMT) for that. This isn't an RMT thread.
On Winning: If you win, congratulations! You'll have your name and team featured in the Hall of Fame.
On Copying Teams: Please don't. This just ruins the fun we can get out of this competition and is against the rules. You'll be DQ'd from the week if you were found copying other people's teams. If you suspect someone of doing this, PM me. Hopefully no one would do this, but take this as a warning.
On Bandwagoning / Namevoting: Please don't do this either. Don't just vote for a guy just because they have a ton of votes already or they're famous. Don't feel pressured to vote for anyone for any reason other than having the best team. If you really think a team is the best out there, vote for that team; don't let anything pressure you to do otherwise. Bandwagoning just ruins the spirit of this competition and isn't cool :[
On Self-Voting: It's not allowed. Votes for a user's own team will now be ignored. Those who built for the current round are likely to be knowledgeable on what an effective team featuring the given concept looks like, so you are encouraged to vote for whichever other team you feel most deserves to be featured.
On Suggestions: If you have any suggestions for this competition, feel free to PM me. It'll be considered, but there are ultimately no promises if it'll be implemented.
On Slashes: In play, you can only bring four moves; whatever set of moves you choose slashes is reflective of your own skill as a builder, and having slashes in a submission would be against the point. This is your own team; this isn't an analysis.
On Tiers: A week is for SS DOU unless stated otherwise.
On Quality of Submissions: I would highly recommend testing out your teams before submitting them to the thread. This will allow you to fix possible mistakes in your team and even provide you with replays for your post, which, all together, allows for a more polished submission. Also, while I definitely intend to encourage creativity within the competition, I am reserving the right to disqualify any submissions that are outlandishly poor and or lacking in coherency and thought.
On Deadlines: While I do give set deadlines, real life events and happenings may lead me to not being able to follow them strictly... basically, as long as I haven't called for voting, the submission round is still live. For the voting period, I will only count votes before the deadlines I set, however.
On Ties: In the case of ties, the host (tennisace) will make the final vote to break the tie.
Week 1: GMax Lapras by GenOne
Week 2: Corviknight by YoBuddy
Week 3: Hydreigon by YoBuddy
Week 4: Durant by YoBuddy
Week 5: Flapple by Yellow Paint
Week 6: Nasty Plot Rotom-W by AuraRayquaza
The Hydra (Lapras-Gmax) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Freeze-Dry
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
Kleon (Excadrill) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Protect
Iokaste (Tyranitar) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance
- Protect
Nyx (Whimsicott) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Energy Ball
- Tailwind
- Helping Hand
- Beat Up
Polemon (Arcanine) @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Extreme Speed
- Protect
Deimos (Corviknight) @ Leftovers
Ability: Mirror Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Iron Head
- Bulk Up
- Roost
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Freeze-Dry
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
Kleon (Excadrill) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Protect
Iokaste (Tyranitar) @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Rock Slide
- Dragon Dance
- Protect
Nyx (Whimsicott) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Energy Ball
- Tailwind
- Helping Hand
- Beat Up
Polemon (Arcanine) @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Extreme Speed
- Protect
Deimos (Corviknight) @ Leftovers
Ability: Mirror Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Iron Head
- Bulk Up
- Roost
One of my main goals for this build was to make a team where Lapras wasn't deadweight if I chose to Dynamax a different Pokemon instead of it. Outside of Lapras's G-Max Resonance niche, I noticed that Lapras also does a fantastic job at deterring strong Water-types that sand teams dislike. Common Water-type breakers like Dracovish and Gyrados take an L from Lapras's Freeze Dry, as do rain sweepers like Ludicolo and Seismitoad. With this in mind, I decided that a Lapras + sand core would be fun to build around.
Both Lapras and Tyranitar carry Weakness Policy to bait in SE attacks. Either mon, in Dynamax forme, can easily sponge a SE hit and retaliate. If Lapras happens to be the Gigantamax star of the show, the screens it sets will also help Tyranitar sponge SE hits later on.
I added Whimsicott for its reliable speed control, Gastrodon hunting abilities, and overall splendid presence as a support mon.
Arcanine was added as an obligatory Fire-type to deal with Steel-types like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. Beat Up Whimsicott + Justified Arcanine was low hanging fruit at this point, so I tossed that in, but this team should be balanced enough that you don't need to rely on that as a crutch -- it's just extra firepower if you happen to be in a position to deploy the strat.
Corviknight serves as a bulky wincon to pressure more agressive teams. Excadrill technically isn't a Steel-type because it goes on all-out offense, so I figured that a defensive Steel-type wouldn't be redundant on this team.
I'm sure there's room to improve this team, but overall I'm happy with the framework I came up with and I hope some people enjoy giving this team a shot :)
Both Lapras and Tyranitar carry Weakness Policy to bait in SE attacks. Either mon, in Dynamax forme, can easily sponge a SE hit and retaliate. If Lapras happens to be the Gigantamax star of the show, the screens it sets will also help Tyranitar sponge SE hits later on.
I added Whimsicott for its reliable speed control, Gastrodon hunting abilities, and overall splendid presence as a support mon.
Arcanine was added as an obligatory Fire-type to deal with Steel-types like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. Beat Up Whimsicott + Justified Arcanine was low hanging fruit at this point, so I tossed that in, but this team should be balanced enough that you don't need to rely on that as a crutch -- it's just extra firepower if you happen to be in a position to deploy the strat.
Corviknight serves as a bulky wincon to pressure more agressive teams. Excadrill technically isn't a Steel-type because it goes on all-out offense, so I figured that a defensive Steel-type wouldn't be redundant on this team.
I'm sure there's room to improve this team, but overall I'm happy with the framework I came up with and I hope some people enjoy giving this team a shot :)
Week 2: Corviknight by YoBuddy
Gyarados @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Bounce
- Power Whip
- Protect
Dracozolt @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bolt Beak
- High Horsepower
- Dragon Claw
- Protect
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Moonblast
- Helping Hand
- Worry Seed
Sylveon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 216 HP / 252 SpA / 40 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Mystical Fire
- Moonblast
- Hyper Beam
Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Mirror Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 232 SpD / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Body Press
- Bulk Up
- Roost
Rhyperior @ Lum Berry
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 60 SpD / 196 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- High Horsepower
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Bounce
- Power Whip
- Protect
Dracozolt @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bolt Beak
- High Horsepower
- Dragon Claw
- Protect
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Moonblast
- Helping Hand
- Worry Seed
Sylveon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 216 HP / 252 SpA / 40 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Mystical Fire
- Moonblast
- Hyper Beam
Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Mirror Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 232 SpD / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Body Press
- Bulk Up
- Roost
Rhyperior @ Lum Berry
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 60 SpD / 196 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- High Horsepower
- Swords Dance
- Protect
I started this team with the core of Gyarados + Dracozolt. Gyarados is immune to ground and can OHKO all the ground types in the format and boost Dracozolt's speed with Max Airstream. I pretty much add Whimsicott automatically to most teams without Trick Room. Prankster Tailwind is just too powerful not to have. Whimsicott often gets targeted with Fake Out so Helping Hand is nice because has higher priority, especially when you are trapped by Gothitelle. From there I wanted some strong spread moves to help get around the likes of Indeedee and Sylveon + fast Rhyperior fit the team well. Rhyperior is Lum Berry over Weakness Policy because it has less bulk than the Trick Room set and Gyarados and Dracozolt are also vulnerable to Will-o-wisp and I Dynamax them more often than Rhyperior. Finally I added Corviknight to improve the sand matchup and for a solid Fairy resist. Impish nature boosts Corviknight's best stat and allows it to deal more damage with Body Press. I already had 3 fire resists and 2 Electric resists/immunities so Corviknight fits really well here.
Week 3: Hydreigon by YoBuddy
Hydreigon @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Protect
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Moonblast
- U-turn
- Helping Hand
Darmanitan-Galar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Gorilla Tactics
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Flare Blitz
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
Arcanine @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 44 SpA / 104 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Gyarados @ Lum Berry
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Bounce
- Power Whip
- Protect
Mew @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Imprison
- Transform
- Trick Room
- U-turn
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Protect
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Moonblast
- U-turn
- Helping Hand
Darmanitan-Galar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Gorilla Tactics
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Flare Blitz
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
Arcanine @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 44 SpA / 104 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Gyarados @ Lum Berry
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Bounce
- Power Whip
- Protect
Mew @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Imprison
- Transform
- Trick Room
- U-turn
Instead of Scarf Hydreigon I opted for Weakness Policy. Weakness Policy is a pretty broken item in SWSH, abusing the extra bulk and power of Dynamax to its fullest potential. Hydreigon's +2 Max Steelspike OHKOs every (non Babiri/Sash/Dynamax) Fairy in the meta and Hydreigon is faster than all of them except Whimsicott. I made up for the lack of immediate speed with extra speed control options for the other members of the team. U-Turn Whimsicott is the mon of choice to activate Weakness Policy. U-Turn is a useful move on Whimsicott as it often finds itself switching out to keep the option of a late game Tailwind. Being able to escape Gothitelle's Shadow Tag is also really useful. As many people have identified Dragapult is a big threat to Hydreigon. I added Scarf Darmanitan for some extra speed control and to threaten Dragapult. Arcanine helps give the team a defensive backbone as a Fairy resist and Intimidate support. Keeping the speed advantage and offensive pressure was important to me so I added Lum Berry Moxie Gyarados. Being able to boost allies to +1 speed with Max Airstream to outspeed Dragapult is very useful and Gyarados is a good wincon by itself. Mew brings the team together. So far the team is very weak to Trick Room and I needed an iron clad way of preventing it in one slot. Duraludon, while literally iron clad, needs support beyond Whimsicott's Helping Hand to KO Babiri Berry Hatterene, which makes it a pretty medicore Trick Room check on this team, so I removed Duraludon for Mew after some testing. Beyond the standard Imprison/Transform/Trick Room set I added U-Turn as another way to activate Hydreigon's Weakness Policy and to use Mew's bulk to pivot in the more frail members of the team. Transform also allows me to gain another sweeper by Transforming into my own boosted Hydreigon/Gyarados. Triple U-Turn gives me plenty of options to keep momentum and bring in Hydreigon/Gyarados to Dynamax and win the game.
Week 4: Durant by YoBuddy
Durant @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- X-Scissor
- Stomping Tantrum
- Rock Slide
Torkoal @ Charcoal
Ability: Drought
Level: 99
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Eruption
- Solar Beam
- Heat Wave
- Protect
Vileplume @ Focus Sash
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- After You
Gothitelle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 132 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Fake Out
- Helping Hand
- Heal Pulse
- Trick Room
Braviary (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Tailwind
- Protect
Rhyperior @ Lum Berry
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Rock Slide
- High Horsepower
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- X-Scissor
- Stomping Tantrum
- Rock Slide
Torkoal @ Charcoal
Ability: Drought
Level: 99
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Eruption
- Solar Beam
- Heat Wave
- Protect
Vileplume @ Focus Sash
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- After You
Gothitelle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 132 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Fake Out
- Helping Hand
- Heal Pulse
- Trick Room
Braviary (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Tailwind
- Protect
Rhyperior @ Lum Berry
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Rock Slide
- High Horsepower
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
I wanted to go with an offensive build to maintain the pressure that Dynamax Durant exerts. I was inspired by Paraplegic's Lapras sun team that was able to pressure Trick Room teams without running Duraludon or something passive, like Jail Mew. Durant dies to every fire attack anyway so sun isn't really an issue for it. Gothitelle + Durant is a really strong lead that lets you KO opposing mons with Helping Hand + Durant's strong Max moves or switch out if the opponent leads with Intimidate. Fake Out + Shadow Tag allows you to remove opposing Whimsicott before it can set Tailwind, which Durant really appreciates. After You + Trick Room allows you to set Trick Room at +0 priority, which is occasionally pivotal in securing a late game Torkoal sweep. Braviary is my Tailwind mon of choice, and combined with Gothitelle helps Durant to avoid wasting Dynamax turns getting Intimidated. I often prefer bulky Braviary but Jolly is nice to outspeed Dragapult at +1, which can threaten this team. Rhyperior rounds out the Trick Room side of the team and has Stealth Rock to also help deal with Intimidate cycling in case Gothitelle gets KO'd or Taunted. I used Lum Berry over Weakness Policy because I don't have any good ways to activate it myself. Overall its a really solid team that has a variety of ways to deal damage quickly with Durant and Torkoal and After You Vileplume.
Here's a ladder game vs stax featuring this team
Here's a ladder game vs stax featuring this team
Week 5: Flapple by Yellow Paint
Flapple @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Acrobatics
- Grav Apple
- Outrage
- Protect
Dragapult @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Phantom Force
- Dragon Darts
- Steel Wing
- Protect
Sylveon @ Throat Spray
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Quick Attack
- Helping Hand
- Protect
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Energy Ball
- Tailwind
- U-turn
Arcanine @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 4 Def / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Protect
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Acrobatics
- Grav Apple
- Outrage
- Protect
Dragapult @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Phantom Force
- Dragon Darts
- Steel Wing
- Protect
Sylveon @ Throat Spray
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Quick Attack
- Helping Hand
- Protect
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Energy Ball
- Tailwind
- U-turn
Arcanine @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 4 Def / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Protect
WP + Dynamax is broken, so let's have two! I really wanted to use Quick Attack Sylv, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity. WP Flapple kills practically everything, and Acro fits nicely for Airstream boosts, high bp after WP, and hitting Whimsi. Flapple's biggest issue is that it sometimes just dies before it can do anything, so Whimsi's a natural addition to help it move first. U-Turn's there for extra WP cheese, though it's also useful vs Goth or just pivoting after a Twind. Arc and Exca round out the team, really can't go wrong using em. Overall, the team is kinda reliant on Flap/Drag maxing and racking up kills, but I've found it's surprisingly flexible between Whimsi and Sylv.
Week 6: Nasty Plot Rotom-W by AuraRayquaza
Rotom-Wash @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 44 SpA / 100 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
Togekiss @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Super Luck
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 108 HP / 156 SpA / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Follow Me
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam
- Heat Wave
Hitmontop (M) @ Shed Shell
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 240 HP / 212 Atk / 52 Def / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- Bullet Punch
- Wide Guard
Gothitelle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Spe
Bold Nature
- Fake Out
- Heal Pulse
- Taunt
- Psychic
Tyranitar @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Atk / 52 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Crunch
- Rock Slide
- Protect
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Protect
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 44 SpA / 100 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
Togekiss @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Super Luck
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 108 HP / 156 SpA / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Follow Me
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam
- Heat Wave
Hitmontop (M) @ Shed Shell
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 240 HP / 212 Atk / 52 Def / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- Bullet Punch
- Wide Guard
Gothitelle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Spe
Bold Nature
- Fake Out
- Heal Pulse
- Taunt
- Psychic
Tyranitar @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Atk / 52 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Crunch
- Rock Slide
- Protect
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
- Protect
There's not actually too much that's special here. I much prefer Bold Rotom-W because it can still switch into and check the stuff it needs to but also has the power to KO stuff after a NP. It outspeeds Durant at +1 (from possible Airstreams) and OHKOs bulky Togekiss at +2. WP Togekiss is eh but very much so usable next to BP Hitmontop. They support Rotom quite nicely with Intimidate, Follow Me and Wide Guard while being an offensive threat by themselves. Togekiss outspeeds Dragapult at +1 and lives a hit that I honestly can't remember :x Shed Shell Hitmontop is so epic for being able to switch out of Gothitelle, so they can't start forcing 2v1 situations. Speaking of which, my own Gothitelle traps stuff and Taunts Indeedees/TR setters. Has some speed creep to Taunt/Fake Out other Goth. I wanted SR on the team, felt a bit weak to Gmax Zard, and wanted a bit of speed since I couldn't fit TW on. I added a sand core to help with all of these. Lum Tyranitar is quite nice for taking a burn then slapping Arcanines back. LO Excadrill is very useful on this team because the Duraludon matchup is a bit sketchy otherwise.
Week 7: Melmetal by YoBuddy
Week 8: Zeraora by Qwello Lee
Week 9: No Tier 1 Pokemon by Yuichi
Week 10: Doubling Up in Doubles by talkingtree
Gothitelle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 132 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Fake Out
- Trick Room
- Helping Hand
- Psychic
Torkoal @ Charcoal
Ability: Drought
Level: 99
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Eruption
- Solar Beam
- Heat Wave
- Protect
Venusaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- Protect
Melmetal @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Double Iron Bash
- High Horsepower
- Substitute
- Protect
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 1
EVs: 1 HP
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Endeavor
- Trick Room
- Protect
Dracozolt @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bolt Beak
- High Horsepower
- Dragon Claw
- Protect
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 132 SpD
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Fake Out
- Trick Room
- Helping Hand
- Psychic
Torkoal @ Charcoal
Ability: Drought
Level: 99
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Eruption
- Solar Beam
- Heat Wave
- Protect
Venusaur @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- Protect
Melmetal @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Double Iron Bash
- High Horsepower
- Substitute
- Protect
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
Level: 1
EVs: 1 HP
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Endeavor
- Trick Room
- Protect
Dracozolt @ Life Orb
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bolt Beak
- High Horsepower
- Dragon Claw
- Protect
I said on my VR post that I think Sun Semiroom is a strong archetype right now so I decided to build around that. Gothitelle is my Trick Room setter of choice because Shadow Tag is extremely good and helps you win any potential weather wars and lets you eliminate key threats with Helping Hand and a partner. Torkoal is pretty standard, even being level 99 is common these days. I went for Substitute Melmetal because it pairs well with Gothitelle's Shadow Tag, which lets you get a Sub off before being Intimidated. With Helping Hand Gothitelle and Fake Out immunity due to Substitute you can then OHKO Incineroar if it does decide to switch in (or if you trapped it before Melmetal came in). Venusaur adds some speed to the team and most teams are not well prepared for fast Sleep Powders right now. I tried a bunch of different things in the final 2 slots and I settled on a really fun duo. Level 1 Whimsicott puts heaps of pressure on opponents with the ability to drop any non Dynamaxed/Ghost type mon down to 1 HP as well as providing Tailwind for the fast members of the team. Protect on Whimsicott helps you take advantage of double targets and Fake Out, which Whimsicott is typically quite weak to. Level 1 Whimsicott actually makes for a powerful offensive combo when paired with Gothitelle due to the threat of Fake Out, Trick Room on both and being able to OHKO most of the meta with Endeavour + Psychic once Trick Room is up. Adding offensive presence to 2 mons that are usually quite passive changes matchups greatly. Dracozolt takes advantage of Whimsicott's Tailwind and kills Water/Flying mons that Torkoal or Venusaur might otherwise struggle with.
Replay vs Dawoblefet's new cancer team
Replay vs Purple Rain Lele in a roomtour final
Replay vs Dawoblefet's new cancer team
Replay vs Purple Rain Lele in a roomtour final
Week 8: Zeraora by Qwello Lee
Dragapult @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Darts
- Phantom Force
- Fly
- Protect
Primarina @ Leftovers
Ability: Liquid Voice
EVs: 208 HP / 252 SpA / 48 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Protect
Incineroar @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 92 SpD / 12 Spe
Careful Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
Zeraora @ Salac Berry
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 172 HP / 84 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Snarl
- Fling
- Plasma Fists
Melmetal @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Body Press
- Acid Armor
- Protect
Mew @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fake Out
- Transform
- Imprison
- Trick Room
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Darts
- Phantom Force
- Fly
- Protect
Primarina @ Leftovers
Ability: Liquid Voice
EVs: 208 HP / 252 SpA / 48 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Protect
Incineroar @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 152 Def / 92 SpD / 12 Spe
Careful Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
Zeraora @ Salac Berry
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 172 HP / 84 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Snarl
- Fling
- Plasma Fists
Melmetal @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Double Iron Bash
- Body Press
- Acid Armor
- Protect
Mew @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fake Out
- Transform
- Imprison
- Trick Room
I find zeraora kinda awkward to fit on teams, offensively I almost always find myself valuing more rotom's additional stab coverage and as a support option there are clearly better alternatives. Its one niche is being faster than dragapult and offering some good support moves, so I decided to start with the pair dragapult-zeraora and to use the latter to activate pult's weakness policy with fling, allowing me to snipe opposing dragapult and to apply immense pressure from the start. Dragapult's set is pretty standard, fly>acrobatics becuase max airstream from fly is a guaranteed OHKO on venusaur. As for zeraora I went with plasma fists>volt switch beacuse I wanted a way to pressure opposing togekiss a bit more. The general idea of the team was to use boosted dragapult to break early and remove the opponent's answers to one of my setup mons, so I added two setup wincons in acid armor melmetal and CM primarina, inspired by a sub-CM set I had seen on ladder (sub became protect later in testing). Lastly I added incin to further support my wincons and jail mew because I needed a way to reliably stop trick room from going up with a single mon. Aside from the ability to win endgames by itself mew also offers the possibility to tranform into boosted melmetal/primarina, doubling the pressure on the opponent
Week 9: No Tier 1 Pokemon by Yuichi
Bushfire (Charizard-Gmax) @ Life Orb
Ability: Solar Power
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heat Wave
- Air Slash
- Focus Blast
- Protect
Starstruck (Hatterene-Gmax) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 3 Spe
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick Room
- Protect
Befuddled (Butterfree-Gmax) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sleep Powder
- Rage Powder
- U-turn
- Hurricane
Yellostone (Torkoal) @ Heat Rock
Ability: Drought
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 3 Spe
- Heat Wave
- Eruption
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
BAgs of money (Venusaur) @ Wide Lens
Ability: Chlorophyll
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Leaf Storm
- Sleep Powder
- Protect
le Gourmand (Snorlax-Gmax) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Facade
- High Horsepower
- Belly Drum
- Protect
Ability: Solar Power
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heat Wave
- Air Slash
- Focus Blast
- Protect
Starstruck (Hatterene-Gmax) (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 3 Spe
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Trick Room
- Protect
Befuddled (Butterfree-Gmax) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sleep Powder
- Rage Powder
- U-turn
- Hurricane
Yellostone (Torkoal) @ Heat Rock
Ability: Drought
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 3 Spe
- Heat Wave
- Eruption
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
BAgs of money (Venusaur) @ Wide Lens
Ability: Chlorophyll
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Leaf Storm
- Sleep Powder
- Protect
le Gourmand (Snorlax-Gmax) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Facade
- High Horsepower
- Belly Drum
- Protect
4 possible Gmaxes which are all super annoying to deal with on their own thrown into a single team to maximize the fun. Sunroom is broke. Double sleep is broke. Hard tork and sleep the exca against sand. Gmax whatever you think can maximize the fun otherwise. Thick Fat lax is for sun. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
Week 10: Doubling Up in Doubles by talkingtree
Mew @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fake Out
- Transform
- Tailwind
- U-turn
Blastoise @ Mystic Water
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Water Spout
- Dark Pulse
- Shell Smash
- Protect
Gothitelle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 140 SpD / 116 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Pulse
- Helping Hand
- Taunt
- Protect
Incineroar @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 84 SpD / 8 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Fake Out
- Overheat
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
Rotom-Fan @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 172 HP / 120 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Air Slash
- Thunderbolt
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
Duraludon @ Life Orb
Ability: Stalwart
EVs: 252 SpA / 28 SpD / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fake Out
- Transform
- Tailwind
- U-turn
Blastoise @ Mystic Water
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Water Spout
- Dark Pulse
- Shell Smash
- Protect
Gothitelle @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 140 SpD / 116 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Pulse
- Helping Hand
- Taunt
- Protect
Incineroar @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 84 SpD / 8 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Fake Out
- Overheat
- Knock Off
- Parting Shot
Rotom-Fan @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 172 HP / 120 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Air Slash
- Thunderbolt
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
Duraludon @ Life Orb
Ability: Stalwart
EVs: 252 SpA / 28 SpD / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Draco Meteor
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
I took inspiration from Nails's Week 1 team from last Snake and started around Transform Mew + Water Spout Blastoise + Heal Pulse Gothitelle. Incineroar is still around and even has Parting Shot now, so that was an easy add. I was looking for a Kartana replacement (Transform target with low HP to simulate great bulk when Transformed) and stumbled into Rotom-Fan. It's a little bit out there, but Rotom-Fan resists both Double Iron Bash and Body Press, gives Max Airstream boosts, and has decent coverage against the tier, hitting Dragapult, Whimsicott, Togekiss, Gothitelle, Venusaur, and Charizard all super effectively. Stealth Rock was key for a few calcs (+0 Fantom Max Darkness KOing Dragapult, +0 Blastoise Mystic Water Water Spout KOing most Incin), but I didn't want Ttar to chip down Blastoise and I already had two Psychics so i didn't want to go with Necrozma either. Duraludon's still strong even if it's not a Melmetal, so I slapped that on last. This team might not be very good but it's definitely fun and I beat sun with it, so that's something.
Week 11: Revenge of the GMax by Commander Beta
Reuniclus and oranguru both set up tr and are threats on their own, or due to instruct respectively. The first recieves an accuracy boost to it's 'focus' blast, while the later provides it with gravity, Rhyperior also benefits to a lesser extent. Tsareena counters gastrodon and allows the team to forget about being faked out or prankster status. Melmetal and rhyperior are together, the two physical attacker and main recipients of instruct. Meanwhile incineroar, well, do I have to really explain, the only weird thing I added was taunt to prevent setup and status, mainly hypnosis milotic.
Week 12: The Lollipop Guild by current!!
Week 13: No Glove All Love by (Week of May 11th)
Week 14: What's new, Pussycat? by (Week of May 25th)
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