I will preface this post with a disclaimer: this is my first competitive team. I've done some research and playtesting, and this is the first team that has me a positive win percentage in wifi battles. That said, I'm barely above .500. I know it has weaknesses, and I would like some suggestions as to how to improve my team.
Charcoal (Smeargle) Focus sash | Own Tempo
Timid | 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Shell Smash
- Spore
- Sticky Web
- Baton Pass
My goal with this team is essentially to win the tempo battle. I want to gain as many 2-for-1 opportunities over my opponents as possible, and it all starts with this guy. Maybe I try to do to much by both setting up entry hazards and passing a shell smash on, but timid Smeargle has surprised me with how may turns it can survive without getting touched. Once my opponent's lead is gone, sticky web keeps my opponents speed in check, and gives me a 2-for-1 over every entering pokemon. If I get away with passing on a Shell Smash, things usually get out of hand pretty quickly.
Royce (Machamp) @Quick Claw | No Guard
Adamant | 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe
- Toxic
- Dynamic Punch
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
A Shell Smash Machamp is a terrifying thing to behold. Boosted speed off of a smash and 100% accuracy (via No Guard) Dynamic Punch gives me additional leverage, providing tremendous 2-for-1 STAB damage with a guaranteed confusion chance. Toxic is a safety net. While the other 3 moves deal 100 base damage each, Toxic says "I have no answers...yet." But if I can stall long enough, Toxic wears down the opponent and allows me to regain tempo when the poison wears down a threat.
Shadow (Greninja) Life Orb | Protean
Modest | 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Surf
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- U-Turn
When I considered Greninja for this team, I considered two things: value and coverages. Pound-for-pound, Greninja is one of the best Special Sweepers in the game, and coupled with blazing speed and guaranteed STAB bonuses off of four uniquely typed moves, I quickly added him to the mix. Going with the tempo theme, I heavily considered Scald over Surf, as it has a high chance to additionally burn the target, (another 2-for-1) but opted for the heavier hitter with Surf. I could still be wrong. Curious to hear your thoughts.
Tesla (Jolteon) Choice Specs | Volt Absorb
Timid | 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Thunder Wave
- Volt Switch
In the same vein as Greninja, Jolteon is an efficient 2-for-1 heavy hitter that can switch out and deal damage at the same time. Thunder wave provides additional crippling options if I need to stall for a bit to regain tempo, and Shadow Ball is simply a coverage option.
Eros (Togekiss) Leftovers | Serene Grace
Calm | 252 HP / 252 Spe / 4 Def
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunder Wave
- Air Slash
- Roost
Togekiss is the queen of 2-for-1s with the amazing ability, Serene Grace. With opponents paralyzed off of Thunder Wave, Air Slash chops opponents to pieces by leaving them completely crippled, and if the benefactor of a Shell Smash, Togekiss gets out of hand. Dazzling Gleam is strictly the better alternative to Aura Sphere considering the necessity to have fairy coverage (and a nice STAB bonus), while Roost helps out-tempo my opponents.
Joyeuse (Aegislash) WeaKness Policy | Stance Change
Brave | 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
- Swords Dance
- King's Shield
- Sacred Sword
- Shadow Sneak
Nothing too surprising here. Stock Aegislash build, though the Weakness Policy is perhaps a slight deviant from the preferred Leftovers. The beauty of him on this team in his improved chance of being able to set up. Most teams have a hard time dealing with Aegislash, or at best, they have a pokemon in the lineup dedicated to threats such as Aegislash, but when backed up against the ropes, or under a status condition, Aegislash sets up quickly and makes quick work of opponents.
Notable weaknesses: Mega Kangaskhan is the bane of this team. Its faster than Smeargle, and voids Smeargle's focus sash by hitting twice. Many of the problems that Baton Pass teams have, this team does as well, though I would argue that this team is slightly more resilient. The pokemon work with decent synergy, but are all pretty good standing alone as well (with the exception of Smeargle, of course).
Thoughts? Improvements?
Charcoal (Smeargle) Focus sash | Own Tempo
Timid | 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Shell Smash
- Spore
- Sticky Web
- Baton Pass
My goal with this team is essentially to win the tempo battle. I want to gain as many 2-for-1 opportunities over my opponents as possible, and it all starts with this guy. Maybe I try to do to much by both setting up entry hazards and passing a shell smash on, but timid Smeargle has surprised me with how may turns it can survive without getting touched. Once my opponent's lead is gone, sticky web keeps my opponents speed in check, and gives me a 2-for-1 over every entering pokemon. If I get away with passing on a Shell Smash, things usually get out of hand pretty quickly.
Royce (Machamp) @Quick Claw | No Guard
Adamant | 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe
- Toxic
- Dynamic Punch
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
A Shell Smash Machamp is a terrifying thing to behold. Boosted speed off of a smash and 100% accuracy (via No Guard) Dynamic Punch gives me additional leverage, providing tremendous 2-for-1 STAB damage with a guaranteed confusion chance. Toxic is a safety net. While the other 3 moves deal 100 base damage each, Toxic says "I have no answers...yet." But if I can stall long enough, Toxic wears down the opponent and allows me to regain tempo when the poison wears down a threat.
Shadow (Greninja) Life Orb | Protean
Modest | 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
- Surf
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- U-Turn
When I considered Greninja for this team, I considered two things: value and coverages. Pound-for-pound, Greninja is one of the best Special Sweepers in the game, and coupled with blazing speed and guaranteed STAB bonuses off of four uniquely typed moves, I quickly added him to the mix. Going with the tempo theme, I heavily considered Scald over Surf, as it has a high chance to additionally burn the target, (another 2-for-1) but opted for the heavier hitter with Surf. I could still be wrong. Curious to hear your thoughts.
Tesla (Jolteon) Choice Specs | Volt Absorb
Timid | 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Thunder Wave
- Volt Switch
In the same vein as Greninja, Jolteon is an efficient 2-for-1 heavy hitter that can switch out and deal damage at the same time. Thunder wave provides additional crippling options if I need to stall for a bit to regain tempo, and Shadow Ball is simply a coverage option.
Eros (Togekiss) Leftovers | Serene Grace
Calm | 252 HP / 252 Spe / 4 Def
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunder Wave
- Air Slash
- Roost
Togekiss is the queen of 2-for-1s with the amazing ability, Serene Grace. With opponents paralyzed off of Thunder Wave, Air Slash chops opponents to pieces by leaving them completely crippled, and if the benefactor of a Shell Smash, Togekiss gets out of hand. Dazzling Gleam is strictly the better alternative to Aura Sphere considering the necessity to have fairy coverage (and a nice STAB bonus), while Roost helps out-tempo my opponents.
Joyeuse (Aegislash) WeaKness Policy | Stance Change
Brave | 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
- Swords Dance
- King's Shield
- Sacred Sword
- Shadow Sneak
Nothing too surprising here. Stock Aegislash build, though the Weakness Policy is perhaps a slight deviant from the preferred Leftovers. The beauty of him on this team in his improved chance of being able to set up. Most teams have a hard time dealing with Aegislash, or at best, they have a pokemon in the lineup dedicated to threats such as Aegislash, but when backed up against the ropes, or under a status condition, Aegislash sets up quickly and makes quick work of opponents.
Notable weaknesses: Mega Kangaskhan is the bane of this team. Its faster than Smeargle, and voids Smeargle's focus sash by hitting twice. Many of the problems that Baton Pass teams have, this team does as well, though I would argue that this team is slightly more resilient. The pokemon work with decent synergy, but are all pretty good standing alone as well (with the exception of Smeargle, of course).
Thoughts? Improvements?