With Pokemon Black and White on the horizon, I decided to retire my UU team and post it here so everyone could see it. If you look back about a month, you would remember I posted the same team but in a different phase of its testing; now its at its top form. To be honest, I haven’t really laddered extensively with this team as I do with other teams; I simply created it to have a couple of fun and exciting battles but if I remember correctly, I still had reached about 1430 CRE on the UU ladder with this team. Anyways, here’s a quick summary of what the entire theme is about – a TV show called the Storm Hawks:
Storm Hawks is set in a fictional world called Atmos, a largely mountainous world consisting of scattered masses known as terras. Directly below the terras is the Wastelands, the most dangerous place on Atmos, with its infernal fires and wicked creatures. Because of the geography, travel is mostly dependent on flight. The technology of Atmos is based around energy-generating crystals, used to power the various devices in the series. Patrolling the skies of Atmos are the Squadrons, all led by a Sky Knight, groups of warriors who pilot motorcycle-like vehicles called Skimmers that can semi-transform into flying machines. These warriors are loosely managed by the Sky Knight Council.The Storm Hawks are an unofficial squadron of Atmos, lead by the sky knight Aerrow. Although not recognized by the Sky Knight council as an official squadron, the Storm Hawks still stick to their mission of saving the world of Atmos from Master Cyclonis.
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Stork (Spiritomb) (M) @ Spell Tag
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/52 Atk/204 SAtk
Quiet nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Shadow Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Pursuit
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[Pokemon Analysis/ Reasoning]
In the current UU metagame (I’m talking about the metagame before Heracross dropped down to UU), Spiritomb proves to be an excellent lead, being able to match many of the common leads you can see today on the UU ladder. With an exceptional amount of bulk and reasonable offensive stats along with a decent move pool, Spiritomb handles many of today’s leads with ease. Shadow Ball acts as a reliable STAB move, while Shadow Sneak is important on the set to effectively deal with Sashed leads. Hidden Power Fighting deals with today’s most common UU lead – Ambipom and pursuit is the successfully KO leads who might try to switch out or U-Turn away including Alakazam, Uxie, and Mesprit. But unfortunately, Spiritomb does lose to a couple of leads namely Moltres and Omaster who often gets at least two layers of spikes set up. When faced with these two leads, I usually switch into Milotic as it ca effectively deal with both Moltres and Omaster.
[Character Information]
Stork is the carrier pilot of the Storm Hawks, and as such does not actively fly with the rest of the squadron, nor does he wish to for that matter. Apparently a product of his home, Stork is paranoid of everyone and everything that could potentially harm him and the squadron.
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Radarr (Dugtrio) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch
- Substitute
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[Pokemon Analysis/ Reasoning]
Dugtrio is a valued member on my team as it effectively traps and disposes of Sceptile’s number one check – Registeel due to its ability, Arena Trap and its STAB powered earthquake which hits the aforementioned Registeel for super effective damage. Earthquake is easily a 2HKO and is easy to manage as Registeel can not do much damage in return unless it carries the rare Ice Punch.The set is quite easy to understand; Earthquake is a staple as it allows Dugtrio to manage its primary function; to defeat Registeel. Stone Edge allows me to defeat Moltres and other Pokemon who resist Earthquake. Also, Sucker Punch allows Dugtrio to combat faster foes and also Sucker Punch and Substitute form a deadly combination as they allow me to defeat variants of Houndoom who will almost allows use Sucker Punch when they see Dugtrio.
[Character Information]
Radarr is Aerrow's copilot. He resembles a cross between a lemur and a rabbit. He is very perceptive, picking up the intentions of those with bad thoughts much earlier than the other team members. Radarr enjoys being called the "mission specialist" of the squadron. Radarr is usually seen sitting on Aerrow's shoulder or piloting Aerrow's Skimmer during missions, since Aerrow himself rarely stays in the vehicle's seat during combat.
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Finn (Blaziken) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Vacuum Wave
- Superpower
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Fire Blast
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[Pokemon Analysis/ Reasoning]
Blaziken acts as my wall breaker and allows the team to eliminate bulky foes including Chansey, Registeel and Clefable while also being able to severely weaken Pokemon including bulky variants of Slowbro and Milotic. Blaziken is often able to punch massive holes in the opposing team simply by spamming Fire Blast and its priority attack for foes that outpace it. As you can see, this is the Mixed Prioirty Attacker set from the Smogon Strategy Pokedex. The EV’s are distributed for quite obvious reasons – to maximize Blaziken’s offensive potential; maximum speed and special attack power up three of Blaziken’s moves while the four EV’s invested in attack give Blaizken’s Superpower a little bit more “uumph”.
[Character Information]
Finn is the 14-year-old wing-man and sharpshooter of the Storm Hawks, an egotistical, hyperactive, and self-centered flyer who nevertheless is invaluable when it comes to anything that requires precision aiming. The "Joker" of the squad, Finn is always there to make a joke, often at the expense of others. He is seen as the sort of "class clown", and often not taken seriously. He is easily side-tracked by beautiful girls and thinks very highly of himself.
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Piper (Milotic) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Surf
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[Pokemon Analysis/ Reasoning]
When first looking at this Milotic you might be a little bit confused as to what it is supposed to accomplish; the strategy behind the set is quite understandable. This set was recommended by franky (thanks!) to work as a sort of a bluffing set. When the opponent see’s the standard Moveset and leftovers recovery, they often think that this Milotic is the standard bulky water set. Assuming this they’ll send in their Milotic check, often Venusaur which will often come in on a surf. But my Milotic will out speed their Venusaur (unless its holding a Scarf) and 2HKO with a combination of surf (when they switch in) and Ice Beam. To maximize this set’s “bluffing” capabilities, I’ve given Milotic both leftovers and the standard Moveset from the Bulky water set but I’ve maximized the special attack and speed EV’s so it can lure in and KO Venusaur. A modest nature has been given for maximum power as Milotic isn’t carrying a Life Orb but sometimes I feel the urge to switch to a Timid Nature since then Milotic will always outpace non-Scarfed variants of Venusaur.
[Character Information]
Piper is the 14-year-old navigation and tactics specialist of the Storm Hawks. She's also a crystal specialist, capable of refining raw crystals into usable ones, an art considered difficult at best; "Crystal Mage" is the official term. Piper is responsible and thinks before she acts. However, she is outspoken and highly opinionated, and obsesses over the tiniest details in her plans. She usually gets along very well with the other members of the squadron with the exception of Finn, with whom she has a squabbling, almost brother-sister relationship.
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Junko (Registeel) @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/100 Atk/156 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Seismic Toss
- Ice Punch
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[Pokemon Analysis/ Reasoning]
Registeel is my answer to Swellow (who will ruin Sceptile’s sweep) and of course, my tank Pokemon which spreads paralysis and sets up Stealth Rock. As you can see, I’m running the same set that Bluwind used in his RMT – Somewhere over the Rainbow which has proven to be very effective in terms of enhancing Registeel’s offensive characteristics as well as it’s defensive ones. The EV’s, nature and item give Registeel give Registeel a decent amount of bulk, powering up his gargantuan base 150 defensive stats. Stealth is a staple as it’s much needed on this team and Thunder Wave is almost always useful not only due to its primary effect of paralysis but also because it often causes parahax unexpectedly in the battle. Seismic Toss and Ice Punch make a decent combination allowing Registeel to retaliate against Altaria, Torterra and of course, Sub-Charge Rotom.
[Character Information]
Junko's not a typical Wallop. While others of his species are thick-skulled and smash things just for the heck of it, Junko is warm-hearted and sensitive. He also loves giving hugs (which is a little unfortunate considering his incredible strength). He tends to have low confidence in himself, especially without his knuckle busters. However, when motivated (such as when his friends are in danger) he can be fiercely formidable to opponents.
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Aerrow (Sceptile) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
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[Pokemon Analysis/ Reasoning]
The star of the show, SD Sceptile, in my opinion is an excellent sweeper, although quite underrated for some reason. With a base 120 speed stat and a decent base attack stat, Sceptile becomes one of the biggest threats in the tier after a single swords dance under its belt. The EV’s are standard; maximum attack and speed for maximum offensive potential and the remaining four EV’s are invested in HP to gain a small amount of bulk. A Jolly nature is used to tie with other max speed base 120’s like Alakazam and Dugtrio while a Life Orb Is given over leftovers to power up Sceptile’s already powerful attacks. The three attacking moves chosen – Leaf Blade, Earthquake and Rock Slide are chosen because they go unresisted in the entire UU tier (that attacking combination is only resisted by Breloom (OU), Bronzong (OU) and Bronzor who is (almost) never seen in UU battles.
[Character Information]
Aerrow is the Sky Knight protagonist of the show, and at just 14, is the youngest ever person to become the leader of the Storm Hawks. Aerrow is a natural-born leader - bold, energetic, daring, and not to mention rather charming and dashing. A talented flier and unafraid to take risks, he is able to outmaneuver Cyclonian Talons easily on his Skimmer.
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Well, that was my team in what might be all its glory. Any constructive comments and suggestions are welcome but when replying please include a couple of reasons why a certain changed should be made; don’t just post “Change Blaziken to Charizard because I think it looks cooler.”
