ORAS UU Stupertim's Volt-turn Team

[Stupertim]

Hi guys! I am fairly new to Showdown and competitive battling, and I am looking for some feedback in order to develop as a player. I made this team a while ago in order to meet my playing style, while also including some of my favourite pokemon. The team revolves around a volt-turn core, with some bulky 'mons to help wear down the opposite team until I can pick them off.

Here is my team!

Sonic (Jolteon) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Some background information first: Jolteon is hands down my favourite Pokemon and I really wanted to include it into my team. I am running a fairly standard set, with the goal being to outspeed basically everything other than choice scarfers and either volt switch or t-bolt. Shadow ball and HP Ice are for coverage. Not sure if I should be running signal beam or HP water or grass though.

Beyonce (Beedrill) (F) @ Beedrillite
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Poison Jab
- Protect
- Drill Run

Beedrill rounds out my volt-turn core, and packs quite a punch. Poison jab has been effective at notching some late-game K.O.s, and U-turn is great a whittling down opposing walls. Beedrill is usually my lead in most matches. Protect is for gaining my speed boost upon mega-evolution, and drill run is for coverage.

C4H8Cl2S (Weezing) (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split

Weezing serves as my dedicated physical wall, and I find it perfectly compliments Empoleon. Will-o-wisp is how Weezing most effectively walls threatening physical attackers, with pain split being used to heal up after throwing out a burn. Sludge bomb and flamethrower are for damage. One of the things I am on the fence about is whether or not I should run Flamethrower or clear smog. My problem is that I have lost a couple games due to setup sweepers. Usually Weezing is my check to this sweepers (who are usually physical), by throwing out a burn, however most carry Lum and proceed to wreck my team.

Maximus IV (Empoleon) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Protect
- Stealth Rock
- Roar

Empoleon is my dedicated special wall, and honestly resists just about everything. Again, I find that major weaknesses (fighting and ground) are largely covered by Weezing. Of course, the major problem with my defensive core is that they lack reliable recovery. With Weezing I can usually squeak by with pain split, but with Empoleon it can be a real pain. Also, Empoleon is my rocks setter and I often use it to phaze out Pokemon.

Babar (Donphan) (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Shard

Donphan is basically the utility pokemon on my team. With the assault vest, Donphan can usually live a couple of hits. Accordingly, I often use him as a makeshift wall if I want to preserve my more dedicated walls. With knock-off and ice shard as well, Donphan causes some havoc to the opposing team.

Sharknado 4 (Sharpedo) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Waterfall
- Crunch
- Ice Fang

Finally, Sharpedo serves as the late-game sweeper of my team. Basically, Sharpedo stays back until the other team gets worn down enough by Volt-turn plus my walls. Then I bring him out to pick off whatever Pokemon are left. Speed boost is especially helpful, as once it gets going it can usually clean up.

So, that's my team! Again, this is my first RMT (I hope I have done everything properly). I feel like my team is fairly balanced, at least that was the intention going in. I have had some success so far playing with this team in Showdown. Usually I am able to wear down opposing teams enough to clean up late game. Still, I am fairly new to the tier. I am open to any feedback or suggestions on how to improve this team. Thanks!

 

[Pokedude10]

Hey Stupertim, cool team! Very interesting concept. My only changes would be to change your Jolteon's HP to HP grass instead, as it can help deal with rock and ground types. Also, although DonPhan is one of my personal favorites, I would maybe opt for a different support poke instead. I find that Donphans crappy speed makes it more difficult to set up rocks or spin away hazards. Other than that, great team:) what's your showdown account name we should battle sometime.

 

[DaSpoofy]

Hey Buddy! That picture of the dabbing empoleon is great lol. Anyway I have a rate for you today where I did improve your team quite a bit. I did keep the theme of jolteon + beedrill because I figured it is what you want and I think jolteon is better than it use to be. Anyway here is the rate! I hope you enjoy!

[!]Changes[!]

Weezing to Semi-Bulky Dragalge

I have been using this set for a while in the Zapdos meta because it sets up hazards on a defogger that cant do anything back to you. It seemed like a nice replacement for weezing since it sets up t spikes and has a lot better time with zapdos than jolteon does. It works as a nice fire resist and you really needed one. It works as a grass resist too for the swampert I am going to suggest below. Dragon tail over focus blast means that you can send this in on CM suicune and phase it out. Plus hazard shifting means that you are wearing things down for your volt-turn core to nip at.

Donphan to Defensive Swampert

You needed a better switch into Entei than donphan. Swampert can get up rocks and phaze things around if needed. Roar is also great for getting snorlax and slurpuff out of the way after they set up. A bulky water type can be great for checking ground types such as Mamoswine and Krookodile. Both these pose threats toward the team. It has a nice electric immunity that may be overdone at this point but I digress.

Sharpedo to Sword Dance Virizion

This is one of the things that I actually had to test out first. I needed a better ground resist than swampert but I also needed a set up sweeper. To be honest, the first thing that came to my head was belly drum chesnaught and then I'm like, Virizion is a thing. So it's the standard set. I'm debating whether yache berry or lum berry would be more useful, but after thinking it through, lum would be a lot berry vs stall. Its a decent dark resist which this team definitely needed.

Spdef Empoleon to Offensive Shuca Empoleon

I hate to change a spdef Empoleon, but look at the team and then think rain dance pert. Couple that thought with, "I need a defogger that can take a draco from Hydreigon," and wa la! You have a shuca berry Empoleon. It does a lot more than beat mega swampert. The Mamo lure is always nice since nothing I can have KO's it without taking a lot of damage or fainting. Although this set does not check alakazam as well, it will be better for your team overall. Jolteon and Beedrill both outspeed and have super effective attacks.

Choice Specs Jolteon to Life Orb Jolteon

Just replace choice specs with life orb. There are a number of ground immunities and lighting rod users that would love you to be locked into an electric type attack. I did consider having hp grass over ice, but then the thought of salamence setting up a DD in my face overwhelmed me. Ice will do the job and we have the lures in the back for Mamo and Swampert.

New Import

Sonic (Jolteon) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Beedrill-Mega @ Beedrillite
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Poison Jab
- Drill Run
- Protect

Dragalge @ Black Sludge
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 172 SpA / 80 SpD / 4 Spe
Mild Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Bomb
- Toxic Spikes
- Dragon Tail

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Scald
- Roar

Empoleon @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 212 HP / 252 SpA / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot

Virizion @ Lum Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge

(!)Things to Consider(!)

Adamant Beedrill over Jolly Beedrill

The extra power of adamant is very much desired. On the other hand, outspeeding Chandelure and drill running that thing is very useful (since the team's SB switch is Dragalge). Knock off may be more useful as well since what drill run does is pretty much covered by the teams make up.

Yache Berry over Lum Berry Virizion

Lure Mamoswines and Mega Swamperts in the rain, but you have a lot harder time vs stall.

Payapa Berry over Black Sludge Dragalge

Alakazam is a bit of a problem fore this team. Payapa berry makes a great lure for that and Slowking. CM slowking can be dangerous and is nice to be able to phase out. It's pretty specific and I would only recommend it for counter teaming purposes.

I had to test this team out before I gave you a rate because it looked so wierd. The team is like a cross between HO and balance at this point, but it was the best I could do so don't be mad at me :). Here is the replay of the finals match in a UU room tour: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-355402235 Thanks for the RMT! I have a new found love for Jolteon now. Have a nice day!

 

[Stupertim]

Hey Stupertim, cool team! Very interesting concept. My only changes would be to change your Jolteon's HP to HP grass instead, as it can help deal with rock and ground types. Also, although DonPhan is one of my personal favorites, I would maybe opt for a different support poke instead. I find that Donphans crappy speed makes it more difficult to set up rocks or spin away hazards. Other than that, great team:) what's your showdown account name we should battle sometime.

Thanks! I think HP Grass is a good choice as well- I have had some trouble with pokemon such as Seismitoad. I will look into other options for Donphan as well. And haha my showdown name is Stupertim for consistency :P

 

[Stupertim]

Hey Buddy! That picture of the dabbing empoleon is great lol. Anyway I have a rate for you today where I did improve your team quite a bit. I did keep the theme of jolteon + beedrill because I figured it is what you want and I think jolteon is better than it use to be. Anyway here is the rate! I hope you enjoy!

[!]Changes[!]

Weezing to Semi-Bulky Dragalge

I have been using this set for a while in the Zapdos meta because it sets up hazards on a defogger that cant do anything back to you. It seemed like a nice replacement for weezing since it sets up t spikes and has a lot better time with zapdos than jolteon does. It works as a nice fire resist and you really needed one. It works as a grass resist too for the swampert I am going to suggest below. Dragon tail over focus blast means that you can send this in on CM suicune and phase it out. Plus hazard shifting means that you are wearing things down for your volt-turn core to nip at.

Donphan to Defensive Swampert

You needed a better switch into Entei than donphan. Swampert can get up rocks and phaze things around if needed. Roar is also great for getting snorlax and slurpuff out of the way after they set up. A bulky water type can be great for checking ground types such as Mamoswine and Krookodile. Both these pose threats toward the team. It has a nice electric immunity that may be overdone at this point but I digress.

Sharpedo to Sword Dance Virizion

This is one of the things that I actually had to test out first. I needed a better ground resist than swampert but I also needed a set up sweeper. To be honest, the first thing that came to my head was belly drum chesnaught and then I'm like, Virizion is a thing. So it's the standard set. I'm debating whether yache berry or lum berry would be more useful, but after thinking it through, lum would be a lot berry vs stall. Its a decent dark resist which this team definitely needed.

Spdef Empoleon to Offensive Shuca Empoleon

I hate to change a spdef Empoleon, but look at the team and then think rain dance pert. Couple that thought with, "I need a defogger that can take a draco from Hydreigon," and wa la! You have a shuca berry Empoleon. It does a lot more than beat mega swampert. The Mamo lure is always nice since nothing I can have KO's it without taking a lot of damage or fainting. Although this set does not check alakazam as well, it will be better for your team overall. Jolteon and Beedrill both outspeed and have super effective attacks.

Choice Specs Jolteon to Life Orb Jolteon

Just replace choice specs with life orb. There are a number of ground immunities and lighting rod users that would love you to be locked into an electric type attack. I did consider having hp grass over ice, but then the thought of salamence setting up a DD in my face overwhelmed me. Ice will do the job and we have the lures in the back for Mamo and Swampert.

New Import

Sonic (Jolteon) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Beedrill-Mega @ Beedrillite
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Poison Jab
- Drill Run
- Protect

Dragalge @ Black Sludge
Ability: Adaptability
EVs: 252 HP / 172 SpA / 80 SpD / 4 Spe
Mild Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Bomb
- Toxic Spikes
- Dragon Tail

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 16 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Scald
- Roar

Empoleon @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 212 HP / 252 SpA / 44 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot

Virizion @ Lum Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge

(!)Things to Consider(!)

Adamant Beedrill over Jolly Beedrill

The extra power of adamant is very much desired. On the other hand, outspeeding Chandelure and drill running that thing is very useful (since the team's SB switch is Dragalge). Knock off may be more useful as well since what drill run does is pretty much covered by the teams make up.

Yache Berry over Lum Berry Virizion

Lure Mamoswines and Mega Swamperts in the rain, but you have a lot harder time vs stall.

Payapa Berry over Black Sludge Dragalge

Alakazam is a bit of a problem fore this team. Payapa berry makes a great lure for that and Slowking. CM slowking can be dangerous and is nice to be able to phase out. It's pretty specific and I would only recommend it for counter teaming purposes.

I had to test this team out before I gave you a rate because it looked so wierd. The team is like a cross between HO and balance at this point, but it was the best I could do so don't be mad at me :). Here is the replay of the finals match in a UU room tour: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-355402235 Thanks for the RMT! I have a new found love for Jolteon now. Have a nice day!

Thanks for the suggestions! They certainly seem geared towards countering much of the meta. Cheers!

 

[Pokedude10]

Thanks! I think HP Grass is a good choice as well- I have had some trouble with pokemon such as Seismitoad. I will look into other options for Donphan as well. And haha my showdown name is Stupertim for consistency :P

Cool man. My showdown name is Youngster Chick, so hit me up sometime. 0-3.

 

[Manipulative]

Hey, man! Cool team you've got there. Here are some adjustments you could try out to have an easier time using it.

• Despite having Jolteon, your team seems like it would have a very hard time matching up against bulky waters, especially Suicune. Nothing on your team wants to switch into a scald because that mon will either be taking considerable damage, be crippled by the possible burn, or both. Jolteon isn't switching into Cune more than 2 or 3 times. A quick solution to this problem would be to replace Jolteon with Specs Heliolisk. With this change, you are able to deal with bulky waters to a much, much better extent due to Heliolisk having the Dry Skin ability. This means he could switch into scalds from Suicune and the likes with no worry. Heliolisk may be slower than Jolteon and have slightly less bulk, but being able to absorb water attacks makes him all the worth while to use instead. The team doesn't seem like it would mind the drop in speed too much, as you have ways to beat threats such as Alakazam, Azelf, Mega Houndoom, Espeon and Crobat which Jolteon would have been outspeeding. That aside, Heliolisk plays almost the exact same role as Jolteon does, being a strong and fast electric type that could VolTurn along with MBee. You could run Surf to hit the Nidos more reliably, which I would recommend for this team. Here's the set:

Heliolisk @ Choice Specs
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hyper Voice
- Surf​

• Next, I strongly recommend replacing Donphan with Defensive Swampert because the team is desperately in need of a fire type switch-in. As your team is right now, I could see Entei running right through it. Swampert is able to retain the ground typing that Donphan gives you, while offering a much more competent physical wall. Also, I would recommend running Stealth Rocks and Roar on Swampert so that you could free up some very useful moveslots for Empoleon. Swampert generally does a better job at phazing. For example, it's able to to roar out a +1 DD Mence and +1 EQ Gyarados pretty comfortably, while Empoleon would straight up drop to an EQ without a Shuca Berry. Here's the set:

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Stealth Rock​

• With the above change, you'll definitely want to replace Stealth Rocks with Defog on Empoleon. Also, roar is no longer needed and protect was very redundant from the beginning. I suggest replacing Roar with Ice Beam and replacing Protect with Grass Knot. Empoleon's coverage is extremely useful and can help you better check various obstacles to the team. For instance, Empoleon can comfortably take any move that MSceptile could throw at it and proceed to OHKO it with Ice Beam. Grass Knot can get surprise kills on pesky water-ground types that wouldn't be expecting it from a bulky Empoleon. This moveset would normally be used on offensive Empoleon, but you would want to keep the bulk here so that you have a more reliable switch in to special dragons like LO Hydreigon. Besides, an Ice Beam still 2hkos Hydreigon after rocks and Grass Knot still hits defensive Swampert and the likes considerably hard. Here's the set:

Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Defog
- Grass Knot​

• Lastly, I would recommend replacing Weezing with Sableye. With access to a great ability in Prankster and moves like Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, and Recover, Sableye is able to annoy and break down your opponent's mons with much more efficiency. Sableye is a fantastic stallbreaker and will prove to be more effective than Weezing in almost every aspect. You won't need to be faster than your opponent to get the Will-O-Wisp off safely because Prankster gives it +1 priority. You'll be able to cripple most physical threats pretty easily, and manage to stop many setup sweepers from getting a boost to start with. Recover gives it reliable healing as opposed to Pain Split on Weezing, and access to moves like Knock Off make it really worth while to use. Simply put, Sableye is able to help you beat a significant amount of threats, such as MBee, MSwamp, MShark, Feraligatr, Cobalion, and much more. Additionally, it's ghost typing helps your team tremendously, as it is able to outright wall Snorlax, which your team currently has incredibly little for. It also deters threats like Porygon-Z from doing what they want. It's also neat to note that Sableye would be able to deal with Scarfed Hydreigon pretty comfortably. Anyways, here's the set:

Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Knock Off​

Other Options:

• You could consider running Life Orb over Choice Specs on Heliolisk if you want more freedom with what moves to click. However, that means Heliolisk is able to get worn down much more easily, and the extra boost in power from Specs is always something to appreciate.

I hope you consider my suggestions, and good luck with the team!

 

[Stupertim]

Hey, man! Cool team you've got there. Here are some adjustments you could try out to have an easier time using it.

• Despite having Jolteon, your team seems like it would have a very hard time matching up against bulky waters, especially Suicune. Nothing on your team wants to switch into a scald because that mon will either be taking considerable damage, be crippled by the possible burn, or both. Jolteon isn't switching into Cune more than 2 or 3 times. A quick solution to this problem would be to replace Jolteon with Specs Heliolisk. With this change, you are able to deal with bulky waters to a much, much better extent due to Heliolisk having the Dry Skin ability. This means he could switch into scalds from Suicune and the likes with no worry. Heliolisk may be slower than Jolteon and have slightly less bulk, but being able to absorb water attacks makes him all the worth while to use instead. The team doesn't seem like it would mind the drop in speed too much, as you have ways to beat threats such as Alakazam, Azelf, Mega Houndoom, Espeon and Crobat which Jolteon would have been outspeeding. That aside, Heliolisk plays almost the exact same role as Jolteon does, being a strong and fast electric type that could VolTurn along with MBee. You could run Surf to hit the Nidos more reliably, which I would recommend for this team. Here's the set:

Heliolisk @ Choice Specs
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hyper Voice
- Surf​

• Next, I strongly recommend replacing Donphan with Defensive Swampert because the team is desperately in need of a fire type switch-in. As your team is right now, I could see Entei running right through it. Swampert is able to retain the ground typing that Donphan gives you, while offering a much more competent physical wall. Also, I would recommend running Stealth Rocks and Roar on Swampert so that you could free up some very useful moveslots for Empoleon. Swampert generally does a better job at phazing. For example, it's able to to roar out a +1 DD Mence and +1 EQ Gyarados pretty comfortably, while Empoleon would straight up drop to an EQ without a Shuca Berry. Here's the set:

Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Stealth Rock​

• With the above change, you'll definitely want to replace Stealth Rocks with Defog on Empoleon. Also, roar is no longer needed and protect was very redundant from the beginning. I suggest replacing Roar with Ice Beam and replacing Protect with Grass Knot. Empoleon's coverage is extremely useful and can help you better check various obstacles to the team. For instance, Empoleon can comfortably take any move that MSceptile could throw at it and proceed to OHKO it with Ice Beam. Grass Knot can get surprise kills on pesky water-ground types that wouldn't be expecting it from a bulky Empoleon. This moveset would normally be used on offensive Empoleon, but you would want to keep the bulk here so that you have a more reliable switch in to special dragons like LO Hydreigon. Besides, an Ice Beam still 2hkos Hydreigon after rocks and Grass Knot still hits defensive Swampert and the likes considerably hard. Here's the set:

Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Defog
- Grass Knot​

• Lastly, I would recommend replacing Weezing with Sableye. With access to a great ability in Prankster and moves like Taunt, Will-O-Wisp, and Recover, Sableye is able to annoy and break down your opponent's mons with much more efficiency. Sableye is a fantastic stallbreaker and will prove to be more effective than Weezing in almost every aspect. You won't need to be faster than your opponent to get the Will-O-Wisp off safely because Prankster gives it +1 priority. You'll be able to cripple most physical threats pretty easily, and manage to stop many setup sweepers from getting a boost to start with. Recover gives it reliable healing as opposed to Pain Split on Weezing, and access to moves like Knock Off make it really worth while to use. Simply put, Sableye is able to help you beat a significant amount of threats, such as MBee, MSwamp, MShark, Feraligatr, Cobalion, and much more. Additionally, it's ghost typing helps your team tremendously, as it is able to outright wall Snorlax, which your team currently has incredibly little for. It also deters threats like Porygon-Z from doing what they want. It's also neat to note that Sableye would be able to deal with Scarfed Hydreigon pretty comfortably. Anyways, here's the set:

Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Knock Off​

Other Options:

• You could consider running Life Orb over Choice Specs on Heliolisk if you want more freedom with what moves to click. However, that means Heliolisk is able to get worn down much more easily, and the extra boost in power from Specs is always something to appreciate.

I hope you consider my suggestions, and good luck with the team!

Thanks these are very helpful suggestions. Donphan is certainly going to get switched with Swampert- I can definitely see the value there. I can also see Sableye being a great addition. Anyway thanks for the help!