The idea of this team is to effectively utilise Sunny Day to my advantage, mainly by exploiting the “Chlorophyll” ability on my sweepers. Much of the credits can go to Legacy Raider for his “Rain Dance” guide as well as his war stories giving me an insight how to effectively use such a team, based on out speeding under the effects of weather. It really is quite a similar team but I have adapted what I believe is necessary for quite the opposite and unseen field effect outside of ubers, Sunny Day.
THE SUNNY LEAD
Azelf @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
- Sunny Day
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Explosion
A very effective lead even outside of a sunny day team. Azelf can easily set up Sunny Day without trouble unless he’s up against a faster lead with Taunt, such as Aerodactyl. If this happens, Cresselia can come in and cripple and laugh off Aerodactyl’s attacks and heal after it KOs. Otherwise the sweepers can get in and set up sun, which couldn't be predicted untill it's up, and Aerodactyl wont be outrunning then. If not up against a faster taunting lead, Azelf can also effectively use taunt itself also filling the “fast taunting” role and allow time to even set up both Stealth Rocks as well as the Sun. If needed, Azelf’s explosion can be saved for a later game annihilation or used as a quick and safe method to switch into the Chlorophyll sweeper of choice. With a lack of special attacks, Azelf can have a Jolly nature so that it’s out speeding the common leads as well as maintaining a powerful Explosion, and not having a defense lowering nature of choice, increasing survivability. With no real need for EV investment in either end of the offensive spectrum, 252 EV’s can be pumped into HP for general bulk (as well as often allowing both Sunny Day and Stealth Rocks) while another 252 into Speed so the little pixie isn’t outrun, with the remaining 4 EV’s into either defense.
THE SCREENER
Cresselia @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk)
- Light Screen
- Ice Beam
- Moonlight
- Thunder Wave
Cresselia is a reliable user of screens and with a common Special Defense weakness on my team, my “Specially Frail” Tangrowth and Scizor will enjoy the boost. It can set up Light Screen pretty easy and unlike Bronzong (a previous filler of this role), Cresselia can heal herself with a boosted Moonlight (66% under the sun compared to 50% without) and will be able to come in time and again. The main thing that really invites Cresselia is two things, It can cripple Heatran with Thunder Wave and laugh at it’s special attacks especially behind Light Screen as well as being able to cripple DD Mence who would otherwise sweep the team and finish it off with Ice Beam. The general bulkiness of Cresselia rounds of the team and keeps two potentially devastating threats at bay. I decided on having Sunny Day too and in place of Thunder Wave because my sweepers will be setting up Sun a fair bit and they’re already worrying about set-up time and Life Orb damage, however the support Thunder Wave provides against mentioned threats is unbeaten outside of sleep inducing.
THE PHYSICAL MIX CHLOROPHYLL SWEEPER
Tangrowth @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 36 SpA / 220 Spe
Nature: Naive (+Spe, -SpA)
- Power Whip
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Fire
- Sleep Powder
Your best bet for a physical attacker who can sweep under the sun would be Tangrowth. Under the sun, this beast outruns the ever common Scarftran. He is then able to Sleep Powder this deadly threat to the team, quite a necessary function for this pokemon. Also bulky enough to set up Sunny Day, this pokemon is able to keep the all important Sun going allowing its monstrous Power Whips to sweep through a team without being touched by slower pokemon and backed with Earthquake to take out the ever common Heatran. The offensive type combo keeps an enormous amount of threats at bay, he is no physical defensive slouch at all and behind a Light Screen he doesn't really mind special attacks that aren't super effective. Furthermore with a stupidly speedy Sleep Powder he can easily keep the Sunlight going, and if the Sun's not up to aid sleep inducing, as before mentioned he's quite bulky anyway so shouldn't have trouble turning the game around.
THE SPECIAL SUNNY SWEEPER
Infernape @ Life Orb
EVs: 64 Atk / 252 SpA Def / 192 Spe
Nature: Naive (+Spe, -SpD)
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power Ice
Under the Sun, this thing is deadly. The fact that with all 4 moves this thing kills anything that thinks it counters it. The number of times I only show Fire Blast and Grass Knot and then something like Flygon or Salamence who comes in and takes Hidden Power Ice while setting up predicting a switch is hilarious. I’ve even killed Blisseys with Close Combat because some people think it may still be a Nasty Plot set. The speed and power behind this Mixape keeps many counters at bay, as mentioned in the threats list. Under the Sun this thing’s Fire Blast kills standard 252/0 bold Cresselia, something mine lives especially with Light Screen. Not much is stopping the fiery ape.
THE FIRE RESIST AND RELIABLE SUNNY DAY
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Sunny Day
Boosting Fire moves was the first idea that came to my mind when I considered making a Sunny Day team, and with all these 2 weak pokemon in the team as well as boosting enemy Fire attacks under the Sun, it is absolute paramount that a pokemon can come in and wall these threats. Heatran sports my needed physically bulky trait and has some handy resists, as well as the much needed Fire resistance thanks to Flash Fire. Lack of reliable recovery really hurts this potential, but with a “Rest-Talking” strategy implemented Heatran is still able to keep on returning to the field to set up the Sun. The EVs are maxed into HP and Def with a Bold nature to make it physically bulky and a reliable Sunny Day set-up pairing with Cresselia's special bulk and Light Screens, they make an awesome physical/special wall duo. Lava Plume gets stab and with a 30% chance of burning helps with his physical sponging, especially against common switch-ins such as Tyranitar and Salamence. His bulk and Rest-Talking strategy will definitely allow consistent set-up of Sunny Day if Ground attackers are out of the way, usually physical and usually Earthquake, Tangrowth eats them can faint them without much trouble.
THE NON SUN DEPENDANT SWEEPER
Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe / 216 SpD
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -Spe)
- Bullet Punch
- X-scissor
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
The team is quite heavily reliant on Sunny Day, so to its relief a sweeper who is not dependent on the Sun can open up an opportunity for a final sweep if all others are down, as well as opening another opportunity to set up the Sun with the threats gone and being able to regain momentum. So why Scizor? He’s going to get annihilated by any Fire type move! And that’s exactly the point. If he’s going to die from fire attacks anyway, what is the Sun going to change? Scizor has stayed in the top 10 most used pokemon since Platinum for one reason alone, he is a frighteningly powerful sweeper who is reliable at fulfilling his duty and quite frankly, Heatran’s one of the few pokemon who can stop this beast. When the team is down in the dirt, Scizor can bring the game back into your hands provided Heatran is out of the way. The EV spread has max attack and an Adamant nature; a no brainer on the set as well as a nice HP stat for 11 turns of Life Orb recoil. The remaining EVs are pumped into Special Defense to aid switch-ins.
THREATS LIST: THE OU METAGAME
Dugtrio: Cant exactly switch out and counter, Cresselia could but could also Ice Beam. Tangrowth outruns and OHKO's easily.
Alakazam: Light Screen and where it down with Cresselia, otherwise switch Scizor in on anything but Focus Blast.
Machamp: Exeggutor can come in on fighting attacks and possibly live non Choiced Paybacks. With residual damage, Scizor can finish it off if it can get in.
Tentacruel: Tangrowth hits its weaker defense and lives easily behind a Light Screen.
Gengar: Scizor’s Bullet Punch is the reason this thing isn’t used as much in the first place.
Starmie: Not entirely easy. Exeggutor hits it’s often weaker Defence and should be alright behind a Light Screen retaliating with 80 BP Grass Knot.
Zapdos: Cresselia can wear it down with Light Screen, Moonlight and Ice Beam, let alone picking up 25% off Stealth Rocks. Roost could be tricky to deal with.
Dragonite: Same boat as Zapdos with Cresselia, Scizor will pick off any without Fire attacks. Thunder Wave on Dragon Dancing sets helps.
Forretress: Just set up fodder for Heatran if it doesn’t have Earthquake but his bulk means he shouldn’t faint regardless. With Sun up Tangrowth kills with Hidden Power or Infernape kills with Fire Blast.
Scizor: Heatran is quite defensive so doesn’t fear the Brick Break prediction from the switch on Stealth Rocks. However its not as fast as Scarftran, he’s only outran by the common 224 Spe Adamant Swords Dancer so that’s tricky, otherwise other Scizors are outrun and Flamethrowered. Unboosted Bullet Punches fail to OHKO Infernape who OHKOs with Fire Blast.
Heracross: Heatran scares it but takes bad damage and lives against Adamant Scarfers. If sun’s up Tangrowth outpaces non-scarfers and hurts with Hidden power, so can Infernape and Scizor easily knocks off weakened ones.
Skarmory: Easily taken care of by Heatran’s Flamethrower and should have time to set up Sunny Day whilst he’s at it, Infernape and Tangrowth can take advantage of this and kill with Fire attack but both take 3x damage from its STAB Flying.
Donphan: Infernape slaughters with Grass Knot but is owned by STAB Earthquakes, Ice Shard can be annoying especially with possible residual damage and Life Orb recoil against Tangrowth who walls as but Ice Shard and takes enough prior damage as previously mentioned. Scizor can finnish weakened ones.
Smeargle: Unpredictable, ScarfTrick leads ruin Azelf, but he’ll generally Sunny Day and Explosion if he can’t set up rocks. Baton Pass chains easily set up on Azelf too, he’ll just have to Taunt to ruin that though. Spore can be predictable and Heatran doesn’t mind it with Sleep Talk.
Blissey: Scizor really frightens it and so does Infernape, Tangrowth also packs a high powered physical attack in Power Whip, all 3 are ruined by Paralysis, Tangrowth and Infernape in particular.
Suicune: Calm Mind sets can be damaged by Tangrowth but he’s generally quite physically bulky with 252 HP and DEF so its still not easy, even with Infernape using Grass Knot because of a Water Weakness. With Sun, Suicune’s Surfs become weaker though, so without many Calm Minds up Scizor can do big damage with X-scissor.
Tyranitar: Ruins the Sun and slows down Tangrowth and negates the Fire boosts. With prediction both can cause serious damage with Grass attacks. Infernape should OHKO with Close Combat. Scizor can pick off weakened ones with Bullet Punch but I wouldn’t try Brick Breaking a full health one, I don’t outspeed like the general 224 Spe Swords Dancer.
Celebi: Specially Defensive versions are annoying to Tangrowth who has Hidden Power but Celebi’s his own Hidden Power Fire it can be annoying, as it wont always faint to a OHKO. Scizor and Infernape are scary for weakened ones and even full health ones with X-scissor and Fire Blast respectively, (careful of Hidden Power Fire against Scizor) and Heatran takes on any without Earth Power.
Swampert: Generally physically bulky, Infernape rapes with Grass Knot and has more but doesn’t enjoy trying to switch in unless an Ice Beam is predicted with one of Cresselia’s Light Screens. Same as Tangrowth although his STAB makes up for the fact most are generally phicical > specially bulky.
Breloom: This can be really annoying if Infernape isn’t out before it subs, Heatran would be great if it didn’t have a fighting move. Cresselia wishes it could wear it down if it wasn’t always poison healing behind a substitute. Scizor takes a bit from Fighting moves but can Bullet Punch before it Subs.
Ninjask: Taunt with Azelf to stop a Baton Pass chain though some carry X-scissor. Iit can substitute stopping boat as Thunder Wave and is always faster. Anything stronger than Chansey’s Pound can flick it away.
Flygon: Not particularly bulky and won’t outrun the Tangrowth without a Scarf and can hit with powerful grass attacks, failing to OHKO will result in a fiery defeat although it’s quite frail but I’ve seen some defensive ones. Scizor picks off weakened ones and Cresselia can recover and damage with Ice Beam but Choice Banders are a bit much without the ability to Thunder Wave it.
Salamence: Thunderwave Dragon Dancers and OHKO with Ice Beam on the pathetically bulky Cresselia. Infernape outruns non boosted ones and OHKO’s with Hidden Power Ice. Scizor Bullet Punches weakened Mence’s already dreading Stealth Rock.
Metagross: Heatran would do fine against choice locked Metagross, any others would have the ability to Earthquake and kill it. With most carrying physical attacks, the surprisingly physically bulky Tangrowth can come in and Hidden Power Fire whilst however fearing Ice and Fire Punch. If Infernape gets in safe it OHKO’s with Fire Blast but Bullet Punch is annoying already taking Life Orb recoil and potential entry hazards.
Latias: Cresselia can set up Light Screen to dampen its attacks but with Calm Minds up it becomes deadly. If Scizor can get in with Sun up do weaken Surf and Light Screen for every Special Attack it has, it should be able to find time for a Swords Dance and proceed to kill with Bullet Punch.
Jirachi: Heatran is pretty comfortable against it, many carry physical choice sets and Heatran switches in on anything and easily OHKOs under the Sun. The same for special but Thunderbolt and Calm can be a pain, though with a Light Screen Heatran and Tangrowth respond with easy KOs. Infernape outruns and OHKO’s easy under the Sun.
Infernape: Can be difficult to come into for any pokemon and quite a nuisance for the team with mixed powerful sets that will always benefit from the Sun. If Cresselia can get a Thunder Wave in it shouldn’t be too hard if it doesn’t have Fire Blast. Any set without a speed boost usually from a Choice Scarf is outrun by Tangrowth under the Sun, who can Earthquake for a OHKO.
Empoleon: Tangrowth again can Earthquake for often OHKO’s, bulkier sets such as Swords Dancers focus on HP without a need for speed and could survive but Aqua Jet isn’t posing much of a threat, especially under the Sun. Special sets aren’t doing much with a Light Screen up.
Bronzong: Its Gyro Balls become pretty powerful and aren’t resisted my Tangrowth sweepers, and Tangrowth isn’t going to OHKO with Hidden Power full health Bronzongs under the Sun although Infernape can but must be wary of Earthquale. Heatran can come in for an easy KO on sets without Earthquake, Scizor doesn’t have much trouble either.
Lucario: If it doesn’t have Crunch Cresselia can easily cripple any set it runs. Not often seen Scarf sets outrun the Chlorophyll sweepers, otherwise Tangrowth in particular with his surprising Physical Bulkiness can live his attacks and OHKO with Earthquake.
Hippowdon: Same boat as Tyranitar, he screws up the sweepers speed but Infernape will trip it up easily with a full powered Grass Knot on its weaker defensive end and OHKO.
Weavile: Having trouble outrunning Scarf users, he is outrun by Tangrowth if Weavile isn’t Scarfed and that isn’t common. Tangrowth can easily OHKO with Hidden POwer but bewares Ice Punches. Cresselia can cripple it but even with all the bulk would rather not be hit by Dark STAB.
Magnezone: Not much hope against damaging this team, it wont magnet rise before Tangrowth OHKO’s with Earthquake and doesn’t outrun Infernape’s Fire Blast. Heatran being more bulky than his brothers isn’t so unhappy about being trapped because he’ll easily OHKO, and not many Magnezone want to face it under the Sun.
Rhyperior: Grass attacks, might not even need the Sun for Tangrowth who would wall his STAB physical attacks anyway, Infernape can’t exactly switch in against it though.
Electivire: Thunder Wave is Electivire’s only hope of a Motor Drive boost, and I guess they’re quite predictable coming to. Without a Motor Drive boost he won’t outrun Tangrowth who can Earthquake for an OHKO as well as Infernape who OHKO’s with Fire Blast easily in the Sun.
Togekiss: Paraflinch is annoying on slower pokemon and unfortunately the Tangrowth isn’t doing much to it. Cresselia can cripple it but will have trouble wearing it down if it has Roost. With Light Screen up it becomes much easier, Scizor has a better chance and with the Sun so will Heatran and Infernape who fear super attacks however.
Gliscor: The physically defensive bat doesn’t enjoy high powered Grass Knots, and with Ice Punch around it doesn’t like being as bulky as it used to be, meaning Scizor and Tangrowth can have a good crack with boosted Bullet Punches and Power Whips respectively, especially weakened ones.
Mamoswine: Ice Shard is annoying but quite predictable; unfortunately even though Heatran eats it up he can’t eat an Earthquake. Scizor should be able to get in on an Ice attack and scare it with Bullet Punch.
Porygon Z: Walled by Cresselia who sets up Light Screen with impunity and can cripple with paralysis. If it doesn’t want to ware it out with Ice Beam + Moonlight, Scizor easily can.
Dusknoir: Lacking Fire Punch makes it set up fodder for Scizor . Being quite slow, he’s easy to induce sleep on; let alone paralyses making him that much slower and unable of doing much. This will allow a quick Sunny transition with Heatran too.
Azelf: First one to taunt as a lead wins, could go first and stop my Sun / Rocks, but can be crippled and easily walled by Cresselia. With a Light Screen up it should be easy to deal with being quite frail.
Heatran: Under the Sun Tangrowth just outruns even a +Spe nature 252 Spe EV Scarftan, and can induce sleep. Otherwise Cresselia walls it with Light Screen and can cripple it if sleep clause is active. If Sun is up and he’s not threatening me too much with pathetically powerful Fire attacks, Tangrowth can OHKO with Earthquake
Cresselia: Thunder Wave can be annoying but Azelf might be able to get in and Taunt if he hasn’t yet exploded stopping any screens, status and healing. Without status it’s just set up fodder for Scizor.
TEAM QUEIRIES:
1) EV spreads: Thanks to Clocks for clearing both Heatran and Cresselia up, very much appreciated.
2) The move sets. Cleared up, thanks a lot.
3) Heatran. Finally can be countered, once again thanks.
CONCLUSION:
I believe that the current metagame isn’t entirely ready to take on every common threat as well as every team under weather effects at the same time. Balanced teams can brag about being an anti-metagame team and stop all the current threats but how many people go around thinking, “well ill need this far Stallrein, and this for Kingdra in the rain, and this for beating the “Sandstorm Stallers” as well as everything else in the metagame that I need to counter!” Well that pretty much sums it up, not everyone’s ready for weather teams as well so something currently as uncommon as a Sunny Day team could be potentially deadly if somebody’s not prepared for it.
THE SUNNY LEAD
Azelf @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
- Sunny Day
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Explosion
A very effective lead even outside of a sunny day team. Azelf can easily set up Sunny Day without trouble unless he’s up against a faster lead with Taunt, such as Aerodactyl. If this happens, Cresselia can come in and cripple and laugh off Aerodactyl’s attacks and heal after it KOs. Otherwise the sweepers can get in and set up sun, which couldn't be predicted untill it's up, and Aerodactyl wont be outrunning then. If not up against a faster taunting lead, Azelf can also effectively use taunt itself also filling the “fast taunting” role and allow time to even set up both Stealth Rocks as well as the Sun. If needed, Azelf’s explosion can be saved for a later game annihilation or used as a quick and safe method to switch into the Chlorophyll sweeper of choice. With a lack of special attacks, Azelf can have a Jolly nature so that it’s out speeding the common leads as well as maintaining a powerful Explosion, and not having a defense lowering nature of choice, increasing survivability. With no real need for EV investment in either end of the offensive spectrum, 252 EV’s can be pumped into HP for general bulk (as well as often allowing both Sunny Day and Stealth Rocks) while another 252 into Speed so the little pixie isn’t outrun, with the remaining 4 EV’s into either defense.
THE SCREENER
Cresselia @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Nature: Calm (+SpD, -Atk)
- Light Screen
- Ice Beam
- Moonlight
- Thunder Wave
Cresselia is a reliable user of screens and with a common Special Defense weakness on my team, my “Specially Frail” Tangrowth and Scizor will enjoy the boost. It can set up Light Screen pretty easy and unlike Bronzong (a previous filler of this role), Cresselia can heal herself with a boosted Moonlight (66% under the sun compared to 50% without) and will be able to come in time and again. The main thing that really invites Cresselia is two things, It can cripple Heatran with Thunder Wave and laugh at it’s special attacks especially behind Light Screen as well as being able to cripple DD Mence who would otherwise sweep the team and finish it off with Ice Beam. The general bulkiness of Cresselia rounds of the team and keeps two potentially devastating threats at bay. I decided on having Sunny Day too and in place of Thunder Wave because my sweepers will be setting up Sun a fair bit and they’re already worrying about set-up time and Life Orb damage, however the support Thunder Wave provides against mentioned threats is unbeaten outside of sleep inducing.
THE PHYSICAL MIX CHLOROPHYLL SWEEPER
Tangrowth @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 36 SpA / 220 Spe
Nature: Naive (+Spe, -SpA)
- Power Whip
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Fire
- Sleep Powder
Your best bet for a physical attacker who can sweep under the sun would be Tangrowth. Under the sun, this beast outruns the ever common Scarftran. He is then able to Sleep Powder this deadly threat to the team, quite a necessary function for this pokemon. Also bulky enough to set up Sunny Day, this pokemon is able to keep the all important Sun going allowing its monstrous Power Whips to sweep through a team without being touched by slower pokemon and backed with Earthquake to take out the ever common Heatran. The offensive type combo keeps an enormous amount of threats at bay, he is no physical defensive slouch at all and behind a Light Screen he doesn't really mind special attacks that aren't super effective. Furthermore with a stupidly speedy Sleep Powder he can easily keep the Sunlight going, and if the Sun's not up to aid sleep inducing, as before mentioned he's quite bulky anyway so shouldn't have trouble turning the game around.
THE SPECIAL SUNNY SWEEPER
Infernape @ Life Orb
EVs: 64 Atk / 252 SpA Def / 192 Spe
Nature: Naive (+Spe, -SpD)
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power Ice
Under the Sun, this thing is deadly. The fact that with all 4 moves this thing kills anything that thinks it counters it. The number of times I only show Fire Blast and Grass Knot and then something like Flygon or Salamence who comes in and takes Hidden Power Ice while setting up predicting a switch is hilarious. I’ve even killed Blisseys with Close Combat because some people think it may still be a Nasty Plot set. The speed and power behind this Mixape keeps many counters at bay, as mentioned in the threats list. Under the Sun this thing’s Fire Blast kills standard 252/0 bold Cresselia, something mine lives especially with Light Screen. Not much is stopping the fiery ape.
THE FIRE RESIST AND RELIABLE SUNNY DAY
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Sunny Day
Boosting Fire moves was the first idea that came to my mind when I considered making a Sunny Day team, and with all these 2 weak pokemon in the team as well as boosting enemy Fire attacks under the Sun, it is absolute paramount that a pokemon can come in and wall these threats. Heatran sports my needed physically bulky trait and has some handy resists, as well as the much needed Fire resistance thanks to Flash Fire. Lack of reliable recovery really hurts this potential, but with a “Rest-Talking” strategy implemented Heatran is still able to keep on returning to the field to set up the Sun. The EVs are maxed into HP and Def with a Bold nature to make it physically bulky and a reliable Sunny Day set-up pairing with Cresselia's special bulk and Light Screens, they make an awesome physical/special wall duo. Lava Plume gets stab and with a 30% chance of burning helps with his physical sponging, especially against common switch-ins such as Tyranitar and Salamence. His bulk and Rest-Talking strategy will definitely allow consistent set-up of Sunny Day if Ground attackers are out of the way, usually physical and usually Earthquake, Tangrowth eats them can faint them without much trouble.
THE NON SUN DEPENDANT SWEEPER
Scizor @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe / 216 SpD
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -Spe)
- Bullet Punch
- X-scissor
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
The team is quite heavily reliant on Sunny Day, so to its relief a sweeper who is not dependent on the Sun can open up an opportunity for a final sweep if all others are down, as well as opening another opportunity to set up the Sun with the threats gone and being able to regain momentum. So why Scizor? He’s going to get annihilated by any Fire type move! And that’s exactly the point. If he’s going to die from fire attacks anyway, what is the Sun going to change? Scizor has stayed in the top 10 most used pokemon since Platinum for one reason alone, he is a frighteningly powerful sweeper who is reliable at fulfilling his duty and quite frankly, Heatran’s one of the few pokemon who can stop this beast. When the team is down in the dirt, Scizor can bring the game back into your hands provided Heatran is out of the way. The EV spread has max attack and an Adamant nature; a no brainer on the set as well as a nice HP stat for 11 turns of Life Orb recoil. The remaining EVs are pumped into Special Defense to aid switch-ins.
THREATS LIST: THE OU METAGAME
Dugtrio: Cant exactly switch out and counter, Cresselia could but could also Ice Beam. Tangrowth outruns and OHKO's easily.
Alakazam: Light Screen and where it down with Cresselia, otherwise switch Scizor in on anything but Focus Blast.
Machamp: Exeggutor can come in on fighting attacks and possibly live non Choiced Paybacks. With residual damage, Scizor can finish it off if it can get in.
Tentacruel: Tangrowth hits its weaker defense and lives easily behind a Light Screen.
Gengar: Scizor’s Bullet Punch is the reason this thing isn’t used as much in the first place.
Starmie: Not entirely easy. Exeggutor hits it’s often weaker Defence and should be alright behind a Light Screen retaliating with 80 BP Grass Knot.
Zapdos: Cresselia can wear it down with Light Screen, Moonlight and Ice Beam, let alone picking up 25% off Stealth Rocks. Roost could be tricky to deal with.
Dragonite: Same boat as Zapdos with Cresselia, Scizor will pick off any without Fire attacks. Thunder Wave on Dragon Dancing sets helps.
Forretress: Just set up fodder for Heatran if it doesn’t have Earthquake but his bulk means he shouldn’t faint regardless. With Sun up Tangrowth kills with Hidden Power or Infernape kills with Fire Blast.
Scizor: Heatran is quite defensive so doesn’t fear the Brick Break prediction from the switch on Stealth Rocks. However its not as fast as Scarftran, he’s only outran by the common 224 Spe Adamant Swords Dancer so that’s tricky, otherwise other Scizors are outrun and Flamethrowered. Unboosted Bullet Punches fail to OHKO Infernape who OHKOs with Fire Blast.
Heracross: Heatran scares it but takes bad damage and lives against Adamant Scarfers. If sun’s up Tangrowth outpaces non-scarfers and hurts with Hidden power, so can Infernape and Scizor easily knocks off weakened ones.
Skarmory: Easily taken care of by Heatran’s Flamethrower and should have time to set up Sunny Day whilst he’s at it, Infernape and Tangrowth can take advantage of this and kill with Fire attack but both take 3x damage from its STAB Flying.
Donphan: Infernape slaughters with Grass Knot but is owned by STAB Earthquakes, Ice Shard can be annoying especially with possible residual damage and Life Orb recoil against Tangrowth who walls as but Ice Shard and takes enough prior damage as previously mentioned. Scizor can finnish weakened ones.
Smeargle: Unpredictable, ScarfTrick leads ruin Azelf, but he’ll generally Sunny Day and Explosion if he can’t set up rocks. Baton Pass chains easily set up on Azelf too, he’ll just have to Taunt to ruin that though. Spore can be predictable and Heatran doesn’t mind it with Sleep Talk.
Blissey: Scizor really frightens it and so does Infernape, Tangrowth also packs a high powered physical attack in Power Whip, all 3 are ruined by Paralysis, Tangrowth and Infernape in particular.
Suicune: Calm Mind sets can be damaged by Tangrowth but he’s generally quite physically bulky with 252 HP and DEF so its still not easy, even with Infernape using Grass Knot because of a Water Weakness. With Sun, Suicune’s Surfs become weaker though, so without many Calm Minds up Scizor can do big damage with X-scissor.
Tyranitar: Ruins the Sun and slows down Tangrowth and negates the Fire boosts. With prediction both can cause serious damage with Grass attacks. Infernape should OHKO with Close Combat. Scizor can pick off weakened ones with Bullet Punch but I wouldn’t try Brick Breaking a full health one, I don’t outspeed like the general 224 Spe Swords Dancer.
Celebi: Specially Defensive versions are annoying to Tangrowth who has Hidden Power but Celebi’s his own Hidden Power Fire it can be annoying, as it wont always faint to a OHKO. Scizor and Infernape are scary for weakened ones and even full health ones with X-scissor and Fire Blast respectively, (careful of Hidden Power Fire against Scizor) and Heatran takes on any without Earth Power.
Swampert: Generally physically bulky, Infernape rapes with Grass Knot and has more but doesn’t enjoy trying to switch in unless an Ice Beam is predicted with one of Cresselia’s Light Screens. Same as Tangrowth although his STAB makes up for the fact most are generally phicical > specially bulky.
Breloom: This can be really annoying if Infernape isn’t out before it subs, Heatran would be great if it didn’t have a fighting move. Cresselia wishes it could wear it down if it wasn’t always poison healing behind a substitute. Scizor takes a bit from Fighting moves but can Bullet Punch before it Subs.
Ninjask: Taunt with Azelf to stop a Baton Pass chain though some carry X-scissor. Iit can substitute stopping boat as Thunder Wave and is always faster. Anything stronger than Chansey’s Pound can flick it away.
Flygon: Not particularly bulky and won’t outrun the Tangrowth without a Scarf and can hit with powerful grass attacks, failing to OHKO will result in a fiery defeat although it’s quite frail but I’ve seen some defensive ones. Scizor picks off weakened ones and Cresselia can recover and damage with Ice Beam but Choice Banders are a bit much without the ability to Thunder Wave it.
Salamence: Thunderwave Dragon Dancers and OHKO with Ice Beam on the pathetically bulky Cresselia. Infernape outruns non boosted ones and OHKO’s with Hidden Power Ice. Scizor Bullet Punches weakened Mence’s already dreading Stealth Rock.
Metagross: Heatran would do fine against choice locked Metagross, any others would have the ability to Earthquake and kill it. With most carrying physical attacks, the surprisingly physically bulky Tangrowth can come in and Hidden Power Fire whilst however fearing Ice and Fire Punch. If Infernape gets in safe it OHKO’s with Fire Blast but Bullet Punch is annoying already taking Life Orb recoil and potential entry hazards.
Latias: Cresselia can set up Light Screen to dampen its attacks but with Calm Minds up it becomes deadly. If Scizor can get in with Sun up do weaken Surf and Light Screen for every Special Attack it has, it should be able to find time for a Swords Dance and proceed to kill with Bullet Punch.
Jirachi: Heatran is pretty comfortable against it, many carry physical choice sets and Heatran switches in on anything and easily OHKOs under the Sun. The same for special but Thunderbolt and Calm can be a pain, though with a Light Screen Heatran and Tangrowth respond with easy KOs. Infernape outruns and OHKO’s easy under the Sun.
Infernape: Can be difficult to come into for any pokemon and quite a nuisance for the team with mixed powerful sets that will always benefit from the Sun. If Cresselia can get a Thunder Wave in it shouldn’t be too hard if it doesn’t have Fire Blast. Any set without a speed boost usually from a Choice Scarf is outrun by Tangrowth under the Sun, who can Earthquake for a OHKO.
Empoleon: Tangrowth again can Earthquake for often OHKO’s, bulkier sets such as Swords Dancers focus on HP without a need for speed and could survive but Aqua Jet isn’t posing much of a threat, especially under the Sun. Special sets aren’t doing much with a Light Screen up.
Bronzong: Its Gyro Balls become pretty powerful and aren’t resisted my Tangrowth sweepers, and Tangrowth isn’t going to OHKO with Hidden Power full health Bronzongs under the Sun although Infernape can but must be wary of Earthquale. Heatran can come in for an easy KO on sets without Earthquake, Scizor doesn’t have much trouble either.
Lucario: If it doesn’t have Crunch Cresselia can easily cripple any set it runs. Not often seen Scarf sets outrun the Chlorophyll sweepers, otherwise Tangrowth in particular with his surprising Physical Bulkiness can live his attacks and OHKO with Earthquake.
Hippowdon: Same boat as Tyranitar, he screws up the sweepers speed but Infernape will trip it up easily with a full powered Grass Knot on its weaker defensive end and OHKO.
Weavile: Having trouble outrunning Scarf users, he is outrun by Tangrowth if Weavile isn’t Scarfed and that isn’t common. Tangrowth can easily OHKO with Hidden POwer but bewares Ice Punches. Cresselia can cripple it but even with all the bulk would rather not be hit by Dark STAB.
Magnezone: Not much hope against damaging this team, it wont magnet rise before Tangrowth OHKO’s with Earthquake and doesn’t outrun Infernape’s Fire Blast. Heatran being more bulky than his brothers isn’t so unhappy about being trapped because he’ll easily OHKO, and not many Magnezone want to face it under the Sun.
Rhyperior: Grass attacks, might not even need the Sun for Tangrowth who would wall his STAB physical attacks anyway, Infernape can’t exactly switch in against it though.
Electivire: Thunder Wave is Electivire’s only hope of a Motor Drive boost, and I guess they’re quite predictable coming to. Without a Motor Drive boost he won’t outrun Tangrowth who can Earthquake for an OHKO as well as Infernape who OHKO’s with Fire Blast easily in the Sun.
Togekiss: Paraflinch is annoying on slower pokemon and unfortunately the Tangrowth isn’t doing much to it. Cresselia can cripple it but will have trouble wearing it down if it has Roost. With Light Screen up it becomes much easier, Scizor has a better chance and with the Sun so will Heatran and Infernape who fear super attacks however.
Gliscor: The physically defensive bat doesn’t enjoy high powered Grass Knots, and with Ice Punch around it doesn’t like being as bulky as it used to be, meaning Scizor and Tangrowth can have a good crack with boosted Bullet Punches and Power Whips respectively, especially weakened ones.
Mamoswine: Ice Shard is annoying but quite predictable; unfortunately even though Heatran eats it up he can’t eat an Earthquake. Scizor should be able to get in on an Ice attack and scare it with Bullet Punch.
Porygon Z: Walled by Cresselia who sets up Light Screen with impunity and can cripple with paralysis. If it doesn’t want to ware it out with Ice Beam + Moonlight, Scizor easily can.
Dusknoir: Lacking Fire Punch makes it set up fodder for Scizor . Being quite slow, he’s easy to induce sleep on; let alone paralyses making him that much slower and unable of doing much. This will allow a quick Sunny transition with Heatran too.
Azelf: First one to taunt as a lead wins, could go first and stop my Sun / Rocks, but can be crippled and easily walled by Cresselia. With a Light Screen up it should be easy to deal with being quite frail.
Heatran: Under the Sun Tangrowth just outruns even a +Spe nature 252 Spe EV Scarftan, and can induce sleep. Otherwise Cresselia walls it with Light Screen and can cripple it if sleep clause is active. If Sun is up and he’s not threatening me too much with pathetically powerful Fire attacks, Tangrowth can OHKO with Earthquake
Cresselia: Thunder Wave can be annoying but Azelf might be able to get in and Taunt if he hasn’t yet exploded stopping any screens, status and healing. Without status it’s just set up fodder for Scizor.
TEAM QUEIRIES:
1) EV spreads: Thanks to Clocks for clearing both Heatran and Cresselia up, very much appreciated.
2) The move sets. Cleared up, thanks a lot.
3) Heatran. Finally can be countered, once again thanks.
CONCLUSION:
I believe that the current metagame isn’t entirely ready to take on every common threat as well as every team under weather effects at the same time. Balanced teams can brag about being an anti-metagame team and stop all the current threats but how many people go around thinking, “well ill need this far Stallrein, and this for Kingdra in the rain, and this for beating the “Sandstorm Stallers” as well as everything else in the metagame that I need to counter!” Well that pretty much sums it up, not everyone’s ready for weather teams as well so something currently as uncommon as a Sunny Day team could be potentially deadly if somebody’s not prepared for it.
