This is my first time posting a RMT so I apologize for bad spelling/possible inducement of boredom/bad image sizes/sounding stupid or obnoxious. My Shoddy Account is Swirly.
This is also meant to be more of a Share My Team because it uses a Swalot and kind of hopes to encourage people to use it!
I normally play ubers on Shoddy but after a while I got tired of it and looked to try something new so I moved over to the UU ladder. Swalot has always been one of my favorite pokemon so I decided that my goal would be to use it on a team and up the usage of Swalot and maybe other people will try out the awesome blobby pokemon as well.
Team planning:
So the first pokemon that was decided upon was obviously Swalot since my whole goal is to use Swalot on a team. Swalot's stats kind of confine it to a tank-ish role so that determined that I would be running a stall team.
Since Swalot has a Psychic weakness, I had an excuse to use another one of my favorites, Absol! I wanted something something that could set up and sweep to surprise people and Absol is also great for forcing out switches with Sucker Punch (especially on Choiced pokemon) which helps maximize entry hazard efficiency as well.
Stall teams love entry hazards so I needed a Pokemon to set up for me. Froslass seemed way too overused (yes, I don't really like to use overly overused stuff if I can help it) although it is an amazing Pokemon admittedly. I ended up choosing Omastar for its great Defense and its ability to use both Stealth Rocks and Spikes.
My choice goal was to find a Phazer to abuse entry hazards. I ran a Roar + Sub Raiku for a while but I feel like that's probably going to get bumped back to BL soon so I opted to swap to a more solid UU Pokemon. I settled for Venusaur since its typing compliments Omastar nicely and it's quite bulky.
Next came finding a Rapid Spin blocker. The choice was pretty easy as Spiritomb can really take a beating with its ridiculously awesome typing and bulk. And conveniently, it also made a good RestTalker which gives it recovery and the ability to absorb sleep for me. What an awesome swirly ghost.
The last spot on my team took a while to settle on and it's the most replaceable slot. I just went with Hitmontop as a Spinner is usually a helpful thing to have and it gains access to foresight. Another factor that made me decide to pick Hitmontop is its ability Intimidate as dropping your opponent's attack is always a good thing :D
So that's my team. The goal is pretty simple, set up with Omastar and then whittle down your opponent slowly through damage over time or forcing them to switch out. Having 2 Pokemon absorb Toxic Spikes has helped me out several times too.
Omastar (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 252 HP/176 Def/80 SpD
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Surf
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Ancient Power
Lead Omastar is a beast. It is pretty much guranteed to set up at least SR and typically a layer of Spikes OR it takes out a few opponents. It also makes an amazing tank with its awesome Defense stat. Ancient Power 2HKO's Froslass. It's always fun to Ancient Power a Froslass in the face as it taunts. It's also great against Ambipom as Ambipom can 3HKO it at best using Low Kick and Omastar can just set up in its face although I usually use Ancient Power hoping to get that 10% boost as well as smack Ambipom in the face if it does use Taunt.
Omastar also makes a surprisingly good sweeper. I have actually won quite a few matches with Omastar alone. Many times opponents will swap in Moltres or some Flying type when they see an Omastar lead to avoid SR damage so if you choose to Ancient Power instead, it's one free kill for you already :D Yay for 4x weaknesses. The 10% chance for a mega boost from Ancient Power is helpful too.
Omastar also makes a good Physical Wall and I often use it to counter Arcanines without Hidden Power and Swellow. It can also be swapped into a Choiced Pokemon's Fire attack (even special ones like Moltres' Fire Blast) thanks to its 4x resistance to fire.
The EVs are a little random, I just maxed out HP and dumped the rest into its defenses. Advice would be nice.
Spiritomb (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/96 Def/160 SpD
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Wil-o-Wisp
The awesome Sleep Talk Swirly Ghost! Spiritomb's amazing typing allows it to survive much more than it would seem to be able to. It has more Special Defense because Wil-O-Wisp allows covers its physical side (just beware of using it too much and giving Flash Fire Arcanine/Houndoom a free boost).
Spiritomb's main role is spin blocking. Spinners often swap in after a few rounds to minimize entry hazard damage only to find the swirly Spiritomb. Spiritomb is usually 2 to 3HKO by Donphan EQ but with WoW Spiritomb scoffs at the fat elephant. Claydol can't do much to it, and neither can Cloyster. Shadow hits Claydol nice and hard while hitting Cloyster's weak special defense.
Blastoise is another common spinner although it usually 3HKO Spiritomb at best but Spiritomb has Rest to counter that. Blastoise alos tend to carry either Toxic or Yawn; both of which are countered by Rest. Hitmontop is more troublesome because it could carry Foresight and then it comes down to prediction. But cutting its measly attack in half wouldn't be a bad idea if you're too lazy to try to outpredict Rapid Spin + Foresight and it would render Hitmontop essentially useless for the rest of the game unless the opposing team has a cleric.
I chose to run Shadow Ball over Dark Pulse because the Special Defense drop is more useful than Dark Pulse's nonexistant flinch since Spiritomb is too slow to outspeed anything anyways. However, this does render Spiritomb useless against Normal types so you might want to take that into consideration although the only normal types are really switch in are Miltank (Scrappy will force you out), Kangaskhan (Scrappy again), Swellow (Use Omastar), and Chansey (which Dark Pulse won't do anything to anyways).
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP/200 Def/56 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Sucker Punch
- Rapid Spin
- Foresight
- Close Combat
Hitmontop is my Rapid Spin user and when Rapid Spin is used in tandem with Foresight, usually gives you a guranteed spin. Close Combat is the Clefable/Chansey destroyer. Intimidate is a great way to force out opponents. Sucker Punch has its uses as most people don't expect Hitmontop to carry it over Mach Punch very often. This is snagged me some free Mismagius and Alakazam kills before :D
The EVs on this Hitmontop was kind of just made up by me to give it more durability, advice would be appreciated.
Swalot (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 252 HP/144 Def/112 SpD
Calm nature (+SpD, -Atk)
- Encore
- Yawn
- Protect
- Counter
The star of the team! Swalot is awesome has it is more durable than most people would expect and most people don't know what to expect from it. Swalot is the master of mind games sporting Encore/Yawn/Protect/Counter. (Note: Don't run the Pain Split set, it lowers its bulk and it's pretty much useless, I ran that set for a while). Opponents will think twice about setting up on Swalot as getting locked in CM/SD/Sub is basically saying, "Set up on me!" Then you can bring in Absol. Yawn often pseudo-phazes opponents which means more entry hazard abuse! I run Protect because it's useful for scouting and locking in Choiced Pokemon and to give free Black Sludge recovery for a turn. Counter is a fun move. I've killed unsuspecting Arcanines, Honchkrows, and even Dugtrios with this. Swalot takes ~98% from a Dugtrio EQ which means that Dugtrio is going down with you whether it likes it or not.
Swalot really shines against other teams late game when one move could determine the outcome of the match. Swalot's silly mind games will keep your opponents on their feet or be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Swalot is also the best Specs Sceptile counter ever since those only carry HP Fire or HP Ice so they can't touch Swalot. Leaf Storm does laughable damage even with Specs. Just beware of Physiclal/Mixed Sceptiles. It's also great for stopping CM Raiku with Encore and it is 3HKO by a nonSpecs Raikou so you can Encore and then swap out to Venusaur and proceed to wreck havoc on your foe.
Stick Hold is a great move as it prevents Knock Off and if you predict correctly, counters Trick and forces your opponent to switch out.
This fatty is simply amazing. If you like mind games be sure to try out Swalot!
Venusaur (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP/232 Def/24 SpD
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Roar
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
The Phazing Plant of Doom. Venusaur has amazing stats and its not a wonder that it is one of the most commonly used Pokemon in UU. This Venusuar is Physically bulky to counter the recent rise in physical attackers and other Venusaurs. It can also take a hit from Aggron (Head Smash 2HKO's you but you can just energy ball it as it has little SpD) and wall Rhyperior and KO back with Energy Ball. Just be sure to swap to Spiritomb to absorb Sleep Powder so Venusaur doens't get crippled as phazing is integral to this team's success.
Roar gets rid of the Pokemon who love to set up behind Subs and is great for racking up extra damage from SR + Spikes. It gives one a sense of accomplishment when one Roars on the switch forcing your opponent to take extra damage and be put in an unfavorable position.
Sludge Bomb is great as it often poisons, has 10 more BP than Energy Ball and still gets STAB, and catches Honchkrows that try to swap in by surprise. It's also good for taking out Ludicolo who is pretty menancing to this team. Venusaur also helps absorb Leech Seed should your opponent have a Leech Seed spamming Jumpluff/Venusaur/Ludicolo.
Absol (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Spd/6 HP
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Superpower
- Night Slash
Absol is extremely deadly. It has won many games where I was losing 2-5 or even 1-5. Absol is another Pokemon that relies a lot on prediction but the pay off is huge. Absol has single handedly shut down Rain Dance teams by itself with Sucker Punch. Kaputops can't OHKO Absol without a SD so just anticipate the Aqua Jet and Superpower that fossil back back into extinction. Sucker Punch as mentioned already is awesome for forcing switches if your opponent has all offensive moves.
Absol works will with Swalot as Yawn allows Absol to safely switch in if the opponent chooses to stay in after Yawn to KO Swalot if it's already crippled. Also, Absol's Dark-typing gives it immunity to Swalot's Psychic weakness. After a Swords Dance, Absol truly dominates the battle. This dog does bring disaster upon your foes if they're not prepared for it.
Major Threats:
Beware of faster Taunt + Set Up Pokemon like Drapion. Taunt + SD Drapion really decimates this team.
Moltres is pretty deadly too. If it carries HP Ground/Grass, Omastar can't stop it so you'll have to use Swalot to outpredict it with Yawn or Encore. Swalot is 2HKOed by Fire Blast usually. Absol doesn't work too well against Moltres as Sucker Punch doesn't OHKO a 100% HP Moltres in my experience.
I've only ran into CM Mesprit a few times but in a majority of those encounters, Mesprit tore this team apart since it could OHKO Venusaur with Psychic before Venusaur could Roar it out.
Notes: Using Spiritomb/Absol to counter Psychic attacks directed at Hitmontop/Swalot/Venusaur has proved to be very useful. Having 2 Dark types on a stall team has thrown several people off before.
So that's my first RMT. Wow, that took a pretty long time to write o_o Well, hopefully it shows that Swalot isn't completely unusable and people will give it a shot. Sorry if it's really tedious to read through, any advice or comments would be appreciated :)
This is also meant to be more of a Share My Team because it uses a Swalot and kind of hopes to encourage people to use it!
I normally play ubers on Shoddy but after a while I got tired of it and looked to try something new so I moved over to the UU ladder. Swalot has always been one of my favorite pokemon so I decided that my goal would be to use it on a team and up the usage of Swalot and maybe other people will try out the awesome blobby pokemon as well.
Team planning:
So the first pokemon that was decided upon was obviously Swalot since my whole goal is to use Swalot on a team. Swalot's stats kind of confine it to a tank-ish role so that determined that I would be running a stall team.
Since Swalot has a Psychic weakness, I had an excuse to use another one of my favorites, Absol! I wanted something something that could set up and sweep to surprise people and Absol is also great for forcing out switches with Sucker Punch (especially on Choiced pokemon) which helps maximize entry hazard efficiency as well.
Stall teams love entry hazards so I needed a Pokemon to set up for me. Froslass seemed way too overused (yes, I don't really like to use overly overused stuff if I can help it) although it is an amazing Pokemon admittedly. I ended up choosing Omastar for its great Defense and its ability to use both Stealth Rocks and Spikes.
My choice goal was to find a Phazer to abuse entry hazards. I ran a Roar + Sub Raiku for a while but I feel like that's probably going to get bumped back to BL soon so I opted to swap to a more solid UU Pokemon. I settled for Venusaur since its typing compliments Omastar nicely and it's quite bulky.
Next came finding a Rapid Spin blocker. The choice was pretty easy as Spiritomb can really take a beating with its ridiculously awesome typing and bulk. And conveniently, it also made a good RestTalker which gives it recovery and the ability to absorb sleep for me. What an awesome swirly ghost.
The last spot on my team took a while to settle on and it's the most replaceable slot. I just went with Hitmontop as a Spinner is usually a helpful thing to have and it gains access to foresight. Another factor that made me decide to pick Hitmontop is its ability Intimidate as dropping your opponent's attack is always a good thing :D
So that's my team. The goal is pretty simple, set up with Omastar and then whittle down your opponent slowly through damage over time or forcing them to switch out. Having 2 Pokemon absorb Toxic Spikes has helped me out several times too.
Omastar (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 252 HP/176 Def/80 SpD
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Surf
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Ancient Power
Lead Omastar is a beast. It is pretty much guranteed to set up at least SR and typically a layer of Spikes OR it takes out a few opponents. It also makes an amazing tank with its awesome Defense stat. Ancient Power 2HKO's Froslass. It's always fun to Ancient Power a Froslass in the face as it taunts. It's also great against Ambipom as Ambipom can 3HKO it at best using Low Kick and Omastar can just set up in its face although I usually use Ancient Power hoping to get that 10% boost as well as smack Ambipom in the face if it does use Taunt.
Omastar also makes a surprisingly good sweeper. I have actually won quite a few matches with Omastar alone. Many times opponents will swap in Moltres or some Flying type when they see an Omastar lead to avoid SR damage so if you choose to Ancient Power instead, it's one free kill for you already :D Yay for 4x weaknesses. The 10% chance for a mega boost from Ancient Power is helpful too.
Omastar also makes a good Physical Wall and I often use it to counter Arcanines without Hidden Power and Swellow. It can also be swapped into a Choiced Pokemon's Fire attack (even special ones like Moltres' Fire Blast) thanks to its 4x resistance to fire.
The EVs are a little random, I just maxed out HP and dumped the rest into its defenses. Advice would be nice.
Spiritomb (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/96 Def/160 SpD
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Wil-o-Wisp
The awesome Sleep Talk Swirly Ghost! Spiritomb's amazing typing allows it to survive much more than it would seem to be able to. It has more Special Defense because Wil-O-Wisp allows covers its physical side (just beware of using it too much and giving Flash Fire Arcanine/Houndoom a free boost).
Spiritomb's main role is spin blocking. Spinners often swap in after a few rounds to minimize entry hazard damage only to find the swirly Spiritomb. Spiritomb is usually 2 to 3HKO by Donphan EQ but with WoW Spiritomb scoffs at the fat elephant. Claydol can't do much to it, and neither can Cloyster. Shadow hits Claydol nice and hard while hitting Cloyster's weak special defense.
Blastoise is another common spinner although it usually 3HKO Spiritomb at best but Spiritomb has Rest to counter that. Blastoise alos tend to carry either Toxic or Yawn; both of which are countered by Rest. Hitmontop is more troublesome because it could carry Foresight and then it comes down to prediction. But cutting its measly attack in half wouldn't be a bad idea if you're too lazy to try to outpredict Rapid Spin + Foresight and it would render Hitmontop essentially useless for the rest of the game unless the opposing team has a cleric.
I chose to run Shadow Ball over Dark Pulse because the Special Defense drop is more useful than Dark Pulse's nonexistant flinch since Spiritomb is too slow to outspeed anything anyways. However, this does render Spiritomb useless against Normal types so you might want to take that into consideration although the only normal types are really switch in are Miltank (Scrappy will force you out), Kangaskhan (Scrappy again), Swellow (Use Omastar), and Chansey (which Dark Pulse won't do anything to anyways).
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP/200 Def/56 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Sucker Punch
- Rapid Spin
- Foresight
- Close Combat
Hitmontop is my Rapid Spin user and when Rapid Spin is used in tandem with Foresight, usually gives you a guranteed spin. Close Combat is the Clefable/Chansey destroyer. Intimidate is a great way to force out opponents. Sucker Punch has its uses as most people don't expect Hitmontop to carry it over Mach Punch very often. This is snagged me some free Mismagius and Alakazam kills before :D
The EVs on this Hitmontop was kind of just made up by me to give it more durability, advice would be appreciated.
Swalot (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Sticky Hold
EVs: 252 HP/144 Def/112 SpD
Calm nature (+SpD, -Atk)
- Encore
- Yawn
- Protect
- Counter
The star of the team! Swalot is awesome has it is more durable than most people would expect and most people don't know what to expect from it. Swalot is the master of mind games sporting Encore/Yawn/Protect/Counter. (Note: Don't run the Pain Split set, it lowers its bulk and it's pretty much useless, I ran that set for a while). Opponents will think twice about setting up on Swalot as getting locked in CM/SD/Sub is basically saying, "Set up on me!" Then you can bring in Absol. Yawn often pseudo-phazes opponents which means more entry hazard abuse! I run Protect because it's useful for scouting and locking in Choiced Pokemon and to give free Black Sludge recovery for a turn. Counter is a fun move. I've killed unsuspecting Arcanines, Honchkrows, and even Dugtrios with this. Swalot takes ~98% from a Dugtrio EQ which means that Dugtrio is going down with you whether it likes it or not.
Swalot really shines against other teams late game when one move could determine the outcome of the match. Swalot's silly mind games will keep your opponents on their feet or be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Swalot is also the best Specs Sceptile counter ever since those only carry HP Fire or HP Ice so they can't touch Swalot. Leaf Storm does laughable damage even with Specs. Just beware of Physiclal/Mixed Sceptiles. It's also great for stopping CM Raiku with Encore and it is 3HKO by a nonSpecs Raikou so you can Encore and then swap out to Venusaur and proceed to wreck havoc on your foe.
Stick Hold is a great move as it prevents Knock Off and if you predict correctly, counters Trick and forces your opponent to switch out.
This fatty is simply amazing. If you like mind games be sure to try out Swalot!
Venusaur (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 HP/232 Def/24 SpD
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Roar
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
The Phazing Plant of Doom. Venusaur has amazing stats and its not a wonder that it is one of the most commonly used Pokemon in UU. This Venusuar is Physically bulky to counter the recent rise in physical attackers and other Venusaurs. It can also take a hit from Aggron (Head Smash 2HKO's you but you can just energy ball it as it has little SpD) and wall Rhyperior and KO back with Energy Ball. Just be sure to swap to Spiritomb to absorb Sleep Powder so Venusaur doens't get crippled as phazing is integral to this team's success.
Roar gets rid of the Pokemon who love to set up behind Subs and is great for racking up extra damage from SR + Spikes. It gives one a sense of accomplishment when one Roars on the switch forcing your opponent to take extra damage and be put in an unfavorable position.
Sludge Bomb is great as it often poisons, has 10 more BP than Energy Ball and still gets STAB, and catches Honchkrows that try to swap in by surprise. It's also good for taking out Ludicolo who is pretty menancing to this team. Venusaur also helps absorb Leech Seed should your opponent have a Leech Seed spamming Jumpluff/Venusaur/Ludicolo.
Absol (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Spd/6 HP
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Superpower
- Night Slash
Absol is extremely deadly. It has won many games where I was losing 2-5 or even 1-5. Absol is another Pokemon that relies a lot on prediction but the pay off is huge. Absol has single handedly shut down Rain Dance teams by itself with Sucker Punch. Kaputops can't OHKO Absol without a SD so just anticipate the Aqua Jet and Superpower that fossil back back into extinction. Sucker Punch as mentioned already is awesome for forcing switches if your opponent has all offensive moves.
Absol works will with Swalot as Yawn allows Absol to safely switch in if the opponent chooses to stay in after Yawn to KO Swalot if it's already crippled. Also, Absol's Dark-typing gives it immunity to Swalot's Psychic weakness. After a Swords Dance, Absol truly dominates the battle. This dog does bring disaster upon your foes if they're not prepared for it.
Major Threats:
Beware of faster Taunt + Set Up Pokemon like Drapion. Taunt + SD Drapion really decimates this team.
Moltres is pretty deadly too. If it carries HP Ground/Grass, Omastar can't stop it so you'll have to use Swalot to outpredict it with Yawn or Encore. Swalot is 2HKOed by Fire Blast usually. Absol doesn't work too well against Moltres as Sucker Punch doesn't OHKO a 100% HP Moltres in my experience.
I've only ran into CM Mesprit a few times but in a majority of those encounters, Mesprit tore this team apart since it could OHKO Venusaur with Psychic before Venusaur could Roar it out.
Notes: Using Spiritomb/Absol to counter Psychic attacks directed at Hitmontop/Swalot/Venusaur has proved to be very useful. Having 2 Dark types on a stall team has thrown several people off before.
So that's my first RMT. Wow, that took a pretty long time to write o_o Well, hopefully it shows that Swalot isn't completely unusable and people will give it a shot. Sorry if it's really tedious to read through, any advice or comments would be appreciated :)
