Switchy Switchy - OU RMT

[Platapiez]

An Introduction

I've never been much of a champ at team building, mostly because I'm always trying to use innovative or unorthodox methods to do things that don't really merit a creative approach. So, my goal for this team was to develop a wealth of different sub strategies to tackle a variety of scenarios, all within the bounds of simplicity. I feel like I'm getting somewhere, but the light at the end of the tunnel is barely visible. I'v used this team before to great success and failure, and I want to hear from the competitive community how to eliminate the failure part. That is all.

Without any further waste of your time:

Right off the bat, most of you are probably noticing the conspicuous weakness to electric, which is countered quite nicely by Electivire's motor drive. You may also notice the conspicuous weakness to ground, which the other half happen to be immune to. Just keep the title of this thread in mind before you judge.

@ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

There's no other lead quite like Aero. Its speed allows taunt to put a significant dent in the opposing lead's set up plans, and stealth rock is a must. Now I know what you're thinking... duh. Sure everybody knows the strategy for this pokemon, but it usually doesn't stop it from working. The biggest issues I can possibly run into are scarf-trick Uxie and Swampert (who's easily scared off by Rotom-C). Basically, Aero guarantees SR, which is the sole purpose of its existence.

@ Leftovers
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP/120 Def/136 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Surf
- Sludge Bomb

Another strictly Smogon set, but it no less gets the job done. Half the games I play I get SR and two layers of Toxic Spikes within 5 or so turns. I like this set because after Tentacruel spins away enemy SR/Spikes and lays down a cozy layer of it's own, it can normally hold off a good amount of time before fainting. Although I do consider it expendable regardless.

@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Leaf Storm
- Trick
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball

This is my team's curve ball so to say. It easily scares off the likes of Swampert, TTar, and essentially anything that doesn't have much Special Defense. I can switch into an EQ or focus punch and throw a proverbial monkey wrench into the enemy strategy. If someone's trying to wall me, I'll just give trick a spin.

@ Focus Sash
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Baton Pass
- Swords Dance
- Protect
- X-Scissor

No explanation is required here, but I'll give one anyway. Swords dance, protect for as long as possible until I'm ready to pass to Electivire. I won't begin this strategy on a poke that indubitably knows taunt, and will pass as soon as I encounter one. Although everybody knows what I'm going to do with this as soon as they see it, 8 times out of 10 it doesn't stop it from happening.

@ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/140 Atk/116 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
- Explosion

Metagross provides the much needed physical beef of my team. Terrifying attack combined with a respectable amount of bulk make for a formidable adversary. The Occa berry prepares for the eventual flamethrower or Fire Blast, particularly from an unsuspecting Heatran. Fire Blast will not OHKO with Occa, and EQ speaks for itself. Pursuit is very overlooked for this poke and is probably one of the best reasons to have a Gross on a team.

@ Expert Belt
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Thunderpunch
- Ice Punch
- Cross Chop
- Earthquake

This late game sweeper is devastating after a couple speed boosts and a swords dance from Ninjask. God willing I pass on a T-bolt as well, becoming unstoppable. The moveset is to provide maximum coverage for a sweeping set, and the expert belt for max power.


So I know I don't have the most creative team on earth, but I'd rather it be effective above all else. If the community could help me to do that, that would be great. Thanks.

A Final Gander:

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[Lil Niglet]

Hey there!

First off, nice team but I have a few ideas that may help improve your team's overall performance. After looking through your team I began to wonder, what role does Tentacruel serve to your team? Your team doesn't really benefit from TS because of its fast pace nature while Tentacruel slows down the team. I also noticed the big SD Lucario weakness as he can single handedly OHkO your whole team after a boost. He can easily set up on Rotoms Shadow ball. Rotom is your best bet at taking him out, but is easily killed by a pursuit user. Thus, I would recommend a Choice Scarf Jirachi as it will cover Lucario, Gyarados, Salamence, and Tyranitar all in one moveset.

Finally, I would change your Tentacruel to an offensive Latias, as it will cover Infernapes and the same things as Tentacruel while also giving you some special attacking power. A dragon/Steel core is always nice to have.

Good Luck with the team

 

[Rama]

reacting to what RNRN808 said, i think tentacruel is very useful on your team, mainly because of the ability to rapid spin, however toxic spikes arent a big selling point and infernapes with EQ can still KO you, therefore i reccomend a starmie, who checks nape more effectively, while still being able to rapid spin, which otherwise would take a big toll on your team.
Starmie@leftovers
Timid-252 spe/252 spatk/6 hp
-surf
-ice beam
-thunderbolt/grass knot
-rapid spin

hope i helped :]

 

[Raikaria]

I second the Starmie suggestion. A fast-paced offensive team, especially with a sweeper with as much coverage as 'Vire, does not need Toxic Spikes. Especially when over half of OU is immune to them. [Although, it is a middle finger to Swampert, who loves to wall 'Vire, even at +2]

Still, Starmie will help to keep the momentum up, and blow a dent in the other team while doing so. However, I would suggest Life Orb Starmie, simply because it can 2HKO most of OU's top 15, including Swampert, who you MUST get rid of to sweep with 'Vire. In addittion, with an Aero lead, you don't benifit that much from Rapid Spin.

Loving the Rotom-C, however, great Swampert counter, and also hurts Tyranitar more than any other Rotom form could ever hope to do. [Specs Rotom-C can even OHKO with rocks down, through the sand] With rising Swampert use, and Tyranitar, scoring hits on them is getting more and more vital.

 

[Mood4food77]

infernape's rarely ever carry earthquake (i don't think they ever do) since fighting-ground has almost redundant type coverage, so i think he's fine on that part

he team seems fine really, i don't see any glaring weaknesses, latias may give him some trouble (that's cause she's a whore bag anyways) but other than that, he seems set

pretty well balanced and nice synergy

 

[Cherub Agent]

I agree with what the other people before me said. Also, have you tried making Metagross your BP recipient? he's possibly one of the best in the game, with a simple moveset of iron head, EQ, thunderpunch and ice punch. i really don't see electrivire doing much here to be honest. you could go mixvire, since it's a more effective wallbreaker... sorry mate its late here, if i can i'll look through the team better tomorow

 

[Platapiez]

Hey guys, thanks for all the rating! I really appreciate it. I think I'm more inclined to go with Mood4food77 on the the Tentacruel issue, because I rarely run into a Nape with EQ and I find the spikes saving me a lot of the time. Also, I like the extra bulk that Tentacruel provides over Starmie. It allows me to use it as a wall if need be. I like the idea of a Mixvire, although I've never heard of it. It sounds like just the think to trick defensive walls to switch in and be met with unpleasentry. Then of course if I do, the usefulness of Ninjask drops a bit... any thoughts?

 

[Veritas]

I would switch out the electivire personally. According to your strategy, it's sole use is to absorb those electric hits. Any ground type comes naturally with that ability (essentially). Put in a ground pokemon that has a secondary use. For example; Donphan, who serves as a rapid spinner.

 

[PI-Dimension]

This is a nitpick but:

"It easily scares off the likes of Swampert, TTar, and essentially anything that doesn't have much Special Defense."

TTar has a LOT of SpDef :(

@Lunar Flare, Tentacruel already is a spinner :O

Problem: You are extremely weak to EQ, particularly Flygon (as it is immune to TSpikes). Aero isn't going to last, and if they have a bulky SRer after tenta is gone ninjask isn't going to live for long either. Hence, the only 'counter' you have is rotom, which is 2hkoed by Outrage.

 

[Platapiez]

I would switch out the electivire personally. According to your strategy, it's sole use is to absorb those electric hits. Any ground type comes naturally with that ability (essentially). Put in a ground pokemon that has a secondary use. For example; Donphan, who serves as a rapid spinner.

So many things wrong with this.... If you actually read my description you'd know that it serves as a late game sweeper with a ton of coverage, not just to absorb electric hits. Also, not only does Tentacruel have rapid spin already, but Donphan has little to no practical use in OU.

 

[Platapiez]

Problem: You are extremely weak to EQ, particularly Flygon (as it is immune to TSpikes). Aero isn't going to last, and if they have a bulky SRer after tenta is gone ninjask isn't going to live for long either. Hence, the only 'counter' you have is rotom, which is 2hkoed by Outrage.

OK.... that wasn't really a suggestion.