Other Metagames Synthesized Stimuli, an AG RMT [Highest Elo @ 2016, #2]

[Lavaclaw]

Hey all,

This team, usually known as Serp(erior) Paraspam, has been... interesting, to say the least. Ever since I've created it, it's been described as "cancer" and "bs," but has also received a surprisingly large amount of praise. Recently, I've been told to RMT it, so here we go.

This started with the combination of three things:

1. Snivy was my first starter ever (Black 2 was a pretty good game, too.)
2. DontStealMyPenguin's paraspam teams were stupidly annoying to deal with, and I wanted one of my own; Serperior's access to Glare was (and is) invaluable, while its Contrary Leaf Storms and SubSeed combo can absolutely demolish people who look at Serperior and think "what an idiot."
3. My natural tendency to use Pokemon that no one else does.

So like my first team:

Thus, I set out to make a team built around Mega Lucario Serperior.

The Teambuilding Process:

The team started with Serperior itself. Serperior's various invaluable utility options combined with a way to quickly boost while dealing damage with a 130 BP STAB (a free nasty plot every turn!) sounded insane to me. Despite its low BST by AG standards, I've found it to be one of the most valuable Pokemon on the team.


The obvious choice for the next Pokemon was Zygarde, as it learns Glare as well. It is also able to tank quite a lot of attacks, but its attack is unfortunately quite low.


I then remembered DSMP's classic paraspam teams, and so added the no-brainer Smeargle set, while also moving it to the first teamslot to trick my opponent into thinking it's my lead.


Stealth Rock is the cornerstone of every competitive team (ha, ha) and offensive SR Primal Groudon is an absolute beast, especially when given speed control support. It can also spread paralysis of its own with Thunder Wave.


Another Pokemon that benefits greatly from paralysis is Gengar, as it can get free Substitutes and also fire off 130 BP STAB Hexes. It also gets Taunt to annoy clerics, and it can trap Fairy Arceus, a Pokemon that can be annoying for the rest of the team to break through.


The final Pokemon became my own Fairy Arceus, as it covers my team's weakness to Marshadow, Yveltal, and mixed Mega Rayquaza. It also provides Defog and Thunder Wave support.


Smeargle was obviously inconsistent (though it was pretty hilarious when it worked, and it did work pretty often), and I didn't feel comfortable having a dead team slot on my team every so often. The first slot went through a number of changes (most notably Hoopa-U, which allowed me to absolutely and hilariously demolish teams that relied on Baton Pass/Moody etc.) Marshadow seems to be the best option so far, as getting up free Substitutes is huge, and it's ability to force switches with Swagger is pretty cool.

The sets:

Marshadow @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spectral Thief
- Close Combat
- Substitute
- Swagger

This little guy has been able to annoy the heck out of my opponents. If the opponent's Pokemon is paralyzed and Marshadow gets the opportunity to use Swagger, the chance that they will attack through both confusion and paralysis sits at a measly 52.5%! (The math for this is 1 * (1 - 0.3) * (1 - 0.25) = 0.525). If Marshadow gets a Swagger off, the opponent had better switch, or their whole team might get swept. This will let Marshadow get a free Spectral Thief or Close Combat off, and allows you to slowly wear the opponent down.

The lack of priority is somewhat unfortunate, though not terrible due to four out of the six team members having a way to paralyze the opponent.

Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 160 HP / 96 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Glare
- Substitute
- Leech Seed

Serperior is the Pokemon that no one expects to be remotely threatening, and they're wrong. There are quite a lot of sweeps you can pull off with this guy, and Glare + SubSeed is a massive pain for anyone trying to kill it. It also has great synergy with Mega Gengar, as even if this dies, Mega Gengar can come in, trap the opposing Pokemon, and stall them out with Substitute. 160 HP EVs ensure that Ferrothorn's Knock Off never breaks Serperior's Substitute and also ensures that it can use Substitute five times from full health after Leftovers recovery.

Zygarde @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Def / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Substitute
- Glare
- Coil

This Zygarde-C set is a compromise between defensive and offensive sets, with okay damage output after a few boosts despite its naturally low Attack stat and great physical defense post-Power Construct and maybe a few boosts. Substitute and the EVs are the main weird thing about this set; Substitute allows it to avoid Status and with its good bulk can actually tank some hits, while also allowing to Glare at Pokemon who would normally force Zygarde out when behind a Substitute. 12 HP EVs give Zygarde a HP value that is divisible by four, allowing it to more easily activate Power Construct. 84 Speed EVs means that Zygarde can outspeed a paralyzed +1 Adamant Mega Rayquaza prior to Power Construct, and 252 Atk EVs make the most out of its lackluster attack. The rest of the EVs are poured into defense to help better take physical hits.

Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 132 SpD / 124 Spe
Mild Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Precipice Blades
- Fire Blast

Primal Groudon has insane damage output and still keeps great utility. It's the only Stealth Rock setter on the team, so make sure to keep it healthy if Stealth Rock is needed. It can lure in Mega Rayquaza and spread Thunder Wave, or lure in Arceus-Ground and roast it with a Fire Blast which can do upwards of 70%. Two additional bonuses are taking on Fairy Arceus by itself, and luring in Zygarde who can often be used as setup bait.

Gengar @ Gengarite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hex
- Sludge Wave
- Substitute
- Taunt

This is a pretty standard set, but it becomes much more threatening on a paraspam team. A boosted Hex 2HKOs almost everything that doesn't resist it, and of the Pokemon who can tank it, only a few can deal with Gengar effectively. Also, getting free Substitutes up is pretty insane for a Pokemon with 170 SpA and a 130 BP STAB.

Arceus-Fairy @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Defog
- Judgment
- Recover

Another fairly standard set, this Fairy Arceus can lure in Necrozma-DM and paralyze it with Thunder Wave. Unfortunately, Primal Groudon can defeat it fairly easily without even fearing Thunder Wave, but Zygarde can usually beat most Primal Groudon sets. It is an invaluable check to Mega Rayquaza, Marshadow, and Yveltal, and without it, the team would be not nearly as sturdy.

Replays
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-831260416 (Zygarde sets up on TTTG's Ghost Arceus and 1v3s the rest of his team.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-827696910 (Gengar breaking Ho-Oh on stall, causing my opponent to forfeit)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-827062054 (Swagger Marshadow saving the day and my computer after I miss Thunder Wave)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-821910916 (This is before I started using Marshadow, but this replay still shows Serperior demolishing my opponent.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-822932156 (Good ol' Hoopa... I knew you well, but all good things must come to an end.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-821904100 (The dual gren sneks being bosses again)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-820935370 (Matchup VS Psyspam; the speed reduction is just too powerful.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-819770842 (Oh man, Hoopa being good again? Makes me wonder why I took it out sometimes, but this replay does demonstrate the immense power of paralyzing all of your opponent's Pokemon.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-818499922 (More Serperior madness)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-817514157 (Stall dying, part two)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-816936130 (Stall dying, part three)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-816933080 (Stall dying, part fo.... zzzzzzzzzz)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-816621200 (Sorry about that, back to stall dying, part five.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-816351558 (No Vivillon shenanigans will be happening today)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-813451324 (Obligatory replay of this man getting cheesed)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-813667162 (Who said that Serperior was bad again?)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-813458134 (Some random ladder replay because why not)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-827840230 (Obligatory Fluffie replay #1)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-827825042 (Obligatory Fluffie replay #2)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-827811007 (Obligatory Fluffie replay #3)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-828454400 (Obligatory Fluffie replay #4)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-827817137 (Obligatory good player using generic balance replay)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-828428779 (Obligatory good player using generic balance replay #2)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-828432881 (More obligatory replays of hax (also Serperior sweeping again))
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-830417168 (The great scythe of hax spares no one, neither the mighty nor the small: a match against esteemed roomvoice Sir JaKrispy)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-828842477 (SubSwagger Marshadow is broken, we should ban Marshadow already)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-831441772 (Cancerperior)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-829425471 (The game that got me to 2016; I don't have a picture of my ladder ranking so you'll have to take my word for being #2 at the time)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-825310575 (Bonus replay of Chloe getting 6-0'd... albeit in a special circumstance.)

Importable

Hide

Marshadow @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spectral Thief
- Close Combat
- Substitute
- Swagger

Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 160 HP / 96 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Glare
- Substitute
- Leech Seed

Zygarde @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Def / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Substitute
- Glare
- Coil

Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 132 SpD / 124 Spe
Mild Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Precipice Blades
- Fire Blast

Gengar @ Gengarite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hex
- Sludge Wave
- Substitute
- Taunt

Arceus-Fairy @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Defog
- Judgment
- Recover

Conclusion
"I have hated the words, and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right." - Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
Thanks for reading my RMT. Since I've had this team, I'd thought maybe it'd be something good.
I think it is,
now.

- Lavaclaw

 

[Kate]

Hey all,

This team, usually known as Serp(erior) Paraspam, has been... interesting, to say the least. Ever since I've created it, it's been described as "cancer" and "bs," but has also received a surprisingly large amount of praise. Recently, I've been told to RMT it, so here we go.

This started with the combination of three things:

1. Snivy was my first starter ever (Black 2 was a pretty good game, too.)
2. DontStealMyPenguin's paraspam teams were stupidly annoying to deal with, and I wanted one of my own; Serperior's access to Glare was (and is) invaluable, while its Contrary Leaf Storms and SubSeed combo can absolutely demolish people who look at Serperior and think "what an idiot."
3. My natural tendency to use Pokemon that no one else does.

So like my first team:



The Teambuilding Process:

The team started with Serperior itself. Serperior's various invaluable utility options combined with a way to quickly boost while dealing damage with a 130 BP STAB (a free nasty plot every turn!) sounded insane to me. Despite its low BST by AG standards, I've found it to be one of the most valuable Pokemon on the team.


The obvious choice for the next Pokemon was Zygarde, as it learns Glare as well. It is also able to tank quite a lot of attacks, but its attack is unfortunately quite low.


I then remembered DSMP's classic paraspam teams, and so added the no-brainer Smeargle set, while also moving it to the first teamslot to trick my opponent into thinking it's my lead.


Stealth Rock is the cornerstone of every competitive team (ha, ha) and offensive SR Primal Groudon is an absolute beast, especially when given speed control support. It can also spread paralysis of its own with Thunder Wave.


Another Pokemon that benefits greatly from paralysis is Gengar, as it can get free Substitutes and also fire off 130 BP STAB Hexes. It also gets Taunt to annoy clerics, and it can trap Fairy Arceus, a Pokemon that can be annoying for the rest of the team to break through.


The final Pokemon became my own Fairy Arceus, as it covers my team's weakness to Marshadow, Yveltal, and mixed Mega Rayquaza. It also provides Defog and Thunder Wave support.


Smeargle was obviously inconsistent (though it was pretty hilarious when it worked, and it did work pretty often), and I didn't feel comfortable having a dead team slot on my team every so often. The first slot went through a number of changes (most notably Hoopa-U, which allowed me to absolutely and hilariously demolish teams that relied on Baton Pass/Moody etc.) Marshadow seems to be the best option so far, as getting up free Substitutes is huge, and it's ability to force switches with Swagger is pretty cool.

The sets:

Marshadow @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Spectral Thief
- Close Combat
- Substitute
- Swagger

This little guy has been able to annoy the heck out of my opponents. If the opponent's Pokemon is paralyzed and Marshadow gets the opportunity to use Swagger, the chance that they will attack through both confusion and paralysis sits at a measly 52.5%! (The math for this is 1 * (1 - 0.3) * (1 - 0.25) = 0.525). If Marshadow gets a Swagger off, the opponent had better switch, or their whole team might get swept. This will let Marshadow get a free Spectral Thief or Close Combat off, and allows you to slowly wear the opponent down.

The lack of priority is somewhat unfortunate, though not terrible due to four out of the six team members having a way to paralyze the opponent.

Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 160 HP / 96 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Glare
- Substitute
- Leech Seed

Serperior is the Pokemon that no one expects to be remotely threatening, and they're wrong. There are quite a lot of sweeps you can pull off with this guy, and Glare + SubSeed is a massive pain for anyone trying to kill it. It also has great synergy with Mega Gengar, as even if this dies, Mega Gengar can come in, trap the opposing Pokemon, and stall them out with Substitute. 160 HP EVs ensure that Ferrothorn's Knock Off never breaks Serperior's Substitute and also ensures that it can use Substitute five times from full health after Leftovers recovery.

Zygarde @ Leftovers
Ability: Power Construct
EVs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Def / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Substitute
- Glare
- Coil

This Zygarde-C set is a compromise between defensive and offensive sets, with okay damage output after a few boosts despite its naturally low Attack stat and great physical defense post-Power Construct and maybe a few boosts. Substitute and the EVs are the main weird thing about this set; Substitute allows it to avoid Status and with its good bulk can actually tank some hits, while also allowing to Glare at Pokemon who would normally force Zygarde out when behind a Substitute. 12 HP EVs give Zygarde a HP value that is divisible by four, allowing it to more easily activate Power Construct. 84 Speed EVs means that Zygarde can outspeed a paralyzed +1 Adamant Mega Rayquaza prior to Power Construct, and 252 Atk EVs make the most out of its lackluster attack. The rest of the EVs are poured into defense to help better take physical hits.

Groudon @ Red Orb
Ability: Drought
EVs: 252 SpA / 132 SpD / 124 Spe
Mild Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Precipice Blades
- Fire Blast

Primal Groudon has insane damage output and still keeps great utility. It's the only Stealth Rock setter on the team, so make sure to keep it healthy if Stealth Rock is needed. It can lure in Mega Rayquaza and spread Thunder Wave, or lure in Arceus-Ground and roast it with a Fire Blast which can do upwards of 70%. Two additional bonuses are taking on Fairy Arceus by itself, and luring in Zygarde who can often be used as setup bait.

Gengar @ Gengarite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hex
- Sludge Wave
- Substitute
- Taunt

This is a pretty standard set, but it becomes much more threatening on a paraspam team. A boosted Hex 2HKOs almost everything that doesn't resist it, and of the Pokemon who can tank it, only a few can deal with Gengar effectively. Also, getting free Substitutes up is pretty insane for a Pokemon with 170 SpA and a 130 BP STAB.

Arceus-Fairy @ Pixie Plate
Ability: Multitype
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunder Wave
- Defog
- Judgment
- Recover

Another fairly standard set, this Fairy Arceus can lure in Necrozma-DM and paralyze it with Thunder Wave. Unfortunately, Primal Groudon can defeat it fairly easily without even fearing Thunder Wave, but Zygarde can usually beat most Primal Groudon sets. It is an invaluable check to Mega Rayquaza, Marshadow, and Yveltal, and without it, the team would be not nearly as sturdy.

Replays
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-831260416 (Zygarde sets up on TTTG's Ghost Arceus and 1v3s the rest of his team.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-827696910 (Gengar breaking Ho-Oh on stall, causing my opponent to forfeit)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-827062054 (Swagger Marshadow saving the day and my computer after I miss Thunder Wave)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-821910916 (This is before I started using Marshadow, but this replay still shows Serperior demolishing my opponent.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-822932156 (Good ol' Hoopa... I knew you well, but all good things must come to an end.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-821904100 (The dual gren sneks being bosses again)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-820935370 (Matchup VS Psyspam; the speed reduction is just too powerful.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-819770842 (Oh man, Hoopa being good again? Makes me wonder why I took it out sometimes, but this replay does demonstrate the immense power of paralyzing all of your opponent's Pokemon.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-818499922 (More Serperior madness)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-817514157 (Stall dying, part two)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-816936130 (Stall dying, part three)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-816933080 (Stall dying, part fo.... zzzzzzzzzz)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-816621200 (Sorry about that, back to stall dying, part five.)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-816351558 (No Vivillon shenanigans will be happening today)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-813451324 (Obligatory replay of this man getting cheesed)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-813667162 (Who said that Serperior was bad again?)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-813458134 (Some random ladder replay because why not)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-829425471 (The game that got me to 2016; I don't have a picture of my ladder ranking so you'll have to take my word for being #2 at the time)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7anythinggoes-825310575 (Bonus replay of Chloe getting 6-0'd... albeit in a special circumstance.)

Conclusion
"I have hated the words, and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right." - Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
Thanks for reading my RMT. Since I've had this team, I'd thought maybe it'd be something good.
I think it is,
now.

- Lavaclaw

Nice, we all know I'm a big fan of memes, so I appreciate this team a lot. (Now peak with tran). Right away, I can notice two big threats to your team: Calm mind necrozma and toxic groundceus. While necro doesn't have any opportunities to set up, it greatly benefits from the fact that you have no switchins to it, that hex on mgar can't OHKO, and a lack of priority. As long as your opponent plays smart, they can consistently pick up kills. Groundceus only has one actual check in serp, which doesn't appreciate an ice beam:
0 SpA Arceus-Ground Ice Beam vs. 160 HP / 4 SpD Serperior: 158-186 (47.7 - 56.1%) -- 25.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Other than that, toxic groundceus 1v1's the rest of your team with ease, especially seeing as zyg gets OHKO'ed by beam w/o HP investment. It's a meme team after all, so there's not a very efficient way to patch this up w/o creating bigger problems.

The 3D model of fairceus is normalceus.
And The Book Thief is an amazing book, once again you show your superb taste in literature, good sir.

I'm out.

 

[Lavaclaw]

Nice, we all know I'm a big fan of memes, so I appreciate this team a lot. (Now peak with tran). Right away, I can notice two big threats to your team: Calm mind necrozma and toxic groundceus. While necro doesn't have any opportunities to set up, it greatly benefits from the fact that you have no switchins to it, that hex on mgar can't OHKO, and a lack of priority. As long as your opponent plays smart, they can consistently pick up kills. Groundceus only has one actual check in serp, which doesn't appreciate an ice beam:
0 SpA Arceus-Ground Ice Beam vs. 160 HP / 4 SpD Serperior: 158-186 (47.7 - 56.1%) -- 25.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Other than that, toxic groundceus 1v1's the rest of your team with ease, especially seeing as zyg gets OHKO'ed by beam w/o HP investment. It's a meme team after all, so there's not a very efficient way to patch this up w/o creating bigger problems.

The 3D model of fairceus is normalceus.
And The Book Thief is an amazing book, once again you show your superb taste in literature, good sir.

I'm out.

I've never had much of a problem with CM Ultra Necrozma myself, as too often people switch it in as Dusk Mane into Fairy Arceus, and it gets paralyzed easily by Thunder Wave.

Groundceus is annoying. The main game plan to deal with it is to surprise people with max SpA Groudon. However, if that can't be done, you have to keep Serperior healthy and play somewhat aggressively.

I couldn't find a 3D model of Fairy Arceus :(

The Book Thief nearly made me cry the first time I read it, and I had to use that quote somewhere.

 

[Tic-Tac-Toe Guru]

Yeah you've got a real solid squad here. I feel like Darkceus, especially the CM refresh variant, could give you some trouble, but in general this team's a tough cookie to crack if you don't have the tools to do so. As my replay showed, that damn Contrary ability can turn a battle around like that, so props to you. I hope that you and I can squash whatever I've created between us, because I think you're a pretty good guy and you're clearly not as dumb as some, including myself, might make you out to be.

 

[Game Moderator]

I couldn't find a 3D model of Fairy Arceus :(

[IMG]http://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/arceus-fairy.gif[/IMG]
No need to thank me♪~