Taking On UU

[setris]

After sampling the standard tier on shoddy, I decided to see what UU had to offer. I liked what I saw and decided to give it a try, since UU seemed less streamlined than Standard, and seemed to be open (figuratively speaking) to more pokemon. And so here's the team I've been playing around with and using on the ladder:

Now for the specifics:

Scyther @ Leftovers & Technician
Jolly: 40 HP, 252 ATK, 216 SPE
-Aerial Ace
-Baton Pass
-Swords Dance
-Substitute

I usually use Scyther early-game and late-game. Early game, as my starter, he makes for good setup. I'll usually either scout and setup with Substitute, or, if I'm feeling really confident, I'll go with Swords Dance right away, and, barring a really good situation, I'll pull a Baton Pass to one of my sweepers. Late-game, when his speed and attack are great for taking out stuff that's already been worn down, I'll bring him out for clean-up, where he can just go to town, without having to get a Swords Dance in. I went with Aerial Ace over X-Scissor for better type coverage and Technician use.

Manectric @ Petaya Berry & Static
Timid: 36 HP, 252 SpA, 220 SPE
-Thunderbolt
-Flamethrower
-Hidden Power (Grass)
-Substitute

My special sweeper. I'll usually sub down to activate the Pataya Berry and then start a sweep. It has good coverage with the electric-fire-grass, and can pull surprise statuses with two of them. I used to run Charge Beam and Life Orb over Petaya Berry/Substitute combo, but this ended up working better. The EV's given (along with a 31 IV in HP) are supposed to activate Petaya Berry after 3 Subs, but that rarely seems to be the case. Any suggestions to fix? Other than that, fairly straightforward.

Steelix @ Leftovers & Sturdy
Impish: 252 HP, 120 ATK, 136 SpD
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
-Stealth Rock
-Toxic

Mostly support and physical wall. His defense is rediculous, so I can bring him in on most threats. I used to run Gyro Ball over Toxic, but it rarely did any good so I opted for Toxic. Earthquake-Stone Edge get the job of taking out opposition well, and Stealth Rock's always fun to get up if I can pull it off.

Crawdaunt @ Choice Band & Hyper Cutter
Adamant: 252 ATK, 70 DEF, 188 SPE
-Crabhammer
-Crunch
-Aerial Ace
-Brick Break

My physical sweeper, and the one usually on the receiving side of Scyther's Baton Pass. Crabhammer and Crunch work good for STAB, and Brick Break and Aerial Ace are for further type coverage. Choice Band works alright, but seems oddly restrictive most of the time, since opponents always start shuffliing around after he comes in, so I'm playing around with the idea of replacing it with Expert Belt or Muscle Band. After a while, I usually end up just going kamikaze with it, since it usually takes out 2-3 pokes in the process.

Claydol @ Leftovers & Levitate
Relaxed: 252 HP, 136 DEF, 120 SpA
-Rapid Spin
-Ice Beam
-Earth Power
-Reflect

Rapid Spinner and more support. Altaria and Scyther get shredded by Stealth Rock, and no one likes Spikes, so Rapid Spin support is always appreciated. Ice Beam is more or less standard, and even more necessary given that it's the sole Ice attack of the team, although Ice isn't as crucial in UU as it is in Standard. Reflect was just sort of a filler. I originally had Explosion over Earth Power, but the latter lets it get in more than one hit before it goes down. I may consider adding more speed EV's, since this always seems to get into Ice Beam wars with other Claydol and always gets outrun.

Altaria @ Life Orb & Natural Cure
Adamant: 72 HP, 252 ATK, 184 SPE
-Dragon Dance
-Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Roost

Dragon Dancer and alternate sweeper. It's really good mid-late game, when it can get in a Dragon Dance before heading in for the sweep. It can still go without it if need be, but it's not quite as good then. I went with Earthquake over Aerial Ace, but I wouldn't mind doing either, but it's Earthquake for now since it's done good so far. And Roost is for countering Life Orb damage and lessening the blow of Ice attacks.

So there we go. The only problems I usually have are with Ice types, since Ice takes down three of my guys and lands neutral damage on the others, and I only have a handful of ways to counter them. So rate, fix, and what have you.

 

[Bourbon]

Wow, someone else who uses Crawdaunt! Amazing!

Anyways, I wouldn't really bother trying to baton pass Swords Dances to Crawdaunt, he's just too slow, and hit n run tactics are usually a better idea. I would make Scyther scarfed so that you can U-Turn and get your sweepers in better. U-Turn is probably the only way you'll get in Manactric alive, and it also helps get Crawdaunt into play.

I am worried by your massive Ice weakness, and lack of Ice resistances. Perhaps Hitmontop could replace Claydol as your rapid spinner? Seems like a good idea on paper...

 

[Forsety]

Personally speaking I'd just remove Altaria altogether for another physical sweeper and better receipent of the Baton Pass. It gets rid of a SR and major Ice weakness in one move and its not really doing anything or covering anything important. Crawdaunt is a horrible end receiver since its all about hit and run with its great type coverage but bad speed.

http://www.smogon.com/dp/tiers/uu

Pick anything from there you have a great choice, Kangaskhan, Absol, Kabutops, Dodrio, Hitmonchan/lee to name a few choices. At the same time it frees up Claydol from Rapid Spinning since your only weakness left would be your starting Scyther, Claydol could probably become abit more offensive with Calm Mind.

 

[setris]

Well Claydol's only on there to spin, so if I were to ditch Altaria I'd probably ditch Claydol along with it. I've been thinking of picking up Absol, but been debating about how to fit it in. I've also been hoping for a movement of Marowak down to UU. I may replace Altaria with Nidoking as a diverse sweeper, and Claydol with Hypno to absorb the special attacks. Something like:

Hypno @ Leftovers
Calm: 252 HP, 56 DEF, 200 SpD
-Psychic
-Seismic Toss
-Hypnosis
-Thunder Wave (or Wish)

Nidoking @ Life Orb
Naughty: 252 ATK, 100 SpA, 156 SPE
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
-Megahorn
-Ice Beam

 

[Forsety]

I'd second Nidoking to replace Altaria, its a good choice that keeps a fighting resistance to your team and all round offense so long you predict well. Although I would suggest Mr.Mime over Hypno as it can do a similar role but is actually quite fast and strong to boot with the same if not more moves without having to rely on Seismic Toss.

Also Wish Hypno was banned recently.

 

[Bourbon]

I would put Flamethrower over Stone Edge on Nidoking, as it hits Steelix much harder if it gets any bright ideas. Which, strangely enough, it does. I have Steelix switch in on my Nidoking all the time.

 

[setris]

Sounds good. And I'll try both Mr. Mime and Hypno out, and see which works better. Any solution to the problem of Manectric's HP & Petaya Berry. As of now, it's kind of annoying to be forced to take a hit just to get it below 25%. And as for Flamethrower on Nidoking, if I do, I'll probably throw some more Special Attack EV's its way, to make sure the special attacks don't fall short, and maybe throw an Expert Belt on it, since at that point most things will be taking super effective damage one way or another.