Talonflame, Aegislash and Friends
I probably not the only person who has thought to put this group of powerful Pokemon on one team, but I haven't run into yet so I thought I would do a quick RTM to share it. Maybe some of the more capable players that read this could take if for a spin to see if its as strong as I think it is.
Team Building
I wanted to build a team around Talonflame and Aegislash, two of the most powerful Pokemon in the young X & Y OU meta-game. So, I started with Bulk Up Talonflame and Mixed Aegislash as my offensive core. I chose Bulk Up Talonflame rather than something like Choice Band, because priority Roost plus Leftovers greatly increases his ability to survive.
The goal is to keep Talonflame around to clean up at the end of the game after is counters have been removed or sufficiently weakened.
Mixed Aegislash is one of the keys to achieving that objective. It is a fantastic wall-breaker, thanks largely in part to the buff given ghost type moves this generation. With this mixed set and heavily investment in SAtk it really is as simple as spamming Shadow Ball on predicted switches or anything that can't deal Super Effective damage in return. Not to say that this set is unexpected, but since the Swords Dance set is such a threat, the mere presence of Aegislash puts your opponent in a tough spot deciding what they want to switch into.
The goal is to keep Talonflame around to clean up at the end of the game after is counters have been removed or sufficiently weakened.
Mixed Aegislash is one of the keys to achieving that objective. It is a fantastic wall-breaker, thanks largely in part to the buff given ghost type moves this generation. With this mixed set and heavily investment in SAtk it really is as simple as spamming Shadow Ball on predicted switches or anything that can't deal Super Effective damage in return. Not to say that this set is unexpected, but since the Swords Dance set is such a threat, the mere presence of Aegislash puts your opponent in a tough spot deciding what they want to switch into.
I like the synergy of a Steel, Water and Ground defensive core and I almost always include these types on every team. So, my next step in building this team was to round out that defensive core by adding an appropriate Water type and Ground type Pokemon.
Taking the current meta-game into account along with Aegislash's weaknesses, Rotom-W and Landorus-T seemed to be excellent complements to Aegislash. Defensive Rotom-W is obviously an excellent counter to opposing Talonflames, Landorus isn't bad either for that matter. Both Rotom-W and Landorus-T are immune to the ground type attacks Aegislash cannot afford to stay in on. Landorus also carries Intimidate to help manage common threats like Dragonite, Mega Charizard X, Aegislash and Mega Lucario that could otherwise setup and break through the core.
Taking the current meta-game into account along with Aegislash's weaknesses, Rotom-W and Landorus-T seemed to be excellent complements to Aegislash. Defensive Rotom-W is obviously an excellent counter to opposing Talonflames, Landorus isn't bad either for that matter. Both Rotom-W and Landorus-T are immune to the ground type attacks Aegislash cannot afford to stay in on. Landorus also carries Intimidate to help manage common threats like Dragonite, Mega Charizard X, Aegislash and Mega Lucario that could otherwise setup and break through the core.
Even with a solid offensive and defensive this team has some weaknesses. Threats like Genesect, Rotom-W, Heatran, Mega Venesaur and Charizard Y could use more attention. Which brings me to the final two members of the team, Conkeldurr and Latios. Assault Vest has given Conkeldurr a rebirth as one of the most powerful tanks in the OU meta-game. It is an excellent counter to many special attackers including Rotom-W and Genesect. Since Rotom-W is such a common and effective counter to Talonflame(#1 in usage later I heard), its not surprising to see Assault Vest Conkeldurr become a staple on OU teams.
Latios also fairs well against Rotom-W as well. More importantly it has access to Defog, to keep the field free of Stealth Rocks for Talonflame. I find Latios is very well suited for this roll since it forces so may switches do to its offensive capabilities. Latios can also lure out and 2HKO Azumarill, Togekiss and Mandibuzz with Expert Belt Thunderbolt. It can also win in a one on one exchange with Charizard Y, not to mention provide helpful resistances to Fire, Psychic, Water, and Ground that the rest of the team appreciates.
Latios also fairs well against Rotom-W as well. More importantly it has access to Defog, to keep the field free of Stealth Rocks for Talonflame. I find Latios is very well suited for this roll since it forces so may switches do to its offensive capabilities. Latios can also lure out and 2HKO Azumarill, Togekiss and Mandibuzz with Expert Belt Thunderbolt. It can also win in a one on one exchange with Charizard Y, not to mention provide helpful resistances to Fire, Psychic, Water, and Ground that the rest of the team appreciates.
Movesets
Talonflame @ Leftovers | Gale Wings
Adamant | 160 HP | 252 Atk | 36 Def | 60 Spd
Brave Bird | Flare Blitz | U-turn | Roost
This spread invests enough into speed to reach 303 which out speeds Jolly Excadrill and OHKOs with Flare Blitz. By investing 160 EVs into HP Talonflame gets maximum Leftovers recovery. An Adamant nature with 252 EVs in Attack allow Talonflame to take full advantage of its powerful STAB Flare Blitz and priority Brave Bird. Finally, the remaining 36 EVs are put into Defense to help Talonflame take neutral and resisted physical attacks when necessary.
Leftovers is the item of choice with this set. The recovery they provide is crucial with the damage Talonflame inflicts on itself with his powerful STAB attacks. Priority Roost is also key to Talonflame's ability to survive by recoving recoil damage, and letting him to potentially erase damage done by switching in when Stealth Rocks are on the field. Finally, U-Turn keeps Talonflame and his friends keep the offensive momentum when a switch to a counter is predicted.
UPDATE: Testing U-Turn over Wil-O-Wisp per aPandaCub and Death The Cat's suggestions. Change to to 160 EVs in HP for Leftovers number. Remainder in Def.
Leftovers is the item of choice with this set. The recovery they provide is crucial with the damage Talonflame inflicts on itself with his powerful STAB attacks. Priority Roost is also key to Talonflame's ability to survive by recoving recoil damage, and letting him to potentially erase damage done by switching in when Stealth Rocks are on the field. Finally, U-Turn keeps Talonflame and his friends keep the offensive momentum when a switch to a counter is predicted.
UPDATE: Testing U-Turn over Wil-O-Wisp per aPandaCub and Death The Cat's suggestions. Change to to 160 EVs in HP for Leftovers number. Remainder in Def.
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers | Intimidate
Adamant | 200 HP | 216 Atk | 92 Def
Stealth Rock | Earthquake | Stone Edge | U-turn
It has been said that Stealth Rocks is the most important move in the game. This doesn't seemed to have changed with the arrival of new powerful treats in the X and Y meta-game. Two of the biggest offensive threats X and Y brought to the OU meta-game are 4X weak to Stealth Rocks. The best way to cripple Talonflame and Mega Charizard Y is to keep Stealth Rocks on the field, and the passive damage it provides to any Pokemon will help me to achieve my goal of wearing things down for a Talonflame sweep.
Earthquake allows Landorus-T to threaten common counters to Talonflame like Heatran and Tyranitar. Pokemon immune to Landorus' STAB Earthquake are hit hard by Stone Edge. With that said, most teams will have a counter to Landorus that isn't threatened by Earthquake or Stone Edge. This is why U-Turn is so important for maintaining offensive momentum when your opponent switches to their Rotom-W, Gliscor or Landorus-T.
With 200 EVs invested into HP Landorus reaches 369, which allows for maximum Leftovers recovery. An Adamant nature with 216 EVs invested into Attack allows Landorus to 2HKO threats like Mega Venesaur, Mega Garchomp, Mandibuzz and Dragonite, and with the remaining 96 EVs invested into Defense Landorus has enough bulk to avoid being 2HKO's by Dragonite's Dragon Claw, + 1 Lucario's Close Combat, or Choice Banded Talonflame's Brave Bird.
UPDATE: Change EV spread after some time on the damage calculator. Testing spread to see if it actually helps deal with the treats I mention above.
Earthquake allows Landorus-T to threaten common counters to Talonflame like Heatran and Tyranitar. Pokemon immune to Landorus' STAB Earthquake are hit hard by Stone Edge. With that said, most teams will have a counter to Landorus that isn't threatened by Earthquake or Stone Edge. This is why U-Turn is so important for maintaining offensive momentum when your opponent switches to their Rotom-W, Gliscor or Landorus-T.
With 200 EVs invested into HP Landorus reaches 369, which allows for maximum Leftovers recovery. An Adamant nature with 216 EVs invested into Attack allows Landorus to 2HKO threats like Mega Venesaur, Mega Garchomp, Mandibuzz and Dragonite, and with the remaining 96 EVs invested into Defense Landorus has enough bulk to avoid being 2HKO's by Dragonite's Dragon Claw, + 1 Lucario's Close Combat, or Choice Banded Talonflame's Brave Bird.
UPDATE: Change EV spread after some time on the damage calculator. Testing spread to see if it actually helps deal with the treats I mention above.
Rotom-Wash @ Chesto Berry | Levitate
Bold | 248 HP | 252 Def | 8 SAtk
Volt Switch | Hydro Pump | Will-O-Wisp | Rest
I invest 248 EVs in HP to give Rotom-W maximum bulk wile still getting the most switches into Stealth Rocks. A Bold nature and 252 EVs invested in Defense make Rotom-W an excellent counter to Talonflames duel STABs as well as resisted attacks from Pokemon like Azumirill.
With Volt Switch Rotom-W completes our Volt-Turn core. Its able to threaten many of the Landorus' counters with Hydro Pump and Volt-Switch. Pokemon like Gyarados, Landorus and Gliscor. It can also deal threaten Heatran with Hydro Pump and Tyranitar with Wil-O-Wisp. Chesto Berry and Rest allow Rotom to survive until the last few turns of many battles which is important to protect the team from Talonflame sweeps.
With Volt Switch Rotom-W completes our Volt-Turn core. Its able to threaten many of the Landorus' counters with Hydro Pump and Volt-Switch. Pokemon like Gyarados, Landorus and Gliscor. It can also deal threaten Heatran with Hydro Pump and Tyranitar with Wil-O-Wisp. Chesto Berry and Rest allow Rotom to survive until the last few turns of many battles which is important to protect the team from Talonflame sweeps.
Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest | Guts
Adamant | 252 Atk | 8 Def | 244 SDef | 4 Spd
Mach Punch | Drain Punch | Knock Off | Ice Punch
This spread gives Conkeldurr maximum Special Defense investment while still ensuring that Genesect will get a Special Attack boost with Download. Conkeldurr is my best way to deal with Genesect, so it's important it's not taking boosted U-Turns and Iron Heads. Knock Off give Conkeldurr a more that he can spam on predicted switches while Ice Punch hits the the likes of Dragonite and Togekiss that would otherwise wall this set.
Conkeldurr puts pressure on all of Talonflames common counters. He can take on Heatran, Rotom-W and Tyranitar with his STAB Drain Punch. Once Azumirill and Mega Venesaur are out of the way Conkeldurr can really clear a path for Talonflame.
Conkeldurr puts pressure on all of Talonflames common counters. He can take on Heatran, Rotom-W and Tyranitar with his STAB Drain Punch. Once Azumirill and Mega Venesaur are out of the way Conkeldurr can really clear a path for Talonflame.
Aegislash @ Spooky Plate | Stance Change
Quiet | 248 HP | 8 Atk | 252 SAtk
Shadow Ball |Sacred Sword |Shadow Sneak | King's Shield
Quiet | 248 HP | 8 Atk | 252 SAtk
Shadow Ball |Sacred Sword |Shadow Sneak | King's Shield
I've already mentioned that the mixed set is my favorite with Aegislash because of its wall breaking capabilities. The item is still something that can vary greatly depending on personal preference and the rest of your team. I've run Air Balloon, Life Orb, Leftovers, and even Weakness Policy on the same set with other teams. With this team I like Spooky Plate for the consistent extra damage without the recoil from Life Orb. Weakness Policy might not be a bad option either, since it seems like it takes a super effective move to take this thing down most games.
There are only a few Pokemon common to the OU meta game that can switch into this set without really fearing Shadow Ball or Sacred Sword. Mandibuzz is probably the best counter to Mixed Aegislash. This is why it was so important to me that Landorus was able to 2HKO Mandibuzz with Stone Edge.
There are only a few Pokemon common to the OU meta game that can switch into this set without really fearing Shadow Ball or Sacred Sword. Mandibuzz is probably the best counter to Mixed Aegislash. This is why it was so important to me that Landorus was able to 2HKO Mandibuzz with Stone Edge.
Latios @ Expert Belt | Levitate
Timid | 252 SAtk | 4 SDef | 252 Spd
Dragon Pulse | Psyshock | Defog | Thunderbolt
If you can bluff a Choice Scarf early, you can lure in and 2HKO the likes of Azumarill, Togekiss and Mandibuzz as I mentioned before. Latios is also very helpful in dealing with Charizard Y since it can take any hit and 2HKO with Thunderbolt. I've also tested it with Wise Glasses since it gives you added power on non-super effective hits, but you loose out on a definite 2HKO of Specially Defensive Togekiss after Stealth Rocks. Psyshock can deal with Mega Venesaur and Assault Vest Conkeldurr. While Dragon Pulse can help keep pokes like Garchomp and Mega Garchomp in check.
UPDATE: Testing Mandibuzz to help with weakness to Mixed Aegislash magic123 brought to my attention.
Mandibuzz @ Leftovers | Overcoat
Calm | 224 HP | 28 Def | 252 SDef | 4 Spd
Taunt | Foul Play | Defog | Roost
ReplaysUPDATE: Testing Mandibuzz to help with weakness to Mixed Aegislash magic123 brought to my attention.
Mandibuzz @ Leftovers | Overcoat
Calm | 224 HP | 28 Def | 252 SDef | 4 Spd
Taunt | Foul Play | Defog | Roost
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Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read this. Any suggestions are appreciated. I will leave the importable below so that anyone who is interested can take it for a spin. Let me know what you think.Importable
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