Welcome! Bonjour! Hola! etc.
Now that I've welcomed you, I'll get right to my team. When reading other Smogon Rmt's, I notice the authors usually state a purpose for the entire team. Originally, I was tired of (No offense) Kevin Garrets Stall team, so I decided to create my own anti-stall team for it. Upon completion, I asked a friend to bring stall so I could test it versus him on shoddy. He accidentally brought his regular OU team, (was @ 1502 at the time) and I scored an impressive 4-0 on it. I realized that this team could in fact be adapted to OU, while taking a slight loss at the anti-stall aspect of it. Don't expect an easy read, this team is well developed.
So essentially, any major stall team would probably give this team problems. However, I am confident in its ability to tackle both OU metagame and stall, which is why I'm posting this on smogon for any final updates you might have for it.
Team Alpha - Update One
________________________________________________________________
My BOI METAGROSS - Currently the best lead yet.
In my last RMT, I noted that Metagross was currently my favorite lead. That opinion has not changed in the slightest. I get up SR no matter what, unless the lead is Infernape or Heatran. All other leads (bar the MMash miss...) are beaten.
Adamant Metagross @ Lum Berry
248 attack/138hp/60speed/64spdef
~Earthquake
~Stealth Rocks
~BulletPunch
~Meteor Mash
Against leads...
[] Azelf - bar an Mmash miss, I take this down. The Sp def Evs ensure that I survive a naive/timid Fire Blast if it is focus sashed at around 5%. Mmash then BP for the ko.
[] Roserade/Smeargle - Go ahead, go for sleep powder[spore]. EQ and BP Ko the standard 252speed/252sp attack Roserade set, however, if I'm worried about a bulkier set running 252speed and some defenses, I will opt to use Meteor Mash. Obviously, it might be too late, but live and learn.
[] Other Metagross - See those 60 speed EVs? Thats what wins me matches. My defensive EVs are a tad low, however, I survive opposing Metagross's EQ's at around 30%. Of course, since mine is faster, I EQ first, then set up rocks as they switch or go for the KO. Either way, it goes in my favor somehow, because they lack the SR or I go up 6-5.
[] Heatran - This is the bane of my leads existence. The whole reason I opt'd to go for lum berry was simply because Heatran adapted to Metagross.
The new Heatran set running around on shoddy is Specs/Life Orb Overheat, which KOs Metagross THROUGH Occa Berry. While some Heatran leads are the old Shuca Berry leads, it's just not worth it, since Heatran leads beat Metagross leads altogethor anyway. So my initial switch on Heatran leads is Gyarados. I don't bother DD'ing, I simply go for the Waterfall for damage.They either switch or set up SR after Gyara taking the Fire Blast or Overheat.
[] Jirachi - This lead doesnt necessarily beat me, It just prevents me from getting up Stealth Rock. Upon tricking me, I go for Earthquake, dealing about 75% damage to the standard trick-rachi. From there, I play how I need to, most Jirachi leads decide to stay in and SR, simply because they are faster than Metagross even after a Scarf. I then ko and they send in something to set up, and I deal with that appopriately.
[] Infernape - Self explanatory. Fire > Metagross.
[] Aerodactyl - Self explanatory. Steel > Aero
[] Swampert - May edit later, but essentially I cant touch this thing. I will SR first turn then go out to Gyarados and taunt it to prevent roar, or taunt whatever comes in.
[] Empoleon - They key to beating the Torrent Aqua Jet Hydro Pump Empoleons is NOT attacking them first.
} My Initial move is to set up Stealth rock
1) They either SR
2) Hydro Pump
If they do set up SR on the same turn as me (I am always faster) then I meteor mash, dealing about 15-18% damage, so as not to activate torrent, and to allow EQ to ko next turn. If they hydro pump right off the bat, they leave me at around 40%, and I have rocks up. From there, its all about if they want SR up. I'll either come out on top, or leave them at 20% with no SR.
________________________________________________________________
The lead sets the tone of the battle. Whoever comes out on top has an extreme advantage. In most of these scenarios, the opponent has the ability to come out on top, however, they will not obtain Stealth rocks AND they will be at an HP percentage to be easily revenge killed. As mentioned before, no SR for this team is a something I will accept wholeheartedly.
________________________________________________________________
The King of the Court - Anti Stall Part 1
Naive Infernape @ Life Orb
252speed/64 Sp atk/ 188 Attack
~Close Combat
~Overheat
~ThunderPunch
~Uturn
Well. This pokemon has become my favorite in all of OU. Its unpredictability often causes the opponent to sacrifice pokemon in order to simply find out what set it is. The biggest switch ins to Infernape are Latias and Gyarados. Early game, I'll Uturn out vs pokemon that will almost certainly switch: {Fortress, Celebi, Blissey, Scizor} are just examples. If Latias comes in, it takes about 60% from Uturn alone, + Stealth rock takes a massive gap out of it. Regarding Gyarados - CloseCombat OR Overheat (with Stealth Rocks) follows by a Thunderpunch ohko Most standard Gyarados.
Oh. And it Breaks Skarm Bliss Like No other. :]
________________________________________________________________
I-Rip-Holes-In-Your-Team-K? Anti-Stall Part 2
Naive Salamence @ Lum Berry
252speed/212 Attack / 46 Sp Attack
~Dragon Dance
~Earthquake
~Fire Blast
~Outrage
The second part of my initial anti-stall. While it is counterable, after a Dragon Dance few pokemon have the ability to take it on well. Lategame, this becomes a monster sweeper, finishing off Pokemon without having to abuse Outrage until the very end. Lum Berry, in my opinion, allows for greater sweep potential. Pokemon that can survive a +1 outrage easily and deal back a thunderwave/wil-o-wisp include Bulky Rotoms, Dusknoirs, and Celebis. However, If I DDance on the thunderwave, I can be @ +2 outrage for 2-3 turns. It also aids in confusion if I havn't been statused.
SIDENOTEs:
~This is the only pokemon on my team to take neutral damage from Scizor's Bulletpunch.
~Also aids in breaking Skarm/Bliss AND Latias more effectively then Infernape, at the cost of Stealth Rock damage.
________________________________________________________________
Timid Starmie @ Choice Scarf
252sp attack/252speed/4hp
~Trick
~Surf
~Thunderbolt
~Ice Beam
Dragonite, Gyarados, Salamence, Heatran, Infernape, Tyranitar
All of those pokemon love to Dragon Dance, or can be problematic if carrying a scarf. Thats where my favorite genderless star comes in. the BoltBeam Combo beats the first three, while Stab takes care of all but the last one. Tyranitar is a bit iffy, but surf deals a decent amount of damage. If metagross is still alive, which he frequently is, I can Bulletpunch for damage on TTar also.
Starmie was added to this team for 2 reasons. To aide in taking down Infernape, Latias, and ScarfTran, as well as helping to beat out
Skarm/Bliss/Suicune/Vaporeon/Swampert. Specifically the bulky waters, they do not appreciate the Choice item limiting them. Trick is essential to taking down the bulky waters that cause problems once my next pokemon goes down.
________________________________________________________________
Im A Gyarados. Anti-Stall Part 3
Adamant Gyarados @ Leftovers
152 HP/176Speed/100Attack/82 Spc Defense
~Taunt
~Stone Edge
~WaterFall
~Dragon Dance
The second Dragon Dancer on my team, and the pokemon I switch in if Im unsure of a set. Intimidate coupled with a high base special defense means that only boosted or super effective attacks would ko this thing. The Speed EVs outpace the likes of Starmie, Azelf. This is a modification of the Smogon Taunt/Bulky Gyarados set, to fit my team. It takes special attacks better, such as Heatran's fire blast, which I switch into a lot. A loss of defensive EVs is missed, but since my lead loses to Heatran, the added Sp. Def evs are helpful. Taunt helps break stall, namely Suicune, Vaporeon without HP electric, Blissey, and Skarmory. The RestTalkCalmMindSurf Suicune is especially easy to take down with the special defensive EVs intact.
________________________________________________________________
HAI SCIZOR. HAI SKARM. HAI JIRACHI. - The stalling anti-staller
Calm Magnezone @ Leftovers
252hp/96speed/162Sp attack
~ThunderBolt
~Protect
~Substitute
~Toxic
A hypocrite of its own kind. Anti-stall Stall. This pokemon takes bolt-beam combo's perfectly, with calm nature allowing for substitutes to stay healthy.
It is essentially Toxic stall. However, this magnzone does much more. It takes electric attacks and rock attacks directed at Gyarados. It scouts Scarf Heatrans. Will they lock themself into Fire Blast, or Earth Power? Or are they predicting a switch and going for dragon pulse? If my pokemon get no chance to set up, namely the DDancers, then Latias is a noteworthy threat to my team. This pokemon has countered so many Latias. Specifically Life Orb ones, they thunderbolt as I switch into Zone. It does minute damage, and they go for surf or switch. Regardless, I sub up, surviving the surf and having HP to spare for the substitute with ease. Then I send off my toxic, to slowly cripple Latias.
A combination of Protect, Substitute, and Leftovers means that I can wither down pokemon with ease. Scarf Jirachi and Banded Scizor become perfect set up bait. I can set up a sub and ensure that when I take them down with a thunderbolt, my substitute is still up, allowing me to toxic the switch in or attack with thunderbolt. I cannot stress how amazing this set is, and Im happy to say its all mine. The only pokemon that takes neutral damage from Scizor BP, as mentioned before, is Salamence, so I decided to use the ZONE/MENCE combination.
The speed EVs ensure that I outrun Swampert, as getting a toxic off on him is important. Thunderbolt is obligatory stab to take out skarmory and deal more than 50% to Jirachi/Scizor.
________________________________________________________________
Noteworthy Problems:
Zapdos { Zapdos' bulk and stab thunderbolt can beat my weakened team. The usual method is to go to Magnezone on the Thunderbolt, then switch to Starmie or Infernape on the Heatwave to send off a Icebeam/Trick, or an Overheat. However, if one of my Ddancers has set up, with the assistance of Stealth rocks, Zapdos is not an issue. It should be noted that Heatwave from bulky Zapdos does not Ohko Magnezone after a Tbolt and SR. Which means I can set up the toxic to help wither it down.
Gengar { One of the reasons I decided to use Scarf Starmie over Scarf Latias. I need to ensure that I outrun EVERY type of gengar. Stab thunderbolts are not a happy addition to this team. I need to figure out the set, and then I can counter it accordinly. Life Orb sets are the easiest to counter. Again, if one of my pokemon has set up, namely the DDancers, then this becomes a lesser problem.
Rotom Forms { Gengar + Zapdos = Rotom Formes. Which means they are trouble. Again, finding out which set they are is key. The bulky set can be tricked, Life Orb Overheat does about 60-70%, and Mence can Dragon Dance on the wil O wisp and have lum Berry activate, while I proceed to kill it.
While Im sure there are other problems, they have not occured often enough to mention. More will be added later based on people's responses. Hope the long read didn't bore you too much. Feel free to offer suggestions to counter the other mentioned pokemon, but remember, lategame, if I have been allowed to set up with a Ddancer.
Comment and Rate, Peace.
Now that I've welcomed you, I'll get right to my team. When reading other Smogon Rmt's, I notice the authors usually state a purpose for the entire team. Originally, I was tired of (No offense) Kevin Garrets Stall team, so I decided to create my own anti-stall team for it. Upon completion, I asked a friend to bring stall so I could test it versus him on shoddy. He accidentally brought his regular OU team, (was @ 1502 at the time) and I scored an impressive 4-0 on it. I realized that this team could in fact be adapted to OU, while taking a slight loss at the anti-stall aspect of it. Don't expect an easy read, this team is well developed.
So essentially, any major stall team would probably give this team problems. However, I am confident in its ability to tackle both OU metagame and stall, which is why I'm posting this on smogon for any final updates you might have for it.
Team Alpha - Update One
________________________________________________________________
My BOI METAGROSS - Currently the best lead yet.
In my last RMT, I noted that Metagross was currently my favorite lead. That opinion has not changed in the slightest. I get up SR no matter what, unless the lead is Infernape or Heatran. All other leads (bar the MMash miss...) are beaten.
Adamant Metagross @ Lum Berry
248 attack/138hp/60speed/64spdef
~Earthquake
~Stealth Rocks
~BulletPunch
~Meteor Mash
Against leads...
[] Azelf - bar an Mmash miss, I take this down. The Sp def Evs ensure that I survive a naive/timid Fire Blast if it is focus sashed at around 5%. Mmash then BP for the ko.
[] Roserade/Smeargle - Go ahead, go for sleep powder[spore]. EQ and BP Ko the standard 252speed/252sp attack Roserade set, however, if I'm worried about a bulkier set running 252speed and some defenses, I will opt to use Meteor Mash. Obviously, it might be too late, but live and learn.
[] Other Metagross - See those 60 speed EVs? Thats what wins me matches. My defensive EVs are a tad low, however, I survive opposing Metagross's EQ's at around 30%. Of course, since mine is faster, I EQ first, then set up rocks as they switch or go for the KO. Either way, it goes in my favor somehow, because they lack the SR or I go up 6-5.
[] Heatran - This is the bane of my leads existence. The whole reason I opt'd to go for lum berry was simply because Heatran adapted to Metagross.
The new Heatran set running around on shoddy is Specs/Life Orb Overheat, which KOs Metagross THROUGH Occa Berry. While some Heatran leads are the old Shuca Berry leads, it's just not worth it, since Heatran leads beat Metagross leads altogethor anyway. So my initial switch on Heatran leads is Gyarados. I don't bother DD'ing, I simply go for the Waterfall for damage.They either switch or set up SR after Gyara taking the Fire Blast or Overheat.
[] Jirachi - This lead doesnt necessarily beat me, It just prevents me from getting up Stealth Rock. Upon tricking me, I go for Earthquake, dealing about 75% damage to the standard trick-rachi. From there, I play how I need to, most Jirachi leads decide to stay in and SR, simply because they are faster than Metagross even after a Scarf. I then ko and they send in something to set up, and I deal with that appopriately.
[] Infernape - Self explanatory. Fire > Metagross.
[] Aerodactyl - Self explanatory. Steel > Aero
[] Swampert - May edit later, but essentially I cant touch this thing. I will SR first turn then go out to Gyarados and taunt it to prevent roar, or taunt whatever comes in.
[] Empoleon - They key to beating the Torrent Aqua Jet Hydro Pump Empoleons is NOT attacking them first.
} My Initial move is to set up Stealth rock
1) They either SR
2) Hydro Pump
If they do set up SR on the same turn as me (I am always faster) then I meteor mash, dealing about 15-18% damage, so as not to activate torrent, and to allow EQ to ko next turn. If they hydro pump right off the bat, they leave me at around 40%, and I have rocks up. From there, its all about if they want SR up. I'll either come out on top, or leave them at 20% with no SR.
________________________________________________________________
The lead sets the tone of the battle. Whoever comes out on top has an extreme advantage. In most of these scenarios, the opponent has the ability to come out on top, however, they will not obtain Stealth rocks AND they will be at an HP percentage to be easily revenge killed. As mentioned before, no SR for this team is a something I will accept wholeheartedly.
________________________________________________________________
The King of the Court - Anti Stall Part 1
Naive Infernape @ Life Orb
252speed/64 Sp atk/ 188 Attack
~Close Combat
~Overheat
~ThunderPunch
~Uturn
Well. This pokemon has become my favorite in all of OU. Its unpredictability often causes the opponent to sacrifice pokemon in order to simply find out what set it is. The biggest switch ins to Infernape are Latias and Gyarados. Early game, I'll Uturn out vs pokemon that will almost certainly switch: {Fortress, Celebi, Blissey, Scizor} are just examples. If Latias comes in, it takes about 60% from Uturn alone, + Stealth rock takes a massive gap out of it. Regarding Gyarados - CloseCombat OR Overheat (with Stealth Rocks) follows by a Thunderpunch ohko Most standard Gyarados.
Oh. And it Breaks Skarm Bliss Like No other. :]
________________________________________________________________
I-Rip-Holes-In-Your-Team-K? Anti-Stall Part 2
Naive Salamence @ Lum Berry
252speed/212 Attack / 46 Sp Attack
~Dragon Dance
~Earthquake
~Fire Blast
~Outrage
The second part of my initial anti-stall. While it is counterable, after a Dragon Dance few pokemon have the ability to take it on well. Lategame, this becomes a monster sweeper, finishing off Pokemon without having to abuse Outrage until the very end. Lum Berry, in my opinion, allows for greater sweep potential. Pokemon that can survive a +1 outrage easily and deal back a thunderwave/wil-o-wisp include Bulky Rotoms, Dusknoirs, and Celebis. However, If I DDance on the thunderwave, I can be @ +2 outrage for 2-3 turns. It also aids in confusion if I havn't been statused.
SIDENOTEs:
~This is the only pokemon on my team to take neutral damage from Scizor's Bulletpunch.
~Also aids in breaking Skarm/Bliss AND Latias more effectively then Infernape, at the cost of Stealth Rock damage.
________________________________________________________________
Timid Starmie @ Choice Scarf
252sp attack/252speed/4hp
~Trick
~Surf
~Thunderbolt
~Ice Beam
Dragonite, Gyarados, Salamence, Heatran, Infernape, Tyranitar
All of those pokemon love to Dragon Dance, or can be problematic if carrying a scarf. Thats where my favorite genderless star comes in. the BoltBeam Combo beats the first three, while Stab takes care of all but the last one. Tyranitar is a bit iffy, but surf deals a decent amount of damage. If metagross is still alive, which he frequently is, I can Bulletpunch for damage on TTar also.
Starmie was added to this team for 2 reasons. To aide in taking down Infernape, Latias, and ScarfTran, as well as helping to beat out
Skarm/Bliss/Suicune/Vaporeon/Swampert. Specifically the bulky waters, they do not appreciate the Choice item limiting them. Trick is essential to taking down the bulky waters that cause problems once my next pokemon goes down.
________________________________________________________________
Im A Gyarados. Anti-Stall Part 3
Adamant Gyarados @ Leftovers
152 HP/176Speed/100Attack/82 Spc Defense
~Taunt
~Stone Edge
~WaterFall
~Dragon Dance
The second Dragon Dancer on my team, and the pokemon I switch in if Im unsure of a set. Intimidate coupled with a high base special defense means that only boosted or super effective attacks would ko this thing. The Speed EVs outpace the likes of Starmie, Azelf. This is a modification of the Smogon Taunt/Bulky Gyarados set, to fit my team. It takes special attacks better, such as Heatran's fire blast, which I switch into a lot. A loss of defensive EVs is missed, but since my lead loses to Heatran, the added Sp. Def evs are helpful. Taunt helps break stall, namely Suicune, Vaporeon without HP electric, Blissey, and Skarmory. The RestTalkCalmMindSurf Suicune is especially easy to take down with the special defensive EVs intact.
________________________________________________________________
HAI SCIZOR. HAI SKARM. HAI JIRACHI. - The stalling anti-staller
Calm Magnezone @ Leftovers
252hp/96speed/162Sp attack
~ThunderBolt
~Protect
~Substitute
~Toxic
A hypocrite of its own kind. Anti-stall Stall. This pokemon takes bolt-beam combo's perfectly, with calm nature allowing for substitutes to stay healthy.
It is essentially Toxic stall. However, this magnzone does much more. It takes electric attacks and rock attacks directed at Gyarados. It scouts Scarf Heatrans. Will they lock themself into Fire Blast, or Earth Power? Or are they predicting a switch and going for dragon pulse? If my pokemon get no chance to set up, namely the DDancers, then Latias is a noteworthy threat to my team. This pokemon has countered so many Latias. Specifically Life Orb ones, they thunderbolt as I switch into Zone. It does minute damage, and they go for surf or switch. Regardless, I sub up, surviving the surf and having HP to spare for the substitute with ease. Then I send off my toxic, to slowly cripple Latias.
A combination of Protect, Substitute, and Leftovers means that I can wither down pokemon with ease. Scarf Jirachi and Banded Scizor become perfect set up bait. I can set up a sub and ensure that when I take them down with a thunderbolt, my substitute is still up, allowing me to toxic the switch in or attack with thunderbolt. I cannot stress how amazing this set is, and Im happy to say its all mine. The only pokemon that takes neutral damage from Scizor BP, as mentioned before, is Salamence, so I decided to use the ZONE/MENCE combination.
The speed EVs ensure that I outrun Swampert, as getting a toxic off on him is important. Thunderbolt is obligatory stab to take out skarmory and deal more than 50% to Jirachi/Scizor.
________________________________________________________________
Noteworthy Problems:
Zapdos { Zapdos' bulk and stab thunderbolt can beat my weakened team. The usual method is to go to Magnezone on the Thunderbolt, then switch to Starmie or Infernape on the Heatwave to send off a Icebeam/Trick, or an Overheat. However, if one of my Ddancers has set up, with the assistance of Stealth rocks, Zapdos is not an issue. It should be noted that Heatwave from bulky Zapdos does not Ohko Magnezone after a Tbolt and SR. Which means I can set up the toxic to help wither it down.
Gengar { One of the reasons I decided to use Scarf Starmie over Scarf Latias. I need to ensure that I outrun EVERY type of gengar. Stab thunderbolts are not a happy addition to this team. I need to figure out the set, and then I can counter it accordinly. Life Orb sets are the easiest to counter. Again, if one of my pokemon has set up, namely the DDancers, then this becomes a lesser problem.
Rotom Forms { Gengar + Zapdos = Rotom Formes. Which means they are trouble. Again, finding out which set they are is key. The bulky set can be tricked, Life Orb Overheat does about 60-70%, and Mence can Dragon Dance on the wil O wisp and have lum Berry activate, while I proceed to kill it.
While Im sure there are other problems, they have not occured often enough to mention. More will be added later based on people's responses. Hope the long read didn't bore you too much. Feel free to offer suggestions to counter the other mentioned pokemon, but remember, lategame, if I have been allowed to set up with a Ddancer.
Comment and Rate, Peace.
