Team-Building Help

[FlyingDolphin]

I'm not too familiar with UU. This team I put together isn't really the best out there, I need some help. Uhm, could you look into what I can improve?

Cofagrigus @ Leftovers
Trait: Mummy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Quiet Nature
IVs: 30 Def / 30 SAtk / 30 SDef / 2 Spd
- Trick Room
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Confagrigus will be the new lead opening with Trick Room to take advantage over its poor speed. Once it sets up with Nasty Plot, STAB Shadow Ball will be fatal to all that don't resist it. In case Normal types switch in, it keeps HP Fighting.

Charizard (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Solar Power
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Sunny Day
- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- SolarBeam

Once it sets up Sunny Day, it can inflict a lot of damage with STAB Fire Blast, and use SolarBeam without missing a turn. Charizard is fragile, but now it has support from Claydol so that Stealth Rock can't leave it useless.

Claydol @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Earth Power
- Toxic

The team's spinner, a physical wall that can take hits while it sets up Stealth Rock and poison the opponent.

Victini @ Choice Band
Trait: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- V-create
- U-turn
- Fusion Bolt
- Brick Break

V-Create is just amazing. I can count on Victini to be a big help in most battles against teams unprepared for it.

Cresselia (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Moonlight
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Toxic

I figured the team needed a wall, so I went with Cresselia. Also the team's counter to fighting types. Cresselia does really well, I don't think her spot in the team will be taken from her anytime soon.

Empoleon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 4 Def / 252 HP / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Ice Beam
- Roar
- Grass Knot
- Scald

Empoleon takes Azumarill's spot, giving the team a counter to Flygon and others. It keeps Azumarill's role with Aqua Jet, so the team has a priority move that can revenge kill. Suicune and Slowbro will have a hard time taking it out, while it can easily go for the Grass Knot. STAB Scald will be the main source of damage. Roar will help evade threats, give extra damage if Claydol's Stealth Rock is set, and avoids Calm Minders and other Pokemon who starts setting up boosts for sweeps.

Pointing out threats and what needs to be changed to counter them would really help out, thanks! :D

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Old Team

Ambipom (M) @ Silk Scarf
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Fake Out
- Return
- Low Kick
- Pursuit

Leads the team hoping for a kill with Fake Out, then Return. I went with Silk Scarf because I didn't really want Life Orb's damage. Technician boosts Pursuit so it wouldn't matter if the opponent won't switch. This set was able to take out an Azelf lead, but didn't really do well when I faced someone who led with Crobat, who's Brave Bird took out Ambipom in one hit.

Charizard (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Solar Power
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Sunny Day
- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
- SolarBeam

Once it sets up Sunny Day, it can inflict a lot of damage with STAB Fire Blast, and use SolarBeam without missing a turn. I'm thinking of replacing Charizard with maybe Kingdra? I feel like I don't really need Charizard with Victini already on the team...

Eelektross (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Coil
- Substitute
- Wild Charge
- Return

It's main means of inflicting damage would be STAB Wild Charge, maybe after coiling behind a sub. I like Eelektross because Levitate removes its weakness to Ground types. Serves also as a counter to water types, which are pretty common in the tier.

Victini @ Choice Band
Trait: Victory Star
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- V-create
- U-turn
- Fusion Bolt
- Brick Break

V-Create is just amazing. I can count on Victini to be a big help in most battles against teams unprepared for it.

Cresselia (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Moonlight
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Toxic

I figured the team needed a wall, so I went with Cresselia. Also the team's counter to fighting types. Cresselia does really well, I don't think her spot in the team will be taken from her anytime soon.

Azumarill (F) @ Choice Band
Trait: Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Return
- Superpower

Azumarill is the team's revenge killer with Aqua Jet, but can also attack Rock, Ground and Fire types with Waterfall to deal more damage.

Pointing out threats and what needs to be changed to counter them would really help out, thanks! :D

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I battled a bit more to see what I can improve. I don't really win with this team, so I decided to change my lead since Ambipom wasn't really helpful most of the time.

Mienshao (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- U-turn
- Hi Jump Kick
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Here's my replacement. Mienshao also starts off with Fake Out, but scouts better because it can switch out and deal damage at the same time with U-Turn. Regenerator makes scouting even more efficient. Hi Jump Kick would be its powerful STAB, and HP Ice would greet any Flying types who would decide to switch in.

About Charizard, I was considering replacing it already, but with it recently helping a lot by using Sunny Day to make Fire Blast more powerful, and more importantly taking bulky Water types by surprise with SolarBeam. I'm not sure, but for now, I'll keep it.

Azumarill also came to my mind when I thought about replacing members. I could get a better water type like Kingdra, and leave the revenge killing role to Victini? But Azumarill becomes really helpful at times with priority Aqua Jet... Should I change its moveset? Superpower might not be too needed with Victini and Mienshao around, and Mienshao's also got HP Ice. I don't really know what to do here, help!

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Mienshao was a good choice, it's doing well on the team. I'm noticing inefficiency in Eelektross though, so I replaced it with Roserade as my new counter to Suicune, Slowbro, etc.

Roserade (F) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spd
Calm Nature
- Giga Drain
- Spikes
- Sludge Bomb
- Rest

Rest+Natural Cure seems like a good idea. Giga Drain is the main STAB, with Sludge Bomb as a secondary. If I could, I can set up Spikes.

I'm still thinking about that Azumarill change. Maybe Empoleon will do better?

I think it's also time for Charizard to change, it's being less helpful more often than not.

If these replacements take place, any suggestions on what the team needs?

 

[morningsun]

Empoleon sounds like a great replacement for Azumarill. It will provide your team with a good check to Flygon as well as poison types, notably Nidoking. Instead of Charizard I suggest using Honchkrow. You will still retain the flying type STAB while also getting rid of the dual weaknesses compiled by multiple fire types. It will also give you priority in the form of sucker punch and help you to check Psychic and Ghost types.
You may also want to expand your descriptions and move your final team to the top instead of the bottom(it'll make for a more fluid read). Hope I helped.

 

[Alfalfa]

No, Charizard can stay, it just needs Rapid Spin support. Also, Honchkrow is even less durable than Charizard, and Charizard has an immunity to being burned. I would suggest Support Claydol > Roserade. Claydol provides ever so useful Rapid Spin support, and can resist fighting types.

I also cannot leave that Machamp weakness unaccounted for. I would suggest Trick Room Cofagrigus > Ambipom/Mienshao. Fake Out leads can easily be checked by Ghost types, most notably Sabeleye and Chandelure, who can either A) cripple them with Will-o-Wisp (Sabeleye), or B) kill them with a powerful Fire STAB or HP Fighting (Chandelure). And since Machamp fears Will-o-Wisp, Cofagrigus has no problem checking Machamp. Also, Cofagrigus is a pretty independent sweeper, and Trick Room only lasts five turns, so your other pokemon should not mind Cofagrigus being on the team.

Hide

Claydol @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Earth Power
- Toxic

Cofagrigus @ Leftovers
Trait: Mummy
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Quiet Nature
IVs: 30 Def / 30 SAtk / 30 SDef / 2 Spd (These IV spread enables HP Fighting)
- Trick Room
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Good luck with the team.

 

[FlyingDolphin]

Thanks, I've made changes :) I'll still see if Empoleon is more efficient than Azumarill...

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EDIT: Cofagrigus usually gets taken out before it can properly set-up. I usually go with Trick Room -> Nasty Plot -> Attack. But after the first turn, the other mon can get Confagrigus down to half. Specifically Aerodactyl. I don't know, what's a better way to play Cofagrigus?

Charizard is still too fragile to be able to set-up in time to be able to sweep. But it sometimes works, if Sunny Day is set up when the opponent switches.

Empoleon is okay, but the new fighting disadvantage really doesn't help. An Arcanine got me by surprise with Close Combat. It's also slower than Pokemon going in so they can kill him before he can use Roar.

Claydol is fragile too, but it gets its job done setting up its hazard. Although I haven't been in a battle with the opponent bringing in hazards yet, so I haven't used Claydol to spin.

Victini and Cresselia do well, Victini bringing in a good amount of damage to multiple mons before it can gets taken out. Cresselia walls well, I can rely on it to switch in and take an attack. I've only had trouble with Sucker Punch so far, for the both of them.

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I did better leading with Claydol, and Confagrigus will just switch in on someone he can take. Oh, and Claydol's not TOO fragile, it can take a hit I guess.

 

[evillocke]

-snip-

First things first. Don't use charizard! There are many better fire types in this tier, like chandelure, victini, and darmanitan. If you want a special attacker, try this!

Chandelure @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Fire blast
- Shadow ball
- Energy ball
- Overheat / Hidden Power Ice

Try this and see if it works.

 

[Alfalfa]

That previous message seems a bit biased. Although Chandelure is good, Charizard does fine as well with its Solar Power set. Also, there is a spinner on this team to deal with that Stealth Rock issue. Chandelure, Victini, and Darmanitan are not necessarily any "superior" than Charizard, they are just used a bit more. I could understand if we are talking about the Ubers tier, but Charizard can still be used in this tier and do fine. Chandelure is just an alternative with some different perks. And if you do choose to go Chandelure, go HP Fighting for the filler to nail Ampibom and Dark types.

Also, I am not sure why Empoleon is using Aqua Jet if it has a Calm Nature...

 

[FlyingDolphin]

Oh oops. Sorry 'bout that. I forgot about the nature, I put in Aqua Jet since I lack a priority move. For now, I'll switch it over to Ice Beam.

Charizard or Chandelure? What's better for the team?

mostwanted edit: either works fine both have their pros and cos but Chandelure would be better.

 

[morningsun]

I feel that Charizard would greatly excel if something else such as cress were setting up the Sunny Day. Charizard's speed sometimes gets in the way so I recommend using a scarf. That way it'll be like having a LO and scarf at the same time. Charizard, as you've mentioned is a bit of a glass cannon and as such Leftovers doesn't seem like an appropriate item. Charizard would do great as a late-game cleaner, once it's threats are KOed. Longevity will always be an issue, so use it wisely if you do choose to use it. When it hits, it hits like a truck, but when you mispredict you may very well lose him.

 

[Red M]

Charizard is in NU for a reason: Other Pokemon do his job better. If you're going to use him, I agree with what morningsun said. Give him a scarf and swap out Cresselia's Psychic for Sunny Day.

Your team is really weak to dark. Bisharp or Weavile could easily set up and wreck yo shiz up with Night Slash/Sucker Punch/Fighting type move. For this reason, get rid of Claydol and put in Hitmontop. It's better offensively, Intimidate is a great ability, it can spin and use Toxic, and it won't get raped by a dark sweeper. Of course, it can't use SR, but Empoleon can. Here is the set.

Hitmontop @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
- Hi Jump Kick
- Stone Edge.

Hi Jump Kick is there over Close Combat because you don't want Hitmontop's defenses to drop. HJK has more power, and really it's a matter of probability. HJK has a 10% chance to make you lose half your HP, Close Combat has a 100% chance to cripple Hitmontop's defenses.

Also, I'm really questioning the decision to use trick room on a team where your sweepers, Charizard and Victini, depend on speed.

 

[Purple Grind]

@morning sun & OP, empoleon does not check flygon or nidoking.... it's easily 2hko by them both and nidoking comes dangerously close to a ohko after rocks. I agree that chandelure is a better version of charizard and that claydol should probably be replaced with hitmontop. I don't like cresselia on your team because you already have cofagrigus, one of the best fighting resists in the tier. Using cofagrigus as a lead doesn't make sense either, he's not the type of pokemon you use for a dedicated lead. I'd swap cress for something else. If you're going to use charizard you should really make a dedicated sun team. This means you'd need to restructure the team to include sunny day users and sun sweepers. My thoghts.