Team Clean Up (rate please)

blackmoonflower

Hey people. I'm a competitive kinda gal and I was wondering if I could get some opinions on this team. It does pretty well, but scarfed Jirachi gives me some problems. (I think Jirachi should be Uber, but that's off topic) Anyway, on to the team.

TEAM CLEAN UP:

swampert-1.png


Swampert AKA Mud Fish @ Leftovers

Relaxed

Stealth Rock/Roar/Earthquake/Ice Beam

252 HP/4 ATK/252 DEF

Swampert:

Versus top 10 leads:
Azelf: If Swampert gets taunted, I'll switch in to Rotom to take the explosion.
Swampert: Set up rocks, then roar it out.
Metagross: Earthquake till it's dead. If Swampert gets in trouble, I either roar it out or bring in Celebi.
Aerodactyl: Ice beam until it's dead.
Jirachi: Either set up SR and take the Scarf or switch to Rotom for an item swap.
Infernape: If I think it won't Close Combat, Swampert will take the Fake Out, then use Earthquake, or switch to Rotom.
Roserade: Take the sleep then switch to Celebi.
Tyranitar: SR then Earthquake or switch to Infernape.
Ninjask: Ice Beam and then SR.
Heatran: Predict the hp grass and switch to either Salamence or Infernape.


scizor.png


Scizor AKA Red Ninja @ Choice Band

Adamant @ Technician

U-Turn/Bullet Punch/Pursuit/Superpower

248 HP/252 ATK/8 SPEED

Pretty self explanatory. Scizor's here for muscle with it's CB Bullet Punch that can do some nice damage. It's also used to lure out things like Scarftran or other fire types (including Rotom-H), which I can U-Turn on when it switches in to bring out Swampert if I've managed to keep it alive. Or if I'm confident that a Heatran is coming in, I can Superpower for the KO. If Gyarados comes in, I'll switch to Celebi to cripple it with T-Wave and Grass Knot away. And if I happen to have Scizor out on a ghost or psychic type, I can Pursuit to do massive damage if they're trying to switch out.

rotomwash.png


Rotom-W AKA Time2Wash @ Choice Specs

Timid

Thunderbolt/Shadow Ball/Hydro Pump/Trick

252 SPATK/252 SPEED/4 DEF

It was a hard pick between Specs and Scarf, but I decided with Specs for more power. If I've managed to get rocks up, Thunderbolt is a major threat that can even take down bulky waters like Suicune and Vaporeon and 2HKO other common OUs like Metagross, Bronzong, and Zapdos. Shadow Ball is an optional Cresselia counter, and can also take care of other Rotom forms and Celebi. Hydro Pump can handle rock/ground types and fire types, and if I need to, I can trick the Specs onto something and render it useless. If Scarfrachi is out, I can switch Rotom in to snag its Scarf if it's using Trick. If Blissey comes in, I can switch to Swampert if a T-Wave is coming and to just roar it out. Swampert would also be a decent Spiritomb counter if need be. Tyranitar is a problem if I'm locked into the wrong move and it it's packing Pursuit. Raikou is another problem as I don't really have anything safe to switch to.



infernape.png


Infernape AKA Inferna @ Life Orb

Naive

Mach Punch/Close Combat/Grass Knot/Fire Blast

252 ATK/192 SPEED/64 SPATK

This is the physically based Mixape with Mach Punch for priority if I'm up against a Scarftran or a Lucario trying to Extremespeed. Grass Knot is for any unsuspecting Swampert that comes in or any other water type that's taken some damage if I think I can get the KO. Close Combat for some extra power if I'm desperate and Fire Blast for STAB. Dugtrio is a major problem since it traps Infernape and therefore I can't switch out. If Salamence, Moltres, or even Cresselia comes in, I bring out Swampert if it's still alive. If Azelf comes in, I can bring in Scizor if it's not packing a fire move. I'm still not sure if I like Mach Punch over Stone Edge, but it does come in handy.

salamence.png


Salamence AKA Draconia @ Life Orb

Naughty

Dragon Dance/Outrage/Earthquake/Fire Blast

252 SPEED/232 ATK/24 SPATK

This is DD mence. If I scare something off when this comes out, I can get a free DD up and Outrage to start 2HKOing any thing that stands in my way. Or if I want to be more conservative and save the raging for late game, I can Earthquake or Fire Blast any steel type that may try to switch in and wall and keep setting DD up at every opportunity. Scarfed pokemon like Flygon or Heatran may be a problem if I haven't gotten my DDs up. If Donphan switches in, that's when I bring Swampert back in to take the Ice Shard (hopefully). If Cresselia comes in, I can bring in Scizor or Swampert.

celebi.png


Celebi AKA Nymph @ Leftovers

Bold

Thunder Wave/Recover/Grass Knot/HP Fire

252 HP/220 DEF/36 SPEED

This is the defensive Celebi to give the team more bulk as it can shrug off most attacks while healing damage off. T-wave support helps this team greatly, Grass Knot for those bulky Ground/Rock types, and HP Fire for steel types that might try to wall, as well as other grass types. If I'm suspecting a U-Turn, I switch into either Scizor or Infernape to take it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Problems:

Scarf Moltres is a major problem and I don't really know how to handle it. Scarfrachi can be a bit of a problem as well. DDGatr can also be a major problem as it can outspeed most of my pokes after 1 DD if it's Jolly.
 
Dude first you make want to rethink your coments when you say trhat the team is Scarf Moltress weak and suchlike, first Moltress is UU and therefore not seeen much in OU, second, you have Swampert to take repeated FIre Blasts and to set up SR which takes off 50% each time it switchs in.

Anyway, I firstly suggest a Gengar over Rotom W since Gengar is much faster and has highier SpA. It can therefore pull off the Spec'd Ghost thing much better.

Next I suggest a ScarF Tar over Celebi to trap Starmie and suchlike that can prevent Salamence and INfernape from sweeping.

Have a Nice Day!
 
Seems like a pretty hyper-offensive team with Pert and Celebi being your only real "bulk" (specially since the other 4 all have EV'd for sweeping). Seems like a bit of a gamble, and I can't help but feel that your team will be weak to anything that sets up or uses a Scarf since you've also forgone scarfs for specs/bands.

In fact, if you lose Pert early on (which can happen since he is your lead), I can see you may run into a few troubles. I fear you're simply hoping to out-predict the opponent or sacrifice pokemon to get the free switch.

My suggestions would probably be to try the following:
1) Testing some bulkier varients of Scizor, Mence or Rotom?
2) Try some different items. Choice items often result in a need to switch, yet you long-lasting bulk on your team. It might be wiser to try a non-choice Scizor or non-choice Rotom

Still, I can't deny your team has a scarily offensive edge that may catch people off guard. If you're hoping to keep with the offensive style, I would like to at least suggest Scarf over Specs on Rotom for that edge.

But these are only suggestions, I'm new to the metagame a bit myself so I'm unable to discern what actual threats you would have on the team. Strange you found Scarf Moltres a problem though.

EDIT: Somewhat agree with the above. Scarf-tar and Gengar would enhance your offensive edge over Celebi and Rotom. Of course, again you're reducing your bulk.
 
@ginganinja: Kay I'm just gonna ignore the first part.

I considered using Gengar, but the problem is it's easily taken out by a priority move like Bullet Punch. Rotom resists that, which is why I chose it.

As for Scarftar, Celebi can handle Starmie, crippling it with twave and then proceeding to Grass Knot. It can even handle Infernape if it happens to switch in on a twave, but that's only if I see no other option.


@bittman: I recently encountered a lead Scarftres that locked itself into Air Slash and tore through my team with ease. So I was using that as an example for any other pokes that may try a similar strategy.

I'm considering giving Rotom Scarf instead of Specs, though that is my way to counter the physically based Scarfrachi. And I may decide to go for more bulk instead of focusing on the sweeping capabilities. I'll have to test it.

I also may take off the Choice Band on Scizor and give it a Life Orb instead, though it reduces its power, it gives me the option to give it Roost and make it more bulky. Again, I'll just need more testing.
 
Actually Celebi does not stop starmie, thanks to natural Cure Starmie can freely switch out, its not crippled at all in the slightest since its healed or paralysis. And Infernape can still come in on Celebi (baring thnderwave its quite easy to predict those comming) and threaten to KO with Fire Blast. Actually I see that Mixape tears your team apart hiting Celebi and Scizor with Fire Blast, Swampert with Grass knot, Salamence with HP Ice and Rotom does not like a Fire Blast since it is not running bulk. Infernape is your best bet since Mach Punch can handle it however their is always the chance that your opponient would switch his infernape out, fearing a speed tie.

I would recoment a SubGengar (help with Priority) it outspeeds Infernape and can KO and does not get trapped with T-tars Pursuit.

Scarf Tar still gives you insurance wth Starmie and Infernape if needed and can even help vs Raikou, not seen very much though.

Also I would not worry about scarf Moltres, Moltress was used 0.5% in the most recent usage statistics and of that only 18.4 used Choice Scarf. Swampert handles it and, personally, I would be more worried about Infernape who can carve a whole through your team.

Have a Nice Day!
 
The reason I said Celebi can handle Starmie is because it can live an Ice Beam unless it's taken on some damage. Though you do make some good points. I'll think about it and probably will do some testing with Scarftar. My main concern is that half my team will keep taking damage from sandstorm.

I can try Subgar, but I may just change up Rotom's EV spread and see how that works. Thanks for the advice.
 
Okay, I really like this team, I see very few flaws, and all of them minute. One thing I would truly change is that I'd put Lum Berry on LeadPert to cover Roserade, breloom, any other sleepers or Paralyzers and such. I also agree with ginganinja that SubGar would be better than Rotom. SubGar can cover almost everything that Rotom can, maybe without STAB'd thunderbolt, but still. Finally I would put Energy Ball > Grass Knot on Celebi. Grass Knot can be reliable, but more often than not, Energy Ball will do just as much damage if not more.
 
Energy Ball is a nice idea for Celebi, but Grass Knot does more damage to things like Gyarados, Tyranitar, and Hippowdon. And Celebi counters Gyara quite well with a combo of Thunder Wave and Grass Knot.

Thanks for the advice though.
 
@ abyssmalstar
I don't approve of Lum berry on Swampert. This is because against Roserade (the lead you would get the mostuse out of it) can simply OHKO you with Leaf Storm. Its very risky as you have a 50/50 shot of a Roserade using Leaf Stomr or Sleep powder. 50% s not a lot and when you factor in that if the Roserade uses LeafStorm you are
-One Pokemon down
-Cannot have SR up for the rest of the Match
-Roserade stil has its ash and can sleep another counter plus get more Toxic Spike layers down.

For this reason Lum Berry is not worth it on Swampert
 
Hello!

Right off the bat I think you should use SD Nape instead of your current nape because of its more power and able to KO threats without relying on a SE atk. I think that you should switch the specs on rotom-w to scarf because you lack a water attacker (Pert doesn't count cuz it doesn't have a water atk.)

Good Luck!
 
I dislike the idea of SD ape. It's too frail to set up on anything, thus defeating the purpose. I probably will give Rotom a scarf, though your reason is not a very good one and doesn't really make sense. Thanks for the advice though.
 
Physically sided mixape is a powerful pokemon but there is something you should know about using grass knot. Close combat does 42%-49%, If swamper has already taken even a bit of damage before it will be a kill if he comes in on CC and SR. Thats assuming a 252 Def 252 HP +def nature swampert. Most bulky waters are not as bulky as swampert so many times that you would use grass knot you could very well use CC. U turn could be a better choice on such a frail team as yours. U turn the first couple of times you come out to scout their infernape counters. If you see something like swampert come out and hit it with U turn, then next time you can safely close combat it and kill it (assuming SR damage,and taking lefties into account.

Also, substitute gengar is a very good pokemon, try it out.
 
Hmm, u-turn would be useful, providing that there aren't rocks up. I might try that out. And I know subgar's a good pokemon, I just don't know if it would work well on this team. I'd need to do more testing.
 
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