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Team Comical Sweep
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Team Comical Sweep
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Introduction
Aloha Smogon, Wob_Marley here with my first RMT. Those of you who know me know how busy I usually am with College and Baseball related stuff. I had more time than I knew what to do with this summer, giving me an opportunity to try my hand at this RMT thing. The team I am posting is at least 3 years old, and had been collecting dust on my laptop, so I felt it needed some more credit after how well it has served me through all the transitions in the OU metagame. Team Comical Sweep implements what is now more commonly known as the "Gli-pass strategy". Basically, my goal was to make a team that revolves around the Pure Baton Pass Gliscor set, providing it with perfect conditions to reliably pass attack and speed boosts to my sweeper. As if this team wasn’t old school enough already, I turned back the clock even more by making this RMT based on the old Justice League/Avengers comic books I read as a kid. I hope you all enjoy the read, because I sure enjoyed making it.
Aloha Smogon, Wob_Marley here with my first RMT. Those of you who know me know how busy I usually am with College and Baseball related stuff. I had more time than I knew what to do with this summer, giving me an opportunity to try my hand at this RMT thing. The team I am posting is at least 3 years old, and had been collecting dust on my laptop, so I felt it needed some more credit after how well it has served me through all the transitions in the OU metagame. Team Comical Sweep implements what is now more commonly known as the "Gli-pass strategy". Basically, my goal was to make a team that revolves around the Pure Baton Pass Gliscor set, providing it with perfect conditions to reliably pass attack and speed boosts to my sweeper. As if this team wasn’t old school enough already, I turned back the clock even more by making this RMT based on the old Justice League/Avengers comic books I read as a kid. I hope you all enjoy the read, because I sure enjoyed making it.
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Name: Oracle
Item: Lum Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 192 HP | 216 Spe | 100 SpA
Nature: Timid [+Spe, -Atk]
- Stealth Rock
- U-Turn
- Yawn
- Psychic
A solid lead was the hardest thing to find when making this team. Initially, I wanted to lead with a dual screener, and attempt to set up screens as soon as possible. However, I found that fast Taunt leads (Aerodactyl in particular), sleep, and trick-scarf leads were troublesome. Oddly enough, with some tweaks, my initial dual screen Pokemon ended up becoming quite the anti-lead. Stealth Rock is important on this team, and Uxie reliably sets them up early, neglecting the odd Focus Sash user from stopping a sweep, and securing some OHKOs for my sweeper. U-turn is a great way to deal with Focus Sash leads, either breaking their sash, or getting an advantageous switch in. Yawn works a lot like a phazing move, shuffling the opposing team and possibly allowing a free turn of set up with the right prediction. The combination of U-turn and Yawn gives Uxie great scouting ability, while also providing the team plenty of set up opportunities. Psychic rounds out the set by giving Uxie a reliable STAB attack.
EVs & Nature
216 Spe EVs and a Timid nature outpaces +Spe natured base 90s (most notably Roserade). 100 SpA EVs gives Psychic the power to OHKO lead scarf Breloom, 2HKO Roserade, and 2HKO attacking lead Machamp. The leftover EVs were placed in HP to give Uxie some bulk.
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Just like Oracle for the Justice League, Uxie provides support and intel for her team. After Uxie’s dual screen set proved to be underwhelming, Uxie was reduced to a support role. Ironically, Oracle had a similar fate in DC Comics, where the former “Batgirl” was reduced JLA intelligence after an injury.
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Lead Matchups (versus top OU leads)
Name: Captain America
Item: Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP | 252 Spe | 4 SDef
Nature: Jolly [+Spe, -SpA]
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Taunt
- Explosion
After testing all viable dual screeners, Azelf proved to be the best candidate for Gli-Pass, mainly because of two moves: Taunt and Explosion. The most self explanatory moves of the set are Reflect and Light Screen, halving the damage of physical and special attacks aimed at the team, and aiding Gliscor with its pass. With Taunt, Azelf prevents phazers from attempting to shuffle, and sweepers from attempting to stat up while it sets up screens. Taunt also prevents opposing Pokemon from setting up troublesome Substitutes that shield their team from a sweep. Explosion was chosen as the final move because it gives Azelf a means of attack, ensuring that I don't use two purely set up Pokemon on the same team. The only drawback of Explosion would be the risk of an unadvantageous matchup after both Pokemon are KO'd, but getting Gliscor a free switch in to abuse dual screens is priority, so it can't be helped.
EVs & Nature
EVs are standard. 252 HP gives Azelf bulk under screens, and 252 Spe outspeeds up to positive base 110s. These EVs work fine, but I’m fairly certain there is a better EV spread. Help would be appreciated.
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Leader of the Avengers, Captain America is known for kicking ass with nothing more than a shield. Azelf doesn’t kick ass per say from an offensive standpoint, but still manages to serve up some justice with its shield(s), often leading to a victory.
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Name: The Dark Knight
Item: Yache Berry
Ability: Hyper Cutter
EVs: 252 HP | 60 Spe | 196 SDef
Nature: Timid [+Spe, -Atk]
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
- Taunt
- Baton Pass
Gliscor is the Pokemon this team is centered around, and is in my opinion, the best Baton Passer in OU. Most people know how this works, so it shouldn’t take too much explanation. Rock Polish first turn to out speed virtually everything. Swords Dance until Gliscor is low on health or has enough boosts under its belt to pass (usually only 2 attack boosts are needed). Taunt stops phazers and Trick users from preventing the Baton Pass, and status users from hitting my sweeper after the Baton Pass. If all goes well, Gliscor will have done its job within 3-4 turns.
EVs & Nature
Standard Pure Baton Pass Gliscor. 60 Spe EVs allow Gliscor to outspeed Adamant Gyarados without boosts, and Choice Scarf Gengar after a Rock Polish. The rest of the EVs are thrown into HP and SpD, allowing it to take hits from both sides of the attacking spectrum.
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Batman, The Dark Knight. Not gifted with any real superpowers, Batman can often be seen relying on his utility belt to turn the tide in a fight. Gliscor is very similar, as it also uses its utility to turn the match in my favor.
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Name: Weapon X
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Spe | 252 Atk
Nature: Jolly [+Spe, -SpA]
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- ThunderPunch
Capable of OHKOing the entire tier with a Life Orb and +4 Attack, while also being immune to attack drops, Metagross earns a spot as the Baton Pass receiver for this team. Despite its accuracy, the power of Meteor Mash is needed to secure some OHKOs that Iron Head does not. Zen Headbutt is Metagross’ other underrated STAB that allows it to get past opponents such as Swampert and Rotom-A. Earthquake gets coverage on steel types, and ThunderPunch allows Metagross to hit Skarmony and bulky waters hard. Using two inaccurate attacks in Meteor Mash and Zen Headbutt is a bit of a gamble, but to be honest, it is a gamble even playing with this sort of team, so it's go big or go home. Replacing the above mentioned moves with Ice Punch, Iron Head, or Explosion wouldn't help either, as it severely limits sweeping capability, and leaves it helpless versus some OU walls.
EVs & Nature
252 Spe EVs and a Jolly nature allows Metagross to outspeed up to +Spe natured base 108s with a Scarf after being passed a Rock Polish (notable scarfed Pokemon being outsped are Flygon, Infernape, and Jirachi). Attack EVs are maxed out for offensive potential.
Below are some calculations demonstrating the offensive capabilities of Metagross at +4 Attack:
+4 Jolly Metagross vs Top OU Defensive Walls
Meteor Mash vs 252 HP / 220 Def Bold Celebi: 119.6% - 140.6%
Meteor Mash vs 252 HP / 252 Def Bold Cressalia: 93.5% - 110.1% (OHKO w/ SR)
Meteor Mash vs 252 HP / 168 Def Impish Hippowdon: 106.7% - 125.7%
Zen Headbutt vs 252 HP / 252 Def Bold Rotom-A: 118.4% - 139.5%
Zen Headbutt vs 252 HP / 252 Def Relaxed Swampert: 100.2% - 118.1%
Earthquake vs 252 HP / 144 Def Relaxed Forretress: 75.1% - 88.7% (7.69% to OHKO w/ SR)
Thunderpunch vs 252 HP / 80 Def Sassy Bronzong: 79.6% - 93.8% (41.03% to OHKO w/ SR)
Thunderpunch vs 252 HP / 252 Def Bold Suicune: 106.4% - 125.2%
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Weapon X, better known as Wolverine, is a mutant that was built to be the ultimate killing machine; possessing a skeleton made purely of the indestructible steel, Adamantium. The name Weapon X fits Metagross perfectly, as its steel typing and high attack stat make it the ultimate sweeper with enough attack boosts.
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Name: Aquaman
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP | 184 Atk | 168 Spe
Nature: Jolly [+Spe, -SpA]
- Dragon Dance
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Bounce
Gyarados serves as the teams fall back sweeper, and back up Baton Pass recipient if I feel a Metagross pass will be predicted (can switch in on resisted fire/ground attacks). Dragon Dance is a great set up move, that lets Gyarados act as a standalone sweeper. Taunt stops phazing from walls like Skarmony, Swampert and Celebi that try to prevent a sweep. Waterfall is an obvious choice for STAB, hurting anything that doesn’t resist. Bounce rounds out the set by giving me a powerful STAB attack against bulky waters, and giving super effective coverage versus the likes of Celebi, Breloom, and other grass types.
EVs & Nature
156 HP EVs lets Gyarados survive two Life Orb Heatran's Fire Blasts after Stealth Rock. 168 Spe EVs and a Jolly nature outpaces Adamant Breloom before a Dragon Dance, and Timid Jolteon after. The remaining EVs were put into Attack for better sweeping ability.
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As King of Atlantis, Aquaman has rule over all water dwellers in the sea with his telepathic powers. Gyarados may not have telepathy, but it does have access to Dragon Dance. This allows it to triumph against other water types with enough boosts, making it king of the seas in OU.
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Name: The Flash
Item: Expert Belt
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP | 252 Spe | 252 SpA
Nature: Timid [+Spe, -Atk]
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Hidden Power Grass
- Thunderbolt
Jolteon was the final glue to this team, making a great partner to Gyarados, checking strong water attackers (Suicune, Starmie, Empoleon), and making a great lure to a big Gli-pass threat, Swampert. The combination of Substitute and Baton Pass make Jolteon a great early game Pokemon, scouting switch-ins and passing subs. The use of Hidden Power Grass is limited, but as previously mentioned, very effective at eliminating Swampert from the match, as most opponents either presume that Jolteon is Choiced because of its Expert Belt, or just plain don't expect a SubPass Jolteon to have HP Grass. Thunderbolt is a great STAB attack, hitting everything non-resistant hard from a base 110 SpA stat.
EVs & Nature
EV investment is straightforward. Max SpA allows Jolteon to hit as hard as possible, while Max Spe allows Jolteon to outpace everything in OU bar Jolly Ninjask and Aerodactyl (speed tie).
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The Flash is the fastest man alive, able to create massive cyclones by simply running circles around his foes. Not only does Jolteon share this blazing speed, it also manages to run circles around the opposing team by using Substitute to ensure it never gets hit, and Baton Pass to quickly switch out of battle.
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Conclusion
High risk, high reward; this team is great change of pace from the standard OU team. With dual screen, yawn, and sub-pass support, it is a relatively easy team to use, as the biggest learning curve would be knowing when to set up Gliscor. I have found it to be a great team to have in my back pocket for the occasional match with a friend and/or tournament play over the years. Admittedly, the strategy has lost a lot of surprise value, but played wisely, it is still hard to stop. I honestly believe it is the best way to utilize Baton Pass without making a full fledge BP Team.
Threatlist
High risk, high reward; this team is great change of pace from the standard OU team. With dual screen, yawn, and sub-pass support, it is a relatively easy team to use, as the biggest learning curve would be knowing when to set up Gliscor. I have found it to be a great team to have in my back pocket for the occasional match with a friend and/or tournament play over the years. Admittedly, the strategy has lost a lot of surprise value, but played wisely, it is still hard to stop. I honestly believe it is the best way to utilize Baton Pass without making a full fledge BP Team.
Threatlist
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Blue indicates that the Pokemon is not a problem, and can be dealt with fairly easily.
Orange indicates a Pokemon that can potentially be trouble, but can be played around carefully.
Red indicates a problem Pokemon that can either sweep or wall my whole team.
Orange indicates a Pokemon that can potentially be trouble, but can be played around carefully.
Red indicates a problem Pokemon that can either sweep or wall my whole team.
Offensive Threats
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- Lead: See Lead Matchups above.
- Physical Attacker: Haven’t seen these at all. Jolteon can OHKO with Thunderbolt if it wins the speed tie, Gyarados can probably handle it after an Intimidate. Reflect would help.
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- Encore Lead: U-turn with Uxie on the Signal Beam to break a possible sash, and bring in Jolteon that can finish it off with Thunderbolt or set up a Substitute.
- Special Sweeper: Not a problem for any team members really. Uxie can even survive a Signal Beam and fire off a U-turn/Yawn. Jolteon revenges.
- Lead: See Lead Matchups above.
- Nasty Plot : Very frail, so this isn’t finding much time to set up anywhere without getting hit hard. Gyarados with a Dragon Dance, and Gliscor with a Rock Polish, can reliably outspeed and Taunt to stop set up. Jolteon easily revenges.
- Scarf Lead: Breloom will usually Spore first turn, unfortunately for them, Lum Berry allows Uxie to take the Spore, and OHKO back with Psychic.
- SubPunch: Not a threat. If Uxie still has Lum Berry it can switch in easily and OHKO with Psychic, Metagross outspeeds and Zen Headbutts, Jolteon Substitutes on a Spore, Gyarados outspeeds, Taunts, and sets up, Gliscor and Azelf can Taunt before any set up.
- Lead: Yawn first turn with Uxie, while it takes 64% - 75.5% from a Life Orb Draco Meteor. Set up Stealth Rock on the second turn, and if Dragonite stays in, I have a -4 SpA sleeping Dragonite to set up on after it kills Uxie.
- Dragon Dance: Doesn’t find time to set up. If it somehow does, I have to rely on a Gyarados Intimidate and go 1 on 1. Jolteon outspeeds even after a Dragon Dance and can do some damage with Thunderbolt. Reflect from Azelf helps here as well.
- Physical Choice:Set up fodder. Jolteon can set up a Substitute while it lures Dugtrio, and Baton Pass to Gyarados or Gliscor, that can freely set up on an Earthquake. Scarf versions do sometimes keep Metagross from sweeping.
- Mixed Attacker: Has the potential to hurt my whole team with its coverage. It usually tries to grab a boost from Jolteon, so scouting with substitute helps. Have to rely on Light Screen and an Azelf Explosion to revenge kill.
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Empoleon
- Lead: Hydro pump has a chance to 2HKO Uxie, doing 45.4% - 54%. Yawn first turn, and set up Stealth Rock next turn. Free set up with any Pokemon if it stays in and KOs Uxie.
- SubPetaya: Luckly, the team doesn’t give it any opportunities to set up. In the odd circumstance it does, its gg, as it can OHKO my whole team (bar Gyarados who can’t do anything back) with a boost. Jolteon revenges if Empoleon doesn’t have an Agility under its belt.
- Tank: A more annoying Swampert. It slows down Gli-pass (Roar/Ice Beam) and stops Gyarados cold. Both Metagross and Jolteon fail to OHKO with Earthquake and Thunderbolt respectively, but are my best answer.
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Flygon
- Physical Choice: Jolteon lures it well. If Banded, Jolteon passes a Substitute to Gliscor/Gyarados for free set up on Earthquake (Substitute will not break on a CB U-turn). If Scarfed, Jolteon cannot pass a Substitute, but previous mentioned members will still get free set up on Earthquake. If it comes in anywhere else, Gyarados/Gliscor take the likely U-turn.
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Gengar
- Substitute: Cannot allow it to get substitute up, or it will effectively put a large dent into one of my Pokemon, and slow down my Gli-pass. It’s STAB, typing, and access to Substitute does hamper Azelf's set up a bit. Jolteon outspeeds and revenges with Thunderbolt.
- Special Attacker: Set up bait for Gliscor if I have screens up (bar the rare HP Ice). Metagross can also win 1 on 1 to an extent. Jolteon revenges.
- Special Choice: A real problem. STAB Specs Shadow Ball hurts everything on my team badly. A well played Scarfgar is even more of a problem, as it can effectively stop a Metagross sweep with Trick, and can bounce in and out of the whole match with no worries, and Jolteon can no longer outspeed and revenge kill. Good thing these aren’t seen to much anymore.
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Gyarados
- Dragon Dance: Jolteon revenges Bulky Gyarados after a Dragon Dance. If it is offensive and lacks Taunt, Azelf and Uxie can survive a +1 Life Orb Waterfall and Reflect/Yawn, respectively to stop a sweep.
- RestTalk: My own Gyarados walls it. Jolteon can revenge after one Dragon Dance. Reflect from Azelf helps limit damage.
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Heatran
- Lead: See Lead Matchups above.
- Special Choice: Gyarados is a good initial switch in, as it can set up a Dragon Dance on Scarf versions. Specs leaves a good dent, but is manageable with clever switches. Light Screen from Azelf helps limit damage.
- Substitute: Like other Substitute users, it does not get the opportunity to set up. Gyarados revenges with Waterfall.
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Heracross
- Physical Choice: Gyarados is a good switch in to anything but Stone Edge on both Scarf and Band versions. Uxie and Jolteon outspeed Choice Band Heracross and 2HKO with Psychic and Thunderbolt respectively.
- Swords Dance: Doesn’t get the opportunity to set up Swords Dance. Revenged the same as Choice Band.
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Infernape
- Lead: See Lead Matchups above.
- Special-based Mix: Gyarados handles this best. HP Electric could be a problem, but without HP Ice, Gliscor sets up on it pretty easily. Jolteon revenges with Thunderbolt.
- Choiced Mix: Gyarados still handles these quite well, and can set up multiple Dragon Dances.
- Nasty Plot: : Again, like most set up sweepers, Infernape cannot reliably set up. Even if it did, Jolteon will not be OHKOd by a +2 Vaccum Wave, and can hit back hard with Thunderbolt.
- Swords Dance: Same as Nasty Plot.
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Jirachi
- Lead: See Lead Matchups above.
- Calm Mind: Azelf can Taunt to keep it from accumulating to many Calm Minds, and set up Light Screen. Metagross’ typing and access to Earthquake make it a last resort answer to this set as well.
- Substitute + Thunder Wave: Jolteon switches in on the Thunder Wave and wins 1 on 1. Gliscor can also attempt to switch in on the T-wave and set up.
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Jolteon
- Special Sweeper: Any set with Thunderbolt/HP Ice/Shadow Ball/Filler is a big threat to my team. I have to switch to my own Jolteon to prevent it from getting a Charge Beam boost. If it lacks HP Ice, Gliscor switches in instead and sets up. My best way to go about handling Jolteon is a Metagross Earthquake or a combination of Light screen + Explosion from Azelf.
- Special Choice: A Specs user is immediately more threatening, but a Scarf user gives Gyarados and my Gli-Pass more problems in the long run. My own Jolteon is usually the first switch in to this, otherwise I have to cleverly switch between my resists (even then it can dry BP to keep momentum...).
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Kingdra
- Dragon Dance: Gyarados is the best switch in, negating the attack boost of Dragon Dance while resisting Waterfall. Azelf can also Taunt to keep Kingdra from using Dragon Dance or Substitute, and set up a Reflect.
- Choice Specs: I don’t have a reliable switch in for Specs users, but Gyarados remains my switch in, since it resists Surf/Hydro Pump. Draco Meteor will 2HKO Gyarados, but the SpA drop allows me free set up next turn after it is KO’d.
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Lucario
- Swords Dance: Lucario cannot set up a Swords Dance against most of the team without getting hit hard or Taunted before it can do so. If it somehow manages to set up, Gyarados and Uxie handle it quite well.
- Choice Mix: Uxie, Azelf, Gliscor, and Gyarados can all set up on a Choice locked Aura Sphere. Switch to a resist on any other moves according to the situation. I Haven't really seen any of these, to be honest.
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Machamp
- Lead: See Lead Matchups above.
- Substitute + 3 Attacks: Machamp does not get the opportunity to set up Substitute effectively. Besides the obvious DynamicPunch confusion, it isn’t too big of a threat, as every Pokemon with an attack on the team can hit it hard.
- Physical Choice: Gyarados switches in on Close Combat/DynamicPunch and can set up. Uxie still 2HKOs while anything but Payback will fail to 2HKO Uxie in return.
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Magnezone
- Steel Killer: Metagross outspeeds and hits with Earthquake before it can Magnet Rise. Uxie Yawns, Azelf Taunts, and Gliscor Taunts (if no HP Ice) before it can Substitute.
- Special Choice: Gliscor and Jolteon can switch in on a Thunderbolt and get free set up. Gyarados can come in relatively safe on any other attack it has.
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Mamoswine
- Endeavor Lead: Uxie easily sets up Stealth Rock and U-turns to Gyarados. Mamoswine is OHKO’d by Waterfall the next turn if it stays in.
- Physical Attacker: Ice Shard threatens the Gli-Pass, but other than that it’s not a threat as Gyarados can come in on anything but Stone Edge and hit hard with Waterfall. As a last resort, Metagross outspeeds and OHKOs with Meteor Mash.
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Metagross
- Lead: See Lead Matchups above.
- Agiligross: Can hit all of my team with a STAB neutral or super effective attack, however, Azelf stops set up with Taunt and limits damage by setting up Reflect. Uxie can also live a Life Orb Meteor Mash at full health and Yawn to stop a sweep.
- Physical Choice: The same as Agiligross, but doesn’t need set up, and poses more of a problem to my BP chain with Trick. Just like all other Choice users, I try to hit it hard, make good predictions, and sacrifice intelligently so I can set up on a resisted attack.
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Porygon-Z
- Nasty Plot: Porygon-Z is very frail, so the opportunities for it to set up without taking a good amount of damage are very limited. It only sets up on Gliscor and Gyarados without their respective stat boosts. Jolteon outspeeds and revenges with Thunderbolt.
- Special Choice: Specs users are inevitably going to hit something very hard with Tri Attack, so I have to hit Porygon-Z as hard as I can, sacrifice, and bring in Jolteon to threaten it. Scarf users allow me to switch between resists a bit more but can still be a problem late game when my team is weakened. Not many Choice users carry Trick, but this could prove to be a problem as well.
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Rhyperior
- Physical Sweeper: Nothing on my team lets this set up, whether it’s Rock Polish, Swords Dance, or a Substitute. Jolteon easily revenge kills with HP Grass, Gyarados can revenge with Waterfall, and Metagross can also revenge with Earthquake.
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Scizor
- Swords Dance: Scizor in general is a pain to deal with, because of its typing and my lack of a quick way to deal with it. Gyarados is my standard counter for SD Scizor, intimidating it while resisting its STAB bug and steel attacks. Jolteon also notably survives a +2 Bullet Punch at full health, but can only manage 58.9% - 69.5% Scizor with Thunderbolt at best. Admittedly, these are both shaky checks if Stealth Rock is present or they have taken any prior damage.
- Choice Band: Usually this switches into Uxie or Azelf and attempts to either Pursuit or U-turn. With a Reflect up, Azelf easily sets up on Pursuit, and is not OHKO’d by U-turn. Otherwise, I am forced to go to Gyarados, take the likely U-turn, and give momentum to my opponent.
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Starmie
- Special Attacker The combination of Gyarados and Jolteon handle this well, as most of the time I will double switch from the former to the latter and threaten it with Thunderbolt or set up a Substitute. It is still a big threat however, because in the hands of a good player, it can hit my whole team hard with prediction.
- Special Choice: Both choice sets are huge pain to deal with. A Specs set with Hydro Pump/Thunderbolt/Ice Beam/Trick can 2HKO everything on the team with Stealth Rock damage, and cause trouble by giving one of my team member an unappreciated Specs. A Scarf set can revenge Gyarados after a Dragon Dance, and also outpace Gliscor/Metagross after a Rock Polish and Trick a Scarf to prevent a Baton Pass or sweep, respectively.
- Offensive CM: A slower Starmie that doesn’t get the opportunity to utilize Calm Mind because of all the anti-setup moves on my team. Super effective coverage still hurts, and Suicunes bulk makes it harder to revenge kill. Revenging options are Jolteon, which outspeeds and hits hard with a STAB Thunderbolt, and Azelf, that can set up screens and explode on Suicune if it needs to.
- CroCune: Gyarados can usually handle this all by itself, since it resists Surf, can Taunt to stop set up and recovery, and then begin to set up for itself. Revenging options remain the same, except Metagross can now outspeed and ThunderPunch in a tight situation.
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Togekiss
- Nasty Plot: Cannot set up reliably on my team. Jolteon is my switch in, as it takes a non-boosted Air Slash or Thunder Wave very well. Jolteon then outspeeds it, and hits hard with a STAB super-effective Thunderbolt.
- Special Choice: See Special Choice Porygon-Z above.
- Lead: Uxie U-turns to Gyarados first turn. Hopefully it can come in while Tyranitar sets up Stealth Rock, set up a Dragon Dance while Tyranitar fails to OHKO with Stone Edge, and OHKO it back with Waterfall. Metagross is actually a better option if it can come in on Stealth Rock set up, as it can OHKO Leadtar with Meteor Mash, but at the cost of me showing my Baton Pass receiver early.
- Dragon Dance: Only sets up on Uxie if its hold item is Lum Berry, otherwise, it cannot set up on any other team member. Jolteon outspeeds +1 Jolly Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance, and can manage 47.7% - 56.7% with an Expert Belt boosted Hidden Power Grass.
- Physical Choice: Comes in for free on Uxie and Azelf and hampers anything they are trying to do with Crunch or Pursuit. The guessing game with the Choice Band/Scarf sets can be annoying, as it is hard to tell what to revenge kill with. Predicting and sacrificing is key when dealing with Tyranitar, as it can do some real damage with Stone Edge.
- TyraniBoah: Doesn’t get an opportunity to set up Substitute. Gyarados is a good switch in if it lacks Thunderbolt, while Gliscor is a good switch in if it lacks Ice beam. Revenge killed by Gyarados, Jolteon, or Metagross.
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Weavile
- Lead: Uxie is not 2HKO’d by Fake Out + Night Slash, so it can Stealth Rock safely, but only if Weavile lacks or does not Taunt. Alternatively, I could go to Gyarados first turn to threaten Weavile with Waterfall and freely set up a Dragon Dance, or Jolteon to threaten with Thunderbolt and freely set up a Substitute.
- Swords Dance : To frail to set up effectively on my team. Gyarados’ ability and typing makes it a great switch in to SD Weavile, if for some reason it sets up. Jolteon can revenge if Weavile doesn’t have a Swords Dance under its belt.
- Choice Band : Gyarados remains the best switch in to any Weavile set. Another option is Jolteon, which won’t be OHKO’d by a banded Ice Shard, and can revenge kill with Thunderbolt. A fast STAB Ice Shard and Pursuit make Weavile a big threat to the Gli-Pass strategy, but I have means of countering and revenge killing it.
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Yanmega
- Lead: Uxie Stealth Rocks on the Protect. Gyarados switches in next turn, resisting all of Yanmega’s standard attacks, and hits back hard with Waterfall.
- Choice Specs: This is going to hit something on my team hard, regardless of what I switch in. Getting down Stealth Rock early, sacrificing intelligently, and revenge killing with Jolteon are my best options.
Defensive Threats
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Blissey
- Special Wall: Blissey with the combination of Ice Beam and Seismic Toss can be somewhat troublesome for set up, but Gliscor and Azelf set up easily on more standard sets. Uxie and Jolteon lure it most of the time, and can U-turn/Baton Pass to ensure they are not walled and keep momentum in my favor.
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Bronzong
- Standard Wall: Its typing and high defenses make it troubling to a Metagross sweep, otherwise, its not to much of a problem. Gyarados makes a great switch in, as it doesn’t mind a resisted -1 Gyro Ball. Jolteon substitutes on a Bronzong switch in, and turns it into a set up opportunity for Gyarados by passing a Substitute.
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Celebi
- Standard Wall: Gliscor switches in and sets up easily on any version without HP Ice. Gyarados outspeeds, taunts on the Thunder Wave, and sets up a couple of Dragon Dances before finishing Celebi off with Bounce. Uxie hits 4x super-effective with a U-turn.
- Standard Wall: Gyarados can set up on a set without Charge Beam, and hit hard with boosted Waterfalls. Gliscor can set up easily on any set without Ice Beam. Hopefully I can Gli-Pass to Metagross before it comes in.
- Calm Mind: Reliable set up is very unlikely, as my entire team bar Metagross can outspeed and prevent it from accumulating too many boosts. Even after boosts, Azelf can set up screens and explode to stop it from doing to much damage.
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Forretress
- Standard Wall: At the worst, Forretress sets up 1 layer of Spikes on Uxie, before Azelf, Gliscor, or Gyarados switch in, prevent additional layers with Taunt, and begin their respective set up.
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Gliscor
- Stall-breaker: Gyarados can switch in safely on an Earthquake, and threaten to 2HKO with Waterfall. Azelf can switch in safely on a set without U-Turn, and begin its own set up worry free, after it taunts.
- Baton Pass: Azelf and Gyarados outpace and Taunt, rendering this Gliscor useless. Uxie also outspeeds, and can Yawn to ensure it doesn’t pass more than speed boosts.
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Hippowdon
- Standard Wall: Gyarados and Azelf switch in easily, Taunt, and then begin their set up. Gliscor can also do the same, but only on sets without Ice Fang.
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Rotom-A
- Standard Wall: Easy switch in to predict on entry hazard teams. Gyarados will chip some damage first turn out with Waterfall, then I will switch to Gliscor on the Thunderbolt for easy set up.
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Skarmory
- Standard Wall: Gyarados comes in while it Spikes, or attacks with a resisted -1 Brave Bird, taunts Skarmony, then begins to set up on it. Azelf doesn’t enjoy a Brave Bird as much, but can also freely set up after it taunts. Jolteon can Thunderbolt for an OHKO, or set up a Substitute on the switch out.
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Snorlax
- Standard Wall: This isn’t setting up against most of my team. If it somehow manages to Curse freely, it is never getting more that one boost because of the 4 anti-setup moves on my team. In return, Azelf, Gliscor, and Gyarados set up fairly easily on it after it has been taunted.
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Swampert
- Standard Wall: Usually comes into Jolteon looking to take a Thunderbolt. If Swampert decides to stay in next turn, it is met unkindly by Hidden Power Grass, which has a slight chance of OHKOing with Stealth Rock down. If Swampert is already out, Gyarados switches in easily, taunts, and can set up freely.
- CursePert: Azelf, Gliscor, and Gyarados can Taunt before Swampert attempts to set up Curse. Jolteon can revenge with HP Grass.
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Tentacruel
- Standard Wall: Gyarados sets up on any set without Hidden Power Electric. Wasting a turn using Taunt is not needed, as Jolteon is the only team member affected by Toxic Spikes. Jolteon 2HKOs with Thunderbolt.
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Vaporeon
- Standard Wall: Ice Beam and Roar, can shut down Gli-Pass but, most sets don’t run these. Jolteon has a slight chance of OHKOing with Thunderbolt, and is my best option against Vaporeon.
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Zapdos
[*]Standard Wall: Gliscor can switch in on a Thunderbolt, and set up on any set without Hidden Power Ice. Azelf cannot switch in as easily, but can also set up and explode on Zapdos.
- SubRoost: Most of my team prevents Zapdos from setting up a Substitute. If it manages to set up a Substitute, Jolteon switches in on a Thunderbolt, sets up a Substitute on Zapdos Toxic, and Baton Passes to Gliscor for free set up.
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