Team Dawn of sorrow

[Aprovleptos]

Introduction:
Hello everyone and welcome to my third rate my team thread in Smogon!I am taking a break from the uber ladder so I decided to play OU a bit before shcools open.I made this team a while ago and to my surprise it did very well on the ladder winning almost every game (I lost twice).In this team I use pokemons that I had never used before like Flygon and Zapdos.Well to tell you the truth I was inspired to use this pokes by Rays warstory.

Team at a glance:

Strategy:
The strategy of the team is pretty simple.Set up Stealth Rocks with Swampert while killing their lead most of the time.Then bring Gengar in to make as much damage as possible and then procced to the elimination of all Tyranitar's counters in order to let him set up and sweep.Meanwhile, most of the threats are covered by the combination of Flygon and Scizor (they are my revenge killers).


In depth:

Swampert***Rahab
Abillity:Torrent
Item:leftovers
EVs:236 HP / 216 Def / 40 Atk / 16 Spe
Impish nature
-Stealth Rock
-Protect/Roar
-Earthquake
-Ice Punch/Roar

Swampert is the most reliable lead I have ever used (second being roserade).He can set up Stealth Rock almost all the time, even against faster leads because of it's bulk.Swampert also is capable of beating the opponent lead which is very important for me as I get the upper hand eatly in the game.Protect over Surf/Roar to take explosions from the likes of Azelf or Metagross without having to reveal Gengar.Earthquake is a reliable STAB attack that helps later in then game to take out Heatran or Lucarion.Ice punch is there to hit Dragons mainly Latias.Although Ice punch isnt capable of OHKO Salamence (Who is handled by stealth rock + sandstorm + LO recoil + bullet punch) but is able to 2HKO Latias.Another advantage that Ice Puch has over Ice beam is that I can run a -SpA nature without having to sacrifice any special defence.This is very important because a HP Grass from Zapdos won't OHKO.

The EVs provide max leftovers recovery,a jump point in defence and allow me to outspeed adamant Lucario in case I get a scarf.The rest is put into attack.

Gengar***Master Of Puppets
Abillity:Levitate
Item:life orb
EVs:252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Atk
Naive nature
-Shadow Ball
-HP {Fire}
-Focus Blast
-Explosion

Gengar is one of my favorite pokemon.He usually comes in after Swampert dies and deals as much damage as possible.Shadow ball is for STAB and it is Gengar's main attacking move.Focus blast pairs extremely well with Shadow Ball as they hit anything for at least neutral damage.Thunderbolt is for Gyarados and bulky waters in general.When Gengar is in under 20% of its HP I use explosion taking down with him the opponent (usually it is Blissey)
Life orb is there to boost all Gengar's attacks.I was thinking about expert belt though.Exprt Belt gives the same boost agaist the types that Gengar hits for super effective damage and also gives the impression of a choice item.
The EVs are simple max attack and speed.

Flygon***Paranoia
Abillity:Levitate
Item:Choice Scarf
EVs:252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Jolly nature
-Earthquake
-Outrage
-U-Turn
-Thunder Punch

Flygon is amazing.In the beggining I though he was just a worse Garchomp but it turned out I was wrong.Scarfgon is a deadly revenge killer that can take out Heatran,Latias,Salamence (non Dragon Dance versions) Magnezone and Jirachi.It's STAB attacks, Earthquake and Outrage, are resisted only by Skarmory and levitating bronzong and fire punch covers them.U-Turn is for early game scouting and for hitting latias hard whithout being locked into outrage.
Flygons pairs up very well with Scizor as he covers Scizor's weaknesses and Scizor covers his.
The EVs and nature maximise his attack and speed.

Scizor***Balore
Abillity:Technician
Item:Choice Band
EVs:248 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant nature
-Bullet Punch
-U-Turn
-Superpower
-Pursuit

Choice Band Scizor is in my opinion the deadliest physical sweeper in the standard tier.Scizor is the second revenge killer.His job is to kill Latias,Gengar,DDMence,Tyranitar and any frail sweeper.STAB Technician boosted Bullet punch is nothing to laugh at and 2HKOes almost anything that doesn't resist it.U-Turn gets STAB and it is for more scouting.Superpower OHKOes Blissey all the time and hits Heatran on the switch for super effective damage.Pursuit hits fleeing foes mainly Latias and Gengar
The EVs are a bit complicated.248 HP EVs to make Scizor's HP Stat odd so he doesnt faint after 8 switches with stealth rock up.252 Atk EVs to maximise his attack stat.4 Spe EVs let Scizor become slower than other Scizor that run 8 Speed EVs so he can win Superpower and U-Turn battles.4 Spe EVs also let Scizor tie with 4 Spe Vaporeon.The rest in Special Defence.

Zapdos***Zephyr
Abillity:Pressure
Item:life orb
EVs:252 HP / 80 SpA / 176 Spe
Timid nature
-Thunderbolt
-Heat Wave
-HP {Grass}
-Roost

Zapdos is the glue of the team.He is my answer to Lucario and Scizor.He is also my best bet against bulky water types, like Suicune and Swampert and some grass types namely Breloom and Celebi.Thunderbolt is the main move here as it gets STAB.Heat Wave is mainly for Scizor and Lucario and HP Grass for Ground types.Roost is there to let zapdos last longer and stall Tyranitar's and Heracross' Stone Edge.
The Speed EVs with the timid nature outspeed jolly lucario.252 HP EVs to make Zapdos last longer.The rest are put into special attack.

Tyranitar***Aguni
Abillity:Sandstream
Item:Leftovers
EVs:4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly nature
-Dragon Dance
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Fire Punch

Tyranitar is the last memeber of the team.Something like the star of the show.I use Tyranitar late in the game when all of its counters are down.After a Dragon Dance Tyranitar has the same power as the Choise band set and enough speed to outrun Latias.Stone edge and Crunch get STAB and they are only resisted by Empoleon in OU.Fire Punch is there for any steel type that think they can wall me.
The EVs are crappy right nowbut I could do much.If you have a better EV spread feel free to suggest it.The current one gives max attack and speed.

Conclusion:
So this is the end of this RMT thread.Hope you enjoyed.If you have any suggestions please feel free to post it.Thanks in advance.

Threat list coming soon.
Changes in bold.

​

 

[Aprovleptos]

Threat List (assuming Gyarados is on the team)
------------------------------------------------------------------

• Green means they are not a problem for me.
• Orange means they can cause a bit of trouble.
• Red means they are very difficult to take down.

Offensive Threats

Aerodactyl : All of them are leads but Swampert cannot touch them.Scizor can get the taunt and kill with bullet punch,Flygon revenge kills
---

Alakazam : Scizor,Flygon
---

Azelf : Swampert can deal with the lead ones and Scizor/Flygon revenge kill
---

Breloom : Breloom is very hard to counter.Letting a pokemon to sleep (Gyarados mainly) and then switch in Gengar to kill.If it has subed it harder to take him down and I usualy have to sacrifice a member
---

Dragonite : Stealth rock + Sandstorm + Scizor/Flygon
---

Dugtrio : Gyarados,Flygon
---

Electivire : Flygon and Swampert
---

Empoleon : Flygon revenge kills.Swampert can take anything bar Grass Knot.Scizor's superpower and Gyara can set up
---

Flygon : Flygon is the hardest of the dragons because of its typing.Scizor can Bullet punch it.Gengar can switch in an earthquake
---

Gengar : Scizor,Flygon
---

Gyarados : Flygon revenge kills even a +2
---

Heatran : Flygon,Swampert
---

Heracross : Gyarados can take it as long as it lacks stone edge.Flygon revenge kills.Scizor can bullet punch it if it has used close combat
---

Infernape : Gyarados is my main counter here.Flygon can revenge kill
---

Jirachi : Jirachi is hard to take down because of the flinch hax.Flygon is my best bet here as it can KO with STAB earthquake
---

Jolteon : Swampert can take versions that lack HP grass.Flygon can take those that lack HP ice.Tyranitar can kill easily
---

Kingdra : If I can change the weather,Flygon can revenge kill
---

Latias : not a threat at all.Scizor and Tyranitar are Latias' greatest counters
---

Lucario : Swampert if it is still alive.Gyarados is a nice counter if it lacks stone edge.Gengar is a nice check.So does flygon
---

Machamp : Gengar and Flygon mainly
---

Magnezone: Flygon and Swampert
---

Mamoswine : Scizor and Gyarados
---

Metagross : Swampert,Gyaradosnd flygon
---

Porygon-Z : Scizor is my best bet.Flygon can revenge kill
---

Rhyperior : Swampert,Flygon,Gyarados
---

Salamence : DDSalamence is dealt by Stealth rock + Sandtorm + Life orb recoil +Bullet Punch.All the other version can be revenge killed by Flygon
---

Scizor : Gyarados and Swampert
---

Starmie : Tyranitar,Scizor,Flygon
---

Togekiss : Tyranitar and Scizor
---

Tyranitar : Scizor,Flygon
---

Weavile : Scizor
---

Yanmega :Stealth rock takes out 50% of its HP so Scizor can KO with BP

Defensive Threat List:

Blissey : My only Special sweeper is Gengar and gengar can take her out with explosion
---

Bronzong : Blongong is a tricky one.It cant do much but it completely walls Scizor and Flygon.Gyarados can take him on and Tyranitar can take it out with Fire punch
---

Celebi : Scizor,Gengar,Tyranitar
---

Cresselia : Scizor,Gengar and Tyranitar
---

Donphan : Gyarados can take on all versions
---

Forretress : Gengars HP fire and Tyranitar's fire punch
---

Gliscor : Gyarados,Flygon
---

Hippowdon : Gyarados,Swampert
---

Skarmory : Flygon
---

Snorlax : The same as blissey.Not a threat at all
---

Suicune:Gengar can use explosion and Flygon can revenge kill
---

Swampert : Very annoying.Scizor can use superpower to weaken him ans Gyarados can set up om him
---

Tentacruel : Flygon,Swampert
---

Vaporeon : Flygon,Swampert walls it complitelly.Gengar can explode if it has used protect before.
---

Zapdos : Tyranitar
---

 

[Kachalski]

Problem Pokemon:

Electivire (slight)
Infernape

How to fix:

May I start by saying good team, I ran the Team Builder calculations and you have no Pokemon with the same weaknesses, that is impressive on a team. I did notice a slight problem with Electivire though. If you misjudge a Thunderbolt, and he takes it, he has the chance to sweep your team, if Gengar and Swampert are down. However, he shoudn't be too much of a problem, providing Flygon can take it out. Just watch out for if he comes in late game. Infernape can give you team a lot of problems though, especially late game. Once Flygon is out, Infernape can come in, and if he packs HP Ice and Grass Knot, can sweep your team. The best way to counter this is with a Starmie.

Starmie @ Life Orb
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid (+Spe -Atk)

Surf
Grass Knot
Ice beam
Thunderbolt

That would cover a few weaknesses your team could have, and that Surf is garenteed OHKO on every and all Infernape sets. I would recommend using him over Tyranitar, as Scizor can counter Latias, and Starmie can fill that End-game cleaner role well. I would also recommend running Roar instead of Ice Punch on that Swampert, or even Waterfall, but that is up to you.

 

[Huntofthelion]

Cool team, I had thought DDtar was extinct. He's a really good sweeper, but he won't get anywhere with Scizor's running around. Which is why it'a a major problem that your team doesn't have anything that can lure in and then kill Scizor. For that reason, I'd suggest Hidden Power Fire over Thunderbolt on your Gengar. You have Water types pretty well covered, and most won't try to set up on Gengar anyway. This should really make it easier to open up sweeps for your Tyranitar.

The last thing I'd suggest is making Flygon Jolly, with ThunderPunch over Fire Punch. This gives you a definite check to bulkier Mences that your Scizor won't be able to take, as well as Gyarados. If Gyarados gets a DD on your team, and Zapdos is weakened, it will walk through your team. Fire Punch doesn't seem to do a lot unless you caught a Scizor switch in, and you can still U-turn them to force them out and rack up more SR damage.

Overall, good team. Good Luck!

 

[Aprovleptos]

thanks for the rates guys!

@Stormkid5:Tyranitar is the reason this team exists so I really dont want to replace him.I will try starmie though.thanks

@Huntofthelion:thanks for the rate.I will replace t-bolt for HP fire on gengar and the moveset on flygon.

p.s. Sorry but the threat list will have to wait until tommorow.I am tired right now (it is 11 pm here)

 

[Krack]

This is a pretty cool team. Firstly, I know you said you didnt want Ice Beam, which I think you should you use since it hits a lot of stuff harder than Ice Punch, but if you want to use a pure physical Pert, you should consider using Avalanche over Ice Punch. Ice Punch has 75 base power and Avalanche gets 120, if it moves last, which it will be doing pretty much all the time. 120 base power is a lot more than 75.

Now, you said you wanted Zapdos as your main SD Scizor and Lucario answer. Zapdos will not do survive long enough to act as a good counter because of SR + SS. Also MixApe and Gyara might be a problem for you. I suggest just replacing Zapdos for this Gyara:

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 224 Def / 32 Spe
Impish Nature
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
- Sleep Talk
- Rest

This Gyarados will effectively counter SD Scizor and Lucario, although it should not be switching into U-Turn. This also provides you will somewhat of a Ape counter. I admit it still isnt the best for Ape, but its better than nothing. Flygon and Gengar can always revenge kill it. This can also come in for an intimidate on an opposing Gyarados, then switch right out to Flygon to take Stone Edge and for the Thunder Punch (which you should use over Fire Punch, since it will allow Flygon to revenge Gyarados).This set can also act as a status asorber and a secondary late game sweeper, if your Tyranitar sweep fails.

If you want Tyranitar to be your late game sweeper, you should be using a Jolly nature. Adamant hits only hits 331 Speed after a DD. This means you will not be outspeeding Latias, Gengar, Infernape and others. A Jolly nature lets you outspeed all of these. Also, a Balbiri Berry will help Tyranitar sweep, since a Scizor's Bullet Punch wont be ending your sweep.

Good Luck and I hope I helped!

 

[Snorlaxe]

Hello! =)

First things first, I would suggest squeezing in Roar somewhere on your Swampert set. Swampert has awesome defensive stats, which help it be a great phazer. There are two advantages to this: It can help you find out more about your opponent's team, which can in turn grant you the advantage early in the match; also (assumning you already placed Stealth Rock), it can rack up entry hazard damage on your opponent's Pokemon easily, allowing them to be picked off more easily by Scizor later in the match. I would get rid of either Protect or Ice Punch (depending on what you want Swampert to achieve). While I know that Protect stops Metagross and Azelf's Explosion from KOing you, it requires a significant amount of prediction to work out, so I would say get rid of Protect.

I would suggest changing your Zapdos to Rotom-H. Rotom-H has better all-around defenses, and many important resistances. Rotom-H can still counter Infernape and Lucario very well, not to mention Bulky Waters and Grass types; however, he has the extra ability to cripple the opponents Physical sweepers with ease. Electivire is a very uncommon Pokemon, but after a Motor Drive boost, can cause your team a lot of problems. Burn support helps to fix this very well. Here is the set:

Rotom-H @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Hp / 168 Def / 88 Spe
Bold nature (+Defense, -Attack)
~ Thunderbolt / Discharge
~ Shadow Ball
~ Overheat
~ Will-O-Wisp

Thunderbolt / Discharge is your main STAB move; Thunderbolt has more power, but Discharge has a nifty 30% chance to paralyze the opponent. This can be an invaluable asset against faster sweepers like Gengar. Shadow Ball gives you some more good STAB, and a surefire way to counter the many Psychic-type Pokemon in OU. Overheat is Rotom-H's notable advantage over Zapdos (aside from better defenses), not only allowing it to hit grass type Pokemon for Super Effective damage, but also the many steel types in OU. Magnezone is OHKOed, Metagross is 2HKOed, and Lucario is easily OHKOed. Will-O-Wisp is a great move for beating physical attackers that may try and switch in on Rotom-H, such as Salamence and Scizor.

Just as a minor nitpick, I would consider running a Jolly nature on Tyranitar over the current Adamant. Jolly Tyranitar can outspeed Choice Scarf Heatran after two Dragon Dances, while Adamant cannot. Anyway, I hope I helped, and good luck! =)

 

[Wombat Sky Forme]

Meh I like this team.

Pokemon Weaknesses
Empoleon
Salamence (Sort of)

SubPetaya Empoleon, being as popular as it is, has a chance to sweep you team. Ice Beam/Grass Knot both should have no trouble with Flygon/Swampert, Ice Beam hits Zapdos, and Surf hits the rest. Salamence could possibly be a problem, but that is just something you should be aware of, which doesn't really require any adjustment, just caution. To beat Empoleon, I suggest Vaporeon over Zapdos/Gengar. It takes even Grass Knot reasonably.

Vaporeon@Leftovers
Bold
252 HP/6 SpA/252 SpD
Surf
Aqua Ring
Protect
Wish
I saw this set on YT. I've always used it from then on. Use Aqua Ring for AR+Lefties recovery each turn, then use Wish--> Protect to recover lots of HP.
On Swampert, Ice Punch is usually inferior to Ice Beam. You could try something like:

Swampert@Leftovers
Relaxed
240 HP/216 Def/52 SpA
Earthquake
Ice Beam
Stealth Rock
Roar/Protect
Standard MixPert. I have Protect listed as an option since that's what you have now, but Roar is usually better as it is usually better at stopping sweeps lategame than Swampert's bulk alone.
Like everybody else, T-Tar needs Jolly. I won't list the reasons because you're probably tired of hearing them.
Flygon and Scizor... Awesome (Common) Pokes. However, if they are your main sweepers, both of them shouldn't have a choice item. Keep CB on Scizor, but I'd suggest Expert Belt on Flygon, since your set hits 11/17 types super effectively.

I can't see anything else, so bye!

 

[Aprovleptos]

Thanks all of you for your rates!
I edited the first post with the small changes.

I am leading towards replacing Gengar and Zapdos with Rotom-H and Gyarados.
If I make this changes though I will have a big lucario weakness.After a Swords Dance Lucario can be a problem.Rotom is OHKOed by crunch while Gyarados takes good damage by a +1 stone edge.I lose also some power early in the game if I replace Gengar.
On the other hand Gyarados can be my status absorber and a nape/Scizor check.

So I guess the final team should be something like this:

Swampert
Gengar/Rotom
Flygon
Scizor
Gyarados
Tyranitar

I will test rotom right now and post the results later.

 

[haunter]

Got your PM,

seems that you already got some useful rates, personally l'd like Rotom over Zapdos on this team, but I suggest a sleep-talk set:

Rotom@leftovers
nature: bold
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 SpD
-thunderbolt
-will o wisp
-rest
-sleep talk

Rotom would solve your Gyarados issue without forcing you to revenge kill it with Flygon while still being a decent switch into bulky waters thanks to its good defences and access to stab thunderbolt. I recommend sleep talk and rest to gain a reliable status absorber and the ability to stall TTar out of pursuits with the combiantion of rest\sleep talk\WoW.

Also, I see a slight weakness to Lucario, lost Gengar SD Lucario may give you troubles if it gets the chance to set up a SD on Scizor, I'd suggest to try a scarf-Jirachi as your revenge killer:

Jirachi@choice scarf
nature: jolly
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-iron head
-fire punch
-u-turn
-trick / thunder punch

Jirachi's advantage over Flygon is the resistance to ES which means that Lucario will never be able to sweep your team as long as Jirachi is in play. If you opt for Rotom, then you may use trick to gain another weapon against stall, but thunder punch is also an option if you want to be sure against Gyarados.

Finally, I'd try substitute on Gengar and possibly leftovers over life orb. Since Gengar is your best Scizor bait (and Scizor is DD TTar's worst enemy) you may want to be sure to eliminate it without needing to play risky mind games with your opponent. You might drop explosion and switch to a timid nature as Blissey seems less than a problem for your team.

Just some suggestions, your team seems quite solid.

Good luck!

 

[xXpkmnmasterjackXx]

First of all... Good Team ^_^ You don't have a straight counter that can run through your entire team, and the typings are great.Go with Haunter's suggestion of Rotom - H.You have a small Scizor Problem. Tyranitar, after one DD, should be able to destroy Scizor with Fire Punch. Leftovers isn't doing anything here with only 4 hp EVs investment.To deal with your Scizor problem... Use Babiri Berry! You now won't get 0HKOd by Scizors Bullet Punch, and you can strike back with Fire Punch.