Team Druid: A team with DruidCruel (hopefully)

[Colonel M]

Unfortunately I can't really get Platinum sprites due to me lacking Firefox. Bah.

The team, anyway, revolves around "hyper-offense". In other words, I blow out and just strike as hard as possible. But here's the team.

Aerodactyl (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
---

I'm not a fan of suicide leads, but surely I'm a fan of Aerodactyl. Outspeeding Azelf and other threats is a huge benefit for my team. Carrying Taunt is simply another: crippling Baton Bass chains for a while. Rock Slide and Earthquake compliment each other and allow Aerodactyl an offensive strategy incase of enemy Salamence / Gyarados switch-ins.

Starmie @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Recover
---

Weird to list the "late-game sweeper" as the second Pokemon isn't it? Well the truth is... many of these Pokemon can be late-game sweepers. Starmie has a soft spot in my heart: it can 2HKO many threats if they're hit super effectively. And only Blissey is the main thorn for Starmie. Thunderbolt is 2HKOing all the bulky waters aside from Swampert, while Ice Beam is tearing up Celebi and Zapdos to shreds. I like Recover simply because it gives me an option to heal if necessary. I've used it, don't doubt me on it.

Gengar (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Hasty nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Explosion
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
---

It seems that everyone forgets Gengar has Explosion. Why? This thing is the epitone of Stall's Worst Nightmare list. Blissey? Explosion. Everything else? The moveset. Shadow Ball and Focus Blast takes care of most threats, while Thunderbolt is, again, 2HKOing bulky Water-types and hitting Flying stuff as well. Very useful. Sinister too.

Heracross (M) @ Wide Lens (Instead of Salac Berry)
Ability: Guts
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Megahorn
- Close Combat
---

Another "forgotten" set, Swords Dance Heracross sweeps the unprepared. With Wide Lens attatched, shit just got worse. Heracross is a useful tool: it eliminates the vast majority of Pokemon in stall teams. The exception is Rotom-A once in a while, which is why I've considered Night Slash over and over again over Stone Edge. 'Tis a pity though, because this set is highly effective. I know you think that Lucario might be better in this slot... but it actually opens up some unneccesary weaknesses. Still, Heracross is nothing you should underestimate. Ever.

I am pondering on the item change: Wide Lens or Flame Orb in particular. Both worked from what I've seen.

Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
---

I like this set because it provides me a lot of utility. Revenge killing, Pursuit, and scouting is very useful. Choice Band Scizor hits hard right off the bat, smacking things with U-Turn or the souped-up Bullet Punch. Superpower will take out some of the weaker Skarmory (I hope...?). U-Turn and Stealth Rock surprisingly pair well.

Tentacruel (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk/176 Spd/80 SAtk
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Hydro Pump
- Waterfall
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
---

The final Pokemon in this team. Sometimes I wonder if this kind of overlaps Starmie and such. Anyway, DruidCruel. Useful. After a Swords Dance, Tentacruel is taking shit down. Hydro Pump is also useful: 2HKOing many bulky Ground-types and others such as Skarmory and Forretress. With the Adamant nature, I'm not hampering the Defense stat, allowing Tentacruel to take a Bullet Punch or Ice Shard in emergencies (while it's out duh). Overall a great Pokemon.

PROBLEMS
Nothing with stall to start. I'm nervous about Scarf stuff. I don't like locking myself into attacks much, but I could see Choice Scarf users such as Heatran just proving to be a problem overall.

CMJirachi is something I loathe. It's really one of the "few" Pokemon that does some damage to this team overall. Probably nothing much to solve this.

Zapdos and Jolteon are kind of a problem. Most of the Pokemon in my team CAN 2HKO them... but STAB Thunderbolt just hurts. There probably isn't too much I can do to fix this without resorting to... say, a Choice Scarfer. But hey, I'm content with this team for the most part.

I feel there could be some Pokemon that could prove useful in this team. But meh.

RMT though. I'll look for pictures in the meantime.

 

[MetaNite]

Well, once Aerodactyl dies (or if you lose a speed tie) SpecJolt will be huge problem. Scizor takes 72% damage from a T-bolt, and I'm pretty sure Tentacruel is OHKOed despite that huge SpD. Anyway, it outspeeds everything and 2HKOes everything with 1 move meaning you've got a problem.

How often do you actually activate your Salac Berry on Heracross? You don't have Substitute and there's loads of priority moves going around. I'd change Heracross altogether, but if you don't want to then I reccomend giving it Leftovers.

From my experience, I now that Gengar and Starmie die very quickly between Stealth Rock, Life Orb and priority moves. I doubt you'll have time to use Recover in the middle of a sweep so I would definately give Starmie an Expert Belt and Grass Knot, or make it TrickScarf. That can revenge kill Jolteon for ya.

Rock Slide is far better on Aerodactyl than Stone Edge. A lot of times I manage to kill SashAzelf thanks to the flinch, or even Gyarados and Zapdos. Plus you don't want to miss trying to take out a DD Mence.

Looking at a bigger picture now, you probably will want a hyper-fast revenge killer. And probably a Fire attack because a bulky Scizor can probably set up on a few of your Pokemon and then the rest are going down after a few Sword Dances.

I know its unoriginal but ScarfTran would help here, and brings some needed bulk to your team. Heracross looks like the weakest link, mainly for stall but you've got Gengar and Tentacruel for that.

DruidCruel looks cool.

PS- http://sfc.pokemon-inside.net/platinum.php Sprites.

 

[Colonel M]

Eh I'll post.

First off after talking on IRC I agreed with an item change: Wide Lens > Salac Berry on Heracross. So that's taken care of.

Well, once Aerodactyl dies (or if you lose a speed tie) SpecJolt will be huge problem. Scizor takes 72% damage from a T-bolt, and I'm pretty sure Tentacruel is OHKOed despite that huge SpD. Anyway, it outspeeds everything and 2HKOes everything with 1 move meaning you've got a problem.

On the flip side, Scizor is 2HKOing Jolteon with Bullet Punch. But granted, I do see what you're talking about. Yeah... this thing IS a problem. And Zapdos. At least said Zapdos is slower, so that's not as big of an issue. But still an issue nevertheless.

From my experience, I now that Gengar and Starmie die very quickly between Stealth Rock, Life Orb and priority moves. I doubt you'll have time to use Recover in the middle of a sweep so I would definately give Starmie an Expert Belt and Grass Knot, or make it TrickScarf. That can revenge kill Jolteon for ya.

My main qualm is the lack of power with Trick Scarf. Obviously either of these work. Also, being chased off by Pursuit just hurts. In this instance, I can retaliate for the most part. As far as the recovery issue... I usually use it when I can reliably predict against it. Think of POkemon like Vaporeon, Scizor locked onto Bullet Punch, etc. That's when I usually Recover. Or when they switch. Now I will admit this won't always happen though.

For Gengar, Life Orb is nearly a must just because Explosion and 2HKOing things is a high priority for this team.

Rock Slide is far better on Aerodactyl than Stone Edge. A lot of times I manage to kill SashAzelf thanks to the flinch, or even Gyarados and Zapdos. Plus you don't want to miss trying to take out a DD Mence.

Agreed. Changing.

Looking at a bigger picture now, you probably will want a hyper-fast revenge killer. And probably a Fire attack because a bulky Scizor can probably set up on a few of your Pokemon and then the rest are going down after a few Sword Dances.

Dunno about the Scizor ordeal, but I did say that a Choice Scarf user may not be a bad idea for this team.

I know its unoriginal but ScarfTran would help here, and brings some needed bulk to your team. Heracross looks like the weakest link, mainly for stall but you've got Gengar and Tentacruel for that.

Again, could work. Dunno though... I really need Heracross for the sake of having a STAB Fighting-type attack and Megahorn damaging Psychic-types.

I'll take these in my head. But I'd like some more input.

 

[Gordon7]

Well, i see you lacking a lot of options to switch in to Dragons. Draco Meteor will even take out 60% of Scizor's health on average. Or even after a Dragon Dance, Salamence will probably rip this team to shreds, especially if it isn't holding a Life Orb. Heracross with Salac Berry is one on my favorite's but if it isn't holding Substitute, why not just give it Flame Orb or Bulk Up. Your team lacks so much type coverage as a whole. No immunity to Thunder Wave or anything to take electric attacks, yet you have 3 weaknesses to it. Scarf Magnezone will sweep your team, no problem. Say it comes in on Gengar? Then what on earth do you do? Go to Tentacruel? I understand you probably want to keep your synergy, but you at least some defensive type coverage. I would suggest adding a Life Orb, Curse Pert over Tentacruel, or even Meditate Electivire. Suggesting a CB Snorlax over Heracross is a good option and giving Scizor Life Orb over Choice Band and also give it Roost, so it may can come back in on Draco Meteor. That was you have thick fat to cover for your fire weakness on Scizor and you have a decent Gengar switch in.

So maybe a team like
Aerodactly
Starmie
Scizor
Snorlax
Gengar
Electivire / Swampert.

It isn't perfect, but it eliminates some heavy issues for this team.

 

[TeaBag]

I recommend 40 Atk / 216 SpA / 252 Spe Hasty for LO Gengar for the guaranteed OHKO on almost all Blissey with Explosion.

You mention your Zapdos and Jolteon weakness (especially Choice Specs), but do not use Electivire to remedy this. If you must use a Volt Absorb Poke, use Jolteon, period. Zapdos is outsped by Starmie, Gengar, and Aero (if it stays alive) so at least you can revenge or play around that. However, SpecsJolt is a serious threat, outrunning and 2HKOing everything in your team at the very least with Thunderbolt. If your team is to be DruidCruel-based, you definitely need an Electric resist to support it.

 

[Thorns]

Yah it does the tentacruel just amazes me like luls i love the set and its novelty babe but i dont really think that will work. Pert can always take its place but as for heracross it is perfectly fine instead of widelens heracross i prefer guts machamp since it has the elemental pawnches

Please stop rating teams. Not only is your language incoherent, your suggestions are terrible and you don't even suggest anything to cover weaknesses created by your new suggestions.

Anyway, Scarf Gengar is rarely used in today's metagame, and it has the chance to utterly destroy anything with Dragon Dance, as well as providing a nice revenge killer/Scarfer for your team.

If you do end up Scarfing Gengar, you could/should run Hidden Power Ice over possibly Focus Blast. Some may argue that Choice users should opt for maximum neutral coverage, but you already have two other Fighting moves on your team. Props for using Explosion, as I always say, if it learns Explosion, use it.

I am also thinking Brick Break can work over Superpower on Scizor, but it's unlikely Scizor will be using Superpower more than twice in one switchin anyway.

Good team overall, but your signature Rhyperior is unfortunately not present!

 

[Setrack]

something with a powerful earthquake like rhyperior helps with the jirachi weakness. i recommend rock polish/stone edge/earthquake/megahorn. it fits in with the "not common sweeping sets" theme you have as well. perhaps a tyranitar or a snorlax could work as well to help against zapdos and jolteon.

 

[MapleSandwich]

I'd suggest giving Gengar a Scarf. Really. If you do that, replace Focus Blast with HP Ice, because the main reason I suggest this is to make you less DDancer/Rain Kingdra vunerable. You have very little defense against other "hyper offensive" teams that sport faster Pokémon. Another possibility would be Scarf Heatran, since having Dragon Pulse will make getting rid of enemies locked into Outrage that much easier (because Gengar has to worry about the OHKO if they're tricky with Yache). But HP Ice will work for Salamence and Dragonite.

I'd love to suggest Electivire to remove your glaring Electric Weakness, but he doesn't pack a lot of power without a Life Orb or a Choice Band, and I don't want to recommend too many choice Users. For the moment, Swampert support seems to be the best option. I suggesting giving Scizor his spot, either the Support or MixPert analysis set is my suggestion.

Heracross and Scizor really DON'T complement each other too well. (Hence my suggestion to remove Scizor.) They lack real combined coverage and are simply two easily countered, low defense sweepers. No joke, anything with Fire Blast will simply melt those two. I'd suggest replacing Aerodactly's spot with a different, tougher Steel Type now, like Metagross or Bronzong. Use Bronzong's Gyro Ball set with minimum Speed to punish Azelf who Taunt you, or Metagross' Occa Berry with Stealth Rock/Meteor Mash/Explosion/Earthquake. This leaves you with:

Metagross
Starmie
Gengar
Heracross
Swampert
Tentacruel

You have less electric weakness, and this team's offensive and defensive typing complement each other better. But that's just my suggestions. Granted, I didn't solve your Zapdos Problems if they have HP Grass, but they are easier to mange without it now.

Of course, I wouldn't use that Tentacruel in the first place. But I hope my comments helped.

 

[RaikouLover]

I'm very afraid of any Dragon Dancer or any sweeper that can boost speed, as they will 6-0 you in a heartbeat.

Gyarados looks rather threatening from here, as it will 6-0 you quite easily when it gets it Dragon Dance... Luckily its only chance to set up is against scizor.

Salamence is the same thing... but I'm more worried about the BulkyMences that I have seen a few people using... ya know.. with Dragon Claw instead of Outrage... you have no chance against those.

Mixdra... just flat out destroys this team... OHKOing every pokemon except Tentacruel, who is easily 2HKOed by a NVE Waterfall.

Empoleon is also something I would watch out for, especially if Druidcruel is weakened a bit.

So commonly hyper offensive teams carry a Scarfer as a security measure... but I personally hate the Choice Scarf as an item.. so you should find a way to at least give yourself a chance against these threats. Gengar is a wallbreaker, so I won't suggest that... but possibly something else instead. Also, offensive teams benefit from Gyarados and Salamence for Intimidate... So perhaps Staraptor would be a good fit. Its fast, has Intimidate, and doesn't rely on type coverage to revenge kill for you.

 

[Crafty Veteran]

I like DruidCruel, I think I'll test it out, it looks good on paper so I might test it out. Also I see a Agiligross problem out there when it comes in on something like BP Scizor, it sets up and gets set for a sweep. It may not OHKO everyone but there is no safe switch in.

Consider a Zapdos to handle Agiligross and some threats like Scizor and keep some common OU pokemon in check. An offensive Zapdos should do the trick. It's immune to common earthquake, resists Meteor Mash and thunder punch does little damage to it. Consider an Agili Zapdos if you like, its still scary:

@ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EV: 140 HP / 252 SpA / 116 Spe

-Agility
-Thunderbolt
-Heat Wave
-HP [Ice]

DD Gyarados could be a problem so you might want to try a standard physical wall Zapdos which handles Gyarados as well. One DD looks scary already.

Nice team anyways, DruidCruel looks good on paper

 

[Colonel M]

I knew that DDers are a huge menace. I'm thinking of trying Scarf Gengar to compensate this, and possibly juggling between Scizor or Heracross and then finding a replacement in this case.

MixDra... eh, it's a threat, but I've rarely seen it.

My main problem is probably the overlapping overall. Starmie and Tentacruel sort of overlap in a way... I could make use of DDKingdra just for a little defense mixed with offense. Between Hera and Scizor though... I have a feeling Scizor might have the slight edge just because U-Turn, Pursuit, and Bullet Punch are so useulf. I've even pondered on using the "It's a Trap" set to compensate the problems.

If you have a good suggestion over Scizor or Heracross (maybe not Swampert. I'm only a big fan of the Rest / Sleep Talk / Waterfall / Curse personally) shout for it. I've thought of Snorlax actually. But eh... maybe I'm blind.