I have been playing Pokemon for a while but am new to competitive. Any feedback on my team is welcome.
Skarmory (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Roost
- Toxic
Skarmory's job is to set up spikes. I put Max EVs in HP and Def to increase it's bulk, but I have thought about sacrificing some Def EVs for SpD, given how lacking skarmory is in that category. Relating to that, calm may be an alternative nature to bold. I chose sturdy, as keen eye doesn't affect any moves except toxic, it's least important move. However, skarmory hopefully won't be getting OHKO'd anyway. The rocky helmet allows it to do damage while setting up, complementing his high Def. Whirlwind is to get rid of problematic type matchups, while also dealing hazard damage. Roost is for stalling, while also partially removing its crippling electric weakness for a turn. Toxic, while rendered useless due to toxic spikes later in the battle, can stall out some opponents when combined with roost. I chose skarmory to wall ground, but though about using ferrothorn and may change in the future.
Toxapex (F) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
- Scald
- Recover
Toxapex's job is similar to skarmory in that it's job is to set up toxic spikes. I put EVs in HP and SpD to give it evenly spread bulk. Its calm nature works with its EVs to balance out it's lower base SpD. Regenerator seemed like the best choice, due to toxapex's ability to switch in and wall, keeping its HP up throughout. However, merciless could be used to get extra damage on scald, assuming it is still alive after toxic spikes are up. Black sludge keeps it alive even longer, while also protecting against the very off chance trick or switcheroo is used. Haze is used to protect against setups or significant debuffs to toxapex's defenses. Scald is to provide a water attack for the team, while possibly getting the ever important burn. Recover is an obvious choice, prolonging its tanky style.
Tyranitar (F) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 132 HP / 252 Atk / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
- Earthquake
Tyranitar is an all around attacker, but is initially used to set up sandstorm for excadrill and stealth rock. Max EVs in Atk allow maximum damage, HP to last, and Spe so it doesn't completely lag behind. The adamant nature maximizes damage output. Sand stream is absolutely necessary for setting up sandstorm. The tyranitarite gives an all around boost useful for when it comes in later for offensive purposes. Stealth rock is to add another layer to my entry hazards. Rock slide is a nice STAB move for coverage with rock, but I probably use the least. Crunch is to provide coverage with dark, while also providing nice STAB damage. Earthquake is just a nice move to have overall. Any of its attacking moves could be replaced with fire punch, but I wouldn't be sure which one.
Excadrill (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
Excadrill is a sweeper that uses immense Atk combined with sand rush to out-speed and out-power. Max EVs is both Atk and Spe Further cement it's role as a sweeper, while it's jolly nature makes absolutely sure that it out-speeds everything. Sand rush pairs witch tyranitar's sand stream to get a massive speed buff. The life orb is to maximize damage. Swords dance is to set up if an opportunity is given, giving excadrill OHKO power. Earthquake and iron head are excellent STAB moves with considerable power. Rapid spin can get rid of entry hazards, and may be necessary against teams that use them. I originally had an aquav berry instead of the life orb to prolong the sweep, but think the life orb is a better choice.
Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
Hidden Power: Ice
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power
- Volt Switch
- Roost
Tapu koko's job is to set up electric terrain for hawlucha's sweep, while holding its own in a similar fashion to tyranitar. EVs in Spe and SpA complement its base stats, with timid granting even more speed. Electric terrain sets up for hawlucha, while having no alternatives. The Electrium Z is to deal a massive hit, especially against steel types, koko's weakness, and the water types a good chunk of my team is weak too. Hidden power being ice type handles the problematic dragon type, while also covering it's ground weakness. Thunderbolt is a consistent STAB move that also gives a quite powerful gigavolt havoc. Hidden power gives much needed coverage against dragon and ground types. Volt switch allows tapu koko to switch into hawlucha while doing damage in the process. Roost is to keep it in the battle, but would be used infrequently. Electrium Z feels kinda like filler to me, so a different item that complements it better would be useful.
Hawlucha (F) @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 36 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Roost
Hawlucha is a powerful and speedy sweeper, using tapu koko's electric terrain with the electric seed to get a massive boost in speed with defense to boot. EVs in Atk and Spe allow it to out-power and out-speed, while HP and SpD allow it to stay in the fight a bit longer. An adamant nature provides an extra kick in its Atk stat. Unburden is a necessity, doubling it's speed for the sweep. The electric seed, as stated earlier, boosts speed and defense. Acrobatics deals large STAB damage, taking advantage of the lost electric seed. Swords dance sets up the sweep, making hawlucha capable of huge amounts of damage. High jump kick, while risky, provides potentially devastating damage when paired with swords dance. Roost extends the sweep. I feel that the EVs could be modified, such as sacrificing some HP for Spe.
I have participated in about 25 battles with this team on Showdown, but plan to use it in USUM.
Any commentary, positive or negative, is appreciated, as long as it's constructive.
Skarmory (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Roost
- Toxic
Skarmory's job is to set up spikes. I put Max EVs in HP and Def to increase it's bulk, but I have thought about sacrificing some Def EVs for SpD, given how lacking skarmory is in that category. Relating to that, calm may be an alternative nature to bold. I chose sturdy, as keen eye doesn't affect any moves except toxic, it's least important move. However, skarmory hopefully won't be getting OHKO'd anyway. The rocky helmet allows it to do damage while setting up, complementing his high Def. Whirlwind is to get rid of problematic type matchups, while also dealing hazard damage. Roost is for stalling, while also partially removing its crippling electric weakness for a turn. Toxic, while rendered useless due to toxic spikes later in the battle, can stall out some opponents when combined with roost. I chose skarmory to wall ground, but though about using ferrothorn and may change in the future.
Toxapex (F) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
- Scald
- Recover
Toxapex's job is similar to skarmory in that it's job is to set up toxic spikes. I put EVs in HP and SpD to give it evenly spread bulk. Its calm nature works with its EVs to balance out it's lower base SpD. Regenerator seemed like the best choice, due to toxapex's ability to switch in and wall, keeping its HP up throughout. However, merciless could be used to get extra damage on scald, assuming it is still alive after toxic spikes are up. Black sludge keeps it alive even longer, while also protecting against the very off chance trick or switcheroo is used. Haze is used to protect against setups or significant debuffs to toxapex's defenses. Scald is to provide a water attack for the team, while possibly getting the ever important burn. Recover is an obvious choice, prolonging its tanky style.
Tyranitar (F) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 132 HP / 252 Atk / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
- Earthquake
Tyranitar is an all around attacker, but is initially used to set up sandstorm for excadrill and stealth rock. Max EVs in Atk allow maximum damage, HP to last, and Spe so it doesn't completely lag behind. The adamant nature maximizes damage output. Sand stream is absolutely necessary for setting up sandstorm. The tyranitarite gives an all around boost useful for when it comes in later for offensive purposes. Stealth rock is to add another layer to my entry hazards. Rock slide is a nice STAB move for coverage with rock, but I probably use the least. Crunch is to provide coverage with dark, while also providing nice STAB damage. Earthquake is just a nice move to have overall. Any of its attacking moves could be replaced with fire punch, but I wouldn't be sure which one.
Excadrill (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
Excadrill is a sweeper that uses immense Atk combined with sand rush to out-speed and out-power. Max EVs is both Atk and Spe Further cement it's role as a sweeper, while it's jolly nature makes absolutely sure that it out-speeds everything. Sand rush pairs witch tyranitar's sand stream to get a massive speed buff. The life orb is to maximize damage. Swords dance is to set up if an opportunity is given, giving excadrill OHKO power. Earthquake and iron head are excellent STAB moves with considerable power. Rapid spin can get rid of entry hazards, and may be necessary against teams that use them. I originally had an aquav berry instead of the life orb to prolong the sweep, but think the life orb is a better choice.
Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
Hidden Power: Ice
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power
- Volt Switch
- Roost
Tapu koko's job is to set up electric terrain for hawlucha's sweep, while holding its own in a similar fashion to tyranitar. EVs in Spe and SpA complement its base stats, with timid granting even more speed. Electric terrain sets up for hawlucha, while having no alternatives. The Electrium Z is to deal a massive hit, especially against steel types, koko's weakness, and the water types a good chunk of my team is weak too. Hidden power being ice type handles the problematic dragon type, while also covering it's ground weakness. Thunderbolt is a consistent STAB move that also gives a quite powerful gigavolt havoc. Hidden power gives much needed coverage against dragon and ground types. Volt switch allows tapu koko to switch into hawlucha while doing damage in the process. Roost is to keep it in the battle, but would be used infrequently. Electrium Z feels kinda like filler to me, so a different item that complements it better would be useful.
Hawlucha (F) @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 36 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Roost
Hawlucha is a powerful and speedy sweeper, using tapu koko's electric terrain with the electric seed to get a massive boost in speed with defense to boot. EVs in Atk and Spe allow it to out-power and out-speed, while HP and SpD allow it to stay in the fight a bit longer. An adamant nature provides an extra kick in its Atk stat. Unburden is a necessity, doubling it's speed for the sweep. The electric seed, as stated earlier, boosts speed and defense. Acrobatics deals large STAB damage, taking advantage of the lost electric seed. Swords dance sets up the sweep, making hawlucha capable of huge amounts of damage. High jump kick, while risky, provides potentially devastating damage when paired with swords dance. Roost extends the sweep. I feel that the EVs could be modified, such as sacrificing some HP for Spe.
I have participated in about 25 battles with this team on Showdown, but plan to use it in USUM.
Any commentary, positive or negative, is appreciated, as long as it's constructive.
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