Hsi Yu Chi - Journey to the West
To be honest with you, this team was drafted just out of a whim. I wanted to create a team that would represent one of China's greatest classical novels (Journey to the West), mainly because I love that book. As time passed, I realized that some Pokemon did not work well with one another, or simply were too frail to work in the OU environment, so I had to replace some of my original team members in order to obtain a better synergy within the team, Pokemon such as Gardevoir and Grumpig are examples of such replacements.
The current build has a very decent record under its belt, using overused concepts/strategies to its advantage, as well as exploiting the surprise factor that some of these members seem to have over the opponent. It is also one of, if not my favorite team.
The reason as to why I decided to post this team is because I want to take this team a step further and, to be honest with you, I've become somewhat lazy when it comes to team building. I've found myself going back to my regular team time after time due to the fact that it works better than this theme-based team. Not only that, but with the advent of Pokemon Platinum and its updates on our current metagame, I'm afraid this team will need more help than what I can muster.
I hope you like the descriptions I added to each of the Pokemon in question. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated, be it positive or negative, since that is the point of asking for help. I would like to make this team have more synergy while keeping the theme; however, if this is not possible or you are not familiar with the novel, feel free to suggest any changes you see fit.
The Pilgrimage Begins | The Team
The Legend of the Monkey King | Introduction
To be honest with you, this team was drafted just out of a whim. I wanted to create a team that would represent one of China's greatest classical novels (Journey to the West), mainly because I love that book. As time passed, I realized that some Pokemon did not work well with one another, or simply were too frail to work in the OU environment, so I had to replace some of my original team members in order to obtain a better synergy within the team, Pokemon such as Gardevoir and Grumpig are examples of such replacements.
The current build has a very decent record under its belt, using overused concepts/strategies to its advantage, as well as exploiting the surprise factor that some of these members seem to have over the opponent. It is also one of, if not my favorite team.
The reason as to why I decided to post this team is because I want to take this team a step further and, to be honest with you, I've become somewhat lazy when it comes to team building. I've found myself going back to my regular team time after time due to the fact that it works better than this theme-based team. Not only that, but with the advent of Pokemon Platinum and its updates on our current metagame, I'm afraid this team will need more help than what I can muster.
I hope you like the descriptions I added to each of the Pokemon in question. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated, be it positive or negative, since that is the point of asking for help. I would like to make this team have more synergy while keeping the theme; however, if this is not possible or you are not familiar with the novel, feel free to suggest any changes you see fit.
The Pilgrimage Begins | The Team
- Buffalo Demon King :: Weavile
- The great Buffalo Demon-King who stood his ground against the mighty Monkey King. Having to flee at the end due to being overpowered by the forces that joined Sun Wukong and his cause, he saved his own life by surrendering.
- Item: Life Orb
- Nature: Jolly
- EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Speed
- Move Set:
- Fake Out: Fake Out is a great move for leading Weavile. It allows you to break Sashes, damage Pokemon just enough to get them into KO range, and scout for leftovers. It adds a secondary, "free" priority move.
- Ice Shard: Ice Shard allows Weavile to hit faster Pokemon first. Being Ice-type, it gains STAB and hits common OU Pokemon for Super-Effective damage (i.e. Salamence, Roserade, the late Garchomp, etc.). It has a chance of KO'ing leading Aerodactyl after Fake Out damage, stopping them from setting up Stealth Rock.
- Pursuit: Pursuit is a great move for revenge killers. It damages enemy Pokemon whether they stay or switch. If they make the mistake of switching out, they will be hit harder. While it will not OHKO Azelf (a common lead), once it has been weakened by Fake Out, it will die in one hit.
- Brick Break: Brick Break will allow me hit opposing threats such as Tyranitar, Lucario, Blissey, Heatran, Magnezone and others. It also functions as a way to break opposing screens.
- Description: Weavile is an amazing lead that counters a large amount of the current leading Pokemon. Fake Out is able to bring most of those Pokemon into KO range. Its ability to come back later in the game and act as a revenge killer is yet another alluring quality. If the need should arise, the fourth move can be replaced by either Aerial Ace (to counter Infernape, Heracross, etc.) or Taunt, to stop slower Pokemon from setting up. I have made some damage calculations for common leads which can be found here.
- How it relates to the story: The Buffalo Demon-King is a great demon who stood his ground against Sun Wukong. He was overcome by the combined effort of the Monkey King and different gods. One notable thing is that he would retreat, then fight, then retreat, then fight. This resembles Weavile's fighting style; once things get a bit too difficult for him to handle, he retreats and comes back later on.
- Guan Yin :: Celebi
- Bodhisattva Guan Yin who was instructed by Buddha to find a suitable person to take the sacred sutras to the East. She helps the chosen four multiple multiple times during their journey.
- Item: Leftovers
- Nature: Bold
- EVs: 252 HP | 220 Def | 36 Spe
- Move Set:
- Leech Seed: Leech Seed allows me to recover HP by draining the opponent's. It can act as a PHazing move, as well as heal any Pokemon I switch to, in case I need to.
- Reflect: Reflect will soften enemy physical attacks for 5 turns, allowing me to switch to other Pokemon more safely, as well as giving me opportunities to KO Pokemon that would otherwise defeat my own.
- Recover: Recover is Celebi's recovery move. It increases its survivability, as well as serves as a way to PP Stall my opponent.
- Grass Knot: Grass Knot serves as Celebi's attack move, having a very decent Base Power against Pokemon such as Gyarados, Swampert, Tyranitar and others.
- Description: Celebi is my main Physical wall, as well as one of my status absorbers (due to Natural Cure and Recover). It does a very good job at tanking Pokemon such as Gyarados and come out winning. Reflect helps protect my team against Physical threats, and Leech Seed has weakened enemy Pokemon into KO ranges quite often.
- How it relates to the story: Guan Yin helped Xuanzang numerous times during his pilgrimage. From allowing him to control Sun Wukong to get him safely through difficult tasks. In the same way, Celebi helps this team greatly, softening threats and weakening enemies, as well as covering other member's weaknesses.
- Zhu Bajie :: Heatran
- The commander of the Heavenly Naval Forces who was banished to the mortal realm and reincarnated, by mistake, as a pig-man hybrid creature for flirting with the Princess of the Moon Chang'e. He is usually looking for a way out of his duties, but is always kept in line by Sun Wukong.
- Item: Choice Scarf
- Nature: Naive
- EVs: 4 HP | 252 Sp Atk | 252 Speed
- Move Set:
- Fire Blast: Fire Blast is an incredibly powerful move that will greatly damage any Pokemon that dare switch/stay in. It gains a boost due to STAB for an incredible 180 Base Power.
- Earth Power: Earth Power offers great coverage and allows me to hit certain Pokemon that I otherwise wouldn't be able to, opposing Heatran and Tyaranitar, for example.
- Hidden Power Ice: Hidden Power Ice is needed to OHKO Dragons, but I have been thinking lately about using Hidden Power Electric for Gyarados or Hidden Power Grass for Swampert.
- Explosion: Heatran's final move, Explosion, allows me to, literally, go out with a boom. Explosion's excellent Base Power makes up for Heatran's average Attack Stat.
- Description: ScarfTran is a great revenge killer. Even though its EVs are not focused defensively, its typing, stats and resistances make it quite easy to switch into attacks. Any Fire-type attack that I am able to switch into greatly increases its already massive damage-ratio (Fire Blast only) due to Flash Fire. I have been thinking about using a +Speed nature lately, if only to catch up to faster Pokemon.
- How it relates to the story: Heatran used to be my Yulong Santaizi (the dragon who became Xuanzang's horse) personification but due to changes I made to the team, he became Zhu Bajie's. Zhu Bajie is the second strongest character (second to Sun Wukong), and he is constantly fighting with Sun Wukong; while Heatran's attacking stats greatly surpass Infernape's, it lacks Infernape's versatility, due to its item and, if it was to use another item, speed.
- Sha Wujing :: Swampert
- The Curtain Raising General who was exiled to the mortal world and transformed into a monster because he accidentally smashed the Heavenly Queen Mother's crystal goblet. He lived in the Flowing Sands River, devouring any unlucky traveller whom dared get near him. He was defeated in battle by Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie and ended up joining the pilgrimage to the West.
- Item: Leftovers
- Nature: Careful
- EVs: 244 HP | 12 Def | 252 Sp Def
- Move Set:
- Rest: Rest allows Swampert to recover its HP or any status ailment it has been inflicted with, making him a very good status absorber. Its great defenses allow him to survive hits rather well.
- Sleep Talk: Sleep Talk allows me to attack even during those 2 turns in which Swampert is sleeping due to Rest. It has a 25% chance of increasing its Attack and Defense due to Curse, and a 25% chance of attacking with Waterfall. This is another way to absorb sleep inducing moves without worry.
- Curse: Curse increases its very decent defense and attack stats, making him a threat and increasing its bulkiness in one turn.
- Waterfall: Waterfall is boosted due to STAB and, after a few Curses, will greatly damage any Pokemon it hits. Vaporeon, Lapras and Mantine are the only Pokemon that can completely wall this set; from those, only Vaporeon is seen in OU format, which is, and should be taken care of before I attempt to "sweep" with Swampert.
- Description: Cursepert is an incredible Pokemon, allowing me to have a wall, a status absorber and a sweeper all in one Pokemon. The EVs allow it to survive an unboosted Grass Knot from Life Orb'd, Neutral Mixape if Swampert is at max HP and return a KO, should the need arise.
- How it relates to the story: Sha Wujing became a monster that lived in the Flowing Sands River. Even though he had a monstrous appearance, he was very noble and dedicated to Xuanzang but, if the need arises, he will fight fiercely. Swampert is the same. It absorbs status ailments directed towards my other Pokemon, as well as serves as a Special wall. Swampert can sweep entire teams if it gets the chance to setup.
- Xuanzang :: Deoxys-S
- The monk who set out to India to retrieve the sacred scriptures by order of the Bodhisattva Guan Yin. He is a pacifist and relies on his disciples (Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing) for protection.
- Item: Life Orb
- Nature: Hasty
- EVs: 98 Atk | 252 Sp Atk | 160 Speed
- Move Set:
- Superpower: Superpower deals with Pokemon such as Blissey, Tyranitar, Weavile, and others. It offers great coverage with Shadow Ball.
- Shadow Ball: Shadow Ball is used for Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon who might try to wall Deoxys. As mentioned previously, it offers great coverage with Superpower
- Thunderbolt: Thunderbolt allows me to revenge kill any Gyarados, as well as Water- or Flying-types that is beyond my other Pokemon's reach. It offers great coverage with Ice Beam.
- Ice Beam: Finally, Ice Beam is great against opposing Dragons, Flying-, Ground-types and others that my other moves can't. It offers great coverage with Thunderbolt.
- Description: Deoxys-S is one of the best revenge killers in the game. Its speed is second to none, and the current EVs allow it to outspeed Neutral ScarfGar, as well as giving it a chance of 2HKO'ing a full HP 252/252 Positive Blissey. The moves listed offer, probably, the best coverage in the game, hitting a great amount of Pokemon for Super-Effective damage.
- How it relates to the story: Just like Xuanzang, Deoxys needs to rely on the rest of the team during battle. Its stats are average, so he needs the other team members to weaken opposing Pokemon enough for him to sweep.
- Sun Wukong :: Infernape
- The great "Handsome Monkey King" and "Great Sage Equal to Heaven". Born out of a rock, he attained immortality and challenged Buddha himself and was trapped under a mountain. He was later saved by Xuanzang and joined his pilgrimage. He is the most intelligent, violent, clever and strongest member of the party. He can only be controlled by a magic gold band.
- Item: Life Orb
- Nature: Jolly
- EVs: 4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Speed
- Move Set:
- Swords Dance: Swords Dance allows Infernape to set up and become a huge threat to the opponent by doubling its Atk stat with a single Swords Dance.
- Close Combat: Close Combat is Infernape's most powerful STAB attack. It will decimate enemies after a single Swords Dance, and even without one.
- Fire Punch: Fire Punch is preferred over Flare Blitz due to the fact that there is no recoil damage to be aware of. It has a very good chance of OHKO'ing a full HP 252/252 Positive Skarmory after a Swords Dance, as well as 2HKO'ing the same Skarmory even after Leftovers factored in.
- Stone Edge: Infernape's last move allows it to hit Flying Pokemon that would otherwise wall it for super-effective damage, as well as adds coverage to his move set.
- Description: Infernape is my Physical sweeper. He comes in and, depending on the situation can either setup and sweep or simply attack and sweep. Its typing and excellent attack and speed stats create switches quite often, allowing me to setup Swords Dance. I have been thinking about adding Mach Punch for Lucario, Weavile and such.
- How it relates to the story: It is quite easy to see the resemblance here. Goukazaru is Sun Wukong's personification. Sun Wukong is the party's strongest and most reliable member. Its intelligence and strength helped the party out of terrible dangers quite often. The same way, a weakened team is likely to fall apart when I switch to Infernape, as well as an unprepared team.
Conclusion | Final Word
This is one of my favorite teams, and, as previously mentioned, has a very decent record. The lack of Stealth Rock support, as well as Rapid Spinners is something I would like to change, but the overall theme is great. It is quite a fun team to play with if you are familiar with the story, and even if you are not, you will still get a kick out of using this team.
As always, any help is greatly appreciated. I thank you for taking time to read this and I hope you had fun while doing so.
-Bounty- Changed Infernape's nature to Jolly, I must have been thinking about Mix-Ape when I typed Naive. Thank you.
imperfectluck I really want to change the move set, but if I do, I will be losing the team's status absorber, I might end up changing it after some more play-testing, though. Thank you.
Twash Man Changed Heatran's nature. I noticed Skymin was getting quite a bit of use, so I decided to go with a +Speed nature on Heatran, if only to revenge kill the critter, as well as DDMence that shoots for a 405 Speed. Thank you.
Sikh Assassin Suggested Substitute over Stone Edge on Infernape. I will test the move set. Thank you.
Corrupted Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock over Reflect and Leech Seed on Celebi. Thank you, but I am afraid I will not use this suggestion (at least not for the time being).
darkartisan Suggested CM Baton Passer Celebi over Support Celebi. I'll test how it affects my team later on. Thank you.
Pyong Suggested Adamant over Jolly Nature on Infernape. As always, I'll test how it does on my team later on. Thank you.
As always, any help is greatly appreciated. I thank you for taking time to read this and I hope you had fun while doing so.
Credits | Updates
-Bounty- Changed Infernape's nature to Jolly, I must have been thinking about Mix-Ape when I typed Naive. Thank you.
imperfectluck I really want to change the move set, but if I do, I will be losing the team's status absorber, I might end up changing it after some more play-testing, though. Thank you.
Twash Man Changed Heatran's nature. I noticed Skymin was getting quite a bit of use, so I decided to go with a +Speed nature on Heatran, if only to revenge kill the critter, as well as DDMence that shoots for a 405 Speed. Thank you.
Sikh Assassin Suggested Substitute over Stone Edge on Infernape. I will test the move set. Thank you.
Corrupted Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock over Reflect and Leech Seed on Celebi. Thank you, but I am afraid I will not use this suggestion (at least not for the time being).
darkartisan Suggested CM Baton Passer Celebi over Support Celebi. I'll test how it affects my team later on. Thank you.
Pyong Suggested Adamant over Jolly Nature on Infernape. As always, I'll test how it does on my team later on. Thank you.
