Preface: I've made a plethora of rather mediocre teams during the short time I've played Pokemon (about a month, to this date). Most of these were gimmick teams (I made a team of dogs and cats based around Rain Dance; get it?) or just a set of favorite OU/UU Pokemon. However, I eventually bored of being a neophyte, and decided to try laddering. So, this truly is my first attempt at making a competitive team.
Ideology: I'm a rather offensive player, and my team reflects this. However, I detest teams that are conceived on the basis of, "I want X Pokemon to sweep. To do this, I'll simply destroy its counters before I prepare X to sweep." I also despise teams that are based around a single move/weather, such as Gravity, Trick Room, Hail, ect. Therefore, the sort of team I made had a very simple basis: This team is intended to sweep, not by setting up a single Pokemon, but by having the ability to sweep with every Pokemon. However, to this idea, one may inquire, "Why would you even consider that? A team of sweepers often end up as a team that gets swept." Therefore, on the defensive spectrum, my goal is similar: To have a switch that always threatens an opponents' Pokemon, while resisting common movesets.
Those two points are rather, well, voracious. We'll see if I can reach these milestones.
The Team, at a Glance:
The Team, in Detail:
The Lead:
Metagross @ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/236 Atk/8 Def/12 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Bullet Punch
I'll be honest: Metagross is one of my favorite leads. I find that Metagross serves my team well--not only as a potential anti-lead against several common leads--by forcing the game into a swift momentum from the start. Although this list is probably too outdated to even worry about (June 2009, but the most recent one I could find. Stolen from http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59376), I still think it's worth throwing up.
Against Common Leads:
The Physical Presence:
Scizor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 200 HP/252 Atk/56 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
Scizor is the physical sweeper of my team. I chose to ran a rather bulky build simply because I wanted to be able to ensure to live a SD. Pursuit was chosen over the typical Roost because I wanted to deal damage to Blissey (originally had a pretty bad Blissey problem when I ran a banded Scizor). Of course, Scizor doesn't like Fire-type moves too much. To counter this, I throw them to Scizor's partner: Flygon.
The Scout:
Flygon (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Outrage
- Earthquake
I'll be honest: My Flygon never ceases to impress me and others. He's outsped a +4 Heatran (Baton Passed from a Ninjask lead), a scarfed Zapdos, and an Agiligross. He also threatens to OHKO or 2HKO each of those with a move on his set. I've comtemplating exchanging Outrage for Dragon Claw, but I simply like Outrage's power more. Flygon not only serves as my revenge killer, but my scout. Flygon takes everything but a speed tie Outrage or a predicted Ice attack well. While scouting, of course, he simply U-Turns into a counter (or into Scizor, who can then SD and proceede to sweep.)
The Mixed Attacker/Wall Breaker:
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 84 Atk/208 Spd/216 SAtk
Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Outrage
Metagross, Scizor, and Flygon were the physical portion of my team; Salamence is the transition Pokemon. We're all familiar with MixMence: He's a great wall breaker, intimidate is always lovely, and can survive a Cressy/Blissey Ice Beam. I've contemplated exchanging Outrage for Roost, but I honestly have never used it on my Mence--I'd much rather tear holes in things. Otherwise, there's really not much to say. For what it's worth, MixMence originally was a Offensive CM Latias; I found that MixMence was a much better contribution to my team than Latias was.
The Special Presence:
Zapdos @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Roost
With MixMence being a mixed attacker, we finally end up on the special end of our spectrum. I'm not going to lie: I love Zapdos. This is perhaps my favorite Pokemon ever since my childhood. The build is quite self explainatory, though: Come in on a predicted EQ and start ripping holes into teams. Roost is nice to take off LO damage, as well as to use a move on a predicted switch. All in all, I find Zapdos to be a versatile, durable special attacker.
The Core:
Rotom-f @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Blizzard
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Trick
When I was considering a 6th member, a few things came to mind. One, I didn't have any Ice-type attacks on my team. Two, I needed something to counter Ghosts well. Three, I wanted something to absorb explosions, rapid spins, ect. And, finally, I wanted (not required, just wanted out of personal taste) something that could trick. From this, I got Rotom-F. He's worked very well for my team: Tricked Brelooms, Tricked Blisseys, OHKO'd Gengars, and a plethora of other goodies. Overall, I'm rather satisfied by Rotom-F.
Coming All Together:
As one can observe from my type chart above (http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4572/typechart.png), my team does have a very defensive flow: two resists in every type, excluding a select few (Water, Ghost, and Dark). Therefore, I believe that I have done quite well on being able to switch into any threat and be able to threaten them in return.
4 members of my team are immune to spikes. All of my team is immune to Toxic Spikes. And, only 2 of my team members are weak to SR (Zapdos and Salamence). Therefore, I find little to no need to even waste turns, momentum, or a team slot for a spinner.
However, I find a few weaknesses:
Conclusion:
Well, that's all. I do plan on creating a threats list, which will be added later. However, as it stands, it's about time for me to head offline. I would like to prematurely thank anyone for viewing my team, and I hope my first team isn't a complete disgrace to the Smogon boards. :3
Ideology: I'm a rather offensive player, and my team reflects this. However, I detest teams that are conceived on the basis of, "I want X Pokemon to sweep. To do this, I'll simply destroy its counters before I prepare X to sweep." I also despise teams that are based around a single move/weather, such as Gravity, Trick Room, Hail, ect. Therefore, the sort of team I made had a very simple basis: This team is intended to sweep, not by setting up a single Pokemon, but by having the ability to sweep with every Pokemon. However, to this idea, one may inquire, "Why would you even consider that? A team of sweepers often end up as a team that gets swept." Therefore, on the defensive spectrum, my goal is similar: To have a switch that always threatens an opponents' Pokemon, while resisting common movesets.
Those two points are rather, well, voracious. We'll see if I can reach these milestones.
The Team, at a Glance:
The Team, in Detail:
The Lead:
Metagross @ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/236 Atk/8 Def/12 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Explosion
- Bullet Punch
I'll be honest: Metagross is one of my favorite leads. I find that Metagross serves my team well--not only as a potential anti-lead against several common leads--by forcing the game into a swift momentum from the start. Although this list is probably too outdated to even worry about (June 2009, but the most recent one I could find. Stolen from http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59376), I still think it's worth throwing up.
Against Common Leads:
- Metagross: I know my Metagross is faster than the standard lead Metagross (Oddly enough, shifting 4 EVs from Def to Spe has let me outspeed 95% of other Leadgrosses) EQ is a 2HKO, and I typically just EQ twice. Sometimes I'll simply EQ and SR, but I find that EQing twice keeps me from overpredicting. After killing the opposing Metagross, proceede to SR.
- Azelf: The majority of Azelfs I've played against SR and Explode. Therefore, I'll simply SR myself and switch into Rotom-F. Ocassionally, you'll see a quirky Azelf (i.e., last night one lead with Nasty Plot and followed with Fire Blast). To that, Bullet Punch is a 2HKO/3HKO, more often 2 than 3. My Metagross has survived a +2 Fire Blast, so SR, Bullet, Bullet seems to be the best counter to those odd quirks.
- Jirachi: I absolutely detest flinchers. I'm not entirely sure of the best method to counter a Jirachi on my team. Since Jirachi typically T-Wave first turn, my natural switch is into Flygon. Flygon can take Iron Head, U-Turn, and T-Wave quite nicely, as well as threatening with EQ. I also believe that my Flygon has outsped every Jirachi lead I've faced. Salamence can also counter Jirachi, if need be, with Fire Blast.
- Swampert: Always eithers SRs or EQs. My switch is into Zapdos. SR is, well, SR. If nothing else, Zapdos doesn't take 25% from the SR ;). Zapdos then threatens with a LO'd Hidden Power (Grass). Of course, that's a threatened OHKO. From this, the majority of Swamperts merely switch or SR if they used EQ originally. Just for the sake of not overpredicting (You'll see this is a theme; overpredicting costs me too many matches), I'll use Hidden Power (Grass).
- Aerodactyl: I love playing against a Leadactyl. Bullet Punch is a 2KHO. Either Leadactyl will SR or predict my own SR and Taunt. Obviously, Taunt just makes them waste a turn and allows me to get a free KO.
- Infernape: EQ. Bulkier Infernapes may require a second EQ--or a bullet punch, if I do >80%--which is no problem. My Metagross always survives their Fire-type move, or their Fake Out+Fire. After killing the Ape, assest the situtation based on their switch in.
- Hippowdon: I really don't have a safe switch into this thing. I can't stay in for more than a single EQ with Metagross, which means SR and get the hell out of there. I would switch into Zapdos to threaten with LO'd Hidden Power (Grass), but Zapdos doesn't like Ice Fang too much. Rotom-F is a viable switch: it doesn't mind Ice Fang too much, and threatens with Blizzard. I haven't faced many Hippowdons, but I assume Rotom-F is the logical switch-in.
- Bronzong: I honestly haven't played against one of these, which is probably for the best. However, I assume that this is a suicide lead: SR and explode. Therefore, I'd SR myself, and switch into Rotom-F.
- Ninjask: As soon as I see this, I assume a baton pass team. Therefore, I want to get damage quickly. To me, the most logical thing to do is to spam bullet punch. Beyond this, there's not much I can do beyond their subsitutes and speed boosts.
- Tyranitar: I don't see much of these. However, EQ seems to consistently be a 2HKO. Yet again, I'll often figure that a TTar would switch after the 1st EQ. Therefore, I'll often EQ, then SR.
The Physical Presence:
Scizor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 200 HP/252 Atk/56 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
Scizor is the physical sweeper of my team. I chose to ran a rather bulky build simply because I wanted to be able to ensure to live a SD. Pursuit was chosen over the typical Roost because I wanted to deal damage to Blissey (originally had a pretty bad Blissey problem when I ran a banded Scizor). Of course, Scizor doesn't like Fire-type moves too much. To counter this, I throw them to Scizor's partner: Flygon.
The Scout:
Flygon (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Outrage
- Earthquake
I'll be honest: My Flygon never ceases to impress me and others. He's outsped a +4 Heatran (Baton Passed from a Ninjask lead), a scarfed Zapdos, and an Agiligross. He also threatens to OHKO or 2HKO each of those with a move on his set. I've comtemplating exchanging Outrage for Dragon Claw, but I simply like Outrage's power more. Flygon not only serves as my revenge killer, but my scout. Flygon takes everything but a speed tie Outrage or a predicted Ice attack well. While scouting, of course, he simply U-Turns into a counter (or into Scizor, who can then SD and proceede to sweep.)
The Mixed Attacker/Wall Breaker:
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 84 Atk/208 Spd/216 SAtk
Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Draco Meteor
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Outrage
Metagross, Scizor, and Flygon were the physical portion of my team; Salamence is the transition Pokemon. We're all familiar with MixMence: He's a great wall breaker, intimidate is always lovely, and can survive a Cressy/Blissey Ice Beam. I've contemplated exchanging Outrage for Roost, but I honestly have never used it on my Mence--I'd much rather tear holes in things. Otherwise, there's really not much to say. For what it's worth, MixMence originally was a Offensive CM Latias; I found that MixMence was a much better contribution to my team than Latias was.
The Special Presence:
Zapdos @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Roost
With MixMence being a mixed attacker, we finally end up on the special end of our spectrum. I'm not going to lie: I love Zapdos. This is perhaps my favorite Pokemon ever since my childhood. The build is quite self explainatory, though: Come in on a predicted EQ and start ripping holes into teams. Roost is nice to take off LO damage, as well as to use a move on a predicted switch. All in all, I find Zapdos to be a versatile, durable special attacker.
The Core:
Rotom-f @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Blizzard
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Trick
When I was considering a 6th member, a few things came to mind. One, I didn't have any Ice-type attacks on my team. Two, I needed something to counter Ghosts well. Three, I wanted something to absorb explosions, rapid spins, ect. And, finally, I wanted (not required, just wanted out of personal taste) something that could trick. From this, I got Rotom-F. He's worked very well for my team: Tricked Brelooms, Tricked Blisseys, OHKO'd Gengars, and a plethora of other goodies. Overall, I'm rather satisfied by Rotom-F.
Coming All Together:
As one can observe from my type chart above (http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4572/typechart.png), my team does have a very defensive flow: two resists in every type, excluding a select few (Water, Ghost, and Dark). Therefore, I believe that I have done quite well on being able to switch into any threat and be able to threaten them in return.
4 members of my team are immune to spikes. All of my team is immune to Toxic Spikes. And, only 2 of my team members are weak to SR (Zapdos and Salamence). Therefore, I find little to no need to even waste turns, momentum, or a team slot for a spinner.
However, I find a few weaknesses:
- Too many Choice users (possibly).
- No status absorber.
- No phazer.
- Oh god Ice Shard.
- Possibly others (My newbie-ness keeps me from seeing too many others.)
Conclusion:
Well, that's all. I do plan on creating a threats list, which will be added later. However, as it stands, it's about time for me to head offline. I would like to prematurely thank anyone for viewing my team, and I hope my first team isn't a complete disgrace to the Smogon boards. :3
