The purpose of this team is simple; set up a late game Crocune sweep. It attempts to do this by maintaining an offensive posture in the early game until any threats to eliminate Suicune are disposed of, and when the time is right, sweep with Sleep Talk/Calm Mind.
Team at a glance:
Building process:
My initial idea was to build a team around Crocune, who I believe to be one of the most underrated and hardest to counter sweepers in OU. I chose the Rest/Sleep Talk/CM set because it's my favorite set for sweeping.
My next addition to the team was Choice Scarf Heatran. Its purpose is twofold; to absorb tricked Choice items directed at Suicune, and to serve as a check against several threats that my team has trouble with, such as Latias.
Scarf Rotom was added as a weapon against bulky waters, and most specifically, Gyarados, who tears my team apart if Rotom is not around. He is also effective at absorbing electric attacks and dealing with Scizor and DD Lucario.
CB Scizor was added because I dearly needed a physical attacker, and U-Turn is a great scouting tool. It also has great synergy with Suicune and Heatran.
Salamence was initially added to tear teams apart with its mixed set.
Finally, I needed a lead. I chose Metagross because my team was rather dominated by special attacks, and I needed a physical attacker that can throw up rocks and still survive to do damage late game. Its favorable matchups against other leads made it an easy choice.
Salamence was switched for Latias because I was having a terrible time dealing with Rotom and other Latias. Latias retains Salamence's special attacking ability while helping to deal with these threats.
In-Depth Look:
Metagross @ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/236 Atk/12 Def/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Stealth Rock
Standard LeadGross, without explosion. I'm not a fan of suicide leads, and I sorely need another physical attacking option, so keeping Metagross alive until later in the game is something I want to do whenever possible. It gets rocks up, and Earthquake/Meteor Mash/Bullet Punch are great for both handling other leads and dishing out damage lategame. It is handy for checking Latias, Salamence, and Flygon, and is sometimes my first switch-in for Vaporeon as well. The leads it has trouble with, Roserade, Heatran, Hippowdon, and Swampert are either handled by switching to another team member or in the case of Roserade, letting them set up, as my team doesn't care about Toxic Spikes.
Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Dragon Pulse
ScarfTran, sacrificing Explosion for HP Grass and Dragon Pulse, allowing me more coverage without sacrificing any defenses to avoid losing Explosion power. Fire Blast is obviously the primary sweeping move, and Dragon Pulse gives me a great opportunity to hit those pesky dragons. HP Grass is great for Swampert, Vaporeon, and Starmie. Heatran is often able to catch an unsurprising water type with HP Grass to open a window for Suicune, and is great for taking care of Celebi, Scizor, some Rotom, Zapdos, and in some cases, Jolteon. Heatran is often able to sweep with Fire Blast as well.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Standard CB Scizor. Nothing special, but essential in this team to provide some needed physical power, and is integral to removing 2 of the biggest threats to a Suicune sweep in Latias and Celebi. It also tends to lure out Zapdos, Rotom, and Waters so I know what I'm dealing with. It also is essentially my only check to a Dragon Dance Salamence.
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Recover
Life Orb Latias is in many ways the glue that holds this team together. Solid defenses and good resistances allow me to use Latias as a pivot in many situations. Originally this was a Specs Latias, but the lack of long term survival hurt too much. It is able to handle Rotom without Shadow Ball, and Zapdos with little trouble. If Latias is pursuited, it often leaves an opportunity to set up with Suicune and sweep. The huge attacking power combined with the ability to deal with most pokemon that can prevent a Suicune sweep makes Latias a key member. Without it, Rotom, Zapdos, and other Latias run wild through my team. It also easily disposes of non Ice Fang Gyarados.
Rotom-h @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Will-o-wisp
- Trick
- Overheat
Scarfed Rotom-H, in my opinion, belongs on every team. STAB T-Bolt can tear through a lot of pokemon, and Rotom is my main answer to Gyarados. Will-o-Wisp is great for crippling Tyranitar that come in. On this team it is simply another answer to water types, and a method of crippling walls and physical attackers. I also often find myself needing to make use of its normal immunity to absorb explosions directed at Suicune. As with Latias, if Rotom is pursuited, it often leaves an opportunity for a Suicune setup.
Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Surf
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
The star of the team. Once this monster gets started, there is very little that can stop it. Suicune is stopped by very little; mainly trick, STAB electric or grass attacks, and strong physical attackers. However, trick is handled by my 2 choiced pokemon, and Suicune can usually handle most electric or grass moves after a Calm Mind or two. If the rest of my team has done its job and removed the necessary counters, Suicune can usually just set up and surf its way to victory.
Threat List:
Defensive Threats:
Blissey - For a team with primarily special attackers, Blissey is surprisingly unproblematic. Rotom handles it with trick, Scizor can pursuit, or Suicune can just set up in its face without fear of status.
Bronzong - While I can handle it pretty easily with Rotom or Heatran, the threat of an explosion is dangerous, and this team doesn't deal with light screen well.
Celebi - A major obstacle to a Crocune sweep. If Suicune gets a Calm Mind in, it can win the fight with any non Leaf Storm or Calm Mind Celebi. However, if it runs Leaf Storm, Calm Mind, or Perish Song, Suicune is in trouble. Fortunately, every other member of my team is able to handle Celebi.
Cresselia - Annoying, but not majorly problematic. Easily handled with trick or Scizor.
Forretress - This team hates spikes, and Forretress always seems to find a way to come in on Metagross or Scizor and set up.
Gliscor - Not a problem. Handled easily by Suicune and Latias.
Gyarados - Gyarados tears through my team, but Defensive Gyarados does it especially effectively. I often find myself resorting to Bullet Punching to kill a low HP Gyarados, which often isn't possible if it can recover. However, Rotom and Latias can kill it under most circumstances.
Hippowdon - Latias and Suicune eat it alive, and Rotom can cripple it with trick.
Jirachi -Usually not problematic. Lead Jirachi isn't really an issue, but Calm Mind or physical Jirachi causes me major problems. Usually able to be handled by Suicune or Heatran.
Rotom-A- Huge problem. Latias is the best answer, but it tends to get crippled by status. Poses major danger to much of my team. Scarf Rotom can be handled by Rotom and Latias, and Defensive Rotom by Latias and Heatran.
Skarmory - I don't like it spiking, and whirlwind can be really troublesome for me. However, I have enough special attackers that it has a hard time finding places to come in.
Snorlax - Can be hard to deal with, but Suicune can eventually kill it after setting up, and TrickScarf just destroys Snorlax.
Suicune - Not a major problem. A combination of Rotom and Latias can usually take it on. Trick cripples Calm Mind variants, and non Calm Mind variants are generally beaten by Latias. Heatran can also use HP Grass in a pinch.
Swampert - Not a problem at all. Latias is the main answer, but Rotom can cripple it, and Heatran and Suicune slaughter it too.
Vaporeon - The most annoying pokemon to face with this team, as a Suicune sweep absolutely cannot happen without it dead. Rotom and Latias handle it nicely, and even Metagross to some degree, but I often find that catching it with a surprise HP Grass is the best option.
Zapdos - Handled by Latias and Heatran most of the time, but Light Screen Zapdos single handedly beats my entire team. It even stalls out
Suicune with 6 CMs.
Offensive Threats:
Azelf - Lead Azelf is destroyed by Metagross, other variants aren't common but haven't been problematic.
Breloom - Can be a big issue, especially if it gets a sub up. I often use Suicune to absorb the sleep and Scizor to break the sub with U-turn. If it Focus punches, go to Rotom. If not, go to Latias or Heatran.
Gengar - Destroyed by Scizor and Metagross, and NonScarf variants are rocked by Rotom.
Gyarados - Pretty big problem, as Rotom and Latias are my only answers to it.
Heatran - A little tricky to deal with. Heatran, Latias, and Suicune all play a role depending on the variant.
Infernape - Latias destroys it, Metagross beats lead Ape, and Rotom can switch in on Close Combats and come close to OHKOing with TBolt.
Jolteon - Heatran is my only answer to Jolteon, and Specs Jolt can tear Heatran apart.
Latias - Checked by several pokemon on my team, but if a CM Latias is alive in the late game, Suicune cannot beat it. Scizor, Heatran, and my own Latias can take it down. Used to be more problematic before addition of my own Latias.
Kingdra - In rain, Kingdra (and Ludicolo) completely destroy my team. Outside of rain, it isn't a big problem, as it can be revenged by Heatran and killed by Latias and Rotom.
Lucario - Is only a real problem if Rotom is dead. Even without Rotom, Heatran and Latias can handle it.
Machamp - Annoying, but can be handled by Latias, Rotom, and Suicune.
Magnezone - Can kill Scizor easily and Heatran if it's locked into DPulse or Hidden Power, and poses some problems to Suicune if it's alive in the late game. Some variants are beaten by Metagross, and Latias and Rotom can generally handle it.
Mamoswine - Heatran beats it if it doesn't come in on an Earthquake, Latias can handle it, and Rotom eats it alive. Suicune can handle as well.
Metagross - Rotom and Suicune handles it nicely, but Suicune needs to watch out for explosion.
Salamence- Mixmence isn't that problematic, as it can be handled by Heatran, Scizor, or Latias. However, if Salamence gets in a Dragon Dance, the game is very nearly over. My only hope is that its HP is low enough to die to Bullet Punch. If it's a Bulky DDer, I have no chance.
Scizor - Heatran, Rotom, and Suicune all handle it easily.
Starmie - The lack of STAB on TBolt and Grass Knot prevents it from being a huge threat to Suicune, and it can be taken out by Rotom pretty easily.
Tyranitar - Can kill Rotom or Latias, but usually takes a lot of damage in the process. Metagross and Scizor destroy it and Suicune can usually come in and set up or just kill it.
Zapdos - Can be taken on by Latias or Heatran in some cases, but Zapdos tends to do bad things to my team.
Team at a glance:
Building process:
My initial idea was to build a team around Crocune, who I believe to be one of the most underrated and hardest to counter sweepers in OU. I chose the Rest/Sleep Talk/CM set because it's my favorite set for sweeping.
My next addition to the team was Choice Scarf Heatran. Its purpose is twofold; to absorb tricked Choice items directed at Suicune, and to serve as a check against several threats that my team has trouble with, such as Latias.
Scarf Rotom was added as a weapon against bulky waters, and most specifically, Gyarados, who tears my team apart if Rotom is not around. He is also effective at absorbing electric attacks and dealing with Scizor and DD Lucario.
CB Scizor was added because I dearly needed a physical attacker, and U-Turn is a great scouting tool. It also has great synergy with Suicune and Heatran.
Salamence was initially added to tear teams apart with its mixed set.
Finally, I needed a lead. I chose Metagross because my team was rather dominated by special attacks, and I needed a physical attacker that can throw up rocks and still survive to do damage late game. Its favorable matchups against other leads made it an easy choice.
Salamence was switched for Latias because I was having a terrible time dealing with Rotom and other Latias. Latias retains Salamence's special attacking ability while helping to deal with these threats.
In-Depth Look:
Metagross @ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/236 Atk/12 Def/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Stealth Rock
Standard LeadGross, without explosion. I'm not a fan of suicide leads, and I sorely need another physical attacking option, so keeping Metagross alive until later in the game is something I want to do whenever possible. It gets rocks up, and Earthquake/Meteor Mash/Bullet Punch are great for both handling other leads and dishing out damage lategame. It is handy for checking Latias, Salamence, and Flygon, and is sometimes my first switch-in for Vaporeon as well. The leads it has trouble with, Roserade, Heatran, Hippowdon, and Swampert are either handled by switching to another team member or in the case of Roserade, letting them set up, as my team doesn't care about Toxic Spikes.
Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Dragon Pulse
ScarfTran, sacrificing Explosion for HP Grass and Dragon Pulse, allowing me more coverage without sacrificing any defenses to avoid losing Explosion power. Fire Blast is obviously the primary sweeping move, and Dragon Pulse gives me a great opportunity to hit those pesky dragons. HP Grass is great for Swampert, Vaporeon, and Starmie. Heatran is often able to catch an unsurprising water type with HP Grass to open a window for Suicune, and is great for taking care of Celebi, Scizor, some Rotom, Zapdos, and in some cases, Jolteon. Heatran is often able to sweep with Fire Blast as well.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Standard CB Scizor. Nothing special, but essential in this team to provide some needed physical power, and is integral to removing 2 of the biggest threats to a Suicune sweep in Latias and Celebi. It also tends to lure out Zapdos, Rotom, and Waters so I know what I'm dealing with. It also is essentially my only check to a Dragon Dance Salamence.
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Recover
Life Orb Latias is in many ways the glue that holds this team together. Solid defenses and good resistances allow me to use Latias as a pivot in many situations. Originally this was a Specs Latias, but the lack of long term survival hurt too much. It is able to handle Rotom without Shadow Ball, and Zapdos with little trouble. If Latias is pursuited, it often leaves an opportunity to set up with Suicune and sweep. The huge attacking power combined with the ability to deal with most pokemon that can prevent a Suicune sweep makes Latias a key member. Without it, Rotom, Zapdos, and other Latias run wild through my team. It also easily disposes of non Ice Fang Gyarados.
Rotom-h @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Will-o-wisp
- Trick
- Overheat
Scarfed Rotom-H, in my opinion, belongs on every team. STAB T-Bolt can tear through a lot of pokemon, and Rotom is my main answer to Gyarados. Will-o-Wisp is great for crippling Tyranitar that come in. On this team it is simply another answer to water types, and a method of crippling walls and physical attackers. I also often find myself needing to make use of its normal immunity to absorb explosions directed at Suicune. As with Latias, if Rotom is pursuited, it often leaves an opportunity for a Suicune setup.
Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Surf
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
The star of the team. Once this monster gets started, there is very little that can stop it. Suicune is stopped by very little; mainly trick, STAB electric or grass attacks, and strong physical attackers. However, trick is handled by my 2 choiced pokemon, and Suicune can usually handle most electric or grass moves after a Calm Mind or two. If the rest of my team has done its job and removed the necessary counters, Suicune can usually just set up and surf its way to victory.
Threat List:
Defensive Threats:
Suicune with 6 CMs.
Offensive Threats:
