XY OU Team, now with 87% more Mega Sceptile

[jzplr]

Sceptile @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Giga Drain
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Substitute

Mega Sceptile is a hard Pokémon to play, honestly. It's hard to get around with Fire-types running rampant, so we really need an opportune moment to get Mega Sceptile in without getting outsped, murdered by Ice Beam, and it needs something it can OHKO to get it's momentum going. But, as long as it can hide behind a Substitute and 2HKO, Sceptile always proves to be a valuble member of the team, despite not necessarily the best in OU. Or sometimes it just sits in the party, fresh from the Pokémon center with full PP, full HP, gripping it's mega stone in anticipation until the battle is over.

Poor Mega Sceptile -- I-it's like owning... a pineapple or somethin' and it's not... ripe. *goes to google and checks to see if pineapples need to be ripened* Yeah. Sceptile is an unripe pineapple.

But in all seriousness, when it gets goin', it's gets-a-goin'. Though, to be honest, um... Focus Blast isn't actually too reliable, and I was wondering if there was a still-viable substitute. Or maybe I should keep Focus Blast and knock off Substitute? I dunno.

Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 12 HP / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Flamethrower
- Taunt
- Earth Power

Well, to be honest, there isn't actually much to Heatran. If you all would tell me a replacement, maybe a different set or somethin', I would appreciate it. I just needed a Stealth Rocker, but to be honest, I don't think he fits in the team too well. Very often do I find myself with very little opportunity to set up rocks or taunt unless I absolutely need to, and... I dunno. I just feel like... am I playing him wrong? Is this just the wrong set? I need some feedback.

Latias @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Healing Wish

I noticed in the teambuilding process I was getting a bit offense-heavy, so I threw in a bulky Pokémon. I mean, this is meant to be a very offensive team, so we need something that can both take it and dish it out, and I just felt like there was an open chair just waiting for Latias to hop in and enjoy the fruits of wrecking on the lowladder that I'm on. *giggle* M-maybe she could steal Mega Sceptile's ripe pineapples... kckkcpfff....

Anyway, ahem. Latias. Healing Wish is pretty great on such a heavy-offense team like this, Psyshock is unexpected to hurt the special walls that might want to settle down nice and cozy next to Latias and like, Swords Dance or something. Speaking of Sword Dance

Diggersby @ Focus Sash
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Return
- Quick Attack

Say what you want about Focus Sash Diggersby, I ain't changing it. Focus Sash + Swords Dance... Swords Sash? Sash sword? Focus Dance.

Anyway, this... set, whatever it's called, is just fantastic. The only problem is his limited coverage. Earthquake... honestly, I don't find myself using Earthquake very much considering that Return has 2 extra BP. Quick attack is invaluable, as Diggersby has pretty low speed.

From my experience, it's that you're faster than every defensive wall, which you can rip to shreds with +2 or +4 Returns and Earthquakes. And if they're faster, they're probably frail, right? So, use Quick Attack to rip them in half. Sure, he has more than just a handful of counters, but he more than makes up for it.

Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge

Honestly, this set really... speaks for itself. I hate to say that.
But basically, he wears a Scarf because he's fabulous. However, some Pokémon don't like his Scarf because they might think they're the Heatran that got smashed by Sceptile's Focus Blast's intestines. So, they may, in fear, try to run away.

And then he uses Pursuit. T-this is a fight, so of course he's coming to smash your face in- he's a Tyranitar, what'd you expect?

But basically, he destroys Psychics. If you switch into Tyranitar, they'll want to switch out. Even if they don't, a 40 Base Power Dark move is still gonna hit pretty hard and he's gonna live any special move they throw at'im.

Talonflame @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 84 HP / 252 Atk / 172 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- U-turn
- Roost

Either I'm getting really lazy with writing these, or... it's Talonflame. Why Talonflame? Why not Talonflame? How Talonflame? When Talonflame? Yes Talonflame. Now Talonflame.

Basically, Brave Bird hits absurdly hard with no added recoil or getting locked into said move, thanks to the Sharp Beak. The extra damage might actually fool the enemy into thinking it's banded, even. It's happened a number of times before.

But Flare Blitz is close -- it might not have bonus ducks, but it's still really strong. Flare Blitz smashes anything that dares to think it's banded into BB, and U-Turn can be used to make a quick escape.

Roost whenever you have a spare moment or you've simply taken too much recoil.

Feedback?

 

[You...You...]

This team is really cool, Mega Sceptile is IMO a very underrated threat. Anyway onto the rate.


Sceptile:

Replace Focus Blast with EQ or Knock Off (change nature to naive)

In your description of Sceptile you mentioned Focus Blast was unreliable; I've had similar experiences. Focus Blast is just too inconsistent and it often falls short of getting the job done. To replace Focus Blast you have two options: EQ and Knock Off. EQ is similar to focus blast in terms of what it achieves except it deals with the omnipresent and extremely annoying Heatran better and more reliably. Granted, Focus Blast is more powerful but EQ achieves it's main purpose more effectively and easily fufilling it which is all you could ask for. On the other hand, you could pick Knock Off which gives Sceptile more utility and instead relies on his teammates to remove counters. If you accept either of these choices you could forgo giga drain for the nuking power of leaf storm but really that is your decision.


Heatran:

Change to specially defensive Tran

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 220 SpD / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
- Lava Plume
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic/Taunt/Earth Power/Roar
- Protect/Roar/Earth Power/Taunt (run 68 Spe if taunt to outpace most Mega Venu and other things I don't remember).

This set uses his natural bulk and typing to set up rocks and take hits for his teammates. Heatran has pretty good synergy with most of your team (Later suggestions will attempt to improve his synergy) so with this spread he can check and counter many threats which will provide ample opportunities to set up rocks.


Latias:

Not really much to say about this set; it's standard for a reason. The only thing I can suggest is maybe forgo Psyshock for a coverage move such as HP Fire or Thunderbolt but it is really hard to give up Psyshock.



Diggersby:

Diggersby tho? Sorry but I just had to say that. Diggersby is a powerhouse and there is nothing wrong with your set. I know you feel that you aren't using earthquake much but it is essential for getting past numerous pokes that would otherwise wall you (such as heatran, heatran, heatran and heatran. Oh yes and Heatran). However I think that you should at least test Scarf Diggersby especially in the light of my next suggested change. Scarf Diggersby is an amazingly underrated threat and he could cover a few weaknesses my next suggestion will bring. (My favourite combo is return, EQ, U-turn and Fire Punch/Knock Off though you can change this as you please).



T-Tar Replacement :


Replace Tyranitar with Azumaril

Looking over your team it is clear Azumaril will benefit your team greatly, providing offensive and defensive synergy such as completing a FWG core as well as a DFS core. The reason it replaces Tyranitar is that Tyranitar is more of a liability than an asset to your team bringing nothing essential to the table while hindering your team synergy and wearing down your more important members with sand. Pursuit isn't that useful for your team with the Lati twins being quite easily dealt with by most of your pokemon. Also Azumaril completes a double bunny core with Diggersby. Go Bunnies!

There are two set options with Azumarill:

AV
Azumarill @ Assault Vest
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off

AV Azumarill is the bulkier of the two variants and the one who is more beneficial defensively. He uses his typing to be a fantastic bulky pivot while still hitting quite hard.

CB
Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off/Superpower
- Waterfall

CB Azumaril hits like a truck and is very difficult to switch into. He excels in weakening and punching holes in teams. The main concern is if you decide to use Scarf Diggersby you will have two choice users but really that isn't too big of a problem.


Talonflame:

Change EV spread to 80 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def or SDef / 172 Spe (Jolly


I really like the idea of speedcreeping 168 Spe Talonflame so Jolly is suggested and under no circumstances should Talonflame have a non SR number (even HP stat).

Also SD > U-Turn

SD makes Talonflame a deadly efficient sweeper and gives sharp beak sets some much needed power. Alternatively you could run bulk up Talonflame which is this:

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Taunt/Will-O-Wisp

Bulk Up Talonflame isn't the normal flashy "Goes first and wipes things out but dies if it fails to kill something" sweeper. Instead Talonflame builds up bulk and power before tearing through the opposing team not caring if it fails to kill an opponent because that opponent can't hurt it back. Bulk Up Talonflame is quite vulnerable to crits but is a consistent and solid wincon.




So yeah that's my take on your team. I may add some threats to your team after testing but this is the bulk of what I will be helping you with. Consider my suggestions and strive to improve your team until it reaches it's full potential. Hope I helped. :]

 

[jzplr]

All my comments are in red. Thanks a lot. :)

This team is really cool, Mega Sceptile is IMO a very underrated threat. Anyway onto the rate.


Sceptile:

Replace Focus Blast with EQ or Knock Off (change nature to naive)

Yeah, I'm definitely taking EQ.

In your description of Sceptile you mentioned Focus Blast was unreliable; I've had similar experiences. Focus Blast is just too inconsistent and it often falls short of getting the job done. To replace Focus Blast you have two options: EQ and Knock Off. EQ is similar to focus blast in terms of what it achieves except it deals with the omnipresent and extremely annoying Heatran better and more reliably. Granted, Focus Blast is more powerful but EQ achieves it's main purpose more effectively and easily fufilling it which is all you could ask for. On the other hand, you could pick Knock Off which gives Sceptile more utility and instead relies on his teammates to remove counters. If you accept either of these choices you could forgo giga drain for the nuking power of leaf storm but really that is your decision.


Heatran:

Change to specially defensive Tran

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 220 SpD / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
- Lava Plume
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic/Taunt/Earth Power/Roar
- Protect/Roar/Earth Power/Taunt (run 68 Spe if taunt to outpace most Mega Venu and other things I don't remember).

Yeah, that sounds cool. I think I might try running Toxic and Earth Power on the last two. I just think it sounds good considering Steel-types can't be Toxic'd and Earth Power gets 'em good. But so does Lava Plume, so I guess I'll just have to find out which one I find better. Protect does sound nice, though.

This set uses his natural bulk and typing to set up rocks and take hits for his teammates. Heatran has pretty good synergy with most of your team (Later suggestions will attempt to improve his synergy) so with this spread he can check and counter many threats which will provide ample opportunities to set up rocks.




Latias:

Not really much to say about this set; it's standard for a reason. The only thing I can suggest is maybe forgo Psyshock for a coverage move such as HP Fire or Thunderbolt but it is really hard to give up Psyshock.

Yeah, to be honest, I really love Psyshock. It pressures specially defensive mons that can't take Physical hits well, HP fire lowers speed and then misses out on the speed tie on a lot of things, and Thunderbolt might be considerable but I think that Psyshock is my best bet atm

Diggersby:

Diggersby tho? Sorry but I just had to say that. Diggersby is a powerhouse and there is nothing wrong with your set. I know you feel that you aren't using earthquake much but it is essential for getting past numerous pokes that would otherwise wall you (such as heatran, heatran, heatran and heatran. Oh yes and Heatran). However I think that you should at least test Scarf Diggersby especially in the light of my next suggested change. Scarf Diggersby is an amazingly underrated threat and he could cover a few weaknesses my next suggestion will bring. (My favourite combo is return, EQ, U-turn and Fire Punch/Knock Off though you can change this as you please).

I'll try Scarfed Diggersby. I dunno, I always thought Diggersby was one of those mons that can't OHKO most offensive mons with like, 70/70 average bulk and it honestly needs Swords Dance. Maybe it just sounds bad on paper and it's actually fantastic, but I'll try it out and see how it goes.

T-Tar Replacement :


Replace Tyranitar with Azumaril

Looking over your team it is clear Azumaril will benefit your team greatly, providing offensive and defensive synergy such as completing a FWG core as well as a DFS core. The reason it replaces Tyranitar is that Tyranitar is more of a liability than an asset to your team bringing nothing essential to the table while hindering your team synergy and wearing down your more important members with sand. Pursuit isn't that useful for your team with the Lati twins being quite easily dealt with by most of your pokemon. Also Azumaril completes a double bunny core with Diggersby. Go Bunnies!

There are two set options with Azumarill:

AV
Azumarill @ Assault Vest
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off

AV Azumarill is the bulkier of the two variants and the one who is more beneficial defensively. He uses his typing to be a fantastic bulky pivot while still hitting quite hard.

CB
Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 164 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Knock Off/Superpower
- Waterfall

I'm using the AV Azumarill in one of my other teams, and it's pretty great. I'll definitely try AV Azumarill.

CB Azumaril hits like a truck and is very difficult to switch into. He excels in weakening and punching holes in teams. The main concern is if you decide to use Scarf Diggersby you will have two choice users but really that isn't too big of a problem.

That reminds me of that one time I made a PU team and then realized that my entire team was choiced except for my Gogoat. xD

Talonflame:

Change EV spread to 80 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def or SDef / 172 Spe (Jolly


I really like the idea of speedcreeping 168 Spe Talonflame so Jolly is suggested and under no circumstances should Talonflame have a non SR number (even HP stat).

Also SD > U-Turn

SD makes Talonflame a deadly efficient sweeper and gives sharp beak sets some much needed power. Alternatively you could run bulk up Talonflame which is this:

Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Taunt/Will-O-Wisp

Bulk Up Talonflame isn't the normal flashy "Goes first and wipes things out but dies if it fails to kill something" sweeper. Instead Talonflame builds up bulk and power before tearing through the opposing team not caring if it fails to kill an opponent because that opponent can't hurt it back. Bulk Up Talonflame is quite vulnerable to crits but is a consistent and solid wincon.

I think I'm gonna take the Swords Dance variant. I guess I just don't see the point in less power but more bulk on a 'Mon that uses 120 BP priority attacks to smash everything it sees. :P


So yeah that's my take on your team. I may add some threats to your team after testing but this is the bulk of what I will be helping you with. Consider my suggestions and strive to improve your team until it reaches it's full potential. Hope I helped. :]

Yep, you helped, I'm gonna try it. Thanks for the suggestions.

I've gotten much better at teambuilding the past few days after watching actual guides. I'm currently using a MegaZard X + Prankster T-Wave Whimsicott with some Greninjas and Azumarills and all 'dat.

But I will revisit this team to try your suggestions.

It's weird because my team was rockin' for a while, and then I started losing nearly every match with this team. Thanks for the suggestions.