Team Nubzard (pre-bank, retiring it)

McGrrr

Facetious
is a Contributor Alumnus
I found out that Stealth Rock is illegal on Skamory pre-bank, so I'm retiring this team. It has an approx win rate of 80% on Pokemon Showdown.

Charizard @ Charizardite X

Ability: Blaze
EVs: 248 HP / 84 SDef / 176 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Claw
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roost

Charizard is very often my default lead, simply because it's a liability before it can mega evolve. This is so important that I routinely Will-O-Wisp against lead Mamoswine/Tyranitar while mega evolving; if they use Stealth Rock, I already have a huge advantage.

Once Char X hits the field, it simply destroys. This thing switches into Rotom all day and makes Trevenant/Gourgeist/Ferrothorn cry. Will-O-Wisp is incredible because so many things that try to switch in to Char X hate being burned. This beats Azumarill 1v1, so if Azu gets burned on the switch, that's goodnight. Will-O-Wisp also breaks Sturdy and reduces Flare Blitz recoil.

The speed EVs are to outrun Jolly/Timid Lucario and neutral base 100. Stealth Rock support compensates for the 0 Attack EVs, and honestly, Char X doesn't need any.


Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 80 Def / 180 SDef
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Spd
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Reflect
- Light Screen

Rotom-Wash occasionally leads as a risk-averse option against a potentially terrible match-up. It sets up a screen (depending on my prediction) and Volt Switches out; easy game. Common Grass types frequently show up, but suddenly they're facing Char X... and nothing likes switching in to Char X. Often, this strategy completely prevents e.g. Ferrothorn from laying any hazards.

Without Toxic, Klefki makes zero progress providing I can keep Rotom status free (Char X absorbs burn, and I have three Toxic immunities).


Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SAtk / 8 SDef / 176 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Dark Pulse
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Sleep Talk

Hydreigon leads against Smeargle. Dark Pulse flinch will ruin Smeargle's day, while Sleep Talk is there for Spore. Other sleep inducers are equally predictable, and a sleeping Hydreigon can't be burned, so it doesn't care about Rotom at all.

The EVs are to minimise residual damage while guaranteeing Gengar Focus Blast and Garchomp Dragon Claw survival. The speed is to beat Jolly Choice Scarf Excadrill, because Mold Breaker Earthquakes are nasty for my three Levitators.

Hydreigon provides a Mega Gengar and +1 Dragon check. Resistances to Shadow Sneak and Sucker Punch are really useful for something with Choice Scarf. Dark Pulse is spammable and cleans up occasionally. I just wish it could do something to Volcarona.


Gengar @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Substitute

Between Gengar and Skarmory, Mega Kangaskhan has a bad time. I used to have Sludge Bomb, but I realised that I often used it purely for that 30% poison shot, so why not try Will-O-Wisp? The benefit of using Will-O-Wisp on Gengar and Char X (instead of Rotom) is that they get the opportunity to burn things that will never stay in against Rotom.

Aegislash @ Leftovers
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SAtk
Quiet Nature
IVs: 30 Spd
- Shadow Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield

IMO the best Aegislash moveset, and it's not even close. If you're not using Leftovers/King's Shield on your Aegislash, you're wasting its incredible natural bulk; it's the quintessential bulky offensive pivot. Aegis' role is to blow 50% holes in things so that the rest of the team can clean up the mess.

Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 28 SDef / 12 Spd
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
- Roost
- Stealth Rock

Skarmory loves Leftovers, but once you go Rocky Helmet, you'll never go back. For one, it enables Skarmory to be the fourth Pokemon on my team that beats Choice Band Azumarill 1v1. The main point is to ruin Mega Kangaskhan's day, inflict damage on routine switch ins, and make Rapid Spinners pay 1/6 of their HP to clear Stealth Rock (too bad Stealth Rock needs a post-bank parent).

Mega Charizard X is quite simply the best combination of design, typing, stats, and movepool EVER. That's why I built a team around it. Rotom-Wash represents the other half of an extremely dominant core, and the rest of the team fill the gaps. I've had trouble against Knock Off Gliscor and Volcarona (Char X needs to deal with this), while Clefable can sweep me (lol), but otherwise, it's been a fun and successful return to competitive battling.
 
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