TEAM RAINING REVENGE
Okay, so here's the deal. I am hosting a tournament among my friends, some of which are new to pokemon, and some of which are experienced competitive battlers. This is basically an attempt by me to get more people interested in competitive, mostly via Smogon and learning experience. So far it's going great, and I've got some high interest within my small group. I've been teaching the idea of EV training, breeding for natures, and introducing the concept of basic moveset and team building. Smogon has been a big help so far, so I thank all of you for your contributions to the University.
This team is mixed with OU and UU pokemon, and isn't meant to win battles as much as it is meant to show the newbies what's what. The idea is to try and set as many examples as possible, while doing a fairly decent job at, well, wiping the floor with everyone else. I'm hoping that they'll pay attention when I battle, and learn from any mistakes I may make. I would very much like your opinions on this team overall, as well as opinions on teaching efficiency. Also keep in mind that I know some of the pokemon my opponents will be using, and they won't all be OU or EV trained.
Standard clauses are in effect, as well as Uber banning.
My first 'lesson' of sorts, is to introduce the concept of a team based on the current environment, AKA, weather. I chose rain right off the bat, which is probably (in my opinion) the most useful condition to have out on the field. I only want a semi-rain team though, just enough to give everyone a glimpse of what is possible when you take the time to set something up.
After deciding on a weather, I moved on to choosing my lead. And who better than Weavile, who has been on every single team I've made so far?
Weavile (F) (Scorpio)
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 atk/ 252 spe/ 4 hp
-Fake out
-Ice Shard
-Night Slash
- Taunt
Scorpio is perfect for the lesson she needs to teach. To help you better understand, here are some key points: I have one person, an okay battler, who plans on leading with a sing Blissey, using Shuckle/basically an annoyer team, and another person who intends to lead with Gengar and just hypnosis the opponent. Another person I know is leading with subpassing ninjask.
Taunt shuts those down right away, being faster no matter what (I know for a fact) and will probably baffle those who don't believe in switching out. Focus sash keeps her in the game for emergencies, and shows them what a "useless" item can do. I mean, who wants to be left with only 1 HP, right? Ice Shard is for late clean-up if she is switched out before going down, which is not likely, demonstrating the power of priority (no matter how weak) and STAB. Night Slash is another STAB of course, and lets them know that frail and fast doesn't always = wimpy.
Taunt shuts those down right away, being faster no matter what (I know for a fact) and will probably baffle those who don't believe in switching out. Focus sash keeps her in the game for emergencies, and shows them what a "useless" item can do. I mean, who wants to be left with only 1 HP, right? Ice Shard is for late clean-up if she is switched out before going down, which is not likely, demonstrating the power of priority (no matter how weak) and STAB. Night Slash is another STAB of course, and lets them know that frail and fast doesn't always = wimpy.
(Excuse the image, it's a bootleg. Ahem.)
Kingdra (M) (Toothless)
Item: Lum Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 spA/ 252 Spe/ 4 HP
- Rain Dance
-Surf
-Dragon Pulse
-Toxic
Kingdra (M) (Toothless)
Item: Lum Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 spA/ 252 Spe/ 4 HP
- Rain Dance
-Surf
-Dragon Pulse
-Toxic
I just saw How to Train your Dragon, so..... anyway, Kingdra will be most likely be the first out after my lead, obviously to set up Rain Dance. No damp rock because I'll probably have either swept the other team by then, or I'll have switched out to a member who doesn't depend on Rain. Lum berry is there to stop those who think that, since Weavile is gone, it's safe to try again.
This is the basic concept of 'be faster, hit harder'. Kingdra is bulky and has only one weakness, which is other dragons, another important factor that I'd like to promote. Toxic is to cripple the team of annoyers mostly, or just to use whenever I feel I need it. I'd like this to be an example of the basic concept of power, wherein, you always want the most. Don't doubt power or take it for granted, essentially.
Ludicolo (F) (Hippocampus)
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Swift swim
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 spAtk/ 196 spe/ 60hp
-Ice Beam
-Hydro Pump
-Grass Knot
- Protect
This is the basic concept of 'be faster, hit harder'. Kingdra is bulky and has only one weakness, which is other dragons, another important factor that I'd like to promote. Toxic is to cripple the team of annoyers mostly, or just to use whenever I feel I need it. I'd like this to be an example of the basic concept of power, wherein, you always want the most. Don't doubt power or take it for granted, essentially.
Ludicolo (F) (Hippocampus)
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Swift swim
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 spAtk/ 196 spe/ 60hp
-Ice Beam
-Hydro Pump
-Grass Knot
- Protect
Ludicolo is probably my favorite pokemon to use right now, simply because of this amazing moveset. She will only come out if rain is already up, and will proceed to wreak havoc upon almost everything with a boosted Hydro Pump. Accuracy loss is fine, as I want to demonstrate that sometimes it's worth it to take chances, as long as you know what kind of chances you're taking.
Hippo has an awkward typing, and I'd like to see if anyone can decipher her weakness (most likely via protect scouting). This is meant to make people think on the spot; Okay, here we have a rather uncommon pokemon, typing is pretty unique, and it's faster than me. It's getting back HP every turn, and can cover a pretty huge amount of pokemon. What do I do? I'd like to see someone try to paralyze or steal her item, or remove the rain. This is a how do I stop this situation for newbies, bringing out a not-so-much seen pokemon with a killer moveset who almost fully depends on rain. Problem solving; it builds character.
Togekiss (F) (Athena)
Item: Chesto Berry
Ability: Serene Grace
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/ 20 Def/ 236 spe
- Encore
- Air Slash
- Heal Bell
- Wish/Roost
Hippo has an awkward typing, and I'd like to see if anyone can decipher her weakness (most likely via protect scouting). This is meant to make people think on the spot; Okay, here we have a rather uncommon pokemon, typing is pretty unique, and it's faster than me. It's getting back HP every turn, and can cover a pretty huge amount of pokemon. What do I do? I'd like to see someone try to paralyze or steal her item, or remove the rain. This is a how do I stop this situation for newbies, bringing out a not-so-much seen pokemon with a killer moveset who almost fully depends on rain. Problem solving; it builds character.
Togekiss (F) (Athena)
Item: Chesto Berry
Ability: Serene Grace
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/ 20 Def/ 236 spe
- Encore
- Air Slash
- Heal Bell
- Wish/Roost
This is something different from the heavy hitters on my team, and is sure to piss a lot of people off. EVs are taken directly from the strategy dex and help me with survivability and fast encoring.
This is to teach the lesson of the value of a supporting pokemon, and that though power is valuable, messing up the power is just as important. Encore will kill anyone if I know which move I'm encoring, and I can seriously mess with people who think 'oh, I'll just use swords dance 3 times and kill you all' (seriously, I've got people talking like that). Heal Bell is for annoyers and people who think they can get around clauses by using every status inducing move once and calling it a day. I'm debating whether or not I should use Wish over Roost, because some of my pokemon might appreciate the healing more. Roost would just bug the shit out of everyone though...
Basically everyone I'm fighting hates togekiss and think that raising up a togepi is a fruitless endeavor, which it clearly is not. Just seeing one on the field gives them the shakes, so I'm sure Athena will be teaching some valuable lessons when she's on the battlefield.
(Chesto berry is because sleep will be the most common factor among other teams, in case you were wondering.)
Scizor (M) (Wally)
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Technician
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 atk/ 252 hp/ 4 spD
-Bullet Punch
-Brick Break
-Roost
-U-turn
This is to teach the lesson of the value of a supporting pokemon, and that though power is valuable, messing up the power is just as important. Encore will kill anyone if I know which move I'm encoring, and I can seriously mess with people who think 'oh, I'll just use swords dance 3 times and kill you all' (seriously, I've got people talking like that). Heal Bell is for annoyers and people who think they can get around clauses by using every status inducing move once and calling it a day. I'm debating whether or not I should use Wish over Roost, because some of my pokemon might appreciate the healing more. Roost would just bug the shit out of everyone though...
Basically everyone I'm fighting hates togekiss and think that raising up a togepi is a fruitless endeavor, which it clearly is not. Just seeing one on the field gives them the shakes, so I'm sure Athena will be teaching some valuable lessons when she's on the battlefield.
(Chesto berry is because sleep will be the most common factor among other teams, in case you were wondering.)
Scizor (M) (Wally)
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Technician
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 atk/ 252 hp/ 4 spD
-Bullet Punch
-Brick Break
-Roost
-U-turn
This is the Revenge part of the rain team, obviously abusing the technician/priority factor to wipe up the mess should anyone survive my onslaught at the beginning. There really is no lesson to be learned here, I guess, but he's damn fun to use.
Named after Wally West AKA The Flash for extra awesome points.
Lanturn (M) (Hydrus)
Item: Damp Rock
Ability: Volt Absorb
Nature: Calm
EVs: 40 HP/ 76 Def/ 140 spA/ 252 spd
-Thunder Wave
-Rain Dance
-Surf
-Thunder
Named after Wally West AKA The Flash for extra awesome points.
Lanturn (M) (Hydrus)
Item: Damp Rock
Ability: Volt Absorb
Nature: Calm
EVs: 40 HP/ 76 Def/ 140 spA/ 252 spd
-Thunder Wave
-Rain Dance
-Surf
-Thunder
EVs come directly from Smogon's Tank. This is where Damp Rock will see the most usage, as I can foresee many switches into this pokemon. There will be at least 4 Ampharos running around for sure, and I know they'll mix up Kingdra's weakness and go for the electric attack. Togekiss can also be saved by this thing switching in, and be healed in the process. Yhis is to demonstrate the usability of switch-ins, actually, and I expect he'll do a very good job. Thunder Wave is my second crippling move, and will be cool to use on anything, really.
Who skimps out on 100% accurate thunder? Nobody, that's who. This is another reference towards taking your time to set something up and having it pay off. I know some of my buds will be squirming when thunder hits every single time. I guess he's sort of self explanatory...
He's named after the electric eel colossus from Shadow of the Colossus, in case anyone wanted to know.
And that pretty much sums it up. I'm hoping this will make a fairly good learning experience for whoever battles me (and whoever doesn't.) I'm not expecting much, not many OU pokemon or anything. People will be using things like Houndoom and Meganium, albeit incorrectly. I'm very much hoping this will give them a kick start into the world of competitive, teaching them why tiers exist, why certain pokemon are just not used, and why some pokemon are better suited for specific jobs. I'm hoping this won't be too extreme for the newer battlers, who although have little experience, aren't complete idiots.
Any advice you can give would be great, and very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read, and have a chill day dudes.
-Feathers
Who skimps out on 100% accurate thunder? Nobody, that's who. This is another reference towards taking your time to set something up and having it pay off. I know some of my buds will be squirming when thunder hits every single time. I guess he's sort of self explanatory...
He's named after the electric eel colossus from Shadow of the Colossus, in case anyone wanted to know.
And that pretty much sums it up. I'm hoping this will make a fairly good learning experience for whoever battles me (and whoever doesn't.) I'm not expecting much, not many OU pokemon or anything. People will be using things like Houndoom and Meganium, albeit incorrectly. I'm very much hoping this will give them a kick start into the world of competitive, teaching them why tiers exist, why certain pokemon are just not used, and why some pokemon are better suited for specific jobs. I'm hoping this won't be too extreme for the newer battlers, who although have little experience, aren't complete idiots.
Any advice you can give would be great, and very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read, and have a chill day dudes.
-Feathers
