Team Ronin (OU/UU) ~First team, please help!~
First off let me say thanks for looking at my team, a lot of research and thought has gone into it but I’m still new to the competitive scene as a whole. Bear with my ignorance, but don’t hesitate to get down and dirty with the advice!
At a Glance…
As you can see, my team is about half and half when it comes to standard and nonstandard Pokémon. Most of my team consists of my favorites, but I’ve built it to be as balanced as possible.
Team Objective:
Form my favorite Pokémon into a team that can offensively fight the metagame while keeping a balance of power and originality. The main objective, however, is to have fun doing it, even if I’m not the best!
To get a feel for how I made this team, I’ve put my team building process up front:
From the very start I knew I wanted to wrap a team around my favorite Pokémon, Scizor (even before learning how powerful he’s become). Learning about what Scizor has grown to be further excited me and got my team off to a kick-start. At first I wanted Scizor to be my bulky, powerful lead, but this idea quickly changed with the introduction of Flygon.
After reading up on my second-favorite Pokémon, Flygon, I was even more surprised to learn how well these two work together in a scouting team. After some conflicting feelings about how my Scizor should be built, I decided to milk the famous choiced U-turners for all they’re worth.
Now with the idea of a tag-team dual-lead firmly in place, I began to broaden my perspective to how I would make a team around the two. Ninetales and Gengar are also high on my love-list, and bring helpful immunities to balance the team, as well as creating a 2/2 ratio of physical and special attackers.
My roster quickly complicated with the need for two more Poke’s. At first, the question I wanted to answer was, “Sure, I can switch into Ninetales for a fire attack, but then what?” Obviously I needed a water Pokémon that could take care of the fire. I looked to my three favorite water Poke’s and researched what they could do. I liked that Golduck could also use Hypnosis and Psychic, but he’s weak to Earthquake and just weak in general (in addition to being another special sweeper). Looking to Gyarados the opposite is true; he’s extremely powerful and laughs at Earthquake, but I didn’t want him to steal Scizor’s thunder. I liked that Kabutops could serve as a Stealth Spinner, due to my team’s necessity of both setting hazards and getting rid of its own. I felt that Kabutops was the best answer, but I still needed Poke number six.
After stumbling upon Porygon2 I knew I had a winner. After playing around with the three water Poke’s on Shoddy, I knew I had a severe weakness for Gyarados, Salamence, and Heatran. Porygon2 counters these three and more with its Trace ability. It can also counter an opposing Flygon if need be, by switching into a Levitating Earthquake and threatening the Ice Beam. Now, Gengar gets a real switch-in to Fighting attacks and I feel the synergy of the team just got even stronger. I know my team isn’t perfect, but for a bunch of my favorite Pokémon, I think it’s pretty good!
On to the actual summary:
Just looking at the team already, it’s apparent that my team is almost completely offensive, and doesn’t have a real wall-breaker, as well as being frail as a whole. Playing it on Shoddy, most of my success has depended on switches. There are some major threats, but I’ll address those later.
Time to get deeper!
Lead/Scout/Revenge Killer
Scizor @ Choice Band
Nature: Adamant
Trait: Technician
EV’s: 252Atk/248HP/8Spe
Bullet Punch
U-Turn
Superpower
Pursuit
My main man, playing the typical Choice Puncher. Brings a lot of power to my team but also relies on Flygon and Porygon2. Takes care of many opposing leads but can otherwise safely switch to Flygon for the most part.
Synergy:
Fire: Flygon, Ninetales, Kabutops, Porygon2 (Heatran)
Why Bullet Punch?
A better question is why not?
Why U-Turn?
Another standard move, the quintessential scout maneuver.
Why Superpower?
Takes care of Blissey, opposing Scizor, and several other Poke’s resistant to the first two moves.
Why Pursuit?
Takes care of switch-outs and ghosts.
Why Scizor?
It’s my favorite Pokémon, besides being ridiculously powerful! Resists nearly everything but fire, which is more than compensated for from Flygon, Ninetales, Porygon2 (with Heatran) and Kabutops. A great lead with a team behind it.
Lead/Scout/Revenge Killer Buddy
Flygon @ Choice Scarf
Nature: Adamant
Trait: Levitate
EV’s: 252Atk/252Spe/4HP
Earthquake
U-Turn
Outrage / Dragon Claw
Fire Blast
Scizor’s shadow, covering eachother’s weaknesses and serving as scouts early-on, revengers late-game. These two are the center-piece of my team, and I think they’re pretty self-explanatory.
Synergy:
Ice: Scizor, Ninetales, Kabutops
Dragon: Scizor
Why Earthquake?
STAB’d team killer makes this move Flygon’s Bullet Punch.
Why U-Turn?
Scouting, of course.
Why Outrage/Dragonclaw?
I’ve tried using Outrage for its power, but seem to always get taken advantage of. Would Dragonclaw be a better option?
Why Fire Blast?
Taking care of Skarmory, Magnezone, and other Scizor threats.
Why Flygon?
My second favorite Pokémon works amazingly well with Scizor, and can provide some power of his own. An adamant-scarfed build still outruns many threats, and Salamence is taken care of by Porgyon2. Scizor and Flygon are the center of my team.
The Flash Fire Sweeper
Ninetales @ Life Orb
Nature: Timid
Trait: Flash Fire
EV’s: 252SpA/252Spe/4SpD
Flamethrower
Hypnosis
Nasty Plot
Hypnosis
Nasty Plot
Energy Ball
Another of my favorites, switching in from Scizor and setting up a sweep from the surprise factor. I’ve heard how much better Arcanine is, but I like the Hypnosis and Energy Ball coverage, as well as keeping something called originality!
Synergy:
Water: All neutral (Gengar and Porygon2 have Tbolt) (Energy Ball)
Ground: Flygon, Gengar
Rock: Flygon, Kabutops (Energy Ball)
Why Flamethrower?
STAB’d, accurate and boosted from Flash Fire, this is Ninetales’ main move.
Why Hypnosis?
Allows a (much needed) safer setup, can be used when predicting a switch as well.
Allows a (much needed) safer setup, can be used when predicting a switch as well.
Why Nasty Plot?
Allows her to assert herself into a sweep, can also be used during a switch.
Why Energy Ball?
Taking care of waters on the way (Swampert…), powered by Nasty Plot.
Why Ninetales?
OK, I’m in love with Ninetales, but she can prove really effective on teams that never expect it. On the other hand, just as often I end up leaving her as final prey due to how difficult it can be to switch her in. I’m reluctant to let her go, but I’m listening.
The Standard Sweeper
Gengar @ Life Orb
Nature: Timid
Trait: Levitate
EV’s: 252SpA/252Spe/4Def
Shadow Ball
Thunderbolt
Focus Blast
Hidden Power (Fire)
Thunderbolt
Focus Blast
Hidden Power (Fire)
Yes, another typical team-killer at your service. Truthfully, Haunter is one of my favorites, but there’s no reason to choose it over Gengar competitively. His immunities give me more breathing space to how I can sweep, especially now that he has a true switch-in from Porygon2. Levitate is nice too, but I’m having some trouble learning how Gengar fits into my team otherwise due to how frail he is. I feel that I just need to get to know him more and he’ll be invaluable.
Synergy:
Psychic: Scizor
Ghost: Porygon2, Scizor
Dark: Scizor
Why Shadow Ball?
STAB’d Lead Move, used with Focus Blast for type coverage. I need to learn when to use it though..
Why Thunderbolt?
Can quickly take care of Gyarados from a death-switch.
Why Focus Blast?
Used with Shadow ball for coverage, can be used on Tyranitar, Snorlax, Heatran, even Blissey (though Scizor is better for her)
Why HP Fire?
Stands a chance against Scizor, Metagross, and other steels.
Why Gengar?
Another favorite, can come in on all sorts of attacks and threaten flocks of common Pokemon. I feel Gengar is pretty self-explanatory.
Why Gengar?
Another favorite, can come in on all sorts of attacks and threaten flocks of common Pokemon. I feel Gengar is pretty self-explanatory.
The Defensive Duck
Porygon2 @ Leftovers
Nature: Bold
Trait: Trace
EV’s: 252HP/216Def/40SpA
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Recover / Substitute
Toxic / Thunderwave
Ice Beam
Recover / Substitute
Toxic / Thunderwave
Ah, Porygon2, the glue that holds my team together. Countering my biggest threats with ease, I’m surprised I didn’t think of it sooner. Gyarados and Salamence are countered with Intimidate, and immediately threatened with Thunderbolt. Heatran is nullified with Flash Fire and Ice Beam. Even Flygon could be dealt with if I predict an Earthquake. However, the newest member of my team is still as rough as any other newbie, no matter how well it fits.
Synergy:
Fighting: Gengar
Why Thunderbolt?
Gyarados and Salamence used to crush my team. No more.
Why Ice Beam?
Heatran and Flygon taken care of.
Why Recover / Substitute?
Originally, Recover is used to regain any lost damage (hence the term defensive) but I don’t seem to be using it because I’m either attacking or switching to Gengar or another member. Maybe I’m playing Porygon2 like a sweeper, but I wonder if Substitute would be a better option for it (especially with Leftovers).
Why Toxic / Thunderwave?
Supporting my team with statuses. I really like Toxic, but I’m not sure which would be more effective for my team.
Why Porgyon2?
Porygon2 seems to be a perfect asset to my team, countering many of my biggest threats. However, I feel like I’ve been playing it as a sweeper, only using its offensive moves and then switching out. I think I just have more to learn about how to use it (especially with its EV’s), otherwise Porygon2 is an indispensible team member.
The Stealth Spinner
Kabutops @ Leftovers
Nature: Careful
Trait: Battle Armor
EV’s: 252SpD/152HP/104Atk
Stealth Rock
Waterfall
Waterfall
Stone Edge
Rapid Spin
Rapid Spin
One of the 1st gen Pokémon I wanted but never got around to evolve to, Kabutops is the final member of my team, and for good reason. My team needs as much support as possible, and Stealth Rock provides it. My team doesn’t appreciate its own hazards, so Rapid Spin is also useful. Waterfall and Stone Edge are for putting up a fair fight against Zapdos and Heatran (or about anything else) with STAB’d attacks. However, I’ve always had problems switching him in, due to his frailty.
Synergy:
Electric: Flygon
Grass: Scizor, Ninetales, Gengar
Fighting: Gengar
Ground: Flygon, Gengar
Why Stealth Rock?
The most useful hazard for my team, Kabutops can set it up quickly and effectively.
Why Waterfall?
Can kill Heatran, Rhyperior, and others with STAB and 4x Supereffectiveness. The accuracy and flinch is what puts it above Aquatail.
Why Stone Edge?
Puts up a fight against Flying types and others with STAB.
Why Rapid Spin?
Gets rid of Stealth Rock, Spikes, and other hazards that hinder my team.
Why Kabutops?
Providing more support and type coverage, I feel that Kabutops is more useful than Forretress. Maybe I’m wrong, because I’ve always had trouble fitting Kabutops into the fray. Should I lead Kabutops to set up Stealth Rock ASAP? I worry that his frailty will almost always guarantee him a OHKO after setting up, and then I don’t have a spinner. Would Forretress be the better choice? Thanks for the help!
I’m sorry if my team is a bit rougher than it should be for RMT, but I feel that enough work has gone into it (months) that soon it will be a polished, formidable team.
Now, onto the Threat List…This is where the holes in my team clearly show, and where I think I need the most help:
Threat List: (stolen from Atticus who stole it from Jabba’s thread which was stolen from KG's thread and then stolen from gary the gengar):
Black = Nonthreat
Green = Minor Threat
Red = Major Threat
(?) = Unsure if effective counter
Defensive Threats:
Blissey – Scizor, Gengar
Bronzong – Flygon (?)
Celebi – Scizor’s Pursuit
Cresselia – Scizor, Gengar
Dusknoir- Scizor’s Pursuit (watch out for Fire Punch), Gengar (?)
Forretress – Flygon, Gengar
Gliscor – Kabutops (?), Porygon2 (?) Both weak..
Gyarados – Porygon2, Gengar
Hippowdon – Flygon (?), Gengar (?)
Jirachi – Versitality and no sure-fire counters
Rotom-A – Gengar (?)
Skarmory – Flygon, Gengar
Snorlax – Gengar, Scizor (Watch out for Fire Punch)
Suicune – Flygon (Watch out for Ice Beam), Ninetales (during a sweep), Kabutops (?)
Swampert – Chip damage, try to Energy Ball with Ninetales (somehow), Gengar doesn’t have the moveset to counter..
Tyranitar – Scizor
Vaporeon – Porygon2, Gengar (?)
Zapdos – Flygon (Watch out for HP Ice), Kabutops (?)
Offensive Threats:
Azelf – Scizor
Breloom – Flygon, Ninetales, Gengar
Empoleon- Scizor (?), Gengar (?)
Gengar – Scizor, Gengar
Gyarados – Porygon2, Gengar
Heatran – Porygon2, Kabutops
Infernape – Flygon (?), Kabutops (Watch out for Grass Knot)
Jolteon – Porygon2, Flygon (?)
Raikou – Flygon (Watch out for HP Ice)
Latias – Scizor, Porygon2 (?)
Kingdra – I seem to have no effective counter…chip damage...
Lucario – Gengar (?)
Machamp – Gengar (?), Scizor (?)
Magnezone – Flygon (Watch for HP Ice), Gengar (?)
Mamoswine – Scizor, Gengar (?)
Metagross – Flygon, Gengar (?)
Salamence – Porygon2, Scizor (rosky)
Scizor – Scizor, Flygon, Gengar (risky)
Starmie – Scizor
Tyranitar – Scizor
Weavile – Scizor
Zapdos – Flygon (Watch out for HP Ice), Kabutops (?)
From the threat list it’s obvious how imperfect my team is, mostly from my lack of a wall-breaker. Certain Pokemon crush my team, such as Jirachi, Swampert, and Kingdra, while several others such as Rotom-A, Lucario, and Gliscor aren’t really covered either.
It’s also obvious how new I am to competitive battling; I may have read up on my team members and how well they could theoretically work together, but I have little to no understanding of how to really fight against the other Pokémon. When reading about counters to my biggest threats, Blissey and Tyranitar came up a lot. I wouldn’t mind switching out my UU Poke’s for them due to how problematic they’ve proven to be, if it should be deemed necessary (Ninetales doesn’t effectively counter anything, and Kabutops has the most weaknesses in the team, in addition to his frailty).
My team is imperfect, but I do like it this way nonetheless. Maybe what I would do is keep this team for fun and make an upgraded version for competition!
I apologize for my inexperience, and I hope my post has been polished enough to be acceptable for such a prestigious forum. If there’s anything you can think to help me with, I’m still very open to advice, critique, or anything!
To make it simpler to respond, I’ve numbered a few of my key questions:
2. For Porygon2, which of those 4 moves should I use?
3. How should I fit Kabutops in? Should he lead (to get SR out ASAP)?
4. Despite multiple failings, is my team good as a whole? I don’t win a lot on Shoddy, but I do have fun, which I suppose my main objective…
5. Is there anything else you can comment on? Anything is appreciated!
Once again, thanks for looking at my team, a lot of research and thought has gone into it but I’m still new to the competitive scene as a whole. Bear with my ignorance, but don’t hesitate to get down and dirty with the advice!
