Team Stalky Offense (OU RMT)

[familyguyman]

Hey guys, been a while since I had a team worth putting up here but with the recent advent of Semi-Stall, I figured I had to jump on the trolley. Originally, I was looking for a team of special attackers that could each beat Blissey. Realizing this to be difficult, if not impossible, to do consistently and with the ability to win against other teams, I evolved the team into this and it's been working pretty well, I think, but I want to see what you think!


Team At A Glance:

As you can see, there are a few elements of Stall, namely Skarmory, Hippowdon and Heatran (sub-Toxic) but a few elements of other styles too. What I like about this concept is that it can absorb hits like a champ and whittle my opponent into KO range for Empoleon and maybe Flygon or Heatran.


Team In-Depth:

@ Focus Sash
Nature: Timid
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spe/252 SpA

Move Set:
Leaf Storm
HP Fire
Toxic Spikes
Sleep Powder

Comment:
Whenever I use Empoleon, I use Roserade. Setting up the Toxic Spikes usually gets done but sometimes I'll go for a Sleep first, depending on what I am up against. Keeping the Sash intact while preventing enemy Rocks via Sleep Powder is very useful later on to take on a Bulky Water. Grass is also a useful attacking type, especially one this strong from special attack this strong. The speed is also very useful to out speed Neutral Nature base 100s and either sleep them or hurt them. A very useful lead and the icing on the cake is the ability to absorb Toxic Spikes down the road since Hippowdon hates them.

@ Leftovers
Nature: Impish
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP/64 Atk/176 Def/16 Spe

Move Set:
Brave Bird
Spikes
Whirlwind
Roost

Comment:
Skarmory is the premier physical wall and with Hippowdon, very few physical attackers will be able to run through my team unhindered (Lucario, I'm looking at you). Setting up Spikes is no problem and a very useful entry hazard to soften the enemy up. Brave Bird provides good damage to things like Latias or Blissey and can KO them if they are weakened enough, which is why entry hazards are so useful. Skarmory is also an amazing PHazer which is needed against all these Subs and Stat Boosters running around. Acting as an early game scout, primary switch in to physical attacks and even a decent damage dealer, Skarmory is amazing!

@ Leftovers
Nature: Impish
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP/168 Def/88 SpD

Move Set:
Earthquake
Roar
Stealth Rock
Slack Off

Comment:
The second physical wall. Originally Tyranitar, I just wasn't impressed with what he brought to the table as he was either not bulky enough or not immediately strong enough to do some damage and he also let Lucario sweep with almost no problem at all. Hippowdon is much sturdier, able to come in over and over on a variety of attacks. Setting up Stealth Rock is also a key to this team to hit those flying types hard. Sand Stream also helps with extra damage, though everyone seems to resist it these days. Roar, like with Skarmory, helps scout and rack up some damage and Earthquake is very useful to hit all those Steel types running around (who resist Sand Stream).

@ Petya Berry
Nature: Modest
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 12 HP/12 Def/232 Spe/252 SpA

Move Set:
Surf
Ice Beam
Agility
Substitute

Comment:
The main sweeper. This team is all about setting him up to sweep. Very few things like taking even resisted, full power Surfs and those who do either hate Toxic Spikes (Vaporeon, Suicune, Blissey) or can be shuffled into Stealth Rock enough to be in KO territory (Gyarados). Once my scouts, Hippowdon, Skarmory and Flygon, reveal their whole team, I can focus down the primary counters and sweep unhindered. Empoleon is unstoppable when his counters are weakened or dead (though most sweepers are) and his rampages are swift and numerous. He's a power house.

@ Leftovers
Nature: Timid
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spe/252 SpA

Move Set:
Fire Blast
Earth Power
Toxic
Substitute

Comment:
Heatran tends to find himself on like 90% of my teams. As the single best pokemon at forcing switches (IMO), Heatran has no problem setting up a Sub, drawing out the same counters as Empoleon, namely Bulky Waters and Blissey. If I haven't gotten Toxic Spikes up, Heatran can do well as a replacement but he can also threaten everything with his power and coverage, especially from the safety of a Sub. His good speed lets him get the jump on many defensive pokemon and deal big time damage or crippling status. His Fire and Poison immunity make him a great status absorber too. I think he's probably my favourite pokemon. I'd be interested in seeing how many times I use him on my team.

@ Choice Scarf
Nature: Naugthy
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk/176 Spe/80 SpA

Move Set:
Outrage
Draco Meteor
Earthquake
U-Turn

Comment:
Ah ScarfGon. Probably the best Scout/Revenge killer around with his speed, typing, move pool and resistance to entry hazards. I use Draco Meteor over Fire Blast to deal big time damage to most switch ins but without locking myself in with Outrage. Skarmory walls me pretty hard, but Heatran sees to fix that and Empoleon can sweep right through him so he isn't a big deal. SemiStall teams seem to require a Revenge Killer and Flygon is the best.



Overall Comments:
While not entirely Semi-Stall due to no Spin Blocker and the use of a big time sweeper but this team is definitely more Stall than Bulky Offense, thus Stalky Offense. The synergy of Flygon - Heatran is the core here, especially with the Entry Hazard support my team provides. Skarmory and Hippowdon do some big time sponging and scouting allowing me to ease my prediction and focus my opponent down so that I can reveal one of the best late game special sweeper in the game in Empoleon. This team uses the elements of Stall to beat offensive teams and Stall teams due to the ability to cause switches and the need of Stall teams to switch. However, the extra offense lets me break the "tie" between two Stall teams.

What do you guys think? I hope I haven't misused any "definitions" of teams here, as it is a blend of two distinct styles IMO.


Cheers!

 

[JLei2k]

Starmie ruins your team as it threatens Heatran, Hippo, Skarm, Emp doesn't like Tbolt though can survive and set up though it can't KO Starmie. Of course it also has Rapid Spin which destroys your spiking strat. Other than Roserade (which is a Suicide lead) you have no switch in into it and if it is LO then Roserade dies too. Flygon can't switch in because of Surf either and they can just recover on your U-turn. I'd definitely try to pick a style and stick with it either go more offensive or put a Rotom on your team and go more stallish with an Empoleon finish (which is a fine strat).

 

[reyscarface]

Hello! Pretty neat team you have here, but there are some things that could be fixed!

First of all, you have a tremendous Lucario weakness, even with your Hippowdon. If you opponent manages to take your Hippowdon down to 80% HP, its over, which is really easily done by using a DDTtar in conjunction with Lucario. Sure, it will have problems setting up in 5 of your pokes, but the 6th one, Flygon, is the perfect set-up bait for Lucario.
In the same boat, a DD Mence can cause troubles, although Hippowdon can take it to an _extent_.

First change is dumping Draco Meteor on Flygon, and changing the ability to Jolly. Yeah, you lose some power, but the speed is unvaluable. You gain the ability to tie with Jolly DD Mence, had Hippowdon die early game. Also gives you a nice way to beat Scarfed Jirachis. Instead of Draco Meteor, Stone Edge is a nice move to have because of its ability to revenge Gyarados, a 50%~ Zapdos, and a Salamence, without getting locked into Outrage.

I dont really see Heatran's purpose other than taking bulky waters (which he isnt doing because they still beat it). I doubt you will want to do this change since Heatran is your favorite pokemon, but here it comes anyway.

Instead of Heatran you can try out a SubPunching Gengar. Sounds gimmicky, but its a really fucking good lure for Blissey. You have Roserade and Toxic Spikes for those bulky waters, so losing Heatran wont be much of a deal. Gengar also gives you an excellent answer for SD Lucario, who would otherwise just have a field trip over you. The set if you want it its this one:

Gengar @ Expert Belt
100 Atk / 156 SpA / 252 Spe - Hasty Nature
· Shadow Ball
· Focus Punch
· HP Fire
· Substitute

Heres the deal. You sub up first turn, and usually teams rely on Scizor as their Gengar check, so you HP Fire them. This means your Flygon will have an easier time, as well as your 12%~ petaya boosted Empoleon. Focus Punch is the selling point, as it lets you destroy Blissey, who stops the Empoleon sweep cold (nothing on your team reliably beats blissey as of now). Shadow Ball is STAB that hits other bulky waters and things like Rotom.

Now, the main problem would be that you are left without the Fire Immunity. If you really feel that your team needs another fire resistance besides Flygon, Infernape would do a good job.
Either an SD Infernape to break stall, or a CB Infernape to hit offensive team pretty damn hard. Read: You will need Mach Punch on it to stop Lucario in the act, which is great.
A secondary U-turn user is pretty damn good to have as well.
If you test the CB one, I would say that CC, Flare Blitz / Blaze Kick, U-Turn, Mach Punch (Or maybe Stone Edge > U-Turn) is the way to go.


Anyways thats pretty much everything, good luck with your team and hope I helped!

 

[familyguyman]

Thanks for the input guys!

I don't really mind dropping Heatran since I'll do anything to get a competitive advantage. I also really like the idea of Sub-Punch Gengar as he is a similar "non-standard" style as Heatran right now.

I still don't have an easy way to beat Starmie but what do you think of a bulky Celebi over Hippowdon with Leech Seed, Sub, Stealth Rock and HP Fire? With 101 HP Subs, Leech Seed to help stall and force switches with the ability to set up Rocks, it could be useful. I do lose Sand Storm but it's so common these days, I don't know if I need it as much. It would also really hurt Gengar should I add him in.


What do you think?