Here's a team I built based around Substitute Machamp. Roserade sets up Toxic Spikes to take advantage of the switches Machamp causes with Dynamicpunch, Empoleon sets up Stealth Rock, Latias takes care of Celebi with Trick, while Blissey keeps Machamp in tip top shape with Wish.
Here's the team at a glance:
Roserade (M) @ Focus Sash ** Pls Date?
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Leaf Storm
- Sleep Powder
- Toxic Spikes
Starts things off nicely. He has two goals. The first one is to act as an anti-lead. The second one is to lay down Toxic Spikes (this can be done throughout any stage of the match). Here's a list of methods I use to deal with some popular leads:
Azelf: I use Leaf Storm on the Taunt, then Hidden Power to finish him off.
Metagross: Sleep Powder puts him to sleep. I can then lay down TS.
Swampert: Sleep Powder, then Toxic Spikes.
Basically, all slower leads are Sleep Powder bait.
Infernape: Switch to Latias on the Fake Out. From here, I use Draco Meteor, either hitting the switch hard or hitting Infernape hard. If Infernape stays in, then I try to get Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes down before Infernape is sent in again to finish him off.
Aerodactyl:This guy is a pain. Leaf Storm is good to use on Taunt, and I think it is a 2HKO.
I won't go through all the leads, but the point I am trying to prove is that Roserade starts the match off nicely for Subchamp.
Latias (F) @ Choice Scarf ** uber ye boss
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Spd / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Surf
- Trick
My friend Ala (not the Muslim prophet xD) really got me into using the scarf set. Latias is my favourite revenge killer, able to pick off a Salamence locked into Outrage, a CS Flygon, DD Kingdra and others. Furthermore, against stall teams, he is quite the asset with Trick. As mentioned earlier, he is my switch in to Infernape. Also, he is my switchin to other fighters such as Heracross using Close Combat.
Empoleon (M) @ Leftovers ** The King
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 4 Spd / 92 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Grass Knot
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Surf
Defensive Empoleon really suits this team nicely. He has great typing synergy with the others, and both provides Stealth Rock and can shuffle the entry hazards around with Roar. Furthermore, he counters Kingdra, Ninjask, and other threats which would otherwise tear right through my team. People always forego Empoleon for other water types because of its weaknesses to common types such as Ground. However, I think I have really hit Empoleon's niche of defending against particular assaults through his use in this team.
Machamp (M) @ Leftovers ** Kyokushin
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Payback
- Stone Edge
- Substitute
After Stealth Rock and Spikes are up, Machamp is sent in at the appropriate time (such as against a Blissey or Snorlax) to chuck up a Substitute. From here, he can pound away with Dynamicpunch, Stone Edge and Payback. Blissey ensures he is kept healthy with Wish.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
My Gliscor, Scizor and Stone Edge-less Lucario counters. Seriously, this Zapdos just does not die. With his defensive EV spread, Roost and Wish support, he is VERY difficult to take down if you do not have Stealth Rock up. Which, a lot of the time it is not, curteousy of Roserade. He's also great at luring out a special wall such as Blissey or Snorlax once Toxic Spikes is up, so Machamp can switch right in and get to work.
Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 24 HP / 252 Def / 232 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Toxic
- Wish
The backbone of the team, keeping everyone in tip top shape with Wish. She is my initial switchin to Salamence, as unfortunately I have no better option. If Salamence uses Outrage, then at least Latias can get rid of him for the rest of the match with Draco Meteor.
Well, that's it really. Here is a detailed list of problems:
1) Mamoswine - I literally have nothing I can switch into this beast if he is not holding a Choice Band. Earthquake decimates Empoleon, Blissey and Machamp, while Ice Shard catches Zapdos, Roserade and Latias.
2) Suicune with HP Electric - He's just too hard for this team to deal with. Empoleon can Roar all other variants out and Toxic Spikes will take its toll eventually, but with one Calm Mind under its belt, offensive Suicune can just rip through this team like butter. Likewise, defensive Suicune with HP Electric can see Latias' Trick coming from a mile away.
3) Flygon - The Life Orb variant gets me. Luckily, most are choiced, which this team can deal with. But Earthquake will pick away at Machamp, Empoleon and Roserade, Stone Edge gets Zapdos, while U-Turn gets Latias.
4) Salamence - If he eliminates Blissey, then things become really hard for me.
5) Lack of a stat raiser - Many times, I have been put in a situation late game where I am unable to win because I don't have a late game sweeper or tank. I used to run Lucario over Machamp, but Tyranitar started giving me problems.
That's all of the problems I can think of. This team is really good, but these three Pokemon really cut holes through my team. Please help me with these problems
Here's the team at a glance:
Roserade (M) @ Focus Sash ** Pls Date?
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Leaf Storm
- Sleep Powder
- Toxic Spikes
Starts things off nicely. He has two goals. The first one is to act as an anti-lead. The second one is to lay down Toxic Spikes (this can be done throughout any stage of the match). Here's a list of methods I use to deal with some popular leads:
Azelf: I use Leaf Storm on the Taunt, then Hidden Power to finish him off.
Metagross: Sleep Powder puts him to sleep. I can then lay down TS.
Swampert: Sleep Powder, then Toxic Spikes.
Basically, all slower leads are Sleep Powder bait.
Infernape: Switch to Latias on the Fake Out. From here, I use Draco Meteor, either hitting the switch hard or hitting Infernape hard. If Infernape stays in, then I try to get Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes down before Infernape is sent in again to finish him off.
Aerodactyl:This guy is a pain. Leaf Storm is good to use on Taunt, and I think it is a 2HKO.
I won't go through all the leads, but the point I am trying to prove is that Roserade starts the match off nicely for Subchamp.
Latias (F) @ Choice Scarf ** uber ye boss
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Spd / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Surf
- Trick
My friend Ala (not the Muslim prophet xD) really got me into using the scarf set. Latias is my favourite revenge killer, able to pick off a Salamence locked into Outrage, a CS Flygon, DD Kingdra and others. Furthermore, against stall teams, he is quite the asset with Trick. As mentioned earlier, he is my switch in to Infernape. Also, he is my switchin to other fighters such as Heracross using Close Combat.
Empoleon (M) @ Leftovers ** The King
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 4 Spd / 92 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Grass Knot
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Surf
Defensive Empoleon really suits this team nicely. He has great typing synergy with the others, and both provides Stealth Rock and can shuffle the entry hazards around with Roar. Furthermore, he counters Kingdra, Ninjask, and other threats which would otherwise tear right through my team. People always forego Empoleon for other water types because of its weaknesses to common types such as Ground. However, I think I have really hit Empoleon's niche of defending against particular assaults through his use in this team.
Machamp (M) @ Leftovers ** Kyokushin
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Payback
- Stone Edge
- Substitute
After Stealth Rock and Spikes are up, Machamp is sent in at the appropriate time (such as against a Blissey or Snorlax) to chuck up a Substitute. From here, he can pound away with Dynamicpunch, Stone Edge and Payback. Blissey ensures he is kept healthy with Wish.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
My Gliscor, Scizor and Stone Edge-less Lucario counters. Seriously, this Zapdos just does not die. With his defensive EV spread, Roost and Wish support, he is VERY difficult to take down if you do not have Stealth Rock up. Which, a lot of the time it is not, curteousy of Roserade. He's also great at luring out a special wall such as Blissey or Snorlax once Toxic Spikes is up, so Machamp can switch right in and get to work.
Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 24 HP / 252 Def / 232 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Toxic
- Wish
The backbone of the team, keeping everyone in tip top shape with Wish. She is my initial switchin to Salamence, as unfortunately I have no better option. If Salamence uses Outrage, then at least Latias can get rid of him for the rest of the match with Draco Meteor.
Well, that's it really. Here is a detailed list of problems:
1) Mamoswine - I literally have nothing I can switch into this beast if he is not holding a Choice Band. Earthquake decimates Empoleon, Blissey and Machamp, while Ice Shard catches Zapdos, Roserade and Latias.
2) Suicune with HP Electric - He's just too hard for this team to deal with. Empoleon can Roar all other variants out and Toxic Spikes will take its toll eventually, but with one Calm Mind under its belt, offensive Suicune can just rip through this team like butter. Likewise, defensive Suicune with HP Electric can see Latias' Trick coming from a mile away.
3) Flygon - The Life Orb variant gets me. Luckily, most are choiced, which this team can deal with. But Earthquake will pick away at Machamp, Empoleon and Roserade, Stone Edge gets Zapdos, while U-Turn gets Latias.
4) Salamence - If he eliminates Blissey, then things become really hard for me.
5) Lack of a stat raiser - Many times, I have been put in a situation late game where I am unable to win because I don't have a late game sweeper or tank. I used to run Lucario over Machamp, but Tyranitar started giving me problems.
That's all of the problems I can think of. This team is really good, but these three Pokemon really cut holes through my team. Please help me with these problems
