AT A GLANCE: TEAM THUNDERFLARE
OU has been pretty boring, what not with all the Scizor, and the Tyranitar and quite frankly, the '1 steel, 1 fire, 1 water, 1 grass, 1 ghost, 1 ground' teams I'm seeing a lot of, bar stall, which is annoying in it's own sweet way. Therefore, I wandered into UU to use perhaps one of my favourite ideas incoperated into Pokémon, Baton pass.
When I first made this team, I decided on no 'common pokemon', like Venusaur. However, I am using the 'standards of UU' as you'll notice, as I've finally come to accept the fact that they're standard for a reason. They are good and excel at what they do. Anyway, onto the team itself.
As you'll notice, this team heavily focuses on attacking from the special end of the spectrum. Therefore, Chansey is a nuisance. Luckily, only stall teams run Chansey, from what I've seen, and 1 sweeper naturally beats Chansey. I also included a physical sweeper just so Chansey wouldn't wall me, should I lose my Baton Passer. Speaking of which, my baton passer knows Taunt. Fancy that. End point, Chansey is somewhat countered. Back with the team.
The objective of this team is simple. Baton pass to special sweepers and sweep. Naturally, I had to have a Baton Passer, and a reciver. 5 easy steps to take, at least, that's how it should be.
1) Find out problematic pokemon such as exploders and phazers and eliminate them by any means necessary.
2) Scout out the team.
3) Find a suitable pokemon to set up.
4) Set up and pass
5) Sweep.
And clean up if necessary. It's so simple, yet it's a 'kill or be killed' play style.
See the team building process if you want to see how the team was made.
TEAM BUILDING PROCESS
First off was the Baton Passer. I immediately decided on Espeon, as it's quick, can boost special attackers with it's power, and packs a punch already to deal with threats.
Now for the reciever. I wanted a Pokémon that could cover Espeon's typing, to come in on, to allow as much sweeping time as possible. That was an Agility Blaziken, who was able to boost it's speed while Espeon took care of it's attack.
While looking at special sweepers, I thought, what if Blaziken didn't finsih the job? I searched for another sweeper that could mop up the mess Blaziken left behind, and that was Milotic, whose base 81 speed meant it could take on all Venasaur bar scarf versions all day long, with boosts of course.
Now I needed a physical sweeper. As I used Scyther before, I just threw him in.
Now for Rapid Spin support. As this was meant to be an offensive team, passive spinners were out of the question. I also noticed a startling electric weakness. Donphan was given the nod over Claydol, due to it being a more physical pokemon than Claydol.
Now for the lead. I wanted a lead that could set up spikes, that would easily deal mass amount of damage to pokemon, making sweeping easier. Qwilfish was chosen, due to it having four things, Spikes, a fast taunt, poison typing to soak up Toxic spikes which Donphan couldn't deal with properly, and explosion.
However, the team wasn't performing as well as it should. With Scyther about Donphan's spinning was predictable, even if it was a Choice Band version. i set out to replace Scyther with another physical sweeper. I came across Cacturne, who has since failed to let me down.
But now I lacked a reliable way to switch in Qwilfish to absorb Toxic Spikes, as well as stop spinners from spinning away my spikes, apart from the situational Explosion on Qwilfish. I resolved to getting rid of Donphan in favour of a Perish trap Mismagius, who could deal with special walls hindering my sweepers.
Soon, I found out that Mismagius can not take a hit from it's counters. Either I was using it wrong, or it wasn't working out. I decided to switch it out in favour of another Electric resist, since Cacturne isn't the bulkiest of Pokémon. Rotom came to mind as a levitating ghostie, who could provide additional support for the team by having STAB Thunderbolt/Shadow Ball for Spinners, as well as have Will-o-Wisp, making Espeon's job so much easier to set up. Time to test this team out.
After a couple of battles, I realised a couple of things. Blaziken lacked priority, which meant Azumarill and Feraligatr could come in and force me out. However, with priority, this meant Alakazam beat this team if Blaziken had not set up. Espeon also didn't function well, as the checks to Rotom could cripple Espeon hard. I looked for another baton passer. I started to use Mr. Mime, however, with Encore, Substitute, Calm Mind and Baton Pass, it was left helpless against teams that managed to beat the other 5 pokemon. Then I found Girafarig, which had the qualities I needed, Agility, speeding up Milotic and giving Blaziken the option to use priority, Calm Mind and Baton Pass.
Then came the 'Doh!' moment. I had forgone one of the most important things to an offensive team; Stealth Rock. Quickly, I stumbled on that could learn Stealth Rock. I started using Armaldo, however, in the lead position, that was quickly worn down, not to mention a lack of a Poison typing. Then I was presented with Nidoking and his bride, Nidoqueen. As I had used Nidoqueen for bulky teams in the past, I decided on the more offensive Nidoking this time round. Nidoking does his job...meh. He does it.
Whilst playing with this team I noticed that I played very reckless with Nidoking, and let it go down early. This meant that time was against me, once my opponent got some Toxic Spikes down. I looked for a more sturdier grounded Poison pokémon, which was Venusaur. I replaced Cacturne, as Venusaur was more than capable of performing a physical sweeper role.
A quick glance at the team showed me something terribly wrong, an Alakazam weakness. It outsped everything on my team, and with Specs it could 2HKO or OHKO my entire team. Sub Calm mind versions was your backstage pass to defeating this team 6-0. I replaced Nidoking with a Scarf Mesprit, not only does it somewhat counter Alakazam, I can cripple walls with it, allowing Ambipom and by extension, Rotom, more time to set up.
Now for the reciever. I wanted a Pokémon that could cover Espeon's typing, to come in on, to allow as much sweeping time as possible. That was an Agility Blaziken, who was able to boost it's speed while Espeon took care of it's attack.
While looking at special sweepers, I thought, what if Blaziken didn't finsih the job? I searched for another sweeper that could mop up the mess Blaziken left behind, and that was Milotic, whose base 81 speed meant it could take on all Venasaur bar scarf versions all day long, with boosts of course.
Now I needed a physical sweeper. As I used Scyther before, I just threw him in.
Now for Rapid Spin support. As this was meant to be an offensive team, passive spinners were out of the question. I also noticed a startling electric weakness. Donphan was given the nod over Claydol, due to it being a more physical pokemon than Claydol.
Now for the lead. I wanted a lead that could set up spikes, that would easily deal mass amount of damage to pokemon, making sweeping easier. Qwilfish was chosen, due to it having four things, Spikes, a fast taunt, poison typing to soak up Toxic spikes which Donphan couldn't deal with properly, and explosion.
However, the team wasn't performing as well as it should. With Scyther about Donphan's spinning was predictable, even if it was a Choice Band version. i set out to replace Scyther with another physical sweeper. I came across Cacturne, who has since failed to let me down.
But now I lacked a reliable way to switch in Qwilfish to absorb Toxic Spikes, as well as stop spinners from spinning away my spikes, apart from the situational Explosion on Qwilfish. I resolved to getting rid of Donphan in favour of a Perish trap Mismagius, who could deal with special walls hindering my sweepers.
Soon, I found out that Mismagius can not take a hit from it's counters. Either I was using it wrong, or it wasn't working out. I decided to switch it out in favour of another Electric resist, since Cacturne isn't the bulkiest of Pokémon. Rotom came to mind as a levitating ghostie, who could provide additional support for the team by having STAB Thunderbolt/Shadow Ball for Spinners, as well as have Will-o-Wisp, making Espeon's job so much easier to set up. Time to test this team out.
After a couple of battles, I realised a couple of things. Blaziken lacked priority, which meant Azumarill and Feraligatr could come in and force me out. However, with priority, this meant Alakazam beat this team if Blaziken had not set up. Espeon also didn't function well, as the checks to Rotom could cripple Espeon hard. I looked for another baton passer. I started to use Mr. Mime, however, with Encore, Substitute, Calm Mind and Baton Pass, it was left helpless against teams that managed to beat the other 5 pokemon. Then I found Girafarig, which had the qualities I needed, Agility, speeding up Milotic and giving Blaziken the option to use priority, Calm Mind and Baton Pass.
Then came the 'Doh!' moment. I had forgone one of the most important things to an offensive team; Stealth Rock. Quickly, I stumbled on that could learn Stealth Rock. I started using Armaldo, however, in the lead position, that was quickly worn down, not to mention a lack of a Poison typing. Then I was presented with Nidoking and his bride, Nidoqueen. As I had used Nidoqueen for bulky teams in the past, I decided on the more offensive Nidoking this time round. Nidoking does his job...meh. He does it.
Whilst playing with this team I noticed that I played very reckless with Nidoking, and let it go down early. This meant that time was against me, once my opponent got some Toxic Spikes down. I looked for a more sturdier grounded Poison pokémon, which was Venusaur. I replaced Cacturne, as Venusaur was more than capable of performing a physical sweeper role.
A quick glance at the team showed me something terribly wrong, an Alakazam weakness. It outsped everything on my team, and with Specs it could 2HKO or OHKO my entire team. Sub Calm mind versions was your backstage pass to defeating this team 6-0. I replaced Nidoking with a Scarf Mesprit, not only does it somewhat counter Alakazam, I can cripple walls with it, allowing Ambipom and by extension, Rotom, more time to set up.
IN DEPTH ANALYSIS: WHY NOT?
The Lead
Mesprit @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk/ 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Trick
- Zen Headbutt
- U-Turn
Why Mesprit?
Mesprit is this teams check to Alakazam. It also has access to Trick, so once I can be certain the opposing team does not have an Alakazam to threaten me with, I can cripple another of their Pokémon, allowing Ambipom and Rotom to do their thing.
Why Choice Scarf?
Wynaut? Oh yeah, because Alakazam rapes this team, and I can cripple opposing Pokémon with it.
Why those EV's?
Max speed and max attack makes me extremely fast and somewhat deadly. The rest were thrown in HP.
Why Jolly?
So Mesprit can outspeed a vast majority of the tier. I also get to beat Agility Blaziken without letting Milotic get hit.
Why those moves?
Stealth Rock- Please. EVERY offensive team has the rocks.
Trick- Being able to cripple one enemy Pokémon is great.
Zen Heatbutt- Basic STAB move. It means I can deal with Venusaur and Blaziken without having to risk Milotic either.
U-turn- My main weapon against Alakazam. It also lets me switch out of disadvantageous lead match ups.
The Physical Sweeper
Venusaur (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Overgrow
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Power Whip
- Sleep Powder
- Earthquake
- Synthesis
Why Venusaur?
If you read up on my team building process, Venusaur replaces Cacturne, who replaced Scyther as my sole physical sweeper. Venusaur also serves as the team's defence against Toxic Spikes, as well as a semi-check to Water Pokemon. Venusaur, whilst being the weakest attacker on the team, is the 'go-to' Pokémon on blank switches, due to hit's bulk, and it's power, no matter how small.
Why Life Orb?
Simple, it gives me the power I need without having to resort to Choice Band. Muscle Band was tried, but it lacked power. Leftovers, while tempting, wasn't worth the lack of power.
Why those EV's?
This Venusaur is a sweeper of sorts, therefore, max Speed and max Attack will do. The rest were thrown into Defence, I believe, to switch into Stealth Rock one more time.
Why Jolly?
Venusaur has no priority, so I chose Jolly over Adamant. I also get the jump on most Milotic and Blaziken, which means I can hit them for super effective damage.
Why those moves?
Power Whip- HG/SS's gift to Venusaur. It's this move that turn Venusaur from special sweeper to physical sweeper.
Sleep Powder- Being able to put a Pokémon out of the battle is great. It also gives Ambipom some free turns to set up.
Earthquake- Blaziken was my only answer to Steels after Cacturne was gone. Therefore, I used Earthquake to hit them, making things easier for Milotic if she needs to sweep. Flyers are covered by Rotom, Milotic and Blaziken to an extent.
Synthesis- I could have used Swords Dance, but Venusaur tends to die much more quickly without Synthesis. Since I need Venusaur along side Milotic to wall a fair majority of the tier while I scout for phazers, Synthesis was given the nod over Swords Dance.
The Support
Rotom @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Spd / 252 SAtk
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
Why Rotom?
Rotom? Rotom replaces Mismagius as the Spin blocker. Mainly I use Rotom for it's Electric resist, but having STAB Thunderbolt also works, and allows me to beat Registeel more easily than Mismagius would. Rotom's role is to increase the defence and allow Ambipom to set up with little worry.
Why Light Clay?
I'm using screens, so Light Clay was a no brainer. It gives the team as much protection as possible.
Why those EV's?
Max HP gives me the maximum amount of time to set up screens. Maximum speed lets me set up screens and lessen damage before my opponent can hit. The rest were thrown in special attack.
Why Timid?
Mainly because I want to those screens up as fast as possible, but being able to outspeed some pokemon is also nice.
Why those moves?
Reflect- Forms one half of the screens, focusing on the physical end of the spectrum.
Light Screen- Form one half of the screens, focusing on the special end of the spectrum.
Shadow Ball- As Thunderbolt fails to hit Claydol and Donphan. I can also hit Uxie hard, as well as Alakazam.
Thunderbolt- Thunderbolt hit's Blaziken and Milotic hard. Milotic is important as it can sometimes outspeed Venusaur, as well as Haze away Ambipom stat boosts. It also packs quite a punch, and can Toxic my sweepers.
The Secret Ingredient
Ambipom (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 80 SDef / 176 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Agility
- Nasty Plot
- Baton Pass
- Taunt
Why Ambipom?
Yo Espeon, I'm really happy for you and I'm going to let you finish, but Girafarig is the best baton passer of all time. Of all time. Well, until I found Ambipom. Ambipom has three things going for it. Firstly, the ability to increase speed and power on ALL my sweepers quickly, meaning I can fit them in on the screens. Secondly, a Normal typing. Where as Espeon was eventual set up fodder for Mismagius and dead to Choice Band Spiritomb and Girafarig packing a nasty weakness to pursuit, Ambipom laughs and set's up. Thirdly, a fast Taunt means this monkey and her assistants ain't be paralyzed or poisoned anytime soon.
Why Leftovers?
Ambipom may be needed again, so any form of recovery is good, no matter how small. Leftovers also increases the amount of times I can Nasty Plot or Agility.
Why Technician?
Because Run Away is useless and crap.
Why those EV's?
Max HP was used to gain as many boosts as possible. The speed EV's ensure I outrun all Mismagius and Scyther, this is especially useful as I can stop set up attempts from Mismagius. I also outrun +Attk natured Alakazam and Dugtrio before an Agility, and out run pretty much anything once I use Agility,. The leftover EV's were dumped in special defence, so I could handle Mismagius' attacks a little better.
Why Timid?
I wanted Ambipom to be the fastest off the mark so in the off chance the user is a taunter I can hit it harder. Jolly could have been used, but I take less damage from confusion.
Why those moves?
Agility- +2 Speed? Baton Pass? Yes please. Let's make sure nothing out runs us, eh?
Nasty Plot- Being able to pass speed is one thing, but special attack too?! Ambipom is the perfect candidate for the job, and when you've got screens up, nothing is going to take you down bar crits.
Baton Pass- The very thing this team lives for. Baton Pass the boosts, congratulate Ambipom as I sweep.
Taunt - When Ambipom is faster than anything in the tier, Taunt makes sure I myself don't get taunted. It also helps to stop status attempts, and turns Chansey into complete set up fodder.
The Bulky Special Sweeper
Milotic (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Marvel Scale
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Recover
Why Milotic?
Milotic serves as the teams 'bulky sweeper'. I say this as it has access to recover. Usually, Milotic comes in after Blaziken has done it's job and cleans up. And with base 81 speed, it gets an edge on many pokemon. Not to mention, Water is a fantastic attacking type, scoring neutral on so many types. Not to mention, if Milotic is statused, it just becomes harder to take down.
Why Life Orb?
As this Milotic is a sweeper, it needs all the power it can get, especially if it doesn't get Calm Mind boosts. Leftovers also reduces power, meaning Venusaur can sometimes survive the hit, and then I lose a good Pokémon. *insert sad face*
Why those EV's?
As this Milotic is a sweeper, it needs all the power and speed it can get. Max speed puts me just ahead of Venusaur and Blaziken, who may be willing to take me on, thinking they can outspeed. This Milotic says NO. Max speed and special attack, with the rest dumped in Special Defence, I think, to increase special defence by a little bit after some Calm Mind action.
Why Timid?
Timid allows me to beat all Blaziken and Venusaur to the punch. The speed given is by far, much greater than the power recieved with Modest.
Why those moves?
Surf- I did have Hydro Pump here, though after some battles, it's accuracy let me down. And let's be honest here, at +3 or so, which is better, power or accuracy?
Ice Beam- Ice beam allows me to hit Grass types for super effective damage. Venusaur ain't stopping me. Ice Beam also hits Altaria, who is somewhat of a pain.
Hidden Power [Grass]- Hidden Power Grass is here so I'm not walled by Lanturn, who can give Blaziken some problems if he has used Super Power.
Recover- This gives my 'bulky sweeper' some form of recovery. It's useful when I'm not quite finished with Milotic.
The Offensive Special Sweeper.
Blaziken (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 192 Atk / 64 Spd / 252 SAtk
Rash Nature (+SAtk, -SDef)
- Vacuum Wave
- Flamethrower
- Superpower
- Hidden Power [Electric]
Why Blaziken?
Blaziken, for those who play UU, is reknown for being a great wall breaker. What if though, it was overpowered? Blaziken serves as once powered up, the Lucario of UU. abusing priority and fantastic coverage with it's STAB move. Blaziken also goes well with Milotic, weakening it's counters, such as Registeel and Chansey, as well as weaken bulky water pokemon, allowing Milotic to clean up. The synergy between Blaziken and Girafarig too, is amazing, as Blaziken can come in on Girafarig's weaknesses, and likewise if need be.
Why Life Orb?
A Blaziken with Life Orb is something to be reckoned with. Also, as Life Orb gives some power out, I don't have to max up my special attacks, meaning Girafarig can be preserved for other pokemon in the team.
Why those EV's?
These are the standard Smogon Agility Blaziken EV's, unchanged due to me having a sure fire way to get the speed boost. Max special attack was a given to give Blaziken maximum sweeping potential. The attack ev's guarantee the KO on Chansey. The rest were thrown into speed to make it even faster. Moar, moar speed I say.
Why Rash?
Because Pursuit, with Blaziken usually comes in on, is physical, as is a vast majority of priority attacks. Rash also means that Superpower's power (loving the play on words) isn't reduced.
Why those moves?
Vacuum Wave- As Agility is being passed via Girafarig, I no longer had to run Agility, meaning a priority move could take it's place. Nuh uh Azumarill Aqua jet.
Flamethrower- For the same reasons as Milotic's Surf, accuracy over the stronger Fire Blast. Flamethrower also hit's Registeel for the KO.
Superpower- For those that notice, the only move on Blaziken that CAN NOT be powered up. Superpower get's the KO on Chansey, meaning Blaziken can sweep all day long, it's main counter gone. A true Infernape.
Hidden Power [Electric]- Wha? Lanturn walls you! True, but I can hit it with Superpower. Hidden Power Electric let's me beat Slowbro, Milotic and Moltres. Lanturn's covered all ready though.
CHANGES I'M CONSIDERING
Suggested by Super Effective, Uxie over Mesprit. More defence for less offence. It could work...
So that's my team. Please rate and offer any suggestions you can think of :)
Last look for y'all.
