Many of you who have tried the new 5th gen game using pokemononline's server have likely faced a team consisting mainly of Reparudasu spamming Assist and Dragon Tailing a team repeatedly. The strategy has been mentioned in several other topics, and I hope to promote discussion regarding counters and potentially optimizing a team based around this gimmick.
For those who have yet to hear about this strategy, it mainly involves the move Assist, which randomly chooses ANY move any member of your team, dead or alive, has. There are a few exceptions to this, but Dragon Tail (Power: 60 Accuracy: 90) is NOT one of them. Dragon Tail is in the same low priority bracket as Roar and Whirlwind, but when paired with Assist the low priority is ignored. In fact, using a Reparudasu allows for its DW ability, Mischievous Heart, to give Assist priority. One could also add entry hazards, but this decreases the reliability of Assist to give you Dragon Tail.
Though MH Reparudasu is not released, it is in the data and sometime in the future this team can be a reality. As far as pokemononline's beta which includes Dream World abilities, this team is a reality.
This team is ultimately a gimmick, from testing it simply seems more likely to lose than to win, but it's managed to beat a few offensive teams, with particular success against non-Sandstorm weather teams. Even if it's a gimmick, it can be improved...
The Multiple Assist Team - As will be discussed later, there are many counters to an Assist Team, but many of them are "soft". A multiple assist team runs several pokemon who can use the move Assist, but because of that limitation none of the 6 pokemon can have an "assist-able" move. I'm not sure whether item clause will be commonly implemented in 5th gen metagame, but I'm playing it safe and implementing here.
The Star of the Show:
#510 - Reparudasu - Wide Lens
Ability: Mischievous Heart - Nature: Jolly - Max Atk/Spd EVs
-Assist
-Covet
-Protect
It's job is the spam Assist, the Wide Lens is there to give it 99% accuracy Dragon Tail, which is basically a hit. If a team lacks any counters at all, this guy should sweep 5 pokemon on their team. That above case is pretty rare.
Dragon Tail Sources:
#445 - Garchomp - Rugged Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin - Nature: Adamant - Max Atk/HP EVs (Perhaps also run Defense EVs)
-Dragon Tail
-Protect
Or...
#621 - Kurimugan - Rugged Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin - Nature: Adamant - Max Atk/HP EVs (Perhaps also run Defense EVs)
-Dragon Tail
-Protect
When I tried the team, I found using one was best. Rugged Helmet with Rough Skin lets you switch into people using Extremespeed, along with potentially other contact moves. A strong STAB Dragon Tail can help kill the "last pokemon" of the enemy team, good Defensive EVs can ensure you can hit people with a few Dragon Tails. Garchomp has better stats, but Kurimugan is more likely to survive with its better Defensive Typing (that Ground typing doesn't help much without any STABs...).
Other Assist Users:
Handling the Final Pokemon:
#235 - Smeargle - Focus Sash
Ability: Doesn't Matter (Inconsistent for fun times!) - Nature: Doesn't Matter - EVs - Max Spd, otherwise, doesn't matter.
-Destiny Bond
-Dragon Tail
-Protect
Spam Destiny Bond, kill the last pokemon. There's really no safe way to do this. If their final pokemon lacks any setup moves and runs only attack moves just keep Spamming Destiny Bond and you'll die, taking them with you. If you want to waste another slot, you can try using a Choice-Scarf Tricker as well.
Other Options:
Ursaring - Ability: Quick Feet - Toxic Orb
-Covet
-Focus Punch
-Protect
STAB Covet... possible.
-A metronome spamming pokemon, potentially. Togekiss can be a Choice-Tricker, then spam Metronome.
Personally I ran the Repardasu, Choroneko, Infernape, Weavile, Kurimugan and Smeargle.
Single Cat Strategy
#510 - Reparudasu - Leftovers
Ability: Mischievous Heart - Nature: Jolly - Max Atk/Spd EVs
-Assist
-Claw Sharpen
-2 Utility Moves (Rain Dance, Substitute, Taunt, Encore? Plenty of options)
In my opinion a much riskier strategy. Idea is that with Leftovers you can successfully ignore your biggest counter - Sandstorm Teams (which are all the rage). Behind a Substitute you don't have to worry about priority stun spore... but plenty of other things can stop you. Extremespeed, Contact moves... Basic strategy is to Assist until you force a switch to something you think you can take a hit from, potentially. Claw Sharpen, then proceed to sweep away. Your team's Assists are neutered in that they can potentially Claw Sharpen. I haven't tried a single cat strategy yet.
COUNTERS
I don't mean for this to be a rate-my-team or the like, I provided an example, and IMO the essential parts of an Assist Team. What opinions exist on how viable an Assist team set is? Even within the limited confines of moves that aren't selected by Assist, would an Assist team have any place within a viable metagame? Thoughts?
For those who have yet to hear about this strategy, it mainly involves the move Assist, which randomly chooses ANY move any member of your team, dead or alive, has. There are a few exceptions to this, but Dragon Tail (Power: 60 Accuracy: 90) is NOT one of them. Dragon Tail is in the same low priority bracket as Roar and Whirlwind, but when paired with Assist the low priority is ignored. In fact, using a Reparudasu allows for its DW ability, Mischievous Heart, to give Assist priority. One could also add entry hazards, but this decreases the reliability of Assist to give you Dragon Tail.
Though MH Reparudasu is not released, it is in the data and sometime in the future this team can be a reality. As far as pokemononline's beta which includes Dream World abilities, this team is a reality.
This team is ultimately a gimmick, from testing it simply seems more likely to lose than to win, but it's managed to beat a few offensive teams, with particular success against non-Sandstorm weather teams. Even if it's a gimmick, it can be improved...
The Multiple Assist Team - As will be discussed later, there are many counters to an Assist Team, but many of them are "soft". A multiple assist team runs several pokemon who can use the move Assist, but because of that limitation none of the 6 pokemon can have an "assist-able" move. I'm not sure whether item clause will be commonly implemented in 5th gen metagame, but I'm playing it safe and implementing here.
The Star of the Show:
#510 - Reparudasu - Wide Lens
Ability: Mischievous Heart - Nature: Jolly - Max Atk/Spd EVs
-Assist
-Covet
-Protect
It's job is the spam Assist, the Wide Lens is there to give it 99% accuracy Dragon Tail, which is basically a hit. If a team lacks any counters at all, this guy should sweep 5 pokemon on their team. That above case is pretty rare.
Dragon Tail Sources:
#445 - Garchomp - Rugged Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin - Nature: Adamant - Max Atk/HP EVs (Perhaps also run Defense EVs)
-Dragon Tail
-Protect
Or...
#621 - Kurimugan - Rugged Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin - Nature: Adamant - Max Atk/HP EVs (Perhaps also run Defense EVs)
-Dragon Tail
-Protect
When I tried the team, I found using one was best. Rugged Helmet with Rough Skin lets you switch into people using Extremespeed, along with potentially other contact moves. A strong STAB Dragon Tail can help kill the "last pokemon" of the enemy team, good Defensive EVs can ensure you can hit people with a few Dragon Tails. Garchomp has better stats, but Kurimugan is more likely to survive with its better Defensive Typing (that Ground typing doesn't help much without any STABs...).
Other Assist Users:
Not necessarily needed... but there are a few other standout assist users.
#509 - Choroneko - Leftovers
Ability: Mischievous Heart - Nature: Jolly - Max Atk/Spd EVs
-Assist
-Covet
-Protect
You can run Wide Lens w/o Item Clause to have a weaker Reparudasu. Leftovers lets you wall Sandstorm Teams, but you'll be throwing around very risky 90% Dragon Tails at a really low attack.
Others don't stand out as much, but can be useful in a pinch...
Infernape - Choice Scarf/Band
-Assist
-Counter
-Protect
Weavile - Choice Scarf/Band
-Assist
-Protect
-Counter
Depending on your build or EV Spread, they can serve as emergency Assist users, but they operate at 90% accuracy and die to priority moves like it's nobody's business. They serve multiple utility roles, Counter can work to throw back Extremespeeds if you run a bulkier build... they also die pretty quickly, so if you need a safe switch in they can serve as potential suiciders. Finally, at the end they can try to kill off the last remaining pokemon with their very high-attack Dragon Tails, though obviously Garchomp and Kurimugan do this job much better.
#509 - Choroneko - Leftovers
Ability: Mischievous Heart - Nature: Jolly - Max Atk/Spd EVs
-Assist
-Covet
-Protect
You can run Wide Lens w/o Item Clause to have a weaker Reparudasu. Leftovers lets you wall Sandstorm Teams, but you'll be throwing around very risky 90% Dragon Tails at a really low attack.
Others don't stand out as much, but can be useful in a pinch...
Infernape - Choice Scarf/Band
-Assist
-Counter
-Protect
Weavile - Choice Scarf/Band
-Assist
-Protect
-Counter
Depending on your build or EV Spread, they can serve as emergency Assist users, but they operate at 90% accuracy and die to priority moves like it's nobody's business. They serve multiple utility roles, Counter can work to throw back Extremespeeds if you run a bulkier build... they also die pretty quickly, so if you need a safe switch in they can serve as potential suiciders. Finally, at the end they can try to kill off the last remaining pokemon with their very high-attack Dragon Tails, though obviously Garchomp and Kurimugan do this job much better.
Handling the Final Pokemon:
#235 - Smeargle - Focus Sash
Ability: Doesn't Matter (Inconsistent for fun times!) - Nature: Doesn't Matter - EVs - Max Spd, otherwise, doesn't matter.
-Destiny Bond
-Dragon Tail
-Protect
Spam Destiny Bond, kill the last pokemon. There's really no safe way to do this. If their final pokemon lacks any setup moves and runs only attack moves just keep Spamming Destiny Bond and you'll die, taking them with you. If you want to waste another slot, you can try using a Choice-Scarf Tricker as well.
Other Options:
Ursaring - Ability: Quick Feet - Toxic Orb
-Covet
-Focus Punch
-Protect
STAB Covet... possible.
-A metronome spamming pokemon, potentially. Togekiss can be a Choice-Tricker, then spam Metronome.
Personally I ran the Repardasu, Choroneko, Infernape, Weavile, Kurimugan and Smeargle.
Single Cat Strategy
#510 - Reparudasu - Leftovers
Ability: Mischievous Heart - Nature: Jolly - Max Atk/Spd EVs
-Assist
-Claw Sharpen
-2 Utility Moves (Rain Dance, Substitute, Taunt, Encore? Plenty of options)
In my opinion a much riskier strategy. Idea is that with Leftovers you can successfully ignore your biggest counter - Sandstorm Teams (which are all the rage). Behind a Substitute you don't have to worry about priority stun spore... but plenty of other things can stop you. Extremespeed, Contact moves... Basic strategy is to Assist until you force a switch to something you think you can take a hit from, potentially. Claw Sharpen, then proceed to sweep away. Your team's Assists are neutered in that they can potentially Claw Sharpen. I haven't tried a single cat strategy yet.
COUNTERS
-Erufunn will SubSeed you to death... well, Erufunn can do alot of things to absolutely screw you over. It's a pretty hard counter.
-Extremespeed users is a near-aboslute death kneel for this team, but you can actually reliably damage them with Rugged Helmet pokemon. However, generally speaking you'll lose teammembers (if not the whole team) trying to deal with an Extremespeed User. Fast Priority users, such as Ice Shard Weavile, serve a similar purpose as counters. Ice Shard Weavile also doesn't have to worry about eating a Helmet recoil.
-SandStream. Places your entire operation on a timer of sorts, with the exception of a Leftovers running Assist spammer (who now only has 90 accuracy Dragon Tail). Sandstream users tend to resist attempts at Dragon Tailing with bulk. You could potentially throw the Fighting-Type Dragon Tail variant on Smeargle, but it's risky with the presence of Ghosts. A potential variant of the Assist team could include a Drought/Drizzle pokemon to clear the weather if a Streamer is killed (probably only via the Fighting attack).
-Contact Effects - Flame Body, Cursed Body, Static, Poison Barbs, Mummy... they are somewhat luck dependent, but can cripple your current Assist user or otherwise place its life on a timer. Regeneration can potentially be bad too (never faced one though). Iron Barbs, Rough Skin and/or Rugged Helmet also suck tremendously for you.
-Choice Scarf Ditto - They'll Assist first... but then again, they could get really unlucky.
-The Final Pokemon. A pure non-set up sweeper or a Choiced pokemon will die fast to Destiny-Bond Smeargle. A rest-talker will also likely die to Smeargle, and of course a STAB Dragon Tail can rip open the enemy team. A pokemon with a set up move that has more PP than Destiny Bond can basically outlast Smeargle then kill it. If you manage to kill the the rest of the enemy team while leaving most of your pokemon intact, the last pokemon is usually beatable.
-Walls can waste your PP, but what generally happens is that Walls end up as the last pokemon on the opponent's team.
-ANOTHER assist team. Gambling time...
-Extremespeed users is a near-aboslute death kneel for this team, but you can actually reliably damage them with Rugged Helmet pokemon. However, generally speaking you'll lose teammembers (if not the whole team) trying to deal with an Extremespeed User. Fast Priority users, such as Ice Shard Weavile, serve a similar purpose as counters. Ice Shard Weavile also doesn't have to worry about eating a Helmet recoil.
-SandStream. Places your entire operation on a timer of sorts, with the exception of a Leftovers running Assist spammer (who now only has 90 accuracy Dragon Tail). Sandstream users tend to resist attempts at Dragon Tailing with bulk. You could potentially throw the Fighting-Type Dragon Tail variant on Smeargle, but it's risky with the presence of Ghosts. A potential variant of the Assist team could include a Drought/Drizzle pokemon to clear the weather if a Streamer is killed (probably only via the Fighting attack).
-Contact Effects - Flame Body, Cursed Body, Static, Poison Barbs, Mummy... they are somewhat luck dependent, but can cripple your current Assist user or otherwise place its life on a timer. Regeneration can potentially be bad too (never faced one though). Iron Barbs, Rough Skin and/or Rugged Helmet also suck tremendously for you.
-Choice Scarf Ditto - They'll Assist first... but then again, they could get really unlucky.
-The Final Pokemon. A pure non-set up sweeper or a Choiced pokemon will die fast to Destiny-Bond Smeargle. A rest-talker will also likely die to Smeargle, and of course a STAB Dragon Tail can rip open the enemy team. A pokemon with a set up move that has more PP than Destiny Bond can basically outlast Smeargle then kill it. If you manage to kill the the rest of the enemy team while leaving most of your pokemon intact, the last pokemon is usually beatable.
-Walls can waste your PP, but what generally happens is that Walls end up as the last pokemon on the opponent's team.
-ANOTHER assist team. Gambling time...
I don't mean for this to be a rate-my-team or the like, I provided an example, and IMO the essential parts of an Assist Team. What opinions exist on how viable an Assist team set is? Even within the limited confines of moves that aren't selected by Assist, would an Assist team have any place within a viable metagame? Thoughts?