"Give me a minute, I'm good. Give me an hour, I'm great. Give me six months, I'm unbeatable." - Liam Neeson, The A-Team
So since every one knows this team, I may as well post an RMT before I leave for the summer. This team has been my most successful in this metagame (unfortunately, nowhere near my most successful team - ironically I had had a better team every other metagame but the one for SPL :/). In case anyone cares, this team went 2-1 in SPL (but I'm 2-4 as of now....) and top 10 on the ladder etc. As the above quote points out, the longer it takes to stop my set up, the harder it will be for the opponent. Just one layer of Spikes is good enough, though.
This team was based around one premise: set up Spikes, and sweep Milotic-less teams with Moltres. If a team had Milotic - many do - I needed to play more aggressively with Hidden Power Grass and double-switches to Venusaur. With Spikes damage racking up on Milotic, I could even break through it. Once I destroy most of the opponent's team, Swellow cleans up easily. Swellow has quite a unique role for this team actually, but I'll get to that later. I'm going to skip through the team building process since it's very obvious, so here is the team at a glance:
"There is no Plan B"
This team was based around one premise: set up Spikes, and sweep Milotic-less teams with Moltres. If a team had Milotic - many do - I needed to play more aggressively with Hidden Power Grass and double-switches to Venusaur. With Spikes damage racking up on Milotic, I could even break through it. Once I destroy most of the opponent's team, Swellow cleans up easily. Swellow has quite a unique role for this team actually, but I'll get to that later. I'm going to skip through the team building process since it's very obvious, so here is the team at a glance:
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The A-Team:
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Murdock the Qwilfish (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Poison Point
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Taunt
- Spikes
- Explosion
- Aqua Jet
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Role Summary: Murdock is a crazy ass fool. I go all out with Spikes almost every match then explode. If I see threatening sweeper that resists explosion or something, I'll Taunt them to stop set up. It's pretty easy to use. I try to predict the switches on Explosion to get an extra layer as well.
Moveset: Spikes is there because it's a key aspect of this team. Taunt stops opposing bulky set-up leads. Explosion allows Qwilfish to often set up a layer then KO the opponent and itself. Aqua Jet is there to hit Moltres beffore it 2HKOes.
EVs, Nature, and Item: Focus Sash gives two attacks against most targets, which is quite helpful.
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 Spd/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- Leaf Storm
- Synthesis
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Role Summary: Venusaur doesn't do the muscling through the opponent like Moltres, but it does everything that Moltres can't. When making this team, I knew I would need something like Venusaur to switch into Milotic. Being as Venusaur is the one Pokemon that almost completely walls Milotic, I decided to use Venusaur. After Roserade left for OU, Venusaur has been running show. It can switch into various Water-type attacks and inflict major damage to the opponent, since Venusaur has very few viable switch-ins that aren't destroyed by Sleep Powder. Any Pokemon that can switch in likely get destroyed by the rest of my team.
Moveset: Standard special LO set, no catch, no gimmicks, no anything. This set has always been the most effective for me.
EVs, Nature, and Item: I chose max Speed and Timid because I wanted to get the jump on other base 80s and make people curse themselves for using Modest Moltres. The loss in power is not very significant either.
Charisa the Swellow (F) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Quick Attack
- U-turn
- Facade
- Pursuit
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Role Summary: Swellow, unlike on most teams, has a very unique role on this team. Not only is it meant to clean up late game, but it also plays a major factor in removing specific threats for Donpnhan and Moltres in particular. It also is probably the best Pokemon for spreading Spikes damage, often I'll just U-turn 1-2 times as the opponent switches in their Rhyperior only to get destroyed by Swellow after its in KO range from Facade.
Moveset: Facade, QA, and U-turn have pretty straightforward uses, however Pursuit is something quite different. Pursuit allows me to do many things that are essential to this teams success. Firstly, it allows me to trap Psychic-types and KO them early in the match. If the opponent is allowed to conserve their Psychic-type, I'll simply lose the match since I have absolutely nothing that can switch into Specs/LO Psychic from Alakazam (however Donphan can easily take one if it comes in). Another use for Pursuit is to trap Ghost-types, namely Mismagius. If Swellow comes in on Mismagius, you can almost be sure they will either try to set up a Substitute or switch. Either way, Mismagius will faint if it attempts to do anything except Thunderbolt. Rotom is also a huge pain in the ass for Swellow, but if it's locked into Shadow Ball and Swellow comes in, bye bye Swellow counter! The last reason I use Pursuit is to hit Chansey and Slowking on the switch. There comes a point vs balance (Slowking) and stall (Chansey) where I just need to sweep with Moltres otherwise my team will slowly dwindle away. Slowking will almost assuredly switch out of Swellow in fear of U-turn or Facade. Similarly, Chansey will almost always switch out of Swellow in fear of losing their crutch special wall. When these Pokemon switch out, though they won't be KOed, they will always be put in range for Moltres to 2HKO them.
EVs, Nature, and Item: I don't need to explain much here. Max/Max for sweeping potential and Toxic Orb for Guts.
The A-Team:
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Capt. "Howling Mad" Murdock
Capt. "Howling Mad" Murdock: If you wear these 3D glasses it looks like we're being shot at.
Sgt. Bosco "B.A" Baracus: We are being shot at you crazy ass fool.
Capt. "Howling Mad" Murdock: If you wear these 3D glasses it looks like we're being shot at.
Sgt. Bosco "B.A" Baracus: We are being shot at you crazy ass fool.
Murdock the Qwilfish (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Poison Point
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Taunt
- Spikes
- Explosion
- Aqua Jet
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Role Summary: Murdock is a crazy ass fool. I go all out with Spikes almost every match then explode. If I see threatening sweeper that resists explosion or something, I'll Taunt them to stop set up. It's pretty easy to use. I try to predict the switches on Explosion to get an extra layer as well.
Moveset: Spikes is there because it's a key aspect of this team. Taunt stops opposing bulky set-up leads. Explosion allows Qwilfish to often set up a layer then KO the opponent and itself. Aqua Jet is there to hit Moltres beffore it 2HKOes.
EVs, Nature, and Item: Focus Sash gives two attacks against most targets, which is quite helpful.
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Hannibal the Donphan (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP/68 Def/188 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
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Role Summary: Donphan is a staple on most of my teams, and with good reason. It not only sets up Stealth Rock reliably, it can Rapid Spin opponents' entry hazards away. It also has the ability to check many threats. It's really the glue that holds the team together.
Moveset: Roar was chosen because without any Attack EVs, my attacks will merely dent the opponent's levitating Ghosts. It also deals with Pokemon such as Feraligatr, Torterra, and Magnet Rise Aggron far more effectively.
EVs, Nature, and Item: It seems as if my Donphan spread gets more defensive every time I post an RMT. I need Donphan to survive Houndoom Fire Blast and Milotic Surf so that I can OHKO them or Spin respectively. The rest is dumped into Defense.
Face the Venusaur (M) @ Life OrbCol. John "Hannibal" Smith
Col. John "Hannibal" Smith: I love it when a plan comes together.
Col. John "Hannibal" Smith: I love it when a plan comes together.
Hannibal the Donphan (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP/68 Def/188 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
---
Role Summary: Donphan is a staple on most of my teams, and with good reason. It not only sets up Stealth Rock reliably, it can Rapid Spin opponents' entry hazards away. It also has the ability to check many threats. It's really the glue that holds the team together.
Moveset: Roar was chosen because without any Attack EVs, my attacks will merely dent the opponent's levitating Ghosts. It also deals with Pokemon such as Feraligatr, Torterra, and Magnet Rise Aggron far more effectively.
EVs, Nature, and Item: It seems as if my Donphan spread gets more defensive every time I post an RMT. I need Donphan to survive Houndoom Fire Blast and Milotic Surf so that I can OHKO them or Spin respectively. The rest is dumped into Defense.
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B.A. the Moltres @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Roost
- Air Slash
- Hidden Power [Grass]
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Role Summary: Moltres is a bad ass. It gives me a bulky hard-hitting fast sweeper, and all I need to do to keep it is Spin away a few stones! Moltres is my go-to Pokemon. If I have Spikes and Stealth Rock set up, I'll likely just go to Moltres since it beats so many Pokemon. Worst case scenario: they switch in Milotic and are forced to recover. Best case scenario: they don't have Milotic and they lose a Pokemon. I also have Swellow to get rid of Slowking and Chansey.
Moveset: Standard Sweeper Moltres set. I'm tempted to use Peck because Air Slash misses at the worst times (not really).
EVs, Nature, and Item: Maximum Speed and Timid because I need this to outpace all of the +Spe Venusaurs around. Otherwise, max SpA for maximum damage.
Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck
Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck: Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot! Adios Mother Fucker!
Sgt. Bosco "B.A." Baracus
Sgt. Bosco "B.A" Baracus: I'm B.A., you're going to be unconscious.
Sgt. Bosco "B.A" Baracus: I'm B.A., you're going to be unconscious.
B.A. the Moltres @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Roost
- Air Slash
- Hidden Power [Grass]
---
Role Summary: Moltres is a bad ass. It gives me a bulky hard-hitting fast sweeper, and all I need to do to keep it is Spin away a few stones! Moltres is my go-to Pokemon. If I have Spikes and Stealth Rock set up, I'll likely just go to Moltres since it beats so many Pokemon. Worst case scenario: they switch in Milotic and are forced to recover. Best case scenario: they don't have Milotic and they lose a Pokemon. I also have Swellow to get rid of Slowking and Chansey.
Moveset: Standard Sweeper Moltres set. I'm tempted to use Peck because Air Slash misses at the worst times (not really).
EVs, Nature, and Item: Maximum Speed and Timid because I need this to outpace all of the +Spe Venusaurs around. Otherwise, max SpA for maximum damage.
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Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck
Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck: Alpha, Mike, Foxtrot! Adios Mother Fucker!
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 Spd/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Sludge Bomb
- Sleep Powder
- Leaf Storm
- Synthesis
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Role Summary: Venusaur doesn't do the muscling through the opponent like Moltres, but it does everything that Moltres can't. When making this team, I knew I would need something like Venusaur to switch into Milotic. Being as Venusaur is the one Pokemon that almost completely walls Milotic, I decided to use Venusaur. After Roserade left for OU, Venusaur has been running show. It can switch into various Water-type attacks and inflict major damage to the opponent, since Venusaur has very few viable switch-ins that aren't destroyed by Sleep Powder. Any Pokemon that can switch in likely get destroyed by the rest of my team.
Moveset: Standard special LO set, no catch, no gimmicks, no anything. This set has always been the most effective for me.
EVs, Nature, and Item: I chose max Speed and Timid because I wanted to get the jump on other base 80s and make people curse themselves for using Modest Moltres. The loss in power is not very significant either.
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Pike the Rotom @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Ice]
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Role Summary: Rotom is basically my "Oh shit button". If they send in their Donphan or Hitmontop on something like my Donphan and threaten to spin my precious Spikes away, I immediately go to Rotom. If they send in their DD Feraligatr or Rock Polish Torterra on my Donphan, I immediately go to Rotom. Rotom is the glue that holds this team together. It gives me breathing room; one mistake one fuck me up for the whole match.
Moveset: Standard Scarf set, but I'm using HP Ice to deal with RP Torterra. The only other attack that requires a bit of explanation is Trick, since I use it differently than most. If I switch my Rotom into Hitmontop, I will almost always attempt to trick it. If I can stop it from Spinning for the whole match, I'll have a much easier time winning. Against stall, I will Trick something as soon as possible. Against offense, however, I will probably never Trick. The Scarf is necessary for so many threats.
EVs, Nature, and Item: Timid, Max Speed, and Choice Scarf are all necessary to beat Pokemon like Torterra after a boost as well as other common Choice Scarf users.
Brock Pike
Brock Pike: As my last wish, please don't let this guy kill me.
Brock Pike: As my last wish, please don't let this guy kill me.
Pike the Rotom @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Hidden Power [Ice]
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Role Summary: Rotom is basically my "Oh shit button". If they send in their Donphan or Hitmontop on something like my Donphan and threaten to spin my precious Spikes away, I immediately go to Rotom. If they send in their DD Feraligatr or Rock Polish Torterra on my Donphan, I immediately go to Rotom. Rotom is the glue that holds this team together. It gives me breathing room; one mistake one fuck me up for the whole match.
Moveset: Standard Scarf set, but I'm using HP Ice to deal with RP Torterra. The only other attack that requires a bit of explanation is Trick, since I use it differently than most. If I switch my Rotom into Hitmontop, I will almost always attempt to trick it. If I can stop it from Spinning for the whole match, I'll have a much easier time winning. Against stall, I will Trick something as soon as possible. Against offense, however, I will probably never Trick. The Scarf is necessary for so many threats.
EVs, Nature, and Item: Timid, Max Speed, and Choice Scarf are all necessary to beat Pokemon like Torterra after a boost as well as other common Choice Scarf users.
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Capt. Charisa Sosa
Capt. Charisa Sosa: They are the best and they specialize in the ridiculous.
Capt. Charisa Sosa
Capt. Charisa Sosa: They are the best and they specialize in the ridiculous.
Charisa the Swellow (F) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Quick Attack
- U-turn
- Facade
- Pursuit
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Role Summary: Swellow, unlike on most teams, has a very unique role on this team. Not only is it meant to clean up late game, but it also plays a major factor in removing specific threats for Donpnhan and Moltres in particular. It also is probably the best Pokemon for spreading Spikes damage, often I'll just U-turn 1-2 times as the opponent switches in their Rhyperior only to get destroyed by Swellow after its in KO range from Facade.
Moveset: Facade, QA, and U-turn have pretty straightforward uses, however Pursuit is something quite different. Pursuit allows me to do many things that are essential to this teams success. Firstly, it allows me to trap Psychic-types and KO them early in the match. If the opponent is allowed to conserve their Psychic-type, I'll simply lose the match since I have absolutely nothing that can switch into Specs/LO Psychic from Alakazam (however Donphan can easily take one if it comes in). Another use for Pursuit is to trap Ghost-types, namely Mismagius. If Swellow comes in on Mismagius, you can almost be sure they will either try to set up a Substitute or switch. Either way, Mismagius will faint if it attempts to do anything except Thunderbolt. Rotom is also a huge pain in the ass for Swellow, but if it's locked into Shadow Ball and Swellow comes in, bye bye Swellow counter! The last reason I use Pursuit is to hit Chansey and Slowking on the switch. There comes a point vs balance (Slowking) and stall (Chansey) where I just need to sweep with Moltres otherwise my team will slowly dwindle away. Slowking will almost assuredly switch out of Swellow in fear of U-turn or Facade. Similarly, Chansey will almost always switch out of Swellow in fear of losing their crutch special wall. When these Pokemon switch out, though they won't be KOed, they will always be put in range for Moltres to 2HKO them.
EVs, Nature, and Item: I don't need to explain much here. Max/Max for sweeping potential and Toxic Orb for Guts.
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Threat list coming.
