The Definition of Offense
Hello Pokemon Online!
It is time I have posted one of my more serious teams. This team has done me so well, beaten a lot of the top players, ect. However, I would like to see some improvement, and your help would be most appreciated! I really wanted to go and create a sand team, and this is what I came up with! The team is pretty much built of the Landorus + Terrakion offensive core. Oddly they share weaknesses, which wouldn't make them an ideal core, but I decided to give them a chance anyways. This team is powerful and almost never loses to offensive teams. However, beating stall is somewhat moderate difficulty, and rain stall is pretty much pulling teeth. Which is why I am here, for some advice!
Team-Building Process:
Hello Pokemon Online!
It is time I have posted one of my more serious teams. This team has done me so well, beaten a lot of the top players, ect. However, I would like to see some improvement, and your help would be most appreciated! I really wanted to go and create a sand team, and this is what I came up with! The team is pretty much built of the Landorus + Terrakion offensive core. Oddly they share weaknesses, which wouldn't make them an ideal core, but I decided to give them a chance anyways. This team is powerful and almost never loses to offensive teams. However, beating stall is somewhat moderate difficulty, and rain stall is pretty much pulling teeth. Which is why I am here, for some advice!
Team-Building Process:
I pretty much started this team with Terrakion and Landorus, as I have seen some pretty solid teams with this offensive core. However, I notice right away why it isn't used too often - they share many common weaknesses! Going from bulky water types, bulky psychic types, scizor, and a glaring rain weakness. Its going to take a whole lot of teambuilding skills to patch these up, so I decide to see what I can do.
I foremost add Tyranitar as the third member to this team, I choose it over Hippowdon because it counters psychic types a bit more easily. It doesn't do much apart from that other than set up sandstorm, and although it helps Landorus, I mainly add it so I can control weather and not make myself weak to the slaughter of the weather-based metagame. I really hate how it makes me even weaker to rain and bulky water types, but Hippo wouldn't be doing anything better, as rock types at least get a special defense boost, so I have to make-do with what I am given.
Some of you may question why I added Celebi, but I ultimately add it so I have something to deal with rain. It leaves me very Scizor weak so far, but it at least can help dish out some nice damage to those troublesome water type opponents that my offensive core struggles to handle. Celebi is bulky, and does its job remotely well, so I find that it makes a great addition to the team.
I add Rotom-W as the fifth member, and that might seem out of place, as Celebi is already doing most of its work, however, Rotom-W can tank Scizor's Bullet Punche's all day. Furthermore, it provides a Volt-Turn core, which make Landorus an all-around sweeper, as I have created a triple core between Landorus and Terrakion, all the while Terrakion likes Rotom-W's support, so the team is looking bright. However, Rotom-W still hates taking banded U-turns from Scizor, so I ultimately am still Volt-Turn weak, but the team doesn't have any glareing weaknesses at this point apart from that.
Latias might seem like the worst sixth member to the team, however, it counters Volt-Turn very well. Furthermore, it has near perfect synergy with Tyranitar, and it has access to Reflect for Scizor. Its bulk and type allow me to set up in rain, and even in sun, and attack aggressively. Hail and Sandstorm fear my offensive core, so that is why the rest of the team counter rain and sun, and overall can defeat a weatherless team.
I continued team building...
My team is very offensive and Latias just wasn't pulling her weight at all. Sure, Volt-Turn is a problem, but I really can't use her in battle due to her lack of power at all. Latios still hits Scizor on the switch with Hidden Power [Fire] so I am fine. However, with this noticable weakness, I must somehow patch it up not. So what shall I do?
Latios can take attacks from rain fine enough. Heatran is one of the best counters to Scizor in the metagame, OHKO'ing Scizor even in rain with its beast 393 SATK stat. It still gives me rocks, like Celebi, but unlike Celebi, it has actual power. Celebi and Heatran both lack in speed, so the only thing I am really missing is the natural cure and additional water sponge. However, Rotom-W and Latios combined have proved more than enough to deal with rain team so I am fine.
I would like to mention that I have changed many sets for my Pokemon in the making of this team. Without further ado, lets get into it!
Tyranitar (M) @
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Superpower
Thanks BKC for suggesiton.
Expecting your standard Specially Defensive piece of shit? Sorry, but my offensive team HATES that slacker. No, we want our Tyranitar to be big and strong, so it can tear holes into my opponents team! I need Tyranitar to KO all those psychic types for me, and I need him to win the weather war. What better way to win a weather war than to 2HKO defensive Politoed with Crunch, and Stone Edge OHKO Ninetales with a burn, and Ninetales can't live a pursuit, while Politoed is usually to weak to live Pursuit once I have weakened him down to where he wants to switch out of Tyranitar. I have been contemplating Fire Punch, or Aqua Tail, over Superpower to hit Scizor with. But all in all, Scizor doesn't usually switch into Tyranitar anyways and I always find Superpower the superior option to either Aqua Tail or Fire Punch. Stone Edge hits Skarm for over 50%, and it gives me a very powerful STAB to play around with (55% to Gliscor?!) I love this thing, and the best thing is, no one every suspects Reuniclus to be OHKO'ed by crunch (and outsped for that matter.) Best pursuit trapper in the game. I love this set, I don't think I will ever go back to mu old DD set, or my wannabe SDEF set at all. The ev spread on Tyranitar allow it to outspeed Skarm and everything slower (hiiii Politoed and Ninetales.) The attack investment for as much power as possible, and the rest is invested in bulk so I can take a few hits before firing off a Banded Crunch or Stone Edge.
Latios (M) @
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Thanks BKC for suggestion.
Latios is a beast. He is THE best revenge killer in the game. Why you might ask? Because everyone and grandma assumes he is specs. Dragons used to torment me, but this thing is the best solution for DragMag teams, as I can easily demolish their dragon sweepers like a tornado would an autumn leaf. I hardly ever have use for Surf or Hidden Power [Fire]. I tried Psychic / Psyshock, and they just suck so bad. Surf hits Heatran, and only Heatran, since DM hits everything that Surf hits much harder, despite the lack of specs. Hidden Power [Fire] can be used in desperate situations against seel types that are trying to maim my team. I usually don't need it, but I need thunderbolt / psychic / psyshock even less than I do HP [Fire]. At least HP Fire kills Scizor on the switch. Psychic does nothing of note, except for maybe KOing Breloom, which Heatran, Draco Meteor, WoW Rotom-W, and Landorus don't mind dealing with it themselves, they just feat spore is all. I lastly added trick. No point in choice recover, while I really DON'T have the need for anymore coverage moves. So trick maims walls. BUt I usually am reluctant to give out my scarf, as I usually need it to revenge something. So I only use Trick once I the threat is dead or if I have to. I usually just spam Daco Meteor anyway.
Rotom-W @
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP / 252 SAtk / 144 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest
Rotom-W is so important to this team I can't even laugh about it. With rain everywhere, I need Rotom-W healthy at all times. Volt-Switch is STAB, and I only run it over Thunderbolt so I can seek out the switch initiative against rain teams. Hydro Pump is a nice water STAB that hits anything without resistance harf. I chose WoW over Hidden Power [Grass] because WoW hits Scizor, CB Dragonite, BU Breloom, and Jirachi. It also maims Gastro, but at the same time, it just helps my team set up or sweep on threats that would normally KO them. I was using Thunder Wave, but I much perfer hitting SD Scizor. CB can be hit by Hydro Pump, but the SD version hates WoW. Salamence also hates WoW. Finally, I put rest. I am sure you all noticed the Chesto Berry. I find this set better than the pain split set because I heal to full health, and I can avoid being beaten by ToxicStall Glsicor and ToxicGastro. I hate having only one oppurtunity to heal, but Pain Split really sucks so badly. Rotom-W can tank Bullet Punches for the team, and is a very good partner with Heatran, I believe better than Celebi, but my preference.
Heatran (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Celebi just really sucked. I love this Heatran. It counters sun, hits Hail hard, reliable rocks, and gives me a steel-type resist for the team! It easily takes down Dragonite, while it also acts as a nice counter to Scizor (superpower is not a OHKO.) With his super high modest special attack, FB will KO CB Scizor even in rain for the win. I just love Heatran. I always have, and I love when I can fit him on one of my teams. I chose HP Ice over Dragon Pulse because I wish to hit Salamence and Dragonite. People get confused on that, as Dragon Pulse has a higher base power. So if I want to hit Haxorus and Latios / Latias, Draogn Pulse would be the better option. People just slap on HP Ice because of coverage when HP Ice fails to OHKO Haxorus and Latios. Just wanted to mention that as I have seen lots of people guide people in the wrong direction because of this. Anyways, Earth Power and Fire Blast are standard, as Flamethrower is too weak and FB wrecks crap. Earth Power loves to kill opposing Heatran whom are otherwise a problem for me. EV spread is pure offensive, why go specially defensive when I can get rocks up and put holes into the opposing team? That's my job as an offensive player, to break and destory!
Terrakion @
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
Thanks again to BKC for set change.
Late game sweeper. Mid game sweeper. Early game sweeper. Powerhouse, stallbreaker, all these roles in one. It's double dancing Terrakion! I really love this set. Most people run LO on this set, but why? LO recoil and hazards just suck balls, plus SD gives you all that power anyways. Meanwhile Rock Gem help put things like Jellicent, Gliscor, Tentacruel, and anything that could take a +0 Stone Edge dead. +2 Stone Edge w/ Rock Gem demolishes everything. Close Combat and Stone Edge coverage is not to be messed with. I will try and sweep you with my blood hound, so watch out! The effort value spread is obvious, maximum speed and attack to fully operate as a sweeper. Jolly nature is a must to speed time with other 108 base speed Pokemon. Rock Polish and Swords Dance can be used depending on my opponents team and can be used to win me the match. Pro tip: Terrakion can live from an EQ from +0 Gliscor. Translation: +2 Spe / +2 Atk and go for the sweep. Scizors a bitch though, which is why he loves Rotom-W and Heatran soooo much!
Landorus (M) @
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 172 Atk / 84 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
My last and final member of the team! You might wonder why I run FB, but I can hit Skarm with it for surprise, and 2HKO him after rocks. I was using LO, but I hated the recoil damage, so I stuck with Expert Belt. I can still bluff the choice set, just like the actual EB set. The attack drop is hardly noticeable, while I can also get the surprise 2HKO on Ferrothorn as well! Pro tip: HP Ice on other Landorus sets does not OHKO Dragonite after rocks while this one does. Earthquake is here to abuse that lovely sand force and STAB attack. Stone Edge is standard, hitting your flying types all day long, and Hidden Power Ice your everyday Gliscor and Dragonite. FB may seem situational, but U-turn isn't all that great neither. FB is a lot better than using Volt-Turn, so I just stick with FB. The evs are so that Lando can 2HKO Skarm with FB, and do around 68% to Ferrothorn and OHKO Dragonite after rocks. The rest is invested into speed, so I can out speed base 100s, and I finally dump the rest into attack to maximize my physical attacks.
Conclusion
I hope you all like this team, it took a while to make. Please rate or comment, thanks!
Shurtugal
Importable:
Tyranitar (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Superpower
Latios (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Rotom-W @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP / 252 SAtk / 144 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest
Heatran (F) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Terrakion @ Rock Gem
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
Landorus (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 172 Atk / 84 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Superpower
Latios (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Rotom-W @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 112 HP / 252 SAtk / 144 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest
Heatran (F) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Terrakion @ Rock Gem
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
Landorus (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 172 Atk / 84 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
