The Finesse of Bulky Offense: A Flash From the Past [OU]
Blissey: Swampert can switch into any of its moves and set up on it.
Bronzong: Bronzong isn't too much of a problem since my team remains pretty slow. Bronzong has no business trying to wall any of my Pokémon except Metagross anyways.
Celebi: Celebi is such a pain to deal with, especially if they carry Hidden Power Fire + Thunder Wave or are on a stall team. My best bet is to lure it out with Swampert and make a double switch into Salamence or something. Heatran and Celebi hit it for good damage too.
Cresselia: Scizor hits it for a large amount of damage with U-Turn. Swampert can set up on most Cresselia as well.
Donphan: I never see these anymore, but Celebi is the best counter I have.
Dusknoir: Swampert can set up on it without much trouble either. Heatran can switch into predicted Will-O-Wisp's, but Pressure hurts.
Forretress: Salamence, Celebi, and Heatran deal with it easily through the use of a Fire-type attack.
Gliscor: Celebi is my best counter to Gliscor, since Leaf Storm deals about 80% if I remember correctly. Baton Pass versions give my team major trouble though.
Gyarados: My Celebi deals a fair amount of damage with Leaf Storm. However, defensive Gyarados are tricky since I lack Electric-type moves.
Hippowdon: Celebi counters it perfectly and usually lures out another Pokémon that I can Thunder Wave.
Jirachi: My Salamence deals a large amount of damage with Fire Blast, and Heatran is the best counter to it anyways.
Rotom-A: My Swampert can set up against non-choiced Rotom-a, but I have to play carefully around Trick versions. Usually, my Metagross can lure them out and I get a free switch to Heatran on a predicted Overheat.
Skarmory: My Special attackers deal with it with ease.
Snorlax: Snorlax is tricky. My best bet is to switch straight to Scizor and Superpower it, putting it into KO range from my other Pokémon.
Suicune: Suicune is a bit tricky. However, a Leaf Storm from Celebi hurts it pretty badly, even with a Calm Mind. Draco Meteor from Salamence deals a fair amount assuming it hasn't gotten to many boosts.
Swampert: Celebi is a 100% counter.
Tentacruel: Metagross can hit it hard with Earthquake while being able to take a few Surf's. Salamence can also switch into any attack bar Ice Beam and hit it with Earthquake.
Tyranitar: Defensive Tyranitar are handled by Scizor, Metagross, and even Swampert, who can Curse along with it.
Vaporeon: Celebi can hit it hard with Leaf Storm, but the rest of my Pokémon have trouble with it.
Zapdos: Swampert counters Zapdos without Hidden Power Grass. Salamence OHKOes most Zapdos with Draco Meteor after Stealth Rock damage.
Azelf
Breloom
Dragonite
Dugtrio
Electivire
Gallade
Gengar
Gyarados
Heatran
Heracross
Infernape
Jolteon
Kingdra
Lucario
Machamp
Magnezone
Mamoswine
Metagross
Porygon-Z
Salamence
Scizor
Starmie
Suicune
Togekiss
Tyranitar
Weavile
Yanmega
Zapdos
- I've been considering replacing my current Salamence with the SubToxic Zapdos set listed in the analysis. My main reasoning for this change is that Zapdos would help weaken Swampert's counter through Toxic, and stall would require less prediction to deal with overall.
- If possible, I think it would be for the benefit of this team if I replaced Heatran. Although it is helpful in eliminating Pokémon such as Lucario, it is extremely dangerous for this team losing the momentum as a Pokémon resisting Heatran's selected attack comes in.
- My former tutor, reachzero, suggested that I replace my current Salamence for the standard Dragon Dance set. However, I am hesistant with opting for this decision since I don't like to sacrifice Pokémon unless it is absolutely necessary, and in my opinion, most Salamence tend to die really quickly.
Well, I suppose that's about all I had to share about my team. Whether you have suggestions to share, or simply want to base one of your teams off of mine, I'd like to thank you for taking a look at my RMT.
The Finesse of Bulky Offense:
A Flash From the Past
*I changed the title; sue me.*
Before I begin, I'd like to thank you for checking out my RMT. I received the inspiration for this team by remembering a team I built a few months ago that was working extremely well on the ladder until Latias was introduced into the metagame. Now, I have placed my best effort into resurrecting a team that has been successful in the past and revamping it for use in the current metagame.
It is my goal to share how a team consisting of bulky offense is built and functions in the OU metagame. Of course, this team still has problems that I need help fixing.
This team has gotten me onto the leaderboard a few times, but I have stopped laddering for a while as I am trying to learn about the other metagames, not too mention hax was annoying me to no end.
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Preview:
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Metagross @ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/224 Atk/12 Def/20 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Explosion
Metagross is nearly always the quintessential lead in any offensive team for its ability to deal with most other leads and always being able to set up Stealth Rock, as long as the opponent doesn't have Taunt. I used to run Jirachi over Metagross, but I felt Jirachi had a more difficult time in being able to set up Stealth Rock as Metagross is much more geared to being able to take hits from other leads. Metagross serves an effective check to many top-tier threats such as MixApe, who otherwise gives my team some trouble. Stealth Rock is an obvious must, Meteor Mash is used as a STAB move against Pokémon who don't resist, Earthquake hits other Steels, and Explosion makes sure I always take something down when Metagross is low on health. Swampert resists Fire-type attacks aimed at Metagross, and Celebi and Salamence can switch into Ground-type attacks. The Speed EVs given allow my own Metagross to outspeed opposing Metagross leads and KO them with Earthquake, as this team has no effective switches into an Explosion.
*On a side note, I'd like to share that the Jirachi I used to run over Metagross can be located in this thread: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52480
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Spe/240 SAtk/16 Atk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake / Brick Break
- Roost
Salamence has always been one of the Pokémon I like to include in my teams for its ability to cause massive damage while still being able to switch into a plethora of attacks due to great resistances. Salamence is my best option in being able to deal with stall, as my opponent has to predict correctly in order to avoid switching into the wrong attack. This Salamence uses the same EV spread developed by panamaxis so I am at least guaranteed a Speed tie with other base 100 Speed Pokémon. Draco Meteor and Fire Blast allow for optimal coverage, and Roost allows me to recover off damage, as keeping Salamence alive has always been one of my priorities. I've been using Earthquake for the most part, but I've decided to test Brick Break so I can hit Blissey harder. Metagross and Scizor can switch into Dragon and Ice-type attacks aimed at Salamence, while Swampert can switch into Rock-type attacks.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spe
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Enter Scizor, the most overused Pokémon in the current standard metagame, yet one of the most effective when played right. Scizor has been a welcome addition to my team, as my pre-Latias version of this team had holes that Scizor has helped patch up. Scizor is my main response to dealing with Latias and non-Hidden Power Fire Celebi, which unfortunately prevent my Swampert from sweeping. Scizor also keeps Salamence in check should it get a Dragon Dance up. U-turn is used for scouting and going to an appropriate counter, Bullet Punch is used to hit faster foes who can threaten my team, Superpower hits Steel-types, while Pursuit makes sure I at the very least weaken Latias and Celebi into KO range from Heatran. The EVs are self-explanatory: 248 HP EVs allow me to switch 9 times into Stealth Rock instead of 8, while max attack lets me deal the highest amount of damage possible. 8 Speed EVs allow me to outspeed other Scizor, which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Fire-type attacks aimed at Scizor go to either Salamence, Heatran, or Swampert.
Celebi @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 228 HP/36 Spd/244 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
Celebi forms the first part of my CeleTranPert core on the team. Celebi has always been a nifty Pokémon to use, since it has helped me net many KO's in the past while still serving as an effective wall. Celebi was added to this team to help spread paralysis, and most of all, to counter Gyarados and Breloom, to an extent. Leaf Storm is Celebi's strongest attack and deals massive damage to anything that doesn't resist, Thunder Wave paralyses things that attempt to switch into Celebi, such as Heatran, Hidden Power Fire allows me to hit opposing Celebi and Scizor, while Recover allows me to keep Celebi healthy throughout the match. The EVs given allow me to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar before a Dragon Dance and OHKO with Leaf Storm after Stealth Rock, while 228 HP allows for optimal bulk. All of Celebi's weaknesses are covered by Heatran.
Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Dragon Pulse
- Explosion
Heatran forms the second part of my CeleTranPert core. Heatran serves as my team's check against Pokémon that run high Speed such as Gengar and Jolteon. Heatran gets numerous chances to switch in with its many resistances, and more often than not, it gets the job done; the only problem is being stuck into a move which my opponent can exploit to his advantage. Fire Blast is Heatran's main form of attacking, and anything that doesn't resist takes a large amount of damage from it. Earth Power hits opposing Heatran and other Fire types, Dragon Pulse helps in hitting Kingdra for super effective damage, and Explosion lets me get in a free switch while dealing severe damage to any Pokémon that does not resist as well. The EV spread on Heatran is standard, mimicking the one given on the analysis. All of Heatran's weaknesses are covered by Celebi.
Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/40 Def/216 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Curse
- Waterfall
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Swampert is the last Pokémon in my team's CeleTranPert core. Swampert has always been a useful Pokémon in my team which has pulled off a large number of wins over my battling career. Swampert is extremely simple to use, as Curse is easy to set up once Swampert's counters have been eliminated. The set itself is self-explanatory: Curse is used only when Swampert has a chance of being able to pull off a sweep while Rest / Sleep Talk keeps Swampert healthy, and last of all, Waterfall hits everything in the metagame bar Shedinja, and even Pokémon that resist Waterfall such as Gyarados lose to Swampert, as it's basically a battle of +6 Attack / +6 Defense vs. 0 Defense. The EVs were copied straight from the analysis for maximum efficiency, which allow Swampert to work as a great Heatran counter, and can even survive a MixApe's Grass Knot as full health as well as a +2 Attack Lucario's Close Combat, assuming I've used Curse at least once. Swampert's weakness to Grass-type attacks are covered by all other members of the team.
Threat List:
*Will update later*
Defensive Threats
A Flash From the Past
*I changed the title; sue me.*
Before I begin, I'd like to thank you for checking out my RMT. I received the inspiration for this team by remembering a team I built a few months ago that was working extremely well on the ladder until Latias was introduced into the metagame. Now, I have placed my best effort into resurrecting a team that has been successful in the past and revamping it for use in the current metagame.
It is my goal to share how a team consisting of bulky offense is built and functions in the OU metagame. Of course, this team still has problems that I need help fixing.
This team has gotten me onto the leaderboard a few times, but I have stopped laddering for a while as I am trying to learn about the other metagames, not too mention hax was annoying me to no end.
-----
Preview:
-----
Metagross @ Occa Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/224 Atk/12 Def/20 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Explosion
Metagross is nearly always the quintessential lead in any offensive team for its ability to deal with most other leads and always being able to set up Stealth Rock, as long as the opponent doesn't have Taunt. I used to run Jirachi over Metagross, but I felt Jirachi had a more difficult time in being able to set up Stealth Rock as Metagross is much more geared to being able to take hits from other leads. Metagross serves an effective check to many top-tier threats such as MixApe, who otherwise gives my team some trouble. Stealth Rock is an obvious must, Meteor Mash is used as a STAB move against Pokémon who don't resist, Earthquake hits other Steels, and Explosion makes sure I always take something down when Metagross is low on health. Swampert resists Fire-type attacks aimed at Metagross, and Celebi and Salamence can switch into Ground-type attacks. The Speed EVs given allow my own Metagross to outspeed opposing Metagross leads and KO them with Earthquake, as this team has no effective switches into an Explosion.
*On a side note, I'd like to share that the Jirachi I used to run over Metagross can be located in this thread: http://www.smogon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52480
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Spe/240 SAtk/16 Atk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Earthquake / Brick Break
- Roost
Salamence has always been one of the Pokémon I like to include in my teams for its ability to cause massive damage while still being able to switch into a plethora of attacks due to great resistances. Salamence is my best option in being able to deal with stall, as my opponent has to predict correctly in order to avoid switching into the wrong attack. This Salamence uses the same EV spread developed by panamaxis so I am at least guaranteed a Speed tie with other base 100 Speed Pokémon. Draco Meteor and Fire Blast allow for optimal coverage, and Roost allows me to recover off damage, as keeping Salamence alive has always been one of my priorities. I've been using Earthquake for the most part, but I've decided to test Brick Break so I can hit Blissey harder. Metagross and Scizor can switch into Dragon and Ice-type attacks aimed at Salamence, while Swampert can switch into Rock-type attacks.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spe
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Enter Scizor, the most overused Pokémon in the current standard metagame, yet one of the most effective when played right. Scizor has been a welcome addition to my team, as my pre-Latias version of this team had holes that Scizor has helped patch up. Scizor is my main response to dealing with Latias and non-Hidden Power Fire Celebi, which unfortunately prevent my Swampert from sweeping. Scizor also keeps Salamence in check should it get a Dragon Dance up. U-turn is used for scouting and going to an appropriate counter, Bullet Punch is used to hit faster foes who can threaten my team, Superpower hits Steel-types, while Pursuit makes sure I at the very least weaken Latias and Celebi into KO range from Heatran. The EVs are self-explanatory: 248 HP EVs allow me to switch 9 times into Stealth Rock instead of 8, while max attack lets me deal the highest amount of damage possible. 8 Speed EVs allow me to outspeed other Scizor, which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Fire-type attacks aimed at Scizor go to either Salamence, Heatran, or Swampert.
Celebi @ Life Orb
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 228 HP/36 Spd/244 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
Celebi forms the first part of my CeleTranPert core on the team. Celebi has always been a nifty Pokémon to use, since it has helped me net many KO's in the past while still serving as an effective wall. Celebi was added to this team to help spread paralysis, and most of all, to counter Gyarados and Breloom, to an extent. Leaf Storm is Celebi's strongest attack and deals massive damage to anything that doesn't resist, Thunder Wave paralyses things that attempt to switch into Celebi, such as Heatran, Hidden Power Fire allows me to hit opposing Celebi and Scizor, while Recover allows me to keep Celebi healthy throughout the match. The EVs given allow me to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar before a Dragon Dance and OHKO with Leaf Storm after Stealth Rock, while 228 HP allows for optimal bulk. All of Celebi's weaknesses are covered by Heatran.
Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Dragon Pulse
- Explosion
Heatran forms the second part of my CeleTranPert core. Heatran serves as my team's check against Pokémon that run high Speed such as Gengar and Jolteon. Heatran gets numerous chances to switch in with its many resistances, and more often than not, it gets the job done; the only problem is being stuck into a move which my opponent can exploit to his advantage. Fire Blast is Heatran's main form of attacking, and anything that doesn't resist takes a large amount of damage from it. Earth Power hits opposing Heatran and other Fire types, Dragon Pulse helps in hitting Kingdra for super effective damage, and Explosion lets me get in a free switch while dealing severe damage to any Pokémon that does not resist as well. The EV spread on Heatran is standard, mimicking the one given on the analysis. All of Heatran's weaknesses are covered by Celebi.
Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP/40 Def/216 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Curse
- Waterfall
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Swampert is the last Pokémon in my team's CeleTranPert core. Swampert has always been a useful Pokémon in my team which has pulled off a large number of wins over my battling career. Swampert is extremely simple to use, as Curse is easy to set up once Swampert's counters have been eliminated. The set itself is self-explanatory: Curse is used only when Swampert has a chance of being able to pull off a sweep while Rest / Sleep Talk keeps Swampert healthy, and last of all, Waterfall hits everything in the metagame bar Shedinja, and even Pokémon that resist Waterfall such as Gyarados lose to Swampert, as it's basically a battle of +6 Attack / +6 Defense vs. 0 Defense. The EVs were copied straight from the analysis for maximum efficiency, which allow Swampert to work as a great Heatran counter, and can even survive a MixApe's Grass Knot as full health as well as a +2 Attack Lucario's Close Combat, assuming I've used Curse at least once. Swampert's weakness to Grass-type attacks are covered by all other members of the team.
Threat List:
*Will update later*
Defensive Threats
Offensive Threats:
Additional Thoughts:
- I've been considering replacing my current Salamence with the SubToxic Zapdos set listed in the analysis. My main reasoning for this change is that Zapdos would help weaken Swampert's counter through Toxic, and stall would require less prediction to deal with overall.
- If possible, I think it would be for the benefit of this team if I replaced Heatran. Although it is helpful in eliminating Pokémon such as Lucario, it is extremely dangerous for this team losing the momentum as a Pokémon resisting Heatran's selected attack comes in.
- My former tutor, reachzero, suggested that I replace my current Salamence for the standard Dragon Dance set. However, I am hesistant with opting for this decision since I don't like to sacrifice Pokémon unless it is absolutely necessary, and in my opinion, most Salamence tend to die really quickly.
Accepted Suggestions:
Well, I suppose that's about all I had to share about my team. Whether you have suggestions to share, or simply want to base one of your teams off of mine, I'd like to thank you for taking a look at my RMT.