Hey guys I've been lurking for a long time and I finally decided to actually post something. I've run into a brick wall and I'm having a little trouble with my team on Showdown. My ultimate goal is to not only rank on the OU ladder but to actually create a team that both suits my playstyle and of course win matches. With this team across my different test alts (You may know me as Firefly001, 002 etc) my highest OU ranking was in the low 2000's. After about 40-50 odd matches I've been hitting a losing streak. So I'm open to criticisms and any help is appreciated!
My Playstyle:
I'm for the most part a defensive player that likes to switch Pokemon around a lot and I'm a big fan of the Volt-Turn strategy. The entire team is centered around Gyarados; eliminating all his threats to set up for a ddance sweep. Now with that in mind, here is my team:
Shadow (Sableye) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 200 SDef / 56 Def / 252 HP
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Taunt
Arguably one of the most annoying pokemon ever to grace the new metagame. This set is designed to break stalls and stop physical sweeps. The reason why this spread is a little different is because I want enough special defense to withstand +1 Genesect and enough defense to withstand jolly talonflame which are my prime pokemon that effectively counters this team. For the most part I lead sableye.
Bolt (Jolteon) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Primary Special revenge killer. Not much else to say about Jolteon. I needed a pokemon thats fast and can hit hard when need be to outspeed common pokemon like Greninja, Talonflame and Noivern. I've toyed with other pokemon like Thunderus, raikou and Manectric but none can match Jolteon's blistering speed.
Tempest (Gyarados) (M) @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 192 Spd / 16 SDef / 64 Def / 216 Atk / 20 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
The highlight of my team. This set is specifically designed to tank most unboosted pokemon and after +1 ddance pretty much demolish everything that isn't mega-vena, Ferrothorn or Skarmory. I chose Ice Fang over stone edge mainly because of accuracy.
Akuma (Landorus-Therian) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 Spd / 16 SDef / 16 Def / 68 HP / 160 Atk
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge / Stealth Rock / Toxic
- U-turn
Landorus is my main defensive tank on my team. I put just enough speed to outspeed Lucario before mega evolution. I interchange between SE / SR / Toxic depending on the trends I find online on the given day. With Landorus I normally have him as a U-turn Pokemon to lower attack through intimidate and force switches. This set is also to revenge kill as well.
Goku (Infernape) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SAtk
Hasty Nature
- Overheat
- Fire Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Close Combat
Out of all the Fire types I could have chosen I chose Infernape mainly because of his speed and takes neutral damage from stealth rocks. He's really there for coverage against other pokemon.
Happy (Togekiss) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 16 Spd / 20 SAtk / 212 SDef / 164 HP / 96 Def
Calm Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Air Slash
- Defog
- Heal Bell
Togekiss is my main cleric and support pokemon. She can tank most special damage easily and has the potential to destroy any stalls that Sableye or Landorus can't do. I chose Togekiss over any other cleric mainly due to her new typing.
Problems my team face:
I've noticed that boosting Clefable or pretty much any fairy is my biggest weakness on my team as I dont have any pokemon that can cover them. Also scarf Genesect is also an issue as he outspeeds my entire team and can OHKO. Ice type pokemon also have an edge over my team as well. Since I rely on Gyarados to sweep, Scarf ditto is also a big problem. Mega Venasaur can tank my team as well.
I'm seriously open to any other pokemon to replace my party that can serve the same purpose of complimenting Gyarados's weaknesses. I'm not really happy with Togekiss as there so much I can do with her. I've also considered adding another support pokemon with Defog or Rapid Spin but I am unsure what to replace.
Thanks for reading! If you want to battle my team on SHowdown please PM/VM me and we can set something up. I'm usually online a lot so just let me know!
My Playstyle:
I'm for the most part a defensive player that likes to switch Pokemon around a lot and I'm a big fan of the Volt-Turn strategy. The entire team is centered around Gyarados; eliminating all his threats to set up for a ddance sweep. Now with that in mind, here is my team:
Shadow (Sableye) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 200 SDef / 56 Def / 252 HP
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Taunt
Arguably one of the most annoying pokemon ever to grace the new metagame. This set is designed to break stalls and stop physical sweeps. The reason why this spread is a little different is because I want enough special defense to withstand +1 Genesect and enough defense to withstand jolly talonflame which are my prime pokemon that effectively counters this team. For the most part I lead sableye.
Bolt (Jolteon) (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Primary Special revenge killer. Not much else to say about Jolteon. I needed a pokemon thats fast and can hit hard when need be to outspeed common pokemon like Greninja, Talonflame and Noivern. I've toyed with other pokemon like Thunderus, raikou and Manectric but none can match Jolteon's blistering speed.
Tempest (Gyarados) (M) @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 192 Spd / 16 SDef / 64 Def / 216 Atk / 20 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
The highlight of my team. This set is specifically designed to tank most unboosted pokemon and after +1 ddance pretty much demolish everything that isn't mega-vena, Ferrothorn or Skarmory. I chose Ice Fang over stone edge mainly because of accuracy.
Akuma (Landorus-Therian) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 Spd / 16 SDef / 16 Def / 68 HP / 160 Atk
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge / Stealth Rock / Toxic
- U-turn
Landorus is my main defensive tank on my team. I put just enough speed to outspeed Lucario before mega evolution. I interchange between SE / SR / Toxic depending on the trends I find online on the given day. With Landorus I normally have him as a U-turn Pokemon to lower attack through intimidate and force switches. This set is also to revenge kill as well.
Goku (Infernape) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SAtk
Hasty Nature
- Overheat
- Fire Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Close Combat
Out of all the Fire types I could have chosen I chose Infernape mainly because of his speed and takes neutral damage from stealth rocks. He's really there for coverage against other pokemon.
Happy (Togekiss) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 16 Spd / 20 SAtk / 212 SDef / 164 HP / 96 Def
Calm Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Air Slash
- Defog
- Heal Bell
Togekiss is my main cleric and support pokemon. She can tank most special damage easily and has the potential to destroy any stalls that Sableye or Landorus can't do. I chose Togekiss over any other cleric mainly due to her new typing.
I've noticed that boosting Clefable or pretty much any fairy is my biggest weakness on my team as I dont have any pokemon that can cover them. Also scarf Genesect is also an issue as he outspeeds my entire team and can OHKO. Ice type pokemon also have an edge over my team as well. Since I rely on Gyarados to sweep, Scarf ditto is also a big problem. Mega Venasaur can tank my team as well.
I'm seriously open to any other pokemon to replace my party that can serve the same purpose of complimenting Gyarados's weaknesses. I'm not really happy with Togekiss as there so much I can do with her. I've also considered adding another support pokemon with Defog or Rapid Spin but I am unsure what to replace.
Thanks for reading! If you want to battle my team on SHowdown please PM/VM me and we can set something up. I'm usually online a lot so just let me know!
