Introduction:
From the start of my competitive pokemon battle experience, I've never understood why the metagame has to be so standard. If you are looking to beat people, why not just use pokemon that can counter the said standards?
It was then I realized that the "standard" pokemon could not be countered, as people would just make switches. Instead, you have to go for the unpredictible. Make the other person go on the defensive, then make a pokemon COUNTER its counters. Very few pokemon can do this with their stats, but I feel like I have found six pokemon that can decently counter their own counters.
Basically what you're going for is you bring in your pokemon on something that a standard moveset on your pokemon will beat, even if you have no way of beating it running the moveset you're currently on. They will switch to what they think counters you. You then hit that counter with something that no one would ever expect.
I'm terrible at battling. I feel like the better battlers here would be able to take this concept to the next level if they really feel like it. I've actually been having decent success with this team more than any other I've ran though, and I've had enough people going "wth" that I think it's worth showing the community my (probably flawed) logic.
My EV spreads are probably not the best they could be, it'd be nice if I could get some input on those.
On this team, I acheive 100% surprise with 66% choice, as it is the quickest way to make a pokemon that has a weakness somewhere a strength. So here we are: The New Wave
Overview:
Looks decently standard, right? Check again...
_________________________________________________
RMT:
Metagross@Choice Specs - Modest
244HP/252SpA/12Spe
~Psychic
~Grass Knot
~Hidden Power [Fire]
~Flash Cannon
Lead Metagross? Think again. 95 Base Special Attack.
People always expect a first-priority SR. Instead you can nail them as they Taunt/set up SR with the corresponding move, as the only thing that I can think of that resists all of these moves is Heatran, which Relicanth or Snorlax can dispose of easily.
Not only that, but later in the game Metagross can come in and knock things awry also with its natural bulkiness.
12 Spe EVs to beat standard LeadGross. I should probably work more on the EVs on this set.
10 Common leads list:
Metagross: HP Fire 2HKOs even Occa Berry Grosses. Basically it goes: HP Fire me, SR him, HP Fire me, KO
Azelf: Flash Cannon 2HKOs. Usually though I'll FC while they SR, then switch to Relicanth to take the Fire Blast/Explosion and get a free Head Smash on something.
Jirachi: They trick a scarf onto me, happy day. I 2HKO with HP Fire, even with the scarf over specs. I then get to run around later in the game with a scarf :D
Swampert: OHKO GK. Enough said.
Aerodactyl: Flash Cannon 2HKOs, situation goes as such: He Taunts, I FC, He SRs, I KO.
Infernape: Psychic on first turn. If he Fake Outs, I switch to Relicanth to take the Fire Blast. If he SRs, he is dead.
Hippowdon: Comes to a quick death.
Bronzong: HP Fire... I'm not sure. Actually haven't come across many of these.
Ninjask: Might be adding in Bullet Punch instead of FC, which would make quick work. Otherwise, just stay in and Psychic, then while he BPs (You can always tell when a Jask is about to BP) I switch to Bronzong and set up Reflect/Screen so I can easily deal with the +6Spe or whatever sweeper that came in.
Tyranitar: Flash Cannon makes quick work.
_______________________________________________
Togekiss@Life Orb - Naughty
108HP/252Att/148SpA, Hustle
~Extremespeed
~Flamethrower
~Focus Punch
~Hidden Power [Rock]
Beware, this kid packs some punch. Some calcs to chew on from the analysis:
0 HP / 0 Def Azelf: 71.13% - 84.59
0 HP / 0 Def Infernape: 69.97% - 82.94%
136 HP / 156 Def Starmie: 50.85% - 60.00% (2HKO with Stealth Rock)
68 HP / 0 Def Raikou: 58.58% - 69.23%
0 HP / 0 Def Weavile: 78.29% - 92.88% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)
204 HP / 0 Def Tentacruel: 62.50% - 74.15%
0 HP / 0 Def Heracross: 65.78% - 77.74%
0 HP / 0 Def Gyarados (w/out Intimidate): 57.10% - 67.37%
0 HP / 0 Def Salamence (w/out Intimidate): 56.50% - 67.07%
I edited the set a little as I prefer Focus Punch over Aura Sphere - you can usually tell when a Blissey is going to come in through previous moves by the person. While it is somewhat against the theme of the team (Beating a pokemon's regular counters) this guy is able to fix a lot of sticky situations with its STAB ExtremeSpeeds and mixed attacking prowress.
___________________________________________
Empoleon@Petaya Berry - Modest
252SpA/12HP/12Def/232Spe
~Agility
~Substitute
~Surf
~Ice Beam
"One could elect to run a Choice Band set, but Empoleon doesn't have the offensive power to make it worthwhile. The Specs set will do more damage to virtually everything except Blissey." - Smogon Analysis, and what I decided was correct, hence a standard set.
Ah, Empoleon. It's SubPetaya set can still crush most of the current metagame. The problem is if and when Blissey comes in, but that's fine. I've got plenty of other things that can take care of Blissey if I need to.
________________________________________________
Relicanth@Choice Band - Adamant
252Att/252HP/4Def
~Head Smash
~Aqua Tail
~Double-Edge
~Earthquake
Head Smash - 150*STAB = 225.
In other words, Head Smash is monstrously powerful. Aqua Tail provides almost perfect dual-STAB coverage. EQ and DE are filler.
Lets put this in perspective:
Relicanth Head Smash vs. Standard Skarmory - 252HP/176Def: 56.59% - 66.47%
Yes sir, that's a guaranteed 2HKO on one (if not) the most defensive pokes in the game. Not only that, but it's decent defenses help it out too.
Standard LODos with 1 DD EQ(The most offensive gyra out there) vs Relicanth: 90.10% - 105.94%
Relicanth Head Smash vs the same Gyra: 344.41% - 405.14%
BulkyGyra never kos, and the result is near the same. He can take a +1 Adamant Salamence EQ also, but the chance of surviving is slimmer, about 1/3.
Oh, and lets not forget about Scizors that like to rain on parties.
Standard CB Scizor Bullet Punch vs. Relicanth: 21.78% - 25.50%
Standard SD Scizor Bullet Punch after an SD vs. Relicanth: 37.38% - 44.06%
Relicanth Head Smash vs. Standard CB Scizor (248HP): 91.84% - 108.16%
Relicanth Head Smash vs. Standard SD Scizor (32 HP): 109.00% - 128.37%
KOs the brute 1/2 of the time. Any CB Scizor packing less HP EVs AKA standard SD Scizor will always be OHKOed.
_________________________________________________
Snorlax@Choice Specs - Modest
252SpA/252HP/4Def
~Fire Blast
~Focus Blast
~Blizzard
~Thunder
Possible replacements: Surf, Selfdestruct
"Snorlax receives a host of special attacks to use off its pitiful base 65 Special Attack." - From the Smogon analysis
65 base special attack becomes less pitiful when you slap on some sexy glasses and a modest nature. This puts SpecsLax at a 375 SpA stat, which really is great. Coupled with a bunch of moves that have 70/85 accuracy and 120 power, he becomes a force to be reconed with. The problem here is obviously missing, but this guy can afford to miss every once in a while because of his natural bulkiness.
How does this beat Snorlax's usual counters you ask? Well, Snorlax's counters are all physical attackers. Basically, you just have to ko them as they come in or weaken them and switch to a poke that can resist. Fire Blast Lucario, Blizzard Salamence, Thunder Gyarados, Focus Blast Tyranitar. Every one of those is a OHKO.
Remember Physical Elecitivire? This set looks kind of like it. Electivire used ground instead of fighting, but the type coverage of those two is mostly the same.
Final Comments:
I'm not going to go through and say how every pokemon on my team counters each thing in the metagame. The whole point of this team is to screw the current metagame and figure out decent ways to beat it.
The team doesn't have much synergy either. I just put ideas I had on one team and saw it through. I'm looking to try and get my ideas out there I suppose.
Some people try to outstandard others to win, I go for surprise.
It's more fun that way anyways :D
From the start of my competitive pokemon battle experience, I've never understood why the metagame has to be so standard. If you are looking to beat people, why not just use pokemon that can counter the said standards?
It was then I realized that the "standard" pokemon could not be countered, as people would just make switches. Instead, you have to go for the unpredictible. Make the other person go on the defensive, then make a pokemon COUNTER its counters. Very few pokemon can do this with their stats, but I feel like I have found six pokemon that can decently counter their own counters.
Basically what you're going for is you bring in your pokemon on something that a standard moveset on your pokemon will beat, even if you have no way of beating it running the moveset you're currently on. They will switch to what they think counters you. You then hit that counter with something that no one would ever expect.
I'm terrible at battling. I feel like the better battlers here would be able to take this concept to the next level if they really feel like it. I've actually been having decent success with this team more than any other I've ran though, and I've had enough people going "wth" that I think it's worth showing the community my (probably flawed) logic.
My EV spreads are probably not the best they could be, it'd be nice if I could get some input on those.
On this team, I acheive 100% surprise with 66% choice, as it is the quickest way to make a pokemon that has a weakness somewhere a strength. So here we are: The New Wave
Overview:
Looks decently standard, right? Check again...
_________________________________________________
RMT:
Metagross@Choice Specs - Modest
244HP/252SpA/12Spe
~Psychic
~Grass Knot
~Hidden Power [Fire]
~Flash Cannon
Lead Metagross? Think again. 95 Base Special Attack.
People always expect a first-priority SR. Instead you can nail them as they Taunt/set up SR with the corresponding move, as the only thing that I can think of that resists all of these moves is Heatran, which Relicanth or Snorlax can dispose of easily.
Not only that, but later in the game Metagross can come in and knock things awry also with its natural bulkiness.
12 Spe EVs to beat standard LeadGross. I should probably work more on the EVs on this set.
10 Common leads list:
Metagross: HP Fire 2HKOs even Occa Berry Grosses. Basically it goes: HP Fire me, SR him, HP Fire me, KO
Azelf: Flash Cannon 2HKOs. Usually though I'll FC while they SR, then switch to Relicanth to take the Fire Blast/Explosion and get a free Head Smash on something.
Jirachi: They trick a scarf onto me, happy day. I 2HKO with HP Fire, even with the scarf over specs. I then get to run around later in the game with a scarf :D
Swampert: OHKO GK. Enough said.
Aerodactyl: Flash Cannon 2HKOs, situation goes as such: He Taunts, I FC, He SRs, I KO.
Infernape: Psychic on first turn. If he Fake Outs, I switch to Relicanth to take the Fire Blast. If he SRs, he is dead.
Hippowdon: Comes to a quick death.
Bronzong: HP Fire... I'm not sure. Actually haven't come across many of these.
Ninjask: Might be adding in Bullet Punch instead of FC, which would make quick work. Otherwise, just stay in and Psychic, then while he BPs (You can always tell when a Jask is about to BP) I switch to Bronzong and set up Reflect/Screen so I can easily deal with the +6Spe or whatever sweeper that came in.
Tyranitar: Flash Cannon makes quick work.
_______________________________________________
Togekiss@Life Orb - Naughty
108HP/252Att/148SpA, Hustle
~Extremespeed
~Flamethrower
~Focus Punch
~Hidden Power [Rock]
Beware, this kid packs some punch. Some calcs to chew on from the analysis:
0 HP / 0 Def Azelf: 71.13% - 84.59
0 HP / 0 Def Infernape: 69.97% - 82.94%
136 HP / 156 Def Starmie: 50.85% - 60.00% (2HKO with Stealth Rock)
68 HP / 0 Def Raikou: 58.58% - 69.23%
0 HP / 0 Def Weavile: 78.29% - 92.88% (OHKO with Stealth Rock)
204 HP / 0 Def Tentacruel: 62.50% - 74.15%
0 HP / 0 Def Heracross: 65.78% - 77.74%
0 HP / 0 Def Gyarados (w/out Intimidate): 57.10% - 67.37%
0 HP / 0 Def Salamence (w/out Intimidate): 56.50% - 67.07%
I edited the set a little as I prefer Focus Punch over Aura Sphere - you can usually tell when a Blissey is going to come in through previous moves by the person. While it is somewhat against the theme of the team (Beating a pokemon's regular counters) this guy is able to fix a lot of sticky situations with its STAB ExtremeSpeeds and mixed attacking prowress.
___________________________________________
______________________________________________
Empoleon@Petaya Berry - Modest
252SpA/12HP/12Def/232Spe
~Agility
~Substitute
~Surf
~Ice Beam
"One could elect to run a Choice Band set, but Empoleon doesn't have the offensive power to make it worthwhile. The Specs set will do more damage to virtually everything except Blissey." - Smogon Analysis, and what I decided was correct, hence a standard set.
Ah, Empoleon. It's SubPetaya set can still crush most of the current metagame. The problem is if and when Blissey comes in, but that's fine. I've got plenty of other things that can take care of Blissey if I need to.
________________________________________________
Relicanth@Choice Band - Adamant
252Att/252HP/4Def
~Head Smash
~Aqua Tail
~Double-Edge
~Earthquake
Head Smash - 150*STAB = 225.
In other words, Head Smash is monstrously powerful. Aqua Tail provides almost perfect dual-STAB coverage. EQ and DE are filler.
Lets put this in perspective:
Relicanth Head Smash vs. Standard Skarmory - 252HP/176Def: 56.59% - 66.47%
Yes sir, that's a guaranteed 2HKO on one (if not) the most defensive pokes in the game. Not only that, but it's decent defenses help it out too.
Standard LODos with 1 DD EQ(The most offensive gyra out there) vs Relicanth: 90.10% - 105.94%
Relicanth Head Smash vs the same Gyra: 344.41% - 405.14%
BulkyGyra never kos, and the result is near the same. He can take a +1 Adamant Salamence EQ also, but the chance of surviving is slimmer, about 1/3.
Oh, and lets not forget about Scizors that like to rain on parties.
Standard CB Scizor Bullet Punch vs. Relicanth: 21.78% - 25.50%
Standard SD Scizor Bullet Punch after an SD vs. Relicanth: 37.38% - 44.06%
Relicanth Head Smash vs. Standard CB Scizor (248HP): 91.84% - 108.16%
Relicanth Head Smash vs. Standard SD Scizor (32 HP): 109.00% - 128.37%
KOs the brute 1/2 of the time. Any CB Scizor packing less HP EVs AKA standard SD Scizor will always be OHKOed.
_________________________________________________
Snorlax@Choice Specs - Modest
252SpA/252HP/4Def
~Fire Blast
~Focus Blast
~Blizzard
~Thunder
Possible replacements: Surf, Selfdestruct
"Snorlax receives a host of special attacks to use off its pitiful base 65 Special Attack." - From the Smogon analysis
65 base special attack becomes less pitiful when you slap on some sexy glasses and a modest nature. This puts SpecsLax at a 375 SpA stat, which really is great. Coupled with a bunch of moves that have 70/85 accuracy and 120 power, he becomes a force to be reconed with. The problem here is obviously missing, but this guy can afford to miss every once in a while because of his natural bulkiness.
How does this beat Snorlax's usual counters you ask? Well, Snorlax's counters are all physical attackers. Basically, you just have to ko them as they come in or weaken them and switch to a poke that can resist. Fire Blast Lucario, Blizzard Salamence, Thunder Gyarados, Focus Blast Tyranitar. Every one of those is a OHKO.
Remember Physical Elecitivire? This set looks kind of like it. Electivire used ground instead of fighting, but the type coverage of those two is mostly the same.
Final Comments:
I'm not going to go through and say how every pokemon on my team counters each thing in the metagame. The whole point of this team is to screw the current metagame and figure out decent ways to beat it.
The team doesn't have much synergy either. I just put ideas I had on one team and saw it through. I'm looking to try and get my ideas out there I suppose.
Some people try to outstandard others to win, I go for surprise.
It's more fun that way anyways :D
