SS OU The Paper Ninja (my first OU Kartana team)

VTaxi

VTaxi

Hi guys! This is my first post here, so please feel free to correct me or improve my team. Please also forgive my grammar as English is my second language. Let's go!

Introduction
I decided to make this team because Kartana is probably one of the most underrated/underestimated Ultra Beasts in OU, as Buzzwole and Pheromosa are everywhere.

Goal
Basically, you would want to revenge kill with Kartana and proceed to sweep afterward.

Team

KARTANA
Origami Plane
Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword

This team wouldn't be complete with Kartana. As it's an Ultra Beast, it has a few godly stats, and the rest are... ahem.... sp def... It has an unfortunate 4x weakness to fire and is vulnerable to special attackers as it has a 31 special defense stat. Weaknesses aside, it has a beastly base 181 attack stat, and base 109 speed stat. It can outspeed Modest Regieleki (as long as it has a Choice Scarf), and can easily OHKO it with Knock Off.
Leaf Blade and Smart Strike are its primary STAB moves, while Sacred Sword and Knock Off are coverage moves.

+1 252 Atk Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Regieleki: 352-415 (116.5 - 137.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Also,
252 SpA Transistor Regieleki Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kartana: 219-258 (84.5 - 99.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO


The +1 is very important to KO some threats.
+1 252 Atk Kartana Sacred Sword vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Urshifu: 376-444 (110.2 - 130.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

+1 252 Atk Kartana Knock Off vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Spectrier: 412-486 (120.4 - 142.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO


HEATRAN can wall Kartana hard
252 Atk Kartana Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 240-284 (62.1 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Kartana Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 360-424 (93.2 - 109.8%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Kartana Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 176 Def Heatran: 204-242 (52.8 - 62.6%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 252 Atk Kartana Sacred Sword vs. 252 HP / 176 Def Heatran: 306-360 (79.2 - 93.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


TAPU FINI
Infinity Wall
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 92 HP / 164 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Taunt/Aromatherapy
- Draining Kiss
- Scald

Fini was and still is my favorite tapu, and it provides excellent support to Kartana. Its Water/Fairy typing can resist fire and fighting, both of Kartana's major weaknesses. Its stats are excellent and it can eat up special attacks, Kartana's weakness...
Taunt can be used to set up Calm Mind against Ferrothorn, but otherwise, Aromatherapy can be used to heal burns and paralysis on teammates. Scald for burn (which never really happens when you need it lmao), and Draining Kiss for reliable healing.

252 SpA Transistor Regieleki Thunderbolt vs. 92 HP / 252 SpD Tapu Fini: 242-288 (79.6 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Spectrier Shadow Ball vs. 92 HP / 252 SpD Tapu Fini: 93-111 (30.5 - 36.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 92 HP / 164 Def Tapu Fini: 252-297 (82.8 - 97.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Yep.

HEATRAN
to beat heatran, you must be the heatran
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Flash Cannon
- Toxic
Heatran. Probably a defensive Pokemon, BUT NOT FOR ME! The set is self-explanatory, Magma Storm can trap easy targets for Kartana to finish, Flash Cannon is another STAB move, Toxic for tanks like Blissey and Clefable, and Earth Power against fire types and other Heatrans.

252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 176+ SpD Heatran: 292-344 (75.6 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Heatran Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Heatran: 376-444 (97.4 - 115%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

Can't OHKO enemy Heatran but can do decent damage.



MAGNEZONE
zapzapzapzapzap
Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Flash Cannon
- Thunderbolt
- Teleport

Magnezone is very often underestimated and can deal with slower meta Pokemon like Slowbro.
252+ SpA Choice Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Slowbro: 440-522 (111.6 - 132.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Its resistance to Regieleki is also very important for this team.
252 SpA Transistor Regieleki Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Magnezone: 100-118 (35.4 - 41.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Volt Switch is used to switch into Kartana when Magnezone is slower, while Teleport can be used if Magnezone is faster. It is important to pay attention to Kartana's HP and the enemy pokemon so that Kartana wouldn't get KOed/burned/paralyzed.


LATIOS
draco meteor go brrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Latios @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Surf
- Mystical Fire
Alternative sweeper if Kartana falls. Draco Meteor can KO a lot of Pokemon, Psyshock can deal good damage, and Mystical Fire can hit Steel-types like Magearna. Surf hits Ground, Fire, and Rock types.

252 SpA Choice Specs Latios Mystical Fire vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Magearna: 216-256 (59.3 - 70.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery


LANDORUS-THERIAN
Landolorian
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
Finally, the last Pokemon. The stealth rock setter, and can heavily damage enemy pokemon that are typically sent out first. Earthquake is its major STAB move, and U-turn is used to pivot. Lastly, Stone Edge can hit flying types.

Please correct me if you see any mistakes.
Thank you for taking the time to read this :)
 
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2 things:

Taunt on Fini is the much better option, since this is an HO team. Fini's Misty Terrain will usually stop status for it well enough, and you won't always have the chance to switch out of a burned pokemon into Fini, Aromatherapy, then switch out back the the now healed pokemon. Taunt not only shuts down Ferrothorn (although Ferrothorn are running Gyro Ball and Power Whip now so it might not be so effective) but it mainly helps Fini beat stall cores like Pex, Clef, Heatran, and Blissey.

Switch out one of U-turn or Stone Edge on Landorus-Therian for Explosion. Explosion is great for preventing defog from opposing Corviknight, Hydreigon, Zapdos, etc. and can deal great damage. The most popular moveset I've seen runs Rocks-EQ-SD-Boom, but running Stone Edge or U-turn is also a good idea for the utility they provide in being able to deal with certain targets.
 
musiquepkmn said:
2 things:

Taunt on Fini is the much better option, since this is an HO team. Fini's Misty Terrain will usually stop status for it well enough, and you won't always have the chance to switch out of a burned pokemon into Fini, Aromatherapy, then switch out back the the now healed pokemon. Taunt not only shuts down Ferrothorn (although Ferrothorn are running Gyro Ball and Power Whip now so it might not be so effective) but it mainly helps Fini beat stall cores like Pex, Clef, Heatran, and Blissey.

Switch out one of U-turn or Stone Edge on Landorus-Therian for Explosion. Explosion is great for preventing defog from opposing Corviknight, Hydreigon, Zapdos, etc. and can deal great damage. The most popular moveset I've seen runs Rocks-EQ-SD-Boom, but running Stone Edge or U-turn is also a good idea for the utility they provide in being able to deal with certain targets.
Click to expand...

Thanks bro!
Will implement the changes to my team :)
 
I'm not gonna formally suggest this, but consider building another similar team around Life Orb Swords Dance Giga Impact Kartana.
Kartana @ Life Orb
Jolly Nature
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Knock Off
- Giga Impact

This set is what ranks Kartana so high on the viability rankings. In nearly every matchup, this Kartana is able to force a 1-for-1 trade
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 335-395 (86.7 - 102.3%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 28 Def Corviknight: 329-387 (82.2 - 96.7%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Giga Impact vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Moltres: 420-495 (109.6 - 129.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 184+ Def Zapdos: 464-547 (120.8 - 142.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Buzzwole: 324-381 (77.5 - 91.1%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Of course, Kartana won't always be going down after one KO, often times it'll take one KO and be able to pivot out to come back in again.

This trading and forced removal of one piece of the opponent's defensive core (a la gens 1-4 explosion) can open up the way for something like a Rillaboom or Urshifu in the back to wreak havoc. Kartana is probably the most consistent mon there is for this and it makes it incredibly strong and viable. Of course, the team around it will likely differ greatly, which is why I'm not suggesting the edits for this team. It would change the purpose of the team and it would all get yucky real quick, so it's just a suggestion for a great, underrated set you might want to build around in the future

have a great rest of your day
 
musiquepkmn said:
I'm not gonna formally suggest this, but consider building another similar team around Life Orb Swords Dance Giga Impact Kartana.
Kartana @ Life Orb
Jolly Nature
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Blade
- Knock Off
- Giga Impact

This set is what ranks Kartana so high on the viability rankings. In nearly every matchup, this Kartana is able to force a 1-for-1 trade
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 335-395 (86.7 - 102.3%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 28 Def Corviknight: 329-387 (82.2 - 96.7%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Giga Impact vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Moltres: 420-495 (109.6 - 129.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 184+ Def Zapdos: 464-547 (120.8 - 142.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Kartana Giga Impact vs. 252 HP / 192+ Def Buzzwole: 324-381 (77.5 - 91.1%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

Of course, Kartana won't always be going down after one KO, often times it'll take one KO and be able to pivot out to come back in again.

This trading and forced removal of one piece of the opponent's defensive core (a la gens 1-4 explosion) can open up the way for something like a Rillaboom or Urshifu in the back to wreak havoc. Kartana is probably the most consistent mon there is for this and it makes it incredibly strong and viable. Of course, the team around it will likely differ greatly, which is why I'm not suggesting the edits for this team. It would change the purpose of the team and it would all get yucky real quick, so it's just a suggestion for a great, underrated set you might want to build around in the future

have a great rest of your day
Click to expand...

YES. I am considering building a team around this. I think of a proper team for the Kartana Giga Impact set, but it would probably need some reliable switch-ins to fire types and sub sweepers (unaware clef maybe). Also, I think it would work well with Phero/Hawlucha/Hitmonlee as they struggle against tanks. imo Giga Impact is much of a wild card but I'll give it a shot.

edit: omfg it's op

Have a great day too ;)
 
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