THE STORMCHASERS
As the metagame has developed, every competitive battler can say they
have faced a decent weather team. Lets face it, weather is the dominant
force in todays metagame. Excadrill and Poison Heal Gliscor made sand
more threatening, while Sun got Drought Ninetales, the Growth buff, and
Chlorophyll Venusaur. And then there's Rain, which got DrizzleToed and
Ferrothorn. Even with the Swift Swim + Drizzle banned, an experienced
Drizzle player is very hard to deal with. So instead of following the crowd,
I built myself a team that can take on weather reliably, while still function
well in today's metagame.
have faced a decent weather team. Lets face it, weather is the dominant
force in todays metagame. Excadrill and Poison Heal Gliscor made sand
more threatening, while Sun got Drought Ninetales, the Growth buff, and
Chlorophyll Venusaur. And then there's Rain, which got DrizzleToed and
Ferrothorn. Even with the Swift Swim + Drizzle banned, an experienced
Drizzle player is very hard to deal with. So instead of following the crowd,
I built myself a team that can take on weather reliably, while still function
well in today's metagame.
First off, I decided to go with a core of Taunt Skarmory, Specially Defensive
Heatran, and good ol' Gastrodon. These three pokemon have amazing
synergy, and can take on most of weather on their own. However, there
were some weaknesses. I had one Fighting weakness, and no Fighting
resists. I needed something who could reliably take on threats such as
Conkeldurr. So I added SubDisable Gengar. After that, I looked over my
team and noted that I have a slight weakness to Chlorophyll sweepers
Venusaur and Tangrowth (when they carry Power Whip/Earthquake/HPFire).
I needed someone who could take all those moves and hit back very
hard. So I settled on CM Latias. At this point, I was stumped on my last
pokemon. I had entry hazards, a spinblocker, and a check to pretty much
every pokemon in the metagame.Then, I noticed I had a slight weakness
to some varients of Tyranitar. So, I settled on Mienshao, and haven't
regretted it one bit. So without further ado, the StormChasers.
Heatran, and good ol' Gastrodon. These three pokemon have amazing
synergy, and can take on most of weather on their own. However, there
were some weaknesses. I had one Fighting weakness, and no Fighting
resists. I needed something who could reliably take on threats such as
Conkeldurr. So I added SubDisable Gengar. After that, I looked over my
team and noted that I have a slight weakness to Chlorophyll sweepers
Venusaur and Tangrowth (when they carry Power Whip/Earthquake/HPFire).
I needed someone who could take all those moves and hit back very
hard. So I settled on CM Latias. At this point, I was stumped on my last
pokemon. I had entry hazards, a spinblocker, and a check to pretty much
every pokemon in the metagame.Then, I noticed I had a slight weakness
to some varients of Tyranitar. So, I settled on Mienshao, and haven't
regretted it one bit. So without further ado, the StormChasers.
Mienshao (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 160 Atk / 96 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fake Out
- Hi Jump Kick
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Mienshao has proven to be the most reliable attacking lead I have used
yet. With base 125 Attack and monstrously powerful move in Hi Jump Kick,
anything bar Ghost types should thinking twice before switching in. He
also has a trolly base 105 Speed, making him able to outspeed Landorus,
Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Salamence, and Gliscor to name a few. He also makes
a great scout with Fake Out and U-Turn.
yet. With base 125 Attack and monstrously powerful move in Hi Jump Kick,
anything bar Ghost types should thinking twice before switching in. He
also has a trolly base 105 Speed, making him able to outspeed Landorus,
Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Salamence, and Gliscor to name a few. He also makes
a great scout with Fake Out and U-Turn.
Fake Out is the obvious choice as a fist move for Mienshao, breaking
sashes and slowly gnawing at the opponents's HP. It also helps to scout
Ghost switch-ins. Hi Jump Kick is the obvious STAB move of choice,
annhilating the likes of Tyranitar and hitting almost everything very very
hard. HP Ice is a neat surprise for Landorus and Gliscor switch-ins hoping
to get a free Swords Dance. U-Turn is to scout for more switch-ins, and it
hits the Lati twins and Reuniclus surprisingly hard.
sashes and slowly gnawing at the opponents's HP. It also helps to scout
Ghost switch-ins. Hi Jump Kick is the obvious STAB move of choice,
annhilating the likes of Tyranitar and hitting almost everything very very
hard. HP Ice is a neat surprise for Landorus and Gliscor switch-ins hoping
to get a free Swords Dance. U-Turn is to scout for more switch-ins, and it
hits the Lati twins and Reuniclus surprisingly hard.
The EVs and nature may seem slightly odd, but they do make sense. 96 Sp
Att EVs lets me OHKO standard Gliscor every time, guarenteed. I then
maxed out Speed, and put the rest into Attack. I chose a Naive nature
because I needed as much speed as I could, and almost all priority moves
this generation are physical.
Att EVs lets me OHKO standard Gliscor every time, guarenteed. I then
maxed out Speed, and put the rest into Attack. I chose a Naive nature
because I needed as much speed as I could, and almost all priority moves
this generation are physical.
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 12 HP / 252 SAtk / 244 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
While she seems to be outclassed by her twin, Latios, her ability to tank
almost all special attacks and Recover off the damage is invaluable to my
team. Latias serves the role as my "Sun Blocker" on my team, and she
plays her role extremely well. She can tank any hit from Venusuar (bar
Sludge bomb, and even then she can Recover it off), Tangrowth, Ninetales,
Heatran (bar Dragon Pulse), and Sawsbuck very easily. She also murders
any Steel switch-ins with HP Fire.
almost all special attacks and Recover off the damage is invaluable to my
team. Latias serves the role as my "Sun Blocker" on my team, and she
plays her role extremely well. She can tank any hit from Venusuar (bar
Sludge bomb, and even then she can Recover it off), Tangrowth, Ninetales,
Heatran (bar Dragon Pulse), and Sawsbuck very easily. She also murders
any Steel switch-ins with HP Fire.
Latias' bulk is what makes her a valuable member of my team. However,
her offensive prowess is simply too good to overlook, and even in the
shadow of Latios she shouldn't be overlooked at a hard-hitter. Dragon
Pulse is my main means of attack, hitting everything that isn't a Steel
type very hard. HP Fire rounds off Dragon Pulse for perfect coverage (bar
Heatran), and hits any Ferrothorn, Skarmory, or any other Steel type
looking for a free turn. Calm Mind is what this set rovolves around, making
Latias hit even harder while still increasing her already phenomonal
special bulk to huge heights. Calm Mind is also what keeps other CMers
like Espeon, Virizion, and Reuniclus in their place. Recover is my means of
Recovery, increasing my survivability and making Calm Mind even more
valuable.
her offensive prowess is simply too good to overlook, and even in the
shadow of Latios she shouldn't be overlooked at a hard-hitter. Dragon
Pulse is my main means of attack, hitting everything that isn't a Steel
type very hard. HP Fire rounds off Dragon Pulse for perfect coverage (bar
Heatran), and hits any Ferrothorn, Skarmory, or any other Steel type
looking for a free turn. Calm Mind is what this set rovolves around, making
Latias hit even harder while still increasing her already phenomonal
special bulk to huge heights. Calm Mind is also what keeps other CMers
like Espeon, Virizion, and Reuniclus in their place. Recover is my means of
Recovery, increasing my survivability and making Calm Mind even more
valuable.
The EVs and nature aren't standard, but I find them more effective than
the standard EVs. I made it so that Latias can outspeed max Speed Jolly
Terrakion, while maxing out my Sp Attack. Then I put the last 12 EVs into
HP. I find it unecessary to run max Speed as the only time I'll be staying
in on opposing Lati@s is when I've boosted my Sp. Def to at least +2, so
its unecessary to try my luck at a speed tie win.
the standard EVs. I made it so that Latias can outspeed max Speed Jolly
Terrakion, while maxing out my Sp Attack. Then I put the last 12 EVs into
HP. I find it unecessary to run max Speed as the only time I'll be staying
in on opposing Lati@s is when I've boosted my Sp. Def to at least +2, so
its unecessary to try my luck at a speed tie win.
Heatran (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 132 SDef / 124 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Protect
And enter the first member of my core! Heatran's amazing bulk is simply
amazing against pretty much everything. 91/106/106 defenses is
absolutely insane. Heatran is probably one of the most all around bulky
pokemon in OU. While this may not be your standard Specially Defensive
Heatran, he's still very reliable and one of the top members on my team.
amazing against pretty much everything. 91/106/106 defenses is
absolutely insane. Heatran is probably one of the most all around bulky
pokemon in OU. While this may not be your standard Specially Defensive
Heatran, he's still very reliable and one of the top members on my team.
The moveset is good ol' Standard Special D Heatran that we've grown to
know and hate. Lava Plume is my only means of offence to keep me from
Taunt bait, and it also often prevails with its 30% burn rate. Pokemon
such as Tyranitar or Toxicroak switching in will not appreciate that burn.
But I will >:) Toxic really complements Lava Plume, providing a dual
status that stall teams will not appreciate. Also, any Steel types switching
into Toxic will not appreciate a Lava Plume, and vice versa. Stealth Rock is
an amazing move, crippling any sweepers switching in (including
Thundurus, Volcanora, and Dragonite). This gives Gengar, Mienshao, and
Latias an easier time trying to sweep. Protect, while overlooked, is very
valuable. For example, Rotom W switches into Mienshao. I can 2HKO
standard Rotom W with Fake Out and HJK. However, a Scarftom will burn
me before I can attack, leaving Mienshao useless for the rest of the
match. However, I can switch Heatran into the inevitable WoW and Protect
next turn to scout for the Hydro Pump. However, I am up for suggestions
to change this moveslot (Maybe Earth Power? Or Roar?).
know and hate. Lava Plume is my only means of offence to keep me from
Taunt bait, and it also often prevails with its 30% burn rate. Pokemon
such as Tyranitar or Toxicroak switching in will not appreciate that burn.
But I will >:) Toxic really complements Lava Plume, providing a dual
status that stall teams will not appreciate. Also, any Steel types switching
into Toxic will not appreciate a Lava Plume, and vice versa. Stealth Rock is
an amazing move, crippling any sweepers switching in (including
Thundurus, Volcanora, and Dragonite). This gives Gengar, Mienshao, and
Latias an easier time trying to sweep. Protect, while overlooked, is very
valuable. For example, Rotom W switches into Mienshao. I can 2HKO
standard Rotom W with Fake Out and HJK. However, a Scarftom will burn
me before I can attack, leaving Mienshao useless for the rest of the
match. However, I can switch Heatran into the inevitable WoW and Protect
next turn to scout for the Hydro Pump. However, I am up for suggestions
to change this moveslot (Maybe Earth Power? Or Roar?).
Then are, again, not standard EVs. But they serve a purpose. This means I
can outspeed all versions of Jellicent and Toxic before they can Taunt,
giving Jellicent a much tougher time switching into attacks repeatedly. I
then maxed out HP, and put the rest into Sp Defence.
can outspeed all versions of Jellicent and Toxic before they can Taunt,
giving Jellicent a much tougher time switching into attacks repeatedly. I
then maxed out HP, and put the rest into Sp Defence.
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 68 SDef / 188 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Spikes
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Taunt
Skarmory is the second member of my core. I use the underrated Special D
TauntSkarm, however, and he has proven me to be superior to Brave Bird
Skarm. He really shuts down stall with Taunt, stopping pokemon like
Ferrothorn and Blissey in their tracks. He also provides phazing, which is
invaluable against boosting sweepers like Excadrill.
TauntSkarm, however, and he has proven me to be superior to Brave Bird
Skarm. He really shuts down stall with Taunt, stopping pokemon like
Ferrothorn and Blissey in their tracks. He also provides phazing, which is
invaluable against boosting sweepers like Excadrill.
This is fairly standard Skarmory, with a moveset we all know and love.
Spikes is the standard on Skarmory, and really helps against sweepers like
Terrakion and Venusaur that are trying to switch in. Roost is my instant
recovery move, which helps Skarmory stay alive longer. Whirlwind is a
great way to rack up passive damage, with both Stealth Rock and Spikes
on my team. And finally, there's Taunt to shut down the likes of Blissey,
Jellicent and Ferrothorn. Skarmory is fairly self-explanatory.
Spikes is the standard on Skarmory, and really helps against sweepers like
Terrakion and Venusaur that are trying to switch in. Roost is my instant
recovery move, which helps Skarmory stay alive longer. Whirlwind is a
great way to rack up passive damage, with both Stealth Rock and Spikes
on my team. And finally, there's Taunt to shut down the likes of Blissey,
Jellicent and Ferrothorn. Skarmory is fairly self-explanatory.
My EV spread is, once again, different from the standard. I gave Skarmory
enough Speed to out-Taunt standard Gliscor. Then I maxed out HP and
dumped the rest into Special Defence.
enough Speed to out-Taunt standard Gliscor. Then I maxed out HP and
dumped the rest into Special Defence.
Gastrodon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Ice Beam/Earth Power
- Stockpile
- Recover
Gastrodon is the newest trend in today's metagame, and rightfully so. He
can completely wall Rotom W, most varients of Heatran, most vaients of
Thundurus, and Tyranitar. And with the buffing up of Storm Drain, he plays
a valuable roll on my team as a water absorber. He is the third member of
my core, and his surprising bulk and great ability is very valuable to my
team.
can completely wall Rotom W, most varients of Heatran, most vaients of
Thundurus, and Tyranitar. And with the buffing up of Storm Drain, he plays
a valuable roll on my team as a water absorber. He is the third member of
my core, and his surprising bulk and great ability is very valuable to my
team.
I have often questioned this moveset, and I am open to suggestions. Scald
is my main means of attack, and the burn rate is very handy against
pokemon like Excadrill, Tyranitar, and Sawsbuck switching in. The next
moveslot is up for grabs. Ice Beam hits Grass types and
Thundurus switching in, while Earth Power hits Heatran and Jirachi.
Stockpile is further increasing Gastrodon's defences, increasing
his potential to wall the likes of Excadrill and Landorus. Recover is my way
of recovering... obviously, and it is very helpful because Gastrodon will
often be taking a burn from Rotom W or Heatran, and he needs to switch
into attacks as much as possible.
is my main means of attack, and the burn rate is very handy against
pokemon like Excadrill, Tyranitar, and Sawsbuck switching in. The next
moveslot is up for grabs. Ice Beam hits Grass types and
Thundurus switching in, while Earth Power hits Heatran and Jirachi.
Stockpile is further increasing Gastrodon's defences, increasing
his potential to wall the likes of Excadrill and Landorus. Recover is my way
of recovering... obviously, and it is very helpful because Gastrodon will
often be taking a burn from Rotom W or Heatran, and he needs to switch
into attacks as much as possible.
I ran a physically defensive EV spread. The reason for this is so that I can
take more hits from Sandstorm sweepers. I may consider running a
specially defensive varient if Thundurus doesn't get banned.
take more hits from Sandstorm sweepers. I may consider running a
specially defensive varient if Thundurus doesn't get banned.
Gengar (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Disable
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
Gengar is the final member of my team, and he helps me against the likes
of Virizion and Conkeldurr. SubDisable Gengar makes his return from the
days of Advance, and he has proven to be very effective. Most boosting
sweepers can only hit Gengar with one of their attacks, and since Gengar
has 3 immunities, that's going be be a lot of the time. He also takes up
the role of a late game sweeper if Mienshao is down.
of Virizion and Conkeldurr. SubDisable Gengar makes his return from the
days of Advance, and he has proven to be very effective. Most boosting
sweepers can only hit Gengar with one of their attacks, and since Gengar
has 3 immunities, that's going be be a lot of the time. He also takes up
the role of a late game sweeper if Mienshao is down.
I run completely standard SubDisable Gengar, who doesn't require much explaination. I Substitute on the opponent's prime attack, and Disable it.
Then, I Sub again, and hit hard with my perfect coverage of Shadow Ball
and Focus Blast. Gengar is very self explanatory...
Then, I Sub again, and hit hard with my perfect coverage of Shadow Ball
and Focus Blast. Gengar is very self explanatory...
The EVs and nature are also standard. Max Speed, max Special Attack. And the last 4 in HP. Very simple.
