The Taco Peddler
(No, there aren't tacos here. It's just to make you click on this RMT.)
Before we begin, I would like to explain that two days ago I re-entered the scene of competitive Pokemon battles. Having not touched Smogon since late 4th gen, my sense of the meta has been completely erased as I have had to relearn everything I had forgotten and the pages more written upon (I nearly pissed myself when my toxic spikes were appearing on my side of the field when Espeon was switched in). So before you look, my grasp of the new meta is very weak, so do not hesitate to point out problems with the team.
Overview
Quite uncouth? As far as I've seen. Now, I've always been one to use unusual Pokemon. 4th gen. marked Tangrowth and Clefable specifically as two favorites in a pinch. While not nearly as quirky as I would have liked, this team sports its share of not-on-every-team-OU-staples. I would like to keep with this fashion of obscure or underrated Pokemon, but I am willing to sacrifice diversity for quality if the need arises. Also, I would like to note I will be constructing this team with the use of HG/SS as well as Blk/Wht for the DS, so any suggestions need to be plausible. This puts restrictions on the number of Hidden Powers and many legendary Pokemon (I specifically had to weasel around using Rotom-W). Without further ado...
Nidoqueen (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Toxic Spikes
- Earthquake
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
Gastrodon testing in progress.
I love Nidoking. I love it, I love it, I love it. Now, wait, isn't that a picture of NidoQUEEN? Indeed, yes. That IS a Nidoqueen. She serves the purpose of setting up Toxic Spikes in order to help weaken the enemy for my sweepers. Normally she would have been labeled a lead but, since 5th gen. has all but removed the surprise factor from having a "lead" (stupid preview), Nidoqueen now share the role of "common-starter-Pokemon-thing" with Uxie. Earthquake is run for the ability of hitting Blissey who, if Haxorus is KO'ed, completely and utterly walls my team. Flamethrower and Ice Beam together provide great coverage and do significant damage to most leads and switches with the help of Sheer Force. Now, I don't want to rely on Nidoqueen as a sweeper (hence the EV distribution to make her physically bulky) so I opted out of the offensively focused Nidoking for the slightly more spongy Nidoqueen. The problem I see with her is that the Toxic Spikes are rather useless against most teams I face and prevent me from using Uxie's Thunderwave to help shutdown some opposing sweepers. In fact, the poison damage is so negligible, I don't even bother putting them out in half of the matches. Despite this, Nidoqueen has been invaluable in a majority of the battles, but I would really appreciate any suggestions that may make this slot help out more beyond the random coverage and bulk (which is slightly redundant given Vaporeon, although it's nice to have a backup).
Magnezone @ Leftovers
Trait: Magnet Pull
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SAtk / 220 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
Ah, Magnezone. You've come quite far since 4th gen. Oh how I used you so specifically to clean up rogue Scizor and Skarmory; now, you can sweep so much more effectively for some unknown reason. Perhaps it was the change in the meta or perhaps I just never used him correctly, Magnezone has served the role of special sweeper more than I would have expected him to. While I'm still debating whether to use a balloon or keep the leftovers on him, substitute has allowed Magnezone just enough edge to defeat a large number of steels and an even larger number of counters who would have one shot him otherwise (here's looking at Tyranitar and Rhyperior). Magnezone removes or weakens many of the Pokemon Haxorus would have trouble sweeping over: Scizor, Skarmory, Bronzong, Jirachi. I'm fairly confident that Magnezone will still have a spot on the team even after editing since his role is so integral to a Haxorus sweep (which, might I add, is the whole goal of this team). I have considered two other Pokemon for this spot. Dugtrio and Eviolite Magneton. While Dugtrio doesn't hit Skarmory and other levitate/flying types with his ability, the sheer quantity of Pokemon he does trap may be enough to warrant a switch from Magnezone. As far as Eviolite Magneton goes, I don't really know how powerful eviolite is (apparently enough to put Chansey on OU), so I would like some advice on whether or not Magneton would be a better pick over Magnezone.
Vaporeon (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Protect
Another Pokemon I've noticed significant improvement since the last meta. Vaporeon has come in handy with the support it provides with Wish. Opting for a defensive spread, Vaporeon serves as main physical sponge for the team. The set is pretty much self-explanatory, but I have some concerns over Protect. While I wish to keep Ice Beam (as it has been ever so useful for disposing dragons with) I find myself using protect less than often. While it is nice to have an automatic heal with Wish, I normally find the target of Wish to be other Pokemon, not Vaporeon herself. I have considered switching Protect with Roar in order to stop strange little Pokemon like Scrafty from Dragon Dancing to infinity and beyond on me (although in retrospect, Haxorus probably would have taken care of the problem quickly enough). Your thoughts, please.
Uxie @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Heal Bell
- Thunder Wave
Another slot up for grabs. Uxie is still a fantastic Pokemon and makes a good soaker (invested in Special Defense as needed for the team). I debated about putting Cresselia in here but Stealth Rocks sealed the deal. Thunderwave is much less useful with Toxic Spikes out than I remembered, but it has helped shut down some sweepers. U-turn for scouting (and something for taunt users) and Heal Bell for helping out when it's needed are pretty self-explanatory as well. A good replacement would be nice, but Uxie takes hits and does his job well enough for the time being.
Alakazam (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
Alakazam seems to, as well, have made his own come back. After clutching at straws all last gen to compete with the other less "glass cannon" special sweepers (notably Gengar), Alakazam seems to have recovered some durability through a combination of its new toy Magic Guard (suck on that Stealth Rocks) and Substitute. Basically, Alakazam is here to BLOW SHIT UP! Need to revenge kill something? Switch in. Set up a sub. Wreck ALL the bases (that are now belong to you).
Haxorus (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Dual Chop
I picked him because he is the pretty dragon. Pretty, pretty dragon. But really, I was just curious to see what Nintendo's super power creep REALLY had done to this game. With a base attack of nearly 150, this guy just begs to be paired with a choice band. I don't always flex the muscle or bring out the big guns, but when I do, I sweep things. Okay, that's not true, but being the Pokemon I built this team around makes him integral nonetheless. Even Haxorus can be... edited if you will. Again, your thoughts, please.
It should also be noted that, last night, I encountered an unusually large proportion of Baton Pass teams. I do have a serious problem countering this as I have no phaser or hazer on my team.
