After testing many different combinations and teams, this certain lineup has done the best for me so far. I’m sure it’s sorta whiny to say, ohmygosh it’s my first team please heeeelp! But, after beginning competitive pokemon only back in March (with help including only countless analysis’ read through, and practice in the PO server) hopefully I’ve got the hang of it. So, anyways, I won’t ramble on anymore:
Team Building
First, it’s my standard to have Zapdos as my primary special attacker, seeing how great it is with good defenses and SpAtt and everything, and Tyranitar was the best Physical Attacker that I hadn’t tried out yet (except for failed Choice Band/Scarf attempts).
This was followed by a bulky water, of which I chose Carracosta. With max investment in SDef, and an already great Defense, it wasn't OHKOed by basically anything. Zapdos, who resisted both types easily, hampered the setback in its common fighting weakness, and 4X grass issue. Curse helped to improve both of its amazing stats.
Then came Roserade, with her Toxic Spikes, great SpAtt, and many useful resistances. She served to impair any non-GUTSed sweepers, while responding to most Rock, Ground and Fighting threats (more so just coming in on resisted attacks for fighting, but still).
Reuniclus was another useful fighting resistance, with lots of bulk and good SAtt. Magic Guard allowed safety from Tyranitar’s Sandstorm.
As lead, Gliscor was usually my main choice for many teams, with Poison Heal, plus it’s two great immunities, advantageous resistances, and great attack. Gliscor’s resistance hampered the fighting weaknesses in Carracosta and Tyranitar, while they could take out any Ice issues with their STAB SEs and mutually great attacking stats. However, there were the obvious issues- though Gliscor was a decent lead, the ice weaknesses were apparent, especially with both Roserade and Zapdos added to the mix. In came Infernape, who added a little extra damage with Fake Out, and set up SR.
As well, drawbacks against Fighting/Grass were further demonstrated with my defensive turtle, especially after an Espeon sporting Grass Knot nearly swept my team. Priority fighting moves didn’t serve my cause any more than the Grass Knot. A water-type that resisted fighting, but wasn’t part Psychic, would be better due to Reuniclus already being of that type. Also, it still had to have attack power, and I lost a taunter in Gliscor, so I went with the next best thing- Taunt DD Gyarados. Also, since he drew in Electric attacks, Zapdos as a teammate was extremely useful.
This was followed by a bulky water, of which I chose Carracosta. With max investment in SDef, and an already great Defense, it wasn't OHKOed by basically anything. Zapdos, who resisted both types easily, hampered the setback in its common fighting weakness, and 4X grass issue. Curse helped to improve both of its amazing stats.
Then came Roserade, with her Toxic Spikes, great SpAtt, and many useful resistances. She served to impair any non-GUTSed sweepers, while responding to most Rock, Ground and Fighting threats (more so just coming in on resisted attacks for fighting, but still).
Reuniclus was another useful fighting resistance, with lots of bulk and good SAtt. Magic Guard allowed safety from Tyranitar’s Sandstorm.
As lead, Gliscor was usually my main choice for many teams, with Poison Heal, plus it’s two great immunities, advantageous resistances, and great attack. Gliscor’s resistance hampered the fighting weaknesses in Carracosta and Tyranitar, while they could take out any Ice issues with their STAB SEs and mutually great attacking stats. However, there were the obvious issues- though Gliscor was a decent lead, the ice weaknesses were apparent, especially with both Roserade and Zapdos added to the mix. In came Infernape, who added a little extra damage with Fake Out, and set up SR.
As well, drawbacks against Fighting/Grass were further demonstrated with my defensive turtle, especially after an Espeon sporting Grass Knot nearly swept my team. Priority fighting moves didn’t serve my cause any more than the Grass Knot. A water-type that resisted fighting, but wasn’t part Psychic, would be better due to Reuniclus already being of that type. Also, it still had to have attack power, and I lost a taunter in Gliscor, so I went with the next best thing- Taunt DD Gyarados. Also, since he drew in Electric attacks, Zapdos as a teammate was extremely useful.
At a Glance
In Depth
Infernape (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk / 252 SAtk / 192 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fake Out
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
Probably the best lead I have ever considered, bar Skarmory, Swampert and Gliscor. With Fake out and Stealth Rock to start, it’s reliable in adding a little extra damage. He also helps to take out problem steels, as well as Whimsicott, TTar, etc. With Roserade setting up toxic spikes, and taking out bulky waters or ground types, they match very well. The only issue is with psychics, like Espeon, who are dealt with by Tyranitar.
Roserade (F) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 120 SDef / 136 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Weather Ball
- Toxic Spikes
- Venoshock
- Giga Drain
Now onto the toxic spiker! Weather ball is for use in conjunction with Tar’s sand (yay for 100 BP! +Rock typing!!), while Venoshock is useful when opponents are poisoned, but still somewhat good for its STAB w/o poison. Giga Drain is for the extremely helpful recovery. Rose is also my go-to status absorber, and should the opponent set up their own toxic spikes, in comes Roserade. Not much else to say, except for synergy- with Infernape it’s already explained, and if both hazards are on the opponents side of the field, it’s a much easier time for the rest of my team to go on killing sprees, hehe >:].
Gyarados (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP / 72 Atk / 96 Def / 184 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Taunt
- Bounce
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
Taunt is probably the top non-attacking move ever made, stopping basically any attempt to set-up and sweep. Then DD goes in to help my own set-up, with the great coverage of having both STAB Bounce and Waterfall. In addition, Gyarados’ typing and decent defenses allow for another ground immunity, and resistances to common fighting/bug/steel moves, which Tyranitar attracts like bees to honey, while its lure of electric attacks is sponged by Zapdos (Dream World FTW).
Zapdos @ Life Orb
Trait: Lightningrod
EVs: 36 HP / 160 Def / 252 SAtk / 60 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Roost
- AncientPower
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Yes, I'm sure the first thing you think is, "Ancientpower? On Zapdos??" One of the first specially offensive pokemon I decided on, an extra immunity in Lightningrod seemed very useful, but at the loss of Heat Wave, I guess lots of people decided heat wave was more important. In fact, Ancientpower proves (in my opinion) to be very good coverage, and hax smiles down on me so much that it usually ends in a crit or with the all-round stat boost. Then there’s HP Ice for Gliscor + the Genies, Dragons, and grounds who I love to tease with Zappy (until they display their rock skills). Lastly, Roost and Thunderbolt for obvious reasons.
Reuniclus (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
As the end of the day, Reuniclus is my favourite of the new pokemon, as well as (IMO) one of the strongest, specially. After realizing it's pointless to keep him in with a Shadow Ball Alakazam, or any opposing Psychic, it became much easier to play. Of course, this is the standard Calm Mind/Recover set, with the two very good special attacks of Focus Blast Psychic.
Tyranitar (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Atk / 152 SAtk / 20 Spd
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Fire Blast
- Superpower
As I’ve tried out many choiced sets, I realized that no matter how much faster/stronger a pokemon gets, having access to only one move until I was forced to switch out was not very fun (also, with former scarf-Mienshao, after choosing a move, even if I had no hope of a OHKO, I would still feel the need to use the same move T.T). So instead of dealing with an alternative of LO recoil with no reliable recovery, an expert belt seemed like the next best item. Pursuit for STAB and catching switch outs, stone edge for more STAB and coverage, while Superpower has some guarantee of survival against steel-types, other TTars, Blissey/evostone Chansey, etcetera. Fire Blast is to deal with any Nattorei/Scizor/Forretress attempts to either wall or destroy my precious TTar.
Threats/Issues
Espeons are annoying, making either Infernape or Roserade switch, but at least Tyranitar can come in and Pursuit (provided they are Focus Blast-less). I also have to learn to not let those annoying Deoxys to set up their hazards. Other than that, the main powerhouses of Drill-mole, Conkeldurr and other notable threats aren't major.
Thank you for taking the time to read and think about my team. Criticisms and comments are appreciated.
