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The team that goes *boom* in the night
- Thread starter Articanus
- Start date
Very, very good. A lot a similarities to my team. watch out for Fire attacks if Heatran is down, though, as Swamp can take unlimited (I learned that the hard way)
I don't know the extent of Swampert's Special Defense, but it seems like you're best hope against MixApe is to revenge kill it with Heracross or Shaymin-S. If you can play around it generally, that's great, but if not...it might be annoying. Obviously a switch from Swampert to Starmie or Vaporeon would be the remedy. But then you're back to the problem of not having an Electric resist.
For that, it seems like SpecsJolt could be placed over Shaymin-S or Metagross. If that doesn't appeal to you, Mamoswine seems like the next best choice over Metagross. This likely wouldn't work well, but I suppose you could even place Rhyperior over Metagross, but then you quite need Sandstorm support but that seems quite the bad idea.
Of course that all may be unnecessary if you can indeed handle MixApe or you are fine with simply revenge killing it.
Also, I was wondering...what is the purpose of max Speed on Heatran? Are there lots of Heatrans that don't have Scarfs and run max Speed also, or are you aiming for something else?
For that, it seems like SpecsJolt could be placed over Shaymin-S or Metagross. If that doesn't appeal to you, Mamoswine seems like the next best choice over Metagross. This likely wouldn't work well, but I suppose you could even place Rhyperior over Metagross, but then you quite need Sandstorm support but that seems quite the bad idea.
Of course that all may be unnecessary if you can indeed handle MixApe or you are fine with simply revenge killing it.
Also, I was wondering...what is the purpose of max Speed on Heatran? Are there lots of Heatrans that don't have Scarfs and run max Speed also, or are you aiming for something else?
Well where else would the speed EVs go on Heatran? Might as well max it out in the hopes of winning speed ties against those that aren't scarfed.
Don't forget that Infernapes don't beat Bronzong, Heracross, or Skymin. It also doesn't beat Heatran with a substitute out or Metagross with an agility.
Don't forget that Infernapes don't beat Bronzong, Heracross, or Skymin. It also doesn't beat Heatran with a substitute out or Metagross with an agility.
It's a solid team, but Heracross isn't such a great lead imo. None of its moves are really able to take on most of the other common leads (hell, I've seen an Infernape survive Close Combat with 3% left). I suggest replacing it with scarf Azelf. This set has been working fine for me:
Azelf @ Choice Scarf
6 HP, 252 atk, 252 spd
Jolly nature
Trick
Taunt
U-turn
Explosion
Taunt on something as fast as Azelf can really screw over opposing leads whose only purpose is to set up Stealth Rock, especially since you have a Bronzong waiting in the wings to set up your own. Trick is also a decent move to be used in the early-mid stages of battle (not first turn because it's too predictable nowadays). And another advantage to using Azelf is that it gives you another exploder to work with.
Aside from the lead, the rest of your team is fine.
Azelf @ Choice Scarf
6 HP, 252 atk, 252 spd
Jolly nature
Trick
Taunt
U-turn
Explosion
Taunt on something as fast as Azelf can really screw over opposing leads whose only purpose is to set up Stealth Rock, especially since you have a Bronzong waiting in the wings to set up your own. Trick is also a decent move to be used in the early-mid stages of battle (not first turn because it's too predictable nowadays). And another advantage to using Azelf is that it gives you another exploder to work with.
Aside from the lead, the rest of your team is fine.
I actually wouldn't like Heracross as a lead due to Focus Sash starters, namely that of Azelf and Aerodactyl, who both could win out if they attack first, seeing as how an SE from Aero would KO after a -Def whereas you already know what Psychic's going to do. Perhaps best if we just kill off shit with Gyro Ball from Bronzong and let him start instead. Let's not forget those starting Infernapes either, which after killing Heracross can still get down it's SR before dieing, which means the opponent is in much more control.
As for the team, I just want to emphasize the importance of Heatran's survivial here. While it's dandy to blow up a Blissey, I'd find that useless, as you have no other special Pokes sans Shymin, who could probably hack a win against it, while you have all these other physical beast to deal with Blissey. However, the main issue here is how many things Heatran will keep in check for you. For example, Heatran seems to be absolutely only thing that's prevent a Scizor and Azelf sweep. It'll also keep other Heatrans guessing early god forbid another is carrying HPGrass, although if it isn't, Swampert is a perfectly able counter. But yeah, Heatran just seems so important and vital towards the resistances defenses this team offers.
As for the team, I just want to emphasize the importance of Heatran's survivial here. While it's dandy to blow up a Blissey, I'd find that useless, as you have no other special Pokes sans Shymin, who could probably hack a win against it, while you have all these other physical beast to deal with Blissey. However, the main issue here is how many things Heatran will keep in check for you. For example, Heatran seems to be absolutely only thing that's prevent a Scizor and Azelf sweep. It'll also keep other Heatrans guessing early god forbid another is carrying HPGrass, although if it isn't, Swampert is a perfectly able counter. But yeah, Heatran just seems so important and vital towards the resistances defenses this team offers.