The team that won me apprentice tour

[Taxie]

TEAM GREBER SQUAD


This team has got me on to the top 50 in Smogon Ladder. Further more, this team helped me to win the Apprentice Tournament (This was the ONLY team i used throughout the tourney, without any changes).


Overview

This is a fully offense team that I run which had a few replacements, based on the book, The Greber Squad.

About Greber Squad

Greber Squad is a book that is being written by me which is about robots in the planet Squirnish. The first book(on which the team is based on) is based on a Civil War that takes place in the country of the Grebers. The whole planet was under the threat of autocracy under the Greshchva Squad and the Berator Squad. The Greber Squad and Till Squad have got to save the planet, from Schentile's autocracy for which, the get help from a wise robot named Coastilon.

Team Members

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SisalmGreber (Azelf) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)

- Stealth Rock - Provides an excellent support to the team and it really makes flying pokemons feel uneasy or any pokemon with Stealth Rock weakness.

- Taunt - I use this move to ruin lead Bronzong, Ninjask and even Azelf. The naive nature makes me faster than most of the opposing Modest nature Azelf.

- Psychic - This is an excellent STAB that Azelf gets. I use this to kill a lead Gengar.

- Explosion - This move is done after all my job is done with this Pokemon.

Decsription - Now that Deoxys is banned, this is the best Stealth Rocker that I can see. Psychic is what I use to kill lead Gengars. Explosion in case of a Blissey or if the job of Azelf is done or it is made useless by paralysis. Taunt is used to stop Bronzong and Ninjask. This Pokemon provides a Stealth rock support to my team which is so important in today's metagame.

Who is Sisalm Greber?

Sisalm Greber is a character in the book that I write, ie, Greber Squad. In the story, it is highly supportive and is always ready for a sacrifice if needed.

How is my Azelf related to the story?

Even this supports my team and is ready to do a sacrifice if needed.

__________________________________________________________

Schentile (Suicune) @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)

- Calm Mind - I use this to boost my power. After a Calm Mind, my Suicune has the potential to sweep teams.

- Hidden Power [Electric] - Suicune is already a Gyarados counter who can gradually take it out with Ice Beam. But this makes it a complete Gyarados counter and gets an OHKO after one Calm Mind. This can also be used to kill opposing Vaporeon.

- Ice Beam - I use this to kill Celebi, Zapdos and Dragons. Celebi takes 80% - 88% in an Ice Beam and Zapdos takes 88% - 96% in an Ice Beam after a CM. Both of them get OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage.

- Surf - My only STAB and this makes the opponent Heatran run away from me on which I can capitalize and set-up. This does a formidable damage to most of the ones who are normal to water.

Description - Suicune can attack almost any Pokemon in the game except for Lanturn which is extremely rare in OU, for which I have got other counters. This provides a Heatran counter in my team and kills a Zapdos after One CM and Stealth Rock. It also can OHKO a Celebi after rocks or 2HKO. Hidden Power Electric is used for killing Gyarados which makes it a Gyarados counter too.

Who is Schentile Greshchva?

Schentile Greshchva is a character in the book, The Greber Squad. It has the strange ability to control the sea and also has a huge destructive capacity.

How is my Suicune related to the story

Suicune also is a master at controlling water and has a huge destructive capability like Schentile.

__________________________________________________________

QueanyBerator (Scizor) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP/76 Atk/180 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)

- Swords Dance - This is the set up move for My Scizor. He goes in a drunken frenzy after doing this move. It is almost impossible to stop this pokemon provided the opponent dosen't have Zapdos / Heatran.

- Roost - Though Scizor lost its flying type during evolution, it didn't lose roost. Used whenever her HP goes down since it is almost impossible to OHKO her without a fire attack, also, Roost lets me make Gliscor, Vaporeon, Swampert, etc. a set-up bait.

- Bullet Punch - It is obviously a great priority move to kill Pokemons like Mamoswine and other pokemons in a hail team. Technician and STAB makes it extremely strong. It can clear out pokemons with low HP and ones with focus sash.

- Brick Break - Used generally for Shattering walls, killing metal pokemons and bulky waters who are resistant to steel.

Description - This is my strongest physical set-up sweeper. It can threaten most pokemons and kill the ones with focus sash(If my Azelf was not able to SR or my opponent used Rapid Spin) and pokemons with low HP. Brick Break is used for shattering walls and Roost to recovcer. And everyone must know what Swords Dance is meant for.

Who is Queany Berator?

Queany Berator is a character from the book, The Greber Squad. It is the captain of the Berator Squad which is not so strong by itself but extremely formidable after summoning its three robots.

How is my Scizor related to the story?

Scizor is almost like the captain of my team and it is not that strong by itself before doing a Swords Dance(I'm not running an offensive build), but becomes extremely strong and formidable after doing one.

__________________________________________________________

LeavcyTill (Machamp) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/6 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)

- Dynamicpunch - No Guard makes me hit all the time. Even if this move is not effective to some Pokemons, it will confuse the opponent, on which I can capitalize on.

- Stone Edge - With Dynamic Punch, this provides excellent coverage. Stone Edge is used on flying and ghost pokemons. I use this only if a pokemon completely resists Dynamic Punch.

- Rest - This move gives Machamp the position of a status absorber and a sturdy Tank in my team and also restore my HP.

- Sleep Talk - Since I have very less PP, Sleep Talk can be used to avoid over-usage of my offensive moves.


Decription

This is my status absorber, a Tyranitar counter, a Zapdos counter and of course, a Blissey killer. Machamp is extremely bulky and can survive hits. I can also use this to take on Kingdra (I send this immediately after it switches in). Rest is to recover HP and also to evade the status and Sleep Talk is to avoid over-usage of PP.

Who is Leavcy Till?

Leavcy Till is a character in the book, The Greber Squad. It is not very good at using guns but extremely good at close range combat. It was famous for its unique 'Hammer Hands'.

How is my Machamp related to the story?

Initially Gallade was in this seat and it has hands somewhat like a hammer. But I wanted to retain the same name for my Machamp and Machamp also strong in close range combat and not that good at using special attack.

__________________________________________________________

SalkBerator (Zapdos) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)

- Thunderbolt - Thunderbolt is for STAB and it really sweeps teams. Choice Scarf makes me outspeed most of the pokemons and really rip through teams.

- Hidden Power [Ice] - This is for the Ground Type pokemons where HP Ice really terrorizes pokemons like Gliscor and even Hippowodon is not very comfortable with this attack.

- Heat Wave - This is for killing Shaymin -s , Scizor, Forretress and many other steel type pokemons.

- Signal Beam - This move is used for Celebi killing. A lot of Celebis that think they can wall Zapdos and end up dying to this. This is also my best weapon against Tyranitar.

Description

I use Zapdos as a Scizor and Skymin Counter (which is much needed in today's metagame). Thunderbolt hits anyone who doesn't resist it or not named Blissey, hard. I outspeed most Dragon Dancers even after they complete one Dragon Dance. Signal Beam is a great move to kill Celebi and Heat Wave for Scizor, Skymin and many other steel pokemons. Hidden Power is to get rid of dragons who are trapped in Outrage.

Who is Salk Berator?

Salk Berator is a character from the book, the Greber Squad. It can drain iron from the ground. It is always in a hurry and generally does only one sort of attack, that is draining iron from the ground and using them as weapons.

How is Zapdos related to the story?

Though Zapdos has got nothing to do with Salk's ability, Zapdos is also in a hurry(by means of speed) and uses only one kind of attack.

__________________________________________________________

RonamoBindar (Dragonite) (M) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 22 HP/252 Atk/236 Spd ( Designed to outspeed scarf Heatran After a DD)
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)

- Dragon Dance - This move is used to Set-up and bring up a formidable attack and a great speed which will outspeed most non-scarf pokemons.

- Outrage - A STAB which can kill most of the non-steel pokemons.

- Earthquake - Used for killing pokemons with low HP and prevent over-usage of Outrage. Also used for killing pokemons weak to ground like Heatran.

- Fire Punch - Used for killing Forretress, Scizor, Bronzong and Skarmory.

Description

This is my set-up sweeper providing resistance to many special attackers and setting up on them. An outrage kills most pokemons. Earthquake is used for Jirachi and Metagross and also to prevent over-usage of Outrage to prevent confusion. Fire Punch can be used to kill Scizor, Bronzong and Skarmory like mentioned above.

Who is Ronamo Bindar?

Ronamo Bindar is a character from the book, The Greber Squad. According to that, Ronamo is supposed to be feared of land and so it prefered to be an air force commander. Ronamo is an expert at war once it gets into the air.

How is my Dragonite related to the story?

Dragonite always stays in the air(as per the sprite) and is almost like my commander in air. I have got nothing else to say about this since it has got a very less relationship with Dragonite.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former Members of the team

Prince Speedy(Jolteon)@Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 6 HP/ 252 SpA/ 252 Speed
Nature: Timid
-Substitute
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power[Grass]
-Charm
Why was it replaced?

My tutor(JabbatheGriffin) told that he didn't see a point with this Pokemon and told me to replace with an Azelf since Stealth Rock provides a good support which I lacked.

Dominator V(Salamence)@Yache Berry
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 6 HP/ 252 Atk / 252 Speed
-Dragon Dance
-Earthquake
-Outrage
-Fire Blast
Why was it replaced?

It was replaced since Dragonite had a better surviving capacity. If a Yache Berry was knocked off, Suicune would OHKO a Salamence with its Ice Beam but cannot do the same with Dragonite.

LeavcyTill(Gallade)@Leftovers
Ability: Steadfast
Adamant nature
EVs: 252 HP/144 Def/66 SDef/48 Speed

- Will-O-Wisp
- Thunder Wave
- Psycho Cut
- Close Combat
Why was it replaced?

Again, my tutor(JabbatheGriffin) didn't see a point with this Pokemon and told me to replace it with Machamp for a status absorber and a CB Ttar counter.


How Do I Counter The Pokemons in the Threat List?

Tyranitar - Machamp
Gyarados - Suicune
Infernape - Suicune or revenge kill with Zapdos
Azelf - Scizor or revenge kill with Zapdos
Electivire - Machamp
Heracross - Zapdos
Salamence - Suicune
Togekiss - Suicune or revenge kill with Zapdos
Gengar - Scizor
Lucario - Scizor
Starmie - Zapdos
Weavile - Scizor
Dugtrio - Scizor
PorygonZ - Scizor or revenge kill with Zapdos
Machamp - Generally Azelf or Suicune
Snorlax - Machamp
Zapdos - Machamp or Dragonite
Suicune - Zapdos
Breloom - Zapdos
Slaking - Machamp
Ninjask - Azelf
Metagross - Zapdos or Suicune
Heatran - Dragonite
Jirachi - Dragonite
Dragonite - Suicune or Scizor if my opponent gets locked into Outrage
Mamoswine - Scizor
Gallade - Suicune
Yanmega - Scizor
Kingdra - Zapdos
Roserade - Azelf
Scizor - Zapdos
Shaymin -s - Zapdos

So Rate Away!

~Taxie​

 

[Kir]

This is a really great team, and the thread was certainly an entertaining read. The only thing that sticks out as trouble to me is dealing with Stall Teams, particularly ones that feature a defensive Zapdos. Yes, Suicune's Ice Beam does serious damage, but a good battler wouldn't leave their Zapdos in on a Suicune without leftovers. Your only other option would be to explode with Azelf, but he may have done that already in the early stages of the battle; again, this is rather predictable. Note that he can generally pp stall Machamp, so be careful there.

Congrats on winning the tournament.

 

[Legacy Raider]

Opposing Zapdos and Rotom forms might give you a bit of trouble. Machamp can OHKO opposing offensive Zapdos, but it can't take 2 Life Orb Thunderbolts. Conversely, Machamp can only 2HKO bulky Zapdos, while it 3HKOs with Thunderbolt and can roost off damage. Either way, Machamp cannot switch into Zapdos, and it is pretty much your best bet. I can't really recommend replacing anything on your team seeing how well it works together atm. However, just keep in mind while battling, if taking out Zapdos means sacrificing one of your own pokemon, then it will often be worth it seeing as how much trouble it can give to the rest of your team.

LR.

 

[Taxie]

Yes, these are the common problems faced by my team. I've not had a problem with Zapdos so far but I've had a lot of problems with Rotom. The only way I kill a Rotom is with Dragonite though it is a risk since the Rotom might have Will - o - wisp. Another way I kill a Rotom is by sacrificing Suicune and then use a faster Pokemon like Zapdos to kill it. I've also had problems with Stall and I've no solutions to it since I don't have proper wall breakers. Blissey - Hippowodon ruin me together since no Pokemon in my team can threaten both these Pokemons together.

 

[Taxie]

*Uses the allowance to bump once*

 

[Veni]

Since my RMT got buried without any significant nitpicks or comments, I'll try to support yours. I understand you run Taunt on your Azelf to stop set-up leads, but how do you deal with any Baton Passers when he's already exploded?

Aside from Machamp's DynamicPunch, you have nothing past Azelf that could even scare someone enough to make them switch. Most Baton Pass teams aim for Speed first, and a +2 Speed Togekiss or +2 Speed Vaporeon could destroy both your Zapdos and your Suicune if you try to switch in on them. I'd suggest making your Suicune slightly less offensive and giving it Roar. I do see the genius in your CM Cune's sweeping abilities, but it seems like you've got a bunch of sweepers that aim to stop people from setting up by killing them quickly. This works for a while, but as you mentioned, does fail against Stallers and Rotom.

I feel like it would work really well against today's metagame with Skymin, but it requires far too many switches, as you have Zapdos as a revenge killer and you have only one pokemon that has any EV investment into either defense category.

Why does Scizor have that SDef? Whose fire move does it buffer? I've found that Scizor works as a very effective Ice Shard sponge with some Def investment. Having a Dragonite on your team creates the need for somewhat of a defensive wall that can take an Ice Shard. With inner focus, Dragonite can stop Skymin as well, opening up some of your Zapdos' usage to other things.

Overall, your team has no gaping holes, it just fails to transition between who you hurt them with and who you hurt them with more.

 

[Imran]

Judging by the lack of replies here Taxie I believe it would be because people can fins very little wrong with your team. You and Jabba together have obviously built a good'en here and any changes will be minor nitpicks if that, but i'll see what I can do =D

USually I would say I never had much luck with Taunt on Azelf, I always prefer running Lead Azelf with Flamethrower / Fire Blast, which will KO those CB Scizor who think they're clevel enough to BP you twice or U-turn out, they will meet a timely death, without it I struggle to see what you do against them, but there you go, whatever works and has been working for you will do fine.

Also you fail to say why you have used Dragonite over Salamence, I'm sure that you do have a good reason, but for a Dragon Dancing set it seems to make more sense to use Salamence who can use INtimidate and a better Speed stat to try to pull off sweeps more easily, again I don't know and it is probably personal preferance and something worth looking into, apart from those two tiny tiny points though there isn't really much to say except for congratulations on making an excellent team and congratulations on winning the tourney =D

 

[Taxie]

Salamence was replaced since Dragonite had a better surviving capacity. If a Yache Berry was knocked off, a bulky water like Suicune would OHKO a Salamence with its Ice Beam but cannot do the same with Dragonite.

Dragonite can 2HKO a bulky water with Outrage while I wonder whether a Salamence will survive an Ice Beam or not. After doing a DD, Dragonite and Salamence are almost the same since both outspeed Scarftran. I can blame my Dragonite only if a Pokemon survives with 1% health remaining. The last reason I'm going to give is quite silly, so I shalll quote it.

I basically don't like Salamenceand I don't know why. I was extremely happy when I heard that Outrage became a physical attack in D/P and Dragonite will be able to get back its popularity.bBut the Platinum update ruined it all and made Dragonite as popular as how it was in advance :(