Introduction
This team was created during the testing period when Raikou, Froslass, Moltres, and Dugtrio were considered suspects at the time so it had a few different movesets. With sweepers and walls complimenting each other, it is rather easy for me to find switch ins to the most common threats in the tier. Most of the time I can control the tempo of the game, from fast to slow, and vice-versa. Some main advantages to this team is that it has switch ins to all the status moves, Sleep is relegated to Registeel, Will-O-Wisp to Houndoom, Thunder Wave to Donphan, and Toxic to Venusaur, which gives me a huge advantage against teams that rely on status.
This team has peaked at #1 on the UU leaderboard with a CRE of 1740 under the account kaba. I have also defeated a few "big names" so it wasn't very easy getting to the top of the ladder. Although that may seem like a not so impressive task, what I am most proud of is that I had gone undefeated to the Top 10. There I faced a few threats and made some finishing touches on the team.
P.S. If you're wondering what "kaba" means, it is derived from kababayan, which in Tagalog (a Filipino dialect, I am Filipino btw) means a fellow from the same town/province and connotes respect for each other's commitment to unity. The main reason I used it was that I am a big fan of Kaba Modern and I love dancing so I just laddered under the name "kaba". :3
P.S.S. Tony Tran from KML is beast. He has a solo to a song called "Dome Piece" by Vibesquad hence the team's name.
The Vibesquad
Mismagius ♀ @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid nature (+Spe , -Atk)
Shadow Ball
Thunderbolt
Taunt
Will-O-Wisp
Why this Pokemon?
A Choice Band Scyther used to be this team's lead at one point. It may seem odd and you may be asking yourself what Scyther did for this team? Well I needed something can could pose an immediate threat and take down the increasingly popular Mesprit and Uxie leads. Scyther was mainly an anti-lead of sorts and coupled well with Houndoom and Venusaur allowing me to trap or put the Pokemon to sleep. It was great and I laddered my way to #1.
However later on I noticed I was having a lot of trouble against a certain entry hazard stacking team that made me look for another Pokemon to occupy the lead slot with. I read an analysis for a Lead Mismagius which got my attention. Mismagius provided my team with the necessary tasks Scyther had provided as well as shut down Omastar and Cloyster lead which at first game me problems.
Normal attacks had troubled me in the past as I only had one resist in Registeel. Behind every Normal-type attack however was a Ground- or Fighting-type attack. Mismagius provides the team with immunity to all three of these attacks and passes burns around for Milotic and Registeel to take advantage of which was great. Her Ghost-typing also provides my team with a decent switch-in to Rapid Spinners who are promptly KOed, burned, or forced to flee. This made Moltres and Scyther fear switching in and Cloyster from setting up entry hazards.
I will sometimes alternate between Scyther and Mismagius. Both have there merits and I do wish a Pokemon had these traits but you can't have everything.
EVs & Nature
. Timid nature and 252 Speed EVs to ensure I outspeed Hidden Power [Fight] variants of Mismagius.
. 252 Special Attack EVs gives maximum damage output from a Timid nature.
. The last 4 EVs are used to slightly boost her great Special Defense stat.
How I combat various top leads:
- Usually I'll switch to Registeel and carry on from there. Although from what I've experienced most carry Fake Out / Return / U-turn / Taunt so I'll Thunderbolt at times.
- Taunt to shut it down and follow it up with a Shadow Ball.
- Taunt to shut it down and follow it up with a Shadow Ball.
- Taunt or Thunderbolt will beat it.
- Taunt or Thunderbolt will beat it.
- Hate this thing. Will-O-Wisp will cripple it but Shadow Sneak hurts.
- Switch to Registeel and outstall.
- Taunt and follow up with a Shadow Ball.
- Taunt. Waterfall hurts so I'll sometimes use Will-O-Wisp sometimes.
- Switch to Registeel. Sometimes I'll switch in Houndoom or Milotic depending on the item. Mismagius can survive one hit and retaliate with a Shadow Ball.
- Will-O-Wisp or Shadow Ball. If I suspect Lum Berry from past battles I'll go or a Shadow Ball.
- Thunderbolt to take it out if I suspect Stealth Rock but Stone Edge hurts so I'll use Will-O-Wisp sometimes or just switch out if I need her.
- Ugh. Guts Payback hurts! Shadow Ball can 2HKO but I'd rather switch at times.
- Thunderbolt to remove it right away.
- Thunderbolt to remove it right away. Although Speed tie hurts!
- Two Shadow Balls should take it out. I'll switch in Registeel to beat it though.
Mismagius ♀ @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid nature (+Spe , -Atk)
Shadow Ball Thunderbolt Taunt Will-O-WispWhy this Pokemon?
A Choice Band Scyther used to be this team's lead at one point. It may seem odd and you may be asking yourself what Scyther did for this team? Well I needed something can could pose an immediate threat and take down the increasingly popular Mesprit and Uxie leads. Scyther was mainly an anti-lead of sorts and coupled well with Houndoom and Venusaur allowing me to trap or put the Pokemon to sleep. It was great and I laddered my way to #1.
However later on I noticed I was having a lot of trouble against a certain entry hazard stacking team that made me look for another Pokemon to occupy the lead slot with. I read an analysis for a Lead Mismagius which got my attention. Mismagius provided my team with the necessary tasks Scyther had provided as well as shut down Omastar and Cloyster lead which at first game me problems.
Normal attacks had troubled me in the past as I only had one resist in Registeel. Behind every Normal-type attack however was a Ground- or Fighting-type attack. Mismagius provides the team with immunity to all three of these attacks and passes burns around for Milotic and Registeel to take advantage of which was great. Her Ghost-typing also provides my team with a decent switch-in to Rapid Spinners who are promptly KOed, burned, or forced to flee. This made Moltres and Scyther fear switching in and Cloyster from setting up entry hazards.
I will sometimes alternate between Scyther and Mismagius. Both have there merits and I do wish a Pokemon had these traits but you can't have everything.
EVs & Nature
. Timid nature and 252 Speed EVs to ensure I outspeed Hidden Power [Fight] variants of Mismagius.
. 252 Special Attack EVs gives maximum damage output from a Timid nature.
. The last 4 EVs are used to slightly boost her great Special Defense stat.
How I combat various top leads:
Registeel @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Def / 216 SpD
Careful nature (+SpD, -SpA)
Iron Head
Curse
Rest
Sleep TalkWhy this Pokemon?
Registeel and Milotic are often staples to most of my teams so I both were given a guaranteed spot. What is so amazing about Registeel is the ability to counter numerous special attackers in the tier and some physical attackers. Alakazam, Mismagius, Uxie, Mesprit, and Altaria are stopped cold.
Curse Registeel is a very underrated threat in my opinion even with Haze Milotic around. The reason why I chose the Curse set was that it coupled well with Mismagius making it harder for teams to break through it if their physical attackers were burned and
after a Curse or two, Registeel becomes a defensive juggernaut who can sweep any unprepared or weakened team. The generic Stealth Rock / Thunder Wave / Attack / Attack sets were too boring and lacked recovery making it harder to handle special threats at low health.
Curse Registeel also makes a great lure to Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks. After seeing Curse, most people opt to use a super-effective attacking making it easier for Houndoom or Mismagius to come in safely and Pursuit or burn the opponent which in turn aids my defensive walls in the long run.
EVs & Nature
. Careful nature to get the most out of Registeel's Special Defense stat.
. 252 HP and 220 Special Defense gives Registeel great defensive capabilities letting me wall a wide array of special attackers giving me time to retaliate with an attack or Curse up.
. 40 Defense EVs to boost Registeel's great Defense stat and with Curse it does make a huge difference after one boost.
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Milotic ♀ @ Leftovers
Ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 SpD
Calm nature (+SpD , -Atk)
Surf Hidden Power [Psychic]/
Hidden Power [Grass]
Haze RecoverWhy this Pokemon?
Milotic, as I have said before, was a staple for most of my teams so it was guaranteed a spot. She is an absolutely amazing wall which stops many physical and special threats from ravaging this team. I used to use a Bold nature with a standard EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe but after being demolished by a well played Moltres, I decided to use Calm. After switching to Calm I don't miss the loss in defense as Milotic is still incredibly bulky and a boosted Marvel Scale makes it even better at mixed walling.
As most Milotic sets, this carries the same elements. Haze shuts down stat boosters and threats such as opposing Curse Registeel and Dragon Dance Feraligatr. Recover is used over Rest and Sleep Talk (which I do find really good) because it provides her with immediate recovery and another moveslot. The last move is rather "troll-worthy". I use Hidden Power [Psychic] because it hits Toxicroak which is a big threat to this team once Donphan is down. Azumarill and other bulky waters may seem problematic for any Milotic using Hidden Power [Psychic] but with Mismagius and Venusaur on this team I can often work around that problem.
Hidden Power Grass is sometimes used as well for Azumarill and other bulky waters.
EVs & Nature
. Calm nature was used to help take down Fire-types much easier. I did have a Bold nature but after being beaten by a few Moltres I decided to use Calm.
. 252 HP / 56 Special Defense EVs to avoid the 3HKO from Moltres's Hidden Power [Grass].
. 200 Defense EVs to make Milotic a mixed wall of sorts.
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Donphan ♂ @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 52 HP / 248 Atk / 204 Def / 4 Spe
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
Earthquake Ice Shard Rapid Spin
Stealth RockWhy this Pokemon?
Donphan completes the defensive core. Since Registeel lacked Stealth Rock, it was a must. Entry hazards looked like a major nuisance so Rapid Spin was a must. Donphan is one of the few Pokemon to learn Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin but also provided the team with a counter to multitude of threats such as Aggron, Drapion, and Toxicroak.
Ice Shard is used over any other attack as it provides my team with a check to Rock Polish Torterra, a huge threat to this team. Ice Shard has also been proven useful in dealing with Ice-type weak threats such as Swellow and frail attackers such as Alakazam and Mismagius. Which much like Houndoom, alleviates the amount of reliance on Registeel.
EVs & Nature
. Adamant nature and 248 Attack EVs are used for the purpose of 2HKOing Spiritomb and Clefable with Earthquake, while Ice Shard hits Flying-types and Rock-types such as Swellow, Scyther, and Torterra for heavy damage.
. 52 HP and 204 Defense EVs bring the most out of his Defense stat as opposed to 252 HP / 52 Defense EVs.
. 4 Speed EVs to outrun opposing Donphan. I do not like using 88 Speed EVs as I would have to removed some Defense EVs and the damage is noticeable.
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Houndoom ♀ @ Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 96 Atk / 188 SpA / 224 Spe
Hasty nature (+Spe , -Def)
Sucker Punch Dark Pulse Pursuit
Fire BlastWhy this Pokemon?
Houndoom was added to the team when Donphan was added. The reason why I chose Houndoom was that it provided this team with an alternate way of dealing wiht Ghost-types alleviating the pressure on Registeel and helping Donphan Rapid Spin those annoying entry hazards later on.
I opted to use the Pursuit and Sucker Punch set to deal with a multitude of threats. Firstly, Pursuit is a much needed attack in dealing with specific threats making it easier for any of her teammates to sweep or stall. Sucker Punch is a great lure for any Dugtrio lacking Substitute, which in turn makes it easier for Registeel to switch-in without having to fear an Earthquake.
EVs & Nature
. Hasty nature is used since Houndoom's Defense stat isn't the best.
. 224 Speed EVs hits 310 Speed outspeeding Rotom.
. 96 Attack EVs allow Houndoom to OHKO Dugtrio with Stealth Rock.
. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to boost Fire Blast and Dark Pulse.
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Venusaur ♂ @ Life Orb
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid nature (+Spe , -Atk)
Leaf Storm Sleep Powder Synthesis
Sludge BombWhy this Pokemon?
Venusaur is the MVP of the team. I wanted to keep up with the Fire / Water / Grass core as they are rather fantastic at dealing with a multitude of threats. Anyways he can find switch-ins to multitudes of Pokemon but mainly Milotic. Ice Beam does hurt but I usually scout with Registeel first and switch in Venusaur later.
Venusaur can open up holes in the opponents team rather easy. Often times I can easily find and remove his counters with Mismagius making it much easier to sweep. I chose the all special attacking set as it pretty much beats all team types. Offense, stall, balance, you name it, Venusaur will usually come out on top. Sleep Powder is great on a team like this as people usually have a wall such as Registeel go to sleep or a Fire-type making it much easier for Registeel to set up, Mismagius to unleash boosted Thunderbolts, Houndoom to trap sleeping Pokemon, etc.
In most of my battles I've found Venusaur to be the Pokemon finishing the opponents team off. I guess you can say this team works toward a Venusaur sweep although it does it rather subtly. Unlike most Pokemon-centered team, Venusaur helps the rest of my team as well.
EVs & Nature
. Timid nature and 252 Speed EVs tie with other Venusaur but other Base 80 sweepers as well.
. 252 Special Attack EVs for maximum damage output from a Timid nature.
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Threat List
Sorry, no in-depth threat list. Although I'll briefly list the biggest threats to this team.
Torterra
Maybe the biggest threat to my team after a Rock Polish. This is the reason why I am using Ice Shard on Donphan as it does ~90%. All other sets are pretty manageable.
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Lanturn
Defensive sets are easy to take care of however SubCharge sets can be devastating. They can set up on Registeel and Milotic and the only way I'm taking it out is through Venusaur. Mismagius and Houndoom can do some good damage though.
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Hariyama
Really hard to switch into. Stall out Orb with Close Combat on Mismagius, Payback / Bullet Punch on Registeel, etc. I can hit it hard however.
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Past Squad Members
Scyther ♂ @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly nature (+Spe, -SpA)
U-turn
