Hello Smogonites! After much trial and error, the unmaking and remaking of teams, I finally feel like it's time to present this team. While I'm not very high on the ladder (mid 1400s) and my prediction skills aren't perfected, I've been having a lot of fun seeing how much this team can do. I've done what changes I can think of that will bring this team even further, and I've come to a stopping point, which is also why I am here. This team is based around Gyarados, inspired by Mr. Fish from the web comic Manly Guys doing Manly Things. The goal is to aid Mr. Fish as much as possible to set up for a clean sweep of the opposing team, least what's left of it. So without any further adieu, on to the team!
ICP (Magnezone) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Flash Cannon
The first thing I pondered on was what prevents Mr. Fish from doing a successful sweep? What can easily stop him? Bulky steel types such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn were a thorn in his side, and I needed a reliable way to trap them, so in comes the super magnet, Megnezone. Once they were gone, Mr. Fish was essentially home free. While there are some that Magnezone just can't stand up to, he will zap some holes in the opposing team with choice specs. The EV's are for hitting as hard as possible and being able to take a hit that won't outright ohko him in return if it takes more than one zap from Magnezone.
Volt Switch allows for a scout of what the opponent may switch into Magnezone (If they lack a steel type for trapping). And while I don't find myself using this often with the abundance of ground types, otherwise something will get hit.
Thunderbolt being his reliable stab, able to hit water types and shoot down birds from the sky. This is rather important for being able to hit Azumarill, who is luckily slower than Magnezone and can cleanly gain the ohko even after switching into a Knock Off.
Hidden Power Fire is the icing on the cake, vital for eliminating key steel types, specifically Scizor and Ferrothorn, who are cleanly 2hko by the fire within, who would otherwise become a pain later on for Mr. Fish.
Finally, Flash Cannon hits (almost) everything inbetween and is his second stab move that'll a good chunk a damage off of anything that doesn't resist it, such as Landorus-T on the switch. It's also great for hitting all of the fairies roaming around scaring off dragons.
Sakura (Latias) @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 180 Def / 80 Spe
Bold Nature
- Defog
- Roar
- Recover
- Dragon Pulse
Speaking of dragons, Mega Latias can take hits like no other. Her increased bulk is amazing, and while you may be wondering 'Why make Latias the Mega when this is about Gyarados? Whynot make him the Mega?' That's the whole idea. When people look at the team preview, they'll automatically assume that Mr. Fish will be the mega. However, it makes an ass outta you and me when you assume. The EV's are set to take on as many hits as possible - both physical and special thanks to her godly special defense, and while a bold nature may be a bit confusing, I'd honestly rather switch out than attempt to stay in risking an ohko oevr winning the speed tie with other base 110 pokemon.
Defog is what keeps my pokemon able to see clearly and not take unnecessary entry hazard damage, especially stealth rocks for Mr. Fish. While I am uncomfortable having to clear what I may have put down earlier, I'd rather either have to put them down again, or just simply have no entry hazards on either side and still have Mr. Fish healthy for when he gets the opportunity to come in and sweep.
Roar prevents other pokemon from using Latias as set up fodder or are trying to hide behind a substitute, thinking they may be able to power their way through her and the rest of the team. Roar also aids in racking up entry hazard damage of my own that I've set up earlier, aiding Mr. Fish for later.
Recover keeps Latias nice and healthy.
Dragon Pulse is her stab move of choice, so she's not completely shut down by a faster taunt.
Night Fury (Gliscor) (M) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 248 HP / 188 Def / 72 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
- Earthquake
- Toxic
I did originally have Landorus-T, but what I noticed as I continued battling was that no one could absorb status very well. Gliscor comes in as my stealth rock setter, able to shrug off any stronger physical moves that Latias may not be able to stomach and retaliate back. The EV's are for taking physical hits all day long, and the speed are to outpace non-positive natured base 70 speed pokemon such as Adamant Bisharp.
Stealth Rocks punish those who attempt to switch in, slowly racking up entry hazard damage to ease the effort for Mr. Fish to finish teams off.
Protect is for scouting and occasionally as a safety measure for the toxic orb to activate at the end of the turn. It's also great for letting toxic build and to gain a turn of poison heal damage.
Earthquake is the stab move of choice. I almost did consider using acrobatics to switch into a knock off after the toxic has been activated to be able to hit flying types, but I feel it's very high risk and requires on point prediction that I lack.
Toxic is to ensure that no one uses Gliscor as set up fodder, putting a time limit on how long the pokemon is out and completely shutting down any walls attempting to force out Gliscor, such as Rotom-W.
The Lost (Klefki) (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Magnet Rise
- Dazzling Gleam
Prankster Klefki causes so many headaches. He protects Latias from an oncoming dragon move that'll otherwise ohko her, and proceeds to do what he does best to support the rest of the team. The EV's allow him to take special hits and increase his longevity.
Spikes punish grounded pokemon, and quickly racks up the more the pokemon switch out.
Thunder Wave aids not only Mr. Fish, but insanely fast pokemon such as Mega Lopunny and neuter scarfers that may come back to haunt Mr. Fish later.
Magnet Rise allows Klefki to only have one weakness for 5 full turns, sometimes forcing them to switch out into something that can hit Klefki as he sets up a layer a spikes. It's great for countering Garchomp who's brave enough to stay in, and the earlier given ev's let him take a fire blast rather well.
I did originally have Play Rough, but it instantly became worthless if burned, especially against Mega Sableye, so Dazzling Gleam it is as the stab move of choice.
Krampus (Gengar) (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 144 HP / 104 SpA / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Hex
- Sludge Wave
- Will-O-Wisp
Ah, Gengar, how you've stood against the test of time. Gengar is here specifically to block rapid spin and to benefit from the work other members of the team have already done. Whether it'd be to spread burns, giggle at your misfortune, or to come back later, he's always there, laughing with that eerie smile. The EV's are to speed tie with the popular 110 base, and to let him sit in the sweet spot of hit points to make his Substitutes withstand all, while the rest is for hitting as hard and fast as allowed.
Substitute protects him from any priority status and to get a burn off if a priority attack is used to break the sub. This is also great for neutering any non-fire physical attacker that may come back later.
Hex is the best. With the amount of status that's being spread thanks to the help of Klefki and Gliscor, on top of what Gengar is already doing, something's going to be hit HARD. This helps to burn holes in the opposing team, making (almost) everything weaker so nothing can avoid the inevitable.
Sludge Wave is to ward off any fairies that may be brave enough to try and eat one of Gengar's moves, especially a boosted hex. Also helpful for grass types.
Will-O-Wisp punishes physical attacks and what boosts Hex, along with spreading the LOVE! Slowly reducing the opponent's hp til they're either killed off with Hex, or forced to switch out, this is what makes the set great. Also awesome for reducing a physical attack that may be targeted for Mr. Fish.
Mr. Fish (Gyarados) (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
Finally, the star of the team, Mr. Fish. His Mega form isn't required to see the raw power this pokemon brings (not to mention I think his Mega design is silly). After said threats have been removed, this guy is the downfall of the remaining team, able to sweep with ease. The Lum Berry is sometimes a surprise to others, but if a prankster was hoping to at least slow Gyarados, they were wrong. I did originally try Intimidate, but I had a hard time using it as a way to force out a strong physical attack in order to try and gain a free boost when by the time I do bring Mr. Fish in, they're already either weakened or burned. Moxie is just too much fun to pass up, for when by the time he does gain a moxie boost, he becomes incredibly difficult to stop. The EV's are set to hit as hard and fast as possible, with a Jolly nature to outspeed all of the things except for few.
One Dragon Dance boost is sometimes all Mr. Fish needs in order to begin causing havoc. Outspeeding a good portion of the meta game bar some scarfers, the power brought by Mr. Fish is incredible.
Waterfall is the stab move of choice, providing a nifty flinch chance but otherwise is reliable and strong.
Earthquake hits any remaining electric or weak grounded steel type pokemon thinking they may have a chance to stop this monster.
Ice Fang is targeted for dragon and grass types that are left standing (or flying?) such as Mega Alteria and Serperior. I did consider Stone Edge to form the EdgeQuake combo, but again thinking through any potential walls that could put a halt to Mr. Fish's reign of destruction, Ice Fang was more appealing.
Checks and Counters;
Conclusion!
I really have had fun battling with this team, but lately I've been working on another team which is why I've presented this team to yall. I hope yall enjoyed reading this, and I'd be thrilled to hear anything and everything anyone has to say about improving the team. Any of the comic pictures used, I take no credit for and give that to the artist for Manly Guys Doing Manly Things.
Thank you!
