Bold=Edit
Ok guys I dont actually know how good you guys will think it is, I just said that to get you in here to rate it and look at it. I like making teams and feel I am getting better at it but there is still something that feels off in general. That being said on to specifics about making this team.
The idea for this team came about after some trolling. I thought to myself "hey self lets troll" and then did. A mind numbing six hours later I decided to stop trolling and to make a team (it was actually more like one hour but hey). One of the threads I had read was on building a team around one sweeper and how to trap/lure its threats.
The first step was picking out a sweeper and so I decided on Empoleon because I have seen how it rampages through teams (the petya version). At this point I have to get counters for bulky waters, super fast sweepers (Im talking to you jolt and scarfnape), and of course the fat pink whore (yea you know who that is). Well that is where the core came from...
Finally a lead. I thought I would pick something that would be able to 1. Produce some kind of entry hazard, 2. Destroy some kind of threat to empoleon, 3. Act as a check in emergencies, and 4. Be all around bad ass. Well there was only one candidate. But with recent changes I relized there was a second as well. Sorry Roserade, Gliscor took you down with it. Without further ado, team Imgoingtopwnyou.
Overview
Azelf @ Focus Sash
Jolly Nature: 252 ATK/252 Speed
Taunt
Stealth Rock
U-Turn/Zen Headbutt
Explosion
---
Well apparently the Roserade did not fit my bill enough. Actually it did but thanks to ShadowSpeedRider89, I am revamping the team with new changes to make it more synergistic than before. Gliscor had been causing me problems (mine) so I decided to scrap it and move into a more offensive direction. Toxic support is no longer too necisarry as I can handle most bulky waters with my new additions. This Azelf lead is going to serve to taunt, get rocks up, and get out using U-Turn and serve as a check later in the game. Explosion will be nice for problem pokes too but unfortunatly Azelf draws in some ghost types sometimes. But my other new team member can handle that if I dont switch it into a shadow ball.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
---
The most used pokemon in OU today. Normally I absolutely hate using it. HATE USING IT. But I make an exception here. One of my two blissy counters, using pursuit with choice band or Uturning whatever comes in. BP for revenge killing. Also, its my primary counter to Latias, Celebi, and TTar, all which can ruin my empoleons sweep (Celebi if its the subseeder and even the offensive one sometimes). It also draws fire attacks to give to heatran. On most of my teams, if i have to change something, this is the first to go, but right now it serves as a major check to major threats and also as one of the counters that can remove anything in empoleons way.
Celebi @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 44 HP/212 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earth Power
- Psychic
Replacing Roserade as my grass powerhouse capable of taking down many of empoleons counters. Celebi, unlike Roserade, keeps a ground resistance thanks to her typing. Unfortunatly I am giving up toxic spike removal, toxic spikes and sleep powder but I believe my two new additions are well worth those sacrifices as Celebi is a reliable counter to some of the pokemon that have been gving me issues. Celebi's EVs are to make sure it outruns ALL heatran and can KO them with earth power. Celebi and Heatran in tandum can take down raging infernapes of almost any variety and to make matters better, can take out those pesky Rotom-H or any other type with psychic. Being pursuit bait is worth it as almost everything that can pursuit wont like weavile, scizor or heatran coming in on them and I can then procede to either SD and try to sweep or Uturn to a counter or predict the incoming poke and kill it.
Weavile (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Night Slash
- Ice Shard
- Brick Break
---
My little Weavile. Most of the sweeps actually come from this thing. Send it in when it can (blissy not on FT, shadowball, psychic or something like that). SD on the switch (unless its dangerous then use the propper move) and fire away. It usually can take 2 or 3 things out and is my primary dragon counter. Scizor can pose a problem so I usually wait till scizor is low (around 30-35) or gone altogether. Im considering changing the nature to Adamant so I can hit Scizor with a +2 Ice Shard around 35-40 health. It can also function as insurance to stop the raging opponents sweepers. And, its good as a revenge killer (fancy that, decent attack and good speed). Specs Jolteon, which poses a major threat to this team with HP Ice and TBolt, is killed by a +2 Ice Shard. At worst it weakens opponents severly or serves as a scout/pivot fodder.
Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
- Explosion
- Hidden Power [Grass]
---
Scouts for earth and water attacks. Swampy can take HP Grass unless its weakened so I usually dont use it untill it takes some damage. Otherwise its my revenge killer and takes fire attacks that Scizor and Roserade draw. This was probably the least thought out pokemon on the team and the analasis reflects. However, it works well as a revenge killer and works at taking out steels and grass types that can plague Empoleon. I also explode on problem pokes and Blissy who likes to come in on Heatran. I dont mind since heatran is expendable but without that pink whore we all hate, the steel penguin can sweep.
Empoleon (M) @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 12 HP/12 Def/232 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
- Substitute
- Surf
- Ice Beam
---
Give me one free turn and have all the oposing checks gone and then my opponent is dead. This thing is a beast. Not much to say about it since its job is almost solely to sweep. The only other thing it almost ever does is come in on Gyarados and set up. Sometimes I bring it in midgame and then just let the team act as a balanced offensive team but usually I wait till the end and let the penguin do its job.
Now to the threats (only included are those who are reasonably dangerous to the team imo... I may leave some out)
Breloom: Fortunately not too many oppertunities to set up anymore as almost everything I have can scare it in some way or U-turn to something that does.
Celebi: Again not too bad with the addition of celebi. Scizor threatens the pursuit and almost anything can OHKO it or get it to where it can be killed in one hit. Also everything is faster or has a faster move so it cant really do much to me anymore.
Gyarados: Heatran can explode and Scizor can live long enough to take it down to killing range. Now Celebi can leaf storm and azelf can explode or something like that. Gyarados cant touch celebi without Ice Fang
Heatran: Heatran can deal with it, Weavile can revenge kill it if it is modest, Celebi can revenge kill it AND keep it in if the tran gets greedy.
Infernape: Not too bad anymore... Only the scarf ones can be difficult but my new teammates can definatly handle it.
Kingdra: In the rain I may be in trouble but without the rain I can handle it. Scizor can wear it down with bullet punch while the common sets cant do much without a few DDs. Celebi can now stay faster after one DD and can prompt an outrage in fear of the leaf storm putting it in killing range for anything. Heatran can still explode as can azelf who can also taunt a set up.
Machamp: Not too much of a problem any more because of celebi
Rotom-A: Can be a pain but weavile can handle them with a boost. Heatran can handle them as well and does not fear WoW. Celebi can kill it IF I dont come in on a shadow ball or overheat. Therefore I usually will revenge kill it
Zapdos: About the one thing Gliscor was useful for. Without Gliscor, weavile can do a good job if Zappy is low enough and kill it with Ice Shard or a +2 Ice Shard depending on the situation. Heatran can do the job as well. Celebi may have to revenge kill it eventually or just have Azelf explode on it. Just about te one thing that hurts once gliscor is gone.
All in all I think it needs some work after compiling this threat list but I think the idea is there. So far on the ladder Ive been winning about 75-80% of the time but I think that can be improved (yea this so far has been my team with the most success... look at my rating and you will be able to tell).
Im still open to suggestions that will help the team. Ive got to playtest this first and then I will get back to the thread and see if you smogonites have made suggestions to make it even better
Ok guys I dont actually know how good you guys will think it is, I just said that to get you in here to rate it and look at it. I like making teams and feel I am getting better at it but there is still something that feels off in general. That being said on to specifics about making this team.
The idea for this team came about after some trolling. I thought to myself "hey self lets troll" and then did. A mind numbing six hours later I decided to stop trolling and to make a team (it was actually more like one hour but hey). One of the threads I had read was on building a team around one sweeper and how to trap/lure its threats.
The first step was picking out a sweeper and so I decided on Empoleon because I have seen how it rampages through teams (the petya version). At this point I have to get counters for bulky waters, super fast sweepers (Im talking to you jolt and scarfnape), and of course the fat pink whore (yea you know who that is). Well that is where the core came from...
Finally a lead. I thought I would pick something that would be able to 1. Produce some kind of entry hazard, 2. Destroy some kind of threat to empoleon, 3. Act as a check in emergencies, and 4. Be all around bad ass. Well there was only one candidate. But with recent changes I relized there was a second as well. Sorry Roserade, Gliscor took you down with it. Without further ado, team Imgoingtopwnyou.
Overview
Azelf @ Focus Sash
Jolly Nature: 252 ATK/252 Speed
Taunt
Stealth Rock
U-Turn/Zen Headbutt
Explosion
---
Well apparently the Roserade did not fit my bill enough. Actually it did but thanks to ShadowSpeedRider89, I am revamping the team with new changes to make it more synergistic than before. Gliscor had been causing me problems (mine) so I decided to scrap it and move into a more offensive direction. Toxic support is no longer too necisarry as I can handle most bulky waters with my new additions. This Azelf lead is going to serve to taunt, get rocks up, and get out using U-Turn and serve as a check later in the game. Explosion will be nice for problem pokes too but unfortunatly Azelf draws in some ghost types sometimes. But my other new team member can handle that if I dont switch it into a shadow ball.
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP/252 Atk/8 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
---
The most used pokemon in OU today. Normally I absolutely hate using it. HATE USING IT. But I make an exception here. One of my two blissy counters, using pursuit with choice band or Uturning whatever comes in. BP for revenge killing. Also, its my primary counter to Latias, Celebi, and TTar, all which can ruin my empoleons sweep (Celebi if its the subseeder and even the offensive one sometimes). It also draws fire attacks to give to heatran. On most of my teams, if i have to change something, this is the first to go, but right now it serves as a major check to major threats and also as one of the counters that can remove anything in empoleons way.
Celebi @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 44 HP/212 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earth Power
- Psychic
Replacing Roserade as my grass powerhouse capable of taking down many of empoleons counters. Celebi, unlike Roserade, keeps a ground resistance thanks to her typing. Unfortunatly I am giving up toxic spike removal, toxic spikes and sleep powder but I believe my two new additions are well worth those sacrifices as Celebi is a reliable counter to some of the pokemon that have been gving me issues. Celebi's EVs are to make sure it outruns ALL heatran and can KO them with earth power. Celebi and Heatran in tandum can take down raging infernapes of almost any variety and to make matters better, can take out those pesky Rotom-H or any other type with psychic. Being pursuit bait is worth it as almost everything that can pursuit wont like weavile, scizor or heatran coming in on them and I can then procede to either SD and try to sweep or Uturn to a counter or predict the incoming poke and kill it.
Weavile (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Night Slash
- Ice Shard
- Brick Break
---
My little Weavile. Most of the sweeps actually come from this thing. Send it in when it can (blissy not on FT, shadowball, psychic or something like that). SD on the switch (unless its dangerous then use the propper move) and fire away. It usually can take 2 or 3 things out and is my primary dragon counter. Scizor can pose a problem so I usually wait till scizor is low (around 30-35) or gone altogether. Im considering changing the nature to Adamant so I can hit Scizor with a +2 Ice Shard around 35-40 health. It can also function as insurance to stop the raging opponents sweepers. And, its good as a revenge killer (fancy that, decent attack and good speed). Specs Jolteon, which poses a major threat to this team with HP Ice and TBolt, is killed by a +2 Ice Shard. At worst it weakens opponents severly or serves as a scout/pivot fodder.
Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Naive nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
- Explosion
- Hidden Power [Grass]
---
Scouts for earth and water attacks. Swampy can take HP Grass unless its weakened so I usually dont use it untill it takes some damage. Otherwise its my revenge killer and takes fire attacks that Scizor and Roserade draw. This was probably the least thought out pokemon on the team and the analasis reflects. However, it works well as a revenge killer and works at taking out steels and grass types that can plague Empoleon. I also explode on problem pokes and Blissy who likes to come in on Heatran. I dont mind since heatran is expendable but without that pink whore we all hate, the steel penguin can sweep.
Empoleon (M) @ Petaya Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 12 HP/12 Def/232 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
- Substitute
- Surf
- Ice Beam
---
Give me one free turn and have all the oposing checks gone and then my opponent is dead. This thing is a beast. Not much to say about it since its job is almost solely to sweep. The only other thing it almost ever does is come in on Gyarados and set up. Sometimes I bring it in midgame and then just let the team act as a balanced offensive team but usually I wait till the end and let the penguin do its job.
Now to the threats (only included are those who are reasonably dangerous to the team imo... I may leave some out)
Breloom: Fortunately not too many oppertunities to set up anymore as almost everything I have can scare it in some way or U-turn to something that does.
Celebi: Again not too bad with the addition of celebi. Scizor threatens the pursuit and almost anything can OHKO it or get it to where it can be killed in one hit. Also everything is faster or has a faster move so it cant really do much to me anymore.
Gyarados: Heatran can explode and Scizor can live long enough to take it down to killing range. Now Celebi can leaf storm and azelf can explode or something like that. Gyarados cant touch celebi without Ice Fang
Heatran: Heatran can deal with it, Weavile can revenge kill it if it is modest, Celebi can revenge kill it AND keep it in if the tran gets greedy.
Infernape: Not too bad anymore... Only the scarf ones can be difficult but my new teammates can definatly handle it.
Kingdra: In the rain I may be in trouble but without the rain I can handle it. Scizor can wear it down with bullet punch while the common sets cant do much without a few DDs. Celebi can now stay faster after one DD and can prompt an outrage in fear of the leaf storm putting it in killing range for anything. Heatran can still explode as can azelf who can also taunt a set up.
Machamp: Not too much of a problem any more because of celebi
Rotom-A: Can be a pain but weavile can handle them with a boost. Heatran can handle them as well and does not fear WoW. Celebi can kill it IF I dont come in on a shadow ball or overheat. Therefore I usually will revenge kill it
Zapdos: About the one thing Gliscor was useful for. Without Gliscor, weavile can do a good job if Zappy is low enough and kill it with Ice Shard or a +2 Ice Shard depending on the situation. Heatran can do the job as well. Celebi may have to revenge kill it eventually or just have Azelf explode on it. Just about te one thing that hurts once gliscor is gone.
All in all I think it needs some work after compiling this threat list but I think the idea is there. So far on the ladder Ive been winning about 75-80% of the time but I think that can be improved (yea this so far has been my team with the most success... look at my rating and you will be able to tell).
Im still open to suggestions that will help the team. Ive got to playtest this first and then I will get back to the thread and see if you smogonites have made suggestions to make it even better
RECORD
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