This Team Really Shouldn't Be Winning...

Hello, it is I Am Doz with a new RMT for you people on smogon to quickly browse and forget about. I recently went about making a new team to do some laddering with, as my usual teams sort of linger about in the 1100's not doing much, and I felt that I could get higher than that with a new team, with a more defined strategy than previous attempts. I have never been a fan of using weather teams so that idea was out of the window, I'm not too good at Trick Room teams, so that too was gone. The only viable teams for me to try were Hyper Offense, Heavy Offense, Balanced, Stall or a combination of these styles. I decided to go for a Balanced Offense Team. This team has been tested reasonably well, giving me suprisingly good results, after 100 battles I found myself sitting in the top 300 on 1252 Point's.

Now for the In-Depth of the team, and team building.

Team Building:
I wanted to start the team around a Physical Sweeper, one with good power right off the bat, that can also set up if need be. Haxorus was first to mind, with it's rather amazing 147 base attack, Mold Breaker and fairly good movepool. For the moveset of my Physical Monster I opted for my own version of DD'Rus.
Spr_b_5b_612_s.png


Now that I had the Physical side covered I needed something to break down Special Walls with ease, whilst preferably being able to take any Ice Beams that haxorus would be facing. A good choice for this role was Chandelure. Chandelure has base 145 Special Attack going for it, aswell as 2 useful abilities for the team.
Spr_b_5b_612_s.png
Spr_b_5b_609.png


Both Physical and Special had been addressed, the next stage was to incorporate a revenge killer, a task made much easier now that Excadrill has been banned. Scarf users are now infinately more viable, with one of the more effective user's being Terrakion. Terrakion is useful for the team as with it's Rock type STAB it can revenge such threats as Volcarona, Dragonite, Gyrados amongst others., it's Fighting STAB covers Tyranitar, Heatran (with Balloon), Ferrathorn.
Spr_b_5b_612_s.png
Spr_b_5b_609.png
Spr_b_5b_639.png


With Terrakion being able to operate as the Revenge Killer, and back up to Haxorus in the Physical department, I decided that Chandelure could do with some back up itself, to hit the Pokemon it's moveset can't really touch. I also wanted something I could use as a 2nd Revenge killer if needed. The best Pokemon in the game for such a role is Deoxys-S. It has so many options going for it, that most opponents expect Hazard Lead, or Screen Support, and they seem to forget it has a rather extensive attacking movepool to aid a sweep of the opposing team.
Spr_b_5b_612_s.png
Spr_b_5b_609.png
Spr_b_5b_639.png
Spr_b_5b_386S.png

With 2 slot's left in my team I looked at what weaknesses the team had that needed covering. At this stage I had 2 weaknesses to Ghost, 2 to Dark, 2 to Ground. The next pokemon I decided to add would try to wall these weaknesses, from both sides of the spectrum. I looked through a rather large list of defensive Pokemon before I settled on Bronzong for the role. Bronzong had some redeeming qualities in addition to the resists I needed, it also resisted Dragon Attacks, had access to Stealth Rocks, Fairly high defensive stats, and a movepool that enables it to wall both sides.
Spr_b_5b_612_s.png
Spr_b_5b_609.png
Spr_b_5b_639.png
Spr_b_5b_386S.png
Spr_b_5b_437.png

The last part of the team I needed was a Lure, something to attract in problem Pokemon and KO before they become a threat to the team. Zoroark is very good in that role, being able to disguise itself as another team member to attract the counter in, and then with it's reasonably good movepool select the appropriate move and go for the KO.
Spr_b_5b_612_s.png
Spr_b_5b_609.png
Spr_b_5b_639.png
Spr_b_5b_386S.png
Spr_b_5b_437.png
Spr_b_5b_571.png

Type Chart:


Uploaded with ImageShack.us
s7yTp37tzmzZuXLVsmFEVRFEVRFEVRNahly5Zt3rw52IcxxxiKoiiKoiiKoqiaFzGGoiiKoiiKoijHihhDURRFURRFUZRj9f8BR3J1uyMkLTwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=
s7yTp37tzmzZuXLVsmFEVRFEVRFEVRNahly5Zt3rw52IcxxxiKoiiKoiiKoqiaFzGGoiiKoiiKoijHihhDURRFURRFUZRj9f8BR3J1uyMkLTwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=

In Detail:

Haxorus

images

Nature: Jolly
Item: Lum Berry
Ability: Mold Breaker:
EV's: 176 HP, 80 Attack, 252 Speed
Moveset:
-Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Taunt
-Dragon Dance

EV/Nature Explanation:
The EV's enable maximum speed for Haxorus which gives it a better chance of firing the taunt off, or setting up easier. 80 Attack EV's mean that it still retains some power if it doesn't get chance to set up, for example against Choiced Rotom-W with Will-O-Wisp. the rest are placed into HP to provide some Bulk to survive unstabed Ice Fangs from Gliscor, or other stray moves that may hit it.
Role in the Team:
Haxorus' job is simply to be a wrecking ball, whilst also shutting down Status users and Set Up sweeper's using Taunt. Dragon Dance gives it more power and speed to help it clean up in late game, and to outspeed Latios that may switch into it. With Mold Breaker Haxorus only needs the 2 moves of Dragon Claw and Earthquake. These moves + ability enable it to hit a large portion of the metagame for some large damage, especially after 1/2 Dragon Dances. Skarmory is probably the best counter to this set, but Skarmory is more than easily dealt with by Chandelure, Zoroark or Deoxys.
Areas I could Improve it:
The main area for improvement on this set could be the EV spread as every so often the lower damage output this set has compared to normal Haxorus comes back to bite me in the ass.

Tentacruel:
tentacruel_kirby___collab___by_tigermix-d3gj0k3.png

Nature: Bold
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EV's: 252 HP, 240 Defense, 16 Speed
Moveset:
-Scald
-Rapid Spin
-Toxic Spikes
-Protect

EV/Nature Explanation:
The EV's given here are used to give Tentacruel good Physical bulk, which sits nicely with it's natural ability to take some Special hits.
Role in the Team:
The role for Tentacruel is much different from the role occupied by Chandelure. Tentacrual patches up my weakness to Toxic Spikes, by absorbing them, whilst letting me set my own. In addition to this it can also spin hazards from my side, to let my other member's get safer switch in's. Scald gives me a STAB move and the ability to Burn opposing Pokemon, which in addition to the Toxic Spikes gives my team good Status Support.
Areas I could Improve it:

I could test out Ice Beam over Protect to give me the ability to check Dragon's easier, but other than that he seems pretty solid.
Previous Member (Chandelure)

1306838259_silentium__the_chandelure_by_pharaonenfuchs-d3ho79s.jpg

Nature: Timid
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EV's: 252 Special Attack, 252 Speed, 4 Defense
Moveset:
-Overheat/Flamethrower
-Shadow Ball
-Energy Ball
-Substitute

EV/Nature Explanation:
The EV's and nature for this set are simple, maximum speed and power, with the leftover 4 going into defense rather than HP, to enable 1 extra switch in with Stealth Rock's down on the field.
Role in the Team:
While Haxorus functions as the physical wrecking ball, Chandelure is the supporting artillery. Usually gets a switch in to choice-locked pokemon on a Fire Move, or even on Chansey and Blissey, after which a substitute will always be set up. Behind a Sub, most Chansey and Blissey can not touch it so they have to switch out, which is when I start unleashing the carnage. Using my 2 STABS is key, with my Fire move often getting the Flash Fire boost and Sun boost (due to the common Drought based Teams). This sort of power behind an Overheat is immense, being able to dent even pokemon that resist the move. Shadow Ball cover's the Lati's, other Ghosts, Psychic's and hits things that resist Fire reasonably well too, such as a Terrakion switching in. Energy Ball is to cover the numerous Sand and Rain teams, with energy ball OHKOing most Gastrodon, and a 2HKO on Tyranitar after Stealth Rock Damage. Substitute blocks status and enables me chance to scout for the opponents moveset whilst getting one safe attack off.
Areas I could Improve it:
I was thinking about including Will-O-Wisp on to it, but I wasn't sure what move to drop for it. I was also considering a Flame Charge set to give it a boost in speed, that would have replaced Substitute if I decided to use it.

Terrakion:
terrakion_used_giga_impact_by_salanchu-d3k8sqy.png

Nature: Adamant
Item: Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EV's: 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 Defense
Moveset:
-Close Combat
-Rock Slide
-Earthquake
-X-Scissor

EV/Nature Explanation:
Standard EV's for a choice user. I opted for Adamant over Jolly to give me some more power, and even with Jolly I wouldn't outspeed things like ScarfLatios which would just KO me anyway.
Role in the Team:
Terrakion's main role is to come in after a team member is down and choose the appropriate move to KO. During Early-Mid game I will often go for Rock Slide/Close Combat to scout out switchs and usually cause a dent in the switch in if it happens or net the KO on the intended target otherwise. During late game it's role becomes the cleaner, picking the move with the best coverage for the opponents remaining team members and picking them off one by one. Rock Slide and Close Combat are the 2 STAB's mixing Power and Accuracy (sort of) and between them cover a large number of threats (Tyranitar, Heatran, Volcarona, Ferrothorn, Tornadus etc.) Earthquake hits steels like Magnezone and the above mentioned Heatran harder, provided there is no Air Balloon. X-Scissor was chosen as the last move to get a Super Effective hit on the Lati's, Hydreigon, Celebi, Reuniclus etc.
Areas I could Improve it:
Slight change in the moveset e.g. (HP Ice for Gliscor, Dragonite, Flygon (lol)). This is also the team member that currently is most under threat for swapping for something else

Deoxys-S:
Deoxys__Speed_by_candid_silence.jpg

Nature: Modest
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EV's: 252 Special Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Moveset:
-Psychic
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power [Fire]

EV/Nature Explanation:
The EV's here are similar to Chandelure's and as such have the same reasoning. Modest is chosen here purely so Deoxys can hit a little bit harder, Timid is an option to outspeed some scarfer's but at the moment that has proven not to be a major issue.
Role in the Team:
This is my 2nd Revenge killer as it were, and as such the moveset allows it to hit alot of threats for super effective damage, and will usually net me 2 KO's per battle. Psychic is used for STAB and as a safe move to use when a switch seems likely. Ice Beam hits Dragons, Gliscor and Landorus really hard, Thunderbolt is for Rain Teams and Hidden Power [Fire] is to hit Scizor and Ferrothorn outside of Rain (if inside Rain usually Terrakion will cover Ferrothorn, whilst it becomes more of a team effort to bring down Scizor)
Areas I could Improve it:
Superpower is always something to consider, to net the KO on Tyranitar much more easily, and as such the EV's and Nature will be changed to accomodate Superpower.
Bronzong:
bronzong_using_stealth_rock_by_jjao-d4a1mmn.jpg

Nature: Sassy
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
IV's:2 Speed
EV's: 252 HP, 84 Attack, 80 Defense, 92 Special Defense
Moveset:
-Gyro Ball
-Earthquake
-Toxic
-Stealth Rock

EV/Nature Explanation:
The Ev's give Bronzong good all round bulk, whilst making it slow enough for a powerful Gyro Ball.
Role in the Team:
This is the pokemon I usually lead with, usually to get Rocks up, or an early Status move. Apart from Rocks it is my general purpose wall, being used to wall Dragon's, some Gliscor and quite a few other Ground Types. The moveset is standard, the aforementioned Rocks and Toxic to support the team, Gyro Ball for powerful STAB and Earthquake to hit Heatran switch in's and other Steels.
Areas I could Improve it:
Not really an improvement, but it has been suggested that I try Jirachi over Bronzong, the only reason I haven't yet is because I will lose my one answer to Ground Attacks.
Previous Moveset:
Nature: Bold
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EV's: 252 HP, 252 Defense, 4 Special Defense
Moveset:
-Psychic
-Flash Cannon
-Calm Mind
-Stealth Rock

EV/Nature Explanation:
The Ev's give Bronzong maximum Physical Bulk, with the remainder going into Special Defense, which gets boosted anyway. Bold is used to further increase bulk.
Role in the Team:
This is the pokemon I usually lead with, often going for Rocks first, unless faced with a user of taunt (Deoxys-S the biggest culprit) in which case I'll attack first turn. I usually then try and keep it safe for later in game, so I can get the Calm Mind boosts up to act as a Tank being able to net some KO's after a couple of boosts.
Areas I could Improve it:
Include a Status move of some form (which my team severely lacks) over an attacking move. Or change the moveset to be a wall on one side, and replace another team member to allow another wall to be included in the team.

Zoroark:

zoroark_vs_lucario_by_kairouz-d49r8fg.jpg

Nature: Hasty
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Illusion
EV's: 216 Attack, 112 Special Attack, 180 Speed
Moveset:
-Sucker Punch
-Flamethrower
-Taunt
-U-Turn

EV/Nature Explanation:
The EV's for Zoroark are quite unique. In combination with the Nature I feel that they give him the best mixed stats necassary to KO a reasonable number of Pokemon, though the Attack and Special Attack EV's can be tweaked to give better results, such as more Special Attack as to ensure the KO on Ferrothorn.
Role in the Team:
Zoroark is used as bait. It is very good at luring in Scizor,and the Lati's, and then follow up with the KO using Flamethower and Sucker Punch respectively. U-Turn allows him to escape an unfavourable match up, whilst Taunt stops Status, Set Up moves and Hazards. The Sash Allows Zoroark to KO Scizor and Latios 100% of the time provided no hazards are up.
Areas I could Improve it:
Zoroark is possibly the hardest to improve, as it is very specialised in it's role. Taunt could be replaced by another attacking move to give more range over what it can KO and the EV's could be further tweaked, like I mentioned earlier.

Final Points:
This team does have some glaring weaknesses that I have noticed over the 100 battles I tested it in. They are as follows:
1. Issue with Toxic Spikes, with Bronzong and Haxorus (once) being able to safely switch in whilst they are up.
2. Issue's with sun teams - this is probably my biggest issue that faces the team.
3. Only one defensive pokemon for when I'm on the back foot, and no real team support (this last point is only noticable against teams reliant on status)

Anyway thanks for looking through the team, I'm looking foward to any rates, comments and suggestions.

Importable:
Deoxys-S @ Life Orb Trait: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Bronzong @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Psychic
- Flash Cannon
- Calm Mind
- Stealth Rock
Chandelure (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Overheat
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
- Substitute
Zoroark (F) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Illusion
EVs: 216 Atk / 112 SAtk / 180 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Sucker Punch
- Flamethrower
- U-turn
- Taunt
Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- X-Scissor
Haxorus (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 176 HP / 80 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Dragon Dance
 
I'd agree that this team does need improvement. Even slightly defensive teams could stall it out. Here's a couple of edits that you could benefit from. Bronzong and Zoroark are the weak points of your team, and the set for each could use some improvement. Out of those two, bronzong is the least valuable member of the team. I would suggest replacing him with Specially Defensive Jirachi.

Jirachi @ Leftovers
Careful Nature
EV's: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe
Moves:
-Iron Head
-Body Slam
-Wish
-Protect/Fire Punch

This guy can preform a similar defensive role while providing Wish support at the same time. Next, we have Zoroark. I find Zoroark to be fun and somewhat useful in OU. The set I use:

Zoroark @ Life Orb
Timid Nature
EV's: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moves:
-Nasty Plot
-Flamethrower
-Dark Pulse
-Focus Blast

Barring choice sets, this is the most effective set Z can use. You can get a free NP after the opponent switches out (most likely due to Illusion) and you can tear through opponents that don't outspeed you. I'd have to agree, however, that there are better offensive options than Zoroark in OU. With the loss of Stealth Rock on Bronzong, you'll need some hazards to give you offensive momentum. I'd suggest switching your Deoxys to the lead position and give him this set:

Deoxys@Focus Sash
Jolly Nature
EV's: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moves:
-Stealth Rock
-Spikes
-Superpower
-Fire Punch

This set is quite different from your set, but being able to get SR and multiple layers of spikes up will be invaluable to your team. Fire Punch and Superpower can really do a number of opposing pokemon, namely Tyranitar and Scizor, both popular switch ins on Deoxys. You say you have a problem with Toxic Spikes and Sun teams. Tentacruel can combat these threats pretty effectively, also giving you rapid spin accessibility and Toxic Spikes your self. I would recommend switching Chandelure out for him, since Lure doesn't really add anything different that Zoroark. Here's the set:

Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Bold Nature
Liquid Ooze Ability (For Sun team sweepers like Sawsbuck and Venusaur)
EV's: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Moves:
-Toxic Spikes
-Rapid Spin
-Scald
-Protect/Ice Beam

Not much here, just the standard set, although I feel that it'll give your team some defensive backbone. So, that's all I have. I hope you take some of my suggestions to heart, even though I'm sure someone else will point out better options. :P You've got a good skeleton for a team here, and the fact that you've got where you are with it means you're a skilled player, and you can probably get much farther with it. Hope I could be of some help!
 
your bronzong set is terrible, without any recovery bronzong is going to have a hard time setting up enough to get its poor base special stats up, go with gyro ball/stealth rocks/ and then any combination of status, screens or trick

dont use psychic on that deoxys, it functions best with 16 attack EVs and superpower, allowing it to OHKO most tyranitar, who are much more common than fighting types, that set is best used to abuse the x4 weaknesses in the metagame (fire - scizor, forry, ferro, ice- mence, nite, flygon etc, electric- gyarados, fighting- tyranitar)
 
I do agree completely with the Bronzong, I was trying to make a gimmicky set viable, but whilst it hasn't cost me any games, I will try the more standard moveset for it.

@OptimusCrime:
Zoroark has never been a weak link in the team, whilst it may not be the most obvious set, it does exactly what I need it to do, so for the time being atleast I'm not looking to alter it too much.

Tentacruel is definately worth looking into, and it will be tested over Chandelure, as Chandelure, whilst rather good, was sort of a rushed choice whilst building the team.

In response to the other sets you posted, I was thinking of swapping Deoxys to the standard Life Orb set, with Superpower over Psychic, I personally don't like the support sets it has, but that is just me being awkward. Also Jirachi will be tested, after I have tested the more standard Bronzong set.

Thank you for the suggestions and comments so far
 
For an offensive team, your team is walled quite easily.

If you have Lum on Haxorus, I'd go with Outrage for the extra 50% power. Not too sure if all those bulk is accomplishing anything. I'd probably give it 56 HP EVs to comfortably survive a CB Ice Shard from Mamoswine, but that's about it. Dump the rest in Atk EVs, and try that out. I'd also go with Adamant, since you're not outrunning anything significant by going Jolly. A Timid Scarf Rotom-W might be faster than Haxorus, but that's about it.

I think Terrakion would do your team well by switching to a Swords Dancer. The Swords Dance set is a great wall-breaker that your team lacks. Leave revenge-killing to Deoxys-S

Terrakion @ Air Balloon
Close Combat | Stone Edge | Swords Dance | Rock Polish / Rock Slide
4 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spe | Jolly Nature

If Chandelure wants to truly counter Blissey, it would want Taunt > Substitute. Otherwise Blissey can outstall Chandy. I'd also give it HP Fighting or Will-O-Wisp > Energy Ball to effectively handle Tyranitar and Heatran (with the former). I prefer Fire Blast or Overheat as its STAB; Gliscor actually survives Flamethrower.

Deoxys-S would love Superpower over Hidden Power Fire to take on Heatran, Tyranitar, and Blissey. 52 Atk EVs would allow it to OHKO-2HKO these threats with SR down. The extra power of Psycho Boost > Psychic is also welcome.

Your current Bronzong totally loses the offensive momentum of the team. Keep Stealth Rock, but I'd give it Hypnosis to cripple the opponent, and Gyro Ball and Earthquake for great coverage. To maximize Gyro Ball's power, make it Relaxed nature with 0 speed IVs. 40 Atk EVs would allow it to OHKO Terrakion most of the time.

Zoroark's main role is to trick and kill your sweeper's counters. I'd definitely give it Dark Pulse, so it can remove the Ghost / Psychic physical tanks that would halt Terrakion. Nasty Plot + Focus Blast would be great for luring and killing Heatran / Tyranitar / Blissey that comes to wall your Chandelure.

Zoroark @ Life Orb / Lum Berry
Dark Pulse | Flamethrower | Focus Blast | Nasty Plot
4 HP | 252 SAtk | 252 Spe | Timid Nature

EDIT: thanks for the correction, LucaroarkZ; fixed.
 
I agree with Optimus Crime that you should probably replace Bronzong. It's a wall with no reliable recovery move, meaning it's not a wall. I think you would not regret replacing it with the Specially defensive wish-passing Jirachi. Iron Head + Body Slam is a very annoying tactic to go up against.

As for Zoroark (love your choice of Pokemon man, I love using this guy in OU), here are two sets you can use (both of which are better than yours):

Zoroark @ Life Orb
Timid
Illusion
EVs: 4 HP, 252 SpAtk, 252 Spe
-Nasty Plot
-Dark Pulse/Night Daze
-Flamethrower
-Focus Blast

Zoroark @ Life Orb
Naive
Illusion
EVs: 32 Atk, 252 SpAtk, 224 Spe
-Sucker Punch
-Dark Pulse/Night Daze
-Flamethrower
-Focus Blast

The first set should only be used as a late-game sweeper, and it does a great job at that. Remember that Zoroark is weak to priority (or the rare Pokemon faster than it), so if you see ANY Scizors, Azumarills, Hitmontops, Conkeldurrs, Infernapes, Weaviles, whatever, in team preview, it is very important to get rid of them before even considering sending out Zoroark.

The last set makes a great Latios check, especially if you don't want to use something like Weavile, and is especially deadly when paired up with Illusion. It can also deal with LO Alakazam (despite that being very rare), something the former set can't do.

Dark Pulse is normally a superior choice over Night Daze, and I would personally never use Night Daze if I were you. However, if you like the thought of ruining your opponent's sweepers with accuracy drop hax, go ahead and use Night Daze.

Normally I'd be recommending a double-dance set for Terrakion, but since Excadrill is now banned, that's no longer necessary.

I think Chandy can definitely go. It's very Tyranitar weak, even more so than Latios. I'd recommend Gengar, since Gengar can do everything Chandelure can, only better. Gengar and Zoroark also have perfect defensive synergy:

Gengar @ Leftovers
Timid
Levitate
EVs: 4 HP, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
-Substitute
-Disable
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast

SubDisable is Gengar's most effective set, but the problem is it's so over-used that it's very predictable. If you don't want something like that, try SubSplit:

Gengar @ Life Orb
Timid
Levitate
EVs: 4 HP, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
-Substitute
-Pain Split
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast

The next set should only be used in desparation if you REALLY hate rain:

Gengar @ Life Orb
Timid
Levitate
EVs: 4 HP, 252 SpA, 252 Spe
-Substitute
-Thunderbolt
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast

Hope this helps.

@Above: Zoroark can't learn Focus Punch.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that while the Nasty Plot set for Zoroark can deal with Gliscor, the Mixed attacking set can't. HP Ice can be used over Flamethrower on that set to deal with Gliscor, although you then lose out on a reliable way of taking down Skarmory and Ferrothorn. It depends on what your team needs. I know you said you probably won't test it for a while, this is just for when/if you do.
 
So far I have tested the following:
Standard Rocks Bronzong - so far working reasonably well, however the lack of recovery is making me think of looking else where.
Tentacruel over Chandelure - This is the change that I reckon will be permanant. So far it has gave my team spinning capabilities, along with Toxic Spikes absorbing/ switching into Toxic.
Standard Life orb Deoxys-S (with Superpower)- I knew the set would work, I was trying to see how an all Special Attacker would do. Now that it has Superpower I can get rid of Tyranitar much quicker. Also I dropped Psychic, but kept HP Fire, so I can deal with Scizor if needs be(most it has faced expected me to switch so didn't Bullet Punch.

@Pocket:
I am familiar with that Terrakion set, I have used it on a team before, and know it to be very effective at it's job. I'm suprised I didn't test it on this team sooner to be honest. It will be the next Pokemon I test after I came to a conclusion on the above 3 tests I am doing.

@LucaroarkZ:
I can see that the set's you have mentioned for Zoroark are very good set's and in time will probably try them, along with the other suggestions for Zoroark. But at the moment, my Zoroark is holding it's own rather well, and it's set allows me to KO the Scizor's that would trouble me normally. But as I have said, I will test for viable replacement's once I feel my current set is performing to a lower standard than it is at the moment.

I will update my team after I tested for another 20-30 battles.
 
Sorry for the double post:
Can someone do some damage calc's to see if the bulk of my haxorus is actually achieving anything? At the moment the only noticable thing the EV's are doing is allowing me to survive against Choiced Scizor with Bullet punch
 
Pocket said:
I'd probably give it 56 HP EVs to comfortably survive a CB Ice Shard from Mamoswine, but that's about it. Dump the rest in Atk EVs, and try that out. I'd also go with Adamant, since you're not outrunning anything significant by going Jolly. A Timid Scarf Rotom-W might be faster than Haxorus, but that's about it.

It doesn't need any HP EVs to survive Scizor's Bullet Punch / CB Nite's ExtremeSpeed, btw.
 
@Pocket:
I did not realise this, I didn't check the calcs for that.

After another 30 battles I have pretty much hovered around the same spot (until a really bad spell in the last 4 battles dropping me down to 987 (1164 points)
The conclusion's I have drew so far are:
1)Tentacruel is a perfect fit on the team.
2)Terrakion could do with a change of set, if it is to stay on the team
3)Haxorus' EVs may need tinkering if I find no good reason to have so many HP EV's
4) Deoxys-S is definately better with Superpower, even if I am neglecting a STAB move
5)Bronzong is working, but if it is to stay on my team I need a Wish Pasher + Cleric (maybe Togekiss, with a moveset of Air Slash, T-Wave, Heal Bell and Wish?)
 
With Excadrill gone you could probably get away with using a Wish CM Jirachi over Bronzong. Sure it doesn't get Rocks, but you get more bulk overall, a better attacking stat, passable speed and the ability to support your teammates with fairly large Wishes if necessary.
 
If i go to Jirachi I lose my only Ground immunity and Stealth Rocks. Also some changes have affected my team rather badly. I have discovered I desperately need a cleric of some form, also Terrakion going to the SWords Dance/Rock Polish set hasn't gone to plan, it has worked better as a revenge killer.

My team despite the changes has suffered majorly in recent battles, I normally don't complain at hax, but the last 20-30 battles I have lost atleast 15 of them due to crits/freezes at moments where I have the advantage or are fairly even.
 
Back
Top