Three-Headed Volt-Turn: An OU Volt-Turn Bulky Offense(?) Team feat. a Hydreigon/Aegislash Core

[haxiom]

'Sup Smogon,

So, no long intro. Just want to say that I played pokemon competitively since the BW era. I played a decent amount, and really liked Volt-Turn, and all the momentum and such. This team is not perfect, but has been doing well. So, without further ado, Three-Headed Volt-Turn.

At a glance:

Teambuilding

It all started out with this guy. He's quite underrated, and is pretty useful. When Genesect got banned, I had no reason not to use Hydreigon.

Aegislash has perfect synergy with Hydreigon. In fact, together, they resist every single type in the entire game. What a perfect core we have here.

So, Hydreigon gets U-Turn. I thought making a Volt-Turn team with him would be kind of cool, so I added the very unique, original, creative, Rotom-W. Good synergy too.

Going along with the Volt-Turn idea, I added Landorus-T, who has always been a Volt-Turn staple for intimidate and SR.

I needed Defog. Since the team was pretty weak to Aegislash, Mandibuzz seemed like the best option as both a defogger and Aegislash counter.

(He doesn't move)
I struggled with the mega. I did need a few resistances, and looking deeper, I narrowed down to Mawile and Scizor. Not sure which one, but Scizor cut it for now.

In depth:

Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- U-turn


Hydreigon. He's quite good actually, despite low usage. He seems to take anything from Rotom-W really well (WoW doesn't hurt that much), and is a great scarf user. His woes of being 1 speed point below Genesect doesn't matter anymore; Hydreigon is now able to outspeed the entire unboosted/not scarfed metagame with the sole exception of Deoxys-S. In addition, he has some great resistances in ghost and dark, Fire Blasting Aegislash and Bisharp and the like while resisting Sucker Punch/Shadow Sneak/Shadow Ball, although Sacred Sword really hurts.
EVs maximize Special attack and Speed, putting the remaining four in attack, as Hydreigon is primarily a revenge killer with special moves but can also scout or gain momentum with U-turn.
Draco Meteor is used just for its insane power, which outweighs the Satk drop in my opinion. Fire Blast is coverage, Dark Pulse for STAB, and U-turn is just for scouting and Volt-Turning in general.

Scizor (F) @ Scizorite
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Roost


Mega Scizor is a great setup sweeper. He's being used above Mega Mawile, but both are good and if Mega Mawile seems better, I'll go with it. He's my only setup sweeper at the moment, but does it really well if he doesn't get burned. His natural bulk allows him to Swords Dance easily and trademark Technician STAB Bullet Punch has always been good, and is still good this gen with the added ability of destroying fairies. The only unfortunate part is that U-Turn is not viable as it would get rid of SD boosts.
The EVs currently are invested in bulk and attack, but I would like to creep the Sdef to survive certain 2HKOs, if anyone can help there.
Bug Bite > X-Scissor as Technician makes t more powerful while eating a berry and potentially stopping a Harvest Trevenant or something. Bullet Punch is self explanatory, as is Swords Dance, and I opted for Roost for recovery, as I find it more useful than Pursuit trapping, since Scizor doesn't get much recovery and the gradual damage hurts.

Rotom-W @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hydro Pump
- Rest


Rotom-W is on practically every Volt-Turn team, and is overused like heck, but with good reason. His typing gives great synergy, he has acceptable bulk, has access to solid moves, and counters Talonflame amazingly.
EVs are invested in physical bulk to counter Talonflame as best possible. Suggestions here?
As for the set, just a standard ChestoRest set. Its much more reliable than Pain Split and such, which is key in laddering I guess. Volt Switch is the obvious choice for Volt-Turn, while WoW cripples physical attackers like Azumarill and Hydro Pump as the primary STAB offensive move.

Thanks Nog for the minor, but important EV change.

Mandibuzz (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Foul Play
- Defog
- Roost
- Taunt


Mandibuzz brought two key things to this team. 1. Defog, and 2. an Aegislash counter (and 3. a very dizzying gif). Aside from Mandibuzz, Aegislash tears apart most of the team, as the other ghost resist, Hydreigon, cannot take Sacred Sword too well.
EVs are physically defensive, with 248 EVs for a good Stealth Rock number. It makes Mandibuzz take Aegislash no problem.
252+ Atk Aegislash-Blade Sacred Sword vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 84-99 (19.8 - 23.4%) -- possible 6HKO after Leftovers recovery
The moveset is standard, with Taunt over Knock Off to destroy defensive pokemon. I'm not sure if Knock Off is better though, as I can see where it would be a safe option to really hurt a mon's recovery, or knock off eviolite, though the latter is much more situational.

(Aw no gif)

Aegislash (M) @ Spooky Plate
Trait: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SAtk
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Shadow Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield


Aegislash really stands out as one of the best pokemon of this generation. Unpredictable, powerful, and bulky. Amazing. If you play him right, you play a base 720 pokemon with 60 / 150 / 150 / 150 / 150 / 60 stats. However, he is the king of mind games and predictions, so it can be really annoying to have to play one step ahead of your opponent mentally. I chose the mixed set over SD or other similar sets, as I don't like the burn, and I not mind too much if I accidentally mispredict a Will-o-Wisp.
EVs are specially oriented, as Shadow Ball will be the strongest move with Spooky Plate. I don't know if I should invest in physical offense though, as two moves are physical moves.
The set is a pretty standard Spooky Plate mixed attacker. King's Shield is obligatory, Shadow ball is the primary attack. Sacred sword gives Aegislash the perfect neutral coverage of Ghost / Fighting, and Shadow Sneak is used to finish pokemon that are brought down to 15% ish (or anywhere within KO range).

Landorus-T (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef 248 HP / 24 Atk / 236 Def
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- U-turn


Landorus-T is part of the Volt-Turn part of this team. He is the primary SR setter, and also a bulky pivot. Every team needs rocks at this point, especially with the popularity of Talonflame, and if no other hazards are used, SR is still mandatory on most teams. Even with the defog buff, SR still remains incredibly influential. Intimidate really helps as a bulky pivot, allowing Lando-T to soak up or continue to force out physical attackers.
Landorus is literally as slow as possible. I run 0IV on speed, with Brave Nature to be slower than many pokemon to U-turn after they attack. This allows me to safely switch in say Mega Scizor to setup and gain some momentum. Standard bulky attacker EV spread, but suggestions are welcome.
Earthquake and Stone Edge give great EdgeQuake coverage. U-turn keeps/creates momentum, and SR certainly helps a lot forcing Defog before Talonflame is switched in.

Once again, Nog with the EV change. It works much better as a physical bulky pivot now.

Importable

Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- U-turn

Scizor (F) @ Scizorite
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Roost

Rotom-W @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hydro Pump
- Rest

Mandibuzz (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Overcoat
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Foul Play
- Defog
- Roost
- Taunt

Aegislash (M) @ Spooky Plate
Trait: Stance Change
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SAtk
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Shadow Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword
- King's Shield

Landorus-T (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 24 Atk / 236 Def
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- U-turn

Threat list coming soon.



Thank you all for reading. Post your thoughts in the comments, and have a great day!

 

[haxiom]

Bump. Worked hard. Want suggestions. Of course, no obligation though.

To get some thoughts started:

How should I stop powerful setup sweepers like MGyarados?

 

[Phaenon]

Mandibuzz should be the one dealing with Mega Gyarados. If you're seeing a Gyarados in the team preview, I would be on the lookout for when he might bring it in, and bring your Mandi out right away. Taunt/Foul Play should do the trick real nicely. Mandibuzz can really tank Gyarados as well, seeing as a +3 Ice Fang only does 72.6 - 85.8%. If it's that much of an issue (and other physical sweepers too) maybe run Rocky Helmet on Mandibuzz instead of Leftovers. It's not like you won't be getting recovery, since you have Roost.

Also, for your Aegislash set, I recommend running either Leftovers or Weakness Policy, depending on if you want longevity or destruction.

One last thing, I'm not sure if you've encountered this yet, but it seems like Mega Venusaur might be an issue. I know I run HP Fire on it, and so you really have nothing to kill it effectively. I'm not really sure what you'd wanna change. One suggestion is Staraptor, as it can learn U-Turn and Brave Bird and packs Intimidate.

If you're still struggling to find a Mega, might I suggest Mega Medicham. I think this guy is one of the more underrated Megas. It has excellent coverage, takes care of your Mega Venusaur issue, and it's a great poke to, after having built momentum with volt-turning, sit and sweep (not to mention the momentum you get with Fake Out and possibly Bullet Punch).

Let me know if any of these suggestions work out, or if you have any problems with them. I'll be glad to help! Hope these work! <3

 

[haxiom]

Thanks for the rate Phaenon,
Staraptor is an interesting suggestion. I personally find him a bit fragile for my liking, but he's good.
I'm open to trying Mega Medicham. I'd love to run a setup sweeper somewhere to abuse the momentum, but he gets Substitute which is pretty cool.

You are VERY right about Mega Venusaur, if I do happen to play it, I can usually play around taunts with Mandibuzz, but I can't straight up KO it without going through a slow U-turn + Taunt process.

EDIT: Not to mention, Mandibuzz has Overcoat and surprises MVenusaur with a failed Sleep Powder.

 

[Nog]

Hey haxiom, sorry I didn't get to your team earlier, was hella busy this weekend. Anyway on to the team. I absolutely adore the Aegislash/Hydreigon core. It just destroys lives all day, everyday. Rotom-Wash and Scizor form literally the perfect Volt-Turn core seeing as they smash each others checks. Aegislash is S rank and well deserved and Landorus-Therian is one of the greatest offensive pivots in the game. The team is looking solid af, but through testing I find that is has some trouble with Mega Mawile. Try changing Landorus-Therian's EV spread to 248 HP / 24 Atk / 236 Def with an Adamant Nature. In doing this you make Lando-T an even better bulky pivot; granted he does not hit quite as hard, but he is able to increase his longevity so he can stay around far longer to deal with annoyances like Talonflame and Mega Mawile.

So because you are Volt Switching a lot with Rotom-Wash, lower your HP EV investment by 4 to take 1 less damage each time. It just ensures that you get at least one more chance to swap in per game, which can prove to be pretty great and much needed to ensure the win.

Another minor change I am suggesting is that you change Bug Bite on Scizor to U-turn. Before you reject my suggestion out right, just listen. U-turn allows you to scout your opponent to learn their move pool as well as gain momentum for the rest of your team. Seeing as this is a Volt-Turn team, momentum is insanely great. You lose some power with swapping out Bug Bite and lose a +2 if you U-turn out, but keeping momentum going and scouting is infinitely better imo; and to be honest it's not like a +2 Scizor U-turn can't do immense damage to something swapping in anyway. Both hit hella hard, but U-turn is the preferred move over Bug Bite on this archetype of team. If you decide to swap out what I suggested, then you will need to remove 4 HP EV's on Scizor and place them into another stat. Again just to survive a bit more and stay alive to crush people's dreams. Good luck with the team man(or woman idk) and VM me if you need/want something else.

 

[haxiom]

Hey Nog, thanks for the rate. I implemented almost all of the changes but have yet to test the Scizor U-turn. I'll check it out.

By the way, is there a specific OHKO / 2HKO that the Lando-T EVs avoid?