Tolkien Themed, Kinda

[piccols8]

I was trying to make a defensive team originally, but item and other constraints have sort of changed that. This is the team I would like to have in my actual cartridge, so some things have been modified for realism.

Crustle @ Mental Herb
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Spikes

A good lead because of his typing and stats, as well as being able to sport both Spikes and Stealth Rock (though I may substitue Shell Smash for Spikes). Psychic leads are particularly in danger from X-Scissor, and Stone Edge is all around useful.

Nazgul (Dusknoir) @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 228 Def
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Earthquake
- Shadow Sneak

Dusknoir is my spin blocker, but also a tank. He spreads burn when he can, and is an all around annoyance for physical attackers. At first I couldn't decide between Shadow Punch and Sneak, but the lack of power for priority seems to be working out pretty well. Also, his leftovers is a problem because I can only find two in my game, meaning I may have to replace him Dual Screen Rotom.

Gollum (Scrafty) @ Leftovers
Trait: Shed Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Bulk Up
- Crunch
- Drain Punch
- Rest

Scrafty is my main sweeper, if he can set up. His ability with rest and Leftovers insure his health, while Bulk Up maximizes his defense and attack. Originally, I had Payback instead of Crunch, but I have found that he is faster than I initially thought, and so Crunch tends to be stronger.

SMAUG (Salamence) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Hydro Pump
- Draco Meteor

Salamence is for breaking walls, or really anything that the rest of my team can't handle. I never liked choice items, but Specs seems to be the way to go on Special Salamence. Intimidate is also useful if he can't take out an opponent because they are less threatening to my other Pokemon. Unfortunately, he is weak to stealth rocks, a huge disadvantage for a Pokemon who switches in and out.

Shelob (Galvantula) @ Life Orb
Trait: Compoundeyes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball
- Volt Switch

Originally, I had Electivire in Galvantula's spot, but for now, he seems to be working out. His main attraction in Thunder with Compound Eyes, putting its accuracy somewhere around 90%. Furthermore, he is quite fast and can scout with Volt Switch if it gets tricky. His biggest drawback are his defense and HP, since Stealth Rocks already takes away 25% and life orb takes away on top of that. He also can't really switch in on anything, since it is likely to take him out immediately.

Slowbro @ Leftovers
Trait: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Surf
- Psychic
- Thunder Wave
- Slack Off

Though Dusknoir is immune to fighting, Slowbro is really my only counter to fighting types, and is not so good against Lucario and some other dual type fightings. His bulk is huge and can switch in easily, taking most of them out with Psychic. His ability would preferably be regenerator, but I don't know how to get him with it.


Basically, I would like to know the pros and cons of my team. In GenIV I had a UU team with some Pokemon I'm considering putting here somewhere, such as DD Feraligatr and Quick Feet Ursaring, so if you can see those fitting in, let me know.

 

[Jirachee]

Hey there.

Your team seems to have issues with Excadrill. None of your team members like to take Exca's Earthquakes and Rock Slides, and since it outspeeds anything on your team (or in the metagame for that matter), you'll probably lose to the first Excadrillm user to come. One thing you should consider is changing Scrafty for a Conkeldurr. Conkeldurr can take on Excadrill pretty well and punish it with the powerful priority Mach Punch. if you would like to make the swap, the best set to use is :

Conkeldurr @ Leftovers / Adamant / Guts / 252 HP - 252 Atk - 4 Spe
Drain Punch - Payback - Mach Punch - Bulk Up

Another threat to your team is the proeminent Stealth Rock. Two of you pokemon are weak to it, and can't really keep up with SR. Salamence will be switching in and out very often, because it's choiced and it's main move, Draco Meteor, lowers Special Attack. Galvantula also lose a quarter of its max HP when switching in, and factoring you're using Life Orb and Volt Switch, it will end up dying pretty quickly. Of course you do not want your team to lose easily to any hazarders, so that's why you should swap your Slowbro to a Starmie!

Starmie @ Life Orb / Timid / Natural Cure / 4 HP - 252 SpA - 252 Spe
Surf (or Hydro Pump) - Ice Beam - Thunderbolt - Rapid Spin

Even then, your team is still weak to rain teams. Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Thundurus will get past most members of this team quite easily. Starmie (if you use it) can revenge kill Thundurus, but it will still be able of wrecking most of your team. If you change Crustle for a Gastrodon, you'll earn a counter for rain teams. Here's what you should use :

Gastrodon @ Leftovers / Calm / Storm Drain / 252 HP - 4 SpA - 252 SpD
Surf - Toxic - Ice Beam - Recover

Hope I helped. Might continue rate later.

 

[Aeromence]

Hey there.

Your team seems to have issues with Excadrill. None of your team members like to take Exca's Earthquakes and Rock Slides, and since it outspeeds anything on your team (or in the metagame for that matter), you'll probably lose to the first Excadrillm user to come. One thing you should consider is changing Scrafty for a Conkeldurr. Conkeldurr can take on Excadrill pretty well and punish it with the powerful priority Mach Punch. if you would like to make the swap, the best set to use is :

Conkeldurr @ Leftovers / Adamant / Guts / 252 HP - 252 Atk - 4 Spe
Drain Punch - Payback - Mach Punch - Bulk Up

Another threat to your team is the proeminent Stealth Rock. Two of you pokemon are weak to it, and can't really keep up with SR. Salamence will be switching in and out very often, because it's choiced and it's main move, Draco Meteor, lowers Special Attack. Galvantula also lose a quarter of its max HP when switching in, and factoring you're using Life Orb and Volt Switch, it will end up dying pretty quickly. Of course you do not want your team to lose easily to any hazarders, so that's why you should swap your Slowbro to a Starmie!

Starmie @ Life Orb / Timid / Natural Cure / 4 HP - 252 SpA - 252 Spe
Surf (or Hydro Pump) - Ice Beam - Thunderbolt - Rapid Spin

Even then, your team is still weak to rain teams. Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Thundurus will get past most members of this team quite easily. Starmie (if you use it) can revenge kill Thundurus, but it will still be able of wrecking most of your team. If you change Crustle for a Gastrodon, you'll earn a counter for rain teams. Here's what you should use :

Gastrodon @ Leftovers / Calm / Storm Drain / 252 HP - 4 SpA - 252 SpD
Surf - Toxic - Ice Beam - Recover

Hope I helped. Might continue rate later.

Use all of these, they are good. also, if u want to use a salamence, try a DD or mix varient. specsmence is outclassed by lati@s, hydreigon, and just about everything else. either swap to one of them or change the set

 

[piccols8]

If I swap for Gastrodon, then I don't have any entry hazards.
From my experience, Scrafty can actually take on Excadrill quite well, OHKOing him with Drain Punch after only one bulk up (and possibly Stealth Rock). On top of that, I really like his typing and ability.
As for Salamence, I only have him as a surprise wall breaker, so changing him to physical doesn't really get me anywhere. I may replace him with a different set up sweeper, like the Feraligatr I was talking about.
And if I switch Slowbro to Starmie, how does that help with fighting types? I know he's resistant, but the set you laid out lacks any Psychic moves.