Trace This, My Wi-Fi Team

[travisurfer]

Trace This! My Wi-Fi Team featuring Dragonite

Team at a Glance:

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DuoDuck@Lum Berry
200 HP/168 DEF/140 SPATK
Modest
Trace
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Thunderwave
-Recover
Part one of Trace. Porygon2 makes a nice counter to a good portion of the common leads. With Trace and its general bulkiness, it can easily take on Gyarados and Salamence unless the latter is of the Specsed variety and uses Dracometeor. Other than that, this thing can take on most common threats aside from SE Fighting attacks. I've adjusted the EV's to make Pory2 slightly more defensive, more HP, while still granting a OHKO on Breloom. One major plus to this set besides the obvious tankiness is Thunderwave. With an overall "slow" team, paralysis support is a much. And anything that can take a 'Chomp Outrage and OHKO back is always worthwhile not to mention the fact that Tracing Sand Veil protects Pory2 from Sandstorm.
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Grace@Leftovers
56 HP/252 SPATK/200 SPD
Timid
Trace
-Psychic
-Thunderbolt
-Calm Mind
-Wish
Part two of Trace. This is the standard Calm Mind set. She's the biggest Special hitter of the team. The only reason I chose Wish over Will-o-wisp was because it misses way to often for my tastes. For some reason or another people generally seem to overlook Gardevoir which is always ok in my book because it allows Gardevoir to take out a few of the major threats that would otherwise threaten Dragonite.
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Pearl@Lum Berry
58 HP/252 ATK/200 SPD
Jolly
Inner Focus
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage
-Fire Punch
-Earthquake
Dragonite has been a staple late game sweeper of mine since RBY. The opponent doesn't even see her unless I've elminated the possible threats. The only reason for Fire Punch over Fire Blast is that I've found it to be more reliable and generally more effective after a DD or two. Either way, the goal of this team is to weaken the opponent to allow Dragonite to clean things up for the win.
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Luke@Liechi Berry
252 ATK/4 DEF/252 SPD
Jolly
Inner Focus
-Swords Dance
-Substitute
-Close Combat
-Bullet Punch
I'm not sure if I've seen this before, but this is my version of SD Lucario. Easy to setup although it is a bit easier to counter than the standard. I have Inner Focus for now because a flinch could pose some serious issues even if it could provide a speed boost. Aside from normally taking out teams by itself, this Lucario takes out or cripples most of the major walls that would normally prevent Dragonite from sweeping.
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Reef@Leftovers
188 HP/252 DEF/68 SPATK
Bold
Water Absorb
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Wish
-Protect
Another standard of my team since RBY. Not much to say since it is rather standard except that Wish is essential without a Rapid Spinner. Ice Beam takes out the obvious dragons and insures that they won't be messing with Dragonite in the future. Wish is extremely helpful in counteracting the Stealth Rock that would leave 'Nite vulnerable to a OHKO from the weaker Ice Beams. Come to think of it, Shadowball may make work its way into this set to make sure Gengar and Starmie aren't around to make the OHKO on Dragonite either.
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Pert@Leftovers
240 HP/14 ATK/76 DEF/180 SPDEF
Relaxed
Torrent
-Avalanche/Ice Beam
-Earthquake
-Stealth Rock
-Roar
Another team wall and bulky poke in general. Swampert is my only Phazer and provides Stealth Rock support to aid in the Lucario and Dragonite sweeps pushing many more things into the O-2HKO range. Everyone hates Tyrannitar so this is my solution. Aside from that, Pert is an effective counter to Heatran and Magnezone, who usually carry HP Ice IME, both of which could cause some issues for Dragonite. The biggest question is with Surf vs Ice Beam vs Stone Edge. Although Stone Edge may be effective, this set will be worthless against a Gliscor. Ice Beam, or even Avalanche due to the decreased speed from Relaxed nature, will probably be the way to go. Any input here would be great.
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Obviously, if you couldn't figure it out from reading the rest of this thread, the goal of this team is to ensure a clean and effective Dragonite sweep which I think it accomplishes quite nicely. Not to mention the fact that a less standard team is less predictable and Trace is incredibly fun. I don't see any significant threats to this team that can't be countered so if you see any issues it'd be great if you could help me get around them.
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Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Urza]

lots of people have been using magic coat on p-2 lately...largely because of the huge numbers of statusing leads...maybe that over thunderwave, since they'll both provide some nice status.

also, restalk 'pert is meh imho...he's better suited to be a mixed tank than to being a status absorber. if you really need a status absorber, try something more interesting like a restalk camerupt...that's practical immunity to almost all status...and unexpected, and able to hit really hard with some great stabs...another choice more in line with pert would be a milotic...marvel scale, recover and hypnosis all help the team a lot too...

also check out the evs on the luke...there's a swords dancer set in the analysis that has a slightly more effective spread.

not too bad all in all though

 

[Calvin the Cool]

On lucario. Go for HP over defense, because it covers both defenses.

 

[travisurfer]

lots of people have been using magic coat on p-2 lately...largely because of the huge numbers of statusing leads...maybe that over thunderwave, since they'll both provide some nice status.
I generally choose Thunderwave over Magic Coat because its more reliable and I know exactly what kind of status I'm distributing. I always use a Lum Berry things like Breloom waste their time only to get OHKO'd.
also, restalk 'pert is meh imho...he's better suited to be a mixed tank than to being a status absorber. if you really need a status absorber, try something more interesting like a restalk camerupt...that's practical immunity to almost all status...and unexpected, and able to hit really hard with some great stabs...another choice more in line with pert would be a milotic...marvel scale, recover and hypnosis all help the team a lot too...
Restalk Swampert just seemed like it may have been a decent fit. Maybe a mixed tank set could be a better option with Stealth Rock and Roar support. I've edited this in for now and it looks alright. I really don't like the idea of a Camerupt simply due to its lackluster stats. Milotic is a great option, but it doesn't do much more than Vaporeon is capable of and gives me a major Physical Electivire weak. One thought I had earlier was to make Porygon2 and Gardevoir into bulkier pokes and then replace this last set with a more offensive poke like a Roserade for Spikes and sleep support.
also check out the evs on the luke...there's a swords dancer set in the analysis that has a slightly more effective spread.
I just checked the analysis and I only managed to see the bulkier set. I'm not to sure if I would like that or not though. Of course, the standard Salac sweeper is Adamant but I've found the extra speed of Jolly to be a must while setting up.
not too bad all in all though
Thanks.

On lucario. Go for HP over defense, because it covers both defenses.
No, I like it the way it is. With just the points in Def and a 31 HP EV, I can sub down to 1 HP to insure the Leichi Boost. On that note, I have considered Reversal a few times but its really a waste of time until you're below the 50% health time. When you just keep substituting like that, the opponent is bound to figure it out and you become extremely predictable.

 

[Urza]

that's a more standard pert, and in this case more effective too. only other suggestion i might make is to use an ice attack over surf, just because of the number of 4x weak pokes, or perhaps stone edge to give some attacking diversity to your team. both ground/ice and ground/rock have amazing type coverage. ground/water isn't as bad, but it also isn't as good. however, it's fine as is.

i really have to say, i love using both trace abusers in one team. it always catches people off guard, because they both counter (sort of) the same pokes, and they breathe a sigh of relief if they manage to get rid of one. as the ev-ing of them, a bold nature and some more defense might be the way to go. p-2 is a tank of sorts, but gardy is a support poke/special sweeper, whether people like it or not. despite the great sp.def, it's hp is just too low for it to really tank. however, the options it has are amazing. one of my favorite pokemon.

 

[travisurfer]

that's a more standard pert, and in this case more effective too. only other suggestion i might make is to use an ice attack over surf, just because of the number of 4x weak pokes, or perhaps stone edge to give some attacking diversity to your team. both ground/ice and ground/rock have amazing type coverage. ground/water isn't as bad, but it also isn't as good. however, it's fine as is.
With two Ice users as it is, maybe Stone Edge would be a decent option. If you couldn't tell from the other move choices, I really do like acuracy but I'll put it up there as an option over Surf.
i really have to say, i love using both trace abusers in one team. it always catches people off guard, because they both counter (sort of) the same pokes, and they breathe a sigh of relief if they manage to get rid of one. as the ev-ing of them, a bold nature and some more defense might be the way to go. p-2 is a tank of sorts, but gardy is a support poke/special sweeper, whether people like it or not. despite the great sp.def, it's hp is just too low for it to really tank. however, the options it has are amazing. one of my favorite pokemon.
Alright, when I get a chance, I'll run some more calcs on P2 to see if I can get away with more Defense and less Sp. Attack while still being an effective lead. Max HP is probably going to be the priority here due to increasing its defences against Sp. Attacks though. EDIT: I ran the calcs on Pory2, and the only change I could make to still allow P2 to score a OHKO on Breloom 100% of the time was to leave P2 modest and shift 30 EV's from SPATK to HP. I think its at its limits for a lead P2. Any more EV's in the defences and it loses its effectiveness and I just don't see any other reason to start with anything else. I think I'll leave the Gardevoir the way it is. It may not be the fastest, but with a Calm Mind and its defences it should make it alright. I already have 3 wallish pokes in Pory2, Vaporeon, and Swampert so I can get away with a more offensive set.

 

[travisurfer]

24 Hour Bump for Updated EV's and Self-Analysis

 

[Semicolon cancer]

Steadfast > Inner Focus on lucario, because you may be crippling walls with it and such, but you'll get that flinch from switching it in to something unffective like a rock slide or a headbutt. That way, you can abuse the speed boost, however, you'll want to hope that the poke that flinched you switches out from CC fear, or doesn't carry earthquake. But really, not that many moves flinch you, and, personally, I'd rather take the risk with steadfast rather than be boring with Inner Focus. Its a choice between risky benefits and safety.

EDIT: Crap, I forgot about Air Slash. Inner Focus all the way, because you can't afford a flinch from something air slash (that is if it doesn't kill you)

 

[travisurfer]

Steadfast > Inner Focus on lucario, because you may be crippling walls with it and such, but you'll get that flinch from switching it in to something unffective like a rock slide or a headbutt. That way, you can abuse the speed boost, however, you'll want to hope that the poke that flinched you switches out from CC fear, or doesn't carry earthquake. But really, not that many moves flinch you, and, personally, I'd rather take the risk with steadfast rather than be boring with Inner Focus. Its a choice between risky benefits and safety.

EDIT: Crap, I forgot about Air Slash. Inner Focus all the way, because you can't afford a flinch from something air slash (that is if it doesn't kill you)

Its funny that you mention that. Togekiss is the only reason I really decided not to go with Steadfast. Besides, Inner Focus grants a better chance for an unhindered sweep.

Are there any other issues I need to address? Just from looking at the threat lists, I can't see anything that would prove to be a major issue.

 

[Bologo]

This is a really good team, I'd say. You really need to watch out for Tyraniboah though. That thing can rip your team apart if it manages to get behind a sub. It takes out about 4/6 of your members with relative ease if it does get behind that sub, so I'd really watch out for that.

Just make sure Swampert and Lucario stay alive, because the other members can get seriously busted up if those guys aren't alive. I don't think it's that serious of a problem that you need to change any party members, but just something to watch out for.

 

[travisurfer]

This is a really good team, I'd say. You really need to watch out for Tyraniboah though. That thing can rip your team apart if it manages to get behind a sub. It takes out about 4/6 of your members with relative ease if it does get behind that sub, so I'd really watch out for that.

Just make sure Swampert and Lucario stay alive, because the other members can get seriously busted up if those guys aren't alive. I don't think it's that serious of a problem that you need to change any party members, but just something to watch out for.

Thanks for the rate Bologo. For Tar, my only true counter is Swampert who takes care of most varieties. Earthquake is enough to take out most varieties unless its Tyraniboah with a Sub up in which case Roar is my only option unless I want to revenge kill with Lucario. I'll have to run some calcs, but Gardevoir should be able to outspeed and KO Boah after a Calm Mind or two. Vaporeon definitely won't like Focus Punch or Dark Pulse but could make a revenge KO in a pinch(this is most certainly one of my last options though).