This is my first post on Smogon (Although not new to the meta, I usually go on PO's forums) and decided to get some feedback on one of my favorite teams to use. Trick Room is a really fun playstyle to use because most people don't know how to react and you get the liberty of investing EV's in something other than speed. This team generally has success but falls apart if either all the attackers or TR setters go down, so it has to be played carefully. Any way to help that problem would be much appreciated.
The Team
Gift (Banette) (F) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 Atk
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Trick Room
- Shadow Claw
- Destiny Bond
- Magic Coat
Yes, this is a suicide lead and although I realize they're outdated it can be used late game if I don't start with it to take down a threat and shift momentum in my favor. The idea is first turn TR to "outspeed" and hopefully get taken down to the sash then destiny bond to get a double down, alternatively I can magic coat if I predict sneaky pebbles/taunt/status. Shadow claw is mostly filler but I could theoretically attack. Suggestions for a different TR setter are always welcome, but I do like this one.
No Brakes (Ursaring) (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Def
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- Giga Impact
The undisputed MVP. 55 Base speed is perfect and won't get outsped by anything threatening under TR because of decent 95/75/75 defenses. Ursaring, after guts activates, decimates anything that's not missy/a wall that resists. Ursaring comes out as soon as ghosts are eliminated if I can. Facade is an obvious choice hitting 140 BP before STAB is factored in coming off 130 base attack with a guts boost hits like the fist of an angry god. Close Combat and crunch are coverage, although crunch should only be used on ghosts as a resisted/neutral facade will always hit harder. Giga Impact is generally a bad move but I prefer it over SD and I only use it to ensure a KO when I know I'll die from Flame Orb or Ursarings completed its job. The EV's not in attack are almost random, as I'm not really sure what to put them into.
Musharna (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Psychic
- Trick Room
- Yawn
- Calm Mind
I experimented with this slot a lot and I'm still not sure I've settled yet, I cant choose between bulk or offensive TR setter.
Musharna is well, musharna. Most of you are familiar with it. Obligatory TR to set up a sweep. Very bulky to come in multiple times a match and set up. I like yawn because it usually gives me a free turn to use TR/Calm mind or a free switch, and if they don't they're practically sacking their 'mon to Ursaring or Exeggutor who will be coming in shortly. Psychic for a STAB attack.
Get Trapped (Skuntank) (M) @ Dread Plate
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Sucker Punch
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Pursuit
Skuntank is a key element of this team, if I see a ghost in team preview I try and bait it out and then get skuntank to trap it and free the field for Ursaring to come in and start doing his thing. Sucker Punch/Pursuit are essential for his role as a trapper, toxic is utility move to wear down bulkier pokemon if needed, taunt forces the opponent to attack or switch out, which is obviously beneficial for his role. Additionally, by his very nature he functions almost identically outside of TR.
Rhydon (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Reckless
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 SDef
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Rock Blast
- Megahorn
- Earthquake
- Hammer Arm
I'm aware that rhydon is RU here at Smogon, however I play on PO's server where he's NU, so hopefully you guys understand. Rhydon has a dual role as a secondary sweeper if Ursaring goes down and also as a mon who works well as a stallbreaker/anti-lead outside of TR, thanks to his amazing bulk compounded by eviolite. Rock blast is there to break subs as they're my biggest annoyance and can stall out TR. Earthquake for a powerful stab, megahorn as coverage, and hammer arm to deal a good amount of damage and boost his speed under TR.
Dat' Grass (Exeggutor) (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Harvest
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SAtk
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Trick Room
- Leaf Storm
- Psychic
- Power Swap
Absorbs status and has great synergy with Ursaring/Rhydon. Alomomunguss would be problem but exeggutor shrugs them off getting STAB SE on both. Exeggutor is really great for this team and can fill a variety of roles wall breaking, cleaning late game, setting TR, and occasionally sweeping. Leafstorm has ridiculous power with stab and power swap lets me use it multiple times while also crippling opposing SpAttackers. Psychic for when I need to be more conservative or need to take out something that resists grass. Exeggcutor also puts the opponent in a bad situation, as very little wants to switch into a leafstorm.
Not too many threats but smart switching or eliminating either my attacking core or TR setters will make the team fall on its face, so smarter opponents will usually come out on top. To help I used to run Alomomola to pass massive wishs, but it struggles to keep a spot, as I have to give up a sweeper or setter to fit it in. Similarly I tried Audino who can pass wishes and set TR but found it was too frail and had pitiful offensive output which made it set up bait most of the time.
I'm open to any suggestions for new members/move sets and would greatly appreciate help with the EV's.
Gift (Banette) (F) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 Atk
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Trick Room
- Shadow Claw
- Destiny Bond
- Magic Coat
Yes, this is a suicide lead and although I realize they're outdated it can be used late game if I don't start with it to take down a threat and shift momentum in my favor. The idea is first turn TR to "outspeed" and hopefully get taken down to the sash then destiny bond to get a double down, alternatively I can magic coat if I predict sneaky pebbles/taunt/status. Shadow claw is mostly filler but I could theoretically attack. Suggestions for a different TR setter are always welcome, but I do like this one.
No Brakes (Ursaring) (M) @ Flame Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 152 Def
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Facade
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- Giga Impact
The undisputed MVP. 55 Base speed is perfect and won't get outsped by anything threatening under TR because of decent 95/75/75 defenses. Ursaring, after guts activates, decimates anything that's not missy/a wall that resists. Ursaring comes out as soon as ghosts are eliminated if I can. Facade is an obvious choice hitting 140 BP before STAB is factored in coming off 130 base attack with a guts boost hits like the fist of an angry god. Close Combat and crunch are coverage, although crunch should only be used on ghosts as a resisted/neutral facade will always hit harder. Giga Impact is generally a bad move but I prefer it over SD and I only use it to ensure a KO when I know I'll die from Flame Orb or Ursarings completed its job. The EV's not in attack are almost random, as I'm not really sure what to put them into.
Musharna (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Psychic
- Trick Room
- Yawn
- Calm Mind
I experimented with this slot a lot and I'm still not sure I've settled yet, I cant choose between bulk or offensive TR setter.
Musharna is well, musharna. Most of you are familiar with it. Obligatory TR to set up a sweep. Very bulky to come in multiple times a match and set up. I like yawn because it usually gives me a free turn to use TR/Calm mind or a free switch, and if they don't they're practically sacking their 'mon to Ursaring or Exeggutor who will be coming in shortly. Psychic for a STAB attack.
Get Trapped (Skuntank) (M) @ Dread Plate
Trait: Aftermath
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Sucker Punch
- Taunt
- Toxic
- Pursuit
Skuntank is a key element of this team, if I see a ghost in team preview I try and bait it out and then get skuntank to trap it and free the field for Ursaring to come in and start doing his thing. Sucker Punch/Pursuit are essential for his role as a trapper, toxic is utility move to wear down bulkier pokemon if needed, taunt forces the opponent to attack or switch out, which is obviously beneficial for his role. Additionally, by his very nature he functions almost identically outside of TR.
Rhydon (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Reckless
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 SDef
Brave Nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Rock Blast
- Megahorn
- Earthquake
- Hammer Arm
I'm aware that rhydon is RU here at Smogon, however I play on PO's server where he's NU, so hopefully you guys understand. Rhydon has a dual role as a secondary sweeper if Ursaring goes down and also as a mon who works well as a stallbreaker/anti-lead outside of TR, thanks to his amazing bulk compounded by eviolite. Rock blast is there to break subs as they're my biggest annoyance and can stall out TR. Earthquake for a powerful stab, megahorn as coverage, and hammer arm to deal a good amount of damage and boost his speed under TR.
Dat' Grass (Exeggutor) (M) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Harvest
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SAtk
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Trick Room
- Leaf Storm
- Psychic
- Power Swap
Absorbs status and has great synergy with Ursaring/Rhydon. Alomomunguss would be problem but exeggutor shrugs them off getting STAB SE on both. Exeggutor is really great for this team and can fill a variety of roles wall breaking, cleaning late game, setting TR, and occasionally sweeping. Leafstorm has ridiculous power with stab and power swap lets me use it multiple times while also crippling opposing SpAttackers. Psychic for when I need to be more conservative or need to take out something that resists grass. Exeggcutor also puts the opponent in a bad situation, as very little wants to switch into a leafstorm.
Not too many threats but smart switching or eliminating either my attacking core or TR setters will make the team fall on its face, so smarter opponents will usually come out on top. To help I used to run Alomomola to pass massive wishs, but it struggles to keep a spot, as I have to give up a sweeper or setter to fit it in. Similarly I tried Audino who can pass wishes and set TR but found it was too frail and had pitiful offensive output which made it set up bait most of the time.
I'm open to any suggestions for new members/move sets and would greatly appreciate help with the EV's.
