About the teams
Ok. So I grew tired of UU and made myself a RU team. The star of the show is a Uxie I got owned by earlier. It was mostly thrown together with Pokèmon I wanted to try out and it worked out pretty decent, but it got some problems which I will come back to later.
I after playing around with the team I wanted to try something new and I once again discovered some new Pokèmon. This team also got some issues I will come back to later.
After some playing around with both teams they reached ~1400 rating on the Pokèmon Online ladder and as of writing this, rank #14 on the Smogon ladder. I'm sure they can go higher, I just haven't tried.
The teams
To make it easier to tell the teams apart I'll call the first team for "Australopithecus Afarensis", after my favorite pre-historic homid. And it got nothing to do with the team, but it needed a name.~Australopithecus Afarensis~
Uxie @ Choice Scarf Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Trick
- U-turn
Oh man. This little fucker is a tricky bastard. I usually lead off with him. Depending on the opposing lead I either Trick, Thunder Wave or U-Turn. This guy always does his job off setting off rocks and crippling the opposing team. Trick is great in RU as there are many eviolite users there such as Munchlax, Gligar, Tangela, Lickitung etc. What usually happens is I lead off with Uxie. Other guy leads off with A) A fast lead such as Volt Switch Rotom. B) bulky tank. C) an eviolite user. D) a sweeper.
Most of the times I go for trick. Most leads wants to set up some kind of entry hazards. I will then proceed to Thunder Wave and set up my own rocks before U-Turning out. Uxie can cripple most leads and get rocks set ut. I try to save him to sponge hits later when I need to swap between Pokèmons. Uxie is pretty versatile so he got lots of different sets. Most lead sets at least carry SR. You can use this to your advantage and use trick or Thunder Wave on opposing Rotom\Manetric's Volt Switch if you predict the switch in will be crippled.
Honchkrow (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Sucker Punch
This shady bird will not hesitate to Sucker Punch you.. or is he? I try to save Honchkrow for a late game clean up or at least untill opposing walls such as Steelix, Aggron etc. are gone. Not much to say. It's a standard SubMoxie Honchkrow with Leftovers instead of Life Orb. I don't feel I miss out on much running Life Orb, so I prefer Leftover to help with repated Life Orb and Brave Bird recoil. Usually able to kill something or at least put a dent in something if allowed to come in at the right time.
Lanturn (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Def / 204 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Heal Bell
- Scald
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
I put Lanturn on the team to absorb some of the attacks aimed towards my birds. I have used Lanturn to great success earlier. He takes on all electric attacks and most special attacks aimed at Honchkrow and Archeops, as well as Fire- and Ice attacks aimed at Lilligant. He also serves the role of team cleric. Swithing him in on a choiced Volt Switch or an Electric type attack in general usually allows me to get off a move.
Lilligant (F) @ Lum Berry Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Quiver Dance
- Sleep Powder
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Rock]
This cute little monster only needs the opponent to make one bad move before she wrecks his\hers team. Her moveset is well known so what she does is no secret. She switches in, sets up with Sleep Powder and Quiver dance before she wrecks your face. Special defensive blobs such as Munchlax and Lickitung should be gone before attempting to set up. Munchlax takes special hits like nothing and can phase you out with Whirlwind or outright kill you with Body Slam. Using Sleep Powder on him is useless since he usually carry Sleep Talk. If specially defensive beasts and phazers are gone Lilligant can proceed to destroy teams. She just got to be aware of strong priority moves.
Archeops (F) @ Flight Gem Trait: Defeatist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Acrobatics
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
This is the first time I've tried an Archeops. He's surprised me pleasantly. I thought he was too fragile to be of any proper use. He is weak, but he's also fast and powerful. He usually ends up as a mid-late game sweeper and often ends up sacrificing himself to take out a crucial Pokèmon preventing a sweep. He's frail and shouldn't stay in on priority, but he also takes hits better than expected and can usually live a hit if absolutely needed. His ability is also not as much of a problem as I first expected. He just comes in and attacks something hard once or twice. Then he's expected to die and enable one of my other Pokèmons a safe switch in.
Hariyama (F) @ Toxic Orb Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 172 SDef / 84 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Bullet Punch
I've never tried this Hariyama set before. My teams have never had any problems with it so I always thought it was a weak set. Hariyama is not weak however. I try to save this guy for a few switch-ins so he can use Fake Out. Coming from Hariyama it usually takes off a chunk of HP. Fake Out-Bullet Punch is good to deal with opposing Archeops, Weavile or Honchkrow.
Threats:
I can't think of any specific threats to the team, but there are some general problems I have. If Uxie dies without setting up rocks and crippling something I will have trouble getting the initiative. Uxie is made to force some switches to get my own Pokèmon in.
I also have no good way to deal with bulky psychics like Uxie. What I usually do is wear it down with Fake Out and Brave Birds if Lilligant doesn't get the chance to set up.
In that sense Slowking also poses a threat if Lanturn is down or it's a CM\Nasty Plot set.
Substitute users are also an issue. Apart from Uxie none of my Pokèmons really want to take a hit. And Uxie in return is setup bait.
Importable:
Code:
Honchkrow (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Sucker Punch
Lanturn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 52 HP / 252 Def / 204 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Heal Bell
- Scald
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
Archeops (F) @ Flight Gem
Trait: Defeatist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Acrobatics
- Head Smash
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Hariyama (F) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 172 SDef / 84 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- Ice Punch
- Bullet Punch
Uxie @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 Spd
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Thunder Wave
- Trick
- U-turn
Lilligant (F) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Quiver Dance
- Sleep Powder
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Rock]~Steelix don't have any friends~
This is my second team which I made when I got tired of the first one. I had abit of nostalgia and wanted to use Steelix. I also remembered using Spiritomb in 4th Gen and I needed a spinblocker. Accelgor is there to set up spikes, but I often end up saving him to revenge certain Pokèmon. Munchlax is there to take special hits and shuffle. Takes ice and fire attacks aimed at Tangela. I threw in Tangela to soak the fighting attacks which my team is otherwise fairly weak to. Takes unboosted Ice Punches like boss. Primeapes hate this lump of grass. Swellow is my latest addition and is there to be a speedy sweeper\revenge killer once certain walls are gone.
Accelgor (F) @ Focus Sash Trait: Sticky Hold
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Spikes
- Bug Buzz
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Rock]
Usually one of my leads depending on what the opponent got. Is supposed to set up spikes, but I often end up preserving him. His speed is often usefull when revengekilling stuff like grass and psychic Pokèmon. If it is not needed in the match, I set up spikes and sac it.
Swellow (F) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Protect
Swellow is my latest addition. This spot has earlier had different Pokèmon such as Bulk Up Gallade, Spec. def Drapion, Scarf Drapion and Electabuzz. It is now Swellow and he does what Swellows usually do.. being a fast revengekiller once opposing walls like Steelix and Aggron are gone. This is my only direct threat to Gallade which otherwise sets up and sweeps my team. Swellow is immune to its priority, but have problems if Gallade is behind a sub.
Munchlax (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 136 HP / 124 Def / 248 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Whirlwind
- Body Slam
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Munchlax takes all special hits as well as certain fire and ice attacks that Tangela can't handle such as Flare Blitz. Standard set, but it works out amazing. Whirlwind phases for more SR and spike dmg as well as removing users behind subs. Rest + Sleep Talk makes Munchlax very hard to kill. He is my special wall and has good synergy with Tangela. Definitely one of my MVP's along with Spiritomb and Tangela.
Tangela (F) @ Eviolite Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Sleep Powder
- Leech Seed
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Giga Drain
Tangela is my physical wall and a damned good one at that. Takes everything except special hits and Flare Blitz or boosted Ice Punches. Primeapes hate this guy as they are usually scarfed and CC\Ice Punch only does ~25-30% at best which is gotten back with Giga Drain\Leech Seed\Regenerator. I have some trouble with Tangela being unable to do anything against threats such as Sigilyph, Bouffalant and Clefable. As well as being setup bait for Ferroseed and Whimsicott. Has good synergy with Munchlax. Takes on all physical hits directed towards Munchlax as well as strong physical attacks that are too much for Spiritomb.
Steelix (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Def / 160 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Dragon Tail
Sets up SR, phases and takes hits. I had forgotten how awesome Steelix is. I thought his usefullness would be negated to getting up SR at best, but he's sports important resistances in RU to bug and electric attacks. His defenses are also strong enough that few physical attacks can hope to OHKO. He also has sturdy allowing me to set up rocks, phase or get some damage off with EQ or Gyro Ball. This is my counter to Honchkrow without Heat Wave as well as Klingklang and it also does decent taking Rock Heads from Aggron, but must be carefull not to wlak in on a Earthquake or Focus Punch.
Spiritomb (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Dark Pulse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
My spinblocker and new favourite Pokèmon. Takes around 25-30% from most physical hits. Proceed to set up and sweep. Usually walls come in and try to status it. I just continue to set up and Rest-Talk as necessary. Takes around 25% from Hitmonchans Drain Punch and Ice Punch and is free to set up. Was my only check to Gallade untill I added Swellow. This thing can set up on alot of things that would otherwise be dangerous such as Sigilyph.
Threats:
I would like a rapid spinner, but I don't know what to switch out.
Been thinking about switching Swellow for Hitmonchan or Claydol. I', thinking Hitmonchan is the best option. I have issues with Honchkrow and Gallade and SubSetup. If Steelix is gone, Honchkrow can usually plow through the rest of my team. Gallade can do the same if it gets too many turns of Bulk Up before Spiritomb gets in.
Thought about switching Dragon Tail with Roar on Steelix, but I kinda like the damage it gives. Klingklang can also be an issue if it is able to set up. Would like some more hazards, but don't know who could do it. A poision type to absorb Toxic Spikes would also be nice.
The most replaceable members on my team would have to be Accelgor, Tangela and Swellow, but they each check dangerous threats which would otherwise have to be covered.
Importable:
Code:
Spiritomb (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Dark Pulse
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Steelix (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Def / 160 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Gyro Ball
- Dragon Tail
Munchlax (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 136 HP / 124 Def / 248 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Whirlwind
- Body Slam
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Swellow (F) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Protect
Tangela (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Sleep Powder
- Leech Seed
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Giga Drain
Accelgor (F) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Sticky Hold
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Spikes
- Bug Buzz
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Rock]
