After roaming the lands of the OU metagame with different variations of the same team, I have come across a small conclusion: whatever I choose, it's underrated... The famous 'broken' ones never fit in my teams, this includes both sweepers and walls. While I see them on a roll, KOing whatever and whoever comes in their path, they can't do anything more than scratch others' walls when on my side! This makes me crave for that wall, and voila! The wall is 'broken'! I won't go through team building processes, wasting your time, but straight into one of my variations composed of underrated beings. (I'll let you decide whether that is an overstatement)
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 240 Def / 252 HP / 16 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def /-SpA)
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Drill Peck
A physical wall that has been tested and tried over years, but still for some reason, there are others who do it's job better. This is in fact proven, and I think the reason behind this is the fact that its two weaknesses are special attacks. It preforms as a lead as long as Poli and Tales are not seen. Teams without rapid spinners relieve me as skar can be my sacrifice in times of need. I'm missing a slot for roost, and I can't yet figure out whom to hand the job of Stealth Rock. Magnezone is too much trouble. If I equip shed shell, roost is compulsory, and I have torn too much hair for a solution to this.
Gastrodon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 HP / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef /-Atk)
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Recover
I've seen this guy compete in ubers as a special wall, so why not use it? I have no clue whatsoever how it doesn't suit up to my need, not to mention how opposing gastrodons hardly seem to have a problem. Nevertheless, it does a very good job against those who don't have an efficient move to take it out. I know I'm doing something wrong or least right, so replacements/different movesets/EV spreads will be accepted wholeheartedly.
Metagross @ Lum Berry
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk/-SpA)
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch
- ThunderPunch
I've been using this physical monster since RSE, and yes it's HEAVILY underrated. I've gone through like a hundred battles where this guy does the early or late game sweeping like a boss. Meteor mash+bullet punch will destroy at least one after residual damage or if frail enough. It can take unboosted earthquake/flare blitz and fight back. I haven't explained the moveset of my members much, and I don't think it's needed. Does metagross come with issues? Yes, and oh so many. Poor STABs, resisted by so many and highly dependent on hazards/residual for a clean sweeping roll are the main ones. If I decide to use Stealth Rock instead of any one move, I let go off coverage. Suggestion about its held item is highly needed.
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Roost
- Psyshock
"Latios isn't underrated!"... Of course it isn't. Then why under the title? I have gone through showdown's OU list and Psychic is kind of a synonym to special sweepers. It has always been that, when facing off against the likes of starmie or alakazam, I highly question either it's abilities or my judgement. It has been on my team since the beginning, forming the core offense with metagross, and psychic is a largely underrated type. But desperate times need desperate measures, and I'm out of suitable measures.
Gengar (M) @ life orb
Trait: levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spe/-Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Energy Ball
When I'm choosing a pokemon for this team, regardless of its role, I choose to minimize hazard damage. While gengar is the gruesome ghost it is on paper because of its immunities and movepool, it is as frail as the paper itself. Technically it's my only option for killing water types, and it fails at times even at that... Rain has become a real pain over the year. Although not THAT much of a trouble, dark+ghost is shared with lati.
Terrakion @ Leftovers
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Jolly Nature (+Spe/-SpA)
- Close Combat
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
I'm so desperate for a fast physical sweeper. In the end, I've decided this guy has answer to my ever lasting ferro problem. One SD, and jelli barely survives. However, it's completely walled by toxicroak, who enjoys setting up, not to mention landorus. Sub is to prevent all things I should prevent, burn/para/seed etc. I'm thinking about using SR on it, but I'll leave that decision to you guys.
SYNERGY: (troublesome types are underlined, types that I have no answer to beforehand are italicized)
Skarmory:
Electric- Gastrodon, Latios
Fire- Gastrodon, Latios, Terrakion
Gastrodon:
Grass- Skarmory, Metagross, Latios, Gengar
Metagross:
Fire- Gastrodon, Latios, Terrakion
Ground- Skarmory, Latios, Gengar
Latios:
Dragon- Skarmory
Ice- Metagross
Ghost- Skarmory
Bug- Skarmory, Terrakion, Gengar
Dark- Skarmory, Terrakion
Gengar:
Ghost- Skarmory
Dark- Skarmory, Terrakion
Psychic- Skarmory, Metagross, Latios
Terrakion:
Water- Gastrodon, Latios
Ground- Skarmory, Latios, Gengar
Fighting- Latios, Gengar
Grass- Skarmory, Metagross, Latios, Gengar
Steel- Skarmory, Metagross, Gastrodon
MAJOR PROBLEMS:
1. Rain... although I have reduced water weakness to 1 and even added immunity, rain still seems to a problem, and it's no surprise because I have worked well with rain effectively. Primarily RotomW with willO is troublesome, to which energy ball is my only answer. And while Gengar tries to stop tenta from rapid spinning, it hardly survives.
2. Sun... Two of the members are weak to fire, but that isn't the problem. The problem is that they have answer to those who are supposed to fight fire with... not fire at least. Solarbeam whips gastro and terra, and latios is walled primarily by heatran.
3. water water everywhere, Fire fire nowhere... As you can see, there isn't a single fire type move within any of my members. This is a huge problem when facing the likes of scizor/forretress.
4. Shared weaknesses... self-explanatory
5. Lack of rapid spin
6. Lack of healer/No status absorber
SUGGESTIONS I PRIMARILY SEEK:
Apart from the basic offense core of Metagross and Latios, I seek defensive cores that can overcome my problems, and another physical+special offensive core with minimal weaknesses and are not susceptible to entry hazards. More effective movesets+EV spreads are welcome.
All kind of suggestions will be appreciated very much. Thank You.
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 240 Def / 252 HP / 16 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def /-SpA)
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Drill Peck
A physical wall that has been tested and tried over years, but still for some reason, there are others who do it's job better. This is in fact proven, and I think the reason behind this is the fact that its two weaknesses are special attacks. It preforms as a lead as long as Poli and Tales are not seen. Teams without rapid spinners relieve me as skar can be my sacrifice in times of need. I'm missing a slot for roost, and I can't yet figure out whom to hand the job of Stealth Rock. Magnezone is too much trouble. If I equip shed shell, roost is compulsory, and I have torn too much hair for a solution to this.
Gastrodon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Def / 252 HP / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef /-Atk)
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Recover
I've seen this guy compete in ubers as a special wall, so why not use it? I have no clue whatsoever how it doesn't suit up to my need, not to mention how opposing gastrodons hardly seem to have a problem. Nevertheless, it does a very good job against those who don't have an efficient move to take it out. I know I'm doing something wrong or least right, so replacements/different movesets/EV spreads will be accepted wholeheartedly.
Metagross @ Lum Berry
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk/-SpA)
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch
- ThunderPunch
I've been using this physical monster since RSE, and yes it's HEAVILY underrated. I've gone through like a hundred battles where this guy does the early or late game sweeping like a boss. Meteor mash+bullet punch will destroy at least one after residual damage or if frail enough. It can take unboosted earthquake/flare blitz and fight back. I haven't explained the moveset of my members much, and I don't think it's needed. Does metagross come with issues? Yes, and oh so many. Poor STABs, resisted by so many and highly dependent on hazards/residual for a clean sweeping roll are the main ones. If I decide to use Stealth Rock instead of any one move, I let go off coverage. Suggestion about its held item is highly needed.
Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Roost
- Psyshock
"Latios isn't underrated!"... Of course it isn't. Then why under the title? I have gone through showdown's OU list and Psychic is kind of a synonym to special sweepers. It has always been that, when facing off against the likes of starmie or alakazam, I highly question either it's abilities or my judgement. It has been on my team since the beginning, forming the core offense with metagross, and psychic is a largely underrated type. But desperate times need desperate measures, and I'm out of suitable measures.
Gengar (M) @ life orb
Trait: levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spe/-Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Energy Ball
When I'm choosing a pokemon for this team, regardless of its role, I choose to minimize hazard damage. While gengar is the gruesome ghost it is on paper because of its immunities and movepool, it is as frail as the paper itself. Technically it's my only option for killing water types, and it fails at times even at that... Rain has become a real pain over the year. Although not THAT much of a trouble, dark+ghost is shared with lati.
Terrakion @ Leftovers
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Jolly Nature (+Spe/-SpA)
- Close Combat
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
I'm so desperate for a fast physical sweeper. In the end, I've decided this guy has answer to my ever lasting ferro problem. One SD, and jelli barely survives. However, it's completely walled by toxicroak, who enjoys setting up, not to mention landorus. Sub is to prevent all things I should prevent, burn/para/seed etc. I'm thinking about using SR on it, but I'll leave that decision to you guys.
SYNERGY: (troublesome types are underlined, types that I have no answer to beforehand are italicized)
Skarmory:
Electric- Gastrodon, Latios
Fire- Gastrodon, Latios, Terrakion
Gastrodon:
Grass- Skarmory, Metagross, Latios, Gengar
Metagross:
Fire- Gastrodon, Latios, Terrakion
Ground- Skarmory, Latios, Gengar
Latios:
Dragon- Skarmory
Ice- Metagross
Ghost- Skarmory
Bug- Skarmory, Terrakion, Gengar
Dark- Skarmory, Terrakion
Gengar:
Ghost- Skarmory
Dark- Skarmory, Terrakion
Psychic- Skarmory, Metagross, Latios
Terrakion:
Water- Gastrodon, Latios
Ground- Skarmory, Latios, Gengar
Fighting- Latios, Gengar
Grass- Skarmory, Metagross, Latios, Gengar
Steel- Skarmory, Metagross, Gastrodon
MAJOR PROBLEMS:
1. Rain... although I have reduced water weakness to 1 and even added immunity, rain still seems to a problem, and it's no surprise because I have worked well with rain effectively. Primarily RotomW with willO is troublesome, to which energy ball is my only answer. And while Gengar tries to stop tenta from rapid spinning, it hardly survives.
2. Sun... Two of the members are weak to fire, but that isn't the problem. The problem is that they have answer to those who are supposed to fight fire with... not fire at least. Solarbeam whips gastro and terra, and latios is walled primarily by heatran.
3. water water everywhere, Fire fire nowhere... As you can see, there isn't a single fire type move within any of my members. This is a huge problem when facing the likes of scizor/forretress.
4. Shared weaknesses... self-explanatory
5. Lack of rapid spin
6. Lack of healer/No status absorber
SUGGESTIONS I PRIMARILY SEEK:
Apart from the basic offense core of Metagross and Latios, I seek defensive cores that can overcome my problems, and another physical+special offensive core with minimal weaknesses and are not susceptible to entry hazards. More effective movesets+EV spreads are welcome.
All kind of suggestions will be appreciated very much. Thank You.
