XY Doubles (Updated) 1st RMT. Mixed Tier Wifi Team. Constructive Criticism Needed!

[Andrastian]

This is one of my many themed teams, based around my favorite Anime Character Lucy Heartfilia. She is a Celestial Key Mage and I have built in my opinion a really cool team that is well balanced and still able to fit the theme I'm going for very well. So far I've done decent in Rated Doubles but I'm wondering if I can do better. Any help on my move sets and items would be very much appreciated!


Here are all the Pokemon I am currently using as well as their full specs:

Kelfki (Celestial Keys) @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Impish
EVs - 252 HP/252 SpD
- Reflect
- Safeguard
- Rain Dance
- Light Screen

I use Klefki only if I expect the team has a counter for most of my Pokes, opening with Dual Screens or Rain Dance to shut down other unfavorable weather users.

Milotic (Aquarius) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Competitive
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def
- Scald
- Recover
- Ice Beam
- Dragon Tail

Pretty standard set for Milotic. I use her as a switch in when I see an Intimidate coming so as to boost her SpA to decent levels. Dragon Tail knocks out pokes that would set her up usually, Ice beam can 1HKO strong Defensive types like Garchomp and Recover to keep her on the field, burning with scald and removing unwanted threats with Dragon Tail.

Tauros (Taurus) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Att/252 Spd
- Thrash
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Zen Headbutt

Two words, Revenge Killer. I always use Tauros last, as he has amazing coverage, can take a Brave Bird from Talonflame and can take out almost any wounded Flying and Ice type Pokemon with 98 Power Rock Slide.

Gliscor (Scorpio) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Poison Heal
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def
- Tailwind
- Knock Off
- Acrobatics
- Earthquake

I just started using this bad boy recently and I love him. I open with Gliscor if I see the opposing team is build for speed, as with his great bulk + Focus sash he can almost always get out a Tailwind, allowing for my Powerful sweepers like Mega K. to take out faster competition. I can also use him as a switch in for Toxic stallers, and he can pack a powerful punch even un-invested with stab Acrobatics after Focus Sash has been used up.

Mega Kangaskhan (Gemini) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Scrappy/Parental Bond
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Att/252 Spd
- Fake Out
- Ice Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Power-Up Punch

I don't think I need to explain Mega K. much. Fake out on Status Abusers or Pranksters and finish them off with the appropriate teammate, cause a switch out for most Ghost and Psychic types with my Sucker Punch, 1 (2) HKO nearly every dragon type Pokemon with Ice Punch as well.

Luxray (Leo) @ Life Orb
Ability: Inimidate
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 SpA/252 Spd
- Snarl
- Protect
- Volt Switch
- Signal Beam

I honestly had a hard time using Luxray, he has really decent bulk, not a terrible move-set with Intimidate + Snarl to weaken almost any foe. I just had a hard time with his Speed, but thanks to my newly added Tailwind Gliscor that may not be a problem anymore! He can 1HKO Volt Switch on weaker water types that threaten Gliscor like Greninja, and put a decent hurting to Common Dark stallers like Umbreon with Signal Beam without being weakened by common Intimidate switch-ins.

I know there is plenty of room for improvement here so don't be afraid to let me have it! ;D

 

[shaian]

Hi Andrastian, welcome to doubles! First off, let me get this out of the way, but I absolutely adore Luxray and Milotic, and I think it's really neat that you're using them. Secondly, I think you're mistaking Spot Doubles with Smogon Doubles, since you say in the title that it's for mixed-tier wifi, but you're tagging for Smogon Doubles which is 6 on 6 doubles.

Anyway, on to the team, the first issue is that it's got a glaring lack of Protect, which is considered to be a staple of Doubles play (in all formats, vgc, smogdubs, battle spot), and only 1 Pokemon on your team has the move. For that reason, I would suggest that the following moves be swapped out for Protect: Klefki: Rain Dance -> Protect, Milotic: Dragon Tail -> Protect, Gliscor: Acrobatics -> Protect.

However, beyond that issue, there are some other notable hindrances to the team. You lack reliable counters to fighting types, despite have 2 Pokemon that are weak to them, and Gliscors Acrobatics is incredibly shaky, as any prior damage renders Focus Sash useless without getting rid of it. You also mention that you use him to stall Pokemon like opposing Kangaskhan, however stalling isn't a viable tactic in doubles due to the increased offensive nature of the format, so that benefit isn't actually an existent one in this case. I don't want to get rid of Gliscor, but from a casual glance, it's not providing much to your team that isn't already available. I would say that swapping Gliscor out for a simple Life Orb Talonflame would do wonders for you. It also has access to Tailwind, but with Gale Wings, it now has priority access to it, and when paired with Mega Kanga on the lead, a solid Fake Out + Tailwind combination can provide incredible early game momentum, which is a great thing to have in 4 on 4 play. It also handles your fighting type weakness for Tauros and Kangaskhan, handles grass types for Milotic, though it does make you slightly weaker to standard sand teams.

Talonflame @ Life Orb
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature / Jolly (for outspeed and OHKO'ing Mega Lucario)
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Protect
- Tailwind

Another thing I want to draw attention to is the fact that your Klefki has no attacks. This drastically reduces its effectiveness, as Taunt is a commonly used move in Doubles formats, and if it gets Taunted it is now deadweight. For that reason I would use Play Rough instead of Light Screen or Reflect. I would personally lean towards Reflect, as Luxray has Intimidate, though stacking Reflect + Intimidate could help shore you up against strong physical attackers. This comes down to whichever one you feel more comfortable with.

Klefki @ Light Clay
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Impish Nature
- Safeguard
- Protect
- Play Rough
- Light Screen / Reflect

The next area is just some minor nitpicking with your move choices. Your reasoning for opting for Ice Punch over Return on Kanga is a bit shaky, as Return provides much more utility over the course of multiple games, and even in games where Dragons are around, most (if any) can handle a combination of Return + literally any other attack, so you'll find that just opting for Return instead of Ice Punch will be more beneficial. It also lets you handle far more Pokemon with Kangaskhan, such as Modest Charizard sets, Gardevoirs, almost any frail Pokemon, and even some bulkier ones which can be handled with PuP + Return. Also, you should consider switching Kangaskhan to a Jolly nature so it can handle neutral nature base 100's, such as the aforementioned Modest Charizard and other Adamant Kangaskhans. Next up in Signal Beam on Luxray, which I'll be honest I have very little experience with, but you said it's for beating stall Umbreon, but again, if you use the above suggestion, Kangaskhan can handle that just fine. I would opt for another coverage move, maybe a Hidden Power since Luxrays movepool is incredibly shallow. Though here's an interesting change, instead of 3 moves, you could consider 2 moves + Helping Hand, which can turn several of Kangas 2HKOs into OHKOs. It also helps shore up your offensive capabilities since your team needs quick KO's from Tauros and Kangaskhan, as other Pokemon lack that offensive presence. Also on Luxray, I would advise against Snarl + Life Orb, as Snarl is incredibly weak and not worth the Life Orb recoil, so on that note, I'd say use a Shuca Berry or Focus Sash instead.

Kangaskhan (F) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Scrappy
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature / Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Return
- Power-Up Punch
- Sucker Punch

Luxray @ Focus Sash
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Snarl
- Protect
- Helping Hand

That's all I have for now, good luck going forward. : )

 

[Andrastian]

Oh my gosh, thank you sooo much! Although I really cant switch out Gliscor for Talonflame because that would ruin the Celestial theme, the advice on Protect and the changes on Klefki, Mega K. and Luxray are just wonderful. I can see a serious boost to my game with those changes so thank you very much again!