UU Balanced
Introduction
With Chansey and Donphan banned, we have started a new stage of UU. Now, I was thinking to myself: What sweeper would benefit the most from these changes? With all of the ground types banned, eventually one sweeper came into my mind. Raikou. Now, in this team, I will try to use Rakou to its maximun potential.
At a Glance
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Spikes
- Giga Drain
- Sludge bomb
- Rest
My main special wall. Also sets up hazards to ensure that Raikou sweeps easily. This also my main counter for ground types like Swampert which my Raikou struggles with. Spikes is there for obvious reasons, Giga Drain for STAB and for some recovery, Sludge Bomb for secondary STAb and for coverage, and Rest, due to Natural Cure, works very well because you can fully recover, then you switch out and then Roserade automatically wakes up.
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 180 HP / 144 Atk / 184 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Flare Blitz
- ExtremeSpeed
- Toxic
- Morning Sun
This guy is the second third of my F/G/W core and with Intimidate, Morning Sun and Toxic, this functions as a physical wall really well. It also hits pretty hard with its STAB Flare Blitz. ExtremeSpeed is the only priority move on the team and it helps getting rid of weakened threats and faster pokemon. Toxic to weaken walls and bulky waters, and Morning Sun is for some reliable recovery.
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Foresight
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
My spinner. Also the closest thing to a physical sweeper on my team. Hazards are a real problem to my team, especially since Raikou is vulnerable to all hazards, that's why Hitmontop is a valuable asset to my team. Now that Donphan is gone, Hitmontop is the better spinner. Rapid Spin for obvious reasons, Foresight to hit ghosts with Rapid Spin and Close Combat, Close Combat for STAB and Stone Edge for coverage. Also, since both Arcanine and Hitmontop carry intimidate, Physical threats can be easily dealt with.
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 216 Def / 52 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
- Earthquake
- Scald
Swampert ends my F/W/G core as it sets up Stealth Rock and this guy also deals with Electric types easily. Stealth Rock for hazard support and to let my Raikou sweep easily. Roar to phaze set up sweepers and to pass hazards around (might change it for Ice Beam, not sure), Earthquake for physical coverage and Scald for special coverage. The burn chance is also awesome.
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Substitute
My spinblocker. Also my secondary sweeper if Raikou (somehow) dies. I could replace this with another ghost (Sableye, Dusklops, etc) but for me this is the most solid option for my team. Feel free to criticize me though. Substitute to easily set up, since Mismagius forces a lot of switches, Nasty Plot to increase Mismagius' Special Attack to amazing levels, Shadow Ball for STAB and Hidden Power Fighting for STAB.
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 128 HP / 76 Def / 52 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
The star of the show, this guy is amazing. Easily the MVP. With Donphan and Chansey gone, Raikou can easily sweep in the UU metagame with the appropiate support. Do I really have to say anything else? Substitute to set up easily, Calm Mind to boost its Special Attack and Special Defense to amazing numbers, t-bolt for STAB and Hidden Power Ice for unresisted neutral coverage (except Lanturn).
Importable:
Roserade (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Spikes
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Rest
Arcanine (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 180 HP / 144 Atk / 184 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Flare Blitz
- ExtremeSpeed
- Toxic
- Morning Sun
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Foresight
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
Swampert (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 216 Def / 52 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
- Earthquake
- Scald
Mismagius (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Substitute
Raikou @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 128 HP / 76 Def / 52 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Rates are much appreciated!
PS: I wanna give some credit to Haunter for being the best UU tutor ever.