ORAS UU UU Noob Here

[Dan O' War]

Alright, so I have a team that wins about 50% of the team, and there are some things that I've encountered that almost always wreck me, but I don't know how to handle them. Any help would be appreciated.

Ampharos (M) @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 132 HP / 252 SpA / 124 Spe
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast
- Volt Switch

Ampharos is who I tried to build my team around. The power and coverage it brings are pretty good. I've tried using it as an attacker to some success, but I'm beginning to think that it would be better as a late game sweeper with Agility. I was thinking maybe this set:

Ampharos (M) @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Agility
- Thunderbolt / Volt Switch
- Dragon Pulse
- Focus Blast

The only thing I'm nervous about with an Agility set is not being able to set up with the reduced health investment. As well, I'm not sure If I should stick with T-Bolt for power or Volt Switch to get a better match up or something. But with Volt Switch, I'd then lose the Agility boost. Part of the reason I don't want to switch to an agility set is because of the reduced value fo volt switch, which I find immensely useful when using Megapharos. As well, an Agility set would help to take down Megatoise which is an absolute monster to face with this team.

Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Volt Switch
- Gyro Ball

I commonly use Forretress as a lead, only changing up when I see Zapdos (Heat Wave) or Infernape. He also resists Fairy-Types that both Goodra and Megapharos are weak to. He serves as both a Rapid Spinner as well as a Stealth Rock user that easily sets up on Physically offensive Pokemon and in situations where type math up will alleviate some of the damage done to him. I like to use Gyro Ball over Toxic because I already have Muk to Poison everything that isn't Poison or Steel type, and it hits Pokemon like the common Crobat and Whimsicott like a truck.

Darmanitan (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Earthquake

There are not a lot of Pokemon that counter Darmanitan well in my experience. Darmanitan often forces switches which I counter-switch on with U-Turn to put myself in a favorable position. And when there are no entry hazards, Darmanitan goes to town late-game with Flare Blitz to finish off damaged teams. There are not many things I have encountered that like to take a hit from this guy's Flare Blitz (weakened Water-types fear him as well), and he is invaluable to this team because of the forced switches he can cause in conjuction with U-Turn.

Feraligatr (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Crunch
- Ice Punch

Feraligatr mainly takes out the Ground-Types that destroy half of my team (Megapharos, Muk, Darmanitan, and even Forretress if we think about a Mamoswine Earthquake). Dragon Dance lets him take out many different Pokes in conjunction with coverage moves Crunch and Ice Punch. Crunch hits Psychic Types that may dismantle Muk and Ice punch hits the Dragons that out speed my own. Dragon Dance also helps with Sucker Punch users that commonly appear.

Goodra (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sap Sipper
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Dragon Tail

Goodra is really my only hard counter to Megastoise, unless I can get 2-3 D-Dance Crunches off from Gatr. Otherwise, the turtle obliterates my team. Goodra also soaks up many special attacks, even Ice Beams. Dragon Tail stops enemies from setting up and helps to net extra Stealth Rock damage. As well, he can score massive damage with meteors and good coverage. Even if he gets his special lowered, he can still get off decent damage with dragon tail.

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch



Pokemon that I always seem to have trouble with are Arcanine, Mamoswine, Megapedo, Megastoise, and Megasol. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[IronBullet]

Hi there! Unfortunately I'll have to lock this as your descriptions are rather lacking and not up to the standard required by the RMT rules. You need to provide in-depth descriptions for each Pokemon to explain your choices and their roles. Please read the rules carefully and take a look at other RMTs and the RMT archive to see the kind of detail and format we require before posting a thread here. PM me with updated descriptions and I'll be happy to unlock this.

Edit: Reopened

 

[Cheryl.]

Hi there, that's a pretty okay team right there, but it definetely needs some changes.

The first change I'd make is Muk to Toxicroak. You said you have trouble swith trhings like Mega Sharpedo and Mega Absol, so Toxicroak fits the bill here with Dry Skin and an extra Fighting typing. Also, Muk isn't that viable anyways, and Toxicroak can add another sweeper to your team with Swords Dance. I highly recomment this change.

You also said you needed help with Mamoswine, so the second change I'd make is Goodra to Rotom-Heat. While this stacks your typings, Rotom-H is a decent check to Mamoswine while also having a good offensive presence and being a good wall in general. It gives your team momentum with Volt Switch, as well. It also is a great Steel check as well.

I honestly think you should stick with 4 attacks Mega Amphy instead of Agility Ampharos because your team has enough potential sweepers already and you sort of want that extra bulk, given your team. Now, your team sort of has a weakness to something like CB Entei and other Fire types, even with Feraligatr and Rotom-H, so if you want, I recommend you change Mega Amphy's set to Rest-Talk so you can wall Fire types better, while also having a good offensive presence.

Sets Recommended

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch

Rotom-Heat @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 52 Def / 208 Spe
Timid Nature
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Pain Split
- Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave

Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Volt Switch
- Dragon Pulse

 

[Dan O' War]

Thanks, Brandon. I will definitely switch Muk over to Toxicroak, but I will have to test my preference for which Ampharos set I want. Definitely giving RestTalk a try.

However, I do not feel like I can get rid of Goodra because he is really the only thing saving me from Megatoise.

 

[Cheryl.]

Thanks, Brandon. I will definitely switch Muk over to Toxicroak, but I will have to test my preference for which Ampharos set I want. Definitely giving RestTalk a try.

However, I do not feel like I can get rid of Goodra because he is really the only thing saving me from Megatoise.

Okay, you can keep Goodra, although Assault Vest Goodra isn't good, as Goodra already sponges up special hits and without AV, you can use something like Rest for recovery. So I recommend changing Goodra's set into something like a Leftovers or Choice Specs set maybe.

 

[nv]

Hey Dan O' War this team looks cool and I thought I would rate it so here we go!

• I honestly do not like Goodra on this team and with Toxicroak and Mega Ampharos, you have ways to play around Mega Blastoise. I would happily suggest Shuca Berry Cobalion > Goodra as this gives you a solid Mamoswine check as well as being able to check Dark-types such as Mega Sharpedo and Mega Absol. Shuca Berry also gives you a means of tanking a Ground-type attack as this team is pretty Ground weak.

Set

Cobalion @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Iron Head
- Stealth Rock
- Volt Switch / Swords Dance

• Speaking of the team's Ground weakness, I suggest running Nasty Plot Toxicroak > Swords Dance Toxicroak as this gives Toxicroak a supereffective priority move against faster Dark-types such as Krookodile*, Hydreigon, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Absol while also outspeeding Mamoswine's Ice Shard. You also already have a physical booster in Feraligatr so it would be nice to have a special setup sweeper that also can deal with the team's threats.

Set

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Sludge Bomb / Sludge Wave
- Vacuum Wave
- Dark Pulse / Focus Blast

• Another thing that could fix the Ground / Krookodile weakness of this team is running Whimsicott > Darmanitan. While Darmanitan provides power, Whimsicott provides much needed utility to this team as it checks Krookodile and can provide setup opportunities for Toxicroak and Feraligatr. It is also able to keep the utility of forming VoltTurn with Mega Ampharos and Forretress.

Set

Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 132 Def / 128 Spe
Timid Nature
- Giga Drain
- Moonblast
- U-turn
- Encore

• Something that may help this team as to avoid status is run the RestTalk set BrandonBeast suggested or run Heal Bell > Focus Blast on Mega Ampharos as it allows Mega Ampharos to support the team while still hitting hard with its STAB moves.
• Lastly, with Stealth Rock being ran on Cobalion, this gives you the option to run Spikes on Forretress further pressuring the Ground-types that give this team trouble.

There is my rate and I hope you like it! The team is pretty cool :)

*Should also be noted that Krookodile is the main target of Vacuum Wave as it runs through all but Cobalion on this team.

 

[Dan O' War]

Thanks, NV. after altering my team the first time I've found that using Goodra is painful and doesn't fit well with the team anymore. I am definitely going to be using Cobalion, those dang Megapedos and Megasols are annihilating me and Mamoswine is a jerk too. Plus I like the sounds of Rocks + Spikes.

I'm still experimenting with Ampharos, but I do get burned often via Scald so Heal Bell is defintely going to be given a few tries. Might I ask what set you think would work best with Heal Bell Mega Amphy?

I'm not sure that I want to replace Darmanitan as it often gets the job done, but there is definitely nor harm in trying out Whimsicott either.

Thanks again.