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Resource VGC 16: Ask a Simple Question, Get a Simple Answer

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Serapis said:
IfTheLightTakesUs, I'm a US player and there's a chance I'll be at Mass in the Spring. If not, I know for certain that one of my friends (Ashton Cox) will be going. As for learning more about VGC, I'm more than willing to help. You can either find me on Pokemon Showdown in the Competitive Tutoring Room (I might be on an alt, just mention VGC and I'll see it) or you can always PM me here on Smogon.
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That's awesome. I live in Connecticut, but I could make the drive. Feel free to give Ashton my e-mail (elitefouryo@yahoo.com).
I tried to enter a chat on Pokémon Showdown and it said that I had to be in the top 500 on the ladder, or something...
I've won some games on Pokémon Showdown, but I probably lose 2/3. Hence, I need some help.
I just tried using a Mega Garchomp with Hone Claws and it kicked butt.
I actually like Mega Gachomp and Groudon a lot together. Earthquakes are not a problem.
Hone Claws allows some powerful moves like Stone Edge and Dragon Rush to become more accurate...
 
IfTheLightTakesUs said:
Thanks for the comfort. I'm a bit of an oddball, though, in that I'm not a gamer in the general sense. My other interest is weight lifting, but I am recovering from a shoulder surgery - which is why I started to play Pokémon again. I'm hooked on Pokémon now. It has nostalgic value to me, and it's fun to compete in something that involves battling and chess-like strategic thinking. I also have some social anxiety, so I feel like I would only go if I had been talking to some people beforehand and I felt comfortable meeting up with them.
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There's plenty of oddballs. One of the people I ended up chatting with was some 40 year old dude who works in a hardware store.
 
So what ev spread would you recommend for most's cresselia?
More specifically, my team needs it to function well against primal groudon since it carries skill swap :) thanks
And yes it is the team in my signature lol
 
Okay, guys, here is a big question - How would I go about getting Dark Void on my Smeargle?
Do I just need to battle someone who has a Darkrai and ask them to use the move? Please explain it to me. I want one for VGC.

Here is my team that has been winning 2/3 games on Pokémon Showdown:

Mega Garchomp @ Garchompite (Max Speed/Attack)
Hone Claws, Dragon Rush, Earthquake, Protect
Primal Groudon @ Red Orb (Max Speed/Attack)
Swords Dance, Fire Punch, Earthquake, Protect
Tyranitar @ Leftovers (Max Speed/Attack)
Hone Claws, Iron Tail, Stone Edge, Protect
Mewtwo @ Life Orb (Max Speed/Special Attack)
Ice Beam, Energy Ball, Flamethrower, Protect
Smeargle @ Focus Sash (Max Speed/HP)
Follow Me, Encore, Dark Void, Helping Hand
Nidoking @ Sitrus Berry (Max Speed/Attack) *Ability: Sheer Force*
Hone Claws, Poison Jab, Thunder Punch, Protect
 
IfTheLightTakesUs said:
Okay, guys, here is a big question - How would I go about getting Dark Void on my Smeargle?
Do I just need to battle someone who has a Darkrai and ask them to use the move? Please explain it to me. I want one for VGC.

Here is my team that has been winning 2/3 games on Pokémon Showdown:

Mega Garchomp @ Garchompite (Max Speed/Attack)
Hone Claws, Dragon Rush, Earthquake, Protect
Primal Groudon @ Red Orb (Max Speed/Attack)
Swords Dance, Fire Punch, Earthquake, Protect
Tyranitar @ Leftovers (Max Speed/Attack)
Hone Claws, Iron Tail, Stone Edge, Protect
Mewtwo @ Life Orb (Max Speed/Special Attack)
Ice Beam, Energy Ball, Flamethrower, Protect
Smeargle @ Focus Sash (Max Speed/HP)
Follow Me, Encore, Dark Void, Helping Hand
Nidoking @ Sitrus Berry (Max Speed/Attack) *Ability: Sheer Force*
Hone Claws, Poison Jab, Thunder Punch, Protect
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As a side note, I am pretty set on the first 5 pokemon--though I would consider changing around a move or two, depending upon my 6th pokemon. I just like Nidoking's Sheer Force ability and he is good for Xerneas after a Hone Claw. I used to have a Steelix with Gyro Ball (hoding an Iron Ball), but that was his only use, so it felt like a waste. I like this hard-hitting, Attack-boosting team that I have right now. And Smeargle really helps with his Follow Me and Helping Hand.
 
IfTheLightTakesUs said:
Okay, guys, here is a big question - How would I go about getting Dark Void on my Smeargle?
Do I just need to battle someone who has a Darkrai and ask them to use the move? Please explain it to me. I want one for VGC.
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I don't think Sketch saves the copied move in online matches, or anywhere else where you don't get XP. The two ways I can think of are:

1) Find someone in a Secret Base with a Pokemon that knows Dark Void (so either a Darkrai or a DV Smeargle of their own), fight it and use Sketch. Save beforehand in case it decides not to Dark Void you. Make sure you're holding an item that clears sleep so that you don't have to rely on the move missing to actually be able to Sketch it.
2) Get a Darkrai of your own, teach it Dark Void, make sure it outspeeds Smeargle (not hard), get into a double battle with Smeargle and Darkrai at the front of your team, then have Darkrai use Dark Void and have Smeargle Sketch it in the same turn.
 
Rarycaris said:
I don't think Sketch saves the copied move in online matches, or anywhere else where you don't get XP. The two ways I can think of are:

1) Find someone in a Secret Base with a Pokemon that knows Dark Void (so either a Darkrai or a DV Smeargle of their own), fight it and use Sketch. Save beforehand in case it decides not to Dark Void you. Make sure you're holding an item that clears sleep so that you don't have to rely on the move missing to actually be able to Sketch it.
2) Get a Darkrai of your own, teach it Dark Void, make sure it outspeeds Smeargle (not hard), get into a double battle with Smeargle and Darkrai at the front of your team, then have Darkrai use Dark Void and have Smeargle Sketch it in the same turn.
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Very cool. Thanks for the advice!


Rarycaris said:
I don't think Sketch saves the copied move in online matches, or anywhere else where you don't get XP. The two ways I can think of are:

1) Find someone in a Secret Base with a Pokemon that knows Dark Void (so either a Darkrai or a DV Smeargle of their own), fight it and use Sketch. Save beforehand in case it decides not to Dark Void you. Make sure you're holding an item that clears sleep so that you don't have to rely on the move missing to actually be able to Sketch it.
2) Get a Darkrai of your own, teach it Dark Void, make sure it outspeeds Smeargle (not hard), get into a double battle with Smeargle and Darkrai at the front of your team, then have Darkrai use Dark Void and have Smeargle Sketch it in the same turn.
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How do I find secret bases? lol

Ksh13 edit: Please don't double post, we have the edit button for a reason
 
IfTheLightTakesUs said:
Okay, guys, here is a big question - How would I go about getting Dark Void on my Smeargle?
Do I just need to battle someone who has a Darkrai and ask them to use the move? Please explain it to me. I want one for VGC.
Click to expand...
I can help you out by giving you a smeargle with dark void which you can sketch onto your own smeargle. That's how I originally got mine. PM/VM me.
 
Hello !
How can I do good defensive EV spreads ? I mean, starting from 252/252(+), how am I supposed to drop the EV ? Should I start to drop them from PV or from (Sp)Def ? I don't really understand how to do it so any kind of help would be really appreciated ! Thanks !
 
Tonio said:
Hello !
How can I do good defensive EV spreads ? I mean, starting from 252/252(+), how am I supposed to drop the EV ? Should I start to drop them from PV or from (Sp)Def ? I don't really understand how to do it so any kind of help would be really appreciated ! Thanks !
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I'm no expert at EV spreads, but these articles by TheWoblefet are the best articles I have ever read about EV spreads, they will defintly answer some if not all of your questions (they are kinda lengthy though, but trust me, they are worth the read)

http://nuggetbridge.com/blogs/entry...ion-creating-specialized-ev-spreads-part-one/
http://nuggetbridge.com/blogs/entry...ion-creating-specialized-ev-spreads-part-two/
 
The articles are great imo, but good defensive spreads are usually specific to your own pokemon, so if you want any help making one im sure we can help out :)
Usually in a metagame like vgc there are good defensive 'benchmarks' for pokemon to hit, which means having the ability to survive strong attacks which you will see a lot in the meta, this year there are a lot of: xerneas, primal groudon, primal kyogre etc so if your pokemon has the ability to survive a strong move from either of these pokemon this is why it is good to invest in the defenses
 
yes definitely, dialga is an amazing trick room setter, and this is the set that i would recommend:

483.gif


Dialga @ Adamant Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 220 HP / 124 Def / 52 SpA / 112 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Trick Room
- Protect
  • 252+ SpA Primal Groudon Earth Power vs. 220 HP / 112 SpD Dialga: 168-200 (82.7 - 98.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 252+ Atk Primal Groudon Precipice Blades vs. 220 HP / 124 Def Dialga: 168-198 (82.7 - 97.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Low Kick (120 BP) vs. 220 HP / 124 Def Dialga: 168-201 (82.7 - 99%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  • 52+ SpA Dialga Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Rayquaza: 236-282 (131.1 - 156.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
 
BoxcarJack said:
is there a viable set for dialga this format? if so what kind of role is he playing?
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Dialga is often used as a Trick Room setter as well as a check to several different Pokemon due to its great typing, including Xerneas and Primal Kyogre. This in a quick sample set:

Dialga @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 240 SpA / 12 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Draco Meteor
- Flash Cannon
- Trick Room
- Protect
 
Hi everyone, I'd like to know if there are any (non-Mega/non-Primal) pokemon that can beat talonflame without taking massive damage from it
 
Machdragon said:
Hi everyone, I'd like to know if there are any (non-Mega/non-Primal) pokemon that can beat talonflame without taking massive damage from it
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Well you will end up taking damage from Brave Bird regardless of what Pokemon you use (and most likely Flare BLitz if that is the preferred option against the typing of the opposing Pokemon), but Thundurus and Lando-T are the ones I can think of that are non-mega and not restricted legends. If you are open for Pokemon that are not the primals but still restricted legends (although I think you meant not restricted legend instead of non-primal tbh), then add pretty much any viable restricted legend that is not hit super effectively by it (which is pretty much all of them), since Talon really isn't bulky and all the legends have plenty enough power to easily KO it.
 
Machdragon said:
Hi everyone, I'd like to know if there are any (non-Mega/non-Primal) pokemon that can beat talonflame without taking massive damage from it
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Rotom-H, Rotom-W, Heatran, and basically any Rock type gives approximately 0 fucks about Talonflame. Garchomp also giggles at via bulk, Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, and Rock Slide. Lum Berry Chompy also beats Will-o-Wisp versions and Dark Void Smeargle all in one.
 
yeah my restricted slots are all used up (I meant non-restricted earlier when I said non-Primal )/ plus I'm lazy and good legendaries are hard to find :p but garchomp seems like an interesting idea. The thing is that I was up against a stacked Xerneas paired with a quick guard Talonflame at a PC, so I was wondering if there were any ways that I could change my team to handle something like that better.
 
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