VGC 2012 team

StreetSmartPanda

StreetSmartPanda

Hello. By reading this thread, I assume you're interested in giving advice/tips for my VGC 2012 team, and for that, I thank you. This is my first ever VGC team, and I built it around the concept of forcing switches and causing entry hazard damage, as switching isn't utilised in doubles as it is in singles. I've only been able to use this team once, because no-one plays VGC 2012 tier on Pokemon Online.

The team:

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Metagross @ Occa Berry
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
- Meteor Mash

One of my leads and the Stealth Rocks user. Occa berry is to protect against incoming Fire attacks so that Stealth Rocks are guaranteed. 252 HP for bulk, 252 Attack for after-rocks attacking, and 4 in SpD to help against the Fire attacks.
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Thundurus (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 56 HP / 252 SAtk / 200 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Toxic
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
- Hidden Power [Flying]

My other lead, and the Pokemon that starts the magic. Prankster Toxic to get residual damage going, as well as putting pressure on my opponent. T-Bolt and HP Flying for dual-STAB, and Protect to get extra Leftovers recovery.
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Dragonite (M) @ Yache Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 204 HP / 252 Atk / 52 Spd
Hardy Nature
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Punch
- ExtremeSpeed
- Protect

My main phazer, forces Pokemon to switch out and take Stealth Rocks damage when they come back in. Dragon Tail for phazing (obviously), Fire Punch for coverage, ExtremeSpeed for priority, and Protect to ease prediction. Yache Berry is so Dragonite can survive Ice attacks much easier.
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Snorlax (M) @ Chople Berry
Trait: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Return
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Whirlwind

My second phazer. Much bulkier than Dragonite, Snorlax carries Rest-Talk to increase longetivity. Return is STAB coverage and Whirlwind to force switches. Max HP and Def/SpD EVs for bulkyness, and a Chople Berry for weakening any Fighting moves.
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Gengar (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Sludge Bomb
- Protect

My only true sweeper as well as spin blocker (in case the opponent has something that could carry Rapid Spin). Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb are for dual-STAB, Thunderbolt for coverage, and Protect to ease prediction. Max SpA and Spd EVs for more damage, and a Focus Sash to more or less guarantee a hit.
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Empoleon (M) @ Wacan Berry
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Roar
- Aqua Jet
- Toxic
- Protect

My back-up Toxic user and phazer. EVs are spread to maximise bulk. Roar and Toxic are self-explanatory, Aqua Jet to deal damage if necessary, and Protect once again to ease prediction. And a Wacan Berry for any Electric attacks.

So that's my Toxic-Rocks phazing team. I accept any and all constructive criticism.
 
Hey, there StreetSmartPanda! I understand this is your first VGC team, so let me give you some very important tips.

Entry hazards are very uncommon in the VGC, you should only use them in Single Battles. In the VGC competition, your opponent rarely switches out, and Stealth Rock in my opinion is a waste of a moveslot on Metagross. I understand Dragonite has Dragon Tail, and you have other phazers, but that isn't always the best strategy to keep switching out their Pokemon. The VGC is a very fast metagame, don't stall. Replace Stealth Rock with Protect on him; trust me, all the Metagross I've seen have had Protect. The rest of the moves on Metagross are great, just change Stealth Rock to Protect.

As for your Thundurus, I would replace Toxic with Thunder Wave, just because you have the chance to cripple boosted threats before they even have a chance to attack. Hidden Power [Flying] has good coverage, taking on Hitmontop, Lucario, and Toxicroak. But you can also have Hidden Power [Ice] for coverage against Salamence, Landorus, and Garchomp, but you lose coverage against Fighting-types, that's your choice.
Sorry, lol, I just don't like the idea of phazing. You can test to see if it works, but I don't think it's good for the VGC. It may be good for other kinds of competitions such as Single Battles, but not the VGC. Dragon Tail doesn't have 100% accuracy, so it can occasionally miss, so I suggest switching out with Dragon Claw. The other moves you chose are great, so no changes for that.

When I look at your team, it's a well developed strategy, but this is only useful for Single Battles. Snorlax only uses the RestTalk strategy in Singles. Snorlax is only useful when he's in Trick Room. So I suggest you switch him out with someone else such as Garchomp with this set:

Garchomp @ Yache Berry
Trait: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
Jolly Nature (+Speed, -SpA)
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Protect

This is an effective set. Sandstorm teams are starting to get common in the VGC, so Garchomp will be a great counter. Garchomp also provides more bulk for your team, and he has great coverage.

Everything about your Gengar is great, but I don't like the fact it has Sludge Bomb. Sludge Bomb, in my opinion has horrible coverage. You should replace it with Focus Blast or Hidden Power [Ice].

Empoleon needs to remove that Roar and Toxic. Here's a much better set that will fit well in the VGC:

Empoleon @ Wacan Berry
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Calm Nature (+SpD, -Atk)
- Scald
- Icy Wind/Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]/Grass Knot
- Protect

Icy Wind can lower your opponent's Speed while dealing damage, but Ice Beam is more powerful, your choice. XD With Hidden Power [Grass] you can hit Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Rotom-W, but Grass Knot can also hit Pokemon even greater such as, Swampert, Tyranitar, and Rhyperior. It all depends on you.

You can make really good strateiges, I thought your strategy was good, but it wasn't made for doubles.

Well, that's my rate! Ask me for more questions, if you want!

Hope I helped!
 
Yeah this is looking a lot more like a singles team than a doubles team. As said before, Entry Hazards are completely unnecessary in the VGC format, along with Roar and Toxic phasing, seeing as matches last for very short time periods.

Snorlax just ain't working on your team, if you want a good replacement, I'd maybe suggest Ambipom or Infernape, seeing as they are both excellent Fake-Out abusers.

Dragon Claw >>>>>>>> Dragon Tail in Doubles. Having lower priority moves is harmful and again, switch-out moves just aren't that good.

I can see this team having potential, but not in this kind of format. Keep working on it, though, and it can be something truly special and affixed to the VGC style.
 
Don't worry, dude, you'll do well, just create a better strategy for the VGC. You have some cool, unique strategies, just make one for the VGC. ;)
 
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