Hello there! I've been using this team on PS and in-game for a while and I'm trying to see if I can make it better. I am struggling with a few core strategies but I'm not sure how to fix the problems.
I've been doing competitive battling since DPPT and I've always wanted to go to the VGCs. With the XY breeding mechanics and the fact that I have the time to actually go to the event, I figured its time to start preparing my team!
I'm going for a hyper offensive playstyle since its what I usually use in singles. I'm trying to cover my bases (checks for Trick Room, Rotom-W, and Talonflame) but I think I could use some more experienced advice.
Team at a glance:
Machamp (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Dynamic Punch
- Rock Slide
- Wide Guard
- Quick Guard
Going to be honest, the only reason I put Machamp on my team was because it has Wide Guard. However, Machamp is actually pretty useful! Just having it on my team deters most Tyranitar which automatically helps my Talonflame. Life Orb Dynamic Punch hits like a truck even when intimidated. I find myself using Rock Slide most of the time to KO Charizard and Talonflame. Ice Punch is for Ammongus and Dragonite. If anyone needs to be replaced, I'm sure this guy is the first to go.
Garchomp (M) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Substitute
Garchomp usually finds its way into my team and this team is no different. I really like the Sub variants of Garchomp in VGC. Its able to block Rotom's will-o-wisp and intimidates. Garchomp also works very well with Rotom-W and Talonflame. I personally find that Yache Berry--especially in VGC--is useless on something that has a 4x weakness to Ice. I was thinking of switching it out for a Roseli berry but I have not seen enough Fairy Types to warrant it. I should also breed Jolly variant but I am afraid of the power drop, especially for Earthquake and Rock Slide.
Amoonguss (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Sludge Bomb
- Rage Powder
- Protect
Amoonguss is such a threat in VGC. This mushroom is able to support and work with just about any of my other Pokemon. I'm sure everyone already knows how great Spore + Rage Powder are so I won't spend too much time on it. Amoonguss is usually my go-to lead when I face Trick Room teams as I tend to outpseed most users/abusers after TR is set up. It should be noted that Amoonguss' new-found immunity to Spore and Rage Powder are also very useful.
Kangaskhan (F) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Scrappy > Parental Bond
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Power-Up Punch
- Return
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
Here we have what my team is mostly centered around. Parental Bond is such a dangerous ability; hitting through subs, KO'ing Rage Powder users, and making Power-Up Punch a pseudo Swords Dance. Kanga works very well with most of my Pokemon, especially Rotom-W, Amoonguss, and Talonflame. The EV spread may need some tweaking as I don't know if I should put the HP EVs into Speed.
Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
This Rotom is pretty standard. He's the best teammate for Garchomp and a great lead. Will-o-Wisp makes things like opposing Kangaskahn, Garchomp, and Dragonite easier to deal with.
Talonflame (M) @ Sky Plate
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 124 HP / 132 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Protect
- Quick Guard
And here we have the most threatening Pokemon in gen 6 (and possibly our new king of OU!) Priority Brave Bird is so strong and easily checks most Trick Room teams. Talonflame's job is to KO things that threaten its teammate before said teammate or the opponent can move. Flare Blitz is really only there to hit things that are going to use Quick Guard. While Tailwind is a great move, it usually means I have to sacrifice Talonflame to use it. I may want to switch it out for Quick Guard. The EV spread is a custom one because I am using the Talonflame from my OU team. 132 Speed EVs lets Talonflame outpseed Excadrill out of sand (most run Mold Breaker even in sand anyway (Excadrill isn't even allowed in VGC 2014)) while 124 HP EVs keeps it from dying too quickly after a few Brave Brids/Flame Blitz.
I think my biggest problem right now is Mega Charizard Y. It alone is easily able to OHKO most of my team in the sun and I can never kill it fast enough.
And that would be my team! If you have any suggestions, advice, replacements, or see any problems with my team, please feel free to say something!
Thanks
I've been doing competitive battling since DPPT and I've always wanted to go to the VGCs. With the XY breeding mechanics and the fact that I have the time to actually go to the event, I figured its time to start preparing my team!
I'm going for a hyper offensive playstyle since its what I usually use in singles. I'm trying to cover my bases (checks for Trick Room, Rotom-W, and Talonflame) but I think I could use some more experienced advice.
Team at a glance:
Machamp (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Dynamic Punch
- Rock Slide
- Wide Guard
- Quick Guard
Going to be honest, the only reason I put Machamp on my team was because it has Wide Guard. However, Machamp is actually pretty useful! Just having it on my team deters most Tyranitar which automatically helps my Talonflame. Life Orb Dynamic Punch hits like a truck even when intimidated. I find myself using Rock Slide most of the time to KO Charizard and Talonflame. Ice Punch is for Ammongus and Dragonite. If anyone needs to be replaced, I'm sure this guy is the first to go.
Garchomp (M) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Substitute
Garchomp usually finds its way into my team and this team is no different. I really like the Sub variants of Garchomp in VGC. Its able to block Rotom's will-o-wisp and intimidates. Garchomp also works very well with Rotom-W and Talonflame. I personally find that Yache Berry--especially in VGC--is useless on something that has a 4x weakness to Ice. I was thinking of switching it out for a Roseli berry but I have not seen enough Fairy Types to warrant it. I should also breed Jolly variant but I am afraid of the power drop, especially for Earthquake and Rock Slide.
Amoonguss (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Effect Spore
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Sludge Bomb
- Rage Powder
- Protect
Amoonguss is such a threat in VGC. This mushroom is able to support and work with just about any of my other Pokemon. I'm sure everyone already knows how great Spore + Rage Powder are so I won't spend too much time on it. Amoonguss is usually my go-to lead when I face Trick Room teams as I tend to outpseed most users/abusers after TR is set up. It should be noted that Amoonguss' new-found immunity to Spore and Rage Powder are also very useful.
Kangaskhan (F) @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Scrappy > Parental Bond
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Power-Up Punch
- Return
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
Here we have what my team is mostly centered around. Parental Bond is such a dangerous ability; hitting through subs, KO'ing Rage Powder users, and making Power-Up Punch a pseudo Swords Dance. Kanga works very well with most of my Pokemon, especially Rotom-W, Amoonguss, and Talonflame. The EV spread may need some tweaking as I don't know if I should put the HP EVs into Speed.
Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
This Rotom is pretty standard. He's the best teammate for Garchomp and a great lead. Will-o-Wisp makes things like opposing Kangaskahn, Garchomp, and Dragonite easier to deal with.
Talonflame (M) @ Sky Plate
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 124 HP / 132 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Protect
- Quick Guard
And here we have the most threatening Pokemon in gen 6 (and possibly our new king of OU!) Priority Brave Bird is so strong and easily checks most Trick Room teams. Talonflame's job is to KO things that threaten its teammate before said teammate or the opponent can move. Flare Blitz is really only there to hit things that are going to use Quick Guard. While Tailwind is a great move, it usually means I have to sacrifice Talonflame to use it. I may want to switch it out for Quick Guard. The EV spread is a custom one because I am using the Talonflame from my OU team. 132 Speed EVs lets Talonflame outpseed Excadrill out of sand (most run Mold Breaker even in sand anyway (Excadrill isn't even allowed in VGC 2014)) while 124 HP EVs keeps it from dying too quickly after a few Brave Brids/Flame Blitz.
I think my biggest problem right now is Mega Charizard Y. It alone is easily able to OHKO most of my team in the sun and I can never kill it fast enough.
And that would be my team! If you have any suggestions, advice, replacements, or see any problems with my team, please feel free to say something!
Thanks
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