
It feels like forever since I last posted here! And there is not a better way to return to the RMT section than with my best team until now. The team is pretty simple; yet so effective. I hate to use the term semi stall because I think sprinkles came up with it, so I call it stall-based-balance. The premise is to set up multiple hazards with my powerful, sturdy Pokémon. The story of this team begins a few years ago, during the first round of Smogon´s World Cup. It was my first time participating in one, so I was nervous because I was not sure if I could glorify or shame Latin America. I made a pretty cool team, similar to the final version, which ended up 2-1 in the first round and peaked in the top 10, which is pretty good in my opinion, but I knew that it could be better!
One day I was laddering on my new alt, trying to find out a core to use for WC play. After some games won, and some games lost, I encountered one of the best games I have ever had, against Espada Ulquiorra. I was intrigued by one of his Pokémon, Jirachi. It had a peculiarity that made me love it instantly; it was different, a Substitute + Toxic set. I had no way to know its spread or nature.
A few hours later I realized I had just played my Latin partner, reyscarface. He agreed to share the set with me, and with my newly acquired Dragonite / Jirachi core, I decided to make my team. I finished the team, but changed some details to improve it, like Lucario over Jirachi throughout my run with this team.
The result ended up being a huge surprise! My most successful team has just been made. I managed to peak 4th on Smogon´s Standard Leaderboard under my alt, “living on a prayer” (my personal highest) and also made a good run in World Cup (3-2), which is my biggest success. Now that LA has been eliminated, I feel that it is time to retire this team, although I can still use it for casual laddering, so rates are pretty much appreciated. I am happy that we made it to semis, and I am glad that my first participation in a World Cup was this fun. OK, enough hassle!
Now I present Viva LA Vida!






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Heatran (M) @ Shuca Berry
Flash Fire
240 HP / 228 Spe / 40 SpAtk
Modest
- Stealth Rock
- Flamethrower
- Will-o-Wisp
- Earth Power
Heatran is currently my favorite lead. I like him because it is very hard to KO; he is capable of taking even super effective hits with this spread. I decided to use this particular set because its ability to cripple Gyarados and Tyranitar, as well as getting Flygon on the switch-in, which is pretty benefitial for my team. Heatran is bulky enough to last until midgame, unlike many leads, and its typing and ability makes switches from my opponent very likely, which adds Stealth Rock and Spikes damage. He is a very important member of the team because Spikes aren’t that problematic without Stealth Rock, and if I lose Heatran early game, winning will become much more difficult.
The moveset is pretty simple, Stealth Rock is the best move in the game, and probably the reason why I win games; Fire and Ground provide excellent coverage except on a few threats that Will-o-Wisp covers anyway, such as Gyarados, Dragonite and Flygon. I am using Flamethrower over Fire Blast because the Modest nature compensates for the loss in power from using a Naïve nature. I am using Shuca Berry despite not beating opposing Heatran so that I can set up Stealth Rock turn one without worrying about getting OHKOd.
The EVs allow him to outspeed 40 Speed Jirachi, and therefore, Jolly Tyranitar. Near max HP is used to maximize his lasting power, although I am considering using more Special Attack to help with my Machamp weakness. I try to play conservatively with it because he is my only reliable resist to Outrage and Draco Meteor, and because it is a cool Pokémon to have around later in the game.
(I chose Heatran because it is hot ^^)
Azelf: I flamethrower as they use Stealth Rock, then set up while they use Explosion. Hopefully, DS Azelf has dropped greatly in the last days.
Metagross: Use Flamethrower on the first turn to scout for his item. If it is Lum Berry, it is likely going down, if it is Occa I use Stealth Rock next turn on a likely switch.
Aerodactyl: I switch to Suicune. If I am playing carelessly I will just use Stealth Rock.
Gliscor: They usually never Taunt Heatran, so I can set up Stealth Rock as he does the same, then WoW as he uses Earthquake.
Swampert: Tricky lead, I use WoW on the first turn as they set up Stealth Rock, then set up myself while taking less than 50% from his STAB Earthquake and play around from there.
Starmie: Switch to Roserade; she can take a LO Hydro Pump followed by an Ice Beam and proceed to OHKO back.
Jirachi: I use Stealth Rock; at worse I get a Choice Scarf or get paralyzed.
Heatran: I use Stealth Rock. Go to Suicune / Dragonite (depends if rocks are up or not) and then switch back to Heatran on the Explosion / switch in to Grass type.
Machamp: I lose badly.
Hippowdon: See Swampert.
Metagross: Use Flamethrower on the first turn to scout for his item. If it is Lum Berry, it is likely going down, if it is Occa I use Stealth Rock next turn on a likely switch.
Aerodactyl: I switch to Suicune. If I am playing carelessly I will just use Stealth Rock.
Gliscor: They usually never Taunt Heatran, so I can set up Stealth Rock as he does the same, then WoW as he uses Earthquake.
Swampert: Tricky lead, I use WoW on the first turn as they set up Stealth Rock, then set up myself while taking less than 50% from his STAB Earthquake and play around from there.
Starmie: Switch to Roserade; she can take a LO Hydro Pump followed by an Ice Beam and proceed to OHKO back.
Jirachi: I use Stealth Rock; at worse I get a Choice Scarf or get paralyzed.
Heatran: I use Stealth Rock. Go to Suicune / Dragonite (depends if rocks are up or not) and then switch back to Heatran on the Explosion / switch in to Grass type.
Machamp: I lose badly.
Hippowdon: See Swampert.
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Roserade (F) @ Leftovers
Natural Cure
252 HP / 80 Def / 56 SpD / 120 Spe
Calm
- Spikes
- Energy Ball
- Stun Spore
- Hidden Power Fire
In my opinion, Roserade is the best user of Spikes in OU. This is because Roserade is capable of handling every common Rapid Spin user between her STAB Energy Ball and Hidden Power. Roserade is the most defensive Pokémon on my team, and is the only member which I didn’t invest EVs in offense. She works pretty well with her great Special Defense and decent HP and Defense.
Roserade is a pretty good lure to Gliscor, CS Heatran, CS Tyranitar and Scizor. Crippling this Pokémon will make a sweep late game more than likely. The spread allows her to always survive a Choice Band Bullet Punch from Scizor, as well as a Stone Edge from Jolly Tyranitar, while still being able to take on Special Attackers like Rotom-A and Suicune.
Spikes is a given on the set, and it is probably the second most important move on the team, after Stealth Rock. Energy Ball couple with Hidden Power Fire have nice coverage and deals with what Roserade should be dealing with, I am using EB over Grass Knot to break Rotom-As Substitutes. Stun Spore is to cripple, as mentioned before, many dangerous threats that love to switch-in on Roserade.
Being the most supportive member of the team, she is also one of the most important parts of this system called Viva LA Vida! Roserade RULES, period.
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Suicune @ Leftovers
Pressure
236 HP / 44 SpAtk / 228 Spe
Timid (+Spe -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Roar
Suicune finishes my Fire / Water / Grass combo (yeah… I know) and is a very unique sweeper. Unlike more powerful sweepers like Infernape and Dragonite, this set does not rely on hitting hard while having coverage. The point of this set is to pseudo haze up to the point where it can sweep even with one Calm Mind. On times, I can CM war against Crocune just to leave him helpless against my +4-5 Suicune. This set is my favorite Suicune set! It still gets the surprise OHKO on Breloom after a Calm Mind and hits as hard as the offensive version, but it is bulkier.
The only difference from the standard offensive Suicune is Roar over Hidden Power Electric. I am using it because Roar is usually my most dangerous move on Suicune, capable of forcing a switch, and using Roar on it; it can get up to 75% damage against my opponent in one turn. The EVs help me beat Gyarados, Mamoswine, Lucario and most variants of Rotom-A. The HP investment reaches a Leftovers number, which is very important on a Pokémon like Cune, while the small investment in Special Attack makes Hydro Pump as strong as a max SpAtk Surf. Suicune checks CS Flygon, CB Dragonite and many pesky treats. I love Suicune!
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Rotom-W @ Choice Scarf
Levitate
108 HP / 252 Spe / 148 SpAtk
Timid
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Trick
- Hydro Pump
Rotom-A is the Pokémon that holds my team together, since it prevents my hazards from being spun and revenges many dangerous treats for me. Rotom is a brilliant Pokemon, not only helps the team by revenge killing, against stall teams I can cripple one of their Pokemon (I am really careful of Tyranitar) and aside that, he is the ultimate lure to Choice Scarf Heatran and Tyranitar, as well as Gliscor; Pokemon who would otherwise stop Lucario´s sweep.
Thunderbolt along Shadow Ball give me almost unresisted coverage, as well as potent STAB moves to fire off a pretty decent 105 base Special Attack. Hydro Pump 2HKOs Heatran and Tyranitar switch-ins if I have Spikes on the field, which is pretty nice. I dislike using Trick sometimes, because I am not sure if I will need the Speed against Agility Empoleon or Dragon Dance Gyarados late-game, so I play cautiously with it.
I chose to run max Speed to at least tie with opposing Rotom-A post-Trick and to beat offensive Suicune; I still wanted some bulk, so I gave it some HP EVs to take better on Waterfall, Pursuit and Fire Blast when needed! Rotom-W is my favorite form because it looks pretty cool and thats good enough for me =D
Dragonite @ Life Orb
Inner Focus
144 HP / 132 Atk / 232 Spe
Jolly
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Roost
Dragonite is usually my opening sweeper, and it is very good at it. I really like its synergy with Lucario, because many people rely on Choiced Pokemon to revenge kill this treats, such as Flygon and Jirachi; with good offensive timing, I can use this in my favor. With the aid of Stealth Rock and Spikes, it is very hard to stop from sweeping. My first move is most likely Roost or Earthquake to scout for counters, so by the time I actually set up, they are weakened enough to be beaten.
What I love the most about Dragonite is his ability to set up and beat most W/F/G cores, which is pretty good since they are pretty common. Dragonite acts as a secondary lure to Choice Scarf Heatran as well. Heatran is most likely expecting to outspeed me and fire a powerful Dragon Pulse, but my Dragonite is not standard, as it beats even Jolly Jolteon after a boost, along every Heatran.
I play Dragonite carefully (pretty much like every other Pokemon), but I have a special care for him because he can turn the game into my power!!1
I chose a DClaw over Outrage because I dont fear being revenge killed as easy as being locked in a resisted move, and because confusion sucks; SS, Stealth Rock and Life Orb are enough damage! I have considered using Waterfall over Earthquake and Extremespeed over Roost at times, since it still OHKOs Tyranitar and Heatran after a boost, but doesnt leave me helpless against Skarmory, and Extremspeed to have more safety against Infernape, help Dragonite is my second favorite son of the team, and with a good reason, long live DNITE!

Lucario @ Life Orb
Inner Focus
252 Spe / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 2 SpAtk
Jolly
Swords Dance
Close Combat
Extremespeed
Crunch
I chose Lucario because it is very cool1!
Aside from being "very cool", I consider Lucario the best Pokémon in OU. With its amazing typing, it can find opportunities to set up pretty easily, and with the aid of Trick from Rotom, I will end up setting up either Luke or Nite, both work for me, although Lucario is the most potent out of that combo.
Lucario have it all, great typing, ability (often underrated, but without it Jirachi would have an easier time stopping Luke) and movepool. I like that he only needs one turn of set up to basically destroy most teams after its partner are done weakening the enemy. The moveset is pretty standard, except that Jolly over Adamant to have an easier time against opposing Lucario and Rotom-A. It doesnt hit as hard without a positive nature, but Spikes make up for it so I am fine most of the time. I usually start firing a powerful Close Combat to weaken its counters, following the same logic as Dragonite, so a sweep lategame become most likely. The difference is that Lucario can come in at any stage of the game and attack, because he resists Stealth Rock x4, which is pretty useful if I need to revege kill something with Extremspeed without having to show Rotom.
I am amazed that I originally did not intend to make a team based around Lucario, but in the end it ended up working way better than Jirachi, so he has its spot earned! Lucario is my favorite Pokemon, and the final member of Viva LA Vida. Goodbye!
Lucario have it all, great typing, ability (often underrated, but without it Jirachi would have an easier time stopping Luke) and movepool. I like that he only needs one turn of set up to basically destroy most teams after its partner are done weakening the enemy. The moveset is pretty standard, except that Jolly over Adamant to have an easier time against opposing Lucario and Rotom-A. It doesnt hit as hard without a positive nature, but Spikes make up for it so I am fine most of the time. I usually start firing a powerful Close Combat to weaken its counters, following the same logic as Dragonite, so a sweep lategame become most likely. The difference is that Lucario can come in at any stage of the game and attack, because he resists Stealth Rock x4, which is pretty useful if I need to revege kill something with Extremspeed without having to show Rotom.
I am amazed that I originally did not intend to make a team based around Lucario, but in the end it ended up working way better than Jirachi, so he has its spot earned! Lucario is my favorite Pokemon, and the final member of Viva LA Vida. Goodbye!
Thanks for taking the time to read this, I really appreciate that my work is being appreciated T.T
So feel free to rate it, steal it, buy it whatever! I am happy with whatever your choice is, because it has been a fun way until I got here, and it was worth all the hassle =)
Latin America: Mizuno, hanke, reyscarface, EnZ0, Scimjara, _Rewer_ and fucking tito.
It has been a pleasure to work with you, guys! I enjoyed spending time chatting about everything that was not Pokemon related (mice, isketch lol)
And I hope we can work together again next year. I feel happy that we broke LAs history making it to semis, and I am sure that we can do it better next time, thanks for being so awesome and for giving me the chance to play my first WC. Thanks!
CAL: El Blecko, Kir, apologies, Delta 2777, Mechazawa, Firesong!
I just love you guys! And you too Kir. -__-
It has been a pleasure to work with you, guys! I enjoyed spending time chatting about everything that was not Pokemon related (mice, isketch lol)
And I hope we can work together again next year. I feel happy that we broke LAs history making it to semis, and I am sure that we can do it better next time, thanks for being so awesome and for giving me the chance to play my first WC. Thanks!
CAL: El Blecko, Kir, apologies, Delta 2777, Mechazawa, Firesong!
I just love you guys! And you too Kir. -__-
ViVA LA ViDA !!
-legendary_07