Volcarona-Offense, Peaked 1507

[Eatthepear]

Hey guys! Eatthepear is hare (ha, my rhymes are so punny) and I’m giving you guys another RMT! This one is actually for the Dark Horse Project, using Mega-Ampharos and Volcarona as the basis for my team.

Team Building Process

I started off with Volcarona and Mega Ampharos, as stated before. Volcarona is an amazing sweeper, but a few things check it. Bulky waters stop it cold if it doesn't have Giga Drain (I have HP Rock), Azumarill kills it with CB Aqua Jet, Mega-Pinsir kills it with Quick Attack, Heatran walls it if it doesn't have HP Ground, and Talonflame kills it with BB. Mega Ampharos stops bulky waters, non-Earthquake Mega-Pinsir, and Talonflame, and can generate momentum off of Heatran.

I needed an easy way to get Volcarona in the battle field unscathed (aside from SR), so I put Landorus-T as my scarfer. It also checks Talonflame and Heatran.

Volcarona also needs rocks to be off the field but appreciates dual screen support. Espeon seems like a good fit, generating momentum through Baton Pass and Yawn.

Espeon hates Dark-Types, so Keldeo is there to scare them off. Volcarona also appreciates Keldeo to break through the pink blobs/Heatran.

The last slot goes to Tyranitar who can set up rocks that the others appreciate and take out Latios/Latias.

Tyranitar wasn't working terribly well so I swapped it for a Skarmory that also sets up rocks. It also walls a large portion of physical attackers in the tier.

Onto the team!

Volcarona @ Lum Berry
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Rock]

Volcarona was the first of the two Pokemon I added to this team. Even though Volcarona may have lost some of its glory, it is still an incredibly frightening sweeper. Quiver Dance is what makes this all possible, allowing Volcarona to run through weakened teams. I prefer Fiery Dance over Fire Blast as the accuracy is off-putting. HP Rock kills Charizard, a Pokemon that would other wise wall Volcarona. Unfortunately Talonflame wrecks me, and so does a million other things (Bulky waters, Heatran, Azumarill, pink blobs, etc) but I usually manage to eliminate them before having Volcarona sweep. Not going to change this thing in a million years.

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Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 8 SAtk / 248 SDef
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Dragon Pulse

Amphy is the second of the first two Pokemon added to this team. Despite his UU status, he still makes up for it by checking some of the premier threats of OU, such as Talonflame or MCharizard-Y. Amphy also generates a great amount of momentum, allowing me to get set-up opportunities with Volcarona. RestTalk also enable Amphy to become a status absorber. Unfortunately if I haven't Mega-Evolved prior to switching in on a threat I would normally check, such as MCharizard-Y, I'll get wrecked on the switch by a strong neutral attack, as regular Ampharos has less than stellar bulk. Amphy hits relatively hard even without investment. Not about to change this one either.

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
- U-turn

Landorus-Therian fits well with the team, allowing Volcarona and others to have a free switch in via U-Turn. I run a Jolly nature because I haven't found the power difference to be too upsetting. The only problem with Jolly is that it isn't guaranteed to OHKO a Greninja from full health with Earthquake.

252 Atk Landorus-T Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 246-291 (86 - 101.7%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO

Knock Off is actually mostly filler, as I usually prefer to just U-Turn to a check instead. Not sure if the EVs need to be tweaked. Scarf has actually gotten a few surprise kills on things like Greninja or Charizard. Unfortunately Stone Edge has trolled me with its accuracy issues. Any suggestions on possible changes would be welcome.

Espeon @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Baton Pass
- Yawn

Espeon is a little outclassed when it comes to Dual Screens by Deo-Speed, as the latter has much higher speed and more powerful moves. However, Espeon does have an advantage in Magic Bounce, protecting Volcarona from rocks, and Yawn, which generates momentum with Baton Pass. Espeon usually dies early game to set up screens and get momentum. Tyranitar with Pursuit is basically the only Pokemon that can set up Rocks even with Espeon on my team (aside from Mold Breaker Excadrill, but rocks on Excadrill sucks). Espeon is a little frail (ok, it has paper thin defenses) but still manages to pull its weight in battle. Usually.

Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Secret Sword
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Hydro Pump

Keldeo is here to scare off all of the Dark type Pokemon that threaten my team (Bisharp, Tyranitar, etc) and break through the pink blobs. Choice Specs Hydro Pump still hits really hard, even on resisted hits. I chose Icy Wind over HP Psychic/Flying because I don't have Spikes on my team, thus removing the point of having it (Unless for some reason I want to use up Synthesis's PP). Besides, Icy Wind nails Dragonite/Salamence, two Pokemon that resist Keldeo's STAB attacks. I actually screwed up during testing and gave this thing Sacred Sword instead of Secret Sword, which made it do barely anything with no attack investment.

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 232 Def / 252 HP / 24 Spd
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Whirlwind

Skarmory was added on later to set up rocks and wall Mega-Pinsir. Every team needs Stealth Rock, and I didn't have room for Spikes, so SR went in the first slot. BB and Roost are requirements, and Whirlwind is to somewhat deal with Mega-Mawile. Whirlwind also doubles as a momentum-stealer, as I can Whirlwind as their Skarmory check/special attacker comes in. Skarmory also walls a large portion of physical attackers, and currently my team is somewhat lacking in physical bulk (Lando is good, Keldeo and Amphy are okay, the rest are frail). Tyranitar was removed from this slot due to the residual damage from sand wearing down my Pokemon. Also, having another water weakness was not something I needed.

Importable

Volcarona @ Lum Berry
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Quiver Dance
- Fiery Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Rock]

Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 HP / 8 SAtk / 248 SDef
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Dragon Pulse

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
- U-turn

Espeon @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 HP / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Baton Pass
- Yawn

Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Secret Sword
- Scald
- Icy Wind
- Hydro Pump

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 232 Def / 252 HP / 24 Spd
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Whirlwind

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this RMT! Go ahead and leave a rate in the comments below!

 

[Emmy2]

First off, your Volcy needs better EV's. At the very least, remove the "4" from HP and put it into def. This will make its HP odd, allowing one more switch into rocks. A more efficient offensive spread for this gen = 240 HP, 252 Spatk, 16 speed Modest. This will allow it to survive every unboosted priority in the game (assuming full HP) except for Banded Azumarill + Crawdaunt Aqua Jet and Talonflame Brave Bird. The speed creeps Adamant Bisharp unboosted, and all base 114/positive nature after one boost. It hits like a truck, even unboosted. With a boost, several would be checks no longer check it. Charizard Y, for example, no longer kills it unless a crit, and Volcy 2hko's it under the sun with Firey Dance (but outspeeds). The choice between coverage depends on what you want to wall it. Giga Drain covers water types. HP Ground covers Heatran, Infernape, Charizard X, and a few other threats. HP Rock covers Talon (on the switch, don't stay in on it unless sac'ing), Dragonite (careful of WP), Gyarados, flying types in general. Remember that whatever you choose, you MUST have something on your team to remove what walls your Volcy.

Consider running Defog on Skarmory. Espeon is not a fail safe vs. hazards, since many people run rocks on Mold Breaker Excadrill. And if you mispredict their hazard setter (or espeon is just killed by it anyway), you'll have a backup. And Volcy likes people who remove rocks for him better. :)

 

[Eatthepear]

Thanks for the rate! I might as well run change Volcarona's EVs to the ones listed, as those seem very efficient. Currently, I have had no problems with bulky waters as of yet, as I usually 2HKO them with Bug Buzz and they can't OHKO or attempt to status me (lum berry cures it). Thus, I think I will test HP Ground, because I hate Heatrans walling me. I've personally used rocks on Mold Breaker Excadrill, and I never seem to have the time to get rocks up. I'll test running Defog over Whirlwind on Skarmory. Thanks again!