So I've been messing around with some unusual Pokemon in the OU lately (for anyone who's read my previous RMTs, you know I have a love of working in odd choices). I've finally come up with a team designed to stall out almost anything. Please let me know what you think (friendly suggestions always welcome):
Eclipse (Charizard) @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
Charizard X is a recurring threat throughout the OU meta. Access to Dragon Dance along with Tough Claws boosted STAB Flare Blitz and Dragon Claw allow him to set up a sweep after only one turn. He's also bulky enough to survive long enough to receive a Wish if he is forced out by priority. Overall, it seemed like the optimum sweeper for this team to either start strong and force my opponent immediately to the defensive, or clean up after my walls have done enough chip damage.
Inzektron (Scizor) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Pursuit
Scizor is another recurring nightmare in the OU. The Choice Band set allows him to set up heavy hitting U-turns to predict switches and get a better set up, while the other STAB in Bullet Punch provides and immediate out to common threats such as Clefable, Sylveon and other dangerous Fairies. Superpower provides critical support to counter Rock- and/or Steel-types like Excadrill/Tyranitar/Bisharp from doing to much harm to Charizard should they be Scarfed/Sand Rush. The Pursuit acts as an unexpected trap for Pokemon like Alakazam and Lati@s (that aren't carrying HP-Fire). Overall, Scizor provides a nice utility counter for this team.
Joy (Chansey) (F) @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Aromatherapy
- Soft-Boiled
- Seismic Toss
- Stealth Rock
Chansey was a later pick, after going through just about every other option. The team was lacking 2 things: a counter to burn/Toxic stall and a Rock Setter. Chansey provides both of those roles splendidly while acting as a strong Special Def buffer against threats like Alakazam, Latios, and Charizard Y (offensive threats my other walls struggled with).
Cupid (Alomomola) @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
- Aqua Jet
So I noticed recently that Alomomola was getting some random usage in the OU and I was trying to wrap my head around why. After numerous rounds testing, I see why. Placed oddly in the RU, I wasnt sure what to try. However, with its enormous base 165 HP and relatively useful 80 base in Defense, there's no wonder why Alomomola has become popular. Acting as a Regenerator wall with access to Wish, it can stall out against almost any physical threat in the OU (most commonly counter to Excadrill, who cannot take more than 4 Aqua Jets, and Gyarados who has no coverage against it except Crunch/Earthquake which do very little even after a Dragon Dance). Most notably, Alomomola proved to be a very safe switch into Talonflame, another Pokemon that was giving me trouble before this Pokemon. Overall, I'd still rank Alomomola as a secondary choice to Slowbro (who's role as a bulky Regenerator differs drastically) but the access to a Wish that can restore almost 90% to all of my other Pokemon is definitely worth the run.
Pringles (Mandibuzz) @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Roost
- Toxic
- Defog
Providing another physical wall, I now present the UU bird. Another bulky buffer to cover against most of what the rest of the team is weak to, Mandibuzz brings some solid coverage to the table. It adds a secondary Toxic setter, a Defog to clear Rocks to give Charizard a safe route in, and a solid STAB Knock Off to punish hard switches. Overall, a solid wall, especially given its unique ability to safely switch into Breloom's Spore and punish it.
Lightsworn (Raikou) @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball
- Volt Switch
Raikou provides a solid fast hitter that can deal with common threats to my team. Tornadus-Therian, Gengar, and the like, are almost always forced to switch against this. It also proves a solid counter to the 4x Weak to Ice who will often stay in and attempt to hit an Earthquake (I won't allow this until I Knock Off or know there's no Scarf in the way). It also provides critical coverage against bulky Water-types (such as Gyarados, Blastoise, and Slowbro) that my team would otherwise have difficulty breaking down.
So that's what I've been testing with. I'm not one to ladder (never really have the time) but I've taken this team to DS Smogon Tournaments (locally) and done some testing over Showdown. It has been fairly successful so far. The only times I generally run into issues are with Scarf Keldeo (Raikou can handle it usually but if it survives to late game or to a point that Raikou is within Secret Sword/Scald kill range, it usually beats me). Any suggestion to counter that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys.
Eclipse (Charizard) @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
Charizard X is a recurring threat throughout the OU meta. Access to Dragon Dance along with Tough Claws boosted STAB Flare Blitz and Dragon Claw allow him to set up a sweep after only one turn. He's also bulky enough to survive long enough to receive a Wish if he is forced out by priority. Overall, it seemed like the optimum sweeper for this team to either start strong and force my opponent immediately to the defensive, or clean up after my walls have done enough chip damage.
Inzektron (Scizor) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Pursuit
Scizor is another recurring nightmare in the OU. The Choice Band set allows him to set up heavy hitting U-turns to predict switches and get a better set up, while the other STAB in Bullet Punch provides and immediate out to common threats such as Clefable, Sylveon and other dangerous Fairies. Superpower provides critical support to counter Rock- and/or Steel-types like Excadrill/Tyranitar/Bisharp from doing to much harm to Charizard should they be Scarfed/Sand Rush. The Pursuit acts as an unexpected trap for Pokemon like Alakazam and Lati@s (that aren't carrying HP-Fire). Overall, Scizor provides a nice utility counter for this team.
Joy (Chansey) (F) @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Aromatherapy
- Soft-Boiled
- Seismic Toss
- Stealth Rock
Chansey was a later pick, after going through just about every other option. The team was lacking 2 things: a counter to burn/Toxic stall and a Rock Setter. Chansey provides both of those roles splendidly while acting as a strong Special Def buffer against threats like Alakazam, Latios, and Charizard Y (offensive threats my other walls struggled with).
Cupid (Alomomola) @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
- Aqua Jet
So I noticed recently that Alomomola was getting some random usage in the OU and I was trying to wrap my head around why. After numerous rounds testing, I see why. Placed oddly in the RU, I wasnt sure what to try. However, with its enormous base 165 HP and relatively useful 80 base in Defense, there's no wonder why Alomomola has become popular. Acting as a Regenerator wall with access to Wish, it can stall out against almost any physical threat in the OU (most commonly counter to Excadrill, who cannot take more than 4 Aqua Jets, and Gyarados who has no coverage against it except Crunch/Earthquake which do very little even after a Dragon Dance). Most notably, Alomomola proved to be a very safe switch into Talonflame, another Pokemon that was giving me trouble before this Pokemon. Overall, I'd still rank Alomomola as a secondary choice to Slowbro (who's role as a bulky Regenerator differs drastically) but the access to a Wish that can restore almost 90% to all of my other Pokemon is definitely worth the run.
Pringles (Mandibuzz) @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Roost
- Toxic
- Defog
Providing another physical wall, I now present the UU bird. Another bulky buffer to cover against most of what the rest of the team is weak to, Mandibuzz brings some solid coverage to the table. It adds a secondary Toxic setter, a Defog to clear Rocks to give Charizard a safe route in, and a solid STAB Knock Off to punish hard switches. Overall, a solid wall, especially given its unique ability to safely switch into Breloom's Spore and punish it.
Lightsworn (Raikou) @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Shadow Ball
- Volt Switch
Raikou provides a solid fast hitter that can deal with common threats to my team. Tornadus-Therian, Gengar, and the like, are almost always forced to switch against this. It also proves a solid counter to the 4x Weak to Ice who will often stay in and attempt to hit an Earthquake (I won't allow this until I Knock Off or know there's no Scarf in the way). It also provides critical coverage against bulky Water-types (such as Gyarados, Blastoise, and Slowbro) that my team would otherwise have difficulty breaking down.
So that's what I've been testing with. I'm not one to ladder (never really have the time) but I've taken this team to DS Smogon Tournaments (locally) and done some testing over Showdown. It has been fairly successful so far. The only times I generally run into issues are with Scarf Keldeo (Raikou can handle it usually but if it survives to late game or to a point that Raikou is within Secret Sword/Scald kill range, it usually beats me). Any suggestion to counter that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys.
