What to do...

[Ice-Master]

Team Overview

This is my first real competitive team, I have used, and so far it had done good. But I still think it could use some fixin' up. Its ballanced with a starter, a physical sweeper, a special sweeper, a mix sweeper and two tank/walls each focused in one aspect of defence.

@: Wide Lens
Ability: Speed Boost
Modest Nature (+SpA -Atk)
EV's:4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-- Air Slash
-- Hypnosis
-- Bug Buzz
-- Protect
My Hypnosis lead, its pretty fast and when Hypnosis hits, it works great. I gave it Wide Lens since its Hypnosis has a tendancy to miss. The only problem I seem to be having with it is it's Failty. Other than that, its quite reliable.

@: Expert Belt
Ability: Pressure
Jolly Natue (+Spe -SpA)
EV's 4 Hp/ 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-- Ice Shard
-- Swords Dance
-- Brick Break
-- Night Slash
I like to use Weavile as a Swords Sweeper opposed to a revenge killer, due to the fact yhat I use it better as a sweeper. My other pokemon can take hits if needed so they can take out Weaviles weaknesses, and with all those pokemon weak to ice, he's a good pokemon to have. Once again the only problem I have with this pokemon is its general fraility. The other thing I dont like about it is one of the move in its move set. Specifically Ice Shard. It is fast, But im wondering if Ice Punch would have done better since Weavile is so fast to begin with.

@: Choice Specs
Ability: Inner Focus
Timid Nature (+Spe -Atk)
EV's: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-- Aura Sphere
-- Close Combat
-- Shadow Ball
-- Flash Cannon
Lucario, I wanted to use it as a Special sweeper for two reasons. 1. To suprise people, Most people wont expect a Lucario as a Special Sweeper, and will counter it with a Physical Wall. 2. I love this pokemon. The only reason I use Flash Cannon opposed to Hidden Power, is because I couldn't Breed for the right one, and I liked the IV's on this.

@: Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
Naive Nature (+Spe -SpD)
EV's: 64 Atk / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
-- Nasty Plot
-- Close Combat
-- Flamethrower
-- Hidden Power (Ice 70)

My MixApe. Like most sets, I use Nasty Plot and power it up, use the special when needed the physical if needed. The only problem I have had is when I switch this in, I don't have the leverage to use Nasty Plot... Its make it too frail.

@: Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Impish Nature (+Def -SpA)
EV's: 252 HP / 52 Def / 204 SpD
-- Will-O-Whisp
-- Thunder Punch
-- Shadow Sneak
-- Pain SPlit

My Tank, it works great as both a Special and phisical wall (though its best as a special the way I use it). Will-O-Wisp Doesnt seem to get much use the way I play, but when I use it it works well. If theres a reason I should use a diffrent elemental punch please tell me, but im using Thunder Punch due to the fact that my team is somewhat weak to flying types. Shadow sneak bypasses its speed, but once I transfer it to my platinum game, im going to replace it with Sucker Punch.

@: Yache Berry
Ability: Hyper Cutter
Impish Nature (+Def -Spd)
EV's: 252 HP / 40 Atk / 216 Spe
-- Swords Dance
-- Earthquake
-- Stone Edge
-- Roost

Sadly, this pokemon has proven ueless, and I am thinking of switching it for either a MixPert or somthing interesting. Usually the timing with this is horrible, Especially considering there are a lot of pokemon running Ice type moves to counter dragons. Even with the berry it just cant stand up to common threats. My Dusknoir is pretty capable of handling both physical and special pokemon. If nt switching in a MixPert, then a bulky pokemon that can compensate for the fraility of my other sweepers.

Ok, so comments are appreciated, especially on replacing Gliscor.
​

 

[MegaKick]

This team lacks stealth rock, one of the most important things in the metagame. Therefore, I suggest you get the standard gliscor or a mixpert as U suggested over gliscor. I also suggest that if you want a swords dance sweeper, replace weavile with scizor, who has better typing, better defenses, and can revenge kill if needed.

 

[diinbong]

Hello Ice-Master.

For starters, I'd like to look at your Yanmega. As of now, its EV spread, moveset, and item aren't really the best they could be. That's not to say it's unusable on your team, however - I just suggest you go with a set less easily parishable.

Yanmega @ Focus Sash
Ability: Speed Boost
Nature: Modest
EVs: 104 Def / 152 Spe / 252 SpA
Bug Buzz
Hidden Power Ground
Hypnosis
Protect

This is the set I'd like you to try out, popularized by RL. You don't need to run max Speed on Yanmega with Protect! I don't think I can stress this enough. The Speed boost provided is heartily enough to outspeed the whole metagame even without any EVs. Anyway, max SpA and a Modest nature to pack a huge punch, enough Def to not get 2HKOed by Scizor's Life Orb Bullet Punch, and Speed to beat Lucario before a boost. Hidden Power Ground is aboslutely necessary on him since all of your sweepers can be revenge killed by Heatran, and none of your "tanks" appreciate taking too many hits from him either. Your team lacks any sort of flexibility; it's all set up sweeper-set up sweeper-tank-set up sweeper-etc. This isn't how you should be playing Pokemon. In competitive battling you have to learn how to play off resistances and work around threats, so with this in mind, I'd like to substitute Weavile for Scizor. With Yanmega luring in Magnezone and Heatran and KOing them with Hidden Power Ground, your opponent will find this guy hard to stop. It also provides the same useful reveneg killing with a whole lot more immediate power. I recommend you go Choice Band with simple 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe EVs for bulk, Adamant, with Bullet Punch, U-turn, Superpower/Brick Break, and Pursuit.

With a Timid nature, Close Combat isn't providing you with much power not already brought on by Aura Sphere - especially with another Fighting-type waiting in the wings! Switching this for Vaccuum Wave will make you less sucessible to a sweep from numerous Pokemon; SubPetaya Empoleon, as an example. I always prefer Dark Pulse for the flinching rate on Lucario, but that's mostly a matter of preference. Infernape is kind of redundant in unison with Lucario. Since this is a Wifi team, however, I'm reluctant to suggest anything that could be troublesome to get. Do you have any other available sweeping Pokemon, preferable a Gyarados or Salamence to provide Intimidate, a bit of bulk, resistances to Fire, and some good set-up sweeping power? Dusknoir is pretty bleh, but again, it's probably the best you're going to get for Wifi. If available, I'd prefer you get some kind of Rotom-forme in this slot with a similar defensive set to retain the Ground-resist you'll get from switching Gliscor to Mixpert, which is recommended.

Thanks and please tell me what other Pokemon/move options you have available.

 

[mathsterchief]

you should probably put some of yanmega's spd evs into hp because it has protect and give it a sash to cure its frailty and give it 2 opportunities to hit with hypnosis.

 

[sheep]

If you want, you could put Vacuum Wave,over CC.

You get no drops and it's a priority move.

 

[Wobby]

If you want, you could put Vacuum Wave,over CC.

You get no drops and it's a priority move.

I think what he is trying to do here is have a strong STAB physical move for Blissey if she decides to drop in on him after a Nasty Plot. The whole Mixape idea calls for a stronger physical move.


Close Combat on your Lucario is pointless. What do you hope to accomplish with it? Blissey can be taken care of by your Mixape so there really isn't any other reason that it should be used. Try Psychic or Dragon Pulse instead. They provide extra coverage on pokemon that may wall your Lucario (Fighting-types, those Dragon/Flying-types, etc.).

Swampert sounds like a good idea for this team for the extra bulk. Try this set...

Swampert
Relaxed @ Leftovers
240 HP/216 Def/52 SAtk
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Earthquake
-Roar

It is pretty strong and can stick around a while. Just make sure to switch to Infernape or Lucario when a Grass-type attack comes along.

 

[Ice-Master]

Hello Ice-Master.

For starters, I'd like to look at your Yanmega. As of now, its EV spread, moveset, and item aren't really the best they could be. That's not to say it's unusable on your team, however - I just suggest you go with a set less easily parishable.

Yanmega @ Focus Sash
Ability: Speed Boost
Nature: Modest
EVs: 104 Def / 152 Spe / 252 SpA
Bug Buzz
Hidden Power Ground
Hypnosis
Protect

This is the set I'd like you to try out, popularized by RL. You don't need to run max Speed on Yanmega with Protect! I don't think I can stress this enough. The Speed boost provided is heartily enough to outspeed the whole metagame even without any EVs. Anyway, max SpA and a Modest nature to pack a huge punch, enough Def to not get 2HKOed by Scizor's Life Orb Bullet Punch, and Speed to beat Lucario before a boost. Hidden Power Ground is aboslutely necessary on him since all of your sweepers can be revenge killed by Heatran, and none of your "tanks" appreciate taking too many hits from him either. Your team lacks any sort of flexibility; it's all set up sweeper-set up sweeper-tank-set up sweeper-etc. This isn't how you should be playing Pokemon. In competitive battling you have to learn how to play off resistances and work around threats, so with this in mind, I'd like to substitute Weavile for Scizor. With Yanmega luring in Magnezone and Heatran and KOing them with Hidden Power Ground, your opponent will find this guy hard to stop. It also provides the same useful reveneg killing with a whole lot more immediate power. I recommend you go Choice Band with simple 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe EVs for bulk, Adamant, with Bullet Punch, U-turn, Superpower/Brick Break, and Pursuit.

With a Timid nature, Close Combat isn't providing you with much power not already brought on by Aura Sphere - especially with another Fighting-type waiting in the wings! Switching this for Vaccuum Wave will make you less sucessible to a sweep from numerous Pokemon; SubPetaya Empoleon, as an example. I always prefer Dark Pulse for the flinching rate on Lucario, but that's mostly a matter of preference. Infernape is kind of redundant in unison with Lucario. Since this is a Wifi team, however, I'm reluctant to suggest anything that could be troublesome to get. Do you have any other available sweeping Pokemon, preferable a Gyarados or Salamence to provide Intimidate, a bit of bulk, resistances to Fire, and some good set-up sweeping power? Dusknoir is pretty bleh, but again, it's probably the best you're going to get for Wifi. If available, I'd prefer you get some kind of Rotom-forme in this slot with a similar defensive set to retain the Ground-resist you'll get from switching Gliscor to Mixpert, which is recommended.

Thanks and please tell me what other Pokemon/move options you have available.

I like that spread for the Yanmega, and I love how it sounds, as for the Lucario, ever since I started breeding it I have been questionable about it, but in battle it proves great. If anything I wouldnt change this Poke but replace it with a pokemon that is known for special sweeping (to me Togekiss has always looked good).
The other pokemon I have are Metagross, A Suicune, TTar, and a Gyrados. They all have good IV's (If I recall the Gyrados has great ones) But i dont like using them because, im the type of person who is too stubborn to become better if it sacrifices uniqeness. So I have them bred, i just dont like them

I think what he is trying to do here is have a strong STAB physical move for Blissey if she decides to drop in on him after a Nasty Plot. The whole Mixape idea calls for a stronger physical move.


Close Combat on your Lucario is pointless. What do you hope to accomplish with it? Blissey can be taken care of by your Mixape so there really isn't any other reason that it should be used. Try Psychic or Dragon Pulse instead. They provide extra coverage on pokemon that may wall your Lucario (Fighting-types, those Dragon/Flying-types, etc.).

Swampert sounds like a good idea for this team for the extra bulk. Try this set...

Swampert
Relaxed @ Leftovers
240 HP/216 Def/52 SAtk
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Earthquake
-Roar

It is pretty strong and can stick around a while. Just make sure to switch to Infernape or Lucario when a Grass-type attack comes along.

When I decided on my team I thought of pokemon I would like and noticed I had 2 Physical sweeper and no Special. Me being stubborn found a way to keep Lucario and made him my special sweeper. When I bred him I just used Smogons Strategy-Dex (as with all my others, except for Dusknoir) So whatever the Dex had in mind for CC was what I had in mind (Even if I did Forget it)
The Mixpert does look good, as I dont like the thought of Stealth Rock on it, for the timing of when I will end up using it.

Thank you both, I will probably switch out the Gliscor, and update my Yanmega. Although if you have any opinions on changing my Lucario for a Togekiss, I would like to hear them.