Introduction
As of late, I've noticed my ranking on the Uber ladder is now non-existant :( So, once that depressing fact was accepted, it was back to the drawing board to create another Uber team, since the current one I had was outdated...like seriously -__-. I wanted to try out something new, nothing real bog standard such as SD Ray + Kyogre + Palkia (!!!). Rain Dance came to mind, and first I started using a Kyogre + Swift Swimmers team, which was okay, but I felt something was missing: SHIFTRY. Yes, that's right, Shiftry, the underrated beast of UU. Sunny Day became the primary focus of this team, but to make it happen, I had a few things to consider when building the team...
As of late, I've noticed my ranking on the Uber ladder is now non-existant :( So, once that depressing fact was accepted, it was back to the drawing board to create another Uber team, since the current one I had was outdated...like seriously -__-. I wanted to try out something new, nothing real bog standard such as SD Ray + Kyogre + Palkia (!!!). Rain Dance came to mind, and first I started using a Kyogre + Swift Swimmers team, which was okay, but I felt something was missing: SHIFTRY. Yes, that's right, Shiftry, the underrated beast of UU. Sunny Day became the primary focus of this team, but to make it happen, I had a few things to consider when building the team...
Kyogre- Yeah, the bane of all Sunny Day teams, seriously. There are few safe switch ins to a Choice Specs Kyogre, and few things to safely handle a Boosting Tank one. Luckily, the now OU Latias handles it pretty decently. Then there's Groudon who underspeeds Kyogre most of the time, and gets weather on my side when the leads come out.
Palkia- Even when Kyogre is absent, this guy is an ass to every team relying on weather (bar Sandstorm). Nothing counters it to be honest, except for revenge killers. Luckily, there are a few Choice reliant Palkias, letting me work on my resistances. Dragon and Water are easy to stop with Steel + Dragon, Thunder is ineffective against Groudon, and the rare Fighting attacks can't do much to Psychics like Latias and Lugia.
Darkrai- Not really a threat to Sunny Day teams specifically, but just a massive threat in general. Uh...revenge kill/resistances for the win ?_?
Once I had a decent understanding of what kills what, I decided to start creating the team. I wanted it to be bulky, with a high sense of offense of course. Luckily for me, Groudon has the strongest Earthquake in the game, and Heatran has the strongest Overheat / Fire Blast. I was working with professionals, that's for sure!
The Lineup
A closer look...
Groudon @ Choice Band
216 HP/252 Atk/30 Def/12 Spe
Adamant nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Fire Punch
- Dragon Claw
Groudon as a lead
I admit, Groudon wasn't exactly my ideal lead. However, it provided instant Sun, which is top priority for every team. Not only that, but Groudon can help with things like Bulk Up Dialga, Rayquaza, and other Groudon as well. Stone Edge is for Lugia, while Dragon Claw helps with Rayquaza and the Lati twins. Fire Punch was chosen over Overheat since it hits everything bar Skarmory and Forretress/Scizor harder, plus it's nice to be able to use a move more than once, unlike Overheat. It has a little bit of trouble with Darkrai leads, but a threat such as this is handled (usually) by Registeel.
Why Choice Band
Simply because there was nothing else to put on him. Support Lead was redundant with Registeel, Rock Polish wasn't suited to lead, and required a little bit too much team support. ParaDancer was the first choice, but I noticed it didn't have time to set up properly, thus Choice Band was chosen. I actually wanted to try out LonelyNess's Specs Groudon, but I quickly decided this team had enough Special Attackers, and needed a dedicated physical force. Plus, let's face it, STAB Earthquake is too sexy to pass up.
Lugia @ Leftovers
252 HP/54 Def/204 Spe
Timid nature
- Ice Beam
- Reflect
- Roost
- Whirlwind
Lugia as a wall
I have little qualms with Lugia as my main physical wall. Stealth Rock weakness hurts, but so does seeing your sweeping attempts foiled by Lugia's Base 106 HP and 130 Def. Reflect / Roost / Whirlwind let me stop many threats such as Groudon, Rayquaza, Dialga, and even Palkia. Ice Beam is chosen due to excellent coverage, plus being able to kill Rayquaza is essential. Lugia can also handle some Special threats, to an extent so to speak. Kyogre doesn't like getting stalled by Roost from its Ice Beams, nor does Palkia like having its weakened Surfs (Drought) laughed at. Overall, Lugia is a solid member of my Defensive core, as well as a fun bird to use all the time!
Why not Giratina?
Dragon weakness hampers Giratina, as does its lack of Ground immunity. I do admit, there are times I wish I was using Giratina, like against Metagross and even Scizor, but I can work around this minor problem by playing to Lugia's strengths; namely Roost, Reflect, and Whirlwind.
Shiftry @ Life Orb
6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Adamant nature
- Seed Bomb
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
- Explosion
Uh...Why Shiftry?
Please, don't judge me for using Shiftry! Chlorophyll + STAB Grass and Dark attacks seemed too good to pass up at the time. Let's not forget Swords Dance, Sucker Punch, and that super sexy Explosion. Shiftry saved my ass soooo many times, whether it be against last-Pokemon Mewtwo, CM Latias expecting a Dark Pulse, or even those sneaky Choice Specs Giratina. I rarely have time to set up, but that's okay, since Sucker Punch hits hard enough. This guy loves Kyogre switch ins, since the standard Kyogre (4 / 0) is OHKOed 100% of the time (it takes 100.29% minimum actually). The regular Latias is OHKOed by Sucker Punch nearly 100% of the time (SR guarantees it). Explosion is excellent for ridding me of any threats, such as Darkrai and Palkia.
Why not Nasty Plot?
I found it quite obvious why not to use Nasty Plot. Simply put, Swords Dance is stronger. Most of ubers have ridiculously high Special Defense, however, their Defense can be exploited. Let's not forget, I can to use a full powered Explosion, which is always a good thing to have in mind =)
I'm still not convinced...
+2 LO Sucker Punch vs. 252 HP / 54 Def Lugia: 114%-135%
+2 LO Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Palkia: 97%-114%
+2 LO Seed Bomb vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Groudon: 97%-113%
+2 LO Seed Bomb vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Kyogre: 168%-198%
+2 LO Explosion vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Dialga: 137%-161%
+0 LO Explosion vs. 252 HP / 54 Def Lugia: 119%-140%
+2 LO Sucker Punch vs. 252 HP / 54 Def Lugia: 114%-135%
+2 LO Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Palkia: 97%-114%
+2 LO Seed Bomb vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Groudon: 97%-113%
+2 LO Seed Bomb vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Kyogre: 168%-198%
+2 LO Explosion vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Dialga: 137%-161%
+0 LO Explosion vs. 252 HP / 54 Def Lugia: 119%-140%
Heatran @ Choice Specs
6 HP/252 Spe/252 SAtk
Modest nature
- Fire Blast / Overheat
- Dragon Pulse
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Grass]
What does Heatran do?
Heatran is like my mini-Specs Kyogre. It packs immense power in the Sun with Fire Blast / Overheat, and its Dragon resistence buys it some ample switch-in opprotunities. Dragon Pulse for those predictable Palkia switch ins, and HP Grass is for Kyogre, who is a real jerk to this team. Earth Power is really just filler, but it does get the added benefit of hitting Dialga harder in the Rain, plus it also helps with foe Heatran. Other than that, it's sort of a "wall breaker", though I've been lately questioning his role on this team. I guess I just wanted something to abuse Groudon's Sun with, but things like Dialga and even Palkia are looking quite decent to be perfectly honest.
So...what does Heatran cover
Essentially Scizor and Metagross, sometimes Mewtwo and more often than not, Latios and Latias. Bulk Up Dialga without Earthquake / Brick Break can also go take a hike, and eat a Sun boosted Fire Blast / Overheat. Free Draco Meteor / Spacial Rend switch in is appreciated. Heatran is currently the weakest link on this team, although it ironically has the potential to do the most overall damage.
Registeel @ Leftovers
252 HP/26 Def/232 SDef
Careful nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Punch
- Thunder Wave
- Explosion
Registeel: The Undervalued Tank
Pretty much; Registeel is very undervalued. Plethora of resistences, excellent Defenses, access to Thunder Wave, Stealth Rock, and Explosion also make it a fantastic support Pokemon. Using this guy is simple; switch into Latias (non-Calm Minders are a bonus), Thunder Wave on the switch, or Thunder Wave the Latias, set up Stealth Rock, live nearly anything thrown, and then Explode. Alternately, Registeel is a decent switch into a DD boosted Rayquaza's Outrage, as it can T-Wave it, and kill it in 2 with Ice Punch. I really like using Registeel, and it fits well with Lugia and Latias as they resist everything in the game.
Any other replacements?
Currently, Registeel seems like a weak link in my team, but it does offer so many support options and resistences, so I'm giving it some more time to develop into the ideal tank. I'm open to suggestions, however.
Latias @ Soul Dew
114 HP/192 Spe/204 SAtk
Timid nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Grass Knot
- Recover
- Toxic
Latias? It's OU, noob.
It may be OU, but man does Soul Dew make her Uber. Dragon Pulse and Grass Knot make it easier to handle Rayquaza, Groudon, Kyogre, Palkia, and even foe Latias. Toxic is an interesting option, but it really helps against Deoxys-D, foe Latias, and even last-Pokemon Blissey and such. While the standard set does have any Special Defense EVs, I'm starting to wonder if I should remove some from Special Attack, and dump them in Special Defense. I've noticed things like Water Spout from Kyogre still really hurts, even though it's resisted. Ice Beam from Specs Kyogre also toasts Latias.
Replacements?
I've been thinking of things to replace Latias. Blissey is an interesting option, but its low Speed, inability to handle things like Rayquaza, Kyogre, and Groudon at times makes me uneasy for a switch. I'm really considering changing Latias's EV spread, and working from there. A Darkrai counter would be sexy as well.
So that's my team guys, tear it apart 
