Well, after several attempts to quit pokemon, I've finally had the willpower to do it. So, i decided i'll post one last RMT, to show my last successful team in OU. After 1 day of laddering, i achieved a 1352 rating on Smogon, peaking on 1402 before hax happened. This is by far one of my greatest teams, and i decided it deserves a RMT.
Since it's Release in 2003, Salamance has been my Favorite pokemon. However, no matter how many teams i made, 4th gen and 5th gen, I've never used him competitively. So, I decided to build a team around Salamance. However, to go anti-meta, i used a Choice Specs Salamance. This guy works as a neat surprise, as it baits out things like Gliscor, Jirachi, and Quagsire, which I have seen on teams before, only to get wrecked by a Draco Meteor or Fire Blast, in Jirachi case. Only Blissey can actually stop his rampage, everything else is OHKOd or 2HKOd by Draco Meteor or his other coverage moves.
Ferro goes so good with Salamance it isn't even funny. Ferro can take any attack that Salamance would be afraid of, like Choiced Terrakion's Stone Edge, Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor, and Choice Scarf Politoed Ice Beam. That, and he gives one thing that every Choiced Salamance needs to be sucessful, T-Wave Support. He spreads around T-Wave, which allows me to outspeed with Mence and finish a game later on in the match. He also gives Spikes support, which helps to wear the opponent down, T-Wave Support.
Jirachi Again goes great with Salamance, it also checks Latios, Latias, common offensive threats on Rain team, and so many other things. It also gave my team Stealth Rocks, which i need to break things like Other Salamance's, Volcarona, Ninetails, and every thing else weak to Rocks. It also gave my team more T-Wave Support, so that Ferro isnt under pressure to Paralyze the opponent every single time. It also gives my team wish support, as it has the bulk to Wish and heal other allies on my team, gluing the team together.
Breloom is on the team because of how useful his Spore is. Once this this thing gets behind a Sub, Focus Punch Decimates almost everything, evem things that resist it.
4 Pokes in, and i Dont even have a Rapid Spinner yet. Forry looked dumb for this team seeing as i already have Spikes and Stealth Rocks. That, and i don't want to steer of the pace of the team, which is a offensive tempo. Starmie since 2nd Gen has been used as an Offensive Rapid Spinner, and in 5th Gen he works the same. With 115 Base Speed, he outspeeds Terrakion, Landorus, and the Tornadus, which is seen alot on Rain Teams, and OHKOs them with it's water STAB. That, and his Rapid Spin support is so helpful to my team, he's saved me so much times, especially Vs. stall, where they try and lay down numerous hazards.
Terrakion easily is one of the best Fighting types i ever used. It's STAB are only resisted by Nidoking/Queen, Claydol, and Golurk, all of which aren't seen in OU much at all. Therefore, his terrifying 129 base attack wrecks just about everything that doesn't invest in Defense. That, and with a Choice Scarf, he makes one of the best Revenge Killers in the game. With Rocks and Spikes Support, almost nothing can come in on it safely.
After testing Mence for a whole, i ran into the same problems i always run into when i try and use him. First off, his weakness to Rocks is annoying, and Star can't always be around to spin it away. Second, with Choice Specs, he doesn't hit hard enough to break through certain things, like Defensive Rachi, Bulky DD Dragonite, and Jellicent. That, and it's frailness, even with 95/80/80 defenses. So, I tried a Choice Specs Hydregion, and I haven't looked back. Even if it's only attacks are it's Dragon STAB and Fire Blast, he has enough power to wreck through almost anything.
Hydregion, Rachi, and Terra all had one thing in common, fear of Status. So, to fix this, i decided to drop spikes, since i don't have a spin blocker on the team anyways, and add Blissey. His ability to sponge special attacks better than Ferro, while doing more team support with Aromatherapy is very useful. That, and she still helps out by having T-Wave to support Jirachi and Hydregion, as they now outspeed and either Para Flinch it to death or just destroy it with powerful attacks.
At first, i had promblems dealing with Scizor. So, i decided to add a check to it and add Skarm to the team. I wanted to put back Ferro, but Skarm does two things Ferro doesn't. One is a relaible recovery move, the other is the fact to abuse the hazards with Whirlwind. That, and the fact he outspeeds things like Jellicent, Blissey and Chansey is useful for getting that last layer of spikes down, finishing them off with Brave Bird, or Recovering off damage. By far one of the best spikers in the game.
And Now, on to the team.
@
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SAtk / 192 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- U-turn
Choice Specs Hydreigon punches holes in the opponent's team, allowing a fast sweeper such as Starmie to clean up the remains. Hydreigon's huge base 125 Special Attack, which is further boosted by Choice Specs, tears apart just about anything that inst resistant to Dragon. Draco Meteor and Dragon Pulse allow Hydreigon hit very hard while also maintaining reliability. Fire Blast decimates bulky Steel-types such Ferrothorn and Skarmory. U-turn maintains offensive pressure, while making him avoid his checks and counters.
The 64 HP EVs help Hydreigon take Mach Punch from Adamant Conkeldurr, along with other strong priority attacks. 192 Speed EVs give Hydreigon 280 Speed, enabling it to outspeed all neutral-natured Pokemon with a base Speed of 90 and lower. With Choice Specs and a Modest nature, 252 Special Attack EVs give Hydreigon a huge 576 Special Attack. This guy is really an underrated threat in todays metagame.
@
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Earthquake
Many of the same factors that make Terrakion an amazing Choice Band user lend themselves to making Terrakion one of the best Choice Scarf users in the game as well. Its blazing Speed allows it to safely revenge kill some of the biggest threats in the game, including Deoxys-S, a milestone that many viable Choice Scarf users fall short of. X-Scissor hits the bulky Psychic-types a bit harder than Stone Edge does, while also having the upside of being 100% accurate. Earthquake is a good move for hitting Jirachi, Metagross, and Fire Types if i don't feel like missing Stone Edge. Close Combat and Stone Edge again are such great STAB moves for it, that it comes down to "Click its appropriate STAB for the situation and watch things take massive amounts of damage." That, and with a Choice Scarf, he outspeeds +2 Cloyster, +1 Dragonite, +1 Salamance, and other threats, safely taking out these threats.
@
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Seismic Toss
- Thunder Wave
This set is more concentrated on general support for my team. With Aromatherapy, my team isn't required to have a dedicated status absorber, as Blissey can just heal them later. After that, just general moves. Softboiled is meant to heal Bliss's HP every turn while setting in and stopping Special Walls. Thunder Wave is again used to help support Jirachi and Hydregion, especially in Hydregion's Case as I need to be able to outspeed it's Threats before coming in and attacking.
@
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
The key to Starmie's effectiveness as a Rapid Spinner is its potent offensive ability, as most people would not switch a Ghost-type into Starmie for fear of a powerful Life Orb boosted attack, meaning that it actually has a pretty good chance of bluffing an offensive set and getting a free Rapid Spin off. The STAB Water-type move is essential to make the most of Starmie's offensive capabilities. Hydro Pump is used because of the increased damage output, and it scores a KO on Heatran, while Surf barley leaves it alive if the Tran is at Max HP. Recover is used in order to maintain Starmie's presence on the field, as not only is Starmie likely to be called upon multiple time to keep the ground free of hazards, but it is also a powerful offensive threat, and worth saving if possible. Lastly, a coverage move in Thunderbolt to hit Jellicent, one of the most popular Ghost-types available.
@
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 240 HP / 160 Def / 76 SpD / 32 Spe
Imprish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Iron Head
- Wish
- Stealth Rock
Jirachi's access to multiple support moves and superb defensive typing, given Jirachi has just two weaknesses and a huge number of resistances, most importantly against Dragon-type moves, makes it a great check to numerous special attackers in today's metagame. With investment in HP and Special Defense, Jirachi can cushion various special attacks with ease, while providing all-round support with paralysis and a 200 HP Wish. For example, Jirachi makes a perfectly viable switch-in to Timid Choice Specs Latios' Draco Meteor, losing only 31.4% - 37.1% of its health when hit. This means that Specially Defensive Jirachi can sponge nearly all neutral or resisted hits below this specific attack, one of the most threatening in OU. Jirachi's high HP stat means that it can pass very big Wishes indeed.
240 HP / 160 Def / 76 SpD / 32 Spe with an Impish nature, allows Jirachi to better take physical attacks while maintaining a reasonable amount of special bulk. It also supports my team even more with Stealth Rock, making it easier for my Choice Users or Starmie to clean up house later on.
@
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 SDef / 24 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Spikes
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
After Skarmory makes its presence known out on the battlefield, the opponent will likely run away scared of the metal bird's superb Defense. Skarmory should lay Spikes to force the opponent to make a rather painful decision when switching in and out of the battlefield. Using Roost can wear out Life Orb users such as Metagross and Gyarados while keeping Skarmory up-to-shape for the next assault. Whirlwind is great against Pokemon such as Bulk Up Conkeldurr or merely shuffling for extra damage from the opponent landing on Spikes. Brave Bird ties it all together nicely with it being a high Base Power STAB move that handles threats nicely, especially Fighting-types such as Machamp and Scrafty.
Since Skarmory's base Defense is naturally quite high, this EV spread buffers its weaker Special Defense. Physical sweepers can still be checked despite the loss of physical bulk. 24 Speed EVs is the minimum Speed Skarmory needs to outspeed max Speed Wobbuffet. This allows Skarmory to use Spikes since it's a move that can afford to have its PP burned out.
Final Thoughts
Again, this is one of my more successful teams. Pokemon in general has been fun, and I enjoyed playing it. However, life, stress, and other factors made me lose my will to play this game. I'll still do analysis and such from time to time, but for the most part, I am now retired. I hope everyone has enjoyed reading this RMT.
http://pokemon.aesoft.org/replay-CCD...--2011-11-26-1
http://pokemon.aesoft.org/replay-CCD...er--2011-11-24
http://pokemon.aesoft.org/replay-CCD...or--2011-11-25
Steal This, Idgaf anymore
Since it's Release in 2003, Salamance has been my Favorite pokemon. However, no matter how many teams i made, 4th gen and 5th gen, I've never used him competitively. So, I decided to build a team around Salamance. However, to go anti-meta, i used a Choice Specs Salamance. This guy works as a neat surprise, as it baits out things like Gliscor, Jirachi, and Quagsire, which I have seen on teams before, only to get wrecked by a Draco Meteor or Fire Blast, in Jirachi case. Only Blissey can actually stop his rampage, everything else is OHKOd or 2HKOd by Draco Meteor or his other coverage moves.
Ferro goes so good with Salamance it isn't even funny. Ferro can take any attack that Salamance would be afraid of, like Choiced Terrakion's Stone Edge, Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor, and Choice Scarf Politoed Ice Beam. That, and he gives one thing that every Choiced Salamance needs to be sucessful, T-Wave Support. He spreads around T-Wave, which allows me to outspeed with Mence and finish a game later on in the match. He also gives Spikes support, which helps to wear the opponent down, T-Wave Support.
Jirachi Again goes great with Salamance, it also checks Latios, Latias, common offensive threats on Rain team, and so many other things. It also gave my team Stealth Rocks, which i need to break things like Other Salamance's, Volcarona, Ninetails, and every thing else weak to Rocks. It also gave my team more T-Wave Support, so that Ferro isnt under pressure to Paralyze the opponent every single time. It also gives my team wish support, as it has the bulk to Wish and heal other allies on my team, gluing the team together.
Breloom is on the team because of how useful his Spore is. Once this this thing gets behind a Sub, Focus Punch Decimates almost everything, evem things that resist it.
This guy is an absolute beast, and only things Like Latias and Gliscor can stop this guy, both of which i have checked, so that Breloom and Focus Punch everything to death.
4 Pokes in, and i Dont even have a Rapid Spinner yet. Forry looked dumb for this team seeing as i already have Spikes and Stealth Rocks. That, and i don't want to steer of the pace of the team, which is a offensive tempo. Starmie since 2nd Gen has been used as an Offensive Rapid Spinner, and in 5th Gen he works the same. With 115 Base Speed, he outspeeds Terrakion, Landorus, and the Tornadus, which is seen alot on Rain Teams, and OHKOs them with it's water STAB. That, and his Rapid Spin support is so helpful to my team, he's saved me so much times, especially Vs. stall, where they try and lay down numerous hazards.
Terrakion easily is one of the best Fighting types i ever used. It's STAB are only resisted by Nidoking/Queen, Claydol, and Golurk, all of which aren't seen in OU much at all. Therefore, his terrifying 129 base attack wrecks just about everything that doesn't invest in Defense. That, and with a Choice Scarf, he makes one of the best Revenge Killers in the game. With Rocks and Spikes Support, almost nothing can come in on it safely.
After testing Mence for a whole, i ran into the same problems i always run into when i try and use him. First off, his weakness to Rocks is annoying, and Star can't always be around to spin it away. Second, with Choice Specs, he doesn't hit hard enough to break through certain things, like Defensive Rachi, Bulky DD Dragonite, and Jellicent. That, and it's frailness, even with 95/80/80 defenses. So, I tried a Choice Specs Hydregion, and I haven't looked back. Even if it's only attacks are it's Dragon STAB and Fire Blast, he has enough power to wreck through almost anything.
As you can see, after Stealth Rocks, not even Skarm can safely come in. He's great in breaking through walls like Ferro, Jellicent, Tenta, e.t.c. That, and unlike Mence, he has U-Turn to keep the tempo of my team flowing by using it to evade it's counters. He may be slower then Mence, but his bulk and and power makes it worth it.
Hydregion, Rachi, and Terra all had one thing in common, fear of Status. So, to fix this, i decided to drop spikes, since i don't have a spin blocker on the team anyways, and add Blissey. His ability to sponge special attacks better than Ferro, while doing more team support with Aromatherapy is very useful. That, and she still helps out by having T-Wave to support Jirachi and Hydregion, as they now outspeed and either Para Flinch it to death or just destroy it with powerful attacks.
At first, i had promblems dealing with Scizor. So, i decided to add a check to it and add Skarm to the team. I wanted to put back Ferro, but Skarm does two things Ferro doesn't. One is a relaible recovery move, the other is the fact to abuse the hazards with Whirlwind. That, and the fact he outspeeds things like Jellicent, Blissey and Chansey is useful for getting that last layer of spikes down, finishing them off with Brave Bird, or Recovering off damage. By far one of the best spikers in the game.
And Now, on to the team.
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SAtk / 192 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- U-turn
Choice Specs Hydreigon punches holes in the opponent's team, allowing a fast sweeper such as Starmie to clean up the remains. Hydreigon's huge base 125 Special Attack, which is further boosted by Choice Specs, tears apart just about anything that inst resistant to Dragon. Draco Meteor and Dragon Pulse allow Hydreigon hit very hard while also maintaining reliability. Fire Blast decimates bulky Steel-types such Ferrothorn and Skarmory. U-turn maintains offensive pressure, while making him avoid his checks and counters.
The 64 HP EVs help Hydreigon take Mach Punch from Adamant Conkeldurr, along with other strong priority attacks. 192 Speed EVs give Hydreigon 280 Speed, enabling it to outspeed all neutral-natured Pokemon with a base Speed of 90 and lower. With Choice Specs and a Modest nature, 252 Special Attack EVs give Hydreigon a huge 576 Special Attack. This guy is really an underrated threat in todays metagame.
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Earthquake
Many of the same factors that make Terrakion an amazing Choice Band user lend themselves to making Terrakion one of the best Choice Scarf users in the game as well. Its blazing Speed allows it to safely revenge kill some of the biggest threats in the game, including Deoxys-S, a milestone that many viable Choice Scarf users fall short of. X-Scissor hits the bulky Psychic-types a bit harder than Stone Edge does, while also having the upside of being 100% accurate. Earthquake is a good move for hitting Jirachi, Metagross, and Fire Types if i don't feel like missing Stone Edge. Close Combat and Stone Edge again are such great STAB moves for it, that it comes down to "Click its appropriate STAB for the situation and watch things take massive amounts of damage." That, and with a Choice Scarf, he outspeeds +2 Cloyster, +1 Dragonite, +1 Salamance, and other threats, safely taking out these threats.
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Seismic Toss
- Thunder Wave
This set is more concentrated on general support for my team. With Aromatherapy, my team isn't required to have a dedicated status absorber, as Blissey can just heal them later. After that, just general moves. Softboiled is meant to heal Bliss's HP every turn while setting in and stopping Special Walls. Thunder Wave is again used to help support Jirachi and Hydregion, especially in Hydregion's Case as I need to be able to outspeed it's Threats before coming in and attacking.
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
The key to Starmie's effectiveness as a Rapid Spinner is its potent offensive ability, as most people would not switch a Ghost-type into Starmie for fear of a powerful Life Orb boosted attack, meaning that it actually has a pretty good chance of bluffing an offensive set and getting a free Rapid Spin off. The STAB Water-type move is essential to make the most of Starmie's offensive capabilities. Hydro Pump is used because of the increased damage output, and it scores a KO on Heatran, while Surf barley leaves it alive if the Tran is at Max HP. Recover is used in order to maintain Starmie's presence on the field, as not only is Starmie likely to be called upon multiple time to keep the ground free of hazards, but it is also a powerful offensive threat, and worth saving if possible. Lastly, a coverage move in Thunderbolt to hit Jellicent, one of the most popular Ghost-types available.
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 240 HP / 160 Def / 76 SpD / 32 Spe
Imprish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Iron Head
- Wish
- Stealth Rock
Jirachi's access to multiple support moves and superb defensive typing, given Jirachi has just two weaknesses and a huge number of resistances, most importantly against Dragon-type moves, makes it a great check to numerous special attackers in today's metagame. With investment in HP and Special Defense, Jirachi can cushion various special attacks with ease, while providing all-round support with paralysis and a 200 HP Wish. For example, Jirachi makes a perfectly viable switch-in to Timid Choice Specs Latios' Draco Meteor, losing only 31.4% - 37.1% of its health when hit. This means that Specially Defensive Jirachi can sponge nearly all neutral or resisted hits below this specific attack, one of the most threatening in OU. Jirachi's high HP stat means that it can pass very big Wishes indeed.
240 HP / 160 Def / 76 SpD / 32 Spe with an Impish nature, allows Jirachi to better take physical attacks while maintaining a reasonable amount of special bulk. It also supports my team even more with Stealth Rock, making it easier for my Choice Users or Starmie to clean up house later on.
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 SDef / 24 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Spikes
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
After Skarmory makes its presence known out on the battlefield, the opponent will likely run away scared of the metal bird's superb Defense. Skarmory should lay Spikes to force the opponent to make a rather painful decision when switching in and out of the battlefield. Using Roost can wear out Life Orb users such as Metagross and Gyarados while keeping Skarmory up-to-shape for the next assault. Whirlwind is great against Pokemon such as Bulk Up Conkeldurr or merely shuffling for extra damage from the opponent landing on Spikes. Brave Bird ties it all together nicely with it being a high Base Power STAB move that handles threats nicely, especially Fighting-types such as Machamp and Scrafty.
Since Skarmory's base Defense is naturally quite high, this EV spread buffers its weaker Special Defense. Physical sweepers can still be checked despite the loss of physical bulk. 24 Speed EVs is the minimum Speed Skarmory needs to outspeed max Speed Wobbuffet. This allows Skarmory to use Spikes since it's a move that can afford to have its PP burned out.
Final Thoughts
Again, this is one of my more successful teams. Pokemon in general has been fun, and I enjoyed playing it. However, life, stress, and other factors made me lose my will to play this game. I'll still do analysis and such from time to time, but for the most part, I am now retired. I hope everyone has enjoyed reading this RMT.
http://pokemon.aesoft.org/replay-CCD...--2011-11-26-1
http://pokemon.aesoft.org/replay-CCD...er--2011-11-24
http://pokemon.aesoft.org/replay-CCD...or--2011-11-25
Steal This, Idgaf anymore
Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SAtk / 192 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- U-turn
Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Earthquake
Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Seismic Toss
- Thunder Wave
Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 240 HP / 160 Def / 76 SDef / 32 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Iron Head
- Wish
- Stealth Rock
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 SDef / 24 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Spikes
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 64 HP / 252 SAtk / 192 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- U-turn
Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Earthquake
Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Aromatherapy
- Softboiled
- Seismic Toss
- Thunder Wave
Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 240 HP / 160 Def / 76 SDef / 32 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Thunder Wave
- Iron Head
- Wish
- Stealth Rock
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 SDef / 24 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Spikes
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
