Hello, all. I was inspired to make this team after hatching a shiny Adamant Magikarp with great IVs. Now I'm not trying to be racist with all the Chinese names, or promote Communism. I just thought it fit the theme of red Gyarados (who looks like a Chinese dragon), and I find the Chinese culture really fascinating. At first glance, you may notice my team has many weaknesses (most notably, the 3 waters). However, I have done pretty well with it, and decided to post this up because it hasn't been doing well lately. I want to makes sure this team will do well before I start actually making it in-game.
Team, at a glance (Notice how everyone is immune to Toxic Spikes! Well, Starmie kinda):
This team is designed around Gyarados, and makes sure the field is safe before he comes in, preferably as a late-game sweeper. Stealth Rock is used to make kills easier, and the fact that this team causes many switches is a big help. Status doesn't hurt either, as my Pokemon can be late-game sweepers in addition to their main role.
Dynast (Empoleon) (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 208 Spd/252 SAtk/48 SDef
Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Aqua Jet
- Grass Knot
- Stealth Rock
- Surf
A dynast is the founder of a dynasty or kingdom, and that's exactly what Empoleon does. He's a fantastic lead who sets up Stealth Rock, the foundation for weakening the opponent's team and making it easier for my team to get those kills. I love the idea behind this set (found in the 'Creative Movesets' forum): a powerful STAB move, secondary coverage move (which is great for OHKOing Swampert), and a priority move backed up by STAB. I usually Surf first turn, to surprise other leads who either use Stealth Rock or Taunt. Leads such as those are Azelf, Infernape, Heatran, Metagross, etc (Leads Empoleon can actually hurt). For leads like Bronzong, I use Stealth Rock on the first turn. Saving Empoleon even after Focus Sash has kicked in is essential, as even with 1 HP he is still viable.
Kung Pao (Gyarados) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Stone Edge
The star of the show. Sure, he may have a 28 IV in Attack, but maxing it out still nets him a stat of 380 (Also, Stealth Rock helps make up for it). Pretty standard here, I tried to get as much coverage as possible with Water, Ice, and Rock. I believe only Empoleon resists this, and even then Gyarados can 2HKO with a boosted Waterfall. Playing Gyarados is really risky, as Stone Edge's accuracy usually costs me his death. I need to keep him alive until the end of the match, and so I use Starmie to make sure the field is kept clean. I rarely show Gyarados until the very end.
Jade (Flygon) (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
- U-turn
- Dragon Claw
This is your standard Flygon, with a few twists. For one thing, I use a Jolly nature to outspeed Salamence who don't max out Speed, as well as max Speed Heatran. Second, I use Expert Belt for that surprise factor, as most people see Flygon and think Choice Band or Choice Scarf. It has been so satisfying getting OHKOs on Scizors who think they can revenge kill me by switching into Dragon Claw. Finally, Fire Punch, which is mainly used for Scizor. I can't risk my opponent knowing I'm not Scarfed or Banded by a miss from Fire Blast after I used another move. Maybe if I use a different nature and Flamethrower to be more effective against pokemon like Skarmory? Usually, I like to make the opponent think I have a Choice item and U-Turn until I have enough info about their team. Seeing as Flygon is the only Electric-resist on my team, he's kind of important.
Shuriken (Starmie) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 136 HP/156 Def/200 Spd/16 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
Shuriken was a given when naming this Pokemon. Starmie is one of the vital members of my team, utilizing Rapid Spin to prevent residual damage from hurting Gyarados. Notice that there is no Surf here: This is because Starmie is my answer to dragons and Gyarados. I need to keep him alive as long as possible, so I have opted to use the defensive set instead of an offensive one. The 16 SpAtk EVs are there to put a little power behind my unSTABed attacks. Being a Rapid Spinner, Starmie usually has to answer to Rotoms and Gengars, so there is a slight problem there.
Tai feng (Rotom-w) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Thunder Wave
- Will-o-wisp
Alright, here's where it gets all intricate with the nicknames. Tai-feng means "Typhoon", and Rotom-W is a washing machine, so it fits. Ironically, there is no Hydro Pump here. As I have previously said, Rapid Spinners usually have to answer to Ghosts, so that's why Rotom-W is here. Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball for double STAB. The two status moves here are a big help to my team, as they serve to cripple the opponent's team as much as possible before allowing my other sweepers to take the stage. Using this against other Spin-blockers is very risky, as he doesn't have any recovery, and is also my only answer to folks like Gengar (Maybe Lucario and Empoleon, if they aren't weakened enough).
Zhuan Xin (Lucario) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Extremespeed
- Crunch
- Swords Dance
Zhuan Xin means "Whole-hearted devotion", and I thought it fit Lucario perfectly, seeing as how he is characteristic of that. This is your standard SD Luke, with Crunch to use against Ghosts. The Jolly nature is used because I need to outspeed common threats that would normally outspeed him, such as Mamoswine. Extremespeed for those quick kills against Pokemon like Jolteon (which is probably the biggest threat to this team). Great at forcing switches, which helps with Stealth Rock on the field. Lucario is also an important member of my team, seeing as how there are 3 Special Attackers and Flygon, who doesn't do much against a full-health Blissey.
---
Well, that's my team. As you can imagine, I have huge problems with Electric Pokemon: namely, Jolteon and Zapdos. For these Pokemon, I have to rely on good prediction (and hope Jolteon isn't Life Orbed). Gengar also scares me, as if I face him, I'm playing with fire. Usually, the only reason why I kill him is because of a Focus Blast miss. The same goes for Mixmence, but he's less of a threat, seeing as how Lucario has Stone Edge and Gyarados can revenge kill.
Please help! I am open to any changes in my team, with the exception of two things: Since this will be an in-game team, I can't have legendaries in it, and Gyarados HAS to be an offensive one. My main concerns for this team is an answer to its main weaknesses: Jolteon, Zapdos, and Ghosts. Either that or anything that would help to ensure a Gyarados sweep. Thanks in advance.
Team, at a glance (Notice how everyone is immune to Toxic Spikes! Well, Starmie kinda):
This team is designed around Gyarados, and makes sure the field is safe before he comes in, preferably as a late-game sweeper. Stealth Rock is used to make kills easier, and the fact that this team causes many switches is a big help. Status doesn't hurt either, as my Pokemon can be late-game sweepers in addition to their main role.
Dynast (Empoleon) (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 208 Spd/252 SAtk/48 SDef
Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Aqua Jet
- Grass Knot
- Stealth Rock
- Surf
A dynast is the founder of a dynasty or kingdom, and that's exactly what Empoleon does. He's a fantastic lead who sets up Stealth Rock, the foundation for weakening the opponent's team and making it easier for my team to get those kills. I love the idea behind this set (found in the 'Creative Movesets' forum): a powerful STAB move, secondary coverage move (which is great for OHKOing Swampert), and a priority move backed up by STAB. I usually Surf first turn, to surprise other leads who either use Stealth Rock or Taunt. Leads such as those are Azelf, Infernape, Heatran, Metagross, etc (Leads Empoleon can actually hurt). For leads like Bronzong, I use Stealth Rock on the first turn. Saving Empoleon even after Focus Sash has kicked in is essential, as even with 1 HP he is still viable.
Kung Pao (Gyarados) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Stone Edge
The star of the show. Sure, he may have a 28 IV in Attack, but maxing it out still nets him a stat of 380 (Also, Stealth Rock helps make up for it). Pretty standard here, I tried to get as much coverage as possible with Water, Ice, and Rock. I believe only Empoleon resists this, and even then Gyarados can 2HKO with a boosted Waterfall. Playing Gyarados is really risky, as Stone Edge's accuracy usually costs me his death. I need to keep him alive until the end of the match, and so I use Starmie to make sure the field is kept clean. I rarely show Gyarados until the very end.
Jade (Flygon) (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
- U-turn
- Dragon Claw
This is your standard Flygon, with a few twists. For one thing, I use a Jolly nature to outspeed Salamence who don't max out Speed, as well as max Speed Heatran. Second, I use Expert Belt for that surprise factor, as most people see Flygon and think Choice Band or Choice Scarf. It has been so satisfying getting OHKOs on Scizors who think they can revenge kill me by switching into Dragon Claw. Finally, Fire Punch, which is mainly used for Scizor. I can't risk my opponent knowing I'm not Scarfed or Banded by a miss from Fire Blast after I used another move. Maybe if I use a different nature and Flamethrower to be more effective against pokemon like Skarmory? Usually, I like to make the opponent think I have a Choice item and U-Turn until I have enough info about their team. Seeing as Flygon is the only Electric-resist on my team, he's kind of important.
Shuriken (Starmie) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 136 HP/156 Def/200 Spd/16 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
Shuriken was a given when naming this Pokemon. Starmie is one of the vital members of my team, utilizing Rapid Spin to prevent residual damage from hurting Gyarados. Notice that there is no Surf here: This is because Starmie is my answer to dragons and Gyarados. I need to keep him alive as long as possible, so I have opted to use the defensive set instead of an offensive one. The 16 SpAtk EVs are there to put a little power behind my unSTABed attacks. Being a Rapid Spinner, Starmie usually has to answer to Rotoms and Gengars, so there is a slight problem there.
Tai feng (Rotom-w) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Thunder Wave
- Will-o-wisp
Alright, here's where it gets all intricate with the nicknames. Tai-feng means "Typhoon", and Rotom-W is a washing machine, so it fits. Ironically, there is no Hydro Pump here. As I have previously said, Rapid Spinners usually have to answer to Ghosts, so that's why Rotom-W is here. Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball for double STAB. The two status moves here are a big help to my team, as they serve to cripple the opponent's team as much as possible before allowing my other sweepers to take the stage. Using this against other Spin-blockers is very risky, as he doesn't have any recovery, and is also my only answer to folks like Gengar (Maybe Lucario and Empoleon, if they aren't weakened enough).
Zhuan Xin (Lucario) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Extremespeed
- Crunch
- Swords Dance
Zhuan Xin means "Whole-hearted devotion", and I thought it fit Lucario perfectly, seeing as how he is characteristic of that. This is your standard SD Luke, with Crunch to use against Ghosts. The Jolly nature is used because I need to outspeed common threats that would normally outspeed him, such as Mamoswine. Extremespeed for those quick kills against Pokemon like Jolteon (which is probably the biggest threat to this team). Great at forcing switches, which helps with Stealth Rock on the field. Lucario is also an important member of my team, seeing as how there are 3 Special Attackers and Flygon, who doesn't do much against a full-health Blissey.
---
Well, that's my team. As you can imagine, I have huge problems with Electric Pokemon: namely, Jolteon and Zapdos. For these Pokemon, I have to rely on good prediction (and hope Jolteon isn't Life Orbed). Gengar also scares me, as if I face him, I'm playing with fire. Usually, the only reason why I kill him is because of a Focus Blast miss. The same goes for Mixmence, but he's less of a threat, seeing as how Lucario has Stone Edge and Gyarados can revenge kill.
Please help! I am open to any changes in my team, with the exception of two things: Since this will be an in-game team, I can't have legendaries in it, and Gyarados HAS to be an offensive one. My main concerns for this team is an answer to its main weaknesses: Jolteon, Zapdos, and Ghosts. Either that or anything that would help to ensure a Gyarados sweep. Thanks in advance.
