I've always loved Toxicroak, however I had never built an effective team with him. If you guys could help me out, I'd love your feedback so that I can make an effective team with him, so don't be afraid to suggest any changes. Here's a first look at the team!
Toxi-Dope (Toxicroak) @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 28 HP / 252 Atk / 228 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Poison Jab
- Fake Out
- X-Scissor
Gardevoir (F) @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Synchronize
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
Batman (Gliscor) (M) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 244 HP / 248 Def / 16 Spd
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Roost
- Ice Fang
Heatran (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Stealth Rock
Bisharp (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Brick Break
Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
So here's how the team was created!!
Toxicroak: Like I said at the beginning, I have always loved Toxicroak, and I wanted him on my team for once. Despite the fact that his typing makes him 4x weak to Psychic and weak to ground and flying, his ability to break the common Fairy and Normal walls makes him invaluable. I went with Life Orb to boost my attack; Drain Punch lets Toxi hit Normal walls hard and recover health, and Poison Jab also hits those damn fairy Pokemon extremely hard. (Note I feel most people already know, both moves already get STAB
). Fake Out is when I want to lead and scout with Toxicroak if I don't lead with Batman to get free damage before switching out, X-Scissor lets Toxicroak threaten Psychic pokemon that would otherwise tear through him.
Gardevoir: Since Gardevoir got the change to dual Psychic-Fairy typing, I've been trying to find a spot on my team for her, and decided that this time around was when I would try. (Gardevoir sometimes struggles to keep up effective synergy with the other mon so if anyone has a suggestion to switch I'd appreciate it). Moonblast and Psychic are pretty self explanatory. Focus Blast is a nice surprise for Steel types (especially since it's a special move and benefits from Gardevoirs EV spread) and can 2HKO Ttar. Since I maxed out SpA, I question the wisdom of Calm Mind on Gardevoir, so let me know what you thing of this choice!
Gliscor: Let me start by explaining the EV spread since it isn't maxed Defense. I put the majority in Def and HP, however I liked to add a little speed to Gliscor. Earthquake is a necessary STAB move that helps break special walls not invested in Def. The real reason I put a little extra Speed, getting off a Taunt to stop Rocks, Spikes, and that damn leech seed Ferrothorn likes to set up. The combination of Roost with Poison Heal allows Gliscor to really recover Health and stay in the match to be a major bother to enemy teams. I considered going with Landorus-T for a while but after a little testing, I found that Gliscor's reliable recovery makes it invaluable to my team as a wall.
Heatran: So after a little more experimenting, I realized I was lacking (and I mean LACKING) in an effective fire-type poke. After a little testing, I settled on Lefties Heatran for several reasons. First of all, his wide pool move can usually force switches allowing him to set up Rocks, and Flash Fire predicts can boost his attack a lot. Fire Blast is the obvious STAB move of choice, more powerful than Flamethrower but more accurate than Overheat made it the perfect choice for his first move. Earthpower covers Ttar and Terrakion as well as other Heatrans, which it can usually KO if they aren't Focus Sashed. I contemplated on whether or not to sport HP Ice instead for dragons, however I found a place on another mon for that. Instead I went with HP grass to wittle away at switch ins like Starmie and Gastro.
Bisharp: I have used Bisharp on teams in the past, and I've learned how great of a pokemon it can be if used right. Ok, so basically its ability Defiant boosts its attack if any of it's stats are lowered which is perfect for switch ins. If not, getting up an SD is usually enough to cause a switch. Iron Head and Sucker Punch are both obvious STABS, Iron Head for flinch hacks, and Sucker Punch for priority hits. Brick Break is around for coverage and the fact that an SD boosted BB does great damage.
Raikou: Probably one of the most underrated pokemon in my opinion, I've used Raikou to tremendous effect with this Standard moveset. I originally ran a Magnezone because I liked the dual type but I was too weak to Fire on the team, so I decided on this sick beast. So basically, if I can lead with Raikou I will, if not I usually switch him in and immediately set up a sub. Sub + lefties gives Raikou the opportunity to set up a calm mind or two before laying waste to teams with STAB T-Bolt and HP Ice, most Pokemon can't usually get to close to Raikou. (and if a ground poke is packing EQ, I usually go HP Ice behind the Sub before switching to Gliscor after it breaks.
There you have it, that's my new team! Let me know what you guys think and what should change to be more competitive, thanks!! One thing I forgot to mention is that without a rapid spinner/defoger, my team is extremely weak to Hazards, so if you can help me out there I'd appreciate it!
Ex Teammates:
Latias: I really just want Mega-Latias released already, but until then, I will stick to the build I know best. Latias is on board to check Mega-Venusaur who can be a major problem if not planned for. SpD investment is due to the fact that Mega-V is usually specially invested, and that way I can deal massive damage with Psyshock. Roost helps ensure that Latias can effectively recover its health, while Energy Ball is around to check pokemon like Rotom-W and Quagsire who are only weak to Grass. However if you guys find a place to fit a better Grass move or pokemon on my team, let me know! Dragon Pulse STAB is because Dragon Pulse STAB.
Weavile: Simply here to be a late game sweeper, Weavile's speed lets it switch in and after setting up a SD, absolutely tear through teams, even some walls. Ice Shard gets a STAB plus the priority, making Weavile even more dangerous. Night Slash also gets a STAB, and its speed usually lets it hit first. Brick Break allows Weavile to check Steel and Rock pokemon who resist its stab.
Rotom-W: I considered this final spot for a long time and finally decided on Rotom-W because of one glaring weakness I didn't have effectively covered: Water. Rotom is a well balanced pokemon and commonly seen in the OU so I decided to find a spot for it too. Hydro-Pump STAB is obvious, however its accuracy leaves a LOT to be desired. Volt Switch and Thunderbolt STAB seem a little redundant, but I found that most people expect the Volt-Switch so they usually think they can stay in but T-Bolt allows Rotom to hit a little harder before Volt switching out as by then they usually don't want to stay in, and V-Switch helps keep up momentum for my team. Toxic is perfect for eating at walls like Tangrowth and Celebi.
Toxi-Dope (Toxicroak) @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 28 HP / 252 Atk / 228 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Poison Jab
- Fake Out
- X-Scissor
Gardevoir (F) @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Synchronize
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Calm Mind
- Psychic
Batman (Gliscor) (M) @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 244 HP / 248 Def / 16 Spd
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Roost
- Ice Fang
Heatran (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Stealth Rock
Bisharp (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Brick Break
Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
So here's how the team was created!!
Toxicroak: Like I said at the beginning, I have always loved Toxicroak, and I wanted him on my team for once. Despite the fact that his typing makes him 4x weak to Psychic and weak to ground and flying, his ability to break the common Fairy and Normal walls makes him invaluable. I went with Life Orb to boost my attack; Drain Punch lets Toxi hit Normal walls hard and recover health, and Poison Jab also hits those damn fairy Pokemon extremely hard. (Note I feel most people already know, both moves already get STAB
). Fake Out is when I want to lead and scout with Toxicroak if I don't lead with Batman to get free damage before switching out, X-Scissor lets Toxicroak threaten Psychic pokemon that would otherwise tear through him.Gardevoir: Since Gardevoir got the change to dual Psychic-Fairy typing, I've been trying to find a spot on my team for her, and decided that this time around was when I would try. (Gardevoir sometimes struggles to keep up effective synergy with the other mon so if anyone has a suggestion to switch I'd appreciate it). Moonblast and Psychic are pretty self explanatory. Focus Blast is a nice surprise for Steel types (especially since it's a special move and benefits from Gardevoirs EV spread) and can 2HKO Ttar. Since I maxed out SpA, I question the wisdom of Calm Mind on Gardevoir, so let me know what you thing of this choice!
Gliscor: Let me start by explaining the EV spread since it isn't maxed Defense. I put the majority in Def and HP, however I liked to add a little speed to Gliscor. Earthquake is a necessary STAB move that helps break special walls not invested in Def. The real reason I put a little extra Speed, getting off a Taunt to stop Rocks, Spikes, and that damn leech seed Ferrothorn likes to set up. The combination of Roost with Poison Heal allows Gliscor to really recover Health and stay in the match to be a major bother to enemy teams. I considered going with Landorus-T for a while but after a little testing, I found that Gliscor's reliable recovery makes it invaluable to my team as a wall.
Heatran: So after a little more experimenting, I realized I was lacking (and I mean LACKING) in an effective fire-type poke. After a little testing, I settled on Lefties Heatran for several reasons. First of all, his wide pool move can usually force switches allowing him to set up Rocks, and Flash Fire predicts can boost his attack a lot. Fire Blast is the obvious STAB move of choice, more powerful than Flamethrower but more accurate than Overheat made it the perfect choice for his first move. Earthpower covers Ttar and Terrakion as well as other Heatrans, which it can usually KO if they aren't Focus Sashed. I contemplated on whether or not to sport HP Ice instead for dragons, however I found a place on another mon for that. Instead I went with HP grass to wittle away at switch ins like Starmie and Gastro.
Bisharp: I have used Bisharp on teams in the past, and I've learned how great of a pokemon it can be if used right. Ok, so basically its ability Defiant boosts its attack if any of it's stats are lowered which is perfect for switch ins. If not, getting up an SD is usually enough to cause a switch. Iron Head and Sucker Punch are both obvious STABS, Iron Head for flinch hacks, and Sucker Punch for priority hits. Brick Break is around for coverage and the fact that an SD boosted BB does great damage.
Raikou: Probably one of the most underrated pokemon in my opinion, I've used Raikou to tremendous effect with this Standard moveset. I originally ran a Magnezone because I liked the dual type but I was too weak to Fire on the team, so I decided on this sick beast. So basically, if I can lead with Raikou I will, if not I usually switch him in and immediately set up a sub. Sub + lefties gives Raikou the opportunity to set up a calm mind or two before laying waste to teams with STAB T-Bolt and HP Ice, most Pokemon can't usually get to close to Raikou. (and if a ground poke is packing EQ, I usually go HP Ice behind the Sub before switching to Gliscor after it breaks.
There you have it, that's my new team! Let me know what you guys think and what should change to be more competitive, thanks!! One thing I forgot to mention is that without a rapid spinner/defoger, my team is extremely weak to Hazards, so if you can help me out there I'd appreciate it!
Ex Teammates:
Weavile: Simply here to be a late game sweeper, Weavile's speed lets it switch in and after setting up a SD, absolutely tear through teams, even some walls. Ice Shard gets a STAB plus the priority, making Weavile even more dangerous. Night Slash also gets a STAB, and its speed usually lets it hit first. Brick Break allows Weavile to check Steel and Rock pokemon who resist its stab.
Rotom-W: I considered this final spot for a long time and finally decided on Rotom-W because of one glaring weakness I didn't have effectively covered: Water. Rotom is a well balanced pokemon and commonly seen in the OU so I decided to find a spot for it too. Hydro-Pump STAB is obvious, however its accuracy leaves a LOT to be desired. Volt Switch and Thunderbolt STAB seem a little redundant, but I found that most people expect the Volt-Switch so they usually think they can stay in but T-Bolt allows Rotom to hit a little harder before Volt switching out as by then they usually don't want to stay in, and V-Switch helps keep up momentum for my team. Toxic is perfect for eating at walls like Tangrowth and Celebi.
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