Yeah, so, this is the first one of these things I attempt.
Basically, I began toying with various mediocre teams, weeding out the unnecessary stuff and adding new pieces, trying to both find a team I personally liked, and one that wins. The usual story, I'm sure. Well what I ended up with was a team hinging more on the offensive side, relying on resistances and immunities to get in safe switches. It was then that I discovered I loved the move Yawn, and it added the second element to my strategy: forcing bad switches.
Yawning an incoming opponent means that the pokemon presumably brought out to counter your yawner will be incapacitated unless it switches out, which, in turn, means either a bad switch (and SR damage), or staying in and taking the sleep. In either case both of my yawners have ways to capitalize (one has U-Turn to scout, the other can set up). There is more to this strategy than what I've put forth in this brief intro (Yawn is not the only way I force switches), which I intend to keep brief, although it seems I've already failed at that. Nevertheless, here we go.
At a glance
As you can see, I have two users of Yawn, and three other pokemon that cause frequent switches (Heatran, Scizor, and especially Infernape). Porygon2's role is less related to the overall strategy than that of the rest of his teammates, but it serves a vital function, which we'll get to.
Team Yawn or Whatever
Heatran (Achewood) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 16 SpA / 240 SpD
Modest nature (+SpA, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Overheat
Admittedly, a bit of a mish-mash, but it has not disappointed for the most part. It gets SR up reliably, only failing to do so when up against a Hippowdon or Swampert lead, plus the occasional Infernape lead. In all three of those cases, I immediately switch to Uxie, who can ensure Heatran gets another chance at it. Taunt leads are usually not a problem, since not many dare Taunt Heatran. Anyhow, the EV spread (taken from Smogon) allows it to OHKO a lot of the more frail leads with Overheat, plus do some serious damage late game, with or without a flash fire boost. WoW hurts a lot of the most common switch ins to Heatran. Taunt is where I deviate from the Burn Support set. I weighed it against the benefits of Earth Power and Roar, and although both are moves I'd love to have, I settled on Taunt mainly for shutting down special walls, especially Blissey and Cresselia. It protects my team from their Toxic or Thunder Wave, plus it can keep some pokemon from setting up entry hazards, though admittedly, most don't really stay in vs. Heatran. I'd love to hear arguments for replacing Taunt. Finally, in the late game it's frequently sent out against special hits, which it can take amazingly well, resisting many of the would be SE hits directed at his teammates.
Uxie (Oopsie) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/ 252 Def/ 6 SpD)
Impish nature (+Def, -SpA)
- Yawn
- Protect
- Knock Off
- U-Turn
Pretty much the star of this team, and my favorite pokemon to use. The more she wins battles for me, the more I realize how ridiculously underrated she is. It goes without saying that she takes physical hits extremely well, and even neutral special hits. On the defensive side, it provides much needed Fighting and Ground resists. I actually built this team from the trio of Heatran, Uxie, and Kingdra, who cover their weaknesses perfectly. If the opposing lead can OHKO heatran with a Ground or Fighting move, Uxie is sent out to Yawn, then U-Turn back to Heatran so it can get SR up safely. Later in the game, this changes, and I usually opt to Protect to get some lefties recovery, or Knock Off to further weaken the opposition. Very few people, I've noticed, are prepared for this sort of set. Many Scizors sent out to scare Uxie off get yawned, then attempt to U-Turn to both hit Uxie hard and escape sleep, only to be foiled on both counts by Protect. Mid- and late-game, Yawn and U-Turn serves as a deadly combination that frequently allows one of my three sweepers to set-up. They are left with the option to switch out, taking SR damage along the way, only to have me U-Turn to a counter for whatever it is they sent out, possibly forcing further switching, or stay in, take the sleep, then allow me to U-Turn on something that will set up on them.
Kingdra (Desastre) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Yawn
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
My second yawner, and a brutal sweeper in his own right. It was after I realized that two of my favorite pokemon shared Yawn in common that I was inspired to make this team. Nearly always comes in on 4x resisted fire and water attacks aimed at Scizor, Heatran, or Infernape, yawns, then sets up. He has been the architect of many 6-0's this way, even managing to set-up on switches without Yawn, due to Sleep Clause. Lum Berry is mainly for the confusion from Outrage, but also helps avoid crippling paralysis or burn. I've debated DD vs. Rain Dance many times, opting for DD since it doesn't hamper Heatran and Infernape. I'd like to hear thoughts on this.
Porygon2 (01101001) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpA
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Discharge
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Trick
On my team for basically two reasons: 1) The ridiculous amount of common OU threats it can counter, and 2) Trick. Usually comes in on the likes of Gyarados, Salamence (it can take a Draco Meteor even with SR damage), Scarf Heatran, Vaporeon, and Jolteon, after which it takes advantage of predictable switches (in early game) and Tricks its Specs onto Blissey and the like, or simply attacks with the Specs boost. Obviously, tricking early is beneficial, since it frees me up to Recover. This is the member of my team I'd most likely replace, but so far I haven't found a replacement that would actually better my team. He provides an insurance against threats which would otherwise prove troublesome. Trick also aids in forcing bad switches. Discharge over Tbolt for parahax, although with Yawn being such an important part of this team, I'm reconsidering. As a side note, I'd like to know if many people knew how effectively this Porygon2 counters Breloom. It has happened twice already that Breloom is sent in as I Trick, getting the Choice Specs in return for Toxic Orb, which poisons P2. I anticipate a Spore, so I send out Kingdra, who is cured of sleep by Lum Berry. Both times, the opposing Breloom thought it best to stay in and Spore Kingdra again, to disable it as a threat. However, I then switch back to P2, who is already statused, then Traces Poison Heal. Effectively, both times I ended up with a bulky pokemon with Leftovers on steroids, against a pokemon helpless against it, who could stay in and die to Ice Beam, or switch out and risk me tricking Toxic Orb to the next pokemon (Blissey in one instance). Quite a weapon, swept the entire opposing team both times.
Scizor (Comadre) @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Bullet Punch
- Brick Break
- U-Turn
- Swords Dance
Standard LO SD Scizor. U-Turn aids in getting advantageous switches, and hits hard to boot. Along with Kingdra and Infernape, one of my three set-up sweepers that take advantage of Uxie's Yawn/U-Turn strategy, often to very pleasant results. I'm willing to take suggestions on its moveset and EVs, as I'm not too sure on either. It can also take many of the Dark and Bug type attacks aimed at Uxie.
Infernape (Agora) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
Naive nature (+Spe, -SpD)
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
- Nasty Plot
The standard MixApe. The last beneficiary of Yawn/U-Turn, late-game sweeper, and my main wall breaker. Not much else can be said that hasn't been said about my other sweepers, except that if this guy goes down, I am left very vulnerable to some threats.
-------
Final Word
As you can see, this is an offensive team that relies on entry hazard damage caused by frequent switching to soften the opposing team for a sweep. Yawn is definitely an underrated move (and Uxie an underrated pokemon), and I aimed to make full use of it before it catches on.
That said, I'll list some things that cause me problems:
- Stall teams. Taunt, Yawn, Trick, Knock Off, and U-Turn help out a lot, so I can definitely beat stall teams, but they are a big problem nonetheless.
- Substitute. It poses a big threat because whenever the opponent subs on the switch, I am left to take a hit just to break it. Since my team is mostly offensive, this hurts very often.
- No Electric resists/immunities. Granted, I also have no weaknesses to it, but the more powerful Thunderbolts tend to hurt my team quite a bit.
- Hypnosis leads are also a big problem, as I'm frequently unable to outspeed them, and they shut down SR, which is vital if I'm to punish Yawn switches effectively.
- No spinner or toxic spikes absorber. I'd consider Tentacruel, who has been great in some of my past teams, but I just don't see how it would fit.
- Conversely, no spin blocker. I've always tried to have a Ghost in all of my teams, but, again, can't seem to fit one in here. This also makes me vulnerable to Explosion (although Uxie, P2, and Heatran can survive most at full health).
Basically, as long as the Heatran/Uxie/Kingdra core remains intact (though you may suggest move alterations), your suggestions are appreciated.
Basically, I began toying with various mediocre teams, weeding out the unnecessary stuff and adding new pieces, trying to both find a team I personally liked, and one that wins. The usual story, I'm sure. Well what I ended up with was a team hinging more on the offensive side, relying on resistances and immunities to get in safe switches. It was then that I discovered I loved the move Yawn, and it added the second element to my strategy: forcing bad switches.
Yawning an incoming opponent means that the pokemon presumably brought out to counter your yawner will be incapacitated unless it switches out, which, in turn, means either a bad switch (and SR damage), or staying in and taking the sleep. In either case both of my yawners have ways to capitalize (one has U-Turn to scout, the other can set up). There is more to this strategy than what I've put forth in this brief intro (Yawn is not the only way I force switches), which I intend to keep brief, although it seems I've already failed at that. Nevertheless, here we go.
At a glance
As you can see, I have two users of Yawn, and three other pokemon that cause frequent switches (Heatran, Scizor, and especially Infernape). Porygon2's role is less related to the overall strategy than that of the rest of his teammates, but it serves a vital function, which we'll get to.
Team Yawn or Whatever
Heatran (Achewood) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 16 SpA / 240 SpD
Modest nature (+SpA, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Overheat
Admittedly, a bit of a mish-mash, but it has not disappointed for the most part. It gets SR up reliably, only failing to do so when up against a Hippowdon or Swampert lead, plus the occasional Infernape lead. In all three of those cases, I immediately switch to Uxie, who can ensure Heatran gets another chance at it. Taunt leads are usually not a problem, since not many dare Taunt Heatran. Anyhow, the EV spread (taken from Smogon) allows it to OHKO a lot of the more frail leads with Overheat, plus do some serious damage late game, with or without a flash fire boost. WoW hurts a lot of the most common switch ins to Heatran. Taunt is where I deviate from the Burn Support set. I weighed it against the benefits of Earth Power and Roar, and although both are moves I'd love to have, I settled on Taunt mainly for shutting down special walls, especially Blissey and Cresselia. It protects my team from their Toxic or Thunder Wave, plus it can keep some pokemon from setting up entry hazards, though admittedly, most don't really stay in vs. Heatran. I'd love to hear arguments for replacing Taunt. Finally, in the late game it's frequently sent out against special hits, which it can take amazingly well, resisting many of the would be SE hits directed at his teammates.
Uxie (Oopsie) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/ 252 Def/ 6 SpD)
Impish nature (+Def, -SpA)
- Yawn
- Protect
- Knock Off
- U-Turn
Pretty much the star of this team, and my favorite pokemon to use. The more she wins battles for me, the more I realize how ridiculously underrated she is. It goes without saying that she takes physical hits extremely well, and even neutral special hits. On the defensive side, it provides much needed Fighting and Ground resists. I actually built this team from the trio of Heatran, Uxie, and Kingdra, who cover their weaknesses perfectly. If the opposing lead can OHKO heatran with a Ground or Fighting move, Uxie is sent out to Yawn, then U-Turn back to Heatran so it can get SR up safely. Later in the game, this changes, and I usually opt to Protect to get some lefties recovery, or Knock Off to further weaken the opposition. Very few people, I've noticed, are prepared for this sort of set. Many Scizors sent out to scare Uxie off get yawned, then attempt to U-Turn to both hit Uxie hard and escape sleep, only to be foiled on both counts by Protect. Mid- and late-game, Yawn and U-Turn serves as a deadly combination that frequently allows one of my three sweepers to set-up. They are left with the option to switch out, taking SR damage along the way, only to have me U-Turn to a counter for whatever it is they sent out, possibly forcing further switching, or stay in, take the sleep, then allow me to U-Turn on something that will set up on them.
Kingdra (Desastre) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Yawn
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
My second yawner, and a brutal sweeper in his own right. It was after I realized that two of my favorite pokemon shared Yawn in common that I was inspired to make this team. Nearly always comes in on 4x resisted fire and water attacks aimed at Scizor, Heatran, or Infernape, yawns, then sets up. He has been the architect of many 6-0's this way, even managing to set-up on switches without Yawn, due to Sleep Clause. Lum Berry is mainly for the confusion from Outrage, but also helps avoid crippling paralysis or burn. I've debated DD vs. Rain Dance many times, opting for DD since it doesn't hamper Heatran and Infernape. I'd like to hear thoughts on this.
Porygon2 (01101001) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Trace
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpA
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Discharge
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Trick
On my team for basically two reasons: 1) The ridiculous amount of common OU threats it can counter, and 2) Trick. Usually comes in on the likes of Gyarados, Salamence (it can take a Draco Meteor even with SR damage), Scarf Heatran, Vaporeon, and Jolteon, after which it takes advantage of predictable switches (in early game) and Tricks its Specs onto Blissey and the like, or simply attacks with the Specs boost. Obviously, tricking early is beneficial, since it frees me up to Recover. This is the member of my team I'd most likely replace, but so far I haven't found a replacement that would actually better my team. He provides an insurance against threats which would otherwise prove troublesome. Trick also aids in forcing bad switches. Discharge over Tbolt for parahax, although with Yawn being such an important part of this team, I'm reconsidering. As a side note, I'd like to know if many people knew how effectively this Porygon2 counters Breloom. It has happened twice already that Breloom is sent in as I Trick, getting the Choice Specs in return for Toxic Orb, which poisons P2. I anticipate a Spore, so I send out Kingdra, who is cured of sleep by Lum Berry. Both times, the opposing Breloom thought it best to stay in and Spore Kingdra again, to disable it as a threat. However, I then switch back to P2, who is already statused, then Traces Poison Heal. Effectively, both times I ended up with a bulky pokemon with Leftovers on steroids, against a pokemon helpless against it, who could stay in and die to Ice Beam, or switch out and risk me tricking Toxic Orb to the next pokemon (Blissey in one instance). Quite a weapon, swept the entire opposing team both times.
Scizor (Comadre) @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 6 HP
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Bullet Punch
- Brick Break
- U-Turn
- Swords Dance
Standard LO SD Scizor. U-Turn aids in getting advantageous switches, and hits hard to boot. Along with Kingdra and Infernape, one of my three set-up sweepers that take advantage of Uxie's Yawn/U-Turn strategy, often to very pleasant results. I'm willing to take suggestions on its moveset and EVs, as I'm not too sure on either. It can also take many of the Dark and Bug type attacks aimed at Uxie.
Infernape (Agora) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 64 Atk / 252 SpA / 192 Spe
Naive nature (+Spe, -SpD)
- Fire Blast
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
- Nasty Plot
The standard MixApe. The last beneficiary of Yawn/U-Turn, late-game sweeper, and my main wall breaker. Not much else can be said that hasn't been said about my other sweepers, except that if this guy goes down, I am left very vulnerable to some threats.
-------
Final Word
As you can see, this is an offensive team that relies on entry hazard damage caused by frequent switching to soften the opposing team for a sweep. Yawn is definitely an underrated move (and Uxie an underrated pokemon), and I aimed to make full use of it before it catches on.
That said, I'll list some things that cause me problems:
- Stall teams. Taunt, Yawn, Trick, Knock Off, and U-Turn help out a lot, so I can definitely beat stall teams, but they are a big problem nonetheless.
- Substitute. It poses a big threat because whenever the opponent subs on the switch, I am left to take a hit just to break it. Since my team is mostly offensive, this hurts very often.
- No Electric resists/immunities. Granted, I also have no weaknesses to it, but the more powerful Thunderbolts tend to hurt my team quite a bit.
- Hypnosis leads are also a big problem, as I'm frequently unable to outspeed them, and they shut down SR, which is vital if I'm to punish Yawn switches effectively.
- No spinner or toxic spikes absorber. I'd consider Tentacruel, who has been great in some of my past teams, but I just don't see how it would fit.
- Conversely, no spin blocker. I've always tried to have a Ghost in all of my teams, but, again, can't seem to fit one in here. This also makes me vulnerable to Explosion (although Uxie, P2, and Heatran can survive most at full health).
Basically, as long as the Heatran/Uxie/Kingdra core remains intact (though you may suggest move alterations), your suggestions are appreciated.
