You Have Xatu be Kidding Me. (33-2 Record in OU Current)

[Muddy Rain]

Introduction:

Hello all, Muddy Rain here with my first RMT in a loooong time.
I'm voiced on PokeShowdown, so, if anyone needs help with their teams, feel free to PM me.

This team is 33-2 on PokeShowdown on OU current. I used my Muddy Rain account, so I don't know what the ladder rating for this team would be considering I had goofed off with the account, but I'd like to believe it would be pretty awesome. (I started with this team when I was at about 1700 rating).

The point of this team is to put a false sense of offensive pressure on the opponent by hazard stacking + excellent synergy that forces the opponent to predict extremely heavily on almost every turn, and a wrong prediction forces more residual on the opponent. The reason I call this team Balanced as opposed to stall, is because all of my Pokemon are perfectly capable of taking out various threats, instead of sitting around.


Team Building:

This meta has become so Hyper Offensive stupid, that I wanted to make a counter meta team.

THE BALANCE.

After looking through the depths of UU and even RU and NU, I stumbled upon Xatu. Xatu is easily one of the most underrated Pokemon in the current metagame (for reasons I'll explain later). So, I decided to build my team around Xatu.

After I decided on Xatu, I wanted to add some Pokemon that could get up Stealth Rocks, Spikes, and Phaze. I've found in general that putting too many roles on the shoulders of one Pokemon is not a good idea, so I decided to put together a tandem of Pokemon that can fill these roles with good synergy, and also a sense of offensive pressure. Enter Heatran and Skarmory.

As you can probably tell at this point, my team loses to (my main man) Rotom-W. And really any Electric attacks. And Volt-Switch. And now I have Gastrodon...I mean. Yeah. Gastrodon. It's also the first Keldeo check on my team.

It was at this time that I made the best decision I could have possibly made to make this team jump from average to greatness. I decided to run a Rapid Spinner along side Xatu. And as everyone knows, you need at least two Keldeo checks in order to be successful in this meta game. Enter. Tentacruel.

I realize now that I need something else to take the pressure off of Gastrodon to switch into possible electric attacks, as well as a way to regain momentum for my newly formed defensive core of my balanced team. I also needed a way to revenge kill Latios+Latias. Enter Landorus-T.

Here is a link to team synergy (Gastrodon is immune to water, but appears as neutral):
http://www.marriland.com/tools/team-builder#830|1137|879|1075|725|1297|

The Team:

Xatu @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Magic Bounce
EV's: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD
Impish Nature (+Def, -SpA)
- Roost
- Thunder Wave
- U-turn
- Night Shade

Xatu.....Xatu, Xatu, Xatu. This thing is the glue to my team. And is basically annoying to every opponent who comes across it.

The first thing that makes Xatu so amazing is that it is the most reliable check to Breloom in the game.

Despite the fact that Breloom can possible Swords Dance and use Bullet Seed, I can Roost stall, or at least get it into range of Night Shade with all the residual my team provides.
Or I can U-turn out into Landorus and threaten the Breloom.

One of the amazing things about this Xatu is that it only takes about 60% from a Tyrannitar Choice Banded Pursuit. With Rocky Helmet + Residual + Frustration. I can easily beat T-Tar 1v1. Or force a Crunch on the next switch in, and allow a switch for more hazard stacking.

Xatu also completely shuts down common threats such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Donphan, and even Landorus-T that doesn't carry Stone Miss.

All in all. This is the most underrated Pokemon in the meta game right now. It it capable of just winning games by itself in the Team Preview.

Heatran @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EV's: 252 HP/252 SpD/4 SpA
Calm Nature (+SpD, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Protect
- Roar
- Stealth Rock

Heatran, one of the most reliable ways to beat sun teams, and the first way my team can beat Volcarona. The reason I chose to put Stealth Rocks on Heatran is because with Xatu support, it is very easy to get up Stealth Rocks.

For example: My Heatran happens to come in on the same turn as my opponents Ferrothorn. The opponent sees my Xatu, and is not willing to risk either getting Magic Bounced, or outright killed. Therefore, I can easily set up Stealth Rocks while the opponent fears the Xatu.

Roar is the second most valuable move of this set. It allows me to beat Volcarona with hazards, as well as getting rid of any Sub CM Latias. Heatran can struggle to get up Stealth Rocks against rain teams, but I generally am able to by getting it in against a Ferrothorn.

Heatran is basically the best answer to Latios in the game (minus rain boosted surf), but I have answers for these attacks (see synergy).

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EV's: 252 HP/232 Def/24 Spe
Impish Nature (+Def, - SpA)
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird
- Spikes

Skarmory, the second part of my tandem. This thing is just bulky. It's standard. It's proven. It works.

In all seriousness. Skarmory is still the best, most reliable user of Spikes in OU. It can set up Spikes on many things. Garchomp, Mamoswine, Landorus-T, even Tyrannitar.

This things job is to set up Spikes, and Phaze physical set up sweepers.

Skarmory is standard.

Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EV's: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpA
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic

Gastrodon is the first way I can beat rain teams. He basically completely walls the majority of rain team threats, namely Toxicroak and Thunderus-T that doesn't carry Grass Knot. It's difficult to express how much Gastrodon helps this team. He is generally the recipient of any status moves that I'm not willing to switch Xatu into. But this rarely happens. Gastrodon's blaring grass weakness is covered by Skarmory+Xatu+Landorus-T U-turns. Rotom-W can be a problem for this team, but Gastrodon allows me to beat Volt-Turn teams by itself. The moveset is standard. And max defense for Keldeo.

Also. Spamming Scald in the rain is fun.

Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EV's 252 HP/240 Def/16 Spe
Bold (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Protect

You may ask. Why run a spinner if you have Xatu? Well. Sometimes it's difficult to know who the opponent's Stealth Rocker is, or I am not comfortable switching in Xatu to block Rocks. With Tentacruel AND Xatu, I can ensure that my side of the field will be clean. Scald is standard, and Toxic Spikes is a great option to put down one layer and put pressure on opposing spinners such as Donphan or Starmie.
Protect helps me scout out Latios' attack choice.

Tentacruel is really what made this team great. A second Keldeo check, and it also helps with pesky rain teams. And is a safe switch in to Politoed. Always. The synergy between Tentacruel and Gastrodon is ridiculously difficult to break through regardless of weather.

Landorus-T @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Intimidate
EV's: 252 Atk/252 Spe/4 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Explosion

Landorus-T is basically what makes my team so balanced. I am able to keep rocks of my side of the field, and keep my item a secret until I have to reveal it. It allows me to revenge Latios+Latias as well as put pressure on Brelooms and Celebis. I chose Adamant nature because I love power. And I chose Explosion over HP Ice because it's hilarious. Landorus-T also helps to beat scarfed electric types along with Gastrodon. The synergy between those two is awesome.

If I were to change anything, I would consider putting HP Ice, but I generally find that Xatu can beat opposing Landorus-T anyway.


Threats and a Replay:

As with any team. Certain Pokemon will always be threats. Here are a couple I have run into.
Life Orb Latios (especially in Rain)
Sub-DD Gyarados
Forretress
Drag-Mag
Volcarona with HP Ground

Here is a video replay of a battle with the team: http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/oucurrent-46633799


Thanks for reading and any suggestions are welcome! You are welcome to try the team out for yourself too!

 

[Alfalfa]

The 24 EVs were for Wobbuffet, who is rather uncommon. I would switch the spread to 232 HP/252 Def/24 SpD; this allows Skarmory to fully recover her HP with Leftovers after Stealth Rock.

I would also throw 64 EVs into Gastrodon's Special Defense from defense and special attack to give it a little more special bulk to take on special threats better.

 

[Princess Bubblegum]

This is a pretty solid team man, I am loving the defensive synergy between Gastrodon, Heatran, and Skarmory here, its a pretty dam solid core you have the shuts down a good portion of the metagame, I have to try that out myself some time.

I feel though that the weak link for this team easily is Tentacruel, it just clashed with the other Pokemon on this team like Gastrodon and Xatu way to much. IMO the best Pokemon over Tentacruel would be Blissey, as it gives this team much needed special bulk, as Heatran is pretty much your only specially defensive Pokemon, and Blissey would pick up the stack, completely walling out most special Pokemon, and provide team support. It also counters HP-ground Volcarona and Latias which you mentioned are bothersome. If you use Blissey with Stealth Rock that also opens up a slot of Heatran to run Toxic. Losing Tentacruel only opens up a bit of a weakness to Infernape and Cloyster, which you should be able to handle.

Honestly though you could run anything here, its a pretty open slot IMO, you could even run something to counter Gyarados more effectively like Rotom-W, even Forretress with Volt-Switch is a decent check while also spinning for you.

Since you find Forretress bothersome, I suggest you run Heatwave on Xatu which allows you to easily kill it off, as well as opposing Skarmory and Ferrothorn.

If Gyarados is particularly troublesome for you, perhaps run Hidden Power Electric on Gastrodon, its a bit of a niche option, but it would make for decent checking potential, especially for Bounce versions which can't effectively 2HKO it.

I am not a fan of Protect on Tentacruel without Drizzle support, I suppose it allows you to scout, but I think Tentacruel has better moves to use outside of the rain. In particular Ice Beam is a great move to hit a variety of Pokemon, most notably the bothersome Latios, coming in.

You may want to consider running a Jolly nature on Landorus-T, at it allows Landorus to outspeed Scarf-Rotom-W, +1 Gyarados (a noted problem for this team) and Dragonite.

Also, a tiny nitpick, but Heatran should have 248 HP investment, giving it more HP from Leftovers.

Again, this is a pretty solid team, good luck man, hope I helped.

 

[Muddy Rain]

Thanks for the rate!

@Alfalfa

Thanks for the easy switch on the Skarmory set. I forgot why those Speed EV's were there. And I guess I can beat Wobbuffet anyway. Thanks!

@Princess Bubblegum

I'm not really sure what you mean when you say that Tentacruel clashes with Gastrodon and Xatu. While playing with the team, I've found Tenta to be extremely useful against rain teams as well as having good synergy with those two. Could you please try to explain what you mean better so I can get a better understanding of why you don't like it?

I've thought about running Chansey, or even Blissey, but I find that the loss of Toxic Spikes, lack of Scald burns, and even just momentum killing is not worth the extra bulk. Also, that makes me team extremely Keldeo weak. Rapid Spinning is a plus, and Tenta makes Terrakion think twice about Close Combat, especially with Xatu sitting there too.

I do agree that it is a pretty open slot. But if I want to spin, Tentacruel is the best option, as it is a second check to rain, and it also has some sort of offensive presence with Scald. Forry makes my team outright lose to sun teams.

I would run Heat Wave, but I find more utility with Night Shade, as I can always do 100 damage, regardless of weather and stuff.

HP Electric on Gastro is not a good idea. Sorry.

I used to have Ice Beam on my Tentacruel, and I agree that Protect is generally not a good choice on a weatherless Tentacruel. But for this team it has much more use, as I never found myself clicking Ice Beam anyway.

I'll test Jolly, but scarf Rotom-W is easy for my team to beat because of my synergy anyway.

And I always forget about Leftovers recovery numbers, thanks for the suggestion on 248 HP.

You are welcome to test the team out for yourself and thanks for the good rate!

 

[chimpact]

Hey there, got your request.

Getting into your team, I have to give you props for using xatu. It's one of my favorite pokemon, but I'm not sure if T-wave is the right move on it. It could conflict with the scald/lava plume burns and potential toxic from gastro/toxic spikes. Replacing it with reflect or u-turn would be more efficient imo. Reflect can support your team and take on t-tar, terrak, and other deadly physical attackers, while u-turn can provide you with crucial momentum. The only thing I can see twave being used for is Volcarona and that's if its not running a lum berry.

Additionally, with your defensive synergy, I think you can go with a specially defensive skarmory over physical. It helps you take on alakazam, gengar, specs lati@s, and other potent special threats. Skarmory's unique typing helps it take them on as they have to use non STAB moves to really do damage and with more investment, it can really be tough to take out. If a physical attacker wants to break through skarmory, it's capable of doing it: CB Terrak, LO Luke, K-B just to name a few. You can also give it a shed shell if you want to have an answer to dragmag as well.

Also you could try out toxic over toxic spikes on tenta to be able to hit levitating pokemon on the switch and just wear them down with protect and switching to resists so they'll be hesitant to stay in.

Lastly, You should probably give landorus-t a jolly nature to be able to outspeed Modest Volcarona and take it out with stone edge. It's a pretty big threat to your team and won't get a lot of set up opportunities if you don't bring in skarm that often.

I think you should try to incorporate a spin blocker on your team so forretress is a lot more manageable. I'm not too sure what you could replace for one though. Replacing Tenta with Jelly would see logical, but you lose out on spinning.

Hope I helped and good luck with your team!

 

[RoyalBlue]

Hey there! Very synergetic team you have here and I love your Heatran-Skarmory-Gastrodon core. I personally love to use a similar core (minus Heatran) and it works wonders.

First off, I think you should give Heatran Earth Power over Protect. This allows you to deal with other Heatran, Tentacruel, Magnezone etc. You don't really have a reason to run Protect on it. Yes it's good for scouting and Lefties, but this time is much better spent if you switch out to an appropriate counter. It can also get incredibly predicable so opponents can play around you, switch up moves on the switch etc.

Next, you should change Gastrodon to a Specially Defensive Set. You're putting a lot of pressure onto Heatran, who has no reliable recovery, to soak up Special hits. It will also allow you to deal with Lati@s with Surf in rain.

That's it! Good luck with your team and PM me if you need to know anything else.

P.S. I have no idea how well this would work but maybe replace Skarmory and Tentacruel with Forrestress and Jellicent. This way you can have everything you still had plus the advantage of a spinner blocker. With a heavy hazards team, its really important to have a spin blocker (which I'm sure you know). Once again, good luck!

B)