You'll Need Sunscreen
I have been playing around with sun teams for a while now. At first the seemed like the inferior weather, maybe because they didn't have that Garchomp factor, or that Ninetales really can't take a hit. That's what drew me to them. Now I know that they can take over in a matter of seconds and absolutely control a battle. Any sort of momentum going Sun's way is good game.
Ninetales (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Drought
EVs: 4 Hp 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Flamethrower
- Energy Ball
- Confuse Ray
- Hypnosis
Why?
Ninetales is the sun-starter-upper. If I didn't have to have it, I wouldn't. It isn't very good. It can sometimes anger opponents with its latter two attacks, which is nice, and since the EV spread I'm running isn't defensive like most, it can pack a punch. It sometimes catches people off guard and gives my team the advantage right off the bat. Maybe it isn't too horrible after all.
Attacks
Flamethrower is a good reliable STAB move, especially in the sun. It can actually take down a lot of things with the 252 Satk EVs. I don't think I would put Fire Blast over it, mainly because I want this thing to at least get a hit in if it's going to die, which in a lot of cases, it does. Heat Wave may be an option, but Flamethrower is working just fine. Energy Ball is for good coverage. I have it over Solar Beam, because "Politoed switches in. NINETALES IS STORING ENERGY. Ninetales dies." Yeah.. Energy ball can at least take a chunk out of the Politoed if predicted right. The F/G combination has always worked for me, so I've had no problems with these. Confuse Ray is nice on switches. I usually go for it over Hypnosis, mainly because I like the accuracy and it can make my opponent hurt itself. It's a nice angering move that seems to be getting more play now-a-days. Hypnosis is for putting other Pokes to sleep. It often doesn't work, but when I see someone switching in a Latios or something on Ninetales a lot, it can be quite deadly.
Notes
I like the offensive Ninetales. I've found that the defensive one still can't take a hit, so I might as well dish a few out before I die. With proper management, It'll stay alive until I can freely send it out to get my weather up. I will not consider Fire Blast or Solar Beam on this Pokemon. Keep that in mind please
Heatran (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 176 SDef / 80 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Torment
- Substitute
Why?
Flash Fire.. Yeah. This thing absorbs fire attacks and then unloads with a boosted + sun boosted + STAB 140 base power Overheat. Yeah, it owns on a sun team. I'll never make one without this guy. He has bulk and a TON of offense. He counters dragons, forces switches, and can take down anything Choiced if used correctly. Every battle Heatran proves to be one of the strongest links of the team.
Attacks
TROLOLOLOL
I LOVE Overheat. It may lower Satk two stages, but usually it already has a boost from Flash Fire and sun, so I can sometimes use it up to 3 times in a row. It has never gotten me into trouble like a lot of people say it will, so I've kept it. Heatran can often be a switch in to force a switch then get out Poke, so I want to hit the new Pokemon with all I can. Overheat can do this better than any other fire move, except Blast Burn, of course, but it sucks. HP Ice is for the ever-present dragons. That's really all it gets used for. It does its job I suppose, better than Dragon Pulse would anyway. Now Torment has proven to be useful. It can eliminate some Pokes from taking down Heatran, namely Choicers. It can just screw with some people. I'm thinking about switching it though. I'm thinking Toxic would be cool. The last, but my favorite on the set: Substitute! I've talked about Heatran forcing switches... Well, I can set up a Sub when that happens. This would allow me to scout and hit the Pokemon with a good Overheat or a weak HP Ice. This attack has actually saved battles for me before, as it gives me an extra turn to take something out. Love it.
Notes
Torment may be worth getting rid of. I'm not sure right now. That's about it. Heatran is a beast. And Air Balloon = beast.
Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Toxic Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Gyro Ball
Why?
This thing has an 8 times weakness to fire in the sun! Oh my God, that's amazing! Haha. Anyway, it's a good spinner that can lay down some good hazards. It protects Ninetales, Dragonite, and Darmanitan, which is always good. Flare Blitz no likey da Stealth Rock damage! Spinning is the number one role of course, but being able to put up 2 great hazards is always really nice as well.
Attacks
Toxic Spikes is IMO better than Spikes. I like to see the health dwindle down and punishing my opponent for leaving Pokemon out for a long time. It's usually no problem to get down 2 layers. Stealth Rock is the top hazard though. Of course, you only need one layer of it, so that isn't hard by any means. Rapid Spin is to get rid of Rocks and everything. This one move could actually be game breaking for me, depending on the situation. Gyro Ball is for really fast things, I guess. I don't use it very often, but It's a good filler every now and then.
Notes
Find me a better spinner and I'll use it. I like Forry though. It does its job. Always has.
Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- ExtremeSpeed
Why?
Wait... A Dragonite without Roost, no defensive EVs, no T-wave... Huh? Yeah, this one fits better. However, it hasn't been pulling its weight as much recently. I like its huge attack and Multi Scale allows me to almost always get in a DD, which boosts my nice attack and speed, so Outrage is gonna be very potent. This team needed something to take on some fighting Pokes, I found, but still needed a second physical sweeper. I saw someone using a mix Dragonite on a sun team, and decided to make my own. It's done pretty well.
Attacks
Dragon Dance is almost assured to get up because of Multi Scale, which is nice. Then I can go on a little tirade with the rest of the attacks. Outrage is there, because it packs a HUGE punch after a Dragon Dance. I usually use Dragon Claw, but this has proven to be much deadlier. Earthquake is a good second option. It takes out Heatran and other pesky steels that love to resist my Outrage. Extremespeed has come in handy a handful of times. *Doo doo chh* A nice 80 power priority move is always useful. It allows me to take out Sawsbuck and most Venusaurs on opposing sun teams, as well as most Thundurus and Tornadus on rain teams.
Notes
I'm not getting enough out of Dragonite. Maybe I should switch to the defensive T-wave set, or change the attacks a little. It has an amazing moveset, so maybe my choices are just wrong. No Fire Punch though. I have enough of the fire stuff on the team already.
Darmanitan (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
Why?
A lot of times on sun teams, you can get so caught up with the special attackers that you forget to have a physical force. A lot of times I had used Shiftry, Sawsbuck, and Leavenny to play this role, but they didn't add much that wasn't already there. Not to mention Shiftry and Sawsbuck are weak to fighting, which I hate. Then, while taknig a break from weather, I played Hyper Offense and found this guy. I was always skeptical about his speed, but in comes the scarf! He out speeds everything that he needs to and hits everything HARD. Especially Flare Blitz under the sun. He is definitely the go-to physical sweeper for sun teams. Also, Sheer Force is amazing.
Attacks
Well, it's a choice set, so all are damaging attacks, of course. Flare Blitz is an absolute monster. Under the sun it's even better. It takes down anything that it hits for neutral damage, nearly. Though i often get hit with some pretty big recoil damage, it's well worth the power. Superpower is a very solid fighting move. OHKOs T-tar, which I want out of the way ASAP. It also hits a lot of things for major damage. While using this move, I often act like I'm in Hyper Offense and use it up to three times sometimes before switching. It works, because this thing has an ungodly attack stat. Rock Slide is there over Stone Edge, because of Sheer Force. It has great coverage with the previously mentioned moves, so that makes it very welcomed. Probably the biggest thing it does, however, is it takes down the genies! Two of em anyway.. So, even though it's a fire, it can wreak some havoc against rain teams. U-Turn is there for scouting, I guess. Because I have an offensive mind, I hardly use it, BUT killing Latios is nice!
Notes
I really really like this thing. I can't see justification in switching it for Victini. Sure, V-Create can pack an insane punch, but you cant keep using it like flare blitz, and Victini's attack pales in comparison to Darmanitan.
Venusaur (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Growth
- SolarBeam
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Sleep Powder
Why?
The big sun sweeper... Ahh, how many times I have swept entire teams with this thing. With Growth giving it a +2 boost under the sun, it gets even more lethal. Not to mention it gets Sleep Powder! If sun gets banned, it will be because of this monster. It usually gets saved for later, when I know I can get it out and own. This is the Excadrill of sun, but does it's job MUCH MUCH MUCH better! Staple.
Attacks
I see a lot of different sets for this guy, but I've decided that this is the most beneficial one. Growth is there, of course, to add more power to the already very powerful attacks in the sun. Usually used after Sleep Powder. Sleep Powder lets Growth get set up with ease. Put a Poke to sleep (thanks to Chlorophyll, you'll most likely get this off before they attack you), the Growth up as they switch or stay in in helplessness. They know it's the end when this gets pulled off. Now for that ever-loved Grass/Fire coverage again. Solarbeam was chosen, because I don't get Venusaur out unless the sun is up. A base 120, 100 accuracy with STAB, and usually a +2 will hurt a lot! It's partner HP Fire gives it amazing coverage! Not many things can actually stand up to this. Heatran is the only good counter I've found thusfar.
Notes
Probably not gonna change this. It's absolutely epic how it is.
Final Notes
I love this team and would like to see it go above the 400-500 mark it's been staying at. All rates are welcome and appreciated. Keep this in mind though: I have played many different styles, all weathers, hyper offense, bulky offense, stall, anti-meta, everything, and have experimented with many variations of many Pokemon, so I know some stuff. I will welcome all opinions, but may not use them. If you bring me something proving me wrong, then I will definitely go with your idea. I will test most things brought to me though.
Thank you
I have been playing around with sun teams for a while now. At first the seemed like the inferior weather, maybe because they didn't have that Garchomp factor, or that Ninetales really can't take a hit. That's what drew me to them. Now I know that they can take over in a matter of seconds and absolutely control a battle. Any sort of momentum going Sun's way is good game.
Ninetales (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Drought
EVs: 4 Hp 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Flamethrower
- Energy Ball
- Confuse Ray
- Hypnosis
Why?
Ninetales is the sun-starter-upper. If I didn't have to have it, I wouldn't. It isn't very good. It can sometimes anger opponents with its latter two attacks, which is nice, and since the EV spread I'm running isn't defensive like most, it can pack a punch. It sometimes catches people off guard and gives my team the advantage right off the bat. Maybe it isn't too horrible after all.
Attacks
Flamethrower is a good reliable STAB move, especially in the sun. It can actually take down a lot of things with the 252 Satk EVs. I don't think I would put Fire Blast over it, mainly because I want this thing to at least get a hit in if it's going to die, which in a lot of cases, it does. Heat Wave may be an option, but Flamethrower is working just fine. Energy Ball is for good coverage. I have it over Solar Beam, because "Politoed switches in. NINETALES IS STORING ENERGY. Ninetales dies." Yeah.. Energy ball can at least take a chunk out of the Politoed if predicted right. The F/G combination has always worked for me, so I've had no problems with these. Confuse Ray is nice on switches. I usually go for it over Hypnosis, mainly because I like the accuracy and it can make my opponent hurt itself. It's a nice angering move that seems to be getting more play now-a-days. Hypnosis is for putting other Pokes to sleep. It often doesn't work, but when I see someone switching in a Latios or something on Ninetales a lot, it can be quite deadly.
Notes
I like the offensive Ninetales. I've found that the defensive one still can't take a hit, so I might as well dish a few out before I die. With proper management, It'll stay alive until I can freely send it out to get my weather up. I will not consider Fire Blast or Solar Beam on this Pokemon. Keep that in mind please
Heatran (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 176 SDef / 80 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Torment
- Substitute
Why?
Flash Fire.. Yeah. This thing absorbs fire attacks and then unloads with a boosted + sun boosted + STAB 140 base power Overheat. Yeah, it owns on a sun team. I'll never make one without this guy. He has bulk and a TON of offense. He counters dragons, forces switches, and can take down anything Choiced if used correctly. Every battle Heatran proves to be one of the strongest links of the team.
Attacks
TROLOLOLOL
I LOVE Overheat. It may lower Satk two stages, but usually it already has a boost from Flash Fire and sun, so I can sometimes use it up to 3 times in a row. It has never gotten me into trouble like a lot of people say it will, so I've kept it. Heatran can often be a switch in to force a switch then get out Poke, so I want to hit the new Pokemon with all I can. Overheat can do this better than any other fire move, except Blast Burn, of course, but it sucks. HP Ice is for the ever-present dragons. That's really all it gets used for. It does its job I suppose, better than Dragon Pulse would anyway. Now Torment has proven to be useful. It can eliminate some Pokes from taking down Heatran, namely Choicers. It can just screw with some people. I'm thinking about switching it though. I'm thinking Toxic would be cool. The last, but my favorite on the set: Substitute! I've talked about Heatran forcing switches... Well, I can set up a Sub when that happens. This would allow me to scout and hit the Pokemon with a good Overheat or a weak HP Ice. This attack has actually saved battles for me before, as it gives me an extra turn to take something out. Love it.
Notes
Torment may be worth getting rid of. I'm not sure right now. That's about it. Heatran is a beast. And Air Balloon = beast.
Forretress (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Toxic Spikes
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Gyro Ball
Why?
This thing has an 8 times weakness to fire in the sun! Oh my God, that's amazing! Haha. Anyway, it's a good spinner that can lay down some good hazards. It protects Ninetales, Dragonite, and Darmanitan, which is always good. Flare Blitz no likey da Stealth Rock damage! Spinning is the number one role of course, but being able to put up 2 great hazards is always really nice as well.
Attacks
Toxic Spikes is IMO better than Spikes. I like to see the health dwindle down and punishing my opponent for leaving Pokemon out for a long time. It's usually no problem to get down 2 layers. Stealth Rock is the top hazard though. Of course, you only need one layer of it, so that isn't hard by any means. Rapid Spin is to get rid of Rocks and everything. This one move could actually be game breaking for me, depending on the situation. Gyro Ball is for really fast things, I guess. I don't use it very often, but It's a good filler every now and then.
Notes
Find me a better spinner and I'll use it. I like Forry though. It does its job. Always has.
Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- ExtremeSpeed
Why?
Wait... A Dragonite without Roost, no defensive EVs, no T-wave... Huh? Yeah, this one fits better. However, it hasn't been pulling its weight as much recently. I like its huge attack and Multi Scale allows me to almost always get in a DD, which boosts my nice attack and speed, so Outrage is gonna be very potent. This team needed something to take on some fighting Pokes, I found, but still needed a second physical sweeper. I saw someone using a mix Dragonite on a sun team, and decided to make my own. It's done pretty well.
Attacks
Dragon Dance is almost assured to get up because of Multi Scale, which is nice. Then I can go on a little tirade with the rest of the attacks. Outrage is there, because it packs a HUGE punch after a Dragon Dance. I usually use Dragon Claw, but this has proven to be much deadlier. Earthquake is a good second option. It takes out Heatran and other pesky steels that love to resist my Outrage. Extremespeed has come in handy a handful of times. *Doo doo chh* A nice 80 power priority move is always useful. It allows me to take out Sawsbuck and most Venusaurs on opposing sun teams, as well as most Thundurus and Tornadus on rain teams.
Notes
I'm not getting enough out of Dragonite. Maybe I should switch to the defensive T-wave set, or change the attacks a little. It has an amazing moveset, so maybe my choices are just wrong. No Fire Punch though. I have enough of the fire stuff on the team already.
Darmanitan (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
Why?
A lot of times on sun teams, you can get so caught up with the special attackers that you forget to have a physical force. A lot of times I had used Shiftry, Sawsbuck, and Leavenny to play this role, but they didn't add much that wasn't already there. Not to mention Shiftry and Sawsbuck are weak to fighting, which I hate. Then, while taknig a break from weather, I played Hyper Offense and found this guy. I was always skeptical about his speed, but in comes the scarf! He out speeds everything that he needs to and hits everything HARD. Especially Flare Blitz under the sun. He is definitely the go-to physical sweeper for sun teams. Also, Sheer Force is amazing.
Attacks
Well, it's a choice set, so all are damaging attacks, of course. Flare Blitz is an absolute monster. Under the sun it's even better. It takes down anything that it hits for neutral damage, nearly. Though i often get hit with some pretty big recoil damage, it's well worth the power. Superpower is a very solid fighting move. OHKOs T-tar, which I want out of the way ASAP. It also hits a lot of things for major damage. While using this move, I often act like I'm in Hyper Offense and use it up to three times sometimes before switching. It works, because this thing has an ungodly attack stat. Rock Slide is there over Stone Edge, because of Sheer Force. It has great coverage with the previously mentioned moves, so that makes it very welcomed. Probably the biggest thing it does, however, is it takes down the genies! Two of em anyway.. So, even though it's a fire, it can wreak some havoc against rain teams. U-Turn is there for scouting, I guess. Because I have an offensive mind, I hardly use it, BUT killing Latios is nice!
Notes
I really really like this thing. I can't see justification in switching it for Victini. Sure, V-Create can pack an insane punch, but you cant keep using it like flare blitz, and Victini's attack pales in comparison to Darmanitan.
Venusaur (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Chlorophyll
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Growth
- SolarBeam
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Sleep Powder
Why?
The big sun sweeper... Ahh, how many times I have swept entire teams with this thing. With Growth giving it a +2 boost under the sun, it gets even more lethal. Not to mention it gets Sleep Powder! If sun gets banned, it will be because of this monster. It usually gets saved for later, when I know I can get it out and own. This is the Excadrill of sun, but does it's job MUCH MUCH MUCH better! Staple.
Attacks
I see a lot of different sets for this guy, but I've decided that this is the most beneficial one. Growth is there, of course, to add more power to the already very powerful attacks in the sun. Usually used after Sleep Powder. Sleep Powder lets Growth get set up with ease. Put a Poke to sleep (thanks to Chlorophyll, you'll most likely get this off before they attack you), the Growth up as they switch or stay in in helplessness. They know it's the end when this gets pulled off. Now for that ever-loved Grass/Fire coverage again. Solarbeam was chosen, because I don't get Venusaur out unless the sun is up. A base 120, 100 accuracy with STAB, and usually a +2 will hurt a lot! It's partner HP Fire gives it amazing coverage! Not many things can actually stand up to this. Heatran is the only good counter I've found thusfar.
Notes
Probably not gonna change this. It's absolutely epic how it is.
Final Notes
I love this team and would like to see it go above the 400-500 mark it's been staying at. All rates are welcome and appreciated. Keep this in mind though: I have played many different styles, all weathers, hyper offense, bulky offense, stall, anti-meta, everything, and have experimented with many variations of many Pokemon, so I know some stuff. I will welcome all opinions, but may not use them. If you bring me something proving me wrong, then I will definitely go with your idea. I will test most things brought to me though.
Thank you