Your'r killing me smalls!

[ForestDUMP]

YOUR'RE KILLING ME SMALLS!

Hello Smogon! Let me first introduce myself. My handle is ForestDUMP, some of you may know as Patpoose123 or PATP00SE (going way back). With all the Gen 6 hype going around, I decided to dabble back into competitive battling after years of absence. At first, I didn't know where to begin. Thus I began my research. I searched the forums, (particularly the OU rmt and the OU metagame sub forums), in hopes of getting a crash course back into the OU metagame.

After a couple of days of searching and gathering information I decided to build a team off of H-C "White Fang's Revolution." The team itself seemed to fit my play-style. I had a thing for stall teams back in Gen 4 and while this wasn't a "true stall" team, it had the generic practices of one while still having offensive threats. Not to mention it had a great core to begin with.

With H-C's team in mind, I started the team building process:

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I loved H-C's fire, water, grass core and decided that his particular core would be my starting point.

After testing the fire water grass core, I decided I wasn't a fan of Amoongus because of his lack of reliable recovery. I know regenerator is such a good ability but i decide to search for another grass type with decent bulk and reliable recover. Thus I found Celebi.

I know I wanted to base my team around stall and what better way to add a sand streamer? Answer: there isn't a better way! Thus how Tyranitar found its way on my team.

After testing out Tyranitar, while extremely bulky and strong offensively, his lack of reliable recovery was disconcerting. The only other sand streamer available was Hippowdon. I reluctantly switched T-Tar out for him.

I searched and searched for good offensive threat because I felt like I needed at least one, (particularly) a scarfer to outspeed various threats that would normally trash most of my team. I settled upon Landorus - T.

Looking to fill the last and final slot on my team, I decided that pokemon should fulfill the role of a bulky, setup sweeper. Thus I landed Gyarados.

After testing out the team, it felt good, but I had the feeling it could be a tad better. While Gyarados fulfilled its role wonderfully, I decided what the team needed was coverage only a dragon could provide. Thus I landed Latias as my last and final pokemon.

IN DEPTH INTERVIEW!

Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Hp / 40 Def / 216 Sdef /
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang

Obviously, Gen 5 is ALL about the weather. While there are very successful non-weather teams, weather dominates the meta-game weather you like it or not. Hippowdon helps win said war and sets up the ever crucial stealth rocks. With its reliable slack off, Hippowdon has lasting staying power. The obvious Ice Fang is for dragons, Landorus and gliscors. The EV spread is very generic and standard. Was thinking of keeping the spread but changing Impish to Careful to soak up Politoad's and Ninetails' attacks better but thought better of it. Nothing ground breaking here folks, just your standard Hippowdon.

Heatran (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 242 Hp / 226 Sdef / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
- Earth Power
- Lava Plume
- Protect
- Roar

As I stated before, I wanted to use H-C's fire, water, grass core as a bench mark for my team. Heatran was a integral part of his team and so he is on mine as well. His coverage is great, he beats sun teams by himself once Dugtrio and Donphan are disposed of and checks so many other threats on its own. Earth Power is self explanatory. I choose Lava Plume over Fire Blast to fish for the burn hax which helps cripples opposing foes even more. Protect is great. It helps Heatran gain health via leftovers and scout for choice users. Nothing feels better when you Plumed and incoming Politoad, protect the specs'd hydro pump then switch out to Celebi and T-wave the switch. Protect is just so versatile you should have at least one protect user on your team. I choose roar for the last slot to phaze out predictable incoming switches and pokemon that are trying to setup on my switch out. Boy do that get a nasty surprise when I don't and their pokemon goes bye bye for now.

The EV spread is similar to H-C's Heatran. That man is a genius.

I reach 200 speed and allows me to outspeed all defensive Heatran and Pokemon that aim for that benchmark. This also allows me to be able to catch opposing Heatran with Earth Power. - H-C

Starmie (-) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 Hp / 32 Def / 228 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Scald
- Thunderbolt

Starmie is my rapid spinner and is 1/3 of my fire, water, grass core (obviously!). I was originally testing Tentacruel for this spot but eventually switched him out for Starmie. Starmie fulfills the role of rapid spinner, Politoad and other bulky water checks and has reliable recovery to boot. I opted for scald over hydro pump because this is a defensive set and I love fishing for burns!

The EV set is nothing new. I opted to dump the rest in Speed to out speed other standard bulky Starmie. Just your standard bulky Starmie.

Landorus - Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 32 Hp / 252 Atk / 224 Spe
Naive Nature
- U-Turn
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Hidden Power Ice

As I stated in the team building process, I wanted a physical scarfer to help out speed pokemon that would normally trash the rest of my team. Landorus has a massive base Atk stat but really lacks in the speed category. So I decided to slap a Scarf on him to make him my revenge killer. The move pool is pretty standard. I opted for a Navie nature and HP Ice to hit other Landorus and dragons more effectively.

The EV spread is fairly standard as is his move-pool.

Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 Hp / 4 Satk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Substitute
- Roost
- Dragon Pulse

As I stated before, I wanted my last pokemon, (Latias was my last pokemon choosen for the teambuilding process, though not last in the analysis), to fulfill the role of a bulky setup sweeper with great type coverage only a dragon can provide. This Latias set is a tad different from other Calm Mind Latias sets. I chose to run Substitute over Psyshock due to the abnormally large amount of pokemon Latias can set up on. Jellicent, Celebi, some Politoed, Ninetails, the list goes on. They all become setup fodder for Latias once she gets a sub or calm mind up.

The EV spread is standard for a substitute set. Pump 252 into Hp to get the most out of your subs and max out speed for obvious reasons.

As a last note, you do need to somewhat careful when you bring latias in. She can be pursuit trapped extremely easy and can't hurt her trappers. Status moves really aren't a problem for me if I get out predicted while setting up calm minds or switching into a out predicted status move for reasons stated below.

Celebi (-) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs" 252 Hp / 236 Sdef / 20 Spe
Calm Nature
- Psychic
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
- Heal Bell

My star of the team. Specially defensive Celebi is a great pokemon. Not only does she fulfill the final member of my fire, water, grass core, she provides the most crucial support for the team (outside of stealth rocks). While the Nature and EVs are very standard for a specially defensive Celebi, the move-set is not.

I choose to run psychic as my only attacking move for one reason only, Breloom. While I do have Latias to check breloom in dire circumstances, Celebi is the number 1 check if available. Recover is self explanatory as is Thunder Wave. The last slot is fairly different, Heal Bell. Heal Bell allows me to be aggressive when switching into pokemon like Jellicent, Ferrothorn, Jirachi and other status inducing pokemon.

Another reason why I love Celebi so much: She is my lead against rain teams 100% of the time. She can tank almost any hit from any member of rain teams and spread Thunder Waves for everyone!​

THREAT LIST

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- The only Gengar set that is normally troubling is the Sub-Disable set. Other sets I can predict around fairly easily and Heatran can wall everything but a Focus Blast (which is a 2HKO). The Sub-Disable set however, requires perfect prediction on my part or its pretty much game or close to it.

- Breloom can be a problem if I really mess things up, but that is case for most teams if they make the wrong play. I do have Latias and Celebi to wall it completely though and Spores aren't really troubling because Celebi has Heal Bell.

- Mamoswine can be extremely challenging especially if my opponent leads off with it. Having no true checks on my team for the Mammoth, it requires near perfect prediction on my part to deal with it.

- Like Mamoswine, Black Kyruem can pose a problem my team if unchecked. Heatran can mostly deal with it but it requires some good prediction on my part to avoid a Earth Power on Heatran.

CONCLUSION!​

To conclude, this team is everything I could have asked for coming back into the competitive battling environment. I know this team isn't perfect, it has specific weaknesses to ghost dark and bug and requires some good prediction on my part but it is a fun team nonetheless. As of this moment I have a rating hovering around 1920 on Pokemon Showdown and don't really have the time to grind any higher than that (my time is very limited). I have to give a shout out to H-C's White Fang's Revolution for giving me a basis to start my team.

IMPORTABLE!​

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Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 216 SDef / 4 Spd
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang

Heatran (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 242 HP / 226 SDef / 40 Spd
Calm Nature
- Earth Power
- Lava Plume
- Protect
- Roar

Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 4 SAtk / 224 Spd
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
- Scald

Landorus-Therian (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 224 Spd / 252 Atk / 32 HP
Naive Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Dragon Pulse
- Substitute

Celebi @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 236 SDef / 20 Spd
Calm Nature
- Psychic
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
- Heal Bell

Parting Farewell!

 

[Princess Bubblegum]

I really like this team man, I have been thinking about using Starmie on a stall team, kudos for actually making it.

One idea I have for to help your current weaknesses it to use Scizor as a check over your current Landorus, as it would ease your Gengar and Kyurem-B weakness and at the very least give you a solid check to Mamoswine. Unfortunately, I can't think of a way to counter Mamoswine on this team without really messing up your synergy, hopefully this as an additional check will help.

As for the Scizor set, I feel a Metal Plate Scizor would fit the bill for this team, although any Swords Dance Scizor on site would still be fine.

One other thing to consider is using Roserade of this team, for one main reason: Spikes, which you currently completely lack.

To be honest, I am surprised you aren't complaining about a Volcarona weakness, I suppose you have ways of playing around it but really I would still run Toxic on Heatran to deal with it more effectively, probably over Protect.

Sets

Roserade @ Black Sludge
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 96 Spd / 252 HP / 120 Def / 40 SDef
Calm Nature
- Spikes
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Rest

The speed evs outrun Breloom to 1HKO with Sludge Bomb, other moves like Sleep Powder or Stun Spore can be considered over Giga Drain if you want.

Scizor @ Iron Plate
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Superpower
- Pursuit

you can fit swords dance in here if you want, I suggest pursuit though to trap Gengar

good luck man

 

[ForestDUMP]

Thanks for the help. I will definitely try both scizor and roserade. Gonna try out Roserade first though cause I like stall :) Like you said, I can't really deal with Mamoswine without messing up my synergy unfortunately

As for Volcarona, I can normally out predict users and use it to my advantage. Once it is set up its normally gg but as of right now, that happens very little.

 

[Honus]

It's a cool team man, nice job.

The team is really great for taking on a lot of the metagame's top threats, as there are only a few guys in your threat list which I noticed even before I looked at it, but honestly only the Mamo weakness is really major. I think the most pressing issue here is that this team has a lot of trouble against opposing stall teams. For one thing, you don't have any way to set hazards, which can really hurt you against stall teams that do, and none of your pokes are really strong enough to break through most of the walls on a stall team. I think that you can really ameliorate your matchup vs stall teams in a few ways; for one thing you should probably keep the focus as a bulky semi stall team and try out a Skarmory over your Landorus-T. For one thing it beats Mamoswine and [sorta] Breloom and cops free Spikes on them most of the time; you probably don't even need a scarfer with a Physical core of Hippowdon/Skarmory anyways. Spikes really help your matchup vs stall anyways since you can use them to batter down their walls/spinners that are in the way of your Pokemon and gain a huge advantage with all the pressure that spikes put on them. Additionally I think you could try a Nasty Plot Celebi over your current set. Mainly because NP Celebi completely wrecks a lot of the common stall archetypes this gen with Jellicent/Hippo/Skarm/Heatran/x/x/, also revenge kills Breloom pretty easily. Finally I'd probably take SR off Hippo for Roar, which I think is an absolutely necessity on Hippos this gen and slap it on Heatran over Earth Power. Roar is so great because Hippo tends to force a lot of switchins like Rotom-W/Latios etc and is also needed to phaze important pokes like CM Rachi, Volc, etc, Hippo is just a really effective roarer, while Heatran probably gets a much easier SR since it has high SpDef and can take a lot of attacks if you really need to get up SR.

Change Summary:

Hippowdon:
Stealth Rock->Roar

Heatran:
Earth Power->Stealth Rock

Skarmory (F) @ Lelftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Spikes
- Roost
- Whirlwind

Celebi @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 220 HP / 108 SAtk / 180 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earth Power

 

[ForestDUMP]

@ Honus: I'm definitely gonna try to the Celebi switch into the NP set or at the very least the Life Orb recover set. I can definately see the benefit of having a offensive Celebi. Also gonna test out SR on Tran and Roar on Hippow. Thanks for the help!