> YouthBerry's Bulky Offence <
Introduction
Introduction
What is going on everyone, it’s Garlando here, aka as YouthBerry on Pokemon Showdown, and I’ve decided to make my first RMT to introduce myself to the community and show in detail the team I’ve created that helped me achieve top 25 on the UU ladder (Currently 17th) for the second time in just the few months I’ve played competitively. I wanted to challenge myself and build this team around Weezing and showcase it as a terrific physical wall. So after a few different ideas, the defensive core became supported and the team came to life. Would love to get all opinions and I welcome all criticisms and suggestions to help push this team to another level. Let’s start!
Proof of Peak
Teambuilding Process
Well I actually started this team using the same defensive core from my previous fairly high ranking team. It included Weezing, AV Machamp, and Empoleon to tie it together. Love this core as Weezing and Machamp cover both sides on the defensive spectrum while working together to resist and break down each other’s checks/counters. They both can answer a lot of the top ranked ‘mons on the VR like Mega Aero and Suicune and Hydreigon and Krookodile and Mega Beedrill. Empoleon is the glue that holds them together by covering their one shared weakness and offering essential hazard removal and stealth rock. Only thing this core truly struggles against is powerful fire types so that was the inspiration of the next members.
Originally I brought in Calm Mind Chandelure to try and soak up any fire attacks due to Flash Fire and deter the opponent from using them simply from the team preview. Chandelure while effective against Florges/Forretress cores, it wasn’t consistent enough against offensive teams and I decided to switch from Chandy to Entei. Entei accomplished similar things, being able to come in on fire type moves and dish back powerful hits. Extreme speed is the biggest positive change for this team, allows me to stop potential sweeps from the likes of NP Azelf and Mega Sharpedo with just a bit of prior damage. Choice band Sacred Fire destroys anything that doesn’t resist it, and along with standard coverage moves, Entei serves as a great wallbreaker for my next ‘mon
Next up I decided I needed a Mega pokemon, and when looking at Megas, having been wiped by Bobthebro’s HO team and seen his Mega Swampert in action, I decided to give one a shot. I quickly learned that Mega Swampert is one of the best cleaners in the tier. It’s typing and bulk give it lots of opportunities to set up and then outspeed and finish off weakened teams. This pokemon can be a bit of a liability against stall at times and you always have to be wary of grass types and stray grass moves, but it performs it’s job so consistently that it is easily one of the best Megas in UU.
Running a Mega Swampert, I knew I needed a way to take on grass types and pokemon that could remove pokemon with Grass coverage. This leads me to my first of two grass removers. Choice band Snorlax…yes CB Lax. What an underrated set for such a beloved pokemon! I found this set while searching RMT’s one day (Shoutout Vesitippa) and gave it a shot as a means of removing chandelure and Heliolisk as I was testing out a mono attacking curse/resttalk Mega Swampert (don’t use it!) at the time. The thought process is to invest in it’s special bulk so that it can take a hit from pretty well every special attacker, and have a ton of power to hit back and remove said special attacker. CB Body slam DESTROYS it’s counters like Mienshao or Infernape or Heracross, Façade nukes whatever wants to come in if it’s statused (great secondary Suicune check), Pursuit catches Chandelure and Helio when they switch and volt switch respectively, and EQ catches the Nido’s and the steels that think they can switch in for free. Very consistent team member that catches many by surprise!
After playing a while with AV Machamp, I was finding that Mega Blastoise and the Nido’s were causing issues. They would come in on Empoleon and hit with coverage moves and Machamp was taking neutral damage and limiting it’s ability to perfom later in the match. After continually losing 30+% to Aura Sphere’s and Earth powers, I decided to give AV Heracross a chance as his Bug typing means he gains resistance to these coverage moves. I quickly learned that he performed more effectively both defensively and offensively. Fighting and Bug are terrific STAB coverage in UU, and coverage options help eliminate specific checks. AV Guts Heracross serves as the designated bulky water check as he is able to soak up scalds and deliver punishing blows back. One of the most important Pokemon on this team without a doubt!
Last up we have the final member of the defensive core, Empoleon! Phyiscally defensive, Shuca Berry Empoleon is arguably the least effective member of the team, yet it perfoms so many different roles and is the glue that holds the team together. Stealth rock and hazard removal are vital for this team, especially against stall where this pokemon really shines for this team. Empoleon also serves as a vital Salamence check and a surprising wallbreaker when ground types think they can pressure it. Empoleon is also the only psychic resist which is important as many try and switch in against Weezing.
Originally I brought in Calm Mind Chandelure to try and soak up any fire attacks due to Flash Fire and deter the opponent from using them simply from the team preview. Chandelure while effective against Florges/Forretress cores, it wasn’t consistent enough against offensive teams and I decided to switch from Chandy to Entei. Entei accomplished similar things, being able to come in on fire type moves and dish back powerful hits. Extreme speed is the biggest positive change for this team, allows me to stop potential sweeps from the likes of NP Azelf and Mega Sharpedo with just a bit of prior damage. Choice band Sacred Fire destroys anything that doesn’t resist it, and along with standard coverage moves, Entei serves as a great wallbreaker for my next ‘mon
Next up I decided I needed a Mega pokemon, and when looking at Megas, having been wiped by Bobthebro’s HO team and seen his Mega Swampert in action, I decided to give one a shot. I quickly learned that Mega Swampert is one of the best cleaners in the tier. It’s typing and bulk give it lots of opportunities to set up and then outspeed and finish off weakened teams. This pokemon can be a bit of a liability against stall at times and you always have to be wary of grass types and stray grass moves, but it performs it’s job so consistently that it is easily one of the best Megas in UU.
Running a Mega Swampert, I knew I needed a way to take on grass types and pokemon that could remove pokemon with Grass coverage. This leads me to my first of two grass removers. Choice band Snorlax…yes CB Lax. What an underrated set for such a beloved pokemon! I found this set while searching RMT’s one day (Shoutout Vesitippa) and gave it a shot as a means of removing chandelure and Heliolisk as I was testing out a mono attacking curse/resttalk Mega Swampert (don’t use it!) at the time. The thought process is to invest in it’s special bulk so that it can take a hit from pretty well every special attacker, and have a ton of power to hit back and remove said special attacker. CB Body slam DESTROYS it’s counters like Mienshao or Infernape or Heracross, Façade nukes whatever wants to come in if it’s statused (great secondary Suicune check), Pursuit catches Chandelure and Helio when they switch and volt switch respectively, and EQ catches the Nido’s and the steels that think they can switch in for free. Very consistent team member that catches many by surprise!
After playing a while with AV Machamp, I was finding that Mega Blastoise and the Nido’s were causing issues. They would come in on Empoleon and hit with coverage moves and Machamp was taking neutral damage and limiting it’s ability to perfom later in the match. After continually losing 30+% to Aura Sphere’s and Earth powers, I decided to give AV Heracross a chance as his Bug typing means he gains resistance to these coverage moves. I quickly learned that he performed more effectively both defensively and offensively. Fighting and Bug are terrific STAB coverage in UU, and coverage options help eliminate specific checks. AV Guts Heracross serves as the designated bulky water check as he is able to soak up scalds and deliver punishing blows back. One of the most important Pokemon on this team without a doubt!
Last up we have the final member of the defensive core, Empoleon! Phyiscally defensive, Shuca Berry Empoleon is arguably the least effective member of the team, yet it perfoms so many different roles and is the glue that holds the team together. Stealth rock and hazard removal are vital for this team, especially against stall where this pokemon really shines for this team. Empoleon also serves as a vital Salamence check and a surprising wallbreaker when ground types think they can pressure it. Empoleon is also the only psychic resist which is important as many try and switch in against Weezing.
The Team
Punch-Buggy (Heracross) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
AV Guts Heracross is a terrific special sponge and wallbreaker all in one! It serves as the best means to handle Suicune and other bulky water types like Mega Blastoise which is so important in UU. Standard Mega Blastoise 3hkos while Hera outspeeds and 2hko’s. Only way it loses to Crocune is bad rolls with sleep talk and burn. Heracross is also my switch in to the Nido’s and Hydreigon and a few grass types like Rotom-Mow. Hydeigon is always a worry though depending on what set it’s running and it’s coverage options. CC and Megahorn are terrific stabs that dent so much of the tier. Knock off is remove residual recovery on Suicune and other counters like Florges and Crobat and catch stray Doublade that think they can switch in on a predicted CC. Earthquake is there to catch specific threats like Mega Ampharos, Nidoqueen/Nidoking, and the occasional Crobat who tries to roost on me. EQ is definitely more situational but highly important. EV’s could be optimized better to outspeed roar cune…
Big Papi (Snorlax) @ Choice Band
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 228 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Body Slam
- Facade
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
CB Snorlax is a monster and no one expects it! EV’s are designed to make Snorlax a special tank, being able to sponge special hits and still hit as hard as possible. CB Body slam destroys it’s typical counters expecting the curse set like Mienshao and Infernape and Heracross. Body slam > Return is beneficial I think due to the paralysis chance. Façade Nukes anything that isn’t a ghost if statused, Pursuit is used to trap and kill Chandelure and Heliolisk and now Hoopa when they try and switch out/volt switch. And Earthquake dents steels who think they can switch in for free. EQ deals 79-93% to standard offensive Cobalion which puts it in a tough spot throughout the rest of the match! Snorlax also serves as my first Renuclius answer as it outspeeds (provided they aren’t speed creeping) and puts tremendous pressure on it with CB Body slam. Lax also bops grass types like Roserade and Shaymin allowing Mega Swampert and Entei to clean up later. It’s also my secondary Suicune check as CB Façade puts it in a tough position. Just such a consistent team member!
Louis Litt (Weezing) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic Spikes
- Pain Split
- Fire Blast
My boy Louis Litt!!! Anyone get the reference? :p Anyway, this is the Pokemon I wanted to challenge myself with and build around and prove how effective it could be. This physical wall uses a fully physically defensive EV spread designed for Weezing to take as much physical punishment as possible, pretty simple right? Will-O-Wisp is there to slow down physical attackers and make them less dangerous, Toxic spikes are there to put pressure on the opposing team and wear them down, Pain split is semi-reliable recovery that can prove to be very annoying for opposing teams…just when you think you have it worn down, it Pain Splits, gains valuable HP back and dents your pokemon. And finally Fire Blast for an attack move. Fire blast I think is optimal as it catches the specific threats needed for this team, namely SD Lucario and Heracross and Mega Beedrill and Doublade and Mega Aggron and Cobalion and lead Forretress. Weezing is so tough to bring down on the physical side, really is the underrated MVP of this team. Many will say that it is just is a free switch in to a special wallbreaker and yes that is true, but Will-O-Wisp puts a timer of them and eventually puts them in range of Mega Swampert and Entei Extreme Speeds. Taunt users can be frustrating, but it still holds its own! Against stall, it is an underrated status spreader and T-spikes setter against the likes of Umbreon and the steel type.
D.J. (Empoleon) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Modest Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Defog
- Scald
- Ice Beam
Empoleon, the glue of the team yet arguably the weakest member and the one that is foddered most often. It provides crucial Stealth Rock support and hazard removal. EV’s are designed to be able to take a hit on either side of the spectrum…it can as a result stomach a CB Entei Sacred fire with ease and OHKO back, and also take a Volt switch if necessary from a Rotom Heat or Magneton. Shuca Berry gives it one more resistance and allows it to take on Krookodile and Mamoswine in certain instances. The Shuca Berry was added later on in the team building process as a means of stopping DD Salamence and Haxorus which were a problem. It has proved to be highly highly valuable despite the loss in Leftovers recovery. Finally, Empoleon serves as the Flying type switch-in as it resists their STABs. I usually have to play careful with Honchkrow though as they often carry superpower, that’s where Weezing comes in to slow it down. Together they form a nice defensive core as Empoleon resists Weezing’s only weakness, psychic. While weezing resists the fighting types and is immune to ground. Would love to fit in Roar somewhere on Empoleon to better handle Feraligatr who is a massive threat to this team, but at this moment, I don’t see where. Also the modest nature is there to have enough offensive presence to 2hko lead Azelf.
Bringer of Rain (Swampert)@ Swampertite
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rain Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquale
- Ice Punch
Pretty standard sweeping Mega Swampert. Adamant nature is the only thing different as the power increase with it is noticeable and imo vital! Adamant gives Swampert a 68.8% to OHKO Mega Sharpedo without rocks who otherwise wins one vs one. Besides, the number of things that outspeed under rain is minimal. Used as a late game cleaner, the set is pretty self explanatory…Rain dance and then click appropriate attack move. Ideally, you want your opponents grass types, bulky waters (watch for scald burns) and dragons other than Salamence weakened so that you can sweep. Mega Pert also serves as a secondary Salamence check as it can tank a +1 Outrage and OHKO back. When well supported, this Pokemon is such a beast and can finish off games that you shouldn’t win. Probably the MVP of the team!
Blur (Entei) @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Stone Edge
- Extreme speed
- Sleep Talk
Finally the last member of the team, Entei plays a big role in the success of this team as a wallbreaker, and does it with a very predicable set. EV’s are standard and so is the set minus sleep talk which is used because I wasn’t clicking Flare Blitz. Instead he then can switch in and absorb sleep from Venomoth and depending on the roll, can neuter it as it Quiver Dances. Thanks to daedalus1103 on the smogon forums for the idea! It has come in handy once or twice! Other than that, not much more to say! Sacred Fire dents anything that doesn’t resist it and burns put pressure on opposing Suicunes and Fat Mence to Rest/Roost respectively. Stone edge is mainly there for Fat Mence, Chandelure, and other Entei. Extreme speed is a fantastic coverage move that helps slow down opposing sweeps from fast threats like NP Azelf and Infernape and Beedrill. Extreme speed can also clean up late game if the opposing team is weakened.
Conclusion
So yeah, that is the team! Really solid bulky offense team that is a lot of fun to play with, but definitely has some major flaws. Would really appreciate any insights you can offer to help improve this team for the future.
Threat List
Infernape: Biggest threat to this team as there are no resists to it. Must keep Entei healthy so he can Extremspeed it.
Feraligatr: Always a huge threat and the ‘mon I feel is most ban worthy in UU at the moment, really don’t have any counters so my play is to hopefully put it in range of an Entei extremspeed. Weezing can help with burn and Empoleon is the counter as it can tank a couple hits and hopefully catch a scald burn.
Jellicent: Don’t know why this thing isn’t used more, the only switch in is Heracross as he doesn’t mind the burn. Good opponents burn Hera and keep it away from Jelli, and once he is gone, it’s trouble! Toxic spikes are very important to get down in a matchup against Jellicent.
Haxorus: Can put in a lot of work if Empoleon is weakened as my physical wall Weezing struggles to contain it as it’s ability mold breaker allows Haxorus to hit it with EQ.
Lots of physically offensive pokemon on the same team: As good as Weezing is, he can only do so much…when he has to wall too many pokemon and he gets severly weakened/ko’d, the team struggles to handle numerous physically offensive threats.
Taunt Krookodile/Aerodactyl: My main switch into these two threats is Weezing, Taunt just shuts his effectiveness against them right down
Frolass: This pokemon might just be the best thing going for HO. It’s ability to spike stack and spin block, and against my team, taunt and Destiny bond are just so valuable and effective. I often end up playing a 50/50 between it in terms of Statusing or attacking…and when the opponent guesses right and takes one of my Poke’s down with it, it can really open up the game for my opponent.
Hydreigon: Again, always a threat depending on the set! LO ones to me are the scariest as they can run coverage to eliminate the checks they choose. Superpower can destroy Snorlax, Fire Blast can severely dent Heracross, and Draco just hurts everything!
Mega Abomasnow: Being the only Mega that truly counters Mega Swampert, it’s always a threat to this team. The SD set is unbelievably good and can sweep once Entei is removed. Growth special sets can be annoying too as Blizzard hurts a ton! Heracross is my best answer as it resists on predicted EQ’s and also resists seed bomb and can tank a blizzard…while also being able to fight back with super effective STAB’s. But between coverage moves and Hail…its very easy to get worn down!
Feraligatr: Always a huge threat and the ‘mon I feel is most ban worthy in UU at the moment, really don’t have any counters so my play is to hopefully put it in range of an Entei extremspeed. Weezing can help with burn and Empoleon is the counter as it can tank a couple hits and hopefully catch a scald burn.
Jellicent: Don’t know why this thing isn’t used more, the only switch in is Heracross as he doesn’t mind the burn. Good opponents burn Hera and keep it away from Jelli, and once he is gone, it’s trouble! Toxic spikes are very important to get down in a matchup against Jellicent.
Haxorus: Can put in a lot of work if Empoleon is weakened as my physical wall Weezing struggles to contain it as it’s ability mold breaker allows Haxorus to hit it with EQ.
Lots of physically offensive pokemon on the same team: As good as Weezing is, he can only do so much…when he has to wall too many pokemon and he gets severly weakened/ko’d, the team struggles to handle numerous physically offensive threats.
Taunt Krookodile/Aerodactyl: My main switch into these two threats is Weezing, Taunt just shuts his effectiveness against them right down
Frolass: This pokemon might just be the best thing going for HO. It’s ability to spike stack and spin block, and against my team, taunt and Destiny bond are just so valuable and effective. I often end up playing a 50/50 between it in terms of Statusing or attacking…and when the opponent guesses right and takes one of my Poke’s down with it, it can really open up the game for my opponent.
Hydreigon: Again, always a threat depending on the set! LO ones to me are the scariest as they can run coverage to eliminate the checks they choose. Superpower can destroy Snorlax, Fire Blast can severely dent Heracross, and Draco just hurts everything!
Mega Abomasnow: Being the only Mega that truly counters Mega Swampert, it’s always a threat to this team. The SD set is unbelievably good and can sweep once Entei is removed. Growth special sets can be annoying too as Blizzard hurts a ton! Heracross is my best answer as it resists on predicted EQ’s and also resists seed bomb and can tank a blizzard…while also being able to fight back with super effective STAB’s. But between coverage moves and Hail…its very easy to get worn down!
Replays
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-268324269 Win vs. Wolfhead69
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-263667446 Loss vs Pokemonisfun (by 1%)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-266447939 Win Vs Turk
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-266849993 Win Vs Endlesstruggle
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-261008243 Win vs Serperiority1
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-260987520 Win vs Zebrishboy
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-261416853 Win vs King UU
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-261829551 Win vs Tennis
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-261554956 Win vs Turk
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-262151378 Win vs Infernape for OU
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-262833737 Win vs laserrocketarm (Weezing showcase)
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-260076657 Win vs Turk
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-260221645 Win vs King UU's mom
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-260284397 Win vs Arifeen
Sorry Turk…
Importable
Punch-Buggy (Heracross) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
Big Papi (Snorlax) @ Choice Band
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 228 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Body Slam
- Facade
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
Louis Litt (Weezing) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic Spikes
- Pain Split
- Fire Blast
D.J. (Empoleon) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Defog
- Scald
- Ice Beam
Bringer of Rain (Swampert) @ Swampertite
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rain Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Blur (Entei) @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Stone Edge
- Extreme Speed
- Sleep Talk
Ability: Guts
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Knock Off
- Earthquake
Big Papi (Snorlax) @ Choice Band
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 228 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Body Slam
- Facade
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
Louis Litt (Weezing) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Toxic Spikes
- Pain Split
- Fire Blast
D.J. (Empoleon) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Defog
- Scald
- Ice Beam
Bringer of Rain (Swampert) @ Swampertite
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rain Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Blur (Entei) @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sacred Fire
- Stone Edge
- Extreme Speed
- Sleep Talk
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