Introduction:
I love the 4th generation games way more than the fifth generation games because this is the time where the game developed so many more features and attacks and just overall playability with pokemon with respects to teams. With the addition of sets specific to HGSS, coming up with competitive teams has never been easier; and at the same time, that much more difficult. This is my first RMT thread, and my first competitive online team. There is a point where playing locally just isn’t cutting it anymore. With this in mind, I decided to take one of my favorite ideas and turn it into a team. It started out as a Scizor sweep with Swampert as my lead, but I slowly found that the team had all the makings of being a Lucario sweep set, and so is the set you see below. As with all sweeping teams, the purpose here was to create a team with both offensive and defensive synergy that could set up rather easily, and provide the necessary back-up so that Lucario could beast through several OU threats. The first thread was for my Scizor sweep team, but with changes coming and going, I’ve decided that it would be better to simply post the new team separately.
The name of the team comes from a Yu-Gi-Oh card. “Elemental Hero – Absolute Zero.” This card has the ability to remove all monsters from the opponent’s side of the field when it hits and leaves the field. I tried making this team with that logic in mind. Once Lucario hits the field, by the time he leaves the battle should be over with a victory going to me. Thus is the plan of Team Absolution.
Team Preview:
Members of Team Absolution:
Infernape (M)
Nickame: Zane
Item: Focus Sash
Nature: Naïve
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 82 Atk / 218 S.Atk / 210 Spd
~ Fake Out
~ Stealth Rock
~ Close Combat
~ Flamethrower
Summary:
I’m not really a fan of Scarf leads. A lead needs to have a purpose. Come in, set-up, and get the field ready for the remainder of your team. A lead that comes in and can’t do that doesn’t really fit my style of play. Scarf leads limit the number of moves that you can use. Now granted if the opponent has a response to your lead they’ll swap, I still believe that a lead needs to have options to respond to the inevitable switch. With this in mind, Focus Sash Infernape comes to mind. Fake Out breaks opposing Focus Sash users, and Stealth Rock is the set-up thanks to Infernape’s speed. Even if he’s slower, Focus Sash garuntee’s that Stealth Rock hits the field (unless he runs into a Fake-Out user, such as Hitmontop). He’s also a relatively good scout, luring in Lucario counters with his dual typing, (the pain in my side Gliscor), allowing Quagsire the room to hold it’s own against them.
Set:
I love this set. It allows a definite Stealth Rock, (which I used to have trouble setting up due to inexperience), and at least another move on the switch. With access to Stealth Rock, which is one of the most used entry hazards in the Gen, and his impressive speed, I didn’t see a reason not to use it. Opting for Flamethrower over the more powerful Fire Blast for accuracies sake, Infernape has amazing potential as a lead, and also covers counters to Quagsire. In order to support this set, I invested a few ev’s into attack, just to give the ever so powerful close combat a little more bite. Flamethrower is less powerful than Fire Blast, but is more accurate. In order to make up for this difference in fire power, (literally), I invested a good deal of ev’s into S.Atk in hopes of making his flames something to be worried about.
Tyranitar (F)
Nickame: Raine
Item: Expert Belt
Nature: Quiet
Ability: Sandstream
EVs: 252 Atk / 162 S.Atk / 96 Spd
~ Crunch / Pursuit
~ Earthquake
~ FlameThrower
~ Ice Beam
Summary:
So here is a team who now needs defensive synergy since we see an offensive lead; as well as set up the mid/late-game Lucario sweep. Tyranitar is the first thing that comes to mind. With her Sandstream ability, she slowly withers down the opponent’s health without attacking. All right, so 3-4% of the opposing pokemon’s health is scoffable right? Wrong. Just this little bit of damage, combined with turnly attacking, can change a 3HKO to a 2HKO, and 2HKOs to possible OHKOs. Just as Infernape’s Fake Out before it, it also breaks Focus Sashes on switch-ins. This pokemon brings a bulk to the team that it would lack otherwise. Tyranitar also covers my Lucario’s weakness by running this set. In short, he’s essential to the team, end of discussion. He lures an opponent’s Gliscor, Rotom, and Zapdos who all stand in Lucario’s way.
Set:
Just as many people before me, this set was burrowed and I merely changed the EV investments to match what my team needed. Pursuit allows me to chase opposing Rotom’s and deal major damage, while Flamethrower allows me 2HKO’s to opposing defensive Skarmory after Stealth Rock damage, (or without, but I’m unsure). Ice Beam offers coverage to Dragon Dance Dragonite’s, and Earthquake is a powerful stab move. Since this set is running Expert Belt, the bonus damage is helpful to supporting Lucario. In a perfect world, Lucario can remain hidden until the end of the game, and this is a good set to accomplish that goal. Pokemon like Suicune won’t be hit for major damage, but Quagsire can hold his own against the legenday dog on his own.
Quagsire (F)
Nickame:
Item:
Nature: Careful
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 Hp / 56 Def / 200 S.Def
~ Encore
~ Toxic
~ Earthquake
~ Recover
Summary:
The ultimate attempt at defensive synergy, Quagsire has earned himself a home on this team. She serves as a very bulky Water-type. Thanks to an amazing dual typing, Quagsire can take on Fire, Water, Ice, Steel, and Dark type attacks with ease. What does this mean? She can comfortably switch in on attacks aimed at Lucario and Celebi, as well as Dark attacks aimed at Rotom-W (unless it’s pursuit). She also covers Infernape by taking bulky Water attacks which would otherwise kill him. It is my primary check to Pokemon such as Tyranitar and Gliscor who will look to stop my Lucario sweep.
Set:
Quagisire has made a triumphant return with respects to sets. Well, I guess I shouldn’t say return, but OMG this pokemon is beast now. With the introduction to HGSS, Quagsire has an amazing new weapon to add to his arsenal, (which was also a suggestion from Hiest), access to both Encore and Recover respectively. These two moves together, I can lock opposing pokemon into moves my team can resist, or lock them into a set-up move, if I’m lucky, and then proceed to Toxic the switch-in. Again, Earthquake is simply an amazing Stab move. This pokemon has “the utility to take on other offensive water types and hold it’s own against various OU threats like Tyranitar and Metagross.” This statement has never been more true. While pokemon such as Swampert have the same typing and a slightly larger move pool, Quagsire’s access to Recover is nothing to shrug off.
Rotom-W
Nickame: Blitz
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Timid
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Hp / 40 S.Atk / 216 Spd
~ Trick
~ Will-o-Wisp
~ Hydro Pump
~ Pain Split
Summary:
So, I have no clue what made me switch from Gengar to Rotom-W actually. Gengar was fast, had outstanding S.Atk and an amazing movepool. However, there was something about this pokemon’s typing that made me want him. Even outside of the fact that he is a relatively good pokemon, an electric ghost is pretty awesome. Weak against ground moves, but levitate saves him, you have to admit how awesome this typing is; but I digress. Thanks to Hiest suggestion to run Rotom-W, I now have access to a teammate who can both lure in Scarf Tyranitar switch-ins looking to stop the obvious sweep. Although Rotom is outclassed by Mismagius due it's higher special attack and speed, Rotom has a dual typing that supports what the team is trying to accomplish with this set. Being able to handle physical threats by being immune to attacks and resisting a good majority of the remaining, Rotom fits into this team quite well.
Set:
This set is an interesting one. It isn’t that common, and yet it really is. Most people will use Trick and Will-o-Wisp together and that’s it, save for the ultimate attack that you gain access to when using a different variation of Rotom. I opted to have Trick, Will-o-Wisp, and Pain Split all in one set. Trick serves the obvious purpose of trapping pokemon into single moves. Will-o-Wisp burns the foe, and together with Sandstream will slowly wither away at the Hp of more powerful walls. Pain Split will give Rotom more longevity, as well as further cripple the opposing pokemons health. The last was a choice between Thunderbolt and Hydro Pump. Hydro Pump will destroy oncoming Choice Tyranitars, which again, good if I want my sweep to be successful.
Celebi
Nickame: (Something in Kanji)
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Timid
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 232 Hp / 240 S.Atk / 36 Spd
~ Thunder Wave
~ Leaf Storm
~ U-Turn
~ Recover
Summary:
So, before it was pointed out that this team had an outstanding weakness to offensive grass types, the previos poke in this spot was Vaporeon. Able to provide wish support which frailer members like Infernape needed, Vaporeon could also scout with protect as well as reveal members of the opponent’s team. However, with this huge weakness to offensive grass types, the question now became “who can I switch to in order to solve this problem?” Celebi wasn’t the first to come to mind, but after taking a step of faith and following a suggestion, Celebi fills the hole nicely. She, (because I feel like Celebi is more of a female poke), is able to counter everything that Vaporeon did prior, such as Gyarados, Suicune, etc, while providing defensive syngery and a way to respond to those pesky grass types.
Set:
This set would be able to provide support using Thunder Wave during a switch in to give slower pokemon on the team, such as TTar, to deal damage during the next switch, (if the opponent chooses to switch their newly paralyzed pokemon) for excessive damage. Leaf Storm is here for sheer power and the lack of grass moves on this team. Using Leaf Storm and U-Turn together allow Celebi to shed the Special Attack drop, which is going to be necessary if she is supposed to be a forced. -2 Leaf Storm does nothing, and it's laughable to even consider leaving her in after using maybe one, (or two; but preferably one), of those. This is where Life Orb comes into play, reducing the severity of the power loss. It's still going to be considerable, but this way it's not AS detrimental. Recover's purpose is to lengthen her survivability and to heal off entry hazard, life orb, and weather damage.
Lucario (F)
Nickame: Valeska
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 6 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
~ Swords Dance
~ ExtremeSpeed
~ Close Combat
~ Stone Edge
Summary:
Previously a Scizor, and after several test on "shoddy battle 2," a swords dance Lucario is definitely the better choice here. Defensive Skarmory, and non max speed offensive Infernape, will be hit with a OHKO by Close Combat after a swords dance. Jolly is for other Lucario sweeps. Ensuring that my sweep occurs before theres is important, and should I run into a Jolly Lucario while using an Adamant nature I'd be in a world of hurt. In order to ensure this sweep is successful, Lucario needs to deal heavy damage on switch-ins, and outrun the ones who come in as a result of previous kills. With the removal of Pursuit Scizor and the soon addition of Pursuit TTar, crunch doesn't seem as prevalent, and Stone Edge will allow for more type coverage as well as a higher base power.
Set:
So, this set ensures that Lucario will be a very dominant sweeper. The Jolly nature as I have stated before is for other Lucario’s who would otherwise beast me due to a speedy nature. With this nature, I ensure that Lucario is the faster of the pokemon on the field. With a SD Lucario, the adamant nature didn’t seem so pressing since I’m going to set up with SD before I start the sweeping. ExtremeSpeed is for priority and Close Combat is excellent for sweeping with it’s extremely high base power. Stone Edge was an interesting choice, but Crunch is, well crunch, and stone edge provides an extremely higher base power. By the time Lucario hits the field, in a perfect world, any need for using crunch will have been removed before he hits the field, so I opted for the extra offensive power.
I love the 4th generation games way more than the fifth generation games because this is the time where the game developed so many more features and attacks and just overall playability with pokemon with respects to teams. With the addition of sets specific to HGSS, coming up with competitive teams has never been easier; and at the same time, that much more difficult. This is my first RMT thread, and my first competitive online team. There is a point where playing locally just isn’t cutting it anymore. With this in mind, I decided to take one of my favorite ideas and turn it into a team. It started out as a Scizor sweep with Swampert as my lead, but I slowly found that the team had all the makings of being a Lucario sweep set, and so is the set you see below. As with all sweeping teams, the purpose here was to create a team with both offensive and defensive synergy that could set up rather easily, and provide the necessary back-up so that Lucario could beast through several OU threats. The first thread was for my Scizor sweep team, but with changes coming and going, I’ve decided that it would be better to simply post the new team separately.
The name of the team comes from a Yu-Gi-Oh card. “Elemental Hero – Absolute Zero.” This card has the ability to remove all monsters from the opponent’s side of the field when it hits and leaves the field. I tried making this team with that logic in mind. Once Lucario hits the field, by the time he leaves the battle should be over with a victory going to me. Thus is the plan of Team Absolution.
Team Preview:
Members of Team Absolution:
Infernape (M)
Nickame: Zane
Item: Focus Sash
Nature: Naïve
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 82 Atk / 218 S.Atk / 210 Spd
~ Fake Out
~ Stealth Rock
~ Close Combat
~ Flamethrower
Summary:
I’m not really a fan of Scarf leads. A lead needs to have a purpose. Come in, set-up, and get the field ready for the remainder of your team. A lead that comes in and can’t do that doesn’t really fit my style of play. Scarf leads limit the number of moves that you can use. Now granted if the opponent has a response to your lead they’ll swap, I still believe that a lead needs to have options to respond to the inevitable switch. With this in mind, Focus Sash Infernape comes to mind. Fake Out breaks opposing Focus Sash users, and Stealth Rock is the set-up thanks to Infernape’s speed. Even if he’s slower, Focus Sash garuntee’s that Stealth Rock hits the field (unless he runs into a Fake-Out user, such as Hitmontop). He’s also a relatively good scout, luring in Lucario counters with his dual typing, (the pain in my side Gliscor), allowing Quagsire the room to hold it’s own against them.
Set:
I love this set. It allows a definite Stealth Rock, (which I used to have trouble setting up due to inexperience), and at least another move on the switch. With access to Stealth Rock, which is one of the most used entry hazards in the Gen, and his impressive speed, I didn’t see a reason not to use it. Opting for Flamethrower over the more powerful Fire Blast for accuracies sake, Infernape has amazing potential as a lead, and also covers counters to Quagsire. In order to support this set, I invested a few ev’s into attack, just to give the ever so powerful close combat a little more bite. Flamethrower is less powerful than Fire Blast, but is more accurate. In order to make up for this difference in fire power, (literally), I invested a good deal of ev’s into S.Atk in hopes of making his flames something to be worried about.
Tyranitar (F)
Nickame: Raine
Item: Expert Belt
Nature: Quiet
Ability: Sandstream
EVs: 252 Atk / 162 S.Atk / 96 Spd
~ Crunch / Pursuit
~ Earthquake
~ FlameThrower
~ Ice Beam
Summary:
So here is a team who now needs defensive synergy since we see an offensive lead; as well as set up the mid/late-game Lucario sweep. Tyranitar is the first thing that comes to mind. With her Sandstream ability, she slowly withers down the opponent’s health without attacking. All right, so 3-4% of the opposing pokemon’s health is scoffable right? Wrong. Just this little bit of damage, combined with turnly attacking, can change a 3HKO to a 2HKO, and 2HKOs to possible OHKOs. Just as Infernape’s Fake Out before it, it also breaks Focus Sashes on switch-ins. This pokemon brings a bulk to the team that it would lack otherwise. Tyranitar also covers my Lucario’s weakness by running this set. In short, he’s essential to the team, end of discussion. He lures an opponent’s Gliscor, Rotom, and Zapdos who all stand in Lucario’s way.
Set:
Just as many people before me, this set was burrowed and I merely changed the EV investments to match what my team needed. Pursuit allows me to chase opposing Rotom’s and deal major damage, while Flamethrower allows me 2HKO’s to opposing defensive Skarmory after Stealth Rock damage, (or without, but I’m unsure). Ice Beam offers coverage to Dragon Dance Dragonite’s, and Earthquake is a powerful stab move. Since this set is running Expert Belt, the bonus damage is helpful to supporting Lucario. In a perfect world, Lucario can remain hidden until the end of the game, and this is a good set to accomplish that goal. Pokemon like Suicune won’t be hit for major damage, but Quagsire can hold his own against the legenday dog on his own.
Quagsire (F)
Nickame:
Item:
Nature: Careful
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 Hp / 56 Def / 200 S.Def
~ Encore
~ Toxic
~ Earthquake
~ Recover
Summary:
The ultimate attempt at defensive synergy, Quagsire has earned himself a home on this team. She serves as a very bulky Water-type. Thanks to an amazing dual typing, Quagsire can take on Fire, Water, Ice, Steel, and Dark type attacks with ease. What does this mean? She can comfortably switch in on attacks aimed at Lucario and Celebi, as well as Dark attacks aimed at Rotom-W (unless it’s pursuit). She also covers Infernape by taking bulky Water attacks which would otherwise kill him. It is my primary check to Pokemon such as Tyranitar and Gliscor who will look to stop my Lucario sweep.
Set:
Quagisire has made a triumphant return with respects to sets. Well, I guess I shouldn’t say return, but OMG this pokemon is beast now. With the introduction to HGSS, Quagsire has an amazing new weapon to add to his arsenal, (which was also a suggestion from Hiest), access to both Encore and Recover respectively. These two moves together, I can lock opposing pokemon into moves my team can resist, or lock them into a set-up move, if I’m lucky, and then proceed to Toxic the switch-in. Again, Earthquake is simply an amazing Stab move. This pokemon has “the utility to take on other offensive water types and hold it’s own against various OU threats like Tyranitar and Metagross.” This statement has never been more true. While pokemon such as Swampert have the same typing and a slightly larger move pool, Quagsire’s access to Recover is nothing to shrug off.
Rotom-W
Nickame: Blitz
Item: Choice Scarf
Nature: Timid
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Hp / 40 S.Atk / 216 Spd
~ Trick
~ Will-o-Wisp
~ Hydro Pump
~ Pain Split
Summary:
So, I have no clue what made me switch from Gengar to Rotom-W actually. Gengar was fast, had outstanding S.Atk and an amazing movepool. However, there was something about this pokemon’s typing that made me want him. Even outside of the fact that he is a relatively good pokemon, an electric ghost is pretty awesome. Weak against ground moves, but levitate saves him, you have to admit how awesome this typing is; but I digress. Thanks to Hiest suggestion to run Rotom-W, I now have access to a teammate who can both lure in Scarf Tyranitar switch-ins looking to stop the obvious sweep. Although Rotom is outclassed by Mismagius due it's higher special attack and speed, Rotom has a dual typing that supports what the team is trying to accomplish with this set. Being able to handle physical threats by being immune to attacks and resisting a good majority of the remaining, Rotom fits into this team quite well.
Set:
This set is an interesting one. It isn’t that common, and yet it really is. Most people will use Trick and Will-o-Wisp together and that’s it, save for the ultimate attack that you gain access to when using a different variation of Rotom. I opted to have Trick, Will-o-Wisp, and Pain Split all in one set. Trick serves the obvious purpose of trapping pokemon into single moves. Will-o-Wisp burns the foe, and together with Sandstream will slowly wither away at the Hp of more powerful walls. Pain Split will give Rotom more longevity, as well as further cripple the opposing pokemons health. The last was a choice between Thunderbolt and Hydro Pump. Hydro Pump will destroy oncoming Choice Tyranitars, which again, good if I want my sweep to be successful.
Celebi
Nickame: (Something in Kanji)
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Timid
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 232 Hp / 240 S.Atk / 36 Spd
~ Thunder Wave
~ Leaf Storm
~ U-Turn
~ Recover
Summary:
So, before it was pointed out that this team had an outstanding weakness to offensive grass types, the previos poke in this spot was Vaporeon. Able to provide wish support which frailer members like Infernape needed, Vaporeon could also scout with protect as well as reveal members of the opponent’s team. However, with this huge weakness to offensive grass types, the question now became “who can I switch to in order to solve this problem?” Celebi wasn’t the first to come to mind, but after taking a step of faith and following a suggestion, Celebi fills the hole nicely. She, (because I feel like Celebi is more of a female poke), is able to counter everything that Vaporeon did prior, such as Gyarados, Suicune, etc, while providing defensive syngery and a way to respond to those pesky grass types.
Set:
This set would be able to provide support using Thunder Wave during a switch in to give slower pokemon on the team, such as TTar, to deal damage during the next switch, (if the opponent chooses to switch their newly paralyzed pokemon) for excessive damage. Leaf Storm is here for sheer power and the lack of grass moves on this team. Using Leaf Storm and U-Turn together allow Celebi to shed the Special Attack drop, which is going to be necessary if she is supposed to be a forced. -2 Leaf Storm does nothing, and it's laughable to even consider leaving her in after using maybe one, (or two; but preferably one), of those. This is where Life Orb comes into play, reducing the severity of the power loss. It's still going to be considerable, but this way it's not AS detrimental. Recover's purpose is to lengthen her survivability and to heal off entry hazard, life orb, and weather damage.
Lucario (F)
Nickame: Valeska
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 6 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
~ Swords Dance
~ ExtremeSpeed
~ Close Combat
~ Stone Edge
Summary:
Previously a Scizor, and after several test on "shoddy battle 2," a swords dance Lucario is definitely the better choice here. Defensive Skarmory, and non max speed offensive Infernape, will be hit with a OHKO by Close Combat after a swords dance. Jolly is for other Lucario sweeps. Ensuring that my sweep occurs before theres is important, and should I run into a Jolly Lucario while using an Adamant nature I'd be in a world of hurt. In order to ensure this sweep is successful, Lucario needs to deal heavy damage on switch-ins, and outrun the ones who come in as a result of previous kills. With the removal of Pursuit Scizor and the soon addition of Pursuit TTar, crunch doesn't seem as prevalent, and Stone Edge will allow for more type coverage as well as a higher base power.
Set:
So, this set ensures that Lucario will be a very dominant sweeper. The Jolly nature as I have stated before is for other Lucario’s who would otherwise beast me due to a speedy nature. With this nature, I ensure that Lucario is the faster of the pokemon on the field. With a SD Lucario, the adamant nature didn’t seem so pressing since I’m going to set up with SD before I start the sweeping. ExtremeSpeed is for priority and Close Combat is excellent for sweeping with it’s extremely high base power. Stone Edge was an interesting choice, but Crunch is, well crunch, and stone edge provides an extremely higher base power. By the time Lucario hits the field, in a perfect world, any need for using crunch will have been removed before he hits the field, so I opted for the extra offensive power.
