Competitive Team Questions (and Incomplete Team Help)

[PlatinumDude]

Another sandstorm abuser you can include is Excadrill. Like Doronjo said, not everyone in a Sand team has to be Rock/Ground/Steel, as that would pile on a lot of exploitable weaknesses:
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-X-Scissor/Iron Head
-Protect/Substitute
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 60 HP/252 Atk/196 Spe
Item: Chople Berry/Life Orb/Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by Papii

Alright, So I'm already planning my team for Pokemon X and Y, and Dragonite is going to be apart of it. I already have three moves, two that will counter his weaknesses, but I need one more.

I was wondering, should I use Flamethrower or Heat Wave? I know that Flame thrower rarely misses and has more PP than Heat Wave, but I would like to start competitively battling again, mainly in doubles battles (this is where heat wave is good, it attacks both opponents)

So which should I use? And, can you explain why?

My Dragonite will be holding an item that doesn't enhance accuracy nor power of fire moves, please keep that in mind.

To be honest, you'd be much better off with Fire Punch rather than Heat Wave or Flamethrower, because Dragonites are more physical oriented, but if you want a good Fire special move that even works in double battles, I'd honestly go for Fire Blast or Flamethrower, because usually, hitting two pokemon at once in a double battle, isn't as much effective as hitting one, because moves that hit multiple Pokémon have their damage reduced by 25%, unless all other Pokémon have fainted at that point.

[WolfMirage]

okay ill try out all ur suggestions

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

To be honest, you'd be much better off with Fire Punch rather than Heat Wave or Flamethrower, because Dragonites are more physical oriented, but if you want a good Fire special move that even works in double battles, I'd honestly go for Fire Blast or Flamethrower, because usually, hitting two pokemon at once in a double battle, isn't as much effective as hitting one, because moves that hit multiple Pokémon have their damage reduced by 25%, unless all other Pokémon have fainted at that point.

In doubles, sometimes hitting both opponents is a benefit, despite the reduced damage. This is why some Pokémon run Rock Slide over Stone Edge, Heat Wave over Flamethrower/Fire Blast, etc.

But other than that, I agree; Dragonite is better off with physical moves, as its Attack is marginally higher than its Special Attack. It can even go mixed in Rain if it has to. Just make sure its ability is Multiscale, as that ability is what makes Dragonite so good in OU:
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage/Dragon Claw
-Fire Punch
-Roost/ExtremeSpeed/Earthquake
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale

or
-Outrage
-ExtremeSpeed
-Fire Punch/Waterfall
-Earthquake/Superpower
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Bnad
Ability: Multiscale

or
-Substitute
-Dragon Dance
-Dragon Claw
-Roost
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 HP/72 Def/60 SDef/132 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale

or
-Substitute
-Thunder Wave/Flamethrower
-Dragon Tail
-Roost
Nature: Careful
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale

or
-Draco Meteor
-Fire Blast/Flamethrower
-Thunder Wave
-Roost
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale

(last 2 sets are for rain only)

or
-Hurricane
-Thunder
-Aqua Tail/Superpower
-ExtremeSpeed/Earthquake/Roost
Nature: Mild
EVs: 76 Atk/252 SAtk/180 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Multiscale

or
-Hurricane
-Thunder
-Dragon Tail
-Roost
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP/4 SAtk/252 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale

[kingofbluesteel]

how much stronger is gyro ball at max power than iron head on steelix?

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by kingofbluesteel

how much stronger is gyro ball at max power than iron head on steelix?

The maximum base power that can be reached with Gyro Ball is 150, while Iron Head's power is at 80. So about a 70 base power difference.

[AdrianD]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

The maximum base power that can be reached with Gyro Ball is 150, while Iron Head's power is at 80. So about a 70 base power difference.

That damage can still be applied when trick room is in play right?

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

That damage can still be applied when trick room is in play right?

Yup; Trick Room only allows the slower Pokemon to move first; it doesn't affect the speed stats, so, it won't affect the damage output of a Gyro Ball.

[kingofbluesteel]

how well would a electvire with discharge, flamethower, focus blast, and psychic do?

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by kingofbluesteel

how well would a electvire with discharge, flamethower, focus blast, and psychic do?

Discharge is okay, but you miiight want to replace it with Thunderbolt for more power, or Wild Charge because Electivire is more of a physical-oriented pokemon.

I'd also recommend replacing Focus Blast with Cross Chop because again, Electivire is physically oriented, and having Ice Punch or HP Grass over Psychic would give Electivire more type coverage options.

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

Discharge is okay, but you miiight want to replace it with Thunderbolt for more power, or Wild Charge because Electivire is more of a physical-oriented pokemon.

I'd also recommend replacing Focus Blast with Cross Chop because again, Electivire is physically oriented, and having Ice Punch or HP Grass over Psychic would give Electivire more type coverage options.

And to add, Electivire can go mixed to help its sweeping:
-Wild Charge/Thunderbolt
-Flamethrower
-Earthquake/Cross Chop
-Ice Punch/Hidden Power (Grass)
Nature: Naive/Hasty
EVs: 144 Atk/140 SAtk/224 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Expert Belt
Ability: Motor Drive

[kingofbluesteel]

will the naive/hasty nature give me hp ice on electvire?

[Griffinbane]

Nature does not affect what Hidden Power a pokemon will get. Its IVs (individual value) that affects it. So if you don't know how to RNG, you'll be better off trading for the target Electivire. Assuming you DO want to use Hidden Power.

[AdrianD]

Is there anything special I have to or have not to to breed a drizzle Poliwag. I have male poliwrath and female politoad.

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

Is there anything special I have to or have not to to breed a drizzle Poliwag. I have male poliwrath and female politoad.

You'd first have to have a female Politoad with the dream world ability Drizzle, along with the male partner. Once you have that, there will be a chance of you getting an egg that contains a Poliwag with the ability Drizzle.

Depending on what you plan to do with your future drizzle Politoad is up to you - you can make it Bold if you want it to be bulky, or maybe Modest/Timid if you want more offensive power.

[AdrianD]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

You'd first have to have a female Politoad with the dream world ability Drizzle, along with the male partner. Once you have that, there will be a chance of you getting an egg that contains a Poliwag with the ability Drizzle.

Depending on what you plan to do with your future drizzle Politoad is up to you - you can make it Bold if you want it to be bulky, or maybe Modest/Timid if you want more offensive power.

Will Drizzle appear when evolved into a politoad?

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

Will Drizzle appear when evolved into a politoad?

Yes it will - once a pokemon has a set ability, it won't disappear when it evolves.

[AdrianD]

I have swift swim when I get a poliwag and thats its special ability i guess

[Aryan143]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

I have swift swim when I get a poliwag and thats its special ability i guess

Yes, Swift Swim Poliwag evolves to Drizzle Politoed.

[Mudinjakarp]

I've decided to use Metagross, Salamence, Tyranitar, Dragonite, Wobbuffet, and either Garchomp or Kingdra. For this team, is Kingdra or Garchomp better? Also, which of these pokemon should I set up with? Which is good for laying traps?

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Mudinjakarp

I've decided to use Metagross, Salamence, Tyranitar, Dragonite, Wobbuffet, and either Garchomp or Kingdra. For this team, is Kingdra or Garchomp better? Also, which of these pokemon should I set up with? Which is good for laying traps?

Tyranitar's Sand Stream hinders Dragonite's Multiscale ability, should it carry that ability, so Dragonite isn't exactly the best choice to pair with Tyranitar. While Garchomp is immune to sandstorm, Kingdra lets you check opposing rain teams, so the choice is up to you, really.

[Mudinjakarp]

Tyranitar's Sand Stream hinders Dragonite's Multiscale ability, should it carry
that ability, so Dragonite isn't exactly the best choice to pair with Tyranitar.
While Garchomp is immune to sandstorm, Kingdra lets you check opposing rain
teams, so the choice is up to you, really.

I meant type-wise, which choice will give me more type coverage? Also, what about laying traps? Are none of these pokemon good for that? Additionally, if none of them are good for traps, I'm just going to start with dragonite to avoid that first problem, or simply send out Tyranitar after Dragonite faints, or teach Kingdra rain dance and have it be a weather-oriented pokemon

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by Mudinjakarp

I meant type-wise, which choice will give me more type coverage? Also, what about laying traps? Are none of these pokemon good for that?

Out of the two (Garchomp and Kingdra), the only pokemon that can lay 'traps' is Garchomp, which can lay stealth rock. However, Tyranitar might be more suited to do that, since it is often regarded as more of a lead pokemon, and in which Garchomp is more suited for sweeping. Or, if you're running a lead Metagross, it can lay stealth rock for you.

As for type coverage, it depends on what moves you give Kingdra or Garchomp.

Kingdra's usual set is the Sub + Dragon Dance set:

~ Substitute
~ Dragon Dance
~ Outrage
~ Waterfall

Which you'd only get the typing coverage by Water and Dragon (against Fire, Rock, Ground, and Dragon). Then again, you can also run a special set with Hidden Power Electric against opposing Water types, or Flying types.

Garchomp's SD set:

~ Swords Dance
~ Outrage / Dragon Claw
~ Earthquake
~ Fire Fang / Aqua Tail / Stone Edge

Can give you move coverage than Kingdra, depending on your preference (against Dragon, Fire, Rock, Electric, Grass, Bug, Flying, Ice).

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

Out of the two (Garchomp and Kingdra), the only pokemon that can lay 'traps' is Garchomp, which can lay stealth rock. However, Tyranitar might be more suited to do that, since it is often regarded as more of a lead pokemon, and in which Garchomp is more suited for sweeping. Or, if you're running a lead Metagross, it can lay stealth rock for you.

As for type coverage, it depends on what moves you give Kingdra or Garchomp.

Kingdra's usual set is the Sub + Dragon Dance set:

~ Substitute
~ Dragon Dance
~ Outrage
~ Waterfall

Which you'd only get the typing coverage by Water and Dragon (against Fire, Rock, Ground, and Dragon). Then again, you can also run a special set with Hidden Power Electric against opposing Water types, or Flying types.

Garchomp's SD set:

~ Swords Dance
~ Outrage / Dragon Claw
~ Earthquake
~ Fire Fang / Aqua Tail / Stone Edge

Can give you move coverage than Kingdra, depending on your preference (against Dragon, Fire, Rock, Electric, Grass, Bug, Flying, Ice).

And to add, here are the Tyranitar and Metagross sets that can lay down Stealth Rock. Both of them have the natural bulk to take a hit, then get the hazard down:

Tyranitar:
-Stealth Rock
-Crunch
-Pursuit
-Fire Blast/Stone Edge/Superpower
Nature: Sassy/Careful
EVs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream

Metagross:
-Stealth Rock
-Meteor Mash
-Pursuit
-Earthquake/Hammer Arm
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 HP/96 Atk/160 SDef
Item: Leftovers

[Mudinjakarp]

Thanks! I think I'll run a lead Metagross, because of my Dragonite w/multiscale and Tyranitar's sandstream. I am already going to run Dragon Dance Salamence, so is it too much to have more Pokemon with buff movesets? If not, I'll run one of the aforementioned sets. Garchomp's set is almost identical to my Salamence's future set, and I don't have any water types if I take Garchomp- I know that Garchomp's stats are far better than Kingdra's, so should I take Garchomp and give my Salamence Hydro Pump, or teach Kingdra water-type moves and Salamence Fire Blast, or teach Dragonite a water set and take Garchomp? (I know I keep asking questions but this is an important decision for my team's last slot, can I get an opinionated exact answer please?)