Competitive Team Questions (and Incomplete Team Help)

[Miss Doronjo]

Honestly, Garchomp + Salamence is a good combo. Or any dual dragon combo for that matter.

You can have Garchomp run a Swords Dance set:

~ Swords Dance
~ Outrage
~ Earthquake
~ Fire Fang

And have a mixed Salamence set:

~ Hydro Pump / Fire Blast
~ Draco Meteor
~ Brick Break / Earthquake
~ Roost

See, Salamence's main job would be to weaken steel type pokemon for your Garchomp to sweep better. So yes, you can have Salamence with Hydro Pump, or Fire Blast - whatever you want, and have a Garchomp as more of a physical orient pokemon as well.

That's... my opinion. You can honestly do the same with Dragonite + Salamence, exept Dragonite should run a Dragon Dance set:

~ Fire Punch
~ Outrage
~ Dragon Dance
~ Extremespeed / Earthquake / Roost

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

Honestly, Garchomp + Salamence is a good combo. Or any dual dragon combo for that matter.

You can have Garchomp run a Swords Dance set:

~ Swords Dance
~ Outrage
~ Earthquake
~ Fire Fang

And have a mixed Salamence set:

~ Hydro Pump / Fire Blast
~ Draco Meteor
~ Brick Break / Earthquake
~ Roost

See, Salamence's main job would be to weaken steel type pokemon for your Garchomp to sweep better. So yes, you can have Salamence with Hydro Pump, or Fire Blast - whatever you want, and have a Garchomp as more of a physical orient pokemon as well.

That's... my opinion. You can honestly do the same with Dragonite + Salamence, exept Dragonite should run a Dragon Dance set:

~ Fire Punch
~ Outrage
~ Dragon Dance
~ Extremespeed / Earthquake / Roost

IMO, MixMence is better with:
-Draco Meteor
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Fire Blast
Nature: Naive
EVs: 64 Atk/192 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

[Mudinjakarp]

What about a Jolly Salamence? Originally I caught a random Bagon, trained it to a lvl. 50 Salamence, realized it was Impish, then caught another, and I am now training it again. Its Jolly, and I really don't feel like training another one, it took me hours just to catch the Jolly Bagon (Its currrently lvl 39, a Shellgon) so should it still have the same moveset?

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Mudinjakarp

What about a Jolly Salamence? Originally I caught a random Bagon, trained it to a lvl. 50 Salamence, realized it was Impish, then caught another, and I am now training it again. Its Jolly, and I really don't feel like training another one, it took me hours just to catch the Jolly Bagon (Its currrently lvl 39, a Shellgon) so should it still have the same moveset?

Mixed Salamence should be Naive, so that its mixed attacking prowess isn't comprised. Jolly is fine for pure physical sets.

[Miss Doronjo]

Actually, you can still run a Jolly nature if you're running special attacks, but, I'd recommend you still at least have some EV investment in SpA.

For instance, if you're running at least 100 EVs in SpA, and a Life Orb: 100- SpA Life Orb Salamence Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 322-380 (96.4 - 113.77%)

Or in other words, it'll have a 75% chance to OHKO.

Or, if you just have 4 EVs in SpA with a Jolly nature: 4- SpA Salamence Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 226-268 (67.66 - 80.23%)

It'd be a guaranteed 2HKO.

But again, yes, Naive would still be the preferred Nature if you're running Draco Meteor.

[AdrianD]

I have a ferroseed with 29 atk iv and a 31 def iv, but it also has a 29 iv speed, should I go for lower or Is it useable?

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

I have a ferroseed with 29 atk iv and a 31 def iv, but it also has a 29 iv speed, should I go for lower or Is it useable?

It can still be usable! Though I'd recommend a lower speed IV if you're going for Gyro Ball, but, a Ferrothorn can still be viable without it.

[AdrianD]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

It can still be usable! Though I'd recommend a lower speed IV if you're going for Gyro Ball, but, a Ferrothorn can still be viable without it.

Id hate to give up that 29 iv. What would be a suitable suggested replacement for Gyro ball or should I just equip with iron ball

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

Id hate to give up that 29 iv. What would be a suitable suggested replacement for Gyro ball or should I just equip with iron ball

Gyro Ball is one of Ferrothorn's best moves, but it can be dropped for another support move, due to its lower PP in comparison to Power Whip. Some people use Thunder Wave (for status support) or Protect (for extra Leftovers/Leech Seed recovery) over Gyro Ball.

[WolfMirage]

i want 2 know if the sleep clause and other such clause r applyed 2 wifi battles and wifi comptions

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by WolfMirage

i want 2 know if the sleep clause and other such clause r applyed 2 wifi battles and wifi comptions

Sleep Clause, Freeze Clause and the like are only applied in simulators, if memory serves me right.

[WolfMirage]

thank u, i wasnt sure myself and one more do u have any tips 4 using parasect in a team

[Forever]

Originally Posted by WolfMirage

thank u, i wasnt sure myself and one more do u have any tips 4 using parasect in a team

Parasect isn't very competitively viable. It can be used in a rain team though, and utilise Dry Skin in order to be a little hard to take down, and then Spore's the opponent (and possibly heal its team mates with Aroamatherapy), however Amoonguss is generally a better option despite not having dry skin but being better in terms of defenses, and HP, as well as having Spore too.

[WolfMirage]

okay just wondering, i thought it may be interesting 2 attempt making a team using parasect

[vapes]

I never understood why walls like Vaporeon and Jellicent always had to be Bold natured (well Vaporeon more). Aren't they water types, so shouldn't calm nature work better since there are more special electric and grass type attacks than physical?

[Forever]

Originally Posted by vapes

I never understood why walls like Vaporeon and Jellicent always had to be Bold natured (well Vaporeon more). Aren't they water types, so shouldn't calm nature work better since there are more special electric and grass type attacks than physical?

They're not used to take special electric/grass attacks, but rather be physical walls, so that they have a chance of burning the opponent like Terrakion and such with Scald, making them useless for the rest of the match. If there's a special grass/electric attack they'll just switch to something to check it, etc.

[WolfMirage]

okay heres a ru/nu trick room team, i know its not the greatest.
1) parasect
1. armomatherapy
2. spore
3. x-scissor
4. giga drain

2) gallade
1. trick room
2. psycho cut
3. drian punch

3) dusknoir
1. trick room
2. substitute
3. will-o-wisp
4. shadow ball

4) porygon-z
1. trick room
2. tri-attack
3. pain split
4. conversion 2

5) rhyperior
1. rock blast
2. drill run
3. ston edge
4. substitute

6) eletross
1. thunderbolt
2. volt switch
3. subtitute
4. drain punch

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by WolfMirage

okay heres a ru/nu trick room team, i know its not the greatest.
1) parasect
1. armomatherapy
2. spore
3. x-scissor
4. giga drain

2) gallade
1. trick room
2. psycho cut
3. drian punch

3) dusknoir
1. trick room
2. substitute
3. will-o-wisp
4. shadow ball

4) porygon-z
1. trick room
2. tri-attack
3. pain split
4. conversion 2

5) rhyperior
1. rock blast
2. drill run
3. ston edge
4. substitute

6) eletross
1. thunderbolt
2. volt switch
3. subtitute
4. drain punch

This is better off in UU, considering the presence of Rhyperior and Porygon-Z. Check the Smogon tier lists for more.

Parasect is better in rain teams courtesy of Dry Skin. Plus, Giga Drain is very bad on it, considering its bad Special Attack.

Even though Gallade isn't fast to begin with, it doesn't set up Trick Room well compared to things like Slowbro, due to its lack of good support options. Slowbro is a better candidate in that case:
-Trick Room
-Slack Off
-Scald
-Psyshock/Fire Blast
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 248 HP/216 Def/12 SAtk
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator

But then again, Gallade sets itself apart from most Trick Room users due to its abiltiy to hit physically rather than specially:
-Trick Room
-Drain Punch/Close Combat
-Zen Headbutt/Psycho Cut/Stone Edge/Ice Punch
-Shadow Sneak/Night Slash
Nature: Brave
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers

Cofagrigus is a bulkier alternative over Dusknoir because it can also go on the offensive with Nasty Plot. Dusknoir is also better with physical moves since its Attack is way higher than its Special Attack:
Cofagrigus:
-Trick Room
-Nasty Plot
-Shadow Ball
-Hidden Power (Fighting)
Nature: Quiet
EVs: 252 HP/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers

Porygon-Z is too fast for Trick Room. It also has a very wide movepool to take advantage of, and you're wasting it. Porygon2 is also a better Trick Room setter, due to its enhanced defenses with Eviolite:
-Trick Room
-Ice Beam
-Thunderbolt
-Recover
Nature: Quiet
EVs: 252 HP/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Item: Eviolite
Ability: Trace

Earthquake >>>>>>>>>> Drill Run on Rhyperior:
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
-Megahorn
-Ice Punch/Rock Blast
Nature: Brave
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 SDef
Item: Choice Band
Ability: Solid Rock

or
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Rock Blast/Stone Edge
-Dragon Tail
Nature: Brave
EVs: 252 HP/16 Atk/244 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock

While Eelektross can go mixed, you're wasting away its good movepool as well:
-Thunderbolt
-Flamethrower
-Giga Drain
-Superpower/Hidden Power (Ice)
Nature: Quiet
EVs: 252 HP Atk/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Item: Life Orb/Expert Belt

[AdrianD]

For a weather tank Politoad is there a suitable replacement for encore? Its Hidden is Dragon which I know isnt Ideal but working a Beam, surf scold, protect layout right now.

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

For a weather tank Politoad is there a suitable replacement for encore? Its Hidden is Dragon which I know isnt Ideal but working a Beam, surf scold, protect layout right now.

Defensive Politoed typically uses:
-Scald
-Protect/Ice Beam/Refresh
-Perish Song/Encore
-Toxic/Hypnosis
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Drizzle

Non-Choice offensive Politoed usually uses:
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Focus Blast/Hidden Power (Grass)
-Perish Song/Encore/Hypnosis
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP/252 SAtk/4 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Drizzle

[AdrianD]

Drizzle makes Hydro pump 100% accurate right?

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

Drizzle makes Hydro pump 100% accurate right?

No. It only boosts its power, as well as other Water moves. Funny, I used to believe in the same thing. xD

[AdrianD]

I have my Toad adjusted for Trick room. Is that a good idea? Pondering the idea of a like a slow tank team. Composing of Toad, Magnazone, Slowking, Ferroseed. With maybe a walling with a Prankster pokemon or something of that nature

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

I have my Toad adjusted for Trick room. Is that a good idea? Pondering the idea of a like a slow tank team. Composing of Toad, Magnazone, Slowking, Ferroseed. With maybe a walling with a Prankster pokemon or something of that nature

That's a bit too much on the plate given your current lineup as Slowking is the only TR setter you have. Slowbro is actually better suited in OU because it checks Fighting opponents better thanks to its better physical Defense. Also, you may be talking about Ferrothorn; Ferroseed is Ferrothorn's pre evolved form; don't mix them up.

[AdrianD]

Originally Posted by PlatinumDude

That's a bit too much on the plate given your current lineup as Slowking is the only TR setter you have. Slowbro is actually better suited in OU because it checks Fighting opponents better thanks to its better physical Defense. Also, you may be talking about Ferrothorn; Ferroseed is Ferrothorn's pre evolved form; don't mix them up.

Is a raining Trick team a good idea. With a Slowbro, Ferrothorn, Magnazone and perhaps a slow Ludicolo with rain dish. Or is it better to just do a rain team with Swift swim abusers