Competitive Team Questions (and Incomplete Team Help)

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

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

Swift Swim + Drizzle is banned in simulators, but not on WiFi. Might be better to find a backup TR user for this to be a true Trick Room team.

[AdrianD]

Thing is I dont use Sims. My experience is the people who use them cheat and cheat often. Back up TR user, you mean someone like Slowbro?

[Lord_Storm]

I've been pretty successful battling with my Darmanitan with my friends, but it doesn't seem to cut it competitively. I can re-breed another one if this one's no good.

Darmanitan
-Fire Punch
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-U-turn

Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Speed, 6 HP
Item: Choice Scarf

Any kind of tips on how to improve would be appreciated.

[Miss Doronjo]

Actually, that Darmanitan looks pretty good! Alternatively, you could try Flare Blitz > Fire Punch for more power, or even try out Superpower against stuff like Heatran or Normal-type pokemon.

[Lord_Storm]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

Actually, that Darmanitan looks pretty good! Alternatively, you could try Flare Blitz > Fire Punch for more power, or even try out Superpower against stuff like Heatran or Normal-type pokemon.

It works pretty well, but I think I may try the Flare Blitz because it usually struggles to OHKO with neutral Fire Punch. I doubt I'll use Superpower though because it lowers Attack.

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Lord_Storm

It works pretty well, but I think I may try the Flare Blitz because it usually struggles to OHKO with neutral Fire Punch. I doubt I'll use Superpower though because it lowers Attack.

Superpower is actually important for Darmanitan so that it can hit bulky Normals like Snorlax (who has Thick Fat to reduce the damage Flare Blitz does to it), Porygon2 (who has Eviolite to buff its defenses) and any opponent who carries Air Balloon to avoid Earthquake (like Heatran, who's immune to Flare Blitz thanks to Flash Fire and Terrakion, who resists Flare Blitz). EQ is the safe option, though, and should only be used if you've broken your opponent's Air Balloons. And given the fact that Choice users aren't meant to stay in battle for long (they get in, attack, then get out), Superpower is still the better option.

[Ash493]

Originally Posted by Lord_Storm

I've been pretty successful battling with my Darmanitan with my friends, but it doesn't seem to cut it competitively. I can re-breed another one if this one's no good.

Darmanitan
-Fire Punch
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-U-turn

Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Speed, 6 HP
Item: Choice Scarf

Any kind of tips on how to improve would be appreciated.

If your Darmanitan has Sheer Force then Flare Blitz is very good choice.
Also... if it does, you may switch Choice Scarf with Life Orb and go for Superpower instead of U-Turn.

[Lord_Storm]

Thanks guys. I'm not too sure about replacing the Choice Scarf because Darmanitan will then be hit first by most things and it isn't too bulky.

About Superpower, what would be best to replace with it?

[Aryan143]

Originally Posted by Lord_Storm

Thanks guys. I'm not too sure about replacing the Choice Scarf because Darmanitan will then be hit first by most things and it isn't too bulky.

About Superpower, what would be best to replace with it?

U-turn if you are not using Choice Scarf and Rock Slide if you are using Choice Scarf.

[Miss Doronjo]

I'd honestly prefer if you take out Earthquake, and replace with Superpower, since it pretty much super effectively hits your main threats like Terrakion or Heatran, without worrying about Air Balloon. Plus, Rock Slide can be needed for Dragonite or other Flying Dragons.

[Lord_Storm]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

I'd honestly prefer if you take out Earthquake, and replace with Superpower, since it pretty much super effectively hits your main threats like Terrakion or Heatran, without worrying about Air Balloon. Plus, Rock Slide can be needed for Dragonite or other Flying Dragons.

I think I'll go with this. I never really thought about it that way because I almost always have EQ on my physical Pokemon (which I've generally stopped doing more recently because people I battle often have all started using Air Balloons). Thank you very much :D

[Dragonmage]

I've got a timid natured Keldeo from the event that just happened. Build ideas?

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Dragonmage

I've got a timid natured Keldeo from the event that just happened. Build ideas?

Depending on its IVs, these sets should be used:
-Hydro Pump
-Secret Sword
-Hidden Power (Ice)
-Surf
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf

or
-Calm Mind
-Surf/Hydro Pump
-Secret Sword
-Hidden Power (Ghost/Ice)/Substitute
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers

or
-Hydro Pump
-Secret Sword
-Hidden Power (Ghost/Electric)
-Icy Wind/Surf
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Specs

or
-Hydro Pump
-Secret Sword
-Icy Wind
-Hidden Power (Bug/Electric)/Rain Dance
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Expert Belt

[Dragonmage]

Originally Posted by PlatinumDude

Depending on its IVs, these sets should be used:

It's IVs are:

HP: 24 - 25
Att: 30 - 31
Def: 12 - 13
SpA: 12 - 13
SpD: 12 - 13
Speed: 10 - 11

So, not the best. Could be worse I guess.

[Nicktaco]

i was thinking maybe a Jellycent or should i do something else

[Griffinbane]

What are you using it for? Bulky water list is pretty big and includes Jellicent, Lapras, Vaporeon, Swampert, Gastrodon, etc.

[Nicktaco]

well i have a team that needs a good water type and i thought maybe a bulky water would be nice

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by Nicktaco

well i have a team that needs a good water type and i thought maybe a bulky water would be nice

If you want to check opposing Rain teams, Gastrodon is the bulky Water of choice:
-Earthquake/Earth Power
-Scald/Ice Beam
-Toxic
-Recover
Nature: Sassy/Calm
EVs: 252 HP/84 Def/172 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain

or
-Surf/Scald
-Earth Power
-Ice Beam
-Hidden Power (Grass)/Recover
Nature: Modest
EVs: 124 HP/252 SAtk/132 SDef
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Storm Drain

For other bulky Waters to use in general, here are some other options:

Tentacruel:
-Scald
-Toxic/Toxic Spikes
-Rapid Spin
-Substitute/Protect
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/236 Def/20 Spe
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Rain Dish

Jellicent:
-Scald
-Will-o-Wisp/Toxic
-Recover
-Taunt
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/216 Def/44 Spe
Item: Leftovers

or
-Scald/Surf
-Will-o-Wisp/Toxic
-Recover
-Shadow Ball/Ice Beam
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP/36 Def/220 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb

or
-Water Spout
-Hydro Pump/Surf/Scald
-Shadow Ball
-Ice Beam/Giga Drain
Nature: Modest
EVs: 172 HP/252 SAtk/84 Spe
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb

Rotom-W:
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Will-o-Wisp
-Pain Split/Hidden Power (Ice)
Nature: Modest
EVs: 232 HP/56 SAtk/220 Spe
Item: Leftovers

or
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Thunder Wave/Will-o-Wisp
-Pain Split
Nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP/28 SAtk/232 SDef
Item: Leftovers

Vaporeon:
-Scald
-Wish
-Protect
-Roar/Toxic/Ice Beam
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb

Really, just choose which bulky Water your team needs.

[AdrianD]

I need to if IVs are my pokes problems. I CAN NOT figure out what is wrong. I know it cant just be moves. Each of the numbers will be in order of HP, Atk, Def, Sp Atk, Sp Def, Spd

Haxrous: lonely; Hp IV 21; Atk 29; def 11; Sp Atk 18; Sp Def 10; Spd 29

Lucario: lonely; 7, 31, 22, 25, 21,11

Hydreigon: Mild; 14, 13, 2, 25, 12, 29

Zoroark: Hasty; 31, 30, 31, 31, 30, 30

Starmie: Timid; 15, 28, 6, 29, 29, 30

Arcanine: Hasty; 19, 31, 7, 26, 24, 24

Garchomp: Lonely; 0, 31, 8, 8, 18, 30

Magnazone: Modest; 16, 9, 5, 30, 12, 11

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

I need to if IVs are my pokes problems. I CAN NOT figure out what is wrong. I know it cant just be moves. Each of the numbers will be in order of HP, Atk, Def, Sp Atk, Sp Def, Spd

Haxrous: lonely; Hp IV 21; Atk 29; def 11; Sp Atk 18; Sp Def 10; Spd 29

Lucario: lonely; 7, 31, 22, 25, 21,11

Hydreigon: Mild; 14, 13, 2, 25, 12, 29

Zoroark: Hasty; 31, 30, 31, 31, 30, 30

Starmie: Timid; 15, 28, 6, 29, 29, 30

Arcanine: Hasty; 19, 31, 7, 26, 24, 24

Garchomp: Lonely; 0, 31, 8, 8, 18, 30

Magnazone: Modest; 16, 9, 5, 30, 12, 11

In my IV conditions that IVs of 20-31 in the most-used stats are good, everyone but Magnezone is good. Just don't use physical moves on Hydreigon.

[Miss Doronjo]

Well most competitive players have pokemon that have an IV of 31 in their most important stat (eg. Spe = 31 with a Jolly nature). Your IVs aren't exactly perfect as some are only at 30 (which sometimes it would be enough for Hidden Power purposes).

For instance, I'd suggest that your Lucario have more IVs in speed for it to be faster when you're trying to sweep, or else you'll find yourself out sped by other 31 speed IV'd Lucarios. The same goes for your Arcanine and Magnezone.

[AdrianD]

Originally Posted by Miss Doronjo

Well most competitive players have pokemon that have an IV of 31 in their most important stat (eg. Spe = 31 with a Jolly nature). Your IVs aren't exactly perfect as some are only at 30 (which sometimes it would be enough for Hidden Power purposes).

For instance, I'd suggest that your Lucario have more IVs in speed for it to be faster when you're trying to sweep, or else you'll find yourself out sped by other 31 speed IV'd Lucarios. The same goes for your Arcanine and Magnezone.

Do the IVs have to be perfect in order to compete with national or world competitions?

[Miss Doronjo]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

Do the IVs have to be perfect in order to compete with national or world competitions?

Technically no, but it'll be the best chance you can have ~

[AdrianD]

Whats the likelyhood of breeding such Ivs w/o RNG abusing

[PlatinumDude]

Originally Posted by AdrianD

Whats the likelyhood of breeding such Ivs w/o RNG abusing

Very low if you want the offspring to have perfect IVs all round.