Gen V - Overdark Dragon

Overdark Dragon!​

Welcome to the next evolution of Overdark Dragon. With the banning of Garchomp, I was met with a familiar temptation of taking a leave from the battling atmosphere, as I had done years ago for the same reason. However, unlike generation four, I have new Dragons to utilize and the selection is varied enough for me to overlook this absurd banning this time. I decided I would revisit and old strategy I used to implement back in the day. The concept known as 'Mag n' Drag' which stands for Magnezone and Dragons. For those who do not know, the idea is that since only the steel type resists Dragon type attacks, Magnezone can electrocute those steel types, clearing the path for my dragons to unleash their terrifying onslaught without being walled.

Team Construction​

I first started off with Magnezone, as he is guaranteed to be in this team.

Now I require around 2-3 dragons to take advantage of the vulnerability that Magnezone exposes by removing the enemy steel types. Hydreigon is an obvious choice for me. He's my favourite Pokemon and he is also incredibly good in my opinion.

The concept of Haxorus intrigues me. With steel types removed, he should be able to two-hit knock out pretty much anything. Such power cannot be denied, and so he makes the cut.

I opt to use three dragons for this team. For the final dragon, I am looking for one with great speed. Garchomp used to fill that role but now I seek something different. I did contemplate Latios but decided to go with Salamence instead. It's not amazingly fast, but it should get the job done.

Two spaces remain. I know I require one more Steel type for the team. With three dragons, I am going to need something to take those opposing Outrages and Draco Meteors. The Pokemon should also be able to learn Stealth Rock as I currently do not have that on this team. I settle down to a choice of either Skarmory or Bronzong. In the end I settle for Bronzong, though either one would have sufficed I think.

That leaves one last space for another of my favourite Pokemon who can also take advantage of the lack of steel types around. Scrafty has tremendous potential and when played corrently, can single handedly end games.

Team Analysis​

General Lead

VAN'DALGYON (Hydreigon) (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast

I wasn't sure of what my usual lead with for this team should be, so I chose Hydreigon. I considered Bronzong to get those rocks up nice and early but decided to go with a more aggressive opening. Do you remember the power of Specs Mence? For those of you who were around when Specs Mence was popular, I'm sure you can recall how destructive it could be, when played correctly. Specs Dreigon is even more devastating - the power is enough to take down even the most specially defensive Tyranitar with a single Focus Blast - a feet which is actually difficult for a special sweeper to accomplish. I dislike U-Turn so don't even suggest it to me. The move doesn't jive well with my style of play to be honest. I'm pretty happy with how this runs.

Sweepers

RAGNAROK (Salamence) (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Mild Nature (+SAtk, -Def)
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Brick Break
- Roost

This is the Pokemon I am playing around with the most at the moment. I decided to try a mix mence set and it's been doing OK. It makes a good Conkeldurr counter as Draco Meteor is a surefire OHKO. Still, I can't help but think that I could do something better with Salamence to benefit my team even more.

DAKAMARYU (Haxorus) (F) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Dual Chop
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

WHEN HAXORUS ENTERS THE BATTLEFIELD, SOMETHING DIES. My revenge killer and what a hell of a revenge killer he is too. Unlike most Scarf Pokemon, Haxorus still boasts an incredible attack score. Any Pokemon that dies from this thing, dies TWICE. They don't even get to enter the afterlife because they fricking die there too, in a matter of mere microseconds after dying in this world. The moveset is pretty standard but I've been contemplating X Scissor over Dual Chop, but Dual Chop has been really useful in testing, for breaking those subs. Plus, I don't think X Scissor is really that needed, but it is a possibility. I was tempted to use Rivalry here for even more potential power, but realized that Mold Breaker is probably better - It lets me use Earthquake with a bit more ease as only flying types will be completely safe from it.

DRAKOW (Scrafty) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Dragon Dance

The Dragon Dancer. Capable of single handedly sweeping teams, a true threat for those unprepared. I have been contemplating on adding Taunt somewhere in an attempt to block status and get an additional Dragon Dance up. The cost of this is coverage though, and I do love the coverage I have at the moment.

Eliminator

MAGENATO (Magnezone) @ Leftovers / Air Balloon / Chesto Berry
Trait: Magnet Pull
EVs: 168 HP / 252 SAtk / 88 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Charge Beam
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Substitute

I used to run Magnet Rise over Flash Cannon to take on Excadrill more effectively as well as making Magnezone even tougher to eliminate. I feel with Airballoon, this move can be swapped out and I wanted to include Flash Cannon as a strong STAB move which can at least hit the Ground types for neutral damage. I am currently experimenting with Leftovers and Charge beam to combat Jirachi better as I would say that Jirachi is the most frequent steel type I am running into nowadays and I wanted to gear my Magnezone specifically to take it on as effectively as possible. Depending on the Steel type that gets trapped, the opportunity to set up a Substitute may be available to me, and this makes revenge killing Magnezone even tougher for the opponent. If I can get a few Charge Beam boosts, Magnezone has the potential to eliminate two of my opponent's Pokemon which is fantastic. Throughout my testing, there have been times when I have gotten off a +6 with Charge Boost and KO'd at least two of my opponent's Pokemon. Hidden Power Fire does tremendous damage against Ferrothorn and massacres Scizor and is staple on Magnezone.

The last line of defence

MECHAZOR (Bronzong) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Stealth Rock

Decided to go with the Smogon standard moveset here and I haven't looked back since. It's an incredible moveset in my opinion and it makes my wall agressive which I like too. Hidden power ice is incredibly troll and lets Bronzong take on its common switch ins like Gliscor for example. The coverage is good on Bronzong and actually lets me get a few KO's in for the team. Bronzong in my opinion is one of the best walls in this game currently - I used to run him in 4th generation with great success too. Now he's back and I think he's a keeper for me.

Team Threats​

Excadrill- Bronzong does a good job here. Magnezone can take it on too. Scrafty is also capable of withstanding an Earthquake and doing decent damage with Drain Punch.

Conkeldurr- Salamence resists his stab and can OHKO with Draco Meteor. Need to watch out for Stone Edge though.

Hydreigon- Scrafty can take most of Hydreigon's attacks and counter attack with Drain Punch. Salamence can outspeed it. If I'm feeling risky, I could go in for a Hydreigon mirror match, but this is generally a last resort.

Volcarona- This thing is a problem if it sets up too much. Ideally I will have Stealth Rock down before he hits the field. Salamence can potentially outspeed it and do massive damage with Draco Meteor. Salamence also resists both STAB attacks, so he is a good choice. Haxorus can outspeed it and OHKO with Outrage too, providing it has no Quiver Dance boosts.

Terrakion- Bronzong can handle this guy OK, but it will wear out quickly. Salamence can also be used here but need to watch out for Stone Edge. Haxorus can outspeed and OHKO with EQ and Outrage too I believe.

Landorus- Salamence can outspeed and KO, Bronzong is a good match here and Scrafty can KO with Ice Punch too.

Chandelure- Magnezone and Bronzong are the only two who can't handle this.

Haxorus- Hydreigon and Salamence. Bronzong but I have to be cautious of Mold Breaker. Possibly mirror match.

Virizion- I think Bronzong is decent here and same with Salamence - resisting both stab moves and outraging for the KO.

Thundurus- Haxorus and maybe Salamence. Bronzong is a good choice too. Possibly Scrafty.

Scrafty- Haxorus is probably my best bet, as he is my hardest hitter. Bronzong should do well here too. Salamence is an option but must watch out for Ice Punch.

Reuniclus- Hydreigon and Scrafty mainly.

Victini- Any of the dragons I think.

Mienshao- Bronzong, Haxorus and Salamence.

Darmanitan- Dragons.

Keldeo- I'm not sure. Bronzong maybe.

Genesect- Magnezone can trap it if it's choiced. Otherwise, he's probably going to be difficult for me to handle as it is quite fast and has a wide movepool.

Tornadus- Bronzong, Magnezone and Salamence.

Latias / Latios- Salamence outspeeds and OHKOs.

Salamence- Mirror match, Haxorus or Scrafty.

Cloyster- Hit him hard before he can Shell Smash is key. If he already has Shell Smash, Bronzong and Scrafty are my best bets.

Politoed- Dragons pretty much. Magnezone can be decent too.

Venusaur- Steel types should do well here I think.

Ninetails- Dragons.

Toxicroak- Bronzong and Haxorus. Perhaps Salamence too.

Breloom- Dragons.

Ditto- . . .

Scizor- Magnezone mainly.

Ludicolo- I dunno. Who gives a crap about Ludicolo anyway ¬_____¬

Metagross- Possibly Magnezone but it's dangerous. Bronzong is safer. Salamence and Haxorus can be used too.

Infernape- Salamence and Haxorus.

Heatran- Dragons. Scrafty too.

Dragonite- Outspeed it with dragons and go for the KO.

Whimsicott- Lol.

Jirachi- Magnezone. If it has U-Turn like a dick, then I'll melt it with Hydreigon or quake it with Haxorus.

Rotom-W- I hate this thing. But Haxorus can quake it for an easy OHKO. Hydreigon and Latios can also put large dents in him.

Gyarados- Magnezone, but I need to watch out for enemy quakes. Outspeed with dragons and do massive damage works too.

Suicune- Magnezone or smash it up with dragons.

Kabutops- Bronzong and Scrafty can take a hit and retaliate with super effective moves.

Tyranitar- Hydreigon and Scrafty.

Gliscor- Scrafty, Hydreigon, Salamence, possibly Haxorus and Bronzong.

Magnezone can handle Jellicent which for some reason isn't on this list.

Team Evaluation​

I think this team is decent but I'm not quite yet as satisfied with this as my previous team. There's still some work to be done before I will be completely comfortable in running this. Don't tell me to remove any of the Dark Pokemon either, because it's just not happening.

Alexial357 said:

Welcome my Dark Lord and Master

Well, it may not mean much coming from me, as you are aware of my type bias.. but I love your team! <3



Just a little thing here. As you may or may not have seen, I also finished a new team. This team includes Latias.

Thanks to Vrai, I feel like I have a deeper understanding of Latias. I am unsure of whether or not Vrai's advice applies with Latios but nevertheless, you seem to have everything covered relatively well.

The only this I can recommend is:

RAGNAROK (Latios) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Surf / Grass Knot / Thunder
- Trick / Recover / Calm Mind

I think Trick is a neat idea and I hope it works out for you. If not, then you have plenty of other options. Otherwise, your team is well constructed and thorough.

Well done!

Click to expand...

Surf >>>>>>>> Grass Knot. Always. Otherwise he can't hit Heatran or any other steel types. And why Recover or Calm Mind? It's a choice set, so he'll get stuck using these moves and will have to switch.

I honestly don't know why you have Latios and Hydreigon on the same team. If you want a scarfer to replace Garchomp then you're better off with Scarf Landorus/Terrakion. But if you want to use Latios then alright.
Scarf Latios isn't that good so I suggest replacing it with a choice specs set. The only thing that checks Specs Latios is Sp.Def Jirachi and Bronzong and Latios is already fast enough without Scarf. I'm gonna say use HP Fire or Thunderbolt >>>> Trick since I think they'd help more.

OVERBUMP!

I've edited the team by removing Latios for Salamence.

Vrai said:

I think your biggest trouble here revolves around your choice of revenge killer. Adamant Scarf Salamence sounds cool and all, but what happens if, say, a Jolly DD Mence comes in and sets up? It gets an OHKO on basically everything on your team save Bronzong, probably. And once it sufficiently weakens Bronzong, you risk getting swept by things like Excadrill, Landorus, etc. Keeping Bronzong alive is absolutely central for this team because it checks so many threats for you, most notably Latios and sand sweepers. This is why I'd consider using something like Scarf Terrakion - you still resist both of Volcarona's STABs, you still have an incredibly potent offense, and you also have a very good revenge killer if need be. You don't have to be worried about Scizor tbh because you have Magnezone. Terrakion also benefits from Skarmory being removed from play.

Beyond that, I dunno what to suggest. A reliable Conkeldurr check might be of interest to you since technically if conditions were positive for it, it could clear you out, but I'm unsure of what to suggest for you to get/replace. ;-;

Click to expand...

But I don't like Terrakion - he's a douchebag. And what is up with that justified ability, getting a boost from Dark attacks ¬________¬

Realistically Vrai, from my testing, I've rarely been outsped with Scarf Mence and I think the scenarios you listed should be fairly uncommon. I don't think Pokemon is a game where you can reliably check every single threat anyway. I think it's more important to sufficiently prepare for the common threats, rather than the ones less seen. Sure, I'll lose the odd battle to Wolf's Jolly Scarf Haxorus, but in the grand scheme of things, I don't think it's such a big problem. Also, Salamence can be a good Conkeldurr counter, providing it does not have Stone Edge - I believe it usually carries Payback.

However, I have thought about something else from your post. My reliability on Bronzong. I am thinking it might be worthwhile for me to remove Stealth Rock and Hypnosis for Rest and Sleep Talk. A lot of teams I play don't really have much of a Stealth Rock weakness and with this team, I don't usually get rocks up until mid way battle, so I think I could justifiably remove Stealth Rock from this team.

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Overbump! I have modified my Salamence and Bronzong now.

ummmmmm, cool!

its a fantastic team and i especilally admire the way you use such a small variety of different type pokemon yet it still seam like a truley awesome team.

ps:i would say you can test it out on my team but my teams quiet weak and you would proably oblivarate it:)