Ok I started this 2 days ago but then my computer suddenly restarted, so this post will be much shorter than it would have been. I won't be putting more time into this in the next few days, but I did hit 1800 (though on a 1600 account, so think what you will). I forgot to save many replays, I only have 2.
The team:
I'm using Specs Blacephalon, Roost Defog Koko, SD Scizor, Defensive Helmet Lando, Scarf Keldeo, and Timid Kartana. I'll go over each Pokémon and then discuss how I usually went about playing.
Blacephalon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Mind Blown
- Shadow Ball
- Overheat
- Trick
This isn't a Pokémon that I usually use, mostly due to its speed tier and just how frail it is. After this whole experience, I feel like building around a Scarf set would have done a lot better, as this doesn't really have switch-ins outside of Tyranitar and special walls that aren't weak to Fire, which not many people run (usually it's AV Mag or AV Grass-type). I ended up going with a Specs set just to blow something up every time I sent this out.
Mind Blown is for nuking stuff - everything basically dies but you lose half your health. Shadow Ball is STAB, so it is needed as well. I chose Overheat on this set to nuke in case I didn't want to take half my health as damage, but I think Flamethrower and Fire Blast are both good options as well. For example, after Tricking Chansey, I could spam Flamethrower and hit whatever wants to switch in, instead of decreasing my SpAtk and having something be able to switch in for free. Trick is for crippling any special walls that would want to switch in on you, like Chansey, Mantine, Toxapex, though giving the latter two Specs Scald could cause problems later.
Tapu Koko @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Roost
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
I chose Shuca Koko because I saw it in a video and wanted to try it. You can end up dealing a lot of damage to Landorus without dying and soften it up for Scizor or Kartana later. I have Defog and Roost on this set because I wanted a bit more longevity on this Pokémon, since it's the only Pokémon on my team that can easily break mons like Pex.
Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 64 Atk / 120 Def / 16 SpD / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Roost
The reason why I chose this Pokémon was because I wanted a way to cripple Heatran for my Blacephalon. Heatran is the only OU Pokémon that can eat my nukes, and I had to predict (use Shadow Ball) if I wanted to deal with it switching in. Knock Off Scizor helps me get Heatran low for Blacephalon and makes sure it can't heal since its Lefties will be Knocked Off. Scizor is also an excellent late game sweeper and a good mid-ground switch for a lot of common Pokémon.
Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 236 HP / 220 Def / 36 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
I chose Lando because I needed Stealth Rock to pressure Heatran, as well as a good physical wall. I chose Rocky Helmet over Leftovers because I wanted chip damage on Pokémon like Kartana and Lopunny so that Scizor has a better shot of sweeping late-game. Rocky Helmet also beats Sash Drill lead. This is just such a good physical wall for so many reasons, and I needed it on my team.
Keldeo @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Secret Sword
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Endeavor
I had no speed control other than Scizor's BP, so I needed a Scarfer. I chose Keldeo because I also had no Greninja switch-ins, and it can deal with Greninja this way. My last move is Endeavor instead of Stone Edge or some other move it can deal a lot of damage to Toxapex and other counters when it's low, opening up the way for Scizor or Kartana.
Kartana @ Grassium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 200 HP / 56 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 19 Atk
- Swords Dance
- Sacred Sword
- Knock Off
- Leaf Blade
Timid Kartana is an excellent late-game sweeper if it can get an SD up, since it can accrue +Speed Beast Boosts and outspeed the entire enemy team. It is usually able to get an SD up because it is so much bulkier than normal and because it has 131 base Defense. I usually set up easily on Landorus or Ferrothorn since they can't really do anything to Kartana.
I chose Grassium Z because it gets the kill on Lando and Pex, but Darkinium Z also works for Zapdos, or Fightinium Z for Magearna and Scizor.
After-thoughts
This team is pretty weak to fat Pokémon with Fire-type coverage, like Celesteela, Venusaur, and Amoonguss, especially if Rocks are up. Only Blacephalon is capable of breaking these walls, and it becomes extremely difficult if the opponent has Pokémon that can deal with it. Hawlucha is a bit of a problem as well, so you need to keep Koko healthy in order to eat a +2 HJK (unless they run Poison Jab, so try to kill with Scizor). This team also doesn't really have a Keldeo switch-in.
Usually the game plan is to weaken opposing Heatran with Scizor, and then nuke with Blacephalon in order to sweep with Kart, Keld, or Scizor. If the opponent has TTar and switches in, Kartana gets to set up and sweep. Tapu Koko is very good for neutralizing some of the opponent's Pokémon, since it can just Roost up, but needs to be careful since it is the Hazard removal.
Here are my replays. I don't really know what happened in the first one, but in the second one the guy I was playing didn't realize I was Timid Kart and got salty cuz he can't read.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-690253366
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-690520991