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Alakazam OU Team

Pirate Dave

かいぞく　デイヴ
    • 87
    Posts
    17
    Years
    So, as you may be able to guess, I have a favourite Pokémon; Alakazam. After being informed that Alakazam was near-useless now due to the rise of Scizor with Pursuit and Bullet Punch I decided to try and create a team that would counter Alakazam's counters so that he could come out late game and be as useful as I would like him to be lol. I was also told that, 'No-one uses walls anymore.' so you will notice a lack of Walls.

    [PokeCommunity.com] Alakazam OU Team

    Adamant
    @Occa Berry
    EVs: HP - 252 / Atk - 236 / Def - 12 / Spe - 8
    • Explosion
    • Earthquake
    • Bullet Punch
    • Stealth Rock

    Sweepers like having Stealth Rock up, and Alakazam is no exception. Metagross is a pretty sturdy lead, and I've had a bit of success using Metagross this way recently.

    [PokeCommunity.com] Alakazam OU Team

    Timid
    @Choice Specs
    EVs: SpA - 252 / Spe 252 / HP - 4
    • Psychic
    • Signal Beam
    • Hidden Power (Fight)
    • Trick

    I opted for this over a Life Orb set, which is what I used to use, because I feel he isn't strong enough to get in a Calm Mind without dying most of the time. Being able to choose moves has to be sacrificed in order to make him as effective as possible IMO. Another option might have been a Substitute + Calm Mind combo, but I wanted to have 3 attack moves. I chose Hidden Power (Fight) over Focus Blast for accuracy.

    [PokeCommunity.com] Alakazam OU Team

    Jolly
    @Leftovers
    EVs: HP - 156 / Spe - 144 / Atk - 108 / Def - 100
    • Waterfall
    • Stone Edge
    • Taunt
    • Dragon Dance

    Standard Bulky Gyara, I have always found it to be generally reliable, and it will help counter pink fat things which Alakazam isn't that keen on. Lucario and Scizor doesn't appreciate the warmth Fire brings, but then Fires are put out by Water so its all good.

    [PokeCommunity.com] Alakazam OU Team

    Modest
    EVs: SpA - 252 / Spe - 252 / HP - 4
    @Life Orb
    • Thunderbolt
    • Heat Wave
    • Hidden Power (Ice)
    • Roost

    My Scizor counter, and another Pokémon I find generally quite useful. Since this team is built around letting Alakazam sweep, getting Heat Wave off to OHKO Scizor is imperative or Alakazam will get Bullet Pursuited to death. Zapdos also could be useful to stop any Gyarados that might spoil the fun.

    [PokeCommunity.com] Alakazam OU Team

    Adamant
    @Choice Band
    EVs: Atk - 252 / HP - 248 / Spe - 8
    • Bullet Punch
    • U-Turn
    • Brick Break
    • Pursuit

    This is basically there to help Zapdos defeat Scizor by keeping it alive. Zapdos wont enjoy Ice Shard, but Ice Shard users wont enjoy Scizor beating them to the Bullet Punch. As you will have gathered, Alakazam's don't like Scizor, so Scizor is also there to get rid of Psychics that will resist Alakazam's STAB move. Blissey doesn't like Scizor much either.

    [PokeCommunity.com] Alakazam OU Team

    Naughty
    @Life Orb
    EVs: Spe - 196 / Atk - 184 / SpA 128
    • Close Combat
    • Ice Punch
    • Shadow Ball
    • Agility

    Lucario is one I'm not sure about. I am sure it should be there, it resists all the things Alakazam doesn't like, and can get rid of Blissey if needed to. The thing I am not sure about is the set. Looking at the other Pokémon a specially based version might be an idea for balance. Lucario can learn Calm Mind, so that's always a possibility.

    I realised in the development of this team a few things, firstly that Metagross seemingly does nothing except be a lead, secondly that Heatran could be used instead of Zapdos to do a similar job of Scizor killing, although the team wouldnt have much of a Gyara counter. Heatran could also be used as a lead, keeping Zapdos, and adding some usefulness to the lead position.

    [PokeCommunity.com] Alakazam OU Team

    Timid
    @Shuca Berry (@Choice Scarf)
    EVs: SpA - 252 / Spe - 252 / HP - 4
    • Explosion
    • Flamethrower
    • Earth Power
    • Stealth Rock (Dragon Pulse / Hidden Power (Ice))

    Obviously, since this whole team is based around Alakazam, I am not looking for anyone to tell me to get rid of it. I am also aware that Focus Blast does more damage than Hidden Power. This is the first team I have created with any sort of purpose in mind, or with any sort of synergy. I would love to know what you guys think, I think it could work pretty well. Thanks :)

    Spoiler:
     
    Last edited:
    Your team is very vulnerable to opposing Dragon Dance Gyarados, as after a Dragon Dance it can outspeed your entire team and pretty much guarantee OHKOs on every member with Stealth Rock up. Your only hope is to pray the Gyarados is Adamant for you to use Explosion on it, and if it's Jolly you end up losing. To fix this, you can replace your Bulky Gyara with a defensive ResTalk Gyarados, who can live a boosted Stone Edge after Stealth Rock damage, and retaliate with its own Stone Edge. A simple spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 Spe with an Impish nature could work, though if you seek a spread that lets Gyarados take special hits better, 252 HP / 82 Def / 176 SpD is another alternative. Intimidate can help your other team members, notably Metagross, handle Gyarados better. You'll also gain a pretty decent Infernape check, alongside Scarftran. Waterfall and Stone Edge are the preferred moves, letting you hit things like Salamence, foe Gyarados, and even Zapdos switching-in for a ton of damage.

    The rest of the team looks good, props for using Alakazem, who is a pretty forgotten threat. I don't know if Specs is the best way to approach it, but whatever works for you.
     
    Superpower > Brick Break on your Scizor please, it'll net you a few KO's that Brick Break can't.

    I know you're going HP Fighting for accuracy but the power you lose is not ideal :/

    For example you can about 45% max to Blissey with it and if it switches into SR you can nearly score a 2HKO while HP Fighting does 25% max which sucks. Another example is HP Fighting doesn't always OHKO CBTar even with SR.

    Anyways fairly decent team from my perspective.
     
    Regarding the problems with Gyara after a DDance, would having an Extreme Speed Lucario be a way of stopping it without having to sacrifice having a weirdly defensive Gyara of my own?

    So perhaps a LO-Lucario with Extreme Speed and a solely physical set? Perhaps replacing Agility with Swords Dance, and Shadow Ball with Extreme Speed and making the EVs: Atk - 252 / Spe - 252? After the Super Effective Stealth Rock damage a Gyara would be OHKO'd by Extreme Speed I guess? This would mean however that I would have four physically based Pokémon and only two specially based… :\

    Is the stat loss worth it for Superpower? Especially if I am choiced to it?

    What do you guys think of Heatran > Metagross?

    Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. :)
     
    Pirate Dave said:
    Regarding the problems with Gyara after a DDance, would having an Extreme Speed Lucario be a way of stopping it without having to sacrifice having a weirdly defensive Gyara of my own?

    So perhaps a LO-Lucario with Extreme Speed and a solely physical set? Perhaps replacing Agility with Swords Dance, and Shadow Ball with Extreme Speed and making the EVs: Atk - 252 / Spe - 252? After the Super Effective Stealth Rock damage a Gyara would be OHKO'd by Extreme Speed I guess? This would mean however that I would have four physically based Pokémon and only two specially based… :\

    Is the stat loss worth it for Superpower? Especially if I am choiced to it?

    What do you guys think of Heatran > Metagross?

    Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. :)
    Click to expand...

    After Stealth Rock, assuming this is a 6 HP / 0 Defense Gyarados, Extremespeed will deal 47.89% maximum, far away from killing it. You'd have to sacrifice a majority of your team in order to kill it.
     
    Bedlam Beldum said:
    After Stealth Rock, assuming this is a 6 HP / 0 Defense Gyarados, Extremespeed will deal 47.89% maximum, far away from killing it. You'd have to sacrifice a majority of your team in order to kill it.
    Click to expand...

    Oh ok. Well, there is no hope of me using RestTalk Gyara… so I will have to come up with something else. I think a Zappy with HP - 248 / Def - 228 will survive a Jolly Gyara with one DDance's Stone Edge most of the time, and so could Thunderbolt it for the OHKO. An Adamant Gyara would kill it tho. This is based on it having Life Orb. If the Gyara has Leftovers, Zappy is safe I think. Will most likely get revenge killed tho.

    Or I could replace Lucario with a Scarfed Gengar with Thunderbolt. I say that cos I already have one of them lol. :P
     
    Last edited:
    You could always go with a defensive Rotom set over Zapdos, which allows you to cover the same stuff Zapdos did, but without a glaring Stone Edge and SR weakness, allowing it to stop Gyarados or even just bulk up that Zappy spread a lot. That also highlights that you have issues with breaking opposing Rotoms.

    Also, an Offensive Celebi over Alakazam could work to cover Gyara, although I understand if you want to keep the mascot.

    Not bad, but don't try too hard to make something work if it won't.
     
    Archer said:
    You could always go with a defensive Rotom set over Zapdos, which allows you to cover the same stuff Zapdos did, but without a glaring Stone Edge and SR weakness, allowing it to stop Gyarados or even just bulk up that Zappy spread a lot. That also highlights that you have issues with breaking opposing Rotoms.

    Also, an Offensive Celebi over Alakazam could work to cover Gyara, although I understand if you want to keep the mascot.

    Not bad, but don't try too hard to make something work if it won't.
    Click to expand...

    Can you use Appliance Rotoms on WiFi tho? Defensive Rotom-C would be an option, but I thought the Rotoms reverted to their original form when they went on WiFi?

    Like you said, bulking up the Zappy might be the best option.

    Lol, I'll be keeping Alakazam. :P
     
    AgiliLuke, Hmmm

    Mild over Naughty since Lucario,s Special based moves arent as strong as Close Combat , Hidden Power Ice over Ice Punch , Dark Pulse Over Shadow ball since Lucario will always hit first after an Agility and the flinch is effective on fast pokemon.

    as for Heatran , the Set with SR is called LeadTran , you're supposed to use it at the start of the battle . and since you already have Metagross as a lead , you dont need another lead , so use ScarfTran rather than LeadTran ...
     
    Its nice to see someone using Alakazam. I don't know why loads of people dislike him with an incredible 405 max spe. atk. However I wouldn't choice Alakazam. Here is what i would do.

    Alakazam @ Life Orb / Leftovers
    Nature: Modest
    Ability: Synchronize
    EVS: 52 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    - Calm Mind
    - Psychic
    - Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fighting
    - Signal Beam

    This is what I would do. Very effective IMO. However it is really up to you how you use Alakazam. Hope this helped :)
     
    Spoiler:

    Changes in bold, just try to remove as many counters as possible while not getting countered + don't let things set up or it would become much harder for you.

    Spoiler:

    Always Timid for Alakazam, lets you at worst speed tie with other base 120 speeds.

    I wouldn't suggest replacing Zappy, since it's like the only counter for DDGyara. If you get rid of Metagross, you'd have to use Heatran for lead, but then you'd have no Revenge Killer, which also becomes an issue

    As for setup countering, use a PHazer (whirlwind preferred since roar can't break the rare soundproof baton passers.) or a status inducer. You can also use Taunt, but you'd need to be fast to make it work fully, so use predictions well.
     
    Last edited:
    Thanks for all the advice, guys. Really appreciate it. Re: Modest Alakazam that someone suggested, the reason I feel Timid is a better option is because then you out-speed the fairly common Timid Gengar and OHKO it with Psychic, if you choose Modest it out-speeds you and OHKOs with Shadow Ball.

    Just a point, but remember there are seven Pokémon there, so I wouldn't be using either the Heatran or the Metagross most probably, if I used both and replaced Zappy or something then yes I would use one of the sets you suggested. :)

    I think stopping things setting up would be particularly important to this party, especially things with DDance, do any of you have any advice on how I would do that? One of the reasons I like my Snorlax and Blissey is because they are a fail safe to stop something DDance / Nasty Plot - ing itself silly and then wiping out an entire team. Since this team includes neither of them any strategy advice anyone could give on how to anticipate / counter set-ups would be very helpful. :)
     
    My favorite choice for getting rid of Pokemon that set up would be ScarfRotom-H w/ Trick. Just bring it in on almost anything, lock it into it's set up move (Or an attack that one of your Pokemon can resist) and proceed to counter it. The great thing about using this is it isn't worthless after the trick, it can still come in on Gyarados (With the right EV investment) or things like Suicune and Scizor.
     
    Joltz said:
    Its nice to see someone using Alakazam. I don't know why loads of people dislike him with an incredible 405 max spe. atk. However I wouldn't choice Alakazam. Here is what i would do.

    Alakazam @ Life Orb / Leftovers
    Nature: Modest
    Ability: Synchronize
    EVS: 52 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
    - Calm Mind
    - Psychic
    - Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fighting
    - Signal Beam

    This is what I would do. Very effective IMO. However it is really up to you how you use Alakazam. Hope this helped :)
    Click to expand...
    That's incredibly difficult to set up and is very vulnerable to priority, such as Bullet Punches and extreme speeds. Plus any faster physical scarfer, really.

    If you want to stay in, try Smogon's Encore/Sub set. It's great to block status then Encore it, letting certain things (eg, TWave immunes) come in and/or set up.
     
    Yeah, massive Gyarados weak.

    That and Sub and Petaya Empoleon rips you a new one badly.

    Bold Zapdos is a horible Gyarados counter btw, just for future reference, it gets OHKO'd with SR up with SE after a DD. ._.

    Porygon2@Leftovers
    252 HP / 204 DEF / 36 SP.Att / 16 speed
    Bold Nature
    - Discharge / Thunderbolt
    - Ice Beam
    - Recover
    - Thunderwave / Toxic

    >> Zappy.


    Also helps with your foe Heatran weak and beats Gyarados for you. This also lol's at specs jolt and provides a slow team with t-wave support. In addition can switch into bliss's t-wave (which you do have trouble with) and steals its natural cure. XD

    Now you have a LARGE Jolly stone edge Lucario weak and as mentioned a Sub and Petaya Empoleon weak. Id use Specs Luke so you can revenge kill both with Vacuum Wave.

    Lucario@Choice Specs / Life Orb.
    252 SP.ATT / 252 SPEED / 6 HP
    Modest Nature
    Trait : Inner Focus
    - Aura Sphere / Focus Blast
    - Hidden Power [Rock/Ice] / Dragon Pulse
    - Vacuum Wave
    - Shadow Ball

    Great lure for most of Scizors checks actually too (Zappy, Gyara, the rotoms to name a few but it needs great prediction to pull off) which will help you sweep and Scizor has nearly the same checks as Luke and wears them down with SR + U-Turn too. It also might be able to lure in bliss if you are lucky since it CAN 2hko with SR up with Aura Sphere and definately with Focus Blast. That would help Alakazam immensly i should imagine. ;] Zam tricking specs onto Bliss likewise helps Luke, basically tl;dr Trick Specs Zam + Luke overwhelm Bliss and Scizor +Luke overwhelm each others counters. (Not to mention a trick'd Bliss is easier to Pursuit with Scizor being locked into one move and all. =P).

    Zam is ughh in the current metagame though, highly Scizor/Pursuit bait and i feel you are limiting yourself by using it, but w/e.


    Meta
    Scizor
    Zam
    p2
    Gyara
    Specs Luke

    ^something like this ?
     
    Last edited:
    I do like the Porygon2 idea. And I very like the SpecsCario idea.

    Just thinking, instead of Porygon2, would a Dusknoir like this:

    *image removed*
    Impish
    EVs: HP - 252 / Def - 228 / Atk - 28
    • Earthquake
    • Thunderpunch
    • Pain Split
    • Will-O-Wisp

    …be a viable Gyara counter? I likes the high Def, but I don't likes the low HP, or the lack of Thunder Wave…

    I know I said I wasn't using walls, but meh. Tbh I feel that Porygon2 might be more fun to use anyway, although in-battle I MUST remember that it is a Normal type; not a Psychic. I always think its a Psychic. God knows why.

    I feel SpecsCario might be the way forward, although two Specs Pokémon may be an issue, I'm sure I'll work sumink out.
     
    Last edited:
    Ok i have been playing with lucario in my teams for awhile now
    this has been the best for me

    Lucario@Life Orb
    Inner Focus
    Adamant Nature
    252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

    Swords Dance
    Close Combat
    Extremespeed
    Ice Punch (Stone Edge)

    This Lucario is plenty fast here and with setup he makes an amazing late game physical sweeper. With one swords dance he has the power to tear through teams with a 120 base power STAB Move close combat. Or extremespeed if you must get the first hit in. The Last Option is personal preference, if you are having throuble with pesky ground or dragon types chose ice punch, if its flying or bug types go with stone edge.

    Great team im a big Alakazam fan too
     
    You have 7 pokes if I can read right. 0_o You might wanna fix that.
     
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