5th Gen What is your Battle Subway Team?

Started by Ice Car August 20th, 2012 6:35 PM
  • 17059 views
  • 25 replies

Ice Car

Banned

Age 27
Female
Oahu, Hawaii
Seen November 12th, 2012
Posted November 12th, 2012
515 posts
13.3 Years
Title says it all. This is my current (though ever-changing) team for Battle Subway. It's gotten me far, but one of the biggest problems with it is its lack of power; things like Snorlax will wall the **** out of my team. Rotom helps with wall breaking but if it dies, I'm ****ed. At least it's pretty bulky.

Edit: This is my team for Super Singles by the way. Just remembered to add that.

(Adamant) Flygon (Choice Scarf) 6 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spd
U-Turn
Dragon Claw
Earthquake
Stone Edge

(Modest) Rotom-W (Choice Specs) 112 HP, 252 Sp Atk, 144 Spd
Will-O-Wisp
Trick
Thunderbolt
Hydro Pump

(Modest) (Speed Boost) Yanmega (Life Orb) 6 Def, 252 Sp Atk, 252 Spd
Protect
Bug Buzz
Air Slash
AncientPower

Edit: I honestly only just realized my entire team is immune to Ground type moves.
Male
Seen October 3rd, 2016
Posted September 3rd, 2016
3,326 posts
10.9 Years
I've done it once, and I forget who played the anchor leg at the moment (but my battle video will remember! I'll update that later). However, I did start with a Zoroark raised from an Egg (and very strong) and my recently evolved Conkeldurr. In the first 13 battles, Zoroark stood proud over one opponent, and often two. On the final car of the second train, it met its match immediately and the match came down to the last hit, knocking me out of the sequence. I have yet to go back as I've been busy looking for the other Pokémon (and going damn casually about that task given I have been playing other games).

Cyclone
"Y'know...my Emolga really wants to shock your Dedenne."

Cyclone. FC: 2079-8536-2160. Safari on X (5327-1949-9511): Lampent, Pumpkaboo, and Golurk (Ghost). Champion of the GC11 Pokémon Challenge!
Breeder extraordinaire. Semi-competent battler. :P

Building an event collection. If you want to help my sickness, ask what I have to trade!

Golurks Were Meant to Fly

NERF THIS!

Male
America, East Coast
Seen October 4th, 2021
Posted August 5th, 2020
1,273 posts
11.3 Years
My battle subway team is just whatever my in-game team was. Not the best strategy, but I find it to be more fun. Right now I'm in the middle of another playthrough, (a nuzlocke) but if I were to do it, it would be: Seismitoad, Archeops and Escavalier. :D
Stream Sawayama

DusknoirZac

Dusknoir

Age 25
Male
Seen October 8th, 2012
Posted September 17th, 2012
21 posts
11 Years
My team is

Mienshao @Life Orb
He mostly is a U Turn user, if I can get a super effective move against the enemy, thats great, and then I switch with U Turn. He takes damage with Life Orb, but gains it back with Regenerator.

DD Haxorus @Shell Bell
Just an option for switching out from Mienshao. A standard Dragon Dance user.

SD Sub Terrakion @ Leftovers
Another choice for switching out from Mienshao. He's really strong, and fast. With a few Swords Dances, he is a wreaking ball.

Ice Car

Banned

Age 27
Female
Oahu, Hawaii
Seen November 12th, 2012
Posted November 12th, 2012
515 posts
13.3 Years
My team is

Mienshao @Life Orb
He mostly is a U Turn user, if I can get a super effective move against the enemy, thats great, and then I switch with U Turn. He takes damage with Life Orb, but gains it back with Regenerator.

DD Haxorus @Shell Bell
Just an option for switching out from Mienshao. A standard Dragon Dance user.

SD Sub Terrakion @ Leftovers
Another choice for switching out from Mienshao. He's really strong, and fast. With a few Swords Dances, he is a wreaking ball.
I don't think you really need to Swords Dance more than once on a Terrakion. It's already a wrecking ball with just one SD.
Male
Seen May 30th, 2013
Posted February 3rd, 2013
145 posts
10.9 Years
I'm not sure if this team is good, since it's been a while since I've played competitively, but anyways:
(Modest) [email protected] Orb (EVs mostly on Sp.ATK and Speed)
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Psychic
-Thunderbolt

(Modest) [email protected] Berry (EVs mostly on Sp.ATK and Speed)
-Focus Blast
-Sludge Bomb
-Shadow Ball
-Thunderbolt

(Adamant) [email protected] (EVs mostly on ATK and DEF)
-Bullet Punch
-Meteor Mash
-Earthquake
-Hammer Arm(I don't know why I still have it, since MM and EQ cover against rock, ice, and steel, all of which are covered by fighting types.)

DusknoirZac

Dusknoir

Age 25
Male
Seen October 8th, 2012
Posted September 17th, 2012
21 posts
11 Years
I don't think you really need to Swords Dance more than once on a Terrakion. It's already a wrecking ball with just one SD.
True, but it helps just in case.
Male
Seen October 3rd, 2016
Posted September 3rd, 2016
3,326 posts
10.9 Years
I don't think you really need to Swords Dance more than once on a Terrakion. It's already a wrecking ball with just one SD.
I never use Sword's Dance, but if the opponent is stronger than me, I would use it. If I'm still making little headway, I use it again. And again.

I find Terrakion to be a beast without using it at all. I just get out of the way of any Psychics.

Cyclone
"Y'know...my Emolga really wants to shock your Dedenne."

Cyclone. FC: 2079-8536-2160. Safari on X (5327-1949-9511): Lampent, Pumpkaboo, and Golurk (Ghost). Champion of the GC11 Pokémon Challenge!
Breeder extraordinaire. Semi-competent battler. :P

Building an event collection. If you want to help my sickness, ask what I have to trade!

DusknoirZac

Dusknoir

Age 25
Male
Seen October 8th, 2012
Posted September 17th, 2012
21 posts
11 Years
I never use Sword's Dance, but if the opponent is stronger than me, I would use it. If I'm still making little headway, I use it again. And again.

I find Terrakion to be a beast without using it at all. I just get out of the way of any Psychics.

Cyclone
Well, generally the people from the battle subway send out their weakest first (or it seems that way to me) so since I'm recovering HP from leftovers and they can't spam me with statuses, I use Swords Dance two or three times just in case they have something strong in store.
Male
Seen October 3rd, 2016
Posted September 3rd, 2016
3,326 posts
10.9 Years
I'm surprised Terrakion isn't banned from the Battle Subway.

Cyclone
"Y'know...my Emolga really wants to shock your Dedenne."

Cyclone. FC: 2079-8536-2160. Safari on X (5327-1949-9511): Lampent, Pumpkaboo, and Golurk (Ghost). Champion of the GC11 Pokémon Challenge!
Breeder extraordinaire. Semi-competent battler. :P

Building an event collection. If you want to help my sickness, ask what I have to trade!

Ice Car

Banned

Age 27
Female
Oahu, Hawaii
Seen November 12th, 2012
Posted November 12th, 2012
515 posts
13.3 Years
Well, generally the people from the battle subway send out their weakest first (or it seems that way to me) so since I'm recovering HP from leftovers and they can't spam me with statuses, I use Swords Dance two or three times just in case they have something strong in store.
Weakest first? Then why is it that the enemy keeps leading with Salamences and Hydreigons when it's me? :(
Age 29
Male
Melbourne, Australia
Seen January 2nd, 2015
Posted November 28th, 2014
910 posts
12.1 Years
Starmie
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Scald

Chandelure
- Flamethrower
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Energy Ball

Tyranitar
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Stone Edge
- Crunch

Gets me half-way through the Super Single but then I get clobbered.

Ho-Oh

used Sacred Fire!

Age 31
Female
QLD, Australia
Seen June 5th, 2022
Posted April 23rd, 2022
35,988 posts
17.5 Years
I think it's a good thing that this is turning into a discussion somewhat, since at least it generates some activity. Just remember to keep discussion out of the normal what's your team thread, in case you all get so excited here that you want to discuss everything there, too! n_n KEEP THE DISCUSSION COMING????

Actually to be relevant, I planned to make a team featuring Volcarona, Haxorus and something else... possibly Sawk or Terrakion? I only bred the good Larvesta and without RNG it's hard so I kinda... didn't. /lazy

I did use a normal Volcarona/Sawk/something else, though, so I could get a Choice item.

Weakest first? Then why is it that the enemy keeps leading with Salamences and Hydreigons when it's me? :(
Possibly he means the thing that is setting up Stealth Rock and stuff first, though with only three Pokemon, unless you had a PHazing strategy I'm not sure why you would.

I'm surprised Terrakion isn't banned from the Battle Subway.

Cyclone
I am too kinda, but honestly, it's not banned from normal OU so it's not that much of an issue. You just get a big advantage here because the NPCs are mostly dumb for the most part lol.

Ice Car

Banned

Age 27
Female
Oahu, Hawaii
Seen November 12th, 2012
Posted November 12th, 2012
515 posts
13.3 Years
Possibly he means the thing that is setting up Stealth Rock and stuff first, though with only three Pokemon, unless you had a PHazing strategy I'm not sure why you would.

I am too kinda, but honestly, it's not banned from normal OU so it's not that much of an issue. You just get a big advantage here because the NPCs are mostly dumb for the most part lol.
Well, not necessarily all Pokemon that set up are "weak," and the only time I see the computer lead with something that can "set up," it's on something like a weather team, or more often, a trick room team.

In fact, rarely ever do I see a Pokemon that sets up Spikes/Rocks at the beginning, there were even a few times when the AI sent out the entry hazard-setter out last and only set up toxic spikes while I killed it.

I wouldn't consider the AI dumb, even though it can be so sometimes, (e.g. anything with Aromatherapy/Heal Bell just spams either move over and over) the AI in the Battle Subway is actually a lot better than in the standard game. The AI in the Battle Subway switches out more often than any other in the game from what I've seen and if I render something useless with a choice item they often switch out so it doesn't get locked into a stat boosting move or the like.

Moreover, the pokemon they have, I am being convinced more and more are in fact EV'd and IV'd. The sets just about every pokemon I've seen run are competitive level, and the AI is capable of utilizing it much better than elsewhere.

Edit: Anyone want to comment on my team? It does pretty well but I'd like some constructive criticism on how I could make it better. I already substituted Fire Punch on Flygon for Stone Edge, since I bred the Flygon on Black and can't move tutor it, and Yanmega could really use Hidden Power Ground to deal with Steel Types.
Male
United States
Seen August 5th, 2013
Posted August 29th, 2012
5 posts
10.7 Years
My Team is:
Cloyster: Focus Sash
Ability: Shell Link
Shell Smash
Rock Blast
Icicle Spear
Razor Shell

Magmortar: Expert Belt
Ability: Flame Body
Thunderbolt
Psychic
Focus Blast
Flamethrower

Swampert: Ground Gem/Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
Waterfall
Hammer Arm
Earthquake
Stone Edge
Seen September 18th, 2020
Posted February 18th, 2018
7,741 posts
16.6 Years
Gallade w/ Expert Belt
Psycho Cut
Night Slash
Low Sweep
Protect

Magneton w/ Eviolite
Thunderbolt
Thunder Wave
Flash Cannon
Magnet Rise

Hydreigon w/ Chesto Berry
Dragon Pulse
Flamethrower
Dark Pulse
Rest

An unexceptional team intended to be balanced in terms of attack/defence.
About the most clever thing I've done is put Protect on the lead to scout.

Ice Car

Banned

Age 27
Female
Oahu, Hawaii
Seen November 12th, 2012
Posted November 12th, 2012
515 posts
13.3 Years
Gallade w/ Expert Belt
Psycho Cut
Night Slash
Low Sweep
Protect

Magneton w/ Eviolite
Thunderbolt
Thunder Wave
Flash Cannon
Magnet Rise

Hydreigon w/ Chesto Berry
Dragon Pulse
Flamethrower
Dark Pulse
Rest

An unexceptional team intended to be balanced in terms of attack/defence.
About the most clever thing I've done is put Protect on the lead to scout.
Why Low Sweep on Gallade instead of Close Combat? Close Combat is two times as powerful and doesn't have any drawbacks other than becoming more frail, though that won't matter if you outspeed.

I would put Draco Meteor or Surf instead of Rest and Choice Specs instead of Chesto Berry to make an offensive set, but I guess having the Rest + Chesto Berry set increases its longevity... Usually my Hydreigon can almost always survive 2 hits from a strong neutral attack without defense investment and it's fast enough to kill what I want dead before it dies, so that works out. Draco Meteor to take out threats to take out bulky threats, Surf for coverage.
Seen September 18th, 2020
Posted February 18th, 2018
7,741 posts
16.6 Years
Why Low Sweep on Gallade instead of Close Combat? Close Combat is two times as powerful and doesn't have any drawbacks other than becoming more frail, though that won't matter if you outspeed.

I would put Draco Meteor or Surf instead of Rest and Choice Specs instead of Chesto Berry to make an offensive set, but I guess having the Rest + Chesto Berry set increases its longevity... Usually my Hydreigon can almost always survive 2 hits from a strong neutral attack without defense investment and it's fast enough to kill what I want dead before it dies, so that works out. Draco Meteor to take out threats to take out bulky threats, Surf for coverage.
Low Sweep started as a novelty. I would otherwise use Brick Break (I am, you might guess, generally a fan of sub-100 power moves with 100 accuracy and no negative side-effects). Gallade is not really very fast and at that I believe mine's geared more toward special defence, so lowering an opponent's speed when the other move I would use isn't all that much more powerful anyway probably has its place.

Again with Draco Meteor, it's just not to my preferences, but its drawback after use is quite profound too. I don't run Hydreigon as pure offence; it's bulky too. I have actually considered Surf, but Flamethrower is there only so it doesn't get walled by Steel-types anyway (and can serve more defensively against Bug-types if it must), and I also play doubles which makes Surf a double-edge I'd rather not deal with.

Evidently, I don't play very seriously... just isn't fun.

vaporeon7

My life would suck without you

Male
Preparing for trouble and making it double.
Seen September 6th, 2016
Posted May 27th, 2014
5,143 posts
12.8 Years
The team I used in Black Super singles was:
Cloyster, Skill Link w/Focus Sash
Shell Smash
Razor Shell
Rock Blast
Icicle Spear

Garchomp, Sand Veil w/Choice Scarf
Earthquake
Outrage
Fire Fang
Aerial Ace

Suicune, Pressure w/Leftovers
Scald
Calm Mind
Substitute
Rest

It worked really well and I beat the bosses in no time.
Age 30
Male
Seen June 28th, 2019
Posted December 13th, 2015
3,801 posts
13.4 Years
What I used in the Battle Subway at the time was this team during the singles rounds.

Garchomp (Stallord) - Naughty - Choice Band

Earthquake
Outrage
Stone Edge
Crunch

Hydreigon (Ayusuna) - Rash - Choice Specs

Draco Meteor
Dark Pulse
Fire Blast
Surf

Chandelure (Bakugami) - Modest - Choice Specs

Flamethrower
Shadow Ball
Energy Ball
HP Fighting

My team in doubles was the same too with this added in for the 4th slot.

Conkledurr (Kefka) - Bashful - Choice Band

Mach Punch
Superpower
Stone Edge
Payback

Basically my strategy was to smash through anything as quickly as possible, the natures could have been better but fortunately this team pulled me through and gave me a rather nice string of victories at the time, had a Ninjask while making the beta version but I dropped it in favor of Hydreigon as boosting up and Baton Passing became too tedious and somewhat risky by the time I got to the tougher trainers in the areas I was competing in at the time. Also tested Life Orbs but they didn't give me enough power for the clean OHKOs I sought for.

Pegasus

Male
Seen April 9th, 2017
Posted June 16th, 2016
9 posts
10.7 Years
The team that got me above 500 will always be my favorite <3.
[email protected] Life Orb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SDef / 252 SAtk
Nature: Modest
- Recover
- Hidden Power grass
- Surf
- Ice Beam

[email protected] Expert belt
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Nature: Modest
- Dragon Pulse
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Surf

[email protected] Wide lens
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Nature: Brave
- Meteor Mash
- Bullet punch
- Earthquake
- Hammer Arm

This team is such a good core. I can't believe how many switch-in's you can make with the Water/Dragon/Steel core. I also Always lead with Hydreigon since he has the worst defense of the three with this EV spread. I first had dragon pulse on Milotic but it seemed rather useless since Hydreigon has a much stronger STAB Dragon Pulse, so I decided to put HP grass on Milotic because I've been having trouble with Quagsires and stuff. And the reason why I put Wide Lens on Metagross is because there weren't any other items I really wanted to use on him. Plus his Hammer Arm and Meteor Mash have 100% accuracy now.
Male
Seen October 23rd, 2012
Posted October 20th, 2012
19 posts
10.7 Years
Hello everyone! I have not posted in about a week because i went on vacation before school started and the start of the year was extremely busy for me! Anyways, i wanted to know if any of you have tips for the Battle Subway. I personally hate the idea of having to get all the way up to 48 bp just for a stupid choice scarf or focus sash for example and wish these items were regularly obtainable. But, since Gamefreak insisted on making our lives hell, i wanted to know if you guys know a good combo to go in with? I usually enter with just like 3 physical sweepers or 2 sweepers and 1 wall, etc. Still, i usually lose in the third stage of the super single train. I'm honestly not that bad of a battler either, i have a fair share of wins online but the trainers are like on steroids. Anyways, leave any tips below!
-Sam

Ho-Oh

used Sacred Fire!

Age 31
Female
QLD, Australia
Seen June 5th, 2022
Posted April 23rd, 2022
35,988 posts
17.5 Years
Hello everyone! I have not posted in about a week because i went on vacation before school started and the start of the year was extremely busy for me! Anyways, i wanted to know if any of you have tips for the Battle Subway. I personally hate the idea of having to get all the way up to 48 bp just for a stupid choice scarf or focus sash for example and wish these items were regularly obtainable. But, since Gamefreak insisted on making our lives hell, i wanted to know if you guys know a good combo to go in with? I usually enter with just like 3 physical sweepers or 2 sweepers and 1 wall, etc. Still, i usually lose in the third stage of the super single train. I'm honestly not that bad of a battler either, i have a fair share of wins online but the trainers are like on steroids. Anyways, leave any tips below!
-Sam
Sucks that you aren't doing so well :( However this fits in perfectly with the battle subway thread, and just linking it in a lock probably wouldn't revive it, plus you get good discussion on teams/strategies here! n_n
Male
Seen October 3rd, 2016
Posted September 3rd, 2016
3,326 posts
10.9 Years
Right now I'm doing the SS PokéAthlon to obtain the stones needed to evolve Pokémon. Can't wait to finish the first half of the game there so I can get National Dex and add even more stones. I'm going to be flicking styluses for a while.

I too, however, also noticed the 36 BP needed for each of the TMs there and thought, why? I get they are encouraging us to try the thing if we want the item, but really? Why not make a trip on the subway part of the storyline somewhere? That would get people to try it out, then put evolutionary stones as possible rewards to give more options for acquiring them! Just IMO. :)

Cyclone
"Y'know...my Emolga really wants to shock your Dedenne."

Cyclone. FC: 2079-8536-2160. Safari on X (5327-1949-9511): Lampent, Pumpkaboo, and Golurk (Ghost). Champion of the GC11 Pokémon Challenge!
Breeder extraordinaire. Semi-competent battler. :P

Building an event collection. If you want to help my sickness, ask what I have to trade!

Miau

If I fits...

Female
Seen October 31st, 2022
Posted October 23rd, 2022
812 posts
10.8 Years
I tried the Battle Subway for the first time today, with three of my main team Pokemon, more specifically Poison Touch Seismitoad (lead), Cobalion and Zen Mode Darmanitan.

Seismitoad beat up almost the entire first set of battles by herself, with one hit knock-outs Hydro Pump and Earthquake + Drain Punch followed by Venoshock in case Poison Touch triggered.

Darmanitan helped out with any grass-types Seismitoad couldn't handle, and also fighthing-types in Zen Mode form.

I lost at battle #20, against Jellicent. Now I know I need to work on Cobalion's moves; the only effective move he had against Jellicent was Iron Head, and it was disabled by it's Cursed Body. So I'm back to square one, but I was so close to my first boss battle, I'm a bit disappointed and really not looking forward to another run.