Male
Seen April 7th, 2015
Posted March 31st, 2015
14 posts
8.2 Years
So being fairly new to competitive battling, I have been wanting to put together a team that is not only effective, but also fun!

While I currently do not have a full roster, I have 3-4 pokemon that I have decided would make the cut. Not only do I like them a lot, but I find they are pretty effective. Problem is, I'm unsure on what to round the team out with. I'm 2-3 pokemon short of a team, and could use some advice on what others may work well with the ones I have selected. Feel free to weigh in on whatever you may like, be it movesets, or just overall advice. I am fairly new and am open to suggestions!

I like to play tricky. I want to keep my opponents guessing as to what's next, and make them wonder as to just what it is they are in for.

The Team So Far!

Garchomp

EV's: 252 Atk, 252 Speed, 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
Ability: Rough Skin
Item: Rocky Helmet

-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Outrage
-Fire Blast

Gengar
EV's: 252 Sp. Atk, 252 Speed, 4 SpD
Timid Nature
Ability: Levitate
Item: Life Orb

-Shadow Ball
-Thunderbolt
-Dazzling Gleam
-Sludge Wave

and Gengar's partner in crime:

Zoroark (I love the ability to switch him in on the DL, but trying to find a moveset for him has proven challenging)
EV's: 252 Sp Atk, 252 Speed, 4 SpD
Timid Nature
Item: Life Orb

-Dark Pulse
-Extrasensory
-Flamethrower
-U-Turn (unsure about this choice. Would this reveal Zoroark? Or would it attack and then keep his identity a secret?)

And that's what I have... I'm unsure of what else would go well on my team. Any suggestions are appreciated, as I'm a bit new. Thanks!
Age 33
Male
Seen November 23rd, 2016
Posted July 14th, 2016
174 posts
12.6 Years
Maybe skarmory for spikes leads and starmie as spinner. Sorry I don't know their move set or natures, ect. off hand, but them up on smogon.
But then agin I shouldn't be trying to give advice, as still a beginner at this.
But laying some kinda of entry hazards is important in this metagame

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
Gengar needs Sludge Bomb/Sludge Wave to more easily handle Fairies, since they're rather prominent. Despite its frailty, Gengar's good defensive typing allows it to run offensive utility sets:
-Shadow Ball
-Sludge Wave/Sludge Bomb
-Focus Blast
-Destiny Bond/Taunt
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Focus Sash

or
-Substitute
-Shadow Ball
-Will-o-Wisp
-Taunt/Sludge Bomb/Sludge Wave/Disable
Nature: Timid
EVs: 28 HP/148 SAtk/80 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Black Sludge

or
-Hex
-Taunt
-Will-o-Wisp
-Sludge Wave/Sludge Bomb/Substitute
Nature: Timid
EVs: 8 HP/248 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Black Sludge

While Zoroark is most certainly capable of throwing opponents off with Illusion, the introduction of Fairy Pokemon severely hurt its usefulness, as the vast majority of them can take a Flamethrower. You'll have to consider switching it out, I'm afraid.

Infernape, while still decent, faces stiff competition from the Mega Charizards, Talonflame and Heatran as Fire attackers. But if you insist:
-Stealth Rock
-Overheat
-Close Combat/Taunt
-Endeavor
Nature: Hasty/Naive
EVs: 168 Atk/88 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Blaze

or
-Fire Blast/Flare Blitz
-Close Combat
-Mach Punch
-Hidden Power (Ice)/Thunder Punch/Grass Knot
Nature: Hasty/Naive
EVs: 168 Atk/88 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Iron Fist

or
-Close Combat
-Will-o-Wisp
-Taunt
-Slack Off
Nature: Impish
EVs: 212 HP/4 Atk/252 Def/40 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Blaze

As WolfMirage already mentioned, you need a Stealth Rock user. Stealth Rock is an important entry hazard, as it damages an opponent that switches in; the damage they take is based on their type. Prominent Stealth Rock setters include Ferrothorn, Therian Landorus and Garchomp:

Ferrothorn:
-Stealth Rock/Spikes
-Leech Seed
-Gyro Ball/Thunder Wave
-Power Whip/Protect
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP/88 Def/168 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs

Therian Landorus:
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-U-turn
-Stone Edge/Knock Off/Rock Slide
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP/240 Def/8 SDef/8 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Rocky Helmet

or
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-U-turn
-Knock Off/Stone Edge/Explosion
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 72 HP/252 Atk/184 Spe
Item: Earth Plate/Soft Sand/Normal Gem

Garchomp:
-Stealth Rock
-Outrage/Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Fire Blast/Swords Dance
Nature: Naive/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Lum Berry/Focus Sash/Rocky Helmet

Male
Seen April 7th, 2015
Posted March 31st, 2015
14 posts
8.2 Years
Oddly enough, the one pokemon I wanted to keep was Zoroark... it was kind of my inspiration for picking Gengar, as I could force a switch and take advantage of it.

Infernape, I am ok with leaving aside. Much as I love him, I know there are better options.

So what do I need now? I know I need something to help me punch through the walls that land in my way, and I think another solid attacker. (I'm thinking Greninja, but I already have Dark coverage, though I do need a Water 'mon.)

rob_thijs

Trick Room Master

Male
Radiant's base
Seen June 2nd, 2019
Posted November 25th, 2018
417 posts
8.3 Years
Oddly enough, the one pokemon I wanted to keep was Zoroark... it was kind of my inspiration for picking Gengar, as I could force a switch and take advantage of it.

Infernape, I am ok with leaving aside. Much as I love him, I know there are better options.

So what do I need now? I know I need something to help me punch through the walls that land in my way, and I think another solid attacker. (I'm thinking Greninja, but I already have Dark coverage, though I do need a Water 'mon.)
Greninja can be any type he want to be, I've seen Greninja's without Dark Pulse. It's what you please, just make sure you attack before you opponent and you can make him any type you want.

Team Magma Teambuilder can be found over here.
It shows what your team is weak to, if it covers that weakness and it shows your move coverage.

As WolfMirage suggested you could go with Rapid Spin Starmie, Excadrill etc. Or Defog support like Latias/Scizor etc.

Most teams need the following:

- Tank
- Physical Attacker
- Special Attacker
- Priority
- Defog / Rapid Spin support
- Rocks / Spikes setter

But you can go full offensive or full defensive, it's what you please.
Battle Spot Novice

FC: 5429 7972 8886
IGN: Rob
Male
Seen April 7th, 2015
Posted March 31st, 2015
14 posts
8.2 Years
Most teams need the following:

- Tank
- Physical Attacker
- Special Attacker
- Priority
- Defog / Rapid Spin support
- Rocks / Spikes setter
Love the Scizor idea (mega or normal?). Such an awesome 'mon. So Ferrothorn is my Rock setter, Gengar my Sp. Attacker, Zoroark, erm... seems he's in a weird spot... so now I just need a good physical attacker and tank...