RMT Help With Pokemon Team

Started by PokemonNoob3000 May 11th, 2015 3:00 AM
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  • 7 replies
Male
Seen June 4th, 2015
Posted June 4th, 2015
4 posts
8 Years
Hey guys, I just got into competitive battling just recently and to be honest, I suck xD.
I just thought that I could receive some help with my pokemon team, even just little advice on how to improve my team would be great.
Anyways, here is my team:

Scolipede (M) @ Focus Sash/Black Sludge
Ability: Speed Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Swords Dance
- Protect
- Baton Pass
- Megahorn

Registeel @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Clear Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 112 Def / 140 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rest
- Iron Head
- Toxic
- Thunder Wave/Knock Off

Medicham-Mega (M) @ Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Drain Punch
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Fire Punch

Durant (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Hustle
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 Atk / 216 Def / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Hone Claws
- X-Scissor
- Stone Edge

Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Toxic
- Scald/Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
- Confuse Ray

Garchomp (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Rush
- Fire Fang
- Aqua Tail

I first play Garchomp to set out the rocks, then depending on the person I'm playing against I either waste Garchomp by attacking or keep him to check other pokemon such as electric types. I then move into Durant to start honing claws behind a substitute and start attacking, I think this is good because of hustle's ability combined with hone claws buffs I can dish out some good damages. Anything else after that is just free styled, Scolipede is used to buff up Registeel or Medicham, one thing to note, I'm in LOVE with the Scolipede and Regi combo, I can be so flexible about it. Registeel by itself is just, in my opinion, top of the top defence, combine that with attack boost and speed boost as well as recovery, you got yourself an awesome pokemon. And last but not least Starmine, I use it for coverage and stalling if I have to. I don't know if scald or ice beam is a better match for him though.

Also, when I am not using Durant I use Tornadus:

Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hurricane
- Taunt
- U-turn
- Crunch

He just gives my team longevity and a slight bit more coverage.

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
If Baton Pass Scolipede uses an offensive move, use Jolly over Timid so that the move's power isn't reduced.

To be quite honest with you, Registeel is outclassed by other Steel Pokemon because of its passiveness. In that slot, Bisharp should go over it, as it pairs well with Medicham (or Gallade; see below) because it covers Medicham's Ghost weakness and inability to deal with Fighting Pokemon:
-Sucker Punch
-Iron Head
-Knock Off
-Pursuit/Swords Dance
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/52 SDef/204 Spe
Item: Black Glasses/Dread Plate/Life Orb/Lum Berry
Ability: Defiant

or
-Sucker Punch
-Iron Head
-Knock Off
-Pursuit
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 192 HP/220 Atk/96 Spe
Item: Assault Vest
Ability: Defiant

Your current Mega Medicham's set is a waste of its coverage. Having both High Jump Kick and Drain Punch at once wastes valuable coverage moveslots. It also should have Zen Headbutt to damage non-Psychic Pokemon that resist Fighting:
-High Jump Kick/Drain Punch
-Zen Headbutt
-Ice Punch/Baton Pass
-Substitute
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power

or
-High Jump Kick
-Zen Headbutt
-Fake Out
-Bullet Punch/Ice Punch
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power

However, I think Mega Gallade is better than Medicham because it's faster and bulkier and has a way to damage Psychic Pokemon reliably with Knock Off:
-Swords Dance
-Zen Headbutt
-Close Combat
-Knock Off
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Galladite

Durant isn't that good because it's very specially frail and Scizor outclasses it because of its access to priority Technician Bullet Punch. Fairy Pokemon like Sylveon and Clefable pair well with Bisharp and Gallade/Medicham, as they can deal with Dragon, Dark and Fighting Pokemon if neither of them can handle them:

Sylveon:
-Hyper Voice
-Psyshock
-Shadow Ball/Hidden Power (Ground/Fire)
-Baton Pass/Hidden Power (Ground/Fire)
Nature: Modest
EVs: 244 HP/252 SAtk/12 Spe
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate

or
-Wish
-Protect
-Hyper Voice
-Heal Bell/Toxic
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/220 Def/36 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate

Clefable:
-Calm Mind
-Moonblast
-Flamethrower/Thunder Wave
-Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP/172 Def/84 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard

or
-Wish
-Protect
-Moonblast
-Heal Bell/Aromatherapy/Flamethrower
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Unaware

or
-Calm Mind
-Moonblast
-Moonlight/Wish
-Flamethrower/Protect/Heal Bell/Thunder Wave
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Unaware

or
-Moonblast
-Fire Blast
-Focus Blast/Thunderbolt/Ice Beam
-Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP/252 SAtk/4 SDef
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard

Confuse Ray is a very unreliable attack to use, as confusion can be easily cured by switching out of battle. Here's a better take on defensive Starmie:
-Scald
-Psyshock/Reflect Type
-Rapid Spin
-Recover
Nature: Timid
EVs: 248 HP/32 Def/4 SAtk/224 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure

Reflect Type is in here to copy the types of Ferrothorn, Tyranitar or Bisharp, so the former can't Leech Seed it while you wall its STABs, while the latter two can't Pursuit trap you. This gives you more freedom to spam Scald to fish for a burn.

Garchomp shouldn't use Dragon Rush ever. This is because the move is inaccurate, though it's not as inaccurate as Focus Blast. Garchomp already has a reliable high-power STAB in Earthquake anyways:
-Stealth Rock
-Outrage/Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Fire Blast/Swords Dance
Nature: Naive/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash/Lum Berry

Crunch doesn't do Therian Tornadus any good, as Knock Off outclasses it in virtually every way by getting stronger if the target is holding a non-Mega Stone item before it gets knocked away. Anyway, here are better takes on Therian Tornadus (which you should seriously use over Durant, if possible). It also needs Superpower or Focus Blast to deal with Steel Pokemon better, as a Dark move generally isn't enough for them:
-Hurricane
-Focus Blast/Superpower
-Knock Off
-U-turn
Nature: Timid
EVs: 96 HP/160 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Assault Vest

or
-Hurricane
-Focus Blast/Superpower
-Knock Off
-U-turn/Taunt
Nature: Hasty
EVs: 76 Atk/180 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

Male
Seen June 4th, 2015
Posted June 4th, 2015
4 posts
8 Years
Ok thanks for the help, your approach seems to almost completely change my team... almost.

Even though Registeel is outclassed (by about 2 thirds of other steel types) I still wan't to use him, he has proven useful against special attackers and has effortlessly walled powerful dragons, fairies, water types, electric types and even fire. I also did switch out Durant with Therian Tornadus and replaced crunch with knock off.

For my Mega Medicham I decided to get rid of drain punch and replace it with Zen Headbutt, it was a big help in some areas.

Starmine was also changed, exactly how you suggested it, I found that my old set was more on stalling a pokemon that was going to stay in with starmine, your set just seems to keep them switching.

And also for Garchomp, I replaced him with my Sigilyph, here is it's move set (it's really fun to play it):

Sigilyph (F) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 48 HP / 208 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
- Cosmic Power
- Stored Power
- Psycho Shift
- Roost

Anyways thanks again for the tips :D

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
Ok thanks for the help, your approach seems to almost completely change my team... almost.

Even though Registeel is outclassed (by about 2 thirds of other steel types) I still wan't to use him, he has proven useful against special attackers and has effortlessly walled powerful dragons, fairies, water types, electric types and even fire. I also did switch out Durant with Therian Tornadus and replaced crunch with knock off.

For my Mega Medicham I decided to get rid of drain punch and replace it with Zen Headbutt, it was a big help in some areas.

Starmine was also changed, exactly how you suggested it, I found that my old set was more on stalling a pokemon that was going to stay in with starmine, your set just seems to keep them switching.

And also for Garchomp, I replaced him with my Sigilyph, her is it's move set (it's really fun to play it):

Sigilyph (F) @ Flame Orb
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 48 HP / 208 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
- Cosmic Power
- Stored Power
- Psycho Shift
- Roost

Anyways thanks again for the tips :D
While Cosmic Power + Stored Power seems tempting, this leaves Sigilyph prone to critical hits. Mega Latias does Stored Power abuse much better because of its much better bulk and ability to afford to run Dragon Pulse alongside Stored Power, so it won't get walled by Dark Pokemon. To be brutally honest with you, Garchomp really should stay on the team because it can provide Stealth Rock support. Stealth Rock is pretty much a mandatory move for all teams to achieve OHKOs and 2HKOs that you wouldn't normally get without the hazard down. Therefore, replacing Garchomp with Sigilyph isn't a good decision; Sigilyph is an outclassed Pokemon in general.

The reason why I suggested Bisharp over Registeel is because it pairs well with Medicham by covering its weaknesses to Ghost and Flying a (and Fairy to an extent). The Assault Vest set in particular lets Bisharp handle Ghost moves much better, as well as Dragon and Grass moves, among other specially-based moves it's resistant to. Take note that Registeel doesn't really do a good job against Water and Electric Pokemon, since they happen to resist Steel. They also can pack coverage moves that target Registeel's weaknesses. Fire Pokemon (especially specially-based ones; Heatran is a very prominent one) still have a field day with Registeel, whether or not it's set up Curse. Curse sets need loads of support to even function; Fire, Fighting and Ground Pokemon have to be eliminated before Registeel has to come in. If that support happens to go down, Registeel is essentially dead weight. This is also why Bisharp is much more useful, as it has much more offensive power to deal with threats; it also has priority in Sucker Punch to hit faster attackers, as well as Knock Off to remove non-Mega Stone items.

Male
Seen June 4th, 2015
Posted June 4th, 2015
4 posts
8 Years
Ok, I substituted Grachomp's rocks with Ferrothorn, I was also able to last longer with him, I also switched out Registeel with Bisharp, Scolipede stays in but he is now offensive and Sigilyph got replaced by Mega Latias.

Here is the team:

Ferrothorn (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock

Bisharp (M) @ Black Glasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 52 SpD / 204 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance

Scolipede @ Black Sludge
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Megahorn
- Poison Jab

Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- U-turn

Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 4 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Reflect Type
- Rapid Spin
- Recover

Latias-Mega (F) @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
- Stored Power
- Calm Mind
- Energy Ball
- Recover

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
Ok, I substituted Grachomp's rocks with Ferrothorn, I was also able to last longer with him, I also switched out Registeel with Bisharp, Scolipede stays in but he is now offensive and Sigilyph got replaced by Mega Latias.

Here is the team:

Ferrothorn (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Leech Seed
- Toxic
- Gyro Ball
- Stealth Rock

Bisharp (M) @ Black Glasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 52 SpD / 204 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance

Scolipede @ Black Sludge
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Megahorn
- Poison Jab

Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- U-turn

Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 4 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Reflect Type
- Rapid Spin
- Recover

Latias-Mega (F) @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
- Stored Power
- Calm Mind
- Energy Ball
- Recover
The general rule of thumb for dealing with defensive Pokemon spreads is to max out HP first before moving on to the defenses to optimize overall bulk. Your Ferrothorn doesn't really accomplish this. Also, this team is pretty susceptible to Talonflame, so I'd have Heatran or Therian Landorus as at least something that can deal with it:
-Lava Plume
-Toxic
-Taunt/Protect/Roar
-Stealth Rock
Nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP/192 SDef/68 Spe
Item: Leftovers

or
-Fire Blast/Magma Storm
-Flash Cannon/Hidden Power (Ice)/Stone Edge
-Earth Power
-Stealth Rock
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Air Balloon

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
-Stone Edge/Knock Off
-U-turn/Explosion
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 72 HP/252 Atk/184 Spe
Item: Soft Sand/Earth Plate/Focus Sash

But if you're set on keeping Ferrothorn, here's a better take on it:
-Stealth Rock
-Leech Seed
-Power Whip/Protect
-Gyro Ball/Thunder Wave
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP/88 Def/168 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Abiilty: Iron Barbs

I don't see the point of Energy Ball on Latias, when Dragon Pulse can hit Dark Pokemon for at least neutral damage as well for a bit more power. Outside of dealing with the occasional Quagsire, Gastrodon and Mega Swampert, Energy Ball isn't a good coverage option outside of being a STAB move for Grass Pokemon, And as an FYI, Mega Latias fits better on defensive teams; this doesn't appear to be one. I'd advise switching your Mega back to Medicham:
-Calm Mind
-Stored Power/Psyshock
-Substitute/Reflect Type/Dragon Pulse
-Roost
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/84 Def/176 Spe
Item: Latiasite

Male
Seen June 4th, 2015
Posted June 4th, 2015
4 posts
8 Years
Final Team:

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpD
Calm Nature
- Toxic
- Fire Blast
- Stealth Rock
- Will-O-Wisp

Bisharp (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 52 SpD / 204 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance

Scolipede @ Black Sludge
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Megahorn
- Poison Jab

Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- U-turn

Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 4 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Reflect Type
- Rapid Spin
- Recover

Medicham-Mega (M) @ Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 92 HP / 160 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Ice Punch
- High Jump Kick
- Fake Out
- Zen Headbutt

PlatinumDude

Nyeh?

Age 29
Male
Canada
Seen July 31st, 2020
Posted May 30th, 2020
12,958 posts
12.7 Years
Heatran should run 248 HP/192 SDef/68 Spe to make better use of its special bulk and outspeed 0 Speed Suicune, Mandibuzz and Mega Venusaur. Also, offensive Heatran variants make better use out of Fire Blast than defensive ones, as having 5-8 PP on your lone offensive attack makes Heatran easily stalled out of offensive power. In that case, having Lava Plume as the lone offensive attack is better for defensive Heatran because of the relatively high burn rate. I'd also drop Will-o-Wisp, as you're spreading burns with Lava Plume anyway:
-Stealth Rock
-Lava Plume
-Toxic
-Taunt/Protect/Roar
Nature: Calm
EVs: 248 HP/192 SDef/68 Spe
Item: Leftovers

I don't get what the bulk investment does for Mega Medicham. It loses out on a ton of power with your current spread. What KOs does it avoid? If it doesn't do anything in particular, just use max Attack/max Speed. If you want a Mega Evolution with the same typing, but better bulk (and Speed), I'd recommend Mega Gallade:
-Swords Dance
-Zen Headbutt
-Close Combat/Drain Punch
-Knock Off/Ice Punch/Shadow Sneak
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Galladite