A new team

[GreenFlame]

So I decided to make a thread to get help on Pokémon to put in my team. I want to go for Pokémon that can hit hard and fast while keeping a defensive side(?).

I haven't actually fully assembled a team yet, but I have trained a few Pokémon that I'd like to try to incorporate into my team and get help with the rest.


Update: My current team (incomplete)

Charizard [M @ Charizardite X
Blaze - Tough Claws (Mega)
248 HP/152 Atk/108 Spe
Adamant
- Dragon Dance
- (Undecided) Flare Blitz/Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Roost

Clefable [F @ Leftovers
Magic Guard
252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Bold
-Calm Mind
-Moonblast
-Flamethrower
-Moonlight

Greninja [M @ Life Orb
Protean
4 HP/252 SpAtk/252 Spe
Timid
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- Dark Pulse

Excadrill [M @ Leftovers/Air Balloon
Mold Breaker
252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Adamant
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rapid Spin
-Rock Slide/Stealth Rock
Ability: Mold Breaker

or

[M @ Choice Scarf/Assault Vest
Mold Breaker
252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe (Choice Scarf) or 120 HP/136 Atk/252 SDef (Assault Vest; Adamant only)
Adamant/Jolly
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin

Basically, give me some additions to make this a good team that will destroy people win every time stand a chance.

 

[PlatinumDude]

Sylveon needs Pixilate to even be viable, as it makes Hyper Voice stronger than Moonblast. However, Pixilate won't work on moves that are already Fairy, like Moonblast However, you need Poke Transfer from B2/W2, as Hyper Voice is a move tutor there:
-Wish
-Protect
-Hyper Voice
-Heal Bell/Calm Mind
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/216 Def/40 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate

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

Clefable is a more cartridge-friendly version:
-Wish
-Protect
-Moonblast
-Heal Bell/Aromatherapy/Thunder Wave
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Unaware/Magic Guard

or
-Calm Mind
-Moonblast
-Stored Power/Flamethrower
-Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard

or
-Stealth Rock
-Moonblast
-Flamethrower
-Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard

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

Delphox is horribly outclassed by other Fire Pokemon in standard play, like Charizard, Heatran or Talonflame. That's because it has a shallower move pool than either of them. Instead, Defog or Rapid Spin support is required for Charizard X, as it's vulnerable to Stealth Rock:

Mandibuzz:
-Foul Play
-Roost
-Taunt/Whirlwind
-Defog
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/136 Def/108 SDef/16 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat

Excadrill:
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rapid Spin
-Rock Slide/Stealth Rock
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Air Balloon
Ability: Mold Breaker

or
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe (Choice Scarf) or 120 HP/136 Atk/252 SDef (Assault Vest; Adamant only)
Item: Choice Scarf/Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker

Starmie:
-Hydro Pump
-Psyshock/Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure/Analytic

or
-Scald
-Rapid Spin
-Reflect Type
-Recover
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/32 Def/224 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure

 

[GreenFlame]

-Stealth Rock
-Moonblast
-Flamethrower
-Moonlight
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard

I think I wanna go with this one, but Stealth Rock is only teachable to Clefable via move tutor in B2/W2, so what should I do about that?

Delphox is horribly outclassed by other Fire Pokemon in standard play, like Charizard, Heatran or Talonflame. That's because it has a shallower move pool than either of them. Instead, Defog or Rapid Spin support is required for Charizard X, as it's vulnerable to Stealth Rock.

I will replace Delphox with one of the Pokémon you provided once I've decided which one, but would it be good to keep the Greninja on my team?

Greninja [M @ Life Orb
Protean
4HP/252SpAtk/252Spe
Timid
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- Dark Pulse

 

[halcyonic]

I think I wanna go with this one, but Stealth Rock is only teachable to Clefable via move tutor in B2/W2, so what should I do about that?

well, the only possible way is to get a clefable in b2w2 and transfer it to xy through pokebank.

 

[GreenFlame]

well, the only possible way is to get a clefable in b2w2 and transfer it to xy through pokebank.

That's what I thought. I don't know what move to replace it with though. Perhaps Thunder Wave...

 

[halcyonic]

thunder wave = thundurus (priority prankster ftw, thundurus hits hard as well)

you could always run cm on clefable.

 

[GreenFlame]

thunder wave = thundurus (priority prankster ftw, thundurus hits hard as well)

you could always run cm on clefable.

cm? I should probably know this, but I'm not as knowledgeable with Pokémon as other people, though I try (or maybe I'm just dumb? xD).

 

[halcyonic]

cm stands for calm mind. /25charfiller

 

[GreenFlame]

Of the five options, I'm not sure which Pokémon to have out of the Rapid Spin/Defog builds.


Charizard [M @ Charizardite X
Blaze - Tough Claws (Mega)
248HP/152Atk/108Spe
Adamant
- Dragon Dance
- (Undecided) Flare Blitz/Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Roost

Clefable [F @ Leftovers
-Calm Mind
-Moonblast
-Flamethrower
-Moonlight
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Ability: Magic Guard

Greninja [M @ Life Orb
Protean
4HP/252SpAtk/252Spe
Timid
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- Dark Pulse

Mandibuzz/Excadrill/Starmie



I'm yet to decide on the fourth one.

Should my Charizard have Flare Blitz or Earthquake?

 

[MoxieInfinite]

If offense run Excadrill. Or Latios. Or healing wish latias.

Mandibuzz is horribly lackluster, well buildt teams should have no issues with it. Zapdos checks important ♥♥♥♥, like Mega Pinsir. Definitely consider that. Starmie sucks, dont bother.

 

[GreenFlame]

If offense run Excadrill. Or Latios. Or healing wish latias.

Mandibuzz is horribly lackluster, well buildt teams should have no issues with it. Zapdos checks important ♥♥♥♥, like Mega Pinsir. Definitely consider that. Starmie sucks, dont bother.

Thing about the legends is I don't have any means of acquiring them without trading any legends i already have, which I wouldn't like to do. I have Zapdos but it's no good (poor stats).

I noticed Excadrill would be a good offense. I was sort of considering that one from the start. When you recommend Zapdos is it because of its typing? If so, Emolga has the same typing, is that considerable (probably not, I am really not very knowledgeable)?

 

[MoxieInfinite]

Dont use emolga. Zapdos' typing allows it to check M Pinsir amongst others, and Defog is a huge bonus. Nothing wrong with Excadrill on offense. Spread should be the last thing you add.

 

[GreenFlame]

Dont use emolga. Zapdos' typing allows it to check M Pinsir amongst others, and Defog is a huge bonus. Nothing wrong with Excadrill on offense. Spread should be the last thing you add.

Okay, I'll train the Excadrill after I get my Clefable, which could take a while because of how breeding works with it. I assume by "spread" you mean EV spread, right (unsure because I am dumb)?

Which should I pick for my Charizard, Flare Blitz or Earthquake?

I know it's a bit early to ask, but with this current team what should I have for the last two, and who should be the leader of the party (the one who is sent out first)?

Spoiler:

Charizard [M @ Charizardite X
Blaze - Tough Claws (Mega)
248 HP/152 Atk/108 Spe
Adamant
- Dragon Dance
- (Undecided) Flare Blitz/Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Roost

Clefable [F @ Leftovers
Magic Guard
252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Bold
-Calm Mind
-Moonblast
-Flamethrower
-Moonlight

Greninja [M @ Life Orb
Protean
4 HP/252 SpAtk/252 Spe
Timid
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Extrasensory
- Dark Pulse

Excadrill:
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rapid Spin
-Rock Slide/Stealth Rock
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Air Balloon
Ability: Mold Breaker

or

-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe (Choice Scarf) or 120 HP/136 Atk/252 SDef (Assault Vest; Adamant only)
Item: Choice Scarf/Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker

 

[MoxieInfinite]

dont run AV, balloon is infinitely much better

Play 100+ games on showdown to test stuff out, 20+ is enough if you have understanding of the metagame. Dont just build something. Few people are smart enough to have their theorymonning perfectly workable in practice, and none of them are here.

Testtesttesttest. Theorymon. Give everything a chance. If you change stuff, dont forget to cover up the potential loss. Unlesd its for a tournament. Which it isnt.

 

[PlatinumDude]

dont run AV, balloon is infinitely much better

You're underestimating Assault Vest Excadrill's effectiveness. With it, Excadrill makes good use of its specially-based resistances to have more opportunities to Rapid Spin; it can also live some super effective hits or neutral hits that Balloon Excadrill can't survive:

252+ SpA Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 120 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Excadrill: 109-130 (27.8 - 33.2%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252+ SpA Teravolt Kyurem-B Ice Beam vs. 120 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Excadrill: 105-124 (26.8 - 31.7%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252+ SpA Teravolt Kyurem-B Earth Power vs. 120 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Excadrill: 140-166 (35.8 - 42.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252+ SpA Rotom-W Hydro Pump vs. 120 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Excadrill: 236-278 (60.3 - 71%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

I'm not suggesting that Assault Vest Excadrill should be used, but I'm saying that it's still a viable option. Balloon Excadrill is still viable, ofc.

 

[MoxieInfinite]

Much of this is irrelevant. The only special attacks Excadrill should take on offense are HP Ice's (HP Flying isnt even scary) from ♥♥♥♥ like Thundurus. AV is an option, though far from the best one.

 

[GreenFlame]

What if I go for the max-speed offensive?:

Excadrill:
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf (or would Air Balloon still be viable here?)
Ability: Mold Breaker



I think I need a good Electric-type for the team, what can be recommended?

 

[lemonhihi]

Can't it learn stone edge?

 

[GreenFlame]

Can't it learn stone edge?

I just checked, it appears to be one of the only Ground-type Pokémon that can't learn it, as just about every other Pokémon that has the Ground or Rock type is capable of learning it.

I was thinking of having an Electric-type on this team, but I don't know much about which are good, so what are the options? Which would help out my current team?

 

[PlatinumDude]

I was thinking of having an Electric-type on this team, but I don't know much about which are good, so what are the options? Which would help out my current team?

The good Electric Pokemon are Wash Rotom, Thundurus and Zapdos. Experiment and see which one works for you:

Wash Rotom:
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Will-o-Wisp
-Pain Split/Rest
Nature: Bold/Calm
EVs: 248 HP/216 Def/44 Spe (Bold) or 248 HP/216 SDef/44 Spe (Calm)
Item: Leftovers/Chesto Berry

or
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Hidden Power (Ice)/Will-o-Wisp
-Trick
Nature: Modest/Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf

Thundurus:
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power (Ice)
-Psychic/Focus Blast
-Thunder Wave
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers
Ability: Prankster

or
-Nasty Plot
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power (Flying/Ice)
-Substitute/Focus Blast/Psychic
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Life Orb
Ability: Prankster

or
-Thunderbolt
-Knock Off
-Superpower/Thunder Wave
-Hidden Power (Ice)
Nature: Hasty/Naive
EVs: 76 Atk/180 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

Therian Thundurus:
-Nasty Plot
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power (Flying)
-Focus Blast
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Lum Berry

or
-Agility
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power (Flying/Ice)
-Focus Blast/Psychic
Nature: Modest
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

or
-Nasty Plot
-Agility
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power (Ice/Flying)
Nature: Modest
EVs: 156 HP/252 SAtk/100 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers

Zapdos:
-Thunderbolt
-Defog
-Roost
-Heat Wave/Toxic/U-turn
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/168 Def/68 SAtk/20 Spe
Item: Leftovers