Battle Spot Doubles Team (Probably Trash, But idk)

[DarkestMidnight]

Hey guys, I made a new team today for Battle Spot doubles. Please tell me what you think, and be fair about the criticism. I'm aware this team might not be that good or balanced, but I did the best I could, considering I made this in less than 30 minutes. Thanks, I hope my team gives you some good ideas!

Smeargle @ Focus Sash
Ability: Own Tempo
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Calm Nature
- Dark Void
- Light Screen
- Wide Guard
- Stealth Rock

Conkeldurr @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Fist
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Earthquake
- Thunder Punch
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Drought
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
- Air Slash

Sceptile @ Leftovers
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 50
- Leaf Storm
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Rest

Gengar @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Impish Nature
- Destiny Bond
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Toxic

Gyarados @ Power Herb
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Lax Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Iron Head
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump

 

[PlatinumDude]

Entry hazards aren't that useful in doubles, since switching is a very rare thing to do there. Spiky Shield is the best protecting move for Smeargle since it won't get blocked by Imprison and punishes contact attackers. King's Shield can also be a nice substitute, but it will only block offensive attacks. Besides, there are better Wide Guard users out there like Aegislash:
-Dark Void
-Follow Me
-Spiky Shield/King's Shield
-Tailwind/Fake Out
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 Def/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Moody

A Calm nature is a waste on Conkeldurr, since it weakens its good Attack. A Brave nature should be used to counter Trick Room:
-Drain Punch
-Mach Punch
-Ice Punch/Rock Slide
-Knock Off/Wide Guard/Detect
Nature: Brave/Adamant
EVs: 20 HP/244 Atk/12 Def/228 SDef/4 Spe
Item: Assault Vest/Sitrus Berry
Ability: Guts/Iron Fist

While Charizard Y is one of the best Pokemon in doubles, you're not using it right. In your current set, Dragon Dance only benefits Dragon Claw, while Air Slash is outdamaged by sun-boosted Fire Blasts, even against supereffective targets. Dragon Dance Charizard X (the better Dragon Dancer out of the two formes) is outclassed by Mega Salamence:
-Heat Wave
-Solar Beam
-Overheat/Fire Blast/Hidden Power (Ground)/Focus Blast
-Protect
Nature: Modest/Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Charizardite Y

Sceptile is pretty much outclassed by other Grass Pokemon. Yes, it has good Speed and Special Attack, but its special move pool is pretty shallow and gets boned by Talonflame. And speaking of Talonflame, you need something to deal with it, like Therian Landorus or Wash Rotom:

Therian Landorus:
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-U-turn/Superpower/Knock Off
-Protect/U-turn
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe or 164 HP/172 Atk/4 Def/76 SDef/92 Spe (Assault Vest)
Item: Life Orb/Focus Sash/Assault Vest

or
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-U-turn
-Superpower/Stone Edge/Knock Off
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf/Choice Band

Gengar has little use for Psychic. Will-o-Wisp is better over Toxic, as it also cripples physical attackers. For the secondary offensive attack, Sludge Bomb is a secondary STAB, while Icy Wind provides Speed control:
-Shadow Ball
-Sludge Bomb/Icy Wind
-Will-o-Wisp
-Protect
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash

Power Herb is useless on Gyarados in that case, as it doesn't have 2-turn moves. Not only that, Iron Head, a non-STAB move on Gyarados, is literally the only move that benefits from Dragon Dance. Hydro Pump and Dark Pulse are pathetic coming from 60 Special Attack. Gyarados can act as a utility supporter, or a full-on Dragon Dance sweeper in doubles, the latter of which can function as the secondary Mega Evolution when needed:
-Waterfall
-Taunt
-Thunder Wave/Icy Wind
-Protect/Stone Edge
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP/204 Def/52 Spe or 252 HP/52 Atk/108 Def/44 SDef/52 Spe
Item: Sitrus Berry/Wacan Berry
Ability: Intimidate

or
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Crunch/Earthquake/Stone Edge/Ice Fang
-Protect
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
EVs: 12 HP/252 Atk/244 Spe
Item: Gyaradosite/Lum Berry
Ability: Intimidate

(note that Crunch should only be used with Gyaradosite, as it won't be that useful with regular Gyarados)

 

[DarkestMidnight]

Entry hazards aren't that useful in doubles, since switching is a very rare thing to do there. Spiky Shield is the best protecting move for Smeargle since it won't get blocked by Imprison and punishes contact attackers. King's Shield can also be a nice substitute, but it will only block offensive attacks. Besides, there are better Wide Guard users out there like Aegislash:
-Dark Void
-Follow Me
-Spiky Shield/King's Shield
-Tailwind/Fake Out
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 Def/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Moody

Great advice, thanks for spending so much time with the help! ^.^
A Calm nature is a waste on Conkeldurr, since it weakens its good Attack. A Brave nature should be used to counter Trick Room:
-Drain Punch
-Mach Punch
-Ice Punch/Rock Slide
-Knock Off/Wide Guard/Detect
Nature: Brave/Adamant
EVs: 20 HP/244 Atk/12 Def/228 SDef/4 Spe
Item: Assault Vest/Sitrus Berry
Ability: Guts/Iron Fist

While Charizard Y is one of the best Pokemon in doubles, you're not using it right. In your current set, Dragon Dance only benefits Dragon Claw, while Air Slash is outdamaged by sun-boosted Fire Blasts, even against supereffective targets. Dragon Dance Charizard X (the better Dragon Dancer out of the two formes) is outclassed by Mega Salamence:
-Heat Wave
-Solar Beam
-Overheat/Fire Blast/Hidden Power (Ground)/Focus Blast
-Protect
Nature: Modest/Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Charizardite Y

Sceptile is pretty much outclassed by other Grass Pokemon. Yes, it has good Speed and Special Attack, but its special move pool is pretty shallow and gets boned by Talonflame. And speaking of Talonflame, you need something to deal with it, like Therian Landorus or Wash Rotom:

Therian Landorus:
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-U-turn/Superpower/Knock Off
-Protect/U-turn
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe or 164 HP/172 Atk/4 Def/76 SDef/92 Spe (Assault Vest)
Item: Life Orb/Focus Sash/Assault Vest

or
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
-U-turn
-Superpower/Stone Edge/Knock Off
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf/Choice Band

Gengar has little use for Psychic. Will-o-Wisp is better over Toxic, as it also cripples physical attackers. For the secondary offensive attack, Sludge Bomb is a secondary STAB, while Icy Wind provides Speed control:
-Shadow Ball
-Sludge Bomb/Icy Wind
-Will-o-Wisp
-Protect
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash

Power Herb is useless on Gyarados in that case, as it doesn't have 2-turn moves. Not only that, Iron Head, a non-STAB move on Gyarados, is literally the only move that benefits from Dragon Dance. Hydro Pump and Dark Pulse are pathetic coming from 60 Special Attack. Gyarados can act as a utility supporter, or a full-on Dragon Dance sweeper in doubles, the latter of which can function as the secondary Mega Evolution when needed:
-Waterfall
-Taunt
-Thunder Wave/Icy Wind
-Protect/Stone Edge
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP/204 Def/52 Spe or 252 HP/52 Atk/108 Def/44 SDef/52 Spe
Item: Sitrus Berry/Wacan Berry
Ability: Intimidate

or
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Crunch/Earthquake/Stone Edge/Ice Fang
-Protect
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
EVs: 12 HP/252 Atk/244 Spe
Item: Gyaradosite/Lum Berry
Ability: Intimidate

(note that Crunch should only be used with Gyaradosite, as it won't be that useful with regular Gyarados)

 

[RawrMonkey]

PlatinumDude pretty much has you covered and most of what I'm going to say is somewhat opinion mixed in with experience that backs up his post along with a few tips.

Side note - after reviewing what I wrote, none of this flows whatsoever so take each section separately.

Smeargle is one weird Pokemon, being better in a meta full of legends says something.. In BS-doubles though, his most optimal set is nothing but mainly RNG rolls and a bit of mind games. Although there has been some success with Smeargle in the past, it's just not a super-viable Pokemon in a more strategy based meta. (Compared to vgc16 at least lol..)

Hazards get you little to nowhere in this meta for the same reasons I mentioned in your VGC16 RMT, maybe minus the timer constraints but they still don't last nearly long enough for these moves to be viable.

I would like to add on to the mention of Aegislash, it's a consistent and highly viable Pokemon. You can opt for the wide guard support your team needs against Landorus, or you could give wide guard to your Conk and use a sub+lefties set on Aegislash.

Aegislash @ Leftovers/Weakness Policy/Life Orb/Sitrus Berry
Modest/Quiet Nature
252 HP/252 S.Att/4 Def
-Shadow Ball
-Flash Cannon
-King's Shield
-Substitute/Wide Guard

No matter what people say, there's nothing wrong with a 4/252/252 spread. Seems like you're still learning how to team build so I won't touch on optimizing EVs and I don't recommend copying just random EV sets unless you know what they accomplish.

Offensively invested Conk is best Conk. c:
Conk's attack is massive, you need a lot more investment and make use of it. There's less than a handful of non-megas and non-legends that can top Conk's attack stat plus it Drain Punches your Kang problems away. (Aegislash helps with that too)

Charizard-Y is a beautiful mega, definitely one of the top 5. People often do go for bulky sets since it sets up sun and has an enormous base Special Attack but it's more on the physically defensive side rather than special. Look at PlatinumDude's set for a simple and easy to use/learn Char-Y. I'll warn you though, non-bulky Char-Y needs a lot more support than the other top megas. A wide guard user such as Aegislash or Conk would cover half your problems by preventing and resisting rock slide.

Sceptile is bad. Don't use him unless you plan on having fun with Mega-Secptile and don't plan on winning consistently.

If there's one thing I could change to PlatinumDude's Gengar it would be adding taunt as an optional move for your 4th slot. Don't get me wrong, protect is amazing on any Pokemon in a doubles format but Focus Sash Gengar is one of those Pokemon that can live without it. You have no taunt users or way to prevent the opponent's support Pokemon from going crazy, unless you go support Gyarados.



If you need somewhere to start off, I would replace Sceptile immediately followed by Smeargle. I highly recommend Aegislash for one of these slots or consider Wide Guard Conk, some other Pokemon to consider would be Landorus or Amoonguss. For the rest of your team just go with PlatinumDude's recommendations as they're common and consistent sets.

 

[gimmepie]

I don't know much about doubles and I know even less about battlespot. From what I understand though, a good doubles team should support, defend and enhance each other. You've got pretty decent coverage and all that, but I don't see any of that special synergy that makes doubles teams unique.

I don't know if that's really a requirement, but it's something I've noticed.

The only other thing I will say, is that I've only ever had success with Smeargle. I don't know what issues the above user has with it, but Smeargle is definitely one of the best openers in the game and you seem to have done a good job setting your up for doubles as best as I can tell.

 

[RawrMonkey]

I don't know much about doubles and I know even less about battlespot. From what I understand though, a good doubles team should support, defend and enhance each other. You've got pretty decent coverage and all that, but I don't see any of that special synergy that makes doubles teams unique.

I don't know if that's really a requirement, but it's something I've noticed.

The only other thing I will say, is that I've only ever had success with Smeargle. I don't know what issues the above user has with it, but Smeargle is definitely one of the best openers in the game and you seem to have done a good job setting your up for doubles as best as I can tell.

It's super inconsistent in BS doubles and the main reason people use it are for dark void and maybe transform. Other than that, there are plenty of Pokemon that can fill this support role without having to heavily rely on RNG. Dark void has shaky accuracy, his "best" or most used ability is 100% RNG, and sleep turns outside of turn 1 sleep are RNG as well. BS doubles is a meta where the smallest amount of RNG can turn a game around in an instant.

Not saying it's a bad Pokemon, I honestly love using the little dog thing, but in higher level play you really just want to go with something more reliable. For example, platinumdude's common smeargle can easily be replaced with togekiss. Togekiss is much bulkier, it can easily set up tailwind, it can actually survive a hit after using follow me, and it provides some offense in stab air slash (replace dark void) with no negative RNG rolls besides 5% chance to miss..

This isn't a 6v6 doubles meta, it's 4v4 dominated by kangashan and landorus-t, so his smeargle is pretty useless at the moment because battles don't last long enough to make effective use of its moves. I could go on and on about Smeargles negatives and why you shouldn't just throw him into a team made in 30 minutes. Smeargle requires a lot of consideration and a much more experienced mind set of the meta, which OP does not have quite yet.

 

[gimmepie]

Snip

That's fair I suppose, I'm a singles player and in singles Smeargle has always done very well for me. In a doubles meta where you only have four slots though I can totally get that suicide leads like Smeargle aren't as viable.