Because team building was never my strong point (Platinum OU)

[Smarties-chan]

As soon as the Platinum changes were added on Shoddy, I wanted to try out some of the new Platinum moves, namely Heat Wave on Crobat and Trick on Starmie. I then picked four more Pokémon I thought would work well with these two and the result was surprisingly good considering building working teams from scratch is something I've never been good at. This team has been doing decently on the ladder, but not well enough so I thought I might as well get it rated.

*pokemonelite2000 image removed* (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 6 Atk/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Hasty nature (+Spd, -Def)
- Taunt
- U-turn
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ground]
---
I've always loved Crobat as a Pokémon and I've used CBBat before as an amazing lead. This time, however, I wanted to try a different approach. This set was designed to be a nasty surprise for two common Crobat switch-ins: Heatran and Scizor as well as being a threat to Magnezone, another Pokémon I often see coming in on it. Heat Wave scores a nice one-hit KO on Scizor and Forretress and dents Metagross, Skarmory and Mamoswine enough to make them think twice before switching in on Crobat again. Heatrans take anything from between around 50% to almost 80% damage from Hidden Power. Taunt shuts down Stealth Rockers while U-turn allows me to scout any possible switches and switch in an appropriate counter to turn the tide in my favor as soon as the battle starts. It also allows me to break opposing Sashes, after which I usually go to Starmie. Focus Sash is a useful item so that surprise Choice Scarfers won't wipe out Crobat right off the bat. (no pun intended)

*pokemonelite2000 image removed* @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/118 Atk/140 SDef
Careful nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Hammer Arm
- Light Screen
- Thunderpunch
- Ice Punch
---
My primary answer to Gengar, Skymin and Specsmence. Metagross is much bulkier on the special side than it's given credit for. The EVs allow me to survive 3 Shadow Balls from Timid Gengar (as long as no hax occurs) and two Earth Powers from Skymin while I proceed to set up a Light Screen for valuable team support or to hammer them with Thunderpunch or Ice Punch, which also deal with Gyarados and Salamence respectively. For the last move I chose Hammer Arm because it allows me to hit both Tyranitar and Heatran while not leaving me helpless against Magnet Rising Magnezones while still dealing with Ice types.

*pokemonelite2000 image removed* (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Pulse
- Fire Blast
- Hydro Pump
---
My team needed a heavy hitter and Specsmence seemed to be the perfect Pokémon for the job. With most Mences being DD or Mix, Specsmence can net some surprise KOs. This guy often KOs up to 4 of the opponent's Pokémon and is menacing both early on and late in the game. Salamence also provides me with a handful of useful resistances and Intimidate support.

*pokemonelite2000 image removed* @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
- Rapid Spin
---
As soon as I heard Starmie gets Trick I wanted to try this out. This is my primary Gyarados switch-in and revenge killer and my most valuable midgame Pokémon. Modest nature gives me just the kick I need to seriously dent the opponent's team. Scarfed Rotom forms switching in on this get two-hit KOd by Surf and Gengar takes some brutal damage as well, which discourages them to switch in, often leaving me room to Rapid Spin. Since getting stuck on Rapid Spin isn't such a great idea, I have Trick to rid me of my Choice Scarf, often crippling a wall in the progress. If you're going to suggest any Pokémon to be replaced on my team, please don't let it be Starmie. ;_;

*pokemonelite2000 image removed* (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP/216 Def/52 SAtk
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Hydro Pump
- Earthquake
- Toxic
---
Ever since the days of Advance, I've always preferred Mixpert over any other set. I mainly chose this Pokémon for Stealth Rock support, but it has been doing quite well for me. Hydro Pump deals heavy damage on Hippowdon, Gliscor and other physically bulky Pokémon that would otherwise laugh at Swampert whereas Toxic wears down Zapdos and other Pokémon Swampert might not be capable of directly dealing with on its own.

*pokemonelite2000 image removed* (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP/34 Atk/128 Def/96 SDef
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Stone Edge
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
---
I needed a reliable Tyranitar switch-in and decided a bulky Machamp would work well. This guy survives two Shadow Balls from Gengar and 2-hit KOs back and can deal with anything Tyranitar can throw at it. Dynamicpunch provides confusion support, which is always helpful. Also deals with Blissey.


One thing my team has had a lot of trouble with is heavy stall. Taking down just Suicune, Zapdos or Cresselia is hard enough, but any combination of the three is a nightmare to deal with and usually requires me to downright outplay my opponent and taking huge risks just to defeat just one Pokémon. This process usually involves Swampert Toxicing the opponent, Crobat coming in for a Taunt, Metagross setting up a Light Screen and Salamence finishing the job or sacrificing Starmie to Trick a Scarf on Zapdos. For this, I've considered replacing either Thunderpunch or Light Screen on Metagross with Explosion. Any suggestions?

 

[.]

Crobat definately does not need Focus Sash, and lack of its best STAB move (Air Slash) for a special set also hurts it. I don't know why you'd prefer a set of that sort, when a Bulky Rooster is superior to it in every single way:

Crobat @ Leftovers
Timid
160 HP / 132 SpA / 216 Spe Air Slash
Taunt
Roost
U-Turn/Heat Wave

This can serve as a *check* to fighting types, as well as a 100% counter for Stone Edge-less Breloom (which is quite rare, and ineffective) Roost rids Crobat of three weaknesses, and only adds on other. Focus Sash isn't needed on something semi-bulky like Crobat, if you're looking for a "fast taunter" then just use Aerodactyl, who gets Fire Fang.

For that Metagross, Meteor Mash is almost a necessity, since it's its best STAB move and can do does a hell of a lot of damage to Skymin already. Hammer Arm is okay, I guess its for those Magnezones that you fear so much, although you have Swampert to completely wall it (HP Grass is so rare I'm not gonna even bother mentioning it as a threat)

Specsmence is fine, I prefer Mixmence, but whatever. The rest of the team is fine besides the uncomfortable SD Scizor weakness (keep that Crobat alive!)

 

[Smarties-chan]

The thing is, Crobat needs max Special Attack to OHKO Scizor, which is pretty much the only reason to use Heat Wave to begin with. Without max Special Attack, I also miss out on a possible 2-hit KO on Metagross. (IIRC, I've dealt ~52% damage to Metagross with Heat Wave) The reason I don't use Air Slash is that Crobat won't be dealing any noteworthy damage without getting a super effective hit and Air Slash doesn't cover anything I've really had trouble with. I've never had trouble playing around Fighting types with this team. And I'm fully aware of how well Crobat can take hits, but that Sash has saved me on too many occasions for me to let go of it. It also serves as an "insurance" against surprise Choice Scarves. The reason I'm running this Crobat set is to deal with some very specific threats that usually counter Crobat. I might try out Aeordactyl, though although the lack of U-turn is a bit off-putting for me.

As for Metagross, there have actually been very few occasions when I've felt the need to have Meteor Mash. Although it still deals massive damage to Shaymin, I lose damage against Dragons. I might try Meteor Mash over Thunderpunch as Gyarados hasn't really been giving me that much trouble. And the reason I'm adamant on keeping Hammer Arm is that if I get trapped with no way to hurt Magnezone, I lose my Light Screen support and my only Pokémon capable of taking repeated special hits.

I guess I'll try out Meteor Mash and Aeordactyl and report back, then.

 

[.]

The thing is, Crobat needs max Special Attack to OHKO Scizor, which is pretty much the only reason to use Heat Wave to begin with. Without max Special Attack, I also miss out on a possible 2-hit KO on Metagross. (IIRC, I've dealt ~52% damage to Metagross with Heat Wave) The reason I don't use Air Slash is that Crobat won't be dealing any noteworthy damage without getting a super effective hit and Air Slash doesn't cover anything I've really had trouble with. I've never had trouble playing around Fighting types with this team. And I'm fully aware of how well Crobat can take hits, but that Sash has saved me on too many occasions for me to let go of it. It also serves as an "insurance" against surprise Choice Scarves. The reason I'm running this Crobat set is to deal with some very specific threats that usually counter Crobat. I might try out Aeordactyl, though although the lack of U-turn is a bit off-putting for me.

As for Metagross, there have actually been very few occasions when I've felt the need to have Meteor Mash. Although it still deals massive damage to Shaymin, I lose damage against Dragons. I might try Meteor Mash over Thunderpunch as Gyarados hasn't really been giving me that much trouble. And the reason I'm adamant on keeping Hammer Arm is that if I get trapped with no way to hurt Magnezone, I lose my Light Screen support and my only Pokémon capable of taking repeated special hits.

I guess I'll try out Meteor Mash and Aeordactyl and report back, then.

Crobat's gonna 2HKO Scizor either way, and even a CB Bullet Punch will not be OHKOing Crobat with the Bulky Spread. I'd use Aerodactyl or Azelf over Crobat if you're interested in a "suicide" lead.

Meteor Mash is still going to hurt Mence and friends, and neither of them are going to switch in on you unless they expect an EQ. If you get LS up, Flamethrower/etc...won't OHKO.

Meh, I guess whatever works for you.

 

[BeachBoy]

Like the team, Smartie Candy. Though you should change that nature on Swampert, Bold hampers Earthquake. So how about going with Relaxed? I still tend to favor Ice Beam over Hydro Pump these days, but if that's where you want to float your boat, seems fine.

Kudos for Specmence usage by the way, it's not even a primary item option with Mence anymore. (About under 9% for other items statistic iirc) Just make sure you get that Blissey out of the way, obviously. (Once they find out it's Specs) Should get a good amount of surprise for ya.

 

[Dark Azelf]

Swampert has a Bold Nature, i believe you want Relaxed.

I was gonna suggest you make mence mixmence with roost(to help with stall) also roost will let you keep coming in and will help in the long run vs fighters and scizor, make Meta one of those SR support ones(SR/MM/BOOM/Bullet Punch), this again will soften up stuff and you can blow up on problems. Whilst still giving you a check to gengar with if you use the standard spread.

I dont get what crobat does in all honesty, apart from taunt its kinda outclassed totally by zappy. I do actually think one of those; Roost / HP [Ice/Grass]/T-Bolt/Heat Wave LO Zapdos (80 hp / 252 sp.att / 176 speed @ Timid )would be cool here >> bat, not only does this give you a good check scizor, but to + speed Ice Punch Lucario too.

Then you can shove a CB on that swampert. (waterfall/se/ice punch/eq@ Adamant max hp /max att)


All the above will make your team more offensive and harder to wall, thus helping with stall in the long run. Sure you loose Taunt, but metagross eats most sash leads and most leads in general with Bullet Punch and MM.

Lead Gross
LO Zappy
CB Swampert
Scarf star
Mixmence
Machamp

I was thinking something like that..but eh...


:<

 

[Smarties-chan]

Yeah, the Bold nature was obviously a mistake. Thanks for catching that. I really like your suggestions, D_A and I'll see how they work out. Thank you for a most excellent rate and also to everyone else who has commented on this.