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Bounce. Rain. Knock-Off. Freeze Dry Hurricane

Fading Tree

SRK
    • 221
    Posts
    11
    Years
    Anti-Lead
    Espeon @ Focus Sash
    Ability: Magic Bounce
    EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
    Timid Nature
    - Psychic
    - Dazzling Gleam
    - Hidden Power [Fire]
    - Grass Knot

    Psychic for Stab, Dazzling Gleam for coverage, HP Fire for Ferrothorns, Grass Knot.
    She prevents rocks from touching my field. She also has the ability to kill a pokemon or two.

    Rocker
    Swampert @ Leftovers
    Ability: Torrent
    EVs: 224 Def / 240 HP / 44 Atk
    Relaxed Nature
    - Scald
    - Earthquake
    - Stealth Rock
    - Roar

    Swampert sets up rocks (if not bounced) Scalds, and EQs all that it can while trying to soak up physical hits.

    Tank
    Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
    Ability: Guts
    EVs: 252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
    Adamant Nature
    - Ice Punch
    - Knock Off
    - Drain Punch
    - Mach Punch

    Conkeldurr is my AV bulky eater. IT has nice coverage, He takes away Left overs, eviolites and main Ferrothorn killer.

    The Teams Other Bouncer
    Xatu @ Leftovers

    Currently I'm 5-4
    and I'm effectively ranking down.
    I notced only flaw in my team. Articuno isn't fast nor strong enough :(
    #HelpPlease
    Ability: Magic Bounce
    EVs: 200 SDef / 248 HP / 60 Spd
    Careful Nature
    - Toxic
    - U-turn
    - Night Shade
    - Roost

    Eats up special hits the best that it can, while hear mainly to annoy.

    The True Special Wall
    Politoed @ Damp Rock
    Ability: Drizzle
    EVs: 248 HP / 244 SDef / 16 Spd
    Calm Nature
    - Rest
    - Sleep Talk
    - Scald
    - Toxic

    This pokemon sets up rain, and rest talks Scalds and Toxics. He doesn't like steal pokemon though and supports Swampert, Himself, and the last member of the team

    The Sweeper
    Articuno @ Leftovers
    Ability: Pressure
    EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 HP / 4 SDef
    Modest Nature
    - Hurricane
    - Freeze-Dry
    - Hidden Power [Fire]
    - Roost

    Hurricane Stab ... not as great as tornadus, but this mon gets the move Freeze-Dry. In other words it likes to kill weakened Rotoms.

    In all reality this team isn't the greatest, especially considering I started making this team with the concept of basing it around a Choice Banded Delibird.
     
    Offensive Espeon isn't viable at all because it's outclassed by other offensive Psychic Pokemon such as Speed Deoxys, Lati@s, Alakazam and other special attackers in general. Yes, Magic Bounce makes Espeon immune to status moves, but its frailty lets it down in that regard; this also makes it very prone to priority. Aegislash also laughs at what your Espeon can do, even HP Fire. At this point, you're better off using Speed Deoxys, who can get hazards up fast or act as a revenge killer with even better coverage:
    -Psycho Boost
    -Superpower
    -Ice Beam
    -Knock Off/Stealth Rock
    Nature: Naive
    EVs: 20 Atk/252 SAtk/236 Spe
    Item: Life Orb

    or
    -Reflect
    -Light Screen
    -Taunt
    -Stealth Rock/Magic Coat
    Nature: Timid
    EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
    Item: Light Clay

    or
    -Stealth Rock
    -Spikes
    -Taunt
    -Magic Coat/Superpower
    Nature: Timid/Jolly
    EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
    Item: Focus Sash

    If you insist on keeping Espeon, this is the best it can do for the team:
    -Reflect
    -Light Screen
    -Psychic/Psyshock/Yawn
    -Baton Pass
    Nature: Timid
    EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
    Item: Light Clay
    Ability: Magic Bounce

    Swampert faces plenty of competition with other bulky Water Pokemon, such as Wash Rotom, Gastrodon and Quagsire.

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

    or
    -Volt Switch
    -Hydro Pump
    -Thunderbolt/Hidden Power (Ice)
    -Will-o-Wisp
    Nature: Modest
    EVs: 228 HP/60 SAtk/220 Spe
    Item: Leftovers

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

    Gastrodon:
    -Earthquake/Earth Power
    -Scald
    -Ice Beam/Toxic
    -Recover
    Nature: Relaxed
    EVs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 SDef
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Storm Drain

    Quagsire:
    -Earthquake
    -Scald
    -Toxic
    -Recover
    Nature: Relaxed
    EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Unaware

    I don't think Xatu should be on the team at all. Sure, having a backup Magic Bounce user is nice, but it takes a lot of prediction to know when the opponent will status you. Xatu is still weak to Stealth Rock if it was laid down before it switched in. Having actual Rapid Spin/Defog support is better should Espeon go down:

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




    or
    -Scald
    -Rapid Spin
    -Psyshock/Ice Beam/Thunderbolt
    -Recover
    Nature: Timid
    EVs: 248 HP/32 Def/4 SAtk/224 Spe
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Natural Cure




    Excadrill:
    -Earthquake
    -Rock Slide/Iron Head
    -Rapid Spin
    -Swords Dance/Stealth Rock
    Nature: Jolly
    EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
    Item: Leftovers/Air Balloon/Chople Berry
    Ability: Mold Breaker




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




    Mandibuzz:
    -Foul Play
    -Roost
    -Defog
    -Toxic/Whirlwind/Knock Off
    Nature: Bold/Impish
    EVs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 SDef
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Overcoat




    Crobat:
    -Brave Bird
    -Defog
    -Roost
    -Taunt/Toxic
    Nature: Jolly
    EVs: 168 HP/136 Atk/4 SDef/200 Spe
    Item: Black Sludge
    Ability: Infiltrator




    Tentacruel:
    -Scald
    -Sludge Bomb
    -Rapid Spin
    -Toxic/Knock Off
    Nature: Bold
    EVs: 252 HP/224 Def/32 Spe
    Item: Black Sludge
    Ability: Liquid Ooze




    Mega Blastoise:
    -Water Pulse/Scald/Hydro Pump
    -Dark Pulse
    -Aura Sphere/Ice Beam
    -Rapid Spin
    Nature: Modest
    EVs: 252 HP/252 SAtk/4 SDef
    Item: Blastoisinite


    Conkeldurr should use 252 Atk/4 Def/252 SDef as its EV spread, as its Special Defense is significantly lower than its HP. This way, Assault Vest can boost Conkeldurr's low Special Defense to even higher levels.

    I don't like having Articuno on an OU team. While Freeze-Dry is a good move, it was given to Pokemon who simply don't have what it takes in OU. Articuno's terrible defensive typing makes it go down to common attacks such as Stone Edge and Bullet Punch. Find something else to replace it. While Volcarona is 4x weak to Stealth Rock as well; it has the raw stats and setup move to be effective in OU. Both Tornadus forms and Moltres are also better Hurricane abusers:

    Volcarona:
    -Quiver Dance
    -Fire Blast/Fiery Dance
    -Bug Buzz
    -Hurricane/Giga Drain/Psychic/Hidden Power (Ground)
    Nature: Timid/Modest
    EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
    Item: Life Orb/Lum Berry
    Ability: Flame Body

    Incarnate Tornadus:
    -Rain Dance
    -Hurricane
    -Superpower/Focus Blast
    -Taunt/Knock Off
    Nature: Naive/Timid
    EVs: 4 Atk/252 SAtk/252 Spe
    Item: Damp Rock
    Ability: Prankster

    Therian Tornadus:
    -Hurricane/Air Slash
    -U-turn
    -Knock Off
    -Superpower/Focus Blast
    Nature: Naive
    EVs: 4 Atk/252 SAtk/252 Spe
    Item: Life Orb

    Moltres:
    -Fire Blast
    -Hurricane
    -Hidden Power (Fighting/Ground)
    -U-turn/Roost
    Nature: Timid/Modest
    EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
    Item: Life Orb/Choice Specs
     
    Too many wasted slots on this team. Politoed supports Articuno (sort of) and Swampert (sort of) but just isn't too useful otherwise, and as PlatDude said Articuno is just terrible--slow, weak, and terribly vulnerable to Stealth Rock. The team has no real win conditions and is just kind of a mess, as I think you've acknowledged yourself.

    I'll just give suggestions as if it's a rain bulky offense team.

    Tornadus or Tornadus-T both outclass Articuno. I'd probably go with Tornadus-T here: it's a major pain because of its Speed, bulk, power, and survivability with Regenerator. The set PlatDude posted is fine, though I'd definitely use Hurricane over Air Slash. Regular Tornadus is presumably usable as well though I've never seen it and don't really see its advantages over its Therian form.

    Xatu and Espeon don't move the needle much. Something like Defog Latios provides decent hazard control while being infinitely more threatening and defensively capable than Espeon, and it has okay offensive synergy with Tornadus-T. Excadrill is good as a pure Rapid Spinner if you prefer that.

    Besides Tornadus, you'll want another Rain sweeper to make Politoed worth your while. Kingdra, Kabutops, and Keldeo are all worthwhile options.

    Swampert sucks. Ferrothorn is a great Stealth Rocker for Rain teams and helps Conk out. I'm sure there are others too, just don't use Forretress.

    In general the non-synergistic problem is that the Pokemon you use, individually, aren't very good. Sometimes the sheer force of certain Pokemon makes them overcome synergy problems. Xatu and Swampert just can't do that.
     
    I've made a few updates since Platinum suggested a few mons. His suggestions made my team more viable.
    I've switched out Offensive Espeon for Deoxys-Speed.
    Swampert for Quagsire then finished up with Rotom-W (Defensive)
    Conkelder, I invested in his SpD instead of HP
    Xatu to Starmie to Excadrill
    Poltied same set
    Articuno to Volcarona

    Anti said:
    In general the non-synergistic problem is that the Pokemon you use, individually, aren't very good. Sometimes the sheer force of certain Pokemon makes them overcome synergy problems. Xatu and Swampert just can't do that.
    Click to expand...

    You nailed out everything that was wrong with my team. I'm trying to learn synergy now. I sometimes have trouble fighting against Mega-Pinsir, Latios (if Conkelder or Deoxys is dead.), Bulky Fairies (Florges, and Clefable), and Avalugg.

    I'm going to rest out some of the pokemon you recommended. I'm trying to break through to the 1400 rank.

    I was around during the BW2 metagame when 50% of teams used to be Politoed, Tornadeus, Keldeo, Dragon-type, Ferrothorn/other spiker/Tentacruel*

    I set team up like this: Hurricane (Volc) / Rain, Special Defensive (Poli) / Physical Defensive (Rotom) / Utility/Wall Breaker* Conkelder / Lead Espeon Deoxys-S
    -------------------
    Poltied @Damp Rock / Tornadus T @Specs or Scarf? / Conkelder @AV, Status absorber / Latios w/Psyshock, Dragon Pulse, Thunder,Defog / Special Wall Ferrothorn / Rotom-W
     
    Don't even think about trying Avalugg out. Its Defense may be massive, but its common weaknesses ruin that point. Togekiss, Sylveon or Clefable are better options:

    Togekiss:
    -Thunder Wave/Body Slam/Nasty Plot
    -Air Slash
    -Dazzling Gleam/Aura Sphere/Defog
    -Roost
    Nature: Calm
    EVs: 248 HP/8 Def/252 SDef
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Serene Grace

    or
    -Nasty Plot
    -Dazzling Gleam
    -Air Slash
    -Aura Sphere/Flamethrower/Roost
    Nature: Modest/Timid
    EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
    Item: Life Orb/Leftovers
    Ability: Serene Grace

    Sylveon:
    -Wish
    -Protect
    -Hyper Voice
    -Heal Bell/Calm Mind
    Nature: Bold
    EVs: 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Pixilate

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

    Clefable:
    -Calm Mind
    -Moonblast
    -Moonlight/Wish
    -Heal Bell/Aromatherapy/Flamethrower/Protect
    Nature: Bold
    EVs: 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Unaware/Magic Guard

    or
    -Wish
    -Protect
    -Moonblast
    -Heal Bell/Aromatherapy/Toxic
    Nature: Bold/Calm
    EVs: 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe (Bold) or 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe (Calm)
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Unaware/Magic Guard

    or
    -Calm Mind
    -Moonblast
    -Flamethrower
    -Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
    Nature: Bold
    EVs: 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe
    Item: Leftovers/Life Orb
    Ability: Magic Guard

    or
    -Moonblast
    -Fire Blast
    -Thunderbolt
    -Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
    Nature: Modest
    EVs: 244 HP/252 SAtk/12 Spe
    Item: Life Orb
    Ability: Magic Guard
     
    PlatinumDude said:
    Don't even think about trying Avalugg out. Its Defense may be massive, but its common weaknesses ruin that point. Togekiss, Sylveon or Clefable are better options:
    Spoiler:
    Click to expand...
    Those pokemon tend to be the vein of me. I tend to loose hard to some Fairys. I'm on the verge of maining a Ferrothorn or Scizor (and taking out Excadrill.) But I like my Exacrdrill because of Mold Breaker + Earthquake = Dead Rotom-Washers, and the strategy I was trying to use was, breakwalls/Weaken pokemon, and win by Hurricane all the things.
     
    PlatinumDude said:
    Don't even think about trying Avalugg out. Its Defense may be massive, but its common weaknesses ruin that point. Togekiss, Sylveon or Clefable are better options:

    Togekiss:
    -Thunder Wave/Body Slam/Nasty Plot
    -Air Slash
    -Dazzling Gleam/Aura Sphere/Defog
    -Roost
    Nature: Calm
    EVs: 248 HP/8 Def/252 SDef
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Serene Grace

    or
    -Nasty Plot
    -Dazzling Gleam
    -Air Slash
    -Aura Sphere/Flamethrower/Roost
    Nature: Modest/Timid
    EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
    Item: Life Orb/Leftovers
    Ability: Serene Grace

    Sylveon:
    -Wish
    -Protect
    -Hyper Voice
    -Heal Bell/Calm Mind
    Nature: Bold
    EVs: 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Pixilate

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

    Clefable:
    -Calm Mind
    -Moonblast
    -Moonlight/Wish
    -Heal Bell/Aromatherapy/Flamethrower/Protect
    Nature: Bold
    EVs: 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Unaware/Magic Guard

    or
    -Wish
    -Protect
    -Moonblast
    -Heal Bell/Aromatherapy/Toxic
    Nature: Bold/Calm
    EVs: 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe (Bold) or 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe (Calm)
    Item: Leftovers
    Ability: Unaware/Magic Guard

    or
    -Calm Mind
    -Moonblast
    -Flamethrower
    -Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
    Nature: Bold
    EVs: 252 HP/244 Def/12 Spe
    Item: Leftovers/Life Orb
    Ability: Magic Guard

    or
    -Moonblast
    -Fire Blast
    -Thunderbolt
    -Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
    Nature: Modest
    EVs: 244 HP/252 SAtk/12 Spe
    Item: Life Orb
    Ability: Magic Guard
    Click to expand...

    I dunno man, I used an Avalugg on the PC server before and it worked some wonders.

    People should know the amazingness that is Gyro Ball and Curse; with a Speed hindering nature. Almost always has max power. Another thing is Megakick Zard X. After a Dragon Dance, it can seriously rip things apart. The Aegislash is always there, but that isn't something I worry about much.
     
    Super Bling said:


    I dunno man, I used an Avalugg on the PC server before and it worked some wonders.

    People should know the amazingness that is Gyro Ball and Curse; with a Speed hindering nature. Almost always has max power. Another thing is Megakick Zard X. After a Dragon Dance, it can seriously rip things apart. The Aegislash is always there, but that isn't something I worry about much.
    Click to expand...

    Ferrothorn and Steelix do Curse + Gyro Ball better because they actually gain STAB on the move. Then again, they have better things to do than just that, and the latter Pokemon isn't seen in OU at all. Another reason not to use Avalugg is because it's an easy target for special attackers, due to its low Special Defense.

    Mega Charizard X is a viable option, yes. But it does need Rapid Spin/Defog support.
     
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