Competitive team

[mokonasakura]

I'm fairly new to the competitive seen but I would really like to get good at it. I'm running into a few problems that I just cant seem to figure out how to solve though. The first problem I ran into was substitute, the enemy would just sub leech/buff-pass and I just couldn't stop them. I tried arranging my team around to counter it but couldn't really find a good way. The next problem I ran into was trying to get a team together that could potentially handle substitute but still be able to fight stealth rock or other popular strategies. I just cant seem to get a team together that can handle itself, I understand you cant win them all but I'm unable to handle any of it. Does anyone have some tips to deal with these treats? Also if anyone has ideas for a team based around Pikachu, leafeon, or zoroark I would love to hear them so I can give them a try.

 

[Hiatus]

Those who use Substitute and Leech Seed combination are usually grass-types, so the best way to counter them would be by using a hard-hitting flying-, psychic-, or fire-type Pokémon such as either Skarmory, Charizard, or Alakazam. For counter entry-hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes, try having a Pokémon on your team with Magic Bounce (Espeon would be a good example). Either that, or you could use a rapid-spinner like Forretress. Rapid Spin could always be blocked by ghost-types though, so be aware! Also, could you give us some info on your current team, if possible? That way, we'd be able to provide better assistance. (:

Since this thread's about team-building, by the way, I'm moving it over to Battle Center.

Moved.

 

[Zeffy]

Substitute users are generally tricky to play against in that you have to figure out how to remove the sub and take minimal damage mostly. There are a couple of ways to prevent sub-passers and/or subseeders from plowing through your team, though! One possibility is that you could use Roar/Whirlwind to send them away (thus removing their boosts) or use Haze to remove their boosts right away and without negative priority. When you're seeded, the best thing to do is either switch out or KO the opposing Pokemon if possible. Stealth rock is really easy to deal with--especially now that Defog removes hazards on both sides of the field. The tricky part is finding a good spinner/defogger than has synergy with your team.

Pikachu (even with a Light Ball) is much too frail to be any good, especially against a competent team, to be honest. Leafeon, you could probably use as a good defensive-based Wish support or a tank. Zoroark is a good Pokemon to play mindgames with and it's offensive stats aren't too shabby, either! We can't actually help you build a team if you haven't really started building one yet, so I suggest that you provide us with at least a rough list of what you want to include in your team and we'll start from there. :]

I realize that you're new to competitive battling so I would highly suggest reading this and this thread. If you have any questions, you could either post it in this thread or ask any BC regular. Have fun battling! n_n

Oh, and visit the battle server, too!

 

[mokonasakura]

I really only want to use pokemon I like but I want to be able to win with them too. I see no reason to play if I'm using a pokemon that looks completely stupid and isn't a pokemon (I'm talking about you ice cream). Pokémon that I prefer are most gen 1 pokemon, very few I dislike so I wont even name, houndoom, all eeveelutions (except for jolteon, leafeon being my favorite), steelix, trevenant, there are more but to name all would take a long time.


I tried making my own team based around Zoroark to start with and I figured volt switch and U-turn would be a good idea for the mind games so I went Pikachu, zoroark, blissey, wobbuffet, golurk, houndoom. that's when I ran into the issue of substitute. I tried fighting them multiple times but I only beat them once in my 10 games or so of fighting them.


So I switched it up a bit I don't quite remember my next team but it had a big flaw, fighting destroyed me. So it didn't last long.


My current one that I was trying but didn't succeed at is Pikachu, Charizard, Leafeon, Florges, Steelix, Trevenant. The team looks good when looking at strengths/weaknesses but after trying it I'm still having a hard time dealing with sub. I have roar to deal with baton but that still doesn't stop the sub.


I really want Pikachu and houndoom on my team because they are my all time favorite but as has already been said Pikachu really isn't that amazing. Houndoom (want to mega evolve him) doesn't seem to be useful either. His ability slowly kills me with no way to heal so the sub teams destroy him (which is a popular strategy from what I've been fighting)


Leafeon, Steelix, and Charizard are in 2ed place for what I like. I think Leafeon is just awesome and Steelix and Charizard look awesome. Leafeon seems to be doing ok with the set up I have but still has the trouble of fighting sub. Steelix I've only used to set up my stealth rocks, and Charizard X doesn't seem to be doing to hot.


Trevenant, Zoroark, and Wobbuffet are in 3ed place. Trevenant looks awesome and as a mtg player I loved treefolk, he doesn't seem to be able to do much in my hands though. Zoroark I thought would be cool because of his ability but after hitting with a 31IV attack maxed EV in attack and speed using retaliate (after a friendly fainted) and doing almost no damage multiple times I just gave up on him. I realize his special attack is higher but his attack isn't to shabby either so retaliate should be able to do at least 25% hp in damage to an enemy charizard but it doesn't. Last is Wobbuffet, I thought he would be fun to use but against the people who are can just buff up he's useless. If only destiny bond had highest priority =(


Also although I don't hate legendries I prefer not to use them.

 

[dreyko]

I will try to add on to what Zeffy said about breaking/dealing with Substitute, as it is pretty tricky to deal with.

1. Priority moves make substitutes more risky. With moves such as Bullet/Mach Punch can quickly wear down the sub user as it will hit first before the substitute goes off. Basically your goal with priority moves it to hit first then the opposing Pokemon will sub and hopefully be decently low on HP.

2. Entry Hazards/Residual damage. These moves ( Stealth Rock, Spikes) can help to wear down the sub user with residual damage from switching out, especially in conjunction with phasing moves like Roar or Whirlwind (these also get rid of stat boosting effects). Also, weather effects like Sandstorm and Hail will help you rack up additional damage on the sub user making future substitutes harder to set up.

3. Prediction. Sometimes predicting when the opposing Pokemon is going to use substitute can be key. It can allow you to get a free switch in, stat boost, or recovery move off if need be.