First Foray into Competitive Battling

[dtex9002]

Hey guys, this is my first time creating a competitive battling team. After getting Diamond and Platinum after a hiatus from Pokemon (since the G/S/C days), I just had to make a team to battle people over WIFI. So please correct any glaring errors I've made here without too much ridicule. I've spent some time trying to get the team balanced out to most threats, but without any real experience in today's environment, I'm still a noob.

Roserade @ Life Orb
Nature: Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spd / 4 SpD
Ability: Natural Cure
- Sleep Powder
- Shadow Ball
- Leaf Storm
- Toxic Spikes

Roserade will be a suicide lead, who will force the switch outs of Tyrannitar and any other leads if it can pull off the Sleep Powder. In the event of a switch, it'll lay down a layer of Toxic Spikes and go down swinging. Fire, steel, and flying types will most likely switch in, prompting my transfer to Swampert.

Swampert @ Leftovers
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, - Spd)
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpA
Ability: Torrent
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Stealth Rock

The first thing Swampert must do is use Steath Rock. After that, he'll be free to smack around opposing Heatran's, dragons, and Tentacruels that could have switched into Roserade. Swampert can handle Blissey as well through its immunity to TWave and its STAB Earthquake.

Scizor @ Choice Band
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Ability: Technician
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- U-Turn
- Superpower

Scizor will be the main physical attacker. He has max HP EVs to survive the switch-ins. The choice band with an adamant nature will put alot of oomph into priority Bullet Punches; pursuit will utter trash low defense ghosts and psychics tempted to run (Gengar, Alakazam, Azelf).

Gengar @ Expert Belt
Nature: Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
Ability: Levitate
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Explosion/ HP Fire

A standard Gengar plays the role of the special attacker/sweeper. Shadow Ball's for STAB, Focus Blast for pesky Dark types, and Thunderbolt's for coverage (esp. Gyarados). I am unsure if I can breed one of these guys with the right IVs for HP Fire (since up to now, Bronzong and Skarmory wall me hard), so Explosion will have to do for a final bang.

Zapdos @ Wise Glasses
Nature: Timid (+Spd,- Atk)
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Ability: Pressure
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- HP Ground/Drill Peck

Zapdos will be the main steel counter, taking Drill Pecks and Gyro Balls like a champ while dealing out some metal scorching (or electricuting) fun. HP Ground is there to handle a switch in to Electivire or Jolteon, but I might want Drill Peck to keep Infernape and Heracross at bay. I'm not so sure on the EVs. Obviously SpA has to be maxed to dish out damage, but its base speed is enough to outspeed the steels I plan on surmounting. I thought HP would be a nice stat to EV in order to maximize Zapdos' potential to switch in and take a blow.

Umbreon @ Leftovers
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Ability: Synchronize
- Wish
- Payback
- Mean Look
- Baton Pass

The final member of the team is a supporter and special wall. Umbreon will use Wish for team recovery. Baton Pass can either be used in conjunction with Umbreon's low speed (takes a hit first) and Wish or with Mean Look to trap. Payback for STAB and to prevent total Taunt ownage.

 

[Aurafire]

Put a focus sash on your lead Roserade, this helps you against faster leads so you can still use Sleep Powder even if they attack. Rebreeding for HP Fire > Shadowball would be much better coverage against steels that always switch into this set, if you think you're up to it =P

EVs on Swampert are messed up, you should use ther standard 240 HP / 216 Def / 52 Special Attack. You simply must invest in Swamperts defenses for it to sufficiently take hits, maxing out its special attack is pointless.

Consider Life Orb > Expert Belt on Gengar for more consistant power, but it's up to you really if you don't like the recoil.

HP Ice or Grass might work better than HP Ground, but once again, if you don't want to rebreed, it's not the worst thing in the world. You're really better off maxing speed instead of HP considering you're running a timid nature. Then you have your standard offensive Zapdos, which is still a great counter for steels with Heat Wave. Life Orb or Leftovers is a better choice than Wise Glasses.

Umbreon really needs some Special Defense EVs to be effective, but it's honestly outclassed by a lot of stuff in terms of wish support. In any case, Gyrados kinda massacres you if it gets a DD in, so Vaporeon > Umbreon might work here. You still get wish support and you'll be able to handle Gyara (provided you have HP Electric :O)

Let's see, you also don't really have a good switch in for Mence, A choice banded or mixed set is a lot of trouble for this team. I'm not the best with replacements, and I'm kinda tired, so I'll leave the rest to someone else, lol =(

 

[Pokedra]

Use 240 HP / 212 Def / 52 SpAtk on Swampert and use Roar >>> Surf, it doesn't lose you much coverage but lets you Phaze stuff out and see more of your opponent's team.

I'd suggest slapping an LO onto Gengar, then you can run 40 Atk / 212 SpAtk / 252 Spe and run Explosion in the last slot. This ensures you OHKO 0 HP / 252 Def Blissey with it.

4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe on Zappy please, you need that Speed :] Plus slapping an LO on him is decent as well.

You can always try Scarf Roserade over your current one, sleep the opponent's lead and go to Swampert to setup the rocks. Plus it can double back as a revenge-killer and somewhat help with your Mence problem as it can pick it off. Your choice though.

Something like this.

Roserade @ Choice Scarf
Nature : Timid
Nature : 4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe
- Sleep Powder
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Sludge Bomb

I think you should replace Umbreon, nothing really benefits from Mean Look to be honest, another Wish could work. Vappy could work as Aura pointed out or even Blissey if you still want your special wall.

 

[Chaostorm]

Hey guys, this is my first time creating a competitive battling team. After getting Diamond and Platinum after a hiatus from Pokemon (since the G/S/C days), I just had to make a team to battle people over WIFI. So please correct any glaring errors I've made here without too much ridicule. I've spent some time trying to get the team balanced out to most threats, but without any real experience in today's environment, I'm still a noob.

Roserade @ Life Orb Focus Sash
Nature: Timid (+Spd, -Atk)
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spd / 4 SpD
Ability: Natural Cure
- Sleep Powder
- Shadow Ball
- Leaf Storm
- Toxic Spikes

Roserade will be a suicide lead, who will force the switch outs of Tyrannitar and any other leads if it can pull off the Sleep Powder. In the event of a switch, it'll lay down a layer of Toxic Spikes and go down swinging. Fire, steel, and flying types will most likely switch in, prompting my transfer to Swampert.

Since this is a suicide lead , Focus Sash is an Ideal item

Swampert @ Leftovers
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, - Spd)
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpA 240 HP / 216 Def / 52 SpA
Ability: Torrent
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Surf / Hydro Pump / Roar
- Stealth Rock

The first thing Swampert must do is use Steath Rock. After that, he'll be free to smack around opposing Heatran's, dragons, and Tentacruels that could have switched into Roserade. Swampert can handle Blissey as well through its immunity to TWave and its STAB Earthquake.

you might also use 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe to outspeed other Swamperts and have more bulk

Scizor @ Choice Band
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Ability: Technician
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- U-Turn
- Superpower / Brick Break

Scizor will be the main physical attacker. He has max HP EVs to survive the switch-ins. The choice band with an adamant nature will put alot of oomph into priority Bullet Punches; pursuit will utter trash low defense ghosts and psychics tempted to run (Gengar, Alakazam, Azelf).

Brick Break can be used over Superpower to break screens

Gengar @ Expert Belt Life Orb / Choice Scarf
Nature: Timid (+Spd, -Atk) / Naive ( +Spe / -SpD )
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
Ability: Levitate
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast
- Thunderbolt
- Explosion/ HP Fire


A standard Gengar plays the role of the special attacker/sweeper. Shadow Ball's for STAB, Focus Blast for pesky Dark types, and Thunderbolt's for coverage (esp. Gyarados). I am unsure if I can breed one of these guys with the right IVs for HP Fire (since up to now, Bronzong and Skarmory wall me hard), so Explosion will have to do for a final bang.

If you'e gonna use Explosion , use Naive , remove few of Spe EVs and give it to Atk EV to give boost to Explosion , if HP Fire , Stick with your current EV Spread


Zapdos @ Wise Glasses Choice Specs / Life Orb
Nature: Timid (+Spd,- Atk)
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Ability: Pressure
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- HP Ground/Drill Peck HP Grass

Zapdos will be the main steel counter, taking Drill Pecks and Gyro Balls like a champ while dealing out some metal scorching (or electricuting) fun. HP Ground is there to handle a switch in to Electivire or Jolteon, but I might want Drill Peck to keep Infernape and Heracross at bay. I'm not so sure on the EVs. Obviously SpA has to be maxed to dish out damage, but its base speed is enough to outspeed the steels I plan on surmounting. I thought HP would be a nice stat to EV in order to maximize Zapdos' potential to switch in and take a blow.

HP Grass to say lol at Swampert , also use this EV Spread for a Physically Defensive Zapdos : 248 HP / 222 Def / 32 Spe

Umbreon @ Leftovers
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Ability: Synchronize
- Wish
- Payback
- Mean Look
- Baton Pass

The final member of the team is a supporter and special wall. Umbreon will use Wish for team recovery. Baton Pass can either be used in conjunction with Umbreon's low speed (takes a hit first) and Wish or with Mean Look to trap. Payback for STAB and to prevent total Taunt ownage.

ok ....

Comments in Bold

The Zapdos still need Speed EVs .... you might use that Physically Defensive EV to counter lots of Steels ( Scizor most of the time )

 

[Sebastien Loeb]

I propose to insert Choice Scarf to Gengar, this team it is very weak to Specially MixApe.

 

[wolf]

You are weak to DD Gyara, after one DD, nothing can stop it on your team. Roserade is OHKOed by Earthquake or Ice Fang, Swampert is 2HKOed by Waterfall, Scizor and Gengar are OHKOed by Waterfall after SR damage (Gengar doesn't need to be damaged by SR though), Zapdos is OHKOed by Stone Edge, and Umbreon is just set-up fodder for it. I suggest giving Gengar a Choice Scarf, it will help you revenge kill Gyarados after a DD.

You also have a weakness to Offensive CM Suicune, after a CM, nothing can KO it. Possibly making Zapdos offensive with the spread of 16 HP / 252 SpA / 240 Spe with Modest Nature (it allows you to outrun positive Natured base 85's), that will let you at least deal around 70% to Suicune after a CM, enough to help Gengar and the like to KO it (but you're still a bit weak to it, just not as much).

Also, change your Scizor's EVs to 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Speed (you can put the 8 EVs anywhere other than HP), because you will take more from Stealth Rock after one switch-in if you use 252 HP.

I wouldn't use Explosion on Gengar, Calm Blissey only takes around 55% from a Naive / Hasty Gengar:

166 Atk vs 119 Def & 651 HP (250 Base Power): 324 - 382 (49.77% - 58.68%)

Even if you max the EVs in Attack, it still doesn't OHKO Blissey. So, use HP Fire to OHKO Scizor switching-in.

Everyone else fixed the rest.

 

[dtex9002]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! So should I exchange Umbreon for something more capable of handling Gyarados, Salamence, and/or Infernape?

 

[Chaostorm]

Bulky Gyara is your bet to change that Umbreon , since SD Lucario can send your umbreon to its doomsday =/

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Adamant / Intimidate
156 HP / 108 Atk / 100 Def / 144 Spe
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Stone Edge
-Taunt

This Gyarados tends to be more defensive than DD Gyara , but 2 DDs from this beast will wreak havoc , Taunt is nice to cripple some stuffs that might Paralyze you or burn you

 

[wolf]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! So should I exchange Umbreon for something more capable of handling Gyarados, Salamence, and/or Infernape?

Possibly, but Salamence can be dealt with by luring Outrages with Zapdos (since Fire Blast / Fire Fang might not KO, and Earthquake is stupid to use on Zapdos) to Scizor. Like Aura said, using Vaporeon over Umbreon would help a lot, you still get Wish support, but you get a solid counter to Gyarados and Infernape.

@ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
Nature: Bold (+ Def / - Atk)
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
- Wish
- Protect
- Surf
- Hidden Power Electric

I would make a fancy EV spread (lol), but there is nothing really threatening that you can outrun without making Vaporeon fragile.

Bulky Gyara is your bet to change that Umbreon , since SD Lucario can send your umbreon to its doomsday =/

Gengar handles Lucario perfectly, immune to ExtremeSpeed and outruns it. You need to stop being so obsessed with Lucario. >__>

Edit: Never mind about the Explosion, I forgot Explosion halves the foe's Defense. ._. So, you don't need any EVs to OHKO Calm Blissey, and without any EVs, you still have a around a ~60% chance of OHKOing max HP / Def Bold Blissey after SR damage (you can use 36 Atk EVs to secure the KO with SR down). These were with Life Orb.

 

[Chaostorm]

Gengar handles Lucario perfectly, immune to ExtremeSpeed and outruns it. You need to stop being so obsessed with Lucario. >__>

does telling to him that Umbreon is owned by SD Lucario means that Im obsessed with Lucario -.- ? in fact , its true that SD Lucario OHKOs Umbreon with Ease >.>

 

[dtex9002]

So would my team suffer from not having Wish support if I were to use Gyarados instead of Umbreon?

 

[wolf]

So would my team suffer from not having Wish support if I were to use Gyarados instead of Umbreon?

No, but it wouldn't help with your Infernape (certain variants it can) and Gyarados weakness.

in fact , its true that SD Lucario OHKOs Umbreon with Ease >.>

Yes, it does, but he already has Gengar to handle SD Lucario, and no one would keep Umbreon in on Lucario.

 

[Malicious Metang]

No safe switch-in on Gyarados really hurts this team, and after a Dragon Dance, it's going to be sweeping your entire team. Scizor, Swampert, and Umbreon are mere toys for Gyarados to play around with. So basically, in order to stop this threat, somethings are going to have to go. Instead of removing one Pokemon, I'm going to ask you to revamp quite a few members of this team, starting with Roserade. Life Orb Roserade is not a good lead in OU, since it gets OHKOed by a good deal of common lead's moves, can't outrun all of them, and has trouble with much too many things. Getting walled by Scizor, Salamence, etc...sucks and considering that both of these Pokemon can hurt your team quite a bit only makes it worse. I reccomend you try out the Toxic Spikes lead:

Roserade @ Focus Sash
Timid
6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
~Leaf Storm
~Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ground
~Sleep Powder
~Toxic Spikes

Much more reliable at getting Spikes set-up, and it can also lure in things like Scizor and KO it (Hidden Power Fire) and beat Lead Heatran 1 vs. 1 (Hidden Power Ground). Sleep Powder is great for the slower Metagross and Swampert (who will switch, letting you sleep something else). It's fun to play mind-games with people, and this makes Roserade one of the most effective leads in OU.

Next, those Swampert EVs are absolutely horrible. Please change them to 252 HP / 252 Def / 6 SpA. This lets you live a DD LO Outrage from Salamence on average, and OHKO it with Ice Beam after Stealth Rock damage. I reccomend you consider Roar over Surf, as you will be able to ruin Baton Pass chains, letting you gain the upper hand in nearly every occurence with them. After you fix Swampert, please change Scizor's EV spread to 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD or 8 Spe. I stand by the usage of 8 SpD, since being slower with CB Scizor is usually a good-thing since getting a U-turn is essential to keeping momentum. Use whichever you like.

Gengar does not benefit from Expert Belt. Change it to Life Orb, and consider running 42 Attack EVs and Explosion, letting you kill Blissey and Snorlax so you can open up a sweep for some other member of your team (perhaps a Zapdos sweep? You never know...). On Zapdos, I would reccomend you try out something that benefits from Toxic Spikes. A SubRoost Zapdos absolutely destroys everything that isn't immune to Toxic Spikes, and can even beat Blissey 1 vs. 1 (giving Gengar more wiggle room).

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Timid
248 HP / 184 Def / 76 Spe
~Substitute
~Roost
~Thunderbolt
~Toxic / Heat Wave

Last, and possible least useful (lol), Umbreon has to go. It does nothing useful for this team and gives Lucario more opprotunities to come in and deal damage to you. I would reccomend either a Substitute + Calm Mind Suicune in this spot to deal with Gyarados, or a Substitute + Charge Beam Rotom. Both can handle Gyarados to some extent (Suicune is a lot more effective though), and both beat Blissey when Toxic Spikes up. With either of these two, you'll be able to take full advantage of Toxic Spikes.

Good luck with your team =)

 

[dtex9002]

Wow thanks for all the advice guys! I guess I did throw in Umbreon as a last addition onto my team without really thinking through what it would accomplish.

One last thing, Bedlam Beldum. Were you referring to an original form Rotom or one of the appliances. (I doubt I can trade for a decent Suicune with what I have)

Anyway, I guess it's time to start breeding.

 

[Malicious Metang]

Yes, I was reccomending a Rotom forme, though any forme would do. Although I'm not very knowledgeable on Wifi battling, so if getting one is a hassle, I guess a normal Rotom could work.

 

[dtex9002]

Yeah, unfortunately I got Platinum after the Secret Key offer expired over Nintendo Wifi, so I don't think I can access alternative Rotom formes anymore.

 

[Malicious Metang]

After some extensive thinking, I decided running a non-appliance Rotom wouldn't be effective whatsoever. It's defenses are pretty terrible (equally as bad as Gengar's), and while it's faster than Gyarados before a Dragon Dance, it's slower after one and dies to a boosted Waterfall. Due to this, I reccomend replacing Umbreon with something that can handle Gyarados, but also remain somewhat offensive. So...since you can't get Rotom-A, run a SubCM Suicune in Umbreon's spot:

Suicune @ Leftovers
Timid
252 HP / 42 SpA / 216 Spe
~Calm Mind
~Surf
~HP Electric
~Substitute

Beats Blissey with Toxic Spikes support, stops Gyarados, checks Heatran and sets up on it, etc...This thing is plain amazing, and works extremely well with Toxic Spikes wearing down its most common counters.