First time competitive battler help?

[milkykou]

So i haven't done any kind of battling with other people since crystal and even then it was just for fun. However i kind of want to get into competitive battling and im not sure what i need for a team. I do know that there are 2 pokemon i want (3 though might not be a good combo) to have in my main team, even if it requires constant breeding to make them perfect. Im looking for advice for someone thats never done this before and i want to take it slow, with first determining what pokemon to put in based on types and coverage before determining moves and items that would best suit them.

I think i should put a note this is based on how far i am in the game now which pokemon i choose, so at this time i havent done any kind of breeding of sorts, though i have done super training for maybe 2 or 3 of them.

So i plan to have delphox in my team no matter what cause im too attached to her. currently she has the highest ev values set to speed and special attack due to her nature, and i believe the rest was on one of the defenses. I also want to put in a lucario into the team, and i know ill have his mega stone equipped.

The third possible one i though of would of been mega alakazam but with delphox i might be good, and if i did alakazam, i have to take out lucario if i want to use mega.

This is all i can come up with on my own, as im not very good at figuring things like this out yet, since i still need to learn 4 generations worth of info and weakness types still, but i want to be prepared for when i do go to competitive training.

The other pokemon i have super trained was my ivysaur, with max ev on HP and then an even amount on both defenses (i need to double check when my batteries are charged again.)
Thank you in advance.

 

[srinator]

Why are you suggesting a physical Alakazam? I just entirely stopped right there.

 

[PlatinumDude]

Hello! I know a little something of battling up to the third generation so i'll try to help with what i can.

First of all, you need to consider several factors. Firsts things first, think about what pokemon you're gonna send out first, you may consider sending one fast that can cover many tipes, such as alakazam with the fire,ice, and lightning punch/psychic moveset, or a fast baton passer, like ninjask, or any pokemon that can force you're opponent to switch pokemons.

Next, you should think, if you force you're opponent to switch, he will most likely change to a pokemon that can resist your attack. Let's say you used alakazam as the lead pokemon, and you forced your opponent to switch, he will send a pokemon that will take minor damage from alakazam, like special/wall. So you need to think that you're lead pokemon will no longer be useful against that pokemon, there you can think of what pokemon to send next.

You should cover all grounds, you'll need a hazer, rapid spinner, you will also need a tank, to switch for in case you're being forced to switch, and no matter the consecuences, you will always need some good physical and special sweepers, or you can go all daredevil and let your lead pokemon be a mix sweeper.

And annoyer is a good thing to keep in mind, a spiker, like skarmory, there are endless possibilities of a team.

Most important of all is that you enjoy the battle, using your favorite pokemons, it does not matters if other pokemon has better base stats, or whatever, you shouldn't deny yourself the more important thing, having fun, after all it's just a game.

Why are you suggesting a physical Alakazam? I just entirely stopped right there.

Pretty sure he was talking about how Alakazam ran the elemental punches in Gen III, as they were special moves back then. In Gen IV onward, they're outright useless thanks to the physical/special split; whether a move is physical or special depends on the move itself. All Dark moves introduced in Gens II and III were special, but they became physical because all of them made contact with the opponent. Dark Pulse and Night Daze were later created as special Dark moves in Gens IV and V, respectively. Another example is Shadow Ball, which was a physical move in Gens II and III. It became a special move in Gen IV.

Anyway, here's what Alakazam normally uses; all of its listed offensive moves are special, mind you, and it gained the ability to Mega Evolve in Gen VI:
-Psychic
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
-Substitute/Encore/Hidden Power (Ice)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Alakazite/Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard

@Johnny: Alakazam gained the Magic Guard ability in Gen IV. This ability lets it block non-attack damage (damage from burn, poison, sandstorm, and hail). The Focus Sash leaves Alakazam at 1 HP if it would be OHKOed from full health. The Alakazite allows Alakazam to Mega Evolve into Mega Alakazam, which gets significant boosts to its Special Attack and Speed, and a small boost to its Defense. Its ability is also replaced by Trace, which copies the opponent's ability upon switching into battle or Mega Evolving.

 

[PlatinumDude]

Wow, i didn't know, i should really play fourth and onward generations. Thanks for the data!

One thing i'm not sure about, the mega evolution, is it temporary?

Mega Evolution will wear off if the Pokemon is KOed or when the battle ends.

Here's a list of Pokemon that can Mega Evolve.

 

[milkykou]

When you say sweepers and baton and hazard, you completely lose me. I am after all kinda jumping ship from gen 2 to gen 6

 

[PlatinumDude]

When you say sweepers and baton and hazard, you completely lose me. I am after all kinda jumping ship from gen 2 to gen 6

1. Sweepers are Pokemon that focus on offensive moves to inflict as much damage as possible before they're KOed. These Pokemon typically have good Speed and attacking stats, as well as moves of varying types.

2. Baton Pass is a move that switches the user out for one of its teammates, passing along any stat changes it gets. Pokemon with stat-raising moves and abilities can accomplish this, like Scolipede, which has the Speed Boost ability to increase its Speed after both players make their move. It also has Swords Dance and Iron Defense to boost its Attack and Defense, respectively.

3. Entry hazards are field traps that are laid down on the field to inflict a variety of effects. They can be removed with Rapid Spin (affects your side of the field, meaning the hazards set by your opponent will be removed) or Defog (affects both sides). Here they are:
-Spikes is the first entry hazard introduced in Gen II, in G/S/C. It inflicts 12.5% damage to grounded opponents (i.e. ones that don't have the Flying type or Levitate ability, as both kinds grant immunity to the Ground type) if one layer is laid, 18.75% if 2 layers are laid, and 25% damage if 3 layers are laid (3 max).
-Toxic Spikes was introduced in Gen IV. One layer inflicts regular poison on the opponent. Two layers (max.) inflicts bad poison, which increases the damage it inflicts over time while the Pokemon is on the field; this kind of poison is normally inflicted by the move Toxic. Flying Pokemon and Levitate Pokemon are also immune to Toxic Spikes. Grounded Poison Pokemon also remove Toxic Spikes when they switch into battle.
-Stealth Rock was also introduced in Gen IV. It inflicts damage on all types, even to those with the Flying type and Levitate ability, and the damage it does depends on how strong/weak the Pokemon is to the Rock type. Only 1 layer of Stealth Rock can be on the opposing side at a time.
-Sticky Web was introduced in Gen VI. Grounded opponents will have their Speed reduced upon switching in; again, Pokemon with the Levitate ability or Flying type are immune to it. Only 1 layer of Sticky Web can be on the opponent's side at a time.

 

[Oblox]

Sweeper = High attack/special attack usually fast that can kill things quickly.

Baton = Baton pass is a move that swaps out your pokemon but passes on any stat changes you may have.

Hazard = Certain moves Stealth Rocks, Spikes, Toxic Spikes are placed around your entire team to damage you when you switch pokemon.

You may also hear people say about

Bulky = Invested EV's in health and/or Special and Normal Defence

Stall = Usually defensive like bulky above and with moves to keep the opponent at bay and heal themselves.

Harmful Status = Burn (Reduces enemies physical damage they will do by half and burns them after every turn), Poison (damages after every turn), Badly Poisoned (Damages after every turn and the amoutn of damage increases each time)

Status = Paralyze (possibility to stop you taking a turn), Frozen (Stops you taking actions), Confusion (possibility to stop you taking a turn and you may hurt yourself)

Scarfed = Choice Scarf is an item a pokemon holds and raises a pokemon's Speed by 1.5 times at a cost of only being able to do 1 move until your switch the pokemon out.

Banded = Choice Band is an item a pokemon holds and raises a pokemon's Attack by 1.5 times at a cost of only being able to do 1 move until your switch the pokemon out.

Priority = Certain moves allow a pokemon to move before the rest regardless of their speed (Bullet punch, sucker punch etc) there are also certain abilities that allow priority on certain types of moves Prankster (allows status moves to have priority) Gale wings (Allows flying type moves top have priority)

 

[milkykou]

Would it be easier if i had someone help breed the team thats good for me to use or do i need to learn how to do this myself the hard way?

 

[Neo_Angelo]

Would it be easier if i had someone help breed the team thats good for me to use or do i need to learn how to do this myself the hard way?

Hey there Milkykou, If you are looking for pokemon for you team and don't want to breed yourself, we here at the PokéCommunity offer a wide array of trade shops and giveaways. I would recommend you check out this thread:

https://www.pokecommunity.com/threads/327368

This thread is ran by my good friends Cakesu and Phantom, they will breed you certain pokemon for free, i too can also help you breed certain Pokemon if you like. The only downside to getting help from breeders is, if you like the Original Trainer to show you, then you won't be able to have that with bred pokemon from us. So Learning to breed is fun and means you can have a team with your trainer as the Original owner (if you are bothered by having pokemon that aren't originally caught/bred by you).

If you would like any advice on battling or want to try out some teams against a real player, then please let me know, add my friend code and give me yours then we can battle, i can also give you hints and tips on each battle to show you where you might of won or where your team has a certain weakness.

When your team building i would suggest that you don't always stick to what pokemon everyone else uses. Pokemon like Lucario tend to be used way too much, you'll want a team to be able to beat these overused pokemon whilst fitting your own strategy.

Here are a few ways you can play competitively (theres way more but they generally fall into one of these types of play style):

Full-Auto Tactics (AKA All out Attack or as i like to call them....Bosh Tactics): This tactic is all around choosing pokemon with high attack and Special attack stats that have have mainly or all damaging moves. This tactic is all about overpowering your opponent with sheer force and not caring too much about your own safety. Basically kill as many pokemon as you can as quickly as you can before your opponent has time to react. This method of fighting relys on using your opponents weaknesses to cause massive damage.

Status Effect - Basically your strategy will be to cripple your opponents through causing a variety of status effects, stat drops and making your opponents unable to attack. this strategy uses pokemon who are fast or have abilities that make their moves go first, to slow the opponents in their tracks.

Tankers - Basically this strategy type involves using pokemon that love to take hits for fun, pokemone with hight HP and defense rather than attack are usually in this type of style and don't really rely too much on overly powerful attacks, but attacks that can cause the opponent to miss a turn, or die instantly with a OHKO move like Sheer cold. Tank's can stall out pokemon that are affected by status conditions such as burn or toxic and basically cause your opponents pokemon to wear down and run out of moves to use. Tankers usually have the ability to buff themselves and recover all by themselves while having small damaging moves.

Cleric's - This playstyle is more about helping your team mates out, it will involve pokemon with a mixture of stats but mainly ones that can buff or heal your other pokemon (Moves like Wish and Healing bell). this playstyle is about recovery rather than damage and offers very limited damage capabilities.

Now Your team should include a mixture of the above, or depending how you like to play, more of one kind of strategy.

I'm a Tanking Status kind of player, i'm not interested in mega damage moves, i prefer to let my opponent suffer a slow debilitating battle by where they cannot damage my pokemon enough to do anything.

Pokemon battling is all about learning what abilities work well with items which also fit your play style and other members in your team, I prefer Mono Type pokemon to limit my weaknesses as i'm a low risk player who goes for moves that always hit even if they do low damage.

Theres a lot to consider in your team, but the best way to start is to firstly choose what kind of play style you want, then choose some pokemon types to have in your team that complement that style of play, then what abilities you need to accomplish your style, that will then narrow it down as to what pokemon you might want to consider using.