Fish Food

[Iron Shaman]

This team does well for the most part, but has trouble with one very common item, which you'll see. Any ideas on how to fix it? I don't pack a load UUs because I hate OU pokémon, I pack them 'cause I always found my teams on 1-2 pokémon I like. Oh, and Kecleon is just a successful set. *Rant*

<KECLEON PIC HERE>

Stealth Tongue @ Focus Sash
Ability: Color Change
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Sassy nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Counter
- Trick Room
- Magic Coat
- Stealth Rock

This rather odd lead was borne from Gengar hate. Relatively bulky, he can effectively counter, set up or (most fun of all) reflect back status leads in the face. For something based on surprise, I've never seen such a successful lead. It's a pity Kecleon can't learn Mirror Coat or Taunt, but I'd be stuck for choice if that held true. Also, his ability is actually decent in my opinion, as it eases prediction with whom to switch to.

Alternative:

Kecleon @ Focus Sash
Trait: Colour Change
Nature: Careful
Evs: 252 HP, 176 Def, 80 Sp.Def
~ Magic Coat
~ Counter
~ Stealth Rock
~ Thunder Wave

I've written an analysis on this guy, so I can post it if you really want.

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<RELICANTH PIC HERE>

Headache @ Life Orb
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 46 HP/252 Atk/212 Def
Brave nature (+Atk, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Head Smash
- Double-edge
- Waterfall


Second favourite pokémon of mine, and incredibly powerful even when not banded. It's great fun sending this guy in on Gyarados, and OHKOing it. Or even OHKOing it when people foolish send Gyara in. In general, being able to take EQs, hit back and keep going whilst taking life orb damage is awesome, especially when Trick Room is up. With Swords Danced passed, there's not much this guy can't OHKO.

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<LANTURN PIC HERE>

Manly Fish @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 40 HP/36 Spd/192 SAtk/240 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Surf

Right now, you're probably thinking I'm one of those that think OUs are boring and suck. I've been using Lanturn in OU since ADV, and it seldom lets me down.
Thunderbolt absorbtion is much appreciated, and Ice resists are always a good thing.

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<GYARA PIC HERE>

I AM ANGRY @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP/252 Atk/184 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance

This thing holds the team together, along with Celebi. My fishies wouldn't be here without this guy.
I don't know whether to go Bulkygyara or DDgyara here. One allows for more DDs, one needs less DDs. Personally, I like this set because I can come in on Gyaras and outrun them if they haven't Danced up. Stone edge on Gyarados is so very good (as long as it hits. Grrr.)

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<WEAVILE PIC HERE>

Anorexic Bodyguard @ Choice Band
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Brick Break
- Ice Punch
- Pursuit
- Ice Shard

I hate it to bits, but I must admit, Weavile is an ace revenge killer, with STAB Pursuit and enough attack to make up for its low BP attacks. Usually I don't find Night Slash helpful, so Ice Shard takes the last slot for things like Aero and DD'd up/scarfed dragons. When Weavile patches up holes, we get along well enough.

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<CELEBI PIC HERE>

Onion @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP/200 Def/56 SDef
Sassy nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Baton Pass
- Swords Dance
- Leaf Storm
- Thunder Wave

For support, Celebi is great. Thunder Wave and Swords Dance Passing make Gyarados and Relicanth Very happy bunnies, as well as weavile in the later game. Sometimes, that extra punch from Leaf Storm is a serious help, but I don't know if I should keep it that way.

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This team has a few serious weaknesses; Stealth Rock and Accuracy. Oh, and arguably Scarfchomp. It also happens to lack steel, but such is life.

Most threats can be dealt with despite the overall low speed, which is good. :D
You'll probably want me to use Claydol over Kecleon (I am considering it), but I find someting lacking about it Clay. I'll be happy to use it if you guys can prove me wrong.

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Type Test (I really don't want to individually pick through the threat list Dx)

Bug: 1 Resist, 1 2x Weak, 1 4x Weak. <- Good job it's not common
Dark: 1 Resist, 1 Colour Change, 1 2x Weak
Dragon: 1 Intimidate, 0 Resists, 0 Weaks
Electric: 1 Volt Absorb, 1 Resist, 1 2x Weak, 1 4x Weak
Fight: 1 Initimade boosted resist, 1 Resist, 2 2x Weaks, 1 4x Weak
Fire: 1 0.25x Resist, 2 Resists, 2 2x Weak
Flying: 2 Resists, 1 2x Weak
Ghost: 1 Resist, 1 Immunity, 1 2x Weak
Grass: 2 Resists, 1 2x Weak (to not Grass Knot), 1 4x Weak <- It's not as bad as it looks
Ground: 1 Immunity, 1 Resist, 2 2x Weaks
Ice: 2 Resists, 1 2x Weak
Normal: 1 Resist, 0 Weak
Poison: lol
Psychic: 1 Immunity, 1 Resist, 0 Weak
Rock: 0 Resists, 2 2x Weak :(
Steel: 1 0.25x Resist, 1 Resist, 1 Weak
Water: 3 Resists, 0 Weak​

 

[El Gofre]

That lead makes me cry. Focus sash fails to weather, and with no real attacks all that's gonna happen is you get set up on. Pluss his ability is not good, as it allows opponenets to choose what type you are so they can pick anything they like to counter you with SE damage.There are much better trick room starters out there, bronzong as an example works very well.

 

[Iron Shaman]

I beg to differ, out of experience.

Firstly, it's a lead. About the only time Sashes are useful. It works with lefties too.

Secondly, you underestimate its utility. Though I've gone ahead with the TWave version, not much can set up on it. I should probably pack a PHazer to deal with them, actually.

As for the whole Colour change abuse... that requires me to stay in, and it takes turns to set up.

 

[El Gofre]

But really, what would it achieve? Gyara will taunt you and you wouldnt be able to do anything, it could also dragon dance you and you wouldnt be able to do anything. Most people lead with their weather starters, so your sash is gone. If you do switch out then you leave yourself open to stealth rock ect, which again ruins your sash. Also, how are you going to cope with any special move?
The T-wave one is moderately better, but they are both just set-up fodder really.

 

[Anti]

Kecleon has awesome SDef :0

Gyarados leads are a joke to be honest.

Not a fan of Focus Sash on it though. Ususally those berries are more helpful since they're more reliable.

EDIT: BTW awesome thread title

 

[El Gofre]

Gyarados leads are a joke to be honest.

Even if they are bad leads, you cannot deny they are one of the most common leads going.

 

[Anti]

Every lead is weak to Gyarados though (which is probably why people lead with it, but leading just to beat other leads is really stupid). Hippowdon, Weavile...it's almost like blaming a special attacker for being Blissey weak. Gengar is the only lead I ever see that beats gyarados.

My point being, you can just switch to your Gyarados counter. Problem solved.

 

[El Gofre]

Meh, fair enough. I still fail to see what these sets can achieve. Once an opponent figues out the closest thing he has to an attack is counter he'll get set up on faster than he can blink. On top of that, without a phazer his entire team is going to find it extremely difficult to cope with them.

 

[Iron Shaman]

Gyarados usually falls to Relicanth pretty easily. Failing that, the other Gyara works.

Also, I see Gengar on every other lead. It really has worked more often or not. and 50% success is good enough on a lead. Granted, I'd like it to live longer. D:

I want to use a Phazer, but I can't find many things with the utility I need. Perhaps Bulky Zapdos?