Help Me With My Team

[skyburial]

I like your team, mate. A couple things, though.

Weavile and Excadrill share some weaknesses to really common types (fighting and fire), and one of Weavile's is a 4x. I'm a fan of STAB Ice-type moves as well, but you may want to consider substituting Excadrill for Lando-T to take those Mach Punches and Close Combats that get thrown around like a baseball in springtime. I'd scarf that guy so he can match Excadrill's speed.

Why Roost instead of Recover on Latias? Doesn't that strip you of your Levitate ability?

Also, on an unrelated note (not the best for this team because you need a special attacker), have you tried Dual Screens Raikou? They're all the rage on Battle Spot and can definitely be a show stopper. I can't find a good example of a spread but here's what I'd imagine it amounts to based on my other dual screens users:

Raikou @ Light Clay
Nature: Timid
Ability: Pressure
Reflect
Light Screen
T-Bolt
HP Ice
252 HP/4 SpD/252 Spd

 

[PlatinumDude]

I like your team, mate. A couple things, though.

Weavile and Excadrill share some weaknesses to really common types (fighting and fire), and one of Weavile's is a 4x. I'm a fan of STAB Ice-type moves as well, but you may want to consider substituting Excadrill for Lando-T to take those Mach Punches and Close Combats that get thrown around like a baseball in springtime. I'd scarf that guy so he can match Excadrill's speed.

Why Roost instead of Recover on Latias? Doesn't that strip you of your Levitate ability?

Also, on an unrelated note (not the best for this team because you need a special attacker), have you tried Dual Screens Raikou? They're all the rage on Battle Spot and can definitely be a show stopper. I can't find a good example of a spread but here's what I'd imagine it amounts to based on my other dual screens users:

Raikou @ Light Clay
Nature: Timid
Ability: Pressure
Reflect
Light Screen
T-Bolt
HP Ice
252 HP/4 SpD/252 Spd

What does Raikou have over other dual screeners, like Lati@s and Klefki?

The thing is... Now that Gren is going to be banned, I need a fast mon without scarf. Weavile and Starmie are the best bets for me, I used Starmie already and is great. So I need to test Weavile.
I need Exca because I need a spinner / Defog. I don't know who I could use on that place. (Maybe Defog Zapdos, If It's a thing?) Instead of Raikou?. I'm going to run Recover on Latias.

And, I never used a team with dual screens. So I don't know how they work.

And, It's nice to know that you liked my team =)

Dual screeners are Pokemon that are used on hyper-offensive teams to compensate for the general frailty of its team members. Notable dual screeners are the aforementioned Lati@s and Klefki, as well as Espeon:

Latias:
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Draco Meteor/Dragon Pulse
-Healing Wish/Psyshock/Hidden Power (Fire)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Light Clay

Latios:
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Draco Meteor/Dragon Pulse
-Memento
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Light Clay

Klefki:
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Spikes
-Fairy Lock
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Light Clay
Ability: Prankster

Espeon:
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Psychic/Psyshock/Yawn
-Baton Pass
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce

With a Rash nature, Raikou only outspeeds base 100 Pokemon by 1 point. This is bad, considering that the 110 Speed tier (the tier that Raikou should be outrunning in the first place) is much more widespread. You're better off foregoing the event Raikou entirely and using regular Raikou:
-Thunderbolt
-Volt Switch
-Hidden Power (Ice)
-Shadow Ball/Extrasensory
Nature: Timid
EVs: 32/252 SAtk/224 Spe (Choice Specs) or 252 HP/32 SDef/224 Spe (Assault Vest)
Item: Choice Specs/Assault Vest

 

[halcyonic]

how does dual screens help this team? [insert lol here] this team is offensive, yes, but it isn't hyper offense. you don't even have a frail setup sweeper or something (mega latias is bulky yo). remove dual screens, it doesn't contribute. just because a pokemon is used often doesnt mean it fits onto every team -.- (bar greninja lol)

also mega metagross handles the team pretty well. i suggest getting starmie or scarf lando-t, and getting rid of excadrill. mega metagross lacking grass knot (which isn't a very common move) should be easily beaten by starmie, lando-t, on the other hand, is idk 2hko'd or ohko'd by ice punch after intimidate? (beware of base form metagross cos clear body will prevent intimidate from working) but it can go for earthquake after a bit of prior damage, i guess (idk if eq is strong enough to ko at full health). tbh i'd go for starmie, as it provides spin for the team too.

also the mega latias set is fine. just make sure the dark and ice types checks are taken care off before setting up.

 

[srinator]

You know you could use mamoswine instead of weavile, it also gives ur team a lead rock setter. Also what does shadow ball on sylveon hit? If ur not satisfied with it u could use baton pass for scouting moves :o also acts as a slow turn So u can bring in stuff easily, but u don't have many glass cannons so up to u.

Also it seems as though your team struggles with set up bulky offensive scizor that might carry super power :o u need to look into that

 

[PlatinumDude]

You know you could use mamoswine instead of weavile, it also gives ur team a lead rock setter. Also what does shadow ball on sylveon hit? If ur not satisfied with it u could use baton pass for scouting moves :o also acts as a slow turn So u can bring in stuff easily, but u don't have many glass cannons so up to u.

Also it seems as though your team struggles with set up bulky offensive scizor that might carry super power :o u need to look into that

While Shadow Ball appears to be random filler on Sylveon, it does let it hit Mega Metagross and Jirachi harder than HP Ground/Fire would.

 

[halcyonic]

While Shadow Ball appears to be random filler on Sylveon, it does let it hit Mega Metagross and Jirachi harder than HP Ground/Fire would.

who even hits megagross or jirachi lol. even if it hits on the switch, both are going to outspeed and ohko on the next turn :/

 

[PlatinumDude]

who even hits megagross or jirachi lol. even if it hits on the switch, both are going to outspeed and ohko on the next turn :/

You're still missing the point of Choice sets. You predict a switch-in, hit it hard with the appropriate coverage move, then get out of battle if the matchup is unfavorable.

 

[skyburial]

What does Raikou have over other dual screeners, like Lati@s and Klefki?

Immunity to Thunder Wave, less weaknesses, and shock value.

 

[halcyonic]

You're still missing the point of Choice sets. You predict a switch-in, hit it hard with the appropriate coverage move, then get out of battle if the matchup is unfavorable.

well i dont really want to stray off-topic, but even if you switch out, the rest of archer's team is going to get hit really hard by megagross or let jirachi hax out. bp lets you switch out to an immediate better check or counter while keeping sylveon at full health.

 

[PlatinumDude]

Immunity to Thunder Wave, less weaknesses, and shock value.

True, yes, but this is pretty much a waste of Raikou's offensive potential.

For one, Latias and Latios can afford to give up their offensive presence because they have access to moves that give sweepers an easier time in Healing Wish and Memento, respectively. The former gives a severely weakened attacker a second chance at decimating the team, while the latter harshly weakens the target's offensive presence, giving setup sweepers time to set up moves like Swords Dance without taking too much damage. And for another, Klefki has Prankster, which gives its screens +1 priority. It can get up at least 1 screen before it gets Taunted. Does Raikou have any of these qualities? The answer is no. Shock value isn't going to cut it.

 

[srinator]

True, yes, but this is pretty much a waste of Raikou's offensive potential.

For one, Latias and Latios can afford to give up their offensive presence because they have access to moves that give sweepers an easier time in Healing Wish and Memento, respectively. The former gives a severely weakened attacker a second chance at decimating the team, while the latter harshly weakens the target's offensive presence, giving setup sweepers time to set up moves like Swords Dance without taking too much damage. And for another, Klefki has Prankster, which gives its screens +1 priority. It can get up at least 1 screen before it gets Taunted. Does Raikou have any of these qualities? The answer is no. Shock value isn't going to cut it.

The main point however is why would you use screens on a team like this? It does not have set up mons latios which does not really need the screen, screens mon may have its advantages for Lati but it's more of waste of slot for this team, he can better use it for stuff that otherwise threaten his team, Like scizor.

 

[skyburial]

True, yes, but this is pretty much a waste of Raikou's offensive potential.

For one, Latias and Latios can afford to give up their offensive presence because they have access to moves that give sweepers an easier time in Healing Wish and Memento, respectively. The former gives a severely weakened attacker a second chance at decimating the team, while the latter harshly weakens the target's offensive presence, giving setup sweepers time to set up moves like Swords Dance without taking too much damage. And for another, Klefki has Prankster, which gives its screens +1 priority. It can get up at least 1 screen before it gets Taunted. Does Raikou have any of these qualities? The answer is no. Shock value isn't going to cut it.

The thing about shock value though, is that people play against Raikou like it's an offensive sweeper, which also gives it time to set up a screen. If I switch it in on something without Earthquake or Earth Power, like a Mega Venusaur, then my opponent will most likely think he can take me out with a Sludge Bomb or whatever, because the specs set is pretty frail and that would be an unresisted hit. Raikou doesn't really have to deal with Taunt if it has shock value.

 

[halcyonic]

Thanks to everybody!.

I made a couple of changes.

- Klefki is gone, And I replaced it with Scarf Lando
- Exca is gone, And I replaced it with Life Orb Starmie
- Specs Raikou is gone, And I replaced it with Specs Heatran
- Weavile is gone, And I replaced it with Mamo

I don't know if I changed the correct things, Feel free to say it.

good, this makes dual screens even more dumb on a team like this

 

[PlatinumDude]

The thing about shock value though, is that people play against Raikou like it's an offensive sweeper, which also gives it time to set up a screen. If I switch it in on something without Earthquake or Earth Power, like a Mega Venusaur, then my opponent will most likely think he can take me out with a Sludge Bomb or whatever, because the specs set is pretty frail and that would be an unresisted hit. Raikou doesn't really have to deal with Taunt if it has shock value.

You're underestimating Raikou's special bulk. 90/100 special bulk is pretty good even uninvested. Assault Vest also gives Raikou more special bulk to tank special hits with. As I already mentioned before, Raikou doesn't have what it takes to be a dual screener, simply because other Pokemon do that role better (due to Lati@s having options to make sweepers' lives easier, Klefki's Prankster and Espeon's Magic Bounce). There's a fine line between gimmick and surprise factor and dual screens Raikou falls under the former.

Anyway, enough of the dual screens thing; as Srinator said, it doesn't really suit the team. For stuff that deals with Scizor: Heatran, Talonflame and Magnezone work.

Edit: Looks like the OP made the right changes.

 

[srinator]

Thanks to everybody!.

I made a couple of changes.

- Klefki is gone, And I replaced it with Scarf Lando
- Exca is gone, And I replaced it with Life Orb Starmie
- Specs Raikou is gone, And I replaced it with Specs Heatran
- Weavile is gone, And I replaced it with Mamo

I don't know if I changed the correct things, Feel free to say it.

Specs heatran is not good tbh, 2slow, Heatran is actually good here use it as a support mon with rocks, give Mamo freeze dry to 2hko rotom-w

 

[PlatinumDude]

Maybe Specs Zone?, With Magnet Pull for Scizor.

Yep, I kinda suggested Magnezone, so it should work:
-Thunderbolt
-Volt Switch
-Flash Cannon
-Hidden Power (Fire)
Nature: Modest
EVs: 172 HP/252 SAtk/84 Spe
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull

 

[Lunarose]

have you ever tried scarf heatran? it's not used as often so it's often unpredictable but it's been working well for me, been using it since 5th gen lol. i don't like specs tran. if you wanna go for a fire specs mon choose chandelure or something. raw STAB damage that hits hard.
heatran as a lead gets rekt by someone like landorus and a few other leads which is super common unless you have air balloon which is a waste imo. i mean you can have it as a rock setter but it'll have to be brought in later.. at least that's just my experience with it.
here's my set for it:
Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Timid Nature
- Lava Plume
- Flash Cannon
- Ancient Power
- Earth Power

this is just my opinion but sylveon is an amazing cleric and i think that's pretty much her only niche in ou anyway, using her as a specs user there are honestly so many better options. if you really want a fairy that can hit hard and sweep go with clefable or something. life orb+magic guard is op. 1-2 calm minds & flamethrower/moonblast with full spA invested is amazing.

also why not just go for landorus scarf lead w/ rocks? why is mamo needed here, like what is its purpose in this team?

i don't think it would hurt to try mega scizor in this team. i feel like latias is just fine without a mega and in fact, could be used as a defogger as she's one of the best defoggers in the meta right now along with latios. with that you could also replace starmie since rapid spin won't be needed anymore. or if you wanna go for a good mega, try mega altaria and scratch the idea of clefable for a sweep.

there's literally so much you can do for this team, and seeing you're going for like mostly offensive it's really up to you what route you wanna go with this. just throwing some ideas out there though, i hope it helps some.

also you should edit the op with your changes.

 

[PlatinumDude]

have you ever tried scarf heatran? it's not used as often so it's often unpredictable but it's been working well for me, been using it since 5th gen lol. i don't like specs tran. if you wanna go for a fire specs mon choose chandelure or something. raw STAB damage that hits hard.
heatran as a lead gets rekt by someone like landorus and a few other leads which is super common unless you have air balloon which is a waste imo. i mean you can have it as a rock setter but it'll have to be brought in later.. at least that's just my experience with it.
here's my set for it:
Heatran (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 24 HP / 8 Def / 216 SpA / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Lava Plume
- Flash Cannon
- Ancient Power
- Earth Power

this is just my opinion but sylveon is an amazing cleric and i think that's pretty much her only niche in ou anyway, using her as a specs user there are honestly so many better options. if you really want a fairy that can hit hard and sweep go with clefable or something. life orb+magic guard is op. 1-2 calm minds & flamethrower/moonblast with full spA invested is amazing.

also why not just go for landorus scarf lead w/ rocks? why is mamo needed here, like what is its purpose in this team?

i don't think it would hurt to try mega scizor in this team. i feel like latias is just fine without a mega and in fact, could be used as a defogger as she's one of the best defoggers in the meta right now along with latios. with that you could also replace starmie since rapid spin won't be needed anymore. or if you wanna go for a good mega, try mega altaria and scratch the idea of clefable for a sweep.

there's literally so much you can do for this team, and seeing you're going for like mostly offensive it's really up to you what route you wanna go with this. just throwing some ideas out there though, i hope it helps some.

also you should edit the op with your changes.

Why Lava Plume on Scarf Heatran? Sure, you can fish for burns, but the raw power of Overheat or Fire Blast is preferred simply because Choice Scarf Pokemon are weaker compared to Life Orb variants. Despite being weakened by a Modest/Timid nature, Stone Edge is preferred over Ancient Power in order to hit specially defensive Charizard Y and Talonflame, as well as Volcarona harder:

0- Atk Heatran Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 316-372 (88 - 103.6%) -- 25% chance to OHKO

252+ SpA Heatran Ancient Power vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Talonflame: 264-312 (73.5 - 86.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

0- Atk Heatran Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y: 292-344 (81.3 - 95.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ SpA Heatran Ancient Power vs. 248 HP / 132+ SpD Mega Charizard Y: 208-248 (57.9 - 69%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

0- Atk Heatran Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 340-400 (109.3 - 128.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ SpA Heatran Ancient Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 276-328 (88.7 - 105.4%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO

Ancient Power still has merit, though, such as still hitting Charizard X if you choose to run Hidden Power Ice (which is another option to hit Gliscor and Therian Landorus harder than Fire Blast/Overheat).

Tl;dr:
-Fire Blast/Overheat
-Flash Cannon
-Earth PowerHidden Power (Ice)
-Stone Edge/Ancient Power
Nature: Timid
EVs: 28 HP/4 Def/252 SAtk/228 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf

With a Timid nature and this EV spread, Scarf Heatran outspeeds Mega Lopunny, something your current spread fails to do. Seriously, what does your EV spread accomplish?

 

[Lunarose]

It's all preferential, I would prefer Lava plume over something with less accuracy like Fire Blast because it's my playing style and still gets the job done. It's up to what the person desires on their team, if it doesn't seem fitting to this particular team then you can just try something else.

Agh forgot to add that's my old ev spread from 5th gen, my bad. I did have Timid on it currently & the basic 252 speed/252spAtk/4Def. Disregard that, I edited it. was from my "vintage team" but i've since updated it for oras.

Latios for defog is still viable.