Help this new player with his team?

[woobly]

Hey everyone, I'm playing Soul Silver, which is the first Pokemon game I've played. I have 10 badges right now. My goal is to have a well-put-together team that will serve me well in the game as well as in battles with my friends. (I think eventually I'll probably get into real competitive battling, but not now.) I have decided that for the time being I won't use any legendary Pokemon on my team. Later on I think I'll try to put together a couple more teams, maybe one Ubers one and one UU one. You can see I've been reading some competitive battling stuff just to get a feel for what's considered the best. (I haven't been bothering with getting the best natures or EV training though, because I have no time.)

Aaaanyway, here's what I have now.


Skarmory lv27
-Agility
-Fly
-Feint
-Air Cutter

Gyarados lv41
-Rock Smash
-Surf
-Strength
-Waterfall

Rhyperior lv57
-Megahorn
-Earthquake
-Rock Blast
-Hammer Arm

Meganium lv44
-Magical Leaf
-Synthesis
-Cut
-Solar Beam

Tyranitar lv55
-Stone Edge
-Payback
-Crunch
-Earthquake

Quilava lv30
-Ember
-Leer
-Flame Wheel
-Quick Attack

Some of these are obviously not optimal. Skarmory replaced a level 50 Lugia, and Gyarados used to be an HM mule. Other Pokemon I could substitute for any of these include Snorlax lv50, Magneton lv42, Dragonair lv40, Gengar lv45, Electabuzz lv41, Magmar lv42, and I also have an Eevee, a Totodile, and a Togepi I could evolve. One thing I'm not sure about is the distribution of types. It seems like a good idea to have a fire-type on the team, but is it really necessary? Is there a better way of looking at this?

I appreciate any advice.

 

[crazygoalie13]

I think it's almost neccessary to have a Fire type. but my first piece of advices is EVEN OUT THE LEVELS! Right now, if someone manages to take out Rhyperior and Tyranitar, you're in big trouble. I also advise dropping Ryperior or Tyranitar(up to you), and putting Feraligatr in place of Gyrados, with this moveset: Waterfall, Ice Fang, and the other two are up to you, although maybe Thunderpunch and a fighting move. I think having two Rock types in one team is a bit redundant, but it can be done. I just strongly advise evening out everything.

 

[bwburke94]

My team is similar to yours, so I'm probably the one you should listen to (though I evolved Quilava into Typhlosion, while not evolving my Larvitar or Bayleef. I also use Lanturn or any starter (I have all 4) as a second Water-type depending on the situation, and do not have a Rhyperior.

Meganium needs Sunny Day support, but remember that this also boosts the power of Fire attacks which it is weak to. Rhyperior can switch in to anything with a Fire attack (don't use Tyranitar there, it sets up a sandstorm which ends Sunny Day.) You say you are willing to use ubers, so Groudon can replace the Sunny Day user once you catch it.

Gyarados should replace Rock Smash with Dragon Dance or a type-coverage move (there is a move deleter in Blackthorn.)

For a Psychic type, if you need one, you should use Mewtwo or Alakazam. If you need help catching an Abra just use a Quick Ball on the first turn or send out a Wobbuffet or Dugtrio to prevent it from fleeing.

Magneton/Magnezone with Magnet Rise can be a nice alternative to Skarmory, and Shuckle could help as well with sandstorm support from Tyranitar.

My proposed team for you:

Tyranitar (lead)
Shuckle
Flareon (Sunny Day user)
Meganium
Rhyperior
Gyarados (could be replaced by Empoleon if you have a friend with D/P/Pt)

Shuckle is an underrated Pokémon, but when used with sandstorm support from Tyranitar can easily stall out most teams. I recommend a moveset of Stealth Rock/Protect/Double Team/Toxic for it, though Protect can be replaced by Rest if necessary.

 

[woobly]

Thanks guys. I beat all the gyms and I'm training my weaker pokemon right now in preparation for the Elite 4. My final team is still up for debate a little bit, but
I definitely plan on using my Typhlosion and getting some better moves on my Gyarados. Making progress!

 

[Weavile05]

I just want to say if i had a shuckle I would go with Gyro Ball, Rock Slide/Earthquake, Sludge Bomb/Bug Bite, and Power Trick.
He would start off with a power trick to give his attacking stats a boost, then pummel away with either Earthquake/RockSlide (depending on which type you need most) or SludgeBomb/BugBite (once again whichever type you need more, I chose these two because they're the only two special moves it learns). Which one is dependant upon whether power trick gives you higher physical attack or spatk. Gyro ball is just there for a powerful move (due to his slow speed) when nothing else works very well.