My First Competitive Team

[Solice]

Hello, this is my first competitive team and I've done quite a bit of research, but I am still new so please bare with me. I read the compilation of guides to the best of my comprehension and have browsed Bulbapedia and Serebii as well as this community for direction in things such as EVs and Movesets. I read that it's best to use Over Used Pokemon, so I tried to implement that. I guess you came to see my team and not read a bunch of backstory crap, so here it is.

RHYPERIOR
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Solid Rock
Moveset:
-Stealth Rock
-Roar
-Earthquake
-Megahorn
EVs: 252 HP, 80 Atk, 176 Def

Rhyperior's sole focus is to be a Stealth Rocker. I also gave him Roar so he could abuse SR a bit if he has the chance.

SCIZOR
Nature: Impish
Ability: Swarm
Moveset:
-Swords Dance
-Baton Pass
-Roost
-X-Scissor
EVs: 252 HP, 112 Def, 144 Spd

Scizor is my Baton Passer, obviously. I power him up with Swords Dance and pass it to my sweepers, preferably Lucario. I was thinking of switching out Roost for Substitute so he can have a more guaranteed Swords Dance power up.

LUCARIO@Black Belt
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Steadfast
Moveset:
-Close Combat
-Crunch
-Swords Dance
-Stone Edge
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spd

Lucario is my main Physical Sweeper. Close Combat covers a large amount of vulnerable types, Crunch takes care of pesky ghosts, Stone Edge picks off the flying.

INFERNAPE@Wise Glasses
Nature: Timid
Ability: Blaze
Moveset:
-Flamethrower
-Nasty Plot
-Grass Knot
-Hidden Power[Ice]
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Sp. Atk, 252 Spd

Infernape is my Special Sweeper using Nasty Plot to raise his Sp. Atk. Flamethrower is his Creme de la Creme mowing down most of the opposition. For the Rock and Water types Grass Knot is utilized, and Hidden Power[Ice] takes care of the Dragon types.

BLISSEY
Nature: Bold
Ability: Natural Cure
Moveset:
-Seismic Toss
-Softboiled
-Aromatherapy
-Thunder Wave
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Sp. Def

I was a little confused on the Healer/Wall part, but I read that Blissey was the most used so I headed over to Serebii for help. This is directly from there.
"Seismic Toss wears down Special Sweepers whilst Softboiled keeps Blissey healthy. Aromatherapy provides it's team with status healing whilst the final move is used to contribute to it's Special Walling capabilities.

Thunder Wave paralyzes the opponent. In many situations this is of great use."



I feel like I need another wall and I am fairly sure I do, but I can't think of any help with that. For now I am going to fill the spot with a Raichu.

RAICHU@Leftovers
Nature: Hasty
Ability: Static
Moveset:
-Thunderbolt
-Focus Punch
-Substitute
-Encore
EVs: 252 Atk, 108 Sp. Atk, 150 Spd

Raichu has two simple strategies. If the opponent uses a stat changing move, Raichu will use encore to keep that move continuous for a while. This renders the opponent useless while Raichu can bring them down. If that doesn't happen Raichu can use Substitute to set up a Focus Punch.

Thanks in advanced for at least taking a look at my first team. Any suggestions, especially for a Defensive Wall or Held Items, would be greatly appreciated. If I posted this incorrectly, sorry and it should be deleted.

 

[Anti]

First of all, this is solid for someone's first RMT. You're just about the only person ever who has done prior research, lol. Before you do anymore, however, I would go with Smogon's Competitive Pokedex as it is the best resource around. Serebii is pretty mediocre.

Blissey is a great Pokemon for new players since it is such an easy solution to a good chunk of special attackers like Jolteon, Heatran, and Starmie. This is definitely something to keep.

Rhyperior, however, is not. Its weaknesses to Water, Ice, and Grass moves are simply too crippling, and strong STAB Fighting and Ground moves will also bury it. It's even worse as a lead since leads like Aerodactyl and Azelf will just Taunt your Stealth Rock which will make Rhyperior useless. It's called Rhyinferior for a reason. I'll get to a replacement soon.

Baton Pass Scizor is also asking for trouble. Not only does it not really help anything (Lucario can use Swords Dance on its own anyway), but the things that will come in on it will crush your recipients, like a Heatran Fire Blast or a Rotom-H Thunderbolt or Overheat. Scizor is a very good Pokemon though. Just use its Choice Band set:

Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower

Pullet Punch lets Scizor bypass its low Speed. U-turn is what really makes the set great though, as Scizor does damage and keeps momentum by letting you switch to something that will instantly scare off a counter. It will also help scout the opponent's team.

Lucario is a solid Pokemon that needs minor tweaks. First of all, an Adamant nature is better for the raw power, while the boost in Speed doesn't really help against much. You will also want to replace either Crunch or Stone Edge (Crunch is usually the better move to keep around) to put in ExtremeSpeed, which lets Lucario get the jump on faster opponents like Infernape and Azelf. Lastly, a Life Orb is superior to Black Belt, as it provides more power to all attacks. The 10% HP loss is a small price to pay given how important the extra power is to Lucario.

Infernape Needs Focus Blast over Hidden Power Ice, which isn't very useful at all, even for Dragonite (Fire Blast does a lot of damage despite being not very effective). Otherwise it's fine.

Raichu sucks. Quite badly, actually. You do in fact need another wall. Right now your whole team is asking for Lucario to come in, so a Gliscor will solve the problem by outspeeding and KOing it with Earthquake.The Ground immunity is also really helpful. As for Scizor's replacement, a mixed wall like Dragon Dance/Waterfall/Rest/Sleep Talk Gyarados could work. Another Ground immunity and fighting rests would really be welcome. You do have Gyarados issues though, so a RestTalk Rotom-A might also be beneficial.

Even with the changes suggested, there are still holes, but that doesn't really matter a whole lot--for new players, the most important thing to gain is experience. Once you get used to battling, team building and synergy and strategy all becomes much easier.

 

[Solice]

Alright, so along with the tweaks to my other pokemon, I should switch out my Rhyperior with Gyarados and Raichu with Gliscor? Should I have Gliscor as my starter and use the Lead set from Smogon?

 

[zommy08]

Hello, this is my first competitive team and I've done quite a bit of research, but I am still new so please bare with me. I read the compilation of guides to the best of my comprehension and have browsed Bulbapedia and Serebii as well as this community for direction in things such as EVs and Movesets. I read that it's best to use Over Used Pokemon, so I tried to implement that. I guess you came to see my team and not read a bunch of backstory crap, so here it is.

RHYPERIOR Always give your Pokémon items. In this case, use Leftovers.
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Solid Rock
Moveset:
-Stealth Rock
-Stone Edge
-Earthquake
-Megahorn
EVs: 252 HP, 80 Atk, 176 Def

Rhyperior's incredibly frail special defense doesn't fit a - what I call - stealth scouter (stealth rock/spikes and then roar/whirlwind). If you want one of those, pick Skarmory.

Skarmory (Leftovers)
Impish
Sturdy
252HP, 176Def, 80SpDef
-Stealth Rock/Spikes
-Whirlwind/Roar
-Roost/Rest
-Brave Bird/Drill Peck

Rhyperior's sole focus is to be a Stealth Rocker. I also gave him Roar so he could abuse SR a bit if he has the chance.

SCIZOR Leftovers
Nature: Impish Nature problem. Use Jolly or Adamant instead.
Ability: Swarm Ability problem too. Use Technician.
Moveset:
-Swords Dance
-Baton Pass
-Agility
-Bullet Punch
EVs: 252 HP, 112 Def, 144 Spd

With Swords Dance and Agility, if you BP to Lucario, it will be almost unstoppable. And I'm glad you're using a novelty Scizor instead of the boring Choice Band or SD Bullet Punch set.

Scizor is my Baton Passer, obviously. I power him up with Swords Dance and pass it to my sweepers, preferably Lucario. I was thinking of switching out Roost for Substitute so he can have a more guaranteed Swords Dance power up.

LUCARIO@ Use a Life Orb or Expert Belt instead.
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Steadfast
Moveset:
-Close Combat
-Crunch
-Ice Punch. With Scizor Baton Passing Swords Dance, you won't need any more.
-Stone Edge
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Atk, 252 Spd

Lucario is my main Physical Sweeper. Close Combat covers a large amount of vulnerable types, Crunch takes care of pesky ghosts, Stone Edge picks off the flying.

INFERNAPE@Wise Glasses
Nature: Timid
Ability: Blaze
Moveset:
-Flamethrower
-Nasty Plot
-Grass Knot
-Hidden Power[Ice]
EVs: 4 HP, 252 Sp. Atk, 252 Spd

Pretty good. Yay, someone else is using a Nasty Plot Infernape, geez, so many people use MixApe. My Infernape is Substitute/Nasty Plot. :)

Infernape is my Special Sweeper using Nasty Plot to raise his Sp. Atk. Flamethrower is his Creme de la Creme mowing down most of the opposition. For the Rock and Water types Grass Knot is utilized, and Hidden Power[Ice] takes care of the Dragon types.

BLISSEY
Nature: Bold
Ability: Natural Cure
Moveset:
-Seismic Toss
-Softboiled
-Aromatherapy
-Thunder Wave
EVs: 252 HP, 176 Def, 80 Sp. Def I personally prefer this EV spread.

I was a little confused on the Healer/Wall part, but I read that Blissey was the most used so I headed over to Serebii for help. This is directly from there.
"Seismic Toss wears down Special Sweepers whilst Softboiled keeps Blissey healthy. Aromatherapy provides it's team with status healing whilst the final move is used to contribute to it's Special Walling capabilities.

Thunder Wave paralyzes the opponent. In many situations this is of great use."



I feel like I need another wall and I am fairly sure I do, but I can't think of any help with that. For now I am going to fill the spot with a Raichu. Yes, I agree you need another wall.

Milotic (Leftovers)
Bold
Marvel Scale
252HP, 208Def, 48SpDef
Surf
Ice Beam
Hidden Power Electric
Recover

RAICHU@Leftovers
Nature: Hasty
Ability: Static
Moveset:
-Thunderbolt
-Focus Punch
-Substitute
-Encore
EVs: 252 Atk, 108 Sp. Atk, 150 Spd

Hmm... nice set, but I think Milotic would fit your team better. Another good idea would be a Grass-type. Your Baton Pass chain of Scizor to Lucario could be replaced by:

Ambipom (Leftovers)
Jolly
Technician
252HP, 176Spd, 48Def, 32SpDef
Nasty Plot
Substitute/Agility
Swift
Baton Pass

Sceptile (Life Orb/Expert Belt)
Timid/Modest
252SpAtk, 252Spd, 6HP
Energy Ball/Grass Knot
Hidden Power Fire
Dragon Pulse
Focus Blast

If you want, you can also use a novelty physical Sceptile as a BP receiver from Scizor.

Raichu has two simple strategies. If the opponent uses a stat changing move, Raichu will use encore to keep that move continuous for a while. This renders the opponent useless while Raichu can bring them down. If that doesn't happen Raichu can use Substitute to set up a Focus Punch.

Thanks in advanced for at least taking a look at my first team. Any suggestions, especially for a Defensive Wall or Held Items, would be greatly appreciated. If I posted this incorrectly, sorry and it should be deleted.

Hope I helped. And this is amazing: I got a remark up before aragornbird! O__O xD

 

[Solice]

Thanks Zommy. I wasn't sure if the same item was allowed to be used on multiple Pokemon, so I left it blank for the moment. The Milotic and improved Scizor BP looks like something I will definitely add. Do you think Skarmory Lead is better than Gliscor Lead?

 

[Corruptodile]

Thanks Zommy. I wasn't sure if the same item was allowed to be used on multiple Pokemon, so I left it blank for the moment. The Milotic and improved Scizor BP looks like something I will definitely add. Do you think Skarmory Lead is better than Gliscor Lead?

That really depends on your opponents lead. For example, I've got a lead Starmie up against a Machamp in scenario 1, and Lum Berry Metagross in scenario 2. Starmie can't OHKO and gets a Payback to the face where as Metagross can 2HKO, survive the Dynamic Punch and avoid confusion thanks to Lum Berry. On the flip switch, let's say my opponent used a lead Heatran in stead of Machamp. Which is now better to lead off with, Starmie or Metagross? Some leads are better than others and at the same time worse than others, however a good lead should be able to provide you with an advantage against several of the top 10 leads and more, is what I'm trying to say.

With that helpful in sight, I'll get back to rating your team. While you may like Blissey's special walling capabilities, you may want to try out an offensive Snorlax instead, which still gives you your special wall somewhat, but you can also keep the pressure on your opponent. Anti said pretty much everything else I was going to anyway :P Good luck with the team!

 

[Solice]

Thanks Corruptodile. I'll definitely try the Snorlax out.