My First Team (Opinions Needed)

[DJLew]

To give a little intro, I just got a 3DS and Pokemon X about 3 weeks ago, so I've been doing a little research and building a team of Pokemon that are Gen 3 and below (2 and 1, and also completely by accident). I'll update with more specific details like moves but right now I have an Impish Skarmory with leftovers (obvious physical wall), a Timid Alakazam with a focus sash (special sweeper? not sure if it'll make a good lead and might switch its item), a Timid Salamence with a life orb (I run this as mixed which apparently isn't as competitive as it was in gen 4), and a Charizard X (physical sweeper). I would love to get some suggestions for a special wall and another poke to add on to complete the team. Keep in mind I know this team isn't the most competitive build, but I like the Pokemon and think they're somewhat fun/creative to use. If you feel like I wouldn't stand a chance suggestions are of course welcome. Teams change and I'd like to tweak and test on Showdown as well, but I'd rather lose with fun to use pokes than win with the same old OU. Thank you all in advance and if you need movesets in order for a logical suggestion I will update ASAP. :)

Oh, and let me edit: I don't only need Gen 3 and below Pokemon, I just thought it was funny that that's the way it was turning out. :P Any suggestions are welcome.

What I have so far in detail:

Alakazam
-Psychic
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
-Thunder Wave
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard

Charizard X
-Dragon Dance
-Earthquake
-Dragon Claw
-Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/252 Spe/4 HP
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

Skarmory
-Spikes
-Whirlwind
-Roost
-Taunt
Nature: Impish
EVs: 224 HP/252 Def/32 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy

 

[PlatinumDude]

Complete move listings, EVs and items would be appreciated.

Skarmory should look something like this to make the most out of its physical walling capabilities (note that this one is cartridge-friendly, as the current Skarmory set in progress of testing needs moves from past games, such as Defog and Counter):
-Stealth Rock/Spikes
-Whirlwind
-Roost
-Brave Bird/Taunt
Nature: Impish/Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy

Alakazam shouldn't be run as a lead. Its frailty often gets in the way of KOing healthy, bulky opponents. It should only be brought in after a teammate is KOed and into the range of a weakened opponent:
-Psyshock/Psychic
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
-Hidden Power (Ice)/Thunder Wave/Dazzling Gleam
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard

Salamence does physical attacking better than special attacking in singles. It's also overshadowed by other physical Dragon Pokemon such as Charizard X and Dragonite. Special attacking Dragons to consider are Lati@s and Noivern, though the former two can only be obtained via Poke Transfer (note: I use Lati@s to refer to Latias and Latios simultaneously):

Latios:
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Thunderbolt/Hidden Power (Fighting)/Earthquake
-Defog/Roost/Recover
Nature: Timid/Hasty
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

or
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Surf/Hidden Power (Fire)
-Trick/Hidden Power (Fire)
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf

or
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Memento
-Draco Meteor/Psychic
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Light Clay

Latias:
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock/Thunderbolt
-Defog
-Healing Wish
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb

Noivern:
-Draco Meteor
-Hurricane
-Flamethrower/Focus Blast
-Taunt/Roost
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SAtk/4 SDef/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Infiltrator

Charizard X should look something like either of these:
-Dragon Dance
-Flare Blitz/Earthquake
-Dragon Claw
-Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 248 HP/152 Atk/108 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

or
-Dragon Dance
-Flare Blitz
-Dragon Claw/Outrage
-Earthquake
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 40 HP/252 Atk/216 Spe or 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

or
-Flare Blitz/Earthquake
-Dragon Claw
-Will-o-Wisp
-Roost
Nature: Careful
EVs: 248 HP/228 SDef/32 Spe
Item: Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze

Since you have Pokemon that are weak to Stealth Rock, Mandibuzz or Excadrill can provide hazard removal support:
Mandibuzz:
-Foul Play
-Roost
-Taunt/Whirlwind
-Defog
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/136 Def/108 SDef/16 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat

Excadrill:
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rapid Spin
-Rock Slide/Stealth Rock
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Air Balloon
Ability: Mold Breaker

or
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin
Nature: Adamant/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe (Choice Scarf) or 120 HP/136 Atk/252 SDef (Assault Vest; Adamant only)
Item: Choice Scarf/Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker

Mandibuzz serves as a mixed wall on the team for reference.

 

[DJLew]

For the record, my Alakzam is exactly what you mentioned (with the exception that I was thinking of using it as a lead), my Charizard X is Adamant with a spread of 252 attack, 252 speed and 4 HP (seen on Smogon), I will definitely consider either Latios or Latias, and my Skarm is exactly as mentioned with Spikes, Roost, Brave Bird, Whirlwind and the same EV spread you posted.

Thanks so much for the suggestion, I did want to know a good hazard removal Pokemon so I will definitely look into the ones you mentioned. Any other suggestions welcome!

 

[PlatinumDude]

For the record, my Alakzam is exactly what you mentioned (with the exception that I was thinking of using it as a lead), my Charizard X is Adamant with a spread of 252 attack, 252 speed and 4 HP (seen on Smogon), I will definitely consider either Latios or Latias, and my Skarm is exactly as mentioned with Spikes, Roost, Brave Bird, Whirlwind and the same EV spread you posted.

Thanks so much for the suggestion, I did want to know a good hazard removal Pokemon so I will definitely look into the ones you mentioned. Any other suggestions welcome!

Alakzam isn't meant to lead, as I mentioned. Its frailty means that if it's used early-game, it may fail to KO a healthy opponent, and it may get KOed in return. As a result, Alakazam can only take out one Pokemon at the least, and around two if you're lucky. Because of this, Alakazam is meant to function mid to late game, when opponents are most likely weakened.

 

[DJLew]

Understood. What are your thoughts on a Calm Mind Alakazam? A Sash can save it and let it get up a Calm Mind, maybe with Recover too? Or do you think it's pointless due to a lot of priority moves and hazards both move induced/weather? Believe me, I know I'm stuck in the past but it used to be decently competitive. Websites can only help me out so much so it's nice to get opinions from actual battlers.

 

[PlatinumDude]

Understood. What are your thoughts on a Calm Mind Alakazam? A Sash can save it and let it get up a Calm Mind, maybe with Recover too? Or do you think it's pointless due to a lot of priority moves and hazards both move induced/weather? Believe me, I know I'm stuck in the past but it used to be decently competitive. Websites can only help me out so much so it's nice to get opinions from actual battlers.

Both Recover and Calm Mind are pointless, due to Alakazam's extreme frailty. Sure, Alakazam's Special Defense is decent, but its low HP won't do it any favors. Magic Guard also protects Alakazam from hail/sandstorm damage, FYI.

 

[halcyonic]

cm sash alakazam? lol no. hazards break your sash lol forgot magic guard and even if you do survive an ohko and set up a calm mind, any priority move and/or faster scarfers will kill you. you're better off running mega alakazam or lo alakazam as a special attacker/revenge killer.

 

[DJLew]

I'm aware of the issues of CM and Recover, just wanted some input so thank you both. Alright so I'm pretty solid on where I'm going with Alakazam. Should I go Mega with Alakazam considering I'll have two dragons going Mega with 'Zard and Latios/Latias? I know the type coverage is good but for weakness purposes I don't know if it's a good idea. Hope I'm not bombarding you with all these questions, I've done some test battling but so far the teams I've played aren't too competitive so I actually did pretty well.

 

[halcyonic]

it would be better if you could list out your current team. lati@s are hit-and-run attackers considering they usually run draco meteor, psyshock, defog and [some filler coverage move] so they aren't cut for sweeping. if you want a physical sweeper, mega zard x should do fine. you could run mega alakazam as a revenge killer if you wanted to, but that would take up your mega slot, so you would have to replace mega zard x, and they're other pokemon you could run as revenge killers (eg talonflame, scarfchomp, etc)

 

[PlatinumDude]

You can only Mega Evolve once per battle, so you can't really use Mega Alakazam and Mega Charizard together. So you have to pick between either one. And if you do opt for Mega Alakazam, this is what it should look like:
-Psyshock
-Shadow Ball/Hidden Power (Fire)
-Focus Blast
-Taunt
Nature: Modest (yes, Megakazam can get away with this because it still outspeeds base 130s with a neutral Speed nature)
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard

If you do opt for Mega Alakazam, use Dragonite or Garchomp as your Dragon:
-Dragon Dance
-Outrage/Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Extreme Speed
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale

or
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Extreme Speed
-Dragon Claw/Fire Punch
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale

or
-Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Extreme Speed
-Roost
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 216 HP/64 Atk/228 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale

Garchomp:
-Swords Dance
-Outrage/Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge/Fire Fang
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Lum Berry

or
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide/Stone Edge
-Dragon Claw/Fire Blast
Nature: Jolly/Naive
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf

or
-Stealth Rock
-Outrage/Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Fire Blast/Swords Dance
Nature: Naive/Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Focus Sash/Rocky Helmet/Lum Berry

or
-Stealth Rock
-Dragon Tail
-Earthquake
-Toxic/Fire Blast
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin

 

[DJLew]

Edited first post to list out the team more in depth. Didn't mentioned Salamence since it probably won't last long in this team. I'll probably keep the Mega Zard, put in Lati@s, get a hazard removal Poke and maybe just get another hard hitter like one of you mentioned with the best type coverage I can find. I'm thinking Mandibuzz can provide that extra bulk I need and Excadrill can give me another good physical attacker with hazard removal support. Thank you so much for the in depth responses, it helped so much! Please don't hesitate to comment on what I just mentioned if you see a better way of going about it.

Edit: Yeah, I was thinking of just replacing Mega Zard with Mega Alakazam, but I don't think I'm going to do that to keep the Zard as a hard hitter and get the STAB Dragon Claw with it.

 

[halcyonic]

lati@s is a hazard remover <- hover over me with offensive pressure. latios undoubtedly hits harder than latias, but latias is more bulky, and it has healing wish. just letting you know.

edit: btw skarmory can run defog too lol.

 

[DJLew]

Wow, lots of options. I'll keep all these in mind, maybe do a little more research because clearly I don't know enough. Thanks again, much appreciated!

 

[MoxieInfinite]

You run lati@s on offense, zapdos on fail (aka balance) or bulky offense, scizor on bulky offense, mandi on fail (balance) and fail2 (semistall) and skarm on stall.

exca fits on offense, scarf is funny ♥♥♥♥, balloon is nice on sand offense etc

Dont use alakazam. That thing was good on early-mid 2013 bw ou sandoffense teams. but not anymore. and mega alakazam sucks even more.