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New OU team - Looking for advice!

Nove Nu-Vonde

Nove Nu-Vonde

( acquaintances become antiquated )
    • 34
    Posts
    8
    Years
    I've been a competitive battler for quite some time now, almost a couple years by this point, but in all that time I've never quite been able to get the hang of OU. Because of that I've mostly stuck to lower tiers like PU or LC. I decided it was time to try something "new", though, so I'm trying OU again for like, the third time. I've had moderate success with this team, which is a good sign, but those were low ladder battles so I'm taking those victories with a grain of salt. Any and all help appreciated!

    Spoiler:


    Known problems:

    -Scald
    None of my team can comfortably take a Scald, meaning once a Scald user like Slowbro gets out, I'm pretty boned. As long as I can keep offensive pressure on them and keep them down until a good opportunity comes up to take them down, I'm pretty good, but if they catch me off guard they can usually take out one Pokemon minimum before I can even react. Not sure which Pokemon to put in for this, though. I considered replacing Chandelure with Volcanion, but then I lose my spinblocker as well as a useful immunity to Fire and Normal.​

    -Opposing Azumarill
    Just like Scald, I don't really have a good counter to this. With good prediction I can put a dent in it with Chandelure or Galvantula, but obviously that is far from reliable. Also alleviated by Volcanion, but see above.​

    -Mega Charizard X
    While not as prevalent a problem as the above mentioned issues, it can still be a nuisance. Azumarill definitely helps cushion it, as does Excadrill if I'm smart, but it still manages to be an issue. My team seems adequately prepared for it on paper. Am I just playing poorly or is there an underlying issue here?​

    These are the biggest problems I've had so far. What do you guys think? What are my biggest strong points and weaknesses? Thanks!
     
    Volcanion is a worthy addition to the team because it addresses your Azumarill problem. To be honest, I think Chandelure should get the boot because simultaneous Stealth Rock and Pursuit weaknesses can be problematic with mediocre bulk:
    -Fire Blast/Flamethrower
    -Steam Eruption
    -Sludge Bomb/Earth Power
    -Hidden Power (Grass)/Earth Power
    Nature: Timid/Modest
    EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
    Item: Choice Specs/Leftovers

    You need Stealth Rock on the team. Galvantula is a mediocre Sticky Web user, so why not have Shuckle set up both Sticky Web and Stealth Rock at once?:
    -Sticky Web
    -Stealth Rock
    -Encore
    -Knock Off/Toxic/Infestation
    Nature: Impish/Bold
    EVs: 248 HP/252 Def/8 SDef
    Item: Mental Herb
    Ability: Sturdy
     
    Okay, I've gone and replaced Chandelure with Volcanion. Further testing has shown that even with web support, Chandy is pretty unreliable, so I think Volcanion is a solid investment. As for Shuckle, I'm not so sure. On stall or balance I would consider it, but as it stands it seems more like a momentum drain than anything. For now I think I'll keep it.

    I'm also considering replacing Mega Medicham with Mega Gallade. Although it lacks the same raw power and priority as Medicham, it has a far better speed tier, can reliably run Drain Punch because it gets SD, and has a great asset in Leaf Blade. Does this seem like a good switch, or should I stick with Medi?
     
    PsyCatTheSkitty said:
    Okay, I've gone and replaced Chandelure with Volcanion. Further testing has shown that even with web support, Chandy is pretty unreliable, so I think Volcanion is a solid investment. As for Shuckle, I'm not so sure. On stall or balance I would consider it, but as it stands it seems more like a momentum drain than anything. For now I think I'll keep it.

    I'm also considering replacing Mega Medicham with Mega Gallade. Although it lacks the same raw power and priority as Medicham, it has a far better speed tier, can reliably run Drain Punch because it gets SD, and has a great asset in Leaf Blade. Does this seem like a good switch, or should I stick with Medi?
    Click to expand...

    Gallade is viable, but Knock Off or Ice Punch would be better coverage moves, as all Leaf Blade is good for is hitting the uncommon Gastrodon and Quagsire; Knock Off removes non-Mega Stone items, while Ice Punch hits Therian Landorus, Gliscor and Garchomp (more threatening Pokemon) very hard. Test both Gallade and Medicham and see what works better. Here's a Gallade set if you're interested:
    -Swords Dance
    -Close Combat/Drain Punch
    -Zen Headbutt
    -Knock Off/Ice Punch/Shadow Sneak
    Nature: Jolly
    EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
    Item: Galladite

    As for Shuckle, it's better in teams that appreciate Sticky Web support; the extra bulk is what it has over Galvantula and Sturdy frees up its item slot for something more useful. Mental Herb lets it shrug off Taunt (once); this item in tandem with Sturdy ensures that Shuckle always does something. Encore also deters Shuckle from being set up on, but this takes prediction. That, and Stealth Rock (or Spikes) is a staple move in competitive play.
     
    Well I'll try Shuckle and see how it works, I suppose. This team will need some more testing, I'll probably edit with an update sometime later.
     
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