Sword/Shield Ranked Battles Team

[Sabrina215]

This is the team I have been using in online battles in Pokemon Sword. I am open to any advice or tips to make my team better. Maybe even make some Pokemon changes. Thanks in advance !

Shuckle (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Contrary
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Sticky Web
- Power Trick
- Rollout

Dragapult (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Infiltrator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Darts
- Dragon Dance
- Phantom Force
- Sucker Punch

Alakazam (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Inner Focus
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
- Calm Mind

Umbreon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Inner Focus
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Impish Nature
- Last Resort
- Protect
- Foul Play
- Moonlight

Dracovish @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Strong Jaw
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fishious Rend
- Crunch
- Outrage
- Psychic Fangs

Cinderace (M) @ Charcoal
Ability: Blaze
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pyro Ball
- Zen Headbutt
- Iron Head
- Low Kick

 

[gimmepie]

Firstly, you have a lot of Fairy weak Pokemon with Umbreon, Dragapult and Dracovish. You do have a resist with Cinderace, but I'll get to that.
You also don't have anything for opposing Dracovish which is just begging for trouble.

Power Trick and Rollout on Shuckle is a fun gimmick, but Shuckle is too slow for it to really work, even if your opponent has been Sticky Webbed. I would recommend you replace them with some combination of Toxic/Infestation/Final Gambit for a suicide lead. Use a Sturdy Shuckle instead. You might also want to consider Mental Herb over Rocky Helmet since longevity isn't necessarily the point with these changes and you'd get screwed pretty badly by Taunt.

Putting an Assault Vest on Alakazam is wasting its potential. You lose access to Nasty Plot, one of the best boosting moves, and also Recover which is arguably even better since it provides you with longevity. Instead you'd be better off with a Focus Sash to help you get Nasty Plot off or Life Orb to maximise damage output. If I was going to be willing to sacrifice access to Nasty Plot/Recover, I'd consider doing it only for Choice Scarf so I could outspeed Dragapult/Zeraora.

Umbreon here feels like dead weight. It can function as a Dragapult check, especially with Sticky Web up. But I think Mandibuzz would do this job better since it could provide you with Hazard control in Defog if you need it, Foul Play for Dragapult, more reliable recovery in Roost and then your last slot could U-Turn for momentum, Knock Off for Utility or even Brave Bird but eh. I'm assuming that Thunderbolt Dragapult isn't super common here though.

Cinderace is wasted without Librero. Yes, it's a solid physical sweeper, but you're losing out on both extra power and versatility by going for Blaze. You're also leaving a big gaping Dracovish weakness open here. Personally, I'd consider switching it for something that can reliably handle Dracovish.

I'm not familiar with the meta for SwSh ranked battles, so I've done the best I can. I can see what you're going for here, but honestly I think the biggest issue you'll face is that your team is kinda forcing you to choose between which threats you want to check. You could try switching Umbreon for Corviknight which would free you up to swap Cinderace for a bulky Water Absorb mon that can handle Vish without you being dependent on Sticky Web staying up. I think either way you're going to have to take some calculated risks though.

 

[Sabrina215]

thanks for the tips ! I have changed my team around a bit based off your suggestions. My team is now looking like this:

Shuckle (F) @ Mental Herb
Ability: Contrary
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Sticky Web
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Infestation

Dragapult (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Infiltrator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Darts
- Dragon Dance
- Phantom Force
- Psychic Fangs

Azumarill (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Belly Drum
- Knock Off

Alakazam (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Nasty Plot
- Recover

Gastrodon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Recover
- Substitute

Corviknight (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Mirror Armor
Shiny: Yes
Gigantamax: Yes
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
Careful Nature
- Body Press
- Roost
- U-turn
- Iron Defense