Team-Building Workshop

[Nah]

Ok, I've never done one before and I would like to try.
So let's say I want to make a Fire team. How do I make each Pokemon play differently and how do I cover weaknesses?
What can be the strategy of a single-type team?
Also which are the best types for making a monotype team?

On a basic level you'll try to cover your type's weaknesses via secondary types, abilities, and coverage moves.

The strategy you'll use depends on the type. Fire type teams would probably tend to be more offensively inclined, since the majority of Fire types tend to designed that way, and being weak to Ground, Water, and (Stealth) Rock makes it difficult to effectively pull off a defensive strategy.

As for the best types.....probably like Water or Flying or something, due to the general variety of (good) 'mons those types have. Water is also just a good type for whatever reason (and rain offense is still pretty viable despite the lack of perma-weather), and it gets Scald too. Flying is good because it's immune to common Ground moves and can get around it's Stealth Rock weakness to some degree since most Defog users are Flying type, not to mention that Flying has good neutral coverage offensively as well. Normal and Steel are probably pretty good too, but idk that much about monotype tbh.

 

[Volcan_32]

Team Help!

Can someone please advise a good team that's combined with;
Lugia and Scizor?

Thank you

 

[KetsuekiR]

Hi there! Could you make it a bit clearer? Are you looking for a team to use competitively or for in-game use? And if it's in-game, what game is it? I'd have to know which Pokemon are available to you to give you suggestions >.<

 

[GhostTypeLover]

Need help with my team for Wi-if battles!

So I'm returning to Pokemon and want to build a wi-fi team, I have 3 currently but I need help with choosing the last 3.

Current 3:

Cofagrigus,
Metagross,
Hawlucha

Pokemon that have potential to work with these 3 according to another gaming forum:

Salamence,
Gardevoir,
Chandelure,
Aegislash,
Snorlax

Which 3 of these 5 should I use?

 

[Vengeful One]

In my opinion, I would go with gardevoire, salamence, and chandelure because I've never gone up against someone with a snorlax and seen them have a good strategy.

 

[GhostTypeLover]

In my opinion, I would go with gardevoire, salamence, and chandelure because I've never gone up against someone with a snorlax and seen them have a good strategy.

I've only seen it once. :P

 

[PlatinumDude]

It'd be a good idea to post sets for each of your Pokemon, too.

 

[GhostTypeLover]

It'd be a good idea to post sets for each of your Pokemon, too.

Well I only know for Metagross, Hawlucha, Chandelure, and Cofagrigus.

Hawlucha
Adamant
Moves: Sky attack, (High) jump kick, Swords dance, Flying Press
Ability: unburden

Metagross
Brave
Moves: Zen headbutt, Meteor mash, Earthquake, Agility
Ability: Clear body

Cofagrigus
Relaxed
Moves: Pain split, Toxic, Hex, Protect
Ability: Mummy (duh)

Chandelure
Modest
Moves: Energy ball, Psychic/dark pulse, Flamethrower, Shadow ball
Ability: Infiltrator

 

[PlatinumDude]

Flying Press isn't worth using because it's weaker than High Jump Kick. Sky Attack is essentially a one-time attack with Power Herb and Hawlucha's frailty doesn't help when trying to launch subsequent Sky Attacks. Substitute + Sitrus Berry is a more reliable way of activating Unburden:
-Swords Dance
-High Jump Kick
-Acrobatics
-Substitute
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 12 HP/252 Atk/244 Spe
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden

A Brave nature is such a waste of Mega Metagross' good Speed. Agility isn't enough to compensate for this:
-Meteor Mash
-Zen Headbutt
-Ice Punch/Bullet Punch/Grass Knot/Pursuit
-Hammer Arm/Earthquake
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body

or
-Agility
-Meteor Mash
-Zen Headbutt
-Hammer Arm/Earthquake/Ice Punch
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body

Here's a better take on Cofagrigus, since it's one of the few viable Toxic Spikers:
-Toxic Spikes
-Hex/Shadow Ball
-Will-o-Wisp
-Pain Split/Snatch
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers

You currently have a triple Pursuit weakness. >_> This is bad, considering that Scizor, Bisharp, and Tyranitar are popular carriers of the move. Replacing Chandelure with another Dark resistance like Azumarill helps loads:
-Waterfall
-Aqua Jet
-Play Rough
-Superpower/Knock Off
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 172 HP/252 Atk/84 Spe (Choice Band) or 240 HP/252 Atk/16 SDef (Assault Vest)
Item: Choice Band/Assault Vest
Ability: Huge Power

or
-Belly Drum
-Aqua Jet
-Play Rough
-Superpower/Knock Off
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 92 HP/252 Atk/164 Spe
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power

 

[GhostTypeLover]

Flying Press isn't worth using because it's weaker than High Jump Kick. Sky Attack is essentially a one-time attack with Power Herb and Hawlucha's frailty doesn't help when trying to launch subsequent Sky Attacks. Substitute + Sitrus Berry is a more reliable way of activating Unburden:
-Swords Dance
-High Jump Kick
-Acrobatics
-Substitute
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 12 HP/252 Atk/244 Spe
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden

A Brave nature is such a waste of Mega Metagross' good Speed. Agility isn't enough to compensate for this:
-Meteor Mash
-Zen Headbutt
-Ice Punch/Bullet Punch/Grass Knot/Pursuit
-Hammer Arm/Earthquake
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body

or
-Agility
-Meteor Mash
-Zen Headbutt
-Hammer Arm/Earthquake/Ice Punch
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
Item: Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body

Here's a better take on Co***rigus, since it's one of the few viable Toxic Spikers:
-Toxic Spikes
-Hex/Shadow Ball
-Will-o-Wisp
-Pain Split/Snatch
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers

You currently have a triple Pursuit weakness. >_> This is bad, considering that Scizor, Bisharp, and Tyranitar are popular carriers of the move. Replacing Chandelure with another Dark resistance like Azumarill helps loads:
-Waterfall
-Aqua Jet
-Play Rough
-Superpower/Knock Off
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 172 HP/252 Atk/84 Spe (Choice Band) or 240 HP/252 Atk/16 SDef (Assault Vest)
Item: Choice Band/Assault Vest
Ability: Huge Power

or
-Belly Drum
-Aqua Jet
-Play Rough
-Superpower/Knock Off
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 92 HP/252 Atk/164 Spe
Item: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Huge Power

I'd rather NOT use Azumarill, it's beyond overused, and incredibly easy to predict.

 

[PlatinumDude]

I'd rather NOT use Azumarill, it's beyond overused, and incredibly easy to predict.

It's not that easy to predict because you'll never know if it'll sweep the opposing team with Belly Drum, or hit hard off the bat with Choice Band. There aren't too many viable options for Dark resists without comprising your team setup, really. Well, there's Togekiss for another Fairy option, though this one needs Defog/Rapid Spin support:
-Nasty Plot
-Air Slash
-Thunder Wave/Fire Blast/Heal Bell
-Roost
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/76 Def/4 SDef/180 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace

or
-Nasty Plot
-Air Slash
-Heal Bell
-Roost
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace

 

[GhostTypeLover]

It's not that easy to predict because you'll never know if it'll sweep the opposing team with Belly Drum, or hit hard off the bat with Choice Band. There aren't too many viable options for Dark resists without comprising your team setup, really. Well, there's Togekiss for another Fairy option, though this one needs Defog/Rapid Spin support:
-Nasty Plot
-Air Slash
-Thunder Wave/Fire Blast/Heal Bell
-Roost
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP/76 Def/4 SDef/180 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace

or
-Nasty Plot
-Air Slash
-Heal Bell
-Roost
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace

Is there any Pokemon that can work without being a well....strange/derpy looking one?

EDIT: like would Sylveon work?

 

[PlatinumDude]

Is there any Pokemon that can work without being a well....strange/derpy looking one?

EDIT: like would Sylveon work?

Sylveon could work, but it faces stiff competition from Clefable:
-Wish
-Protect
-Hyper Voice
-Heal Bell/Toxic
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate

or
-Hyper Voice
-Psyshock
-Shadow Ball/Hidden Power (Fire/Ground)
-Baton Pass
Nature: Modest
EVs: 240 HP/252 SAtk/16 Spe
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate

or
-Calm Mind
-Hyper Voice
-Wish/Substitute
-Baton Pass
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/240 Def/16 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate

Clefable:
-Stealth Rock
-Moonblast
-Thunder Wave/Fire Blast
-Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP/172 Def/84 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard

 

[GhostTypeLover]

Sylveon could work, but it faces stiff competition from Clefable:
-Wish
-Protect
-Hyper Voice
-Heal Bell/Toxic
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate

or
-Hyper Voice
-Psyshock
-Shadow Ball/Hidden Power (Fire/Ground)
-Baton Pass
Nature: Modest
EVs: 240 HP/252 SAtk/16 Spe
Item: Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate

or
-Calm Mind
-Hyper Voice
-Wish/Substitute
-Baton Pass
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/240 Def/16 Spe
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Pixilate

Clefable:
-Stealth Rock
-Moonblast
-Thunder Wave/Fire Blast
-Soft-Boiled/Moonlight
Nature: Calm
EVs: 252 HP/172 Def/84 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard

Maybe I just won't play Pokemon after all, too much crap to remember and too many lame Pokemon that could give me trouble.

 

[NocturnLeader]

So i am Currently Building a team after the Characters of Kill Bill/ Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. So I have the following (all levels 5 and currently training):

Snivy - Copperhead (VernitaGreen)
Ekans - Cottonmouth (O-Rien)
Tynamo - Sidewinder (Budd)
Dratini - Elle Driver (California Mountain Snake)
Seviper - Black Mamba (The Bride/Beatrix Kiddo)
Milotic - SnakeCharmer (Bill)


What are your thoughts for IVs and training?

 

[GhostTypeLover]

Trying to select a tank from these!

Which of these would do best as a tank:

Gourgeist (super size),
Klinklang,
Bronzong,
Rotom-H,
Ferrothorn,
Cofagrigus

Team that needs a tank,

Aegislash,
Azumarill,
Salamence,
Absol,
Excadrill.

Which tank in the top list would be best?

 

[PlatinumDude]

The only one worth using out of the list is Ferrothorn, as it has an excellent defensive typing and good support options. The rest either face competition with it and/or have shallow move pools:
-Stealth Rock
-Leech Seed
-Power Whip/Protect
-Gyro Ball/Thunder Wave
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP/88 Def/168 SDef
Item: Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs

It may be a better idea to provide move sets for each of your Pokemon, too.

 

[GhostTypeLover]

The only one worth using out of the list is Ferrothorn, as it has an excellent defensive typing and good support options. The rest either face competition with it and/or have shallow move pools:
-Stealth Rock
-Leech Seed
-Power Whip/Protect
-Gyro Ball/Thunder Wave
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP/88 Def/168 SDef
Item: Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Iron Barbs

It may be a better idea to provide move sets for each of your Pokemon, too.

My current 5 have these moves:

Aegislash

Moves:
Shadow ball, King shield, Sacred sword, Shadow sneak
EV's: 252 HP/252 Sp.Atk/ 4 Sp.Def
Nature: Quiet
Item: weakness policy
Ability: Stance change

Excadrill

Moves:
Earthquake, Rapid spin, Metal claw, Stone edge
EV's: 252 Spd/252 ATK/4 HP
Nature: Jolly
Item: Assault vest
Ability: Mold breaker

Salamence

Moves: Dragon rush, Dragon dance, Fly, Stone edge
EV's: 252 ATK/252 HP/4 Spd
Nature: Adamant
Item: Dragon fang
Ability: Moxie

Azumarill

Moves: Waterfall, Play rough, Superpower, Ice punch
EV's: 252 ATK/252 HP/4 Spd
Nature: Adamant
Item: Assault vest
Ability: Huge power

Absol

Moves: Play rough, Stone edge, Night slash, Shadow claw
EV's: 252 ATK/252 Spd/4 HP
Nature: Naughty
Item: Absolite
Ability: Justified

 

[PlatinumDude]

Is this for Battle Spot or for competitive play?

Excadrill can't learn Stone Edge; Rock Slide is its strongest Rock move. Iron Head should be used over Metal Claw as a stronger Steel STAB.

Salamence isn't worth using unless you're using its Mega Evolution (but it's banned to Ubers, along with Aegislash).

Ice Punch is useless on Azumarill now because Play Rough already takes care of Dragons. Aqua Jet is an absolute must on it, as it bypasses its low Speed to take out weakened opponents.

Knock Off is a better Dark STAB than Night Slash, as it removes non-Mega Stone items for the rest of the battle. Shadow Claw is also redundant with Absol's Dark STAB. Here's a better take on an all-out offensive Absol:
-Sucker Punch
-Knock Off
-Play Rough/Superpower
-Fire Blast/Ice Beam
Nature: Naive
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Absolite

 

[GhostTypeLover]

Is this for Battle Spot or for competitive play?

Excadrill can't learn Stone Edge; Rock Slide is its strongest Rock move. Iron Head should be used over Metal Claw as a stronger Steel STAB.

Salamence isn't worth using unless you're using its Mega Evolution (but it's banned to Ubers, along with Aegislash).

Ice Punch is useless on Azumarill now because Play Rough already takes care of Dragons. Aqua Jet is an absolute must on it, as it bypasses its low Speed to take out weakened opponents.

Knock Off is a better Dark STAB than Night Slash, as it removes non-Mega Stone items for the rest of the battle. Shadow Claw is also redundant with Absol's Dark STAB. Here's a better take on an all-out offensive Absol:
-Sucker Punch
-Knock Off
-Play Rough/Superpower
-Fire Blast/Ice Beam
Nature: Naive
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Absolite

I battle on battle spot typically, never was that big on competitive, besides, I don't like Smogon's standards on banning Aegislash to ubers, c'mon, where's the fun in using/facing legends? Anyway, what do I do about Salamence then? I'd rather not use Garchomp as I see that WAY too often.