Team Vandra

[Pokedra]

Team Vandra
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Introduction
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is a team I made a little while back with Vance and I was looking through my old teams and decided to post this one up. I'm pretty satisfied with it but I think it could still be improved so please help me out.


At A Glance
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

An In-Depth Look
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Swampert @ Leftovers
EV : 240 HP / 212 Def / 52 SpAtk
Nature : Relaxed(-Spe, +Def)
-Earthquake
-Ice Beam
-Stealth Rock
-Roar

Why Did You Pick This Pokemon?
When I was choosing a lead I wanted something that was bulky and reliable that could get the rocks up but also could take out the other lead if possible. Swampert fit the conditions well, it was bulky and after setting up the rocks it could also shift the opponent's for me with Roar.

Any replacements?
Right now I don't want to change Swampert over for anything, he's rarely failed to do what he needs to do and he's also useful for taking physical hits after he's done his job of setting up the rocks/taking the opponent's lead out.

Gengar @ Choice Scarf
EV : 4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe
Nature : Timid(-Atk, +Spe)
-Shadow Ball
-HP Ice
-Thunderbolt
-Will-O-Wisp

Why Did You Pick This Pokemon?
Gengar works as a great back-up to Swampert, it can easily switch-in on stuff like Explosion which Metagross and Heatran leads love to try on Swampert. The other reason he's here is to serve as the team's revenge-killer, he protects the team from stuff that's too fast and powerful for everyone else.

Any replacements?
I may change Gengar's set to MysticGar but I won't take replacements for him. His revenge-killing abilities and immunities/resistances really help the team.

Scizor @ Choice Band
EV : 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Nature : Adamant(-SpAtk, +Atk)
-Bullet Punch
-U-Turn
-Superpower
-Pursuit

Why Did You Pick This Pokemon?
I was looking for something that could help out the team yet be a threat all the same. I picked Scizor because he had resistances to Ice and Dragon which my team needed as I didn't really have an answer to switch into those attacks and he also could trap/kill stuff like Latias and Gengar which was handy.

Any replacements?
I may take a replacement for Scizor but I honestly prefer to keep him as he does punch a punch but also helps the team as well as being a reliable switch-in at times.

Celebi @ Leftovers
EV : 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 Spe
Nature : Bold(-Atk, +Def)
-Grass Knot
-Thunder Wave
-Recover
-Reflect

Why Did You Pick This Pokemon?
I wanted a physical wall, I also wanted some support for the team. I picked Celebi because it packed some handy resistances and had great support options plus a solid defense spread. Reflect support aids Kingdra in setting-up the late-game sweep and paralysis support helps Scizor hit faster stuff and possibly Mence.

Any replacements?
Celebi is the most debatable team member because she isn't doing that much anymore since I added ScarfGar in. I'm currently considering Specially Defensive CBTar in this slot.

Salamence @ Life Orb
EV : 80 Atk / 252 SpAtk / 176 Spe
Nature : Rash(-SpD, +SpAtk)
-Draco Meteor
-Brick Break
-Roost
-Fire Blast

Why Did You Pick This Pokemon?
The team needed a wall-breaker as well as something that could aid it against stall. I choose MixMence over stuff like MixApe because I felt they didn't pack as much power and they didn't really have his useful resistances to Fighting/Ground.

Any replacements?
I won't replace MixMence, he has some good resistances and a hell a lot of power so he stays.

Kingdra @ Life Orb
EV : 252 Atk / 24 SpAtk / 232 Spe
Nature : Adamant(-SoAtk, +Atk)
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Outrage
-Hydro Pump

Why Did You Pick This Pokemon?
The last thing I needed was something that could set-up and clean-up but I also wanted something that wasn't fragile and didn't have too many weaknesses and didn't get walled that easily. DDGyarados was considered here but I chose DDKingdra over it since it wasn't SR weak, had few weaknesses and had excellent coverage plus it could plow through rand Forretress with LO Hydro Pump.

Any replacements?
Kingdra is staying here, it cleans-up fantastically and there isn't many things that fit the criteria I wanted.

Threat List
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* - Something that can be troublesome.
** - Something that worries me greatly.

Aerodactyl - Swampert hits leads for a 2HKO easily and it can't do anything in return, other variants are too rare.

Alakazam - Gengar revenge-kills him and Scizor can OHKO him with Bullet Punch.

Azelf - Leads are troublesome but Swampert can usually come on top, Specs are OHKO'ed by Bullet Punch after SR and Gengar can renvege-kill.

Breloom - As long as I don't let it get a Sub I should be okay, still can be annoying.

Dragonite - Salamence outspeeds and OHKO'es it and Gengar can revenge-kill it.

Electivire - Swampert/Celebi completely walls all-physical sets, mixed sets can be a problem when they get a Motor Drive boost but usually I'll predict around it while his LO drags him in Gengar's KO zone or Scizor Bullet Punch.

Empoleon**- Most sets are dealt with okay but SubPetaya is a major pain to handle. Usually I'll have to try not let it get tha Agility in. A well-played one usually spells my doom.

Flygon - Celebi can take most of its hits fairly well and set-up Reflect and proceed to Recover and Grass Knot it to death.

Gengar - Scizor can handle most with Bullet Punch/Pursuit or Gengar can switch-in or Gengar can outspeed and revenge-kill it.

Gyarados - Celebi basically checks it bar versions that run Bounce and Gengar can revenge-kill it.

Heatran*- Non-Scarfed variants are handled by Mence, Kingdra and Swampert and I usually try predict around Scarfed variants but they do cause some problems.

Heracross - Banded or Scarfed variants can usually be predicted around with Gengar taking the CC, Mence taking the Megahorn and Celebi taking the Stone Edge. SD Jolly variants can be pesky though.

Infernape* - This thing can cause some problems, MixApe is pretty dangerous. I usually have to let Gengar die after Shadow Balling it(60-70%~) and pick it off with Scizor.

Jirachi** - SubCM Jirachi is a major pain, if I let it get one CM I'm pretty much screwed.

Kingdra* - Celebi can take the DD variant on and TWave it so it's easily prey. Mixed rain variants are pretty hard to handle though.

Latias - With SpecsLatias I usually let something fall to Draco Meteor then bring Scizor in and kill it with Pursuit when it runs.

Lucario - Gengar can burn it with WoW and Celebi can usuallt handle it if it doesn't have a SD.

Mamoswine - Scizor OHKO'es with Bullet Punch and Swampert beats Mamo leads usually.

Metagross - Swampert beats non-Trick Scarf leads easily, Agiligross fails to OHKO Celebi who can TWave it and leave it to Mence.

Porygon-Z - I'm not sure anyone uses this anymore... Mence outspeeds and OHKO'es, Scizor has Bullet Punch which does heaps.

Salamence - Gengar revenge-kills it and Scizor can do 60-70% to it with Bullet Punch(no Intimidate) so usually I can handle it.

Scizor* - SD variants are the bane of me, CB variants aren't as troublesome however.

Snorlax - Scizor can easily Superpower it for a OHKO, Mence does heaps with Brick Break. usually isn't a problem.

Suicune - Usually I try to hit it before it starts CMing with Draco Meteor from Mence which does heaps though Mence usually dies as a result.

Tyranitar - Scizor's Bullet Punch stops more Tyranitar and DDTar can be burnt by Gengar. Mence also OHKO's.

Zapdos* - This actually is a big problem, HP Ice / Thunderbolt / Heatwave tears through most of my team. I'll usually let Kingdra rampage on it for a 2HKO but then it's going to be easy prey.

Conclusion
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm pretty happy with the team but I reckon it still could use some advice so rate away please.

 

[kyo tohma]

You could also put Stone Edge on Spert for that pesky Zapdos, although there's no moves on Spert that you wouldn't miss if you replaced them. Otherwise you could swap it for Brick Break or Roost on Salamence.

 

[Forci Stikane]

Thunderbolt/HP Grass/Heat Wave Zapdos and especially Fire Blast/Earth Power/Dragon Pulse/HP Grass Timid Heatran can easily tear through this team, especially with Stealth Rock support to wear down Salamence, which is the one Pokemon I see here that can best threaten said Heatran. I would suggest using something like Vaporeon over Celebi:

Vaporeon-Bold @Leftovers
188 HP/252 DEF/68 Speed

-Surf
-Hidden Power Electric
-Wish
-Protect/Toxic

Covers Infernape and helps a bit with the aforementioned Heatran problem, while Water Absorb also blocks SubPetaya Empoleon's primary attack, which gives you a bit of protection against it. Hidden Power Electric works here over Ice Beam for Gyarados and other Water-types, especially since you already have four other Pokemon using Ice or Dragon moves to cover opposing Dragons. Wish gives you healing in exchange for losing Reflect and Thunder Wave...though really, between Swampert and Scizor already having fairly bulky Defense, Salamence's Intimidate, Gengar packing Will-O-Wisp, and Kingdra's typing, I see Reflect not being nearly as necessary to this team as the recovery that you are so clearly lacking. Paralysis support helps with your slower sweepers, yes, except that you have a Scarfer, a Dragon Dancer, and Scizor, so you should have enough speed. The last move is obviously your choice; Protect for scouting or Toxic for breaking other bulky Pokemon down.

...Granted, this does not help so much with blocking Zapdos, although you honestly have that problem either way, and taking a STAB Super Effective 95 Base Power hit on a 130 HP/95 SP. DEF Pokemon as opposed to taking a Super Effective 100 Base Power hit on a 100 HP/100 SP. DEF Pokemon is a small price to pay for the benefits.

 

[Pokedra]

You could also put Stone Edge on Spert for that pesky Zapdos, although there's no moves on Spert that you wouldn't miss if you replaced them. Otherwise you could swap it for Brick Break or Roost on Salamence.

Nah, I like Roar since it lets me rack up SR damage and also shows me more of my opponents team. Roost is really useful for recovery and Brick Break is a must on old MixMence for me :P

Thunderbolt/HP Grass/Heat Wave Zapdos and especially Fire Blast/Earth Power/Dragon Pulse/HP Grass Timid Heatran can easily tear through this team, especially with Stealth Rock support to wear down Salamence, which is the one Pokemon I see here that can best threaten said Heatran. I would suggest using something like Vaporeon over Celebi:

Vaporeon-Bold @Leftovers
188 HP/252 DEF/68 Speed

-Surf
-Hidden Power Electric
-Wish
-Protect/Toxic

Covers Infernape and helps a bit with the aforementioned Heatran problem, while Water Absorb also blocks SubPetaya Empoleon's primary attack, which gives you a bit of protection against it. Hidden Power Electric works here over Ice Beam for Gyarados and other Water-types, especially since you already have four other Pokemon using Ice or Dragon moves to cover opposing Dragons. Wish gives you healing in exchange for losing Reflect and Thunder Wave...though really, between Swampert and Scizor already having fairly bulky Defense, Salamence's Intimidate, Gengar packing Will-O-Wisp, and Kingdra's typing, I see Reflect not being nearly as necessary to this team as the recovery that you are so clearly lacking. Paralysis support helps with your slower sweepers, yes, except that you have a Scarfer, a Dragon Dancer, and Scizor, so you should have enough speed. The last move is obviously your choice; Protect for scouting or Toxic for breaking other bulky Pokemon down.

...Granted, this does not help so much with blocking Zapdos, although you honestly have that problem either way, and taking a STAB Super Effective 95 Base Power hit on a 130 HP/95 SP. DEF Pokemon as opposed to taking a Super Effective 100 Base Power hit on a 100 HP/100 SP. DEF Pokemon is a small price to pay for the benefits.

Yeah Zapdos causes some problems, I'll look into Vaporeon. Thanks

 

[Calum.]

Quite Lucario with Bullet Punc and Scizor weak, especially Scizor.

A quick remedy is running Gyarados over Kingdra

Gyarados @ Lefotvers
Intimidate
Adamant

EVs: 110 HP / 216 Atk / 184 Spe

DD
Taunt / SE
Waterfall
Earthquake

Outruns max base 115s and for obvious jump point.

 

[Pokedra]

Quite Lucario with Bullet Punc and Scizor weak, especially Scizor.

A quick remedy is running Gyarados over Kingdra

Gyarados @ Lefotvers
Intimidate
Adamant

EVs: 110 HP / 216 Atk / 184 Spe

DD
Taunt / SE
Waterfall
Earthquake

Outruns max base 115s and for obvious jump point.

Lucario is not so bad since I can burn it or Celebi can survive a +2 Crunch and TWave it but Scizor is a problem. I'll consider Gyara ;D

 

[Dark Azelf]

HP Grass offensive Zappy/LO Jolteon pretty much 6-0's you.

| Zapdos | Move | Thunderbolt | 86.3 |
| Zapdos | Move | Roost | 77.7 |
| Zapdos | Move | Heat Wave | 73.7 |
| Zapdos | Move | HP-Grass | 27.6 |


| Zapdos | SpAttack EV | Max | 34.2 |

| Jolteon | Move | HP-Grass | 30.5 |

To further support this.

Also once they find out Gengar isnt running Focus Blast you lose to like everything. HP Grass+D-Pulse unchoiced (~15% pack hp grass and ~34% pack d-pulse) Tran. MixMence cannot OHKO so will lose, bear that in mind. Hp ice doesnt do much. S-Ball does a crap load to mence anyway and if it lives BP beats it so yeah.

Something like a version of Tar might work >> Celebi to deal with all of them. Since Celebi is really not doing much for this team imo. T-Wave support for who exactly ? Mixmence is a wall breaker, Kingdra has dd, Swampert is a tank, Gar has a scarf, Scizor has priority sooo~. Your team is also not Gyarados weak with Scarf gar and kingdra and the rest of your team not fearing it.

CB Tar (maybe the sp.defensive version helps taking dracos from lati too [if you are in doubt about careful CB Tar abilities ive seen one survive a torrent + petaya surf from Empoleon o_o, Vance can back me up on this too], but this is up to you) might be nice and then you could make Scizor into the SDer if you wanted to with U-Turn > X-Scissor for its scouting qualities since you dont want too many choicers.

If you dont like the Sandstorm factor fine, make Kingdra into the double dance set clearing the skies for you with Rain Dance when ever you need it. Doing so means you wouldnt lose much.

If you want more scizor insurance something else could be slotted in here prolly >> pert, idk its up to you really. Something like F-Punch Lead Jirachi or even Lead Tran.

Just some throughts here. I must say i like your conclusion and am in full support of it. ^_^

 

[Pokedra]

HP Grass offensive Zappy/LO Jolteon pretty much 6-0's you.


[/B]

To further support this.

Also once they find out Gengar isnt running Focus Blast you lose to like everything. HP Grass+D-Pulse unchoiced (~15% pack hp grass and ~34% pack d-pulse) Tran. MixMence cannot OHKO so will lose, bear that in mind. Hp ice doesnt do much. S-Ball does a crap load to mence anyway and if it lives BP beats it so yeah.

Something like a version of Tar might work >> Celebi to deal with all of them. Since Celebi is really not doing much for this team imo. T-Wave support for who exactly ? Mixmence is a wall breaker, Kingdra has dd, Swampert is a tank, Gar has a scarf, Scizor has priority sooo~. Your team is also not Gyarados weak with Scarf gar and kingdra and the rest of your team not fearing it.

CB Tar (maybe the sp.defensive version helps taking dracos from lati too [if you are in doubt about careful CB Tar abilities ive seen one survive a torrent + petaya surf from Empoleon o_o, Vance can back me up on this too], but this is up to you) might be nice and then you could make Scizor into the SDer if you wanted to with U-Turn > X-Scissor for its scouting qualities since you dont want too many choicers.

If you dont like the Sandstorm factor fine, make Kingdra into the double dance set clearing the skies for you with Rain Dance when ever you need it. Doing so means you wouldnt lose much.

If you want more scizor insurance something else could be slotted in here prolly >> pert, idk its up to you really. Something like F-Punch Lead Jirachi or even Lead Tran.

Just some throughts here. I must say i like your conclusion and am in full support of it. ^_^

You could've at least changed it to Wobby but Bellsprout?! x[

CBTar, hmm..do you have the defensive spread. Would something 176 HP / 252 SpAtk / 80 SpD work?

I might switch to Double Dance Kingdra =)

 

[wolf]

CBTar, hmm..do you have the defensive spread. Would something 176 HP / 252 SpAtk / 80 SpD work?

252 HP / 40 Atk / 216 SpD with Careful is the most common defensive Tyranitar spread, unless D_A has something special. :P

 

[Calum.]

Tyranitar (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP/104 Atk/156 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge


Can survive 2 surfs from Lefites Starmie and 3 Earthpowers from Heatran after SR

 

[Pokedra]

Wolfy's spread looks good to me. Thanks =)

 

[Malicious Metang]

This team is very vulnerable to all variants of Scizor to be frank. The Choice Bander wears you down with U-turn and can kill Salamence with Bullet Punch, as well as Pursuit Celebi and Gengar making your team extremely vulnerable to things like Gyarados and Salamence. The Swords Dancer can easily set up against Choice locked Gengar and your own Scizor locked into anything but Superpower (and U-turn obviously). Your only "real" defense against it seems to be Swampert and Kingdra, both of whom fail to KO and will get owned by a +2 X-Scissor. Nothing on your team is really a "check" to Scizor, nor does anything bar Salamence's Fire Blast OHKO it. To remedy this, you could use a Mixed Infernape over Salamence. A Fire Blast / Close Combat / HP Ice / Grass Knot variant will help against Scizor, as well as against Blissey, Hippowdon, and stall in general. Infernape also helps with Zapdos, as it outruns it and deals sufficient damage to offensive variants that plague you.

With Infernape, you lose the weakness to Scizor almost entirely, so that means Will O Wisp and Scarf Gar can be dropped entirely. Instead, consider adding a Mystic Gengar or even a Substitute Gengar over that spot. Both of these can stop Scizor in their own ways, and both of them cause more damage than Scarf Gengar could. With these changes, Infernape becomes a bit more troublesome, so you could drop Kingdra for an offensive Gyarados, as well as gain a second Fighting-resist as well as Ground immunity plus Intimidate. Gyarados also further helps with your Scizor problems. Good luck!

 

[Pokedra]

This team is very vulnerable to all variants of Scizor to be frank. The Choice Bander wears you down with U-turn and can kill Salamence with Bullet Punch, as well as Pursuit Celebi and Gengar making your team extremely vulnerable to things like Gyarados and Salamence. The Swords Dancer can easily set up against Choice locked Gengar and your own Scizor locked into anything but Superpower (and U-turn obviously). Your only "real" defense against it seems to be Swampert and Kingdra, both of whom fail to KO and will get owned by a +2 X-Scissor. Nothing on your team is really a "check" to Scizor, nor does anything bar Salamence's Fire Blast OHKO it. To remedy this, you could use a Mixed Infernape over Salamence. A Fire Blast / Close Combat / HP Ice / Grass Knot variant will help against Scizor, as well as against Blissey, Hippowdon, and stall in general. Infernape also helps with Zapdos, as it outruns it and deals sufficient damage to offensive variants that plague you.

With Infernape, you lose the weakness to Scizor almost entirely, so that means Will O Wisp and Scarf Gar can be dropped entirely. Instead, consider adding a Mystic Gengar or even a Substitute Gengar over that spot. Both of these can stop Scizor in their own ways, and both of them cause more damage than Scarf Gengar could. With these changes, Infernape becomes a bit more troublesome, so you could drop Kingdra for an offensive Gyarados, as well as gain a second Fighting-resist as well as Ground immunity plus Intimidate. Gyarados also further helps with your Scizor problems. Good luck!

The changes you suggested were exactly the same as the original version XD

Yeah sure, I've tried MixApe over MixMence before and it works and covers some weaks but I sometimes find it doesn't pack enough power for me =(

Nah, ScarfGar covers alot of threats that usually cause some problems but I'll look into it :P

 

[Malicious Metang]

The changes you suggested were exactly the same as the original version XD

Yeah sure, I've tried MixApe over MixMence before and it works and covers some weaks but I sometimes find it doesn't pack enough power for me =(

Nah, ScarfGar covers alot of threats that usually cause some problems but I'll look into it :P

Maybe because the original was a better version :<

Anyway, I dislike ScarfGar because it's not a check to any of the threats you mentioned. It can't switch-in on their attacks like Heatran can on the threats it stops. It also has to worry about anything with Pursuit, and using Will O Wisp on your main form of revenge killing isn't that bright to be honest. I am not saying it's a bad idea, but on a team that essentially DEPENDS on ScarfGar to not get swept such as this, WoW is a HUGE gamble.