Thread needs more hot wet slippy quagsire.

[Lalapizzame]

Introduction ​

I've been battling a lot more than I used to, possibly because my skills are still rusty and need some more time. The Platinum metagame never really was what I called "favorable", but since I've somehow lost interest in D/P, it seemed quite entertaining. Platinum did make it more offensive, yes, but after laddering it seems that is nothing too hard to adjust to. Honestly, I've started to like playing it more than D/P, what with Salamence and some of that regular stuff. This team was built due to Vance's dislike of DDMence which he discussed over Messenger with me last night and quickly revived my desire to just use CBMence, an instant hard hitter. This team, I assure you, should not be praised and in my opinion requires quite a few changes. Although I do dislike the idea of getting rid of Salamence, if logic is provided that can be changed, such as a weakness we need to fix badly. I'll just thank you early and stop typing for reading my RMT. No don't you dare troll my RMT unless you're called Dark_Azelf or post rubbish.

Team At A Glance
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Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP/220 Def/36 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Roost

Choice Band Mence just can't take repeated blows from Fighting-types and Scizor; and so Zapdos comes in to help make the assault from them less brutal. Unless you have some really good logic I'm not removing Heat Wave for something else, thanks. Although there's really not much else it can do, I suppose it's better than having SD Lucario without Stone Edge and SD Scizor just sweep the team. Although I question its efficiency as a lead, my skills are not good enough to know what else can lead.


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Salamence (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 Atk/252 Spd/8 SAtk
Naughty nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Aqua Tail
- Fire Blast
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw

Choice Band Mence is a terrifying thing that not only has a massive Attack, it also has good Special Attack to scare away Steel-types with Fire Blast. I don't like getting locked into Outrage early but still want to do something, so Dragon Claw > Stone Edge and Earthquake for now, with Heatran not daring to switch in due to Aqua Tail. Although, just so you know, I don't mind changing anything besides the Outrage and Fire Blast.



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Vaporeon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SAtk
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Electric] / Ice Beam
- Protect
- Wish

I'm somewhat addicted to using Vaporeon because it handles Heatran, MixApe, and Gyarados all in one while still providing Wish support. If I do find a problem with Dragons while I continue to ladder Ice Beam is probably going to be highly considered but that Gyarados problem really is a nuisance. Vaporeon is still a decent Wish passer and scouting Pokemon if neccesary.



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Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 148 HP/252 Spd/108 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Recover
- Calm Mind
- Refresh / Hidden Power Fire

Whether it be a barrier against the offensive Zapdos, or a set-up sweeper, it all works out fine. With the support of Vaporeon and Bronzong for Ice and Dragon resistance, respectively, I feel it will shine. Zapdos and Machamp also get rid of Scizor, Tyranitar, and Weavile, which means virtually all Pursuiters are wiped out besides Metagross which can't do a thing to Zapdos besides exploding, using Ice Punch, or Earthquaking after Zapdos has used Roost. Refresh does help it get rid of Toxic from enemies, but Hidden Power Fire helps it to destroy Scizor on its own. Another one of the things I can't decide on, sadly.



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Bronzong @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/72 Atk/88 Def/96 SDef
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Explosion
- Gyro Ball
- Light Screen
- Reflect

I always used the "Standard Wall" set on Smogon, admittedly. I never looked at its potiential as a Double Screener and just after I started my first Platinum team (the one in my newest Battle Log), would I ever be committed to using this set. I'm willing to change to Jirachi should the time ever come it is simply outclassed by the little thing, but Explosion's a pretty nice move when it's about to die anyway.




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Machamp (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP/36 Atk/216 Def/4 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dynamicpunch
- Payback
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

With Bronzong being the only one to take Outrages, Tyranitar stands nearly unopposed. Although not only that, my team didn't take status exceptionally well. So Machamp was pretty much my only solution, being fairly bulky while still being able to retaliate when needed. Payback > Stone Edge because I really hate the Rotom formes otherwise and can't do much without other team members being statused or damaged badly. Although ultimately I may just use Guts if I feel like not using Machamp that defensively.






It's quite fair to say this team needs a lot of fixing, since this is coming from someone who has played Platinum for only several days and often forgets about threats. I'm Support Tar weak and I'm D_A's puppet, rescue me. ;;

 

[Anti]

ScarfPert with HP Bug, can put indeed you in difficulty.

I question Infernape's slot on this team. A SR suicide lead is really only for offensive teams, and this is basically a defensive team with CBMence. While SR helps CBMence (though it's really only with Cresselia), it doesn't do much else. I think your team would benefit from SR (as all teams do), but I don't think it should be a piority to set up, and Infernape's slot could probably better be filled by a set-up sweeper (since CBMence can clear the way for a Gyarados sweep or something to that effect). You even have Wish support to go along with Gyarados and its horrible SR weakness.

I just worry that this team isn't really doing anything. You wall most of what you need to but you don't have anything that makes the opponent conform to the tempo you set and not the other way around. Yeah CBMence helps, but it's your main fighting resist (Zapdos is a pretty poor one to be honest) and it dies pretty fast with SR (and Wishpassing is no guarantee). That's why Gyarados could be good, or a threatening set-up sweeper in general.

 

[Dark Azelf]

Nice thread title dood

As for the team, i cant help but feel its kinda slow. I mean its solid an all but its just a few obscure things like NP Azelf and Jolly SD Stone Edge or ice Punch Lucario that cause issues really, thankfully for you both are rare (Only ~20% use the moves and nature respectively) o_o.

In addition i would look out for those offensive Zapdos, since roughly 1/3 of them use max sp.att evs so yeah and nothing here likes T-Bolt/Heatwave/Hidden Power much >.<.

Zong can learn SR and like Anti said, you could replace ape if you put SR on Zong. So maybe into a zappy counter would be beneficial or at least something that can take t-bolts.

 

[Lalapizzame]

ScarfPert with HP Bug, can put indeed you in difficulty.

I question Infernape's slot on this team. A SR suicide lead is really only for offensive teams, and this is basically a defensive team with CBMence. While SR helps CBMence (though it's really only with Cresselia), it doesn't do much else. I think your team would benefit from SR (as all teams do), but I don't think it should be a piority to set up, and Infernape's slot could probably better be filled by a set-up sweeper (since CBMence can clear the way for a Gyarados sweep or something to that effect). You even have Wish support to go along with Gyarados and its horrible SR weakness.

I just worry that this team isn't really doing anything. You wall most of what you need to but you don't have anything that makes the opponent conform to the tempo you set and not the other way around. Yeah CBMence helps, but it's your main fighting resist (Zapdos is a pretty poor one to be honest) and it dies pretty fast with SR (and Wishpassing is no guarantee). That's why Gyarados could be good, or a threatening set-up sweeper in general.

Personally I do realize this team does not have a handful of sweepers and mostly has bulky Pokemon, thanks. Lead Ape has been removed for Latias and Zapdos will be the Lead, although I question its efficiency. (help please lol.)

Nice thread title dood

As for the team, i cant help but feel its kinda slow. I mean its solid an all but its just a few obscure things like NP Azelf and Jolly SD Stone Edge or ice Punch Lucario that cause issues really, thankfully for you both are rare (Only ~20% use the moves and nature respectively) o_o.

In addition i would look out for those offensive Zapdos, since roughly 1/3 of them use max sp.att evs so yeah and nothing here likes T-Bolt/Heatwave/Hidden Power much >.<.

Zong can learn SR and like Anti said, you could replace ape if you put SR on Zong. So maybe into a zappy counter would be beneficial or at least something that can take t-bolts.

Thankfully you pointed that out, Ape has been removed and Bronzong now knows Stealth Rock. (Over Explosion.)

I'll be laddering and if I see fit further changes will be made.