Umm, a CroDra just swept me?

[Jake♫]

Okay, so on the new Shoddy server, me and another user started bickering about how I thought CroKingdra was an epic failure. One thing lead to another, and after hearing its merits, I was like "Okay, so this thing rocks!". This eventually lead me to the creation of this team, with said users help (Which is rather ironic if you think about it xD). What are these merits you might ask? Well, you're going to have to read/help the RMT to find out now aren't you? So, without further ado, I introduce you to the team!

At a Glance:

(F)

Nidoqueen@Leftovers
Poison Point
Relaxed Nature
252 HP/244 Def/14 SpA

• Toxic Spikes
• Stealth Rock
• Fire Blast
• Earthquake

Ah Nidoqueen, so underrated, but still totally awesome. This thing has ALWAYS gotten up rocks for me, and can usually get at least 1 layer of Toxic Spikes up. TSpikes always aid any water-type sweep, poisoning bulky waters, potential walls, and just anything that can be hit by them in general. In this case, they aren't totally necessary to the team, and they can be replaced, but they have done a lot for me recently. Fire Blast and EQ allow me to net some nice coverage, and also allows me to hit every steel type out there for super-effective damage (I think at least xD). This is an MVP of the team, so you better have a good explanation if you want her slot changed.

Rotom-F@Leftovers
Levitate
Bold Nature
252 HP/120 Def/136 SpD

• Rest
• Sleep Talk
• Discharge
• Reflect

Rotom was definitely the easier member of this team to choose, as it is really one of the only reliable spin blockers out there. I needed rest and sleep talk for longevity purposes, even with Wish coming around from Latias, but that isn't always going to be guaranteed. The only hard part was choosing which form to use, but I decided that the threat of Blizzard was enough potential to scare away dragons, plus Thunderbolt can hit most of them neutrally (Just not Flygon =P), so it seemed like a good fit. I need Thunderbolt for the STAB, and Will-O-Wisp serves its great purpose in burning things left and right, especially when Toxic Spikes don't end up getting on the field. It's especially nice with any Pursuit user, as I can escape way easier, and hurt them permanently (Unless they use Aromatherapy/Heal Bell, but who does that anymore?).

Latias@Leftovers
Levitate
Timid Nature
180 HP/60 Def /176 Spe /92 SpD

• Dragon Pulse
• Roar
• Wish
• Protect

Utility Latias is honestly a gift from god for this team. It's weaknesses and resistances align perfectly with those of Magnezone AND Forretress, so it couldn't have been a better fit. The surprise factor alone from this set is enough to give me a jump in battle, as all you usually see are either CM or choice sets. Latias has enough natural bulk where it isn't necessary to EV anything but HP, and speed is there just to help out when it comes to getting a Wish in first. Dragon Pulse provides a consistently powerful STAB move, with very few cases where it doesn't shell out at least decent damage. She is also my PHazer, and she does a fantastic job at it too. Protect allows me to nab a Wish boost for herself, and works well as a scouting tool. Passing Wish around is fantastic for this team as well, as I don't have much that has a direct form of recovery.

Forretress@Leftovers
Sturdy
Impish Nature
252 HP/252 SpD/4 Def

• Spikes
• Rapid Spin
• Payback
• Gyro Ball

Special Defense + Payback Forry isn't a joke, with the potential to knock out the ghosts that are trying to block its spin, and then continuing to set up Spikes for me. Spikes is integral here, along with Stealth Rock, that allows me to net many more KOs with Kingdra. Earthquake just provides some decent coverage that any Pokemon is willing to use, and is just plain reliable. Forry also is great at luring any Draco Meteors and Outrages coming in, then switching to Magnezone to finish the job with the revenge kill. I'm loving the set, but as always, I'm totally open to suggestions.

Magnezone@Choice Scarf
Magnet Pull
Timid Nature
252 SpA/252 Spe/4 HP

• Thunderbolt
• HP Fire
• Flash Cannon
• Explosion

Here he is, the only thing on this team without Leftovers (lol)! Honestly, Magnezone is a key member to this team, as he takes out all the steel types that Kingdra would have a hard time KOing without Magnet Pull and HP Fire. It too is an MVP, and quite frankly a key member of the team. Trapping steels and KOing them isn't the end of it though, as I can come in on Outrages and revenge kill them quite easily as well. Him and Forry do a great job of baiting any Dragon attacks aimed at Latias, and that helps a lot. Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon give me consistent STAB moves, both reliable and having nice coverage. Explosion is always an amazing move, so I can just go boom once I remove everything that it needs to (Mainly the steel types).

Kingdra@Leftovers
Swift Swin
Adamant Nature
168 HP/188 Atk/152 Spe

• Rest
• Sleep Talk
• Dragon Dance
• Outrage

Here it is, the star of the entire show! CroKingdra honestly isn't a joke. With it's naturaly bulk, incredible typing, and access to one of the strongest moves in the game, it is just begging for this set. I DD whenever I'm awake, then hope for Sleep Talk to choose Outrage. With Sleep Talk, I don't get locked into Outrage, so I can continue to DD in my sleep and then repeat the cycle over and over again. With the Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Stealth Rock support, after a few DDs (Which aren't hard to get really, especially once I get rid of the opponents PHazer, which is key), it can even take out the weakened steel types that would normally wall a Kingdra set without its secondary STAB.

Rate Away!
​

 

[wolf]

Try 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 Speed on Rotom Frost, it outspeeds max Speed Adamant Tyranitar / Scizor, letting you burn it before they do anything threatening. Impish > Careful on Forretress so it isn't 2HKOed by +1 Outrage from Salamence.

DD Tyranitar with Earthquake wrecks you pretty bad, but luckily it can only set up on Magnezone locked on Thunderbolt or HP Fire. Forretress too, but Earthquake wrecks it pretty bad (not a 2HKO though).

I'll come back for a better rate.

 

[Ooka]

Well, I know first hand what CroDra can do, so I won't complain about it at all, haha. But, um, I'm not really seeing anything that can take on Offensive DD Gyara. Rotom might be able to take it out, but not if it Flinches. Latias could Roar it, but Ice Fang hurts, and it doesn't really get rid of the Gyara, it just makes it wait for later. Also, losing Magnezone leaves you wide open for a CroCune damage, yes, again, Latias can Roar it, so it's not that big a deal, but still something to watch out for.

 

[Dark Azelf]

Well, I know first hand what CroDra can do, so I won't complain about it at all, haha. But, um, I'm not really seeing anything that can take on Offensive DD Gyara. Rotom might be able to take it out, but not if it Flinches. Latias could Roar it, but Ice Fang hurts, and it doesn't really get rid of the Gyara, it just makes it wait for later. Also, losing Magnezone leaves you wide open for a CroCune damage, yes, again, Latias can Roar it, so it's not that big a deal, but still something to watch out for.

Kingdra sets up on CroCune. =p

Anyways some of your evs spreads are a bit eh..

Kingdra's: - 168 HP / 188 Atk / 152 Speed. This beats Bulky Gyarados and Jolly Tar and also helps surviving when you are stuck on outrage. You also get 300 Attack so you dont lose much attack either. The bulk also allows you to set up better.

Latias : - Going for speed ties is really silly imo. Gengar beats you anyway because you cannot OHKO it. Infernape isnt going to get past you regardless, HP Ice doesnt even 3HKO in most cases lol. 180 HP / 60 DEF / 176 SPEED / 92 Sp.Def @ Timid works very well. This allows you to live an SD LO ES from Lucario convincingly, it also beats max speed Salamence, so is a balance between offense and defense.

Rotom : - Also i NEVER get why Will-o-Wisp is on Toxic Spikes based stall teams. Getting my Rotom Pursuited by a Poisoned Tar who cant be burned isnt something id want. I use Reflect, it pretty much does the same thing. Dicharge will always be better than T-Bolt, especially on things who think they can set up on you whilst asleep or just like to switch in on you anyway.

Also Rotom alone is NOT a good answer to Gyarados (standard ev spread is terrible btw 252 hp/176 def/80 sp.def). I learned this first hand, i mean Kingdra CAN Outrage it i guess but eh. Something to watch out for.
(b'-')b

 

[Jake♫]

Try 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 Speed on Rotom Frost, it outspeeds max Speed Adamant Tyranitar / Scizor, letting you burn it before they do anything threatening. Impish > Careful on Forretress so it isn't 2HKOed by +1 Outrage from Salamence.

DD Tyranitar with Earthquake wrecks you pretty bad, but luckily it can only set up on Magnezone locked on Thunderbolt or HP Fire. Forretress too, but Earthquake wrecks it pretty bad (not a 2HKO though).

I'll come back for a better rate.

I'll put Impish over Careful for sure. I see the threats, but the fact that they are situational makes me feel more comfortable about them. I'll definitely watch out though

Well, I know first hand what CroDra can do, so I won't complain about it at all, haha. But, um, I'm not really seeing anything that can take on Offensive DD Gyara. Rotom might be able to take it out, but not if it Flinches. Latias could Roar it, but Ice Fang hurts, and it doesn't really get rid of the Gyara, it just makes it wait for later. Also, losing Magnezone leaves you wide open for a CroCune damage, yes, again, Latias can Roar it, so it's not that big a deal, but still something to watch out for.

RE: D_A's post of how Kingdra sets up on Crocune xD But still, Gyara does give me some trouble sometimes, so I'll watch out for that.

Kingdra sets up on CroCune. =p

Anyways some of your evs spreads are a bit eh..

Kingdra's: - 168 HP / 188 Atk / 152 Speed. This beats Bulky Gyarados and Jolly Tar and also helps surviving when you are stuck on outrage. You also get 300 Attack so you dont lose much attack either. The bulk also allows you to set up better.

Latias : - Going for speed ties is really silly imo. Gengar beats you anyway because you cannot OHKO it. Infernape isnt going to get past you regardless, HP Ice doesnt even 3HKO in most cases lol. 180 HP / 60 DEF / 176 SPEED / 92 Sp.Def @ Timid works very well. This allows you to live an SD LO ES from Lucario convincingly, it also beats max speed Salamence, so is a balance between offense and defense.

Rotom : - Also i NEVER get why Will-o-Wisp is on Toxic Spikes based stall teams. Getting my Rotom Pursuited by a Poisoned Tar who cant be burned isnt something id want. I use Reflect, it pretty much does the same thing. Dicharge will always be better than T-Bolt, especially on things who think they can set up on you whilst asleep or just like to switch in on you anyway.

Also Rotom alone is NOT a good answer to Gyarados (standard ev spread is terrible btw 252 hp/176 def/80 sp.def). I learned this first hand, i mean Kingdra CAN Outrage it i guess but eh. Something to watch out for.
(b'-')b

EV spread changes I'll change, and Reflect>WoW. But yeah, with Reflect, I can handle Gyara. But that isn't always up, so I can either revenge it with Zone, or I can switch and hope to live a shot from it on Rotom (Which happens more than not)

Thanks for the rates, and keep going!

 

[Dark Azelf]

EV spread changes I'll change, and Reflect>WoW. But yeah, with Reflect, I can handle Gyara. But that isn't always up, so I can either revenge it with Zone, or I can switch and hope to live a shot from it on Rotom (Which happens more than not)

Thanks for the rates, and keep going!

Just a note DD Gyara Outspeeds Zone and smacks it around with EQ. =P

 

[Ooka]

Sorry, didn't mean CroCune, I'm talking about the CM / Roar / Surf / Ice Beam set.

 

[Jake♫]

@DA: In that case I'll just be a little more prediction reliant
@Ooka: No one really runs that set anymore =P It's either CroCune, Offensive, or the rare SubCune.

 

[Malicious Metang]

It's probably just me, but what's the point of living two consecutive Outrages from a Life Orb Dragon Dance Salamence if you cannot do anything to harm it? I would consider either Gyro Ball, Explosion, or even Zap Cannon over Earthquake for these reasons. Lucario is pretty much covered by Nidoqueen and Rotom-f combined, meaning Earthquake's utility is pretty redundant. Heatran does not beat Latias without Explosion (baited and taken advantage of by Forretress and Rotom-f), and Magnezone lives Earthquake either way and KOs you with Hidden Power Fire. Gyro Ball is the most reliable option, as it lets you hit Flygon, Tyranitar, Salamence, etc...for good damage and prevents you from being total set-up bait. Explosion is pretty terrible, since Forretress is an integral part of this team, but it's better than Earthquake at least. Zap Cannon is, of course, cool for paralysis and that's about it.

Otherwise, the team is pretty good. Dragon Dance Tyranitar does indeed cause problems, but you can hopefully play around it with Nidoqueen and Forretress, and with Gyro Ball, Life Orb versions with Earthquake lose to you, and Babiri Berry versions with Fire Punch lose to Nidoqueen. Good luck.

 

[Jake♫]

@Bedlam: Thanks for pointing that out. In all honestly, I've never even USED EQ yet...so yeah, Gyro Ball gogogo!