Very New to Competitive Battling! Please Help!

[Snoochey]

Hello! I want to get into competitive battling. I understand some minor things about the game but mostly only about breeding thus far. I get IVs, EVs, Natures, STAB, weaknesses, etc. I am just bad with items, choosing EV spreads, and which pokémon would suite me better where. I've seen some pokémon labeled a "sweeper" and such; could someone explain what these are meant for and which walls are handy to have?

So for a pokémon set here's what I was thinking:

Metagross @ Assault Vest
Clear Body
252 HP | 252 Atk | 6 Spd
Adamant

• Meteor Mash
• Earthquake
• Hammer Arm
• Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt

Rotom @ Leftovers
Levitate
228 HP | 60 Sp. Atk | 220 Spd
Modest

• Volt Switch
• Hydro Pump
• Will-o-Wisp
• Pain Split

Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Sand Stream
6 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spd
Jolly

• Dragon Dance
• Crunch
• Earthquake / Ice Punch
• Stone Edge

Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Sand Veil
6 HP | 252 Atk | 252 Spd
Naive

• Stealth Rock
• Earthquake
• Dragon Claw
• Fire Blast

Blissey @ Leftovers
Natural Cure
6 HP | 252 Def | 252 Sp. Def
Bold

• Heal Bell / Aromatherapy
• Softboiled
• Seismic Toss / Flamethrower
• Toxic

Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Poison Heal
244 HP | 252 Def | 16 Spd
Impish

• Earthquake
• Knock Off
• Protect / Roost
• Taunt / Toxic

Please give me any and all tips you can! I am new to this so please don't use acronyms for stuff right off the bat either, or I'll just be scratching my head. :) Thanks a lot everyone!

 

[PlatinumDude]

Assault Vest is the best item for offensive Metagross this time around.

Aggron gained a Mega Evolution that helped out its defensive capabilities significantly. However, I wouldn't put it on your team because it's still weak to Fighting, and half your team is weak to it. Wash Rotom is the better fit on the team because of its ability to check/counter Talonflame (which Tyranitar also does):
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Will-o-Wisp
-Pain Split/Rest
Nature: Bold
EVs: 248 HP/216 Def/44 Spe
Item: Leftovers/Chesto Berry

or
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Will-o-Wisp
-Pain Split/Thunderbolt
Nature: Modest
EVs: 228 HP/60 SAtk/220 Spe
Item: Leftovers

or
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Hidden Power (Ice)/Thunderbolt
-Trick
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Scarf

Outrage only sees use on Dragon Pokemon because it gains STAB. Using it on Pokemon with other types, like Tyranitar, is a waste of coverage:
-Crunch
-Pursuit
-Rock Slide/Stone Edge
-Fire Blast/Stealth Rock
Nature: Sassy/Careful
EVs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 SDef
Item: Assault Vest/Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream

or
-Crunch
-Stone Edge
-Pursuit
-Earthquake/Ice Punch
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe (Jolly) or 180 HP/252 Atk/76 Spe (Adamant)
Item: Choice Scarf (Jolly)/Choice Band (Adamant)
Ability: Sand Stream

or
-Dragon Dance
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Earthquake/Ice Punch
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream

Dragon Rush isn't worth using on Garchomp because it's nearly as inaccurate as Focus Blast. Jolly is still the way to go for Garchomp because it has to outspeed as much as it can. Earthquake hits Fairies hard enough already, so there's no need for Iron Head. If you're not using Mega Tyranitar, Mega Garchomp can be used instead, since only 1 Mega Pokemon can be used per battle:
-Swords Dance
-Outrage/Dragon Claw
-Earthquake
-Fire Fang/Stone Edge
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Lum Berry/Yache Berry/Garchompite

or
-Stealth Rock
-Earthquake
-Outrage/Dragon Claw
-Fire Blast/Swords Dance
Nature: Naive/Jolly
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Item: Lum Berry/Focus Sash

or
-Earthquake
-Draco Meteor
-Fire Blast
-Stone Edge
Nature: Naughty
EVs: 224 Atk/32 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Garchompite

Heal Pulse is useless in singles because it heals the opponent. Healing Wish is a waste of Blissey's defensive capabilities. Blissey also needs reliable recovery itself because it lacks Softboiled:
-Aromatherapy
-Softboiled
-Seismic Toss/Flamethrower
-Toxic
Nature: Bold
EVs: 4 HP/252 Def/252 SDef
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure

Gliscor must always use Poison Heal as its ability because it improves its walling capabilities significantly. Gliscor also can't learn Wing Attack; also, Earthquake is a staple move on it because 1. it prevents Gliscor from becoming Taunt bait. 2. it's its strongest move and 3. it has good coverage. Sky Uppercut, Cross Poison and X-Scissor are all situational, and the former move is redundant with Gliscor's Ground STAB:
-Earthquake
-Knock Off
-Protect/Roost
-Taunt/Toxic
Nature: Impish
EVs: 244 HP/252 Def/16 Spe
Item: Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal

Other special attackers to consider are Tangrowth (which can use its great physical bulk to wall physical attackers), Alakazam, Reuniclus (which have Magic Guard to protect them from the sandstorm Tyranitar brings while also adding in a Fighting resist) or Gengar (adds a Fighting immunity while being threatening on its own):

Tangrowth:
-Giga Drain
-Knock Off
-Earthquake
-Hidden Power (Ice/Fire)/Rock Slide
Nature: Relaxed
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 SDef
Item: Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator

Alakazam:
-Psyshock
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
-Hidden Power (Ice/Fire)/Dazzling Gleam
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Life Orb/Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard

Reuniclus:
-Calm Mind
-Psychic/Psyshock
-Focus Blast
-Recover
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SDef
Item: Life Orb/Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard

or
-Trick Room
-Psychic/Psyshock
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast/Hidden Power (Fire)
Nature: Quiet
EVs: 192 HP/64 Def/252 SAtk
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Magic Guard

Gengar:
-Substitute
-Disable/Pain Split
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Black Sludge/Life Orb

or
-Shadow Ball
-Sludge Bomb
-Focus Blast
-Trick/Thunderbolt
Nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP/252 SAtk/252 Spe
Item: Choice Specs/Choice Scarf

 

[Snoochey]

Okay so some changes I will make:

• Drop Aggron for a Rotom with
  -Volt Switch
  -Hydro Pump
  -Will-o-Wisp
  -Pain Split/Thunderbolt
  Nature: Modest
  EVs: 228 HP/60 SAtk/220 Spe
  Item: Leftovers
  
• Change Tyranitar to
  -Dragon Dance
  -Stone Edge
  -Crunch
  -Earthquake/Ice Punch
  Nature: Jolly
  EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
  Item: Tyranitarite
  Ability: Sand Stream
  ~*Note: Should I keep Earthquake and Ice Punch and remove Stone Edge?
  
• Change Garchomp to
  -Stealth Rock
  -Earthquake
  -Dragon Claw
  -Fire Fang
  Nature: Jolly
  EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
  Item: Focus Sash
  
• I'll change Blissey to
  -Aromatherapy
  -Softboiled
  -Seismic Toss/Flamethrower
  -Toxic
  Nature: Bold
  EVs: 4 HP/252 Def/252 SDef
  Item: Leftovers
  Ability: Natural Cure
  ~*Note: Natural Cure is better for single; is Healer better for team 2v2 or 3v3?
  
• I see what you mean now for Gliscor. Although he can learn Wing Attack; I have a gligar with Wing Attack bred onto him from a Scyther. I'll change him to:
  -Earthquake
  -Knock Off
  -Protect/Roost
  -Taunt/Toxic
  Nature: Impish
  EVs: 244 HP/252 Def/16 Spe
  Item: Toxic Orb
  Ability: Poison Heal

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I do have a Gengar I wouldn't mind using. Who would you suggest I drop for him? Also a few concerns I have:

1. Leftovers and Assault Vest seem to be the best item for multiple pokémon; aren't we only allowed to use one of each held item per battle?
2. I've looked on Bulbapedia and it says Blissey and Chansey can't learn Seismic Toss or Flamethrower. Am I missing something?
3. Some of your suggested EVs seem very specific. Is there a reason? I had thought it was best to pick 2 and max them, but with Rotom for instance you have many variations.

That is all for now. Thank you for the help!

 

[PlatinumDude]

Okay so some changes I will make:

• Drop Aggron for a Rotom with
  -Volt Switch
  -Hydro Pump
  -Will-o-Wisp
  -Pain Split/Thunderbolt
  Nature: Modest
  EVs: 228 HP/60 SAtk/220 Spe
  Item: Leftovers
  
• Change Tyranitar to
  -Dragon Dance
  -Stone Edge
  -Crunch
  -Earthquake/Ice Punch
  Nature: Jolly
  EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
  Item: Tyranitarite
  Ability: Sand Stream
  ~*Note: Should I keep Earthquake and Ice Punch and remove Stone Edge?
  
• Change Garchomp to
  -Stealth Rock
  -Earthquake
  -Dragon Claw
  -Fire Fang
  Nature: Jolly
  EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
  Item: Focus Sash
  
• I'll change Blissey to
  -Aromatherapy
  -Softboiled
  -Seismic Toss/Flamethrower
  -Toxic
  Nature: Bold
  EVs: 4 HP/252 Def/252 SDef
  Item: Leftovers
  Ability: Natural Cure
  ~*Note: Natural Cure is better for single; is Healer better for team 2v2 or 3v3?
  
• I see what you mean now for Gliscor. Although he can learn Wing Attack; I have a gligar with Wing Attack bred onto him from a Scyther. I'll change him to:
  -Earthquake
  -Knock Off
  -Protect/Roost
  -Taunt/Toxic
  Nature: Impish
  EVs: 244 HP/252 Def/16 Spe
  Item: Toxic Orb
  Ability: Poison Heal

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I do have a Gengar I wouldn't mind using. Who would you suggest I drop for him? Also a few concerns I have:

1. Leftovers and Assault Vest seem to be the best item for multiple pokémon; aren't we only allowed to use one of each held item per battle?
2. I've looked on Bulbapedia and it says Blissey and Chansey can't learn Seismic Toss or Flamethrower. Am I missing something?
3. Some of your suggested EVs seem very specific. Is there a reason? I had thought it was best to pick 2 and max them, but with Rotom for instance you have many variations.

That is all for now. Thank you for the help!

I assumed that this team is for singles and rated it as such. If this is a doubles team, you should've specified it, and I would've left this team for Griffinbane to rate because I don't battle in the doubles format.

1. Use Stone Edge. It's Tyranitar's strongest STAB and shouldn't be dropped. Choose between Earthquake or Ice Punch.
2. Fire Fang only sees use on offensive Swords Dance Garchomp. Fire Blast is the best option on Stealth Rock sets.
3. Natural Cure is the superior ability in all cases. Don't bother with Healer.
4. Item clause (when the same item can't be held by multiple Pokemon) isn't active in simulator battles.
5. Chansey gets Seismic Toss as an egg move from Mawile via chain breeding in X/Y:: Mankey/Primeape > Mawile > Chansey. It was also able to learn the move via FR/LG move tutor in Gen III. Yes, Blissey learns Flamethrower; you just didn't look hard enough.
6. For Wash Rotom, the physically defensive set uses enough Speed EVs to outspeed the occasional Jolly Azumarill. For the bulky offensive Wash Rotom, its EV spread avoids the OHKO from Keldeo's Secret Sword, outruns neutral-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon (like Mandibuzz) and Timid/Jolly base 70 Speed Pokemon (like Breloom) and KOs Mega Pinsir after Stealth Rock.

 

[Brane]

Stone Edge is a tough case because it can hurt you when it misses. If you're running doubles, Rock Slide is a better option because it can hit both Pokemon, Stone Edge has the unfortunate habit of costing you a turn. Unfortunately there aren't many strong rock move. With the Dark/Ice/Ground mix you earn coverage over 440 Pokemon which is plenty, and nothing resists it. Though Stone Edge can hurt very badly when it hits because of STAB. But in the end it's up to you to test the team and see what Tyranitar is put up against.

Blissey is a tough case, Flamethrower will rarely ever do any damage, and your hope is that it can get a burn off. It allows you to hit ghosts who wall it, but Seismic Toss is a much more valuable move once the ghosts are gone.

I feel your team needs something against Water, being the best defensive typing in the game they wall 4 of the Pokemon in your original post. And they can also pack Ice Beam which can hurt your Garchomp.

Edit: If you're running doubles, it may be worth it to add Protect onto a couple of your key Pokemon, especially Metagross and Garchomp who have glaring weaknesses. Tyranitar is often singled out because of it's defensive boost in Sandstorm. Blissey is sometimes focused on because it's support can cost matches but I think it's probably the last one to add Protect to.

 

[Snoochey]

I assumed that this team is for singles and rated it as such. If this is a doubles team, you should've specified it, and I would've left this team for Griffinbane to rate because I don't battle in the doubles format.

1. Use Stone Edge. It's Tyranitar's strongest STAB and shouldn't be dropped. Choose between Earthquake or Ice Punch.
2. Fire Fang only sees use on offensive Swords Dance Garchomp. Fire Blast is the best option on Stealth Rock sets.
3. Natural Cure is the superior ability in all cases. Don't bother with Healer.
4. Item clause (when the same item can't be held by multiple Pokemon) isn't active in simulator battles.
5. Chansey gets Seismic Toss as an egg move from Mawile via chain breeding in X/Y:: Mankey/Primeape > Mawile > Chansey. It was also able to learn the move via FR/LG move tutor in Gen III. Yes, Blissey learns Flamethrower; you just didn't look hard enough.
6. For Wash Rotom, the physically defensive set uses enough Speed EVs to outspeed the occasional Jolly Azumarill. For the bulky offensive Wash Rotom, its EV spread avoids the OHKO from Keldeo's Secret Sword, outruns neutral-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon (like Mandibuzz) and Timid/Jolly base 70 Speed Pokemon (like Breloom) and KOs Mega Pinsir after Stealth Rock.

Alrighty then! Thanks for the information. I was thinking of using the same party for both multi-battles and single battles.

Stone Edge is a tough case because it can hurt you when it misses. If you're running doubles, Rock Slide is a better option because it can hit both Pokemon, Stone Edge has the unfortunate habit of costing you a turn. Unfortunately there aren't many strong rock move. With the Dark/Ice/Ground mix you earn coverage over 440 Pokemon which is plenty, and nothing resists it. Though Stone Edge can hurt very badly when it hits because of STAB. But in the end it's up to you to test the team and see what Tyranitar is put up against.

Blissey is a tough case, Flamethrower will rarely ever do any damage, and your hope is that it can get a burn off. It allows you to hit ghosts who wall it, but Seismic Toss is a much more valuable move once the ghosts are gone.

I feel your team needs something against Water, being the best defensive typing in the game they wall 4 of the Pokemon in your original post. And they can also pack Ice Beam which can hurt your Garchomp.

Edit: If you're running doubles, it may be worth it to add Protect onto a couple of your key Pokemon, especially Metagross and Garchomp who have glaring weaknesses. Tyranitar is often singled out because of it's defensive boost in Sandstorm. Blissey is sometimes focused on because it's support can cost matches but I think it's probably the last one to add Protect to.

Thanks for your input. I'll try to get a Seismic Toss on my Blissey. I have Dark type moves scattered through the rest of my team, so I guess Seismic Toss will work well for me.

 

[Nah]

You usually can't use teams for multiple battle types. I rarely do doubles (and never do triples), but as far as I know, single battles and double battles require vastly different playstyles/stratagies, team make-ups, and standard movesets (Protect is used on most Pokemon on a team participating in double battles, but is only seen on one or two Pokemon in singles, unless doing all out stall). So it'd be best to use this team for singles only.

I'll explain Pokemon roles to you, since it seems no one else has one that and you asked about it in your OP.

-Sweeper: Sweepers are Pokemon that are fast and strong, but often frail. The purpose of a sweeper is to quickly defeat several Pokemon on the opposing team, or "sweep" the team aside. They are usually the cornerstone of yor offense.

-Tank: Tanks are a common thing in RPGs and the like. Tank generally can take lots of damage and dish out some in return. Usually not fast, but tend to have above average HP and/or defenses. Another term used for tank is a bulky attacker.

-Wall: A wall is a Pokemon that takes little damage from enemy attacks and often has healing capabilities to stall the enemy out. They usually take down opponents through indirect means like PP stalling or status effects.

-Phazer: A Pokemon that removes Pokemon from the playing field, usually via Whirlwind or Roar. Phazing is useful to get rid of set-up sweepers that rely on boosting moves like Dragon Dance, to get something annoying off the field temporarily, and/or to rack up entry hazards damage. Attack capabilities are somewhat limited, but often have decent defenses.

-Annoyer: What it sounds like. Annoy the crap out of your opponent with status, phazing, stalling, etc.

-Supporter/Cleric: These are Pokemon that heal their allies and provide utility for the team via entry hazards and status effects.

-Spinner/Defogger: Since entry hazards are pretty common, many teams run a Pokemon that can get rid of these annoying things. They're called that because there's only 2 moves that clear away hazards: Rapid Spin and Defog.

-Mixed Attacker: Pokemon that use both physical and special attacks effectively. AKA wallbreakers because they are good at eliminating walls, which are almost always physically or specially oriented (although a few Pokemon can break walls due to their sheer offensive power, and they are called wallbreakers as well).

So I think I hit all the major stuff. I don't always explain **** well, but hopefully you'll get the gist of it. Some of the roles overlap a bit (particularly in regards to things like supporters, phazers, annoyers, and walls), and some Pokemon can do more than one role, occasionally in the same set. Feel free to ask more questions if need be.

 

[Snoochey]

You usually can't use teams for multiple battle types. I rarely do doubles (and never do triples), but as far as I know, single battles and double battles require vastly different playstyles/stratagies, team make-ups, and standard movesets (Protect is used on most Pokemon on a team participating in double battles, but is only seen on one or two Pokemon in singles, unless doing all out stall). So it'd be best to use this team for singles only.

I'll explain Pokemon roles to you, since it seems no one else has one that and you asked about it in your OP.

-Sweeper: Sweepers are Pokemon that are fast and strong, but often frail. The purpose of a sweeper is to quickly defeat several Pokemon on the opposing team, or "sweep" the team aside. They are usually the cornerstone of yor offense.

-Tank: Tanks are a common thing in RPGs and the like. Tank generally can take lots of damage and dish out some in return. Usually not fast, but tend to have above average HP and/or defenses. Another term used for tank is a bulky attacker.

-Wall: A wall is a Pokemon that takes little damage from enemy attacks and often has healing capabilities to stall the enemy out. They usually take down opponents through indirect means like PP stalling or status effects.

-Phazer: A Pokemon that removes Pokemon from the playing field, usually via Whirlwind or Roar. Phazing is useful to get rid of set-up sweepers that rely on boosting moves like Dragon Dance, to get something annoying off the field temporarily, and/or to rack up entry hazards damage. Attack capabilities are somewhat limited, but often have decent defenses.

-Annoyer: What it sounds like. Annoy the crap out of your opponent with status, phazing, stalling, etc.

-Supporter/Cleric: These are Pokemon that heal their allies and provide utility for the team via entry hazards and status effects.

-Spinner/Defogger: Since entry hazards are pretty common, many teams run a Pokemon that can get rid of these annoying things. They're called that because there's only 2 moves that clear away hazards: Rapid Spin and Defog.

-Mixed Attacker: Pokemon that use both physical and special attacks effectively. AKA wallbreakers because they are good at eliminating walls, which are almost always physically or specially oriented (although a few Pokemon can break walls due to their sheer offensive power, and they are called wallbreakers as well).

So I think I hit all the major stuff. I don't always explain **** well, but hopefully you'll get the gist of it. Some of the roles overlap a bit (particularly in regards to things like supporters, phazers, annoyers, and walls), and some Pokemon can do more than one role, occasionally in the same set. Feel free to ask more questions if need be.

Thank you for the explanations! I used to play a lot of world of warcraft and I still play league of legends, so I get the jist of dps/tank roles and stuff. Now I just need to learn by heart what roles pokémon fill. :)

 

[XxCassiexX]

If you decide to run Seismic Toss over Flamethrower, you should consider using Chansey+Eviolite instead. Chansey+Eviolite has SIGNIFICANTLY more bulk. The main draw to using Blissey over Chansey is a sizeable special attack (hence Flamethrower).

 

[Snoochey]

If you decide to run Seismic Toss over Flamethrower, you should consider using Chansey+Eviolite instead. Chansey+Eviolite has SIGNIFICANTLY more bulk. The main draw to using Blissey over Chansey is a sizeable special attack (hence Flamethrower).

Damn. I wish I had read this sooner. I already evolved her into Blissey! :( I suppose I can make another copy of Chansey and re-train her EVs and level her. I like Leftovers though so maybe I'll make one of each and test which I like better?

So I'm moving slowly on this. Been breeding and trading way to much, but I have 4/6 done. The only thing is I just realized my 6 IV shiny Rotom doesn't have Pain Split and can't get it apparently. I have Rotom, Metagross, Blissey and Gliscor done so far though.