Pokémon Thread XIV: Return of the Pokémon Thread Strikes Back Harder

[tgva8889]

Mostly because I want a Fighting/Flying-type Pokemon. Come on, Balloon Fighter!

But actually, CAP has had some pretty cool ones. I wrecked with a team that used the Rock-type one when that one was more recent. They definitely needed to fix it. Or at least prevent Technician Giga Drain from being a thing, which is really why it was so absurd and why the Gen V switches probably pushed it down a significant margin.

[Dvil]

Hi again guys. I've been away for a couple of days, but I'm the guy who posted near the end of last thread about making up a fighting-type team for a types tournament. At the time my plan was Machamp, Hitmonchan, Scrafty, Heracross, Emboar and possibly Terrakion. Turns out Terrakion/Cobalion/Virizion/Keldeo are in fact allowed, and there is no species clause or items clause or anything like that.

Since looking at Emboar's moves though I'm inclined to drop him for something else. Any thoughts on that?

[NineThePuma]

Drop Emboar for Blaziken or Infernape.

I would consider Lucario over Terrakion, and possibly Breloom in place of Hitmonchan.

[Othesemo]

I second Breloom. Without sleep clause, that thing is a beast.

[boj0]

Drop hitmonchan for either breloom or keldeo, and emboar for infernape. If you can get a speed boost blaziken, get that over infernape.

[Mercenary Pen]

I second Breloom. Without sleep clause, that thing is a beast.

Even with sleep clause around, if you can get hold of Technician Breloom, you can break people incredibly fast anyway... One of the few pokemon that can make good use of Bullet Seed.

[boj0]

I finally got back to playing B2, finished up the last two gyms and realized my Haxorus is death, destroyer of worlds. But I digress, the musketeer trio (who are more or less given to you) has been captured; Cobalion is forever boxed, Virizion somehow has a +SpeAtk nature first try, but Terrakion, oh Terrakion: soft reset for an hour getting one because I actually care about his nature, waste hundreds of Ultra Balls (seriously, how did Cobalion and Virizion only take a few?), finally start using my Master Ball.
Finally got one with a Hasty nature, 28 ivs in Attack and 25 in Speed. Good enough for in game and friendly matches, but his other stats are atrocious with none of his defenses or HP in the double-digits. Oh well, Team Plasma will get roflstomped and that is a reward all it's own.

EDIT/UPDATE: So I got to the Pokemon League, yeah having that Haxorus was a bad idea... I got the One and Only medal my first time against the Elite Four. I do this to myself...

[Thormag]

Since no one responded to this on the last thread...

I made a UU team for Showdown. I tested it, and after winning 4-1 (yes, not a lot of battles, but I had to study), I was pretty happy with myself for making a team that didn't suck too much. But that's my biased opinion, can you guys check the team for me and give me some feedback?

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Crobat

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Crobat @Black Sludge
Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Taunt
- U-Turn

Crobat is my response to any leads that might want to set up SR or Spikes right away (bar Steel or Rock types) and a check for some Pokémon (I'm thinking some fighting types like Scrafty, Mienshao and possibly Heracross if I'm not switching into a SE, and some grass types like Roserade).
I want to know if I'm missing important OHKOs if I move some EVs from Atk to HP in order to make it a bit more bulky and use Roost a bit more.

Mismagius

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Mismagius @Leftovers
EVs: 4 HP/252 SpA/252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt

A NP Mismagius that serves as a set-up special sweeper for my team. I know that Ghost+Electric does not offer the best coverage (Krookodile, Ferroseed, the rare Magneton and rarer Sawsbuck resist both attacking moves), but I'm not too keen in relying on HP Fighting (both because if I want to translate this team to my DS game it would be a total nightmare to breed it and because of the lower base power of HP). Substitute has saved me more than one time, and it helps to set up Nasty Plot more easily than just by raw prediction.

Snorlax

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Snorlax @Leftovers
Thick Fat
EVs: 208 HP/124 Def/176 SpD
Careful Nature
- Body Slam
- Rest
- Talk
- Whirlwind

Yes, it's Smogon's standard but it works beautifully. Whirlwind is there to phaze and Body Slam to kill frail special sweepers if they think they can break it (or just spread paralysis willy-nilly). I like the fat sack of lard.

Heracross

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Heracross @Choice Scarf
Moxie
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge
- Night Slash

The entire reason I made a UU team in the first place. Heracross is by far my favorite Pokémon in the entire series, and even though it might be a bit overused (heh) in UU, I wouldn't get rid of it for any reason whatsoever. The set, though, is debatable. I have him running a Scarf set so he can revenge kill almost anything in the tier, so running Moxie is not such a bad idea if we consider this function (I have Snorlax with Rest to sponge status). Jolly is there to outspeed other Heracross (or to tie with them) and some other <86 Speed Pokémon, even if they are Scarfed (like Honchkrow). I'm still struggling to see if this set has enough power, but for now it works.

Gligar

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Gligar @Eviolite
Immunity
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Toxic

My Heracross wall and overall defensive wall for all physical attackers not sporting powerful ice attacks (I can sponge weak attacks and stall them/play mind games with Roost). Toxic is there to win stall wars and to avoid having sweepers set on me. Stealth Rock, to place some rawks if I get the chance and Earthquake to not be a sitting duck against Steel or Poison types that I can't poison (though it leaves me defenseless against other Immunity Gligars, Levitate Bronzong, Cobalion (who laughs at my EQs) and Crobat).

Slowbro

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Gligar @Choice Specs
Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP/252 SpA/4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Fire Blast
- Grass Knot

Most people, when they see Slowbro they think "wall", but I'm using this guy as a special attacker, which has taken some of my opponents by surprise. Choice Specs vs Life Orb is a tough choice, but I think if I go the LO route, then I would have to get Slack Off, because even with Regenerator, it would die fast (consider that because of its speed, I almost always attack last).

I'm still new at Team Building and I know theorymon better than pragmatimons, so if you think I'm way off base, do not even flinch at the idea of correcting me. Thank you so much in advance.

[boj0]

Well, you don't get totally walled by Registeel, so that's good.
I really don't play UU that often so I'm trying to think of what threatens your team.

[Thormag]

I know that in theory, Shaymin, Weavile and Sableye can really screw with my team. But, then again, I'm still pretty bad at Pokey Men.

[Gullara]

I decided to figure out what I need to do to get me a subpunch breloom today. Little did I know it'd end up being a five step process that involves a lot of grinding and a couple instances of dealing with low percentages to acquire something.

.-.

[Aotrs Commander]

I decided to figure out what I need to do to get me a subpunch breloom today. Little did I know it'd end up being a five step process that involves a lot of grinding and a couple instances of dealing with low percentages to acquire something.

.-.

I have some sympathy - I decided I wanted a Spore Shroomish for my SoulSilver (which, assuming the breeding still works likes it used to, requires me to have both parents with Spore); and annoyingly, I haven't got a single one in Gen IV anywhere (and only one level 24 Breloom). So a great deal of time on and off rapid levelling in Diamond to get two caught from the marsh to level 45 (from about 23) is going to be required...

[Thormag]

I have some sympathy - I decided I wanted a Spore Shroomish for my SoulSilver (which, assuming the breeding still works likes it used to, requires me to have both parents with Spore); and annoyingly, I haven't got a single one in Gen IV anywhere (and only one level 24 Breloom). So a great deal of time on and off rapid levelling in Diamond to get two caught from the marsh to level 45 (from about 23) is going to be required...

Couldn't you have just kept leveling up your Shroomish until she learned Spore at level 45?

[Aotrs Commander]

Couldn't you have just kept leveling up your Shroomish until she learned Spore at level 45?

Bit pointless in SoulSilver, for something that's being included in the party as the Designated Statuser, since by that time it learned Spore, the game would be mostly over, given the fairly low levels involved. (Given that in all the other games, by the time you wrap up the bulk of the post game (without spamming the E4) you're tend to be creeping around level 60; whereas in HG, I've got about two gyms in Kanto to go and they're about 52.) Also, by that point, you may as well have evolved Breloom and used a heartscale. If I'm going to bother with Shroomish over Hoppip (which I had originally planned), there's no sense is doing it half-way.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Guys, here is a simple rundown from my OU team in Smogon battle simulator, I have been doing relatively well; but I think I can make it better.

Jozette (Blissey) (F) @ Leftovers

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Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SDef / 252 Def
- Wish
- Toxic
- Softboiled
- Flamethrower

Jozette is obviously my special wall and support (wish has saved my butt more times that I care to count); but I am not really sure if I should use flamethrower instead of Seismic Toss, the latter has a more consistent damage; but it is completely walled by ghost (which to be honest I haven't seen too many in OU); but flamethrower has been a good surprise attack.

Krusk (Haxorus) (M) @ Draco Plate

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Trait: Mold Breaker
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Swords Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake

He is my physical sweeper and becomes a best once I've any dance under the belt; but it has been difficult to set up, I am considering dropping one of the dances to make room for another attacking move, Stone Edge or X-scissor probably. I'm also considering switching the Draco Plate for an Expert belt or a Life Orb


Tordek (Forretress) (M) @ Leftovers

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Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
- Gyro Ball

I'm pretty happy with this set up, is there anything that could help make it better?

Athain (Thundurus-Therian) (M) @ Expert Belt

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Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Not really sure what I can do with him, he has been working pretty good so far.

Liddda (Latias) (F) @ Light Clay

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Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Healing Wish

Is healing wish a good option? I've used it once; but it did nab me that battle.

Sandharrow (Infernape) (M) @ Life Orb

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Trait: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Close Combat
- Overheat
- U-turn
- Stone Edge

A mixed attack set, I will probably drop Stone edge for Match Punch. My strategy with him is coming in using close combat/overheat then U-turn for Jozette and wish-heal him.

Oh and a cookie if someone recognizes their nicknames.

[NineThePuma]

The majority are a variation on the 3.5 Iconic Characters.

/me takes my cookie now, thanks.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Yep, have your cookie:

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Though on a closer look it, I miss-spelt some of the names...

[NineThePuma]

Krusk gave it away.

[Mando Knight]

If you're not going to use something else with Stealth Rock, put it on Forretress. Spikes/Toxic Spikes are recommended on Smogon because Stealth Rock has better distribution (that is, putting it on Forretress would then be redundant), so without a Rock layer on your team, that reasoning goes away... Stealth Rock is the only hazard that hits Dragonite, Salamence, or Skarmory, and is particularly valuable against the first because it breaks Multiscale, which will be an issue if Haxorus isn't already out and ready to smash face.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Did't think about that, I'll probably switch Toxic Spikes for Stealth rock (Blissey can poison pretty well on her own right).

One thing that I just discovered (thanks to a Jellicent) is that I have no way to deal with Ghost types effectively and they can wall my attackers pretty easily, would switching match punch for shadow claw a good idea?

[Gullara]

I have some sympathy - I decided I wanted a Spore Shroomish for my SoulSilver (which, assuming the breeding still works likes it used to, requires me to have both parents with Spore); and annoyingly, I haven't got a single one in Gen IV anywhere (and only one level 24 Breloom). So a great deal of time on and off rapid levelling in Diamond to get two caught from the marsh to level 45 (from about 23) is going to be required...

Ah, ouch that's a pain. I remember taking a lot of effort to get a Shroomish in Pearl. A bit of a pain to get.

As for what I have to do, let's see if I haven't forgotten already.

• Level a Scraggy to level 49 from 19 to learn Focus Punch.
• Catch a (hopefully female) Snubble in Soul Silver (with a 1% chance to encounter) and transfer it to Black 2.
• Breed Snubble with Scraggy until I get a male Snubble (25% chance) with Focus Punch.
• Breed that Snubble with Shroomish until I get a male Shroomish with Focus Punch.
• Breed that Shroomish with Adamant Ditto for nature, and keep doing so until I get a Shroomish with Poison Heal.
• Proceed to level Shroomish until it gets Spore and Seed Bomb, then evolve.

[Mando Knight]

Did't think about that, I'll probably switch Toxic Spikes for Stealth rock (Blissey can poison pretty well on her own right).

One thing that I just discovered (thanks to a Jellicent) is that I have no way to deal with Ghost types effectively and they can wall my attackers pretty easily, would switching match punch for shadow claw a good idea?

Putting your anti-Ghost move on a Fire type doesn't seem to be the wisest way to deal with Jellicent to me...

[Dusk Eclipse]

Putting your anti-Ghost move on a Fire type doesn't seem to be the wisest way to deal with Jellicent to me...

....:facedesk: you are right

[Mando Knight]

....:facedesk: you are right

Especially since running the calculations... your Infernape will never OHKO Jellicent with Shadow Claw without a lucky crit (it does threaten a 2HKO if it survives, however). Jelli then threatens an OHKO with Surf (always getting it if entry hazards are in play), and causes significant damage with Scald (not quite enough to OHKO, however).

[Dusk Eclipse]

Back to the drawing board I guess...

[Agent_0042]

Back to the drawing board I guess...

Haxorus shouldn't have much of a problem with Jellicent. You don't want to switch into a Scald, but Outrage should 2HKO even if you get burned in between the first and second attacks. If you can give Aromatherapy to Blissey, then you don't even need to worry about that.

[Mando Knight]

Haxorus shouldn't have much of a problem with Jellicent. You don't want to switch into a Scald, but Outrage should 2HKO even if you get burned in between the first and second attacks. If you can give Aromatherapy to Blissey, then you don't even need to worry about that.

If Jellicent decides to switch into Haxorus, so much the better: a +1 Outrage will trash the blob, almost guaranteed.

[Agent_0042]

If Jellicent decides to switch into Haxorus, so much the better: a +1 Outrage will trash the blob, almost guaranteed.

Right, and whoever switches a Jellicent into a Haxorus is dumb.

Also, Thundurus can definitely knock out the jellyfish. STAB Thunderbolt is 77% at minimum against maximum bulk Jellicent.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Then I have make some stupid switching or everyone I've fought has been using a Jellicent with Ice beam.

[boj0]

Also, most Jellyfish put points.into physical bulk, making it even better.
I'd drop the draco plate and swords.dance.on Haxorus, go with life orb/lum berry and x-scissor. Night slash if you really hate ghosts. Infernape should drop stone edge, he doesn't have the bulk to afford a miss, HP Ice maybe so you can bait and kill Gliscor?


Unrelated, but the report post button is too close to the post new message button. My touchpad likes messing with me