Pokémon Thread XXV: Adorable Eugenics Simulator

[MesiDoomstalker]

Looking for some critique or suggestions on a team I threw together recently.

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Serperior @ Assault Vest
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Giga Drain

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 220 Atk / 4 Def / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- Waterfall
- Substitute

Steelix @ Steelixite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
- Heavy Slam
- Earthquake

Seviper @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
- Earthquake
- Switcheroo

Zygarde @ Expert Belt
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Extreme Speed

Milotic @ Leftovers
Ability: Competitive
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Dragon Tail

What is this team for? Is it Smogon tiers or for Battlespot? Is it 6v6 or Doubles? This changes a lot for advice. Some general Advice though.

Mega Steelix is one of the worst megas and only really shines in a Sandstorm team. Your team seems bulky but lacks anything with true bulk. You'll get worn down by fast Volt Switch/U-Turn teams and people with good predictions. Likewise, the only thing that has any kind of sweep potential is the Zygarde if it has a chance to set up. I'd suggest rethinking Seviper and Steelix. There are better special Scarfers and Stealth Rock setting Steel walls. I suggest Latios and Skarmory instead.

Serperior is an odd one. It's a 'setup' sweeper since it needs Leaf Storm hits to get enough power behind it. It really sucks when Leaf Storm misses, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give it Scope Lens to change the Accuracy to 99%.

Milotic is statted defensively but given offensive pressure moves. If your wanting to bank on Competitive for power, you'll find yourself getting weak hits off as you get pummeled by non-Intimidate physical attackers. If you;re expecting a lot of Intimidate users (such as in Doubles) keep Competitive, otherwise swap back to Marvel Scale. The Defense buff is useful since Milotic attracts Statuses.

If you want to keep Zygarde, give it Life Orb over Expert Belt. Its coverage isn't great (Rock/Ground is good, but not THAT good) so the extra, reliable power of Life Orb will help him sweep better.

[Domino Quartz]

That is correct, off hand i think its only Rhyhorn who's actually a Ground type with Rock tacked on. The others are Rock primary.

That would be Rhyperior, actually. Rhyhorn and Rhydon are both Rock/Ground, while Rhyperior is Ground/Rock.

[Blackhawk748]

In my replay through White, i find i am having a similar problem to my first playthrough, that problem being i have no idea what to stick in my 6th slot. Currently the team is:

Dewott
Munna (soon to be Munsharna)
Yamask
Throh
Blitzle

My coverage isnt terrible, but the only thing i have that can actually handle Psychic types is Yamask, and its offensive potential is meh currently (the plan is Will o Wisp then Hex, whch works fine, its just that Yamask isnt bulky enough yet to do it to multiple pokemon) Now this isnt for anything fancy, just the normal play-through, but does anyone have any recommendations? I am currently by Nimbasa City

That would be Rhyperior, actually. Rhyhorn and Rhydon are both Rock/Ground, while Rhyperior is Ground/Rock.

Serebii says the whole Rhyhorn line is Ground/Rock

[MesiDoomstalker]

That would be Rhyperior, actually. Rhyhorn and Rhydon are both Rock/Ground, while Rhyperior is Ground/Rock.

Incorrect. The entire line is Ground/Rock. There is no pokemon whose primary (first) typing changes through Evolution or Mega Evolution except Eevee and Azuril.

[Mando Knight]

In my replay through White, i find i am having a similar problem to my first playthrough, that problem being i have no idea what to stick in my 6th slot. Currently the team is:

Dewott
Munna (soon to be Munsharna)
Yamask
Throh
Blitzle

My coverage isnt terrible, but the only thing i have that can actually handle Psychic types is Yamask, and its offensive potential is meh currently (the plan is Will o Wisp then Hex, whch works fine, its just that Yamask isnt bulky enough yet to do it to multiple pokemon) Now this isnt for anything fancy, just the normal play-through, but does anyone have any recommendations? I am currently by Nimbasa City

Samurott can learn Megahorn to handle Psychic and Dark types, and some of your Pokémon can learn Shadow Ball from TM30, found in one of the lower levels of Relic Castle, though I don't remember if it's a floor that's available before you have to face Caitlin.

[Domino Quartz]

Serebii says the whole Rhyhorn line is Ground/Rock

That's...odd. I could have sworn I remembered Rhyhorn being Rock/Ground. I don't usually use that evolutionary line so I must have misremembered.

[Blackhawk748]

Samurott can learn Megahorn to handle Psychic and Dark types, and some of your Pokémon can learn Shadow Ball from TM30, found in one of the lower levels of Relic Castle, though I don't remember if it's a floor that's available before you have to face Caitlin.

I certainly hope so, would be really helpful.

Any recommendations for the 6th Mon? Cuz ive got nothin.

[tgva8889]

Incorrect. The entire line is Ground/Rock. There is no pokemon whose primary (first) typing changes through Evolution or Mega Evolution except Eevee and Azuril.

Found two!

I was surprised to find out that there were even this many, to be quite honest with you. Noivern and Noibat are the only Flying-type Pokemon that have more than one type and have flying as their primary/first type. Tornadus is the only mono-Flying-type. Interesting type, that Flying-type.

Anyone know if there's any Pokemon that loses a type on evolution or mega-evolution besides Aggron?

[MesiDoomstalker]

Found two!

I was surprised to find out that there were even this many, to be quite honest with you. Noivern and Noibat are the only Flying-type Pokemon that have more than one type and have flying as their primary/first type. Tornadus is the only mono-Flying-type. Interesting type, that Flying-type.

Anyone know if there's any Pokemon that loses a type on evolution or mega-evolution besides Aggron?

Seems Flying types are the exception, since Flying is the queen of secondary typings. It seems Mega Aggron is the only Pokemon to loose a typing and become Mono-Typed after a (Mega) Evolution.

[DataNinja]

Seems Flying types are the exception, since Flying is the queen of secondary typings. It seems Mega Aggron is the only Pokemon to loose a typing and become Mono-Typed after a (Mega) Evolution.

Belossom loses poison to become pure grass..

[tgva8889]

Oh yeah, Belossom, how did I forget about that one? Pokemon is an interesting world.

[Mando Knight]

I certainly hope so, would be really helpful.

Any recommendations for the 6th Mon? Cuz ive got nothin.

Alright, so for review here's your current team with the basic stat spread of their fully-evolved forms:

Dewott -> Samurott, somewhat-bulky Mixed attacker (for its BST), Water type, variable moveset includes Megahorn/X-Scissor for killing Dark/Psychic, Aqua Jet for priority, Surf/Waterfall/Hydro Pump/Scald for STAB, and Ice Beam for Dragons

Munna -> Musharna, durable but slow, moderately high SpAtk, Psychic type, primarily bulk/status due to relying on Shadow/Energy Ball for coverage

Yamask -> Cofagrigus, high defenses, moderate SpAtk, low HP and Speed, Ghost type, also relies on Psychic/Energy Ball for coverage if not used as status support

Throh, slow with moderate defenses and Attack, high HP, Fighting type, most moves are Fighting, can learn Edge/quake after Elite Four

Blitzle -> Zebstrika, fast Mixed attacker, Electric type, most attacks available are Electric or Normal, though it can learn Flame Charge (and Overheat after the Elite Four)

So, you have Electric, Fighting, Psychic, Ghost, and Water STAB with Megahorn available for coverage by the time you reach the E4. With the exception of Zebstrika, your team will be fairly slow and reliant on its bulk to pull through.

Options:

Ferrothorn: super-tanky, and Curse/Power Whip/Gyro Ball can be obtained before facing down the E4. You'll still have to be a little careful using it as most of the opponents in the Pokémon League/N's Castle have at least one Pokémon with a Fire attack.

Vanilluxe: Ice type, and probably your best option for getting Ice Beam before the Elite Four. Slower than Ghetsis's Hydreigon or Drayden's Haxorus, but if you T-wave them with Zebstrika you'll have the opportunity to hammer them with Ice Beam.

Krookodile: Ground/Dark, can deal with Caitlin and Shauntal as long as you are careful around the Jellicent. Significantly faster than Scrafty.

Haxorus: power. Also fairly durable and quick. Main drawback is that you have to double back after getting Surf so you can find and train an Axew.

[Svata]

You quite literally mentioned my whole White version team (save for scolipede) there. Vanilluxe (named WaffleCone), Samurott (named Dice), Krookodile (Steve), Zebstrika(Mox'Daxnt), and Throh(Crushtastic) (Can't remember Scolipede's name). I miss those guys. Think I'll pull them outta the bank once I get my 3DS fixed. (the bit the charger plugs into broke off).

[Mando Knight]

Scolipede is another good one, yeah. STAB Megahorn with 112 base Speed will let it deal some damage to Ghetsis's Hydreigon especially, and it can get decent coverage from a Quake/Edge combo (even the discount one in the form of Rock Slide and Bulldoze or Dig), and you can use Poison Jab and X-Scissor or Steamroller as a backup STAB attack since the Elite Four is a bit of an endurance run.

[Illven]

Hey is anyone breeding Feebas?/Able to spare one?

Got it from Sis's omega ruby.

[Ichneumon]

I am currently thinking of building a moth themed team to use when playing through Pokemon X: Mothim, Vivillon, Butterfree, Beautifly, Dustox and Venomoth.

Winning from rock, flying or fire type pokemon will be nearly impossible, but he, it seems like a fun team.

[Qwertystop]

Switching in a Masquerain can give you Water attacks to deal with the rock and fire types. Not sure for Flying stuff, though.

[Razanir]

I just IV bred for the first time. It took three generations of breeding, but I found a Jolly Swablu with 4 31s and a 30. It's confirmed 31/31/30/-/31/31. The plan is a defensive Mega Altaria. (It's teammates so far include a Speed Boost Sharpedo and a Toxic Orb Breloom)

[TurboGhast]

Switching in a Masquerain can give you Water attacks to deal with the rock and fire types. Not sure for Flying stuff, though.

The weaknesses of flying are ice, rock, and electric.

I looked, and found all the moves of these types these Pokémon can learn, and how they learn it.

Butterfree: Electroweb (ORAS move tutor), and that's it.
Venomoth: Not a single move.
Beautifly: Electroweb (ORAS move tutor).
Dustox: Only Electroweb once again, via ORAS move tutor.
Masquerain: Ice Beam and Blizzard (TM). Icy wind (ORAS Move tutor).
Mothim: Electroweb. ORAS gave this move to a lot of bug types.
Vivillon: Once again, the only option is Electroweb via ORAS tutor.
Data compiled from Serebii. Tell me if I missed one.

It seems that Masquerain will be completely indispensable during this challenge, given that it is the only Pokémon on the team that can have a move over 60 base power and SE on a weakness common to your team. Also, it turns out none of these Pokémon have rock type attacks.

[OracleofWuffing]

It would be nice on a moth-themed team to hulk out with Volcarona even if it doesn't help cover weaknesses, but Larvesta might not hit its evolution soon enough to be useful. I guess Larvesta has access to Wild Charge, but you won't find the TM until the postgame, and by then you'll probably want it to have Special Attacks.

[Sylthia]

It would be nice on a moth-themed team to hulk out with Volcarona even if it doesn't help cover weaknesses, but Larvesta might not hit its evolution soon enough to be useful. I guess Larvesta has access to Wild Charge, but you won't find the TM until the postgame, and by then you'll probably want it to have Special Attacks.

You could always trade it to someone to teach it the TM, then trade it back.

[Blackhawk748]

Ok, im designing rivals for a PTU game and im curious as to what the most OU pokemon is that isnt a Legendary, a Psuedo Legendary, or a Starter is? Also bonus points if it would make a decent starter.

[IcemanJRC]

Ok, im designing rivals for a PTU game and im curious as to what the most OU pokemon is that isnt a Legendary, a Psuedo Legendary, or a Starter is? Also bonus points if it would make a decent starter.

Every pokemon on the XY Smogon OU Tier List that fits that criteria would be:
Alakazam
Azumarill
Conkeldurr
Gardevoir
Gengar
Magnezone
Talonflame

They mirror the three stages of a starter pokemon, giving a clear sense of progression from battle to battle, they've all got marginal to good first evolutions, and there's a couple options for any kind of build you be interested in. I'd probably rank them something like Abra, Timburr, and Magnemite as the top three choices for the Rival you're building because they're all useful at every stage and each capture a different "feel" when you end up using them past the early levels.

Although I do have to say, most pokemon are pretty decent in PTU, so you could just pick whatever you think'd be cool.

Also, hello everybody, I've been lurking around here recently, but never really posted because I don't have any of the new pokemon games. But I saw a PTU post I could help with, so I figured I'd drop in for once. I love pokemon and play a bit of PTU and some of the older games like FireRed or Diamond sometimes. Nice to meet y'all.

[Mando Knight]

If you're going by Smogon's list for tiering, here's their viability rankings.

[Blackhawk748]

Every pokemon on the XY Smogon OU Tier List that fits that criteria would be:
Alakazam
Azumarill
Conkeldurr
Gardevoir
Gengar
Magnezone
Talonflame

They mirror the three stages of a starter pokemon, giving a clear sense of progression from battle to battle, they've all got marginal to good first evolutions, and there's a couple options for any kind of build you be interested in. I'd probably rank them something like Abra, Timburr, and Magnemite as the top three choices for the Rival you're building because they're all useful at every stage and each capture a different "feel" when you end up using them past the early levels.

Although I do have to say, most pokemon are pretty decent in PTU, so you could just pick whatever you think'd be cool.

Also, hello everybody, I've been lurking around here recently, but never really posted because I don't have any of the new pokemon games. But I saw a PTU post I could help with, so I figured I'd drop in for once. I love pokemon and play a bit of PTU and some of the older games like FireRed or Diamond sometimes. Nice to meet y'all.

Conkeldurr??? I didnt even know he was OU...... wow. Ok since he is starting with a Pidgey his Rival is gonna start with an Abra, that way no one has an Elemental Advantage ff the bat.

If you're going by Smogon's list for tiering, here's their viability rankings.

Thank you sir.

[Sylthia]

Ok, im designing rivals for a PTU game and im curious as to what the most OU pokemon is that isnt a Legendary, a Psuedo Legendary, or a Starter is? Also bonus points if it would make a decent starter.

Forgive my ignorance, but what's PTU?

[Blackhawk748]

Forgive my ignorance, but what's PTU?

Pokemon Tabletop United, its the Sister system to Pokemon Tabletop Adventures

[tgva8889]

The mechanics of PTU really do shift the "tier" balance from being the only thing that applies. The addition of tactical movement and positioning changes the game significantly. Some OU Pokemon are just slow compared to others and can get outpaced and/or kited, potentially. Some moves are much less effective due to limited range, radius, or uses; noteable of these is competitive battle all-star Scald. Adding two more move slots really helps out some Pokemon which can't make it into OU because of 4 Moveslot Syndrome holding them back. Plus every Pokemon gets more and different abilities than in the normal game. Held Items are also significantly different from what I understand, although I didn't quite get the hang of how items worked. And none of this accounts for trainer interaction. So it's possible giving them an OU Pokemon might still not result in much challenge at all in PTU. There's a lot of unaccounted for factors.

PTU is cool and I wish I could actually play it, but it's a bit complex and requires a lot of paperwork to play.

[Blackhawk748]

The mechanics of PTU really do shift the "tier" balance from being the only thing that applies. The addition of tactical movement and positioning changes the game significantly. Some OU Pokemon are just slow compared to others and can get outpaced and/or kited, potentially. Some moves are much less effective due to limited range, radius, or uses; noteable of these is competitive battle all-star Scald. Adding two more move slots really helps out some Pokemon which can't make it into OU because of 4 Moveslot Syndrome holding them back. Plus every Pokemon gets more and different abilities than in the normal game. Held Items are also significantly different from what I understand, although I didn't quite get the hang of how items worked. And none of this accounts for trainer interaction. So it's possible giving them an OU Pokemon might still not result in much challenge at all in PTU. There's a lot of unaccounted for factors.

PTU is cool and I wish I could actually play it, but it's a bit complex and requires a lot of paperwork to play.

Oh i know this, but most OU Pokemon are still pretty freaking good even in PTU, i know Alakazam is one that is.

But back to the actual Video Game. I plan on making a Sandstorm team for Triple Battles. Now i dont actually have most (if not all) of these Pokemon so dont worry about making recommendations, i have to build this team from the ground up anyway. Currently the theoretical team is:

Tyranitar
Hippowdon
Mega Aerodactyl
Gliscor
Nidoking

The 6th slot is open currently. Some ideas are: Head Smash/Rock Head Aggron, Sand Force Gigalith, Sand Rush Excadrill, Sand Rush or Sand Veil Sandslash, and Thick Fat Mamoswine.

[IcemanJRC]

The mechanics of PTU really do shift the "tier" balance from being the only thing that applies. The addition of tactical movement and positioning changes the game significantly. Some OU Pokemon are just slow compared to others and can get outpaced and/or kited, potentially. Some moves are much less effective due to limited range, radius, or uses; noteable of these is competitive battle all-star Scald. Adding two more move slots really helps out some Pokemon which can't make it into OU because of 4 Moveslot Syndrome holding them back. Plus every Pokemon gets more and different abilities than in the normal game. Held Items are also significantly different from what I understand, although I didn't quite get the hang of how items worked. And none of this accounts for trainer interaction. So it's possible giving them an OU Pokemon might still not result in much challenge at all in PTU. There's a lot of unaccounted for factors.

PTU is cool and I wish I could actually play it, but it's a bit complex and requires a lot of paperwork to play.

It's great for getting to use some pokemon that are usually less than stellar. Like Meowth is bonkers early on and at higher levels gimmicks can be super rad like when you play out a storm chaser and his rain team or the gym leader that has you fight her pokemon on the side of a mountain during a blizzard. If you're looking to play though, I've been thinking of running a premade Adventure that some of the PTU regulars built a while back for beginners, maybe you'd be interested? Something simple and quick to get a couple people familiar and maybe inject some more GMs into the pool around here.

Oh i know this, but most OU Pokemon are still pretty freaking good even in PTU, i know Alakazam is one that is.

But back to the actual Video Game. I plan on making a Sandstorm team for Triple Battles. Now i dont actually have most (if not all) of these Pokemon so dont worry about making recommendations, i have to build this team from the ground up anyway. Currently the theoretical team is:

Tyranitar
Hippowdon
Mega Aerodactyl
Gliscor
Nidoking

The 6th slot is open currently. Some ideas are: Head Smash/Rock Head Aggron, Sand Force Gigalith, Sand Rush Excadrill, Sand Rush or Sand Veil Sandslash, and Thick Fat Mamoswine.

Now, I'm not super familiar with Triple Battles, but it seems like you wouldn't need two sand setters would you? And it seems like if they can out Weather you, you're at kind of a big disadvantage. Have you given any thought to contingency plans or speed control? Hows your type coverage? I guess it just seems to me like you're going a little hard into the Sand gimmick. As it stands you kinda get wrecked by a random Water type, I'd think you'd want to diversify defensively a little, there's gonna be games where the sand doesn't work out and then you've gotta deal with having your whole team weak to a Scald or an Ice Shard. Come to think of it, what's your plan against a Rain team? I guess double Sand Stream is kinda important in that case. So you can keep shuffling them whenever your opponent sets up Rain.

I guess the TL;DR of it is, you seem to be a bit too focused, you'll need some diversity.