The Underused Dark Horse Project

[Mazz]

artwork shamelessly stolen from the OU version; art by ToxicPhox​

Hello Underused! Those of you who've been here a while might remember the Dark Horse Project that Birkal hosted in OU a long time ago; well I'm here to port it to Underused. There are a couple good reasons to participate in this project. First, participating will help us test the new Pokemon that this generation brought us. Second, participating will bring up the usage of some criminally underused Pokemon to help balance out all the noobs spamming Ambipom. Third, if you succeed your run of the Dark Horse project, you'll get a nice reward (Leaderboard points)!

The rules of the project are as follows:

• You must choose two Pokemon on the list of usage stats (found here) that have had less than 4% usage in the previous month.
• You must build a team with them (don't just steal an RMT that happened to have both). The entire team's usage stats combined must have 35% usage or less!
• You must post here stating the two Dark Horse Pokemon you were using and the fresh alt you are going to ladder under.
• After that, you have the entire month to bring said fresh alt up to a point where you can be a Dark Horse champion!
• Once you've achieved this, edit your registration post with a screencap of your ranking to be added to the Hall of Fame.
• If someone else took your same dark horse to a higher ranking, you don't get to enter the hall of fame for that dark horse! Only one of your dark horses needs to not be topped in order for you enter the hall of fame.
• Every month, the Hall of Fame will be preserved, but a new Dark Horse challenge will start, so you can pick another couple Pokemon that you want to use and score leaderboard points again!
• Note you can't get in the Hall of Fame with the same Dark Horse Pokemon multiple times (though the rest of your team can be recycled if you so wish).
• Discussions of your Dark Horses are greatly encouraged. Post here with commentary, findings, teams, strategies, etc.—anything to do with the Dark Horse you've been using and what you've learned from it!

There will be three ranks in the hall of fame. C-Rank is bringing your team to Elo 1500 and will earn you 1 Leaderboard point. B-Rank is bringing your team to Elo 1600 and will earn you 2 Leaderboard points. A-Rank is earning an Elo 1750 or better and will earn you 3 Leaderboard points! Remember, these points can be converted into a Community Contributor badge nomination!

Pokemon Showdown Username:
Dark Horse Pokemon:
Screenshot of Ladder Ranking:
Full Team Importable:

Hall of Fame:

A-Rank
-none yet-

B-Rank
-none yet-

C-Rank
-none yet-
​

March

Hall of Fame

A-Rank

Meru

hilarious

B-Rank

Metal Sonic

PTJon7

-Tsunami-

C-Rank

Calloflochie

Swamp Link[/url]

Participants

eaglehawk

TeraVoltage

Mozz

Wyvern

Sweep

mallpal

NinjaWithLightsaber

Billtodamax

Berserker Lord

Mahmudkipz

Fuzzfire101

ryanr554

Koshi Komeji

dbzmariogeno

The Reptile

Swamp Link

Arcanine Lion

Metal Sonic

Calloflochie

Adrian Marin

copycatcat

PTJon7

-Tsunami-

Bouffalant

Namehtmas

Meru

Hell_Above

hilarious

 

[Mazz]

Alright guys, the march stats are up in the new stats mega thread, so this project is officially a go! Remember, the entire usage percentage of your team must be below 35%. I will double check your teams when you post them.

I'll edit the OP with a link to the stats once I get home.

 

[Chronobreak]

This is right up my alley! But I'm kinda bad at laddering so....

 

[DiscoDucky]

Yeah Quick q tho mazz. Are the percentages from normal use or 1760 stats, since everyone kinda agrees on the 1760 tiering reqs

I'm in
EagleBox360
Pokemon: Tornadus, Sableye, Kabutops (you can kinda see where I'm going here)

 

[psVoltage]

Well a few of my members were lower useage anyway! Also quick question, can we use more then 2 of them on the same team?

Miniryu
Pokemon: Going with Rhyperior and Shaymin, 2 favorites from last gen.
Import- http://pastebin.com/vMxEgyLP
%- 35.5% (does the .5 matter)

 

[Mozz]

in as mozzmizz
using-uxie, granbull, omastar

team forthcoming soon-ish

edit:changed azelf to Uxie, had my pixies mixed up

 

[Minus]

Name: WyvernUUDHP
Pokemon: Toxicroak and Gardevoir
Team:

Team

Toxicroak
Gardevoir
Shaymin
Nidoqueen
Blastoise
Entei

like 34% Mazz

 

[Mazz]

Yeah Quick q tho mazz. Are the percentages from normal use or 1760 stats, since everyone kinda agrees on the 1760 tiering reqs

Great question there eaglehawk, and yes, the percentages reflect 1760 stats.

Anyone that has signed up has been added to the op.

 

[DaKakz]

Two questions, how many dark horses are we allowed to ladder with ? I'm just wondering 'cause OP said 2 but eaglehawk was allowed three ?

Second question, are 'mons who are so low on usage that they aren't even on the usage statistics be considered as dark horses ?

 

[Mazz]

Two questions, how many dark horses are we allowed to ladder with ? I'm just wondering 'cause OP said 2 but eaglehawk was allowed three ?

Second question, are 'mons who are so low on usage that they aren't even on the usage statistics be considered as dark horses ?

Two is the minimum. And in regards to your second question, no. There's 664 Pokemon on the usage statistics for a reason; anything else never had the chance to grace Underused in the first place. By definition these Pokemon are OU or Ubers, and are not allowed.

 

[DaKakz]

Alright then;

Pokemon Showdown Username: PrestigeNinja
Dark Horse Pokemon: Exploud - Gallade

 

[Sweep]

Pokemon Showdown Username: FreeReuniclus

Dark Horse Pokemon: Using Whimsicott and Reuniclus.

http://pastebin.com/zDe3fgKi (working on ideal ev spreads for reuniclus and nidoqueen lol-actually run 144 speed on queen not 140 so you outrun stuff like scarfed rotom formes if tailwind is up!)

Ok, got to 1500, will try to hit 1700 by next weekend but laddering is kinda annoying. This team just dies to Weavile and Assault Vest Donphan (of all things) but performs well against most S and A rank threats. I'm really impressed with Tailwind Whimsicott, though a Life Orb HP Fire set might be cool to kill Forry since Whimsicott tends to lure it in.

 

[Mazz]

Just a reminder that you guys need to post an importable of your teams. I need to be able to confirm that your team sits below 35% usage.

 

[mallpal]

ok, i'll enter :]

showdown username: definitelythatketsal
mons: venomoth, shaymin

 

[ethan06]

Cancel me out please. I can't ladder for shit, time to apply for tutoring or something :(

 

[NWL]

Looks fun! In with: Magneton, feraligatr, and Vivillion. PS Name: NWLalt

 

[Ernesto]

Just gonna say that if you're gonna be using stats other than normal, the ones we used for tiering are 1695 (that's why I'd edited them in). It makes more sense to use those over the 1760, imo, since we have a much smaller playerbase than OU according to Antar's stats.

But feel free to change that if you want to, Mazz .

 

[newfren]

Sure why not.

Alt: Based Moth
Pokemon: Venomoth, Kyurem, Smeargle

May or may not be just smash and quiver passing lots of boosts to kyurem and nidoking. Also running a P-Z and a jirachi who don't do a great deal.

 

[Demoness]

Meh, i'll join.

Alt: trusting
Pokemon: Sharpedo, Escavalier, Alomomola
Ranking: Nothing yet.
Importable:

Hide

Sharpedo @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Hydro Pump
- Protect
- Destiny Bond

Escavalier @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Megahorn
- Iron Head
- Knock Off
- Toxic

Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Roar

Alomomola @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Wish
- Waterfall
- Magic Coat
- Knock Off

Crobat @ Black Sludge
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 212 HP / 160 Atk / 136 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Roost
- Taunt
- Brave Bird
- Super Fang

Whimsicott @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Giga Drain
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Stun Spore

 

[Mahmudkipz]

Alt: UUGatrTime
Pokemon: Feraligatr, Zororak,Meloetta Rotom Mow

Gatr is a good DD Sweeper, the other two are just things I'd like to try... :d

Edit: Meloetta's Psychic typing is an absolute pain when Weaviles are around.... Do 1 thing and get killed by Pursuit/Knock Off... Completely destroyed by Honchkrow too lol. I have to shift her to Rotom Mow who can take care of bulky waters for Gatr to sweep... I have not ladder with this alt yet so I hope the change is fine.

Full Team Importable (Items might be suceptible to changes but move-wise it is pretty set in stone): http://pastebin.com/JcS5Wh4k

 

[xqgwpafz]

Started team building for this project this morning, and it honestly looks really fun.

Alt: PenisUsedGunkShot

Haha... I had the name lying around :3 it's kind of a reference

Pokemon: Sableye, Ferroseed

Importable: http://pastebin.com/5T3UVd46

Total Usage %: 22.89644%. Get like me.

At first I was kinda thinking that this could be a cool little core, but I ended up building a fairly cohesive team around it. Can't wait to get on the ladder.

 

[ryanr554]

Not great at laddering but I will try.

Alt: NeedleSpray

Pokemon: Barbaracle, Cresselia

Haven't actually made a team yet but will do soon.

Edit: Here is proof of fresh Alt - http://prntscr.com/379oc5

Here is link of team - http://pastebin.com/4igwmZR8

 

[Melons-N-Soda]

Alt: SatoriKomeji (Was going to use this for Research Week, but screw it)

Pokemon: Dugtrio, Lilligant

Both of these guys made there way on to some sun teams in Gen 5, though the former was also good in helping the "Banned to Uber twice in a row" Genesect succeed in the meta. The latter is unique in that it has limited coverage, but it can wreck stuff if teams are unprepared (Though a lot of them are).

Will post team and proof of clean alt here later.

Edit: Just checked, team is under 35%.
Team:

Hide

Honchkrow @ Life Orb
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Taunt

Vaporeon @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 Def / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Heal Bell
- Wish
- Protect
- Scald

Ampharos @ Ampharosite
Ability: Static
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Volt Switch
- Focus Blast
- Agility

Lilligant (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sleep Powder
- Hidden Power [Rock]
- Quiver Dance

Dugtrio @ Focus Sash
Ability: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch
- Memento

Metagross @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch

Proof of Clean Alt:

Hide

Thoughts:

Dugtrio: Very underrated, and it complements Lilligant pretty well. Despite a mediocre attack stat, it's a very good revenge killer. The problem is that it is frail, but that's it really. I honestly do like it better in RU than here, but heh, I like Duggy either way.

Lilligant: This wasn't that bad. There are so many Pokemon that she can set up on, though she is weak to fire, and Pokemon like Crocune and Vaporeon are typically seen paired up with Fire-types. Oh well, but Lily also a bit underrated, though I can understand why people don't really use her.

And I discovered Bulky Meinshao. Is that a thing?

 

[RotomPoison]

This seems fun at least. Will start laddering in the morning. Also team is less then 23%.

Alt: HM635 UU
Dark Horses: Whimsicott, Rhyperior, Tornadus-I

team

Whimsicott @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Moonblast
- Giga Drain
- U-turn
- Tailwind
Nidoking (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Sludge Wave
- Earth Power
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
Empoleon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Defog
Rhyperior @ Earth Plate
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Megahorn
- Ice Punch
Tornadus (M) @ Sky Plate
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Hasty Nature
- Hurricane
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Tailwind
Snorlax @ Assault Vest
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Careful Nature
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake
- Pursuit
- Return


Whimsicott 2.18480%
Nidoking 8.07186%
Empoleon 4.17141%
Rhyperior 3.27620%
Tornadus 0.58533% (which is just really stupid)
Snorlax 4.69168%

proof of clean alt

 

[Swamp Link]

Alt: SatoriKomeji (Was going to use this for Research Week, but screw it)

Pokemon: Dugtrio, Lilligant

Both of these guys made there way on to some sun teams in Gen 5, though the former was also good in helping the "Banned to Uber twice in a row" Genesect succeed in the meta. The latter is unique in that it has limited coverage, but it can wreck stuff if teams are unprepared (Though a lot of them are).

(Damn 2 horses only limit!)

Will post team and proof of clean alt here later.

Edit: Just checked, team is under 35%.

There's no limit to the number of Dark Horses you can use.