Hey Smogon folk
So after the last two premier leagues for me were terrible for me I did some serious contemplating.
This time I have got it, what I think will reclaim my ranking in my country's VGC standing.
Behold, the result of a nights worth of planning and calculating
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 100 Def / 164 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Flamethrower
- Heavy Slam
My wonderwall, Celesteela is a very tanky member of my team, it's Leech Seed+Leftover+Protect Stalling has won me some tight wins, it's one of my teams only answers to Porygon2, Mudsdale and Alola Ninetales, the former two especially since they require immense stalling and wittling down
Flamethrower is for Kartana, Celesteela is my only answer to switch into Leaf Blades and annihilate with Flamethrower, Heavy Slam is for STAB and despite not investment hits decently, not like Celesteela is used for power but for stall.
It struggles with Arcanine as expected.
The EVs focus on bulk:
After a Beast Boost:
Offensive presence even with no attacking EVs:
Celesteela is definitely a star player on my team, no other Ultra Beast save for Xurkitree poses a threat to it, it can wall others for days, out of all my teams Celesteela was always present, that should show how useful it has been
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 156 Def / 108 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk/0 Speed
- Tri Attack
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Trick Room
Porygon2 is for Trick Room control, it also poses significant bulk and can be very disruptive to my opponent.
Ice Beam is for Garchomp and the rare Salamence,Tri Attack is for STAB, after a Download boost it hits relatively hard. Recover because it's a very stally Pokemon so keeping it in play is essential. And Trick Room for speed control.
Defensive:
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 92 HP / 92 Atk / 4 Def / 108 SpD / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Poison Jab
- Fire Fang
- Protect
Slightly bulky Garchomp set which explains the EVs, Earthquake is for Koko, Alola-Muk, Nihilego, Torkoal, Gigalith, Arcanine
Poison Jab is for Fairies and the odd Grass type like Lilligant.
Fire Fang is almost exclusively for Kartana.
Protect for protections against Blizzards while I try neutralize the Ice type with Celesteela.
Groundium Z because -1 EQs on Arcanine never OHKO, Alola-Muk is too bulky same goes for Torkoal and Gigalith
Tapu Fini @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 64 Def / 100 SpA / 100 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Muddy Water
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Protect
Fini is my answer to Arcanine and Garchomp which are everywhere at the moment, it isn't very strong but has decent bulk to set up and provide chip damage.
It deals with the odd A-Marowak and completely walls any Dragon not named Garchomp, even then Moonblast poses a threat. EVs focus on general bulk
Tapu Koko @ Focus Sash
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Speed
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt
- Discharge
My team needed some fast power, Koko isn't the fastest in the meta at the moment but it's typing is by far the kindest of the fast VGC mons, with Koko I threaten Pheramosa, Tapu Fini and Garchomp, as well as anything such as Celesteela and Mandibuzz, Sash ensures that I cannot be one shotted by Z-Moves, Poison moves or Ground moves,
EVs and moves are generic sweeping set, only difference is the sash as opposed to Life Orb and I think it works better.
Goodra @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sap Sipper
Level: 50
EVs: 188 HP / 164 Def / 156 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Muddy Water
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Dragon Pulse
After my many many losses I started seeing Tapu Fini, Arcanine and Garchomp in my nightmares, all the Tapus at the moment really, but the first 3 Pokemon in particular.
So I must have scanned the Pokedex and Internet for a good hour solid looking for something that threatens all of them and resists them too, and the ones it doesn't resist does it have bulk to not be OHKo'd
Then it hit me to use Goodra, it's strong, incredibly specially bulky and very good defensive typing seeing as the VGC17 metagame lacks physical Fairies and Ice types. It laughs at Alola-Ninetales Blizzards, at Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam and Fini's Moonblast, it walls Arcanine and Tapu Bulu for days and it's move pool makes it able to do hit everything for super effective damage, it was perfect.
Muddy Water is for Arcanine, Mudsdale, Torkoal and Alola-Marowak
Flamethrower is for Kartana
Sludge Bomb is for all the Tapu's and Alola-Ninetales
Dragon Pulse is for STAB, it 2HKOs Garchomp, Misty Terrain is an issue though, and it's my only resort when matched with something that the moveset doesn't cover.
The EVs are suggested Smogon set,
All in all guys, that is my team, it's worked well for me but if I had to make a change it would be for Porygon2, most Downloads I get are to Attack and without a SpA boost Porygon2 hits like drunk dog.
The only use I get out of it on the higher ladders is threatening Garchomp with Ice Beam.
I'll try add more calcs in the meantime
So after the last two premier leagues for me were terrible for me I did some serious contemplating.
This time I have got it, what I think will reclaim my ranking in my country's VGC standing.
Behold, the result of a nights worth of planning and calculating
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 100 Def / 164 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Flamethrower
- Heavy Slam
My wonderwall, Celesteela is a very tanky member of my team, it's Leech Seed+Leftover+Protect Stalling has won me some tight wins, it's one of my teams only answers to Porygon2, Mudsdale and Alola Ninetales, the former two especially since they require immense stalling and wittling down
Flamethrower is for Kartana, Celesteela is my only answer to switch into Leaf Blades and annihilate with Flamethrower, Heavy Slam is for STAB and despite not investment hits decently, not like Celesteela is used for power but for stall.
It struggles with Arcanine as expected.
The EVs focus on bulk:
- 252+ Atk Arcanine Flare Blitz vs. 244 HP / 100 Def Celesteela: 180-212 (88.6 - 104.4%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO
- 252+ SpA Arcanine Burn Up vs. 244 HP / 164+ SpD Celesteela: 158-188 (77.8 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 164+ SpD Celesteela in Electric Terrain: 190-226 (93.5 - 111.3%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
- 252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 164+ SpD Celesteela: 127-151 (62.5 - 74.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252 SpA Ninetales-Alola Blizzard vs. 244 HP / 164+ SpD Celesteela: 40-48 (19.7 - 23.6%) -- possible 5HKO after hail damage and Leftovers recovery
- 252 Atk Garchomp Fire Fang vs. 244 HP / 100 Def Celesteela: 68-80 (33.4 - 39.4%) -- 13.8% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
- 252+ SpA Xurkitree Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 164+ SpD Celesteela: 162-192 (79.8 - 94.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
After a Beast Boost:
- 252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. +1 244 HP / 164+ SpD Celesteela: 86-101 (42.3 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Offensive presence even with no attacking EVs:
- 0 Atk Celesteela Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tapu Koko: 78-93 (53.4 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 0 SpA Celesteela Flamethrower vs. 84 HP / 164 SpD Assault Vest Kartana: 160-192 (110.3 - 132.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Celesteela is definitely a star player on my team, no other Ultra Beast save for Xurkitree poses a threat to it, it can wall others for days, out of all my teams Celesteela was always present, that should show how useful it has been
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 156 Def / 108 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk/0 Speed
- Tri Attack
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Trick Room
Porygon2 is for Trick Room control, it also poses significant bulk and can be very disruptive to my opponent.
Ice Beam is for Garchomp and the rare Salamence,Tri Attack is for STAB, after a Download boost it hits relatively hard. Recover because it's a very stally Pokemon so keeping it in play is essential. And Trick Room for speed control.
Defensive:
- 252+ Atk Pheromosa High Jump Kick vs. 244 HP / 156 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 156-186 (81.6 - 97.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ SpA Pheromosa Focus Blast vs. 244 HP / 108+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2: 134-158 (70.1 - 82.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ Atk Arcanine Flare Blitz vs. 244 HP / 156 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 63-75 (32.9 - 39.2%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO
- 252+ Atk Arcanine Close Combat vs. 244 HP / 156 Def Eviolite Porygon2: 84-100 (43.9 - 52.3%) -- 16% chance to 2HKO
- 252+ SpA Xurkitree Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 108+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2 in Electric Terrain: 91-108 (47.6 - 56.5%) -- 82% chance to 2HKO
- 252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 108+ SpD Eviolite Porygon2 in Electric Terrain: 70-83 (36.6 - 43.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 92 HP / 92 Atk / 4 Def / 108 SpD / 212 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Poison Jab
- Fire Fang
- Protect
Slightly bulky Garchomp set which explains the EVs, Earthquake is for Koko, Alola-Muk, Nihilego, Torkoal, Gigalith, Arcanine
Poison Jab is for Fairies and the odd Grass type like Lilligant.
Fire Fang is almost exclusively for Kartana.
Protect for protections against Blizzards while I try neutralize the Ice type with Celesteela.
Groundium Z because -1 EQs on Arcanine never OHKO, Alola-Muk is too bulky same goes for Torkoal and Gigalith
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 92 HP / 108 SpD Garchomp: 161-192 (82.5 - 98.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 252+ SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 92 HP / 108 SpD Garchomp: 159-190 (81.5 - 97.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO [Single target]
- 252 SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 92 HP / 108 SpD Garchomp: 164-194 (84.1 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 28+ SpA Porygon2 Ice Beam vs. 92 HP / 108 SpD Garchomp: 160-192 (82 - 98.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 212 EVs outspeeds Timid Xurkitree by 1 point)
Tapu Fini @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 64 Def / 100 SpA / 100 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Muddy Water
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
- Protect
Fini is my answer to Arcanine and Garchomp which are everywhere at the moment, it isn't very strong but has decent bulk to set up and provide chip damage.
It deals with the odd A-Marowak and completely walls any Dragon not named Garchomp, even then Moonblast poses a threat. EVs focus on general bulk
- 252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Discharge vs. 244 HP / 100+ SpD Tapu Fini: 70-86 (39.7 - 48.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
- 252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 100+ SpD Tapu Fini: 109-133 (61.9 - 75.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
- 100 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Koko: 73-87 (50 - 59.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
- 100 SpA Tapu Fini Muddy Water vs. 252 HP / 156 SpD Marowak-Alola: 84-98 (50.2 - 58.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Tapu Koko @ Focus Sash
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Speed
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt
- Discharge
My team needed some fast power, Koko isn't the fastest in the meta at the moment but it's typing is by far the kindest of the fast VGC mons, with Koko I threaten Pheramosa, Tapu Fini and Garchomp, as well as anything such as Celesteela and Mandibuzz, Sash ensures that I cannot be one shotted by Z-Moves, Poison moves or Ground moves,
EVs and moves are generic sweeping set, only difference is the sash as opposed to Life Orb and I think it works better.
Goodra @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sap Sipper
Level: 50
EVs: 188 HP / 164 Def / 156 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Muddy Water
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Bomb
- Dragon Pulse
After my many many losses I started seeing Tapu Fini, Arcanine and Garchomp in my nightmares, all the Tapus at the moment really, but the first 3 Pokemon in particular.
So I must have scanned the Pokedex and Internet for a good hour solid looking for something that threatens all of them and resists them too, and the ones it doesn't resist does it have bulk to not be OHKo'd
Then it hit me to use Goodra, it's strong, incredibly specially bulky and very good defensive typing seeing as the VGC17 metagame lacks physical Fairies and Ice types. It laughs at Alola-Ninetales Blizzards, at Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam and Fini's Moonblast, it walls Arcanine and Tapu Bulu for days and it's move pool makes it able to do hit everything for super effective damage, it was perfect.
Muddy Water is for Arcanine, Mudsdale, Torkoal and Alola-Marowak
Flamethrower is for Kartana
Sludge Bomb is for all the Tapu's and Alola-Ninetales
Dragon Pulse is for STAB, it 2HKOs Garchomp, Misty Terrain is an issue though, and it's my only resort when matched with something that the moveset doesn't cover.
The EVs are suggested Smogon set,
- 252+ SpA Tapu Lele Moonblast vs. 188 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 84-102 (44.4 - 53.9%) -- 23.4% chance to 2HKO
- 252+ SpA Tapu Lele Dazzling Gleam vs. 188 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 54-66 (28.5 - 34.9%) -- 1.9% chance to 3HKO
- 252+ SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 188 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 68-84 (35.9 - 44.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
- 252 SpA Life Orb Tapu Koko Dazzling Gleam vs. 188 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 49-62 (25.9 - 32.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
- 252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 188 HP / 164 Def Goodra: 69-82 (36.5 - 43.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
- 252 Atk Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 188 HP / 164 Def Goodra in Misty Terrain: 72-86 (38 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
All in all guys, that is my team, it's worked well for me but if I had to make a change it would be for Porygon2, most Downloads I get are to Attack and without a SpA boost Porygon2 hits like drunk dog.
The only use I get out of it on the higher ladders is threatening Garchomp with Ice Beam.
I'll try add more calcs in the meantime
Last edited:
