Team Hardball
Introduction
Hi everyone! Due to Froslass being ejected from UU this past round, I decided to get back into it. 1520 is the highest rating I've ever achieved in UU, but recently this team has been giving me some trouble. I've also been a more offensive player, so I decided to make an offensive team with some under appreciated Pokemon. The original goal of this team was to lead up to a Sceptile sweep, but recently, Sceptile has been feeling like a very replacable member of the team.
What I find about this team is that when it's on, it's on, but when it's off, it's off. I'd definitely like it to be on all the time. Also, it feels like most offensive Pokemon threaten my team- not so good. In order to kill something, I often have to sacrifice something of mine. However, given the right conditions, each team member is able to clean up. I'm hoping you guys can help me, so here's my team!
By the way, if you're wondering about the team name, most of the team can take a hit, the hard, and Qwilfish and Electrode are really just the balls. Haha.
What I find about this team is that when it's on, it's on, but when it's off, it's off. I'd definitely like it to be on all the time. Also, it feels like most offensive Pokemon threaten my team- not so good. In order to kill something, I often have to sacrifice something of mine. However, given the right conditions, each team member is able to clean up. I'm hoping you guys can help me, so here's my team!
By the way, if you're wondering about the team name, most of the team can take a hit, the hard, and Qwilfish and Electrode are really just the balls. Haha.
. . .
Qwilfish @ Focus Sash
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpA)
-Spikes
-Waterfall
-Thunder Wave
-Destiny Bond
Qwilfish leads off the team quite nicely. While constructing the team, I know I wanted Spikes on the field in order to pave the way for a Sceptile sweep later on. I usually get as many layers of Spikes up as I can and then try and Destiny Bond to bring down whatever lead I'm facing. I chose Destiny Bond over Explosion to prevent ghosts from switching in for free on a predicted Explosion. Also, if they switch-in is faster than Qwilfish, he has no choice to either attack and die, or switch out, racking up Spikes damage. If he survives the first couple of turns, Qwilfish can serve as a revenge killer later on in the game. I chose to run Thunder Wave on him as a way to scout Mesprit and Uxie.
Sceptile @ Leftovers
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpA)
-Swords Dance
-Leaf Blade
-Earthquake
-Rock Slide
While I was thinking which Pokemon would eventually clean up for my team, I thought of Sceptile. His main selling points were first, his speed, and second, most people expect Sceptile to be running a special SubSeed set. If Sceptile has set up a Swords Dance, there is little that can switch into him safely. Also, with the attacks he has, he attains perfect coverage.
Electrode @ Life Orb
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature (+Spe, -Def)
-Thunderbolt
-Hidden Power Ice
-Explosion
-Taunt
You're probably thinking, what the hell is Electrode doing not setting up rain? I'll tell you. Electrode is one of the best revenge killers I have ever used. Electrode is able to take out certain speedy threats such as Swellow, Alakazam, Dugtrio, Moltres, and even some Rock Polish Torterra if they have been weakened in the slightest. Electrode has a big surprise factor and can usually manage to KO at least 1 Pokemon from my opponent's team. Hidden Power Ice was chosen over Water to be able to dispose of weakened grass types and the afforementioned Torterra while still being able to taken on foes such as Dugtrio and Donphan.
Rhyperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EVs: 136 HP / 244 Atk / 128 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge
-Megahorn
-Substitute
I have completely fallen in love with this set. Once Rhyperior has set up a Subtitute, which is rather simple to do, something is going to be taking a lot of damage. With flying and fire types giving Scpetile some minor trouble, Rhyperior was a natural choice for this team. his HP EVs allow him to set up 101 HP Substitutes and his speed EVs allow him to outspeed minimum speed base 55's and everything below. There is little that can switch safely into Rhyperior, and within those who can, very few can threaten him. He is also to switch into Registeel, who often gets in the way of Sceptile.
Milotic @ Life Orb
Ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Hidden Power Grass
-Recover
Milotic is an obstacle to almost all teams. I think this offensive version fits my team best. At a unique base 81 speed, Milotic is able to easily dispose of foes such as Arcanine, and can also revenge kill Venusaur if he is weakened enough. Her bulk combined with Recover makes her an offensive threat who is difficult to take down. Surf was chosen over Hydro Pump because I was often let down by the 85% accuracy of the move. Hidden Power Grass is to take on opposing water types, especially Quagsire. Milotic helps to take on fire types that would otherwise give Scpetile trouble.
Hitmontop @ Leftovers
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
-Close Combat
-Mach Punch
-Bullet Punch
-Pursuit
Hitmontop was orginially a Rapid Spinner for my team, but I rarely had to spin away Spikes and whatnot. So, I replaced Rapid Spin with Pursuit and just stuck with it. It often surprise ghost types like Mismagius who think they can set up a Nasty Plot right in my face. If it does not KO the first time, Bullet Punch is able to finish the job. hitmontop is usually my first switch-in to Houndoom, who is a threat to my team. Hitmontop and Electrode are able to revenge kill most enemies, being able to hit both defenses hard.
Conclusion
As I have used this team for a while, I have learned that what the team seems to do is chip away little by little at the opponents HP and then other team members are sent in to finish the job. However, the team is not doing as well as it had in the past. I hope you can help me!