Hello there! I am fairly new to competative Pokemon, but after watching a few Poketubers, I have decided to get into it. This is the first RMT that I've ever made, so I really do appreciate any criticism (good or bad) on my team. I tried this team out a bit and I've had good success with it. I've been able to reach 1400 with it, but I still want to improve it for that high ladder. Oh another thing I wanted to let you guys know; I really want to make a team that will be competitive, but I also want to have fun with it in game. Because of this, I really want to breed perfectly legitimate Pokemon (nothing against anybody that doesn't) and I really don't want to use Legendary/Mythical Pokemon (this being the reason why I don't play OU anymore), so I stayed away from them. Anyways, thank you for your time and let's get right into the team.
Infernape @ Choice Band
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Fire Punch
- U-Turn
- Mach Punch
This is the Pokemon that this team is built around. Infernape is easily one of my favorite starter Pokemon, if not my favorite, so I wanted to build a team around it. Since Infernape has so many good sets to choose from I decided to try them all to see which one I liked best. I found that the Nasty Plot / Swords Dance sets were a bit troubling to me since Infernape is rather frail and set up was quite difficult, plus I kept on dying due to Life Orb recoil. So I decided to go with a choiced set. I chose Choice Band over Choice Scarf because I wanted this Pokemon to be a really hard hitter.
Salamence @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Tail
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
Since this is my very first RMT, I used plenty of resources to try and build the very best team as possible. I wanted to use a wall that would best cover Infernape's weaknesses, so I checked the viability rankings and found Salamence high up there. It covers Infernape's ground and water weakness and it's S rank, so I thought I'd give it a try. The EVs are based on Smogon's FatMence Pokedex entry. The Rocky Helmet is used over Leftovers, because I really like that little bit of damage that can be inflicted on pesky U-Turners that want a "free" switch-in, plus I have Roost for recovery. I really like using Toxic on my walls to wear down opposing Pokemon and Dragon Tail is for phazing. I also wanted a defogger on my team, but interestingly enough Stealth Rock doesn't bother my team too much, so if I don't get it off it's ok so long as Salamence continues doing a good job as a physically defensive wall.
Aggron @ Aggronite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 20 Def / 240 SpD
Impish Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Thunder Wave
Aggron ended up being picked next because not only did I still have Infernape's Psychic and Flying weaknesses to tend to, but Steel types also pair well with Salamence covering all of its Rock, Dragon, Ice and Fairy weaknesses. This is one of the two Pokemon that I have my doubts over, but as I said, its been doing well. Interestingly enough, I've been using it more as a suicide lead rather than a wall because its definitely not good special defensively but is still bulky enough to take hits. Either that or I bring it in safely to set up rocks and take hits. The EVs are again based on Smogon's dex entry. Heavy Slam is my favorite attacking move to hit any predicted Taunt users. Toxic and Thunder Wave are used to wear down either bulky or speedy Pokemon respectively.
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon
- U-Turn
Even though I have a bit of priority on my team, I still wanted a scarfer. I chose Hydreigon, because its high up in the rankings and it also pairs well with Infernape. The spread close to the standard ScarfDreigon spread. I chose Mild over Hasty nature, because without the Life Orb or Draco Meteor, I wanted Hydreigon to deal a bit more damage. I don't appreciate the SpA drop (or misses) from Draco Meteor and it really hasn't been necessary, yet. The extra speed is also not missed because of the scarf. I put Flash Cannon for Florges, but that Pokemon really hasn't troubled me yet, so I might change it to Flamethrower for Steel types since Flash Cannon won't do anything to Florges anyways.
Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Calm Mind
- Recover
The next Pokemon was also chosen because its high up in the rankings, but also because I wanted a set-up special attacker. Not only that, but Reuniclus helps support the team with strong physical attackers that can give Salamence a bit of trouble. The EV spread is the standard Calm Mind spread with 0 Atk IVs to reduce the damage taken from Foul Play. I chose Psyshock over Psychic to help against specially defensive walls like Blissey.
Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Poison Jab
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
This last Pokemon actually has a stupid story behind it. Since I was taking Pokemon from the S rank, I initially had Feraligatr, but oh did I get destroyed by CroCune. I then tried physically defensive Whimsicott, but I got wrecked by Ice Beam Mege Blastoise. Finally, I landed on Toxicroak. This Pokemon is amazing as it completely shuts down plenty of Water type Pokemon. Not only that, but even though it doesn't have too much bulk it can still take a small hit and recover the damage off with a Life Orb Drain Punch. Either way, its a great set-up physical attacker as, unlike Infernape, it has a lot of opportunities to set up.
Threat List:
As you've probably already noticed, I'm fairly new to this so I don't know how many threats this team could have. From my time testing it however, I definitely have had a hard time with Calm Mind Cresselia. One way of dealing with it has been Calm Minding u along side it with Reuniclus and stalling it out. Another good way would be to Toxic it with Aggron first. I also got wrecked a few times by set up sweepers that give Salamence and Aggron a hard time like Haxorus.
Well there you have it guys! This is the team that I've built that has worked quite well for me, but I want to improve. I hope you guys like it and have some interesting ideas on how to make it better. Thank you for your time, and sorry if the descriptions are a bit long. I hope I didn't break any Smogon regulations for RMTs.
PS: I also want to put pictures on the RMT to make it look cooler, so if anybody could help me with that, that would be greatly appreciated; if you guys don't mind though then I'm thinking this should be fine.
Infernape @ Choice Band
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Fire Punch
- U-Turn
- Mach Punch
This is the Pokemon that this team is built around. Infernape is easily one of my favorite starter Pokemon, if not my favorite, so I wanted to build a team around it. Since Infernape has so many good sets to choose from I decided to try them all to see which one I liked best. I found that the Nasty Plot / Swords Dance sets were a bit troubling to me since Infernape is rather frail and set up was quite difficult, plus I kept on dying due to Life Orb recoil. So I decided to go with a choiced set. I chose Choice Band over Choice Scarf because I wanted this Pokemon to be a really hard hitter.
Salamence @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Tail
- Toxic
- Defog
- Roost
Since this is my very first RMT, I used plenty of resources to try and build the very best team as possible. I wanted to use a wall that would best cover Infernape's weaknesses, so I checked the viability rankings and found Salamence high up there. It covers Infernape's ground and water weakness and it's S rank, so I thought I'd give it a try. The EVs are based on Smogon's FatMence Pokedex entry. The Rocky Helmet is used over Leftovers, because I really like that little bit of damage that can be inflicted on pesky U-Turners that want a "free" switch-in, plus I have Roost for recovery. I really like using Toxic on my walls to wear down opposing Pokemon and Dragon Tail is for phazing. I also wanted a defogger on my team, but interestingly enough Stealth Rock doesn't bother my team too much, so if I don't get it off it's ok so long as Salamence continues doing a good job as a physically defensive wall.
Aggron @ Aggronite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 20 Def / 240 SpD
Impish Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Thunder Wave
Aggron ended up being picked next because not only did I still have Infernape's Psychic and Flying weaknesses to tend to, but Steel types also pair well with Salamence covering all of its Rock, Dragon, Ice and Fairy weaknesses. This is one of the two Pokemon that I have my doubts over, but as I said, its been doing well. Interestingly enough, I've been using it more as a suicide lead rather than a wall because its definitely not good special defensively but is still bulky enough to take hits. Either that or I bring it in safely to set up rocks and take hits. The EVs are again based on Smogon's dex entry. Heavy Slam is my favorite attacking move to hit any predicted Taunt users. Toxic and Thunder Wave are used to wear down either bulky or speedy Pokemon respectively.
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon
- U-Turn
Even though I have a bit of priority on my team, I still wanted a scarfer. I chose Hydreigon, because its high up in the rankings and it also pairs well with Infernape. The spread close to the standard ScarfDreigon spread. I chose Mild over Hasty nature, because without the Life Orb or Draco Meteor, I wanted Hydreigon to deal a bit more damage. I don't appreciate the SpA drop (or misses) from Draco Meteor and it really hasn't been necessary, yet. The extra speed is also not missed because of the scarf. I put Flash Cannon for Florges, but that Pokemon really hasn't troubled me yet, so I might change it to Flamethrower for Steel types since Flash Cannon won't do anything to Florges anyways.
Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Calm Mind
- Recover
The next Pokemon was also chosen because its high up in the rankings, but also because I wanted a set-up special attacker. Not only that, but Reuniclus helps support the team with strong physical attackers that can give Salamence a bit of trouble. The EV spread is the standard Calm Mind spread with 0 Atk IVs to reduce the damage taken from Foul Play. I chose Psyshock over Psychic to help against specially defensive walls like Blissey.
Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Poison Jab
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance
This last Pokemon actually has a stupid story behind it. Since I was taking Pokemon from the S rank, I initially had Feraligatr, but oh did I get destroyed by CroCune. I then tried physically defensive Whimsicott, but I got wrecked by Ice Beam Mege Blastoise. Finally, I landed on Toxicroak. This Pokemon is amazing as it completely shuts down plenty of Water type Pokemon. Not only that, but even though it doesn't have too much bulk it can still take a small hit and recover the damage off with a Life Orb Drain Punch. Either way, its a great set-up physical attacker as, unlike Infernape, it has a lot of opportunities to set up.
Threat List:
As you've probably already noticed, I'm fairly new to this so I don't know how many threats this team could have. From my time testing it however, I definitely have had a hard time with Calm Mind Cresselia. One way of dealing with it has been Calm Minding u along side it with Reuniclus and stalling it out. Another good way would be to Toxic it with Aggron first. I also got wrecked a few times by set up sweepers that give Salamence and Aggron a hard time like Haxorus.
Well there you have it guys! This is the team that I've built that has worked quite well for me, but I want to improve. I hope you guys like it and have some interesting ideas on how to make it better. Thank you for your time, and sorry if the descriptions are a bit long. I hope I didn't break any Smogon regulations for RMTs.
PS: I also want to put pictures on the RMT to make it look cooler, so if anybody could help me with that, that would be greatly appreciated; if you guys don't mind though then I'm thinking this should be fine.
