Hey guys! I am looking for assistance with a team I made recently, as I am not exactly sure how to optimize this squad. I really want to take gen4 OU much more seriously, as It's my favorite gen overall, and it hosts my favorite pokemon of all time: Empoleon. I made a pretty solid team using the notes and info from Smogon (you may tell immediately that most of these sets were pulled straight from Smogon), so I think the team is pretty solid. From playing with it, I’ve peaked at the 1300’s. This is a very average rating, I’m sure, so please don’t crucify me for my inept team building haha! If you would kindly rate my team, and maybe point out some, if not all, the things I can improve on, I’d greatly appreciate it!! Also, I am not necessarily married to any mons on this team. If there is something that can perform better on this squad, I am all ears. The ONLY pokemon I desperately want to be on this squad is Empoleon. I am also interested in the idea of a second pokemon who can provide Stealth Rock support.
Emperor (Empoleon) (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Grass Knot
- Hydro Pump
- Stealth Rock
This is the “Ace” of the team. Empoelon is extremely powerful, so I wanted him to be the one to set the tempo for the rest of the match. I oftentimes find that setting up stealth rocks with him can be a bit difficult for me, as clicking hydro pump is so crucial for kicking off that much needed early game momentum. The main problem I have is that this set can be kind of predictable, but it is extremely effective otherwise.
Dragonite (M) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
This was my sweeper I chose to go with. I usually save this guy for the late game, preferably when I can switch him in safely and get that free DDance on a choice locked pkmn, or a pokemon that can’t really threaten him. The first two move choices are self-explanatory: Outrage for those crucial OHKO’s after rocks, Earthquake nails so many things for excellent damage. However, Extreme Speed was selected to make sure that my team doesn’t get beat out by something like a Mamoswine or Weavile by surprise or to pick off a weakened opponent. Extreme Speed has been working well for the most part. I think, with some optimization, that move choice can be changed to something better, maybe Fire Punch or Stone Edge.
Flygon (F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
My revenge killer. I always bring this in on weakened opponents to bait out switches and punish with u-turn or to get a crucial kill. I’ve found this set so perfect that it basically doesn’t need much changing. What I have noticed though, is that I’ve been using this pokemon as a pivot into heatran. Most of my team does not like dealing with heatran defensively, so Flygon has been okay at checking it for me. I don’t know if this optimal to do at all, so maybe some different pokemon options or moves on the team will help me deal with Heatran a bit better.
Scizor (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
- U-turn
Another revenge killer. Honestly, I love this scizor set too damn much. I’ve been seeing many choice scarf scizor sets on the ladder recently, which is really cool. I’m not sure if this is a great choice for this team, however it has been putting in WORK online. I am interested in trying out a faster Scizor with less bulk, but I also used this mon as a pivot from time to time. I am afraid that relinquishing the extra hp will make my team a bit less resilient. However, I do acknowledge that Scizor with 373 speed (jolly nature) would allow surprise KO’s on non-choice heatrans, rotoms, Latios/as, and many other pokemon who think they’re faster than me is really worth the consideration.
Infernape (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 64 SpA / 192 Spe
Naive Nature
- Close Combat
- Overheat
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
Infernape has so much punching power, it’s ridiculous. I use this guy as my wall breaker, and I usually bring him in if I end up getting a kill off of U-Turn. Stone Edge has CONSIDERABLY helped my team stave off enemy Gyarados, especially variants with Earthquake (threatening my poor magnezone). I don’t have many complaints or issues with this set. Honestly, I don’t even mind stealth rocks being up on my side of the field half the time. I will admit tho, it makes infernape very susceptible to getting beaten by priority moves. U-Turn helps form amazing pressure and scouting potential between Infernape, Scizor and Flygon. I am very used to using VoltTurn teams in later gens, so having it here is really nice for me.
Magnezone @ Leftovers
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 32 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Magnet Rise
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Thunder Wave
At first, I slept on this mon. I thought it was the weakest one on my team. I didn’t know HOW it helped dragonite so much, when I was getting beaten by so many other offensive threats in the tier. But then, I got Magnet Rise, and that immediately changed. Using Magnet rise allowed me to safely 1v1 Bronzongs with Earthquake, among some other seriously top steel mons who usually carry Earthquake as well! I use this magnezone as a trapper for enemy steel types, but I find it scarf when facing enemy Scizor, or when switching in on a Latias/os. I feel like magnezone is very powerful, but maybe I could improve the team overall with something stronger? I really like this move set and spread though.
Emperor (Empoleon) (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Aqua Jet
- Grass Knot
- Hydro Pump
- Stealth Rock
This is the “Ace” of the team. Empoelon is extremely powerful, so I wanted him to be the one to set the tempo for the rest of the match. I oftentimes find that setting up stealth rocks with him can be a bit difficult for me, as clicking hydro pump is so crucial for kicking off that much needed early game momentum. The main problem I have is that this set can be kind of predictable, but it is extremely effective otherwise.
Dragonite (M) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Inner Focus
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
This was my sweeper I chose to go with. I usually save this guy for the late game, preferably when I can switch him in safely and get that free DDance on a choice locked pkmn, or a pokemon that can’t really threaten him. The first two move choices are self-explanatory: Outrage for those crucial OHKO’s after rocks, Earthquake nails so many things for excellent damage. However, Extreme Speed was selected to make sure that my team doesn’t get beat out by something like a Mamoswine or Weavile by surprise or to pick off a weakened opponent. Extreme Speed has been working well for the most part. I think, with some optimization, that move choice can be changed to something better, maybe Fire Punch or Stone Edge.
Flygon (F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
My revenge killer. I always bring this in on weakened opponents to bait out switches and punish with u-turn or to get a crucial kill. I’ve found this set so perfect that it basically doesn’t need much changing. What I have noticed though, is that I’ve been using this pokemon as a pivot into heatran. Most of my team does not like dealing with heatran defensively, so Flygon has been okay at checking it for me. I don’t know if this optimal to do at all, so maybe some different pokemon options or moves on the team will help me deal with Heatran a bit better.
Scizor (F) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
- U-turn
Another revenge killer. Honestly, I love this scizor set too damn much. I’ve been seeing many choice scarf scizor sets on the ladder recently, which is really cool. I’m not sure if this is a great choice for this team, however it has been putting in WORK online. I am interested in trying out a faster Scizor with less bulk, but I also used this mon as a pivot from time to time. I am afraid that relinquishing the extra hp will make my team a bit less resilient. However, I do acknowledge that Scizor with 373 speed (jolly nature) would allow surprise KO’s on non-choice heatrans, rotoms, Latios/as, and many other pokemon who think they’re faster than me is really worth the consideration.
Infernape (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 64 SpA / 192 Spe
Naive Nature
- Close Combat
- Overheat
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
Infernape has so much punching power, it’s ridiculous. I use this guy as my wall breaker, and I usually bring him in if I end up getting a kill off of U-Turn. Stone Edge has CONSIDERABLY helped my team stave off enemy Gyarados, especially variants with Earthquake (threatening my poor magnezone). I don’t have many complaints or issues with this set. Honestly, I don’t even mind stealth rocks being up on my side of the field half the time. I will admit tho, it makes infernape very susceptible to getting beaten by priority moves. U-Turn helps form amazing pressure and scouting potential between Infernape, Scizor and Flygon. I am very used to using VoltTurn teams in later gens, so having it here is really nice for me.
Magnezone @ Leftovers
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 32 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Magnet Rise
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Thunder Wave
At first, I slept on this mon. I thought it was the weakest one on my team. I didn’t know HOW it helped dragonite so much, when I was getting beaten by so many other offensive threats in the tier. But then, I got Magnet Rise, and that immediately changed. Using Magnet rise allowed me to safely 1v1 Bronzongs with Earthquake, among some other seriously top steel mons who usually carry Earthquake as well! I use this magnezone as a trapper for enemy steel types, but I find it scarf when facing enemy Scizor, or when switching in on a Latias/os. I feel like magnezone is very powerful, but maybe I could improve the team overall with something stronger? I really like this move set and spread though.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk! Haha, but seriously, any and all advice will be well received! I am looking to improve as much as possible, and I feel like my fundamentals are strong in this game. I just want to push myself even further, at least in this metagame. I look forward to all of your feedback!
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Lucario is a real issue since it can set up on something like choice locked Flygon and proceed to sweep. The only answer is hoping Flygon lives +2 Espeed, which is a bad roll even after only 1 switch into rocks. With 2 or more, its lights out. After that, you have to wear it down with CC defense drops and Life Orb recoil until Bullet Punch can KO it. (technically DNite can live an ESpeed after rocks, but its another roll and you get the point) Mach Punch on Infernape would alleviate this issue, but I don't necessarily recommend this, as I'll explain later. Instead, I recommend Choice Scarf > Leftovers on Magnezone. A set like this
Heatran as a pokemon this team has difficulty switching into. With HP Ground Scarf Zone, you can limit the amount of damage Heatran can do by forcibly removing it after it takes a kill, or even better, if it switches into U-Turn. 
Hippowdon is only really threatened by Empoleon, the suicide lead of this team, and can heal with Slack Off so it will be difficult to brute force your way through. Running Toxic > Stone Edge on Flygon might help in this regard, but will make you weaker to Gyarados. Instead, I recommend running Breloom > Infernape. Breloom is much more consistent than Infenape in the wallbreaking role thanks to access to one of the most controversial moves in DPP - Spore. In addition to the instant incapacitation of a pokemon provided by sleep, Breloom also benefits from Poison Heal, allowing it to avoid being worn down by Rocks, Sand and Status, which conversely really limit the potential of Infernape. Finally, Breloom is one of the most effective ways to offensively take advantage of these ground types, due to the combination of its longevity, access to Spore, and type advantage. Something like
Breloom could prove challenging to deal with. Regardless, I think the change to Dragonite of Choice Band > Yache Berry could be a good fit for this team. IMO Yache DD Nite fits better on a more aggressive set up spam archetype, to overload pokemon like Scarf Rotom to open up pokemon like Gyarados. Since this team will not be likely to keep rocks off in the early game, and uses Magnezone to remove Steels I think CB is the right pick. The immediate pressure of Banded Outrages should help pressure defence, and the boosted power of ESpeed can help in the offense matchup. This also lets you take advantage of Sleep Talk to keep momentum even against Breloom's Spore. Remember Choiced Sleep Talk fails after 1 use though. A set like
