Scarlet/Violet OU is one of the most difficult metagames I've ever built in- I haven't been around for the longest, since around Gen7, but I've never struggled like I have in this metagame to build a team of my own that actually works: my pre-conceived notions of archetypes and pokemon that work and don't work have fallen short as compared to what we find the meta-game to be now. That being said, it's made being able to make this team- and with it, being able to rise above the 1300s and 1400s for the first time since the first DLC dropped- that much more rewarding.
Team Paste: https://pokepast.es/16b347816969ca2b
This is a balanced screens offense team(I think, never been the best with terminology) built around Zamazenta getting up screens and the rest of the team doing damage until the win-con(usually Crown, GF, or Gren) is given the hole necessary for a sweep. Ogerpon is incredibly useful into the plethora of bulky water types in the tier, while also working as a surprise sweeper that can take down the likes of Dragapult, Enamorus, and Gliscor after an SD and the use of tera- hell, I've been able to take out Cinderace sometimes, this thing is great. Encore is, in my opinion, one of the best moves in the meta-game right now alongside phasing. Finally, Great Tusk functions as a spinner, surprise bird killer, and just good bit of glue to have- usual Tusk stuff. Let's break it down!
Old Yeller (Zamazenta) @ Light Clay
Ability: Dauntless Shield
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 104 SpD / 152 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Body Press
- Roar
The dawg himself, I really like support Zamazenta! Able to take special hits pretty well, modified from the set I got it from(371 Zama) to outspeed Darkrai and Meowscarada, this Zamazenta functions as a great lead able to discourage Dark and Steel type leads such as Samurott-Hisui, Iron Treads, Meowscarada, and TIng-Lu. Even mid to late game, if this boy isn't too chipped he can get some damage in, take hits and phase, and even get the screens back up for a second run! The longevity of this mon found in its bulk and specific set of skills is incredible, and can even stop tera flying roaring moon or tera fairy gouging fire sweeps in their tracks with a well-placed roar!
It's Joeger (Ogerpon) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Encore
- Ivy Cudgel
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
The disruptor, the opportunist, Ogerpon is one hell of a pokemon! As I mentioned earlier it can take a lot of frailer threats off guard after a swords dance and a tera, and can function as a wincon of its own.
+2 252 Atk Tera Grass Ogerpon-Teal-Tera Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 508-598 (160.2 - 188.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Outspeed and Kill!)
+2 252 Atk Tera Grass Ogerpon-Teal-Tera Ivy Cudgel vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Enamorus: 276-325 (95.5 - 112.4%) -- 75% chance to OHKO (Outspeed and 3/4 Kill!)
+2 252 Atk Tera Grass Ogerpon-Teal-Tera Ivy Cudgel vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Cinderace: 260-306 (86.3 - 101.6%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO(Chip and Kill!)
Wowza! That's some fun stuff!
Additionally, this guy shuts down most of the grounded walls- Alomomola, Clodsire, Blissey, Ting-Lu, Dondozo, they get encored and either set-up on or outright killed! That being said, Corviknight and Moltres are huge issues- and part of what I'd like to address as we move forward. I have means of dealing with both of these pokemon on the team, but they serve as annoying pivots that can hinder a lot of momentum.
CoBotlian (Iron Crown) @ Booster Energy
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 80 Def / 172 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psychic Noise
- Tachyon Cutter
- Focus Blast
This is such a good set. Takes hits incredibly well, especially so when those screens are up, and can hit most pokemon for really solid damage. Tera Fighting For all the dark types, Psychic Noise for Gliscor and other Walls, Tachyon cutter to break subs and hearts, what more is there to say? I've given other sets a shot but this one just works the most consistently with the rest of the team. Scarf Enamorus and Meowscarada can still do lots to this mon through the booster speed, but this guy is generally taking at least one other mon with him- after those calm minds are up through the screens however, he's the first big wincon of the team. Getting to +2 or +3 without too much hassle, the damage output is incredibly impressive.
That Frog Kurtis (Greninja-Bond) @ Life Orb
Ability: Battle Bond
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
Next wincon, this guy hits literally everything expect for one or two for incredible damage.
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Corviknight: 227-269 (56.7 - 67.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 149-177 (49.5 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 216-255 (61.5 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Chip an opponent down, get this guy in, and boom! Suddenly you have an incredibly fast and hard-hitting pokemon that many teams just are not prepared for! Primarina, Raging Bolt, and Rillaboom are the biggest threats here, especially AV Prim, but if they don't have one of these three? This guy can go to town!
Also, It's really funny to use water shuriken against Kingambit to just completely nullify sucker punch lol
Gay Porn (Gouging Fire) @ Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 104 Def / 64 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Tera Blast
The classic- Fire/Ground/Fairy is an incredibly coverage combo, 1 dragon dance outspeeds all Base 110's, Defensively takes whomever he needs, Specially Defensive can at least take a hit- especially through screens- this guy is dangerous! The tera fairy blanks most other dragons and dark types, getting to +2 and beyond is never out of question, this is just standard defensive GF but damn! I love it! Really fun to use!! Been thinking about if I should move some parts around or switch him out for a different dragon type because I still do have troubles hitting Primarina and Moltres.
Great Top (Great Tusk) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 224 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Spinner
- Head Smash
He's glue but he's a special glue! This is my current anti-Moltres tec, enough speed invest to outspeed neutral moltres and headsmash always kills! Tera fire means he can't get burnt and boom! Anti-Rubber Chicken machine! Hits hard, spins to help out Gouging Fire, Good coverage, there's really not much special about this guy but hey- it's tusk, the ol reliable.
Team Threats:
Rain- Can be worked around, but Barraskewda is scary!
Stall- I can beat stall like half the time butits tough, might want another measure against it.
Anyways try the team out for yourself! See how it works for you, maybe suggest some changes, and thanks for reading!
Team Paste: https://pokepast.es/16b347816969ca2b
This is a balanced screens offense team(I think, never been the best with terminology) built around Zamazenta getting up screens and the rest of the team doing damage until the win-con(usually Crown, GF, or Gren) is given the hole necessary for a sweep. Ogerpon is incredibly useful into the plethora of bulky water types in the tier, while also working as a surprise sweeper that can take down the likes of Dragapult, Enamorus, and Gliscor after an SD and the use of tera- hell, I've been able to take out Cinderace sometimes, this thing is great. Encore is, in my opinion, one of the best moves in the meta-game right now alongside phasing. Finally, Great Tusk functions as a spinner, surprise bird killer, and just good bit of glue to have- usual Tusk stuff. Let's break it down!
Old Yeller (Zamazenta) @ Light Clay
Ability: Dauntless Shield
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 104 SpD / 152 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Body Press
- Roar
The dawg himself, I really like support Zamazenta! Able to take special hits pretty well, modified from the set I got it from(371 Zama) to outspeed Darkrai and Meowscarada, this Zamazenta functions as a great lead able to discourage Dark and Steel type leads such as Samurott-Hisui, Iron Treads, Meowscarada, and TIng-Lu. Even mid to late game, if this boy isn't too chipped he can get some damage in, take hits and phase, and even get the screens back up for a second run! The longevity of this mon found in its bulk and specific set of skills is incredible, and can even stop tera flying roaring moon or tera fairy gouging fire sweeps in their tracks with a well-placed roar!
It's Joeger (Ogerpon) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Defiant
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Encore
- Ivy Cudgel
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
The disruptor, the opportunist, Ogerpon is one hell of a pokemon! As I mentioned earlier it can take a lot of frailer threats off guard after a swords dance and a tera, and can function as a wincon of its own.
+2 252 Atk Tera Grass Ogerpon-Teal-Tera Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 508-598 (160.2 - 188.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO (Outspeed and Kill!)
+2 252 Atk Tera Grass Ogerpon-Teal-Tera Ivy Cudgel vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Enamorus: 276-325 (95.5 - 112.4%) -- 75% chance to OHKO (Outspeed and 3/4 Kill!)
+2 252 Atk Tera Grass Ogerpon-Teal-Tera Ivy Cudgel vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Cinderace: 260-306 (86.3 - 101.6%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO(Chip and Kill!)
Wowza! That's some fun stuff!
Additionally, this guy shuts down most of the grounded walls- Alomomola, Clodsire, Blissey, Ting-Lu, Dondozo, they get encored and either set-up on or outright killed! That being said, Corviknight and Moltres are huge issues- and part of what I'd like to address as we move forward. I have means of dealing with both of these pokemon on the team, but they serve as annoying pivots that can hinder a lot of momentum.
CoBotlian (Iron Crown) @ Booster Energy
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 80 Def / 172 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Psychic Noise
- Tachyon Cutter
- Focus Blast
This is such a good set. Takes hits incredibly well, especially so when those screens are up, and can hit most pokemon for really solid damage. Tera Fighting For all the dark types, Psychic Noise for Gliscor and other Walls, Tachyon cutter to break subs and hearts, what more is there to say? I've given other sets a shot but this one just works the most consistently with the rest of the team. Scarf Enamorus and Meowscarada can still do lots to this mon through the booster speed, but this guy is generally taking at least one other mon with him- after those calm minds are up through the screens however, he's the first big wincon of the team. Getting to +2 or +3 without too much hassle, the damage output is incredibly impressive.
That Frog Kurtis (Greninja-Bond) @ Life Orb
Ability: Battle Bond
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Water Shuriken
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
Next wincon, this guy hits literally everything expect for one or two for incredible damage.
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Corviknight: 227-269 (56.7 - 67.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Ogerpon-Wellspring: 149-177 (49.5 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Greninja Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Roaring Moon: 216-255 (61.5 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Chip an opponent down, get this guy in, and boom! Suddenly you have an incredibly fast and hard-hitting pokemon that many teams just are not prepared for! Primarina, Raging Bolt, and Rillaboom are the biggest threats here, especially AV Prim, but if they don't have one of these three? This guy can go to town!
Also, It's really funny to use water shuriken against Kingambit to just completely nullify sucker punch lol
Gay Porn (Gouging Fire) @ Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 104 Def / 64 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Tera Blast
The classic- Fire/Ground/Fairy is an incredibly coverage combo, 1 dragon dance outspeeds all Base 110's, Defensively takes whomever he needs, Specially Defensive can at least take a hit- especially through screens- this guy is dangerous! The tera fairy blanks most other dragons and dark types, getting to +2 and beyond is never out of question, this is just standard defensive GF but damn! I love it! Really fun to use!! Been thinking about if I should move some parts around or switch him out for a different dragon type because I still do have troubles hitting Primarina and Moltres.
Great Top (Great Tusk) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 224 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Spinner
- Head Smash
He's glue but he's a special glue! This is my current anti-Moltres tec, enough speed invest to outspeed neutral moltres and headsmash always kills! Tera fire means he can't get burnt and boom! Anti-Rubber Chicken machine! Hits hard, spins to help out Gouging Fire, Good coverage, there's really not much special about this guy but hey- it's tusk, the ol reliable.
Team Threats:
Rain- Can be worked around, but Barraskewda is scary!
Stall- I can beat stall like half the time butits tough, might want another measure against it.
Anyways try the team out for yourself! See how it works for you, maybe suggest some changes, and thanks for reading!
for your screens setter it’s just much more consistent overall.
> 
just more consistent overall especially vs steel birds like 
and 
. It also has a easier time breaking lando by nature of its water typing.
> 
better speed, stronger , and less frail.
booster energy with bulk up since your are running screens offense it makes more sense to make it a setup variant.
without burning tera.