Hello and welcome to my RMT. I've been playing ORAS OU ever since it came out, but I only ever made RMT's for the lower tiers (check out my http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/cant-knock-the-hustle-durant-suspect-test.3568470/ RU RMT that I did for the Durant Suspect Test). In any case, we're doing an OU RMT today, and for this team I decided I'd build around a Dragon Dance Haxorus, something whose viability is questionable in OU at the moment considering how fat everything is, but it seems like a fun mon to use and it definitely has its perks over some other potential Dragon Dance users. Without further ado, lets hop into the team.
Haxorus @ Lum Berry
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake
The first member of the team and the Pokemon I wanted to build around is Haxorus. Haxorus sets itself apart from other Dragon Dance users in that it is not four times weak to ice, and has access to Mold Breaker, and ability which ignores the opponents abilities. Mold Breaker allows Haxorus to circumvent Unaware walls like Clefable and Quagsire, as well as Levitate users like Bronzong and Rotom-Wash, as they can now be hit with a super-effective Earthquake. An interesting thing to note is Mold Breaker means that a weakened Latios or Latias cannot force you to lock yourself into Outrage, as you can safely kill them with +1 Earthquake with some prior damage. Dragon Dance is obviously the crux of the set, as it gives Haxorus a +1 to Attack and Speed and makes it capable of sweeping. Outrage is the prefered STAB move as Dragon Claw is really weak without a boosting item even at +1 Attack. Earthquake gives Haxorus coverage versus Steel types like Excadrill, Bisharp, Jirachi, Magnezone and Heatran, as well as bopping Rotom-Wash and Bronzong thanks to Mold Breaker. Poison Jab grants Haxorus a super effective hit on Fairy type Pokemon, most of which can comfortably tank a +1 Earthquake and hit back hard. Lum Berry allows Haxorus to set up in the face of Status users, and it means that its sweep will not necessarily be ended by a Scald burn or a Prankster Thunder Wave. An Adamant nature is preferred for the extra power as well as the fact that Haxorus doesn't outspeed too many notable Scarfers with a Jolly nature outside of Scarf Landorus-T.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-392736258
Classic example of Mold Breaker in action. See Turn 40.
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 200 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off/Bug Bite/U-turn
Notably, the current Haxorus set struggles with Bulkier fairy types like Clefable and Physically Defensive Sylveon, neither of whom a +1 Poison Jab can OHKO. This Haxorus also isn't running Superpower, which means it cannot break Ferrothorn unless it is significantly weakened. Haxorus also gets wrecked by faster Dragon types (ie the Lati twins) if its not and boosted. Weavile also revenge kills Haxorus with Ice Shard after Mega Scizor makes a great defensive check to all of the aforementioned threats. It laughs off hits from Clefable and Sylveon barring Flamethrower and Specs Hidden Power Fire respectively. Ferrothorn cannot touch Scizor and gives it a free +6 should they stay in. Latios and Latias also cannot kill Mega Scizor without Hidden Power Fire, which can't even OHKO this spread. On top of this, Scizor is perhaps the most solid defensive Weavile answer in the game. Bullet Punch is very strong priority when considering STAB, Technician, and potential Swords Dance Boosts. Roost gives Scizor its longevity and is what allows it to check the aforementioned threats repeatedly. Swords Dance makes Scizor a strong offensive threat as well, and a lot of more offensive teams can be easily cleaned up by boosted Bullet Punch. Knock Off or Bug Bite are the preferred moves, Knock Off obviously punishing certain defensive switch-ins, and Bug Bite giving you a strong Technician Bug STAB. I feel that U-turn Swords Dance Mega Scizor is a huge waste of potential, but I won't rule out the possibility if you desire momentum that badly. Light Metal is used prior to Mega Evolution as none of Scizors other abilities benefit it pre-Mega barring Technician, which it gains upon Mega Evolving anyways. If anything, now you come in on Weavile's Low Kick a little bit better now.
Raikou @ Assault Vest/Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball/Toxic
Currently, the team struggles with bulky Water types, Talonflame, Thundurus-I, and Mega Manectric. For these reasons, I settled on an Assault Vest Raikou as the next member for the team. Raikou handles all of the aforementioned threats quite nicely, although it is quite weak without a Choice Specs. However, the Assault Vest means that you take Scalds and Overheats much better. The Assault Vest also allows you to potentially bluff a Choice Specs set versus less experienced players, but generally calcing the damage taken/done by Raikou will reveal the set immediately. For this reason, Leftovers is a fine option, as it gives Raikou residual recovery and bluffs a Sub Calm Mind set. Thunderbolt is the main STAB option, with Volt Switch being there to get momentum. Hidden Power Ice means you can deal significant damage to Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor, and if Hippowdon is low enough HP Ice can KO that as well. Shadow Ball is an option for its good neutral coverage as well as hitting the Lati twins much harder than HP Ice. Toxic is great on a Leftovers set to hit Hippowdon on the switch-in and cripple it so Haxorus can potentially break through. For obvious reasons, don't run Toxic on an Assault Vest set unless you enjoy playing with three moves.
Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Defog
Latios gives the team a solid Keldeo and Volcanion answer, something Mega Scizor greatly benefits from. This also gives us a Mega Venusaur answer as well as hazard control via Defog. Draco and Psyshock are great STAB options that hit most of the tier for at worst neutral damage. Hidden Power Fire rounds out the set because it punishes Scizor and Bisharp switch-ins as well as luring in Ferrothorn for Haxorus. I would not recommend Latias over this, as the main selling point of Latios on this team is the powerful Hidden Power Fire.
Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet/Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
At the moment, the team is really weak to Mega Lopunny, Mega Charizard X, and Excadrill, and there is no Stealth Rocker setter. There is also nothing to block a Volt Switch. For these reasons, I chose defensive Landorus-T as the next member. Lando-T is a really consistent Stealth Rocker, and Intimidate is great for checking. It also forms a Volt-Turn core with Raikou. Earthquake is great STAB and allows Lando to check all of the aforementioned threats even without investment, as it has base 145 attack. Stone Edge is necessary for Talonflame, and having this as a secondary bird check takes the pressure off of Raikou in certain matchups. Rocky Helmet is great for punishing physical attackers, but Leftovers can utilized to obtain greater longevity. Hippowdon could be considered in this slot because it takes on most of the same threats, and is a far better Volt Switch blocker as it is not four times weak to Ice. However, Hippowdon is rather passive, and sand doesn't really benefit anything in particular on my team.
Victini @ Life Orb/Expert Belt
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 96 Atk / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- V-create
- Energy Ball/Thunder
- Focus Blast
- Glaciate
Ahh Victini. Doesn't see a lot of usage nowadays, although it can still be a threat thanks to its fantastic coverage. Victory Star is a great ability too, as it allows Victini to utilize inaccurate moves like Focus Blast and Thunder to great effect. V-create is the main reason for using Victini, as a 180 base power STAB move with a Life Orb does major damage even to some resists. Energy Ball is great for Hippowdon and bulky water types although Thunder is a great option now that Volcanion is around. However, Thunder loses out on coverage for Hippowdon and Water-Ground types like Gastrodon and Seismitoad, which incidentally have become more popular since the release of Volcanion. Focus Blast is pretty much necessary to smack Heatran, something this team doesn't switch into that well. It also lures in Tyranitar for Latios quite nicely. Glaciate is there to punish Landorus-T and Garchomp, opening doors for Raikou, Scizor, and Haxorus later on. Life Orb grants consistent power, but Expert Belt is great for bluffing Choice sets. Expert Belt also preserves Victini's longevity a lot better than Life Orb does. However, the power decrease on V-create when using Expert Belt is notable.
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
Choice Specs Keldeo replaces Victini on this team. Shoutouts to amg for the suggestion. Keldeo pressures a lot of the same threats that Victini did and ensures that the team doesn't auto lose to Swords Dance Bisharp and Mega Scizor. Heatran is a lot less annoying now, as with Victini the option was to hit two 77% accurate Focus Blasts. Also gives us an opportunity to pressure bulky grounds and bulky grass types, both of which Raikou and Haxorus appreciate a lot. Choice Specs Icy Wind 2HKOes the Lati twins after rocks thanks to the speed drops.
Threatlist
Heatran: Decidedly difficult to switch into, and it comes in for free versus Latios and Scizor. Victini, Landorus-T, and Haxorus can all punish it, however.
Bisharp: Although Mega Scizor should counter it in theory, I find that is often not the case. This thing can basically Swords Dance Up and win if it is Adamant Life Orb. Landorus-T also gives it a free boost thanks to Defiant, so I can't bring that is. Fortunately, Latios punishes it with Hidden Power Fire.
The Lati twins: My only good answer is Mega Scizor, and if they have Hidden Power Fire then I'm in trouble. Even if they are Hidden Power Fire, my own Latios still only speed ties with them.
Keldeo/Volt-Turn + Pursuit Trapper: Scarf Tyranitar is capable of Pursuit trapping my Raikou and my Latios, which means the likes of Mega Manectric and Keldeo can have a field day versus my team.
Anyways, thats the team, any input is greatly appreciated ;). I encouarge you to try out the team for yourself, as I find it really fun to play with. Thank you for reading my RMT!
Haxorus @ Lum Berry
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake
The first member of the team and the Pokemon I wanted to build around is Haxorus. Haxorus sets itself apart from other Dragon Dance users in that it is not four times weak to ice, and has access to Mold Breaker, and ability which ignores the opponents abilities. Mold Breaker allows Haxorus to circumvent Unaware walls like Clefable and Quagsire, as well as Levitate users like Bronzong and Rotom-Wash, as they can now be hit with a super-effective Earthquake. An interesting thing to note is Mold Breaker means that a weakened Latios or Latias cannot force you to lock yourself into Outrage, as you can safely kill them with +1 Earthquake with some prior damage. Dragon Dance is obviously the crux of the set, as it gives Haxorus a +1 to Attack and Speed and makes it capable of sweeping. Outrage is the prefered STAB move as Dragon Claw is really weak without a boosting item even at +1 Attack. Earthquake gives Haxorus coverage versus Steel types like Excadrill, Bisharp, Jirachi, Magnezone and Heatran, as well as bopping Rotom-Wash and Bronzong thanks to Mold Breaker. Poison Jab grants Haxorus a super effective hit on Fairy type Pokemon, most of which can comfortably tank a +1 Earthquake and hit back hard. Lum Berry allows Haxorus to set up in the face of Status users, and it means that its sweep will not necessarily be ended by a Scald burn or a Prankster Thunder Wave. An Adamant nature is preferred for the extra power as well as the fact that Haxorus doesn't outspeed too many notable Scarfers with a Jolly nature outside of Scarf Landorus-T.
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-392736258
Classic example of Mold Breaker in action. See Turn 40.
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 200 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off/Bug Bite/U-turn
Notably, the current Haxorus set struggles with Bulkier fairy types like Clefable and Physically Defensive Sylveon, neither of whom a +1 Poison Jab can OHKO. This Haxorus also isn't running Superpower, which means it cannot break Ferrothorn unless it is significantly weakened. Haxorus also gets wrecked by faster Dragon types (ie the Lati twins) if its not and boosted. Weavile also revenge kills Haxorus with Ice Shard after Mega Scizor makes a great defensive check to all of the aforementioned threats. It laughs off hits from Clefable and Sylveon barring Flamethrower and Specs Hidden Power Fire respectively. Ferrothorn cannot touch Scizor and gives it a free +6 should they stay in. Latios and Latias also cannot kill Mega Scizor without Hidden Power Fire, which can't even OHKO this spread. On top of this, Scizor is perhaps the most solid defensive Weavile answer in the game. Bullet Punch is very strong priority when considering STAB, Technician, and potential Swords Dance Boosts. Roost gives Scizor its longevity and is what allows it to check the aforementioned threats repeatedly. Swords Dance makes Scizor a strong offensive threat as well, and a lot of more offensive teams can be easily cleaned up by boosted Bullet Punch. Knock Off or Bug Bite are the preferred moves, Knock Off obviously punishing certain defensive switch-ins, and Bug Bite giving you a strong Technician Bug STAB. I feel that U-turn Swords Dance Mega Scizor is a huge waste of potential, but I won't rule out the possibility if you desire momentum that badly. Light Metal is used prior to Mega Evolution as none of Scizors other abilities benefit it pre-Mega barring Technician, which it gains upon Mega Evolving anyways. If anything, now you come in on Weavile's Low Kick a little bit better now.
Raikou @ Assault Vest/Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball/Toxic
Currently, the team struggles with bulky Water types, Talonflame, Thundurus-I, and Mega Manectric. For these reasons, I settled on an Assault Vest Raikou as the next member for the team. Raikou handles all of the aforementioned threats quite nicely, although it is quite weak without a Choice Specs. However, the Assault Vest means that you take Scalds and Overheats much better. The Assault Vest also allows you to potentially bluff a Choice Specs set versus less experienced players, but generally calcing the damage taken/done by Raikou will reveal the set immediately. For this reason, Leftovers is a fine option, as it gives Raikou residual recovery and bluffs a Sub Calm Mind set. Thunderbolt is the main STAB option, with Volt Switch being there to get momentum. Hidden Power Ice means you can deal significant damage to Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor, and if Hippowdon is low enough HP Ice can KO that as well. Shadow Ball is an option for its good neutral coverage as well as hitting the Lati twins much harder than HP Ice. Toxic is great on a Leftovers set to hit Hippowdon on the switch-in and cripple it so Haxorus can potentially break through. For obvious reasons, don't run Toxic on an Assault Vest set unless you enjoy playing with three moves.
Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Defog
Latios gives the team a solid Keldeo and Volcanion answer, something Mega Scizor greatly benefits from. This also gives us a Mega Venusaur answer as well as hazard control via Defog. Draco and Psyshock are great STAB options that hit most of the tier for at worst neutral damage. Hidden Power Fire rounds out the set because it punishes Scizor and Bisharp switch-ins as well as luring in Ferrothorn for Haxorus. I would not recommend Latias over this, as the main selling point of Latios on this team is the powerful Hidden Power Fire.
Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet/Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
At the moment, the team is really weak to Mega Lopunny, Mega Charizard X, and Excadrill, and there is no Stealth Rocker setter. There is also nothing to block a Volt Switch. For these reasons, I chose defensive Landorus-T as the next member. Lando-T is a really consistent Stealth Rocker, and Intimidate is great for checking. It also forms a Volt-Turn core with Raikou. Earthquake is great STAB and allows Lando to check all of the aforementioned threats even without investment, as it has base 145 attack. Stone Edge is necessary for Talonflame, and having this as a secondary bird check takes the pressure off of Raikou in certain matchups. Rocky Helmet is great for punishing physical attackers, but Leftovers can utilized to obtain greater longevity. Hippowdon could be considered in this slot because it takes on most of the same threats, and is a far better Volt Switch blocker as it is not four times weak to Ice. However, Hippowdon is rather passive, and sand doesn't really benefit anything in particular on my team.
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 96 Atk / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- V-create
- Energy Ball/Thunder
- Focus Blast
- Glaciate
Ahh Victini. Doesn't see a lot of usage nowadays, although it can still be a threat thanks to its fantastic coverage. Victory Star is a great ability too, as it allows Victini to utilize inaccurate moves like Focus Blast and Thunder to great effect. V-create is the main reason for using Victini, as a 180 base power STAB move with a Life Orb does major damage even to some resists. Energy Ball is great for Hippowdon and bulky water types although Thunder is a great option now that Volcanion is around. However, Thunder loses out on coverage for Hippowdon and Water-Ground types like Gastrodon and Seismitoad, which incidentally have become more popular since the release of Volcanion. Focus Blast is pretty much necessary to smack Heatran, something this team doesn't switch into that well. It also lures in Tyranitar for Latios quite nicely. Glaciate is there to punish Landorus-T and Garchomp, opening doors for Raikou, Scizor, and Haxorus later on. Life Orb grants consistent power, but Expert Belt is great for bluffing Choice sets. Expert Belt also preserves Victini's longevity a lot better than Life Orb does. However, the power decrease on V-create when using Expert Belt is notable.
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
Choice Specs Keldeo replaces Victini on this team. Shoutouts to amg for the suggestion. Keldeo pressures a lot of the same threats that Victini did and ensures that the team doesn't auto lose to Swords Dance Bisharp and Mega Scizor. Heatran is a lot less annoying now, as with Victini the option was to hit two 77% accurate Focus Blasts. Also gives us an opportunity to pressure bulky grounds and bulky grass types, both of which Raikou and Haxorus appreciate a lot. Choice Specs Icy Wind 2HKOes the Lati twins after rocks thanks to the speed drops.
Threatlist
Heatran: Decidedly difficult to switch into, and it comes in for free versus Latios and Scizor. Victini, Landorus-T, and Haxorus can all punish it, however.
Bisharp: Although Mega Scizor should counter it in theory, I find that is often not the case. This thing can basically Swords Dance Up and win if it is Adamant Life Orb. Landorus-T also gives it a free boost thanks to Defiant, so I can't bring that is. Fortunately, Latios punishes it with Hidden Power Fire.
The Lati twins: My only good answer is Mega Scizor, and if they have Hidden Power Fire then I'm in trouble. Even if they are Hidden Power Fire, my own Latios still only speed ties with them.
Keldeo/Volt-Turn + Pursuit Trapper: Scarf Tyranitar is capable of Pursuit trapping my Raikou and my Latios, which means the likes of Mega Manectric and Keldeo can have a field day versus my team.
Anyways, thats the team, any input is greatly appreciated ;). I encouarge you to try out the team for yourself, as I find it really fun to play with. Thank you for reading my RMT!
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 200 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
Haxorus @ Lum Berry
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake
Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Defog
Raikou @ Assault Vest
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 200 SpD
Impish Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
Haxorus @ Lum Berry
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake
Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Defog
Raikou @ Assault Vest
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
- Shadow Ball
Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Scald
- Secret Sword
- Hydro Pump
- Icy Wind
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