Introduction:
Howdy everyone \(^ω^)/
Ever since Mega Gallade's release I've been having trouble trying to come up with a team centered around him i.e. whenever I'd put him into a team he'd just seem so out of place and would often be the first to get KO'd.
However, I've finally hit the jackpot team! Prior to this I would often get the strange feeling that Mega Gallade was meant to be used on Hyper Offense teams, but for reason I ever had the guts to actually try it out (because it has no method for boosting it's decent speed stats).
In any case, I've been having success with this team, but I still as though it has the potential to go the next level i.e. to be a very good "solid" team. If you have any hints and tips -don't hold back, please tell me. Your suggestions are much appreciated, thanks everyone.
Team Overview:
Notification:
1) I tend to position my team in a particular order. So, although Gallade is the star of show; I would rather have Azumarill be the first Pokemon my Opponent sees or thinks I'm going to send out.
The reason for this, is so that they switch in a "counter" i.e. something with "Will-o-Wisp", Hazards, Toxic, Paralysis etc.
However, in reality, my first Pokemon is usually Espeon. He's far too fragile and I want maximize my chances of having them send out the wrong Pokemon so that I can set up my screens (as they switch out). Based on the Pokemon I think they'd want to send out to KO'd Espeon, I choose whether or not to set up "Reflect" or "Light Screen" first and then the move "Yawn" or "Baton Pass" follows shortly after.
2) With Hyper offense the strategy is rather simple i.e. set up "once" and try to sweep. Do not get too cocky with setting up! Because "luck hax" is a major factor in Pokemon and I cannot risk receiving a crit.
Team Details:
Aquamaster (Azumarill) (M) @ Mystic Water
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Superpower
This little guy is ironically responsible for the majority of my sweeps and not Mega Gallade.
Under both Screens Azumarill doesn't even need the Sitrus berry and that 20% boost to Aqua Jet from the item "Mystic Water" becomes fatal. Credit goes to Serebii for this moveset. Play Rough is specifically for Garchomp and Rotom Wash. Super Power is simply a filler move for Ferrothorn.
Note: Since Espeon usually succeeds in bouncing back at least one entry hazard e.g. Stealth Rock. That 20% Boost to "Aqua Jet" from the item "Mystic Water" becomes lethal (thanks to Stealth Rocks).
He is also my "priority-attack-mon".
-Damage Calculations-
+6 252+ Atk Mystic Water Huge Power Aqua Jet vs...
252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 492-578 (117.14 - 137.61%)
252 HP / 4 Def Skarmory: 283-334 (84.73 - 100%)
4 HP / 252+ Def Blissey: 690-813 (105.82 - 124.69%)
252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 381-448 (94.3 - 110.89%)
0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 229-270 (76.07 - 89.7%)
4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 399-469 (111.45 - 131%)
4 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 180-212 (74.38 - 87.6%)
0 HP / 0 Def Breloom: 229-270 (87.73 - 103.44%)
0 HP / 0 Def Salamence: 229-270 (69.18 - 81.57%)
248 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 265-313 (62.64 - 73.99%)
252 HP / 4 Def Jirachi: 379-447 (93.81 - 110.64%)
0 HP / 0 Def Starmie: 218-257 (83.52 - 98.46%)
0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 264-311 (92.63 - 109.12%)
0 HP / 0 Def Delphox: 998-1176 (342.95 - 404.12%)
Checkmate (Bisharp) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Bisharp and Mega Gallade form a brilliant offensive core, in the sense that they both beat each others threats hard. Under both screens Bisharp finds a world of opportunity to easily set up "Swords Dance" -thus raising it's attack stats to insane levels. It's weapons of choice from then on is either the moves "Knock Off" or "Sucker Punch". The move "Iron Head" is specifically for Clefable.
Note: Since Espeon usually succeeds in bouncing back at least one entry hazard e.g. Stealth Rock. Bisharp works as my "Defog" counter. He is also my "priority-attack-mon".
Gladiator (Gallade) @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Zen Headbutt
Mega Gallade and Bisharp form a brilliant offensive core, in the sense that they both beat each others threats hard. Under both screens Mega Gallade finds a world of opportunity to easily set up "Swords Dance" -thus raising it's attack stats to insane levels.
I replaced the move "Close Combat" with "Drain Punch" because the move Swords Dance already makes Drain Punch powerful. Plus the Health Points gained is highly important i.e. to survive priority attacks and to still remain bulky thanks to the Screens. Thanks to this, Gallade often survives many of he's fights with Max HP and can afford to go up against it's counters e.g. Latias (thanks to the HP gained and the screens).
-Damage Calculations-
252 SpA Life Orb Latios Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gallade through Light Screen: 88-105 (31.7 - 37.9%) -- 93.5% chance to 3HKO
"Zen Headbutt" is the move I click if I need more power!!! It often one shots Clefable (lacking Unaware) and carries that ever so useful chance to flinch.
Ice Punch is specifically for Rock Helmet Garcomp. Mega Gallade cannot waste time beating up that thing and the damage from Rock Helmet and Rough Skin really makes me cringe.
Note: Since Espeon usually succeeds in bouncing back at least one entry hazard e.g. Stealth Rock. Bisharp works as my "Defog" counter.
Priority (Talonflame) (M) @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Roost
TalonFlame is there as the final sweeper and to get rid of pests such as Keldeo. Talon Flame also works as a brilliant lure i.e. by drawing out Landorus, Tyranitar and Heatran. By the time Talonflame faints, Mega Gallade or Azumarill can then KO them or pick up the pace by getting a free Swords Dance or Belly Drum as Heatran, Landorus and Tyranitar switch out. Talonflame also works as my WilloWisp absorbed.
"Brave Bird" and "Flare Blitz" nails everything that isn't Heatran, Tyranitar or Landorus. But even then, a few boosts from "Sword Dance" really starts to pack a noticeable punch. The move "Roost" is there to boost longevity and get over it's Stealth Rock weakness to some extent.
Note: Talonflame is sometimes my late game cleaner if Heatran, Tyranitar or Landorus have been KO'd. He is also my "priority-attack-mon" and easily KO's most faster Pokemon e.g. Scarfedmons and Mega Alakazam etc.
Destiny (Espeon) (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Baton Pass
- Yawn
Without this little guy ...my team would be in trouble. And that's why I always try to maximize my chances to setting screens safely.
The support moves "Reflect" and "Light Screen" are there to greatly aid out victory by boosting my Pokemon teams defenses i.e. all of them are fragile and need it to badly.
"Baton Pass" is actually there to make sure Espeon takes a hit, so that I can switch something else safely in.
Note: Since Espeon usually succeeds in bouncing back at least one entry hazard e.g. Stealth Rock. Bisharp works as my "Defog" counter.
Dust Bunny (Diggersby) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- Quick Attack
- Swords Dance
Under both screens Diggersby finds a world of opportunity to easily set up "Swords Dance" -thus raising it's attack stats to insane levels.
Sword Dance is the main move to get it going. After that, if Diggersby can out speed it ...he can KO it with a 1HKO with a combination of the moves "Return" and "Earthquake".
Note: Diggersby works as my paralysis absorber and reliable wall-breaker (Azumarill needs Belly Drum to pull it off but that takes half it's health down). Funnily enough, after Azumarill (the rabbit) Diggersby is the next Pokemon that get's the most kills and sometimes sweeps. He is also my "priority-attack-mon".
Threats to the Team:A) Rain Teams short and simple ...or specifically "Mega Swampert":
All my Pokemon are fragile, so it often pops my Pokemon with a 1HKO "Waterfall", boosted by Stab and the Rain itself. Unless Reflect is up, but even then it often has "Power-up Punch".
It's too bulky, only Talonflame can do some good damage. Everything else gets KO's before they can even touch it (TwT)
B) Stall ...or more specifically, Whimscott.
The cheap piece ofcrap cotton just spams "Encore" as a Pokemon sets up, hides behind substitutes and spams leech seed and Moonblast.
Team In Action:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-285517790
Here's where I got the nicknames for my Pokemon:
http://pokemonname-rater.tumblr.com/
Howdy everyone \(^ω^)/
Ever since Mega Gallade's release I've been having trouble trying to come up with a team centered around him i.e. whenever I'd put him into a team he'd just seem so out of place and would often be the first to get KO'd.
However, I've finally hit the jackpot team! Prior to this I would often get the strange feeling that Mega Gallade was meant to be used on Hyper Offense teams, but for reason I ever had the guts to actually try it out (because it has no method for boosting it's decent speed stats).
In any case, I've been having success with this team, but I still as though it has the potential to go the next level i.e. to be a very good "solid" team. If you have any hints and tips -don't hold back, please tell me. Your suggestions are much appreciated, thanks everyone.
Team Overview:
Notification:
1) I tend to position my team in a particular order. So, although Gallade is the star of show; I would rather have Azumarill be the first Pokemon my Opponent sees or thinks I'm going to send out.
The reason for this, is so that they switch in a "counter" i.e. something with "Will-o-Wisp", Hazards, Toxic, Paralysis etc.
However, in reality, my first Pokemon is usually Espeon. He's far too fragile and I want maximize my chances of having them send out the wrong Pokemon so that I can set up my screens (as they switch out). Based on the Pokemon I think they'd want to send out to KO'd Espeon, I choose whether or not to set up "Reflect" or "Light Screen" first and then the move "Yawn" or "Baton Pass" follows shortly after.
2) With Hyper offense the strategy is rather simple i.e. set up "once" and try to sweep. Do not get too cocky with setting up! Because "luck hax" is a major factor in Pokemon and I cannot risk receiving a crit.
Team Details:
Aquamaster (Azumarill) (M) @ Mystic Water
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Belly Drum
- Aqua Jet
- Play Rough
- Superpower
This little guy is ironically responsible for the majority of my sweeps and not Mega Gallade.
Under both Screens Azumarill doesn't even need the Sitrus berry and that 20% boost to Aqua Jet from the item "Mystic Water" becomes fatal. Credit goes to Serebii for this moveset. Play Rough is specifically for Garchomp and Rotom Wash. Super Power is simply a filler move for Ferrothorn.
Note: Since Espeon usually succeeds in bouncing back at least one entry hazard e.g. Stealth Rock. That 20% Boost to "Aqua Jet" from the item "Mystic Water" becomes lethal (thanks to Stealth Rocks).
He is also my "priority-attack-mon".
-Damage Calculations-
+6 252+ Atk Mystic Water Huge Power Aqua Jet vs...
252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 492-578 (117.14 - 137.61%)
252 HP / 4 Def Skarmory: 283-334 (84.73 - 100%)
4 HP / 252+ Def Blissey: 690-813 (105.82 - 124.69%)
252 HP / 0 Def Mew: 381-448 (94.3 - 110.89%)
0 HP / 0 Def Latios: 229-270 (76.07 - 89.7%)
4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 399-469 (111.45 - 131%)
4 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 180-212 (74.38 - 87.6%)
0 HP / 0 Def Breloom: 229-270 (87.73 - 103.44%)
0 HP / 0 Def Salamence: 229-270 (69.18 - 81.57%)
248 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 265-313 (62.64 - 73.99%)
252 HP / 4 Def Jirachi: 379-447 (93.81 - 110.64%)
0 HP / 0 Def Starmie: 218-257 (83.52 - 98.46%)
0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 264-311 (92.63 - 109.12%)
0 HP / 0 Def Delphox: 998-1176 (342.95 - 404.12%)
Checkmate (Bisharp) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
Bisharp and Mega Gallade form a brilliant offensive core, in the sense that they both beat each others threats hard. Under both screens Bisharp finds a world of opportunity to easily set up "Swords Dance" -thus raising it's attack stats to insane levels. It's weapons of choice from then on is either the moves "Knock Off" or "Sucker Punch". The move "Iron Head" is specifically for Clefable.
Note: Since Espeon usually succeeds in bouncing back at least one entry hazard e.g. Stealth Rock. Bisharp works as my "Defog" counter. He is also my "priority-attack-mon".
Gladiator (Gallade) @ Galladite
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Zen Headbutt
Mega Gallade and Bisharp form a brilliant offensive core, in the sense that they both beat each others threats hard. Under both screens Mega Gallade finds a world of opportunity to easily set up "Swords Dance" -thus raising it's attack stats to insane levels.
I replaced the move "Close Combat" with "Drain Punch" because the move Swords Dance already makes Drain Punch powerful. Plus the Health Points gained is highly important i.e. to survive priority attacks and to still remain bulky thanks to the Screens. Thanks to this, Gallade often survives many of he's fights with Max HP and can afford to go up against it's counters e.g. Latias (thanks to the HP gained and the screens).
-Damage Calculations-
252 SpA Life Orb Latios Psyshock vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Gallade through Light Screen: 88-105 (31.7 - 37.9%) -- 93.5% chance to 3HKO
"Zen Headbutt" is the move I click if I need more power!!! It often one shots Clefable (lacking Unaware) and carries that ever so useful chance to flinch.
Ice Punch is specifically for Rock Helmet Garcomp. Mega Gallade cannot waste time beating up that thing and the damage from Rock Helmet and Rough Skin really makes me cringe.
Note: Since Espeon usually succeeds in bouncing back at least one entry hazard e.g. Stealth Rock. Bisharp works as my "Defog" counter.
Priority (Talonflame) (M) @ Sharp Beak
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
- Swords Dance
- Roost
TalonFlame is there as the final sweeper and to get rid of pests such as Keldeo. Talon Flame also works as a brilliant lure i.e. by drawing out Landorus, Tyranitar and Heatran. By the time Talonflame faints, Mega Gallade or Azumarill can then KO them or pick up the pace by getting a free Swords Dance or Belly Drum as Heatran, Landorus and Tyranitar switch out. Talonflame also works as my WilloWisp absorbed.
"Brave Bird" and "Flare Blitz" nails everything that isn't Heatran, Tyranitar or Landorus. But even then, a few boosts from "Sword Dance" really starts to pack a noticeable punch. The move "Roost" is there to boost longevity and get over it's Stealth Rock weakness to some extent.
Note: Talonflame is sometimes my late game cleaner if Heatran, Tyranitar or Landorus have been KO'd. He is also my "priority-attack-mon" and easily KO's most faster Pokemon e.g. Scarfedmons and Mega Alakazam etc.
Destiny (Espeon) (M) @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Baton Pass
- Yawn
Without this little guy ...my team would be in trouble. And that's why I always try to maximize my chances to setting screens safely.
The support moves "Reflect" and "Light Screen" are there to greatly aid out victory by boosting my Pokemon teams defenses i.e. all of them are fragile and need it to badly.
"Baton Pass" is actually there to make sure Espeon takes a hit, so that I can switch something else safely in.
Note: Since Espeon usually succeeds in bouncing back at least one entry hazard e.g. Stealth Rock. Bisharp works as my "Defog" counter.
Dust Bunny (Diggersby) (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- Quick Attack
- Swords Dance
Under both screens Diggersby finds a world of opportunity to easily set up "Swords Dance" -thus raising it's attack stats to insane levels.
Sword Dance is the main move to get it going. After that, if Diggersby can out speed it ...he can KO it with a 1HKO with a combination of the moves "Return" and "Earthquake".
Note: Diggersby works as my paralysis absorber and reliable wall-breaker (Azumarill needs Belly Drum to pull it off but that takes half it's health down). Funnily enough, after Azumarill (the rabbit) Diggersby is the next Pokemon that get's the most kills and sometimes sweeps. He is also my "priority-attack-mon".
Threats to the Team:A) Rain Teams short and simple ...or specifically "Mega Swampert":
All my Pokemon are fragile, so it often pops my Pokemon with a 1HKO "Waterfall", boosted by Stab and the Rain itself. Unless Reflect is up, but even then it often has "Power-up Punch".
It's too bulky, only Talonflame can do some good damage. Everything else gets KO's before they can even touch it (TwT)
B) Stall ...or more specifically, Whimscott.
The cheap piece of
Team In Action:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-285517790
Here's where I got the nicknames for my Pokemon:
http://pokemonname-rater.tumblr.com/
Last edited:
