I really wanted to build a (hopefully) successful team around Mega Alakazam as he is one of my favourite Megas in the game and really doesn't get to see much play as there are better mega choices out there
The Team:
Alakazam-Mega (M) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard > Trace
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Protect
So the first Pokemon on the team is Mega Zam. With a monstrous 175 Special Attack and a base speed of 150 to match, Mega Alakazam is destructive when played right. Psychic is the STAB move of choice over Psyshock as the extra power is nice and I don't feel the need to hit on the defensive side with Zam. Focus Blast is an obvious choice to hit Dark and Steel types, even though the accuracy is a real bummer. Shadow Ball is for the Psychic types that want to come in and when I want to kill a Steel or Dark type without fear of missing (at low health of course). Protect is for safe Mega Evolving and getting good Trace abilities. Protect is also good for taking on Mega Lopunny as Fake Out can't touch meh. The 216 Speed EVs and a Timid Nature are enough to outspeed Timid/Jolly Mega Sceptile and Beedrill while also out-speeding Mega Lopunny.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Earth Plate
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Next up on the team I wanted a Stealth Rocker who also has an offensive presence on the field and Landorus fit the role perfectly. The Earth Plate boosts Landorus' already scary Earthquake whilst also feinting the Choice Scarf which a lot of people think this Landorus is when I don't Stealth Rock immediately. Knock Off is useful for taking off Leftovers on bulky Pokemon and for catching Lati@s on the switch into a "Scarfed" Earthquake. U-turn is a staple on any Landorus-T set and is helpful for getting out of tough situations and just for getting momentum. The 88 Speed EVs are for out-speeding Max Speed Adamant Bisharp but I am considering 180 Speed EVs for Jolly Metagross before the Speed boost it gets from Mega Evolving but I don't really think I need it.
Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
This is the first time I've ever used Bulk Up Talonflame but now that I have... I am extremely impressed. It, for some reason, can take on Landorus-T, more so the defensive version. This is also my fairy switch in as the team is pretty weak to them. Once Heatran is gone and, the more troublesome, Rotom-W, the game pretty much goes to Talonflame. Bulk Up is the main move of the set and allows Talonflame to have a more offensive presence and to be a lot bulkier. Brave Bird is the STAB move on this set which also gets priority due to Gale Wings. Speaking of Gale Wings Roost also gains priority which is good and bad at the same time. Good because you get that priority recovery and bad because you can then be Earthquake'd as they will always go after your Roost. Will-O is great for getting more defensive bulk and for catching Landorus-T and the likes on switch-ins to Brave Bird. It's also good for getting residual damage on the opponent. Max HP and Special Defense to max out Talonflame's Special Bulk to take a lot of attacks from various special attackers although Electric and Water attacks Talonflame can not take more than one usually.
Keldeo-Resolute @ Expert Belt
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Icy Wind
Keldeo has been on the team since the start and it did start of as Specs, but through time has changed to Expert Belt due to me being able to feint the Specs and be able to hit something on the switch with a super effective move instead of the move I was "locked" into. Hydro Pump for the STAB and massive power which is good for stuff like Skarmory. Secret Sword is the other STAB move on the set which also hits on the defensive side which is nice for special walls who switch in to take Keldeo's attacks. Hidden Power Electric is good for Gyarados, Slowbro and other Keldeo who switch in as well as just water types in general. Icy Wind is great for Dragon switch ins and to slow down Scarfers so I can out-speed them. Icy Wind is also cool for Lati@s switch ins because I can then slow them down and kill them with another one. You have to be careful with Icy Wind if the opponent has a Bisharp as they get the +2 boost when they switch in. The EVs are obvious, max Special Attack and Speed.
Bisharp @ BlackGlasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Pursuit
Bisharp is one of the most dangerous Pokemon in the tier because Defog is abundant in OU. The item of choice is Black Glasses as the boost to his Dark Type attacks is greatly appreciated and is useful with getting that last ditch damage with Sucker Punch. Knock Off is obvious on Bisharp as the power is awesome as well as being able to get rid of Pokemon's items. Sucker Punch is also another amazing STAB move which has priority. Sucker Punch also makes you play mind games with your opponent. Iron Head is Bisharp's secondary STAB and also hits pretty hard and has the 20% chance to flinch. Pursuit is great for catching Psychic Pokemon switching out and just Pokemon at low percent that want to stay around.
Two changes I was considering:
Bisharp > Azumarill
Black Glasses > Assault Vest
Not sure how well they would work as Bisharp is awesome having around but I do feel as if Azumarill would be doing a bit more for the team. Also another Ice and Water resist.
The Assault Vest would help switching in to Lati@s and other special attackers but I feel the loss of power will be really noticeable, especially on resisted Sucker Punches
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 186 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Defog
- Healing Wish
Latias was originally a Latios but I wanted a bit more bulk on switching in to Pokemon so... Latias is awesome and I noticed the difference in the first battle it played in, being able to take Keldeo's hits better on the switch was greatly needed. Latias' Draco Meteor is surprisingly powerful and is great for getting damage on a Pokemon. Psyshock is Latias' secondary STAB move and is good for special walls that switch in to take Latias' Draco. Defog is a must have with Talonflame on the team and is good for getting rid of Spikes as well as Stealth Rock. Healing Wish is awesome for getting a Pokemon back up to full and getting rid of possible paralysis/burn. The EVs are standard for bulky Defog Latias and allows Latias to not get 2HKO'd by certain moves.
Change I was considering:
Psyshock > Thunderbolt
Psyshock > HP Fire
Literally just to take on Azumarill slightly better.
For Ferrothorn, Scizor and those Bisharps that switch in
Well, that's the team, it might look strange on paper but when you try it out it can be surprisingly effective. I'm struggling to get above 1610 (which is where I've peaked as of right now) and was wondering if the team could be improved anymore, or me just get better at the game.
Thanks for reading!!! Any replies are much appreciated!!!
The Team:
GoodUsernameIsGone
http://puu.sh/evaWV/91c1cece80.jpg
http://puu.sh/evaWV/91c1cece80.jpg
Alakazam-Mega (M) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard > Trace
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Protect
So the first Pokemon on the team is Mega Zam. With a monstrous 175 Special Attack and a base speed of 150 to match, Mega Alakazam is destructive when played right. Psychic is the STAB move of choice over Psyshock as the extra power is nice and I don't feel the need to hit on the defensive side with Zam. Focus Blast is an obvious choice to hit Dark and Steel types, even though the accuracy is a real bummer. Shadow Ball is for the Psychic types that want to come in and when I want to kill a Steel or Dark type without fear of missing (at low health of course). Protect is for safe Mega Evolving and getting good Trace abilities. Protect is also good for taking on Mega Lopunny as Fake Out can't touch meh. The 216 Speed EVs and a Timid Nature are enough to outspeed Timid/Jolly Mega Sceptile and Beedrill while also out-speeding Mega Lopunny.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Earth Plate
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Next up on the team I wanted a Stealth Rocker who also has an offensive presence on the field and Landorus fit the role perfectly. The Earth Plate boosts Landorus' already scary Earthquake whilst also feinting the Choice Scarf which a lot of people think this Landorus is when I don't Stealth Rock immediately. Knock Off is useful for taking off Leftovers on bulky Pokemon and for catching Lati@s on the switch into a "Scarfed" Earthquake. U-turn is a staple on any Landorus-T set and is helpful for getting out of tough situations and just for getting momentum. The 88 Speed EVs are for out-speeding Max Speed Adamant Bisharp but I am considering 180 Speed EVs for Jolly Metagross before the Speed boost it gets from Mega Evolving but I don't really think I need it.
Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
This is the first time I've ever used Bulk Up Talonflame but now that I have... I am extremely impressed. It, for some reason, can take on Landorus-T, more so the defensive version. This is also my fairy switch in as the team is pretty weak to them. Once Heatran is gone and, the more troublesome, Rotom-W, the game pretty much goes to Talonflame. Bulk Up is the main move of the set and allows Talonflame to have a more offensive presence and to be a lot bulkier. Brave Bird is the STAB move on this set which also gets priority due to Gale Wings. Speaking of Gale Wings Roost also gains priority which is good and bad at the same time. Good because you get that priority recovery and bad because you can then be Earthquake'd as they will always go after your Roost. Will-O is great for getting more defensive bulk and for catching Landorus-T and the likes on switch-ins to Brave Bird. It's also good for getting residual damage on the opponent. Max HP and Special Defense to max out Talonflame's Special Bulk to take a lot of attacks from various special attackers although Electric and Water attacks Talonflame can not take more than one usually.
Keldeo-Resolute @ Expert Belt
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Icy Wind
Keldeo has been on the team since the start and it did start of as Specs, but through time has changed to Expert Belt due to me being able to feint the Specs and be able to hit something on the switch with a super effective move instead of the move I was "locked" into. Hydro Pump for the STAB and massive power which is good for stuff like Skarmory. Secret Sword is the other STAB move on the set which also hits on the defensive side which is nice for special walls who switch in to take Keldeo's attacks. Hidden Power Electric is good for Gyarados, Slowbro and other Keldeo who switch in as well as just water types in general. Icy Wind is great for Dragon switch ins and to slow down Scarfers so I can out-speed them. Icy Wind is also cool for Lati@s switch ins because I can then slow them down and kill them with another one. You have to be careful with Icy Wind if the opponent has a Bisharp as they get the +2 boost when they switch in. The EVs are obvious, max Special Attack and Speed.
Bisharp @ BlackGlasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Pursuit
Bisharp is one of the most dangerous Pokemon in the tier because Defog is abundant in OU. The item of choice is Black Glasses as the boost to his Dark Type attacks is greatly appreciated and is useful with getting that last ditch damage with Sucker Punch. Knock Off is obvious on Bisharp as the power is awesome as well as being able to get rid of Pokemon's items. Sucker Punch is also another amazing STAB move which has priority. Sucker Punch also makes you play mind games with your opponent. Iron Head is Bisharp's secondary STAB and also hits pretty hard and has the 20% chance to flinch. Pursuit is great for catching Psychic Pokemon switching out and just Pokemon at low percent that want to stay around.
Two changes I was considering:
Bisharp > Azumarill
Black Glasses > Assault Vest
Not sure how well they would work as Bisharp is awesome having around but I do feel as if Azumarill would be doing a bit more for the team. Also another Ice and Water resist.
The Assault Vest would help switching in to Lati@s and other special attackers but I feel the loss of power will be really noticeable, especially on resisted Sucker Punches
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 186 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Defog
- Healing Wish
Latias was originally a Latios but I wanted a bit more bulk on switching in to Pokemon so... Latias is awesome and I noticed the difference in the first battle it played in, being able to take Keldeo's hits better on the switch was greatly needed. Latias' Draco Meteor is surprisingly powerful and is great for getting damage on a Pokemon. Psyshock is Latias' secondary STAB move and is good for special walls that switch in to take Latias' Draco. Defog is a must have with Talonflame on the team and is good for getting rid of Spikes as well as Stealth Rock. Healing Wish is awesome for getting a Pokemon back up to full and getting rid of possible paralysis/burn. The EVs are standard for bulky Defog Latias and allows Latias to not get 2HKO'd by certain moves.
Change I was considering:
Psyshock > Thunderbolt
Psyshock > HP Fire
Literally just to take on Azumarill slightly better.
For Ferrothorn, Scizor and those Bisharps that switch in
Well, that's the team, it might look strange on paper but when you try it out it can be surprisingly effective. I'm struggling to get above 1610 (which is where I've peaked as of right now) and was wondering if the team could be improved anymore, or me just get better at the game.
Thanks for reading!!! Any replies are much appreciated!!!
Alakazam-Mega (M) @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Protect
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Earth Plate
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
Keldeo-Resolute @ Expert Belt
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Icy Wind
Bisharp @ BlackGlasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Pursuit
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 186 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Defog
- Healing Wish
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Protect
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Earth Plate
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Bulk Up
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
Keldeo-Resolute @ Expert Belt
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Icy Wind
Bisharp @ BlackGlasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Pursuit
Latias (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 186 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Defog
- Healing Wish
