SM OU Mega-Alakazam + Tapu lele team, suggestions welcome

[Nohime]

Introduction

Hello, I have been casually playing competitive mons for some time and I've tried my luck at making an Alakazam team since he's my favourite pokemon. This team has seen many forms since I've been constantly trying to improve it using what I learned from playing it. Since i'm a fairly casual player I'm posting this team here to get suggestions or insight I may not have known of.

Alakazam-Mega @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Energy Ball
- Substitute
This is the mon the team is based around, Alakazam is an amazing sweeper capable of OHKO or 2HKO most of the metagame. Psychic and Focus blast don't need much explanation. For my third offensive skill however, I choose energy ball over shadow ball since it reliable deals with Greninja, Mega-Swampert, Mega-Gyarados and Quagsire which are much more common threats than things weak to shadow ball. For my last skill I choose substitute, I like the utility it brings and getting one off at the right moment can often seal the game in your favor.


Tapu Lele @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Taunt
Alakazam's best friend, those two pokemon have amazing synergy, boosting Alakazam's already great STAB damage and protecting it from its main weakness which is priority moves. I choose Psyshock over Psychic to better threaten specially defensive mons, Moonblast for a powerful secondary STAB that threatens the many Dragon-types in the tier and Focus Blast for that extra coverage against Steel, Dark or Rock-types. For my last skill I choose Taunt over Calm Mind, I tired both and in my experience the team rarely needs a set-up sweeper since it packs so much punch and I enjoy the utility and tempo Taunt gives you more. I choose Fightium-Z to deal with kill or heavily damage annoying Steel and Dark-types like Ferrothorn, Tyranitar and Heatran.

Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 236 Def / 20 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Landorus-T is my physically defensive pivot. His set doesnt need much explanation. Hidden power Ice is important because it puts opposing Landorus into Psyshock/Psychic range and deals with dangerous threats like Hawchula Garchomp and Mega-Pinsir. Rocky Helmet over Leftovers because the chip damage is usually more important than Lando's longevity since it allows your other mons to clean up.

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch
Originally a Scarf Magnezone, I found that the team really needed a specially defensive wall and I found a good one in Assault Vest Magearna. She deals with a lot of special attackers the rest of the team can't switch into. Fleur and Flash Cannon threaten Dragon and Fairy-types, notably the Tapus, Diancie and Kyurem. HP Fire is there to chip at Ferrothorn and beat Magnezone in case you get trapped and Volt Switch to not lose momentum.

Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Defog
Originally a Choice Band Tyranitar, I found its lack of speed and vulnerability to status moves disappointing so I replaced it with Scarf Kartana. Kartana acts as a second cleaner that threatens specially defensive mons. Leaf Blade, Sacred Sword and Smart Strike offer good coverage and Defog is important to have against hazard stacking, Sicky Web and Screens.

Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252
Spe Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off
Mamoswine is a pokemon I'm kinda iffy about. It threatens a lot of annoying mons like Heatran, Landorus-T, Magearna and specially defensive Tangrowth but those same mons easily threaten it back and it often ends up being there to just to do enough damage for Alakazam and Kartana to clean up before getting sacked. Ice Shard is important because its the priority move the team has and Knock Off is a useful utility skill.

Conclusion

All in all, I believe this team to be pretty decent and competitively viable but my lack of experience leads me to believe there is a lot of potential room for improvement. All kind of suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading

Importable

Alakazam-Mega @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Energy Ball
- Substitute

Tapu Lele @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Focus Blast
- Taunt

Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 236 Def / 20 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch

Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Defog

Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off

 

[TheAuraUser]

I’m new to OU too. I can’t really imagine running Defog on a Kartana, especially since you will be choice-locked into it. Then again, your team doesn’t have good defogger, so Kartana works. But to avoid being choice-locked into Defog, you could use Life Orb instead. Kartana’s so frail anyway it doesn’t make a difference. The scarf is important though.

 

[Diophantine]

Hey Nohime, Alakazam and Tapu Lele for a dangerous core that pretty much forces everyone to run a Steel. I would change a few things about the team though.

First off, I'd change the Alakazam set. I think that Shadow Ball is a lot more useful as you hit the Psychic types that would usually wall you such as Tapu Lele, Mew, opposing Alakazam (I guess you could hope to win a speed-tie). Substitute is a nice option and I'm not saying you should definitely change it, but I'd like you to consider Taunt as a utility move. Taunt is great for shutting down mons trying to set up (if you're comfortable with risking Alakazam at that point), getting up hazards, and the sort. Like I said, Sub is still a great option.

At the moment, some common threats are sticking out to me that rip holes in your team such as Zygarde, Medicham, Battle Bond Greninja (as Magearna gets worn down over the course of the battle as it is the only switch in to special attackers) and Rockium or Flyinium Landorus. Rocky Helmet Landorus is not the best solution for Zygarde because, although you possess Intimidate, you have no recovery and can only switch in a number of times. Calc:

Spoiler

-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 252 HP / 236+ Def Landorus-Therian: 105-124 (27.4 - 32.4%) -- 71.1% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery

and that's not even considering Stealth Rocks which are kind of hard to remove seeing as your removal choice is Kartana.

I think that Mew works well here. Yes, I know we're stacking up many Psychic types, but Mew's role is very important here. It hard walls Medicham outside of Electric Terrain boosted Thunder Punch, it outspeeds Zygarde and threatens to burn it and can also Defog or set up rocks or do a number of things that you want it to do. The set I would use is:

Spoiler

Mew @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 240 HP / 84 Def / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Ice Beam
- Stealth Rock
- Will-O-Wisp

I would slightly change the Magearna set. Iron Head over Flash Cannon means that you can beat Calm Mind Magearna 1v1. I changed the nature and IVs to be able to get slow Volt-Switches off and have some use in Trick Room.

Spoiler

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Volt Switch
- Iron Head
- Fleur Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]

I am a big fan of Mamoswine in today's metagame as it is a difficult mon to switch in to. However, I am not sure about its role on this team. As you have your Psyspam core already, Toxapex and Landorus are already threatened. Tangrowth also doesn't appreciate Psyshocks in terrain if Assault Vested. You also have Alakazam and Tapu Lele threatening Heatran. The only thing that this thing is used for is Magearna and Tapu Bulu. Celesteela, while not very common at the moment, is also a defensive threat for you as it walls Tapu Lele, Alakazam and Kartana. I feel as though we can choose a Pokemon that does this while also providing more use for the team.

I propose changing the Tapu Lele set to Calm Mind HP Fire over Taunt and Focus Blast and then adding Steelium-Z Dragon Dance Zygarde. Calm Mind Tapu Lele is difficult for stall to deal with too.

Spoiler

Zygarde @ Steelium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Iron Tail
- Extreme Speed
- Thousand Arrows

Tapu Lele @ Twisted Spoon
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Calm Mind

I believe that Pinsir is still a threat to the team on paper, but we do have counter play to it. A good strategy would be to keep Stealth Rocks up. We also have mons that outspeed it and force it out. If Psychic Terrain is up, that's Alakazam. If not, that's Kartana.

Here's the team after my changes:

Spoiler

Alakazam-Mega @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Substitute

Tapu Lele @ Twisted Spoon
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Calm Mind

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fleur Cannon
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch

Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Defog

Mew @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 240 HP / 84 Def / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Ice Beam
- Stealth Rock
- Will-O-Wisp

Zygarde @ Steelium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Iron Tail
- Extreme Speed
- Thousand Arrows

I hope you like the changes. If there are any questions you have about it, please do not hesitate to ask. :)

 

[Nohime]

Hello Diophantine and thank you for your reply. You bring a lot of interesting points notably the use of Mew.
Its a pokemon I thought about using multiple times but the prospect of running a third Psychic discouraged me from doing so and my inability of coming up with a good EV spread did not help either. I also love your Zygarde suggestion and that you brought up Celesteela which does indeed give me a lot of trouble.

My main question would be how does Mew perform compared to Lando-T? What role is it meant to fill in its place?

The only suggestion I disagree with is Shadow Ball over Energy Ball on Alakazam, I tried both extensively and I prefer the latter much more as you can beat Greninja without risking a Focus Blast and revenge-kill mega-Swampert which I find are much more threatening than Medicham that already gets OHKO by Psychic after rocks or under Psychic terrain or Tapu Lele that gets dealt with by Magearna and Kartana.

Again, thank you for your suggestions and advice and I'm eager to try them out

 

[Diophantine]

Hello Diophantine and thank you for your reply. You bring a lot of interesting points notably the use of Mew.
Its a pokemon I thought about using multiple times but the prospect of running a third Psychic discouraged me from doing so and my inability of coming up with a good EV spread did not help either. I also love your Zygarde suggestion and that you brought up Celesteela which does indeed give me a lot of trouble.

My main question would be how does Mew perform compared to Lando-T? What role is it meant to fill in its place?

The only suggestion I disagree with is Shadow Ball over Energy Ball on Alakazam, I tried both extensively and I prefer the latter much more as you can beat Greninja without risking a Focus Blast and revenge-kill mega-Swampert which I find are much more threatening than Medicham that already gets OHKO by Psychic after rocks or under Psychic terrain or Tapu Lele that gets dealt with by Magearna and Kartana.

Again, thank you for your suggestions and advice and I'm eager to try them out

You've got Landorus acting as a Stealth Rock setter and a blanket check to physical threats. I think that Mew can act as both of these things while being able to check the things that the rest of your team cannot (or at least finds difficulty in) handle such as Medicham, Choice Banded Zygarde and Z-move Landorus. Getting a burn off on Ferrothorn is nice too, as is luring Heatran for you to make a switch predicting it to bring in something that can break Heatran.

I agree with you on Energy Ball, actually. I've changed my mind haha. If you feel comfortable with that then stick with it. Though, I mentioned Shadow Ball as a way to beat opposing Psychic types like Mew and Tapu Lele.

Reply again if you feel like you have more to discuss :)

 

[Simia]

Hello, that's a very cool team you have there. However, Fire-Types are a pain to deal with due to your lack of a fire resist. I also feel Rain can be threatening with Kartana acting as your only Water-Resist and Celesteela can be threatening because nothing in your team breaks through it or even annoy it. Anyway, I want to make some suggestions that I hope will improve this team.

Major Changes

>

As I said, you clearly lacked a fire resist. And I think Gastrodon over Mamoswine could work. It is a great answer to fire pokemon like Heatran since it's able to take on all of its moves except the rare Toxic that can be annoying, and it also provides you a check to Celesteela. Full SpD spread here, with Toxic to annoy the likes of Tangrowth.

>

[optional] This change looks great here for two reasons. First it gives you another water resist and secondly, it provides some appreciated support for your own Kartana. This also helps against threats such as Zygarde and Rain teams and it still checks well both Tapu Lele Ash Greninja when holding AV. I'd use the standard spread here, with Nature's Madness to weakan Steels like Celesteela and Magearna on the switch. Btw, made it optional because Mag works too as its a pretty cool answer to things like tapu lele, greninja, etc.

Minor Changes

I want to suggest two things on it: Shadow Ball over Energy Ball and HP Fire over Sub which is optional. The first one is somewhat important since it lets you hit Psychic-Types such as both Latios and Latias, Reuniclus, etc while Energy Ball is very matchup based and not a great option overall. The second change lets you hit M-Scizor and Celesteela for good damages, which is very cool in a Psychic Spam team.

I also want to suggest two things on it: CM over Taunt and HP Fire over Focus Blast. CM over taunt lets you break through a lot of things that would generally switch for free into your Psychic Spam core, so for example Celesteela and Magearna, meaning later in the game, M-Zam can do its job better with its checks weakened. The second change is to not be blocked by M-Scizor as well. I'd also run Z Psychock to maximise the power.

~~

team

Alakazam-Mega @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Shadow Ball

Tapu Lele @ Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Calm Mind

Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 236 Def / 20 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn

Tapu Bulu @ Assault Vest
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Atk / 60 SpD / 144 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Horn Leech
- Wood Hammer
- Stone Edge
- Nature's Madness

Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Defog

Gastrodon-East (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 240 HP / 248 SpD / 20 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Recover

OR

Alakazam-Mega @ Alakazite
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Shadow Ball

Tapu Lele @ Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Calm Mind

Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 236 Def / 20 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn

Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch

Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Defog

Gastrodon-East (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 240 HP / 248 SpD / 20 Spe
Sassy Nature
- Scald
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Recover

Hope the changes will work out, good luck.

 

[patlop2307]

Hey there Nohime! I have noticed that you just joined the forums a few days ago, and for being a newbie, this a pretty well built team! However, a team is not without its flaws and weaknesses and this one is no exception. I am going to try to cover most weaknesses, while keeping the theme of the team alive.

Overview:​

​

The team, although decent looking, does find itself lacking the needed momentum. The team, for instance, does not have a

or good

resist, making it incredibly tough to deal with the likes of Heatran, Charizard, Keldeo, etc. . The Mamoswine does not get you anywhere, I do not believe. Reason being that it is pretty slow and has no Focus Sash, nor does it have any other utility moves to support the otherwise, except for Knock Off. The Energy Ball Alakazam set is also odd to me, since there is a better alternative, that being Dazzling Gleam. That is close to everything I think is wrong with the team, however, and not many major changes need to be made.​

​

What is your team weak to?​

​

: I think Halucha is a huge problem to your team, to be frank. With the - more or less - recent change of Hawlucha running Roost, there is close to no counterplay left on your team. Your Mamoswine lacks the Focus Sash at moments like these. Your speed control, Kartana, cannot really damage it to the point where it would not set up on it. It also sets up on the Landorus-Therian, and once the it has set up on it, there is almost no way to get out of the loss. The only semi-counterplay I would consider is Magearna, but after some chip it also dies to a +2 High Jump Kick from Hawlucha.​

​

: This Pokémon is also a huge threat to take care of! Whilst it does not 6-0 your team at any given moment, it can put a huge hole into your team, if played right. With a bit of chip, and I mean 15-27%, it can force a kill. This can be repeated a couple of times, if either the team has good Defog support, or the right Pokémon is in at the right time. ​

​

: Celesteela is actually a Pokémon you just auto-lose to, since you cannot break offensively touch it in the slightest. It is a Pokémon I am going to try to cover as well as possible defensively with the next couple of changes.​

​

How can you improve the team?​

​

Major Changes:​

​

>

: As I have already pointed out, I do not know what Mamoswine's exact role is one the team, as, with that set, you are not executing any role well enough to the point where it could work. That is why I consider Gastrodon to be a way better fit on the team than Mamoswine. It gives you a Heatran check, that is just generally a long living Pokémon. I chose a max Defense set, because it poses as a check to Hawlucha as well, not an excellent one, but it is enough to not get 6-0d by it.​

​

>

: This change helps dealing with Zygarde being a nuisance to your team, for the most part. It does have some additional excellent uses, however. Kartana's Leaf Blade gets boosted by the terrain is just one more out of many reasons why I am suggesting that Pokémon.​

​

Minor Changes:​

​

>

| Stone Edge > Hidden Power [Ice] (

) : "Why did I take out the option of beating opposing Landorus-Therians?" one might ask. There are two reasons why I went with the change. The first one being that Mega-Pinsir is a huge threat that needs to be taken care of somehow, someway. Secondly, I think that U-turn is way nicer to have on Psychic-Spam because you get Tapu Lele in safer, and therefor, more often. I chose to run Leftovers over Rocky Helmet because I am of the opinion that defensive Landorus needs some sort of recovery, if it wants to reliably check threats such as Mega-Lopunny or Zygarde.​

​

>

(

) : That set helps the Tapu Lele be more efficient in terms of breaking stall, as it deals better with the likes of Clefable and Quagsire on stall. Psychium Z does create a sort of dependence on the move Focus Blast when it comes to beating Tyranitar, which is not the most reliable way to beat it but it is fine, I suppose. It is your decision at the end of the day what you prefer after all.​

​

Hidden Power [Fire] > Energy Ball (

) : With the Magearna being dropped, we are left a bit weak to Scizor and its mega form. I have thought about replacing Energy Ball to Hidden Power, since you do have Greninja covererd for the most part. Tapu Bulu reliably covers Ash-Greninja and Gastrodon every other Greninja set. Hidden Power also covers Ferrothorn which is also a nuisance to the team.​

​

Conclusion:​

​

The team was pretty decent and not a lot of changes had to be made, just a few minor tweaks. I should have covered most of the weaknesses, though (Celesteela, Mega-Pinsir, Hawlucha). The suggested is also not perfect, however, since the team does seem a bit weak to Mega-Medicham. With that being said, if you have any question concerning the team or any points you do not get or agree with in any way, feel free to let me know and have fun with the team! ^^​

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