Apologies if this doesn't fit the formatting criteria. I haven't posted in a long time, but with the introduction of Mega-Evolutions and me finally obtaining a good breeding Ditto, I've decided to start competitive battling again.
Overview:
With the introduction of Mega-Evolutions, I wanted to start battling again. Houndoom has always been one of my favorite pokemon since introduces in GS, and isn't commonly used (as far as i'm aware) and will be the focus of my team.
Team Building:
With Houndoom being my first choice, I wanted to take full advantage of Solar Power and leave him as a late game sweeper. With 140SpA and 115Spe he is quite formidable and unexpected on a team.
In order to take advantage of Houndoom's Solar Power, I needed Sunny Day to be in effect. Ninetales provides this with Drought, and rather than acting a special attacker it's main purpose is to inflict Will-O-Wisp and chip away at enemies. With that in mind, Ninetales can also abuse Roar which would work effectively with Stealth Rock in quickly inflicting some base damage.
Now, back when I first started competitive battling, Aerodactyl was the king of setting up Stealth Rock because of it's boasting 130Spe it can lay out Stealth Rock and if it survives (which, with Focus Sash it can) has a few decently powerful moves to lay some damage before it faints. From here I wanted a Pokemon that could inflict some annoying damage, and mainly chip away at a few Pokemon or leave them status inflicted.
Ferrothorn with its Iron Barbs ability makes a great physical wall, as well as compliments residual damage coming from Stealth Rock and can also leave Leech Seed to stop it from fainting. Not only that if I want Houndoom to be as impressive as possible, I need to leave a few dints before switching him in. Which is why Ferrothorn will also be abusing Toxic to help start leaving marks. Ferrothorn also covers the Water weakness that I current have a 3x of. With that 3x Water weakness in mind, I wanted to cover that gap with one of my all time favorites.
Old mate Gengar is designed to be a heavy hitter. Acting as a Life Orb attacker with Thunderbolt as a surprise move, it can quickly deal with Gyarados, who I noticed would put a dint in my team.
For the final piece I wanted to put something in that could throw a few people off, and although Azumarill doesn't have the best stats, the combination of Huge Power and the Assault Vest makes this pokemon quite powerful.
Lead:
Aerodactyl
Unnerve
Jolly @ Focus Sash
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Stealth Rock
Taunt
Stone Edge
Earth Quake
Aerodactyl is mainly in this set to stop Stealth Rock and set up it's own Stealth Rock whilst being protected by Focus Sash. Stone Edge and Earth Quake are in place to help throw around some damage if it can survive the first few attacks, and if Taunt isn't needed.
Utility:
Ferrothorn
Iron Barbs
Relaxed @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Toxic
Leech Seed
Gyro Ball
Power Whip
Ferrothorn isn't going to be sent in right away, but serves the purpose of setting up Toxic / Leech Seed, and then either switching out or throwing some power around. Gyro Ball is incredibly useful and can leave some damage, and Power Whip is designed to wipe out my water foes before Ninetales / Houndoom
Special Attacker:
Gengar
Levitate
Timid @ Life Orb
252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Shadow Ball
Sludge Wave
Focus Blast
Thunderbolt
Gengar serves as a heavy hitter, with 2 powerful STAB moves that can 2HKO quite a few opponents. Focus blast deals with a few Dark Pokemon, however i'm aware that it may be worth substituting Gengar with Dusknoir (as Houndoom will be my main Special Attacker, however Gengar serves well against Gyarados, so advice here would be appreciated.
Bulky Attacker
Azumarill
Huge Power
Adamant @ Assault Vest
240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 SpD
Play Rough
Waterfall
Aqua Jet
Ice Punch
Azumarill and the Assault Vest can pack some serious power, and with 240 HP it can also take some hits. Play Rough is this guys main stab move and can deal with a few opponents, where Waterfall can deal with the types the Play Rough doesn't bode well with. Aqua Jet is here to do any last damage before fainting or finishing faster opponents, and Ice Punch to deal with the Pesky Dragons.
Sun Set-Up:
Ninetales
Drought (Hidden Ability)
Timid @ Leftovers
252 HP / 120 Def / 136 Spe
Flamethrower
Will-O-Wisp
Sunny Day
Roar
Ninetales main part to play is to set up Sunny Day for Houndoom, as well as inflicting burns on any remaining pokemon. Roar is here to aid chipping away at pokemon by causing them to switch into Stealth Rock, and do any final damage before Houndoom gets sent out.
Mega:
Mega Houndoom
Solar Power
Timid @ Houndoominite
252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Nasty Plot
Fire Blast
Dark Pulse
Solarbeam
With Sunny Day in effect from Ninetales, Mega Houndoom becomes a force to be reckoned with after 1 Nasty Plot. STAB Fire Blast can do some serious damage, especially to those after Stealth Rock and a status infliction. The same goes for Dark Pulse, and Solar Beam is left to deal with any Rock / Ground / Water that come my way afterwards, and with the 1.5x damage done from Solar Power, this can be extremely powerful.
Conclusion:
I'm sure this team needs some work, and all advice would be appreciated greatly. I'm currently in the process of breeding my Houndoor, so I have plenty of time to work on it. Thanks for all your help smogoners.
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