Introduction
Hey Everyone! This is my OU Team I have been working on for a month or so. It has been performing ok on Pokémon Showdown (generally I will hit about 1450, tank into a losing streak, and then bounce back). I’m mostly looking for some advice on things I may be overlooking, and a way to bring this team to the next level.
Teambuilding Process
Scyther has been my favorite Pokémon since gen 1. It is convenient that it evolves into a viable Pokémon with a great mega evolution. I am a huge fan of Technician Boosted STAB Priority moves, and I think U-Turn is a very fun move. In essence: This is my favorite Pokémon, he has a great move pool, and I’m happy it is viable.
I started with Scizor, With him having U-turn I wanted something that I could switch in. Regenerator also has switching synergy, and this is probably the best tank, so it felt natural to include. Additionally in the actual game I got lucky and caught one with the right nature and perfect IVs in everything except speed, so that is nice.
As I already had a physical threat I began looking for a special threat. I previously really liked messing around with Protean Greninja casually on PS! before it got banned, so after it became unbanned I added it back in. I like being able to change types because it adds a level of mind games I can play, hopefully making it harder for my opponents to select the correct moves.
I love bug type pokemon, and I needed a fire type to deal with steel types that were walling me. This guy has been great at setting up on my opponents when they try to switch out or use a status move and I manage to get a substitute to stick.
Going back to the switching in and out theme, I noticed that Earthquake was super effective against Toxapex, so I wanted a Pokémon to switch in that is immune to it, allowing Toxapex to get a free 33% regeneration. With Intimidate as the ability the switch in also has the benefit of lowering attack. This Pokémon has been performing great in that respect as well.
It took me a while to select Breloom as the 6th pokemon. I also tried and previously cut Kartana, Heatran, Victini, and Magnezone. At one point I had too many steel types, which is part of why I have 2 water types to cover the fire weakness. After cutting down on the steel types I was on Victini for a while, but I was running a z-celebrate set and it just felt very 1 dimensional, and used up an important z move slot. Eventually I remembered Breloom used to be pretty good. I like having access to a multi-hit move to break subs, and the occasional disguise. As I said with Scizor I am a huge fan of Technician-STAB-Priority moves, and the sleep status can be quite useful as well.
The Team
The main point of Scizor is that he is a bulky physical sweeper with a solid move pool. I like how he can boost up with sword dance and break through anything. One thing I guess I could cut from his set is U-Turn. Even though I really like it I can’t use it when my opponent has a magnezone, and I need room for either Pursuit, Roost, or Defog. Because my team switches a lot rocks/spikes can be annoying, leaning towards defog. I’m running Bug Bite because it is the best bug-type move compatible with technician. I know berries aren’t as popular as other items, but it might come up once in a while.
Excellent tank. Great to switch into fire type moves that may be aimed at Scizor, can easily switch Landorus-T against earthquake users.
Being able to provide four different STAB coverage on a fast-special sweeper seems great. I also place some amount of value into being able to change types before my opponent’s moves hit as to possibly cause them to choose wrong. I chose Surf to hit fire types that will threaten Scizor, Hidden Power Electric because it was a hole missing in the rest of the team, Ice Beam so that I can effectively kill Ladorus-T and other flying or dragon types, and Dark Pulse as additional coverage.
This Pokémon allows me to get through many of the steel types that would otherwise wall my team. Particularly Ferrothorn needs to switch out, with gives me an opportunity to set up a substitute. If the Ferrothorn doesn’t switch out most of it’s moves don’t do anything to the sub, I’ll get free boost turns, and the Fire Blast will make quick work of Ferro. This Pokemon is my backup lead in case I don't think Breloom will perform well in the opening (such as with the case of Ferrothorn)
I needed something to switch in on earthquake and electric moves. Intimidate also allows me to switch him into any physical offensive Pokémon, and setting up Stealth Rocks is also nice.
Breloom is the Pokémon I lead off on in most situations because rocks/spikes/whatever break the sash. If I think my opponent is leading off with a ferrothorn I’ll lead with the Volcarona. I haven’t had a problem using Breloom to KO my opponent’s lead pokemon, and then using it later as a revenge killer due to mach punch. I realize Breloom is not on the same tier as the rest of them and there might be a better Pokemon to play the role of lead.
Conclusion
I’m really looking forward to the suggestions and critiques from players that are more experienced than I am so I appreciate everything! Thanks everyone!
Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Swords Dance
Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Recover
- Scald
- Baneful Bunker
Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
Volcarona @ Buginium Z
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Bug Buzz
- Fire Blast
- Quiver Dance
- Substitute
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Spore
- Rock Tomb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Swords Dance
Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Recover
- Scald
- Baneful Bunker
Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
Volcarona @ Buginium Z
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Bug Buzz
- Fire Blast
- Quiver Dance
- Substitute
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Breloom @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Mach Punch
- Bullet Seed
- Spore
- Rock Tomb
