I've played on Showdown for pretty much all of Gen 6. However, during the first half year of the metagame I mostly just messed around with all the new Pokemon, tried out new strategies, etc. As such my teams were not very good and to be honest many of them were gimmicky at best.
However, now I've decided that I know a decent bit about the current meta and that it's time to start working on some real competitive teams. That said, I still have a lot to learn. The team I have here is fairly decent in my opinion, but it still has plenty of flaws, which is why I'm here - to get help and knowledge from people that (hopefully) know a lot more about competitive Pokemon than me.
And with that, here's the team:
However, now I've decided that I know a decent bit about the current meta and that it's time to start working on some real competitive teams. That said, I still have a lot to learn. The team I have here is fairly decent in my opinion, but it still has plenty of flaws, which is why I'm here - to get help and knowledge from people that (hopefully) know a lot more about competitive Pokemon than me.
And with that, here's the team:
Pinsir @ Pinsirite
Ability: Mold Breaker
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Frustration
- Feint
The late game clean up, the sweeper, the revenge killer, Pinsir is by far the MVP of the team. It's pretty much the only thing on the team that can deal with Fighting types, since Skarmory isn't winning any medals for its offensive prowess. There's really not much to be said here, this is essentially the same set that we've all come to love (or fear). The only things that may seem funny are the 0 Happiness and Frustration, simply for the rare Ditto coming in and stealing my boosts, and Feint over Quick Attack so that Talonflame cannot easily revenge kill me and end my sweep.
Ability: Mold Breaker
Happiness: 0
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Frustration
- Feint
The late game clean up, the sweeper, the revenge killer, Pinsir is by far the MVP of the team. It's pretty much the only thing on the team that can deal with Fighting types, since Skarmory isn't winning any medals for its offensive prowess. There's really not much to be said here, this is essentially the same set that we've all come to love (or fear). The only things that may seem funny are the 0 Happiness and Frustration, simply for the rare Ditto coming in and stealing my boosts, and Feint over Quick Attack so that Talonflame cannot easily revenge kill me and end my sweep.
+2 252 Atk Aerilate Mega Pinsir Feint vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 193-228 (64.7 - 76.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Obviously I'm going to need Rocks up or prior damage onto Talonflame before I even consider setting up with Pinsir. However, Heatran can easily switch into any of Talonflame's attacks and set up some Rocks as it switches out (as seen here http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-114311554)
Lastly, I highly prefer Mold Breaker over Moxie. Moxie is nice and all but stock Pinsir is painfully slow, and I'd like to mega ASAP before I try to set up. With Mold Breaker, I can predict switches into Rotom-W early game and smack them with Earthquake.
Keldeo @ Life OrbLastly, I highly prefer Mold Breaker over Moxie. Moxie is nice and all but stock Pinsir is painfully slow, and I'd like to mega ASAP before I try to set up. With Mold Breaker, I can predict switches into Rotom-W early game and smack them with Earthquake.
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Flying]
The wallbreaker and fast all-out attacker. Choice Specs seems to be the most common item on Keldeo but I prefer Life Orb and being able to switch moves. Surf and Hydro Pump are both on the same set because sometimes I'll just need Surf, but other times I'll need to rely on Hydro Pump for its higher BP. And also Keldeo's movepool is garbage. But mostly the first point.
252 SpA Life Orb Keldeo Surf vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 153-181 (38.8 - 45.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 187-220 (47.4 - 55.8%) -- 78.1% chance to 2HKO
Sacred Sword is just the icing on the cake, as it allows Keldeo to smash through special walls such as Chansey and Blissey. Lastly, Hidden Power Flying. Yes, let that sink in for a moment. We're now at a point where people are using HP FLYING for coverage. But it's a necessity, as it allows Keldeo to muscle past M-Venusaur after some prior damage.252 SpA Life Orb Keldeo Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 187-220 (47.4 - 55.8%) -- 78.1% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Keldeo Hidden Power Flying vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Mega Venusaur: 146-174 (40.1 - 47.8%) -- 51.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
So it's really not THAT bad of a choice... right? It also helps against Grass types and opposing Keldeos.
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Pain Split
- Hydro Pump
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
It's everyone's favorite washing machine, Rotom-W! This is the same set that's used on nearly every single Rotom-Wash on Showdown so I don't think I need to say much here. Special bulk to help with threats like Greninja that could potentially rip through the rest of the team, and WillOWisp to help it go toe to toe with Physical/Mixed threats such as Aegislash.
Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Lava Plume
- Stealth Rock
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Rock]
Another favorite of Smogon, it's Heatran! Sporting a great typing and ability, a fantastic movepool, and a shiny red balloon, Heatran is an easy fit on the team. With max SpAtk, Lava Plume's going to hurt anything that doesn't resist it, and the 30% chance to burn is great. Stealth Rock is a necessity, as it allows it to help shut down threats to the team such as Talonflame and Charizard. Earth Power for other Fire types like Heatran. And lastly, Hidden Power Rock. Yes, if you though HP Flying wasn't enough, we've got HP Rock now too. However HP Rock is surprisingly a great move on Heatran. Without it, Heatran may find itself to be set up bait for opposing Talonflames, Charizards, and more (as seen here http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ou-114272093)
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spd
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Whirlwind
The physical wall of the team. Skarmory can shut down many of the offensive threats that are running amok right now, such as other M-Pinsirs and Conkeldurr. Rocky Helmet allows it to punish physical attackers, most notably Banded Talonflames locked into Brave Bird, which can easily be lured out by M-Pinsir and Keldeo. Defog, though removing my own rocks, also gets rid of the opponents hazards, and often times will be important to keep Pinsir alive. Brave Bird smashes a ton of things and Whirlwind helps with set up sweepers like Belly Drum Azumarill.
0 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Conkeldurr: 224-266 (54.1 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Pinsir: 186-218 (68.3 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Pinsir: 186-218 (68.3 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Mamoswine (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 240 Atk / 16 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature
- Ice Shard
- Freeze-Dry
- Earthquake
- Icicle Spear
Last but not least is Mamoswine, the priority user, strong physical attacker, and "glue" of the team. Its unique typing, movepool, and ability allows it to check or counter many things that would otherwise threaten the team, such as opposing Heatrans and Dragons. Everything on the set seems to be pretty standard until.. yes, Freeze-Dry. Now true, Mamoswine isn't the strongest special attacker around. But Freeze-Dry is very important, as it allows Mamoswine to kill off threatening Water types that give the team problems.
16 SpA Life Orb Mamoswine Freeze Dry vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Rotom-W: 104-125 (34.2 - 41.1%) -- 39.4% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
16 SpA Life Orb Mamoswine Freeze Dry vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Quagsire: 426-504 (108.1 - 127.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
And if frailer Water types want to switch in to absorb a predicted Ice Shard, they may find themselves smacked with a Freeze-Dry themselves.16 SpA Life Orb Mamoswine Freeze Dry vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Quagsire: 426-504 (108.1 - 127.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
16 SpA Life Orb Mamoswine Freeze Dry vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Greninja: 198-237 (69.2 - 82.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
16 SpA Life Orb Mamoswine Freeze Dry vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Starmie: 174-205 (66.6 - 78.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
And that's it!
Threat List:16 SpA Life Orb Mamoswine Freeze Dry vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Starmie: 174-205 (66.6 - 78.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
And that's it!
Importable:
http://pastebin.com/qQNAPwQz
