Hey all, I am DaemonWhite. I wanted to get into VGC this year, and in the past, I have been primarily a singles player. I have been playing Pokemon since Red & Blue with Blue being my first game ever. I didn't get into competitive breeding until Gen 6 (I tried competitive battling in Gen 5 but got stomped by Landorus...... The nightmares still haunt me). Gen 6 is when I found this community and Showdown. I didn't play competitive in Gen 7 because I just didn't like SM/USUM story wise so I was never compelled to care about my team or the game. I was hype this year to get back into the scene. That's enough about me; why don't we get into the squad? Since breeding them onto cartridge and training this team up, I have found good success. Over the 35 games I have played with this squad, I am 25-10 and I have hovered around a 70-80% Winning Percentage with this squad. Honestly, those losses just came from me either getting outplayed, not paying attention (Clicking Fake Out on the wrong mon), or that one loss I took cause I got out stalled by another Milotic. My current ranking is #5867, and that number has been steadily improving. Let's get to it then Shall We?
Rillaboom @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Protect
- Drain Punch
- Wood Hammer
So, why are you bringing Rillaboom. Many people have told me he is the worst of this gen's starters by a mile. That's neither here nor there, but I will say I have had alarming success with Rillaboom. I chose Adamant over Jolly for the time being to have a super high chance to OHKO vs Bulky Offensive Tyranitar (252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 204-240 (98.5 - 115.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO), and guaranteed OHKO vs Gastrodon (252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 244 HP / 108+ Def Gastrodon: 472-556 (217.5 - 256.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO//252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 244 HP / 108+ Def Rindo Berry Gastrodon: 236-278 (108.7 - 128.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO - but not Guaranteed vs max investment Gastro with Rindo Berry - 252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Rindo Berry Gastrodon: 200-236 (91.7 - 108.2%) -- 50% chance to OHKO), and Rotom-Wash (252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 206-246 (164.8 - 196.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO) with Wood Hammer. Drain Punch also will 2HKO Tyranitar (252+ Atk Rillaboom Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 172-204 (83 - 98.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO), and I don't particularly recommend using the Drain Punch and sticking with the Wood Hammer your 81.3% chance to OHKO is just a better fit because you don't want to accidentally set off the Weakness Policy by not killing with Drain Punch. Protect is just standard for stalling, don't have to dive too deep in. Now outside of being fabulous Gastrodon-Rotom-W coverage, Rillaboom has a one central role on this team. That is to Fake Out the Whimsicott, and break the Sash. This helps me not only control speed, but it effectively stops the Beat Up or the Tailwind in its tracks when I pair Rillaboom with Chandelure (we will go over The Chandelier of Death).
Milotic @ Flame Orb
Ability: Marvel Scale
Level: 50
EVs: 236 HP / 252 Def / 20 SpA
Bold Nature
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Hydro Pump
- Recover
Here we go boys; this beauty here, amiright? Now before you ask, why only 236 HP EVs? Well cause the 1% extra damage comes in handy. The main threat my team repeatedly met was Intimidate Arcanine, so I added Wall Milotic. Now the only downside to running Marvel Scale Milotic is the consistent burn damage you take. Now a lot of you are thinking, how are you gonna counter Arcanine when they always run Wild Charge? I say drop a Protect first turn to stop the Wild Charge, and bada-bing you have a Burned Milotic. This set up turns Arcanine's Wild Charge (252+ Atk Life Orb Arcanine Wild Charge vs. 236 HP / 252+ Def Milotic: 109-130 (54.5 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO --> 252+ Atk Life Orb Arcanine Wild Charge vs. 236 HP / 252+ Def Marvel Scale Milotic: 73-88 (36.5 - 44%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage) which Guarantees I'll sac the Arcanine with the Hydro Pump (even if I decide not to Fake Out the Arcanine). This isn't the ideal play, but with Recover Milotic is able to heal up and stall out the Wild Charge from Arcanine, making it a perfect add to my team. This also makes it the most cost efficient play as it lets me save certain Pokemon from getting sacked by Arcanine. I really thought about Seismitoad or Quagsire here, but maybe I can bring over my Toxic Milotic when Home comes out (fingers crossed it will go that far back).
Corviknight @ Figy Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Body Press
- Roost
- Iron Defense
- Tailwind
Here we go, a beast if there ever one was. After a single Iron Defense, you are tanking even the incredibly powerful Flare Blitz from Gorilla Tactics G-Darmanitan (252 Atk Darmanitan-Galar Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Corviknight: 140-166 (68.2 - 80.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO --> 252 Atk Darmanitan-Galar Flare Blitz vs. +2 252 HP / 0 Def Corviknight: 70-84 (34.1 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO. The Roost recovery helps as well to stall out opposing Flare Blitz'. Most of the time, people will try to double up on Corviknight, but by the time they realize what they need to do it is much too late. If a single Iron Defense is added to this Bird, Tyranitar stands no chance (+2 0 Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 232-276 (112 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO, at +6 you will find very many Physical Damage Dealers have very little chance at doing damage, or surviving a +6 Body Press. Most of these calculations are common ones everyone here knows well enough. I also thought of switching out this bad boy with Mandibuzz.
Tyranitar @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Superpower
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
Yeah you guessed it, we are running a Sand Core woooooo. Not much to say besides, he sets the sand and kicks butts (he never runs outta one of those things to do
). Weakness Policy helps Tyranitar stomp on major cities, like the 1950's monster movie star he is. There are many occasions where Weakness Policy set up has saved me and done the needed damage post boost. Also, he is my Star Counter for Indeedee-F+Hatterene combo when paired with Chandelure, breaking the Focus Sash on the Indeedee with a Crunch leaving it with 1 HP through the Focus Sash (252 Atk Tyranitar Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Indeedee-F: 200-236 (112.9 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO) and having the sand storm finish it off. Superpower does decent damage against an oppo Tyranitar (cough 252 Atk Tyranitar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 260-308 (125.6 - 148.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO). Tyranitar is one of the best Pokemon in the game, and truly deserves its Pseudo-Legendary title.
Excadrill @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Protect
"My name is Excadrill, and, in the sand, I'm the fastest Pokemon alive. When I was a Drillbur, I saw my mother get OHKO by something impossible. My father went to prison for her faint. Then, a sandstorm made me the impossible. To the outside world, I'm just an ordinary Mold Breaker, but secretly I use my speed to fight crime and find others like me, and one day I'll find who OHKO my mother and get justice for my father. I am the Sand."
Do I really need to elaborate why Excadrill is here? If you guys want me to, I can. Speaking honestly, however, I was really just being smooth brained and said, "LET'S OUT SPEED EVERYTHING!"
Chadelure @ Life Orb
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Trick Room
- Heat Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Imprison
M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P! Chandelure is the MVP of my time in ranked doubles. I am undefeated against Trick Room team, a perfect 11-0 against the Hat+Indeedee-F lead that has been a staple of Season 1 Ranked Doubles. First, I throw out Chadelure+Tyranitar. 99.9% of the time, Indeedee-F is rocking that Follow Me turn 1, and Hat is going for the Trick Room. Next, I use Imprison effectively sealing off the Trick Room, and Tyranitar uses Crunch to decimate the Indeedee (see above). Turn 2 hit the Hat with a Life Orb Shadow Ball (252 SpA Life Orb Chandelure Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 190-226 (115.8 - 137.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO) and is only surviving with a Kasib Berry. You do need a Life Orb to OHKO the QueenHatter. I know what you're all thinking, having Trick Room just for the Imprison is kind of a waste. I say, "HA, you're crazy". Having Trick Room just cause is great, because you can use it to reset the dimensions when your opponent least expects it or if they start getting too freaky with Tailwind or Max Airstreams you can use it to regain speed control for 4 turns. Speaking of Tailwind, Chandelure can shut down the two most common Tailwind users too (Corviknight & Whimsicott). Versus Whimsicott (after Fake Out damage from Rillaboom), Chandelure will OHKO that Cottony abomination (252 SpA Life Orb Chandelure Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Whimsicott: 218-257 (130.5 - 153.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO). I chose Heat Wave because it doesn't lower SpAtk, and it hits both targets. No Energy Ball means no OHKO on Rhypherior, but I can make up that difference in damage with the right partner. Just if you were wondering, with Chandelure+Rillaboom you can effectively shut down the Beat Up Whimsicott strat.
Main Threats
1.
- Dracovish - I have no real answer for the Dracovish outside of setting up Trick Room with Chandelure or stalling it with Milotic. If I didn't bring the Milotic, I am in for a long twenty minutes. I have taken seven of ten losses to a Dracovish. I will probably add my own Dracovish when Sand Rush is released. I might still add my Dracovish now.
2.
- Arcanine - As I stated above, Arcanine can absolutely run roughshod on my squad. If I am not absolutely careful, Arcanine can sweep the wrong four. It has the type advantage on three of my team members, and it learns Close Combat to OHKO the Tyranitar. I also am not a fan of the Intimidate.
3.
- Corviknight - Another case of, if I don't worry about it early it could lose me the game. Seeing Corviknight makes me lead with Milotic-Chadelure, I can quickly get in the whole if I am not careful.
4.
- Dragapult - I wouldn't say it is a threat as I have Pokemon to deal with Dragapult, but it can still sweep a team if I don't prepare. Really top tier Pokemon, and I just like to be mindful of it.
Other Pokemon I Considered
Rillaboom @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Overgrow
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Protect
- Drain Punch
- Wood Hammer
So, why are you bringing Rillaboom. Many people have told me he is the worst of this gen's starters by a mile. That's neither here nor there, but I will say I have had alarming success with Rillaboom. I chose Adamant over Jolly for the time being to have a super high chance to OHKO vs Bulky Offensive Tyranitar (252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 204-240 (98.5 - 115.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO), and guaranteed OHKO vs Gastrodon (252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 244 HP / 108+ Def Gastrodon: 472-556 (217.5 - 256.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO//252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 244 HP / 108+ Def Rindo Berry Gastrodon: 236-278 (108.7 - 128.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO - but not Guaranteed vs max investment Gastro with Rindo Berry - 252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Rindo Berry Gastrodon: 200-236 (91.7 - 108.2%) -- 50% chance to OHKO), and Rotom-Wash (252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 206-246 (164.8 - 196.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO) with Wood Hammer. Drain Punch also will 2HKO Tyranitar (252+ Atk Rillaboom Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 172-204 (83 - 98.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO), and I don't particularly recommend using the Drain Punch and sticking with the Wood Hammer your 81.3% chance to OHKO is just a better fit because you don't want to accidentally set off the Weakness Policy by not killing with Drain Punch. Protect is just standard for stalling, don't have to dive too deep in. Now outside of being fabulous Gastrodon-Rotom-W coverage, Rillaboom has a one central role on this team. That is to Fake Out the Whimsicott, and break the Sash. This helps me not only control speed, but it effectively stops the Beat Up or the Tailwind in its tracks when I pair Rillaboom with Chandelure (we will go over The Chandelier of Death).
Milotic @ Flame Orb
Ability: Marvel Scale
Level: 50
EVs: 236 HP / 252 Def / 20 SpA
Bold Nature
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Hydro Pump
- Recover
Here we go boys; this beauty here, amiright? Now before you ask, why only 236 HP EVs? Well cause the 1% extra damage comes in handy. The main threat my team repeatedly met was Intimidate Arcanine, so I added Wall Milotic. Now the only downside to running Marvel Scale Milotic is the consistent burn damage you take. Now a lot of you are thinking, how are you gonna counter Arcanine when they always run Wild Charge? I say drop a Protect first turn to stop the Wild Charge, and bada-bing you have a Burned Milotic. This set up turns Arcanine's Wild Charge (252+ Atk Life Orb Arcanine Wild Charge vs. 236 HP / 252+ Def Milotic: 109-130 (54.5 - 65%) -- guaranteed 2HKO --> 252+ Atk Life Orb Arcanine Wild Charge vs. 236 HP / 252+ Def Marvel Scale Milotic: 73-88 (36.5 - 44%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO after burn damage) which Guarantees I'll sac the Arcanine with the Hydro Pump (even if I decide not to Fake Out the Arcanine). This isn't the ideal play, but with Recover Milotic is able to heal up and stall out the Wild Charge from Arcanine, making it a perfect add to my team. This also makes it the most cost efficient play as it lets me save certain Pokemon from getting sacked by Arcanine. I really thought about Seismitoad or Quagsire here, but maybe I can bring over my Toxic Milotic when Home comes out (fingers crossed it will go that far back).
Corviknight @ Figy Berry
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Body Press
- Roost
- Iron Defense
- Tailwind
Here we go, a beast if there ever one was. After a single Iron Defense, you are tanking even the incredibly powerful Flare Blitz from Gorilla Tactics G-Darmanitan (252 Atk Darmanitan-Galar Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Corviknight: 140-166 (68.2 - 80.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO --> 252 Atk Darmanitan-Galar Flare Blitz vs. +2 252 HP / 0 Def Corviknight: 70-84 (34.1 - 40.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO. The Roost recovery helps as well to stall out opposing Flare Blitz'. Most of the time, people will try to double up on Corviknight, but by the time they realize what they need to do it is much too late. If a single Iron Defense is added to this Bird, Tyranitar stands no chance (+2 0 Def Corviknight Body Press vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 232-276 (112 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO, at +6 you will find very many Physical Damage Dealers have very little chance at doing damage, or surviving a +6 Body Press. Most of these calculations are common ones everyone here knows well enough. I also thought of switching out this bad boy with Mandibuzz.
Tyranitar @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Superpower
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
Yeah you guessed it, we are running a Sand Core woooooo. Not much to say besides, he sets the sand and kicks butts (he never runs outta one of those things to do
). Weakness Policy helps Tyranitar stomp on major cities, like the 1950's monster movie star he is. There are many occasions where Weakness Policy set up has saved me and done the needed damage post boost. Also, he is my Star Counter for Indeedee-F+Hatterene combo when paired with Chandelure, breaking the Focus Sash on the Indeedee with a Crunch leaving it with 1 HP through the Focus Sash (252 Atk Tyranitar Crunch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Indeedee-F: 200-236 (112.9 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO) and having the sand storm finish it off. Superpower does decent damage against an oppo Tyranitar (cough 252 Atk Tyranitar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 260-308 (125.6 - 148.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO). Tyranitar is one of the best Pokemon in the game, and truly deserves its Pseudo-Legendary title.Excadrill @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Horsepower
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Protect
"My name is Excadrill, and, in the sand, I'm the fastest Pokemon alive. When I was a Drillbur, I saw my mother get OHKO by something impossible. My father went to prison for her faint. Then, a sandstorm made me the impossible. To the outside world, I'm just an ordinary Mold Breaker, but secretly I use my speed to fight crime and find others like me, and one day I'll find who OHKO my mother and get justice for my father. I am the Sand."
Do I really need to elaborate why Excadrill is here? If you guys want me to, I can. Speaking honestly, however, I was really just being smooth brained and said, "LET'S OUT SPEED EVERYTHING!"
Chadelure @ Life Orb
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Trick Room
- Heat Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Imprison
M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P! Chandelure is the MVP of my time in ranked doubles. I am undefeated against Trick Room team, a perfect 11-0 against the Hat+Indeedee-F lead that has been a staple of Season 1 Ranked Doubles. First, I throw out Chadelure+Tyranitar. 99.9% of the time, Indeedee-F is rocking that Follow Me turn 1, and Hat is going for the Trick Room. Next, I use Imprison effectively sealing off the Trick Room, and Tyranitar uses Crunch to decimate the Indeedee (see above). Turn 2 hit the Hat with a Life Orb Shadow Ball (252 SpA Life Orb Chandelure Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 190-226 (115.8 - 137.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO) and is only surviving with a Kasib Berry. You do need a Life Orb to OHKO the QueenHatter. I know what you're all thinking, having Trick Room just for the Imprison is kind of a waste. I say, "HA, you're crazy". Having Trick Room just cause is great, because you can use it to reset the dimensions when your opponent least expects it or if they start getting too freaky with Tailwind or Max Airstreams you can use it to regain speed control for 4 turns. Speaking of Tailwind, Chandelure can shut down the two most common Tailwind users too (Corviknight & Whimsicott). Versus Whimsicott (after Fake Out damage from Rillaboom), Chandelure will OHKO that Cottony abomination (252 SpA Life Orb Chandelure Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Whimsicott: 218-257 (130.5 - 153.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO). I chose Heat Wave because it doesn't lower SpAtk, and it hits both targets. No Energy Ball means no OHKO on Rhypherior, but I can make up that difference in damage with the right partner. Just if you were wondering, with Chandelure+Rillaboom you can effectively shut down the Beat Up Whimsicott strat.
Main Threats
1.
2.
3.
4.
Other Pokemon I Considered
