Projects National Dex UU - Teambuilding Competition

[Flames Of Elixir]

GEN 9 - NATIONAL DEX UU TEAMBUILDING COMPETITION
Hosted by Me And Danbear02
Approved by Forum Moderators

Welcome to National Dex UU Teambuilding Competition! In this project, a Pokemon each week will be presented for you to build a team around and then submit. This will then be taken into voting. The winner is the team with the most votes!

Rules:​

1. Entry submission: Post team in the thread itself with import. Please, when you are submitting a team, try not to slash movesets / items in the importable. The finished product should be the build you are most confident in. It is fine to do minor set changes throughout the week, but if you want to give an option for one of your Pokemon, note it in the Explanation instead. Make sure the team you post are according to the Pokémon, Core or Theme of the Week: or else you’ll obviously get disqualified. Joke teams will also be disqualified. If you'd like to submit an idea for a Theme, don't be afraid to PM me or Danbear02 .​
2. Disputes / Copying: Obviously, there is potential for disputes over copying or people making similar entries. In general, if your team entry has the same cores of Pokémon and similar move sets to an earlier entry, it will be disqualified. If anyone tries to abuse this by reserving an early post in the thread for their entry, please bring it to my attention and they'll be disqualified. If you are caught doing this there is a high possibility you will not be allowed to post in the building stage for an indefinite amount of time.​
3. Clean and Tidy: We'd like to keep the thread as clean and uniform as possible, as for ease of browsing, so this means keep formatting consistent, using the provided links for sprites and avoid posting one liners during the submission phase​
4. Have fun! :D​

​

 

[Flames Of Elixir]

Reserving this post for Hall Of Fame

 

[Danbear02]

Cycle 1: Mega Aerodactyl​

Mega Aerodactyl runs circles around the metagame, being the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the teambuilder. This week, use this to your advantage as you build a team around the speedy Fossil!

Submissions end on November 15th, 11:59 PM GMT-4​

 

[Iride]

Built as prep for an opp I never went up against, though the team ended up alright in tests. I've found M-Aerodactyl's combination of speed control, offenses, and typing to be quite pivotal in supporting the core I had in mind. CM Keldeo provides a lethal wincon against the heavily defensive teams which have been popping up as of late, punishing Celesteela and the common Slowking + Amoonguss core seen on sand teams as well as choice-locked threats like Gren and Boulder against offense. I originally had Banded Aegislash to help trap monstrous Psychics like Latias for it as well as other miscellaneous checks to Hydrapple and Thundy like defensive Scizor and pink blobs, who can bait them for it in their respective matchups while mounting offensive pressure of their own; I've found my own Scizor to be just as effective at this if played well, keeping the ability to reliably deal with Latias while also matching up much better into opposing Aerodactyl and having the stronger priority to clean up teams with not hurting either. M-Aero rounds out this team by providing a more reliable speed control option into Sticky Web and HO teams, which Exca can sometimes struggle into without giving up opportunities as the team's removal, as well as switching into and forcing out certain threats to offense such as Solchroma and M-Venu.

 

[Runo]

https://pokepast.es/3703087e283f30e2

Quickbuild but still has a lot of thought put into it:

• Mega Aerodactyl's key issues are attempting to deal with Fat Grounds, Steel Birds, and Clefable
  • 
    • 
      • This is a pretty sturdy core to sit on these fat grounds. Taunt Lu shuts down literally all of them so that Tangrowth and Washtom can force them out effortlessly. They have no good opportunities to heal off any damage they take outside of Mega Aerodactyl, who can eventually overwhelm them given enough chip damage dealt out by the anti-ground core.
  • 
    • 
      • Celesteela has to contend with a Ting-Lu that shuts it down completely in addition to a Washtom that can sit on it with Pain Split. It will be chipped down to acceptable levels for either Mega Aerodactyl or Okidogi over time.
    • 
      • Skarmory just doesn't win against Washtom unless its an insanely Fast Iron Defense spread. Aegislash also just abuses Skarmory for free setup opportunities.
  • 
    • 
      • These guys' power levels after a boost just wipe Clefable off the map. Only real fear is Thunder Wave which can be dealt with via Ting-Lu Taunting it before hand.

The matchups against more neutral comps should be fine I think. Opposing Mega Aerodactyl and Amoonguss are probably the hardest matchups, But Ting-Lu's set is built for that in mind.

 

[Danbear02]

Small edit: Submissions will actually close on the 15th to allow for time for voting.

 

[Niadev]

I have been summoned to submit.

Mega Aerodactyl Spike Stack:

Click the Icons for the Pokepaste

Everyone knows that Mega Aerodactyl struggles with bulky grounds, so why not pair it with the one thing most bulky grounds hate - Spike Stack with a Grass type Knock Off mon. ... Aside from Sticky Hold Gastro doesn't, but you can take refuge in the fact that Rotom-Wash is going ballistic on their team in some other game and have the last laugh. Mega Aerodactyl tends to farm teams that are chipped a lot, so Spikes Stack just kind of makes sense.

This squad's been through like 5 versions (in the last hour I'm panic submitting ok) and I've finally gotten it down to something I'm happy(ish) with. And, what's this? A BO team that isn't WashTing?!

The Team:

Standard 3a+Roost set, not much needs to be said. Speed control + potential win condition + MVenu answer. Its main goal is to tear through the other team lategame after Spikes and stuff goes up since it outspeeds every single relevant non scarf unboosted mon. It's not horrible if rocks are up, it still checks Iron Moth more than adequately and it can just Roost.


Hazard control + Clefable answer + Rocker, all while not being particularly passive, mostly chosen because role compression and the fact that Defog and Spike Stack is something of an anti synergy and the only other viable spinner is Dhelmise. Spread is just the analysis spread, it's a utillity pick so I went for the more defensive spread. Need both rocks and Spin so sadly can't fit SD for a breaker.


Primary pivot and (secondary?) win condition, also stops Hydrapple ripping me a new one. It's also the Real Steel:tm: since Exca is such a fake steel. Scizor also loves spikes up to wear down stuff not named the steel birds. U-turn is chosen to actually check Z Hydrapple, while also potentially pivoting in MAero for a late game clean. Secondary MVenu answer until someone pulls up with HP Fire.


I originally wanted to run Gastrodon as my Spiker, but there was too much type overlap and the team kind of got farmed by Aegi. It's also the Real Ground:tm: since Exca is such a fake ground. The MU still isn't great, but it's Aegi, anyone who isn't running Hisuian ZoroGarbage is at risk vs at least one set. Gastro was also honestly a little too passive, so begrudgingly this is now the most Iron Moth hostile BO known to man. Backup Iron Moth check, extremely tenuous Iron Boulder check.


I needed a Knock Merchant since I couldn't fit it on Scizor thanks to Apple, as well as an Exca, Iron Boulder, SD Aegi, Zeraora, Rotom-Wash, Mega Gallade (ok wow is this thing actually kind of fire?), Azumarill check and a secondary Mienshao check, so this is one of those times where PhysDef Tangrowth works. I considered Hydrapple but my Iron Boulder MU made me say no, and SD Aegi and Steelium Exca smokes it. I'm not gonna lie, the Aegi MU is still a little iffy, especially against Ghostium Z, because dear lord I needed HP Fire for Scizor, but it's the best I could come up with, and between it and Aegi, it's mostly fine (and Air Balloon would still beat me anyways).


You know that things are dire when you're reaching down for this sort of role compression. I was originally running Fini, but the team wound up stupidly passive, weak to Gren , weak to Mienhao, or multiple of the above. I tried other things like NP Washtom but then I lost to Mienshao and Greninja, and in the end settled on Primarina as Fini's less passive cousin. Primarina is the best middle ground I could find, the team's still weak to LO PJab but every team gets threatened by LO depending on coverage, so that's a story as old as the Gapdos ban, but now the team isn't farmed by scarf. Asked for the standard bulky spread but got ghosted by the Discord (started a convo about Primarina v Stall in the process though) so I entered the kitchen for a Niadev Special:tm:. 104 Spa with Modest is enough to 2HKO Rotom-W after rocks with Moonblast and SpDef Hippowdon with Scald, the speed is for Skarmory so you can fish for a burn or Psy Noise before it IDefs or BPresses, and the rest goes into physical bulk to check Mienshao somewhat. Flip Turn also has the possibility of bringing in MAero on a grass it can abuse. I considered Z but this mon's recovery is Draining Kiss, and if you don't have Psychic Noise you just kind of get farmed by fat.

Closing Remarks:
Naturally, since this is an Exca team without a Celesteela, the team isn't perfect, but I did what I could with the concept. This is one of the few teams in the meta with a questionable Serperior MU, but what it comes in on, it doesn't do so for free, and MAero stops any Substitute shenanigans in its tracks. Scizor also stops non HP Fire sets dead in their tracks. Protean Greninja MU also kind of sucks but let's be real, every team's Protean Greninja MU kind of sucks unless you're running Blissey. Wait until stupid frog is gone I guess. And yes, the Celesteela MU is kind of Primarina, but every other variant of this I came up with got farmed much harder by something else. You always eat one Flamethrower with Tangrowth so you can either Sleep Powder or Knock Off, and it can't Leech you. Focus on weakening it with the rest of the team so MAero can kill with SEdge later. If it isn't HSlam, though, MAero and Prim farms.

 

[Daepiquejt]

https://pokepast.es/c47aebf5b96fb94c

I like hazard stack lol
Ty tbic for pointing out zam over reuniclus sucks
Also I hate SD aegi
Electric Z reuni apparently does stuff Vs aegi?

 

[Flames Of Elixir]

VOTING IS UP!
(Thank you to everyone who participated)
Getting into the voting phase, you can only vote for one team

Option A:​

Built as prep for an opp I never went up against, though the team ended up alright in tests. I've found M-Aerodactyl's combination of speed control, offenses, and typing to be quite pivotal in supporting the core I had in mind. CM Keldeo provides a lethal wincon against the heavily defensive teams which have been popping up as of late, punishing Celesteela and the common Slowking + Amoonguss core seen on sand teams as well as choice-locked threats like Gren and Boulder against offense. I originally had Banded Aegislash to help trap monstrous Psychics like Latias for it as well as other miscellaneous checks to Hydrapple and Thundy like defensive Scizor and pink blobs, who can bait them for it in their respective matchups while mounting offensive pressure of their own; I've found my own Scizor to be just as effective at this if played well, keeping the ability to reliably deal with Latias while also matching up much better into opposing Aerodactyl and having the stronger priority to clean up teams with not hurting either. M-Aero rounds out this team by providing a more reliable speed control option into Sticky Web and HO teams, which Exca can sometimes struggle into without giving up opportunities as the team's removal, as well as switching into and forcing out certain threats to offense such as Solchroma and M-Venu.​

Option B:​

https://pokepast.es/3703087e283f30e2

Quickbuild but still has a lot of thought put into it:​

• Mega Aerodactyl's key issues are attempting to deal with Fat Grounds, Steel Birds, and Clefable
  • 
    • 
      • This is a pretty sturdy core to sit on these fat grounds. Taunt Lu shuts down literally all of them so that Tangrowth and Washtom can force them out effortlessly. They have no good opportunities to heal off any damage they take outside of Mega Aerodactyl, who can eventually overwhelm them given enough chip damage dealt out by the anti-ground core.​
  • 
    • 
      • Celesteela has to contend with a Ting-Lu that shuts it down completely in addition to a Washtom that can sit on it with Pain Split. It will be chipped down to acceptable levels for either Mega Aerodactyl or Okidogi over time.​
    • 
      • Skarmory just doesn't win against Washtom unless its an insanely Fast Iron Defense spread. Aegislash also just abuses Skarmory for free setup opportunities.​
  • 
    • 
      • These guys' power levels after a boost just wipe Clefable off the map. Only real fear is Thunder Wave which can be dealt with via Ting-Lu Taunting it before hand.​

The matchups against more neutral comps should be fine I think. Opposing Mega Aerodactyl and Amoonguss are probably the hardest matchups, But Ting-Lu's set is built for that in mind.​

Option C:​

I have been summoned to submit.

View attachment 688247

Mega Aerodactyl Spike Stack:

Click the Icons for the Pokepaste

Everyone knows that Mega Aerodactyl struggles with bulky grounds, so why not pair it with the one thing most bulky grounds hate - Spike Stack with a Grass type Knock Off mon. ... Aside from Sticky Hold Gastro doesn't, but you can take refuge in the fact that Rotom-Wash is going ballistic on their team in some other game and have the last laugh. Mega Aerodactyl tends to farm teams that are chipped a lot, so Spikes Stack just kind of makes sense.

This squad's been through like 5 versions (in the last hour I'm panic submitting ok) and I've finally gotten it down to something I'm happy(ish) with. And, what's this? A BO team that isn't WashTing?!

The Team:

Standard 3a+Roost set, not much needs to be said. Speed control + potential win condition + MVenu answer. Its main goal is to tear through the other team lategame after Spikes and stuff goes up since it outspeeds every single relevant non scarf unboosted mon. It's not horrible if rocks are up, it still checks Iron Moth more than adequately and it can just Roost.


Hazard control + Clefable answer + Rocker, all while not being particularly passive, mostly chosen because role compression and the fact that Defog and Spike Stack is something of an anti synergy and the only other viable spinner is Dhelmise. Spread is just the analysis spread, it's a utillity pick so I went for the more defensive spread. Need both rocks and Spin so sadly can't fit SD for a breaker.


Primary pivot and (secondary?) win condition, also stops Hydrapple ripping me a new one. It's also the Real Steel:tm: since Exca is such a fake steel. Scizor also loves spikes up to wear down stuff not named the steel birds. U-turn is chosen to actually check Z Hydrapple, while also potentially pivoting in MAero for a late game clean. Secondary MVenu answer until someone pulls up with HP Fire.


I originally wanted to run Gastrodon as my Spiker, but there was too much type overlap and the team kind of got farmed by Aegi. It's also the Real Ground:tm: since Exca is such a fake ground. The MU still isn't great, but it's Aegi, anyone who isn't running Hisuian ZoroGarbage is at risk vs at least one set. Gastro was also honestly a little too passive, so begrudgingly this is now the most Iron Moth hostile BO known to man. Backup Iron Moth check, extremely tenuous Iron Boulder check.


I needed a Knock Merchant since I couldn't fit it on Scizor thanks to Apple, as well as an Exca, Iron Boulder, SD Aegi, Zeraora, Rotom-Wash, Mega Gallade (ok wow is this thing actually kind of fire?), Azumarill check and a secondary Mienshao check, so this is one of those times where PhysDef Tangrowth works. I considered Hydrapple but my Iron Boulder MU made me say no, and SD Aegi and Steelium Exca smokes it. I'm not gonna lie, the Aegi MU is still a little iffy, especially against Ghostium Z, because dear lord I needed HP Fire for Scizor, but it's the best I could come up with, and between it and Aegi, it's mostly fine (and Air Balloon would still beat me anyways).


You know that things are dire when you're reaching down for this sort of role compression. I was originally running Fini, but the team wound up stupidly passive, weak to Gren , weak to Mienhao, or multiple of the above. I tried other things like NP Washtom but then I lost to Mienshao and Greninja, and in the end settled on Primarina as Fini's less passive cousin. Primarina is the best middle ground I could find, the team's still weak to LO PJab but every team gets threatened by LO depending on coverage, so that's a story as old as the Gapdos ban, but now the team isn't farmed by scarf. Asked for the standard bulky spread but got ghosted by the Discord (started a convo about Primarina v Stall in the process though) so I entered the kitchen for a Niadev Special:tm:. 104 Spa with Modest is enough to 2HKO Rotom-W after rocks with Moonblast and SpDef Hippowdon with Scald, the speed is for Skarmory so you can fish for a burn or Psy Noise before it IDefs or BPresses, and the rest goes into physical bulk to check Mienshao somewhat. Flip Turn also has the possibility of bringing in MAero on a grass it can abuse. I considered Z but this mon's recovery is Draining Kiss, and if you don't have Psychic Noise you just kind of get farmed by fat.

Closing Remarks:
Naturally, since this is an Exca team without a Celesteela, the team isn't perfect, but I did what I could with the concept. This is one of the few teams in the meta with a questionable Serperior MU, but what it comes in on, it doesn't do so for free, and MAero stops any Substitute shenanigans in its tracks. Scizor also stops non HP Fire sets dead in their tracks. Protean Greninja MU also kind of sucks but let's be real, every team's Protean Greninja MU kind of sucks unless you're running Blissey. Wait until stupid frog is gone I guess. And yes, the Celesteela MU is kind of Primarina, but every other variant of this I came up with got farmed much harder by something else. You always eat one Flamethrower with Tangrowth so you can either Sleep Powder or Knock Off, and it can't Leech you. Focus on weakening it with the rest of the team so MAero can kill with SEdge later. If it isn't HSlam, though, MAero and Prim farms.​

Option D:​

https://pokepast.es/c47aebf5b96fb94c
I like hazard stack lol
Ty tbic for pointing out zam over reuniclus sucks
Also I hate SD aegi
Electric Z reuni apparently does stuff Vs aegi?​

Voting ends at 18!​

 

[Danbear02]

Voting for B! though maybe woulda voted for D if that Gastro was Boots

 

[mrfraud]

Option A

 

[Runo]

C

 

[Marss Barss]

B

 

[StompBox]

Voting for A

 

[Niadev]

Voting for B

 

[Iride]

C

 

[R1C3M4N]

B

 

[Velcroc]

A activates my dormant killer instincts

 

[Drag0n]

B

P.S: Charizard is a fake dragon

 

[Flames Of Elixir]

With 4 votes, Runo's team wins this week!

Coming to the next cycle,

CYCLE 2: Serperior



Serperior, a newly dropped mon, gains a lot of recent attraction. This is usually due to its movepool diversity and ability to break ealiy with it's STAB moves. Some defensive options can be ran like running defog, while in other cases, offensive options can be used such as Z - Hyper Beam. This week, use Serperior's diversity to your advantage and build a team around it!
Let's see who's creativity wins!

Submissions end at 22nd November!​

 

[Danbear02]

I think Z Serp is super cool after sealoo put me on it and so I built this team around it a little bit ago for a tour.


(click icons for paste)


Z Serp is cool in that it basically bypasses all its standard checks. Mega Venusaur, Victini, Mega Latias, Amoonguss, and a few others all get dropped from high HP at +2 or full at +4. HP Fire hits Celesteela and Aegi which are the only two checks to Serp that can take Breakneck Blitz, and the rest of the team pressures them as well.


I'm not cool enough to run one of those fast Taunt Ting-Lu so this is just a standard Lu to help deal with Moth and every other mon in the tier. Pops Rocks up to chip Steela, and can Ruination if Steela is the only Ground resist.


This is a bulky Scizor meant to ease the Aegislash matchup, as SubTox or even Mixed can be fairy annoying when it gets free entry on Serp. U-turn over Knock because Hydrapple is a pain, but it still pressures Steela and Aegi by pivotting into Boulder or Washer or MVenu.


Another fairly standard dude, here to pressure SD variants of Aegislash, threaten to cripple Celesteela, and Volt Switch on everything.


This is another super bulky version of a standard Mon. Fighters have become super annoying to handle, and I never really care about having a slower MVenu for the most part, so heavy Bulk investment means I can better pressure Mienshao and Buzzwole comps. Always run 72 Special Attack on MVenu to guarantee the OHKO on Moth with Earth Power. Knock ensures any Celesteela forced to check MVenu is unable to check Serp long-term.


I think it was Iride who put me onto Megahorn Iron Boulder (and I hate you for that bc I've missed my past 6 Megahorns) but its "strictly better" than Close Combat. Obviously CC can't miss and OHKOs some bulky TTars, but Megahorn hits Mega Latias, Hydrapple, Slowbro, and Serperior while still hitting Ting-Lu and TTar for SE. CC is a better midground into Exca/Steela comps, but Megahorn here is better. Boulder does really well to pressure Steela and Aegi, often forcing them in against a predicted Earthquake or Mighty Cleave, which allows Boulder to chip them down with a predict or just Mighty Cleave doing ridiculous damage. Boulder is also the speed control here.

 

[Elvira]

Sneaky Snake Poke Paste.



QUICK ANALYSIS:

• is a decent supportive mon that also can pack a punch with the likes of Contrary + Leaf Storm that can check things like , , , and . However it can also be very threatening with the likes of taunt to things like , , and by stopping non-attacking moves like toxic, wish, protect, soft boiled, hazards, and whirlwind. Rocky Helmet also gives physical attackers a disadvantage as Serperior can also recover with Synthesis. I also opted for Hidden Power Fire to deal with Scizor more effectively before it is able to setup sweep.
  • However with that comes some very posing threats to it like , , , and . Which is why I feel like could be a very good secondary setup sweeper. Z Shadow Claw shreds anything after a boost that isn't Ting-Lu or Blissey, while Close Combat deals with both respectively.
  • is one of the better supportive special defensive walls especially since and can be crept around the corner of this tier despite Greninja still in suspect motion. The ability to setup hazards on top of a decent Earthquake + Whirlwind to deal more chip against Pokemon who may not be running Heavy Duty Boots is always nice!
  • I also opted for a defensive set as this team lacks a bit in Defense. You can opt for Will-o-Wisp though I feel as if double stab + pivot along with Defog to support versus hazards is always nice and to finish the puzzle I added Pain Split for longevity.
  • has got to be around the top 5 in my personal opinion when it comes to fast wall-breaking threats. So to utilize boots + Toxic into incoming Ground-type threats that aren't Excadrill, Knock Off is a better preference since you can also remove key items like Boots! Volt Switch and Plasma Fists are also very good since it can hit heavily and pivot out.
  • And to stop it off I felt as if was a very good setup sweeper. With the likes of Calm Mind + Stored Power, given at least 2 boosts can be a game changer once necessary Dark-type threats are gone. Checking the likes of Okidogi, and overall being a very efficient late game sweeper with the likes of Serperior taunting the competition.

Some very key issues that will take some pivoting around to deal with are: Iron Boulder, Opposing Aegislash, HO Sticky Web teams, Hydrapple if given the opportunity to switch in easily, Iron Moth once Ting-Lu is dealt with.

This team was thoroughly thought out during Last Chance once I found out Serperior was introduced back to us. Hope you all enjoy! <3

 

[Drag0n]

Serp Hazard Stack!!!

https://pokepast.es/348ac4137c1b7689

Alright I'll join in on the comp.


Obviously the Mon to build around, but overall Serp is amazing on hazard stack using Washtom for set up fodder and annoying any other defogger in general.

+
The classic hazard stack core is really effective at setting hazard and with support from serp they can stay up.


This is a nice water for sand builds pivoting to get serp and Boulder in and Regen to heal off sand damage.


Guss is additional grass to check gren and an amazing partner to slowking.


Offensive moth check since slowking isn't enough and breaker

P.S: Sorry for the short analysis and shout-out to TBIC106 for being a big help on building this!

 

[mrfraud]

Didn't really plan on posting this week but I just so happened to build a team with Serp so I thought I might as well post it.


Click the sprites for the paste.

Greninja is broken and with Fini trapping most of its checks it becomes far more difficult to manage.

Like I said before, Fini can trap things like Steela, Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Blissey. Also acts as a Fighting resist which this team otherwise lacks.

Great role compression, sets up and spins Rocks, and it isn't too passive.

Celesteela and Aegislash, like Danbear said, are the only Serperior checks that aren't threatened by a +2 Breakneck Blitz and the former has to check Greninja or is the target for a Tapu Fini trap.

Without this the team would be Iron Moth fodder and it's the fastest viable Pokemon in the tier, honestly it's probably the second best mega in the tier over Latias.

Nice check to Excadrill and Enamorus and acts as another win condition against teams weakened from Greninja and Serperior's assault.

In terms of weaknesses the Greninja match up is pretty bad, you have to win before their Greninja gets going basically. Greninja won't be a problem next week though. Fighting types, Scarf Mienshao in particular are only resisted by Fini but other than the previously mentioned Scarf Mienshao you can just out offense them with the fastest Fighting-type excluding Choice scarf being Mega Gallade. Lastly, Mega Aerodactyl is annoying but as soon as it takes any chip Greninja threatens it out.

 

[Danbear02]

Been a crazy week, sorry for the delay! Voting is now up, please vote for your favorite submission! We'll be extending the voting period for a bit to account for the delay.

Option A:​

I think Z Serp is super cool after sealoo put me on it and so I built this team around it a little bit ago for a tour.


(click icons for paste)


Z Serp is cool in that it basically bypasses all its standard checks. Mega Venusaur, Victini, Mega Latias, Amoonguss, and a few others all get dropped from high HP at +2 or full at +4. HP Fire hits Celesteela and Aegi which are the only two checks to Serp that can take Breakneck Blitz, and the rest of the team pressures them as well.


I'm not cool enough to run one of those fast Taunt Ting-Lu so this is just a standard Lu to help deal with Moth and every other mon in the tier. Pops Rocks up to chip Steela, and can Ruination if Steela is the only Ground resist.


This is a bulky Scizor meant to ease the Aegislash matchup, as SubTox or even Mixed can be fairy annoying when it gets free entry on Serp. U-turn over Knock because Hydrapple is a pain, but it still pressures Steela and Aegi by pivotting into Boulder or Washer or MVenu.


Another fairly standard dude, here to pressure SD variants of Aegislash, threaten to cripple Celesteela, and Volt Switch on everything.


This is another super bulky version of a standard Mon. Fighters have become super annoying to handle, and I never really care about having a slower MVenu for the most part, so heavy Bulk investment means I can better pressure Mienshao and Buzzwole comps. Always run 72 Special Attack on MVenu to guarantee the OHKO on Moth with Earth Power. Knock ensures any Celesteela forced to check MVenu is unable to check Serp long-term.


I think it was Iride who put me onto Megahorn Iron Boulder (and I hate you for that bc I've missed my past 6 Megahorns) but its "strictly better" than Close Combat. Obviously CC can't miss and OHKOs some bulky TTars, but Megahorn hits Mega Latias, Hydrapple, Slowbro, and Serperior while still hitting Ting-Lu and TTar for SE. CC is a better midground into Exca/Steela comps, but Megahorn here is better. Boulder does really well to pressure Steela and Aegi, often forcing them in against a predicted Earthquake or Mighty Cleave, which allows Boulder to chip them down with a predict or just Mighty Cleave doing ridiculous damage. Boulder is also the speed control here.

Option B:​

Sneaky Snake Poke Paste.



QUICK ANALYSIS:

• is a decent supportive mon that also can pack a punch with the likes of Contrary + Leaf Storm that can check things like , , , and . However it can also be very threatening with the likes of taunt to things like , , and by stopping non-attacking moves like toxic, wish, protect, soft boiled, hazards, and whirlwind. Rocky Helmet also gives physical attackers a disadvantage as Serperior can also recover with Synthesis. I also opted for Hidden Power Fire to deal with Scizor more effectively before it is able to setup sweep.
  • However with that comes some very posing threats to it like , , , and . Which is why I feel like could be a very good secondary setup sweeper. Z Shadow Claw shreds anything after a boost that isn't Ting-Lu or Blissey, while Close Combat deals with both respectively.
  • is one of the better supportive special defensive walls especially since and can be crept around the corner of this tier despite Greninja still in suspect motion. The ability to setup hazards on top of a decent Earthquake + Whirlwind to deal more chip against Pokemon who may not be running Heavy Duty Boots is always nice!
  • I also opted for a defensive set as this team lacks a bit in Defense. You can opt for Will-o-Wisp though I feel as if double stab + pivot along with Defog to support versus hazards is always nice and to finish the puzzle I added Pain Split for longevity.
  • has got to be around the top 5 in my personal opinion when it comes to fast wall-breaking threats. So to utilize boots + Toxic into incoming Ground-type threats that aren't Excadrill, Knock Off is a better preference since you can also remove key items like Boots! Volt Switch and Plasma Fists are also very good since it can hit heavily and pivot out.
  • And to stop it off I felt as if was a very good setup sweeper. With the likes of Calm Mind + Stored Power, given at least 2 boosts can be a game changer once necessary Dark-type threats are gone. Checking the likes of Okidogi, and overall being a very efficient late game sweeper with the likes of Serperior taunting the competition.

Some very key issues that will take some pivoting around to deal with are: Iron Boulder, Opposing Aegislash, HO Sticky Web teams, Hydrapple if given the opportunity to switch in easily, Iron Moth once Ting-Lu is dealt with.

This team was thoroughly thought out during Last Chance once I found out Serperior was introduced back to us. Hope you all enjoy! <3

Option C:​

Serp Hazard Stack!!!

https://pokepast.es/348ac4137c1b7689

Alright I'll join in on the comp.


Obviously the Mon to build around, but overall Serp is amazing on hazard stack using Washtom for set up fodder and annoying any other defogger in general.

+
The classic hazard stack core is really effective at setting hazard and with support from serp they can stay up.


This is a nice water for sand builds pivoting to get serp and Boulder in and Regen to heal off sand damage.


Guss is additional grass to check gren and an amazing partner to slowking.


Offensive moth check since slowking isn't enough and breaker

P.S: Sorry for the short analysis and shout-out to TBIC106 for being a big help on building this!

Option D:​

Didn't really plan on posting this week but I just so happened to build a team with Serp so I thought I might as well post it.


Click the sprites for the paste.

Greninja is broken and with Fini trapping most of its checks it becomes far more difficult to manage.

Like I said before, Fini can trap things like Steela, Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Blissey. Also acts as a Fighting resist which this team otherwise lacks.

Great role compression, sets up and spins Rocks, and it isn't too passive.

Celesteela and Aegislash, like Danbear said, are the only Serperior checks that aren't threatened by a +2 Breakneck Blitz and the former has to check Greninja or is the target for a Tapu Fini trap.

Without this the team would be Iron Moth fodder and it's the fastest viable Pokemon in the tier, honestly it's probably the second best mega in the tier over Latias.

Nice check to Excadrill and Enamorus and acts as another win condition against teams weakened from Greninja and Serperior's assault.

In terms of weaknesses the Greninja match up is pretty bad, you have to win before their Greninja gets going basically. Greninja won't be a problem next week though. Fighting types, Scarf Mienshao in particular are only resisted by Fini but other than the previously mentioned Scarf Mienshao you can just out offense them with the fastest Fighting-type excluding Choice scarf being Mega Gallade. Lastly, Mega Aerodactyl is annoying but as soon as it takes any chip Greninja threatens it out.

​