Roserade is broken.

[Adamant Zoroark]

So yeah, I got sick of all the weather shenanigans in OU, so I decided to try out UU. I definitely like UU so far, as it reminds me of 4th gen OU, which is my favorite metagame. I'm an offensive player, but I wanted to go about making a team I hadn't done before: One with dual screens, but absolutely no set-up sweepers. I thought it was fun to play with this team, especially since it's helping me explore more areas of offense.

Well, here's the team!

Azelf @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Taunt
- U-turn


Azelf was by far my favorite OU lead in 4th gen, and I needed something that can set up dual screens. Azelf was the first Pokemon to come to mind. Setting up the screens I need while also Taunting stuff is so important, and being able to U-turn out to one of my sweepers is nice too, especially against greedy Weaviles who think they can catch me with a Pursuit.


Azelf was my first choice because I felt the need to get up screens, and get them up quickly. There's just nothing much in UU that can do that. Using Azelf just feels so similar to using Deoxys-S in OU, and that's something I like.

Nidoking (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Taunt


At first glance, Nidoking seemed to me to be the epitome of everything you don't want in a Pokemon: Bad movepool, bad typing, and worse stats. However, its new ability, Sheer Force, turns it into everything you do want in a Pokemon.


Nidoking is simply the best wallbreaker I've used in this tier. Against walls, I first Taunt to make sure they don't use moves like Will-O-Wisp or a recovery move, then I wear them down with the appropriate move. It also serves another great purpose: Destroying Cobalion, who could otherwise give me trouble.

Arcanine (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Wild Charge
- ExtremeSpeed


You have to have a place in your heart somewhere for Arcanine. It's the law. Anyway, I've always loved Arcanine, but when I heard it got Close Combat in 5th gen, I was all "FUCK YEAH!"


Anyways, I'm going to stop that tangent now. I was thinking of something most other Arcanine users wouldn't use on their Arcanines: Flash Fire. I have Escavalier on this team, so I figured that I could use Escavalier's only weakness - Fire - to my advantage. Flare Blitz is for the obvious powerful STAB move, then Close Combat to take care of any Chanseys that may come in my way. Wild Charge is mostly filler, but it helps me to handle Water-types, and then ExtremeSpeed is to ensure I can get past faster Pokemon such as Alakazam.

Zoroark (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Illusion
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Sucker Punch
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Grass Knot


I've used Zoroark in OU to great effect before, but when I tried it in UU, it was so effective it wasn't even funny. Once Chansey's out of the way (not that hard to do, I have like 3 members that can shut it down), good luck walling it. Ferroseed? Lolololololol Flamethrower. Quagsire? Fuck that shit, Grass Knot to the face.


Anyway, I first tried out Nasty Plot Zoroark, which, while one of its most effective sets in OU, just didn't seem that good in UU, especially with Cobalion still running around everywhere trying to get free Justified boosts. After that, I tried out a more standard mixed attacker, which has helped me get past Pokemon like Nasty Plot Mismagius, who could be quite problematic without Zoroark's almighty Sucker Punch. Dark Pulse for standard STAB, and then Flamethrower and Grass Knot for the annoying Ferroseed and Quagsire, respectively.

Escavalier (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Swarm
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Megahorn
- Iron Head
- Double-Edge
- Pursuit


Best. Pokemon. Ever.


Not really, but it's still amazing. The first problem with UU I noticed is the lack of offensive Steel-types. I had 3 choices: Bisharp, Cobalion, or Escavalier. I've tried Cobalion before, but I've found it to be overall mediocre and shut down by Nidoking. Bisharp I've used and known to be super-mediocre, so I was left with Escavalier. Tried out CB Escavalier, and it's AMAZING. Why is the last one you think of using always the best one?


Anyway, Megahorn lets me take on damn near anything that doesn't resist it, so that was the first choice. If it's something like a Ghost that resists it, Iron Head takes care of that problem. If I run across something like Zapdos, who resists both Megahorn and Iron Head, I take care of it with Double-Edge, and then Pursuit for any Ghosts who might switch out fearing getting worn down by Iron Head, or Psychics fearing Megahorn.

Borked? (Roserade) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Sleep Powder
- Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]


This is the definition of broken. In fact, it's so broken that the guys over at PO banned it. Rose has helped me out tons against any noobs who think they can get away with using SmashPass, as I can come in on Gorebyss as it uses Shell Smash then Sleep Powder and kill the SmashPass recipient as it comes in.


Sleep Powder lets me make things take naps, then Leaf Storm for destroying just about everything that doesn't resist it. If it's a Flying-type that resists it, Sludge Bomb should take care of it. Shall Honchkrow come in thinking it can block my Sleep Powder, well, Sludge Bomb OHKOs it. Hidden Power Fire lets me take on Steel-types who resist both of those moves.




Well, hope you enjoyed this RMT! Rate, hate, whatever floats your boat.

 

[Captain Dragan]

Zoroark has such puny offenses, that I don't see him sweep any team. Every time i met a Zoroark, i shut it down immediately. Also, Nidokings movepool doesn't suck at all, it just wasn't that viable before Sheer Force came into existence: Sludge Wave, Flamthrower, Earth Power, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Fire Blast... not too shabby in my opinion.

Also, I found Escavalier to be unfitting in any team which isn't TR, as it's speed is a horrible let-down. That's why I always go for Heracross, and I suggest you do the same. Heracross is in my opinion one of the best pokes in the tier.

A set? Something with Close Combat, Megahorn, Stone Edge and Night Slash in tandem with a Choice Band/Scarf works perfectly.

 

[destinyunknown]

Roserade broken? Lol. The fact that PO server has banned it doesn't mean anything, even less considering than PO UU tier just suck, they ban nonsense things (like venomoth or smeargle) while allowing real broken things (like Lucario in DW UU or Hydreigon) staying in the tier freely (i don't know how is the tier now, i'm talking about the days i played there)

 

[Sabinfrost]

Roserade broken? Lol. The fact that PO server has banned it doesn't mean anything, even less considering than PO UU tier just suck, they ban nonsense things (like venomoth or smeargle) while allowing real broken things (like Lucario in DW UU or Hydreigon) staying in the tier freely (i don't know how is the tier now, i'm talking about the days i played there)

Supposedly it's only banned because it's received enough playtime in OU to be considered an OU (in the sense of the word) rather than UU.

There are definitely checks for Roserade, Registeel is one of the main ones, Roserade would also struggle to make a name in OU next to Venasaur in my opinion but that's another discussion.

Overall it looks like quite a decent team, I'd look at running Focus Blast on Zoroark though and giving it Night Daze. As it stands currently your set lacks raw power and utility, it wont be a massive threat for your opponents.

I'd also consider Thunderbolt over Sludge Wave on Nidoking, you already have Ice Beam for grass types and Thunderbolt will give you added super-effective, sheer force boosted coverage

 

[Adamant Zoroark]

Zoroark has such puny offenses, that I don't see him sweep any team. Every time i met a Zoroark, i shut it down immediately. Also, Nidokings movepool doesn't suck at all, it just wasn't that viable before Sheer Force came into existence: Sludge Wave, Flamthrower, Earth Power, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Fire Blast... not too shabby in my opinion.

Also, I found Escavalier to be unfitting in any team which isn't TR, as it's speed is a horrible let-down. That's why I always go for Heracross, and I suggest you do the same. Heracross is in my opinion one of the best pokes in the tier.

A set? Something with Close Combat, Megahorn, Stone Edge and Night Slash in tandem with a Choice Band/Scarf works perfectly.

I can see Scarf Heracross working out, though I still feel the need for a Steel-type or at least putting in a Weavile somewhere so I don't have troubles with Scarf Flygon, or at least Intimidate > Flash Fire on Arcanine to make it easier to deal with. Zoroark also isn't my "Oh let's send this out early in the match, that's a great idea!" Pokemon, it's more of a late-game sweeper.

@Sabinfrost, as of now I'm still unsure of Focus Miss on Zoroark, as it's a really unreliable move and while it would give me coverage against Empoleon and Registeel, I'd probably end up losing a reliable way to hit Bug-types and Roserade. I'm likely to add Heracross on this team, so odds are I won't really need Focus Blast on Zoroark.

Night Daze isn't really scoring any KOs that I get with Dark Pulse, and Dark Pulse is more accurate so may as well use Dark Pulse.

 

[orbpom123]

Hmm steels who have huge bulk, and not much weaknesses... hmmm.... Registeel is a fantastic wall who is capable of taking ANY hit, along with ok attack, but a super suporter.

Registeel@ Leftovers
Trait: Clear Body
EVs 252 HP 252 Def 4 SpD
Impish + Def - SpA
Thunder Wave
Seismic Toss
Protect
Stealth Rock/ Iron Head

Faster then escavalier, which may help against paralyzed/ the slower metagame. You know Intimitop who thinks he can kill you? No intimidate, and will take hits like a champ. He can even survive a banded CC from a Heracross! Which most of the metagame cant say. Thunderwave to take down some like Kingdra, who thinks DDance will work! Seismic toss for 100 damage, which may work against stallers. Protect to gain much needed hp for stalling. Last is SR or Iron head, depends which you like better. Registeel is a force to be reckoned with, especially the most common poke, stoutland.

 

[Sabinfrost]

@Sabinfrost, as of now I'm still unsure of Focus Miss on Zoroark, as it's a really unreliable move and while it would give me coverage against Empoleon and Registeel, I'd probably end up losing a reliable way to hit Bug-types and Roserade. I'm likely to add Heracross on this team, so odds are I won't really need Focus Blast on Zoroark.

Night Daze isn't really scoring any KOs that I get with Dark Pulse, and Dark Pulse is more accurate so may as well use Dark Pulse.

Overall Focus Blast would deal with the threats you have Grass Knot for currently with much higher power, it is slightly unreliable but as you said, there are big defensive walls in the tier that it would deal with (Don't forget Chansey as well).

Night Daze vs. Dark Pulse is a contentious one but the 40% chance of lowering your opponents accuracy can be incredibly useful, especially given that psychic threats like Alakazam (a big counter for your team) often rely on Focus Blast for coverage against Dark types. As I said though, it's contentious, just an idea.

@Orbpom123 - Registeel is probably the best all-round defensive wall in the tier, and we're talking about a tier including Eviolite Chansey/Porygon2, Milotic and many other OU capable walls. A Registeel/Dusclops core checks a lot of the big threats in the tier.

 

[CaseyL]

Sludge Wave is powerful STAB, but Poison is an awful attacking type. It hits Grass super effective, and literally nothing else. Just don't use Poison attacks unless you have NOTHING worthwile or the attacks name is Toxic.

Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Shadowball, Focus Blast, any of those have better type coverage than Sludge Wave.

Other than that, I can't see anything that needs to be fixed. Good job.