Might be the biggest gap between an RMT since the last one, but after taking a break from mons, I decided to try out the tier again, and participate in the Gouging Fire suspect. I wasn't too familiar with the tier, but looking at a few things (VR, Sample Teams/Sets, etc) I was able to come up with a team strong enough to push me to get reqs. Weavile I saw was in the A rank, but I never had many teams with it, thus I decided to build a team around it.
1. Proof
2. Team Building Process
3. Threats
4. Replays
5. Conclusion
Proof:
This screenshot shows that I achieved the requirements for Gouging Fire Suspect
Team Building Process:
As stated above, Weavile was my starting point. As someone who used to play a lot of SS, I loved using the SD set with boots. Thus, I decided to use that same one here. I added Tera Fire to Weavile. This helps turn Moltres into setup fodder, and prevent burn attempts. Fire also helps resist the common steel and fairy type moves used to knock out Weavile.
Offensively, Weavile struggled with Alomomola, Dondozo, Garganacl, and a few others. The main trend was that everything Weavile struggled with did not like touching grass. I added Ogerpon W in order to help hit these targets, as well as provide a water resist for the team. I run the 3 attack encore set in order to mess with setup + tera attempts vs the likes of Primarina, Dondozo, etc.
Defensively, fairy types like Iron Valiant and Enamorus, as well as fire types like Cinderace, would be tough to switch into. I added Moltres, as it provides checks to all of these problems, as well as a ground immunity, and solid physical attack blanket. I run Tera Grass in order to help check Ogerpon W, as well as resist other water attacks.
The team has some fast mons, but things like Darkrai could give this team issues, as Darkrai usually wins the 1v1 vs Weavile. I added Zamazenta, as it improves our matchup into offense, and adds another win route to the team. Zamazenta also checks threats such as Kingambit and Dragonite (set dependent), making it easier for Ogerpon and Weavile to rack up KOs. I run Tera Fire to prevent burn attempts, as well as resist Gouging Fire, fairy types, etc. Roar is the last slot. Roar helps phase out setup threats such as Dragonite, Gouging Fire, and opposing Zamazenta.
Iron Crown was the next thing I added, as it provided a much needed Steel type to the team. I ended up running an Assault Vest set, as it allows for Crown to take hits from Kyurem, Walking Wake (Dragon moves), and other threats. Future Sight helps the physical attackers rip through walls. Volt Switch helps Crown pivot around opposing teams, and can also deal solid chip damage. Tera Fighting, although not used much (I don't think I terad once), helps Crown resist dark type moves, while also powering up Focus Blast.
Edit: I decided to put Tera Fairy on Crown to keep dark resist, but also help vs CB Dragapult.
Lastly, I needed a ground type, and a more sturdy ghost resist. Ting Lu immediately came to mind, as it provided a solid special attack blanket, set up hazards, and checked the likes of Gholdengo, Raging Bolt, and Dragapult, the latter outrunning everything on the team. Tera Ghost is used to provide a fighting type immunity, and blocks rapid spin attempts.
Threats:
Dragapult, although not a terrible matchup, can be somewhat threatening due to it outrunning everything. Choice Band sets can be tough to switch into. Against those, I would try to avoid having the Ogerpon vs Dragapult matchup, as that is when Pult can get the most dmg out. Moltres burns, Zamazenta boosted, stealth rock chip. Those 3 things will allow you to win against banded Pult. Pivot sets, while less annoying, can still be tough. Letting Ting Lu take a wisp is not the worst thing to happen, and it can still wall or force out Pult, making it easier to check. Weavile at +2 or Pult at 50% health allows for Ice Shard to take out Dragapult.
BannedDD sets are tough, but they can be checked by Zamazenta, and phased out by Ting Lu. Choice Band sets under the sun are the toughest part. I would try and use Tera on Zamazenta early, and lock it into Raging Fury, allowing for you to either kill or deal a ton of damage to it. Sacking Weavile vs sun teams is also not the worst idea, as Weavile can struggle into those, and removing the band makes Gouging Fire a lot less scary.
Another sun abuser, Wake can be tough to pivot around. While Ogerpon can easily take water hits, it cannot afford to take a Draco. It is the other way around for Ting Lu and Crown. Mixing up your switch ins and making the right predictions is honestly the best you can do. Having stealth rock up also helps, as if taken enough damage, Weavile can finish it off later with an Ice Shard.
A smaller one, but can still be tough. The main thing to know is to find a way to have Zamazenta vs Ogerpon. Opponents often lead Ogerpon on team preview. Leading Zamazenta may seem bad, but you can actually either get a good hit in, or get a free switch, allowing you to take control of the offensive pressure, making it difficult for Ogerpon to come in safely. Tera Grass on Moltres can also help slow it down. While U-Turn is super effective, the risk of burn makes it tough for the opponent to throw it around.
Replays:
Vs Sticky Webs: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2191943924-eq6op2skq4oxkolksexm6eofjh4fmiapw
Vs Glowking BO: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2191937588-k8toacsunlmxvvn1wvdiqn8zye1pqh5pw
Vs Kyurem Fat: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2191931304-tm7erl4wc3z0khbeyykidq23wg3dqzjpw
Vs Iron Defense Heatran(?): https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2191929740-jivkduu3t061rcv9joqdfd1qpropy7qpw
Close Call vs Webs: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2191925459-e5qxwpowadhpmobxmyyh5hc9cdxd2gypw
Vs Ogerpon Offense: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2191913510-tj9d45jzpydzcw3ir3bhkqilod2r2n2pw?p2
Vs Iron Boulder HO: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2191899997-j3q5gfhur9nogeotnuvs5sppzlfabhxpw?p2
Vs Sun https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2191887601-ebijwx2jinsqlnd8pt9b4v67d0s306apw
Conclusion:
If you have read the whole thread, I very much appreciate it. It has been quite a long time since I have made an RMT, thus every team for this tier is outdated (Chi-Yu/Baxcalibur Ban. Or just straight up outdated in the current meta), so I will not be including them here. However, if you do like SS OU, I have plenty of teams for that tier. You can find them in the bottom of this RMT: https://www.smogon.com/forums/threa...7-2023-elo-ft-choice-specs-magnezone.3708697/
Eitherway, enjoy the team.
Pokepaste: https://pokepast.es/930ecd075588a7ea
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