Resource SM OU Sample Teams

[ausma]

crudely drawn by me and hosted by the sm moderation team!
​

In such a rampant, high-activity metagame filled with an incredibly diverse cast of Pokemon, finding a good place to start can be incredibly difficult. If you are interested in trying the metagame but are unable to build any teams of your own due to inexperience with the metagame, this thread is for you. Bear in mind that the tier is constantly developing, so this thread may see changes over time as the metagame shifts toward one playstyle or another.

If you would like to submit a sample team, you are allowed to do so in this thread; however if you do please explain why your team submission in particular would make for a good sample. This can also mean submitting teams that aren't your own, but please be sure to ask for permission before sharing them publicly. Questions regarding teams will also be fielded in this thread. If you have any further or miscellaneous questions, you may also message the SM moderation team.


Bulky Offense

Fairy Spam by crystal lynn


Medicham Volcarona Volt Turn by Empo


Scizor Weavile BO by alex numbers


Lopunny Fini BO by z0mOG


Sub Mawile BO by craing ;_;



Hyper Offense

Medi Koko Lucha HO by xtra


Psychic Spam


M-Tar Screens HO by z0mOG


The following two hyper offense teams are not beginner-friendly, and require more planning than other sample teams:

Double Fire + Lead Mew HO by ABR


Lead Diancie + Volcarona HO by will of fire



Weather

Manaphy Rain by Ske


Zard-Y Sun by ABR


Z Drill + Band Kart Sand by Empo



Balance + Stall

Latias Gliscor Clefable Balance


Latias Gastrodon Skarmory Semi-Stall ft Reuniclus


Weavile + Magnezone + SD Gliscor Stall


Kommo-o Hazard Stack + CM Latias


Roar Heatran + Protean Gren Hazard Stack


Mawile Chansey Balance

Past Samples (pre-2024)

Offenses

Kartana Psyspam by z0mOG

https://pokepast.es/d00c5245539519bf

Hazard Stack Rain Offense by Finchinator

https://pokepast.es/938f74ad7bd815a

Rockium-Z Landorus-T Grass Spam by ???

https://pokepast.es/c2aec734a15186fa

Mega Charizard Y + Weavile Offense by ABR

https://pokepast.es/2597f11bbd274a32

Kokolucha + Mega Medicham HO by Xtra

https://pokepast.es/76c1446373c66c1c

Elemental Mega Mawile Offense by Finchinator

https://pokepast.es/4d76e5766d02446c

Balances/Fats

Mega Lopunny + Reuniclus Fat by Empo

https://pokepast.es/600e60d5b899f4e5

(usage not recommended in current meta) Flyinium Z Tornadus-T Regenerator Spam by Finchinator

https://pokepast.es/ddf69a2953ab591f

Double Psychic Fat by ABR

https://pokepast.es/41c77c804cafb96d

Mega Aggron Balance by Eo Ut Mortus

https://pokepast.es/63228fb8f95850aa

 

[Stallbrotonator]

Thank you for adding these teams, there are some that are very interesting. I hope there will be more in the future.

 

[BuhDoomTsst]

Yes ty! Sincerely,

new and confused pokemon showdown player

 

[Marnie]

Hi! With the end of SPL XIII and SMPL I in its early stages, I'm here to submit some teams for samples based on recent meta developments!

Disclaimers

1. Not taking credit on any of the teams shown below. Aside from personal experience and metagame understanding, they are mostly based off of observed trends from recent development in various tours.
2. The teams are built either similarly with the same 6 or built around a trending core. Even though the same 6 are seen multiple times, they can viably run different set variations, a testament of their capability to adapt. Moreover, some are even built around/with a unique set or strategy.
3. Some of the teams submitted reflect the current SM OU metagame well, and has seen moderate usage and success.
4. EV spread will be explained unless it's based on the dex spread or standard max/max.
5. Should these teams end up archived on the OP, feel free to do any minor tweaks or adjustments to make them even more viable.

Zard X Double Fire HO [https://pokepast.es/29da9cf705b912a0]
Serperior has been one of the faces of offenses lately. The amount of utility it provides to these team archetypes are incredible and this team takes advantage of it well. Contrary punishing Defog attempts, Taunt + Rocky Helmet breaks down Chansey to open up Volcarona's sweep, and provides Defog support for both Mega Charizard X and Volcarona, while spreading annoying Glares to open up free turns of setup for the team. Offensively, it can threaten the bulky waters, helping the double fire core. Kommo-o provides Taunt support again, further stopping entry hazard attempts as well as shutting down passive pokemon while being a solid setup sweeper in its own right. The team is pretty much a dedicated lead + 5 setup mons, with the aforementioned 4 members dealing and overloading the steel types and spdef walls for CM Leftovers Magearna to potentially clean late-game.

EV spread explanation

• Serperior: Gives 301HP to live 3 Seismic Toss from Chansey.

Why this team?

• Showcases the under-used Mega Charizard X, which has not been in any of the sample teams yet.
• Showcases the trendy offensive core of Volcarona+utility Serperior+Magearna.
• The same 6 has been used a lot to huge success (1 2 3[Aegislash allowed])

SubSwarm Volc + Vincune Offense [https://pokepast.es/572e78ac85ef7831]
What is worse than having to fight a Suicune? 2 Suicunes! Other than Cresselia's defensive profile by providing a much appreciated ground immunity, its main niche comes from Lunar Dance which gives the team's setup pokemon a 2nd life. Notably to Suicune, which thanks to Pressure, can PP stall even more pokemon like Chansey and Toxapex. Hence, draining all of their PPs allow SubSwarm Volcarona to setup and win games easier. Volcarona is further support by Mega Diancie and utility Serperior again, both of which provides hazard control with Magic Bounce and Defog respectively. Moreover, the former runs a Sub+Endeavor set while the latter carries Taunt+Rocky Helmet, both of which help keep Chansey low. Double dance Magearna rounds out the team as another offensive setup sweeper that can help overlwhelm Heatran. Hence, this team can easily punish the standard fat teams that consist of Mega Lati+Pex+Chansey+Steel.

EV spread explanation

• Volcarona: Lives +2 Earthquake from SD Gliscor & Knock Off from CB Kartana, OHKOes Garchomp with +2 Bug Buzz, and outspeed Mega Alakazam at +1.
• Serperior: Gives 301HP to live 3 Seismic Toss from Chansey.
• Cresselia: Outspeeds base 100s with Choice Scarf.

Why this team?

• Showcases the DiaVolc core which has not been in any of the samples yet.
• Showcases the unique Sub+Swarm Volcarona set.
• Showcases the trendy offensive core of Volcarona+utility Serperior+Magearna.
• Though it uses niche pokemon like Suicune and Cresselia, the same 6 has been used a lot to moderate success (1 2 3)

**The core of Volcarona+utility Serperior+Magearna is seen in even more teams, sometimes supported with Mega Diancie as well, and we've seen this combination in other team variations, such as with the niche Dragonite! (1 2)**

SD Gliscor + Bulkarona Balance [https://pokepast.es/1cdc58de31695641]
The team is built around the setup core of SD Gliscor + bulky Volcarona, the former deals with Heatran and Toxapex while the latter can melt the steel types in return. They are supported by a fat defensive backbone of Mega Sableye+SkarmChans that provides utility, notably Magic Guard + Defog to help alleviate Volcarona and Weavile's Stealth Rock weakness. This allows Volcarona to take advantage of its defensive profile, and by running a bulky variant it can more freely switch into (and potentially punish them with a Flame Body burn) the likes of Kartana, Mega Scizor, and Mega Mawile, which can otherwise destroy the team (Skarmory can kinda phaze them out but can't threaten them in return, and it gets worse when Magnezone is involved). Aside from being a solid speed control, Weavile can Pursuit trap Mega Lati twins to open up SD Gliscor's sweep, as well as a Choice-locked Tapu Lele and Victini which can potentially destroy the team. Moreover, with Mega Sableye running Knock Off, Weavile can afford to run Punishment to cleanly OHKO +6 Manaphy.

EV spread explanation

• Volcarona: Outspeeds positive base 95s.

Why this team?

• Showcases Mega Sableye, which has not been in any of the samples yet. Moreover, it gives an insight on how Mega Sabeleye teams can shift to more towards balances like this instead of the traditional stall teams that it is usually found exclusively in.
• Showcases the balanced core of SD Gliscor+Weavile, which has seen very high usage throughout SPL.
• The same 6 has been used quite a bit (1 2)

Mega Mawile + Wish Chansey Balance [https://pokepast.es/f1238d38fa298574]
Mega Mawile is usually supported by things like voltturn and screens. However, this team takes a more defensive approach with Wish Chansey, providing Mega Mawile with longevity which allows it to trade attacks with the enemy more liberally and thus wallbreak more frequently. Slowbro makes for a niche pick as a solid answer to the likes of Mega Medicham and Hawlucha, and pairs perfectly with Chansey. Kartana runs a unique utility set, being the team's Defogger that matches up well against common Stealth Rock users (Garchomp, Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Ferrothorn), and also offensively check Manaphy and Mega Tyranitar, which Z-Leaf Blade makes easier. Magnezone can run Thunder Wave to slow faster threats for Mega Mawile, or Flash Cannon to immediately threaten Tapu Bulu. But most importantly, it helps remove defensive steel types for Mega Mawile, and thanks to its Choice Scarf can dispose off opposing Kartana to stop it from destroying the team. Hence, this frees up Slowbro's moveslot from running Flamethrower, allowing it to run Future Sight which can help Mega Mawile's wallbreaking potential even further.

EV spread explanation

• Kartana: OHKOes Garchomp with Bloom Doom.

Why this team?

• Showcases Mega Mawile in a different team archetype other than its standard offense and/or voltturn.
• Showcases the niche Slowbro, especially moreso with Future Sight.
• Showcases utility Kartana.
• The same 6 has been used a lot to decent success (1 2 similar variations: 3 4)

 

[Cdijk16]

These sample teams are kind of old, is there any chance they will be updated any time soon?
Edit: I was told by lucky on discord that they are being updated sometime soon.

 

[Kustavan]

I was also told they were going to be updated

 

[Skypenguin]

Sample teams have been updated, thanks everyone who helped

 

[Kustavan]

SM will get better now with these good teams especially considering ladder

 

[ChaFouuu]

Hey just wanted to point a couple of things out:
-The Scizor Weavile BO EV spreads seem a bit messed up, probably an import error, you definitely wanna run some bulk on Zor and Tran and some SpD on Fini
-This version of the Lopunny Fini BO is mine (if I get it right Empo’s include Z-Drake Chomp and Smart Strike Kartana), the one z0mog submitted had Z-Fly Lando over Chomp
-I’m not sure if the Psyspam and xtra Volturn can be properly talking Hyper Offenses teams, but the Fairy Spam being in this category makes more sense
-Out of all the 5 teams with Latias, one should include the Calm Mind set, this set is a staple in the metagame


Anyway thanks a lot for updating the thread, these sample teams are much more representative of the meta than the former ones!

 

[A_Whopper]

hey, I'm trying to play some gen 7 ou, does anyone have the link or remember the sets for wish killer's gen7 ou team with mega venusaur, bisharp, chansey, keldeo, skarmory, and heatran?

 

[GOATED im_m0rtal.]

Petition to change the gastro hstack from base gastrodon to east gastrodon

 

[zinnias]

Petition to change the gastro hstack from base gastrodon to east gastrodon

Denied, I speak for the entire community including French when I say that west gastrodon is better

 

[Licholas]

hey, I'm trying to play some gen 7 ou, does anyone have the link or remember the sets for wish killer's gen7 ou team with mega venusaur, bisharp, chansey, keldeo, skarmory, and heatran?

Howdy,
It's in the OU room by typing /rfaq gen7samples, though it's not in the Ruins of Alph room, nor here. For posterity.
Peace.

 

[Are you vaping?]

I was also told they were going to be updated

whys bro asking for more teams when all u gon do is spam charmflash celestial semi stall

 

[BlackU-turn]

Hi, I want to submit 2 teams for the SM OU Sample Thread. One is mine and the other one is from Grenijo (on discord, his smogon name is BlackSiphon i think). He accept that i can submit his team here 'cause he actually can't do it.

Screen HO + Volc Iapapa
https://pokepast.es/c871b323ca7531e6
This is the Grenijo team.

-> Standard Screens set up. Tapu Koko help Magearna for his z-move and hawlucha to activate unburden and his electric see, for double his speed. Classic. This invest is for outspeed Weavile. The other EVs is put on HP and attack by default.

-> Classic Suicide lead. His role is simple: put sr and spin for Volcarona. He has Mold Breaker for OHKO Rotom, and Rock tomb for Tornadus-T, Landorus Max speed...

-> Starting with the 1st set up sweeper, one of the best in Screen, Magearna Double Dance. Thist set can easily sweep a game, or do a lot of damage in the opposing team for open the way for Hawlucha or another Poke (Volc). His Electrium Z boosted by the terrain elec is uncheckable (without a ground type) at +2.

-> Hawlucha is one of te best abuser on screen. Substitue is here for Block burn, poison or para by toxapex, Magearna, Rotom... and other thing like leech seed of celesteela. This invest if for outspeed sand rush excadrill.

-> this is our mega for the team. its simple, with Taunt + Dragon Dance, he can 6-0 Stall if we weak Skarmory and Sableye with the sr and some damages. Waterfall is better for me then Crunch, because vs Rain, this is boosted so it can be an advantage, and its touch more pokemon than we need to touch.

-> Finally, a little bit obvious but a big big big monster, Volcarona. With the Iapapa Berry, we can had a big heal in the mid/late game if your oppo sacrified 2 of his poke to make you into a range of Priority. With HP ground, he is not Block by heatran and hat +2, this is the K.O. We can Giga drain but idk what its better than HP Ground.



2nt team: This one is my own Property.
Grass Spam + Hawlucha Bit Bulky Sweeper BO
https://pokepast.es/dc4fce6994568a3e

-> This is our Grassy Terrain setter. With the Fight Z, this is a good solution vs Stall and fat. With Swords Dance, and his coverage attack (Stone edge and Superpower), he can pass the fire, water, steel, fly and dark poke (Tornadus, Heatran...). This invest if for tank 2 Hydro Pumps of Ash-Gren after the Grassy terrain heal and outspeed rotom-wash with 4 EVs of speed.

-> Kartana is here for Revenge Kill Tapu Koko, lele, fini... With his Choice scarf, he outspeed Blacephalon and Keldeo with the Same Item. His coverage touch a lot of type and its good in this metagame. A classic spread here. We can note the Grassy terrain boost also leaf blade, so Kartana is a really Good Cleaner.

-> A classic Spdef Tank Heatran here. With his speed, he outspeed all of the M-Mawile but also base 50 speed Modest/Adamant. He is our check VS Psyspam, tapu lele scarf, Magearna sweeper... He has also the Fire immunity with Flash Fire for bulu and Kartana. Earthquake of Lando is reduct by 50% so Heatran can tank it and Kill with Magma Storm.

-> This hawlucha is a little bit strange with his spread, but let me explain. With 172 Evs in HP and 48 in SpDef, Scald of toxapex can't break the sub so we can set up on Toxapex. His speed allowed you to alaways outspeed sand rush excadrill, but also full Speed Lando without Unburden. We lost a little bit of damage but that's not really a problem. Hawlucha still the G.O.A.T

-> How we can't talk about Landorus-Therian in a SM OU BO team ? I don' know ! The def set is the best because it check Lopunny-M and Medicham-M (without Ice punch). His Rocky Helmet punish u-turn of other Lando, koko, gren... HP Ice is for Weaken Garchomp, Gliscor and 2HKO other Landorus-Therian.

-> Finnaly, our last poke, Rotom. With Pain Split + Lefto, he can better check Swampert, Tornadus... With Thunder Wave, he can also block Zard X DD and Volcarona QD, and also have the para haxx chance. Volt Swicth is for Pivoting. Defog is not used becauase we already have it in the Lando set.