So recently I've gotten back into Gen 5 OU after becoming frustrated with my (lack of) team building capabilities and the numerous threats that often overwhelmed me. I started feeling pretty confident in myself. When I was eating lunch at school my friend told me there was a pokemon group at the school. I rushed over and set up a team and apparently challenged the best guy at the entire school. The battle was extremely disappointing as I was forced to sit through the animations on the DS while he used things like Ancientpower Mamoswine and Fly Hydreigon. I'd felt like I brought a gun to a knife fight, which inspired me to base a team around a pokemon that all around sucks to not only show that I'm better, but to show just how wide the gap is in our skill because I'm a cocky asshole. That Pokemon was Spinda.
The Teambuilding Process
I had to pick a pokemon that would just be embarrassing to lose to.
Jesus christ, you're perfect.
The next thing I did was that I made a list of everything Spinda likes and everything Spinda hates (credit to lampeskaerm2 for the help with this step!) I came up with the following:
Likes: picking off weakened pokemon, pokemon weak to fighting attacks (Superpower), paralysis support, entry hazards on the enemy's side (makes them easier to pick off), and free turns.
Dislikes: being statused, walls, fighting types, Gengar, Gamefreak, the lack of recovery, faster pokemon (especially special attackers), and ghost types that don't attack to prevent me from Sucker Punching.
Next, I threw Parashuffler Dragonite onto the team. He provides the paralysis support that Spinda needs while also working as a fighting resist.
Skarmory pairs up well with the two. It sets down spikes which Dragonite loves Dragon tailing foes onto and Spinda loves cleaning up after.
Nothing on my team really wanted to take any sort of status at this point and I needed a spinner for Dragonite. Starmie nabs a spot due to its ability, Natural Cure, and the rapid spin support it provides.
I wanted more paralysis support in case Dragonite went down and I still needed to get Spinda some free turns, so I turned to Whimsicott. You may think I'm lazy for only having one animated sprite but it's just that Whimsicott moves so fast due to its ability, Prankster, that all other sprites seem still.
Lamp told me that Spinda can pave the way for a Dragonite sweep. I'm already using Dragonite, so I decided to use Salamence in its place to clean up after Spinda does 20% damage and faints.
Let's get it!
The in depth
Whimsicott (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Encore
- Leech Seed
- U-turn
- Stun Spore
Whimsicott usually is the first into battle. Most people "lead" with Ttar against it to get their rocks and sand up. First turn I usually go for the Stun Spore to kick-off the slowing down of their entire team, followed by Leech Seed and/or U-Turn. Encore is there to possibly nab a free turn for either Spinda or Salamence (not to say everyone else doesn't enjoy it too). I'm not too particularly fond of Whimsicott due to Stun Spore's ability to miss and the fact that it, well, sucks. The lack of an offense presence and its inability to take more than weak scalds and attract toxics make it very unfavorable to the team, but it does get the job done. It also provides me a switch in to Ferrothorn so that I can encore it into a single move (Gyro ball/Power Whip -> Skarmory, and Spikes/Leech Seed/Stealth Rock -> Starmie)
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Roost
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird
Skarmory is a god-send for when something like Scizor gets a swords dance in. It turns the tide of battle by roosting off pathetic physical attacks and setting up spikes in the face of trainers too stubborn to accept their +6 Gliscor isn't going to get the job done here(However I do fear taunt SD Gliscors but I have yet to run into one). Whirlwind pushes things like mono-outrage/dragon claw Dragonite that would otherwise threaten the team back in the ball. It also softens up grounded opponents for Spinda and Salamence. I really dig how well Skarmory can turn the enemy's momentum on its back but I wouldn't be opposed to swapping it if I had to. Skarmory was also here to check Terrakion but jesus christ that band/life orb hurts. It can still check Scarfed Terrakions, however.
Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Thunder Wave
- Roost
- Dragon Tail
All this guy needs is a single layer of spikes on the ground to start laying the status and hurt down. Parashuffler Dragonite allows me to take on threats I normally would not(LO/Band Terrakion and Rotom-W to a lesser extent) by dragging them out into the heat of battle and paralyzing them, making them much easier to manage. Substitute and Roost allow it to repair its Multi-scale while stalling for parahax to once again send the opponent back. Thunder wave provides more paralysis support to Spinda and Salamence. Usually I bring this in after Starmie has swept the area clean of entry hazards so that its Multiscale can allow me to take all but the most powerful ice beams and stone edges.
Starmie @ Life Orb Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
I've been a big fan of LO spinner Starmie since Gen 4. The offensive pressure it puts on the opponent makes them reluctant to send out any spinblockers, usually allowing me to get those hazards off the field. Starmie, ironically enough, helps me with a big LO Starmie problem that I have. It has a chance of winning the speed tie against a pokemon that would undoubtedly rip through my entire team should it come out late game. Starmie's here to keep Toxic Spikes from limiting Spinda's already short lifespan and Stealth Rock from maiming my dragons. As much as I love the set, I'm pretty close to replacing it for something else due to how quickly Starmie's HP drops(Spikes, leech seed, sandstorm, iron barbs, Life orb, etc).
Spinda (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Contrary
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Superpower
- Substitute
- Sucker Punch
- Return
Here is the star of the team. At least it's cute. Spinda abuses the combination of Superpower and Contrary to buff both its attack and defense. The defensive boosts coupled with leftovers can allow it to actually get a substitute up that isn't broken by some weaker attacks (namely coverage moves coming from walls). Return is there for when Superpower is NVE or the extra boost in power is needed to keep Spinda alive. Sucker punch works pretty well, knocking out faster attackers (Latios, Starmie) before they can do the same to Spinda. Spinda usually gets its pseudo bulk up boosts from Ferrothorns, Heatrans, Tyranitars, and even Scizors if the opponent lets it get out of control. It runs enough speed EVs to outspeed Scizor, so it can't Superpower before I do the same for the KO (after a few boosts, of course). I'm not going to lie, most of the time Spinda doesn't get to do a whole lot. But hey, who doesn't love rooting for underdog pokemon?
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
Moxie Salamence, oh man. With the paralysis support that's supposed to be for Spinda, Salamence can single-handedly turn matches around. Moxie allows it to snowball a sweep after they sacrifice something to get their full HP walls in that could normally take a +1 Outrage/Dragon claw. I've been running a Naughty nature as suggested by the analysis, but I've actually been outsped by scarfed opposing Salamence because of it. I'm tempted to change it to Jolly but the power a +atk nature provides is ridiculous. Salamence is clean-up crew for the team and does that job very well. The only complaint that comes to mind is the residual damage it takes from Life Orb. I was considering running Lum in its place but the drop in power is discouraging, as I'm certain the lack of LO makes me miss a Ferro KO.
Starmie
Specifically Life Orb Starmie. The way I've been dealing with it now is baiting a Thunderbolt with Skarmory and switching into Whimsicott to encore it, but if either of them are down it's going to be a field day for the starfish. Spinda (holy shit!) can sucker punch it if it has taken a lot of prior damage and Starmie can hope for a speed tie. I really need something to deal with this and I was thinking a Jirachi somewhere on the team. In the meantime I'll keep cringing every time I see one of these in team Preview.
Virizion
Thankfully this guy isn't very common. However its 108 speed tier coupled with HP Ice and Focus Blast can really do a number on most of the team. Whimsicott can encore it into Calm Mind before I bring Skarm out to either Brave Bird or Whirlwind. I'm pretty much hoping for FB misses if rocks are up and Whimsicott is down.
Celebi
This guy can be a bit of a jerk. I have to play the switching game to get to know its coverage or I'll end up losing a pokemon or two to it. Starmie can Ice Beam but that doesn't KO and then it gets Giga Drained. Most of the time these guys are running HP Fire/Giga Drain/Nasty Plot/Recover so it's easily managed by one of the dragons. Any variety in that moveset will take down more than I am able to lose if I want to win.
Whimsicott (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Encore
- Leech Seed
- U-turn
- Stun Spore
Whimsicott usually is the first into battle. Most people "lead" with Ttar against it to get their rocks and sand up. First turn I usually go for the Stun Spore to kick-off the slowing down of their entire team, followed by Leech Seed and/or U-Turn. Encore is there to possibly nab a free turn for either Spinda or Salamence (not to say everyone else doesn't enjoy it too). I'm not too particularly fond of Whimsicott due to Stun Spore's ability to miss and the fact that it, well, sucks. The lack of an offense presence and its inability to take more than weak scalds and attract toxics make it very unfavorable to the team, but it does get the job done. It also provides me a switch in to Ferrothorn so that I can encore it into a single move (Gyro ball/Power Whip -> Skarmory, and Spikes/Leech Seed/Stealth Rock -> Starmie)
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Roost
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
- Brave Bird
Skarmory is a god-send for when something like Scizor gets a swords dance in. It turns the tide of battle by roosting off pathetic physical attacks and setting up spikes in the face of trainers too stubborn to accept their +6 Gliscor isn't going to get the job done here(However I do fear taunt SD Gliscors but I have yet to run into one). Whirlwind pushes things like mono-outrage/dragon claw Dragonite that would otherwise threaten the team back in the ball. It also softens up grounded opponents for Spinda and Salamence. I really dig how well Skarmory can turn the enemy's momentum on its back but I wouldn't be opposed to swapping it if I had to. Skarmory was also here to check Terrakion but jesus christ that band/life orb hurts. It can still check Scarfed Terrakions, however.
Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Thunder Wave
- Roost
- Dragon Tail
All this guy needs is a single layer of spikes on the ground to start laying the status and hurt down. Parashuffler Dragonite allows me to take on threats I normally would not(LO/Band Terrakion and Rotom-W to a lesser extent) by dragging them out into the heat of battle and paralyzing them, making them much easier to manage. Substitute and Roost allow it to repair its Multi-scale while stalling for parahax to once again send the opponent back. Thunder wave provides more paralysis support to Spinda and Salamence. Usually I bring this in after Starmie has swept the area clean of entry hazards so that its Multiscale can allow me to take all but the most powerful ice beams and stone edges.
Starmie @ Life Orb Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
I've been a big fan of LO spinner Starmie since Gen 4. The offensive pressure it puts on the opponent makes them reluctant to send out any spinblockers, usually allowing me to get those hazards off the field. Starmie, ironically enough, helps me with a big LO Starmie problem that I have. It has a chance of winning the speed tie against a pokemon that would undoubtedly rip through my entire team should it come out late game. Starmie's here to keep Toxic Spikes from limiting Spinda's already short lifespan and Stealth Rock from maiming my dragons. As much as I love the set, I'm pretty close to replacing it for something else due to how quickly Starmie's HP drops(Spikes, leech seed, sandstorm, iron barbs, Life orb, etc).
Spinda (M) @ Leftovers Trait: Contrary
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Superpower
- Substitute
- Sucker Punch
- Return
Here is the star of the team. At least it's cute. Spinda abuses the combination of Superpower and Contrary to buff both its attack and defense. The defensive boosts coupled with leftovers can allow it to actually get a substitute up that isn't broken by some weaker attacks (namely coverage moves coming from walls). Return is there for when Superpower is NVE or the extra boost in power is needed to keep Spinda alive. Sucker punch works pretty well, knocking out faster attackers (Latios, Starmie) before they can do the same to Spinda. Spinda usually gets its pseudo bulk up boosts from Ferrothorns, Heatrans, Tyranitars, and even Scizors if the opponent lets it get out of control. It runs enough speed EVs to outspeed Scizor, so it can't Superpower before I do the same for the KO (after a few boosts, of course). I'm not going to lie, most of the time Spinda doesn't get to do a whole lot. But hey, who doesn't love rooting for underdog pokemon?
Salamence (M) @ Life Orb Trait: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SDef)
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
Moxie Salamence, oh man. With the paralysis support that's supposed to be for Spinda, Salamence can single-handedly turn matches around. Moxie allows it to snowball a sweep after they sacrifice something to get their full HP walls in that could normally take a +1 Outrage/Dragon claw. I've been running a Naughty nature as suggested by the analysis, but I've actually been outsped by scarfed opposing Salamence because of it. I'm tempted to change it to Jolly but the power a +atk nature provides is ridiculous. Salamence is clean-up crew for the team and does that job very well. The only complaint that comes to mind is the residual damage it takes from Life Orb. I was considering running Lum in its place but the drop in power is discouraging, as I'm certain the lack of LO makes me miss a Ferro KO.
Threats to the Team
Terrakion
This thing, god damn. I pretty much have to pray its scarf or it can come in and take down my team one by one if its banded or all at the same time if it's Life Orb. They're usually very much scared off by Whimsicott's Stun Spore, which can allow me to get Dragonite in and drag them out later. Starmie can deal with it if it's still around, but for the most part this pokemon is just a pain in the dick.Terrakion
Starmie
Specifically Life Orb Starmie. The way I've been dealing with it now is baiting a Thunderbolt with Skarmory and switching into Whimsicott to encore it, but if either of them are down it's going to be a field day for the starfish. Spinda (holy shit!) can sucker punch it if it has taken a lot of prior damage and Starmie can hope for a speed tie. I really need something to deal with this and I was thinking a Jirachi somewhere on the team. In the meantime I'll keep cringing every time I see one of these in team Preview.
Virizion
Thankfully this guy isn't very common. However its 108 speed tier coupled with HP Ice and Focus Blast can really do a number on most of the team. Whimsicott can encore it into Calm Mind before I bring Skarm out to either Brave Bird or Whirlwind. I'm pretty much hoping for FB misses if rocks are up and Whimsicott is down.
Celebi
This guy can be a bit of a jerk. I have to play the switching game to get to know its coverage or I'll end up losing a pokemon or two to it. Starmie can Ice Beam but that doesn't KO and then it gets Giga Drained. Most of the time these guys are running HP Fire/Giga Drain/Nasty Plot/Recover so it's easily managed by one of the dragons. Any variety in that moveset will take down more than I am able to lose if I want to win.
