Volt - Turn beware!

shadowxevo · Jan 30, 2012

U-turn's are not advised here!

~When I make a team, I usually just use some of the most powerful threats out there - However, with all this U-turning and the like around, I found it somewhat counter-productive to make one. So, I pretty much had one other option - Go against the tide. So, here it is, "Volt - Turn Beware!~

~ Thought Process ~

Okay, so the idea of trolling Volt - Turn was amusing to me, but first things first; a Pokemon to counter Rotom - W. Gastrodon seemed to vulnerable to Trick, and if I ran Sticky Hold, it would take a metric crapton from Hydro Pump. So, the next best thing seemed to be -

Now, Lanturn obviously isn't wanting to be U-Turn'd in the face, so I need to accompany him with something that totally walls Scizor and friends, with respectable bulk.

After looking at these two, there seems to be a common thing - They can both effectively use their own Volt Switch to bring in a sweeper, and they can both spread status around. Therefor, Dragonite was an obvious pick, as he can stall and sweep.

With all these forced switches, and now a sweeper, they would sure appreciate Stealth Rock. Mamoswine synergized very well with the other three members, along with packing priority Ice Shard to take out Dragons before Dragonite swoops in.

I realize a key weakness to Stealth Rock, a problem that needed to be addressed immediately. However, a spinner usually led to slower momentum, so I needed a Pokemon that could pick up the offensive pace easily. LO Starmie, as the lone dedicated special sweeper, along with being a spinner, is easily the MVP team player.

I needed a final member, one to push the game back in my favor, just in case Dragonite fails. Scizor can carelessly Bullet Punch incoming threats, as well as set up, with burns coming from Lanturn and Rotom-H, as well as screens, he completes the team.

~ In-Depth ~

Sieman (Lanturn) @ Leftovers
Calm Nature (+Sp. Def, -Atk)
Ability: Volt Absorb
252 HP, 252 Sp. Def, 4 Def

Scald
Volt Switch
Toxic
Heal Bell

Lanturn starts off the team with a vital role - A Pokemon that can easily take most special attacks, burn or poison the opponent, get rid of status, and get outta there. Sounds too good to be true? There's more - It stops most Volt Switcher's as well, swinging momentum in your favor with its own. Its weaknesses of Ground and Grass are covered by almost every member of the team, bar Starmie.

Easybake (Rotom-H) @ Light Clay
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
Ability: Levitate
252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Sp. Def
~ Volt Switch
~ Will-O-Wisp
~ Light Screen
~ Reflect

Where Lanturn fails to status the foe, Rotom-H does that and more, setting up screens, allowing for Dragonite and Scizor to wreck havoc. Volt Switch, again, is a golden move, allowing for me to take out Pokemon such as Skarmory, or just as a momentum-grabber, especially after Reflect / Light Screen was set up. Will-O-Wisp and screens may seem weird on the same set, but they serve different purposes: Will-O-Wisp is a more direct and immediate answer to a physically based Pokemon, but since most Pokemon that are like that now have something to block (Gliscor) or boost their own attack (Conkeldurr) with status, so Reflect can be used instead, or even in conjunction with it.

Messenger (Dragonite) @ Chesto Berry
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
Ability: Multiscale
252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4 Sp.Def
~ Dragon Dance
~ Dragon Claw
~ Fire punch
~ Rest

Here's the big man himself! This may look like a standard set, but wait - it's anything but. It's like a Kingdra - You try and poison / paralyze it while it sets up DD's, but then, BAM! ChestoResto nails your coffin. This is like that, but even better - You have better bulk, typing, and Multiscale, making sure that you survive the shot after you Rest, and what do you know, almost full health Dragonite with +3 under its belt. Dragon Claw and Fire Punch have nice synergy, and hits everything in the game for neutral except Heatran, but that's dealt with easily enough. Even though this is a one-trick pony, it can come back many times a match - Rest and Heal Bell from Lanturn creates a cruel combo of always having the threat of a Dragonite sweep looming. Also, the Chesto Berry creates the illusion of a Choice Band at first, making it so much faster of a sweep. If screens are up, it's basically impossible to KO, while it can also effectively stall out Pokemon that are poisoned or burned until they are in KO range as well.

Edward (Scizor) @ Leftovers
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
Ability: Technician
252 HP, 40 Atk, 216 Spd
~ Bullet Punch
~ Bug Bite
~ Swords Dance
~ Roost

Scizor is the "cleaner", if you will, if Dragonite goes down. Between these two, they take down problem Pokemon for each other, such as Steel types for Scizor, and Ice types for Dragonite. Under the protection of screens, the only thing that's taking this out is a Fire type move, but with so many resistances in the team, paired up with Stealth Rock, they aren't lasting very long. Roost can heal off the slowly whittling damage from neutral attacks from a most likely burned or poisoned foe, while Swords Dance brings its attack power to deadly levels, and not to mention STAB and Technician. Pretty standard.

Permafrost (Mamoswine) @ Focus Sash
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -Sp. Atk)
Ability: Snow Cloak
252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4 Def
~ Earthquake
~ Icicle Shard
~ Stealth Rock
~ Endeavor

My lone entry hazard sweeper, Mamoswine is also a force to be reckoned with. Both STAB moves serve a purpose; Earthquake to take care of Heatran, in which Scizor and Dragonite dread, while Icicle Shard is for Dragons and flying types, both for Scizor. The Focus Sash may seem bad at first, but it makes sure that I either get a free attack or Stealth Rock in, and it's not vulnerable to either damaging weather, while Starmie takes care of entry hazards. With Endeavor, I can take out a physical wall when my Focus Sash goes off, making them vulnerable to Dragonite / Scizor.

DeathStar (Starmie) @ Life Orb
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
252 Sp. Atk, 252 Spd, 4 HP
Ability: Natural Cure
~ Rapid Spin
~ Surf
~ Hidden Power (Fire)
~ Grass Knot

Last but not least, Starmie! This set is pretty much glue: It basically has everything that needs to be covered, well, covered! Surf is basically just for STAB, Hidden Power (Fire) takes out steel types not named Heatran, while Grass Knot gets rid of pesky Gastrodon and Quagsire, while Rapid Spin gets rid of the infinitely annoying Stealth Rock. Starmie is the only dedicated special attacker on the team, therefor I need it to stay alive for as long as possible, so it's played with extreme caution, but without Life Orb, it can't KO vital threats.

~ Importable! ~
I encourage you to try out the team! (Or... For people who want to steal it... Go right ahead... T3T)

Lanturn (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Volt Switch
- Heal Bell
- Toxic

Rotom-H @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Will-O-Wisp
- Light Screen
- Reflect

Dragonite (M) @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
- Dragon Dance
- Rest

Scizor (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 40 Atk / 216 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Roost

Mamoswine (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Snow Cloak
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Stealth Rock
- Endeavor

Starmie @ Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Rapid Spin
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Grass Knot

dcae · Jan 30, 2012

I absolutely love your team. It is a great antimeta team that uses great pokes to great effects. I have a few minor details to point out. If you run Jolly nature on Mamoswine you still get vital KOs on Dnite and Salamence, but also outspeed and OHKO all variants of Heatran. Otherwise, Timid Heatran will outspeed and KO. I also suggest a different Scizor set. You can use U-turn over Bug Bite, Superpower over Roost, and Iron Plate over Lefties to bluff a Choice Band set by Volturning between it and Lanturn + Rotom. I know you'll be using Volturn, but late game, opponent will not be expecting a Swords Dance Scizor, and you can rip through the rests of their team. I also propose Overheat over Will-o-Wisp because Toxic is generally more preferable, and Overheat is a very powerful STAB attack that can KO a poke, then you can set up screens according to the incoming poke because they think you are Choiced, and then Volt Switch out to either Scizor or Dragonite. I love your team, good luck :D

shadowxevo · Jan 31, 2012

I'll definitely change Mamoswine to Jolly, but I'm not too sure on the Scizor set, but nether the less, I'll try it out anyways! Overheat is also something I'm iffy about, but it does have nice synergy with Volt Switch. Thanks for the rate! :D

shadowxevo · Feb 2, 2012

~ Bump ~
*Changed Mamoswine to Jolly

shadowxevo · Feb 3, 2012

I'm not sure if people not posting here is a good thing or not X3
B U M P

AceTrainerAndy · Feb 3, 2012

It is actually a good think that nobody is replying because this is a VERY solid team. I only see a possible issue against Sandstorm.

shadowxevo · Feb 3, 2012

Haha, thanks! :P
Sandstorm all depends on how it's going; if it's the most common one (Say Scizor, Rotom - W, Tyranitar, Landorus), then each member is walled by one / two members of the team. The one I have the most problem is with Landorus, thought it is usually a game of "when can I get Mamoswine out".

Black Rain · Feb 3, 2012

Hi. This looks like a pretty good team, especially for anti-metagame purposes in combating Volt-Turn. I don't see any mandatory / important changes you have to make, so I'll just suggest some things.

First of, on Scizor, you might want to consider Lum Berry or Life Orb > Leftovers. You already have recovery in the form of Roost, so more power, or the ability to dodge a burn, namely from Rotom-W, and Bug Bite (+2) back for the KO, would be appreciated.

Secondly, Roost on Dragonite over Rest may be helpful in the long run as it allows you continuously heal up HP without having to worry about Sleep turns, though you have Lanturn, but Heal Bell is not always reliable, and your Dragonite will lack recovery if Lanturn dies.

shadowxevo · Feb 3, 2012

On Lum Berry @ Scizor, I have Lanturn for that, so until Lanturn dies, I'll play recklessly as hell :P
Life Orb, maybe, but I'm leaning more toward Dcae's build, but I'll try out LO as well.
As for Dragonite... He was sorta the big Kakuna on this team, just because of how unexpected as to the ChestoResto was, netting me free +'s, and a majority of my wins. Roost does sound good, but I just prefer Rest for now.
Thanks for the rate! :D

Zimbabwe Jones · Feb 4, 2012

Really seems like you have a great team, but one thing perplexes me...

Why snow cloak on Mamoswine over thick fat? Hail teams seem too infrequent for it to be practical.

ONE MORE THING (uncle from Jackie Chan Adventures voice): What's with the M's next to Mamoswine, Scizor, Dragonite and Lanturn? Clearly it designates something. Thanks :)

shadowxevo · Feb 4, 2012

Mamoswine doesn't have Thick Fat because it's either not compatible with Endeavor or Stealth Rock (Knowing my luck, probably both XD).
And I don't know what you're talking about with the "M"s. Sorry :3

shadowxevo · Feb 6, 2012

Okay, maybe another bump XD
I really don't want this to die without getting at least one more rate... Xp

Aichan · Feb 6, 2012

The complete team is slow - none of your poke has over 300 speed beside starmie and priority scizor (if you count him). This team gets wrecked by any fast special/choiced/physical attacker with ease.

Harsha · Feb 6, 2012

Hey,

Got the request. Nice team; it's a cool way to mess with my favorite strategy, Volt-Turn. I think Rotom-C could potentially cause some problems because it can OHKO Dragonite (without Multiscale), Mamoswine, Starmie, and Lanturn, while retaining the ability to switch out on Scizor. However, I have yet to see one in OU other than mine, so I wouldn't do anything about it, as it's a pretty random threat. Your Dragonite set is pretty original, but I think a Lum Berry variant would suit your team better. It still has the same type of power but it can take any status immediately and not have to rely on para-hax and stuff like that. Of course, you won't be able to heal completely, but that's what Roost is for. I see what you're trying to do with Starmie (nail Volt-Turn), but the ability to beat bulky Dragonite at +1 and Landorus or other Dragons with Ice Beam is just too good; I think you may want to try out the standard Starmie set. Also, one thing about Mamoswine: I think he's fun to use, but I personally found him disappointing. You could try a Skarmory > Mamoswine because it brings a great defensive buffer to use against Scizor and Landorus, while allowing you to pHaze out sweepers. One last thing; I think you should move your EVs on Scizor from Spe to SpD so you can take Draco Meteors from Latios better. You have priority Bullet Punch anyways, so it won't be a big deal.

Anyhow, this is a cool team. Good luck!

shadowxevo · Feb 6, 2012

Awww, ChestoResto was the point of the team, but I guess Lum Berry versions are just better, no? :p
Your Starmie set's good, basically the only reason I have Grass Knot on Starmie is a surprise breakthrough of Quagsires, who otherwise cockblocks the team, but it won't appreciate STAB Hydro Pump to the face, so that'll just hafta do.
Skarmory has nice defensive synergy with Lanturn - that'll go in as well.

Thanks for the rate! :D

EDIT - Wait, how does Rotom-C KO Dragonite? XD

Harsha · Feb 6, 2012

With HP Ice. And no worries, I'm glad I helped (hopefully).

Volt - Turn beware!

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