Flamer
Well-Known Member
Having had a lot of fun with the Pikachu Cup last month, I thought I'd give the latest Battle Spot competition a go too.
For info, the Primal Cup is basically VGC but with Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre allowed. I've never played the VGC format before, so would particularly appreciate any feedback on how this team would get on against some of the standard threats there. I've done a bit of reading up, but that's no substitute for real battle experience.
Kyogre-Primal @ Blue Orb
Ability: Primordial Sea
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Origin Pulse
- Thunder
- Calm Mind
- Ice Beam
I want to use at least one Primal given the theme of the competition, and seeing as I don't have access to Groudon that leaves Primal Kyogre as my only choice. Fairly standard set. I'm considering moving the Hp EVs into Spd though. I expect a lot of opponents will be running Primal Kyogre too, so being first to the Thunder could be important, especially if I don't have Raichu on the field to support it.
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
- Worry Seed
- Hurricane
- Taunt
- Tailwind
Controlling the weather is going to be very important in getting the most out of Kyogre and stopping opposing Primal Groudon. Prankster and Worry Seed will allow me do just that, shutting down Primal Groudon's ability. Can also help deal with Mega Kangaskhan and spare a team mate from Smeagle's Dark Void in a pinch. Priority Tailwind and Taunt are very useful too, particularly as Whimiscott out speeds Thundurus. Whilst it will mostly be functioning in a support role, if Kyogre has provided it with heavy rain, then Hurricane gives Whimiscott the opportunity to go on the offense. One mistake I made when putting my Pikachu Cup team together was not giving my support Pokemon enough/any viable attack options, so hope to rectify that this time round.
Raichu @ Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Encore
- Volt Tackle
- Endeavor
Been looking for a chance to use my prize from the Pikachu Cup, and this format actually suits it very well. Fake Out and Encore are always useful for disrupting the opponent, while Volt Tackle provides an effective counter for Primal Kyogre. Endeavor plus Focus Sash makes Raichu a good wall-breaker for anything besides Aegislash
Mantine @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Wide Guard
- Ice Beam
- Tailwind
- Toxic
Primarily in the team for Wide Guard. This is particularly important for opponents running Primal Groudon with other Pokemon that benefit greatly from their abilities as it will allow Whimiscott to Worry Seed more than one Pokemon. Assuming we have control of the weather, (through either the opponent not having Primal Groudon or Whimsicott's Worry Seed), then Swift Swim expands its support role, providing speed control with Tailwind and spreading poison. Groudon, Landorus-T, Mega Salamence and Whimiscott are all big threats to the team, so Ice Beam is there to help deal with them.
Kangaskhan-Mega @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Parental Bond
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power-Up Punch
- Fake Out
- Sucker Punch
- Return
The other big problem with my Pikachu Cup team was the lack of any real powerhouse. Mega Kangaskhan addresses that and then some. I don't particularly like being this predictable, but having used Mega Kangaskhan myself now I can see why its so popular. I imagine Worry Seed Whimiscott will be a big player with the Primals running around, so need to watch out for that nullifying Parental Bond.
Gengar @ Focus Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Protect
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball
- Icy Wind
Been having a bit of trouble deciding who should fill the final slot in the team. Really, I want a Pokemon who can counter most of the common threats in the VGC that aren't already covered in much depth by the rest of the team. Toyed with Mamoswine for its STAB Ice moves, but this Gengar provides wider coverage. Will-o-wisp helps nullify most physical attackers, whilst Shadow Ball should put a big dent into Aegislash. Icy Wind plus Levitate helps to deal with Ground type threats, including Groudon. Also useful for Mega Salamence. Main problem with Gengar is the item. With Raichu needing the Focus Sash to make the most of Endeavour, Gengar is left very exposed. I've stuck the Focus Band on it for now, but could really use some suggestions for a more reliable/appropriate item.
For info, the Primal Cup is basically VGC but with Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre allowed. I've never played the VGC format before, so would particularly appreciate any feedback on how this team would get on against some of the standard threats there. I've done a bit of reading up, but that's no substitute for real battle experience.
Kyogre-Primal @ Blue Orb
Ability: Primordial Sea
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
- Origin Pulse
- Thunder
- Calm Mind
- Ice Beam
I want to use at least one Primal given the theme of the competition, and seeing as I don't have access to Groudon that leaves Primal Kyogre as my only choice. Fairly standard set. I'm considering moving the Hp EVs into Spd though. I expect a lot of opponents will be running Primal Kyogre too, so being first to the Thunder could be important, especially if I don't have Raichu on the field to support it.
Whimsicott @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
- Worry Seed
- Hurricane
- Taunt
- Tailwind
Controlling the weather is going to be very important in getting the most out of Kyogre and stopping opposing Primal Groudon. Prankster and Worry Seed will allow me do just that, shutting down Primal Groudon's ability. Can also help deal with Mega Kangaskhan and spare a team mate from Smeagle's Dark Void in a pinch. Priority Tailwind and Taunt are very useful too, particularly as Whimiscott out speeds Thundurus. Whilst it will mostly be functioning in a support role, if Kyogre has provided it with heavy rain, then Hurricane gives Whimiscott the opportunity to go on the offense. One mistake I made when putting my Pikachu Cup team together was not giving my support Pokemon enough/any viable attack options, so hope to rectify that this time round.
Raichu @ Focus Sash
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Encore
- Volt Tackle
- Endeavor
Been looking for a chance to use my prize from the Pikachu Cup, and this format actually suits it very well. Fake Out and Encore are always useful for disrupting the opponent, while Volt Tackle provides an effective counter for Primal Kyogre. Endeavor plus Focus Sash makes Raichu a good wall-breaker for anything besides Aegislash
Mantine @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Wide Guard
- Ice Beam
- Tailwind
- Toxic
Primarily in the team for Wide Guard. This is particularly important for opponents running Primal Groudon with other Pokemon that benefit greatly from their abilities as it will allow Whimiscott to Worry Seed more than one Pokemon. Assuming we have control of the weather, (through either the opponent not having Primal Groudon or Whimsicott's Worry Seed), then Swift Swim expands its support role, providing speed control with Tailwind and spreading poison. Groudon, Landorus-T, Mega Salamence and Whimiscott are all big threats to the team, so Ice Beam is there to help deal with them.
Kangaskhan-Mega @ Kangaskhanite
Ability: Parental Bond
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Power-Up Punch
- Fake Out
- Sucker Punch
- Return
The other big problem with my Pikachu Cup team was the lack of any real powerhouse. Mega Kangaskhan addresses that and then some. I don't particularly like being this predictable, but having used Mega Kangaskhan myself now I can see why its so popular. I imagine Worry Seed Whimiscott will be a big player with the Primals running around, so need to watch out for that nullifying Parental Bond.
Gengar @ Focus Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Protect
- Will-O-Wisp
- Shadow Ball
- Icy Wind
Been having a bit of trouble deciding who should fill the final slot in the team. Really, I want a Pokemon who can counter most of the common threats in the VGC that aren't already covered in much depth by the rest of the team. Toyed with Mamoswine for its STAB Ice moves, but this Gengar provides wider coverage. Will-o-wisp helps nullify most physical attackers, whilst Shadow Ball should put a big dent into Aegislash. Icy Wind plus Levitate helps to deal with Ground type threats, including Groudon. Also useful for Mega Salamence. Main problem with Gengar is the item. With Raichu needing the Focus Sash to make the most of Endeavour, Gengar is left very exposed. I've stuck the Focus Band on it for now, but could really use some suggestions for a more reliable/appropriate item.