Calm Before The Storm
Hello Serebiians, viewers and visitors. This is CedOmega bringing to you all yet another team I've found recent success in using when battling online. This team was formed when I realized that I had neglected the use of my favored change to B2/W2 for quite some time; Therian form Genies. In this case, I am referring to my use of Thundurus-T on my team "Not for the Weak Hearted", a very successful Heavy Offensive team I'd created during the Deoxys-D Era. That time has since passed, and I've found myself drifting away from its use... until now. That said, without further delay, I present to you "Calm Before The Storm".
Thundurus-T (Storm) @ Life Orb
Trait: Volt Absorb
Modest nature
EVs: 4 Hp/ 252 SAtk/ 252 Spd
IVs: 31/02/30/31/31/31
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Nasty Plot
- Agility
So I'll start off with the star of the team as I commonly do when writing an RMT. Thundurus-T is by far one of the underestimated and commonly overlooked threat in the current OU Metagame, where as everyone still mourns the loss of Landorus-I to Ubers. That aside, Thundurus-T's job is to set up mid-to-late game and follow up by going fully offensive. After an Agility, Thundurus-T reaches a 602 Speed if I remember correctly. With this, he is able to outpace and counter the likes of Keldeo and Starmie with Thunderbolt, Landorus-T & Garchomp with HP (Ice). With the given support from its team, Thundurus-T rarely ever struggles setting up to sweep. If everything goes according to plan, that is. Nasty plot was added after some test runs which proved it to be very useful. After a Nasty Plot, Thundurus-T is able to run through entire teams as
Cresselia (Stardust) @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
Calm nature
EVs: 252 Hp/ 200 Def/ 56 SDef
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Magic Coat
- Lunar Dance
Cresselia was added as the team's dual screener. She was an immediate addition to the team from the start due to my previous experience with her effectiveness on a team that requires support. After setting up dual screens, the team is ready for action. Once up, the dual screens allow the team to set up fairly easily and follow up with a possible sweep. Moonlight was debated over Magic Coat for a full utility support set and the demand for a recovery move that is only benefited through Sun. Because Rain, Hail and Sand are more popular than Sun, Magic Coat seemed more suitable. With the support fom Magic Coat, Cresselia is able to evade being statused on prediction and being Taunted. This helps against Sableye and Whimsicott, whom are rare but threatening when underestimated. Lunar Dance it her overall last resort move. Obviously this is because it includes the loss of Cresselia's support on the team in exchange for the switch-in becoming fully healthy.
Terrakion (Rampage) @ Salac Berry
Trait: Justified
Jolly nature
EVs: 4 Hp/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spd
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
Terrakion is yet another veteran of my previous offensive team. I considered Sash SR Terrakion in its place to provide the team with a bit of hazard support, but found that it was a role better suited for another member of the team. That aside, SubSalac Terrakion has never ceased to be an ominous threat to the OU environment. Even in the current metagame, afer a simple SD behind a Substitute, Terrakion holds potential to 6-0 an unprepared team. Stone Edge's high chance to land a critical hit helps when needing to eliminate opponents whom have boosted their defnses or possess a Defense that can stall Terrakion(i.e. Slowbro and Skarmory). Close Combat gives Terrakion dual STAB and allows it to hit just about anything either super effectively or neutrally. Once Substitute is set up 3/4 times, Salac Berry is set into affect and allows Terrakion to match speed with those of its Choice Scarfed variants.
Scizor (Splice) @ Iron Plate
Trait: Technician
Adamant nature
EVs: 40 Hp/ 252 Atk/ 216 Spd
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
And here I introduce the oddity of the team. Scizor serves a purpose on the team the same as any other bulky variant Scizor; come in, scare switch the oponent if needed, set up SD and proceed to sweep if possible. The set I chose for Scizor is what makes this set seem unappealing to most whom have faced or considered using it. The EVs in Speed are needed to outpace bulky Lava Plume Heatran variants with less than 4-8 Speed EVs. 216 Spd EVs put Scizor at 220 Speed stat-wise, meaning it'll outpace the before mentioned Heatran and then some. Iron Plate was added after a suggestion by TheSuperZekrom seemed very useful. Bullet Punch is known for its deviation and doesn't exatly need to be explained. Bug Bite is a signature more for Scizor when using an SD set. Superpower's stat drop was beginning to become an annoyance, so I changed it out for Brick Break to still hit hard and break through any opposing dual screens the opponent may have set.
Gorebyss (Siron) @ White Herb
Trait: Swift Swim
Modest nature
EVs: 4 Def/ 252 SAtk/ 252 Spd
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
With impeccable synergy with the rest of the team comes Gorebyss. Gorebyss replaced Vaporeon on the team's original build due to its access to Shell Smash and Baton Pass, which is a perfectly viable and capable option on the team once dual screens have been set up. Surf and Ice Beam hit everything needed either super effectively or very hard neutrally. After a Shell Smash, Gorebyss is able to follow up offensively or switch gears into being support for the team with Baton Pass. I've considered Lum Berry on its set to stop it from being statused before setting up or in being switched in to.
Garchomp (Jaws) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Rough Skin
Jolly nature
EVs: 4 Hp/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spd
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Stealth Rock
Garchomp became an appealing option after being brought to my attention by Moonclawz. Though not exactly my first option as a lead, Garchomp is often my go-to option when Baton Passing, aside from Thundurus-T and Scizor. Stealth Rock provides the team with a source of hazard, while also helping Cresselia's main threats with thinking twice before switching in on her. Dragon Claw and Earthquake give Garchomp dual STABs for support and help hit hard effectively after a Swords Dance. What Garchomp can't hit hard, the others on the team can, so it honestly need not worry about the rare Skarmory or Gliscor taking avantage of it.
Conclusion
Why do I always do a conclusion? Eh, I guess it's more of a formal thing. Anyways, I enjoy this team quite a bit. My biggest fear is that without Cresselia the team will too easily fall apart. My lack of hazards is also somewhat noticeable at times, but I'm able to play around it for the most part. I've enjoyed using Thundurus-T again, as I've not used him since the bann of Deoxys-D, sadly. But since time goes on, it came time for him to shine once again. I hope everyone enjoyed reading my RMT and, to everyone, have a great day! Rates and advice appreciated.
Replay examples:
http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/oucurrent-46547372
Storm (Thundurus-Therian) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Nasty Plot
- Agility
Stardust (Cresselia) (F) @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 56 SDef / 252 HP / 200 Def
Calm Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Lunar Dance
- Magic Coat
Rampage (Terrakion) @ Salac Berry
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
Splice (Scizor) @ Iron Plate
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 40 HP / 216 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
Siron (Gorebyss) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
Jaws (Garchomp) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Stealth Rock
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Nasty Plot
- Agility
Stardust (Cresselia) (F) @ Light Clay
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 56 SDef / 252 HP / 200 Def
Calm Nature
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Lunar Dance
- Magic Coat
Rampage (Terrakion) @ Salac Berry
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
Splice (Scizor) @ Iron Plate
Trait: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 40 HP / 216 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Brick Break
- Swords Dance
Siron (Gorebyss) @ Lum Berry
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
Jaws (Garchomp) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 Atk / 4 HP
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Stealth Rock
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