First Team

[kingferret53]

I've never really faced anyone over Wi-Fi. Well, I faced one guy and got pwned. Bad. So, I decided it was time I start EV training. Using mostly smogon, youtube, and serebii, (for tips and a feel of it...mostly bc I really don't know how to EV train or what to expect) I came up with this team. Any advice and help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Why I chose this team:

Spoiler: SPOILER

I've always wanted a team centered around Breloom. Idk why, he was never one I used. Still don't. Don't really even like him, to be honest. But I took an interest in Poison Heal not long after it came out. Whenever that was. So what to use with him? I figured Empoleon, my favorite 4th gen starter would be a good compliment, being water/steel and all. From there I looked at pokemon I could easily obtain using my one pokemon black game and one DSi. I done my best to stay away from using the same type more than once, and to cover each other pokemon's weaknesses. From there, I chose luxray. Partially because I've always wanted a guts user and ursaring (my original choice) was to weak. Mostly due to it being able to protect empoleon and breloom easier than most my other choices. I also considered raichu. And zebstrika. I had a feeling I'd use zoroark from the beginning due to my love of mind games, so I found a way to add him. He'd probably be my first to be sent out if I was in a 3 vs 3 battle, and I tried to give him common moves that would make it harder to figure him out.

The last two members were a LOT harder and not sure if I want them. I chose a donphan because I noticed a lot of people would use entry hazards and I heard stealth rock was a good entry hazard I could lay down of my own. Plus he'd cover luxray's weakness as would empoleon. Finally, as I learned playing FFT (my first game to ever actually sit down and beat and by far my favorite ever) is that you need a medic of some kind. Thus, I got xatu. I don't have a blissey or chansey and both would be hard to obtain. Audino was in the NU category so I skipped her. After much debate I picked xatu. I like xatu. For in-game, at any rate. Anyway, I gave xatu wish for its intended role and u-turn as a way to trade out without wasting a turn. The screens are meant to protect him/her a bit longer and hopefully whatever pokemon I'd change to would benefit as well. I considered togekiss with psyshock but no switching moves so I passed on togekiss.

Breloom @ Toxic Orb (12 HP / 244 Atk / 252 Speed)
Adament Poison Heal
Spore
Substitute
Drain Punch or Brick Break
Stone Edge or Facade

I wanted Breloom originally to have Focus Punch but I already have a shroomish I've started EV training. I didn't realize till to late that you have to BREED focus punch to it. So, I was thinking Drain Punch could work as a recover move or Brick break to take out defensive walls the opponent would set up. Maybe even bulk up instead of spore, but with spore I could put my opponent to sleep then knock the crap outta them.

Empoleon @ Expert Belt (252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD )
Calm Torrent
Scald
Yawn
Ice Beam
Grass Knot

While I used mostly smogon and serebii for tips on my team, I didn't hesitate to alter them to work the way I think they'd be best. I wanted yawn for the same reason I wanted spore. Plus, if I had to switch, both would allow me to do so.

Luxray @ Flame Orb (252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Speed)
Jolly Guts
Wild Charge
Ice Fang
Crunch
Volt Switch

Usually I hate putting two damaging moves of the same type on a pokemon, but this time I chose to do so. Wild charge as the primary damaging electric attack and volt switch so I can switch in a pinch. Flame orb and guts to boost his attack. I knew from the beginning I wanted a guts user but ursaring was a tad too weak.

Zoroark @ King's Rock (4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Speed)
Timid Illusion
Nasty Plot
Substitute
Dark Pulse
Focus Blast

I can't resist a could mind game. Zoroark, with him I tried to choose mostly common attacks. I can't remember how much i went based off my help, but substitute would be so he could live longer and nasty plot to boost his effectiveness.

Donphan @ Leftovers (252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def )
Impish Sturdy
Rapid Spin
Stealth Rock
Earthquake
Roar or Knock Off

Donphan. Yeah, not to sure about him. But so far, rapid spin to take out entry hazards and if I have a chance, set up stealth rock. EQ for STAB and either roar or knock off. Not sure. Not sure if I should even use him.

Xatu @ Light Clay (252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Speed)
Impish Magic Bounce
Wish
Light Screen
Reflect
U-turn

Wish to heal, screens to set up, magic bounce for the obvious, and u-turn to switch to either survive or to wish one my other pokemon back to health. Pretty simple set up. Like with Donphan, I'm not to sure about him. I originally wanted Blissey or Chansey but I only got one DS and pokemon Black, so it'd be hard for me to get one from HG or Diamond on over to it.

 

[kingferret53]

So, I'm guessing its a good team?

 

[NoteLobo]

Silence online= thinking..... or hatred, but usually just thinking =)

 

[kingferret53]

Hope somebody gives me advice on the team soon, I wanna get started ASAP.

 

[DiamondClass]

Is this an OU team (based on the fact you have Donphan)? It lacks power overall; Luxray, Empoleon and Zoroark are not that strong when facing other OU threats. I would suggest you keep one of them, perhaps Empoleon and add a scarfed Haxorus and a Jolteon in place of the other two. The team still needs work.

 

[kingferret53]

Is this an OU team (based on the fact you have Donphan)? It lacks power overall; Luxray, Empoleon and Zoroark are not that strong when facing other OU threats. I would suggest you keep one of them, perhaps Empoleon and add a scarfed Haxorus and a Jolteon in place of the other two. The team still needs work.

It's not OU. Or any catergory really. It's just a team. Empoleon is there due to its resistance to so many types. Zoroark to play mind games. It's just a first team to see if I can properly train. Only chose donphan due to lack of a second DS, he was my best other option. I honestly don't go by tiers. I've seen an EV trained NU pokemon take out an EV trained OU before.

As for Luxray, I think you're on to something. Lol, he's really just...there.

 

[DiamondClass]

If you are going to battle competitively, you have to consider the rules others go by, unless you specifically ask for no-rules or just for fun battles. You made your team because you believe battling with these pokemon will be enjoyable, but also remember that the reason tiers exists because it's been proven that certain pokemon have several advantages that are hard to overcome. So the tiers are there to keep things "balanced". I would suggest you to take a look at other teams and see if you can update yours, starting with the Luxray.

 

[symbreon]

Replace Luxray with a Flygon (scarfed) or if you still want Electric on your Team use Magnezone (Timid and Scarfed for surprise)

 

[kingferret53]

If you are going to battle competitively, you have to consider the rules others go by, unless you specifically ask for no-rules or just for fun battles. You made your team because you believe battling with these pokemon will be enjoyable, but also remember that the reason tiers exists because it's been proven that certain pokemon have several advantages that are hard to overcome. So the tiers are there to keep things "balanced". I would suggest you to take a look at other teams and see if you can update yours, starting with the Luxray.

You got a valid point. While this team is just for fun, I think I will re-evaluate it. Make it one tier with maybe one or two pokemon that wouldn't be in it normally. For element of surprise and such. Idk. And I agree Luxray needs to go. What all would you suggest? I apologize if I sound like an arrogant Noob. I've been playing pokemon for, well, longer than its been out in the USA. But I'll also admit that online battles with EV trained pokemon is new to me. I am but an eager student. I've been also watching online battles for a bit of insight. I crafted this team late one sleepless night with just barely a clue of what happens in online battles. Now I have more of a clue and willingly take any and all suggestions. Even when I seem to resist. Thank you.