randomspot555
Well-Known Member
This team was made for a tournament using the standard clauses. I usually test out unique/gimmicky/crappy sets with them since we're not hyper competitive, but I think this team could turn into something useful.
Oh, and I will make any changes in the OP rather than in responses. Rest assured that what you see here will reflect any changes from raters.
And as a random question: Has Pursuit fallen in use? It's on tons of Tyranitars, but I don't remember the last time I faced a Metagross or Snorlax with it.
Wi-Fi team, but that doesn't mean much besides Celebi and Jirachi don't really register as threats. Platinum move recommendations can now be made:
This often served as my starter. I initially ran it with Dragon Pulse, but all that would be hitting would be Kingdra, and Heatran shouldn't be staying in on Kingdra anyway. If I was able to force a switch, I set up Stealth Rock and got out. Otherwise, I switched to an appropriate counter, since really only Heatran's weaknesses are used against it.
What really hinges on it's ability as a starter is being able to deal with Metagross. Can Heatran (without a Scarf, obviously) outrun the standard lead Metagross and have enough sp atk EVs to OHKO with Fire Blast. Azelf is obviously a much lesser worry, but Metagross' earthquake is a big concern.
It also served as a pseduo-status absorber due to it's steel typing and ability.
This set, upon reflection, could've greatly benefited from Taunt, but I couldn't come up with a good spread with decent speed while still having bulk to withstand hits.
It often survived past the first turn, and then it was a great revenge killer.
The EVs are poorly done because they aren't divisible by 4. No attack EVs was a huge hinderance, because it needed at least 2 dragon dances to do any real damage. I'm torn between pouring in attack EVs, or ditching an attack for Taunt or Thunder Wave. But I would like to keep a general idea of a bulky Gyarados around.
Support Starmie, absorbs status. In theory, Icy Wind lowers speed on a switch, but that hasn't been happening as I've wanted it to. Icy Wind is certainly going to be replaced with Ice Beam since Thunder Wave already does the same job. Toxic is something I've been thinking of, because bulky waters will just laugh off a Thunderbolt with no EVs invested in special attach. And even though Confuse Ray + Thunder Wave is appealing, it's rare that an opponent will actually stay in. So the moveset is likely to change to Surf/Toxic/Ice Beam/Thunderbolt. Thunder Wave is dropped because Dragonite probably does it better.
Dragonite's role is support. Safeguard is vital for Shedinja. Agility and Icy Wind weren't useful at all, and Thunder Wave + Attract worked out well in some test battles I did.
Light Screen is something I've considered but I don't know wear to put it.
This is planned on being played in the late game, so Taunt shouldn't be too much of a worry.
EVs are the basic Smogon set, but the moves are there for a reason.
Sunny Day is to support Shedinja to get rid of Blizzard and Sand Stream. Rapid Spin to support the entire team, Counter because I couldn't pick between Earthquake and Stone Edge (and was able to KO a DDdos that hit it around with Water Fall), Ice Shard can knock out focus sash holders.
However, Toxic Spikes annoyed me to no end, which is why I'm looking into Claydol sets that can play a similar role.
Star of the team (black like Shedinja's soul):
Standard set. It worked great in test battles, but my downfall was playing it too early in the tournament. Choice band with Trick? Sword Dance?
Confuse Ray has been scratched for Swords Dance, since ideally Shedinja won't need to force many switches when it gets played.
I also got completely destroyed by a Breloom packing Leech Seed, Focus Punch and got a sub up. I need a way to get around that.
My main concern is that it's too defensively oriented. I want to modify these sets (or use different Pokes all together) that have some more offensive punch with them. I'd love to get a Baton Passed sub to Shedinja, but too many Baton Passers share weaknesses with Shedinja. Can anyone safely BP to Shedinja? Safeguard was very useful to the team, but I'm not sure if Dragonite is the best Pokemon for all this support stuff.
Oh, and I will make any changes in the OP rather than in responses. Rest assured that what you see here will reflect any changes from raters.
And as a random question: Has Pursuit fallen in use? It's on tons of Tyranitars, but I don't remember the last time I faced a Metagross or Snorlax with it.
Wi-Fi team, but that doesn't mean much besides Celebi and Jirachi don't really register as threats. Platinum move recommendations can now be made:
Heatran w/ Choice Scarf
Modest
Flash Fire
252 sp atk/252 speed/4 HP
- Fire Blast,
- Dark Pulse,
- Earthpower,
- Stealth Rock
Modest
Flash Fire
252 sp atk/252 speed/4 HP
- Fire Blast,
- Dark Pulse,
- Earthpower,
- Stealth Rock
This often served as my starter. I initially ran it with Dragon Pulse, but all that would be hitting would be Kingdra, and Heatran shouldn't be staying in on Kingdra anyway. If I was able to force a switch, I set up Stealth Rock and got out. Otherwise, I switched to an appropriate counter, since really only Heatran's weaknesses are used against it.
What really hinges on it's ability as a starter is being able to deal with Metagross. Can Heatran (without a Scarf, obviously) outrun the standard lead Metagross and have enough sp atk EVs to OHKO with Fire Blast. Azelf is obviously a much lesser worry, but Metagross' earthquake is a big concern.
It also served as a pseduo-status absorber due to it's steel typing and ability.
This set, upon reflection, could've greatly benefited from Taunt, but I couldn't come up with a good spread with decent speed while still having bulk to withstand hits.
It often survived past the first turn, and then it was a great revenge killer.
Gyarados w/ Leftovers
Adamant
Intimidate
100 HP/200 DEF/210 speed
- Dragon Dance,
- Stone Edge,
- Ice Fang,
- Waterfall
Adamant
Intimidate
100 HP/200 DEF/210 speed
- Dragon Dance,
- Stone Edge,
- Ice Fang,
- Waterfall
The EVs are poorly done because they aren't divisible by 4. No attack EVs was a huge hinderance, because it needed at least 2 dragon dances to do any real damage. I'm torn between pouring in attack EVs, or ditching an attack for Taunt or Thunder Wave. But I would like to keep a general idea of a bulky Gyarados around.
Starmie w/ Leftovers
Bold
Natural Cure
104 HP/154 DEF/252 speed
-Surf (originally Confuse Ray)
- Ice Beam (originally Icy Wind)
- Toxic (originally Thunder Wave)
- Thunderbolt
Bold
Natural Cure
104 HP/154 DEF/252 speed
-Surf (originally Confuse Ray)
- Ice Beam (originally Icy Wind)
- Toxic (originally Thunder Wave)
- Thunderbolt
Support Starmie, absorbs status. In theory, Icy Wind lowers speed on a switch, but that hasn't been happening as I've wanted it to. Icy Wind is certainly going to be replaced with Ice Beam since Thunder Wave already does the same job. Toxic is something I've been thinking of, because bulky waters will just laugh off a Thunderbolt with no EVs invested in special attach. And even though Confuse Ray + Thunder Wave is appealing, it's rare that an opponent will actually stay in. So the moveset is likely to change to Surf/Toxic/Ice Beam/Thunderbolt. Thunder Wave is dropped because Dragonite probably does it better.
Dragonite w/ Leftovers
Bold
Inner Focus
80 HP/172 Defense/252 Speed
- Thunder Wave (was Agility),
- Attract,
- Fire Blast/Draco Meteor (was Icy Wind)
- Safeguard
Bold
Inner Focus
80 HP/172 Defense/252 Speed
- Thunder Wave (was Agility),
- Attract,
- Fire Blast/Draco Meteor (was Icy Wind)
- Safeguard
Dragonite's role is support. Safeguard is vital for Shedinja. Agility and Icy Wind weren't useful at all, and Thunder Wave + Attract worked out well in some test battles I did.
Light Screen is something I've considered but I don't know wear to put it.
This is planned on being played in the late game, so Taunt shouldn't be too much of a worry.
Donphan w/ Leftovers
Impish
Sturdy
252 HP/252 DEF/4 atk
- Sunny Day,
- Rapid Spin,
- Ice Shard,
- Counter.
Impish
Sturdy
252 HP/252 DEF/4 atk
- Sunny Day,
- Rapid Spin,
- Ice Shard,
- Counter.
EVs are the basic Smogon set, but the moves are there for a reason.
Sunny Day is to support Shedinja to get rid of Blizzard and Sand Stream. Rapid Spin to support the entire team, Counter because I couldn't pick between Earthquake and Stone Edge (and was able to KO a DDdos that hit it around with Water Fall), Ice Shard can knock out focus sash holders.
However, Toxic Spikes annoyed me to no end, which is why I'm looking into Claydol sets that can play a similar role.
Star of the team (black like Shedinja's soul):
Shedinja w/ Focus Sash
Adamant
Wonder Guard
252 atk/252 speed/4 HP
- Sword Dance - changed due to Femme's advice
- Will O Wisp
- Shadow Sneak
- X-Scissor
Adamant
Wonder Guard
252 atk/252 speed/4 HP
- Sword Dance - changed due to Femme's advice
- Will O Wisp
- Shadow Sneak
- X-Scissor
Standard set. It worked great in test battles, but my downfall was playing it too early in the tournament. Choice band with Trick? Sword Dance?
Confuse Ray has been scratched for Swords Dance, since ideally Shedinja won't need to force many switches when it gets played.
I also got completely destroyed by a Breloom packing Leech Seed, Focus Punch and got a sub up. I need a way to get around that.
My main concern is that it's too defensively oriented. I want to modify these sets (or use different Pokes all together) that have some more offensive punch with them. I'd love to get a Baton Passed sub to Shedinja, but too many Baton Passers share weaknesses with Shedinja. Can anyone safely BP to Shedinja? Safeguard was very useful to the team, but I'm not sure if Dragonite is the best Pokemon for all this support stuff.
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