Need advice on improvements to a UU/OU team

[Nikkoru_91]

Woo, posting in the correct forum this time. ><

This is my first attempt at a competitive team in a long time, as well as my first team since the B/W generation. I'm not exactly thrilled with my competence as a team builder, so I could really use some input.

Team is called "Illusionist." Designed it by taking Zoroark, two viable 'costumes' for it, and then filling in the gaps with Pokemon I liked that gave better type coverage and could handle the remaining roles. Built for singles UU/OU against some of my RL buddies. My main concern is survivability- My only real wall is Forretress, and he's not the sturdiest thing out there.

Any constructive criticism you can offer is appreciated!



:571: Zoroark
Naive, Illusion
Life Orb
32 Atk / 224 SpA / 252 Spe

Dark Pulse
Focus Blast
Flamethrower
Sucker Punch

Zoroark is my favorite Pokemon, so I decided to make him the focus of the team. Set up to run attacks from the get-go, and will be making use of Illusion to hide as either Heracross or Mismagius to reduce the likelihood of taking a super-effective.

;134; Vaporeon
Bold, Water Absorb
Leftovers
248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

Wish
Protect
Scald
Toxic

Vaporeon's purpose is the usual supportive role it apparently favors. Scald is there for coverage against Fire-Types that might threaten Heracross and Forretress.

;094; Gengar
Timid, Levitate
Leftovers
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Substitute
Disable
Shadow Ball
Focus Blast

Disguise for Zoroark, as well as a Special Attacker.

:637: Volcarona
Modest, Swarm
Chesto Berry
160 HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe

Quiver Dance
Rest
Fiery Dance
Bug Buzz

Volcarona is the other Special Sweeper on the team. Runs the "ChestoRest" setup from Smogon; Quiver Dance, followed by a Rest to heal off the damage. Bug Buzz and Fiery Dance for coverage.

;214; Heracross
Adamant, Guts
Choice Scarf
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Megahorn
Close Combat
Stone Edge
Night Slash

Physical attacker, as well as an alternative cover story for Zoroark's Illusion. Mostly on here because he's one of my favorite designs aesthetically; May replace him if someone has a better Pokemon for the job.

;205; Forretress
Relaxed, Sturdy
Leftovers
252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SpD

Toxic Spikes
Spikes
Rapid Spin
Earthquake

Physical wall, and Spike setter/remover. Pretty straightforward.

 

[Pichu47]

Looks like a nice team! However, Mismagius is generally outclassed by Gengar at....everything. Also, i suggest not leading with zoroark a lot, because that gives your ghost type a free turn to set up if you fool the opponent into thinking you are a fool because you are leading with him and decides to use a fighting attack

 

[Nikkoru_91]

Looks like a nice team! However, Mismagius is generally outclassed by Gengar at....everything.

Very true! And in fact, I think I still have a Sweeping Gengar from a team I built in HG/SS in my PC somewhere... Will try using him instead, maybe.

Also, i suggest not leading with zoroark a lot, because that gives your ghost type a free turn to set up if you fool the opponent into thinking you are a fool because you are leading with him and decides to use a fighting attack

Given that I am repeatedly battling the same group of people, who will likely catch on to Zoroark after the first couple fights, this is a good plan. XD Thanks.

 

[Scizorisnotcool]

Alrightee, first of all, add in their abilitys (Illusion, Water Absorb, Guts/Moxie, etc)

Zoroark, you should take your attack EVs out of SpA rather than speed.

Vaporeon, Scald over Surf.

Mismagius, should be Gengar, as it says above. Then, you can laugh when they try to psychic him and it's actually Zoroark.

 

[Nikkoru_91]

Alrightee, first of all, add in their abilitys (Illusion, Water Absorb, Guts/Moxie, etc)

Ack! Knew I forgot something, sorry about that. Added all those to the op.

Zoroark, you should take your attack EVs out of SpA rather than speed.

Noted. Makes good sense, should have caught that.

Vaporeon, Scald over Surf.

I'll take your word on this, since like I said I'm not exactly ace at building teams, but can you possibly explain the advantages of using Scald instead for me?



Also, and this is slightly off-topic: Is there a valid use in Competitive play for this fancy new "Snarl" move that the recent event gave Zoroark?

 

[Pichu47]

^Scald has an extremely useful 30% Burn rate. Snarl is better in doubles.

 

[Nikkoru_91]

^Scald has an extremely useful 30% Burn rate. Snarl is better in doubles.

Awesome, thanks for the info. ^^

If anyone has any other tips on how to tweak this team, I'm all ears!

 

[Nikkoru_91]

Small bump!

Does this team look like it'll work? Nothing else I should change before I get started working on making it in-game?

 

[Nikkoru_91]

After a few test-battles on PO, I'm wondering if this set might be better off with a Baton Pass/Substitute Vaporeon instead of the Wish setup she has now. Can anyone advise me as to if this'll be worth doing?