jstinftw!
hey trainer
Introduction
What is up?
Continuing my trend from my last team, I've made a team that did not revolve around Trick Room. This team is held in the VGC 2013 format, which means Double Battles, and will primarily be used in the 2013 International Challenge March. It will also be used for any other VGC event I decide to partake in. So let's get started!
The reason this team is called Team O.G. Hipster is because, ironically, this is my first team that I'm not trying to be a hipster, and use only Pokemon not very many other trainers are using. I usually try to used underused 'mons in VGC, but this time around, I decided to swap some of that pride and put in Pokemon that actually fit, regardless of their used stature (not changing my mind about Legendaries though).
What You Need to Know Before Rating This Team
1. This is a Doubles Team, NOT A SINGLES TEAM. The two metagames are drastically different. I also play by VGC Rules, not Smogon Doubles. So, while I will do my best to value any criticism or suggestion, it would much more helpful if you had some sort of idea of what you were talking about.
2. I am not very fond of Legendaries. I know, I know, the age old argument is an age old. I prefer creative, abstract, non-standard teams, and I have a bit of role playing in me. So Legendary suggestions will be politely turned down. Apologies in advance.
3. This will be used on an actual cartridge. That said, I do not have access to Hidden Powers, as i do not RNG (more because I am incapable rather than unwilling). Also, IVs are slightly less accurate.
4. I am not standard. I try to use more creative, outside the box strategies. So I'm not likely going to swtich to a MetaCress core, or a CressTop core. Nor will I be likely to use those Pokemon.
Behind Team O.G. Hipster
Spoiler tagged for your convenience
Spoiler tagged for your convenience
Oddly, my team started off with Gastrodon.
I was watching a few streams on Nugget Bridge's Twitch Channel, and there was a grassroots tournament where Gastrodon was really popular, and was really clutch in a few situations. Watching those battles really inspired me to give the little blob a chance. Great typing allowing switch ins to Electric or Water attacks (haha rain), good bulk, decent attacking stats and a usable movepool.
Now, Gastrodon really hates physical attacks, and Grass types. I also wanted to incorporate Earthquake on my team, so I added the next two Pokemon.
Rotom-H with Fire Gem would allows me put a huge dent in almost anything, and OHKO through most Occa Berries. Will-O-Wisp helps to cushion against Pokemon that would threaten Gastrodon's weaker defense stat, and overall just helps support the team. Levitate lets it stay in on my Garchomp's Earthquake, while Garchomp itself provides some bulk, as well as Speed and offensive presence.
My Garchomp was originally a Hone Claws+Dragon Rush Garchomp, and redirecting attacks is always a plus. My team was at a sort of middling Speed, so I decided to add Togekiss.
in order to let me control a bit of the battle (redirect attacks,Tailwind for Speed, flinch chance with Air Slash, burn chance with Heat Wave) and her special attack is pretty sizable, 2HKOing Hitmontop and other Steel types without Occa Berry. Togekiss's typing also allows her to stay in on Garchomp's Earthquake.
At this point, I have most of what I need. Most teams need a Steel type, and my go-to Steel type has been Empoleon.
Pretty good defense stats, no weakness to Fire (a common way of taking down Fire types), and has a way of actually taking out Dragon types with Blizzard without fear of stat dropping. Also Empoleon is a great tech in Trick Room.
So now I'm left with one more spot, and looking at my team, I'm thinking, how do I take on Cresselia? And I realize I need a Fighting type. I have Togekiss for speed, so I decide on Heracross.
Every team needs a Fighting type, if just for the sheer power Fighting types present. With Tailwind, Heracross is really fast, and Guts allows it to take Will-O-Wisps and Scald burns no problem. Bug Gem Megahorn completely obliterates Cresselia and Tyranitar.
So for a while, my team looked like this:
But after a while, I felt like my team lacked some offense, and Togekiss's Electric weakness was starting to be a problem, as there are so many Electric Gem Thundurus out there. Heracross couldn't really take hits well either, and Overheat started to feel a bit redundant, when Heat Wave would have been good enough had Togekiss just been able to stay in.
That in mind, I decided to test a few things out (actually this all hit me when I was taking a shower, and I was really nervous testing it out because it could turn out really bad) and I switched out Rotom-H, Togekiss (sadly), and Heracross. To replace them I included Ragepowder Bulky Volcarona, Rotom-C, and Wide Guard Conkeldurr.
Volcarona was bulky enough to take most of the hits that her teammates would not appreciate (that wasn't a Rock type move of course), while still being able to counter Cresselia, and have a Fire attack. Greater speed is also nice. Wide Guard Conkeldurr offered protection against Rock Slides, Muddy Waters, Blizzards, and Earthquakes, while also protecting against his own partner's Earthquake. And Rotom-C helped me counter other Gastrodon, as well as not being weak to Rock types as well and resisting Water and Electric attacks.
End result; Team O.G. Hipster! The name is because it's my first team where I didn't try to be an O.G. Hipster, and used more commonly used Pokemon in Garchomp, Gastrodon, and Volcarona to an extent.
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I was watching a few streams on Nugget Bridge's Twitch Channel, and there was a grassroots tournament where Gastrodon was really popular, and was really clutch in a few situations. Watching those battles really inspired me to give the little blob a chance. Great typing allowing switch ins to Electric or Water attacks (haha rain), good bulk, decent attacking stats and a usable movepool.
Now, Gastrodon really hates physical attacks, and Grass types. I also wanted to incorporate Earthquake on my team, so I added the next two Pokemon.
Rotom-H with Fire Gem would allows me put a huge dent in almost anything, and OHKO through most Occa Berries. Will-O-Wisp helps to cushion against Pokemon that would threaten Gastrodon's weaker defense stat, and overall just helps support the team. Levitate lets it stay in on my Garchomp's Earthquake, while Garchomp itself provides some bulk, as well as Speed and offensive presence.
My Garchomp was originally a Hone Claws+Dragon Rush Garchomp, and redirecting attacks is always a plus. My team was at a sort of middling Speed, so I decided to add Togekiss.
in order to let me control a bit of the battle (redirect attacks,Tailwind for Speed, flinch chance with Air Slash, burn chance with Heat Wave) and her special attack is pretty sizable, 2HKOing Hitmontop and other Steel types without Occa Berry. Togekiss's typing also allows her to stay in on Garchomp's Earthquake.
At this point, I have most of what I need. Most teams need a Steel type, and my go-to Steel type has been Empoleon.
Pretty good defense stats, no weakness to Fire (a common way of taking down Fire types), and has a way of actually taking out Dragon types with Blizzard without fear of stat dropping. Also Empoleon is a great tech in Trick Room.
So now I'm left with one more spot, and looking at my team, I'm thinking, how do I take on Cresselia? And I realize I need a Fighting type. I have Togekiss for speed, so I decide on Heracross.
Every team needs a Fighting type, if just for the sheer power Fighting types present. With Tailwind, Heracross is really fast, and Guts allows it to take Will-O-Wisps and Scald burns no problem. Bug Gem Megahorn completely obliterates Cresselia and Tyranitar.
So for a while, my team looked like this:
But after a while, I felt like my team lacked some offense, and Togekiss's Electric weakness was starting to be a problem, as there are so many Electric Gem Thundurus out there. Heracross couldn't really take hits well either, and Overheat started to feel a bit redundant, when Heat Wave would have been good enough had Togekiss just been able to stay in.
That in mind, I decided to test a few things out (actually this all hit me when I was taking a shower, and I was really nervous testing it out because it could turn out really bad) and I switched out Rotom-H, Togekiss (sadly), and Heracross. To replace them I included Ragepowder Bulky Volcarona, Rotom-C, and Wide Guard Conkeldurr.
Volcarona was bulky enough to take most of the hits that her teammates would not appreciate (that wasn't a Rock type move of course), while still being able to counter Cresselia, and have a Fire attack. Greater speed is also nice. Wide Guard Conkeldurr offered protection against Rock Slides, Muddy Waters, Blizzards, and Earthquakes, while also protecting against his own partner's Earthquake. And Rotom-C helped me counter other Gastrodon, as well as not being weak to Rock types as well and resisting Water and Electric attacks.
End result; Team O.G. Hipster! The name is because it's my first team where I didn't try to be an O.G. Hipster, and used more commonly used Pokemon in Garchomp, Gastrodon, and Volcarona to an extent.
Team Spotlight
With that all said, time to move on to the actual rate!
Trait: Storm Drain | Bold Nature
EVs: 252 HP | 108 Def | 28 SAtk | 120 SDef
Earth Power | Icy Wind | Recover | Scald
King Squee; I have no clue why but my good friend xSilentOmenx named him
King Squee. I thought it was cute, so I lived with it. That's how he got his nickname.
There are two common spreads for Gastrodon, Offensive and Defensive Gastrodon.
I decided to hit in between the two. While having the defensive EV spread,
I opted to allow King Squee to be a bit more offensive with the Expert Belt.
I originally wanted Stockpile > Scald, but Omen forgot, and I decided I could use
an extra Water move. Gastrodon are the perfect Pokemon to have the move
Scald anyways, so it worked well. Icy Wind allows for some Speed control, Earth
Power to attack Steel types (die Heatran), and finally, Recover allows Gastrodon
to stay alive.
Trait: Levitate | Modest Nature
EVs: 46 HP | 252 SAtk | 212 Spd
Thunderbolt | Leaf Storm | Thunder Wave | Protect
Look at that grin; how do you not see the Cheshire cat?
Almost the same spread as my Rotom-Heat. I opted for the Modest Nature to let
Cheshire hit as hard as possible, as it's Speed is fairly decent in VGC. I chose for
the switch because I needed a sure-fire way to deal with Rain. Rotom-H did not
offer that comfort, whereas Rotom-C definitely does. I went with Electric Gem
Thunderbolt because Leaf Storm on its own is already really hard hitting, and
Thunderbolt did not have that same effect. So the boost really helps. I wanted
Will-O-Wisp because it allows my team to take hits better, and certain Pokemon
like Garchomp, and Excadrill are immune to Thunder Wave anyways, preventing
it from being able to do its job. Instead of slowing them down, I could instead just
simply cripple them. And Protect so that it can pretty much stay in an extra turn
after Leaf Storm, thwarting my opponent's attempt at predicting me.
Trait: Flame Body | Modest Nature
EVs: 220 HP | 164 SAtk | 104 SDef | 20 Spd
Bug Buzz | Heat Wave | Rage Powder | Protect
Sol is a Norse sun goddess, which fits with Volcarona's Pokedex description.
The EV Spread optimizes Sol's bulk. I didn't invest much in her Speed or Defense,
because her base Speed already has her faster than most Pokemon of the
common Pokemon, and her Speed is unfortunately not what she needs, and
nothing I do will save her from a Rock Slide, while other moves don't really harm
her so bad. I opted to use Bug Gem to help her OHKO Cresselia with Bug Buzz,
while Heat Wave is a great move for spread damage. Ragepowder allows her to let
Garchomp either set up Swords Dance or KO a Dragon type that would be
faster. Protect is much needed due to her weakness to Rock, allowing her to stay
in an extra turn, while also protecting her from Garchomp's Earthquake.
Trait: Sand Veil | Jolly Nature
EVs: 36 HP / 116 Atk / 4 Def / 196 SDef / 156 Spd
Dragon Claw | Earthquake | Rock Slide | Swords Dance
Aaron Zheng, 2 time National Champion VGC Winner, has a Garchomp named
Radioactve. Radioactive a song from Imagine Dragon's Night Vision album,
and the chorus goes "Welcome to the new age." Seeing as Garchomp is the first
overused Pokemon I'm using seriously, I figured Aaron's nickname was most
fitting.
The spread, however, is more akin to Ray Rizzo's (3 time Worlds VGC Champion)
bulky Garchomp spread. Garchomp is still a really hard hitter, but now can take a
Timid Latios's Draco Meteor, which is amazing. I can't remember if Ray Rizzo used
Swords Dance as well, but after talking with Omen, he convinced me that Swords
Dance+Dragon Claw was much more beneficial than Hone Claws+Dragon Rush. I
lose the fancy finesse, but I trade consistency for it.
I opted to use Sand Veil over Rough Skin because I won't be consistently hit by
Physical moves, whereas I'm very likely to come up against Sand teams.
Moves are pretty self-explanatory. Dragon Claw is great STAB plus Anti-dragon,
Rock Slide is great against the Kamis, Zapdos, Togekiss, and VOLCARONA, and
Earthquake is another great STAB.
Trait: Guts | Adamant Nature
EVs: 144 HP | 204 Atk | 160 SDef
Wide Guard | Drain Punch | Ice Punch | Rock Slide
I watched Hansel and Gretel: Witchhunters last night with my dad, and one of
the trolls were named Edward. This troll looked amazing similar to Conkeldurr,
plus had the same characteristic; slow and powerful. So the name stuck.
I feel that Fighting types are really important in VGC. The sheer power and
possible coverage they offer is just immensely helpful, especially considering the
common Pokemon used. I tested out Machamp a while back, but I decided in the
end that I liked Conkeldurr more for the sheer bulk it offered, not to mention
being slightly more powerful. Its Speed allows me to have some room to play
against Trick Room teams, while Guts allows it to soak up status, no problem.
With this EV spread, Edward can take a Psyshock from Cresselia, as well as live
through powerful special hits, all while still being able to hit hack hard.
I love using Ice Gem+Ice Punch. I feel like pretty much no one expects it, and it
offers some really good coverage. Rock Slide was replaced with Mach Punch for a
while, but I opted to go back to it when I ended up against a Chandelure and
couldn't do anything. Volcarona and Thundurus can be annoying too. Drain Punch
is just really good STAB that helps it survive longer, and KO Pokemon weak to it.
And finally, something I really enjoy on Edward, and part of the reason I'm
using it over Scrafty; Wide Guard. Great tech against spread moves, and allows
him to stay in on Garchomp's Earthquake, while also protecting against Blizzards,
Muddy Waters, Rock Slides, or Heat Waves.
Trait: Torrent | Modest Nature
EVs: 220 HP / 108 Def / 176 SAtk / 4 SDef
Hydro Pump | Grass Knot | Blizzard | Protect
The oldest member of my team. North is what they called Santa Clause in Rise of
the Guardian and the name just stuck with me for Empoleon. I really like the name.
Empoleon has been fairly great to me. I used him originally on my Trick Room
team, and he's been so useful. After switching him over to my new team,
North has done a great job of serving as a tank. His nature and EVs allow him
to take hits well, while still being able to maximize my damage output.
I chose Hydro Pump over Scald because Scald has such dismal base power, it's
almost useless unless I'm aiming for a Burn. I'd much rather KO than Burn.
Blizzard provides a staple Ice move on a Water type, which is still very
important. Blizzard also allows North to take on Dragon types without much
worry. Grass Knot allows me to hit Gastrodon, who is a huge pain to Empoleon.
And Protect allows me to stall for turns and such. Chople Berry is to stall out
Fighting types.
Battle Videos
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/doublesvgc2013dev12261462
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/doublesvgc2013dev12266858
Want to Rip Off My Team?
Just to test out, of course.
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/doublesvgc2013dev12261462
http://www.pokemonshowdown.com/replay/doublesvgc2013dev12266858
Want to Rip Off My Team?
Just to test out, of course.
Squidgy (Gastrodon) (F) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 28 SAtk / 120 SDef
Bold Nature
- Earth Power
- Icy Wind
- Recover
- Scald
Cheshire (Rotom-Mow) @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 46 HP / 252 SAtk / 212 Spd
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Leaf Storm
- Thunder Wave
- Protect
Sol (Volcarona) (F) @ Bug Gem
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 220 HP / 164 SAtk / 104 SDef / 20 Spd
Modest Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Heat Wave
- Rage Powder
- Protect
Radioactiv (Garchomp) (M) @ Haban Berry
Trait: Sand Veil
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 HP / 116 Atk / 4 Def / 196 SDef / 156 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
Edward (Conkeldurr) (M) @ Ice Gem
Trait: Guts
EVs: 144 HP / 204 Atk / 160 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Wide Guard
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Rock Slide
North (Empoleon) (M) @ Chople Berry
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 220 HP / 108 Def / 176 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Grass Knot
- Blizzard
- Protect
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 108 Def / 28 SAtk / 120 SDef
Bold Nature
- Earth Power
- Icy Wind
- Recover
- Scald
Cheshire (Rotom-Mow) @ Sitrus Berry
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 46 HP / 252 SAtk / 212 Spd
Modest Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Leaf Storm
- Thunder Wave
- Protect
Sol (Volcarona) (F) @ Bug Gem
Trait: Flame Body
EVs: 220 HP / 164 SAtk / 104 SDef / 20 Spd
Modest Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Heat Wave
- Rage Powder
- Protect
Radioactiv (Garchomp) (M) @ Haban Berry
Trait: Sand Veil
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 36 HP / 116 Atk / 4 Def / 196 SDef / 156 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance
Edward (Conkeldurr) (M) @ Ice Gem
Trait: Guts
EVs: 144 HP / 204 Atk / 160 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Wide Guard
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Rock Slide
North (Empoleon) (M) @ Chople Berry
Trait: Torrent
EVs: 220 HP / 108 Def / 176 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Grass Knot
- Blizzard
- Protect
Closure
And that is my team! I don't have access to any of the real life tournaments, but I do participate frequently on online Tournaments, and on the GBU, which uses the same ruleset as VGC. I am entering the 2013 International Challenge - March as well.
Thanks for your help!
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