Team Volttrap... with Sandstorm Dugtrio?

[Blue Harvest]

Recently Genesect and Shadow Tag Gothitelle were released. Turns out the two have pretty good synergy and utterly demolish stall together. I made a pretty standard volt-turn core to help get Gothitelle in safely. This team is built around not giving my opponent a choice. No matter what they do this team attempts to stay in control. Volt-turn effectively guarantees that by the next turn I will either get a KO, or force you out again. Dugtrio and Gothitelle removes your choice of switching. Ditto punishes any setup moves. I don't consider this a particularly amazing team but it is a lot of fun to play.

@ Choice Scarf
Trait: Download
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- U-turn
- Flamethrower
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt

Genesect is extremely annoying to play against. Scarf U-turn usually ends up connecting with a Heatran, Forretress or Hippowdon meaning they are quickly trapped and killed. I'm running max attack because 99% of the time I use U-turn. The other moves are usually for late game sweeping or for something that HAS to die now.

@ Focus Sash
Trait: Arena Trap
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Sandstorm
- Toxic

Heatran, Infernape, Terrakion and Ninetales all love switching in on Genesect and all are KOed by U-turn + Dugtrio's Earthquake. Dugtrio also helps bring down Politoed as well as every ground weak Pokemon. Rock Slide is being used over Stone Edge because it still OHKOs Volcarona but has better accuracy. Sandstorm may look weird but its great for clearing the skies of annoying Sun and Rain after Politoed / Ninetales die. When they see I lack a weather starter myself most people are willing to let that starter die, then are instantly screwed when I use Sandstorm. The last move is Toxic. Toxic allows Dugtrio + Gothitelle to beat Chansey by switching until Chansey is in KO range. Toxic also prevents Dugtrio from being helpless against Jellicent and Rotom W.

@ Choice Specs
Trait: Shadow Tag
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Grass Knot

Shadow Tag was finally released, and with it heralds the death of modern stall. At least it will if Gothitelle becomes popular. This thing has impressive bulk, roughly the same as Latios.

- Psyshock OHKOs Tentacruel, Breloom, Infernape, Terrakion, Venusaur, Keldeo, Jolteon, Amoonguss, and Conkledurr while demolishing Volcarona, Ninetales, and Thunderus in one hit after Stealth Rocks. Blissey is 2HKOed!

- Thunderbolt destroys Cloyster, Gyarados, Tornadus, Starmie, and Skarmory in one hit. It also puts heavy pressure on Jellicent, Politoed and Vaporeon, 2HKOing them.

- HP Fire OHKOs Scizor, Abomasnow, Forretress, and even Ferrothorn after Stealth Rocks. Gothitelle outruns all of them and survives Bullet Punch.

- Grass Knot is mostly filler but can be used to 2HKOs Gastrodon while OHKOing Mamoswine, Donphan, and Hippowdon. It even has a good chance of 2HKOing defensive Tyranitar with Stealth Rocks.

Speed EVs outrun most defensive Pokemon but I'm considering running Timid to outpace all Adamant Scizor, Cloyster, Politoed, Tentacruel and Breloom. I lose out on several OHKOs though, notably Hippowdon, Ferrothorn and the 2HKO on Blissey.

@ Choice Scarf
Trait: Imposter
EVs: 252 HP
*IVs for HP Rock
Hardy Nature
- Transform

Ditto gets a bad reputation because people expect it to constantly sweep or because its used by terrible players who play it wrong. Ditto is here for the same reason America has thousands of nuclear weapons. Yeah, we don't use them very often... or ever, really. The reason we have them is to deter any other nation from ever attacking. Similarly Ditto effectively makes sure that no one will try to Dragon Dance, or Swords Dance as long as Ditto is alive. Ditto has a lot of other, almost endless utility uses too. It can scout. By copying my opponent's moves I can figure out what set they're running. While overall useless against stall Ditto can turn into a Forretress or Tentacruel to Rapid Spin. Ditto can also switch into Intimidate users to bounce their abilities back at them. Hidden Power Rock IVs so I can beat opposing Volcarona.

@ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Rapid Spin
- Volt Switch
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball

Rapid Spins after Gothitelle kills the Spikers. Breaks Landorus / Gliscor / Terrakion's Substitutes with Gyro Ball so Ditto can finish the job. Stealth Rocks helps keep Volt Switch painful and assists in bringing things into KO range. Volt Switch gives me a chance to gets something else in virtually for free.

@ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 136 HP / 4 Def / 140 SAtk / 228 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Hydro Pump
- Trick

Rotom is basically here to use Volt Switch over and over until it dies. From time to time it helps check or counter Dragonite, Gliscor, Mamoswine, Tornadus etc. EVs outrun +1 Dragonite and Gyarados. Special Attack hits around enough to OHKO Landorus with HP Ice. Defense EVs makes sure Genesect gets a Special Attack boost because I would rather it use an elemental attack and die to Gothitelle than I would have it spam U-turn everywhere.

 

[[Kingdra]]

Probably the most original team I've seen in a while and as such it's tough to rate. Biggest problem I see is that you have 4 Pokemon using Choice items so it will give your opponent a lot of room to set up on you. With the lack of recovery, entry hazards will do a number on this team. I'm just wondering what you use to switch in and take a hit...

In my opinion, you should swap Ditto for something that adds more utility to the team and helps patch up some of the rough patches. First thing I think of for this team is Tentacruel.

Tentacruel @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
~ Toxic Spikes
~ Rapid Spin
~ Scald
~ Protect / Ice Beam

Gives you access to reliable recovery and a spinner.

Another option is bit bizarre but I think it could be quite fun:

Xatu @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
~ Thunder Wave
~ Psychic
~ Hidden Power [Fire]
~ Roost

This guy is actually really fun. It allows you to prevent entry hazards from being set up, and personally I like Thunder Wave to paralyze any incoming sweeper attempting to take out Xatu as well as disabling their walls to some degree.

Overall, this team is just very bizarre and I applaud your creativity. I just don't know what to think of it.

 

[Klaus™]

another one!?

little nitpicks:

gothitelle: change to a scarf set. a lotta those threats you mentioned that you take care of outspeed you and can hit with a pretty powerful se move. infernape=u-turn, terrakion=x-scissor, etc etc. breloom outspeeds and can spore it. jolteon outspeeds and volt switches out. a scarf set allows it to outspeed a lotta those pokes, while still getting decent koes. sure, you may not get the 2hko on bliss, but eh?

another thing: im still confused on the ditto thing. does it copy the nature too? if not, then i recommend changing your nature to naive, to at least speed tie. but im still not sure how it works.

i think a reversal + sash duggy might work better, but thats just me. your set seems to work fine ^_^

genesect can use ebelt with efficiency. most will assume its scarved, given its trollish speed, and wont expect you to switch moves. though by now smogon has already broadcasted ebelt geno....

gl with the team. its very original and abuses new and upcoming threats.

 

[Blue Harvest]

Probably the most original team I've seen in a while and as such it's tough to rate. Biggest problem I see is that you have 4 Pokemon using Choice items so it will give your opponent a lot of room to set up on you. With the lack of recovery, entry hazards will do a number on this team.

Thank you!

Spikes / setup is kind of a weird situation. I'm spamming Volt Switch + U-turn a lot so more often than not if those Pokemon try to enter the field they just end up U-turned on and OHKOed by Gothitelle. Of all the Stealth Rockers, Toxic Spikers, and Spikers in OU literally all of them are OHKOed by Gothitelle / Dugtrio except Deoxys D and Tyranitar (Tyranitar ends up dead but usually gets rocks down). Still it doesn't always work that well in the real world. Sometimes I do get locked into the wrong move, or Skarm switches in on Landorus (basically guaranteeing two layers of Spikes due to Sturdy). Spikes / SR are really annoying though.

I'm just wondering what you use to switch in and take a hit...

Unless I actually do have a counter for what I'm facing (Landorus and Rotom are pretty tough) I just let something die and revenge kill with a trapper or Ditto. It sounds worse than it is because the opponent isn't usually in control of what is happening. Its just a matter of weakening their team and killing things until Genesect, Rotom, or Ditto can sweep.

In my opinion, you should swap Ditto for something that adds more utility to the team and helps patch up some of the rough patches. First thing I think of for this team is Tentacruel.

Tentacruel @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
~ Toxic Spikes
~ Rapid Spin
~ Scald
~ Protect / Ice Beam

Gives you access to reliable recovery and a spinner.

Another option is bit bizarre but I think it could be quite fun:

Xatu @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
~ Thunder Wave
~ Psychic
~ Hidden Power [Fire]
~ Roost

This guy is actually really fun. It allows you to prevent entry hazards from being set up, and personally I like Thunder Wave to paralyze any incoming sweeper attempting to take out Xatu as well as disabling their walls to some degree.

Overall, this team is just very bizarre and I applaud your creativity. I just don't know what to think of it.

No to Tentacruel. It doesn't have any offensive presence and it can't U turn / Volt Switch. It also doesn't really do anything besides Rapid Spin.

No to Xatu too, but Xatu was close. Xatu is an awesome Pokemon and it can even U-turn! But I don't want to add to my Pursuit weakness. Xatu also can't actually Rapid Spin either and it chases away Spikers... I would rather kill them.

But you have a great point! A Spinner would be really cool here. Maybe Forretress instead? Not over Ditto though. Ditto is too important to the team (as you said yourself my choiced Pokes are easily set up on). Maybe over Landorus?

Forretress @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Def / 80 SDef
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Rapid Spin
- Volt Switch
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball

Checks most things Landorus does but can Rapid Spin and isn't afraid of random Hidden Powers. It also has a slow Volt Switch so it can get free switch ins for the trappers.

another one!?

little nitpicks:

gothitelle: change to a scarf set. a lotta those threats you mentioned that you take care of outspeed you and can hit with a pretty powerful se move. infernape=u-turn, terrakion=x-scissor, etc etc. breloom outspeeds and can spore it. jolteon outspeeds and volt switches out. a scarf set allows it to outspeed a lotta those pokes, while still getting decent koes. sure, you may not get the 2hko on bliss, but eh?

No. Gothitelle needs all the power of Specs to break through walls. Not Skarmory and Forretress so much, but Blissey, Hippowdon, Ferrothorn, Jellicent, Vaporeon and many others. Scarf won't help because my team is already fast and generally handles the things that Scarf helps with. And no, Goth will never take a U-turn, X-scissor or whatever. Goth only comes in when I know they are locked into something else. Bulk Up Breloom isn't faster than Goth and Swords Dance / Sub Punch are more annoyances than threats.

another thing: im still confused on the ditto thing. does it copy the nature too? if not, then i recommend changing your nature to naive, to at least speed tie. but im still not sure how it works.

It copies stats. So if your Mamoswine has 394 Attack my Ditto will too regardless of nature.

i think a reversal + sash duggy might work better, but thats just me. your set seems to work fine ^_^

Except Reversal Dugtrio doesn't have room for Sandstorm or Toxic. I need both

genesect can use ebelt with efficiency. most will assume its scarved, given its trollish speed, and wont expect you to switch moves. though by now smogon has already broadcasted ebelt geno....

gl with the team. its very original and abuses new and upcoming threats.

Expert Belt Genesect isn't anything new or secret despite whatever Smogon says. It's a good set but pointless here. Why use a lure set that might not work when I can just Scarf U-turn into a trap and make sure they die.

Thank you!

 

[[Kingdra]]

I think Spikes/Toxic Spikes could be better than Gyro Ball on Forretress, they allow it to set up more. Honestly, Gyro Ball doesn't pose much of a threat to anything and your team could benefit from the extra damage/status.

 

[Ilan]

I think Spikes/Toxic Spikes could be better than Gyro Ball on Forretress, they allow it to set up more. Honestly, Gyro Ball doesn't pose much of a threat to anything and your team could benefit from the extra damage/status.

Gyro ball is actually quite effective in my opinion it surprised me many times.

I liked the team it uses new niches which soon will be annoying but now they are fresh and new ( so ST gothitelle is realesed.. time for sub CM sets in NU.)

 

[[Kingdra]]

I just think in this situation, the team could benefit more from the extra entry hazards.

 

[TerraWolf]

Therians smash this team. But only the two good Therians

 

[Blue Harvest]

I just think in this situation, the team could benefit more from the extra entry hazards.

Hazards could work. I'll try it and see. Gyro Ball breaks the Substitites of some problem Pokemon like Gliscor, Landorus, and Terrakion but Spikes generally rock.

Therians smash this team. But only the two good Therians

Rotom beats Tornadus and only Nasty Plot Thundurus is at all a threat. Once a Thundurus gets locked into something besides Thunderbolt it dies to Gothitelle.

Thanks for the rate sort of!

 

[Klaus™]

on topic of the duggy's set: i approve of the sandstorm on it, but i honestly dont see toxic being useful. duggy just doesnt have the defenses to wall. do you expect to keep switching and u-turning etc until blissey, jellicent, etc are worn down? it seems more of a 'last hurrah' or a 'haha eff you!' move than anything else.

not that it needs anything else. i just would like to know the reasons and benefits behind it.

 

[Ghosts of the Forums]

let me say it was refreshing to read a rmt that wasn't some age-old weather crap. that being said, you have a nice team, but i would recommend changing genesect's ev's to 96atk 160sp.atk and 252spe. i find it works to give genesect enough power to ohko multiple different pokemon after download, noteably a high chance to kill hippowdon. i'd also think hasty would be better, to prevent other genesects from getting the special attack boost needed to roast you and your team. i can see your reasoning though, and i've not really ever tried something like this, but those are just my suggestions.

i like your ditto set, i always pick hp ice because i'm uncreative.

and gyro is good on forretress, to all you non-beleivers.

 

[Ísjaki]

Probably the most original team I've seen in a while and as such it's tough to rate. Biggest problem I see is that you have 4 Pokemon using Choice items so it will give your opponent a lot of room to set up on you. With the lack of recovery, entry hazards will do a number on this team. I'm just wondering what you use to switch in and take a hit...

In my opinion, you should swap Ditto for something that adds more utility to the team and helps patch up some of the rough patches. First thing I think of for this team is Tentacruel.

Tentacruel @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
~ Toxic Spikes
~ Rapid Spin
~ Scald
~ Protect / Ice Beam

Gives you access to reliable recovery and a spinner.

Another option is bit bizarre but I think it could be quite fun:

Xatu @ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe
Nature: Bold (+Def, -Atk)
~ Thunder Wave
~ Psychic
~ Hidden Power [Fire]
~ Roost

This guy is actually really fun. It allows you to prevent entry hazards from being set up, and personally I like Thunder Wave to paralyze any incoming sweeper attempting to take out Xatu as well as disabling their walls to some degree.

Overall, this team is just very bizarre and I applaud your creativity. I just don't know what to think of it.

 

[Blue Harvest]

on topic of the duggy's set: i approve of the sandstorm on it, but i honestly dont see toxic being useful. duggy just doesnt have the defenses to wall. do you expect to keep switching and u-turning etc until blissey, jellicent, etc are worn down? it seems more of a 'last hurrah' or a 'haha eff you!' move than anything else.

not that it needs anything else. i just would like to know the reasons and benefits behind it.

Its kind of hard to explain why its useful. Its just handy. Often you see stuff like Landorus T, Jellicent, Porygon 2, Acrobat Gliscor, and others switch in expecting a free chance to Stealth Rock, Sub, or Recover and end up Toxiced. Toxic also lets me beat Chansey who I can take out by switching between Gothitelle and Dugtrio until it's in KO range for one of them.

let me say it was refreshing to read a rmt that wasn't some age-old weather crap. that being said, you have a nice team, but i would recommend changing genesect's ev's to 96atk 160sp.atk and 252spe. i find it works to give genesect enough power to ohko multiple different pokemon after download, noteably a high chance to kill hippowdon. i'd also think hasty would be better, to prevent other genesects from getting the special attack boost needed to roast you and your team. i can see your reasoning though, and i've not really ever tried something like this, but those are just my suggestions.

I'm running Attack EVs because most of the time I'm just U-turning and I like the power it brings. I don't need to OHKO Hippowdon because I can just U-turn to Gothitelle. If they send in Heatran or Jellicent while I U-turn expecting and Ice Beam I can trap those Pokemon and kill them, instead of being locked into Ice Beam and getting forced out.

I'd rather let a Genesect get a SA boost and try to kill me with Ice Beam / Tbolt / Flamethrower because then I can revenge kill it with Gothitelle, and if it U-turns at +0 its less dangerous. Also Hasty makes Genesect less defenses against +2 Bullet Punches and Extremespeeds.

Ditto usually keeps Rock Polish Genesects from setting up and can revenge ill them if they do. Still they are really annoying. I'll probably keep Naive on Gensect but I might change the rest of the team to give it an attack boost.

i like your ditto set, i always pick hp ice because i'm uncreative.

and gyro is good on forretress, to all you non-beleivers.

haha, I'm only using HP Rock because I'm Volcarona weak. If I had a more solid answer to Volc I would be using HP Ice too.

svdgbn

http://pokemon.aesoft.org/replay-Lucs99-vs-TripleHorse--2012-08-19-private1148866686

You can't stop the cheapness!!!



Edit: Maybe I could run a Scarf Magnezone over Forretress? This would let me beat Steels easily and put HP Ice on Gothitelle. If I did that I could reduce the speed on Goth and put some in bulk to take on Terrakion better.

Or a Timid Specs Magnezone. Or something.

 

[Dragonicwari]

Just minor personal preferences;

Ditto; hasty/ naive nature in case you switch to a scarfed poke (you don't get their scarfed bonus, do you?)

If you switch forretress out for something, put in something with rapid spin. Donphan can help as max hp variants can survive a +1 fiery dance (last I checked) and Ohko it with stone edge. It can also help with steels not named skarmory. I'll do damage calls if you want