The Hoenn Triangle

[Mega Typhlosion]

So i just did some calcs with speed, and, if i did this right, heres what i got

Pokemon with Base 60 Speed, 252 Speed EVs, neutral nature, and a choice scarf, out speeds a Pokemon with Base 100 Speed, 252 EVs, and a positive nature. This is probably obvious to some people, but this means a choice scarf spinda can out speed a max speed salamence.

Now i can fulfill my plan of skill swapping contrary onto salamence and blasting my opponent with Draco Meteors that +2 my SpA each turn

There's a small flaw in that logic. By seeing Spinda and Salamence it's highly likely that Salamence will get double targeted and KOed. Draco Meteor is a single-target move so you'll always let one of your opponents free to attack back.
It could work better if you do it on the first turn and then Mega Evolve and spam +2 Hyper Voices.

 

[Fossildude747]

Both, as long as you use VGC 2015 rules (which is basically Battle Spot Doubles now).

I better start practicing building doubles teams. I really need a rank up, this is my chance.

EDIT: Well, I'm beginning to build a doubles team on ps for the land sectors Christmas season. I've been here for a while, and I think it's time I rank up, even after the season I can use this too. I will not be building this one in game, meaning that I will use legendaries on this. Here it is so far, building it around mega sharpedo, I need advice so I can eventually build some teams all by myself. It's for VGC 2015 rules:

Sharpedo (M) @ Sharpedonite
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Aqua Jet
- Toxic
- Poison Fang

Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
- Light Screen
- Safeguard
- Dazzling Gleam
- Sing

Smeargle (M) @ Lax Incense
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Protect
- Sketch
- Spore

Gengar (M) @ Payapa Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Swagger
- Giga Drain
- Hypnosis
- Dream Eater

 

[JohnMango95]

Quick question: if someone beats me in a battle or two, do I post something about it so that the winner gets their SP?

 

[Mega Typhlosion]

I better start practicing building doubles teams. I really need a rank up, this is my chance.

EDIT: Well, I'm beginning to build a doubles team on ps for the land sectors Christmas season. I've been here for a while, and I think it's time I rank up, even after the season I can use this too. I will not be building this one in game, meaning that I will use legendaries on this. Here it is so far, building it around mega sharpedo, I need advice so I can eventually build some teams all by myself. It's for VGC 2015 rules:

Sharpedo (M) @ Sharpedonite
Ability: Speed Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
- Crunch
- Aqua Jet
- Toxic
- Poison Fang

Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
- Light Screen
- Safeguard
- Dazzling Gleam
- Sing

Sing is very unreliable and Blissey overall is a bad choice in VGC since the top tier threats are all physical: Kangaskhan, Tyranitar, Garchomp, some versions of Salamence, Talonflame, Landorus, Mega Metagross and so on. You will almost always face one physical attacker on the other side so Blissey loses most of its usefulness.

You NEED Protect on Sharpedo so you can guarantee a Speed Boost. I'd run Waterfall/Crunch/Ice Fang/Protect. And to be honest, I don't see the point of having Poison Fang AND Toxic on the same moveset and especially on such a frail Pokémon. You have way better moves to run on Sharpedo.
There's one niche about Sharpedo on VGC. Mega Sharpedo's Crunch is one of the very few moves that can actually OHKO Cresselia (Specially Defensive variants), so play it smartly.

@JohnMango: Yes, you should report it here

 

[Fossildude747]

Yeah, I really need to change the team, anymore advice from people? I'll probably change it to what you said later fire hero.

 

[casskingdra]

Gengar (M) @ Payapa Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Swagger
- Giga Drain
- Hypnosis
- Dream Eater

Gengar would benefit from at least one STAB move, such as Shadow Ball or Sludge Bomb. Failing that, give it Dazzling Gleam so that it hits both opponents and can deal with threats like Salamence, Garchomp, and Tyranitar. Swagger is a little risky because as Fire Hero said, the top threats are physical, so Confuse Ray will probably do better. Also, invest the 4 EVs into one of its defenses. You'll get an extra switch in if Stealth Rocks are up.

 

[Fossildude747]

Gengar would benefit from at least one STAB move, such as Shadow Ball or Sludge Bomb. Failing that, give it Dazzling Gleam so that it hits both opponents and can deal with threats like Salamence, Garchomp, and Tyranitar. Swagger is a little risky because as Fire Hero said, the top threats are physical, so Confuse Ray will probably do better. Also, invest the 4 EVs into one of its defenses. You'll get an extra switch in if Stealth Rocks are up.

Well, first of all, I don't think you guys understand why I have swagger. My Smeargle has an ability that makes it immune to confusion, so I use swagger on my smeargle to increase it's atk, just thought it's something I'd try.

To be honest though, I should really start from scratch again, my team sucks.

 

[casskingdra]

Well, first of all, I don't think you guys understand why I have swagger. My Smeargle has an ability that makes it immune to confusion, so I use swagger on my smeargle to increase it's atk, just thought it's something I'd try.

To be honest though, I should really start from scratch again, my team sucks.

If that's the case you really ought to give it a decent STAB physical attack move on it instead of Sketch, otherwise you can't make use of it after the first turn in unless you Sketch something really good. Which is completely situational.

 

[Romeo32]

Well, first of all, I don't think you guys understand why I have swagger. My Smeargle has an ability that makes it immune to confusion, so I use swagger on my smeargle to increase it's atk, just thought it's something I'd try.

To be honest though, I should really start from scratch again, my team sucks.

If you want to do the Swagger + Own Tempo combo Smeargle is literally the worst choice you could make. If you really want to use that strategy use Purugly or Licklickly or literally any other Pokemon with Own Tempo.

 

[Fossildude747]

If that's the case you really ought to give it a decent STAB physical attack move on it instead of Sketch, otherwise you can't make use of it after the first turn in unless you Sketch something really good. Which is completely situational.

He doesn't have any good special or physical moves :/ I should really restart, new pokemon to base it around and everything. Any suggestions? Preferably a mega from ORAS, I wanna get some experience with using them for when I build teams like this in ORAS.

 

[Mega Typhlosion]

I can't believe I'm saying this but you should take a look at the smogon website. For all the random bans and limitations their metagame has, their analyses are often spot on and are a great basis for starters. They usually don't have sets for doubles but you can often get an idea about how to work with a Pokemon so that you can adapt for doubles afterwards.

There are several clear mistakes in your sets and I think smogon can help you a lot while picking up a good initial moveset.

Own Tempo + Smeargle is a bad combination as Smeargle is a terrible Pokemon. There are a lot of other Pokemon that can do that better. You can even give a Persim Berry to Garchomp and use the same combo... Not to mention that there are also a dozen of better users of Swagger.

Gengar's moveset doesn't make much sense as well. Giga Drain hits nothing worth noticing and Hypnosis+Dream Eater is very unreliable. Not only Hypnosis misses 40% of the time, but often your opponent switches out the sleeping Pokemon making you miss D. Eater...

 

[Ninja Eevee]

For this THT League, are we going to go into each season/series (whatever we call it) with the same team, or can it change between battles

 

[snivy trainer]

Well I'd like to say I've done something constructive, but I haven't. Got a bunch of ideas in my head for ORAS OU - I'm actually thinking about not building around a particular Mega Evolution and just building a bulky-offensive team. The chances of adding a Mega Evolution to the team from there is fairly high. I'm not set on this mind you, but I have ideas about. I'd like to plan my novel some more, since I've just had a brand new idea which I might be able to take further (found out a friend of mine has the same career in mind, how coincidental), and of course World of Warcraft (Warlock's Level 28, nearly Level 29!).

 

[LynxForte]

I would like to donate a Pokémon!

Username: LynxForte
Timezone & Availability to trade: EST (GMT -5) anytime today except between 1-4 pm
Pokémon: Larvesta
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: M
Nature: Timid
Level: 1
Ability: Flame Body
IVs: 31/X/31/31/31/31
Moves: Ember, String Shot, Morning Sun

Username: LynxForte
Timezone & Availability to trade:
Pokémon: Scyther
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: F
Nature: Adamant
Level: 1
Ability: Technician
IVs: 31/31/31/X/31/31
Moves: Vacuum Wave, Quick Attack, Leer

Username: LynxForte
Timezone & Availability to trade:
Pokémon: Bagon
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: M
Nature: Timid
Level: 1
Ability: Rock Head
IVs: 31/31/31/X/31/31
Moves: Thrash, Dragon Dance. Dragon Pulse. Hydro Pump

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd like to trade!

Username: LynxForte
Timezone & Availability to trade:

I offer:

Pokémon: Pawniard (Protoman)
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: F
Nature: Jolly
Level: 15
Ability: Defiant
IVs: 31/31/31/X/31/31
Moves: Scratch, Leer, Furry Cutter, Torment

I'd like to get:

Pokémon: Murkrow
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: M
Nature: Bold
Level: 1
Ability: Prankster
IVs: 31/X/31/31/31/31
Moves: Astonish, Wing Attack, Perish Song, Feather Dance

 

[Mega Typhlosion]

I would like to donate a Pokémon!

Username: LynxForte
Timezone & Availability to trade: EST (GMT -5) anytime today except between 1-4 pm
Pokémon: Larvesta
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: M
Nature: Timid
Level: 1
Ability: Flame Body
IVs: 31/X/31/31/31/31
Moves: Ember, String Shot, Morning Sun

Username: LynxForte
Timezone & Availability to trade:
Pokémon: Scyther
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: F
Nature: Adamant
Level: 1
Ability: Technician
IVs: 31/31/31/X/31/31
Moves: Vacuum Wave, Quick Attack, Leer

Username: LynxForte
Timezone & Availability to trade:
Pokémon: Bagon
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: M
Nature: Timid
Level: 1
Ability: Rock Head
IVs: 31/31/31/X/31/31
Moves: Thrash, Dragon Dance. Dragon Pulse. Hydro Pump

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd like to trade!

Username: LynxForte
Timezone & Availability to trade:

I offer:

Pokémon: Pawniard (Protoman)
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: F
Nature: Jolly
Level: 15
Ability: Defiant
IVs: 31/31/31/X/31/31
Moves: Scratch, Leer, Furry Cutter, Torment

I'd like to get:

Pokémon: Murkrow
Shiny (Y/N): N
Gender: M
Nature: Bold
Level: 1
Ability: Prankster
IVs: 31/X/31/31/31/31
Moves: Astonish, Wing Attack, Perish Song, Feather Dance

Donations and trade accepted. I'll add you and we can trade now

EDIT: You get 18 SP.

 

[Fossildude747]

I can't believe I'm saying this but you should take a look at the smogon website. For all the random bans and limitations their metagame has, their analyses are often spot on and are a great basis for starters. They usually don't have sets for doubles but you can often get an idea about how to work with a Pokemon so that you can adapt for doubles afterwards.

There are several clear mistakes in your sets and I think smogon can help you a lot while picking up a good initial moveset.

Own Tempo + Smeargle is a bad combination as Smeargle is a terrible Pokemon. There are a lot of other Pokemon that can do that better. You can even give a Persim Berry to Garchomp and use the same combo... Not to mention that there are also a dozen of better users of Swagger.

Gengar's moveset doesn't make much sense as well. Giga Drain hits nothing worth noticing and Hypnosis+Dream Eater is very unreliable. Not only Hypnosis misses 40% of the time, but often your opponent switches out the sleeping Pokemon making you miss D. Eater...

Yeah, really thinking I should restart the whole team and look on smogon, even if its not for doubles I can learn the pokemon's strengths and weaknesses so I can use them well.

Gonna start from scratch and think of my team.

 

[Romeo32]

Well I'd like to say I've done something constructive, but I haven't. Got a bunch of ideas in my head for ORAS OU - I'm actually thinking about not building around a particular Mega Evolution and just building a bulky-offensive team. The chances of adding a Mega Evolution to the team from there is fairly high. I'm not set on this mind you, but I have ideas about. I'd like to plan my novel some more, since I've just had a brand new idea which I might be able to take further (found out a friend of mine has the same career in mind, how coincidental), and of course World of Warcraft (Warlock's Level 28, nearly Level 29!).

I feel like you give up on your team ideas way too easily/often. I'd suggest just going on Showdown, picking one or two Pokemon that you want to use and then filling in your team with guys that cover each others weaknesses. You don't have to sit and think about it for hours, as long as you put some thought into it you'll usually come up with at least a semi-decent team. Then go on the ladder and have a couple of battles with it. If you notice a certain threat or type beats you every time then adapt your team so that you can handle it. This is pretty much how I make all of my teams and I feel like it might help you with your indecisiveness.

 

[snivy trainer]

I can't believe I'm saying this but you should take a look at the smogon website. For all the random bans and limitations their metagame has, their analyses are often spot on and are a great basis for starters. They usually don't have sets for doubles but you can often get an idea about how to work with a Pokemon so that you can adapt for doubles afterwards.

There are several clear mistakes in your sets and I think smogon can help you a lot while picking up a good initial moveset.

Fire Hero's recommending Smogon? Is he ill or something? Damn, never seen him do that before haha. I do agree with him though; Smogon exists to offer competitive battling experience and assistance, and the analyses are second to none. Definitely worth at least taking a look. I do it anyway.

On the topic (sort of) I can't decide what to build my team around. I want a bulky offensive team definitely, and they usually are built around a bulky set-up sweeper with the intent to weaken threats for it to break through. My Mega of choice is Mega Altaria, due to typing, Pixilate providing offensive presence and wonderful natural bulk alongside Dragon Dance, Roost and Refresh. Pixilate boosted Returns will be doing a ton to everything not a Steel or Poison type, but they are issues for it. Best Steel type counter? Magnezone, Heatran alongside other Fire or Ground types usually works. Every Steel type in OU except Heatran is weak to Fire, every one except Ferrothorn, Scizor and Skarmory is weak to Ground and every one except Skarmory and Scizor is weak to Fighting.

I'm bored of my Warlock - the mobility (or lack of) is killing me, and the coolness factor has gone somewhat. I don't feel it anymore - the good thing about this is that it knocks it off my options list. One less thing to consider. My main choices are Mage and Hunter. Monk, Rogue, Druid and Paladin are lesser options, but still there. I'm debating whether to go back to Alliance for some classes (Mage, Hunter, Rogue, perhaps Monk) but I don't know, I love the Horde .

 

[Mega Typhlosion]

Fire Hero's recommending Smogon? Is he ill or something? Damn, never seen him do that before haha. I do agree with him though; Smogon exists to offer competitive battling experience and assistance, and the analyses are second to none. Definitely worth at least taking a look. I do it anyway.

LOL I never said I don't USE smogon... I just don't BATTLE by their rules eheh
I don't like their rules and their metagames, but their job with the movesets and the analyses is very useful, especially if you're using a Pokémon for the first time and you don't know exactly what it can do or what are its counters. I won't recommend sticking by smogon rules, just take a look at their articles

I feel like you give up on your team ideas way too easily/often.

That's the definition of "snivy trainer" in most dictionaries lol

 

[snivy trainer]

LOL I never said I don't USE smogon... I just don't BATTLE by their rules eheh
I don't like their rules and their metagames, but their job with the movesets and the analyses is very useful, especially if you're using a Pokémon for the first time and you don't know exactly what it can do or what are its counters. I won't recommend sticking by smogon rules, just take a look at their articles

Fair enough.

That's the definition of "snivy trainer" in most dictionaries lol

I'm in the dictionary? Awesome. I do try and finish teams you know, but I either get bored or hit a roadblock I don't like, so I quit and do something else. That and I'm indecisive. But here's to hoping that this Mega Altaria bulky offensive team works well I doubt it, but you never know.

Blue Hue (Altaria) @ Altarite
Ability: Cloud Nine --> Pixilate
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 136 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def/-SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Return
- Roost
- Earthquake / Substitute / Refresh

Magnetitan (Magnezone) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 172 HP / 252 SAtk / 84 Spe
Modest Nature (+SAtk/-Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power {Fire}

Magnezone might become a Scarf set, not 100% sure at the moment though. Regardless, Excadrill and Heatran are the only 2 Steel types which cause Magnezone problems and so need to be removed. Talonflame is also a problem since it can set up on Altaria and smashes Magnezone (hence I'm considering Choice Scarf). Oh look, all 3 are weak to Water - time to find a bulky Water type. Slowbro, Rotom- Wash, Gyarados, etc. are all decent options, Slowbro being my primary option since it actually isn't weak to Mold Breaker Excadrill or Talonflame (like Rotom- Wash or Gyarados).

My Warlock is soon to be deleted from my game, leaving me with an empty space to call my main. What class do I replace it with? I like mobility and survivability. I require a class to do consistent damage with a lot of on-demand burst when required. That's basically it (the basics). Only ranged DPS to do this is Hunters, as all casters have a lack of mobility or survivability. In terms of melee I have many options - Feral Druids have a ton of heals and lots of damage, Monks apparently do have burst (not that I've seen it), Warriors have quite a bit except survivability for me, Death Knights aren't really mobile and Rogues... I have a soft spot for Rogues, but survivability outside of stealth is just bad. There're pros and cons for everything; I'm kind of bored with the races of World of Warcraft (too much restarting!) so I don't know what I want to play anymore - there's no link.