Triples Team:Need help

[Archstaraptor]

I don't really know what to think anymore about my team;it fairs really well on match-up(current record 25-41)but I've been having big doubts,as some members aren't performing as well as the rest.
:497:
Serperior@Light Clay
Bashful Nature
+Overgrow
-Giga Drain
-Light Screen
-Leaf Blade
-Reflect
Serperior's an excellent counter to rock and types that could withstand eruption.It's most notably useful up against Beat-up Terrakion sets.
Anyway,its speed also helps it set up dual screens,making him a valuable participant.

;157;
Typhlosion@Fire Gem
Rash Nature
+Blaze
-Eruption
-Protect
-Flamethrower
-Focus Blast
My key team sweeper.Protect is to negate Fake-out(which is usually its downfall)and to give Kabutops etc. a chance to fight back.
A fire gem boosted eruption can deal brutal damage at full HP-Koing most pokemon with neutral defences against it.Its reliability is debateable,but I've seen few battles where this tactic lets me down with the team's support

;237;
Hitmontop@?
Mild Nature
+Technician
-Fakeout
-Wide Guard
-Feint
-Endeavor
I'm not sure about this one anymore- the first three moves are vital to the team's success-does anyone have any suggestions here for pokemon choices bearing in mind the moveset I use)or a good replacement for endeavor?
Fake-out is fake-out-it's always useful in triple battles as it's often clear which opponent is the largest threat and provides an opportunity to counter it.
Wide Guard is useful since group attacks are popular in triple battles-it often gives my team a free turn to set-up and sweep.
Feint is very useful online since Wide Guard and Protect are increasingly common-it would help sweepers such as Typhlosion(and possibly Abomasnow)attack unhindered.

;359;
Absol@Dark Gem
Brave Nature
+Super Luck
-Sucker Punch
-Sword Dance
-SuperPower
-Protect
EV trained to potentially OHKO an OU dragon in one hit.
Also valuable for trick room teams,providing a super strong priority move.
Unfortunately weak to other priority moves.

;141;
Kabutops@Razor Fang
Lax Nature
+Swift swim
-Rockslide
-Waterfall
-Hidden Power
-Headbutt
I haven't used him much since SS,but his speed and ability could suggest a potential counter to those super irritating rain teams!
The day Politoad stops smiling-it's a happy one.
Just theory though-what I'm going to do about Ludicolo I honestly don't know...
EDIT:Been advised to replace Kabutops(!)Any suggestions anywhere?

;398;
Staraptor@Flame Plate(to be Choice scarf)
Rash Nature
+Intimidate
-Steelwing
-Brave Bird
-Heatwave
-Final Gambit->Close Combat
Hoping to be a revenge killer for ugly pokemon such as steels,pokemon with high defences and set-up sweepers(which are rare in my case).
Her coverage is nice and Heatwave actually works well with a Flame Plate and Rash Nature

 

[Archstaraptor]

Has anybody got any advice whatsoever?
I really don't know what to do with Hitmontop anymore...

 

[Aura Sensei™]

Here dude:

Absol Jolly Nature
~Psycho Cut
~Night Slash
~Swords Dance
~Superpower

This set covers quite a few types.

 

[Archstaraptor]

Thanks,pal-I'll give it a shot
I'd like some suggestions in place of Hitmontop-a pokemon that can perform a similar role but with more oomph.
Alternatively,a set for a Hitmontop that could work better with my team would be great!

 

[Aura Sensei™]

I haven't had any experience with it,but I'll try to help you out

Hitmontop Adamant Nature
~Brick Break
~Endure
~Endeavor
~Wide Guard

 

[floatzel98]

On staraptor, ditch heatwave for double edge or return. Reckless choice scarf could work as well. Kingdra would be your best bet over kabutops. Swift swim still and a great move in dragon dance. With a weird suggestion you could try a abomasnow out. It can help you with the weather wars and can come in handy for your team.

 

[Vandslaux]

On RM, natures are -VITAL-.

 

[Archstaraptor]

On RM, natures are -VITAL-.

Well,it is just a casual team,but if you really want them,that's fine.

@Floatzel98:I've got a fairly generic Abomasnow from HGSS:

Abomasnow@Ice Gem
Bold Nature
-Giga Drain
-Blizzard
-Wood Hammer
-Icy Wind
Blizzard can be really handy with 100% accuracy and an Ice Gem.Ice Gem's really useful for Icy Wind too,but the move's only there to slow opponents down,possibly for another sweeper such as Typhlosion to finish off.

@SalamenceLoverLogan:
Thanks for the set!
I might add a more detailed description on what Hitmontop's role-and whilst it's a nice set,it isn't best suited for a triples team(in particular-Endeavor + Endure-it's very prone to Priority moves and fast pokemon.This usually isn't helped by the vast amount of Tailwind teams online).
He's a support role at the best;do you know any other pokemon that can use the three moves listed in Post1?

Natures have been added,like asked.
Note that the natures may not be good ones;I don't really mind about them-they don't make the team worse at what they do.

 

[Aura Sensei™]

This may be a bad idea,but Throh couyld replace Hitmontop.

Throh Adamant Nature
~Reversal
~Wide Guard
~Endure
~Bulk Up

 

[Archstaraptor]

This may be a bad idea,but Throh couyld replace Hitmontop.

Throh Adamant Nature
~Reversal
~Wide Guard
~Endure
~Bulk Up

I see what you're getting at,but those two moves are suicide in triple battles-shots can come from anywhere.
Then again...paired with protect it could be quite useful.
I'll give it a shot-thanks
Any other suggestions that revolve more around the set I had in mind?

 

[Blue Raja]

some help

i will gladly send you a proper HMTop for use if you want.
just pm and we can arrange a time.


Serperior@Light Clay @FOCUS SASH
Bashful Nature NAIVE 252SPEED / 252 SPATT / 4HP
+Overgrow
-Giga Drain
-Light Screen
-Leaf Blade
-Reflect
Serperior's an excellent counter to rock and types that could withstand eruption.It's most notably useful up against Beat-up Terrakion sets.
Anyway,its speed also helps it set up dual screens,making him a valuable participant.

TYPHLOSION SHOULD NOT LEAD
THIS IS NOT A LEAD! THE WAY TO USE THIS POKEMON IS TO SUB IT FOR YOUR HITMONTOP IN THE CENTER POSITION!
Typhlosion@Fire Gem @CHOICE SCARF
Rash Nature MODEST
+Blaze
-Eruption
-Protect-SOLAR BEAM
-Flamethrower
-Focus Blast
My key team sweeper.Protect is to negate Fake-out(which is usually its downfall)and to give Kabutops etc. a chance to fight back.
A fire gem boosted eruption can deal brutal damage at full HP-Koing most pokemon with neutral defences against it.Its reliability is debateable,but I've seen few battles where this tactic lets me down with the team's support


Hitmontop@? @EJECT BUTTON
Mild Nature +DEF OR SPDEF OR ADAMANT
+Technician INTIMIDATE
-Fakeout
-Wide Guard
-Feint
-Endeavor SUNNYDAY OR BRICKBREAK
I'm not sure about this one anymore- the first three moves are vital to the team's success-does anyone have any suggestions here for pokemon choices bearing in mind the moveset I use)or a good replacement for endeavor?
Fake-out is fake-out-it's always useful in triple battles as it's often clear which opponent is the largest threat and provides an opportunity to counter it.
Wide Guard is useful since group attacks are popular in triple battles-it often gives my team a free turn to set-up and sweep.
Feint is very useful online since Wide Guard and Protect are increasingly common-it would help sweepers such as Typhlosion(and possibly Abomasnow)attack unhindered.


Absol@ BUG OR FIGHTING GEM--THE WAY TO USE THE GEM IS ON YOUR NON-STAB MOVES-
Brave Nature ADAMANT
+Super Luck
-Sucker Punch
-Sword Dance
-SuperPower
-Protect-MEGAHORN
EV trained to potentially OHKO an OU dragon in one hit.
Also valuable for trick room teams,providing a super strong priority move.
Unfortunately weak to other priority moves.


Kabutops@Razor Fang
Lax Nature LAX IS HORRIBLE!! ADAMANT
+Swift swim
-Rockslide
-Waterfall
-Hidden Power (HPWHAT?) PROTECT
-Headbutt SWORDS DANCE
I haven't used him much since SS,but his speed and ability could suggest a potential counter to those super irritating rain teams!
The day Politoad stops smiling-it's a happy one.
Just theory though-what I'm going to do about Ludicolo I honestly don't know...
EDIT:Been advised to replace Kabutops(!)Any suggestions anywhere?
REPLACE IT WITH A DROUGHT NINETAILS!!


Staraptor@Flame Plate(to be Choice scarf) @FIRE GEM
Rash Nature
+Intimidate
-Steelwing
-Brave Bird
-Heatwave
-Final Gambit->Close Combat CLOSE COMBAT
Hoping to be a revenge killer for ugly pokemon such as steels,pokemon with high defences and set-up sweepers(which are rare in my case).
Her coverage is nice and Heatwave actually works well with a Flame Plate and Rash Nature


SET 1
NINETAILS / HM,T / SERPERIOR
BENCH
TYPHLOSION -COMES IN FOR EJECTED HMT
STARAPTOR -COMES IN FOR CROSS FIELD KILLS OR HEATWAVE STEEL
ABSOL-FOR REVENGE KILLS

 

[Archstaraptor]

i will gladly send you a proper HMTop for use if you want.
just pm and we can arrange a time

Wow.You say some really controversial stuff to what I'm used to!Thank you
Some of the stuff you've said is really interesting-I'll get back to you on that Hitmontop of yours.

I'm definitely making the swap now!
I've been looking at DW(Prankster) Illumise recently and have been thinking about using it as a Sunny Day/Tailwind set up.
It's mad for its own sake,but I really want to be different,and whilst the Ninetales is a really nice idea,I'm trying to be different(don't really want two fire types on my team)-plus it would provide a surprise counter to weather teams.
Any word on that?

 

[Blue Raja]

thanks!

controversy is the spice of the struggle!
but what i am telling you is what works-
i have an 75% win rate on wifi and if you count RAGE DC'S its much higher!

i am serious about giving you a flwlss ev'd HMTop-

HMT is the best triples pokemon because it it rugged / has intimidate / has Fout / and wide guard- and late in the game with feint it can pick off scarfed or weakened monster! Nothing else can do so many jobs so well.

 

[Diz~]

Absol@ Dark Gem
Adamant Nature
+Super Luck
-Sucker Punch
-Sword Dance / Curse
-SuperPower
-Protect / Psycho Cut / Thunder Wave / Substitute
252 EV HP, 252 EV physical Attack, 4 Sp def.

I find Absol to be quite slow and weak both special defense and his defense, so Sucker Punch or any other priority move would be the ideal choice to be attacking first.
--------
Since Absol is basically slow in the first place, why not go with Curse instead of Sword Dance. This way you have a bit more defenses although your offense will increase go up slower. A Adamant Absol would have at it highest point be 394 Attack Power. Using Curse Can bring it up to nearly 594 Attack power and 234 Defense. This way you have more defense. 328 Defense if you decide to put all your EV into defense instead of HP or Speed. This can keep priority move in check. Also, you can increase it again to gain more defense and attack power.

Sword Dance bring your attack power to 788. Which is nearly double your original attack power. If you prefer to go all out and hit the opponent hard with a Sucker Punch.
-----------------------

SuperPower would be great if you are going up steel, rock, ice and normal type. Although if you use Curse, that might be a problem if you try to dish it out.

------------------------
Psycho Cut would be good to take care of fighting type. Although, most fighting would be faster than you, and see you as a prime target.

Thunder Wave is what I go for if you wish to give them a permanent effect and try to set up.

Substitute would be able to keep you from getting hurt at the cost of 25% of your health. But I wouldn't highly recommend this one.

Absol weakness is probably pure special attack. So it is best not trying to setup Absol against a Special Attacker.
Also taunt.

 

[Vandslaux]

Well, I'd suggest getting pokemon with good natures for Random Matchup.

And setting up is suicide in Triples, looking at Absol.

 

[Archstaraptor]

Absol@ Dark Gem
Adamant Nature
+Super Luck
-Sucker Punch
-Sword Dance / Curse
-SuperPower
-Protect / Psycho Cut / Thunder Wave / Substitute
252 EV HP, 252 EV physical Attack, 4 Sp def.

Sucker Punch or any other priority move would be the ideal choice to be attacking first.

I agree-it's why I use him in RM-Sucker Punch is absolutely amazing.
Paired with Attack investment and Super luck,I've seen it cripple a Conkeldurr in singles-which isn't bad at all considering the odds against him.

To x vandslaux x,it's actually not as bad as you might think in triples-paired with protect and Curse(which is agreeably the better choice-thank you )Sucker Punch is going to be dealing a lot of damage and it'll be fairly difficult to counter it because of Typhlosion to back him up.I do know what you're talking about however and will bear this in mind.

A sucker punch from this thing is scary-if they survive the first turn they might start using boosting moves,thus I use a boosting move and hit them the next opportunity I get.

Does anyone know the difference between HP EV investment and Defensive investment-they seem fairly similar to me.

Thank you everyone for your help!

 

[Blue Raja]

hp vs def investment

the simple way to think of it is-
full HP is 100% health
when you add to def-the percentage of damage attacks do is lessened.
whey you add to spdef the percentage of damage spatt do is lessened.

BULK
when you add to hit points the pool of potential damage is increased-the power of attacks or spatt is limited by the power of the attacks-

read the game mechanics section and you will get a better understanding of how to set up the ev's of your pokemon