Sir Bedevere
Smash Lord
I'm going to say right now that this team has not as played as many battles as my last one, but I've actually been facing stuff that is common in OU, unlike my last one (Trick Room Sunny Day with Sunflora is the best idea for a team ever and I wish I thought of it). However, I'm more worried about whether my newbishness and screwing around with stats has created some serious flaws in the construction of my team before I go on testing it. That, and Shoddy is laggy. /endcrapintro
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While playing through HG, I was really starting to appreciate the power of Heracross. I knew that Heracross usage in OU had been dropping significantly, so I decided I wanted to create a team based around getting a Heracross sweep in to help the little bug out in his standings. Since Heracross' most undesired stat is speed, and I didn't want to limit him to just using one attack (i.e. Scarf), I decided to go with the less conventional SubSalac set. But first, my team:
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WoW SRLead Heatran
Inferno Ant (Heatran) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 52HP/252SpAtk/200Spe
Modest Nature (+SpAtk, -Atk)
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
- Will-o-Wisp
- Stealth Rock
Overview
I originally had a Magnezone here(lol), but after seeing his lack of survivability and contribution to the rest of my team (as well as his Magnet Pull magnetizing earthquakes to crit on him every time
), I realized that Heatran filled this slot quite better, especially since it has a similar typing (and absorbs fire, which my team desperately needed). I found a set similar to this on Smogon, except I screwed around with the EVs and Nature (I don't like speed ties, and prefer having more bulk). WoW is useful for any leads Heatran outspeeds and wants to cripple (Tyranitar), as well as the Pokemon that normally switch in to try and set up on Heatran, thinking I'll run in fear of EQ (i.e. Gyara/Mence). Flamethrower is my own personal choice (accuracy>power imo), and I don't really miss out on any important KOs, especially with Modest.
You'll notice that a lot of the ways I deal with some common leads is switching, so you may be questioning why I am even using him as my lead. The reason is that Heatran is the only one who can really take Fire-attacks, and thus, revealing him at the beginning of the game makes the opponent very wary of ever using a Fire-attack, in fear of me simply switching to Heatran and proceeding to dent their team (against leads where I only use one move and switch, the possibility of a choice set will be in the back of the opponents mind as well, especially with Modest doing more damage than normal). After the lead is taken care of, Heatran can come back in any other time to set up SR to help the rest of my mons sweep.
With that said,
THEORYMEN TIEM
Against the top 10 most used Leads in OU of January:
Azelf: Flamethrower 2HKOs, Psychic+Explosion can't. Even better if they SR or Taunt first turn.
Metagross: Flamethrower. If it has Occa, it's a 2HKO and I live with Shuca (assuming he even has/uses EQ). If not, he's dead. I can also Earth Power if I predict a switch to his Fire-resist/own Heatran, but I don't like that, especially when Gyarados counters both moves (but as least takes damage/can be burned by Flamethrower).
Swampert: Uh oh. No safe switch-ins. Best I can do is go to Rotom to wall him and burn something, and hope they don't Protect or Roar (though why they would Roar against Rotom-W, IDK). I can then go to pretty much any Pokemon and start setting up/hitting things (i.e Emploeon, whose GK has a very good chance to KO after one turn of Burn Damage+Leftovers).
Jirachi: Throw some Flames. Either it U-Turns out to a counter (annoying but w/e, my team can take most of Heatran's counters), tries to abuse flinchhax, or SRs and either dies or lives on to be a very poor nuisance to my team. Trick is kind of meh; on one hand, they're guaranteed to know what move I'm using next turn (if any), but on the other, they've just given me a Scarftran who can cripple the things that outspeed Rotom. I make either option here based on how I'm feeling; Flamethrower is going to hit SOMETHING for some damage (unless it's another Heatran >.>) while switching gives me a chance to be on a better footing with the next Pokemon, but U-turn counters that.
Aerodactyl: Heatran can try to be ballsy and Flamethrower Aero to break its Sash for Rotom, but it's better to just go straight to Rotom on the predicted Taunt/SR/EQ and start Tbolting, which always 2HKO with the Sash. Stone Edge needs near max damage on both hits to KO with Leftovers factored in, so I have a pretty good chance of surviving. Rotom's next move depends on the move Aero used first; if SR, he can Pain Split the next switch-in (assuming he outspeeds; if not, then bye-bye Rotom :/), and if Taunt, he can switch out and come back to Pain Split another day. If EQ, he pretty much has free reign.
Infernape: Since only an incredibly ballsy Infernape would Fire Blast in a Heatran's face, Rotom can take any attack thrown at it, and Substitute. If he Fire Blasts, then after using Sub, I will survive with at least 16% (with leftovers), enough to Pain Split him down to where Tbolt can OHKO. Min damage reduces the damage from Pain Split enough that Tbolt only has a slight chance to OHKO, but if it doesn't, I can still take another FB and finish off with Tbolt, and Pain Split something again. If he SRs while I Sub, Tbolt is a guaranteed 2HKO, so no problems. The only thing that can really give me trouble is Encore. Also, this is Rotom-W, so there's a chance they might switch at any point during this encounter.
Roserade: Roserade would love to sleep Heatran (and might not want to TSpike if they think I'm all steel) so Honchkrow comes in to absorb it and threaten it with its STAB Night Slash (no need to Brave Bird since Night Slash 2HKOs without the recoil, and can crit). Roserade is outsped and can only either TSpike (which my team doesn't really mind, though Heracross is basically ruined. ) or HP Fire/whatever to do some damage. I don't really care if it switches out as my team isn't bothered by it, but sleep can annoy my team, so if it does switch, keeping Honch alive to absorb is priority.
Heatran: I always Earth Power first to get rid of Shuca/Sash, and kill any non-boosting variants (i.e. Scarftran) without them. If they SR, great, I have them in low health and can finish them off with another EP. If they EP, I can't stay in or I'll be outsped and KOed guaranteed. Rotom is safest, since he can't be KOed by Fire Blast and always outspeeds and takes out the rest of their health with Tbolt.
Tyranitar: WoW to cripple it and get out if it EQs. That's what it gets for screwing with my Heracross sweep. >:/ My next switch-in depends heavily on what I feel he fears more; Levitators or Fliers? Rotom to take EQ/Stone Edge and start Subbing to Pain Split, Honckrow for EQ/Crunch and to hit something with Superpower. If he chooses to Rest, my safety is guaranteed, although generally I won't switch second turn if I don't see EQ first turn. I can also switch to Heracross who can take any of his attacks and hit with CC, and can bluff as a Choice Scarfer for a while, at least until I need his other attacks.
Gliscor: I can try to cripple it with WoW, but Taunt will screw me over. My best bet is Mamoswine, who cannot be 2HKOed by EQ, but will always 2HKO (sometimes OHKO) any set Gliscor has, even with Leftovers. This is one of the reasons I'm considering Ice Fang for Mamo, since he outspeeds and OHKOs him, so there is no chance of it coming back to revenge later.
Results
I haven't used him as much with the rest of my team (since the switch from Magnezone was semi-recent) but he's achieved good results and he gets SR up when I need it, though I've been seeing a lot of Rapid Spin support lately. >.> WoW has saved me a number of times (as has Shuca; yes, Heatran, absorb my Flamethrower, now die to Modest EP while I survive with decent health >.>) and he is usually one of my last mons alive when I win (which has been always, since I haven't lost since I added Heatran to my team, though that isn't saying much).
Also, he could use a better name, but I'm quite happy with the rest of my names.
TEAM SYNERGY:
: Empoleon
: Honchkrow, Rotom, Heracross
: Rotom, Heracross
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Scarfed Pursuit Honchkrow
Demonic Pimp (Honchkrow) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 252Atk/36Def/220Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Superpower
- Pursuit
- Night Slash
Overview
The janitor of my team, and he does his job damn well. This is my own variation on the Scarf set. My team is not bothered by steels enough to make Heat Wave really worth it, so I maxed out Attack and allocated the rest into defense to take hits better on the physical side (which is where he needs it). I use Pursuit to get rid of any predicting required when up against weakened Pokemon without any kind of priority, since they either switch, and die, or stay in, and die. I keep Night Slash for things that aren't weakened but think they can outspeed me (90-100% HP Gengar). Insomnia allows it to absorb sleep and Brave Bird is a new toy from HGSS that is a massive upgrade to Drill Peck (Honchkrow's survivability is already quite poor, so taking extra damage from attacking is usually not a big deal). His grander purpose, however, is to get rid of all the Ghosts/Psychics that get in the way of my Heracross sweep.
Results
Love him.Eh He has great STABs and doesn't afraid of anything have a hard time switching in. Pursuit has served me well (except when I misuse it LOL LET'S PURSUIT A 30% PERCENT CELEBI AND GET TWAVED), and you know that Night Slash KOing full health Gengar theorymon? That actually happened. If Honchkrow's Speed and Special Attack stats were switched, he'd be absolute ****.
TEAM SYNERGY:
: Mamoswine, Rotom
: Empoleon
: Heatran, Empoleon
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Gaytom (By the way I totally didn't steal this set)
Wet Eradicator (Rotom-W) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 120Def/200SpDef/188Spe (30HP IV)
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Pain Split
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Substitute
Overview
Results
Rotom's really been a solid Pokemon and has helped give my team some special bulk (which it lacks). I haven't been able to get much use out of WoW yet, but Substitute, Thunderbolt, and Pain Split have formed an offensive yet defensive core that not many things have messed with (except Taunt Ambipom). He's become my "go to guy" with his excellent set of resists and immunities to attacks that trouble the rest of my team.
By the way I totally don't know who supermarth is.
TEAM SYNERGY:
: Honchkrow, Heatran, Empoleon, Heracross
: Honchkrow, Heatran, Empoleon
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CB Mamoswine
Gargantuan Pig (Mamoswine) @ Choice Band
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 4HP/252Atk/252Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpAtk)
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Super Power
- Stone Edge
Overview
Standard Mamoswine cleaning up the speedy fliers/levitators (Flygon, CB Staraptor, Gliscor) that hinder my Heracross sweep. An Expert Belt or a Life Orb might be possible choices, because I don't like having two of my physical attackers being forced out after each attack, especially with SR being on the field most of the time.
Results
He's performed as well as I could hope, and that's all I've really needed. However, his Choice Band has really screwed me over a number of times, so again, opinions on what the better item for him is would be nice. I'm also considering putting Roar over Stone Edge, since Stone Edge has yet to give me any coverage I didn't already have, and I'd like to have an option against Pokemon that are trying to set up. If I'm going for Roar, going all out and making this a Curse variant could be an option, though Mamo's terrible typing is making me apprehensive, and the boosts from Curse aren't helping (since Mamo is more exposed to special attacks). Need an opinion. D:
TEAM SYNERGY:
: Empoleon
: Rotom, Heracross
: Heatran, Honchkrow, Heracross
: Heatran, Rotom, Empoleon
: Heatran
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Agility + 3-Attack Empoleon
Metallic Doom (Emploeon) @ Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 24HP/252SpAtk/232Spe
Modest Nature (+SpAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
Overview
Standard penguin is standard. He teams up well with Mamo by resisting or walling the more common attacks thrown at each other, and with all the switches it forces, it's sure to get in an Agility and start sweeping alongside Mamo, who is the physical tank, while Empoleon is the special tank.
Results
The times I've came in and Agility'd on the switch has been astounding. Empoleon's really been quite the boon to my team, and he can keep in check some of the things that can mess up my Heracross sweep (Scarftran, Scizor, Dragons), but I'm considering switching Grass Knot to HP Electric to take down Gyarados, who can pose a problem to both this set and my Heracross. Considering I already have a Rotom who can OHKO with Tbolt already, however, I may want to keep it on just to deal with Swampert. Again, I need an opinion.
TEAM SYNERGY:
: Honchkrow, Rotom, Heracross
: Mamoswine, Rotom
: Rotom, Heracross
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3-Attack SubSalacSwarm Heracross
Destructo Bug (Heracross) @ Salac Berry
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 60HP/252Atk/196Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpAtk)
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge
- Substitute
Overview
I sacrifice SD for coverage. This thing has plenty of tricks. First off, if they expect SDSub (with only Stone Edge and no CC) and try to wall with a Steel type, they have delicious CC for breakfast. CC also means a Scarftran trying to come in after I sub gets outsped after the Salac and dies easily. If they get up SR, I can switch this in after one of my mons is KOed to scare whatever's in, then predict a switch and go to whatever will likely counter what they send out (I also discover their Heracross counter which I can KO later, or now). I can then send Heracross out later when their Hera-counter has been taken care of and take SR damage equivalent to using a sub, so my survivability to weak priority attacks isn't compromised. Also, I believe the most common variant of Heracross is Scarfcross with Guts, so if I get Burned or Poisoned (i.e. from TSpikes) or something, I can bluff Gutscross for a while and make killing my Heracross top priority for my opponent, when really, Heracross has become dead weight to the team, and I'm quite willing to sacrifice it to allow my other Pokemon to sweep.
Results
Heracross didn't always work for me, but when it worked, it worked well. Heracross' combination of moves fill some needed gaps in my team's offense, though the inaccuracy and defense drops have messed me up a number of times. I messed around with the EVs to give me more survivability (so I can survive a neutral attack if I can't sub, activate salac and sweep a bit till my lack of sub hurts me), but if I'm missing some key outspeeds with the given EVs, please tell me. Guaranteed, however, I need to keep Heracross on this team, since giving him some representation is the entire point of this endeavour.
TEAM SYNERGY:
: Honchkrow, Heatran, Empoleon
: Heatran, Rotom, Empoleon
: Heatran
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I've had some good results and have enjoyed using this team, but I'm still a newb and I still don't know whether I'm making silly errors in judgment/sets, or leaving massive weaknesses (though I know Bulky Waters can be a threat), so anything that can improve my Heracross team is appreciated. Thank you for reading/rating!
---
While playing through HG, I was really starting to appreciate the power of Heracross. I knew that Heracross usage in OU had been dropping significantly, so I decided I wanted to create a team based around getting a Heracross sweep in to help the little bug out in his standings. Since Heracross' most undesired stat is speed, and I didn't want to limit him to just using one attack (i.e. Scarf), I decided to go with the less conventional SubSalac set. But first, my team:
---
WoW SRLead Heatran
Inferno Ant (Heatran) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 52HP/252SpAtk/200Spe
Modest Nature (+SpAtk, -Atk)
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
- Will-o-Wisp
- Stealth Rock
Overview
I originally had a Magnezone here(lol), but after seeing his lack of survivability and contribution to the rest of my team (as well as his Magnet Pull magnetizing earthquakes to crit on him every time
), I realized that Heatran filled this slot quite better, especially since it has a similar typing (and absorbs fire, which my team desperately needed). I found a set similar to this on Smogon, except I screwed around with the EVs and Nature (I don't like speed ties, and prefer having more bulk). WoW is useful for any leads Heatran outspeeds and wants to cripple (Tyranitar), as well as the Pokemon that normally switch in to try and set up on Heatran, thinking I'll run in fear of EQ (i.e. Gyara/Mence). Flamethrower is my own personal choice (accuracy>power imo), and I don't really miss out on any important KOs, especially with Modest.You'll notice that a lot of the ways I deal with some common leads is switching, so you may be questioning why I am even using him as my lead. The reason is that Heatran is the only one who can really take Fire-attacks, and thus, revealing him at the beginning of the game makes the opponent very wary of ever using a Fire-attack, in fear of me simply switching to Heatran and proceeding to dent their team (against leads where I only use one move and switch, the possibility of a choice set will be in the back of the opponents mind as well, especially with Modest doing more damage than normal). After the lead is taken care of, Heatran can come back in any other time to set up SR to help the rest of my mons sweep.
With that said,
THEORYMEN TIEM
Against the top 10 most used Leads in OU of January:
) or HP Fire/whatever to do some damage. I don't really care if it switches out as my team isn't bothered by it, but sleep can annoy my team, so if it does switch, keeping Honch alive to absorb is priority.
Results
I haven't used him as much with the rest of my team (since the switch from Magnezone was semi-recent) but he's achieved good results and he gets SR up when I need it, though I've been seeing a lot of Rapid Spin support lately. >.> WoW has saved me a number of times (as has Shuca; yes, Heatran, absorb my Flamethrower, now die to Modest EP while I survive with decent health >.>) and he is usually one of my last mons alive when I win (which has been always, since I haven't lost since I added Heatran to my team, though that isn't saying much).
Also, he could use a better name, but I'm quite happy with the rest of my names.
TEAM SYNERGY:
---
Scarfed Pursuit Honchkrow
Demonic Pimp (Honchkrow) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Insomnia
EVs: 252Atk/36Def/220Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Superpower
- Pursuit
- Night Slash
Overview
The janitor of my team, and he does his job damn well. This is my own variation on the Scarf set. My team is not bothered by steels enough to make Heat Wave really worth it, so I maxed out Attack and allocated the rest into defense to take hits better on the physical side (which is where he needs it). I use Pursuit to get rid of any predicting required when up against weakened Pokemon without any kind of priority, since they either switch, and die, or stay in, and die. I keep Night Slash for things that aren't weakened but think they can outspeed me (90-100% HP Gengar). Insomnia allows it to absorb sleep and Brave Bird is a new toy from HGSS that is a massive upgrade to Drill Peck (Honchkrow's survivability is already quite poor, so taking extra damage from attacking is usually not a big deal). His grander purpose, however, is to get rid of all the Ghosts/Psychics that get in the way of my Heracross sweep.
Results
Love him.
TEAM SYNERGY:
---
Gaytom (By the way I totally didn't steal this set)
Wet Eradicator (Rotom-W) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 120Def/200SpDef/188Spe (30HP IV)
Timid Nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Pain Split
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Substitute
Overview
A defensive Rotom set that can wreck some major havoc with Pain Split. I was using max HP until I realized Pain Split does much more damage when the user's original HP stat is very low. I'm not sure if that's really optimal, considering I end up losing a bit of bulk (and have to lower my HP IV in order to get it divisible by 4 without spending EVs, which is kind of o.o), so help is appreciated here in case I'm screwing something up. By the way, I'm using Rotom-W to scare off Fire-types, since most of my team doesn't really have an answer to them without sacrificing something.
Results
Rotom's really been a solid Pokemon and has helped give my team some special bulk (which it lacks). I haven't been able to get much use out of WoW yet, but Substitute, Thunderbolt, and Pain Split have formed an offensive yet defensive core that not many things have messed with (except Taunt Ambipom
). He's become my "go to guy" with his excellent set of resists and immunities to attacks that trouble the rest of my team.By the way I totally don't know who supermarth is.
TEAM SYNERGY:
---
CB Mamoswine
Gargantuan Pig (Mamoswine) @ Choice Band
Ability: Snow Cloak
EVs: 4HP/252Atk/252Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpAtk)
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Super Power
- Stone Edge
Overview
Standard Mamoswine cleaning up the speedy fliers/levitators (Flygon, CB Staraptor, Gliscor) that hinder my Heracross sweep. An Expert Belt or a Life Orb might be possible choices, because I don't like having two of my physical attackers being forced out after each attack, especially with SR being on the field most of the time.
Results
He's performed as well as I could hope, and that's all I've really needed. However, his Choice Band has really screwed me over a number of times, so again, opinions on what the better item for him is would be nice. I'm also considering putting Roar over Stone Edge, since Stone Edge has yet to give me any coverage I didn't already have, and I'd like to have an option against Pokemon that are trying to set up. If I'm going for Roar, going all out and making this a Curse variant could be an option, though Mamo's terrible typing is making me apprehensive, and the boosts from Curse aren't helping (since Mamo is more exposed to special attacks). Need an opinion. D:
TEAM SYNERGY:
---
Agility + 3-Attack Empoleon
Metallic Doom (Emploeon) @ Life Orb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 24HP/252SpAtk/232Spe
Modest Nature (+SpAtk, -Atk)
- Agility
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
Overview
Standard penguin is standard. He teams up well with Mamo by resisting or walling the more common attacks thrown at each other, and with all the switches it forces, it's sure to get in an Agility and start sweeping alongside Mamo, who is the physical tank, while Empoleon is the special tank.
Results
The times I've came in and Agility'd on the switch has been astounding. Empoleon's really been quite the boon to my team, and he can keep in check some of the things that can mess up my Heracross sweep (Scarftran, Scizor, Dragons), but I'm considering switching Grass Knot to HP Electric to take down Gyarados, who can pose a problem to both this set and my Heracross. Considering I already have a Rotom who can OHKO with Tbolt already, however, I may want to keep it on just to deal with Swampert. Again, I need an opinion.
TEAM SYNERGY:
---
3-Attack SubSalacSwarm Heracross
Destructo Bug (Heracross) @ Salac Berry
Ability: Swarm
EVs: 60HP/252Atk/196Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spe, -SpAtk)
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge
- Substitute
Overview
I sacrifice SD for coverage. This thing has plenty of tricks. First off, if they expect SDSub (with only Stone Edge and no CC) and try to wall with a Steel type, they have delicious CC for breakfast. CC also means a Scarftran trying to come in after I sub gets outsped after the Salac and dies easily. If they get up SR, I can switch this in after one of my mons is KOed to scare whatever's in, then predict a switch and go to whatever will likely counter what they send out (I also discover their Heracross counter which I can KO later, or now). I can then send Heracross out later when their Hera-counter has been taken care of and take SR damage equivalent to using a sub, so my survivability to weak priority attacks isn't compromised. Also, I believe the most common variant of Heracross is Scarfcross with Guts, so if I get Burned or Poisoned (i.e. from TSpikes) or something, I can bluff Gutscross for a while and make killing my Heracross top priority for my opponent, when really, Heracross has become dead weight to the team, and I'm quite willing to sacrifice it to allow my other Pokemon to sweep.
Results
Heracross didn't always work for me, but when it worked, it worked well. Heracross' combination of moves fill some needed gaps in my team's offense, though the inaccuracy and defense drops have messed me up a number of times. I messed around with the EVs to give me more survivability (so I can survive a neutral attack if I can't sub, activate salac and sweep a bit till my lack of sub hurts me), but if I'm missing some key outspeeds with the given EVs, please tell me. Guaranteed, however, I need to keep Heracross on this team, since giving him some representation is the entire point of this endeavour.
TEAM SYNERGY:
---
I've had some good results and have enjoyed using this team, but I'm still a newb and I still don't know whether I'm making silly errors in judgment/sets, or leaving massive weaknesses (though I know Bulky Waters can be a threat), so anything that can improve my Heracross team is appreciated.
Thank you for reading/rating!
