Trial of a Researcher

[Metal~Mario]

I actually managed to acquire some Shoddy time recently by some odd twist of fate. I seized the opportunity and fought some matches

Spoiler

against Barrier Magmortar and Lead Ludicolo :/

Since I built my team mostly on favoritism and in 15 min, it sucks. Looking for some improvement advice.

Here we go!

Shiva (Froslass)@Choice Scarf
Timid/Snow Cloak
252Spd/252SpA/4HP

Ice Beam
Trick
Destiny Bond
Spikes

Spikes lead. Also IMO the only member that doesn't need significant help.
Mainly because most leads are screwed by Trick or DB.

Tarot (Gardevoir)@Light Clay
Modest/Trace
252HP/196Spd/60SpDef

Light Screen
Reflect
WoW
Psychic

DS Gardie. Lets me setup for Raikou and Metagross. I'm frustrated by how slow she is. A faster DS user is highly appreciated.
Fun Fact: I NEVER get WoW to hit on the first try.

Gliscor@Leftovers
Impish/Sand Veil
252HP/220Spd/36Def

Roost
Taunt
SR
EQ

Gliscor was the last member of my team to be decided upon. So he's here mainly to counter Ttar cuz the rest of my team is so weak to him.

Chaos Engine(Metagross)@Leftovers
Jolly/Clear Body
252At/252Spd/4HP

Meteor Mash
Agility
Thunderpunch
Ice Punch

Agiligross with coverage moves. I'm gonna change the nature to Adamant because his lack of power is frustrating.

Blitz (Raikou)@Leftovers
Timid/Pressure
252HP/32Spd/224SpA

CM
Thunderbolt
HP Grass
Shadow Ball

Standard CM sweeper. Swapped out Sub for Shadow Ball cuz I hate Latias.
I used to have Reflect on this guy, and have forgotten to change the EVs after I removed it. Standard spread of 252SpA/252Spd/4HP is good, right?

Stoner (Snorlax)@Choice Band
Adamant/Thick Fat
252At/58Def/200SpDef

Crunch
Body Slam
Earthquake
Selfdestruct

And my main guy! Snorlax is the only member of my team that I am 100% opposed to removing. I've found his Choice item rather inhibiting, but the extra damage is nice. I'm experimenting with various EV spreads on him.
Know a good mix of Def and SpDef?


Out of my battles I have discovered 3 big weaknesses in my team:

Stall
Scizor
Mamo

Anything that can alleviate these problems is greatly appreciated.

Don't sugarcoat things. Also don't suggest using Scizor. Finally, good nicknames for Froslass, Gliscor, and anyone else you suggest is appreciated.

I thank you in advance.

 

[xLeafybug =D]

Be weary of SpecsJolt carrying HP Ice.

You already pointed out, Scizor, but that's your biggest problem.

 

[Metal~Mario]

If I see Jolt, I go to Lax. If he uses T-bolt (and no LO recoil), I'll go to Gliscor and Taunt their switch-in.

 

[xLeafybug =D]

Jolt is usually a late-game sweeper whenever I use him. They could also scout you with Baton Pass instead of attacking your lax switch-in.

 

[Terywj [태리]]

Scizor says hi, so you should consider Rotom-H in part for Raikou. I'm not particularily sure as to what set though.

-Terywj

 

[Gates]

I seized the opportunity and fought some matches against Barrier Magmortar and Lead Ludicolo :/
I hope that's not the only practice you got.

Here we go!

Froslass@Choice Scarf
Timid/Snow Cloak
252Spd/252SpA/4HP

Ice Beam
Trick
Destiny Bond
Spikes

Spikes lead. Also IMO the only member that doesn't need significant help.
Mainly because most leads are screwed by Trick or DB.
Seems good enough. Few weaknesses if you predict right, fast, sets up an entry hazard, eliminates an opponent's lead...not much else you need in a lead.

Tarot (Gardevoir)@Light Clay
Modest/Trace
252HP/196Spd/60SpDef

Light Screen
Reflect
WoW
Psychic

DS Gardie. Lets me setup for Raikou and Metagross. I'm frustrated by how slow she is. A faster DS user is highly appreciated.
There are a ton of Dual Screen users so you better sit down cause this is going to take a while.

Cresselia is only faster by a hair and doesn't get access to WoW but has better defensive stats and Levitates. Lunar Dance is also an interesting last resort that you can use if Cressie is about to die or if one of your sweepers is statused. If you decide to go with her status move, TWave, you'll likely be losing to Taunt and won't have any way to recover, but otherwise she could work fine for you.

All Rotom-A forms learn Reflect and Light Screen but Rotom-W is considered the best user of it since he has access to Hydro Pump, which is better against Rotom's common counters like Tyranitar. However, any Rotom can run this set since it's basically just Dual Screen, Discharge, and their exclusive move (though if you're using Rotom-F I'd recommend Will-O-Wisp instead of Blizzard).

Uxie is in the same vein as Cresselia in that it can levitate, set up screens, and then faint itself to do something big. Memento isn't as good as Lunar Dance since your opponent can just switch out to get rid of the effects and Yawn isn't as good of a status inducer as TWave for the same reasons, but Uxie is faster and has higher defense than Cresselia.

Celebi could do something like Dual Screen and Leech Seed I guess, but any of its other sets would be better. It's a cute trick though that you may want to consider.

Jirachi is notable in using Dual Screen in that he can pass Wish, which is effectively like Lunar Dance only it doesn't heal status and your switch-in has to survive to get the effects of it. He's also generally solid defensively due to his typing and stats.

Espeon is a terrible pokemon, but it's fast, it can pass screens and Wish, and you're already running subpar pokemon, so why not consider it anyway?

Latias is fast and has access to Wish and Roar which means it can be a phazer and a passer as well as a screener. There's a good chance that people will also switch out if their pokemon is weak to one of ScarfLatias' moves since that's one of the most commonly run sets of it.

Starmie is very fast and can Rapid Spin but can't do much else besides that for the team. Rapid Spin can easily get blocked by Rotom who can then kill Starmie with TBolt or Discharge. Under a Light Screen this will be reduced, so if you end up using Starmie then prepare to always use Light Screen first. After you set up screens you can switch to Raikou and kill Rotom and then spin, I guess. It's manageable but not optimal.

Azelf is the fastest of all the ones I've mentioned so far and like Uxie he has a pseudo-status in the form of Taunt and a sacrificial move that can do a lot. In Azelf's case it's a move that can kill or severely damage any non-Ghost pokemon.

All these are things you can consider but tbh Dual Screens isn't really that necessary anyway.

Fun Fact: I NEVER get WoW to hit on the first try.
Because they switch into Heatran or because it's inaccurate? Anyway, if you're frustrated with it then switch to Thunder Wave.

Gliscor@Leftovers
Impish/Sand Veil
252HP/220Spd/36Def

Roost
Taunt
SR
EQ

Gliscor was the last member of my team to be decided upon. So he's here mainly to counter Ttar cuz the rest of my team is so weak to him.
Standard. Seems fine.

Chaos Engine(Metagross)@Leftovers
Jolly/Clear Body
252At/252Spd/4HP

Meteor Mash
Agility
Thunderpunch
Ice Punch

Agiligross with coverage moves. I'm gonna change the nature to Adamant because his lack of power is frustrating.
Adamant would definitely be better. If you need more speed you can just Agility again.

I'm also wondering how much coverage you get out of this exactly. It seems like you'd be able to hit steel types and other pokemon a lot harder with EQ than Thunderpunch.

Blitz (Raikou)@Leftovers
Timid/Pressure
252HP/32Spd/224SpA

CM
Thunderbolt
HP Grass
Shadow Ball

Standard CM sweeper. Swapped out Sub for Shadow Ball cuz I hate Latias.
I used to have Reflect on this guy, and have forgotten to change the EVs after I removed it. Standard spread of 252SpA/252Spd/4HP is good, right?
The spread you suggested is fine. If you want Raikou to really do damage though you should use Life Orb instead of Leftovers. I usually advocate Leftovers over Life Orb on boosting sweepers but in this case Raikou really needs the extra damage and when it comes to physical defense Raikou is a paper tiger.

tbh SubCharge Rotom would probably do better in this spot because of its bulk and additional resistances. Rotom-H could work here as Terywj suggested.

Stoner (Snorlax)@Choice Band
Adamant/Thick Fat
252At/58Def/200SpDef

Crunch
Body Slam
Earthquake
Selfdestruct

And my main guy! Snorlax is the only member of my team that I am 100% opposed to removing. I've found his Choice item rather inhibiting, but the extra damage is nice. I'm experimenting with various EV spreads on him.
Know a good mix of Def and SpDef?
If your team is weak to Scizor, I would reccommend fitting Fire Punch in here somwehere, though I can't think of what to replace it with. Taking out EQ seems like the best option but it leaves you weak to Heatran.

Best mix of Def and SpD is 252 Def/4SpD. Snorlax has plenty of SpD as is, he doesn't need any more. You could also do 252 HP/4 Def.

Out of my battles I have discovered 3 big weaknesses in my team:

Stall
Scizor
Mamo

Anything that can alleviate these problems is greatly appreciated.

Scizor and Mamo can both be solved by Fire Punch on Snorlax and SubCharge Rotom-H instead of Raikou.

"Stall" is vague and depends largely on what kinds of stalling you have trouble with. Generally speaking, Gliscor is good against most of what stall has due to Taunt and a powerful STAB physical move in Earthquake. Against Blissey you could run Azelf as your screener to Explode on it. If you need to phaze things you can use Latias as your screener for Roar. If you have issues with your sweepers getting statused you can use Cresselia to heal them as they come in. If your problem is entry hazards you can use Starmie, who can also be used to lure out Rotom so Snorlax can Crunch it.

Also don't suggest using Scizor.
Oh sorry, I didn't realize this team was designed to lose lol.

Finally, good nicknames for Froslass, Gliscor, and anyone else you suggest is appreciated.
"Pen1s" is always a good nickname.

Just saying "stall" isn't very helpful in knowing what you're having trouble with. Can you be more specific please? What aspects of stall are you having trouble with? What defensive pokemon are you having trouble with? Knowing stuff like that would help us help you.

 

[Wave⁂]

Mamoswine and Scizor can Superpower on the switch and OHKO Snorlax.

Rotom-H @ Leftovers / Levitate / Timid
56 HP/202 Speed/252 SpAtk
Substitute / Charge Beam / Shadow Ball / HP Fighting

 

[Gates]

Mamoswine and Scizor can Superpower on the switch and OHKO Snorlax.

If they predict it yes. I can see Scizor doing this since he can really come in on anything but I can't see Mamo doing this more than once since he just can't come in on as much.

Rotom-H @ Leftovers / Levitate / Timid
56 HP/202 Speed/252 SpAtk
Substitute / Charge Beam / Shadow Ball / HP Fighting

No Overheat?

 

[Terywj [태리]]

Overheat would be kinda dumb alongside Charge Beam, I would think.

-Terywj

 

[Player-4]

EVERYTHING but Snorlax(surprisingly) has to set SOMETHING up. You need to drop something for a power hitter, just some food for thought. I'm not really up for going over your whole team though lol.

 

[supermarth64]

Mamoswine and Scizor can Superpower on the switch and OHKO Snorlax.

Rotom-H @ Leftovers / Levitate / Timid
56 HP/202 Speed/252 SpAtk
Substitute / Charge Beam / Shadow Ball / HP Fighting

That Rotom set needs a lot more support in order to truly sweep. Here, use my Gaytom set (will change name later, currently is gay).

Rotom-A (probably C or H to scare away Swampert / Lucario and others) @ Leftovers
Timid | 252 HP / 68 Def / 188 Spe
Subsitute / Pain Split / Will-O-Wisp / Thunderbolt

Substitute blocks Scarfttar, while WoW cripples it. Pain Split vs Blisseys and other mons for free health, while Thunderbolt lets you whack stuff. EVs outspeed Adamant Lucario. Gets walled by Gliscor though.

IMO get rid of Scarf on Froslass. No one in their right minds would use Stealth Rock vs Froslass when they know it has Taunt. Go with a Sash and use Taunt instead. IMO the only reason you would use Scarf is to outspeed everything and get down 2 layers of Spikes, and even then priority leads ruin that thought.

 

[Pink Reaper]

IMO get rid of Scarf on Froslass. No one in their right minds would use Stealth Rock vs Froslass when they know it has Taunt. Go with a Sash and use Taunt instead. IMO the only reason you would use Scarf is to outspeed everything and get down 2 layers of Spikes, and even then priority leads ruin that thought.

This strikes me as odd logic. Dont use Scarf since no one will use SR for fear of taunt so drop Scarf and add taunt? If they wont rocks anyways, why bother with taunt?

 

[Metal~Mario]

Just saying "stall" isn't very helpful in knowing what you're having trouble with. Can you be more specific please? What aspects of stall are you having trouble with? What defensive pokemon are you having trouble with? Knowing stuff like that would help us help you.

Since everyone I've been fighting has been using UU for OU teams, it's Claydol and Registeel. Mainly it's because my prediction skills are subpar.

Thnx for the extensive list of DSers. I'm probably going to Uxie or Cressy.

Thanks to everyone else for their input.

I use Scarflass for its immunity to Trickscarf leads, like Smeargle.

I'm gonna drop Crunch for Fire Punch so I can handle Scizor. Good enough?

 

[Gates]

Have you been actually laddering on shoddy or just playing random people you know? Cause I almost never see UU pokemon when I ladder unless I just started laddering an alt and I'm seeing teams with Baton Pass and Rhyperior and stuff.

Most Smeargle are spore leads or passer leads, not trickscarfers.

 

[Metal~Mario]

Have you been actually laddering on shoddy or just playing random people you know? Cause I almost never see UU pokemon when I ladder unless I just started laddering an alt and I'm seeing teams with Baton Pass and Rhyperior and stuff.

Most Smeargle are spore leads or passer leads, not trickscarfers.

I think when your CRE is low(I'm at ~900) you end up fighting new players (like myself) who also have favorite-based teams.

As for Froslass, I like the Scarf anyways.

 

[Pink Reaper]

wow I didnt even know CRE went below 1000 >_>

 

[Gates]

ok PR we get it you're better than us gawd

 

[supermarth64]

For the record, my CRE was once 13 on a new account after a win and 2 losses.

Can't beat that.

 

[Gates]

oh **** supermarth, if you use Trick Room then you have a higher rating than any of us.

 

[Pink Reaper]

No I mean I thought it started and stayed at 1000. Like, I just thought thats where you start out.

 

[Metal~Mario]

Look at everyone laughing at my noobishness....

:\

 

[Gates]

No I mean I thought it started and stayed at 1000. Like, I just thought thats where you start out.

No, I think it starts at around 600 or so.

Look at everyone laughing at my noobishness....

:\

We're not laughing at you, everyone's lower than 1000 at some point.

 

[Metal~Mario]

I know....

Still :\

Gotta improve myself.

*Goes to Shoddy*

 

[Pink Reaper]

The ratings dont even matter that much. They decrease if you just randomly stop playing.

 

[Gates]

Oh, so that's how I dropped like 30 points from not playing OU for a week.