So after reading
this post I decided to make a team through that method, it got into the 100's. I seriously thought/am thinking about making an RMT on it. It featured this core with Hippowdon and while unorthodox, it does pull its weight.
Hungry Hippo (Hippowdon) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Fang
- Slack Off
Mrs. Wall (Ferrothorn) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 208 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
- Protect
Mr. Stache (Gyarados) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Waterfall
- Dragon Tail
- How do these Pokemon's typings synergize well?
Well starting with Hippowdon, I needed a water, ice, and grass resist/neutrality. Ferrothorn was jumped out immediately since he provided spikes which worked very potently with SR and he could easily dispose of Waters with a Power Whip. Naturally, I put Jellicent in the slot, only to realize Jellicent couldn't do anything Volcarona because of the special defense boosts and I was weak to status. Giving up, I put a defensive Gyrados in and to my surprise it worked fantastically, having both its weakness resisted by Ferro and Hippo.
- Individually, what are each individual Pokemon's role in the core?
Hippowdon's primary role was to set up Sand Stream for my team and set up the all important Stealth Rock (in the beggining he was a phazer). If the situation calls for it, Hippo can tank an Outrage and retaliate with Ice Fang. Ferrothorn acts as the primary Dragon counter, spike setter, and special wall. Gyrados' job is to counter Volcarona, Scizor, and phaze with Dragon Tail. He is also the go to status absorber for this team with Rest (as a bonus he makes a great BU Breloom counter)
- Ultimately, how do each of these Pokemon's role contribute to winning?
Together each of these Pokemon have the goal to stall out the opponent as much as possible while maximizing the amount of residual damage the opponent receives so I can easily sweep. Hazards are the primary way getting damage to the opposing team. Leech Seed+Protect on Ferro provides consistent healing and damage. It's very easy to get all of them up with this core. The sandstorm induced by Hippowdon adds damage and forces switches for opposing weather teams (switching in inducer+switching out). Finnally D-Tail on Gyrdaos is the icing on the cake because the extra 8%/10%
minimum on opposing Pokes allows phazing to do >50% on each poke and ensures ko's.
- What can counter your core and how does it get defeated?
Very strong special attackers such as Latios are problematic for this core since it is primarily physically defensive. Particularly, Rotom-W causes trouble with Hydro Pump+volt Switch+HP Fire, but Ferro deals with very well.
I must say, SubSplit Gengar (I use lefties) makes the best partner for this core. He acts as a spinlocker and ensures that I can beat Latios. If Latios runs HP Fire, then I can insure I outspeed him and KO with Shadow Ball. If Latios doesn't he is manhandled by Ferrothorn. Pain Split adds to the madness by adding more residual damage.