This team didn't take very long to put together, and yet it's been one of my most successful on the ladder. However, I'm reaching a point where my wins and losses are roughly even, so I'm looking for some help to improve my win record and climb futher up the ladder.
So currently, the team's lineup looks like this:
Now, let's take a closer look at the team!
I wanted to try a really, really offensive team of relatively similar sweepers,so they each weaken opposing walls and let each other sweep, etc. I decided to go for all special sweepers. But first, all offensive pokemon appreciate entry hazards to weaken the opposition a bit - and who better for this role than the most reliable suicide lead around:
The one and only Deoxys-S! With his unmatched speed he will always get up SR, unless maced with an MH Taunter (but they can be neutered with Magic Coat), and unless facing a priority user or Tyranitar, usually at least one layer of Spikes, too. Perfect for my team.
Next, I went for a special attacker I've had success with in previous teams. With access to Nasty Plot, perfect two-move coverage and priority, he is a potent sweeper:
Nasty Plot Lucario was added to the team. After an NP there are few things he can't OHKO with the right move, and even things that outspeed him can often be dispatched with Vacuum Wave. The perfect choice for this team.
After Lucario, I wanted to try out what looked on paper to be a very powerful sweeper, with acces to one of the best boosting moves around:
Volcarona! With absolutely excellent stat distribution and Butterfly Dance, he is an extremely powerful sweeper. Add to this the decent coverage of his STAB moves, the very useful Flame Dance, and the very helpful Flame Body ability, and you've got one dangerous sweeper on your hands.
However, Volcarona does unfortunately have an absolutely crippling 4x Stealth Rock weakness, and it's vulnerable to both types of Spikes. To combat this, I needed a Rapid Spinner. Inkeeping with the specially-offensive theme of the team, there was only one option:
Starmie is by far the most offensive specially-based Rapid Spinner, so he was the logical choice. His excellent SE coverage granted by access to the BoltBeam combo in combination with the neutral coverage of his STAB Water moves give him a wide range of uses outside of Rapid Spinning, too.
At this point, I racked by brain for powerful special sweepers. Almost immediately I remembered the pokemon with a lot of hype and noise about him, with many even calling him broken. Having never tried his flagship set, I couldn't resist adding him to the team:
Choice Specs Latios! His STAB, Specs-boosted Draco Meteor off his phenominal 130 base SpA absolutely maims almost every pokemon in the metagame, bar very bulky Steel-types and the two pink blobs. In addition to this, his luring of Steel-types opens up excellent setup opportunities for both Lucario and Volcarona.
Finally, I wanted a simple sweeper; no setup, but no Choice item. And ideally a way to get around Chansey and Blissey. The perfect choice soon became clear:
SubSplit Gengar. I've not used Gengar much in the past, and never tried his SubSplit set, but when better to try it out than on this team? I chose the SubSplit set as I'd heard it could beat Blissey (and her younger sibling), something very valuble to my all-special team.
(this space will be used for changes suggested by you)
The one and only Deoxys-S! With his unmatched speed he will always get up SR, unless maced with an MH Taunter (but they can be neutered with Magic Coat), and unless facing a priority user or Tyranitar, usually at least one layer of Spikes, too. Perfect for my team.
Next, I went for a special attacker I've had success with in previous teams. With access to Nasty Plot, perfect two-move coverage and priority, he is a potent sweeper:
Nasty Plot Lucario was added to the team. After an NP there are few things he can't OHKO with the right move, and even things that outspeed him can often be dispatched with Vacuum Wave. The perfect choice for this team.
After Lucario, I wanted to try out what looked on paper to be a very powerful sweeper, with acces to one of the best boosting moves around:
Volcarona! With absolutely excellent stat distribution and Butterfly Dance, he is an extremely powerful sweeper. Add to this the decent coverage of his STAB moves, the very useful Flame Dance, and the very helpful Flame Body ability, and you've got one dangerous sweeper on your hands.
However, Volcarona does unfortunately have an absolutely crippling 4x Stealth Rock weakness, and it's vulnerable to both types of Spikes. To combat this, I needed a Rapid Spinner. Inkeeping with the specially-offensive theme of the team, there was only one option:
Starmie is by far the most offensive specially-based Rapid Spinner, so he was the logical choice. His excellent SE coverage granted by access to the BoltBeam combo in combination with the neutral coverage of his STAB Water moves give him a wide range of uses outside of Rapid Spinning, too.
At this point, I racked by brain for powerful special sweepers. Almost immediately I remembered the pokemon with a lot of hype and noise about him, with many even calling him broken. Having never tried his flagship set, I couldn't resist adding him to the team:
Choice Specs Latios! His STAB, Specs-boosted Draco Meteor off his phenominal 130 base SpA absolutely maims almost every pokemon in the metagame, bar very bulky Steel-types and the two pink blobs. In addition to this, his luring of Steel-types opens up excellent setup opportunities for both Lucario and Volcarona.
Finally, I wanted a simple sweeper; no setup, but no Choice item. And ideally a way to get around Chansey and Blissey. The perfect choice soon became clear:
SubSplit Gengar. I've not used Gengar much in the past, and never tried his SubSplit set, but when better to try it out than on this team? I chose the SubSplit set as I'd heard it could beat Blissey (and her younger sibling), something very valuble to my all-special team.
(this space will be used for changes suggested by you)
So currently, the team's lineup looks like this:
Now, let's take a closer look at the team!
~Speedy, Stealthy and Spikey~
Deoxys-S@Focus Sash
Timid | Pressure
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Stealth Rock
-Spikes
-Magic Coat
-Ice Beam
Deoxys-S@Focus Sash
Timid | Pressure
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Stealth Rock
-Spikes
-Magic Coat
-Ice Beam
The classic suicide lead. His speed means 99% of the time he gets SR up, unless I get outpredicted and fail to Magic Coat an MH Taunt. Thanks to Focus Sash, barring priority or Tyranitar (Hippowdon/Abomosnow don't sash him IIRC), he'll usually get up at least one layer of Spikes, too. If my opponent switches around or can't do enough damage in time, I often get up more layers. Magic Coat is useful for reflecting status moves, Taunt, and opposing hazard-setup attempts (though these aren't a major problem thanks to Starmie). Ice Beam was originally just a filler move, but I've found it extraordinarily useful - it cleanly OHKOs all Gliscor leads I've faced, as well as the occasional Landorus or Garchomp. It would be good for dealing with Dragonite, whose T-wave SubRoost set irritates the shit out of this team, but MultiScale screws this plan over, so I usually go for Magic Coat and hope he T-Waves instead of using Substitute.
~A Nasty Aura~
Lucario@Life Orb
Modest | Steadfast
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Nasty Plot
-Aura Sphere
-Shadow Ball
-Vacuum Wave
Lucario@Life Orb
Modest | Steadfast
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Nasty Plot
-Aura Sphere
-Shadow Ball
-Vacuum Wave
Ah, Nasty Plot Lucario. He generally comes out around midgame, once his problem pokemon (mainly faster pokemon who can take a +2 Vacuum Wave and threaten a KO) have been eliminated or weakened. He can also do an effective lategame sweep if necessary. With his useful resistances and threatening attacks, he finds many opportunities to set up and sweep (Ferrothorn, for example, is complete setup fodder for Lucario). The moves are fairly self-explanatory - Aura Sphere for STAB, Shadow Ball for perfect coverage, Vacuum Wave for priority (I don't use HP Ice because being able to deal with a variety of faster threats (of which there are many thanks to Luke's rather mediocre speed) is far more useful than being able to KO Glicor; unless I manage to predict the switchin, it doesn't help against the likes of Garchomp or Landorus as they outspeed and KO before I can use it, so it's pretty much just Gliscor). I use Steadfast over Inner Focus as if I get flinched, I'll usually then be able to outspeed and KO the opposing pokemon, and often sweep the whole team now that I've got a Scarf boost without being locked in.
~Star Of The Show~
(Okay not really, but it's the obvious pun)
Starmie@Life Orb
Timid | Natural Cure
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Hydro Pump
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Rapid Spin
(Okay not really, but it's the obvious pun)
Starmie@Life Orb
Timid | Natural Cure
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Hydro Pump
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Rapid Spin
Life Orb Starmie, with Rapid Spin in the last slot. I use Hydro Pump over Surf to somewhat make up for Starmie's rather mediocre base 100 SpA. BoltBeam provides Starmie's famed SE coverage, and in tandem with Hydro Pump it hits everything in the game for at least neutral (bar Shedinja). Rapid Spin is mandatory so Volcarona can function properly. I chose to use Offensive Starmie with Rapid Spin rather than proper Rapid Spin Starmie because the latter seems rather dead-weight outside of spinning, with no offensive investment or item meaning attacks just aren't powerful enough. This way, once I've spun rocks, I can still use Starmie's good speed and excellent coverage to sweep.
~Death From The Sky~
Latios@Choice Specs
Timid | Levitate
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Dragon Pulse
-Surf
-HP Fire
Latios@Choice Specs
Timid | Levitate
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Dragon Pulse
-Surf
-HP Fire
I cannot believe this is the first time I've used this Latios set. If I've eliminated and/or weakened all the opposing Steel-types, Tyranitars and pink blobs, Draco Meteor is basically a 90% accurate Sheer Cold. Latios generally comes in after something has died to kill whatever my opponent decides is their least important pokemon (or even better, the pokemon they think is their best remaining Latios check; if it ain't one of the aforemention pokemon, it's dying regardless). Surf is used to 2HKO Tyranitar switchins (I'm not sure if SpD Tar can survive or not, but I've 2HKOed all the ones I've come across). HP Fire is for Scizor and Ferrothorn, but I'm having doubts as to its usefulness - it's risky to use it on a predicted switch, and if I come in on them it's basically broadcasting that I'm running the move. It also means I lose the speed tie versus Gengar and other Latios, so I'm thinking of swapping it out in favour of Psycho Shock, Trick or Thunderbolt. Thoughts?
~A Bit Of Ghostly S&M~
Gengar@Life Orb
Timid | Levitate
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Substitute
-Pain Split
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
Gengar@Life Orb
Timid | Levitate
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Substitute
-Pain Split
-Shadow Ball
-Focus Blast
SubSplit Gengar. I use this a general-purpose sweeper / revenge killer. SubSplit is supposed to beat Blissey, but I don't really find it to work that well; it generally just ends up as a PP stall until I'm out of subs. Substitute is useful for general scouting purposes, blocking status, easing prediction etc etc, but Pain Split seems situational at best, since Gengar needs to have a Sub up on the turn Split is used to avoid just being OHKO'd after he uses it. Maybe I'm just using it wrong, but it seems rather 'meh'; would a SubDisable or just Sub + 3 Attacks set work better? Gengar is probably my least valuble team member, and I often find myself sacking him to a Latios' DM or just using as general death fodder to allow Lucario or Volcarona to set up. However, he is still useful just for general attacking etc.
~Dance Like A Butterfly, Burn Like A Moth~
(Why is there no DW artwork for Volca?)
Volcarona@Life Orb
Timid | Flame Body
-Butterfly Dance
-Flame Dance
-Bug Buzz
-HP Ground
(Why is there no DW artwork for Volca?)
Volcarona@Life Orb
Timid | Flame Body
-Butterfly Dance
-Flame Dance
-Bug Buzz
-HP Ground
Now this is the star of the show. If he gets a chance to set up and the opponent lacks a moveset resistor that's physically based (since by the time time a special one gets to attack I'm at +2 SpD and can get more boosts to KO), then it's basically gg. The moveset is fairly standard; I use Flame Dance over Fire Blast because of the superior accuracy, plus Flame Dance is great for nabbing extra +SpA while attacking. I use HP Ground as my coverage move because HP Rock doesn't really hit anything particularly significant for SE; Terrakion resists and Heatran is neutral, while HP Ground hits both for SE. Balloon Heatran cannot hope to KO Volca after a BD, so I'm free to Bug Buzz to pop the balloon, then KO with HP Ground. If Stealth Rock is off the field, I get shitloads of setup opportunities;Scizor is one of my favourite opponents, as is Ferrothorn (assuming no T-Wave). Even Blissey can be overcome after a few Dances.
So that's the team!
I don't have the time or energy to complete a full threatlist, but the major pokemon I've had problem with are pokemon that boost their SpD, especially Suicune, as he hits my only 'anti CMer', Volcarona, with an SE STAB, and opposing Volcarona - if one comes in against Deoxys and get a Dance up, I've basically lost; every member of the team is outsped an OHKO'd (Volcanora can survive non-HP Rock variants, but will always be a step behind the opposition and will ultimately lose the matchup).
I also hate T-Wave SubRoost Dragonite; all my team members absolutely hate paralysis (besides Starmie due to Natural Cure, and to a lesser extent Lucario since he's got priority). And with MultiScale, Dragonite is just so damn hard to kill, he usually manages to cripple at least half the team before finally dying.
Those are the major threats that have stood out for me, but I may add others as I remember/come across them. For now though, please rate away!
So that's the team!
I don't have the time or energy to complete a full threatlist, but the major pokemon I've had problem with are pokemon that boost their SpD, especially Suicune, as he hits my only 'anti CMer', Volcarona, with an SE STAB, and opposing Volcarona - if one comes in against Deoxys and get a Dance up, I've basically lost; every member of the team is outsped an OHKO'd (Volcanora can survive non-HP Rock variants, but will always be a step behind the opposition and will ultimately lose the matchup).
I also hate T-Wave SubRoost Dragonite; all my team members absolutely hate paralysis (besides Starmie due to Natural Cure, and to a lesser extent Lucario since he's got priority). And with MultiScale, Dragonite is just so damn hard to kill, he usually manages to cripple at least half the team before finally dying.
Those are the major threats that have stood out for me, but I may add others as I remember/come across them. For now though, please rate away!