Hello Smogon,
After toying around with random teams in 5th Generation for some time now, I decided to really focus on creating a new and successful team that I could use for a long time and never get tired of using it. I had pretty much played with nearly every type of OU team I could think of: (Rain, Sun, Sand, Dual Screens, Trick Room, Stall, etc..). The most success I had was with any team involving weather, for good reason. It seemed that if I didn't use weather, I would not nearly have a high enough win-percentage to my liking. However, this just made me more determined to create a successful non-weather team in this metagame.
~~ Team Building Process ~~
To start this team off, I needed a decent core of 2 Pokemon who compliment each other. As I was scrolling through a thread with possible Pokemon combinations, I noticed Scizor and Rotom-W. They balance each others weaknesses and can both be offensive powerhouses, just my kind of playing style.
These two Pokemon create an interesting core. Not only do they counter most of each others weaknesses, but they also get access to moves such as U-Turn/Volt Switch. Also, using those "run-away" moves are not the only thing they can do. If needed, they can hit back hard with their STAB moves such as Bullet Punch on Scizor or Hydro Pump on Rotom. With moves like U-Turn and Volt Switch in their arsenal, they are bound to force many switches. I would be a fool to not abuse this through entry hazards. But who can I use, without being TOO predictable..
Deoxys-S seemed to fit this role perfectly. It has enough of a surprise factor to keep my opponent on his/her toes until I have revealed all 4 moves. Not only can it set up Spikes or Stealth Rock, but it can also be used as a threatening wall breaker with moves such as Superpower and BoltBeam. As you will see below, I believe that I run an interesting set-up. I am still rather Ferrothorn weak and need another Pokemon to cause a few more switches.
The most used OU Pokemon from last generation makes another one of his appearances on this team. I cannot think of another Pokemon that can force as many switches as Heatran does. Whether he be an Offensive Tran or a Bulky Tran, he remains a threat to most teams. With the immunity to Toxic and Fire moves, he can come in on many walls not named Blissey or Chansey and threaten them away with his myriad of possible moves. He usually ends up pitted against Ferrothorn or Scizor who he rightfully forces to switch. At this point, I still needed a powerful wall breaker capable of coming in late-game and cleaning up. With Heatran covering Ferrothorn and other Steels, I knew just who to use.
Haxorus has to be one of my favorite Pokemon of this generation. Massive attack stat, pure dragon typing, has blades on his face... It was love at first sight. I feel as though Haxorus makes this team frightening. With Ferrothorn and other popular steels gone, Haxorus is free to spam Outrage all he wants, as long as he can outspeed it. With his speed being a slight issue, I still needed a reliable revenge killer. Scizor can be considered one with Bullet Punch; however, I needed one with a bit more versatility.
I am not sure why I do not see people use Scarfed Hydreigon much. With his large special attack stat, decent speed, and an abundant movepool, Scarf Hydreigon is a force to be reckoned with. He rounds out this team as a solid check to the Lati siblings and can revenge kill any Pokemon faster than Haxorus. Now it is time to go in-depth...
~~ Let's Take a Closer Look ~~
Deoxys-S @ Expert Belt
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Naughty
252 Attack/168 Sp Attack/88 Speed
~ Ice Beam
~ Fire Punch
~ Superpower
~ Stealth Rock
Deoxys-S is 99 times out of 100, my lead. The only time Deoxys-S would not lead is if I have played my opponent before with this team and they know how it works. In that case, I may lead based on what I believe they will lead with. Anyways, this is an Anti-Lead Deoxys. Some people may say that Anti-Leads are not necessary in Generation V, due to Team Viewer; however, so many people use Pokemon such as Tyranitar or Politoed as their leads, to get weather up. Superpower OHKOs Tyranitar, unless they run a ton of HP and Defence EVs, while Politoeds generally run away from Deoxys, expecting a Thunderbolt. The EVs allow me to hit targets hard while still being an incredibly fast Pokemon. Superpower is obviously there for Tyranitar, Fire Punch 2HKOs Ferrothorn, Ice Beam damages those pesky dragons, while Stealth Rock is there for support when I feel safe enough to use it. Deoxys is very effective at its lead role.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
Nature: Adamant
248 HP/252 Attack/8 Speed
~ Bullet Punch
~ U-Turn
~ Superpower
~ Pursuit
This is pretty much the standard Choice Banded Scizor set. Technician to boost CB STAB Bullet Punch's Base Power while Adamant is there to give myself a boosting nature. The speed EVs help me outpace Magnezones that do not invest in speed while the rest are dumped into Hitpoints and Attack. Bullet Punch hits anything that doesn't resist hard and is also a great revenge killing move because of priority. U-Turn is mainly to scout or hit Dark/Psychic Pokemon hard. Superpower is for Magnezone and Tyranitar, if I predict them switching in, and Pursuit traps the Lati crew and other Psychics. He is a very useful Pokemon to me, with his awesome partner Rotom to balance out his weaknesses.
Rotom-W @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid
252 Sp Attack/252 Speed/4 HP
~ Volt Switch
~ Hydro Pump
~ Hidden Power Ice 70
~ Trick
SpecsRotom is a wonderful thing. This is the second Pokemon in the ScizorWash core and is the second Pokemon on the team with a "Damage Switch" move. His typing allows me to switch him in on a predicted fire attack aimed at Scizor or an Earthquake aimed at Heatran. Timid is to outpace other Non-scarfed Rotoms, which is rather important. The Specs give Rotoms attacking moves incredible power. As long as it isn't resisted, Rotom's Volt Switch is a force to be reckoned with. I usually Volt Switch if I do not know the opponents team well enough to Hydro Pump. If a Ground Type switches in, I can always switch out to my other Pokemon, so that is usually not an issue. Hydro Pump is my most powerful move and can take down many of my opponents Pokemon. HP Ice lets me hit Lati@s for super-effective damage and KOs Salamence. Trick is for the pesky blobs, Blissey and Chansey; however, I also trick other walls and Physical set-up sweepers. Rotom has saved me in many battles.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Calm
252 HP/252 Sp Def/4 Def
~ Lava Plume
~ Toxic
~ Protect
~ Roar
Heatran provides an incredibly useful resistance to Fire, Grass, and Toxic. He is usually sent in on Ferrothorn or Scizor. 90% of the time, this is at the beginning of the match, and my opponent switches out into my incoming Toxic. If my opponent sends out a Latios against my Heatran, I will almost always Protect to scout for what Choice Move he chose. The Nature and EVs give me added Bulk on the Special side, since Heatran would not be able to take any Physical Fighting or Ground moves, anyway. Lava Plume is to hit for damage and the 30% chance of burn while Toxic is for those Bulky Walls. Protect is probably my favorite move, since it can scout for Choice attacks and can rack up Toxic damage while I gain a little bit of health through Leftovers. Roar is pretty much a filler move to phaze those sweepers who think they can set up on me. It was either Roar, Earth Power, or Substitute for that move slot and since Heatran isn't quite fast enough for Substitute and since I have other methods to deal with enemy Heatrans, Roar seemed the most viable.
Haxorus @ Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Adamant
252 Attack/252 Speed/4 HP
~ Outrage
~ Earthquake
~ Brick Break
~ Dual Chop
This is the beast that cleans up after all of the steels have been taken out. With 432 Attack, a Choice Band, and a STAB 100% accurate 120 Base Power attack, Haxorus is capable of annihilating an entire team. The EVs are there for maximum damage and maximum speed with an Adamant Nature. Outrage is my clean-up move while Earthquake is for dealing super-effective damage to Rotom and Fire Pokemon. Brick Break hurts Tyranitar pretty badly and Dual Chop is just for if I am not comfortable to spam Outrage, yet. My strategy with Haxorus is to not reveal him until the end of the game, when he can outspeed and KO the rest of my opponents Pokemon. A pure beast.
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid
252 Sp Attack/252 Speed/4 HP
~ Draco Meteor
~ Fire Blast
~ U-Turn
~ Focus Blast
My final Pokemon is Hydreigon. For some reason, I do not see this type of Hydreigon floating around. He makes a perfect revenge killer because my opponents do not expect the scarf and is capable of hitting many Pokemon for super-effective damage. Draco Meteor is my most fearsome attack and I use it on almost anything that doesn't resist it. Fire Blast hits those steels for me while Focus Blast is for Tyranitar. My last move is U-Turn and is primarily for scouting in the early parts of the match; however, I prefer to also use him later, with Haxorus, to clean up the scraps.
~~ The Crew ~~
~~ Threat List ~~
Excadrill - Usually have to hope he doesn't get a Swords Dance. But Scizor and Rotom can fare decently.
Conkeldurr - Rotom and Deoxys
Hydreigon - Deoxys followed by Scizor BP
Volcarona - Rotom or Heatran, if it doesn't have HP Ground.
Terrakion - Scizor
Landorus - Deoxys
Chandelure - Rotom
Haxorus - Hydreigon
Virizion - Hydreigon or Scizor
Thundurus - Hydreigon
Scrafty - Deoxys or Hydreigon
Reuniclus - Scizor or Haxorus
Victini - Rotom
Mienshao - Scizor, Hydreigon, and Rotom
Darmanitan - Rotom or Hydreigon
Keldeo - Rotom
Genesect - Hydreigon or Heatran
Tornadus - Rotom
Latias - Hydreigon or Scizor.. or even Heatran's Toxic.
Salamence - Hydreigon or Rotom
Cloyster - Hydreigon or Rotom or Scizor.. Heatran if it doesn't have a water move.
Politoed - Rotom or Hydreigon
Venusaur - Hydreigon or Heatran
Ninetails - Rotom or Haxorus
Toxicroak - Haxorus with Dual Chop for the Sub
Breloom - Have one of my useless Pokemon eat the sleep.. then send out Scizor or Heatran
Ditto - Hydreigon
Scizor - Heatran or Rotom
Ludicolo - Anyone except Heatran or Rotom, really
Metagross - Hydreigon
Infernape - Rotom or Deoxys
Heatran - Deoxys or Rotom
Dragonite - Rotom, Hydreigon, or Haxorus
Whimsicott - Haxorus Dual Chop
Jirachi - Hydreigon or Heatran
Rotom-W - Hydreigon or Deoxys
Gyarados - Rotom
Suicune - Rotom and Scizor spamming Volt Switch/U-Turn
Kabutops - Scizor or Hydreigon
Tyranitar - Hydreigon or Deoxys
Gliscor - Deoxys or Rotom
Blissey - Deoxys or Scizor
Bronzong - Hyrdeigon
Chansey - Scizor or Haxorus
Deoxys-S - Hydreigon and Scizor
Espeon - Scizor
Ferrothorn - Hmm.. Deoxys, Hydreigon, or Heatran should do the trick haha.
Forretress - Deoxys, Heatran, or Hydreigon
Gorebyss - Haxorus or Hydreigon
Hippowdon - Rotom
Jellicent - Rotom
Mew - Anyone really..
Porygon2 - Heatran, Scizor, Hydreigon.. many options
Skarmory - Hydreigon, Heatran
Tentacruel - Rotom
Vaporeon - Rotom
Sableye - Unless I know the set, anyone..
After toying around with random teams in 5th Generation for some time now, I decided to really focus on creating a new and successful team that I could use for a long time and never get tired of using it. I had pretty much played with nearly every type of OU team I could think of: (Rain, Sun, Sand, Dual Screens, Trick Room, Stall, etc..). The most success I had was with any team involving weather, for good reason. It seemed that if I didn't use weather, I would not nearly have a high enough win-percentage to my liking. However, this just made me more determined to create a successful non-weather team in this metagame.
~~ Team Building Process ~~
To start this team off, I needed a decent core of 2 Pokemon who compliment each other. As I was scrolling through a thread with possible Pokemon combinations, I noticed Scizor and Rotom-W. They balance each others weaknesses and can both be offensive powerhouses, just my kind of playing style.
These two Pokemon create an interesting core. Not only do they counter most of each others weaknesses, but they also get access to moves such as U-Turn/Volt Switch. Also, using those "run-away" moves are not the only thing they can do. If needed, they can hit back hard with their STAB moves such as Bullet Punch on Scizor or Hydro Pump on Rotom. With moves like U-Turn and Volt Switch in their arsenal, they are bound to force many switches. I would be a fool to not abuse this through entry hazards. But who can I use, without being TOO predictable..
Deoxys-S seemed to fit this role perfectly. It has enough of a surprise factor to keep my opponent on his/her toes until I have revealed all 4 moves. Not only can it set up Spikes or Stealth Rock, but it can also be used as a threatening wall breaker with moves such as Superpower and BoltBeam. As you will see below, I believe that I run an interesting set-up. I am still rather Ferrothorn weak and need another Pokemon to cause a few more switches.
The most used OU Pokemon from last generation makes another one of his appearances on this team. I cannot think of another Pokemon that can force as many switches as Heatran does. Whether he be an Offensive Tran or a Bulky Tran, he remains a threat to most teams. With the immunity to Toxic and Fire moves, he can come in on many walls not named Blissey or Chansey and threaten them away with his myriad of possible moves. He usually ends up pitted against Ferrothorn or Scizor who he rightfully forces to switch. At this point, I still needed a powerful wall breaker capable of coming in late-game and cleaning up. With Heatran covering Ferrothorn and other Steels, I knew just who to use.
Haxorus has to be one of my favorite Pokemon of this generation. Massive attack stat, pure dragon typing, has blades on his face... It was love at first sight. I feel as though Haxorus makes this team frightening. With Ferrothorn and other popular steels gone, Haxorus is free to spam Outrage all he wants, as long as he can outspeed it. With his speed being a slight issue, I still needed a reliable revenge killer. Scizor can be considered one with Bullet Punch; however, I needed one with a bit more versatility.
I am not sure why I do not see people use Scarfed Hydreigon much. With his large special attack stat, decent speed, and an abundant movepool, Scarf Hydreigon is a force to be reckoned with. He rounds out this team as a solid check to the Lati siblings and can revenge kill any Pokemon faster than Haxorus. Now it is time to go in-depth...
~~ Let's Take a Closer Look ~~
Deoxys-S @ Expert Belt
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Naughty
252 Attack/168 Sp Attack/88 Speed
~ Ice Beam
~ Fire Punch
~ Superpower
~ Stealth Rock
Deoxys-S is 99 times out of 100, my lead. The only time Deoxys-S would not lead is if I have played my opponent before with this team and they know how it works. In that case, I may lead based on what I believe they will lead with. Anyways, this is an Anti-Lead Deoxys. Some people may say that Anti-Leads are not necessary in Generation V, due to Team Viewer; however, so many people use Pokemon such as Tyranitar or Politoed as their leads, to get weather up. Superpower OHKOs Tyranitar, unless they run a ton of HP and Defence EVs, while Politoeds generally run away from Deoxys, expecting a Thunderbolt. The EVs allow me to hit targets hard while still being an incredibly fast Pokemon. Superpower is obviously there for Tyranitar, Fire Punch 2HKOs Ferrothorn, Ice Beam damages those pesky dragons, while Stealth Rock is there for support when I feel safe enough to use it. Deoxys is very effective at its lead role.
Scizor @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
Nature: Adamant
248 HP/252 Attack/8 Speed
~ Bullet Punch
~ U-Turn
~ Superpower
~ Pursuit
This is pretty much the standard Choice Banded Scizor set. Technician to boost CB STAB Bullet Punch's Base Power while Adamant is there to give myself a boosting nature. The speed EVs help me outpace Magnezones that do not invest in speed while the rest are dumped into Hitpoints and Attack. Bullet Punch hits anything that doesn't resist hard and is also a great revenge killing move because of priority. U-Turn is mainly to scout or hit Dark/Psychic Pokemon hard. Superpower is for Magnezone and Tyranitar, if I predict them switching in, and Pursuit traps the Lati crew and other Psychics. He is a very useful Pokemon to me, with his awesome partner Rotom to balance out his weaknesses.
Rotom-W @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid
252 Sp Attack/252 Speed/4 HP
~ Volt Switch
~ Hydro Pump
~ Hidden Power Ice 70
~ Trick
SpecsRotom is a wonderful thing. This is the second Pokemon in the ScizorWash core and is the second Pokemon on the team with a "Damage Switch" move. His typing allows me to switch him in on a predicted fire attack aimed at Scizor or an Earthquake aimed at Heatran. Timid is to outpace other Non-scarfed Rotoms, which is rather important. The Specs give Rotoms attacking moves incredible power. As long as it isn't resisted, Rotom's Volt Switch is a force to be reckoned with. I usually Volt Switch if I do not know the opponents team well enough to Hydro Pump. If a Ground Type switches in, I can always switch out to my other Pokemon, so that is usually not an issue. Hydro Pump is my most powerful move and can take down many of my opponents Pokemon. HP Ice lets me hit Lati@s for super-effective damage and KOs Salamence. Trick is for the pesky blobs, Blissey and Chansey; however, I also trick other walls and Physical set-up sweepers. Rotom has saved me in many battles.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Calm
252 HP/252 Sp Def/4 Def
~ Lava Plume
~ Toxic
~ Protect
~ Roar
Heatran provides an incredibly useful resistance to Fire, Grass, and Toxic. He is usually sent in on Ferrothorn or Scizor. 90% of the time, this is at the beginning of the match, and my opponent switches out into my incoming Toxic. If my opponent sends out a Latios against my Heatran, I will almost always Protect to scout for what Choice Move he chose. The Nature and EVs give me added Bulk on the Special side, since Heatran would not be able to take any Physical Fighting or Ground moves, anyway. Lava Plume is to hit for damage and the 30% chance of burn while Toxic is for those Bulky Walls. Protect is probably my favorite move, since it can scout for Choice attacks and can rack up Toxic damage while I gain a little bit of health through Leftovers. Roar is pretty much a filler move to phaze those sweepers who think they can set up on me. It was either Roar, Earth Power, or Substitute for that move slot and since Heatran isn't quite fast enough for Substitute and since I have other methods to deal with enemy Heatrans, Roar seemed the most viable.
Haxorus @ Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
Nature: Adamant
252 Attack/252 Speed/4 HP
~ Outrage
~ Earthquake
~ Brick Break
~ Dual Chop
This is the beast that cleans up after all of the steels have been taken out. With 432 Attack, a Choice Band, and a STAB 100% accurate 120 Base Power attack, Haxorus is capable of annihilating an entire team. The EVs are there for maximum damage and maximum speed with an Adamant Nature. Outrage is my clean-up move while Earthquake is for dealing super-effective damage to Rotom and Fire Pokemon. Brick Break hurts Tyranitar pretty badly and Dual Chop is just for if I am not comfortable to spam Outrage, yet. My strategy with Haxorus is to not reveal him until the end of the game, when he can outspeed and KO the rest of my opponents Pokemon. A pure beast.
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Timid
252 Sp Attack/252 Speed/4 HP
~ Draco Meteor
~ Fire Blast
~ U-Turn
~ Focus Blast
My final Pokemon is Hydreigon. For some reason, I do not see this type of Hydreigon floating around. He makes a perfect revenge killer because my opponents do not expect the scarf and is capable of hitting many Pokemon for super-effective damage. Draco Meteor is my most fearsome attack and I use it on almost anything that doesn't resist it. Fire Blast hits those steels for me while Focus Blast is for Tyranitar. My last move is U-Turn and is primarily for scouting in the early parts of the match; however, I prefer to also use him later, with Haxorus, to clean up the scraps.
~~ The Crew ~~
~~ Threat List ~~
