This team is a potent, volatile offensive team that is focused on removing checks to the original core of Zard X+Serperior while keeping the opposing team at bay before setting up and running through the opposing team. First off in the interests of freeing up moveslots on Zard and Serp I added the
lordiest Jirachi set of all time that was lovingly crafted by none other than
ShootingStarmie: Natural Gift+Apicot Berry Jirachi. For those who don't know,
Apicot Berry makes Natural Gift a 100 BP Ground move, allowing Jirachi to effortlessly remove Heatran and usefully hurt/kill Bisharp, Magnezone and other steels Jirachi previously couldn't touch. What this does is it allows Zard to run roost for longevity and Serperior to run HP Fire to become more self-sufficient.
I also love my opponent's reaction when their Heatran gets bopped. Next I had to fullfill 'using Charizard 101': Always, always, ALWAYS have a hazard remover. I tested a number of hazard removers in this slot but in the end it became a toss up between Roost Latias, HW Latias or Memento Latios. In the end I went with Memento Latios because of its ability to create easy set-up opportunities which I valued slightly over the longevity of Roost or the second chance of Healing Wish though if you are going to use this team you can change to either depending on your personal preference. After adding Latios I was starting to stack a Dark weakness and therefore a Bisharp and Weavile weakness. To help alleviate this I went with Specs Keldeo who is extremely valuable for the pressure he puts on the opposing team. It is also helpful as a poke that can both switch in and deal with Heatran. Finally, I needed rocks, I needed a blanket check to a vast array of threats to my team so who else is joining the team but Hippowdon? He provides me with a back-up Bisharp check, a much needed Talonflame check (hence max defence), a useful Excadrill check and a whole lot more. People are raving about this guy's defensive ability for a reason. Anyway, overall this team if quite efficient at acheiving its purpose but sometimes relies too much on Zard and Serp to get it over the line. Solid squad though.