Hello! I'm back with another team, but this time I have read the team building guides so that I can (hopefully) produce higher quality teams. I encourage giving this team a try as it seems to be very effective at what it does. Also "ETF" refers specifically to the core of the team which does well against many leads and pretty much holds the team together, as well as a little bit of VoltTurn added it to keep momentum and really confuse the opponents.
ETT Core
I LOVE this group, and often times find myself using Empoleon and Thundurus-T on the same team since they seem to work so well together. This group also has pretty strong offensive and defensive type coverage which is a plus. I only recently put Talonflame (who I NEVER use) because it checks a lot of threats that Empoleon and Thundurus-T can't handle alone. I'll explain more on that in a bit.
SETS
Empoleon (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Stealth Rock
Empoleon is great lead and also makes good use of Defog which is REALLY useful, what with 2 Flying-type Pokemon being so important. It does a good job of luring in Pokemon like Tangrowth who would normal wall it and force me to switch if I were running a bulkier set. However, 252+ SpA Empoleon Ice Beam vs. 244 HP / 48 SpD Tangrowth: 308-364 (76.6 - 90.5%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock, lets me 2HKO on a predicted switch. If for example the opponent is running Amoongus, or Ferrothorn, I can predict the switch and go into Talonflame. And even then, 252+ SpA Empoleon Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 92 SpD Amoonguss: 208-246 (48.2 - 57%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery, which is really useful with stall being all over the place. I decide to run Rocky Helmet just for a little extra chip damage, although Leftovers could be an alternative.
Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Atk / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
First things first, Mega Lopunny can do quite a bit of damage to the team. This is the reason I run Talonflame, aside from picking up the slack where Thundurus-T and Empoleon can't do anything. I needed something bulky enough to survive a Fake Out, HJK, or Return from M-Lopunny, and be able to OHKO or and least pressure it out. That is the reason for the set, which lets it do what the team needs it to do. In addition, Talonflame helps with Stall matchups as it can deal with a lot of common Pokemon that those teams usually run.
164+ Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 168+ Def Amoonguss: 284-336 (65.8 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
164+ Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 96+ Def Mega Venusaur: 204-240 (56.1 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
164+ Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Skarmory: 216-254 (64.6 - 76%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
164+ Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 56 HP / 0 Def Serperior: 300-354 (98.3 - 116%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Mega Lopunny Return vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Talonflame: 228-268 (63.5 - 74.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
164+ Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Lopunny: 302-356 (111.4 - 131.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Since there isn't much on the team that can handle M-Lop on their own, it was pretty much required that I run this Pokemon since it can do so much, and the team benefits from having these Pokemon removed. Talonflame also makes a nice little VoltTurn Core with Thundurus-T which is really nice.
Thundurus-Therian @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Volt Switch
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Thundurus-T is one of the most important Pokemon and for good reason. It can switch in on Clefable with little worry, especially if they are going for Thunder Wave, which lets Thundurus-T get its HP back and go for a Knock Off to help the team kill the Clefable later on. It can also do this to Chansey, although it will likely catch a Toxic, but its still nice to remove the Eviolite. You can also bring Thundurus-T in on Rotom-W and its variants to get from HP and prevent a switch on a predicted Volt Switch, which can really screw up your opponents game. In addition to this, Thundurus-I won't be able to spam TW since you can just switch in and absorb it, and then Volt Switch out or HP Ice. If Stealth Rocks were up when the Thundurus-I came in, your HP Ice should more than likely kill it. Also, you can OHKO Landorus-T and Lead Garchomp sets, as well as OHKOing standard Tank Chomp. You can also predict a Ttar switch while using Talonflame and go hard into Thundurus-T to get an easy Focus Blast kill (usually works best if they don't know you're holding FB).
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 180 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 416-494 (103.2 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 426-504 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 426-504 (119.3 - 141.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Landorus-T: 442-525 (115.7 - 137.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Thundurus: 224-265 (74.9 - 88.6%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
The Rest of the Team
SETS
Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 8 Atk / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Protect
Originally, I was running Mega Lopunny so that could use it with Talonflame and have a fast and strong Breaker. But it also made my team VERY weak to opposing M-Lops, and I did not want to leave it up to a Speed tie. It also gave me more physical attackers then I wanted so and left a gaping whole in my team for Zard X to come in and sweep after a DD. So i switched to Mega Diancie. This let me keep my fast Breaker, gave me a Dragon immunity, and and answer to Zard X.
8 Atk Mega Diancie Diamond Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Charizard X: 300-354 (101 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This is important since NOTHING except maybe Empoleon have the SLIGHTEST chance versus Zard X. Zard X also helped my chose my last team member but I'll get to that later. M-Diancie is just a strong, solid Pokemon that can deal with a lot of threats that this team will face, and helps open walls in the opponents defense so that the rest of the team can clean up later. It also takes care of Zard Y if Thundurus-T was unable to do it earlier.
Bisharp (M) @ Black Glasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 52 SpD / 204 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
Here I needed something to trap the Lati twins as well as a Ghost resist. I could've slapped Ttar on and called it a day, but I wanted another Dragon resist with a fast option to net a kill or trap them. That's why I chose Bisharp. It also lets me kill Clefable with Iron Head and give me a second Knock Off user, which is great since Thundurus-T doesn't like to spam attacks all day. The Black Glasses just make Bisharp's Dark-type attacks hit hard. I didn't run Life Orb because I don't want Bisharp to lose HP too quickly since it is rather important. I also didn't run Excadrill, even though I could use Sand Rush with the aforementioned Ttar or versus opposing Ttar, but it can't trap quite like Bisharp, and Thundurus-T and Bisharp already do a fine job of killing Clefable together, since Thundurus helps remove Leftovers or their held items, as well as the potential of a TW being used twice. Bisharp also helps the team fight Slowbro, hitting hard with its STAB Dark moves, or nailing it on the switch.
252+ Atk Bisharp Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 172 Def Clefable: 294-348 (74.6 - 88.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Black Glasses Bisharp Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 282-332 (71.5 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Virizion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Leaf Blade
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
Virizion may seem kind of weird, but she's here for good reason. I don't like relying on just one or two Pokemon to get rid of threats like Zard X or bulky Waters. Virizion helps with tough matchups like this since she naturally outspeeds both of the Zard Megas (if X is unboosted), and can kill Zard Y with Stone Edge, and do big damage to Zard X. She does prefer to have an SD up if she is to fight Zard X since she won't do enough damage to OHKO him on Turn 1 and outspeed him after the DD next turn for a kill.
252 Atk Virizion Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Charizard X: 156-184 (52.5 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Virizion Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Charizard X: 308-364 (103.7 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
In addition, Virizion can fight Slowbro, but need an SD to do it, which is part of why Bisharp and Thundurus-T are so important. She can fight him on her own, only having a 3.1% chance to 2HKO after SR and Leftovers recovery. With an SD or at least Slowbro having prior damage and an item removed, Virzion can take care of Slowbro.
+2 252 Atk Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 314-372 (79.6 - 94.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Virizion also deals with Quagsire and Rotom-W, OHKOing Quagsire after SR and doing a lot of damage to Rotom-W, while soft checking Excadrill (can survive one Iron Head with Sand damage, thanks to Leftovers).
252 Atk Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 372-436 (94.4 - 110.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 158-188 (52.1 - 62%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 314-372 (103.6 - 122.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Virizion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 462-546 (108.9 - 128.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Virizion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 458-542 (126.8 - 150.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This makes Virizion very important since Excadrill sort of slaps the team if it is left to do what it wants. The biggest threat is the Sand Rush variant, as it hits incredibly hard and is very fast. Virizion need to be played thinking multiple turns ahead and considering different options that the opponent is likely to go for.
Conclusion
This team is pretty fun to use and packs a punch. I would say the main goal is opening up the opponents defense and sweeping with either M-Diancie, Virizion, or sometimes Thundurus-T. The big weakness this team has is to Sand Rush Excadrill and well played Stall teams, though the matchup is doable. When I use this team, I often make double or more switches to gain a favourable matchup and keep the opponent from setting up their plays.
Replays
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/battle-ou-464156767
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/battle-ou-464160624
ETT Core
I LOVE this group, and often times find myself using Empoleon and Thundurus-T on the same team since they seem to work so well together. This group also has pretty strong offensive and defensive type coverage which is a plus. I only recently put Talonflame (who I NEVER use) because it checks a lot of threats that Empoleon and Thundurus-T can't handle alone. I'll explain more on that in a bit.
SETS
Empoleon (M) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Stealth Rock
Empoleon is great lead and also makes good use of Defog which is REALLY useful, what with 2 Flying-type Pokemon being so important. It does a good job of luring in Pokemon like Tangrowth who would normal wall it and force me to switch if I were running a bulkier set. However, 252+ SpA Empoleon Ice Beam vs. 244 HP / 48 SpD Tangrowth: 308-364 (76.6 - 90.5%) -- 25% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock, lets me 2HKO on a predicted switch. If for example the opponent is running Amoongus, or Ferrothorn, I can predict the switch and go into Talonflame. And even then, 252+ SpA Empoleon Ice Beam vs. 248 HP / 92 SpD Amoonguss: 208-246 (48.2 - 57%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery, which is really useful with stall being all over the place. I decide to run Rocky Helmet just for a little extra chip damage, although Leftovers could be an alternative.
Talonflame (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 164 Atk / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Flare Blitz
First things first, Mega Lopunny can do quite a bit of damage to the team. This is the reason I run Talonflame, aside from picking up the slack where Thundurus-T and Empoleon can't do anything. I needed something bulky enough to survive a Fake Out, HJK, or Return from M-Lopunny, and be able to OHKO or and least pressure it out. That is the reason for the set, which lets it do what the team needs it to do. In addition, Talonflame helps with Stall matchups as it can deal with a lot of common Pokemon that those teams usually run.
164+ Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 168+ Def Amoonguss: 284-336 (65.8 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
164+ Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 248 HP / 96+ Def Mega Venusaur: 204-240 (56.1 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
164+ Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Skarmory: 216-254 (64.6 - 76%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
164+ Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 56 HP / 0 Def Serperior: 300-354 (98.3 - 116%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Mega Lopunny Return vs. 248 HP / 4 Def Talonflame: 228-268 (63.5 - 74.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
164+ Atk Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Lopunny: 302-356 (111.4 - 131.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Since there isn't much on the team that can handle M-Lop on their own, it was pretty much required that I run this Pokemon since it can do so much, and the team benefits from having these Pokemon removed. Talonflame also makes a nice little VoltTurn Core with Thundurus-T which is really nice.
Thundurus-Therian @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Volt Switch
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast
Thundurus-T is one of the most important Pokemon and for good reason. It can switch in on Clefable with little worry, especially if they are going for Thunder Wave, which lets Thundurus-T get its HP back and go for a Knock Off to help the team kill the Clefable later on. It can also do this to Chansey, although it will likely catch a Toxic, but its still nice to remove the Eviolite. You can also bring Thundurus-T in on Rotom-W and its variants to get from HP and prevent a switch on a predicted Volt Switch, which can really screw up your opponents game. In addition to this, Thundurus-I won't be able to spam TW since you can just switch in and absorb it, and then Volt Switch out or HP Ice. If Stealth Rocks were up when the Thundurus-I came in, your HP Ice should more than likely kill it. Also, you can OHKO Landorus-T and Lead Garchomp sets, as well as OHKOing standard Tank Chomp. You can also predict a Ttar switch while using Talonflame and go hard into Thundurus-T to get an easy Focus Blast kill (usually works best if they don't know you're holding FB).
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Focus Blast vs. 248 HP / 180 SpD Tyranitar in Sand: 416-494 (103.2 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 426-504 (102.1 - 120.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 426-504 (119.3 - 141.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 8 SpD Landorus-T: 442-525 (115.7 - 137.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus-T Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Thundurus: 224-265 (74.9 - 88.6%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
The Rest of the Team
SETS
Diancie-Mega @ Diancite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 8 Atk / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Diamond Storm
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Protect
Originally, I was running Mega Lopunny so that could use it with Talonflame and have a fast and strong Breaker. But it also made my team VERY weak to opposing M-Lops, and I did not want to leave it up to a Speed tie. It also gave me more physical attackers then I wanted so and left a gaping whole in my team for Zard X to come in and sweep after a DD. So i switched to Mega Diancie. This let me keep my fast Breaker, gave me a Dragon immunity, and and answer to Zard X.
8 Atk Mega Diancie Diamond Storm vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Charizard X: 300-354 (101 - 119.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This is important since NOTHING except maybe Empoleon have the SLIGHTEST chance versus Zard X. Zard X also helped my chose my last team member but I'll get to that later. M-Diancie is just a strong, solid Pokemon that can deal with a lot of threats that this team will face, and helps open walls in the opponents defense so that the rest of the team can clean up later. It also takes care of Zard Y if Thundurus-T was unable to do it earlier.
Bisharp (M) @ Black Glasses
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 52 SpD / 204 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
Here I needed something to trap the Lati twins as well as a Ghost resist. I could've slapped Ttar on and called it a day, but I wanted another Dragon resist with a fast option to net a kill or trap them. That's why I chose Bisharp. It also lets me kill Clefable with Iron Head and give me a second Knock Off user, which is great since Thundurus-T doesn't like to spam attacks all day. The Black Glasses just make Bisharp's Dark-type attacks hit hard. I didn't run Life Orb because I don't want Bisharp to lose HP too quickly since it is rather important. I also didn't run Excadrill, even though I could use Sand Rush with the aforementioned Ttar or versus opposing Ttar, but it can't trap quite like Bisharp, and Thundurus-T and Bisharp already do a fine job of killing Clefable together, since Thundurus helps remove Leftovers or their held items, as well as the potential of a TW being used twice. Bisharp also helps the team fight Slowbro, hitting hard with its STAB Dark moves, or nailing it on the switch.
252+ Atk Bisharp Iron Head vs. 252 HP / 172 Def Clefable: 294-348 (74.6 - 88.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Black Glasses Bisharp Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 282-332 (71.5 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
Virizion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Leaf Blade
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
Virizion may seem kind of weird, but she's here for good reason. I don't like relying on just one or two Pokemon to get rid of threats like Zard X or bulky Waters. Virizion helps with tough matchups like this since she naturally outspeeds both of the Zard Megas (if X is unboosted), and can kill Zard Y with Stone Edge, and do big damage to Zard X. She does prefer to have an SD up if she is to fight Zard X since she won't do enough damage to OHKO him on Turn 1 and outspeed him after the DD next turn for a kill.
252 Atk Virizion Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Charizard X: 156-184 (52.5 - 61.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252 Atk Virizion Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Charizard X: 308-364 (103.7 - 122.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
In addition, Virizion can fight Slowbro, but need an SD to do it, which is part of why Bisharp and Thundurus-T are so important. She can fight him on her own, only having a 3.1% chance to 2HKO after SR and Leftovers recovery. With an SD or at least Slowbro having prior damage and an item removed, Virzion can take care of Slowbro.
+2 252 Atk Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 314-372 (79.6 - 94.4%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
Virizion also deals with Quagsire and Rotom-W, OHKOing Quagsire after SR and doing a lot of damage to Rotom-W, while soft checking Excadrill (can survive one Iron Head with Sand damage, thanks to Leftovers).
252 Atk Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Quagsire: 372-436 (94.4 - 110.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 158-188 (52.1 - 62%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Virizion Leaf Blade vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Rotom-W: 314-372 (103.6 - 122.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Virizion Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Excadrill: 462-546 (108.9 - 128.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Virizion Close Combat vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Excadrill: 458-542 (126.8 - 150.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
This makes Virizion very important since Excadrill sort of slaps the team if it is left to do what it wants. The biggest threat is the Sand Rush variant, as it hits incredibly hard and is very fast. Virizion need to be played thinking multiple turns ahead and considering different options that the opponent is likely to go for.
Conclusion
This team is pretty fun to use and packs a punch. I would say the main goal is opening up the opponents defense and sweeping with either M-Diancie, Virizion, or sometimes Thundurus-T. The big weakness this team has is to Sand Rush Excadrill and well played Stall teams, though the matchup is doable. When I use this team, I often make double or more switches to gain a favourable matchup and keep the opponent from setting up their plays.
Replays
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/battle-ou-464156767
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/battle-ou-464160624
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