With my partner in crime stolen by Biosci, I had to fend for myself a good bit of the time. talkingtree still helped out when he could, but understandably was more focused on helping out his own team. This was my first time building solo (for the most part) in a while, and it was a welcome challenge.
As with SPL 9, I picked a band I had been listening to each week and nicknamed my Pokemon after songs from one of their albums. While this was a fun exercise, I started running out of bands because I didn’t want to repeat from SPL, which means I’ll have to come up with a new motif for next SPL. Enjoy my music recommendations while they last!
Stage 1 Phase 1 vs lady lumps
Hang On Me (Victini) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 120 HP / 36 Def / 168 SpA / 184 Spe
Modest Nature
- Blue Flare
- Psychic
- Glaciate
- U-turn
Pills (Tapu Fini) @ Mago Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 16 SpA / 44 SpD / 140 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Muddy Water
- Heal Pulse
- Taunt
Masseduction (Metagross-Mega) @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 104 HP / 216 Atk / 4 SpD / 184 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Ice Punch
- Stomping Tantrum
- Protect
Sugarboy (Landorus-Therian) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 212 HP / 116 Atk / 180 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Tomb
- U-turn
- Protect
New York (Kyurem-Black) @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 76 Atk / 180 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
- Protect
Los Ageless (Zapdos) @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Static
EVs: 236 HP / 88 Def / 72 SpA / 56 SpD / 56 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Tailwind
- Whirlwind
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 120 HP / 36 Def / 168 SpA / 184 Spe
Modest Nature
- Blue Flare
- Psychic
- Glaciate
- U-turn
Pills (Tapu Fini) @ Mago Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 16 SpA / 44 SpD / 140 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Muddy Water
- Heal Pulse
- Taunt
Masseduction (Metagross-Mega) @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 104 HP / 216 Atk / 4 SpD / 184 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Ice Punch
- Stomping Tantrum
- Protect
Sugarboy (Landorus-Therian) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 212 HP / 116 Atk / 180 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Tomb
- U-turn
- Protect
New York (Kyurem-Black) @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 76 Atk / 180 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
- Protect
Los Ageless (Zapdos) @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Static
EVs: 236 HP / 88 Def / 72 SpA / 56 SpD / 56 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Tailwind
- Whirlwind
Pretty standard looking Metagross team with Victini > Incineroar as the fire type. Victini provides a lot of utility in one slot while also exerting some decent offensive pressure. Psychic probably would have been Incinerate had I been aware of that trend, but Psychic was still nice for OHKOing Mega Gengar and doing some decent neutral damage when needed. I probably would do Calm Mind Fini instead of support Fini in retrospect just because the team could have packed a little stronger of a punch, but overall this was just a pretty even keeled team.
Stage 1 Phase 1 vs miltankmilk
Plum (Hoopa-Unbound) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Magician
EVs: 160 Atk / 96 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hyperspace Fury
- Hyperspace Hole
- Gunk Shot
- Hidden Power [Ice]
My My My! (Tapu Bulu) @ Grassium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 4 Def / 60 SpD / 136 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Seventeen (Landorus-Therian) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 128 SpA / 104 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
The Good Side (Salamence-Mega) @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 100 Atk / 156 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Double-Edge
- Hyper Voice
- Tailwind
- Protect
Bloom (Volcanion) @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 216 HP / 164 SpA / 16 SpD / 112 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Protect
Dance To This (Genesect) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Download
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 88 HP / 112 Atk / 56 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Ice Beam
- Flamethrower
Ability: Magician
EVs: 160 Atk / 96 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hyperspace Fury
- Hyperspace Hole
- Gunk Shot
- Hidden Power [Ice]
My My My! (Tapu Bulu) @ Grassium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 4 Def / 60 SpD / 136 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Seventeen (Landorus-Therian) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 28 Def / 128 SpA / 104 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
The Good Side (Salamence-Mega) @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 100 Atk / 156 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Double-Edge
- Hyper Voice
- Tailwind
- Protect
Bloom (Volcanion) @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 216 HP / 164 SpA / 16 SpD / 112 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Protect
Dance To This (Genesect) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Download
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 88 HP / 112 Atk / 56 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Ice Beam
- Flamethrower
This was probably the worst team I used in this tournament on paper if I had to pick one. Given miltankmilk’s history of using Gengar at every possibility, often accompanied by Kommo-o, I was adamant about using Scarf Hoopa in this game. Unfortunately, he only brought Kommo-o and it happened to be Timid so Scarf Hoopa accomplished approximately nothing. Looking back I really should have had more Kommo-o insurance. Or just a better team in general. Oops!
Stage 1 Phase 2 vs Biosci
Lovetap! (Scizor-Mega) @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Atk / 40 SpD / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Mason Jar (Incineroar) @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 116 SpD / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Dreaming (Tyranitar) @ Rockium Z
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
- Protect
Over & Over (Zapdos) @ Misty Seed
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 132 Def / 16 SpA / 56 SpD / 56 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Tailwind
Killer Whales (Tapu Fini) @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 132 SpA / 44 SpD / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Muddy Water
- Moonblast
- Heal Pulse
- Taunt
Karaoke (Zygarde) @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 64 HP / 240 Atk / 28 SpD / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Thousand Waves
- Superpower
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 252 HP / 132 Atk / 40 SpD / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bullet Punch
- Bug Bite
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Mason Jar (Incineroar) @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 116 SpD / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Dreaming (Tyranitar) @ Rockium Z
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 72 HP / 252 Atk / 184 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
- Protect
Over & Over (Zapdos) @ Misty Seed
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 132 Def / 16 SpA / 56 SpD / 56 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Tailwind
Killer Whales (Tapu Fini) @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 64 Def / 132 SpA / 44 SpD / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Muddy Water
- Moonblast
- Heal Pulse
- Taunt
Karaoke (Zygarde) @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 64 HP / 240 Atk / 28 SpD / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Thousand Waves
- Superpower
Pretty standard Scizor squad. Even though it’s not super common anymore, I figured I’d go back to my Snake Draft 1 roots since it worked pretty well against Biosci last year. Not a whole lot to say about this squad really, Rockium Tyranitar and Band Zygarde were meant to deter the fire types that give Scizor (aka punish Incineroar switches) trouble while Fini can keep it healthy. Standard Zapdos and Incineroar round it out.
Stage 1 Phase 2 vs Demantoid
Girls On Boys (Zapdos) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Static
EVs: 244 HP / 84 Def / 16 SpA / 108 SpD / 56 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Toxic
- Tailwind
- Roost
Hunter (Metagross-Mega) @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Zen Headbutt
- Hammer Arm
- Protect
Love On Me (Amoonguss) @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 19 Spe
- Foul Play
- Rage Powder
- Spore
- Protect
Hey Alligator (Zygarde) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 80 HP / 216 Atk / 8 Def / 24 SpD / 180 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Protect
No Money (Incineroar) @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 116 SpD / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- U-turn
True Feeling (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 12 HP / 4 Def / 240 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Nature's Madness
Ability: Static
EVs: 244 HP / 84 Def / 16 SpA / 108 SpD / 56 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Toxic
- Tailwind
- Roost
Hunter (Metagross-Mega) @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Zen Headbutt
- Hammer Arm
- Protect
Love On Me (Amoonguss) @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 19 Spe
- Foul Play
- Rage Powder
- Spore
- Protect
Hey Alligator (Zygarde) @ Groundium Z
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 80 HP / 216 Atk / 8 Def / 24 SpD / 180 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Protect
No Money (Incineroar) @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 16 Def / 116 SpD / 80 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- U-turn
True Feeling (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 12 HP / 4 Def / 240 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Nature's Madness
After losing 3 straight I just wanted to simplify everything and use something with which I had some past experience. This is a pretty bog standard set of 6 mons, with some different techs for what Demantoid liked to use, like Toxic Zapdos for Chansey and Hammer Arm Metagross + HP Fire Lele for Kartana.
Stage 2 Week 1 vs SMB
The Run And Go (Charizard-Mega-Y) @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 248 HP / 96 Def / 20 SpA / 144 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overheat
- Heat Wave
- Solar Beam
- Protect
Screen (Cresselia) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Icy Wind
- Helping Hand
- Trick Room
Truce (Landorus-Therian) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Defog
Guns For Hands (Buzzwole) @ Life Orb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 216 HP / 152 Atk / 68 SpD / 72 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Superpower
- Ice Punch
- Poison Jab
- Protect
Trees (Tapu Bulu) @ Grassium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 24 Def / 160 SpD / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower .
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Car Radio (Kyurem-Black) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 248 HP / 156 Def / 72 SpD / 32 Spe
Relaxed Nature
- Ice Beam
- Icy Wind
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 248 HP / 96 Def / 20 SpA / 144 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overheat
- Heat Wave
- Solar Beam
- Protect
Screen (Cresselia) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 140 Def / 116 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Icy Wind
- Helping Hand
- Trick Room
Truce (Landorus-Therian) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Defog
Guns For Hands (Buzzwole) @ Life Orb
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 216 HP / 152 Atk / 68 SpD / 72 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Superpower
- Ice Punch
- Poison Jab
- Protect
Trees (Tapu Bulu) @ Grassium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 24 Def / 160 SpD / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower .
- Swords Dance
- Protect
Car Radio (Kyurem-Black) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 248 HP / 156 Def / 72 SpD / 32 Spe
Relaxed Nature
- Ice Beam
- Icy Wind
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
After we made it to Phase 2, Sabella joined our team chat and started spitballing DOU stuff with me pretty often. We agreed that Trick Room looked pretty solid against SMB, and I liked the idea of Charizard as well. In testing, Charizard + Cresselia felt pretty incredible, as with both Icy Wind and Trick Room it was pretty easy to get into a position where Charizard was able to pretty freely fire off Helping Hand Heat Waves with little risk. I used Sitrus Berry instead of a pinch berry on Cresselia because it turned Gengar's Shadow Ball into a 3HKO instead of a 2HKO. I think hazard control is almost mandatory on Charizard teams these days and I had a free slot on Landorus so I threw on Defog. Kyurem provided some extra speed control while also handling opposing Landorus well. Buzzwole might seem like an odd choice but I really really loved its ability to knock out both Incineroar and low-bulk Landorus at -1. It also took care of Chansey, which I knew SMB liked to use on occasion. This is probably one of my favorite teams from Snake and I think it deserved better than me throwing an all but won game but c'est la vie.
Stage 2 Week 2 vs EmbCPT
Extraordinary (Latias-Mega) @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 56 SpA / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Ice Beam
- Calm Mind
- Roost
Rather Be (Kartana) @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 48 HP / 100 Atk / 4 Def / 232 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Tailwind
- Detect
Show Me Love (Rotom-Heat) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overheat
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Dust Clears (Landorus-Therian) @ Choice Band
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
- U-turn
Heart On Fire (Tapu Fini) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 184 HP / 48 SpA / 32 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Soak
- Trick
Up Again (Scrafty) @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 48 Def / 176 SpD / 28 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Low Kick
- Knock Off
- Taunt
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 56 SpA / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Ice Beam
- Calm Mind
- Roost
Rather Be (Kartana) @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 48 HP / 100 Atk / 4 Def / 232 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Tailwind
- Detect
Show Me Love (Rotom-Heat) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 72 HP / 184 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overheat
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Dust Clears (Landorus-Therian) @ Choice Band
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
- U-turn
Heart On Fire (Tapu Fini) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 184 HP / 48 SpA / 32 SpD / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Soak
- Trick
Up Again (Scrafty) @ Figy Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 48 Def / 176 SpD / 28 Spe
Careful Nature
- Fake Out
- Low Kick
- Knock Off
- Taunt
Sabella suggested Latias after seeing it in action earlier in the tournament, and I thought it would be fun to build around but wasn't fully convinced it was good enough to bring to a game. This team came together pretty easily to my surprise, and it played really well too so I rolled with it. Scarf Soak Fini obviously helps out Kartana and Electrium Z Rotom a lot, all but guaranteeing a KO if you can pull of a Soak + Gigavolt Havoc. Soak actually helps out Latias a lot too, but not in the traditional way. If you have Latias up against something like Metagross, Soaking Latias means that Metagross no longer has a way to hit Latias for even neutral damage if it's running the standard Steel/Ice/Ground set. You can also soak opposing Pokemon to remove their STABs and decrease their damage output that way. Soak is a really cool move and made this team very fun to use. This team was one of my strongest from Snake I think, just because it has tools to beat basically anything you can throw at it. Scrafty was picked over Incineroar to better matchups like Tyranitar and Landorus, and I went with Bandorus on this team because I thought I could use some more firepower and I already met my personal requirement of 2 ground-immune partners.
Stage 2 Week 3 vs Biosci
When It Was Now (Tyranitar-Mega) @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 184 HP / 204 Atk / 120 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Ice Punch
- Protect
All These Girls (Latias) @ Psychium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 104 HP / 4 Def / 132 SpA / 16 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Tailwind
- Heal Pulse
Centered On You (Amoonguss) @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Sludge Bomb
- Foul Play
- Rage Powder
- Spore
Trojans (Landorus-Therian) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Knock Off
- U-turn
If So (Volcanion) @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 216 HP / 164 SpA / 16 SpD / 112 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Heat Wave
- Sludge Bomb
- Protect
Electric (Tapu Koko) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 184 HP / 204 Atk / 120 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Ice Punch
- Protect
All These Girls (Latias) @ Psychium Z
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 104 HP / 4 Def / 132 SpA / 16 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Tailwind
- Heal Pulse
Centered On You (Amoonguss) @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 188 Def / 68 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Sludge Bomb
- Foul Play
- Rage Powder
- Spore
Trojans (Landorus-Therian) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Knock Off
- U-turn
If So (Volcanion) @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 216 HP / 164 SpA / 16 SpD / 112 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Heat Wave
- Sludge Bomb
- Protect
Electric (Tapu Koko) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch
This was one of the funkier teams I used in Snake but I definitely stand by it. talkingtree had told me about this Latias set when Biosci used it earlier in the tournament (albeit with Ally Switch over Heal Pulse), and I thought it sounded like a pretty cool partner for Mega Tyranitar. I originally went with a Dragon Dance set, but found that it was pretty underwhelming and preferred the immediate damage output of Stone Edge. Ice Punch was great for sniping Landorus and Zygarde, neither of which can OHKO Mega Tyranitar unless they are both at neutral Attack and using a Z move. I flipped Ally Switch to Heal Pulse on Latias to keep Tyranitar healthy, which paid dividends in this game too. I probably would have won this game had it not been for an untimely critical hit, so I was pretty happy that I was able to go out on a limb with a team and still perform well with it.
Stage 2 Week 4 vs Ezrael
Morph (Gengar-Mega) @ Gengarite
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Substitute
- Protect
Bandito (Landorus-Therian) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Sludge Bomb
- U-turn
Pet Cheetah (Zeraora) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 128 HP / 104 SpA / 72 SpD / 204 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Snarl
Chlorine (Volcanion) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 208 HP / 184 SpA / 116 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect
Neon Gravestones (Tapu Lele) @ Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Ally Switch
- Protect
Smithereens (Mandibuzz) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 60 SpD / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Roost
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
- Substitute
- Protect
Bandito (Landorus-Therian) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Sludge Bomb
- U-turn
Pet Cheetah (Zeraora) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 128 HP / 104 SpA / 72 SpD / 204 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Snarl
Chlorine (Volcanion) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 208 HP / 184 SpA / 116 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Heat Wave
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect
Neon Gravestones (Tapu Lele) @ Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Ally Switch
- Protect
Smithereens (Mandibuzz) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 60 SpD / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Roost
At this point in the tournament, Ezrael had really high Kartana usage, something like 7 out of 8 weeks. HP Fire Zeraora immediately jumped out as something I wanted to use against him, since it had some great utility in eliminating Kartana and slowing down megas like Gengar and Manectric for which he also had an affinity. I forget the exact process I went through when building this team but it ended up looking pretty janky. Mandibuzz + Gengar was really good at controlling the flow of games in testing, but I threw Mandibuzz away pretty early by switching it in on an Ice Beam. I think the early ideas for this team were pretty solid and HP Fire Zeraora certainly did what I wanted it to, but the rest of the team absolutely could have used more work.
Also I know I reused a band here but they had just released their new album and no power in heaven or hell was going to stop me from naming Zeraora "Pet Cheetah." Sue me.
Also I know I reused a band here but they had just released their new album and no power in heaven or hell was going to stop me from naming Zeraora "Pet Cheetah." Sue me.
Stage 2 Week 5 vs Nido-Rus
Heat of the Summer (Tapu Koko) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Defog
- Protect
Superposition (Charizard) @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heat Wave
- Overheat
- Solar Beam
- Protect
Simplify (Kyurem-Black) @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 76 Atk / 180 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
- Protect
Brother's Keeper (Landorus-Therian) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 224 HP / 32 Def / 136 SpA / 116 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Mirror Master (Kartana) @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 48 HP / 100 Atk / 4 Def / 232 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Tailwind
- Protect
Panoramic Girl (Chansey) @ Eviolite
Ability: Healer
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psywave
- Icy Wind
- Toxic
- Soft-Boiled
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Defog
- Protect
Superposition (Charizard) @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heat Wave
- Overheat
- Solar Beam
- Protect
Simplify (Kyurem-Black) @ Life Orb
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 76 Atk / 180 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Ice Beam
- Fusion Bolt
- Earth Power
- Protect
Brother's Keeper (Landorus-Therian) @ Yache Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 224 HP / 32 Def / 136 SpA / 116 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Mirror Master (Kartana) @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 48 HP / 100 Atk / 4 Def / 232 SpD / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Tailwind
- Protect
Panoramic Girl (Chansey) @ Eviolite
Ability: Healer
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psywave
- Icy Wind
- Toxic
- Soft-Boiled
Nido-Rus is very much a mixed bag when it comes to teambuilding so I just wanted to use something solid all-around. I really liked the first 5 Pokemon and originally had Amoonguss in the last slot but figured Chansey might be a little more useful. I think this is easily Chansey's best set, so I was happy I could fit all 4 moves on it since Stealth Rock was already elsewhere on the team. I don't really have words to describe how angry I was at myself for losing this game after an already really bad tournament since I knew we needed a good result as a team this week to make it to playoffs. This is just a classic example of me putting myself into a good position at the start of a game and throwing it away with some boneheaded plays and failure to assume I'd face a Choice Band Braviary.
Semifinals vs Ezrael
hollow (Bronzong) @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Psywave
- Skill Swap
- Sunny Day
- Trick Room
polychromatic (Heatran) @ Grassium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Solar Beam
- Protect
gray (Salamence-Mega) @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Protect
sublime (Tapu Bulu) @ Figy Berry
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 104 Atk / 4 Def / 60 SpD / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Swords Dance
- Protect
pressure (Tyranitar) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Atk / 76 Def / 92 SpA
Brave Nature
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
- Ice Beam
- Protect
one of us (Landorus-Therian) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Def / 156 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Psywave
- Skill Swap
- Sunny Day
- Trick Room
polychromatic (Heatran) @ Grassium Z
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Solar Beam
- Protect
gray (Salamence-Mega) @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Protect
sublime (Tapu Bulu) @ Figy Berry
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 104 Atk / 4 Def / 60 SpD / 88 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Superpower
- Swords Dance
- Protect
pressure (Tyranitar) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Atk / 76 Def / 92 SpA
Brave Nature
- Rock Slide
- Crunch
- Ice Beam
- Protect
one of us (Landorus-Therian) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
Similarly to my 2nd game against Biosci, the team I brought this week was also pretty out there but performed exactly how I envisioned. I had the idea to use Heatran + Skill Swap Bronzong pretty early on during this tournament but never got around to building it because I thought it was a little too wacky. I finally fleshed out and came up with this monstrosity. The point of Bronzong + Heatran is to Skill Swap Levitate onto Heatran (and subsequently Flash Fire onto Bronzong) in order to let it beat stuff like Landorus and Metagross incredibly easily. Sunny Day allowed Heatran to fire off some pretty powerful Heat Waves and actually make use of Solar Beam outside of the Z move. This pair still struggled with Zygarde since it bypasses Levitate, so the rest of the team was meant to improve that matchup as much as possible. Tapu Bulu was a pretty logical choice since I wanted a Thousand Arrows resist, and also allowed Heatran to OHKO Zygarde (and pretty much everything else that doesn't resist) with Bloom Doom in terrain. HP Ice Landorus slows down Zygarde a lot, while Draco Meteor Salamence is also fantastic against Zygarde. My other ground resist on the team even beats Zygarde in Trick Room, 2HKOing with Ice Beam and taking any attack from Zygarde other than a stray Superpower. The beginning of this game went incredibly well with Salamence sniping both Ezrael's Scizor and Zygarde, but I once again lost from a pretty strong position after I got Ally Switched and subsequently freaked out. I was pretty disappointed in myself for losing this one, both because I felt I played so well at the beginning and because it put our team in a pretty poor spot in the semifinals.
Overall, this was easily my most disappointing performance in any team tournament to date, especially coming off having the best record in DOU during SPL9. I had high hopes for Snake 2 but quickly realized something was off and really couldn't pinpoint it. I do think I started to improve towards the end of the tournament even if my results still didn't reflect that, so I'm looking forward to regrouping and coming back stronger next SPL.
Quick shoutout to talkingtree Sabella Finchinator miltankmilk Mizuhime and anyone else who helped me build and test during this tournament, I truly do appreciate you taking the time to chat with me about teams even though you had your own commitments this tournament. Thanks also to Evan. and Genesis7 for the pickup and to the rest of the Leviathans for the amazing experience, I had a great time during this tournament even though I know we all wanted more.
Thanks for reading!