Co-Helpers: Cicada , GeeMick , Facts .
Approved by IronBullet93 and Plus .
Thanks Living So Zambian and Givrix for the amazing logos.
1. Introduction
2. Team Analysis
2.1 Set Speculation
2.2 Win Conditions
3. Game Analysis
4. Conclusion
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Introduction
- Hello Tutees and Tutors! Welcome to the new Battling101 project "Tutee Tournament Analyses" hosted by Steve Angello , Cicada, GeeMick, Facts and me, Leftiez . We are going to have a look over one of the final battles and share our thoughts and commentaries. We are going to comment on the way they built their teams, how the battle went and how we would have played it.
- The purpose of this project is to help tutees by giving them insight on how we - the tutors - would have played. Last but not least, we will explain to you guys how they could have avoided some of their misplays and how they could have played it better.
Round 92-93
Team Analysis
- This battle showcases a mirror matchup, both players having brought a Venusaur-based Balanced with 5 Pokemon in common. The difference is that GeeMick chose to use Mew, while Obliviate brought Landorus-I instead.
- This detail apart, both teams consist of a Fire/Grass/Water core composed by Heatran, Venusaur and Starmie; supported by a Skarmory.Which is most likely a Spikes variant to wear down the opposing team as the battle progressesconsidering that they already have Starmie for controlling hazards; and Tyranitar which can check Charizard Y if it's the Scarf variant, since both teams are quite weak against it on paper.
- Speaking of their last Pokemon, both are running something that threatens bulkier teams (Landorus-I and Mew), supported by the synergy brought by the defensive core briefly explained above.
- Concerning Obliviate's team, we've noticed that Landorus is supported by Tyranitar which can trap/check some of its most-common checks such as Latias / Latios / Talonflame / Charizard Y, while having SkarmoryandHeatran for hazards which can aid Landorus in breaking teams effortlessly.
- On GeeMick's team, we have Tyranitar and Heatran as Talonflame/Fire-type checks, being annoying for Mew since it cannot do anything to them and Spikes plus SR again from Skarmory and Heatran to weardown opposingPokemon, in particular Heatran whichdefeats Mew in a 1v1.
- All in all, the teams are relatively indistinguishable, the onlynoticeable difference is their choice of a Stallbreaker, which has the potential to make a difference in actual battle depending on how both players play it out.
- Obliviate's team:Tyranitar / Venusaur / Skarmory / Starmie / Heatran / Landorus-I
- From the look of Obliviate's team, and given its relative lack of speed, it is likely that the Tyranitar is Scarfed, for a couple of reasons, namely the fact that Heatran is the more likely Stealth Rock setter, and that it makes for a better Pursuiter/blanket revenge killer, the pursuit factor especially helping Landorus-I damage balance cores. From the team's relative weakness to Bisharp, we can assume that it is carrying Superpower as its coverage move to reliably revenge kill it.
- Venusaur shouldn't be using too funky of a set (Sludge Bomb / Hidden Power Fire / Synthesis is to be expected), however Leech Seed isn't out of the question to allow it to regain enough health even under the sandstorm lowering its amount of health recovered through Synthesis.
- Starmie, on such teams, usually carries a bulky set consisting of Recover / Rapid Spin / Psyshock / Scald to take on a couple of Pokemon reliably such as Substitute plus Calm Mind Keldeo or Heatrans while finding opportunities to remove entry hazards. It is worth noting that, if the Venusaur carries Leech Seed over Hidden Power Fire, the Starmie might have Reflect Type over Psyshock so that Ferrothorn doesn't get infinite layers of hazards.
- With a spinner, a more common rocks setter in Heatran and a pursuit trapper capable of removing opposing hazard cleaners (Starmie, Latios) relatively easily, it is probable that the Skarmory carries Spikes. While it pretty much guarantees that Heatran carries Stealth Rock, the rest of the moveset is not quite certain.
- Considering the dire need of that team to get hazards against Sableye builds Heatran could run special attack investment and Fire Blast/Magma Storm. Another problem for that team is Specially Defensive Talonflame, so a move like Earth Power to hit it on the roost as well as punishing opposing Heatran's switches seems nice to run here. Taunt, Toxic and Protect all could be ran in order to deal more effectively with some threats or switchins.
- Lastly, Landorus' set. While its Rock Polish set is nowadays the most common one, it might be running 4 attacks as well. While obviously packing Earth Power, it seems that a move to at least hit neutrally Charizard-Y and Tornadus would suit the team well. Sludge Wave comes to mind, but since Fairies like Clefable and Azumarill aren't too threatening with Heatran and Venusaur, we could expect to see a Psychic, or even a Rock Slide set (the former helping the team fare better against Gengar, and the latter against Tornadus-T, Charizard-Y and Talonflame). At this point, we have three of the moves, assuming Landorus runs Rock Polish. Focus Blast seems to give good coverage along with either of the aforementioned, but we could also expect Hidden Power Ice, since the team is pretty annoyed by Taunt variants of Gliscor.
- GeeMick's team:Tyranitar / Venusaur / Skarmory / Starmie / Heatran / Mew
- As mentioned previously, both players are rocking a very similar structure, therefore we can reasonably expect another Scarf Tyranitar, the Skarmory and Heatran to be Spikes and Stealth Rock setters respectively, and Starmie to serve as a bulky spinner.
- However, something interesting to note is the last pokemon, which here happens to be Mew. While Nasty Plot Mew sets have seen some action in tournament play, here there aren't too many special attackers to pass boosts to, and considering the bulkier nature of GeeMick's team and its need of a second Metagross check, we can assume it's the stall / balance breaker set consisting of : Taunt, Will-o-Wisp, Knock Off, Roost. It might have defensive or specially defensive investment, depending on what GeeMick felt like being better off facing. Specially Defensive could make more sense here, considering the build's weakness to Landorus-I, which Obliviate just happens to have brought.
- With Mew being troubled by Fire-Types, and GeeMick's choice of running Heatran it shouldn't be assumed GeeMick took his opponent's team, and decided to slap a Mew over Landorus, it is safe to say that Heatran will be packing coverage for opposing Fire-Types, whether it be Earth Power, Stone Edge, or both.
- Without another ground immunity, we could assume that the Skarmory is Shed Shell, so that GeeMick doesn't get swept by Magnezone plus ground type cores. Another interesting fact is the lack of presumably Speed-Boosting win conditions for GeeMick, which forces him to play a bit safer due to having less clear of a gameplan towards the win, which in turn might force him to run bulkier spreads on his Pokemon, because he will be forced into safer plays as he doesn't have a win condition that can relieve the pressure off his defensive core through good playing.
- Obliviate
- The most evident thing whenobserving the team preview is that Landorus can deal great damage to GeeMick's team, with all of his mons being grounded and with Skarmory as his only Earth Power switch-in. The factors that can annoy it besides Skarmory are Starmie and an eventual Scarf Tyranitar. Which outspeeds Landorus and may OHKO it, with a potential ice beam. There's also the fact that Tyranitar can pursuit it to accumulate some crucial damage if Obliviate chooses to play it carefully by withdrawing Landorus. Also, Mew can take a hit from Landorus and possibly cripple it with Will-o-Wisp or Knock Off to hinder its usefulness.
- In addition, the probable use of Spikes can be clutch in this match-up, considering that all of GeeMick's Pokemon are grounded, so the hazard war between both teams could possibly determine who comes out on top.
- Thus, bringing me to the point that both Starmies will be signifcant in this match, be it for controlling the opposing hazards or having something to switch into Mew, which is an important aspect for GeeMick to win this match-up. It's even more critical for Obliviate to keep the hazards off the field in order to keep Heatran healthy for Mew.
- Because of it, Tyranitar is essential in pressuring Starmie if well-played, given that the one who manages to vanquish the opposing Starmie first is will have the advantage in this match-up. It can potentiallydamage Mew if played correctly, since Will-o-Wisp can render it useless.
- Now, viewing the opposing threats to his team, it's crucial to keep Heatran alive to keep Venusaur in check, Skarmory and more importantly Mew. The three of them can tank a hit from Landorus, with Mew becoming an annoyance if Heatran is knocked out, making it the most visible win condition from GeeMick's side. Skarmory is the sole Ground resist on the opposing team, so bringing it down is a great step to easily gain momentum.
- GeeMick
- As said above, the more visible win condition we can think of on GeeMick's team is his dedicated Stallbreaker, aka Mew. Even though it seems more difficult to fullfil its responsibility for beating the opposing team, the fact that Heatran doesn't have a recovery besides Leftovers, which can be negated with an eventual Knock Off, is a good thing to focus the thought process on. Also, Mew can take Landorus' hits if needed, given the lack of ground resists on the team, it's a good thing to keep it as healthypossible.
- Again, Starmie will be substantial for, controlling hazards, switching into Heatran and outspeeding Landorus.
- Setting up Spikes is great here to wear down Heatran, which will come into play later,whichwill allow Mew to cripple the rest of the team, and pressure the opposing defensive core with ease.
- Speaking of spikes, having the opposing Starmie knocked out first is huge in order to keep them on the field. Starmie can also take the burns from Mew without much drawbacks because of Natural Cure and in return potentially burn it with Scald, so I think beating it should be the main focus while thinking about a game plan. Tyranitar can pressure it if played carefully, while revenge-killing Landorus if needed.
- Lastly, it's obvious when seeing the team preview that the opposing Landorus can be a huge threat, as it is for most balanced teams, the only thing on GeeMick's team that can switch into Earth Power being Skarmory. Because of that, it's important to keep it alive in order to have something to switch into its Ground stab. When viewing the avaliable tools to check it on the squad, you can see that Starmie and Scarf Tyranitar can outspeed and do relevant damage to it. One interesting thing about Tyranitar is that he can also pursuit it, in case Obliviate chose to try scouting an eventual Ice Beam. Stone Edge and Crunch can also do some damage to it if it's in range of a KO or if it's obvious that it'll stay in. Also, Mew and Venusaur (if it doesn't have Psychic) can tank a hit in a pinch, it's always good to keep that in mind, so again try not to be overwhelmed by the hazards.
- We see GeeMick on the right field, while Oblivate is on the left. Both players have picked their leads and are ready for an amazing game. Oblivate leads off with Skarmory, which is not the optimal choice because Mew can wall most of his team and Landorus-i could take advantage if carrying Focus Blast, he should have led off with Starmie, in this case he would have been safer against Landorus-i and could still force Mew to switch out because of Scald burn. Considering that Oblivate struggles against Mew, GeeMick decided to use Mew as his lead and made a good choice, indeed he had nothing to lose by doing it because he could prevent Skarmory or Heatran from setting Stealth Rock, Spikes up and then keep the advantage. That was a smart play from GeeMick which definitely paid off since Oblivate led with Skarmory. Oblivate was forced to switch out due to the obvious Taunt, while GeeMick had more options.
- The first key turn occured in turn 2 when GeeMick made an amazing play by predicting Heatran's switch in and then used Knock Off, indeed that was a smart play since Oblivate struggles a lot aganst Mew and without Heatran's recovery he would not be able to wall Mew anymore. Oblivate defintely noticed that leading with Skarmory was a bad choice but doesnt give up. Until the next key turn occurred, the battle went into a double switch's spam.
- Then in turn 5 Oblivate managed to force a Starmie's switch in and then predicted it by sending his own Tyranitar, that was a very good play allowing him to trap Starmie which was GeeMick's hazard controller. GeeMick tried to handle it as much as possible by spamming Recover and wasting SandStorm turns since Pursuit only does 50-55% but unfortunately he didn't get the roll he needed to finish off Tyranitar and then eventually fainted. Oblivate definitelyhad the advantage at this point because he was now able to pressure GeeMick's team with hazards.
- Oblivate was playing great until turn 16 where GeeMick managed to predict Heatran's switch in by using Earth Power with his own Heatran which put him in a really good position, from this point GeeMick was now able to wall the entire team with Mew since Heatran died after two Knock Offs and Tyranitar has only 4% left. That was a bad play from Oblivate because risking Heatran when he had no reason too was completely unnecessary, especially when GeeMick revealed to be a bulky offensive Heatran with Magma Storm, the optimal choice would have been to fodder Tyranitar and then go to Starmie.
- After having settled Spikes with Skarmory, both GeeMick and Oblivate switched out, GeeMick sent Heatran while Oblivate sent Landorus, Oblivate was in a good position since heatran could not stay in. But when turn 24 occurred, Oblivate made a unecessary and poor play while having the advantage,he used Rock Slide predicting Skarmory which was totally useless since it does nothing to Skarmory and by doing that he risked being toxiced or taking damage. Fortunately GeeMick sent in Venusaur-Mega, but once again Obliviateused Rock Slidewhich didn't pay off because GeeMick stayed in and used Giga Drain, putting Landorus-I in Tyranitar's range for a KO. Oblivate had nothing to lose by using Earth Power knowing that GeeMick couldn't risk Skarmory on a Focus Blast because it was his only Ground check. GeeMick,on the other hand,did not have too many options since he needed Tyranitar to trap Starmie and prevent it from Rapid Spinning / burning the entire team.
- Then turn 30 occurred, GeeMick almost choked, he sentTyranitar into an incoming Scald from Starmie, that was completely unecessary since he had Venusaur, he could have kept Tyranitar to pursuit trap safely and then finish it off with Mew, fortunately for him Scald didn't burn but it still means he has to rely on winning a 50/50 to kill Starmie which is pretty lame at this point because he really needed to keep hazards up. Oblivate managed to win the 50/50 and switched out while GeeMick used Crunch. Oblivate has the advantage from now on since he still has his hazards on the field and Tyranitar is weakened. After that the battle went into obvious switches and plays until GeeMick sacked Tyranitar to Starmie allowing Oblivate to keep his hazard controller. GeeMick immediately noticed that he made a mistake which forces him to conservatively from this point on.
- Last Key turn that occurred was turn 54, after that Oblivate managed to set up 2 others Spikes with Skarmory in addition to trapping Heatran since he couldn't come back in with hazards up, he decided to send Starmie in and kill Heatran. Obliviate was in a good position until GeeMick sent in Mew and Recover spammed Obliviate while toxiced by Heatran, spammed Scald on Mew and eventually fainted to toxic damage, that was the worst play since he needed Starmie to handle Mew. He could still poison Mew with Venusaur as he did later in the game or heal Starmie then burn it with scald. After Starmie died the game was pretty much over for Obliviate since GeeMick just had to pivot with Mew / Skarmory / Venusaur-Mega then wall / kill the entire team. The battle ended on a stallfest which GeeMick obviously won.
- To draw a conclusion, we would say that the match was pretty much decided by mindgames, facing a Landorus-I while only having Skarmory as a ground check is a bad situation to be in, but GeeMick showed that he was prepared. Misplays and predicts made the battle very exciting to watch, even if it ended in a stallfest. Last but not least congratulations to GeeMick for winning this round and good game Oblivate for having reached finals twice in a row.
We hope you enjoyed reading it ! Yours Leftiez , Cicada , GeeMick , Facts and Steve Angello .
Special thanks to Facts for being a continuos contributer ! These grammar checks are greatly appreciated.