LonelyNess
Makin' PK Love
Ok, we're stealing this idea from Aldaron and this thread. Except this time we're only doing UU Combos.
This topic will have 2 purposes: to generate a huge list of accepted combinations (which I will update in code format in this topic) for random future use and for a future article, and to generate a preliminary team combinations combination + synergy guide in the future (I'll do this based on a specific format I will require submitters to adhere to).
defensive combinations - 2 Pokemon that use type resistances or general defensive stats (or both) to help switch into each other's threatening pokemon's attacks. Examples for type would be Salamence and Magnezone, as both resist all of the other's weaknesses (and coincidentally, all of the other types as well). Note I specifically used to offensively inclined pokemon to demonstrate this has to do with switching into attacks; offensive pokemon can be partners in defensive combinations. Examples for general defensive stats would be Hippowdon and Blissey; while they don't cover each other's type weaknesses, 1 covers the physical spectrum very well while the other covers the special spectrum excellently.
offensive combinations - 2 Pokemon whose attacks cover what the other cannot defeat. An example would be mix Expert Belt Tyranitar with Pursuit, Superpower, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam and Life Orb Heatran (fire blast, earth power, hp grass, explosion); Tyranitar beats Blissey and Gyarados (and can take an eq from flygon to deal with that) that give Heatran trouble and Heatran beats Swampert / Steel Pokemon that give Tyranitar problems.
both offensive and defensive (someone give me a good name for this) - 2 Pokemon that both cover each other's defenses well and beat what the other has difficulty with. An example would be Gyarados and Magnezone; they cover each other's weaknesses perfectly and 1 hits hard from the physical side while the other hits hard from the special side, meaning they cover each other offensively as well.
strategic (this is my catch all for all random combinations) - 2 Pokemon (or concepts) who work together, not necessarily through typing or offensively benefits, to accomplish some goal. Examples would be Toxic Spikes + Substitute Special Attack, like Roserade and Substitute Calm Mind Jirachi. These 2 don't necessarily have optimal defensive typings for each other or possess attacks that cover each other well, but the Toxic Spikes that Roserade provides helps Jirachi against Pokemon like Blissey, Swampert, Tyranitar, and Hippowdon.
This the format I want your submissions in (to help me when I am writing the article):
[Pokemon A@item and nature, move 1 / move 2 / move 3 / move 4 + Pokemon B@item and nature, move 1 / move 2 / move 3 / move 4]
[Combination Type]
[Brief explanation (no more than 4 sentences, you can give specific names to the pokemon to provide a more in detail look at the combination)]
[What this combination doesn't work on]
[What direction to go in order to fix what it doesn't work on]
Example:
[Moltres@Life Orb and Timid / Modest, Fire Blast / Air Slash / Hidden Power Grass / Roost + Toxicroak@ Life Orb and Adamant, Cross Chop / Stone Edge / Sucker Punch / Swords Dance]
[offensive]
[Moltres lures in all of the Pokemon that Toxicroak can consistently set up on such as Milotic, Chansey, and Regirock, and those Pokemon that can stop this particular variant of Toxicroak, like Venusaur, are all but free switch-ins for Moltres]
[Bulky Psychics are generally trouble, especially Uxie who can threaten to paralyze both of your sweepers. Ground-types such as Rhyperior and Dark-types such as Honchkrow make great partners to this combination.]
----------
Remember, please try to be brief while still explaining the main, necessary points.
Thank you very for much for your future contributions to this article ^_^
----------
DATABASE
I'll be updating this as you guys roll in with the combos.
Offensive:
Defensive
Both Offensive and Defensive
This topic will have 2 purposes: to generate a huge list of accepted combinations (which I will update in code format in this topic) for random future use and for a future article, and to generate a preliminary team combinations combination + synergy guide in the future (I'll do this based on a specific format I will require submitters to adhere to).
defensive combinations - 2 Pokemon that use type resistances or general defensive stats (or both) to help switch into each other's threatening pokemon's attacks. Examples for type would be Salamence and Magnezone, as both resist all of the other's weaknesses (and coincidentally, all of the other types as well). Note I specifically used to offensively inclined pokemon to demonstrate this has to do with switching into attacks; offensive pokemon can be partners in defensive combinations. Examples for general defensive stats would be Hippowdon and Blissey; while they don't cover each other's type weaknesses, 1 covers the physical spectrum very well while the other covers the special spectrum excellently.
offensive combinations - 2 Pokemon whose attacks cover what the other cannot defeat. An example would be mix Expert Belt Tyranitar with Pursuit, Superpower, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam and Life Orb Heatran (fire blast, earth power, hp grass, explosion); Tyranitar beats Blissey and Gyarados (and can take an eq from flygon to deal with that) that give Heatran trouble and Heatran beats Swampert / Steel Pokemon that give Tyranitar problems.
both offensive and defensive (someone give me a good name for this) - 2 Pokemon that both cover each other's defenses well and beat what the other has difficulty with. An example would be Gyarados and Magnezone; they cover each other's weaknesses perfectly and 1 hits hard from the physical side while the other hits hard from the special side, meaning they cover each other offensively as well.
strategic (this is my catch all for all random combinations) - 2 Pokemon (or concepts) who work together, not necessarily through typing or offensively benefits, to accomplish some goal. Examples would be Toxic Spikes + Substitute Special Attack, like Roserade and Substitute Calm Mind Jirachi. These 2 don't necessarily have optimal defensive typings for each other or possess attacks that cover each other well, but the Toxic Spikes that Roserade provides helps Jirachi against Pokemon like Blissey, Swampert, Tyranitar, and Hippowdon.
This the format I want your submissions in (to help me when I am writing the article):
[Pokemon A@item and nature, move 1 / move 2 / move 3 / move 4 + Pokemon B@item and nature, move 1 / move 2 / move 3 / move 4]
[Combination Type]
[Brief explanation (no more than 4 sentences, you can give specific names to the pokemon to provide a more in detail look at the combination)]
[What this combination doesn't work on]
[What direction to go in order to fix what it doesn't work on]
Example:
[Moltres@Life Orb and Timid / Modest, Fire Blast / Air Slash / Hidden Power Grass / Roost + Toxicroak@ Life Orb and Adamant, Cross Chop / Stone Edge / Sucker Punch / Swords Dance]
[offensive]
[Moltres lures in all of the Pokemon that Toxicroak can consistently set up on such as Milotic, Chansey, and Regirock, and those Pokemon that can stop this particular variant of Toxicroak, like Venusaur, are all but free switch-ins for Moltres]
[Bulky Psychics are generally trouble, especially Uxie who can threaten to paralyze both of your sweepers. Ground-types such as Rhyperior and Dark-types such as Honchkrow make great partners to this combination.]
----------
Remember, please try to be brief while still explaining the main, necessary points.
Thank you very for much for your future contributions to this article ^_^
----------
DATABASE
I'll be updating this as you guys roll in with the combos.
Offensive:
Code:
whistle
[[B]Espeon [/B]@ Leftovers and Timid, Substitute / Calm Mind / Psychic / Baton Pass + [B]Dugtrio [/B]@ Choice Band and Jolly, Earthquake / Stone Edge / Night Slash / Sucker Punch]
[Offensive]
[The purpose of this combination is to use Dugtrio to trap many of Espeon's standard counters, opening the way for either an Espeon sweep or a sweep by a similar special sweeper. Dugtrio can effortlessly trap and KO Shed Shell-less versions of Registeel, Chansey, and Drapion, which lets Roserade, Mismagius, and Yanmega have an easier run at the opposing team. After the opponent's counter is down, the next time Espeon comes in it is all but guaranteed at least one Calm Mind, which can either be used to sweep or be Baton Passed to one of Espeon's teammates.]
[This combination has problems with fast (over 110 base Speed) physical attackers not easily trapped by Dugtrio because they can KO Espeon and most of its specially-oriented teammates while not being revenge killed at the same time. Shed Shell variants of Chansey, Registeel, and Drapion also rain on its parade.]
[Since this combination is heavily offensively oriented, it is usually better to play around faster threats rather than run a defensive core to take them on. Speed Boost Yanmega can Protect to get faster than the aforementioned Pokemon, while priority users in conjunction with Stealth Rock can also help. Defensive Pokemon with Shed Shell are a much larger problem, but can usually be dealt with through a lure with Knock Off. Knock Off Venusaur lures in both Drapion and Registeel (and Chansey to an extent), while Ambipom is almost a surefire way to draw in Registeel. A strong Pursuit user such as Honchkrow or Absol can easily remove Chansey regardless of what item it holds.]
heysup
[[B]Magmortar[/B]@Life Orb and Mild, Fire Blast / Cross Chop / Hidden Power Ice / Thunderbolt + [B]Espeon[/B]@Life Orb and Timid, Calm Mind / Psychic / Hidden Power Ground / Shadow Ball]
[Offensive]
[Espeon can't really get passed Registeel, Chansey, or Spiritomb, but other than that it can be quite deadly. With Magmortar being able to switch in fairly easily and KO all of these Pokemon, it makes them quite dangerous together. Magmortar also weakens Milotic (Espeon can't OHKO this) and gets rid of Speed boost Yanmega and bulky Drapion (Espeon can't OHKO this)]
[Magmortar and Espeon both have trouble with Dugtrio, who can easily pick off Magmortar or Espeon. Honchkrow needs to be played around as well. Magmortar also needs some defensive support, as Espeon obviously can't switch in to take a hit.]
[With a Scarf Roserade (Sceptile and Venusaur work too) helping eliminating faster Pokemon like Dugtrio, this combination will have a much easier time breaking through the opposing team, due to being alive longer. Something to lure out and KO Dugtrio can also work, like Shuca Berry Drapion or Regirock, or even a Pursuit Honchkrow helps there. Pokemon with priority also help get rid of these threats, so Azumarill is a good bet to use with this combination.]
d2m
[[B]Leafeon[/B]@Leftovers/Lum Berry Timid, Swords Dance / Leaf Blade / Wish / Baton Pass + [B]Arcanine[/B]@Life Orb Adamant, Flare Blitz / Fire Fang (or Fire Blast with Naughty) / Thunder Fang / Extremespeed]
[Offensive]
[Leafeon draws fire attacks and outspeeds all non-scarfed Fire threats in UU. She then Baton Passes a +2 or +4 to Arcanine who snags the Flash Fire boost and proceeds to sweep pretty much everything. Wish allows Leafeon to pass multiple times and allows Arcanine to come in for free on resisted hits and through SR.]
[Roserade is the biggest threat to this combo as Sludge Bomb will OHKO Leafeon and hurt Arcanine, though Arcanine can take him out easily. Having another Pass recipient with high SpD and/or resistance to poison is advisable. Dual Screen support from Uxie or Mr. Mime also helps quite a bit.]
[I built a team around this combo and using promient physical threats that cover a wide range of resistances is the way to go. Muk is a great recipient to take on Roserade with great SpD, access to Shadow Sneak and Brick Break for unresisted coverage and Fire Punch and Thunderpunch for great coverage. Rest/talk is also viable for bulky sweeping.]
LonelyNess
[[B]Moltres[/B]@Life Orb and Timid / Modest, Fire Blast / Air Slash / Hidden Power Grass / Roost + [B]Toxicroak[/B]@ Life Orb and Adamant, Cross Chop / Stone Edge / Sucker Punch / Swords Dance]
[offensive]
[Moltres lures in all of the Pokemon that Toxicroak can consistently set up on such as Milotic, Chansey, and Regirock, and those Pokemon that can stop this particular variant of Toxicroak, like Venusaur, are all but free switch-ins for Moltres]
[Bulky Psychics are generally trouble, especially Uxie who can threaten to paralyze both of your sweepers. Ground-types such as Rhyperior and Dark-types such as Honchkrow make great partners to this combination.]
LonelyNess
[[B]Houndoom[/B]@ Life Orb and Timid, Nasty Plot / Fire Blast / Dark Pulse / Hidden Power [Rock] + [B]Typhlosion[/B] @ Choice Scarf and Modest, Eruption / Hidden Power [Ice] / Focus Punch / Flamethrower]
[offensive]
[Nasty Plot Houndoom packs enough power to take out most of its counters, unfortunately it does so at the expense of its own life. So what's a Pokemon player to do? Use a second sweeper that packs just as much power, and is even speedier so as to not worry about faster / scarfed Pokemon. Houndoom can easily pave the way for a Typhlosion sweep by taking out Milotic or Chansey, two of the few Pokemon that can hope to take an Eruption from Typhlosion.]
[Flash Fire Pokemon are unlikely to come in on Houndoom due to the threat of Dark Pulse and Hidden Power [Rock], so they can not be lured in and will likely still be in the way of a Typhlosion sweep. Packing something that can reliably take these Pokemon out such as Azumarill is highly recommended. Azumarill also doubles as a way to get rid of bulky Rock-types, such as Regirock, who too would not be lured in by Houndoom. Be sure to scout your opponent for priority, as it's sure to bring Typhlosion to its knees, most notable is TechTop, who will not only stop your Houndoom completely, but will force you to use the less powerful Flamethrower over Eruption.]
Code:
kd24
[[B]Milotic[/B]@Leftovers and Bold, Surf / Recover / Ice Beam / Hidden Power Grass + [B]Roserade[/B]@Leftovers and Timid, Spikes / Energy Ball / Rest / Sludge Bomb]
[Both strategic and defensive]
[Roserade resists all the Electric- and Grass-type attacks that Milotic would normally fear. Switching Roserade in will give an easy opportunity to use Spikes. When Roserade feels threatened, it can Rest and switch right back to Milotic, who resists Ice- and Fire-type attacks.]
[Strong Choice Band Pokemon can easily kill Roserade while still keeping pressure on Milotic. The easiest solution is adding a Registeel or a Steelix, as they can take the majority of Choice Band attacks that threaten both Roserade and Milotic. Registeel or Steelix can also Stealth Rock to accompany the Spikes. Rapid Spin would be a huge threat so adding a Ghost-type would also be ideal. Taking this route is optional, and you may choose a more offensive route that abuses Spikes to get more OHKOs.]
eo ut mortus
[[B]Chansey[/B]@Leftovers and Calm, Seismic Toss / Toxic / Softboiled / Aromatherapy + [B]Milotic[/B]@Leftovers and Bold, Surf / Recover / Hidden Power Grass / Haze]
[Defensive]
[While there is little to no synergy between them in terms of typing, sheer bulk enables the combination of Chansey and Milotic has the ability to cover almost all special attacking threats in UU. Between Haze and Toxic, there is also little fear of being set up upon by Calm Minders. Despite the massive amount of special bulk that this combination bears, it still has enough physical bulk to withstand the assaults of a number of physical attackers, as Milotic's defensive stats enable it to cover a good amount of physical threats.]
[A small percentage of special attackers can break this combination, including Calm Mind / Thunderbolt Mismagius, Nasty Plot Toxicroak, and Life Orb Roserade. Certain dedicated physical attackers, such as choiced Fighting-types, Flying-types, and Grass-types also give this combination trouble.]
[There are several Pokemon that can help patch up the weaknesses in this combination. Thanks to key resistances and solid defensive stats, a special defensive Drapion can cover the special attackers that Milotic and Chansey cannot handle . Dedicated defensive Pokemon with key resistances like Rotom (Fighting, Flying) and Registeel (Grass, Flying) are good answers to the physical threats that Milotic cannot handle.]
LonelyNess
[[B]Chansey[/B]@Shed Shell and Calm, Wish / Protect / Seismic Toss / Toxic + [B]Spiritomb[/B]@ Leftovers and Bold, Shadow Sneak / Sucker Punch / Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split]
[defensive]
[Essentially the SkarmBliss of UU. Chansey walls nearly every special attacker's attempts to do damage to a team, whereas Spiritomb comes in with impunity on a large portion of physical attackers and cripples with a quick burn.]
[Physically inclined Pokemon that are immune to Burn (notably, Arcanine and Blaziken) will pose a large threat to this combination. Use in conjunction with a bulky water-type such as Milotic or Azumarill is highly recommended]
Xenoincognito
[[B]Spiritomb[/B] @ Leftovers/BlackGlasses and Adamant/Impish, Pursuit / Sucker Punch / Will-o-Wisp / Pain Split + [B]Clefable[/B] @ Toxic Orb and Adamant, Facade / Encore / Softboiled / Thunder Wave]
[defensive]
[Clefable is a common lure for physical sweepers and priority users. Ambipom and Hitmontop can check Clefable, which is where Spiritomb comes in. Spiritomb can check both with the threat of Will-o-Wisp, allowing you to Pursuit them on the switch. If they get cocky and try to stay in, Spiritomb smacks them around with STAB Sucker Punch. Spiritomb is common set-up fodder for bulky sweepers like Raikou, Venusaur, and Milotic. This is where Clefable comes in. The enemy won't be expecting Encore on a Toxic Orb set, allowing you to Facade them after the Encore or Thunder Wave the switch-in. Also, Clefable can absorb Sleep Powder from Venusaur, who would otherwise get a free Swords Dance on Spiritomb.]
[There are a few weak spots. Blaziken can take both with ease. Nasty Plot Houndoom can get a free set up against Spiritomb, and then wreck Clefable on the switch. Gallade is also a troublesome threat. On paper, Spiritomb makes a good counter, but is OHKO'd with +2 Stone Edge. Hariyama can absorb Spiritomb's Will-o-Wisps with Guts, resisting its STAB attacks, and OHKO Clefable with its own STAB. A nice compliment to the pair is Swellow, who can cover all of these weaknesses effectively, as well as Ambipom to a lesser extent. Milotic is also bulky enough to deal with them, with the added bonus of Haze for Gallade.]
Code:
heysup
[[B]Azumarill[/B]@Choice Band and Adamant, Waterfall / Aqua Jet / Superpower / Double Edge + [B]Roserade[/B]@Life Orb and Modest, Leaf Storm / Sludge Bomb / Sleep Powder / Synthesis]
[Offensive and Defensive]
[This combination excels because they both abuse each others counters. Roserade has trouble reliably KOing Chansey, and can't get passed Registeel, while Azumarill loves switching into either of these Pokemon and unleashing it's 120 Base Power moves coming off its monstrous +1 436 Atk. Azumarill has a bit of trouble with Slowbro, Venusaur, and Milotic, but Roserade easily switches in (Slowbro can't KO with Psychic), Recovers, and fires off 140 BP STAB attacks off of a Life Orb boosted 383 SpA stat.]
[This combo will have a bit of trouble with Feraligatr, or even Swords Dance Leafeon. They can both set up on Azumarill and outspeed + KO Roserade, while Azumarill can't do anything back with Aqua Jet because they resist it.]
[Having a Choice Scarfed Pokemon with a super effective attack on each of these Pokemon is a great step towards softening this weakness. Rotom can outspeed and KO Feraligatr, and Will-O-Wisp Leafeon. Keeping something like Milotic could also help versus Feraligatr, while Arcanine helps with Leafeon.]
LonelyNess
[[B]Uxie[/B]@Light Clay and Timid, Thunder Wave / Reflect / Light Screen / Stealth Rock + [B]Hariyama[/B]@ Leftovers and Adamant, Substitute / Focus Punch / Stone Edge / Payback]
[both offensive and defensive]
[Behind screens, there are few things that can hope to break a Hariyama substitute, and with Paralysis support as well from Uxie, Hariyama is likely going before the opponent, eliminating status from the picture as well. From there, Hariyama can begin to fire off truly hellish Focus Punches. Stone Edge and Payback round off Hariyama's coverage to finish off what Focus Punch can't.]
[Taunt users will have their way with a non-attacking Uxie, most notably Ambipom and Froslass. Slow, bulky Ghosts and Psychics such as Spiritomb and Slowbro will also cause this combination trouble. Packing a Honchkrow to threaten these Pokemon and weaken them sufficiently with Pursuit is highly recommended as it brings them within KO range of Stone Edge or Payback]