Top Tiers - ~1500s
So I wanted to see just how much better the "top tier" pokemon
are in Sun and Moon Over Used.
So I wanted to see just how much better the "top tier" pokemon
are in Sun and Moon Over Used.
-------------Team Roles-------------
Gren: Revenger/Sweeper
Zyg: Wall Pressure/Revenger
Lando: Rocker/Wall Pressure/Pivot
Magear: SpD Wall/Pivot
Celes: Wall Pressure/Wall/Sweeper
Sci: Def Wall/Defogger
--------------------------------------------
Gren: Revenger/Sweeper
Zyg: Wall Pressure/Revenger
Lando: Rocker/Wall Pressure/Pivot
Magear: SpD Wall/Pivot
Celes: Wall Pressure/Wall/Sweeper
Sci: Def Wall/Defogger
--------------------------------------------
Build Process:
I knew I wanted to use Zygarde after getting full swept by him realizing that his attack makes most of the top tier defensive pokemon useless (Celesteela, Toxapex, Magearna, Heatran) and of course Ferrothorn is no counter and even gets set up on in some sets. The exception being defensive Lando-T. So I decided use the set that was best against Ferrothron since he is a very annoying top tier mon that is capable of being set up on by Zygarde.
Yung Snake - Pressure Zygarde
the fall of the anti-ferro set:
Yung Snake (Zygarde) @ Leftovers
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
about set:
The other offensive threats I was thorn between were Volcarona and Greninja. Volcarona was the choice that made more sense because Zygarde covers Heatran and Volcarona covers grass mons, however after testing I was getting really annoyed with having to play the hazards game. While I'm sure you can make a team that would resolve this issue I opted to go with Greninja-Ash since he has a priority move and realizing that the new Zygarde set would sometimes leave my opponents speedy sweepers alive, but low I decided Greninja made the most sense. Also being a higher tier of course influenced the decision ;)
Froggy Force Field - Sweeper Greninja
Froggy Force Field (Greninja-Ash) @ Waterium Z
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Extrasensory
about set:
After getting annoyed with playing the hazards matchup I also decided to add in Scizor-Mega which again works very well with the new priority-core in bullet punch which deals another large chunk to most sweepers. Although it is possible to win with Greninja if the opponent takes too much time setting up hazards due to his speed and Z preventing him from getting stalled against T-spikes having the Defog in the back is much more worth it. While he is not a top tier, Scizor-Mega is still a very high tier that synchronizes well with the team core. Other choices here could be Mew and Latios(as).
Crawdaunt Ass Lookin - Ground Control Scizor
Crawdaunt Ass Lookin (Scizor-Mega) @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- U-turn
about set:
The two defensive mons that we extremely easy to select where of course the highest rated pokemon in the current SM OU meta. The monstrous Special Defense wall, AV Magearna.
Lopunny-Mega-X - Great Wall Magearna
Lopunny-Mega-X (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 52 SpA / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Iron Head
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
about set:
The other top tier defensive mon is the monstrous jack of all trades Landorus-Therian. Originally Lando-T was a completely defensive mon for the team, but it was switched off that role to be a complete mix pokemon
Mr. President - Pressure Landorus
Mr. President (Landorus-Therian) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
about set:
Finally I chose another great defensive mon that helps with the Ferrothorn, Venusaur, Bulu and Tangrowth matchups for my team. Another great top tier wall,
Laputa - Pressure Celesteela
Laputa (Celesteela) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Air Slash
- Protect
- Flamethrower
about set:
Yung Snake - Pressure Zygarde
the fall of the anti-ferro set:
Zygarde @ Leftovers
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 152 SpD / 116 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Dance
this set is able to set up against non-gyro ball Ferrothorn
However, I was soon to realize he lost to other Zygarde sets, at +1 was still slower than some of the speedy mons in the tier and scarfers as well as that fact that he gets bodied by Tangrowth as well as HP [Ice] Lando-T. So I opted for a unique Zygarde set. He specializes in more of a revenge killer/mind games approach.
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 152 SpD / 116 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Protect
- Thousand Arrows
- Dragon Dance
this set is able to set up against non-gyro ball Ferrothorn
However, I was soon to realize he lost to other Zygarde sets, at +1 was still slower than some of the speedy mons in the tier and scarfers as well as that fact that he gets bodied by Tangrowth as well as HP [Ice] Lando-T. So I opted for a unique Zygarde set. He specializes in more of a revenge killer/mind games approach.
Yung Snake (Zygarde) @ Leftovers
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
about set:
With this he is able to 1v1 or at least heavily punish Alakazam-Mega, Greninja-Ash, Greninja, Tapu Koko, Lopunny-Mega {even after rocks!) and I'm sure a lot more speedy mons. Because the set runs toxic you can also trick an opponent's Tangrowth or Lando-T when you use substitute. If you sub-up they think for sure that you are some type of boosting set and will likely send in one of these mons which you can now stall out!
The other offensive threats I was thorn between were Volcarona and Greninja. Volcarona was the choice that made more sense because Zygarde covers Heatran and Volcarona covers grass mons, however after testing I was getting really annoyed with having to play the hazards game. While I'm sure you can make a team that would resolve this issue I opted to go with Greninja-Ash since he has a priority move and realizing that the new Zygarde set would sometimes leave my opponents speedy sweepers alive, but low I decided Greninja made the most sense. Also being a higher tier of course influenced the decision ;)
Froggy Force Field - Sweeper Greninja
Froggy Force Field (Greninja-Ash) @ Waterium Z
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Extrasensory
about set:
Waterium Z Greninja is also very import in taking down walls that think they have survive another hydro pump (chansey, grass types) as well as Kartana. The Z move also allows Greninja to not lose the trick room matchup where Camerupt-Mega and Mawile-Mega are a solid threat to many high tier mons. Greninja Z is also a great switch in to Heatran if you are fearing the burn on Zygarde and is able to trick your opponent into thinking you are specs. Extrasensory is added to combat Venusaur-Mega, Toxapex and Lopunny-Mega.
After getting annoyed with playing the hazards matchup I also decided to add in Scizor-Mega which again works very well with the new priority-core in bullet punch which deals another large chunk to most sweepers. Although it is possible to win with Greninja if the opponent takes too much time setting up hazards due to his speed and Z preventing him from getting stalled against T-spikes having the Defog in the back is much more worth it. While he is not a top tier, Scizor-Mega is still a very high tier that synchronizes well with the team core. Other choices here could be Mew and Latios(as).
Crawdaunt Ass Lookin - Ground Control Scizor
Crawdaunt Ass Lookin (Scizor-Mega) @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- U-turn
about set:
This is a standard defensive Scizor so you can just check the Smogon database for details, but I will say he is great against walling/weakening Lopunny-Mega and Lando-T for Zygarde, weakening opposing Greninja and even occasionally Heatran if you can get two bullet punches off to help Greninja-Ash sweep. He is also a great switch in from Zygarde vs Tangrowth/Lando-T after they fall for the toxic and break your sub.
The two defensive mons that we extremely easy to select where of course the highest rated pokemon in the current SM OU meta. The monstrous Special Defense wall, AV Magearna.
Lopunny-Mega-X - Great Wall Magearna
Lopunny-Mega-X (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 52 SpA / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Iron Head
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
about set:
With over 300 base SpA and an incredible movepool Magearna is an offensive monster in it's own right. However, Magearna with Assult Vest is actually broken. Boasting over 500 SpD and 350 HP. This monster is switching into specs Greninjas, Tapu KoKos, Tapu Leles, defensive Heatrans. The sad part about the set is that it unfortunately can only take the hits from Heatran and volt-switch out, but this will at least give you the momentum in the fight. It has to run HP [Fire] in order to counter Ferrothorn who neither sweeper covers anymore with the removal of Dragon Dance on Zygarde and taking out Volcarona all together. Ice Beam takes care of Zygardes who think they can set against you because of all the priority in the back and can also destroy an unsuspecting Lando-T who sees assult vest Magearna as his "only take 50-60%" switch in. Iron Head is for the mirror match as it deals 4-7% more than flash cannon. 4 Speed EVs also to outspeed the matchup.
The other top tier defensive mon is the monstrous jack of all trades Landorus-Therian. Originally Lando-T was a completely defensive mon for the team, but it was switched off that role to be a complete mix pokemon
Mr. President - Pressure Landorus
Mr. President (Landorus-Therian) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
about set:
What looks like a standard defensive Landorus will be the fall of many foolish opponents. He will win all 1v1s with other defensive Lando-Ts and force them to switch out or die once they see no leftovers. Expert Belt is also a great trick if Lando-T is at full HP and U-turns after rocking making the opponent confident he is not choiced or life orbed. This mixed mon is capable of 1 shotting Toxapex turninig a 12.5% chance to a 87.5% chance after rocks. If Heatran or Magearna think they can outspeed a defensive Lando-T they can now think again. The mixture of roles also destroys a Greninja thinking they can switch in to a u-turn and live at 5-10% helps the Chansey/Ferrothorn matchup turning a 4 hit kill into a 3 hit kill and the Zygarde matchup turning a 3 hit kill into a 2 hit kill.
Finally I chose another great defensive mon that helps with the Ferrothorn, Venusaur, Bulu and Tangrowth matchups for my team. Another great top tier wall,
Laputa - Pressure Celesteela
Laputa (Celesteela) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Air Slash
- Protect
- Flamethrower
about set:
Originally a pure Smogon defensive build to help out Lando-T, I decided making it a bulky punisher/scout would allow it to do its job easier. And before you say just add fire blast, I'm not trying to lose crucial punishes on my sweeper's counters because of a 85% accurate move. I want those grass mons dead. Toxic is a very rare run move on Celesteela allowing it to come in on Lando-T and make it an invalid counter to Zygarde as well as make the mew 1v1 ez pz. Air Slash of course widdles Heatran on the obvious switch and counters non-Ferrothorn grass mons. Protect is just there to scout choiced moves so that I can cover ice moves with Celesteela and electric moves with Lando-T.
Let me know if you have any suggestions!
Threat List:
no team is without threats even if you are using all high tiers...
Heatran
Although Zygarde and Lando-T can one shot this mon, it is still very threatening considering my only switch-ins are Greninja who will take a big chunk despite resisting, Zygarde who I will need to pray doesn't get burned or only needs to beat Heatran in order to get a win and Magearna who can only come in to try to A) scare it out or B) volt-switch to bring in a counter. Fire is rough for my team as I have 3 weaknesses and 2 resistances. So when I see a Heatran I really need to play safe and especially make sure I am always clicking Air Slash with Celesteela and not Flamethrower.
Charizard
Another fire mon to watch out for. If Zard-X sets up the team can take it out, but likely will have to sack at least one mon. If Zard-Y is in I can only really trade hits with Magearna or bring in Greninja and Z move if it is at full.
Tapu Lele
This thing is evil for my team because most of my garunteed revenge kills come from priority. My only pokemon that can fight it is Magearna and Celesteela to a lesser extent. Revenge or choice locked into the wrong move Greninja can also beat it.
Swampert-Mega
Pretty Much Have to Stall the Rain Out With Scizor or Celesteela if I want to beat this mon. Of course I can catch it with a toxic, but it'll kill Celesteela a good amount before it dies. If you didn't know is mon is actually banned to Ubers in Rain. He's one of my only real counters that I can think of.
Heatran
Although Zygarde and Lando-T can one shot this mon, it is still very threatening considering my only switch-ins are Greninja who will take a big chunk despite resisting, Zygarde who I will need to pray doesn't get burned or only needs to beat Heatran in order to get a win and Magearna who can only come in to try to A) scare it out or B) volt-switch to bring in a counter. Fire is rough for my team as I have 3 weaknesses and 2 resistances. So when I see a Heatran I really need to play safe and especially make sure I am always clicking Air Slash with Celesteela and not Flamethrower.
Charizard
Another fire mon to watch out for. If Zard-X sets up the team can take it out, but likely will have to sack at least one mon. If Zard-Y is in I can only really trade hits with Magearna or bring in Greninja and Z move if it is at full.
Tapu Lele
This thing is evil for my team because most of my garunteed revenge kills come from priority. My only pokemon that can fight it is Magearna and Celesteela to a lesser extent. Revenge or choice locked into the wrong move Greninja can also beat it.
Swampert-Mega
Pretty Much Have to Stall the Rain Out With Scizor or Celesteela if I want to beat this mon. Of course I can catch it with a toxic, but it'll kill Celesteela a good amount before it dies. If you didn't know is mon is actually banned to Ubers in Rain. He's one of my only real counters that I can think of.
Importable:
Yung Snake (Zygarde) @ Leftovers
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
Froggy Force Field (Greninja-Ash) @ Waterium Z
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Extrasensory
Crawdaunt Ass Lookin (Scizor-Mega) @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- U-turn
Lopunny-Mega-X (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 52 SpA / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Iron Head
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Mr. President (Landorus-Therian) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Laputa (Celesteela) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Air Slash
- Protect
- Flamethrower
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
Froggy Force Field (Greninja-Ash) @ Waterium Z
Ability: Battle Bond
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Water Shuriken
- Extrasensory
Crawdaunt Ass Lookin (Scizor-Mega) @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Defog
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
- U-turn
Lopunny-Mega-X (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 52 SpA / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Iron Head
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Mr. President (Landorus-Therian) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Laputa (Celesteela) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Air Slash
- Protect
- Flamethrower
To Test:
- switch HP [ice] off Landorus for Knock Off
- switch HP [ice] off Landorus for Toxic and Toxic off Zygarde for Protect/Glare/Coil/DD
- switch HP [ice] off Landorus for Toxic and Toxic off Zygarde for Protect/Glare/Coil/DD
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