Now that my SPL run is over, I want to share some of the more interesting sets I used this season.
CominOuttaMyCage (Venusaur) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Overgrow
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 68 Def / 252 SpA / 56 SpD / 132 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Razor Leaf
- Leech Seed
- Sleep Powder
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Offensive Venusaur:
This set functions as a nice lead, scoring an early Sleep against the three most common opposing leads - Metagross / Tar / Zapdos (though watch out for Lum with the first two and prediction is sort of required for the latter). Max SpA allows it to hit Metagross and Skarmory decently hard, and really chunk Tar and opposing Water Mons with your STAB move. HP investment is actually counter productive if using Giga Drain, which is a viable alternative in that moveslot. Leech Seed allows Venu to function as a nice general annoyer and temporary check to Electric Mons and Suicune. This set allows you to use Venusaur without Magneton (think of how defensive Celebi almost requires a Mag pairing; ditto defensive Venusaur). I think right now this set is Venusaur's best niche in the metagame.
I'm Mr. Brightside (Moltres) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 SpA / 20 SpD / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Roar
- Will-O-Wisp
Roar Moltres:
Okay, this one doesn't require much explanation. The only "unusual" thing about this moveset is the presence of Roar on it. I tested with Moltres a ton and ultimately came away feeling like Roar was by far the best option in that 4th moveslot. Substitute and Agility were too unrewarding in the aggregate; usually the best case scenario with either move was forcing a Burn via 75% accurate WoW on an opposing Aero or Mence. The former still OHKOs you while Burned while the latter doesn't always care or was being used as a pivot anyway. Not really much else to say I guess, just try out Roar in the last slot - it's good even on Spikes less teams (free scouting!).
PutABagOnMyHead (Gengar) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 44 Def / 12 SpA / 100 SpD / 96 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Punch
- Giga Drain
- Explosion
- Will-O-Wisp
SpDef Gengar:
Okay, I am officially posting this set finally. A lot of what we do as Mons players is try to innovate and come up with the latest and greatest creation that will revolutionize our respective metagames as we know it. We are territorial of our sets for this very reason. Everybody wants to be the guy who created SkarmBliss, or CroCune (I am aware of the irony that this set actually does have a known creator), or BoahTar. It can never be this way, of course, since it's very nearly impossible to actually trace an idea back to its originator. For all I know, this spread existed in 2005 and was used by some obscure German player. Regardless, I am going to claim this set as "my own" until someone else (probably M Dragon xD just kidding bro) does.
I came up with the idea for this set in early Summer 2016, when Forry + Pursuit Tar, or just Pursuit Tar period, were still really popular. That particular combination always troubled standard BeerLover type builds, but this Gengar spread all but solved the matchup.
This is the spread that survives 252+ SpA Tyranitar Crunch (or Pursuit while switching) AFTER Sandstorm hits. Now before you check the calc. and yell at me for lying to you - yes I realize that the maximum damage roll will kill you with Sandstorm. I've been cheating on my EVs for almost two years now and never once been OHKO'd by Crunch. If you want to
really guarantee it, then add 12 EVs to SpDef. I like my spread as is because every single EV point tends to show its value over the course of a game. I still want the DD Mence bulk since Explosion has good odds to kill a bulkless DD Mence with the Sand, plus it helps with random things like Snorlax Shadow Ball etc. That touch of SpA is probably meaningless ultimately, but your goal is to eventually 1v1 the opposing Pursuit Tar, and a few points of SpA coupled with the Giga Drain recovery helps quite a bit (also you want to hurt Claydol). Lastly, the Speed is to outspeed 252+ Moltres, plus is generally solid creep on opposing plus-natured base 100s.
The set can definitely be altered a bit based on team need. I always liked Explosion because this was almost always paired with an Offensive Starmie when I used it. But you can drop Boom for a coverage move, Taunt, or something else cool that I don't even know about. If you decide you don't care about the Def, or the Speed creep, or the 8 Att EVs, then you could dump everything leftover into SpA and give it another coverage move and hit pretty hard with it.
I cannot sleep (Jirachi) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 80 SpA / 4 SpD / 136 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Fire Punch
Mono Fire Jirachi:
I am reposting this set because I earned a sweep with it during SPL, and I truly believe it is viable. It really sucks fishing for Burns so hard in the early game, but if you play super patiently, almost pretending it was an AstaRachi and just spamming Wish / Fire Punch early on, then you can keep yourself alive and heal your teammates in the process. Sometimes the game presents an opportunity to sweep in the form of a Burn on the opposing Tar. That's when you take advantage of the opening and boost away. I really recommend trying this out at least once before you dismiss it entirely.
Now we're starting to get to the really good stuff...
You shut me down (Tyranitar) (F) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 40 Atk / 248 SpA / 220 Spe
Rash Nature
- Brick Break
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast
"MixTar":
I think this is one of my better ideas ever. As per usual, this set originated from a conversation between myself,
BKC , and
Astamatitos . I started off with wondering if the MixMence set but on Tyranitar was viable at all. Dragon Claw was quickly replaced with Ice Beam since there was no STAB involved and Tyranitar lures Flygon like a boss, whereas Mence does not (not that that was the point of MixMence anyway, but the point remains). I wanted this beast to be super fast since why not, fuck the bulk when you're using a set like this anyway. I believe this set has enough creep for -Speed Jirachi, AKA AstaRachi. BKC suggested Lum Berry as an item and I think it's a genius touch. You've already forgone bulk anyway, so Leftovers aren't likely to make an impact, and Lum Berry actually turns your set into a viable Skarmory switch in, which is one of the greatest attributes any Mon in ADV can have. I've considered MiracleSeed or Charcoal just to really bone Swampert and Skarmory, respectively, but... nah just stick with Lum.
Don't kill my vibe (Metagross) @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 176 Atk / 12 Def / 36 SpD / 36 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Explosion
- Earthquake
- Protect
- Meteor Mash
Protect Offensive Metagross:
Another seemingly standard set that is actually rather unique. I have never been super satisfied with the fourth move options on standard physical Metagross. HP Grass is great but only useful if there's a Swampert, plus you need to make some decisions with your EV spread. HP Fire is terrible unless you go 252+ SpA which is an entirely different set. Toxic is good but requires prediction and it can miss. Rock Slide is honestly terrible too (in my opinion). It's only for Zapdos and Gyarados, it can miss, it doesn't necessarily do that much damage, just meh. I prefer Double Edge for just a good generic neutral coverage move on Zapdos / Swampert / Celebi type defensive cores. Anyway, Metagross has a gigantic movepool, so naturally I decided on the most accessible move in the game! With Protect, you can recover 1/8 your HP on any given turn. It helps a ton especially if you're getting ready to Boom but you're still in range of the opposing Zapdos or Starmie. Also I have triple Protected before from like 60% to surviving the Dugtrio's EQ. It's just a great way to help your longevity and thus reduce opposing Skarmory's effectiveness. I highly recommend giving this set a try.
Make it stop (Weezing) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 224 HP / 12 Atk / 156 SpA / 116 Spe
Modest Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Fire Blast
- Thunder
- Explosion
Offensive Weezing:
The infamous Thunder Weezing. Weezing was always a Mon I had heard good things about, but I just felt like it was so awkward and that there were better choices available. I pretty much dismissed it as a viable option. UNTIL I FINALLY PLAYED A GAME WITH IT! This is such a gamebreaking Mon. It switches in on Skarmory for years (I'll repeat myself how valuable this is in ADV), spreads WoW really nicely, hits super hard, has a strong Boom... It took me a while to really understand what makes it different from Gengar. They're both Pursuit Tar weak, both switch into Skarmory forever, both hate Special attacks for the most part, both lure Blissey. But truly the key difference is in how hard Weezing hits with Fire Blast. You're just doing so much damage to the ubiquitous Steel Mons of the tier. It has a super strong Boom too. I can't exactly explain how or why, but it just has an easier time Exploding on Blissey than Gengar does. Weezing is also a beast Defensively, taking hits from Mence, Aero, Flygon, and Gyarados pretty nicely. There's no greater feeling than hitting Thunder on a Gyarados as it Taunts you (okay maybe hitting Skarmory with Thunder after you've missed 5 Fire Blasts on it is better
). You can actually pump the SpA even further if you want to OHKO Offensive Starmie with Sand. I liked the HP to take on the aforementioned physical Mons better. I went Modest instead of Rash because you get seriously close to being OHKO'd by Modest Zapdos T-bolt with Rash. No touchy. His Boom is still really strong with a -Att nature. Absolutely try out this set. You will not be disappointed.
TruthICouldTell (Gengar) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 40 Atk / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Hasty Nature
IVs: 30 Def / 30 SpA
- Dynamic Punch
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Ice Punch
- Fire Punch
All Out Offensive Gengar:
This is the set the world wasn't ready for. This set wreaks havoc on opposing Blissey and Pursuit Tar. The original Offensive Gengar's answer to Pursuit Tar was using max, or near-max SpA HP Grass. But I got tired of still losing the 1v1 even when I predicted the switch in. Tar is just too good and too bulky that your 252+ HP Grass was maxing out at 45%, meaning that if you lose the prediction then you've just lost your Gengar. Focus Punch was a nice alternative tech, but that prediction is even more difficult to pull off than the blind HP Grass. You can mitigate it with Hypnosis, but that's not my cup of tea (
he says as he recommends a move with even worse accuracy). Brick Break is hilariously weak and pitiful. So what do you have left if you want to use Offensive Gengar without being Pursuit Tar food? The answer is Dynamic Punch.
40 Atk Gengar Dynamic Punch vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 200-236 (49.5 - 58.4%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Realistically this is a comfortable 2HKO, assuming you have at least one layer of Spikes down. This is the ultimate get out of jail free move. Hit Tar on the switch and you're golden. Feel free to HP Grass and nab your kill. If you miss, then you and your opponent are still forced into a mind game of attacking vs. switching, Crunching vs. Pursuiting. I'm in love with the possibilities Dynamic Punch provides. Gengar is just way too valuable a Mon to lose for nothing, and I don't want to be forced into making too many predictions. Also Focus Punch doesn't work if the opponent sacs to their Pursuit Tar.
A second major bonus of this set is hitting Blissey with 3 Spikes down. You can 1v1 it with good accuracy and some Confusion luck. Something no other Offensive Gengar can do short of Exploding. This set is an absolute terror and is a must try on Spikes teams.
Breathing..alive.. (Tyranitar) (F) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 20 HP / 192 Atk / 44 SpA / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Rock Slide
DD Ice Beam Tar:
Okay, this one is not my set, it's not really original, so why am I posting it? Well, DD Ice Beam Lum Tar was something of a fad during SPL. It was the closest thing you'll ever see to a "trendy set" in ADV. Sort of a funny story behind this set though. I was finishing up my team for linear before our week 1 matchup, and the last thing to decide on was my Tyranitar set. I was expecting linear to bring something obnoxious like an AstaRachi / ProTox Flygon / SpDef Zapdos team. I was chatting with Asta and he and I both had the light bulb moment at the same time. Lum Berry on Ice Beam DD Tar! And just like that I decided on the set. My spread might be a little weird but basically I didn't want to go -SpDef since Starmie Hydro would then always OHKO, and if I went -Def then regular Leftovers 252+ Att Flygon can OHKO you. So Adamant it was.
44- SpA Tyranitar Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Flygon: 302-356 (100 - 117.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
I knew linear to favor Adamant even on his Fire move Flygon sets (in other words -SpA instead of -SpDef), so I wanted to make sure I OHKO'd this spread in case he went with a CB Flygon + Magneton style team. The 20 HP let me take 3 Aero Rock Slides, which was kinda important for my team that week since it was pretty vulnerable to Aero in the late game.
This Tar was used in a ridiculous percentage of games in early SPL, and it was more or less a coincidence that Asta and I discovered Lum Berry as the key to its greatness.
Anyway, I'm about ready to wrap this up. I've got more stuff in the wings but I don't feel like typing any more. Sorry for droning on so long and thanks to all who read.
One last point I really want to emphasize. Please think outside the box when it comes to countering Skarmory. Notice how everything I just posted has one thing in common:
they are not completely shit on by Skarmory. There are so many ways you can use good, regular OU Mons without being Skarmory weak. Stack Poison immunities (Weezing). Mitigate the effect of Spikes on your team (Protect on Metagross). Slap a Lum Berry on something random. Use more Fire moves! The opportunities are endless my friends. Happy building and I look forward to the rest of the post-SPL set dumps to come. If you have any questions about anything in particular, please feel free to reach out.
Peace y'all. Drink beer.