Title explains it all. Is my team optimal? Are there any checks or counters I am overlooking? Thanks for the help! I'm using Lopunny as my mega as she's my favourite mega.
Hi everyone! As the title explains, I am returning to competitive battling after a two year hiatus. I was snooping around of the forums and PS a bit and formulated the following team:
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave
- Gyro Ball
Just a standard physically defensive Ferro set, dedicated to spreading rocks and paralysis in its wake. I'm using Gyro Ball over Power Whip due to the fact that Gyro Ball dents many fairies not called Magearna. Also, Ferro is a nice answer to all the pesky Electric types running around. Leech Seed allows for some passive recovery alongside Lefties. I was thinking about Rocky Helmet to allow Lopunny to punch through easier.
Toxapex (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Scald
- Toxic
- Baneful Bunker
Specially defensive Toxapex to handle all the Fighting and Fire types Ferrothorn cannot. Toxapex and Ferrothorn make a pretty solid defensive core, as they cover each other's weaknesses nicely. Toxapex, like Ferrothorn, spreads status through Scald, Baneful Bunker and Toxic. Recover allows Toxapex to last longer. Nothing much else to this mon.
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Defog
Quite possibly one of the best Pokemon in the tier from what I can gather. Immunities to both Ground and Electric help this team immensely. Standard Scarf Lando to force switches with Intimidate and U-Turn out to maintain momentum. Defog is to remove hazards faster than anyone else, and EQ and StoneMiss Edge gives almost neutral coverage.
Naganadel @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Wave
- Fire Blast
- Nasty Plot
This thing is probably not going to be around for long, and for good reason. This thing demolishes almost anything it touches after a Nasty Plot, and Beast Boost makes sure nothing can stop it. Dragonium Z allows Naganadel to break anything that's not a Fairy type with Draco Meteor. Sludge Wave is a powerful secondary STAB, and Fire Blast is to deal with Magearna and Ferrothorn.
Greninja (F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
I would normally never run this set, but in a world of Naganadels, this is one of the few options. As well, Greninja works well alongside Naganadel, as Greninja forces out Heatran and TTar. U-Turn is to maintain momentum. Other than that, this set's pretty standard.
Lopunny (F) @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Return
- High Jump Kick
- Fire Punch
Last and definitely not least. I've always thought Mega Lopunny was kinda underrated back when I was playing, and that sentiment remains. This thing hurts. Fake Out to get free damage, Return and High Jump Kick for powerful STAB. I was considering running Ice Punch to deal with bulky Ground types, but I anticipate this team having trouble with Magearna and Ferrothorn.
So yeah, this is my prototype team. I'm still not sure if I'm overlooking any checks or counters. Thanks for the help!
Hi everyone! As the title explains, I am returning to competitive battling after a two year hiatus. I was snooping around of the forums and PS a bit and formulated the following team:
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave
- Gyro Ball
Just a standard physically defensive Ferro set, dedicated to spreading rocks and paralysis in its wake. I'm using Gyro Ball over Power Whip due to the fact that Gyro Ball dents many fairies not called Magearna. Also, Ferro is a nice answer to all the pesky Electric types running around. Leech Seed allows for some passive recovery alongside Lefties. I was thinking about Rocky Helmet to allow Lopunny to punch through easier.
Toxapex (M) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Scald
- Toxic
- Baneful Bunker
Specially defensive Toxapex to handle all the Fighting and Fire types Ferrothorn cannot. Toxapex and Ferrothorn make a pretty solid defensive core, as they cover each other's weaknesses nicely. Toxapex, like Ferrothorn, spreads status through Scald, Baneful Bunker and Toxic. Recover allows Toxapex to last longer. Nothing much else to this mon.
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Defog
Quite possibly one of the best Pokemon in the tier from what I can gather. Immunities to both Ground and Electric help this team immensely. Standard Scarf Lando to force switches with Intimidate and U-Turn out to maintain momentum. Defog is to remove hazards faster than anyone else, and EQ and Stone
Naganadel @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Wave
- Fire Blast
- Nasty Plot
This thing is probably not going to be around for long, and for good reason. This thing demolishes almost anything it touches after a Nasty Plot, and Beast Boost makes sure nothing can stop it. Dragonium Z allows Naganadel to break anything that's not a Fairy type with Draco Meteor. Sludge Wave is a powerful secondary STAB, and Fire Blast is to deal with Magearna and Ferrothorn.
Greninja (F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Protean
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
I would normally never run this set, but in a world of Naganadels, this is one of the few options. As well, Greninja works well alongside Naganadel, as Greninja forces out Heatran and TTar. U-Turn is to maintain momentum. Other than that, this set's pretty standard.
Lopunny (F) @ Lopunnite
Ability: Limber
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Fake Out
- Return
- High Jump Kick
- Fire Punch
Last and definitely not least. I've always thought Mega Lopunny was kinda underrated back when I was playing, and that sentiment remains. This thing hurts. Fake Out to get free damage, Return and High Jump Kick for powerful STAB. I was considering running Ice Punch to deal with bulky Ground types, but I anticipate this team having trouble with Magearna and Ferrothorn.
So yeah, this is my prototype team. I'm still not sure if I'm overlooking any checks or counters. Thanks for the help!
Last edited: