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kacaw
KACAW
G’day Smogon, Sparrow here with my second RMT showcasing hazard stacking heavy offence in the UnderUsed Tier – KACAW. The team features some fairly unique options to help it get around traditional answers to HO teams. I’ve decided to post the team now, as I was planning to bring it further down the line during the UU Open, but unfortunately, I was eliminated early on.
The combination of Scizor, Hawlucha & Sharpedo alongside hazard stack has a very good match-up against the majority of teams. This is further accentuated by running two very good wall breakers, in Z Latias & Mamoswine, as well as disruption in the form of priority Thunder Wave from Klefki. As opposed to common offensive play styles that may choose to run Aurora Veil, I’ve opted to run Spikes. By foregoing the option to run and support the setting up of veil, the team has gained better defensive synergy and sweeping potential through the use of more entry hazards and a utility pivot in Klefki. I implore other users to consider the idea of running another Pokemon over Alolan-Ninetales before blindly slapping it onto a team. Veil is currently under a lot of scrutiny at the moment, and I don’t think it’s as big a deal in the UU tier as some people claim it to be; this team is a testament to that fact.
The team has also featured on Aim’s Youtube channel, for those of you who may be interested in seeing the team in action with commentary.
The combination of Scizor, Hawlucha & Sharpedo alongside hazard stack has a very good match-up against the majority of teams. This is further accentuated by running two very good wall breakers, in Z Latias & Mamoswine, as well as disruption in the form of priority Thunder Wave from Klefki. As opposed to common offensive play styles that may choose to run Aurora Veil, I’ve opted to run Spikes. By foregoing the option to run and support the setting up of veil, the team has gained better defensive synergy and sweeping potential through the use of more entry hazards and a utility pivot in Klefki. I implore other users to consider the idea of running another Pokemon over Alolan-Ninetales before blindly slapping it onto a team. Veil is currently under a lot of scrutiny at the moment, and I don’t think it’s as big a deal in the UU tier as some people claim it to be; this team is a testament to that fact.
The team has also featured on Aim’s Youtube channel, for those of you who may be interested in seeing the team in action with commentary.
in depth:
Latias @ Dragonium Z |Levitate
Timid | 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Draco Meteor | Psyshock | Roost | Calm Mind
Dragonium Z Latias was assigned as the teams’ main way to punch holes against opposing fat builds. Latias naturally threatens opposing offence due to its amazing typing, stats and coverage. Further to this, it has an option in boosting its own offences. Devastating Drake at +1 allows Latias to KO every Pokemon that doesn’t resist it or isn’t immune, aside from Pokemon such as Blissey. I like to use Latias to threaten Stall, since most of the time Steelix-M is the designated switch-in; chunking Steelix with Devastating Drake at +1 relieves pressure on my sweepers later on. Roost was decided on as the last move, as Latias becomes surprisingly durable at +1 SpD; having a bit of sustain on an early game pivot also helps.
Hawlucha @ Power Herb | Unburden
Jolly | 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
High Jump Kick | Acrobatics | Sky Attack | Swords Dance
Sky Attack Hawlucha has always been a threat; although some would argue that Substitute + Sitrus Berry is better. I prefer to run Sky Attack, since it at least guarantees a big hit on opposing offensive threats, especially if Hawlucha isn’t guaranteed the opportunity to set-up. Power Herb also means that I can KO a threat with out the fear of being slower than the incoming switch-in. I find that being at full health after the initial KO is much more useful compared to being at ~75% health due to having to use Sub to activate Unburden. In short, Subsitute Hawlucha may not always find an opportunity to set-up; Sky Attack, in a way, allows Hawlucha to circumvent that issue by allowing one big hit followed by being faster than the offensive metagame afterward. Furthermore, Sky Attack at +2 turns Hawlucha into a decent breaker. Hawlucha may find opportunity to set-up against choice locked Fighting Type (Scarf Infernape & Scarf Terrakion) and Ground Type moves (Krookodile), it’s also able to threaten out weakened offensive Pokemon due to its fantastic Speed tier.
Scizor @ Life Orb | Technician
Adamant | 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Bullet Punch | Knock Off | Quick Attack | Swords Dance
Mamoswine @ Life Orb | Thick Fat
Naïve | 152 Atk / 180 SpA / 176 Spe
Earthquake | Ice Shard | Freeze-Dry | Stealth Rock
Sharpedo-Mega @ Sharpedonite | Speed Boost
Jolly | 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Crunch | Psychic Fangs | Ice Fangs | Protect
Klefki @ Leftovers | Prankster
Bold | 196 HP / 208 Def / 104 SpD
Spikes | Dazzling Gleam | Hidden Power [Fire] | Thunder Wave
Klefki really is the glue of the team, Spikes is the underlying factor that makes HO such an effective play style. Further to this, spreading Thunder Wave onto threats that are faster than Mamoswine & Scizor is absolutely huge, especially if this can be pulled off earlier in the match. Klefki is a fantastic pivot with great defensive typing and decent bulk – it finds plenty of opportunities to switch in and set up Spikes. This is also the only Pokemon that will require an explanation in regards to its EV spread, which also ties into its coverage. Running physical defense, Klefki is able to stomach some big hits; most importantly it’s able to take hits from Pokemon such as Weavile & Scizor. Where as, investment in spD allows Klefki to survive Timid Primarina’s Hydro Pump 7 out of 8 times (if it hits) from full. Dazzling Gleam + Hidden Power Fire followed by Bold Nature means it will be faster than Hawlucha, Azelf, Starmie, etc. after paralysis. Hidden Power Fire ensures you’re not set up bait for opposing Scizor and Dazzling Gleam can also 2HKO Krookodile, Bewear, Terrakion and OHKO Crawdaunt & Hydreigon whilst not having 90% accuracy.
252+ Atk Choice Band Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 129-153 (42.4 - 50.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 222-263 (73 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 78-92 (25.6 - 30.2%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Krookodile Earthquake vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 242-288 (79.6 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 243-286 (79.9 - 94%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 213-252 (70 - 82.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Primarina Hydro Pump vs. 196 HP / 104 SpD Klefki: 262-310 (86.1 - 101.9%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Klefki Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Scizor: 176-208 (62.6 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 222-263 (73 - 86.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 78-92 (25.6 - 30.2%) -- 0.7% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Krookodile Earthquake vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 242-288 (79.6 - 94.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
+2 252 Atk Cobalion Close Combat vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 243-286 (79.9 - 94%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Adaptability Crawdaunt Crabhammer vs. 196 HP / 208+ Def Klefki: 213-252 (70 - 82.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 SpA Choice Specs Primarina Hydro Pump vs. 196 HP / 104 SpD Klefki: 262-310 (86.1 - 101.9%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
0 SpA Klefki Hidden Power Fire vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Scizor: 176-208 (62.6 - 74%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
conclusion:
Managed to nab 3rd and 4th with two separate alts on UU ladder with this team, probably could get higher if I put in the effort. I encourage any one interested in trying out HO in gen7uu to give this team a go. I feel it’s quite reflective of the fast paced, hard-hitting meta game. The team offers counter play to the vast majority of the tier (para hax lol) and is very fun to use. I’d also like to address the false ideology that Alolan-Ninetales is one of the only ways to run heavy set-up offence. IMO Alola-Tales is more of a liability: with a weakness to the most common Pokemon in Scizor, as well as, being slower than a large portion of Offensive Pokemon. These factors combined with a Stealth Rock weakness + the prevalence of Defog in this tier, I find veil to be a very limiting play style – I’d love to know your thoughts!
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