Hi Guys!
Presenting a kinda standard Rain Team with one unusual Pokemon. Please, before closing the thread as "another casual team" hear me out and read the reasoning behind Zoroark. She really is here for a purpose and not just for style points.
Pelipper (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Hurricane
- U-Turn
Staple of Rain teams. Self-explanatory item, spread is more Physically bulky, because of the treats I want it to get a slow U-Turn against. I need Defog on it to keep Zoroark's Sash. Hurricane in Rain is too good to pass on and slow U-Turn is a great way of gaining momentum and bringing out sweepers easily. Therefore there is no further room for Scald - also I don't really feel like needing it. However I may change Hurricane for it - please advise.
Swampert-Mega (M) @ Swampertite
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252Atk / 4 SpD / 252Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Another staple, which doesn't require further explanation. Max EVs into Attack and Speed. Rocks are on him, because I have no other mon to put them on and Swampert doesn't really need more coverage. Main sweeper of the team.
Kingdra (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA/ 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
Swampert is a Physical sweeper, here's a Special one. Another typical spread, pretty much self-explanatory. I run both Surf and Hydro Pump, because Pump can KO things Surf can't, but I'd rather not risk missing - if I can afford to lock in Surf, it is an attack of choice.
Tornadus-Therian @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Taunt
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
I wanted to have a bulky pivot that can hit back, as well as another Defogger. Tornadus fits the role perfectly. It packs STAB Hurricane with perfect Accuracy in Rain. It also has a way to hit hard with Fightinium Z (Ferrothorn is a threat and Tornadus is a switch-in to it). It also kills Tyranitar, which is annoying turning the Rain off. Ability to come out multiple times and Defog supports Zoroark's Sash. It's also a counter to Kartana, as it can live a hit from it and OHKO with Hurricane. Taunt to fight against stall teams and popular Rockers/Spikers. I went full on defensive with max Speed, because I don't need more attacking power.
Zoroark (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 252 Atk/ 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Counter
Now here's a big twist! I had problems with Physical Setup Sweepers, like Charizard X, Hawlucha or even Kartana. I was looking for a solution and noticed (while reviewing another team of mine, I don't put Zoroark on every team ;)) that Zoroark can run Counter, having really poor Defences, what normally holds it back. But here it's an advantage! Whenever I face a Physical Sweeper Zoroark can come in disguised as something that won't scare them out, take a hit and get a KO with Counter in return. I really can't express how many Hawluchas, Kartanas and Zards I killed this way, while otherwise they'd probably sweep me. On top of that Zoroark can sometimes go for 1-2 Swords Dance and sweep with a combination of Knock Off and Sucker Punch. After 2 SD's it's just clicking buttons and picking up KO's. Even if I use it for Counter scenario, it still lives with 1 HP and can pick up some damage with Sucker Punch on the mon that revenge kills it, oppening the path for Swampert or Kingdra.
Before you take the team down, because it runs very rarely used mon, please take a look at a list of threats properly executed Zorark can counter and tell me if I have a better alternative:
Of course I am not living a dream - Counter requires keeping Rocks/Spikes away and usually also a sack, because Zoroark can't switch into an attack. But I have ways to execute it and people really fall for it.
Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 238 Def / 22 Spe
Calm Nature
- Flash Cannon
- Fleur Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
The team doesn't really have mons that can come out to take a hit. Tornadus sure, but it's only him. I don't like risking Pelipper, because it's essential to the team and Swampert, while bulky, is preferred to come out safely, not on a hit. So obviously my thoughts went to AV Magearna. It's a great mon all in all, very bulky and scary. It has amazing coverage and on top of that it completes my slow VolTurn with Pelipper allowing me to bring out Kingdra/Swampert/Zoroark safely.
Rotom Wash - this little mon is a pain. It can live hits from Pert and burn it in response. It has Electric coverage for Pelipper and Torn and Zoroark does nothing to it. My only hope is to hit it with Draco Meteor, but it's far from optimal solution.
Ferrothorn - doesn't die to any hit from Swampert or Kingdra and sets up hazards, which nulify Zoroark. My counter is Tornadus, which firstly Taunts it and then kills with a combination of Hurricane and All-Out Pummeling.
Tangrowth - not really a threat, but something that allows my opponent to play around with me. It lives every move from Pert and Kingdra and then I am forced to switch out into Tornadus. At this point they can do whatever they want, because I am forced to do so. And unless I predict properly I can't bring out Pert safely anymore. Predicting however is very hard, because a Grass move can always come out and Pert dies.
All comments and advices will be highly appreciated. Thank you!
Pelipper (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Hurricane
- U-Turn
Staple of Rain teams. Self-explanatory item, spread is more Physically bulky, because of the treats I want it to get a slow U-Turn against. I need Defog on it to keep Zoroark's Sash. Hurricane in Rain is too good to pass on and slow U-Turn is a great way of gaining momentum and bringing out sweepers easily. Therefore there is no further room for Scald - also I don't really feel like needing it. However I may change Hurricane for it - please advise.
Swampert-Mega (M) @ Swampertite
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252Atk / 4 SpD / 252Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Kingdra (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA/ 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
Swampert is a Physical sweeper, here's a Special one. Another typical spread, pretty much self-explanatory. I run both Surf and Hydro Pump, because Pump can KO things Surf can't, but I'd rather not risk missing - if I can afford to lock in Surf, it is an attack of choice.
Tornadus-Therian @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Taunt
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
I wanted to have a bulky pivot that can hit back, as well as another Defogger. Tornadus fits the role perfectly. It packs STAB Hurricane with perfect Accuracy in Rain. It also has a way to hit hard with Fightinium Z (Ferrothorn is a threat and Tornadus is a switch-in to it). It also kills Tyranitar, which is annoying turning the Rain off. Ability to come out multiple times and Defog supports Zoroark's Sash. It's also a counter to Kartana, as it can live a hit from it and OHKO with Hurricane. Taunt to fight against stall teams and popular Rockers/Spikers. I went full on defensive with max Speed, because I don't need more attacking power.
Zoroark (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 252 Atk/ 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Counter
Now here's a big twist! I had problems with Physical Setup Sweepers, like Charizard X, Hawlucha or even Kartana. I was looking for a solution and noticed (while reviewing another team of mine, I don't put Zoroark on every team ;)) that Zoroark can run Counter, having really poor Defences, what normally holds it back. But here it's an advantage! Whenever I face a Physical Sweeper Zoroark can come in disguised as something that won't scare them out, take a hit and get a KO with Counter in return. I really can't express how many Hawluchas, Kartanas and Zards I killed this way, while otherwise they'd probably sweep me. On top of that Zoroark can sometimes go for 1-2 Swords Dance and sweep with a combination of Knock Off and Sucker Punch. After 2 SD's it's just clicking buttons and picking up KO's. Even if I use it for Counter scenario, it still lives with 1 HP and can pick up some damage with Sucker Punch on the mon that revenge kills it, oppening the path for Swampert or Kingdra.
Before you take the team down, because it runs very rarely used mon, please take a look at a list of threats properly executed Zorark can counter and tell me if I have a better alternative:
- Hawlucha
- Charizard X
- Kartana
- Mega Alakazam
- Mega Swampert
- Mega Mawile
- Landorus-T
- Kyurem-B (Physical)
- Mega Scizor
- Azumarill
- Tapu Bulu
- Blacephalon
- Tyranitar
- Hoopa-U
- Mega Medicham
- Mega Lopunny
- Mega Pinsir
- Gyarados
Of course I am not living a dream - Counter requires keeping Rocks/Spikes away and usually also a sack, because Zoroark can't switch into an attack. But I have ways to execute it and people really fall for it.
Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 238 Def / 22 Spe
Calm Nature
- Flash Cannon
- Fleur Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Rotom Wash - this little mon is a pain. It can live hits from Pert and burn it in response. It has Electric coverage for Pelipper and Torn and Zoroark does nothing to it. My only hope is to hit it with Draco Meteor, but it's far from optimal solution.
Ferrothorn - doesn't die to any hit from Swampert or Kingdra and sets up hazards, which nulify Zoroark. My counter is Tornadus, which firstly Taunts it and then kills with a combination of Hurricane and All-Out Pummeling.
Tangrowth - not really a threat, but something that allows my opponent to play around with me. It lives every move from Pert and Kingdra and then I am forced to switch out into Tornadus. At this point they can do whatever they want, because I am forced to do so. And unless I predict properly I can't bring out Pert safely anymore. Predicting however is very hard, because a Grass move can always come out and Pert dies.
Kingdra (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
Tornadus-Therian @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Taunt
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 238 SpD / 22 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Fleur Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Zoroark (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Counter
Pelipper (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Hurricane
- U-turn
Swampert-Mega (M) @ Swampertite
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
Tornadus-Therian @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Regenerator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Taunt
- Hurricane
- Focus Blast
Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 238 SpD / 22 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Fleur Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Zoroark (F) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Illusion
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Counter
Pelipper (F) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 196 Def / 64 SpD
Bold Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Hurricane
- U-turn
Swampert-Mega (M) @ Swampertite
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
All comments and advices will be highly appreciated. Thank you!
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