So I have been doing showdown for awhile now. I build a lot of teams, but most of the time they are pretty garbage. So I decided to work on a decent team surrounding one of my favorite mons in this meta, Zeraora.
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/zeraora.gif
Zeraora @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Grass Knot
Imo life orb Zeraora is the best set because of the massive amounts of damage it can deal. The moves are fairy simple. Plasma Fist for STAB. Close combat for Ferrothorn and Tyranitar. Knock Off lets me beat non-scarf Dragapult. Grass Knot is specifically for hitting Hippowdon. This set is pretty self explanatory.
4 SpA Life Orb Zeraora Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 299-354 (71.1 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 185-218 (52.5 - 61.9%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 315-372 (99.3 - 117.3%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 562-665 (139.1 - 164.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/rillaboom.gif
Rillaboom @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Wood Hammer
- U-turn
- Superpower
I like to use max HP on this just because it helps with some of the tanking. Grassy Surge provides good recovery every turn, which can help Zeraora Longevity. It also provides reduced EQ damage. Grassy Glide and Wood Hammer are both strong hitting grass moves /w STAB, terrain, and Banded Adamant. U-turn gives some good momentum, and super power is a strong move to hit Ferrothorn and Kartana. I like this over Drain Punch, just because of the more damage.
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 248-294 (70.4 - 83.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 166-196 (47.1 - 55.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Superpower vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 332-392 (128.1 - 151.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Kartana Smart Strike vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rillaboom: 321-378 (79.4 - 93.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery(Thanks max HP!)
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/weezing-galar.gif
Weezing-Galar @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Strange Steam
- Flamethrower
- Will-O-Wisp
- Haze
So I kinda needed an Urshifu check. Willow Wisp allows me to cripple attackers like barraskewda. I was originally going to run Pain Split over Haze, but Haze allows me to beat Bulk Up Buzzwole and SD garchomp. Speaking of garchomp, this thing over hear beats it unless it has stone edge, or a random steel type move. Rillaboom also can’t do much to this. I was also running Sludge Bomb and Strange Steam as STAB, but I really wanted something to hit Ferrothorn. Levitate provides a safer EQ switch in if Rillaboom is low.
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/umbreon.gif
Umbreon @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Wish
- Heal Bell
- Protect
Yay Spectrier counter. Heal Bell allows me to cure Burns, and beat Hex+Wisp Spectrier. Speaking of Hex+Wisp Spectrier, Synchronise memes on that. Only really has to fear a specs hyper beam from Spectrier. It’s solid defense also lets it take a hit or two. Wish+Protect also helps increase longevity on Zeraora. It’s great team support.
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/zapdos.gif
Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Defog
Defogging purposes. Volt switch gives good momentum, and hurricane hits like a truck if it lands. Static is a great Flip Turn, U-turn punisher. Also a very strong special attacker. Roost is standard for living longer. Again pretty basic set.
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/clefable.gif
Clefable @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Soft-Boiled
- Flamethrower
- Knock Off
- Moonblast
3 attacks /w recovery. Unaware is a really good counter to SD garchomp and Mosa, even though Mosa will most likely be gone. Originally was the team support mon, but on this team, umbreon just fits better. Knock Off is for Glowking, Flamethrower for Ferrothorn, and STAB Moonblast. Overall though this is barely on this team. Only reason it’s here is because of Hawlucha and Volcarona rising to OU. Even then, it looses to Roost Volcarona. If anything was to get swapped it’d probably be this.
Threats-
Nidoking- Honestly on what team is this not a threat. Almost no switch-ins and fantastic coverage. Can’t do much against this other than hope Umbreon can chip it down into range for Knock Off on Zeraora.
Barraskewda- This thing is an absolute menace. It’s damage output and speed in rain is unmatchable. Best thing against this is remove Peliper early, or hope static comes in.
Kartana- Has the coverage to have super effective moves for 3 of my mons, who all happen to be my bulky ones. Some even run giga impact, which means Zapdos can’t reliably beat it. Scarf Kartana late game also beats everything since nothing wants to take a hit. Only thing to do is hope Rillaboom hasn’t taken chip, or hope it’s not scarf so Zeraora can outspeed it.
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/zeraora.gif
Zeraora @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Grass Knot
Imo life orb Zeraora is the best set because of the massive amounts of damage it can deal. The moves are fairy simple. Plasma Fist for STAB. Close combat for Ferrothorn and Tyranitar. Knock Off lets me beat non-scarf Dragapult. Grass Knot is specifically for hitting Hippowdon. This set is pretty self explanatory.
4 SpA Life Orb Zeraora Grass Knot (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hippowdon: 299-354 (71.1 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 185-218 (52.5 - 61.9%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Zeraora Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Dragapult: 315-372 (99.3 - 117.3%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Zeraora Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tyranitar: 562-665 (139.1 - 164.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/rillaboom.gif
Rillaboom @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Wood Hammer
- U-turn
- Superpower
I like to use max HP on this just because it helps with some of the tanking. Grassy Surge provides good recovery every turn, which can help Zeraora Longevity. It also provides reduced EQ damage. Grassy Glide and Wood Hammer are both strong hitting grass moves /w STAB, terrain, and Banded Adamant. U-turn gives some good momentum, and super power is a strong move to hit Ferrothorn and Kartana. I like this over Drain Punch, just because of the more damage.
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 248-294 (70.4 - 83.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
-1 252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Ferrothorn: 166-196 (47.1 - 55.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Rillaboom Superpower vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 332-392 (128.1 - 151.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Kartana Smart Strike vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rillaboom: 321-378 (79.4 - 93.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery(Thanks max HP!)
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/weezing-galar.gif
Weezing-Galar @ Black Sludge
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Strange Steam
- Flamethrower
- Will-O-Wisp
- Haze
So I kinda needed an Urshifu check. Willow Wisp allows me to cripple attackers like barraskewda. I was originally going to run Pain Split over Haze, but Haze allows me to beat Bulk Up Buzzwole and SD garchomp. Speaking of garchomp, this thing over hear beats it unless it has stone edge, or a random steel type move. Rillaboom also can’t do much to this. I was also running Sludge Bomb and Strange Steam as STAB, but I really wanted something to hit Ferrothorn. Levitate provides a safer EQ switch in if Rillaboom is low.
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/umbreon.gif
Umbreon @ Leftovers
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Wish
- Heal Bell
- Protect
Yay Spectrier counter. Heal Bell allows me to cure Burns, and beat Hex+Wisp Spectrier. Speaking of Hex+Wisp Spectrier, Synchronise memes on that. Only really has to fear a specs hyper beam from Spectrier. It’s solid defense also lets it take a hit or two. Wish+Protect also helps increase longevity on Zeraora. It’s great team support.
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/zapdos.gif
Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Defog
Defogging purposes. Volt switch gives good momentum, and hurricane hits like a truck if it lands. Static is a great Flip Turn, U-turn punisher. Also a very strong special attacker. Roost is standard for living longer. Again pretty basic set.
https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/xyani/clefable.gif
Clefable @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
- Soft-Boiled
- Flamethrower
- Knock Off
- Moonblast
3 attacks /w recovery. Unaware is a really good counter to SD garchomp and Mosa, even though Mosa will most likely be gone. Originally was the team support mon, but on this team, umbreon just fits better. Knock Off is for Glowking, Flamethrower for Ferrothorn, and STAB Moonblast. Overall though this is barely on this team. Only reason it’s here is because of Hawlucha and Volcarona rising to OU. Even then, it looses to Roost Volcarona. If anything was to get swapped it’d probably be this.
Threats-
Nidoking- Honestly on what team is this not a threat. Almost no switch-ins and fantastic coverage. Can’t do much against this other than hope Umbreon can chip it down into range for Knock Off on Zeraora.
Barraskewda- This thing is an absolute menace. It’s damage output and speed in rain is unmatchable. Best thing against this is remove Peliper early, or hope static comes in.
Kartana- Has the coverage to have super effective moves for 3 of my mons, who all happen to be my bulky ones. Some even run giga impact, which means Zapdos can’t reliably beat it. Scarf Kartana late game also beats everything since nothing wants to take a hit. Only thing to do is hope Rillaboom hasn’t taken chip, or hope it’s not scarf so Zeraora can outspeed it.