I've been working on an OU singles team and most of my losses tend to come from fire types, with an obvious additional vulnerability to fighting and ground types. I'm looking to improve my team so here it is.
PS: If it means anything, this is a competitive OU team for the Minecraft mod; Pixelmon. The mod currently lies in a limbo state around generation 6 and 7, explaining the reasoning for my Gengar having the ability: Levitate (as he possessed this ability in generation 6, but was later changed in generation 7).
Claydol @ Leftovers
Role(s): Lead, Special Wall and Setup
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpD / 212 Def / 44 HP
Modest Nature (+Special Attack, -Attack)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Psychic
- Earth Power
I am not certain if Claydol has a position in my team, I tried other pokemon such as Klefki, but Claydol seems to have a great niche for my team composition. Claydol is the most recent addition (or replacement) to my team and serves as my Lead, Setup and Special Wall. I took double screens on him in order to make my two physical walls even stronger, and to help out with my Aggron's shoddy special defense. Psychic is there for the STAB bonus and to cover the teams weakness to fighting, and Earth Power is a special ground move which allows for the STAB bonus and to cover the weakness of fighting.
Now there are plenty of pokemon that could serve roughly the same purpose here, but the primary reason that I chose Claydol was to support my Aggron (the pokemon my team revolves around). Claydol effectively deals with Fighting Types and Fire Types (and the modest nature helps to achieve this) as well as baiting out Earthquakes only to have Levitate negate the damage. It also helps for Claydol to not die straight off so there is a way to negate Electric damage to support Starmie as well.
TLDR: Claydol is the best pokemon with levitate I could find to fit this role.
Aggron (Mega) @ Aggronite
Role(s): Physical Wall
Ability: Filter
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Def
Impish Nature (+Defense, -Special Attack)
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Iron Head
Aggron is the frontman of my team and I think he is one of the best choices for a Mega Wall. Earthquake is an overall great move and helps with dealing with the fire types. Roar is great for dealing with types that you can't do much against (in this case fire/flying, which an aggron with this moveset is absolutely hopeless against). Stealth Rock is usually one of the first moves I use unless he is forced out into play and the enemy is an immediate threat. If I am able to get off stealth rock and my dreaded enemy of the Fire/Flying type shows up, I can Roar to force them out of play and make it a hassle for them to switch in. Iron Head is a decent powered STAB move with some of that juicy flinch RNG, and it is quite hilarious mindless spamming this move whilst being unkillable due to your ridiculous high defen... Oh, thats right. This pokemon unfortunately has woeful special defense and as such gets demolished by Special Fire moves (Yes, I know that Ground and Fighting are a problem too, but considering that most people who use these types will run something like Earthquake (Physical) and Brick Break or Close Combat (Both Physical), the ridiculously high defense that compensates (as well as help from the ability: filter) so this isn't necessarily a problem). This is where Light Screen (and Reflect) plays a huge part in allowing Mega Aggron to survive, essentially making Super-Effective attacks do a mere 80% (I think I have that right) of their usual damage.
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Role(s): Physical Wall and Staller
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 128 SpDef / 128 Def
Relaxed Nature (+Defense, -Speed)
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
Ferrothorn is a pokemon which in my opinion has the smallest but still noticeable presence in my team setup. I think the idea of a second physical wall is good, however, my team is definitely lacking physical damage and the fact that both of my physical walls are steel types (as well as Ferrothorn being 4x weak to fire) makes it difficult to backup Aggron. Gyro Ball is a great STAB move that really takes of Ferrothorn's shockingly bad speed, and along with its nature, makes it slower than any pokemon that are considering viable in the OU category. Power Whip is another strong STAB move, not much else to say there. Leech Seed helps with healing the small damage that the enemy manages to deal with you, and allows you to say on the field longer, which helps with the final move; Spikes. The Leech Seed helps to allow Ferrothorn to stay active long enough to deploy all 3 layers of spikes, and along with Stealth Rock, that is a whole lot of damage going doing for free.
Gengar @ Choice Scarf
Role(s): Special Sweeper
Ability: Levitate (read intro if confused).
EVs: 252 Spe / 4 HP / 252 SpA
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Attack)
- Thunderbolt
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb / HP [Bug] (I am leaning towards SB because of STAB bonus.
- Shadow Ball
Gengar seems to be a great option for a Special Sweeper (and I know he is) but I feel he doesn't have the largest of impact in composition (please tell me if I am doing something wrong with putting gengar in my team). It helps to have this guy laying around when my Claydol faints to negate predicted ground attacks. Thunderbolt is pretty much just for coverage, same goes for Energy Ball. Sludge Bomb for the STAB (or HP Bug to deal with Dark and Fighting types). Shadow Ball for another STAB. Choice Scarf is basically just to ensure I am the fastest pokemon out on the field.
Starmie @ Choice Specs
Role(s): Special Sweeper
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Modest Nature (+Special Attack, -Attack) (Thinking of going with Timid instead, let me know thoughts).
- Thunderbolt
- Scald
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
Starmie I think fits well into my team considering my lack of Water, and weakness to Fighting (which Starmie can deal with via Psychic). Thunderbolt for type coverage. Scald for the juicy burn chance and STAB damage. Psychic for another STAB. Finally, Ice Beam which helps when dealing with the weakness of grass, and to have a move to deal with dragon types, which my team is otherwise absent of. Choice Specs I feel is the best item as you will generally only have to use one move, and it also arguably encourages utilisation of Starmie's ability, win win.
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Role(s): Physical Sweeper
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Speed, -Special Attack)
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Thunder Punch
- Stone Edge
Tyranitar is an absolute monster of a pokemon, despite his 7 weaknesses, one of which being 4x to Fighting. The Choice Scarf and Jolly Nature allow him to outspeed alot of threats, and his Attack is so high that he can essentially one shot anything with a moveset with great coverage like this (2/3 of pokemon are weak to this moveset, with only 3 where Tyranitar has not atleast an effective move). Earthquake for the great damage and coverage. Crunch for the STAB and -Defense chance. Thunder Punch for coverage. Finally, Stone Edge for the STAB and crit chance.
Conclusion:
Considering (if you were unaware) the insane flexibility of teams in the Pixelmon Mod, I am open to ANY and ALL suggestions that go towards improving my team. Just a heads up, my general strategy is to lead with Claydol, light screen and reflect. Switch to Ferrothorn, leech seed, spikes x3. Switch back to Claydol to re-apply light screen and reflect. And then switch to Mega Aggron to unleash havoc, one shotting opponents where possible, and if not, roaring them into near half HP damage.
Thank you so much for reading if you made it all the way to the bottom. <3
PS: I do think that Ferrothorn is great but needs to be replaced with a bulky physical sweeper, I am thinking Salamence to help with my lack of Flying and Dragon types? Let me know.
PS: If it means anything, this is a competitive OU team for the Minecraft mod; Pixelmon. The mod currently lies in a limbo state around generation 6 and 7, explaining the reasoning for my Gengar having the ability: Levitate (as he possessed this ability in generation 6, but was later changed in generation 7).
Claydol @ Leftovers
Role(s): Lead, Special Wall and Setup
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpD / 212 Def / 44 HP
Modest Nature (+Special Attack, -Attack)
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Psychic
- Earth Power
I am not certain if Claydol has a position in my team, I tried other pokemon such as Klefki, but Claydol seems to have a great niche for my team composition. Claydol is the most recent addition (or replacement) to my team and serves as my Lead, Setup and Special Wall. I took double screens on him in order to make my two physical walls even stronger, and to help out with my Aggron's shoddy special defense. Psychic is there for the STAB bonus and to cover the teams weakness to fighting, and Earth Power is a special ground move which allows for the STAB bonus and to cover the weakness of fighting.
Now there are plenty of pokemon that could serve roughly the same purpose here, but the primary reason that I chose Claydol was to support my Aggron (the pokemon my team revolves around). Claydol effectively deals with Fighting Types and Fire Types (and the modest nature helps to achieve this) as well as baiting out Earthquakes only to have Levitate negate the damage. It also helps for Claydol to not die straight off so there is a way to negate Electric damage to support Starmie as well.
TLDR: Claydol is the best pokemon with levitate I could find to fit this role.
Aggron (Mega) @ Aggronite
Role(s): Physical Wall
Ability: Filter
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Def
Impish Nature (+Defense, -Special Attack)
- Earthquake
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Iron Head
Aggron is the frontman of my team and I think he is one of the best choices for a Mega Wall. Earthquake is an overall great move and helps with dealing with the fire types. Roar is great for dealing with types that you can't do much against (in this case fire/flying, which an aggron with this moveset is absolutely hopeless against). Stealth Rock is usually one of the first moves I use unless he is forced out into play and the enemy is an immediate threat. If I am able to get off stealth rock and my dreaded enemy of the Fire/Flying type shows up, I can Roar to force them out of play and make it a hassle for them to switch in. Iron Head is a decent powered STAB move with some of that juicy flinch RNG, and it is quite hilarious mindless spamming this move whilst being unkillable due to your ridiculous high defen... Oh, thats right. This pokemon unfortunately has woeful special defense and as such gets demolished by Special Fire moves (Yes, I know that Ground and Fighting are a problem too, but considering that most people who use these types will run something like Earthquake (Physical) and Brick Break or Close Combat (Both Physical), the ridiculously high defense that compensates (as well as help from the ability: filter) so this isn't necessarily a problem). This is where Light Screen (and Reflect) plays a huge part in allowing Mega Aggron to survive, essentially making Super-Effective attacks do a mere 80% (I think I have that right) of their usual damage.
Ferrothorn @ Rocky Helmet
Role(s): Physical Wall and Staller
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 128 SpDef / 128 Def
Relaxed Nature (+Defense, -Speed)
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
- Spikes
Ferrothorn is a pokemon which in my opinion has the smallest but still noticeable presence in my team setup. I think the idea of a second physical wall is good, however, my team is definitely lacking physical damage and the fact that both of my physical walls are steel types (as well as Ferrothorn being 4x weak to fire) makes it difficult to backup Aggron. Gyro Ball is a great STAB move that really takes of Ferrothorn's shockingly bad speed, and along with its nature, makes it slower than any pokemon that are considering viable in the OU category. Power Whip is another strong STAB move, not much else to say there. Leech Seed helps with healing the small damage that the enemy manages to deal with you, and allows you to say on the field longer, which helps with the final move; Spikes. The Leech Seed helps to allow Ferrothorn to stay active long enough to deploy all 3 layers of spikes, and along with Stealth Rock, that is a whole lot of damage going doing for free.
Gengar @ Choice Scarf
Role(s): Special Sweeper
Ability: Levitate (read intro if confused).
EVs: 252 Spe / 4 HP / 252 SpA
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Attack)
- Thunderbolt
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb / HP [Bug] (I am leaning towards SB because of STAB bonus.
- Shadow Ball
Gengar seems to be a great option for a Special Sweeper (and I know he is) but I feel he doesn't have the largest of impact in composition (please tell me if I am doing something wrong with putting gengar in my team). It helps to have this guy laying around when my Claydol faints to negate predicted ground attacks. Thunderbolt is pretty much just for coverage, same goes for Energy Ball. Sludge Bomb for the STAB (or HP Bug to deal with Dark and Fighting types). Shadow Ball for another STAB. Choice Scarf is basically just to ensure I am the fastest pokemon out on the field.
Starmie @ Choice Specs
Role(s): Special Sweeper
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Modest Nature (+Special Attack, -Attack) (Thinking of going with Timid instead, let me know thoughts).
- Thunderbolt
- Scald
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
Starmie I think fits well into my team considering my lack of Water, and weakness to Fighting (which Starmie can deal with via Psychic). Thunderbolt for type coverage. Scald for the juicy burn chance and STAB damage. Psychic for another STAB. Finally, Ice Beam which helps when dealing with the weakness of grass, and to have a move to deal with dragon types, which my team is otherwise absent of. Choice Specs I feel is the best item as you will generally only have to use one move, and it also arguably encourages utilisation of Starmie's ability, win win.
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Role(s): Physical Sweeper
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 HP / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Speed, -Special Attack)
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Thunder Punch
- Stone Edge
Tyranitar is an absolute monster of a pokemon, despite his 7 weaknesses, one of which being 4x to Fighting. The Choice Scarf and Jolly Nature allow him to outspeed alot of threats, and his Attack is so high that he can essentially one shot anything with a moveset with great coverage like this (2/3 of pokemon are weak to this moveset, with only 3 where Tyranitar has not atleast an effective move). Earthquake for the great damage and coverage. Crunch for the STAB and -Defense chance. Thunder Punch for coverage. Finally, Stone Edge for the STAB and crit chance.
Conclusion:
Considering (if you were unaware) the insane flexibility of teams in the Pixelmon Mod, I am open to ANY and ALL suggestions that go towards improving my team. Just a heads up, my general strategy is to lead with Claydol, light screen and reflect. Switch to Ferrothorn, leech seed, spikes x3. Switch back to Claydol to re-apply light screen and reflect. And then switch to Mega Aggron to unleash havoc, one shotting opponents where possible, and if not, roaring them into near half HP damage.
Thank you so much for reading if you made it all the way to the bottom. <3
PS: I do think that Ferrothorn is great but needs to be replaced with a bulky physical sweeper, I am thinking Salamence to help with my lack of Flying and Dragon types? Let me know.