Hello everyone! This is my first RMT and it's a team that I've been fiddling around with lately and seems to be working out.
At a glance:
So this team is designed to do as much residual damage as possible, and paving the way for a MixApe, CroCune, or possibly Metagross BP sweep. To do this, I've got Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes in the mix and a lot of walls that force switches. I chose my walls based on the walls I hate to face. I groan at the sight of defensive Zapdos and Suicune, so why not have both of these beasts on my side? Zapdos serves more as an intimidating special attacker that can stall when need be, and Suicune is a great wall that functions as a sweeper mid/late game. The more dedicated walls, however, are Blissey and Forretress. Let's take a closer look at the team...
In Detail:
Metagross @ Lum Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 220 HP / 232 Atk / 44 SpDef / 12 Speed
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
Metagross is my personal favorite lead of all time just because it functions as an Anti-Lead but can also get up SR of its own. The EV spread is to take Lead Azelf's Fire Blast while still having enough speed to threaten other Metagross leads. On leads like Swampert and Bronzong I will happily trade stealth rocks because usually my next switch in on these guys after a bit of scouting is Forretress to set up. If a lead threatens me like Machamp, Azelf, or Roserade, I immediately go on the offensive. A combination of MM+BP (Atk raise plz? :D) or EQ+BP will take these leads out while Lum saves me from DynamicPunch's confusion and Roserade's SleepPowder. Opposing Metagrosses are hit by a faster EQ and I can just set up SR on their switch out after they see I can 2HKO them. Most people switch in Rotom on me when they see EQ and think they have me. However, I stay in to see if they want to Trick me something or want to Wil-O-Wisp and burn my Lum Berry. I don't want my Blissey eating a Tricked Choice item off the start of the game, and to be honest, Metagross doesn't really mind being scarfed.
Forretress @ Shed Shell
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Payback
- Pain Split
Forretress comes in whenever possible to lay up some ToxicSpikes and spin away other pesky things that might hurt Infernape and Zapdos. As I said before, I usually have this thing in early game to set up on physically based leads. And for this reason, I run Shed Shell to get away from Magnezones. I'll switch into Blissey as they either T-Bolt, HP Fire, or Substitute. From there I use Softboiled just in case they want to explode. Payback is for the Spin Blockers and I can say that Gengar is somewhat of a nightmare. Because I don't have Leftovers, I like to run Pain Split to keep Forretress at a reasonable amount of HP.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 192 HP/ 64 Def / 252 Speed
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Substitute
- Roost
This Zapdos set is the standard Sub-Roost set that can punch holes in teams when it has a sub up as well as stall out things that end up getting Toxic'd. This guy loves to say Hi! to Scizors and the threat of a Heat Wave gives me a free sub. Since Suicune doesn't have an Ice Beam, I decided to put HP Ice on 'Dos for a half-ass'd BoltBeam coverage. A thought I had was to replace Substitute with Roar and giving Zapdos alot more bulk, but a base 100 max speed T-Bolt was honestly too nice to pass up...plus I didn't like the thought of Roaring into a poke that forced me to switch and gave a potential set up for them.
Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Seismic Toss
- Softboiled
- Aromatherapy
- Toxic
A very epic special wall if I do say so myself. Blissey has been very key on this team as she takes a lot of threats and sends them on their way. I have Toxic for those pesky Levitators/Flyers, namely Gyarados. Blissey can take a hit from Gyarados and send a Toxic his way. Toxic+SR+Suicune = bad day for Gyarados. I run Softboiled opposed to Wish because having something like Aromatherapy instead of Protect was way too good to pass up. Plus the only things that can't heal themselves on the team are Metagross, which is the most expendable poke on the team, and Infernape, who isn't designed to be switching in willy-nilly. Unfortunately, Blissey is almost an immediate switch in on opposing Gengars, and if they set up a sub I could be in a world of hurt. The only thing I can really do is get Metagross in if he's still around and BulletPunch a sub away, then on a free switch bring in Suicune and frantically set up CMs or Forretress to Payback it. For this reason I'm debating whether or not to replace Toxic or AromaTherapy with ShadowBall as Gengar is the biggest threat to this team.
Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Speed
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Calm Mind
- Surf
Suicune is a beast. Takes hits like a boss, and deals hits just the same. Suicune is a powerhouse, and if my opponent isn't careful, I can get up a good amount of CMs, and then who cares about stall? Unfortunately, my only attacking move is Surf, so I can get walled early game. For this reason I either go for the safe Surf instead of setting up a CM if I haven't seen any of their walls, or double switch into Metagross if he's still around to combat the incoming wall. If I have to stall, RestTalk is absolutely great and Pressure thrown in the mix from both Suicune and Zapdos can really make the opponent think twice about using Stone Edge or Close Combat as they need to save those for Zapdos and Blissey respectively. Because of this I actually like matching CroCune up against Gyarados because they won't use Stone Edge needing to DD up and hit Zapdos later and with SR up it's nice to know that Gyarados will be hurting mid game. CroCune is also my last effort against opposing Blissey if something happens to Infernape or Metagross.
Infernape @ Expert Belt
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 64 SpAtk / 192 Speed
Hasty Nature (+Speed, -Def)
- Close Combat
- U-Turn
- Overheat
- Mach Punch
It was a hard decision of what item I should put on this guy. I ultimately decided that Expert Belt was the best choice because Life Orb recoil on U-Turns and Mach Punches just made me cringe. I was considering using Choice Scarf to combat the main nuisance to this team--Gengar. However, I do like Expert Belt because I can easily bluff a Choice Scarf. Many a time I can throw out a Close Combat, and they feel safe and bring in a Skarmory/Forretress/Celebi only to have an Overheat thrown in their face (or a U-Turn for Celebi). Unfortunately for me though, I seem to hit more Fire Blasts than Overheats, which blow my cover and leave me without a kill I feel like I should have gotten. Infernape is my answer to the common walls Blissey, Snorlax (on a free switch), Umbreon, Skarmory, Bronzong (on a free switch),Forretress, Celebi, and Shaymin. However, Infernape really shines late game with his high speed and access to Mach Punch. I don't really worry about things like Scarf Heatran because Suicune or Blissey can easily switch in on it (I'd rather have Suicune take the Explosion on a predicted Blissey switch in), forcing it out to put on some more SR damage as well as switching into my resisted attacks, allowing Infernape to clean up with Mach Punch.
So that concludes my first RMT, I am entirely open to constructive criticism (maybe swapping a poke, moves, or EV spreads). If you see a poke/set that completely destroys this team, let me know! And if this team totally fails, tell me why! It'll help me with constructing future teams and make me a more educated battler! Thanks for your time.
At a glance:
So this team is designed to do as much residual damage as possible, and paving the way for a MixApe, CroCune, or possibly Metagross BP sweep. To do this, I've got Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes in the mix and a lot of walls that force switches. I chose my walls based on the walls I hate to face. I groan at the sight of defensive Zapdos and Suicune, so why not have both of these beasts on my side? Zapdos serves more as an intimidating special attacker that can stall when need be, and Suicune is a great wall that functions as a sweeper mid/late game. The more dedicated walls, however, are Blissey and Forretress. Let's take a closer look at the team...
In Detail:
Metagross @ Lum Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 220 HP / 232 Atk / 44 SpDef / 12 Speed
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Bullet Punch
- Earthquake
Metagross is my personal favorite lead of all time just because it functions as an Anti-Lead but can also get up SR of its own. The EV spread is to take Lead Azelf's Fire Blast while still having enough speed to threaten other Metagross leads. On leads like Swampert and Bronzong I will happily trade stealth rocks because usually my next switch in on these guys after a bit of scouting is Forretress to set up. If a lead threatens me like Machamp, Azelf, or Roserade, I immediately go on the offensive. A combination of MM+BP (Atk raise plz? :D) or EQ+BP will take these leads out while Lum saves me from DynamicPunch's confusion and Roserade's SleepPowder. Opposing Metagrosses are hit by a faster EQ and I can just set up SR on their switch out after they see I can 2HKO them. Most people switch in Rotom on me when they see EQ and think they have me. However, I stay in to see if they want to Trick me something or want to Wil-O-Wisp and burn my Lum Berry. I don't want my Blissey eating a Tricked Choice item off the start of the game, and to be honest, Metagross doesn't really mind being scarfed.
Forretress @ Shed Shell
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SpAtk)
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Payback
- Pain Split
Forretress comes in whenever possible to lay up some ToxicSpikes and spin away other pesky things that might hurt Infernape and Zapdos. As I said before, I usually have this thing in early game to set up on physically based leads. And for this reason, I run Shed Shell to get away from Magnezones. I'll switch into Blissey as they either T-Bolt, HP Fire, or Substitute. From there I use Softboiled just in case they want to explode. Payback is for the Spin Blockers and I can say that Gengar is somewhat of a nightmare. Because I don't have Leftovers, I like to run Pain Split to keep Forretress at a reasonable amount of HP.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 192 HP/ 64 Def / 252 Speed
Timid Nature (+Speed, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Substitute
- Roost
This Zapdos set is the standard Sub-Roost set that can punch holes in teams when it has a sub up as well as stall out things that end up getting Toxic'd. This guy loves to say Hi! to Scizors and the threat of a Heat Wave gives me a free sub. Since Suicune doesn't have an Ice Beam, I decided to put HP Ice on 'Dos for a half-ass'd BoltBeam coverage. A thought I had was to replace Substitute with Roar and giving Zapdos alot more bulk, but a base 100 max speed T-Bolt was honestly too nice to pass up...plus I didn't like the thought of Roaring into a poke that forced me to switch and gave a potential set up for them.
Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Seismic Toss
- Softboiled
- Aromatherapy
- Toxic
A very epic special wall if I do say so myself. Blissey has been very key on this team as she takes a lot of threats and sends them on their way. I have Toxic for those pesky Levitators/Flyers, namely Gyarados. Blissey can take a hit from Gyarados and send a Toxic his way. Toxic+SR+Suicune = bad day for Gyarados. I run Softboiled opposed to Wish because having something like Aromatherapy instead of Protect was way too good to pass up. Plus the only things that can't heal themselves on the team are Metagross, which is the most expendable poke on the team, and Infernape, who isn't designed to be switching in willy-nilly. Unfortunately, Blissey is almost an immediate switch in on opposing Gengars, and if they set up a sub I could be in a world of hurt. The only thing I can really do is get Metagross in if he's still around and BulletPunch a sub away, then on a free switch bring in Suicune and frantically set up CMs or Forretress to Payback it. For this reason I'm debating whether or not to replace Toxic or AromaTherapy with ShadowBall as Gengar is the biggest threat to this team.
Suicune @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Speed
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Calm Mind
- Surf
Suicune is a beast. Takes hits like a boss, and deals hits just the same. Suicune is a powerhouse, and if my opponent isn't careful, I can get up a good amount of CMs, and then who cares about stall? Unfortunately, my only attacking move is Surf, so I can get walled early game. For this reason I either go for the safe Surf instead of setting up a CM if I haven't seen any of their walls, or double switch into Metagross if he's still around to combat the incoming wall. If I have to stall, RestTalk is absolutely great and Pressure thrown in the mix from both Suicune and Zapdos can really make the opponent think twice about using Stone Edge or Close Combat as they need to save those for Zapdos and Blissey respectively. Because of this I actually like matching CroCune up against Gyarados because they won't use Stone Edge needing to DD up and hit Zapdos later and with SR up it's nice to know that Gyarados will be hurting mid game. CroCune is also my last effort against opposing Blissey if something happens to Infernape or Metagross.
Infernape @ Expert Belt
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 252 Atk / 64 SpAtk / 192 Speed
Hasty Nature (+Speed, -Def)
- Close Combat
- U-Turn
- Overheat
- Mach Punch
It was a hard decision of what item I should put on this guy. I ultimately decided that Expert Belt was the best choice because Life Orb recoil on U-Turns and Mach Punches just made me cringe. I was considering using Choice Scarf to combat the main nuisance to this team--Gengar. However, I do like Expert Belt because I can easily bluff a Choice Scarf. Many a time I can throw out a Close Combat, and they feel safe and bring in a Skarmory/Forretress/Celebi only to have an Overheat thrown in their face (or a U-Turn for Celebi). Unfortunately for me though, I seem to hit more Fire Blasts than Overheats, which blow my cover and leave me without a kill I feel like I should have gotten. Infernape is my answer to the common walls Blissey, Snorlax (on a free switch), Umbreon, Skarmory, Bronzong (on a free switch),Forretress, Celebi, and Shaymin. However, Infernape really shines late game with his high speed and access to Mach Punch. I don't really worry about things like Scarf Heatran because Suicune or Blissey can easily switch in on it (I'd rather have Suicune take the Explosion on a predicted Blissey switch in), forcing it out to put on some more SR damage as well as switching into my resisted attacks, allowing Infernape to clean up with Mach Punch.
So that concludes my first RMT, I am entirely open to constructive criticism (maybe swapping a poke, moves, or EV spreads). If you see a poke/set that completely destroys this team, let me know! And if this team totally fails, tell me why! It'll help me with constructing future teams and make me a more educated battler! Thanks for your time.