Hello, I'm Flashrider57, and this is my first RMT. I'm a bit new to 5th Gen, so after a hiatus from Pokemon, I decided to get back into competitive battling. I was pretty good at both OU and UU in 4th Gen (especially my favorite 4th Gen UU team, which was pretty beast...), so it took quite a while to get used to the new fifth gen. However, I was able to grasp the main ideas after using a couple teams, and I decided to make a truly competitive team, which I now present to you.
The team is based around SubPunch Conkeldurr, a Pokemon that ends up surprising a lot of people who haven't faced it before. It's supported offensively by a CM+Roar Latias, Banded Azumarill, and Scarfed Hydreigon, which has proven to be very useful. The team is held together by a defensive glue of Porygon2 and Celebi, who are able to check a surprising amount of OU Pokemon.
Team Building Process:
THE TEAM:
Azumarill@Choice Band
Huge Power
Adamant Nature
232 HP / 252 Atk / 12 Def / 12 SpD
-Aqua Jet
-Waterfall
-Superpower
-Ice Punch
Azumarill has surprised me in many ways, but what is most shocking is how essential he has become to my team. He functions as my team's bulky physical attacker, check to common Sandstorm sweepers, and my lead. And yes, you read that last bit correctly. He absolutely destroys many Pokemon that people like to lead with, such as Choiced Politoed, Tyranitar, and DD Dragonite (the last of which I don't understand why people lead with it...), and its ability to switch into many attacks makes it much easier for it to defeat opponents. I don't really see any reason to change this spot on my team.
Hydreigon@Choice Scarf
Levitate
Timid Nature
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Fire Blast
-Focus Blast
-U-Turn
Hydreigon is my team's revenge-killer, and he serves his role brilliantly. Whenever one of my team members goes down, chances are that Hydreigon can kill the culprit. He's also pretty good at taking down Dragon-types that my team has trouble with, specifically Lati@s, and U-Turn is very useful for regaining momentum at times. If I'm in a pinch, he serves as my offensive "panic button", in case I need for him to switch in and kill something IMMEDIATELY. There are a couple times when I feel that he's a liability, usually because of his typing, and I wish I had a Dragonite instead. However, I am still glad that he has helped out my team regardless, and I am willing to overlook his shortcomings in favor of his benefits to my team.
Latias@Leftovers
Levitate
Timid Nature
252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
-Calm Mind
-Dragon Pulse
-Roar
-Recover
Latias is overshadowed by Latios in most regards, but I've discovered how effective her Calm Mind set can be, and I'm surprised at how easily she can take out opponents. On my team, she functions as my main special sweeper and phazer. I've chosen Roar over Hidden Power Fire because she deals with stat-boosters and Substitute users that would otherwise cause problems for my team. While testing her, both my opponent and myself were surprised at how easily she could take even Super Effective hits after a couple of Calm Minds. Overall, I'm pleased I chose to test her out and place her on my team, and I'm looking forward to future battles with her.
Conkeldurr@Leftovers
Guts
Adamant Nature
252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
-Substitute
-Focus Punch
-Mach Punch
-Payback
Here's the star of the show. SubPunch Conkeldurr isn't that common, but I've learned from my time with him that he is quite devastating, especially if you know how to use him. Since Substitute helps to scout out the opponent while providing some protection, Conkeldurr can defeat more opponents with his power. A Focus Punch off of him destroys so many opponents, while Payback is chosen to defeat Ghost-types and Psychic-types. Unfortunately, he needs quite a bit of support, but thankfully the other members of my team provide enough of it for him to successfully attack and defeat enemies. I am glad I built my team around him, and he is here to stay.
Porygon2@Eviolite
Trace
Bold Nature
252 HP / 184 Def / 72 SpD
-Discharge
-Ice Beam
-Toxic
-Recover
Porygon2 is so freaking bulky that it's not even funny. Seriously, Porygon2 has taken so many hits and survived, and he serves as one of the best checks to the majority of the OU metagame that I have ever seen. Not only does it serve my team as a bulky defender, but he's also my team's status spreader and, in a pinch, a backup special attacker. He can also stall opponents out if I need to, but I mainly use him to check troublesome opponents such as Heatran, Vaporeon, and Chandelure. Porygon2 is invaluable to my team, and I will not accept any substitutes for him.
Celebi@Leftovers
Natural Cure
Bold Nature
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
-Heal Bell
-Giga Drain
-Psychic
-Recover
Celebi is an odd choice on my team, but she fulfills her role pretty well nevertheless. As my cleric, Fighting-type and rain check (no, not because I'm rained out...I know, horrible joke...), and occasional staller all rolled into one, she's helped me out in a couple dire situations while also helping the rest of my team sweep my opponent. Because I needed her to fill a number of roles, I decided to make a set custom-built to serve my needs. Heal Bell is essential on my team, as it would otherwise have trouble with status, especially Toxic, while Giga Drain allows me to hurt Water-types such as Politoed and restore some HP. Psychic destroys Fighting-type opponents such as Conkeldurr, Toxicroak, and Machamp, while also giving me a good way to hurt Tentacruel (Liquid Ooze makes Giga Drain a bad idea...). Finally, Recover gives Celebi a reliable healing move outside of Giga Drain, and the combination of Recover and Heal Bell allows me to stall out the opponent when I need to. I have considered putting Stealth Rock on this set, but I am usually able to go without entry hazards, so it isn't much of an issue. However, I would appreciate help on the EVs and nature, because I want Celebi to be able to check both Fighting-types and Rain more effectively.
Problems for my team (well, the ones I can remember...):
Mamoswine-Thankfully, it isn't really common, but it absolutely destroys my team. My only real check is Azumarill, but I have to be careful with switching it in...
Tentacruel-Ick...my team gives it multiple opportunities to switch in and set up Toxic Spikes. If I can eliminate it quickly, though, it's no big deal.
Entry Hazards- I can usually play around them, so they aren't really a big deal.
Well, that's my first RMT. Rate, hate, steal, whatever you like. If there's any problems that I missed, please point them out to me, and I'll see how I can correct it. Thanks!
The team is based around SubPunch Conkeldurr, a Pokemon that ends up surprising a lot of people who haven't faced it before. It's supported offensively by a CM+Roar Latias, Banded Azumarill, and Scarfed Hydreigon, which has proven to be very useful. The team is held together by a defensive glue of Porygon2 and Celebi, who are able to check a surprising amount of OU Pokemon.
Team Building Process:
After a lot of testing, I decided to build my team around a set that I have been interested in but never got the chance to use: SubPunch Conkeldurr. It seemed interesting enough, and I hadn't seen many people use it, so I gave it a shot.
Next, I needed a Pokemon to support Conkeldurr, and it made sense to use a Calm Minder to complement Conkeldurr's physical dominance. Virizion worked well for me in the past, and it matches up well with Conkeldurr, so I included it on my team.
Hydreigon seemed an interesting choice for my team, seeing how it could kill faster opponents that caused problems for my other members, and its power would allow me to eliminate Lati@s and the other dragons, so I chose a Choice Scarf version to use on my team.
A defensive "glue" is essential for any offensive team, and mine's no different, so I looked for potential members. Porygon2 had caused me problems in the past, and its analysis said that it could take hits from multiple Pokemon. Deciding that it was a no-brainer, Porygon2 joined my ranks.
I realized that if my team was to succeed, it needed some serious support, including Dual Screens and entry hazards. Plus, I had a problem with Fighting-types, since Virizion can't handle them forever. Xatu seemed the perfect choice for this role, thanks to his access to both screens and Magic Bounce, and I was left with only one more spot to fill!
Now here came the tricky part for building my team. I needed another attacker (preferably a physical one to balance it out), but I needed a check to attackers commonly found on Sandstorm teams, specifically Excadrill, Landorus, and Terrakion. I couldn't really think of anything that would have worked at first, so I began to think how much easier it was to make a team during my time in 4th Gen UU. Suddenly, it hit me: CB Azumarill. Not only did it fill the requirements that I listed, but it fulfilled the role of a true bulky attacker, which I really needed but didn't think about. And finally my team was finished.
After some constructive commenting, I did some testing with a couple of Pokemon. Eventually, I decided to switch out Xatu for a CM+Roar Latias, which had proven effective during my testing. However, I then decided that Virizion was the weak link of my team, and I started looking for replacements. I realized that I needed a solid check to Rain teams and Fighting-types, as well as a cleric and a good defensive partner to Porygon2. Celebi fit this description, so I tried her out over Virizion. I soon decided that she was a good choice for my team.
http://archives.bulbagarden.net/media/upload/e/eb/380.png
Next, I needed a Pokemon to support Conkeldurr, and it made sense to use a Calm Minder to complement Conkeldurr's physical dominance. Virizion worked well for me in the past, and it matches up well with Conkeldurr, so I included it on my team.
Hydreigon seemed an interesting choice for my team, seeing how it could kill faster opponents that caused problems for my other members, and its power would allow me to eliminate Lati@s and the other dragons, so I chose a Choice Scarf version to use on my team.
A defensive "glue" is essential for any offensive team, and mine's no different, so I looked for potential members. Porygon2 had caused me problems in the past, and its analysis said that it could take hits from multiple Pokemon. Deciding that it was a no-brainer, Porygon2 joined my ranks.
I realized that if my team was to succeed, it needed some serious support, including Dual Screens and entry hazards. Plus, I had a problem with Fighting-types, since Virizion can't handle them forever. Xatu seemed the perfect choice for this role, thanks to his access to both screens and Magic Bounce, and I was left with only one more spot to fill!
Now here came the tricky part for building my team. I needed another attacker (preferably a physical one to balance it out), but I needed a check to attackers commonly found on Sandstorm teams, specifically Excadrill, Landorus, and Terrakion. I couldn't really think of anything that would have worked at first, so I began to think how much easier it was to make a team during my time in 4th Gen UU. Suddenly, it hit me: CB Azumarill. Not only did it fill the requirements that I listed, but it fulfilled the role of a true bulky attacker, which I really needed but didn't think about. And finally my team was finished.
After some constructive commenting, I did some testing with a couple of Pokemon. Eventually, I decided to switch out Xatu for a CM+Roar Latias, which had proven effective during my testing. However, I then decided that Virizion was the weak link of my team, and I started looking for replacements. I realized that I needed a solid check to Rain teams and Fighting-types, as well as a cleric and a good defensive partner to Porygon2. Celebi fit this description, so I tried her out over Virizion. I soon decided that she was a good choice for my team.
THE TEAM:
Azumarill@Choice Band
Huge Power
Adamant Nature
232 HP / 252 Atk / 12 Def / 12 SpD
-Aqua Jet
-Waterfall
-Superpower
-Ice Punch
Azumarill has surprised me in many ways, but what is most shocking is how essential he has become to my team. He functions as my team's bulky physical attacker, check to common Sandstorm sweepers, and my lead. And yes, you read that last bit correctly. He absolutely destroys many Pokemon that people like to lead with, such as Choiced Politoed, Tyranitar, and DD Dragonite (the last of which I don't understand why people lead with it...), and its ability to switch into many attacks makes it much easier for it to defeat opponents. I don't really see any reason to change this spot on my team.
Hydreigon@Choice Scarf
Levitate
Timid Nature
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Fire Blast
-Focus Blast
-U-Turn
Hydreigon is my team's revenge-killer, and he serves his role brilliantly. Whenever one of my team members goes down, chances are that Hydreigon can kill the culprit. He's also pretty good at taking down Dragon-types that my team has trouble with, specifically Lati@s, and U-Turn is very useful for regaining momentum at times. If I'm in a pinch, he serves as my offensive "panic button", in case I need for him to switch in and kill something IMMEDIATELY. There are a couple times when I feel that he's a liability, usually because of his typing, and I wish I had a Dragonite instead. However, I am still glad that he has helped out my team regardless, and I am willing to overlook his shortcomings in favor of his benefits to my team.
Latias@Leftovers
Levitate
Timid Nature
252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
-Calm Mind
-Dragon Pulse
-Roar
-Recover
Latias is overshadowed by Latios in most regards, but I've discovered how effective her Calm Mind set can be, and I'm surprised at how easily she can take out opponents. On my team, she functions as my main special sweeper and phazer. I've chosen Roar over Hidden Power Fire because she deals with stat-boosters and Substitute users that would otherwise cause problems for my team. While testing her, both my opponent and myself were surprised at how easily she could take even Super Effective hits after a couple of Calm Minds. Overall, I'm pleased I chose to test her out and place her on my team, and I'm looking forward to future battles with her.
Conkeldurr@Leftovers
Guts
Adamant Nature
252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
-Substitute
-Focus Punch
-Mach Punch
-Payback
Here's the star of the show. SubPunch Conkeldurr isn't that common, but I've learned from my time with him that he is quite devastating, especially if you know how to use him. Since Substitute helps to scout out the opponent while providing some protection, Conkeldurr can defeat more opponents with his power. A Focus Punch off of him destroys so many opponents, while Payback is chosen to defeat Ghost-types and Psychic-types. Unfortunately, he needs quite a bit of support, but thankfully the other members of my team provide enough of it for him to successfully attack and defeat enemies. I am glad I built my team around him, and he is here to stay.
Porygon2@Eviolite
Trace
Bold Nature
252 HP / 184 Def / 72 SpD
-Discharge
-Ice Beam
-Toxic
-Recover
Porygon2 is so freaking bulky that it's not even funny. Seriously, Porygon2 has taken so many hits and survived, and he serves as one of the best checks to the majority of the OU metagame that I have ever seen. Not only does it serve my team as a bulky defender, but he's also my team's status spreader and, in a pinch, a backup special attacker. He can also stall opponents out if I need to, but I mainly use him to check troublesome opponents such as Heatran, Vaporeon, and Chandelure. Porygon2 is invaluable to my team, and I will not accept any substitutes for him.
Celebi@Leftovers
Natural Cure
Bold Nature
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
-Heal Bell
-Giga Drain
-Psychic
-Recover
Celebi is an odd choice on my team, but she fulfills her role pretty well nevertheless. As my cleric, Fighting-type and rain check (no, not because I'm rained out...I know, horrible joke...), and occasional staller all rolled into one, she's helped me out in a couple dire situations while also helping the rest of my team sweep my opponent. Because I needed her to fill a number of roles, I decided to make a set custom-built to serve my needs. Heal Bell is essential on my team, as it would otherwise have trouble with status, especially Toxic, while Giga Drain allows me to hurt Water-types such as Politoed and restore some HP. Psychic destroys Fighting-type opponents such as Conkeldurr, Toxicroak, and Machamp, while also giving me a good way to hurt Tentacruel (Liquid Ooze makes Giga Drain a bad idea...). Finally, Recover gives Celebi a reliable healing move outside of Giga Drain, and the combination of Recover and Heal Bell allows me to stall out the opponent when I need to. I have considered putting Stealth Rock on this set, but I am usually able to go without entry hazards, so it isn't much of an issue. However, I would appreciate help on the EVs and nature, because I want Celebi to be able to check both Fighting-types and Rain more effectively.
Problems for my team (well, the ones I can remember...):
Mamoswine-Thankfully, it isn't really common, but it absolutely destroys my team. My only real check is Azumarill, but I have to be careful with switching it in...
Tentacruel-Ick...my team gives it multiple opportunities to switch in and set up Toxic Spikes. If I can eliminate it quickly, though, it's no big deal.
Entry Hazards- I can usually play around them, so they aren't really a big deal.
Well, that's my first RMT. Rate, hate, steal, whatever you like. If there's any problems that I missed, please point them out to me, and I'll see how I can correct it. Thanks!