Competitive Single Rates - READ FIRST POST

[OverpoweredScizor]

I saw a video with a ResTalk special Scyther and it gave me an idea to create gimmicky, unconventional sets and use surprise to win battles :3
I thought of this:

Scizor@Occa Berry
Technician
252 HP/252 Def/4 Atk
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
-Toxic
-Iron Defense
-Roost
-Protect

This is a defensive Scizor with max Defense and max HP. Scizor has a respectable base 100 defense and ok base 70 HP. Toxic is for stalling alongside Protect, Iron Defense can be used on switches or whenever I get the chance, and Roost is for recovery. I'm not worried about Taunt because no one really thinks to taunt a Scizor

Conversely, I have an offensive Skarmory:

Skarmory@Life Orb
Sturdy
252 Atk/252 Spd/4 HP
Adamant (+Atk, -SAtk)
-Autotomize
-Swords Dance
-Brave Bird
-Night Slash

If anyone actually prepares for offensive Skarmory, it's news to me. Anyway, this is an AgiliDance Skarmory with Autotomize (super-uncommon move!) and Swords Dance. My two attacks are Brave Bird for STAB and Night Slash because it was the best thing I could find to round out coverage.

[ChaosBlizzard]

Scizor@Occa Berry
Technician
252 HP/252 Def/4 Atk
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
-Toxic
-Iron Defense
-Roost
-Protect

This is a defensive Scizor with max Defense and max HP. Scizor has a respectable base 100 defense and ok base 70 HP. Toxic is for stalling alongside Protect, Iron Defense can be used on switches or whenever I get the chance, and Roost is for recovery. I'm not worried about Taunt because no one really thinks to taunt a Scizor

I like it. Outclassed to a certain extent, but coming from the gimmick premise, not bad. Put the EVs in SpDef instead of Def though; Fire weakness and all that.

Skarmory@Life Orb
Sturdy
252 Atk/252 Spd/4 HP
Adamant (+Atk, -SAtk)
-Autotomize
-Swords Dance
-Brave Bird
-Night Slash

If anyone actually prepares for offensive Skarmory, it's news to me. Anyway, this is an AgiliDance Skarmory with Autotomize (super-uncommon move!) and Swords Dance. My two attacks are Brave Bird for STAB and Night Slash because it was the best thing I could find to round out coverage.

Probably won't win you a lot of battles, but I could see potential. Play it like you'd play a Bulk Up Scrafty though. Put the EVs in HP and SpDef and boost from there; if you manage to set up, you'll be bulky and powerful. I would also suggest trying to find a way to fit Roost on there somehow; you'll need recovery for this to work.

* * *


Metagross @ Leftovers / Life Orb
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Hone Claws
- Bullet Punch / Hammer Arm / Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt

I need a special tank that resists Ice, and that is a hard-hitting physical attacker; Metagross seems like a solid fit. Not content with any of the standard sets though, I've decided to make my own.

Hone Claws seems like a move made for Metagross. It has two great attacks for its equally great STABs, but they both suffer from poor accuracy; Hone Claws gives him a sizable boost and fixes their accuracy completely. With his typing and bulk, he could potentially get more than one boost as well.

The item and last move are where I'm having trouble. I'm tempted to give him Leftovers so he can heal off the damage he's pretty much necessarily going to get from being slow and while setting up, but I fear he'll be too weak if I have to attack without setting up first. Life Orb could give him some immediate power, but would just further damage him, compounding the problem I was trying to fix with Leftovers. As for the move, Bullet Punch would let him revenge kill (which would be appreciated) and overcome his middling speed to a certain extent, but it's kind of weak. Hammer Arm could work, but would just kill his Speed even more. Earthquake is a consideration because it's Earthquake, and also because it's similar to Hammer Arm but without the Speed drop.

[floatzel98]

I've been seeing a lot of SubCM Mespirit sets in NU. The moves are something like Sub, CM, Psychic and thunderbolt. What spread would you use on that? max HP and Special Attack, or Spa and Spe or HP and Defense or HP and speed?

[OverpoweredScizor]

Metagross @ Leftovers / Life Orb
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SDef
Careful Nature (+SDef, -SAtk)
- Hone Claws
- Bullet Punch / Hammer Arm / Earthquake
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt

I need a special tank that resists Ice, and that is a hard-hitting physical attacker; Metagross seems like a solid fit. Not content with any of the standard sets though, I've decided to make my own.

Hone Claws seems like a move made for Metagross. It has two great attacks for its equally great STABs, but they both suffer from poor accuracy; Hone Claws gives him a sizable boost and fixes their accuracy completely. With his typing and bulk, he could potentially get more than one boost as well.

The item and last move are where I'm having trouble. I'm tempted to give him Leftovers so he can heal off the damage he's pretty much necessarily going to get from being slow and while setting up, but I fear he'll be too weak if I have to attack without setting up first. Life Orb could give him some immediate power, but would just further damage him, compounding the problem I was trying to fix with Leftovers. As for the move, Bullet Punch would let him revenge kill (which would be appreciated) and overcome his middling speed to a certain extent, but it's kind of weak. Hammer Arm could work, but would just kill his Speed even more. Earthquake is a consideration because it's Earthquake, and also because it's similar to Hammer Arm but without the Speed drop.

Let's see...Bullet Punch could actually have some decent power on its own after a boost and life orb, but you probably want meteor mash. If you are willing to give up Mash, put EQ in, otherwise go for Bullet Punch in the second slot. You want leftovers because metagross is bulky enough to take the heat that will come while setting up. My only concern is phazing, but a life orb doesn't really change much. Losing the extra health really isn't worth it on a tank, anyway. An option is to replace Zen Headbutt with a status move (or EQ), since it really doesn't do much to improve your coverage, and Toxic or TWave can give Metagross a supportive role, as well as allowing it to stall out enemies it can't directly defeat. My final answer is this:

Metagross@Leftovers
Clear Body
252 SDef/252 HP/4 Atk
Careful
-Hone Claws
-Bullet Punch
-Meteor Mash/Earthquake
-Toxic/Earthquake

EDIT: I looked it up and realized that Metagross doesn't get TWave...

[jesusfreak94]

I've been seeing a lot of SubCM Mespirit sets in NU. The moves are something like Sub, CM, Psychic and thunderbolt. What spread would you use on that? max HP and Special Attack, or Spa and Spe or HP and Defense or HP and speed?

Yeah, it's usually max HP and SpA with a Modest nature.

As for Metagross, I once used a similar set, only with a Choice Band, similar to the specially defensive CB Tyranitar set. It actually did an excellent job of tanking attacks from many Psychic types and nailing them with Meteor Mash or Pursuit, but I found that the lack of power was often a letdown. Hone Claws is a nice idea, but I'd go more offensive with it if I were to run a set like that. I'd also run Hammer Arm and Meteor Mash together no matter what; Zen Headbutt really does little besides getting STAB.

[Almighty Zard]

I actually have another "Solo" pokemon to rate.

Rotom-W@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Evs: 252 Spe, 252 SpA, 4 Hp
Timid nature (+ Spe, -Atk)
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Shadow Ball
-Trick

OK this thing kills a Starmie, but then gets wacked by an Infernape due to Hydro Pump missing, any advice on the item or moves?

Thought about switching to Jellicent, but that thing is countered by this one...plus i've used Jellicent at least 4 times with no success at all even on balanced teams.

[ChaosBlizzard]

As for Metagross, I once used a similar set, only with a Choice Band, similar to the specially defensive CB Tyranitar set. It actually did an excellent job of tanking attacks from many Psychic types and nailing them with Meteor Mash or Pursuit, but I found that the lack of power was often a letdown. Hone Claws is a nice idea, but I'd go more offensive with it if I were to run a set like that. I'd also run Hammer Arm and Meteor Mash together no matter what; Zen Headbutt really does little besides getting STAB.

Thanks. Any recommendation on how to balance the Attack and Special Defense EVs? I want him to tank more so than really do out-right damage before setting up.

[floatzel98]

I actually have another "Solo" pokemon to rate.

Rotom-W@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Evs: 252 Spe, 252 SpA, 4 Hp
Timid nature (+ Spe, -Atk)
-Volt Switch
-Hydro Pump
-Shadow Ball
-Trick

OK this thing kills a Starmie, but then gets wacked by an Infernape due to Hydro Pump missing, any advice on the item or moves?

Thought about switching to Jellicent, but that thing is countered by this one...plus i've used Jellicent at least 4 times with no success at all even on balanced teams.

The set it okay, but a Hidden power can be used for more coverage. Ice works well with Voltswitch, grass nails quagsire and gastrodon. Fire kills scizor and the team.

[Almighty Zard]

The set it okay, but a Hidden power can be used for more coverage. Ice works well with Voltswitch, grass nails quagsire and gastrodon. Fire kills scizor and the team.

and now i feel stupid again since i didn't remember that, thanks for the advice dude.

[floatzel98]

lol, no problem.

[pkmnswampmaster]

Thanks. Any recommendation on how to balance the Attack and Special Defense EVs? I want him to tank more so than really do out-right damage before setting up.

In one of my early EV trained Metagross I recall putting 252 Atk 100 HP 152 Sp. Def I maximized attack but then I was to lazy so I gave it the 10 HP Ups and the 10 Zincs and gave the remaining EVs into Sp Def, it works well for me, also no hard feelings about the little percentage discussion, right?

[ChaosBlizzard]

In one of my early EV trained Metagross I recall putting 252 Atk 100 HP 152 Sp. Def I maximized attack but then I was to lazy so I gave it the 10 HP Ups and the 10 Zincs and gave the remaining EVs into Sp Def, it works well for me,

Is there any calculated significance behind those numbers or is it kind of "just 'cause" math?

also no hard feelings about the little percentage discussion, right?

That was you? You've changed your avatar.

We were saying the same thing, it's just you were using more lay terminology and I was using more rigorously correct terminology (as a computer science major, I'm kind of expected to). The only truly incorrect thing I remember you saying was that the only way to shrink a number by applying a percentage to it as a scalar was to have a negative percentage; even then I assume I was misunderstanding your intent.

[Blue Harvest]

Thanks. Any recommendation on how to balance the Attack and Special Defense EVs? I want him to tank more so than really do out-right damage before setting up.

Maxing attack and HP allows him to take hits overall the best. If you want to focus on Special Defense either take some EVs out of attack into SP def.

To live through two Specs Latios Surfs you can run 252 HP / 164 Attack / 92 Special Defense, though you may get 2HKOed after Stealth Rocks.

[ChaosBlizzard]

Maxing attack and HP allows him to take hits overall the best. If you want to focus on Special Defense either take some EVs out of attack into SP def.

To live through two Specs Latios Surfs you can run 252 HP / 164 Attack / 92 Special Defense, though you may get 2HKOed after Stealth Rocks.

I was just trying it on PO with Careful and 252 HP/SpDef and he got 2HKO'd by Politoad several times. That's a little disconcerting...

[Dragin990]

I need an adamant Raticate set, or would jolly be more effective?

[pkmnswampmaster]

I need an adamant Raticate set, or would jolly be more effective?

I would use Jolly since Raticate has Guts, but it also has Sucker Punch so Adamant can still be used for extra power

[UbersSuck20]

Blissey @ Leftovers
252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Sp. Atk
- Toxic
- Protect
- Softboiled
- Thunder

Toxic helps Blissey crippling opponents, Protect combined with Leftovers let her restore HP over time, Softboiled just does that, and Thunder is used due to the prevalence of Drizzle and it hits water-types for super-effective damage.

[pkmnswampmaster]

Blissey @ Leftovers
252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Sp. Atk
- Toxic
- Protect
- Softboiled
- Thunder

Toxic helps Blissey crippling opponents, Protect combined with Leftovers let her restore HP over time, Softboiled just does that, and Thunder is used due to the prevalence of Drizzle and it hits water-types for super-effective damage.

Could work, and you wouldn't be threaten by Taunt, but a Ground type that is inmine to Poison (Gliscor fro example) will set up in your face, so watch out for that but good idea IMO would like to see this Blissey striking a Jellicent with Thunder after it used taunt

[Blue Harvest]

I was just trying it on PO with Careful and 252 HP/SpDef and he got 2HKO'd by Politoad several times. That's a little disconcerting...

Well Politoed 2HKOs some Kingdra with Hydro Pump so I wouldn't be concerned with surviving that.

[pkmnswampmaster]

Is there any calculated significance behind those numbers or is it kind of "just 'cause" math?

I didn't calculate anything since I don't know how to calculate how many EVs you need to survive "x" move, like I said I was bored of EV training so I just gave it the vitamins and put the rest in Sp. Def, but it works well for me

[zerofield]

Blissey @ Leftovers
252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Sp. Atk
- Toxic
- Protect
- Softboiled
- Thunder

Toxic helps Blissey crippling opponents, Protect combined with Leftovers let her restore HP over time, Softboiled just does that, and Thunder is used due to the prevalence of Drizzle and it hits water-types for super-effective damage.

Honestly, water-types are the least of blissey's problems, as most are vulnerable to toxic. If you really want to go anti-meta with blissey, flamethrower is usually a superior option, as scizor loves to volt-turn into blissey and taking that out can leave a big dent in a team based on offensive pressure. I usually find that the standard seismic toss applies to a wider range of situations though.

[BugZ]

working on a Scizor Swords Dance set, not sure what quite to do though, but I was thinking this would probably work.

Scizor @ Life Orb
Technician
Adamant
248 HP 252 Atk 8 Sp. Def
-Swords Dance
-Bug Bite
-Bullet Punch
-Brick Break

let me know if I should change the EV spread. Keep in mind that I do want to keep it bulky enough to take some hits, but at the same time powerful enough to deliver hard hits.

[floatzel98]

Doesn't look to different from most sets. Superpower cam take BB if you want the extra damage.

[BugZ]

Doesn't look to different from most sets. Superpower cam take BB if you want the extra damage.

Although it does do extra damage, it does lower your attack and defense, both of which are greatly needed

[floatzel98]

Just a suggestion. Anyway, looks good enough. Does 8 Speed ev's let it out speed anything?