Ask a Question Thread - READ FIRST POST

[azeem40]

I have never used a weather team before, so I think I will just stick to a weather-less team. How would I go about choosing members?

[your boss]

Try out team members that could counter opposing weather. A great example is Terrakion who can abuse Sands sp defense increase effect and do sick damage onto a lot of OU mons.

[azeem40]

I am still thinking of leading with Dragonite.

Would this be a better set?

Dragonite @ Life Orb
Nature: Hasty / Mild / Rash
EVs: 252 SpA / 180 Spe / 76 Atk
Moves:
Draco Meteor
Superpower
Thunder
Hurricane

Hurricane and Thunder can help against rain teams, while Draco Meteor alongside Superpower hits everything for atleast neutral damage. Max SpA is to maximize damage Draco Meteor, Thunder, and Hurricane do.

Like I said, I don't know how to explain team members as I haven't competitive battled in over 4 years.

[Zachmac]

I am still thinking of leading with Dragonite.

Would this be a better set?

Dragonite @ Life Orb
Nature: Hasty / Mild / Rash
EVs: 252 SpA / 180 Spe / 76 Atk
Moves:
Draco Meteor
Superpower
Thunder
Hurricane

Hurricane and Thunder can help against rain teams, while Draco Meteor alongside Superpower hits everything for atleast neutral damage. Max SpA is to maximize damage Draco Meteor, Thunder, and Hurricane do.

Like I said, I don't know how to explain team members as I haven't competitive battled in over 4 years.

You don't want to rely too much off your enemies weather, just have a way to beat them. Thunder and Hurricane are unreliable solutions, so I'd use something else.

[azeem40]

How do I beat enemy weather? Idk how to go about choosing Pokemon that would counter other people's weather condition. How about T-Bolt and Aqua Tail instead?

[That Crazy Russian™]

How bulky is a 252/252/4 Hp/SpA/Speed -Atk +Def Togekiss against the commonly used pokemon in todays metagame? Assuming flawless ivs of course.

if its bulk is 252/0 +def, not too terribly bulky. for one, the def. boost sucks because there is no investment. another is that rocks really wreck it, so as a bulky poke, its not as good in the rock infested ou meta as say, skarmory.

[ChaosBlizzard]

You don't want to rely too much off your enemies weather, just have a way to beat them. Thunder and Hurricane are unreliable solutions, so I'd use something else.

This is a good point, but notice that it goes away if you run a rain team yourself. This is actually a good set under rain if you swap out Superpower for Aqua Tail.

How do I beat enemy weather? Idk how to go about choosing Pokemon that would counter other people's weather condition. How about T-Bolt and Aqua Tail instead?

With the advent of infinite weather in OU, there is essentially one way to counter weather: kill the enemy weather starter and then summon your own weather. To counter weather in this generation, you must be able to stop your opponent from restarting their weather if it gets stopped, and then replacing the weather condition they started with one that is either neutral or beneficial to you. It sucks, but that's how you do it.

[azeem40]

Hmm, so it is generally recommended to use weather teams? Actually, IIRC, I HAVE once used a weather team, and it was a Rain Team back in 4th Gen.

[Soperman]

Hmm, so it is generally recommended to use weather teams? Actually, IIRC, I HAVE once used a weather team, and it was a Rain Team back in 4th Gen.

I mean, it can be a bit easier, since you get the boost of weather. Honestly tho, unless you plan on laddering really really high, weather teams are not a must. In fact, you could very easily pull off a great non-weather team.
But if you are just starting to battle in this fifth-generation OU metagame (which I assume by the fact that you're asking about using weather), weather is probably recommended.

[azeem40]

Yes, I want to start in the OU metagame and also get into UU as well.

So far, I have 3 Pokemon, 2 being the cores of my Team. Dragonite is my lead and with this set:
Dragonite @ Lum Berry/Life Orb
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Jolly
Moves:
Dragon Dance
Fire Punch
Outrage/Dragon Claw
Earthquake

Standard DDNite set here. Outrage will be used with Lum Berry to cure the confusion once the 2-3 turns are done. However, that will leave DNite vulnerable to Steel types, especially Ferrothorn, so my other option is Dragon Claw. While it is significantly weaker, the Life Orb mitigates this somewhat. It also allows me to switch to Fire Punch incase the aforementioned foe switches in, which it might because of the Dragon type attack. Standard EVs, maxing Atk and Spe, and pouring the remaining 4 into HP. Is that wise? Or should I give it to a defensive stat so Download Pokemon like Genesect don't get their SpA boosted?

Empoleon @ Leftovers
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 SpD
Nature: Calm
Moves:
Scald
Toxic
Protect
Stealth Rock

Specially Defensive Empoleon is my choice to cover the Ice and Rock weakness Dragonite has. Scald to burn physical sweepers, Toxic+Protect to stall, and Stealth Rock for residual damage. The HP EVs allow it to lose minimal HP from Leech Seed and Stealth Rock. 44 Def allows it to never be OHKOed by Dragonite and Salamence's Outrage (I think?). The remaining EVs go to SpD to become more of a special wall.

Ferrothorn @ Choice Band
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 SpA
Nature: Adamant
Moves:
Power Whip
Gyro Ball
Spikes
Bulldoze

You may be wondering why I also chose to get 0 SpA IV. It is because I like to play very safe. Who knows, a Pokemon with flatter could come in. Anyway, Power Whip and Gyro Ball are STAB, while also getting OK coverage. Bulldoze allows it to hit Pokemon that wall Gyro Ball and Power Whip, such as Heatran, on the switch. Spikes may seem odd for a Choice Banded Pokemon, but it can be useful sometimes. Besides, it doesn't learn many notable moves besides support and IMO, being locked into them is worse. I'd rather be locked into Spikes since multiple layers can be set down than a move that is only useful the first time.

So, what can I add to improve the core a bit? Is Dragonite even viable as a DD lead?

[azeem40]

Doesn't anyone have suggestions for me?

[Zachmac]

You may be wondering why I also chose to get 0 SpA IV. It is because I like to play very safe. Who knows, a Pokemon with flatter could come in.

Confusion is only effected by attack IIRC, so 0 sp.att IV is pointless, but more importantly, 0 attack IV will really hurt you badly, since Ferrothorn is choice banded. 0 speed is probably wanted for Gyro Ball, though.

I think you could really use a ghost type to finish the core, and it'll also have the ability to block rapid spin, since you're running two entry hazards. Dragonite covers the fighting weakness, but it's a set up sweeper, not a wall like your other two. I'd suggest Jellicent for perfect synergy with Ferrothorn, Dusklops for pure defensive power, or Cofagrigus to suit your bulky offense theme you seem to have going better.

Also, if you want your Dragonite to sweep, you may want a way to outplay Donphan and Mamoswine to avoid Ice Shard, so I think Jellicent would be an especially strong member in your team.

Don't use Dragonite as a lead. First, team viewer messes leads up, so you should really try and out predict your enemy, and second, Dragonite could be a valuable late game sweeper, even with a less bulky set like that. In the early fight, choice scarfers with the ability to outrun it and OHKO are often running around, making it difficult for you to take out more then one pokemon with it.

[azeem40]

Confusion is only effected by attack IIRC, so 0 sp.att IV is pointless, but more importantly, 0 attack IV will really hurt you badly, since Ferrothorn is choice banded. 0 speed is probably wanted for Gyro Ball, though.

I think you could really use a ghost type to finish the core, and it'll also have the ability to block rapid spin, since you're running two entry hazards. Dragonite covers the fighting weakness, but it's a set up sweeper, not a wall like your other two. I'd suggest Jellicent for perfect synergy with Ferrothorn, Dusklops for pure defensive power, or Cofagrigus to suit your bulky offense theme you seem to have going better.

Also, if you want your Dragonite to sweep, you may want a way to outplay Donphan and Mamoswine to avoid Ice Shard, so I think Jellicent would be an especially strong member in your team.

Don't use Dragonite as a lead. First, team viewer messes leads up, so you should really try and out predict your enemy, and second, Dragonite could be a valuable late game sweeper, even with a less bulky set like that. In the early fight, choice scarfers with the ability to outrun it and OHKO are often running around, making it difficult for you to take out more then one pokemon with it.

The 0 Atk was mistaken. I was thinking of a Pokemon I chose for my team earlier. It is only 0 Spe. Also, I was actually thinking of balance when I made the team, but I'll try out Bulky Offense. I wish I knew more about this...

[ash_siddiq]

i'm very curious about this. if a pokemon with the ability technician is to attack using acrobatics while holding no item, does the base power boosts by x1.5 first due to its ability then double due to no item or acrobatics effect comes in first then cancel out technician? if it is the former case, then acrobatics delivers whooping 165 power, not applying STAB or flying gem

[azeem40]

If you have an item, then Technician will work with it. Otherwise, no.

[Chapter of Charizard]

Heeeeyyyy...
So uhm...
I really need help w/ competitive. I don't know how to like, do it! Somebody explain what this is? I made a competitive team and I know WHAT it is, but how to use it is the problem. Somebody plz helpith!

EDIT:
Just to show that im not some newb lemme do this-

Dragonite @ Life Orb
Nature: Hasty / Mild / Rash
EVs: 252 SpA / 180 Spe / 76 Atk
Moves:
Draco Meteor
Superpower
Thunder
Hurricane

I personnally am not crazy bout that set, for several reasons. K, Draco Meteor wnats to be dragon pulse, and then also, all of these moves are full, head on give it ur all. It should hold focus sash (to get rid of ice beams and blizzards) and Thunder could be dragon dance for a good super power charge up (or even recovery. start up with dragon dance and follow with superpower. or get rid of hurricane for dragon dance and put thunder as thunderpunc. actually dont use thunderpunch. KEEP THUNDER. lol)

[Zachmac]

Heeeeyyyy...
So uhm...
I really need help w/ competitive. I don't know how to like, do it! Somebody explain what this is? I made a competitive team and I know WHAT it is, but how to use it is the problem. Somebody plz helpith!

Competitive pokemon isn't really that easy to get good at. I suggest you find a tutor somewhere. You could find one in the clan section, or get a tutor at Smogon, a site dedicated to competitive pokemon.

EDIT:
Just to show that im not some newb lemme do this-

I personnally am not crazy bout that set, for several reasons. K, Draco Meteor wnats to be dragon pulse, and then also, all of these moves are full, head on give it ur all. It should hold focus sash (to get rid of ice beams and blizzards) and Thunder could be dragon dance for a good super power charge up (or even recovery. start up with dragon dance and follow with superpower. or get rid of hurricane for dragon dance and put thunder as thunderpunc. actually dont use thunderpunch. KEEP THUNDER. lol)

So, what you're saying is...

-Focus Sash
-Dragon Pulse
-Thunder
-Dragon Dance
-Super Power

So, where do I start...for one, Multiscale splits all damage done if half when at full health, so focus sash is in almost all cases, it'll be a waste of an item. If you're using Dragon Dance, Dragon Claw is better, but in the set posted, Draco Meteor was used to smash through a defensive threat, rather then to be simply used for reliability. Dragon Pulse is better off for something trying to sweep with a special attack boosting sweeper, like Calm Mind Latias. Thunder is too inaccurate outside of the rain-thunderbolt or thunderpunch would be a better option, still. SuperPower is okay, but it has Earthquake and Fire Punch, which would pair up with Dragon Dance better, since they will hit steel types and such, but won't make Dragonite have to sacrifice it's dragon dancing boost.

So, if you want dragon dance, you'd probably want this.
-Leftovers or Lum Berry
-Dragon Dance
-DragonClaw/Outrage
-Earthquake/FirePunch/Roost
-Earthquake/FirePunch/Roost

And that's without EVs or Nature. Competitive pokemon isn't something you can just jump into and become good at, no matter how long you've played. It'll take you a lot of practice to identify what may work and what may not.

[Yellow de Viridian Grove]

What is the chance of someone moving when being Confused, paralyzed, infatuated, and being hit by Air Slash from Togekiss with Serene Grace.

[ChaosBlizzard]

What is the chance of someone moving when being Confused, paralyzed, infatuated, and being hit by Air Slash from Togekiss with Serene Grace.

I'm guessing that those statuses all stack. If they don't, it would change the combination, but if they stack, the math would work out like this.

Confusion - 50% chance of not moving
Infatuation - 50% chance of not moving
Paralysis - 25% chance of not moving
Air Slash - 30% chance of not moving
Serene Grace - Doubles Air Slash's flinch rate to 60%

.5 * .5 * .25 * .6 = .0375 = 3.75%

So if those things do stack linearly, you would have a 3.75% chance of moving.

[Yellow de Viridian Grove]

I'm guessing that those statuses all stack. If they don't, it would change the combination, but if they stack, the math would work out like this.

Confusion - 50% chance of not moving
Infatuation - 50% chance of not moving
Paralysis - 25% chance of not moving
Air Slash - 30% chance of not moving
Serene Grace - Doubles Air Slash's flinch rate to 60%

.5 * .5 * .25 * .6 = .0375 = 3.75%

So if those things do stack linearly, you would have a 3.75% chance of moving.

Thanks. (: Sweet Kiss, Attract, Air Slash, TWave Togekiss GO!