Team Building Help Thread

[Magicmonkey]

But then, nothing you suggested resists Rock.

That'd be a second Ghost/Dark/Bug weakness. And Reuniclis isn't really a defensive wall, is it?

uunless it is a swords dance rock gem, both of those skarm with roost stall, hope for a miss before crit, and gliscor with sub protect stall, can easily wall terrakion, but cant be sent in on a banded terri. A great rock resist is lucario, but he is fighting weak. Rock+fighting is hard to resist unless you are nidoking/queen, or golurk. If fighting neutral is fine, there are more options to resist rock I think, fighting types mostly, who can aslo BP/MP terrakion. Perhaps hitmontop with intimidate, he can easily come in on most physichal hits if defensively invested, and wish support from chansey really helps him out. He can have mach punch so that once terri is at -1 or 2 from CC he can OHKO with mach punch.
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Mach Punch
- Protect
- Toxic
Protect/toxic are general defensive moves, you could have close combat or high jump kick to do more damge, but they have draw backs. Asecond attack like earthquake or stone edge would stop him being set up on by sub dancers.

[AlexandriaTheMixed]

uunless it is a swords dance rock gem, both of those skarm with roost stall, hope for a miss before crit, and gliscor with sub protect stall, can easily wall terrakion, but cant be sent in on a banded terri. A great rock resist is lucario, but he is fighting weak. Rock+fighting is hard to resist unless you are nidoking/queen, or golurk. If fighting neutral is fine, there are more options to resist rock I think, fighting types mostly, who can aslo BP/MP terrakion. Perhaps hitmontop with intimidate, he can easily come in on most physichal hits if defensively invested, and wish support from chansey really helps him out. He can have mach punch so that once terri is at -1 or 2 from CC he can OHKO with mach punch.
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Mach Punch
- Protect
- Toxic
Protect/toxic are general defensive moves, you could have close combat or high jump kick to do more damge, but they have draw backs. Asecond attack like earthquake or stone edge would stop him being set up on by sub dancers.

I could actually try Lucario. I'd just have to get rid of Chansey.

[Magicmonkey]

I could actually try Lucario. I'd just have to get rid of Chansey.

swords dance lucario can safely come in on, and then swords dance on stone edge terrakion, losing about 40-50% to 2 stone edges, then +life orb extreme speed + close combat + filler (bullet punch hits terrakion/gengar, ice punch glisor and dragons (most dragons can be KO'd with +2 e speed if adamant, haxorus, bulky d nite, intimidate mence or intact multiscales will survive) and crunch for jellicent and chandelure (gengar outspeeds, and can focus miss or sub disable you) as well as latias, slowbro and reuniclus)

as for replacing chansey, oyu lose wish support, but could use jellicent to spin block or stall break.

[snivy trainer]

I'm not too sure about Volcarona. I really need a physical attacker. Wish passer too. I was thinking Jirachi; Fire moves weakened, Ground hit hard by Tenta/Poli. Annoying set (mixed)- Iron Head / Thunder / Wish / Stealth Rock~Protect~U Turn.

Jirachi@ Leftovers
Rash/Mild Nature (+SpA/-SpD\Def)
200 SpA / 200 Atk / 76 Spe / 32 HP
~Wish
~Iron Head
~Thunder
~Stealth Rock/Protect/U Turn
Gimmicky, made up set. It could work though. Then I'd need a pure physical attacker.

[Magicmonkey]

I'm not too sure about Volcarona. I really need a physical attacker. Wish passer too. I was thinking Jirachi; Fire moves weakened, Ground hit hard by Tenta/Poli. Annoying set (mixed)- Iron Head / Thunder / Wish / Stealth Rock~Protect~U Turn.

Jirachi@ Leftovers
Rash/Mild Nature (+SpA/-SpD\Def)
200 SpA / 200 Atk / 76 Spe / 32 HP
~Wish
~Iron Head
~Thunder
~Stealth Rock/Protect/U Turn
Gimmicky, made up set. It could work though. Then I'd need a pure physical attacker.

if you need rocks on the team, have rocks. Otherwise go U turn/an extra attack. Might want max HP for bigger wish passing.

[That Crazy Russian™]

i'd like some suggestions on building a team around octillery. i was going to use the baton pass set

octillery @life orb
4 hp/ 252 SpA/ 252 speed
- energy ball
- ice beam
- surf
- fire blast

i was thinking i could also utilize it in a baton passing trick room set, with out the speed evs. maybe switch them into hp, SpD, or def. it'd need hazards, and possibly xatu, if i decide on ru or uu. suggestions?

[Magicmonkey]

i'd like some suggestions on building a team around octillery. i was going to use the baton pass set

octillery @life orb
4 hp/ 252 SpA/ 252 speed
- energy ball
- ice beam
- surf
- fire blast

i was thinking i could also utilize it in a baton passing trick room set, with out the speed evs. maybe switch them into hp, SpD, or def. it'd need hazards, and possibly xatu, if i decide on ru or uu. suggestions?

I beleive venomoth is UU/RU or OU/UU bordeline, cant remember, but pass a quiver dance to an octilery, and your pretty set. If you can pass 2 or 3, even better. Another option is dual screens explosion azelf, followed by white herb smash pass gorebyss, pass to octillery, and at +2/+2 decimate all non scarfed pokemon. Problem is UU has many scarfers like flygon/darmanitan, and quite a few sucker punchers.

[That Crazy Russian™]

sorry, meant ru/nu. i like that venomoth idea, and the gorebyss one. i have also been working on a gimmicky beeheeyem set that might be able to support by setting screens

beheeyem @life orb
-telepathy-
(- atk/ +def(SpD)/(- SpA/ +def(SpD)
252 hp/ 252 def(SpD)
- skill swap/reflect
- power split
- hp [ice]
- thunderbolt

im not sure if this'll work. just a nu suggestion, pushed out towards my peers.

[Soperman]

sorry, meant ru/nu. i like that venomoth idea, and the gorebyss one. i have also been working on a gimmicky beeheeyem set that might be able to support by setting screens

beheeyem @life orb
-telepathy-
(- atk/ +def(SpD)/(- SpA/ +def(SpD)
252 hp/ 252 def(SpD)
- skill swap/reflect
- power split
- hp [ice]
- thunderbolt

im not sure if this'll work. just a nu suggestion, pushed out towards my peers.

Skill Swap and Power Trick won't achieve much. Just make it offensive TR, works amazingly well.
Try Butterfree for Quiver Dance, Flareon with SD. Both work as Baton Passers.
If you want a spinner/wall, try Wartortle. I love this set:
Wartortle @ Eviolite
Bold
252 Hp/128 Def/128 Sp. Def
-Rapid Spin
-Yawn
-Toxic
-Counter
It's pretty gimmicky, but it works wonders. Toxic to stall, and Yawn forces switches, or sometimes just straight up puts opponents to sleep. Counter, when used correctly, destroys everything.

[That Crazy Russian™]

im liking the ideas. i'll probably make it a baton passing team, the butterfree and flareon. that wartortle set looks good, but 2 fully waters? plus, its completely vulnerable to special attackers.

[Serpentine]

i'd like some suggestions on building a team around octillery. i was going to use the baton pass set

octillery @life orb
4 hp/ 252 SpA/ 252 speed
- energy ball
- ice beam
- surf
- fire blast

i was thinking i could also utilize it in a baton passing trick room set, with out the speed evs. maybe switch them into hp, SpD, or def. it'd need hazards, and possibly xatu, if i decide on ru or uu. suggestions?

I recommend Volbeat

Jolly
Focus Sash
Prankster
252 HP/4 Def/252 Spd

Tail Glow
Baton Pass
Protect
U-Turn

This is the set I'd use... I'm still a novice with the EVs and such so I always go max. Tail Glow raises your SpAtk 3 stages. Baton Pass passes on Tail Glow. Protect just protects you... that's it. U-Turn allows you to switch so you're not taunt bait. Let's face it, if your opponent gets a Whimsicott out against you it's either gonna Taunt you or Hurricane you, more likely Taunt I would think. Focus Sash allows you to pull off at least ONE tail glow and then baton pass.

Bold
Leftovers
Prankster
248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpDef

~ Tail Glow
~ Baton Pass
~ Substitute
~ Thunder Wave / Encore

This is the Smogon set... I don't understand why Lefties and not Focus Sash but whatever.

[Serpentine]

I recommend Volbeat

Jolly
Focus Sash
Prankster
252 HP/4 Def/252 Spd

Tail Glow
Baton Pass
Protect
U-Turn

This is the set I'd use... I'm still a novice with the EVs and such so I always go max. Tail Glow raises your SpAtk 3 stages. Baton Pass passes on Tail Glow. Protect just protects you... that's it. U-Turn allows you to switch so you're not taunt bait. Let's face it, if your opponent gets a Whimsicott out against you it's either gonna Taunt you or Hurricane you, more likely Taunt I would think. Focus Sash allows you to pull off at least ONE tail glow and then baton pass.

Bold
Leftovers
Prankster
248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpDef

~ Tail Glow
~ Baton Pass
~ Substitute
~ Thunder Wave / Encore

This is the Smogon set... I don't understand why Lefties and not Focus Sash but whatever.

If you want some good Baton Passing ideas go to Youtube and look up Pimpninte's Epic Sweeps. He does it with Caterpies, Metapods, Bidoofs, etc. So if he can do it with those I think you can do it with your Octilery. I use to use an Octilery with Charge Beam and Soak.

[snivy trainer]

if you need rocks on the team, have rocks. Otherwise go U turn/an extra attack. Might want max HP for bigger wish passing.

Alright. 200 HP / 176 Spe / 74 Atk / 58 SpA
Would that work?

[Magicmonkey]

Alright. 200 HP / 176 Spe / 74 Atk / 58 SpA
Would that work?

It should, make sure it can at least outspeed base 80's (284) or base 90's (305), then add HP and attack to suit.

[snivy trainer]

Uh huh. OK.

My team is really weak to Electric. Only Jirachi is resistant.

[JASP01]

Heya!

I need desperate help on a 6th member!

Tyranitar (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Atk / 176 SAtk / 20 Spd
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Crunch
- Ice Beam


Gliscor (M) @ Flying Gem
Trait: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Acrobatics

Wobbuffet (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Counter
- Safeguard
- Encore
- Mirror Coat

Terrakion @ Air Balloon
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance

Lucario (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- ExtremeSpeed

On the PO server, I came really, really close to 1500 points (I was peaked at 258/100000). Scizor is problematic (Magnezone would have too much problems with synergy), and I would greatly prefer a special sweeper. I have tried: Alakazam (too frail for my team to use repetitively), Azelf (didn't work as planned), Latias (just didn't do enough), Latios (predictability ruined it), Slowbro (Specs; just didn't do enough-- I could count on it taking down one enemy, but more than that wasn't reliable, and it was a burden), Life Orb Victini (it just didn't do enough), and Scarf Infernape (good but not perfect). I'm not willing to change these 5 because of just how perfectly they work together... But I really need a 6th member to make it perfect. Suggestions? My strategy is to set up and sweep with one Poke'mon, and finish off with the rest late game (I suppose reverse of the usual of using multiple and finishing with one or two). I play a switching game until I can set up, then I wreck.... And leave the rest, depending on the other team, to finish them off. Which one sweeps always depends on makeup (and things like crits). Anyhow... Special sweeper that works well?

Thank you for your support!

[snivy trainer]

Right...

I'd personally switch Wobbuffet for Reuniclus:

Reuniclus@ Life Orb
Quiet Nature (+SpA / -Spe)
252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Def (0 Spe IVs)
~Calm Mind
~Recover
~Focus Blast
~Psyshock

There you go! Your team is weak to Water and Ground. So Gastrodon basically. And Quagsire. A grass type might be wanted. Virizion scares out Bulky Waters, and can set up a Calm Mind/Swords Dance ready to destroy. Others include Breloom (Poison Heal is verry useful). I'd go with this Special Attacking Virizion, as after a few CMs, it's very hard to take down specially.

Virizion@ Leftovers/Life Orb
Timid Nature (+Spe/-Atk)
252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 HP
~Calm Mind
~Giga Drain
~Focus Blast
~Hidden Power (Ice)

There, that should be OK.

[jirachiuser1]

Heya!

I need desperate help on a 6th member!

Tyranitar (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Atk / 176 SAtk / 20 Spd
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Crunch
- Ice Beam


Gliscor (M) @ Flying Gem
Trait: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Acrobatics

Wobbuffet (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Counter
- Safeguard
- Encore
- Mirror Coat

Terrakion @ Air Balloon
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance

Lucario (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Inner Focus
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Crunch
- ExtremeSpeed

On the PO server, I came really, really close to 1500 points (I was peaked at 258/100000). Scizor is problematic (Magnezone would have too much problems with synergy), and I would greatly prefer a special sweeper. I have tried: Alakazam (too frail for my team to use repetitively), Azelf (didn't work as planned), Latias (just didn't do enough), Latios (predictability ruined it), Slowbro (Specs; just didn't do enough-- I could count on it taking down one enemy, but more than that wasn't reliable, and it was a burden), Life Orb Victini (it just didn't do enough), and Scarf Infernape (good but not perfect). I'm not willing to change these 5 because of just how perfectly they work together... But I really need a 6th member to make it perfect. Suggestions? My strategy is to set up and sweep with one Poke'mon, and finish off with the rest late game (I suppose reverse of the usual of using multiple and finishing with one or two). I play a switching game until I can set up, then I wreck.... And leave the rest, depending on the other team, to finish them off. Which one sweeps always depends on makeup (and things like crits). Anyhow... Special sweeper that works well?

Thank you for your support!

Try Celebi. Celebi works really well with the rest of your team and your set should look something like,

Celebi @ Leftovers/Life Orb
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SAtk / 184 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Hidden Power [Ice] / Hidden Power [Fire]
- Earth Power / Psychic
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain

HP fire if you are having problems with Steels, Hp ice if you prefer to hit dragons. Earth Power works well with HP ice since it does good damage to steels (Heatan,Scizor,Ferrothorn) and Psychic works well with HP Fire since it can do solid damage to dragons.

You do have a big Scizor weakness so I suggest replacing something to handle Scizor better.

[JASP01]

I like Wobb personally, and hate Reun. I tried Celebi once, but it was the Navi variation. Scarfape was physical-- I'm gonna try special for a bit. If that doesn't pan out, I'll try that Celebi variant. Thanks!

[That Crazy Russian™]

Uh huh. OK.

My team is really weak to Electric. Only Jirachi is resistant.

steel doesn't resist electric. js.

and jasp, 1500 points? wow. thats alot. nice job. i'd go with possibly a grass/poison type. to counter scizor with hp fire, and hitting water and ground types. maybe a roserade?

[Dragonicwari]

^ you could use toxicroak as well, you have 2 physical pokes if you do. Maybe make dnite physical if it bothers you. Scizor is another choice

[Soperman]

    Spoiler:- Your team:

Show Spoiler

 
I need help in selecting the final choice for my current Drizzle Rain Team. Here is the current line up:

Politoed
Modest
Drizzle
252HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
-Scald
-Ice Beam
-Encore
-Protect

Espeon
Timid
Magic Bouce
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Baton Pass
-Psychic

Dragonite
Modest
Multiscale
204 HP / 252 SpA / 52 Spe
-Draco Meteor
-Hurricane
-Thunder
-Protect

Rotom W
Modest
Levitate
252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
-Thunder
-Hydro Pump
-Thunder Wave
-Protect

Mamoswine
Adamant
Snow Cloak
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
-Earthquake
-Icicle Crash
-Ice Shard
-Protect

?????
-
-
-
-

I need help in deciding what to place as my last team member. I ran a very crude version of this at a local video game tourney, and I use Zoroark as my sixth member:

Zoroark
Timid
Illusion
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
-Dark Pulse
-Flamethrower
-Focus Blast
-Nasty Plot

But, I was not happy with it knowing Flamethrower (Forgot to check egg moves concerning Sucker Punch before breeding and EV's).
 

It also felt awkward having only one Physical Based Attacker, but I'm not sure what to place into my sixth slot that would fit the team outside of Zoroark, or even Lucario. The types I have yet to cover are Psychic, Bug, Dark, Ice, Normal, and Ghost. Input would be much appreciated. Thanks for your help!

You know, you don't need to counter every type out there. Just the ones that bring major weaknesses to your team. Bug types, for example, are incredibly uncommon, and generally very frail, so I wouldn't worry about them too much. Same with normal types. You already cover Psychic and Ghost types with Zoroark's Dark Pulse. Normal types also aren't a problem. But yeah, Toxicroak works really well for your team, I would suggest using it.
Finally, you don't have items for your pokemon. Items really help, I would suggest giving some to your pokemon.
Also,give your Mamoswine Stone Edge over Protect. Protect is kind of useless .__.

[Kurisu1701]

You know, you don't need to counter every type out there. Just the ones that bring major weaknesses to your team. Bug types, for example, are incredibly uncommon, and generally very frail, so I wouldn't worry about them too much. Same with normal types. You already cover Psychic and Ghost types with Zoroark's Dark Pulse. Normal types also aren't a problem. But yeah, Toxicroak works really well for your team, I would suggest using it.
Finally, you don't have items for your pokemon. Items really help, I would suggest giving some to your pokemon.
Also,give your Mamoswine Stone Edge over Protect. Protect is kind of useless .__.

On the team critisism, I do have Items, I just didn't veiw them necessary in the post, but there I posted them.

The types are just up there as reference, I don't need to cover all types, but Ghost, Dark, and Ice do posed viable threats, since Espeon is what gives the team the extra defense, and Dragonite is the main force. Zoroark was just a place holder since I ran out of time to get my team ready for the tourney.

As for Mamoswine, protect it not useless, it's more of a staple in VGC. The Stone Edge is rather redundant, since Icicle Crash covers most of what Rock is aimed to take down, aside from Flying types that double as Fire (Drizzle Team, no worries there), enemy Ice Types, Bug types, and Gyarados, so Mamoswine will be staying as is.

As for Toxicroak, it does seem the obvious choice, so thats what I'll begin working on. So thanks for that input.

[That Crazy Russian™]

toxicroak @life orb
adamant
252 atk/252 speed
- cross chop
- sucker punch
- ice punch
- swords dance/ filler

best set ive ever used

[SouthMcSuck]

Alright, this is my first attempt at making a team for competitive play. I have a slight understanding of the mechanics but I need help with some stuff. The biggest being understanding priority. Since this is for the most part to me, I'm just sticking to standard smogon sets for now. This is an offensively based team. I have 3 pokes I'm pretty sure on right now but can't decide what 3 would be effective teammates. Any help would be great. Thanks guys.

    Spoiler:- The Team:

Show Spoiler

 


Trd Frgusn @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 SpAtk/252 Spd/4 HP
Nature: Timid
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
I chose Tbolt over Focus Blast or Fire Blast since I expect to see more water types and I don't like the higher chance of focus blast missing. Fire Blast also was not chosen as I have Charizard to cover threats like Bronzong.


The FknMan @ Leftovers
Ability: Solar Power
EVs: 252 SpAtk/252 Spd/4 Def
Nature: Timid
- Sunny Day
- Solar Beam
- Fire Blast
- Air Slash
Charizard is here mainly to check Nidokings inability to counter Bronzong. Solar Power + Sunny Day boosted Fire Blast = Game over for Bronzong and any type weak to fire. It will also hit anything that doesn't resist Fire very hard as well. Air Slash is Zards' secondary STAB move to be used against Dragon types, if Nidoking is done and to also hit other Fire types that can take a boosted Fire Blast. Solar Beam is part of the set to threaten any water or rock types that may threaten Charizard.


Am I Late? @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 168 HP/164 Atk/4 SpD/172 Spd
Nature: Adamant
- Rest
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
Kingdra is my late game sweeper. I haven't had the chance to really try him out but I feel as if I'll like him due to the fact that he can switch in safely to most threats to my team. Also if you haven't noticed, this is an offensively based team so he fits in well there. I plan to use him just as described on smogon.