The Outsiders Challenge

The Outsiders Challenge
By Harsha. Inspired by the Dark Horse Project. Image by Fatecrashers.



Introduction & Rules
We should all know that our BW OU tier is dominated by strategies such as sand and rain abuse, as well as deadly VoltTurn teams. However, that's not necessarily all there is to this beautiful and diverse tier! In an effort to liven up OU and add a bit of diversity, I thought a fun challenge would be worthwhile! First, let's take a look at the top 10 Pokemon in the 1337 usage statistics.

1. Tyranitar
2. Scizor
3. Politoed
4. Rotom-W
5. Dragonite
6. Heatran
7. Jirachi
8. Terrakion
9. Landorus
10. Celebi

Many of us should know these Pokemon very well already, and why wouldn't we? We see them everywhere. Well, this is where the challenge comes into play. For one month, The Outsiders Challenge will take place. In this challenge, you will be laddering on Pokemon Online's Smogon University server with a team of 6 Pokemon, and none of them may be in the top 10 of the 1337 usage statistics (that is, those listed above). Keep in mind that this outlaws the use of Tyranitar's Sand Stream and Politoed's Drizzle. Of course, this is by no means an impossible task, just a way to recognize those Pokemon that are in the lower rungs of OU. Additionally, when one breaks 1400, they will be prompted to post a screenshot of their laddering achievement. This is not only to prove that creativity is not dead, but it is also a chance to showcase your laddering skills!

Rules (Part 2)
Okay so we're not done with the rules yet, sorry! Before you hit the ladder with your amazing team, I would love it if you could please fill out a form to help us keep track of your laddering escapades!

Registry Form said:

PO alt used when laddering: harsha2014
Type of team: balance
Ladder standing: 1000

Click to expand...

This is to help me keep track of our current leaders! Updating your standing after peaking is usually a good idea, and taking screenshots frequently after getting high on the ladder is also recommended. After achieving a qualifying ranking (1400+), post here with your screenshot and an importable of your team so we can see what ways you are using to be creative! By the way, you must start a new laddering alt for each team you make, and you must start with an alt of 1000 points or lower. Remember, this is supposed to be fun and challenging, and cheating is no way to promote that!

Now, some tips for discussion:

• Feel free to post an importable of your team and point out weaknesses to see how people would go about fixing them. However, this is not the build-me-a-team project! You should be trying to be as self-sufficient as possible!

• Feel free to discuss current trends in the metagame and good Pokemon that readily combat them! This will help others that are attempting the challenge and can help in promoting diversity!

• Try and be helpful when addressing other people's problems! You would want help when you hit a rut, wouldn't you?

And that's all folks! Feel free to sign up, and good luck!


Winners of the Outsiders Challenge!

1500+ Points:

• McMeghan [
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  ] (McPollo - 1505) Sand Stall

1450-1499 Points:

• ShakeItUp [
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  ] (-TheEnd- - 1463) Hyper Offense

1400-1449 Points:

• MetaGross66 [
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  ] (Pokmi - 1420) Sand Stall

"I'll admit I started with offense and switched to stall. Non-weather offense wasn't working past 1350 so I reverted to all out stall."​

• Lady Alex [
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  ] (Ocean of Hourai - 1409) Baton Pass

• Xanderpitz [
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  |
  
  ] (Xanderpitz2 - 1404) Baton Pass

I'll start after the VGC, sounds fun.

Edit:

PO Alt:Skyshayde
Team Type: idk, sun probably maybe hail or goodstuff

Sounds like fun

PO alt: finlay
Team type: balance

PO alt used when laddering: McPollo
Type of team: some kind of Sand Stall
Ladder standing: 1462

^___^

PO alt used when laddering: hate on itttt
Type of team: Stall
Ladder standing: 1354

PO alt used when laddering: Brute
Type of team: Sand Bulky Offense
Ladder standing: 1096

lol standard Sun Team anyone?

Regardless ill give this a go

PO alt used when laddering: Outsider
Type of team: idk prolly something offensive
Ladder standing: 1000

PO alt used when laddering: imdabes
Type of team: Balanced
Ladder standing: 1000

PO alt used when laddering: Pokmi
Type of team: All out offense :D
Ladder standing: 1321

Ladder Alt: TaiYang
Type of team: Offense
Ladder Standing: --

PO alt used when laddering: The Notorious SMALL
Type of team: Bulky Offense probably
Ladder standing: 1169

PO alt used when laddering I AM THE META
Type of team stall to da wall
Ladder Standing 1067 after 12 battles

Can anyone help me in finding ways to counter breloom? It seems to be the only pokemon thats posing a real problem to my team

I AM BATMAN LOL said:

Can anyone help me in finding ways to counter breloom? It seems to be the only pokemon thats posing a real problem to my team

Click to expand...

Gliscor and Skarmory both handle it well, but it will probably get something put to sleep. If Gliscor comes in earlier and gets it's Toxic Orb active, it does incredibly well against Breloom

PO alt used when laddering: toshioutsider
Type of team: I have no idea atm
Ladder standing: 1000

PO alt used when laddering: Fake spit
Type of team: Stall
Ladder standing: 1000

PokemonShowdown Username: AnataNoHaha
Current Team Style: Stall
Current Ladder: Unranked

PO Alt: angryredballoon
Team style: semistall / balanced
Ladder ranking: 1341 peak so far

Had a nice run at the start...handling rain stalls seems to be the most difficult thing so far without Rotom-W.

PO Alt: Pokii
Team Type: Sun
Ladder ranking: 1082

PO alt: cornbird
Team Type: Full Bp (not smashpass)
Ladder ranking:1000

Should be pretty easy considering an older version of this team got around 1350. Made some improvements to it though. Should be fun.

@ I AM BATMAN LOL: you could try an acrobatics variant of gliscor, it can do pretty well, but you have to sac something to sleep which is unfortunate.

PO alt: Lillisun
Type of team: Hail Offense
Ladder Standing: 998
Switched to hail offense.
At 1141 right now

Harsha! The writing of the OP seems to be quite impressive, I wonder who checked it for you? ;)

but whatever we're like best friends or something so giving this a go!

PO alt used when laddering: IncredibleMisfit
Type of team: Bulky Offense
Ladder standing: 1099

Alt changed to fix something.

pro-project, Harsha! Good timing, too, since Dark Horse Project will be on hiatus for awhile. I will register for this later :d

bubbly said:

PO Alt: angryredballoon
Team style: semistall / balanced
Ladder ranking: 1341 peak so far

Had a nice run at the start...handling rain stalls seems to be the most difficult thing so far without Rotom-W.

Click to expand...

good job! i think a way to beat rain stall may be the notorious bulk up breloom, though obviously it won't fit on some teams. anyhow, you could try rotom-c which deals well with gastrodon and can perform well as a scout. what pokemon would you say give you trouble?

and thanks for the love pocket and mafe! (i do wonder who gped the op. . . . . .)