Lurker's Bugs. OU

[ninja1357]

I suck at english.

At a glance:

Venomoth@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Shield Dust
EVs: 252Spatk/216Spe/40Hp
Modest Nature (+Spatk, -Atk)
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball
- Hidden Power Water
- Sleep Powder

Originally I had Masquerain here but steel types were giving me trouble and then the I switched it over CS to give me the jump on Starmie. Standard gimmick lead, aside from taking out Swampert and putting certain threats to sleep, this guy is useless. I usually throw him in as a sacrifice so I can get Heracross in. I don't feel like going into detail on why I chose Venomoth right here since I would be repeating myself later. So without further ado...

Against Top 15 leads

[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon373.png[/IMG]
15. Salamence: Trouble, however it's very rare. If it has Substitute, I can't
do anything, otherwise I put it to sleep.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon130.png[/IMG]
14. Gyarados: Another increasingly rare lead that also gives me trouble. Funny
how the less common they are the more problems they give me. Without STAB
Energy Ball deals pitiful damage meaning my only choice is to Sleep Powder. I
can also opt to throw Forretress at it to try and weaken him.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon460.png[/IMG]
13. Abomasnow: A toss up. Bug Buzz won't OHKO the mixed attacker set and has no
chance at all at surviving a Blizzard from a ASlead when
On the other hand Abomasnow's may only be leading to set up hail on the first
turn in which case Sleeping the switch in is the best option. I guess it's all
up to prediction really.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon094.png[/IMG]
12. Gengar: Still not good. I out speed it so I can put it to sleep. If it out
speeds me then I know it's scarfed.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon485.png[/IMG]
11. Heatran: Hidden Power Water goes right through his Shuca Berry giving me
a comfortable 2HKO.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon291.png[/IMG]10. Ninjask: Yikes, I hate this thing. Direct switch to Megayanma and try to
Whirlwind it out.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon248.png[/IMG]
9. Tyranitar: Even with leadtars running 305 Spdef and max Hp, I can still
2HKO this guy but I might not get the chance. worst scenario is I take half his
life, lose Venomoth and have to send in Heracross to scare him off.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon437.png[/IMG]
8. Bronzong: Sleep, sleep, sleep. Can't do anything besides that.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon450.png[/IMG]
7. Hippowdon: Slam my Energy Balls down its throat.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon260.png[/IMG]
6. Swampert: There's a chance that I won't OHKO with Energy Ball. Nothing to
worry about really.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon142.png[/IMG]5. Aerodactyl: Tricky. I used to run Focus Sash but CS lets me get the jump on
it. If it SE/RS on the first turn I'm dead, Taunt or Stealth Rock-- I can 2HKO.
Really though one hit is good enough, I'll switch to Forretress just to play it
safe.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon392.png[/IMG]
4. Infernape: Now this is one of the main reasons I chose Venomoth over
Masquerain, for Shield Dust. Shield Dust lets me laugh my way through Fake Out
and nearly OHKO the flamed monkey. I'll lose if they decide to straight up
attack though.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon385.png[/IMG]
3. Jirachi: Shield Dust prevents Iron Head and Body Slam from activating their
nasty effects. I put the little guy to sleep and switch to Heracross.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon482.png[/IMG]
2. Azelf: One hit KOed but not really thanks to their Focus Sash. I'll stay in
no matter what. If Venomoth dies, I have Heracross to come in and wreak havoc.
[IMG]http://www.pokemonelite2000.com/sprites/dpicon/dpicon376.png[/IMG]
1. Metagross: Put to sleep. Bullet Punch might end it for me early.

Heracross@ Choice Scarf
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252Atk/252Spe/4Hp
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Spatk)
- In-Fight
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge
- Toxic

The revenge killer and easily one of the most important members of my team. 383Atk and a STAB 120BP In-Fight easily helps me take down Lucario, Scizor and friends. Megahorn is for those tricky Starmies, Alakazams and Cresselias. Stone Edge really sucks but has helped me take down Zapdos, which is a huge problem for my team. Toxic is for wearing down walls such as Gliscor that switch in. Usually comes in on after Venomoth suicides and is my main answer to Tyraintar. Max speed just in-case I run into another CS Heracross.

Scizor@ Shed Shell
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252Hp/176Spdef/68Atk/12Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -Spatk)
- Bullet Punch
- Brick Break
- Sword Dance
- Feather Rest

My teams sweeper and most importantly the Surf/Ice Beam taker. Easily sets up on Roar-less Suicune, Vaporeon and Latias. Scizor was an obvious choice for my team thanks to its overall bulkyness and Bullet Punch of course. Shed Shell was chosen so I can mess with Magnezone who will either Thunderbolt or HP Fire, both of which mean Flygon has a free switch in. 252Hp and 176Spdef help take Ice Beams, 12Spe is for Vaporeon and the rest is thrown into attack.

Megayanma@ Leftovers
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252Spatk/176Def/80Spe
Modest Nature (+Spatk, -Atk)
- Air Slash
- Hidden Power Ground
- Whirlwind
- Protect

My Machamp, Lucario, Heracross, Scizor and Infernape counter. In actualality this thing is the most important team member as she takes care of most pokes with a fire-type move. 252Spatk to ensure I take a toll on Machamp, 176Def helps switching in and personally I felt all the extra speed wasn't worth it. Also IF Stealth Rock is up and I send her out, any HP EVs are pretty much useless. Whirlwind is my only way of dealing with stat-uppers.

Forretress@ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252Hp/252Def/4Atk
Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spe)
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power Electric
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin

Earthquake is to help counter Tyranitar and Infernape while Hidden Power Electric is solely for my fish friend Gyarados. Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin for obvious reasons. I'm considering more attack EVs so I can atleast OHKO incoming Infernapes expecting Gyro Ball. Pay Back is another option to help deal with ghost-types *coughrotom/gengarcough* that expect EQ/RS/Explosion. Not too sure. A weak link, for sure.

Flygon@ Choice Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252Atk/180Spe/76Spatk
Lonely Nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- U-Turn

The power house and Fire resist who also fits into my bug theme. Scouts in the early game with U-Turn and sweeps in the later game with Outrage or EQ. Fire Blast is for Skarmory. 180 Speed because most others run 176. Nothing much to say here except this is my main way of dealing with Rotom-a and Zapdos. However a Timid Life Orb Thunderbolt/Heatwave/HP Ice/Feather Rest Zapdos can completely destroy my team.

Win:7, Lose:3
I can't for the life of me remember how I lost the first game, the second game was lost due to the infamous Timid LOdos and the third game was essentially lost due to me losing my Scizor thanks to Counter Regice.​

 

[Emerald Blaze]

Leftovers may seem like a decent item on Yanmega to support your defence and heal a bit from stealth rock , but you could try Expert Belt if you want. It gives you more power against your mentioned foes, without losing HP like what Life Orb does.

 

[ninja1357]

I've considered expert belt but decided against it as it doesn't give me an significant KOs.

 

[Shizzle]

Ok, team is pretty nifty, but some nitpicks,

Flygon should be naughty, not lonely
Forretteres has horrible SpA, and HP [Electric] will come no where near OHKOing Gyarados thanks to his 100 Base SpD, replace this with either explosion or gyro ball.

Dont run whirlwind on yanmega, he is too fragile to pull it off, replace it with bug buzz or hypnosis.

Scizor, feather rest is actually called 'roost', and i cant see him constantly taking ice beams without leftovers, magnezone doesnt threaten much thanks to flygon.

Heracross's fighting stab is called Close Combat.

When i made my bug team, i realised how fire weak everything was, so try using a flash fire pokemon such as heatran or houndoom, or even arcanine.

 

[ninja1357]

Hidden power electric was never meant to OHKO Gyarados. It 3HKOs and helps me take down Skarmory. I'm very unsure about my Forretress set, I don't know whether to run more attack, special attack or both. Earthquake will almost never OHKO Infernape and hidden power electric is like a 4HKO on skarmory.

Yanmega is not a frail as everyone thinks it is. She's been able to stand up to defensive heatwaving Zapdos before and Whirlwind them out. Whirlwind also helps me scout for counters and double switch. The scenario would be coming into a CB Close Combat then Whirlwinding whatever is sent out. It's also helped me versus Ninjask, something I feel is a major threat to my team.

Scizor, feather rest is actually called 'roost', and i cant see him constantly taking ice beams without leftovers, magnezone doesnt threaten much thanks to flygon.

You contradict yourself here. Magnezone is a huge threat without Shed Shell. I can't switch to Flygon without it. Oh and Flygon is Lonely so I can better take Heatran Fire Blasts.

 

[Friar]

I have very little experience with mono teams, but i think the amount of threats you need to revenge is going to be your biggest problem. For that reason, I suggest making Scizor standard CB and Flygon a scarfer. This is actually a very formidable revenging pair with powerful moves and good synergy between them, and I think that will allow you to stay in more games. Flygon should probably be ev'd to better +2 Empoleon, who sweeps you easily.

Obviously this is a ton of choice users, but heracross can be used differently, (SD Facade?) and venomoth is fodder like you said. You could go with sleep powder + Toxic Spikes to help you break down some walls better.

 

[Shizzle]

Hidden power electric was never meant to OHKO Gyarados. It 3HKOs and helps me take down Skarmory. I'm very unsure about my Forretress set, I don't know whether to run more attack, special attack or both. Earthquake will almost never OHKO Infernape and hidden power electric is like a 4HKO on skarmory.

Yanmega is not a frail as everyone thinks it is. She's been able to stand up to defensive heatwaving Zapdos before and Whirlwind them out. Whirlwind also helps me scout for counters and double switch. The scenario would be coming into a CB Close Combat then Whirlwinding whatever is sent out. It's also helped me versus Ninjask, something I feel is a major threat to my team.

You contradict yourself here. Magnezone is a huge threat without Shed Shell. I can't switch to Flygon without it. Oh and Flygon is Lonely so I can better take Heatran Fire Blasts.

Then you may aswell use a heatran or kingdra (mix), with kingdra you could use the mix rain dance set, which will make it easier for your team to take fire attacks.

Are you having mental problems, 4HKO is not ever ever going to kill skarmory, especially since she is faster, its a little move which i am quite sure at least 99% of them have, roost....

Ninjask is that rare that you dont need to worry about him, the easiest way to stop him is too keep attacking, dont let him get sub up. And srsly the majority of ninjasks i see carry 252 Spe, and so scizor if need be can take him down anyway.

 

[Friar]

Well hes trying to be mono bug, even with his last choice fitting into the bug theme. His Forry actually is a pretty good stalemate against Skarm, because he can spin away Skarm's spikes, damage for SE with HP Electric, or EQ the roosting Skarm. It is a stalemate however, so you wont be getting anywhere.