I've recently returned to competitive battling after taking a break to wait for things in fifth gen to become more balanced. My tactics (keeping a dedicated lead) are still dated, but I hope this can still stand. (I would still consider myself a "noob" even in Gen 4)
http://notsocomplexanalysis.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/competitive-pokemon-rate-my-team/
Also, I've noticed that I have two choice band pokes that serve exactly the same purpose.
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Lead -- Sets up SR first turn, can be used for some attacking in mid-late game
Metagross @ Leftovers
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Hammer Arm
- Bullet Punch
Physical Attacker/Sweeper 1 -- Primary physical sweeper
Tyranitar (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
Physical Attacker/Sweeper 2 (Dragon) -- used for taking out other dragons and fighting-types that threaten Tyranitar
Haxorus (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Dragon Claw
Special Sweeper/Attacker -- Very good to put on the special side in general, particularly good against Ferrothorn
Heatran (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Stealth Rock
Physical Defensive -- used for Toxic utility, defense against Fire physical
Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Protect
Special Defensive -- stalls out basically any special attacking Pokemon
Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Protect
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic
**********
Basic Strategy: Always open with Metagross. Set up SR on first turn. Switch out into either defensive Pokemon after that, or attempt a sweep. After stalling for a little, switch out to an offensive Pokemon. Switch out to defenders when necessary.
http://notsocomplexanalysis.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/competitive-pokemon-rate-my-team/
Also, I've noticed that I have two choice band pokes that serve exactly the same purpose.
**********
Lead -- Sets up SR first turn, can be used for some attacking in mid-late game
Metagross @ Leftovers
Trait: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Hammer Arm
- Bullet Punch
Physical Attacker/Sweeper 1 -- Primary physical sweeper
Tyranitar (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
Physical Attacker/Sweeper 2 (Dragon) -- used for taking out other dragons and fighting-types that threaten Tyranitar
Haxorus (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Mold Breaker
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Dragon Claw
Special Sweeper/Attacker -- Very good to put on the special side in general, particularly good against Ferrothorn
Heatran (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Stealth Rock
Physical Defensive -- used for Toxic utility, defense against Fire physical
Gliscor (M) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Protect
Special Defensive -- stalls out basically any special attacking Pokemon
Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Wish
- Protect
- Seismic Toss
- Toxic
**********
Basic Strategy: Always open with Metagross. Set up SR on first turn. Switch out into either defensive Pokemon after that, or attempt a sweep. After stalling for a little, switch out to an offensive Pokemon. Switch out to defenders when necessary.