ORAS Doubles Teambuilding Compendium

[Arcticblast]

stealing from CTC
thanks to KyleCole for helping out

This compendium contains basic structures for teams and an array of possible mons for specific roles on teams. Having a visual cue helps build better and more diverse teams. This will contain pools of viable mons sorted by viability - for the most part, these will be organized into three sections: Viable, Niche, and Outclassed/Unviable. This latter section will be kept brief (and is Level 51's go-to resource for teambuilding).

While there isn't often a general "structure," as teams can be quite varied, most teams have the following:
- two Fire resists
- two Water resists
- one Rock resist
- one Fairy resist
- at least one Kangaskhan check
- one powder immunity (Grass-type, Safety Goggles user, Overcoat user)
- one Trick Room check (Taunt, slow Spore, own Trick Room user, strong priority, etc.)

Offensive
===============
Physical Attackers (single-target only)
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Physical Attackers (spread)
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Special Attackers (single-target only)
----------
Viable:

Niche:

(Latios)

Outclassed/Unviable:

Special Attackers (spread)
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable: the moves Surf and Discharge,

Mixed Attackers
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Setup Sweepers (single-target only)
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Setup Sweepers (spread access)
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Weather Attackers
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Substitute Attackers
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Scarf Users
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Defensive
===============
"Walls"*
----------
Super Viable:

(if you need something to take hits you always go Cress)
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Bulky Focus:
----------
Viable:

(Latias)

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Thundurus was not included here because it lacks raw bulk, does not have Intimidate, and doesn't have much longevity. Bulky Thundurus is, however, an excellent set that will be represented later.

Ground Switchin:
----------
Viable:

**

(Latios or Latias)

Niche:

**

Outclassed/Unviable:

Fire Switchin:
----------
Viable:

(Latios or Latias)

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Water Switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Rock Switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Fairy Switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Dragon Switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Fighting switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Flying Switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Mega Kangaskhan switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Support
===============
Intimidate
----------
Viable:

**

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

(but nothing outclasses it in our hearts)

Anti-Intimidate (Defiant / Competitive)
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Fake Out
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Speed Control (non-Trick Room)
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Wide Guard
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Quick Guard
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Taunt
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Weather Inducing
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Sleep
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Redirection
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Viable Redirection by Ability:

**

Unviable Redirection by Ability:

Sky Drop
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Shadow Tag
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Trick Room Specific
===============
Setters
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

Attackers
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:


*the concept of a "wall" is difficult to define in Doubles, as no Pokemon is truly a wall in the sense that they are in singles metagames. Nevertheless, some Pokemon like Ferrothorn fit perfectly into this category, and as such are included here.
**denotes an ability or typing possessed before Mega Evolution

 

[qsns]

awesome post and something I'm going to be using for a very long time :) just caught a few things that you may or may not want to add:

salamence into intimidate (viable)
mega slowbro into set up sweeper (viable, i've seen it used very well)
slurpuff under set up sweepers (outclassed)
mega ampharos in trick room attacker (niche)
zapdos in speed control (viable)
kang in sub users (niche)

 

[Level 51]

This latter section will be kept brief (and is Level 51's go-to resource for teambuilding).

I wonder how true this actually is.

what's up in the level 51 world???

Offensive
Physical Attackers (single-target only)
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Physical Attackers (spread)
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Special Attackers (single-target only)
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Special Attackers (spread)
Outclassed/Unviable: the moves Surf and Discharge,

used: the moves Surf and Discharge

Mixed Attackers
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Setup Sweepers (single-target only)

Outclassed/Unviable:

used: -- (not with setup anyway)

Setup Sweepers (spread)
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Weather Attackers
Outclassed/Unviable:

used: --

Scarf Users
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

.... i guess that's even worse, isn't it

Defensive
"Walls"*
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Bulky Focus:
Outclassed/Unviable:

used: --

Fire Switchin:
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Water Switchin:
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Rock Switchin:
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Fairy Switchin:
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Dragon Switchin:
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Fighting switchin:
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Mega Kangaskhan switchin:
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Support
Intimidate
Outclassed/Unviable:

(but nothing outclasses it in our hearts)
used: --

Anti-Intimidate (Defiant / Competitive)
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

(you forgot goth btw)

Fake Out
----------
Outclassed/Unviable:

used: -- (YESSSSSSSSSSS)

Speed Control (non-Trick Room)
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Wide Guard
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Quick Guard
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Taunt
Outclassed/Unviable:

used: --

Weather Inducing
Outclassed/Unviable:

used: --

Sleep
Outclassed/Unviable:

used: --

Redirection
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Sky Drop
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Shadow Tag

Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

Trick Room Specific
Setters
Outclassed/Unviable:

used:

compiling this post was very very depressing. :(

 

[Clefairy]

Can't Victini be used for Speed control too? as a niche

 

[Qazoo306]

If I could make a suggestion, could you say (non-mega) next to the non mega sprites? Some Mega sprites look extremely similar to their non mega sprites, such as Kang and Venusaur, and by doing that, you make this easier to read.

 

[NOVED]

If I could make a suggestion, could you say (non-mega) next to the non mega sprites? Some Mega sprites look extremely similar to their non mega sprites, such as Kang and Venusaur, and by doing that, you make this easier to read.

I think that's kind of unnecessary. And honestly, it's really not that hard to spot the differences.

 

[Bughouse]

Unfortunately, the way this is organized, I have a hard time believing it will actually help much at all at building teams.

And that's not a knock on Arcticblast. I just don't know if there's a good way to do this period for Doubles.

 

[koolkranny]

No, I think it is a great resource for those just starting out in doubles. It shows which mons work well in the meta and which ones don't. This will give inexperienced players brainstorming ideas for building original teams so they don't have to rely on the sample teams thread, or give them alternatives to mons they don't like, or aren't pulling their weight.

 

[AuraRayquaza]

Add tornadus i to weather setting niche.
Escavalier to tr attacker niche

 

[Arcticblast]

awesome post and something I'm going to be using for a very long time :) just caught a few things that you may or may not want to add:

salamence into intimidate (viable)
mega slowbro into set up sweeper (viable, i've seen it used very well)
slurpuff under set up sweepers (outclassed)
mega ampharos in trick room attacker (niche)
zapdos in speed control (viable)
kang in sub users (niche)

fuck how did I forget that
putting it into niche, not enough reason to use it other Megas imho
yes
yes
yes
niche because your moveslots are just too precious

Can't Victini be used for Speed control too? as a niche

yes

If I could make a suggestion, could you say (non-mega) next to the non mega sprites? Some Mega sprites look extremely similar to their non mega sprites, such as Kang and Venusaur, and by doing that, you make this easier to read.

no

Add tornadus i to weather setting niche.
Escavalier to tr attacker niche

I think I intentionally ignored Tornadus because fuck Tornadus but yes to both (lol forgot Escav, that's viable)

srk1214 let's talk about this some time

 

[finally]

love this arctic!
quick question: why did you rank conk as an unviable wide guard user? i realize you drop av, but i still think conk is niche in the wide guard category

 

[Arcticblast]

It has nothing over Hitmontop, Machamp, and Hariyama as a Wide Guard user, so it's in the outclassed/unviable section

 

[Thwack!]

Would Mega Heracross and Chandelure count as viable or at least niche TR attackers?

As for the outclassed/unviable category, I want to nominate Cradily for Ability based Redirection and Purugly for anti-Intimidate. Also, I am interested to know in some detail why Rocky Helmet is listed as unviable/outclassed.

 

[Bughouse]

Mega Heracross is better played in Tailwind, as it's just not quite slow enough to reliably outslow things. Also the fact that it's vulnerable to Talonflame really blows.

Chandelure is a TR setter. True, it continues to attack after setting it, but it's used on TR for its ability to set combined with attacking prowess. Not just the high SpA alone.

 

[Lukethehedgehog]

Could this be used for VGC?

 

[NOVED]

Could this be used for VGC?

I'd say you could. Excluding event mons banned in vgc obviously.

 

[xzern]

i that think you could update shadow tag -> trapping if you want

Trapping
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

also i think we could use flying switchins since skymin/talon exist

Flying Switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

here's the bbcode

Trapping
----------
Viable: [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/gengar-mega.png[/IMG]
Niche: [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/gothitelle.png[/IMG][IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/dugtrio.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/magnezone.png[/IMG][IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/magneton.png[/IMG]
Outclassed/Unviable: [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/gothorita.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/wobbuffet.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/trapinch.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/probopass.png[/IMG]


Flying Switchin:
----------
Viable: [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/aegislash.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/heatran.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/diancie-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/metagross-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/rotom-wash.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/thundurus.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/mawile-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/jirachi.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/tyranitar.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/rotom-heat.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/zapdos.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/manectric-mega.png[/IMG]
Niche:[IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/bisharp.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/ferrothorn.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/aerodactyl.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/thundurus-therian.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/ampharos-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/rhyperior.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/raikou.png[/IMG]
Outclassed/Unviable:[IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/steelix-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/jolteon.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/shuckle.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/electivire.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/electabuzz.png[/IMG]

 

[AuraRayquaza]

i that think you could update shadow tag -> trapping if you want

Trapping
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

also i think we could use flying switchins since skymin/talon exist

Flying Switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

I dont know if i would change shadow tag to trapping because i dont think magnezone is all that viable (i might be wrong but ive never seen it used effectively).

Also flying resists is a good idea, id probs remove lando t from the list though because it is not liking a LO air slash from shaymin at all, and it still takes a good chunk from an item boosted brave bird.

Edit: And i just noticed, why is alomomola a niche wide guard user?? Its unviable

 

[Stratos]

>tyranitar and magnezone viable in this meta

ok

 

[xzern]

>tyranitar and magnezone viable in this meta

ok

well yea tyranitar is viable, ttar + exca is a really common core
magnezone is ok but not super viable so thats why i put it in niche instead (i edited my post a few mins ago)

 

[Stratos]

well yea tyranitar is viable, ttar + exca is a really common core
magnezone is ok but not super viable so thats why i put it in niche instead (i edited my post a few mins ago)

tyranitar isn't viable, excatar is kind of common cuz theres still people who havent yet realized that tyranitar is monstrously fucking bad

i could write a treatise on how bad tyranitar is if you rly want

 

[Lukethehedgehog]

Why is Gothorita even featured? Who would use it at all when Gothitelle exists? Do people use it for Eviolite or something?

 

[Laurel]

Granbull should atleast be mentioned in unviable for intimidate support. Fairy-typing + TWave xD does enough work in doubles.

 

[Arcticblast]

Would Mega Heracross and Chandelure count as viable or at least niche TR attackers?

As for the outclassed/unviable category, I want to nominate Cradily for Ability based Redirection and Purugly for anti-Intimidate. Also, I am interested to know in some detail why Rocky Helmet is listed as unviable/outclassed.

I'll add Cradily and Purugly to unviable. Rocky Helmet is listed as unviable because only certain Pokemon actually have the bulk to take hits from Kangaskhan; losing a Pokemon for like 1/4 damage on Kang isn't a good trade.

i that think you could update shadow tag -> trapping if you want

Trapping
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

also i think we could use flying switchins since skymin/talon exist

Flying Switchin:
----------
Viable:

Niche:

Outclassed/Unviable:

here's the bbcode

Trapping
----------
Viable: [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/gengar-mega.png[/IMG]
Niche: [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/gothitelle.png[/IMG][IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/dugtrio.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/magnezone.png[/IMG][IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/magneton.png[/IMG]
Outclassed/Unviable: [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/gothorita.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/wobbuffet.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/trapinch.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/probopass.png[/IMG]


Flying Switchin:
----------
Viable: [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/aegislash.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/heatran.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/diancie-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/metagross-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/rotom-wash.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/thundurus.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/mawile-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/jirachi.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/tyranitar.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/rotom-heat.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/zapdos.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/manectric-mega.png[/IMG]
Niche:[IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/bisharp.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/ferrothorn.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/aerodactyl.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/thundurus-therian.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/ampharos-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/rhyperior.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/raikou.png[/IMG]
Outclassed/Unviable:[IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/steelix-mega.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/jolteon.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/shuckle.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/electivire.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.smogon.com/dex/media/sprites/xyicons/electabuzz.png[/IMG]

will add Flying switchins, none of the other forms of trapping are even remotely good tbh (I'd honestly rather use Sturdy Magnezone)

Why is Gothorita even featured? Who would use it at all when Gothitelle exists? Do people use it for Eviolite or something?

dedicated Perish Trap uses all of Gengar/Goth/mini-Goth

Granbull should atleast be mentioned in unviable for intimidate support. Fairy-typing + TWave xD does enough work in doubles.

ok

 

[Yellow Paint]

snarl Darkrai as a niche spread special attacker

Talonflame as a niche mixed attacker