Hey there Smogon! Giovanni here. I've been experimenting with this team on PO and it's been winning about 2/3 of the time, but I want to improve that statistic before RNG'ing it into my cartridge. Work smarter, not harder, as I like to say. As this will eventually be a wi-fi team, please do not be "that guy" and suggest a Rotom form for what I think to be rather obvious reasons. With that in mind, I present to you the finest of Team Rocket's Battlers.
CHANGES IN BLUE
Team Building Process
I wanted to build a team around Rock Polish Aggron, because the power it backs is in and of itself astounding. With a single Rock Polish, Aggron can outspeed most OU Pokemon not holding a Choice Scarf and deliver heavy damage (225 BP Head Smash with no recoil ftw?) Aggron is a force to be reckoned with and I have no idea why he is still in the UU tier. He wrecks people who aren't ready for him. As the team is being built around him, I'd prefer it if he stayed there.
The next Pokemon that I considered for my team was Lead Empoleon. Why, you may ask? Because he completely dominates most of the common leads and gets Rocks up too! When Hydro Pump can take out a Lead Metagross, you know you've got it made (people tend to ragequit when that happens). The only real trouble I've had is Lead Machamp and Abomasnow, but one is only used on hail teams and Machamp has declined in use ever since people starting running things to counter it.
The next addition to the team was Jolteon. As I have a natural hatred for Choice items, I opted for the Charge Beam + Life Orb set. Come in on predicted electric attacks, Charge Beam the switch and sweep. with a 70% chance of boosting Special Attack, I don't know why people don't use this set more often. Everyone seems to like the Choice Specs set. However, as the team stands thus far, ground type attacks are the Achilles Heel of this team, so...
Flygon. Most people expect a choice set, so when they switch in a "counter" they get met with an attack that wrecks them. However, because it is not scarfed, I have to watch out for other Flygons (since almost every other Flygon is scarfed). Flygon is great for taking ground attacks aimed at Jolteon or taking electric attacks if Jolteon happens to fall (damn you frailty!). Other than that, Flygon does his best to eliminate as much as he can given his options.
Scizor is the resident scout of the team. Most people expect banded Scizor, so when they realize my Scizor is scarfed it catches them off-guard. Yes, I actually have a Choiced Pokemon on my team. Shocking. Anyways, he's earned his keep on this team and I like what he does.
Gengar. The original ghost. I remember having nightmares about his creepy smile and how the original GSC pokedex said it killed people or something like that. Anyways, of all the pokemon on this team, Gengar seems to be the weak link. He's great when he gets a chance, but unfortunately those chances are few and far between. Really the only thing that benefits the team is a second ground resist. If anyone needed to get replaced, it would be him.
I switched Flygon for Gyarados as per Aerrow's suggestion and it was probably one of the best swaps I've made for this team. It is a reliable check for Infernape/Lucario and is just a great set up sweeper overall. Definitely earned a spot on this team.
In-depth Analysis
Empoleon @ Chople Berry
Modest | Torrent
172 HP | 252 SpA | 84 Spe
~ Hydro Pump
~ Aqua Jet
~ Stealth Rock
~ Ice Beam
Lead Empoleon is a powerhouse. 'Nuff said. Its ability to stand up against any lead not named Machamp it a definite plus. Hydro Pump brings most of the common leads into Aqua Jet KO range, even with a -Atk nature. Grass Knot wrecks Swampert leads as well as giving coverage for Hippowdon if I'm not feeling confident with Hydro Pump. Empoleon's awesome typing prevents Tyranitar/Hippowdon from breaking its Sash, and in doing so takes them out. Empoleon is great at getting rocks out, even if Taunted by the likes of Azelf/Aerodactyl. He's got the survivablity to outlast the taunt and get rocks up. If I see a Azelf/Aerodactyl, I generally Hydro Pump on the taunt and Aqua Jet them to oblivion. Hydro Pump also gets even those resisting it *coughMetagrossandJirachicough* into KO range for Aqua Jet. Overall, Empoleon has saved me many times and has earned its place on my team.
Empoleon vs. Top Leads
Aggron @ Life Orb
Jolly | Rock Head
4 HP | 252 Att | 252 Spe
~ Rock Polish
~ Head Smash
~ Earthquake
~ Ice Punch
Seriously, I have no idea how Aggron is not OU yet. This steel titan hits like a truck, and can take them like a pro. After a Rock Polish, it outspeeds everything not carrying Choice Scarf, and even some Scarfers. If Aggron gets 2 Rock Polishes, forget it. Head Smash hits even neutrally for OHKOs and 2KOs. Scarmory is even 2KO'ed by Head Smash. Earthquake and Ice Punch are there for coverage, but unless you 4x resist Rock, Head Smash usually does more. Ice Punch also does numbers on, among other things, Breloom, Dragonite, and Flygon (if locked into Outrage). Like I said, Aggron hits like a truck and has great resistances that allow him to set up with ease.
Jolteon @ Life Orb
Timid | Volt Absorb
4 HP | 252 SpA | 252 Spe
~ Charge Beam
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hidden Power (Ice)
~ Shadow Ball
I opted for Charge Beam Jolteon over Specs Jolteon for one simple reason: I HATE CHOICE ITEMS! Choice items, to me, give you a loss of adaptability to a situation. True, you get a boost in power but at what cost? With a choice item, you become set up fodder if I resist or am immune to what you're Choice-locked. I tend to not want my opponent to set up. Besides, if I get that SpA boost from Charge Beam (which usually happens on the first go), then I have the Special Attack of Specs with the ability to switch moves. If you're gonna suggest Choice items, then don't waste your time. I sacrifice power for adaptability. Anyways, Jolteon is one of those Pokemon that has found its niche in being able to get rid of, or at least cause severe damage to whatever it comes in on. Everyone's favorite electric fox is just such an expert at what it does, and with its huge base Special Attack it leaves dents, even neutrally. I opted HP Ice over HP grass so I can hit Dragonite/Flygon for 4x damage. Overall, I like the way Jolteon compliments this team.
Gyarados
Adamant | Leftovers
156 HP | 72 Atk | 96 Def | 184 Spd
~ Dragon Dance
~ Waterfall
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
Bulky DDos is my check to things like set up Infernape/Lucario. Neither of them can deal with Gyarados, and Dos has great offensive synergy with Jolteon (GyaraJolt anyone?) This spot was originally filled by Flygon, but Flygon was not the powerhouse it needed to be. After a Dragon Dance, Gyarados, even bulky ones, tear through teams that are not prepared for it. After any counters are taken out, sometimes Dos can take out entire teams without Aggron having to show itself. It is a definite improvement over Flygon and I don't know why I didn't have it on the first place. Probably due to the 6 spot syndrome I sometimes run into. Nothing likes taking a DynamicPunch from Machamp, but Gyarados can handle it the best out of everyone.
Scizor @ Choice Scarf
Jolly | Technician
12 HP | 252 Att | 244 Spe
~ U-Turn
~ Pursuit
~ Bullet Punch
~ Superpower
Most people either expect a Band on Scizor, or a sweep. However, most people do not expect a Scarfed Scizor. I know you're all thinking "OMG Giovanni, I thought you hated Choice items." Well, I do, but I realize the importance of having a scout. Flygons too common and I wanted the surprise factor. Scizor was the first thing to come to mind. With base 135 Attack, he hits like a truck. U-Turn is generally the go-to move unless it's needed elsewhere (i.e. Superpower on Tyranitar, Pursuit on ghosts/Starmie). Bullet Punch is opted for over Iron Head because of the ever important priority coverage. If I had to pick one Pokemon that was the weak link on this team, I'd have to say Scizor though. I often end up losing it earlier than I'd like and that usually costs me. Plus with a lot of people running Scizor counters now, he needs to watch his back.
Gengar @ Life Orb
Timid | Levitate
4 HP | 252 SpA | 252 Spe
~ Psychic
~ Shadow Ball
~ Focus Blast
~ Hidden Power (Fire)
Gengar is an amazing sweeper with his high Special Attack and Speed and great coverage. Protect is there to scout Pursuit. HP Fire is for getting Scizor who thinks it can get me with Pursuit, as well as dealing with Abomasnow leads. Overall I do like what Gengar does for the team, but it would also be one of the first to get changed. This frightening poltergeist can take out almost anything not named Blissey with relative ease... It's probably due to that demented smile of his.
Anyways, that's my team. Like I said earlier, it does a good job winning with about 2/3 of my matches in PO coming out with a win, but I want to work the kinks out before RNG'ing it. CC is nice and appreciated. Thanks for your time!
CHANGES IN BLUE
Team Building Process
I wanted to build a team around Rock Polish Aggron, because the power it backs is in and of itself astounding. With a single Rock Polish, Aggron can outspeed most OU Pokemon not holding a Choice Scarf and deliver heavy damage (225 BP Head Smash with no recoil ftw?) Aggron is a force to be reckoned with and I have no idea why he is still in the UU tier. He wrecks people who aren't ready for him. As the team is being built around him, I'd prefer it if he stayed there.
The next Pokemon that I considered for my team was Lead Empoleon. Why, you may ask? Because he completely dominates most of the common leads and gets Rocks up too! When Hydro Pump can take out a Lead Metagross, you know you've got it made (people tend to ragequit when that happens). The only real trouble I've had is Lead Machamp and Abomasnow, but one is only used on hail teams and Machamp has declined in use ever since people starting running things to counter it.
The next addition to the team was Jolteon. As I have a natural hatred for Choice items, I opted for the Charge Beam + Life Orb set. Come in on predicted electric attacks, Charge Beam the switch and sweep. with a 70% chance of boosting Special Attack, I don't know why people don't use this set more often. Everyone seems to like the Choice Specs set. However, as the team stands thus far, ground type attacks are the Achilles Heel of this team, so...
Flygon. Most people expect a choice set, so when they switch in a "counter" they get met with an attack that wrecks them. However, because it is not scarfed, I have to watch out for other Flygons (since almost every other Flygon is scarfed). Flygon is great for taking ground attacks aimed at Jolteon or taking electric attacks if Jolteon happens to fall (damn you frailty!). Other than that, Flygon does his best to eliminate as much as he can given his options.
Scizor is the resident scout of the team. Most people expect banded Scizor, so when they realize my Scizor is scarfed it catches them off-guard. Yes, I actually have a Choiced Pokemon on my team. Shocking. Anyways, he's earned his keep on this team and I like what he does.
Gengar. The original ghost. I remember having nightmares about his creepy smile and how the original GSC pokedex said it killed people or something like that. Anyways, of all the pokemon on this team, Gengar seems to be the weak link. He's great when he gets a chance, but unfortunately those chances are few and far between. Really the only thing that benefits the team is a second ground resist. If anyone needed to get replaced, it would be him.
I switched Flygon for Gyarados as per Aerrow's suggestion and it was probably one of the best swaps I've made for this team. It is a reliable check for Infernape/Lucario and is just a great set up sweeper overall. Definitely earned a spot on this team.
In-depth Analysis
Empoleon @ Chople Berry
Modest | Torrent
172 HP | 252 SpA | 84 Spe
~ Hydro Pump
~ Aqua Jet
~ Stealth Rock
~ Ice Beam
Lead Empoleon is a powerhouse. 'Nuff said. Its ability to stand up against any lead not named Machamp it a definite plus. Hydro Pump brings most of the common leads into Aqua Jet KO range, even with a -Atk nature. Grass Knot wrecks Swampert leads as well as giving coverage for Hippowdon if I'm not feeling confident with Hydro Pump. Empoleon's awesome typing prevents Tyranitar/Hippowdon from breaking its Sash, and in doing so takes them out. Empoleon is great at getting rocks out, even if Taunted by the likes of Azelf/Aerodactyl. He's got the survivablity to outlast the taunt and get rocks up. If I see a Azelf/Aerodactyl, I generally Hydro Pump on the taunt and Aqua Jet them to oblivion. Hydro Pump also gets even those resisting it *coughMetagrossandJirachicough* into KO range for Aqua Jet. Overall, Empoleon has saved me many times and has earned its place on my team.
Empoleon vs. Top Leads
Azelf: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet
Aerodactyl: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet
Machamp: This one's tricky, but I'll usually switch to Gyarados to force the switch
Metagross: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet
Swampert: Grass Knot -> Aqua Jet if Sashed
Infernape: Switch to Gengar to absorb Fake OUt -> Psychic for the OHKO
Heatran: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet if Sashed
Jirachi: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet if Sashed
Ninjask: Aqua Jet Spam, throwing Stealth Rock in somewhere
Roserade: Switch to Gengar -> HP Fire for the 2KO
Hippowdon: Hydro Pump for 2KO
Dragonite: Switch to Flygon to absorb Earthquake -> Dragon Claw
Aerodactyl: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet
Machamp: This one's tricky, but I'll usually switch to Gyarados to force the switch
Metagross: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet
Swampert: Grass Knot -> Aqua Jet if Sashed
Infernape: Switch to Gengar to absorb Fake OUt -> Psychic for the OHKO
Heatran: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet if Sashed
Jirachi: Hydro Pump -> Aqua Jet if Sashed
Ninjask: Aqua Jet Spam, throwing Stealth Rock in somewhere
Roserade: Switch to Gengar -> HP Fire for the 2KO
Hippowdon: Hydro Pump for 2KO
Dragonite: Switch to Flygon to absorb Earthquake -> Dragon Claw
Aggron @ Life Orb
Jolly | Rock Head
4 HP | 252 Att | 252 Spe
~ Rock Polish
~ Head Smash
~ Earthquake
~ Ice Punch
Seriously, I have no idea how Aggron is not OU yet. This steel titan hits like a truck, and can take them like a pro. After a Rock Polish, it outspeeds everything not carrying Choice Scarf, and even some Scarfers. If Aggron gets 2 Rock Polishes, forget it. Head Smash hits even neutrally for OHKOs and 2KOs. Scarmory is even 2KO'ed by Head Smash. Earthquake and Ice Punch are there for coverage, but unless you 4x resist Rock, Head Smash usually does more. Ice Punch also does numbers on, among other things, Breloom, Dragonite, and Flygon (if locked into Outrage). Like I said, Aggron hits like a truck and has great resistances that allow him to set up with ease.
Jolteon @ Life Orb
Timid | Volt Absorb
4 HP | 252 SpA | 252 Spe
~ Charge Beam
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hidden Power (Ice)
~ Shadow Ball
I opted for Charge Beam Jolteon over Specs Jolteon for one simple reason: I HATE CHOICE ITEMS! Choice items, to me, give you a loss of adaptability to a situation. True, you get a boost in power but at what cost? With a choice item, you become set up fodder if I resist or am immune to what you're Choice-locked. I tend to not want my opponent to set up. Besides, if I get that SpA boost from Charge Beam (which usually happens on the first go), then I have the Special Attack of Specs with the ability to switch moves. If you're gonna suggest Choice items, then don't waste your time. I sacrifice power for adaptability. Anyways, Jolteon is one of those Pokemon that has found its niche in being able to get rid of, or at least cause severe damage to whatever it comes in on. Everyone's favorite electric fox is just such an expert at what it does, and with its huge base Special Attack it leaves dents, even neutrally. I opted HP Ice over HP grass so I can hit Dragonite/Flygon for 4x damage. Overall, I like the way Jolteon compliments this team.
Gyarados
Adamant | Leftovers
156 HP | 72 Atk | 96 Def | 184 Spd
~ Dragon Dance
~ Waterfall
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
Bulky DDos is my check to things like set up Infernape/Lucario. Neither of them can deal with Gyarados, and Dos has great offensive synergy with Jolteon (GyaraJolt anyone?) This spot was originally filled by Flygon, but Flygon was not the powerhouse it needed to be. After a Dragon Dance, Gyarados, even bulky ones, tear through teams that are not prepared for it. After any counters are taken out, sometimes Dos can take out entire teams without Aggron having to show itself. It is a definite improvement over Flygon and I don't know why I didn't have it on the first place. Probably due to the 6 spot syndrome I sometimes run into. Nothing likes taking a DynamicPunch from Machamp, but Gyarados can handle it the best out of everyone.
Scizor @ Choice Scarf
Jolly | Technician
12 HP | 252 Att | 244 Spe
~ U-Turn
~ Pursuit
~ Bullet Punch
~ Superpower
Most people either expect a Band on Scizor, or a sweep. However, most people do not expect a Scarfed Scizor. I know you're all thinking "OMG Giovanni, I thought you hated Choice items." Well, I do, but I realize the importance of having a scout. Flygons too common and I wanted the surprise factor. Scizor was the first thing to come to mind. With base 135 Attack, he hits like a truck. U-Turn is generally the go-to move unless it's needed elsewhere (i.e. Superpower on Tyranitar, Pursuit on ghosts/Starmie). Bullet Punch is opted for over Iron Head because of the ever important priority coverage. If I had to pick one Pokemon that was the weak link on this team, I'd have to say Scizor though. I often end up losing it earlier than I'd like and that usually costs me. Plus with a lot of people running Scizor counters now, he needs to watch his back.
Gengar @ Life Orb
Timid | Levitate
4 HP | 252 SpA | 252 Spe
~ Psychic
~ Shadow Ball
~ Focus Blast
~ Hidden Power (Fire)
Gengar is an amazing sweeper with his high Special Attack and Speed and great coverage. Protect is there to scout Pursuit. HP Fire is for getting Scizor who thinks it can get me with Pursuit, as well as dealing with Abomasnow leads. Overall I do like what Gengar does for the team, but it would also be one of the first to get changed. This frightening poltergeist can take out almost anything not named Blissey with relative ease... It's probably due to that demented smile of his.
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Anyways, that's my team. Like I said earlier, it does a good job winning with about 2/3 of my matches in PO coming out with a win, but I want to work the kinks out before RNG'ing it. CC is nice and appreciated. Thanks for your time!