Hello everyone, this is a team I have used for about a week and it has been really successful during this short time. It is centered around DD Gyarados and his teammates are there to remove counters and cover Gyara when needed.
Without further ado, let me show you the team members:
The Lead
Heatran @ Shuca Berry
Timid Nature
Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA/4 SpD/252 Spd
Moveset:
-Stealth Rock
-Fire Blast
-Earth Power
-Hidden Power Grass
The battle starts with Heatran. I think that not only it is a good lead, it also has a good synergy with the rest of my team. What's more, thanks to its natural bulk, I can save it for later to get a kill or two or maybe use it as death fodder if need be. Stealth Rock is obvious as it helps my teammates and specifically Gyarados, who can turn 2HKOs into OHKOs thanks to it. Fire Blast for STAB and my only answer against Metagross during mid-/late-game, Earth Power for coverage and HP Grass for Swamperts that pop up occasionally to wall my Pokemon.
The Choice Bander
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Adamant Nature
Sand Stream
EVs: 180 HP/252 Atk/ 76 Spd
Moveset:
-Stone Edge
-Pursuit
-Crunch
-Earthquake
Tyranitar works SO well alongside Gyara, as it beats Cresselia, Celebi, Zapdos, Jolteon and other Pokemon that can either kill or cripple Gyarados. It also packs quite a punch with its dual STABs, dealing good amounts of damage even with neutral hits. Pursuit was made to be used by T-tar, and can catch some Gengars locked into unfavorable moves while they try to switch out.
The Special Wall/Cleric
Blissey @ Leftovers
Bold Nature
Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD
Moveset:
-Wish
-Heal Bell
-Seismic Toss
-Thunder Wave
The pink blob strikes again! This set is aimed at healing my teammates and removing status at the same time, while crippling foes. Wish is usually used to restore Heatran during mid-game, in order to try and punch (perhaps melt) some holes into the opposition. Aromatherapy is illegal with Wish, but Heal Bell does essentially the same thing. Thunder Wave can stop set-up sweepers at their tracks, while Seismic toss provides a source of damage.
Blissey can take hits from Zapdos and Jolteon like a champ and beat them in the process, clearing the way for Gyara's sweep. Celebi is a bit trickier to handle, because it must be Paralyzed first, then I must switch to T-tar to deal with it.
The Physical wall/Stallbreaker
Gliscor @ Leftovers
Jolly Nature
Sand Veil
EVs:252 HP/4 Def/ 252 Spd
Moveset:
-Earthquake
-Toxic
-Roost
-U-turn
Gliscor is there to combat stall while scouting the foe's team with U-turn. Toxic is used when I am against a wall and after Gliscor's job is completed (after removing physical threats, that is). The Sand Veil hax is always a welcome bonus :)
The Sweeper
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Adamant Nature
Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP/ 72 Atk/ 96 Def/ 184 Spd
Moveset:
-Dragon Dance
-Taunt
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
After all counters are removed or weakened, in comes Gyarados to sweep. The EV spread is for the bulky version, to add survivability. Waterfall is there for STAB, while Earthquake for coverage. Taunt screws Skarmory that tries to set up or phaze Gyara, and I get a free DD while it switches out. As I mentioned before, Gyara covers T-Tar nicely, as it can use Scizor as set-up fodder and can Intimidate any Flygon or Gliscor that comes in on Tyranitar to kill it, resulting in a free turn.
Gyarados really appreciates the Wishes Bliss passes, as 25% per switch in to Stealth Rock hinders him and he can quickly get low on health.
The Plan B
Electivire @ Expert Belt
Mild Nature
Motor Drive
EVs: 36 Atk/252 SpA/220 Spd
Moveset:
-Hidden Power Ice
-Thunderbolt
-Flamethrower
-Cross Chop
Electivire can grab a Motor Drive boost on an opponent who tries to maim Gyarados and then it can proceed to weaken or KO the opponent's Pokemon.
Seeing that Swampert is covered by Heatran, I chose to use HP Ice for the dragons (Dragonite and Flygon) and Gliscor. The other 3 moves are self-explanatory: STAB, coverage, more coverage. Flamethrower is a way to beat Scizor if Heatran is KOed.
-------------------------------------
Team building process:
I wanted a team that would use Gyarados to sweep, so the first Pokemon is obviously Gyara.
Then I needed a Pokemon that could handle Gyara's counters to the point of KOing or weakening them sufficiently. That would be Tyranitar.
My next addition would one that could handle special threats while keeping the team at high health. The best Pokemon at this is Bliss, hands down.
Next up, I needed a Pokemon that could abuse the sandstorm, courtesy of Tyranitar, and cripple opposing walls, so Gliscor joins the team.
Then, I had to find a lead that could safely beat Metagross. I was between Heatran and Infernape, but Heatran proved to be more helpful thanks to its bulk.
Finally, I needed a Plan B, a way to sweep if Gyara got KOed. Seeing as I already had a special attacker (Heatran), I ruled out Jolteon and kept Electivire, who could abuse Gyarados's weakness to Electricity and somewhat sweep the opposition.
So here it is, the complete team:
Constructive criticism is more than welcome! I could really use some tips to fine-tune the team in order to cover its weaknesses better. I'm looking forward to everyone's reply :)
Without further ado, let me show you the team members:
The Lead
Heatran @ Shuca Berry
Timid Nature
Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA/4 SpD/252 Spd
Moveset:
-Stealth Rock
-Fire Blast
-Earth Power
-Hidden Power Grass
The battle starts with Heatran. I think that not only it is a good lead, it also has a good synergy with the rest of my team. What's more, thanks to its natural bulk, I can save it for later to get a kill or two or maybe use it as death fodder if need be. Stealth Rock is obvious as it helps my teammates and specifically Gyarados, who can turn 2HKOs into OHKOs thanks to it. Fire Blast for STAB and my only answer against Metagross during mid-/late-game, Earth Power for coverage and HP Grass for Swamperts that pop up occasionally to wall my Pokemon.
The Choice Bander
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Adamant Nature
Sand Stream
EVs: 180 HP/252 Atk/ 76 Spd
Moveset:
-Stone Edge
-Pursuit
-Crunch
-Earthquake
Tyranitar works SO well alongside Gyara, as it beats Cresselia, Celebi, Zapdos, Jolteon and other Pokemon that can either kill or cripple Gyarados. It also packs quite a punch with its dual STABs, dealing good amounts of damage even with neutral hits. Pursuit was made to be used by T-tar, and can catch some Gengars locked into unfavorable moves while they try to switch out.
The Special Wall/Cleric
Blissey @ Leftovers
Bold Nature
Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SpD
Moveset:
-Wish
-Heal Bell
-Seismic Toss
-Thunder Wave
The pink blob strikes again! This set is aimed at healing my teammates and removing status at the same time, while crippling foes. Wish is usually used to restore Heatran during mid-game, in order to try and punch (perhaps melt) some holes into the opposition. Aromatherapy is illegal with Wish, but Heal Bell does essentially the same thing. Thunder Wave can stop set-up sweepers at their tracks, while Seismic toss provides a source of damage.
Blissey can take hits from Zapdos and Jolteon like a champ and beat them in the process, clearing the way for Gyara's sweep. Celebi is a bit trickier to handle, because it must be Paralyzed first, then I must switch to T-tar to deal with it.
The Physical wall/Stallbreaker
Gliscor @ Leftovers
Jolly Nature
Sand Veil
EVs:252 HP/4 Def/ 252 Spd
Moveset:
-Earthquake
-Toxic
-Roost
-U-turn
Gliscor is there to combat stall while scouting the foe's team with U-turn. Toxic is used when I am against a wall and after Gliscor's job is completed (after removing physical threats, that is). The Sand Veil hax is always a welcome bonus :)
The Sweeper
Gyarados @ Leftovers
Adamant Nature
Intimidate
EVs: 156 HP/ 72 Atk/ 96 Def/ 184 Spd
Moveset:
-Dragon Dance
-Taunt
-Waterfall
-Earthquake
After all counters are removed or weakened, in comes Gyarados to sweep. The EV spread is for the bulky version, to add survivability. Waterfall is there for STAB, while Earthquake for coverage. Taunt screws Skarmory that tries to set up or phaze Gyara, and I get a free DD while it switches out. As I mentioned before, Gyara covers T-Tar nicely, as it can use Scizor as set-up fodder and can Intimidate any Flygon or Gliscor that comes in on Tyranitar to kill it, resulting in a free turn.
Gyarados really appreciates the Wishes Bliss passes, as 25% per switch in to Stealth Rock hinders him and he can quickly get low on health.
The Plan B
Electivire @ Expert Belt
Mild Nature
Motor Drive
EVs: 36 Atk/252 SpA/220 Spd
Moveset:
-Hidden Power Ice
-Thunderbolt
-Flamethrower
-Cross Chop
Electivire can grab a Motor Drive boost on an opponent who tries to maim Gyarados and then it can proceed to weaken or KO the opponent's Pokemon.
Seeing that Swampert is covered by Heatran, I chose to use HP Ice for the dragons (Dragonite and Flygon) and Gliscor. The other 3 moves are self-explanatory: STAB, coverage, more coverage. Flamethrower is a way to beat Scizor if Heatran is KOed.
-------------------------------------
Team building process:
I wanted a team that would use Gyarados to sweep, so the first Pokemon is obviously Gyara.
Then I needed a Pokemon that could handle Gyara's counters to the point of KOing or weakening them sufficiently. That would be Tyranitar.
My next addition would one that could handle special threats while keeping the team at high health. The best Pokemon at this is Bliss, hands down.
Next up, I needed a Pokemon that could abuse the sandstorm, courtesy of Tyranitar, and cripple opposing walls, so Gliscor joins the team.
Then, I had to find a lead that could safely beat Metagross. I was between Heatran and Infernape, but Heatran proved to be more helpful thanks to its bulk.
Finally, I needed a Plan B, a way to sweep if Gyara got KOed. Seeing as I already had a special attacker (Heatran), I ruled out Jolteon and kept Electivire, who could abuse Gyarados's weakness to Electricity and somewhat sweep the opposition.
So here it is, the complete team:
Constructive criticism is more than welcome! I could really use some tips to fine-tune the team in order to cover its weaknesses better. I'm looking forward to everyone's reply :)