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Welcome to the latest edition of the Team Rater Competition! The tier this time around will be SS UU. For each round we'll post a team, and participants will have one week to complete a rate of said team. When the round is over, the participants who submitted the best rates will move onto the next round. If you are eliminated and want to receive feedback on your rate, the hosts will be more than happy to provide that upon request. Each round will last one week. Failure to rate the team within the one week time period will result in disqualification unless you're able to give us a valid reason. Please only sign up if you can commit to rating one team every week for the next month. If you're currently involved in or are looking to start rating UU teams, I highly encourage you to participate as this promises to be a great learning experience. Here's to a fun and competitive tournament!
Important notes:
All passing rates will count towards the Team Rater badge, and rates in the final 2 rounds will count twice as much towards the badge.
Each round will last one week. Failure to rate the team within the one week time period will result in disqualification unless you're able to give us a valid reason. Please only sign up if you can commit to rating one team every week for the next month.
If you are eliminated and would like some feedback on your rate and how you can improve going forward, feel free to ask us.
At the end of each round, we will announce the best rate from that round and a quick overview of what we liked in the rates submitted.
Terrakion @ Choice Band
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Megahorn
Starting with minor changes they suggest making Nidoqueen a Timid nature as you can outspeed Adamant Blaziken prior to it getting a Speed Boost.
He also suggests making Gyarados Intimidate as it lets it set up on stuff like Mamoswine more easily, as well as suggesting Bounce for its greater damage output against the tier's Grass-types.
Moving onto major changes they suggest Jirachi over Scizor because it gives the team a more reliable response to Latias with Thunder Wave crippling set up sweepers to help with the team's lack of a Scarfer.
Next, they acknowledge the team is rather weak to Blaziken and Victini so they suggest Salamence over Kyurem. (Though as a personal note I would have gone Defog > Toxic here)
Finally, they replace Tapu Bulu with Terrakion giving the team an improved level of Speed control while retaining the needed wallbreaker.
Metagross @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 20 HP / 252 Atk / 140 SpD / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Thunder Punch
- Bullet Punch
- Explosion
Just like Monky, Notily realises that the team doesn't have the best time playing around Blaziken and Victini so he likewise suggests Salamence over Kyurem. He goes with a three attack set here as the team doesn't mandate removal.
Next, he changes Scizor to an Assault Vest Metagross because he acknowledges the three attack Latias matchup being rough. Everything is threatened by it outside of revenge killing it with Zeraora. He makes the spread avoid the 2HKO from a Life Orb Mystical Fire.
Now then here is the team you need to rate for this round!
Victini @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Victory Star
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Blue Flare
- Psychic
- Glaciate
- U-turn
I wanted to build around this special Victini set, which can take advantage of its expansive movepool to overwhelm most of its checks.
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Body Press
- Spikes
- Roost
Skarmory sounded like a good partner because it can provide Spikes support to make up for Victini's lack of immediate power.
Rotom-W forms a pivot core with Victini to bring it in safely against foes like Tangrowth and Amoonguss. It can also help pressure one of Victini's better checks being Rhyperior.
Amoonguss @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Def / 36 SpD
Bold Nature
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Foul Play
Amoonguss helps check the Water-types Victini has some issues breaking. It gives the team a sturdier pivot into Terrakion as Skarmory can get overwhelmed.
Terrakion @ Life Orb
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
- Stealth Rock
Terrakion gives the team a needed Stealth Rock setter. It also makes up for the team's lack of immediate wallbreaking presence.
Krookodile @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Darkest Lariat
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Finally, Krookodile compresses the Electric immunity, Ghost resistance, and speed control into one slot. Very standard set here.
Given this was brought up. There will be a shift on the 1st but we don't expect it to be anything too crazy. Regardless this round will be based on this metagame (post Blaziken ban) so ignore any changes from shifts. If you want to avoid potentially making that mistake then get it in before the weekend. Good luck all.