Taking Advantage of the Metagame [OU]

[Pimp]

INTRODUCTION

I built this team back in mid-April around the time after the 3-4. I initially had a feeling in my gut that Latias would be banned, so I sought out to create a final team that I could ladder before I bid adieu to the metagame that I had become so familiar with since early Plat. With April stats provided by Doug, I noticed several things: Scarf Tar usage was dramatically increasing, anti-leads were becoming seriously popular, and teams were utilizing more defensive Pokemon (like Spikers). With this data, I sought out to create several goals for my team to accomplish and sort of defeat the metagame: utilize a bulky offensive lead that would defeat a majority of the leads, and maximize options during battle. This would mean that frail sweepers would not be considered on my team nor would choice users be utilized on my team. What resulted would be one of the best teams that I have ever created during this generation.

P.S.
I made a different RMT earlier, but Kennisiou, the official ruiner of fun, locked it. But since I'm desperate (lol, not really. I'm just posting this to show that I'm not as stupid as a typical Wifier), I'm just gonna repost it in a more eloquent manner.

Laddering achievements? Uhmmm, does #10 during April-May count? I could have gone higher, but I was too busy preparing for the VGC's to spend hours on end laddering.


TYPE CHART





AT A GLANCE

l - -|- -|- -|- -|- -|- -|


IN-DEPTH

Metagross @ Lum Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 236 HP / 228 Atk / 44 Spe
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SpAtk)
- Iron Head
- Bullet Punch
- Explosion
- Earthquake

• WHY THIS POKEMON?
  Like I said in the introduction, I needed a bulky anti-lead who could defeat the new popular leads as well as defeat some of the older ones. I took the set from here, although I had seen the set before on BetterThanLori's RMT, describing how exactly it could defeat the top 10 leads. Metagross seemed to pop in my mind right away, and it has been on this team ever since.
• MOVESET IMPORTANCE
  Meteor Mash + Bullet Punch is like potatoes and gravy; they were really meant for each other. That duo attack combo is meant to 2hko many of the common leads, while Earthquake attempts to kill other stuff. Explosion is only really on this set to KO Hippowdon and Swampert.
• CONTEMPLATING CHANGES
  I know there's another anti-lead Metagross set lurking somewhere, since RaikouLover told me about it. It has access to both special and physical moves that are more efficient than this spread. I think it was Zen Headbutt l Grass Knot l Bullet Punch l Hidden Power [Fire].

Heatran (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 56 Atk/200 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spe, -Atk)
- Stealth Rock
- Explosion
- Earth Power
- Flamethrower

• WHY THIS POKEMON?
  With Metagross being an all-out offensive lead, I needed something that can abuse its typing to be able to come in and set up SR. SR is also great on this set because it conceals my Life Orb, which tricks my opponent into thinking that I may be carrying Shuca or Leftovers.
• MOVESET IMPORTANCE
  I wanted something that can both set up SR as well as keep up with my team's offensive theme. Flamethrower was mandatory because I did not want inaccuracy to completely destroy my offensive momentum. 200 Spe was so that I could outspeed Adamant Gyarados and be able to KO with Explosion.
• CONTEMPLATING CHANGES
  I could run Hasty > Timid, but I rarely found myself blowing up on things that need the extra power other than Gyarados.

Gliscor (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spe, -SpAtk)
- Roost
- Toxic
- Taunt
- Earthquake

• WHY THIS POKEMON?
  With such an offensive team, I definitely needed something that dismantle stall. Gliscor seemed to fit on this team just fine. I did not opt for Gliscor to be the one setting up SR because I wanted Toxic to be able to cripple bulky waters that switch in on Gliscor. With Toxic, Kingdra would find an easier time to sweep.
• MOVESET IMPORTANCE
  This set is almost standard. I shifted 8 Def EV's into Spe so that I could outrun opposing Gliscor to the Taunt/Toxic.
• CONTEMPLATING CHANGES
  I saw Towelie's C&C about LO Aero, which looks really good, and I might shove that on here just to say that I have an Aerodactyl on my team that is not in the lead position, but Gliscor seems to fit the bill better.

Salamence (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 6 Atk/252 SpAtk/252 Spe
Naive Nature (+Speed, -Special Defense)
- Roost
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Earthquake

• WHY THIS POKEMON?
  This spot has been changed the most. I used to run Scarf Latias, which changed to Specs Latias, which (for the past several months) changed to Salamence. I needed something that can somewhat kill both Kingdra as well as Gyarados.
• MOVESET IMPORTANCE
  Salamence acts as my early-game wall breaker. This guy fucking wrecks hours, it's not even funny (well not as much as Specs Latias, but whatever). This the Classic MixMence set except with max Spe and SpAtk.
• CONTEMPLATING CHANGES
  With Mence banished to the Uber realm, I tested MixNite > MixMence, and I've been liking it so far. Dragonite provides me with priority that my team desperately needed. But before I finalize Dragonite's spot on this team, I wanted to know if something else was better. I'm open to any and all (not stupid, and all the while logical) suggestions on this one.

Jolteon (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Wish
- Thunderbolt
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Grass]

• WHY THIS POKEMON?
  I needed something that could kill +1 Gyarados while providing Wish support for most of my team. Vaporeon used to be on this spot for a short while, but she did not provide the offensive momentum I needed to keep pace with the rest of the team. The only other logical choice was LO Jolteon, which filled this role perfectly. Jolteon revenges +1 Adamant Gyarados like a boss, and as a plus, revenges even Gengar, Starmie, Infernape and various other sweepers that could really dent my team otherwise. Jolteon also helps the team by denting bulky waters for Kingdra.
• MOVESET IMPORTANCE
  Standard set for Jolteon here. Wish > Baton Pass because I wanted some healing options for my team should anyone need it.
• CONTEMPLATING CHANGES
  None. I love this set.

Kingdra (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 184 HP/204 Atk/116 Spd/4 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Outrage

• WHY THIS POKEMON?
  Kingdra has always been my favorite Pokemon. She is the reason why this team exists. I also wanted to pay tribute to RaikouLover during 3-4, since he was MIA for about a year, and he made this set before he became a ghost. I owe it all to him.
• MOVESET IMPORTANCE
  I have enough bulk to survive Starmie's Thunderbolt behind a Sub, while keeping a good OLRP. Then I set the speed to 235, which will beat Gengar after a DD, and then the rest are shoved into Atk for power. Here are some calcs:
  0 SpA Starmie Thunderbolt / Ice beam vs. Kingdra: 22 -25%
  
  +2 Outrage vs. Max HP / 220 Def Celebi: 61-72%
  
  +1 Outrage vs. Max HP / Max Def Vaporeon: 53-62%
• CONTEMPLATING CHANGES
  None. I love this set.

COMPREHENSIVE THREATS LIST


Instead of boring you with how a list of how I deal with threats, I'm just gonna cut straight to the point and show you the Pokemon I have the most trouble with.

Gyarados

• Leftovers DD: Jolteon and Salamence/Dragonite. Jolly +1 Gyara poses a threat, however. Nothing on my team can outspeed +1 Jolly, so I guess I would have to rely on my new Dragonite's Extremespeed.
• Life Orb DD: See Leftovers DD.
• Restalk: Jolteon and Salamence/Dragonite.
• Thunder Wave or Substitute: Jolteon can take T-Wave, but fears EQ. Gliscor can handle it as well.

Metagross

• Lead Gross: I just switch to Gliscor to take the EQ, and I counter EQ.
• CBGross: Depending on the move it is stuck on. Meteor Mash/Iron Head/Bullet Punch means that Heatran, Jolteon, and my own Metagross can come in. EQ means that Gliscor and Salamence/Dragonite can come in easily.
• Agiligross: Variants with Ice Punch are a bitch. Only Kingdra can live to deal with him, but only at full health. But luckily, only 17% run Ice Punch, according to DJD's June stats.

Suicune

• Offensive CMer: My lack of a Tricker means that this guy will set up all over me. I just got to hope that I don't let him set up too many CM's so Jolteon can weaken him enough for Kingdra to finish him off.
• RestTalk: Jolteon and Dragonite.
• Roar: See RestTalk.

Empoleon

• Lead: Loses to Metagross.
• AgilityPetaya: A real bitch in the ass should it find an opportunity to set up. I just gotta hope to kill it without giving it Torrent + Petaya using Jolteon or Kingdra. Good thing it only finds a good time to set up on Kingdra.
• AgilityLife Orb: See AgilityPetaya.
• Specs: See what move it is stuck on and deal accordingly. Jolteon should also be able to handle it just fine.
• SD: Jolteon should revenge it. Salamence/Dragonite handles it just fine.

Mamoswine

• Lead: Loses to Metagross outright.
• LO Sweeper: Dual STAB means that it can fuck shit up on my team. With Salamence, I relied on Intimidate to cushion blows for Metagross to take the Shard and KO it with Bullet Punch. Kingdra should be able to handle it with full health, and Jolteon should be able to weaken it.
• CB: Same way I deal with all Choice item Pokemon.

FINAL LOOK




CLOSING WORDS


I believe I may have made my best team, yet. Despite my preference to stall, this team was the main reason I wanted to stick to standard, despite it losing two of its main players, Mence and Latias. Before you suggest anything, please understand that I am reluctant to take Choiced suggestions, since I have the philosophy that having options wins the battle. Although if it seems like a sound suggestion that patches up a lot of my weaknesses, I'll consider them in my testing. I guess you can say that I'm "retiring" it, but I still like to play around with it. Dragonite is my most likely choice to replace Salamence because of his access to Extremespeed, which helps several of my weaknesses. However, if you find something better than Dragonite, don't hesitate to suggest it. I guess my previous laddering achievements is a testament to this team's success. I might try laddering again, but I'm not looking forward to facing Breloom often. So please rate away!

P.S.
Props to CAL-Ciaran for the RMT format that I stole here. And also recognition to Philip7086 for letting me base my threats list from him, found here. And last but not least, RaikouLover, who has been cool ever since I met him. He's really a great battler, despite him not having much fame ever since he went MIA for a while.

[Zachattach9]

Well I'm pretty sure you know to change your Salamence to Dragonite already. A Mixape with HP Ice would really wreck this team, as it would decimate 2/3 of your team and Jolteon if it was at full health. I may recommend either replacing the Salamence / Dragonite with a scarf Flygon, or give rocks to Metagross and replacing Heatran with a Starmie. I'm new to this team rating stuff, so hopefully I don't get too badly torched for this.

[Pimp]

Originally Posted by Zachattach9

Well I'm pretty sure you know to change your Salamence to Dragonite already. A Mixape with HP Ice would really wreck this team, as it would decimate 2/3 of your team and Jolteon if it was at full health. I may recommend either replacing the Salamence / Dragonite with a scarf Flygon, or give rocks to Metagross and replacing Heatran with a Starmie. I'm new to this team rating stuff, so hopefully I don't get too badly torched for this.

How would Scarf Gon help me? It would add to the HP Ice weakness. Scarf Gon would only help Infernape, and what else would it do for the team when Kingdra and Jolteon handle it just fine?

Jolteon outspeeds and T-Bolt deals 90.4% - 106.8%. Kindgdra obviously rapes it with Waterfall. Ape is the least of my worries.

[Zachattach9]

scarfgon allows you to outspeed ape, and your whole team does get raped by it, no matter how you do't want to believe it. It doesn't add to your ice weakness, it keeps it exactly the same.

[Blue Harvest]

Run max speed on that Gliscor. You DON'T want other Gliscor to outrun you and beat you to the Taunt. The Defense loss is only like 2% so don't worry about it.

The set Blue Tornado posted is not the set I use. Pfft, I posted Rockless Metagross a year before him in the Marriland "best lead contest" thread. Try 236 HP / 228 Attack / 44 Speed instead. Iron Head is better in most situations because it gets the same KOs but will NEVER MISS. Not to mention the flinches help against slower things like Machamp. 44 Speed will outrun all enemy lead Metagross so yu can stay in and 2HKO them. Your Gliscor's Earthquake 3HKOs lead Metagross, so it will just Explode on you. 44 Speed also lets you outrun Lucario after being Tricked a Scarf, which is surprisingly useful.

Don't use the "mixed Metagross" lol. It was cool several years ago, but it sucks now.

[KiwiDean]

Originally Posted by Blue Harvest

Run max speed on that Gliscor. You DON'T want other Gliscor to outrun you and beat you to the Taunt. The Defense loss is only like 2% so don't worry about it.

The set Blue Tornado posted is not the set I use. Pfft, I posted Rockless Metagross a year before him in the Marriland "best lead contest" thread. Try 236 HP / 228 Attack / 44 Speed instead. Iron Head is better in most situations because it gets the same KOs but will NEVER MISS. Not to mention the flinches help against slower things like Machamp. 44 Speed will outrun all enemy lead Metagross so yu can stay in and 2HKO them. Your Gliscor's Earthquake 3HKOs lead Metagross, so it will just Explode on you. 44 Speed also lets you outrun Lucario after being Tricked a Scarf, which is surprisingly useful.

Don't use the "mixed Metagross" lol. It was cool several years ago, but it sucks now.

QFT. All of it.

Although I do like Mixed Metagross, it just can't sweep in today's metagame.

I needs all of its investment in physical power, imo.

[Pimp]

Originally Posted by Zachattach9

scarfgon allows you to outspeed ape, and your whole team does get raped by it, no matter how you do't want to believe it. It doesn't add to your ice weakness, it keeps it exactly the same.

I don't think so. Jolteon outspeeds Ape just fine. I don't think adding a new member just to counter Ape when Ape is checked by Jolteon just fine is not a good idea to add a member. I already calc'd Jolteon's damage output in my previous post.

Originally Posted by Blue Harvest

Run max speed on that Gliscor. You DON'T want other Gliscor to outrun you and beat you to the Taunt. The Defense loss is only like 2% so don't worry about it.

The set Blue Tornado posted is not the set I use. Pfft, I posted Rockless Metagross a year before him in the Marriland "best lead contest" thread. Try 236 HP / 228 Attack / 44 Speed instead. Iron Head is better in most situations because it gets the same KOs but will NEVER MISS. Not to mention the flinches help against slower things like Machamp. 44 Speed will outrun all enemy lead Metagross so yu can stay in and 2HKO them. Your Gliscor's Earthquake 3HKOs lead Metagross, so it will just Explode on you. 44 Speed also lets you outrun Lucario after being Tricked a Scarf, which is surprisingly useful.

Don't use the "mixed Metagross" lol. It was cool several years ago, but it sucks now.

Thanks. Your suggestions seem sound. I will test those out. 216 Gliscor seemed stupid anyways.

[SandslashPWNS]

This is just a tiny little nitpick. I suggest you run Lum Berry over Leftovers on Kingdra so you can set up on Celebi without fear of Twave, or so you can freely Outrage without the fear of Confusion Hax. Great team, and good luck.

[Pimp]

Originally Posted by SandslashPWNS

This is just a tiny little nitpick. I suggest you run Lum Berry over Leftovers on Kingdra so you can set up on Celebi without fear of Twave, or so you can freely Outrage without the fear of Confusion Hax. Great team, and good luck.

One word: Substitute. I don't need Lum as much as you might think. As RL said, Sub + bulk means that I have little fear from confusion hax. And you're missing the point of how Sub Bulky Kingdra works.

I look for an opportune foe to switch into, meaning that I find that Heatran to switch into, and set up. I would never EVER keep Kingdra in on a Celebi or any other status-inducer without the aid of a Sub. NEVER!

I tested Lum > Leftovers a while ago, and time and time again, Leftovers has proven much more useful than Lum.