Hey all, I'll try to keep it short and to the point, I know I personally stop reading if there's information overload.
This is my first RMT. I'm wanting to start getting into competitive battling and would like to attend events but I could really use some help as I am no expert, just your average trainer that googles a lot. I dabbled in VGC 2016 battles last year and peaked out around an Elo of upper-1100's so I'm not good but I don't think I'm totally clueless either.
Here's what I've come up with for 2017 thus far, feel free to tear it apart:
HAIL GARY - PREVIEW
THE TEAM
This is my first RMT. I'm wanting to start getting into competitive battling and would like to attend events but I could really use some help as I am no expert, just your average trainer that googles a lot. I dabbled in VGC 2016 battles last year and peaked out around an Elo of upper-1100's so I'm not good but I don't think I'm totally clueless either.
Here's what I've come up with for 2017 thus far, feel free to tear it apart:
HAIL GARY - PREVIEW
Ninetales-Alola (F) @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Freeze-Dry
- Aurora Veil
- Protect
Gyarados (M) @ Waterium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Protect
Tapu Koko @ Life Orb
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Discharge
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
Marowak-Alola (F) @ Thick Club
Ability: Lightning Rod
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Atk / 4 Def / 68 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Shadow Bone
- Bonemerang
- Detect
Garchomp (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Poison Jab
- Brick Break
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 36 Atk / 140 Def / 100 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Toxic
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Ability: Snow Warning
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Freeze-Dry
- Aurora Veil
- Protect
Gyarados (M) @ Waterium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Protect
Tapu Koko @ Life Orb
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Discharge
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
Marowak-Alola (F) @ Thick Club
Ability: Lightning Rod
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Atk / 4 Def / 68 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Shadow Bone
- Bonemerang
- Detect
Garchomp (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Poison Jab
- Brick Break
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 36 Atk / 140 Def / 100 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Toxic
- Leech Seed
- Protect
THE TEAM
Ninetales-Alola (F) @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
Blizzard
Freeze-Dry
Aurora Veil
Protect
SYNOPSIS: The standard Alolan Ninetails, and usually my opening 'mon. I typically lead with her to hail-set which not only (obviously) allows for Aurora Veil, but also helps with (non-Ice) Sturdy and Focus Sash opponents thanks to chip damage. Blizzard is a must for double-hit and with hail set, how can you pass up 100% accuracy? Also great for checking Kartana, Garchomp and Salamence. Freeze-Dry also a must, checks all aforementioned PLUS water threats like Gyarados, Pelipper and Gastrodon.Ability: Snow Warning
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
ALT MOVES: Protect is obvious but honestly a lot of times I switch it out with Moonblast for offense and type diversity, it seems to come in handy, especially if I lose Tapu Koko early. I can't decide which is more beneficial. Your opinions are greatly welcomed.
Gyarados (M) @ Waterium Z [UPDATED 19SEP17]
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
SYNOPSIS: My all-time favorite Pokemon since I first played as a kid. I would be willing to change out any Pokemon on this team except him, as I always build my teams around him. Waterfall needs no explanation. Ice Fang provides coverage in case Ninetails falls.
ALT MOVES: There are so many things I could put here, most notably -
It's hard for me to pick which moveset to use with this guy that best fits this team, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Tapu Koko @ Life Orb
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
SYNOPSIS: My second lead, often at the front of the fight alongside Ninetails. Helps against other leads such as Tapu Fini and opposing Gyarados and with Life Orb can usually take care of annoying neutral leads like Smeargle right up front. Thunderbolt for power and Discharge for spread. Dazzling Gleam for additional spread since my Ninetails usually already has Moonblast covered. No need to explain his ability.
ALT MOVES: (Your thoughts here!) I really don't know what other moves I could use here, this moveset seems pretty standard. I know some people use Grass Knot but honestly it doesn't ever seem to do enough before squishy Koko is KO'ed on the third turn.
Marowak-Alola (F) @ Thick Club [UPDATED 19SEP17]
Ability: Lightning Rod
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 180 Atk / 4 Def / 68 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
SYNOPSIS: Y
ALT MOVES: Again, open to suggestions but this set seems pretty standard as well. Only alt I can think of is Perish Song but Bonemerang comes in handy way too much for me to want to switch it out.
SIDE NOTE: I've actually considered switching out Marowak-Alola with Arcanine but I haven't tested it. Would that be a wise or stupid decision?
Garchomp (M) @ Assault Vest [UPDATED 19SEP17]
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
SYNOPSIS: KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid. Earthquake. Need I say more? Dragon Claw for STAB coverage/diversity and opposing dragons. Poison Jab because RIP Tapu Koko. Also checks other Tapus as well as Kartana. Brick Break is where I stray from the beaten path. I use it because it provides a huge range of coverage against a LOT of the current meta. Also breaks shields aside from Aurora Veil.
ALT MOVES: I typically don't run Protect on Garchomp because he can usually deal with threats fast enough for me not to want to sacrifice coverage STAB. Is this a mistake? Another option would be Fire Fang in lieu of Dragon Claw which would be great to check threats against my Ninetails if I lose or don't use Marowak as well as other steel types and opposing Ninetails. I'm still not sure if I want to add in Fire Fang because in practice the damage seems a bit underwhelming. Additionally, do you guys think it would be a nice idea to replace Dragon Claw with Dragon Tail? It seems like it would be helpful for control, although I'd be sacrificing offense. I was thinking it might help me with disrupting setups.
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 36 Atk / 140 Def / 100 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
SYNOPSIS: WE NEED TO BUILD A WALL! Here it is. Goodbye Ferrothorn, hello Celesteela. Counters top threats like Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and opposing Garchomp. Heavy Slam is a must here, with its heavy weight vs little foe like opposing Ninetails and Tapus. Leech Seed, the life blood of Celesteela (along with Leftovers), used to suck the fun out of attempted sweeps and add to chip damage. If you can get down Leech Seed and Toxic while Hail is still going, opposing tanks and Garchomps are gonna have a bad time with 3 chips going per turn.
ALT MOVES: I could potentially use Flamethrower in lieu of Toxic to add more STAB coverage if I decide not to put Fire Fang on my Garchomp. What do you guys think would be the better option?
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BASIC STRATEGY SIMPLIFIED
Usually lead with Alolan Ninetails and Tapu Koko or Gyarados. No immediate threat to Ninetails? Aurora Veil. No leads to eliminate with Tapu Koko? Switch to Garchomp. Opposing Tapu vs my Gyarados? Still, switch to Garchomp. Enemy Garchomp or tank? Gyarados / Celesteela.
It's really all situational so I can't really go into more depth with a blanket strategy.
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That's pretty much the jist of my thoughts behind this build. Please feel free to take this team apart and let me know where to improve. I am all ears and want to learn as much as I can before I start entering comps. If you guys have any questions, please ask.
BASIC STRATEGY SIMPLIFIED
Usually lead with Alolan Ninetails and Tapu Koko or Gyarados. No immediate threat to Ninetails? Aurora Veil. No leads to eliminate with Tapu Koko? Switch to Garchomp. Opposing Tapu vs my Gyarados? Still, switch to Garchomp. Enemy Garchomp or tank? Gyarados / Celesteela.
It's really all situational so I can't really go into more depth with a blanket strategy.
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That's pretty much the jist of my thoughts behind this build. Please feel free to take this team apart and let me know where to improve. I am all ears and want to learn as much as I can before I start entering comps. If you guys have any questions, please ask.
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