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Teambuilding
I find it kind of funny how it took all of five minutes to build this team, but it ended up being so successful. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I just threw six Pokemon in the teambuilder and saw what happened, but the Pokemon just popped into my head one after another. What can I say, I guess I sorta have a gift.Teambuilding
PU stall is nothing without Audino, so that's where I started.
Clefairy is something that has definitely seen a drop in usage lately, but it fits this team really well. Along with a Fighting resist, I needed Stealth Rock and a check to things like SubWisp Rotom and Shell Smash Gorebyss, so Clefairy was added.
Next, I needed a physical blanket check, and while I thought about using Tangela, I decided on Gourgeist because of its ability to spinblock on all of the spinners except Cryogonal really, and because Tangela left me vulnerable to some setup sweepers such as SubSD Bouffalant and Taunt Fraxure, I chose Gourgeist-XL.
At this point I was disgustingly weak to Monferno, and I needed a better check for Fire-types like Simisear and Ninetales as well as some mixed wallbreakers like Simisage, so Altaria was added.
Roselia was super annoying at this point and I knew I needed a spinner, therefore I added Cryogonal. Not only is Cryogonal just a reliable spinner overall, but it makes for a third Rotom-F check as well as a faster Pokemon that's capable of revenge killing if need be.
Gourgeist-XL was my only Normal check at this point, and since it loses to Dodrio, I added Golem to cover that. Golem is also really nice as a Volt Switch absorber making VoltTurn a lot less annoying.
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In-Depth
In-Depth
Audino @ Leftovers | Regenerator
248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe | Careful
Wish / Protect / Knock Off / Encore
Though it faces competition from Lickilicky, Audino is by far the tier's best cleric, mainly thanks to Regenerator, but also moves such as Encore and Thunder Wave. The set is pretty standard overall, and honestly can just 6-0 some unprepared teams thanks to its solid bulk and Regenerator as well as Knock Off to cripple opponents and Encore to prevent free setup.
Audino was an easy choice for the team, and it has to be the nicest glue ever, being able to check an insane amount of Pokemon like Floatzel, Cryogonal, etc. I decided on Encore in the last moveslot based on some of the biggest threats to stall in bulky Magic Guard sweepers like Duosion and bulky RestTalk users like Klang. Use Knock Off early in the game to get rid of your opponent's items, making them easier to stall out throughout battles, and always use Protect to scout for random lures.
Clefairy @ Eviolite | Magic Guard
248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD | Calm
Stealth Rock / Moonblast / Thunder Wave / Softboiled
Clefairy is something that has seen a lot less usage since the days of the ClefTang meme, and probably for good reason, since the meta has shifted towards offense and balance. However, Magic Guard is really nice right now with things like Toxic Spikes and Pokemon such as Stunfisk being so popular, so Clefairy is honestly a great choice on stall.
I chose Clefairy mainly because I wanted something that could switch into status moves that I wouldn't have to heal up later, as well as something that could freely switch into hazards without worry. Therefore, Clefairy is my counter to any Rotom-F set besides Trick Scarf, and my second blanket for special attackers like Regice and Gorebyss. When using this thing, you can basically spam Thunder Wave at will since you beat all of the more common Electric-types and you have Gourgeist-XL for Ground-types, though if you're facing something bulkier like an opposing Audino, it's best to get off a Toxic or Will-O-Wisp on it instead.
Gourgeist-XL @ Leftovers | Frisk
248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe | Impish
Foul Play / Seed Bomb / Will-O-Wisp / Synthesis
With Machoke being so common now and so hard to switch into, Gourgeist-XL isn't used enough, as it's pretty much the most reliable counter in the tier, being able to take hits like it's nothing, outspeed, and heal back up with Synthesis. On top of that, Gourgeist-XL is also a really solid blanket check to a ton of physical attackers in general, namely Golem, Bouffalant, and Ursaring.
Like I said in my teambuilding process, I was choosing either Gourgeist-XL or Tangela, and after remembering this could also counter Machoke, Gourgeist-XL was an easy choice. With Golem being so prevalent now, and my team being so weak to it otherwise, Gourgeist-XL is really important for the team to take on common matchups, so make sure to constantly use Synthesis and pass Wishes to it to keep it healthy.
Altaria @ Leftovers | Natural Cure
248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe | Bold
Dragon Pulse / Fire Blast / Roost / Heal Bell
I've always been a huge fan of Altaria ever since it dropped back to PU, and it's such a great Pokemon thanks to its versatility, bulk, and ability in Natural Cure. Dragon / Flying typing offers a lot of resistances to threatening Pokemon that people don't ever bring enough checks for, namely Simisear and Simisage.
Since the first three Pokemon on the team lose to +2 Monferno, and struggle a lot with Pokemon such as Ninetales as Simisage and Simisear, Altaria was a pretty easy add for the team. Because I'm not running Heal Bell on Audino, I needed it on something, and it fit Altaria perfectly. I decided to pass up Toxic, Haze, and Roar, as Fire Blast is needed for Pawniard and Dragon Pulse is needed to beat Fire-types. You can use Flamethrower over Fire Blast as it's also capable of 2HKOing Pawniard, but I decided on Fire Blast because of its ability to KO Pawniard after a bit of prior damage as well as the noticeable difference in damage on offensive Roselia.
Cryogonal @ Leftovers | Levitate
224 HP / 32 Def / 252 Spe | Timid
Freeze-Dry / Hidden Power [Fighting] / Recover / Rapid Spin
The addition of Cryogonal to PU was honestly the best thing that's happened to the tier in awhile, especially with the recent departure of Pelipper. Something relatively strong that can reliably switch into and take on Roselia, recover off health, and spin is so nice, as the tier finally isn't completely overloaded with spikestack. On top of this, Cryogonal is a very strong check to Rotom-F, something that was beginning to look broken before the most recent tier shift, but now is controlled by what Cryogonal has brought to the tier.
I decided on bulky Cryogonal for obvious reasons, mainly because all of the other spinners suck or are just bad on stall. The EV spread is one given to me by trc, one that maintains the ability to speed tie with opposing base 105s, while also take on Pokemon such as Rotom-F and Stunfisk without trouble. The 32 Defense EVs allows Cryogonal to take Pawniard's Sucker Punch after Stealth Rock, allowing for an easy OHKO with HP Fighting or a chance to get off a Rapid Spin to clear hazards.
Golem @ Leftovers | Sturdy
248 HP / 16 Atk / 244 SpD | Careful
Earthquake / Rock Blast / Toxic / Protect
Golem is another Pokemon who has gotten better with recent tier shifts, namely the banning of Exeggutor and Vigoroth, the former of which countered Golem and the latter used Golem as petty setup fodder. Despite its 4x weakness to Water- and Grass-type moves, Golem's typing is really good for PU, as it can check top-tier threats such as Stoutland, Zebstrika, and Arbok with ease, making it a really easy choice for the team.
With the first five Pokemon of the team set and done, Dodrio could basically come in and get a kill, so I knew I needed something for that. At first I was going to go with Stunfisk, but I also wanted another check to Stoutland, which was super annoying at this point once Gourgeist-XL was weakened. The Electric immunity is really helpful for the team since it's able to discourage the use of Volt Switch, sort of neutering VoltTurn.
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Threatlist
Because the main point of stall is to cover every threat in the tier you possibly can, there honestly aren't that many threats to the team, mainly just annoying Pokemon, so I'll tell you what you should look out for.
Threatlist
Because the main point of stall is to cover every threat in the tier you possibly can, there honestly aren't that many threats to the team, mainly just annoying Pokemon, so I'll tell you what you should look out for.
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Conclusion
Close friends - Anty galbia 2xTheTap Magnemite Sir Kay Megazard Raiza gasquakee TONE114 GeneralAnnoyance RawMelon Tect Optical Real Raseri - Thank you for dealing with me when I'm being stupid, that's what real friends are for.
All my PU buds who are friends but not quite as close - Dell -Grim scorpdestroyer trc Al'Akir cityfolk Jetpack MaroGod ShuckleDeath Anonymous Man dodmen HJAD ManOfMany Montsegur PTF Robert Alfons Thisbemyalt Twix WhiteDMist Ranbu No Melody zdrup15 - You guys are pretty cool and really what make PU fun. Thank you.
NU friends - Disjunction Zebraiken boltsandbombers Deej Dy iplaytennislol Jarii marilli Pokedots Realistic Waters Shaneghoul Silver Aurum Stoned M&M Kiyo lolbro Teddeh Syncrasy - You guys are all super nice and you run an awesome tier. It's been a pleasure to have talked to all of you.
Miscellaneous friends - Ajna Feliburn Natural Talent thecrystalonix aoemica Arifeen Killintime R0ady Lord Death Man mad0ka rozes slurmz Rhythms ajernejcic Confide. gobosox gorex Irraquated Terrakion. Joshz Krauersaut - You guys are really cool and I haven't talked to some of you in a long time and some of you died, so un-die.
Cool GP people - The Dutch Plumberjack P Squared - You guys are my go-to for a reason, keep it up :D
Special shoutout to tehy because I know he's going to use the hell out of this team.
Super special shoutout to Tom Bus because you're really an awesome guy and I miss talking to you, but you've done the impossible and quit Pokemon, which you should be proud of (but pls come back).
Sorry if I forgot anybody.
Also if anybody cares a topped the ladder with the team too.
All my PU buds who are friends but not quite as close - Dell -Grim scorpdestroyer trc Al'Akir cityfolk Jetpack MaroGod ShuckleDeath Anonymous Man dodmen HJAD ManOfMany Montsegur PTF Robert Alfons Thisbemyalt Twix WhiteDMist Ranbu No Melody zdrup15 - You guys are pretty cool and really what make PU fun. Thank you.
NU friends - Disjunction Zebraiken boltsandbombers Deej Dy iplaytennislol Jarii marilli Pokedots Realistic Waters Shaneghoul Silver Aurum Stoned M&M Kiyo lolbro Teddeh Syncrasy - You guys are all super nice and you run an awesome tier. It's been a pleasure to have talked to all of you.
Miscellaneous friends - Ajna Feliburn Natural Talent thecrystalonix aoemica Arifeen Killintime R0ady Lord Death Man mad0ka rozes slurmz Rhythms ajernejcic Confide. gobosox gorex Irraquated Terrakion. Joshz Krauersaut - You guys are really cool and I haven't talked to some of you in a long time and some of you died, so un-die.
Cool GP people - The Dutch Plumberjack P Squared - You guys are my go-to for a reason, keep it up :D
Special shoutout to tehy because I know he's going to use the hell out of this team.
Super special shoutout to Tom Bus because you're really an awesome guy and I miss talking to you, but you've done the impossible and quit Pokemon, which you should be proud of (but pls come back).
Sorry if I forgot anybody.
Also if anybody cares a topped the ladder with the team too.
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