Appreciate the feedback. I approach most things in a similar way so it was interesting to read your thoughts on it. For games where I am in the top 100-200 players (Hearthstone, Starcraft) I have the ability to analyze a match before, during and after - as well as the experience to trust my reactions and adjustments as being correct.
However in pokemon, while I have played on and off I never reached the upper levels so I am definitely lacking from a knowledge point of view which I call out in my original post. My assumption is that while each individual pokemon on my team was 'good' or 'standard' I was not sure if the team was cohesive and did a good job covering weaknesses. In past generations there was a bit more emphasis on having a strategy/plan and while this still holds true to an extent you can get away with having 6 'good' pokemon this generation more than in the past. This makes experience even more important IMO. For example if I had seen a Whimsicott on the opposing team in the past - I would assume it has some tricks (It is not a tier 1 pokemon straight up) but I would have no idea what they would be. Now I know and this is just one of many examples.
Some of the observations like having a fighting move was a natural thought process for me (I even call out debating putting one on Excadrill). While some of the points you made about the things you think of before and during a match are not something that I would even consider as I do not have the experience to think in that way. That being said that is exactly how I approach the games in which I am near the top at and there are things that I go over before and during that likely do not occur to people that would be at a lower level. For example someone could use the exact same deck in hearthstone as myself but not pilot it past a middling rank (formerly rank 10, now 'gold'). This supports what I always knew - the limitation is my knowledge and not the tools (pokemon) I am using. I still wanted to make sure I was using them in the correct combination as well so that I am learning from a platform that is generally accepted as correct or 'best.'
I like to use the forum to confirm or change my thought processes with the assistance of more experienced players. When I started on cartridge ladder I went 12-0 with this team and then I hit a wall where I was closer to a 50% win rate. I work on the knowledge and experience part on my own but instead of forming bad habits - it is nice to confirm with others if I am thinking along the correct lines.
I made some changes below (that will take some time to breed). If anyone would like to let me know their thoughts that would be great. My worry is that I make the changes to cover some weaknesses and improve the team but in turn I am creating new, potentially bigger holes in my team that I am not even aware of.
Mimikyu @ Life Orb
Ability: Disguise
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Play Rough
- Shadow Claw
- Shadow Sneak
Snorlax-Gmax @ Figy Berry
Ability: Gluttony
EVs: 228 HP / 252 Def / 28 SpD
Impish Nature
- Belly Drum
- Body Slam
- Iron Head
- Brick Break
Added Brick Break for fighting type coverage
Darmanitan-Galar @ Choice Band
Ability: Gorilla Tactics
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash
Changed to Choice Band and Adamant.
Whimsicott @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Tailwind
- Memento
- Moonblast
- Taunt
Replaced Excadrill (Focus Sash) to set up Tailwind for Darm-G or another sweeper.
Dragapult (F) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast
- Thunderbolt
SpA focused Dragapult I already had bred - Fire/Lightning for opposing Corviknight.
Lapras-Gmax (F) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Water Absorb
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 140 HP / 20 Def / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- Sparkling Aria
- Sheer Cold
- Ice Shard
I was debating between Lapras and Corvinight for the last spot. Both can serve as a wall breaker for things like Toxapex by either setting up or spamming Sheer Cold. I went with Lapras as it can set up veil and has a bit more offensive capability - but I could be wrong. This is the spot I was most heavily debating so any help would be nice.
Edit: The other team option I was tinkering with is below. I basically add Curse/Trick Room Mimikyu and set Snorlax and Dracovish to 0 Speed IVs. I added Brick Break on Excadrill as I keep him in this scenario and replace Lapras with Dracovish (otherwise too many water types). Corviknight remains to help break walls and Darm-G is replaced by Choice Specs Dragapult (fire/electric coverage) as it no longer fits the win condition.
https://pokepast.es/6c29889f1aaf5cc9