Hello everyone,
This a team I built a month or two ago and I improved it a bit since then. I can't break past the 1500s so I'm seeking help here; I don't really know if this team suits higher ladder but it works very well to get out of shitty low ladd. So here's a little view of my teambuilding process:
I knew right away that I wanted to build some "brainless" bulky offense to pass through teams in the ladder, so I started with this core. Slow VoltTurns and Stealth Rock give sweepers and wallbreakers a much better time doing their job. Landorus gives its team a better matchup against Zygarde, Lucha or M-Lopunny, while Magearna prevents your team from getting 6-0'd by Scarf Lele and Mega-Alakazam.
Here comes a surprising lure/fearsome wallbreaker. Indeed, it's really helped by Rocks and VoltTurn the core above provides.
Also, it may lure defensive mons think they'll easily eat attacks from this "unboosted" mon.
M-Loppuny occupied this slot before the I changed, seeing that balanced archetypes became much more popular these days. Indeed, M-Medicham gives much trouble to defensive mons like Toxapex, Zapdos and AV Tangrowth which Kartana struggles to manage if Rocks are not up (yet). In exchange, Kartana may weaken these mons for Medicham (+ Magearna) and take care of problematic mons such as Mew and fairies like Clefable.
Volcarona filled my next slot as a late-game sweeper, setting up quite easily on Magearna and Magnezone (which Kartana hates, but beware Specs Bolt while unboosted). With the introduction of M-Cham to this team, it went from Psychium Z => Buginium Z, potentially checking mons like M-Lati@s, Zygarde, Victini and hitting other mons harder while boosted.
At this point, I needed more speed for my team, along with entry hazards removal, which is vital for Volcarona to sweep, so I chose Scarf Latios. Indeed, he checks mons like Scarf Keldeo, Scarf Kartana (beware of Knock Off) or M-Charizard Y.
So here's my team:
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 24 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Landorus is a great defensive pivot that can block and cripple many physical attackers, such as Zygarde or M-Loppuny (w out Ice Punch). Stealth Rock helps the other mons tearing through the opposing team. U-turn gives the other teammates a greatly appreciated momentum. I prefer Leftovers, so Landorus may come in as often as needed.
Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 56 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
AV Magearna shuts down many special attackers, such as Tapu Lele, M-Zam, Ash-Gren, Greninja (careful of Z-Dig) and Tapu Koko, then cripples them for its teammates. Speed IVs for greatly appreciated slow Volt Switches. Gear is also a good lead against stall as it can scare away M-Sableye for Cham and Volt Switch on other leads. Finally, it can even take care of unboosted Hawlucha or M-Loppuny, tho it's in last resort if Lando is out.
Kartana @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Knock Off
This beast can take lure Zapdos, Toxapex AV Tangrowth thinking it may easily eat any of its attacks, giving this team a better matchup against balanced (which became so common) and bulkier archetypes. This thing can also OHKO Magnezone with prediction as easily counter full def Ferrothorn. However, as said just before, it requires some predictions and can be easily revenge killed. Let's get some calcs to see its wallbreaking abilities, without even counting Beast Boosts (giving many examples because not everyone knows Band Kartana is a thing):
Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Telepathy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch
- Fake Out
Another fearsome wallbreaker. Medicham can OHKO Toxapex, Chansey, Ferrothorn and 2HKO Celesteela (beware of Protect). It completes Kartana's work, as Medicham likes bulky fairy and psychics removed. Ice Punch checks Landos and Zygarde and Fake Out lets Medicham get some chip damage and is an option to rk zam repeatidely if Gear is dead. Telepathy at pre mega's useful against Dittos and Foul Play damage.
Volcarona (F) @ Buginium Z
Ability: Flame Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ground]
My primary late-game sweeper. Since Cham now fixes my issues with Toxapex, I decided to run Buginium Z for bulky psychics and all mons that are neutral to it, such as Zygarde.
Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran hard and may be used to finish Koko, but that isn't a great idea because you may face a Shuca Berry Koko.
Latios @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Trick
- Defog
Scarf Latios is used as a Defogger for Volcarona, a revenge killer against Scarf Keldeo, Scarf Kartana, Zygarde (beware of Extreme Speed), M-Charizard X and opposing weakened Volcarona. It also blocks setup and cripples defensive mons with Trick.
Thank you in advance for your comments, I hope that'll help me get higher on the ladder!
This a team I built a month or two ago and I improved it a bit since then. I can't break past the 1500s so I'm seeking help here; I don't really know if this team suits higher ladder but it works very well to get out of shitty low ladd. So here's a little view of my teambuilding process:
I knew right away that I wanted to build some "brainless" bulky offense to pass through teams in the ladder, so I started with this core. Slow VoltTurns and Stealth Rock give sweepers and wallbreakers a much better time doing their job. Landorus gives its team a better matchup against Zygarde, Lucha or M-Lopunny, while Magearna prevents your team from getting 6-0'd by Scarf Lele and Mega-Alakazam.
Here comes a surprising lure/fearsome wallbreaker. Indeed, it's really helped by Rocks and VoltTurn the core above provides.
Also, it may lure defensive mons think they'll easily eat attacks from this "unboosted" mon.
M-Loppuny occupied this slot before the I changed, seeing that balanced archetypes became much more popular these days. Indeed, M-Medicham gives much trouble to defensive mons like Toxapex, Zapdos and AV Tangrowth which Kartana struggles to manage if Rocks are not up (yet). In exchange, Kartana may weaken these mons for Medicham (+ Magearna) and take care of problematic mons such as Mew and fairies like Clefable.
Volcarona filled my next slot as a late-game sweeper, setting up quite easily on Magearna and Magnezone (which Kartana hates, but beware Specs Bolt while unboosted). With the introduction of M-Cham to this team, it went from Psychium Z => Buginium Z, potentially checking mons like M-Lati@s, Zygarde, Victini and hitting other mons harder while boosted.
At this point, I needed more speed for my team, along with entry hazards removal, which is vital for Volcarona to sweep, so I chose Scarf Latios. Indeed, he checks mons like Scarf Keldeo, Scarf Kartana (beware of Knock Off) or M-Charizard Y.
So here's my team:
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 24 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Landorus is a great defensive pivot that can block and cripple many physical attackers, such as Zygarde or M-Loppuny (w out Ice Punch). Stealth Rock helps the other mons tearing through the opposing team. U-turn gives the other teammates a greatly appreciated momentum. I prefer Leftovers, so Landorus may come in as often as needed.
Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 56 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
AV Magearna shuts down many special attackers, such as Tapu Lele, M-Zam, Ash-Gren, Greninja (careful of Z-Dig) and Tapu Koko, then cripples them for its teammates. Speed IVs for greatly appreciated slow Volt Switches. Gear is also a good lead against stall as it can scare away M-Sableye for Cham and Volt Switch on other leads. Finally, it can even take care of unboosted Hawlucha or M-Loppuny, tho it's in last resort if Lando is out.
Kartana @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Knock Off
This beast can take lure Zapdos, Toxapex AV Tangrowth thinking it may easily eat any of its attacks, giving this team a better matchup against balanced (which became so common) and bulkier archetypes. This thing can also OHKO Magnezone with prediction as easily counter full def Ferrothorn. However, as said just before, it requires some predictions and can be easily revenge killed. Let's get some calcs to see its wallbreaking abilities, without even counting Beast Boosts (giving many examples because not everyone knows Band Kartana is a thing):
(Made Knock Off 162 BP to simulate KOff w item + KOff w/o item)
252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos: 275-324 (71.8 - 84.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock, so a possible 2HKO from Zapdos "switching safely" to Defog. Careful about Static though.
It even has much chances of 2HKO on FULL DEF TOXAPEX WITHOUT ROCKS AND RECOVERY!
252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 151-178 (49.8 - 58.7%) -- 72.7% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery. So this is also a last resort against for Volcarona to sweep easily. However, don't switch into it, because its Scalds hurt and burns make it useless, especially that it's easily RKillable.
Also, AV Tangrowth is also 2HKOed after Rocks:
252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Smart Strike vs. 252 HP / 28 Def Tangrowth: 178-210 (44 - 51.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Defensive Lando-T is only 3HKOed because of Intimidate, so Kartana needs a Beast Boost to 2HKO it:
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-Therian: 147-174 (38.4 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Easily 2HKOes bulky scarf Lando-T and offensive variants:
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 80 HP / 84 Def Landorus-Therian: 187-222 (55.1 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Finally, it 2HKOes AV Magearna:
252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Smart Strike vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 195-231 (53.7 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
However, keep in mind that these threats can OHKO, 2HKO or heavily cripple Kartana, so be careful!
252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 240+ Def Zapdos: 275-324 (71.8 - 84.5%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock, so a possible 2HKO from Zapdos "switching safely" to Defog. Careful about Static though.
It even has much chances of 2HKO on FULL DEF TOXAPEX WITHOUT ROCKS AND RECOVERY!
252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex: 151-178 (49.8 - 58.7%) -- 72.7% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery. So this is also a last resort against for Volcarona to sweep easily. However, don't switch into it, because its Scalds hurt and burns make it useless, especially that it's easily RKillable.
Also, AV Tangrowth is also 2HKOed after Rocks:
252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Smart Strike vs. 252 HP / 28 Def Tangrowth: 178-210 (44 - 51.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
Defensive Lando-T is only 3HKOed because of Intimidate, so Kartana needs a Beast Boost to 2HKO it:
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 252 HP / 240+ Def Landorus-Therian: 147-174 (38.4 - 45.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Easily 2HKOes bulky scarf Lando-T and offensive variants:
-1 252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Leaf Blade vs. 80 HP / 84 Def Landorus-Therian: 187-222 (55.1 - 65.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Finally, it 2HKOes AV Magearna:
252 Atk Choice Band Kartana Smart Strike vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 195-231 (53.7 - 63.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
However, keep in mind that these threats can OHKO, 2HKO or heavily cripple Kartana, so be careful!
Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Telepathy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch
- Fake Out
Another fearsome wallbreaker. Medicham can OHKO Toxapex, Chansey, Ferrothorn and 2HKO Celesteela (beware of Protect). It completes Kartana's work, as Medicham likes bulky fairy and psychics removed. Ice Punch checks Landos and Zygarde and Fake Out lets Medicham get some chip damage and is an option to rk zam repeatidely if Gear is dead. Telepathy at pre mega's useful against Dittos and Foul Play damage.
Volcarona (F) @ Buginium Z
Ability: Flame Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ground]
My primary late-game sweeper. Since Cham now fixes my issues with Toxapex, I decided to run Buginium Z for bulky psychics and all mons that are neutral to it, such as Zygarde.
Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran hard and may be used to finish Koko, but that isn't a great idea because you may face a Shuca Berry Koko.
Latios @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Trick
- Defog
Scarf Latios is used as a Defogger for Volcarona, a revenge killer against Scarf Keldeo, Scarf Kartana, Zygarde (beware of Extreme Speed), M-Charizard X and opposing weakened Volcarona. It also blocks setup and cripples defensive mons with Trick.
Magearna @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 56 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Volcarona (F) @ Buginium Z
Ability: Flame Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ground]
Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Telepathy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch
- Fake Out
Kartana @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Knock Off
Latios @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Trick
- Defog
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 24 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 200 HP / 56 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Volcarona (F) @ Buginium Z
Ability: Flame Body
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Quiver Dance
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Hidden Power [Ground]
Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Telepathy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- High Jump Kick
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch
- Fake Out
Kartana @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- Leaf Blade
- Sacred Sword
- Smart Strike
- Knock Off
Latios @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Trick
- Defog
Landorus-Therian @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 24 SpD / 16 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
Thank you in advance for your comments, I hope that'll help me get higher on the ladder!
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