Hello, this is my first attempt at a rate my team, so I apologize for any rough edges on this post. This is my third year attempting VGC play and I have run into a wall with team building. I had success last year with a bulky, tailwind team that could create offensive pressure (with little setup) and shut down trick room. After struggling with a Volcarona-Kang-Bulu team I decided to try a similar team to that which worked for me last year (including my previously used Tapu Koko and Kartana). I have gotten several victories on battlespot, but I have been unable to maintain a consistent win streak.
Zapdos @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 124 Def / 76 SpA / 4 SpD / 76 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 8 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Tailwind
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave
Zapdos is the Tailwinder of my team. My goal was to create a Zapdos bulky enough to survive hits from a Choice Scarf Landorus-T, set up Tailwind, and threaten opponents. Thunderbolt is my STAB, with Hidden Power Ice to stave off Landorus-T and Heat Wave to defeat Steels and Grass (although this move has about 20% accuracy when I use it). I went with a Pinch Berry since I am using Electrium Z on Tapu Koko and want Zapdos as healthy as possible.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Landorus is here to mount offensive pressure and get off intimidate. Earthquake, Rock Slide and U-Turn are givens. Knock Off is there primarily to remove items (primarily on switch ins). I gave him an Assault Vest to increase his lifespan and an Adamant nature to focus on dealing damage and figure that Tailwind can make up for the speed loss (I am also open to Choice Scarf).
Kartana @ Focus Sash
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Protect
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
Kartana is my late game sweeper. He usually comes in after one of my Mons faints and he can get a clean kill to activate Beast Boost and sweep. I am open to giving him Tailwind, but am unsure I want to give up his coverage (Protect is mandatory, Leaf Blade is his most powerful move, Secret Sword has strong coverage, and Smart Strike is needed for Fairies and to hard counter Amoonguss).
Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
- Taunt
Tapu Koko is my wallbreaker. Gigavolt Havoc can one-shot the majority of Pokemon that don't resist electric attacks. Dazzling Gleam is for dark types and neutral hits. Taunt is my ace in the hole to shut down Trick Room, which can completely shut down my team (this helped me out greatly last season). My Tapu Koko can also use Hidden Power Ice, and I am open to using it, but I have been unimpressed by its power.
Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stomping Tantrum
- Zen Headbutt
- Iron Head
- Ice Punch
Metagross is one of my favorite Pokemon and is a physical powerhouse. He can outspeed and 1KO Landorus-T with Ice Punch. Stomping Tantrum is there for Steel Types (Primarily other MegaGrosses). Iron Head and Zen Headbutt are the stabs. I am heavily considering adding Protect, but am unsure of what move to get rid of.
Tapu Fini @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 28 Def / 140 SpA / 28 SpD / 60 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Taunt
- Ice Beam
- Protect
Tapu Fini is here to take hits, stop Trick Room and end Landorus-T. I went with a Calm nature so that it could better handle hits. (I also have a Fini with a Modest nature, if Calm Mind if it is determined to be more beneficial). Moonblast and Ice Beam are my primary attacks. Taunt is needed so that I am not at the mercy of Trick Room teams.
Conclusion:
I like my Mons, but the teams isn't working as well as I hoped. My guys just seem to be frailer than I would hope and do not hit hard enough to offset this. My team currently can also be hit pretty hard by fire moves. IV spreads have never been my strong suit and I get the feeling that at least one of my mon's should be replaced, but I am unsure what that Pokemon that should be. I hope I have given you enough to work with. Thank you for any help you can give.
My Team
Zapdos @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 124 Def / 76 SpA / 4 SpD / 76 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 8 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Tailwind
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Heat Wave
Zapdos is the Tailwinder of my team. My goal was to create a Zapdos bulky enough to survive hits from a Choice Scarf Landorus-T, set up Tailwind, and threaten opponents. Thunderbolt is my STAB, with Hidden Power Ice to stave off Landorus-T and Heat Wave to defeat Steels and Grass (although this move has about 20% accuracy when I use it). I went with a Pinch Berry since I am using Electrium Z on Tapu Koko and want Zapdos as healthy as possible.
Landorus-Therian (M) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Knock Off
Landorus is here to mount offensive pressure and get off intimidate. Earthquake, Rock Slide and U-Turn are givens. Knock Off is there primarily to remove items (primarily on switch ins). I gave him an Assault Vest to increase his lifespan and an Adamant nature to focus on dealing damage and figure that Tailwind can make up for the speed loss (I am also open to Choice Scarf).
Kartana @ Focus Sash
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Protect
- Smart Strike
- Sacred Sword
Kartana is my late game sweeper. He usually comes in after one of my Mons faints and he can get a clean kill to activate Beast Boost and sweep. I am open to giving him Tailwind, but am unsure I want to give up his coverage (Protect is mandatory, Leaf Blade is his most powerful move, Secret Sword has strong coverage, and Smart Strike is needed for Fairies and to hard counter Amoonguss).
Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
- Taunt
Tapu Koko is my wallbreaker. Gigavolt Havoc can one-shot the majority of Pokemon that don't resist electric attacks. Dazzling Gleam is for dark types and neutral hits. Taunt is my ace in the hole to shut down Trick Room, which can completely shut down my team (this helped me out greatly last season). My Tapu Koko can also use Hidden Power Ice, and I am open to using it, but I have been unimpressed by its power.
Metagross @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stomping Tantrum
- Zen Headbutt
- Iron Head
- Ice Punch
Metagross is one of my favorite Pokemon and is a physical powerhouse. He can outspeed and 1KO Landorus-T with Ice Punch. Stomping Tantrum is there for Steel Types (Primarily other MegaGrosses). Iron Head and Zen Headbutt are the stabs. I am heavily considering adding Protect, but am unsure of what move to get rid of.
Tapu Fini @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 28 Def / 140 SpA / 28 SpD / 60 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Taunt
- Ice Beam
- Protect
Tapu Fini is here to take hits, stop Trick Room and end Landorus-T. I went with a Calm nature so that it could better handle hits. (I also have a Fini with a Modest nature, if Calm Mind if it is determined to be more beneficial). Moonblast and Ice Beam are my primary attacks. Taunt is needed so that I am not at the mercy of Trick Room teams.
Conclusion:
I like my Mons, but the teams isn't working as well as I hoped. My guys just seem to be frailer than I would hope and do not hit hard enough to offset this. My team currently can also be hit pretty hard by fire moves. IV spreads have never been my strong suit and I get the feeling that at least one of my mon's should be replaced, but I am unsure what that Pokemon that should be. I hope I have given you enough to work with. Thank you for any help you can give.