1K RMTs generally aren't my favorite thing in the world. Often times it's just some kind of rushed, unfinished product that really hasn't been tested or looked over thoroughly (quick heads up, this might not be mind blowing innovation). So yeah, not my favorite thing in the world to see. But, I spend a lot of time in this sub-forum (probably too much time :P around 100 rates and counting by my estimate) so why not post a RMT for my 1000th post? Here we go.
I'm most at home building balanced (as you can see with a quick look through OU Good Cores). Basically fat defensive cores with some offensive weapons to provide offensive pressure. This is just my most recent iteration of that kind of team. Onto the building process, and here's a cool song to listen to because apparently that's a thing.
Started with Double Dance Terrakion as building block
Next I looked at Terrakion and saw bulky Waters and Grounds give it trouble, so Serperior was the next step
I was looking Talon-weak, and needed a solid foundational piece, so Mega Slowbro can next
From there, I went to picking off two of Slowbro's weaknesses, so I added Skarm (for Grass types) and Hippowdon (for Electric types)
Lastly, I had a large Scizor weakness, so I added Volcarona
The Team
Terrakion @ Lum Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
The star and center of this team. I was at a loss where to start this team, when cool user boltsandbombers suggested I start with this. Pretty solid building block. While Terrakion’s effectiveness has declined in the most recent generation, it is still a dangerous threat. It was actually a really easy piece to build around due to its dual STABs giving it great coverage. Between SD and Rock Polish it can either sweep offensive teams once its checks are worn down (with Rock Polish), or break defensive cores with only a little prior damage (using SD). Not really a true wallbreaker or sweeper but offers a tremendous amount of flexibility depending of what course the match takes.
Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 12 HP / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare
Terrakion is not without its flaws. Bulky Waters and Grounds give it trouble, and Serperior offered the ability to easily break down both while also doubling as a great standalone offensive sweeper. I also wanted something that could break through Mega Sableye, and between Serp and Volc I’m pretty well prepared to handle that threat. Dragon Pulse weakens Latios enough if I want to cripple it for a RP Terrakion sweep later. Glare is really nice for speed control, and it also cripples Char-Y who I otherwise have to play around really carefully otherwise.
Volcarona @ Lum Berry
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Quiver Dance
Required Scizor check, who the rest of my tam couldn't handle well at all. Also, I managed to put my team together without any SR weaknesses so I figured I could afford to give this thing a whirl. Volc plays really well in the current metagame because it is just underprepared for and hard to check in general. I’m also loaded up with Talonflame checks so that isn’t too much of an issue. Just a really strong underrated sweeper that also happens to play well against teams Mega Slowbro doesn’t do well against.
Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt / Bulk Up
- Roost
Nice suggestion that efficiently fixed my Char-Y weakness while also giving me another stallbreaker. Don't really lose a whole lot without Volc and the added priority is nice.
Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
This redefines bulk. Really underrated right now, I don’t think enough teams have a gameplan to take it down at +1 or above. The massive defense stat seems useless or misappropriated, but that actually allows for the invest of a significant amount of resources in Slowbro’s Special Defense stat. At +1, this thing is pretty hard to take down. I mean, look at this calc:
232+ SpA Pixilate Mega Gardevoir Hyper Voice vs. +1 252 HP / 176 SpD Mega Slowbro: 163-193 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
I know Gard can just Taunt it, but below that, what breaks through? 165 Special Attack Pixilate Hyper Voice misses the 2HKO on a physical wall! So many teams are not prepared to properly break it, and with just a little bit of support (picking off weaknesses and common Taunters basically) it can become close to impossible to break through. Not to mention the sheer amount of physical threats that are just stopped cold by it. This is the lynchpin to the whole defensive core, and probably puts in more work than any other member of the team.
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Counter / Spikes
- Defog
- Roost
Cool set that cool user AM has been publicizing recently, and for good reason. Checks a lot of threats to Slowbro, primarily Fairies and Grass types, both of whom can give Slowbro trouble when it attempts to setup. Also provides hazard removal. SDef Skarm still retains enough physical bulk to check some top tier threats like Metagross, which is nice because Metagross can give a lot of cores trouble. Also doubles as a Gardevoir chekc that has access to a reliable form of self-recovery. Most Gard checks lack a way to heal themselves. Spikes is an option for a Spike stacking look but Counter is overall more useful.
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 HP / 68 Def / 188 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
Ah, the always reliable Hippo. EVs might look a little strange, but they allow it to avoid the 2HKO from LO Gengar, who can be a pain for Slowbro. Also provides a very solid check to Manectric and other Electric types who attempt to break through the wall that is Slowbro. Provides stealth rock support as well, which pretty much every team needs. This is a very bland choice, and happens to find its way onto nearly every team I make. I should probably try to branch out from this Mega Slowbro-Hippo core at some point.
So that's the latest squad. As far as threats I feel like I has checks or procedures to most things. Char-Y is a rather large weakness and basically I just try to apply pressure with Terrakion. It can’t get in against half my team so as long as I keep pressure with those guys (Slowbro, Hippo, Terrak) I really shouldn’t have an issue. Serp also does a great job crippling it with Glare as most Char-Y switch-in to take the Leaf Storm. Certain Lando sets can be a problem but honestly what doesn’t it threaten in some capacity. Grass Knot Thundurus could break the defensive core rather easily, but that’s more of a lure at this point if anything. If that gains popularity going Hippo > SDef Gliscor fixes that issue quick and clean.
And now, because I bug everyone else about shoutouts for milestone posts, here are some so I don’t look like a giant hypocrite. Also some people really bugged me about this. Repeatedly.
That's as many people as I could think of, I'm sure there's a few I missed. I've met a ton of great people in my few months here!
Kinda feel awkward tagging RMT leaders, but know I really appreciate what you guys do for this area of the site. A lot of the work is behind the scenes and goes unnoticed, you both really deserve more credit! Thanks for the millionth time for the opportunity to join the RMT staff!
Alright that's all done. I really need to rethink my priorities if I'm spending this much time on a Pokemon site but life is short and this still pretty fun!
I'm most at home building balanced (as you can see with a quick look through OU Good Cores). Basically fat defensive cores with some offensive weapons to provide offensive pressure. This is just my most recent iteration of that kind of team. Onto the building process, and here's a cool song to listen to because apparently that's a thing.
Started with Double Dance Terrakion as building block
Next I looked at Terrakion and saw bulky Waters and Grounds give it trouble, so Serperior was the next step
I was looking Talon-weak, and needed a solid foundational piece, so Mega Slowbro can next
From there, I went to picking off two of Slowbro's weaknesses, so I added Skarm (for Grass types) and Hippowdon (for Electric types)
Lastly, I had a large Scizor weakness, so I added Volcarona
The Team
Terrakion @ Lum Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Rock Polish
- Swords Dance
The star and center of this team. I was at a loss where to start this team, when cool user boltsandbombers suggested I start with this. Pretty solid building block. While Terrakion’s effectiveness has declined in the most recent generation, it is still a dangerous threat. It was actually a really easy piece to build around due to its dual STABs giving it great coverage. Between SD and Rock Polish it can either sweep offensive teams once its checks are worn down (with Rock Polish), or break defensive cores with only a little prior damage (using SD). Not really a true wallbreaker or sweeper but offers a tremendous amount of flexibility depending of what course the match takes.
Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 12 HP / 252 SpA / 244 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Glare
Terrakion is not without its flaws. Bulky Waters and Grounds give it trouble, and Serperior offered the ability to easily break down both while also doubling as a great standalone offensive sweeper. I also wanted something that could break through Mega Sableye, and between Serp and Volc I’m pretty well prepared to handle that threat. Dragon Pulse weakens Latios enough if I want to cripple it for a RP Terrakion sweep later. Glare is really nice for speed control, and it also cripples Char-Y who I otherwise have to play around really carefully otherwise.
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 72 HP / 252 SpA / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
- Quiver Dance
Required Scizor check, who the rest of my tam couldn't handle well at all. Also, I managed to put my team together without any SR weaknesses so I figured I could afford to give this thing a whirl. Volc plays really well in the current metagame because it is just underprepared for and hard to check in general. I’m also loaded up with Talonflame checks so that isn’t too much of an issue. Just a really strong underrated sweeper that also happens to play well against teams Mega Slowbro doesn’t do well against.
Talonflame @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Will-O-Wisp
- Taunt / Bulk Up
- Roost
Nice suggestion that efficiently fixed my Char-Y weakness while also giving me another stallbreaker. Don't really lose a whole lot without Volc and the added priority is nice.
Slowbro @ Slowbronite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
- Slack Off
This redefines bulk. Really underrated right now, I don’t think enough teams have a gameplan to take it down at +1 or above. The massive defense stat seems useless or misappropriated, but that actually allows for the invest of a significant amount of resources in Slowbro’s Special Defense stat. At +1, this thing is pretty hard to take down. I mean, look at this calc:
232+ SpA Pixilate Mega Gardevoir Hyper Voice vs. +1 252 HP / 176 SpD Mega Slowbro: 163-193 (41.3 - 48.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
I know Gard can just Taunt it, but below that, what breaks through? 165 Special Attack Pixilate Hyper Voice misses the 2HKO on a physical wall! So many teams are not prepared to properly break it, and with just a little bit of support (picking off weaknesses and common Taunters basically) it can become close to impossible to break through. Not to mention the sheer amount of physical threats that are just stopped cold by it. This is the lynchpin to the whole defensive core, and probably puts in more work than any other member of the team.
Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 224 SpD / 32 Spe
Careful Nature
- Iron Head
- Counter / Spikes
- Defog
- Roost
Cool set that cool user AM has been publicizing recently, and for good reason. Checks a lot of threats to Slowbro, primarily Fairies and Grass types, both of whom can give Slowbro trouble when it attempts to setup. Also provides hazard removal. SDef Skarm still retains enough physical bulk to check some top tier threats like Metagross, which is nice because Metagross can give a lot of cores trouble. Also doubles as a Gardevoir chekc that has access to a reliable form of self-recovery. Most Gard checks lack a way to heal themselves. Spikes is an option for a Spike stacking look but Counter is overall more useful.
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 HP / 68 Def / 188 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
Ah, the always reliable Hippo. EVs might look a little strange, but they allow it to avoid the 2HKO from LO Gengar, who can be a pain for Slowbro. Also provides a very solid check to Manectric and other Electric types who attempt to break through the wall that is Slowbro. Provides stealth rock support as well, which pretty much every team needs. This is a very bland choice, and happens to find its way onto nearly every team I make. I should probably try to branch out from this Mega Slowbro-Hippo core at some point.
So that's the latest squad. As far as threats I feel like I has checks or procedures to most things. Char-Y is a rather large weakness and basically I just try to apply pressure with Terrakion. It can’t get in against half my team so as long as I keep pressure with those guys (Slowbro, Hippo, Terrak) I really shouldn’t have an issue. Serp also does a great job crippling it with Glare as most Char-Y switch-in to take the Leaf Storm. Certain Lando sets can be a problem but honestly what doesn’t it threaten in some capacity. Grass Knot Thundurus could break the defensive core rather easily, but that’s more of a lure at this point if anything. If that gains popularity going Hippo > SDef Gliscor fixes that issue quick and clean.
And now, because I bug everyone else about shoutouts for milestone posts, here are some so I don’t look like a giant hypocrite. Also some people really bugged me about this. Repeatedly.
AM you've come a long way in the past few months, and deserve everything you've gotten at this point. Keep it up man :)
Aragorn the King I know you are on vacation, but thanks for being a really cool guy. It's still weird seeing you as a mod, and I mean that in the nicest way possible!
boltsandbombers keep writing all those analyses! It's really great to be able to blow off steam with somebody about all the crap that goes around this site.
Recreant KEK. Here's your shoutout, keep working towards that CC badge!
Trinitrotoluene really looking forward to working with you more in RMT man. That mod position was a long time coming!
bludz and DarkNostalgia keep working guys, you are both great contributors and going places fast!
-Clone- really look forward to working on the new thread with you man. We're working our way to being big time thread runners!
Forgot to shoutout to Living So Zambian / VN, who played a big part in getting me into this whole rating thing in the first place. For like the hundredth time thanks for all the help and encouragement man!
Aragorn the King I know you are on vacation, but thanks for being a really cool guy. It's still weird seeing you as a mod, and I mean that in the nicest way possible!
boltsandbombers keep writing all those analyses! It's really great to be able to blow off steam with somebody about all the crap that goes around this site.
Recreant KEK. Here's your shoutout, keep working towards that CC badge!
Trinitrotoluene really looking forward to working with you more in RMT man. That mod position was a long time coming!
bludz and DarkNostalgia keep working guys, you are both great contributors and going places fast!
-Clone- really look forward to working on the new thread with you man. We're working our way to being big time thread runners!
Forgot to shoutout to Living So Zambian / VN, who played a big part in getting me into this whole rating thing in the first place. For like the hundredth time thanks for all the help and encouragement man!
That's as many people as I could think of, I'm sure there's a few I missed. I've met a ton of great people in my few months here!
Kinda feel awkward tagging RMT leaders, but know I really appreciate what you guys do for this area of the site. A lot of the work is behind the scenes and goes unnoticed, you both really deserve more credit! Thanks for the millionth time for the opportunity to join the RMT staff!
Alright that's all done. I really need to rethink my priorities if I'm spending this much time on a Pokemon site but life is short and this still pretty fun!