Resource Simple Questions, Simple Answers Thread

[JTD783]

What are good teammates for a core of Substitute+Nasty Plot Hydreigon and Choice Band Aegislash?

Both are forced out by Specs Dragapult, so I recommend Sylveon to check it. You don't have a stealth rocker, a Rotom variant check, or a Dracovish switch in, so why not slap on a Seismitoad. Ferrothorn could also work here but you'd have to find something that beats Rotom-Heat and put it on the team. Both will lose to Sub NP Rotom-Mow. Corviknight gives you a Defogger and an Excadrill answer with Defog + Roost and the last moveslots can be any combo of Brave Bird, Iron Head, U-Turn, Body Press, etc. I'd go with some sort of speed control next. Some options include Conkeldurr with Mach Punch or other priority users, slapping Thunder Wave on some random mon, or a scarf user.

This gives you: + + + [ or ) + + Speed Control

I usually go with some sort of the following build for bulky offense (which I assume is the build you were looking for here): Breaker 1, Breaker 2, Bulky Core, Hazard Control (if not in Defensive Core), Speed Control. If there's an extra spot due to role compression then just slap on something busted and call it a day. The Bulky Core tries to blanket check a lot of the meta but still has some sort of decent damage output. If it were completely passive it would have stuff like G-Corsola instead. Toxapex still works here though because it's busted.

Disclaimer: None of these suggestions or formulas are hard rules, and I am a solidly mid-ladder, halfway-decent player. Don't try to constrain yourself when making teams and ask better players for advice too. Cores like this are going to be common in SPL so if you peep the replay thread you'll get some good ideas based on what they have.

Edit: I built a team for it. If you need explanations on the sets just ask.

Hide

Aegislash @ Choice Band
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Shadow Sneak
- Iron Head
- Close Combat

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon

Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Cute Charm
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Calm Nature
- Moonblast
- Wish
- Protect
- Mystical Fire

Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Scald
- Earth Power

Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 172 SpD
Careful Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Body Press (Iron Head if Conk)
- Brave Bird

Mew @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Trick / Darkest Lariat
- Psychic Fangs
- Close Combat
- U-turn

OR

Conkeldurr @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Earthquake
- Thunder Punch

 

[Remi the mimikyu user]

Both are forced out by Specs Dragapult, so I recommend Sylveon to check it. You don't have a stealth rocker, a Rotom variant check, or a Dracovish switch in, so why not slap on a Seismitoad. Ferrothorn could also work here but you'd have to find something that beats Rotom-Heat and put it on the team. Both will lose to Sub NP Rotom-Mow. Corviknight gives you a Defogger and an Excadrill answer with Defog + Roost and the last moveslots can be any combo of Brave Bird, Iron Head, U-Turn, Body Press, etc. I'd go with some sort of speed control next. Some options include Conkeldurr with Mach Punch or other priority users, slapping Thunder Wave on some random mon, or a scarf user.

This gives you: + + + [ or ) + + Speed Control

I usually go with some sort of the following build for bulky offense (which I assume is the build you were looking for here): Breaker 1, Breaker 2, Bulky Core, Hazard Control (if not in Defensive Core), Speed Control. If there's an extra spot due to role compression then just slap on something busted and call it a day. The Bulky Core tries to blanket check a lot of the meta but still has some sort of decent damage output. If it were completely passive it would have stuff like G-Corsola instead. Toxapex still works here though because it's busted.

Disclaimer: None of these suggestions or formulas are hard rules, and I am a solidly mid-ladder player. Don't try to constrain yourself when making teams and ask better players for advice too. Cores like this are going to be common in SPL so if you peep the replay thread you'll get some good ideas based on what they have.

Edit: I built a team for it. If you need explanations on the sets just ask.

Hide

Aegislash @ Choice Band
Ability: Stance Change
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Shadow Sneak
- Iron Head
- Close Combat

Hydreigon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon

Sylveon @ Leftovers
Ability: Cute Charm
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Calm Nature
- Moonblast
- Wish
- Play Rough
- Mystical Fire

Seismitoad @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Scald
- Earth Power

Corviknight @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 88 Def / 172 SpD
Careful Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Body Press (Iron Head if Conk)
- Brave Bird

Mew @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Trick / Darkest Lariat
- Psychic Fangs
- Close Combat
- U-turn

OR

Conkeldurr @ Flame Orb
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Earthquake
- Thunder Punch

just asking, but why play rough?

 

[The Zestiest]

Most likely a typo. Probably meant Protect.

 

[JTD783]

just asking, but why play rough?

The Zestiest is correct. I typed in “PR” and clicked Play Rough instead of Protect. Thanks for the catch. Play Rough Sylveon would be a good meme though.

While I’m at it, Moonblast (and Cute Charm by extension) is so Soundproof Kommo-O isn’t a problem. If mons behind a sub, like Dragapult and Hydreigon, are too concerning then going to the more standard Pixilate Hyper Voice is fine.

 

[DaveTheBabe]

Hey there so noticed that slowpoke was in OU was wondering what setup is best to use with him I have no clue what to put my ev or what nature to run

 

[the pharoah]

Hey there so noticed that slowpoke was in OU was wondering what setup is best to use with him I have no clue what to put my ev or what nature to run

Slowpoke is still unreleased and even if it was in the game it would be unviable in ou. You would be better off using its evolutions instead.

 

[Ruft]

Slowpoke is still unreleased and even if it was in the game it would be unviable in ou. You would be better off using its evolutions instead.

Slowpoke is in the game but its evolutions are unreleased. New Pokemon that don't evolve always start off in OU, but Slowpoke is definitely not viable there (or in any other tier for now really).

 

[DaveTheBabe]

How about for sword and shield gameplay what would you recommend running on it ? For now

 

[Ruft]

How about for sword and shield gameplay what would you recommend running on it ? For now

This isn't really the place to ask this but for now you could try a Belly Drum + Gluttony + Figy Berry set or perhaps Belly Drum + Slack Off + Own Tempo + Eviolite. Don't expect good results from an unevolved Slowpoke though.

 

[sumwun]

What's a good way to choose leads during team previews? In the past few months, I just assumed the opponent will use a stealth rock lead and lead with whichever one of my Pokemon best checks the opponent's stealth rock user(s).

 

[Mame YO]

It depends. If the opponent is running some kind of HO you can predict the lead for sticky webs or screens, for example. Other times throwing out a mon that has a good matchup vs several opposing mons is likely to force a switch to a key target that you need to eliminate sooner rather than later.

as an example, if you run a Rotom form you probably want to get rid of Seismitoad as early as possible so you can volt switch later in the game. Opening rotom to lure toad out so you can bring something in that either smacks it or forces it out helps generate momentum early in the game and sets you up for an easier mid/late game.

 

[Yung Dramps]

I know there's a pinned post saying not to discuss the DLCs, but I'm not bringing those up for any bogus speculation/post-Expansion Pass meta advice.

Rather, I wanna ask: Is there any chance of a "SWSH 400" meta being created to preserve what we have right now, whether it be as a SWSH OU spin-off or an OM? Personally I have very little incentive right now to play the main tiers or contribute to anything knowing that it's all gonna rendered worthless in a few months anyway, and I know I'm not alone in this sentiment. If there's a better forum to ask this in please let me know.

 

[Jordy]

I know there's a pinned post saying not to discuss the DLCs, but I'm not bringing those up for any bogus speculation/post-Expansion Pass meta advice.

Rather, I wanna ask: Is there any chance of a "SWSH 400" meta being created to preserve what we have right now, whether it be as a SWSH OU spin-off or an OM? Personally I have very little incentive right now to play the main tiers or contribute to anything knowing that it's all gonna rendered worthless in a few months anyway, and I know I'm not alone in this sentiment. If there's a better forum to ask this in please let me know.

That's not really something we're concerned with right now and I don't think we ever will be. I think you could get a better answer from The Immortal, who leads Other Metagames, as that is what such a metagame would very, very likely be; an Other Metagame.

 

[Colonial]

After seeing a ton of Hyper Offense on ladder and hype for it on here, I'm interested in giving the style a shot- but have no idea where to start. Does anybody have a HO team they'd be willing to share? I checked the sample teams thread, but it hasn't been updated since early december, and I'd prefer something made for the current meta.

 

[Robot7620]

After seeing a ton of Hyper Offense on ladder and hype for it on here, I'm interested in giving the style a shot- but have no idea where to start. Does anybody have a HO team they'd be willing to share? I checked the sample teams thread, but it hasn't been updated since early december, and I'd prefer something made for the current meta.

Some good choices for HO is webs or screens.
Web's generally have ribombee/araqunuid w/ bish
screens is grimmsnarl

 

[Remi the mimikyu user]

what types of teams are good to break through 1200s to 1300s? I am having trouble useing a toxtricity team.

 

[Robot7620]

what types of teams are good to break through 1200s to 1300s? I am having trouble useing a toxtricity team.

Really any team but hyper offense proves to be best in low ladder from experience

 

[Kioskate]

what types of teams are good to break through 1200s to 1300s? I am having trouble useing a toxtricity team.

Rain isn't very good this gen but it's great on the lower ladder where players let you chip their water resists without a really planning how they'll win the game. Other teams that use cores to break each other's checks are also good as well as Volt Turn teams. Bulky Offense with Dugtrio too because it's easy to condition them into letting you trap.

 

[Remi the mimikyu user]

Rain isn't very good this gen but it's great on the lower ladder where players let you chip their water resists without a really planning how they'll win the game. Other teams that use cores to break each other's checks are also good as well as Volt Turn teams. Bulky Offense with Dugtrio too because it's easy to condition them into letting you trap.

Thanks! I actually went up to 1400s with a mimikyu team, so I didn’t need your help, but I’m still happy you helped ;-;(tears of happiness)
Wait.
went up to 1400s with a mimikyu team, so I didn’t need your
1400s with a mimikyu team, so I didnt
With a mimikyu team, so I
A mimikyu team, so
MIMIKYU TEAM!?

 

[Jordy]

Thanks! I actually went up to 1400s with a mimikyu team, so I didn’t need your help, but I’m still happy you helped ;-;(tears of happiness)
Wait.
went up to 1400s with a mimikyu team, so I didn’t need your
1400s with a mimikyu team, so I didnt
With a mimikyu team, so I
A mimikyu team, so
MIMIKYU TEAM!?

I'm not really sure what you're trying to convey with this but I'd like to request that you speak in coherent sentences.

 

[Remi the mimikyu user]

I'm not really sure what you're trying to convey with this but I'd like to request that you speak in coherent sentences.

Ok, sorry if that bothered people

 

[jkdasoiudha]

I am new and bad.
Does someone have a checklist of things to look for to build a solid meta team?
For example:
1)x check
2)y check
3) stealth rocker
etc
ty

 

[chimp]

I am new and bad.
Does someone have a checklist of things to look for to build a solid meta team?
For example:
1)x check
2)y check
3) stealth rocker
etc
ty

Not really. You can check the Viability Rankings for a generalized idea of what Pokemon are generally considered the best in the metagame, and, generally, most used. You can also check the usage stats to see which Pokemon get used the most, and even which moves/cores are most common for each Pokemon. Honestly, though, the best way is to just build a team and start battling. The more you play in a tier the more you'll start to get familiar with what Pokemon are threats that need to be accounted for and what Pokemon are best suited for each role.

 

[Remi the mimikyu user]

I'm having trouble breaking through the 1300s to 1400s. I'm using an screens team, webs team and an balance team, but It seems 1500s are a dream (my friend even told me last gen he went to 1500s using scarfers)
Can someone help? thank you.

 

[Ruft]

I'm having trouble breaking through the 1300s to 1400s. I'm using an screens team, webs team and an balance team, but It seems 1500s are a dream (my friend even told me last gen he went to 1500s using scarfers)
Can someone help? thank you.

Try the sample teams. If that doesn't help you improve, it might be due to your own playing ability rather than your teams.