tcr
sage of six tabs
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Introduction
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Teambuilding
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I started with Riolu. I knew I wanted to build around this pokemon after fighting starmaster and getting pushed around by Riolu. People at the time were running some Z move set (I’ve seen Z-Fight and Z-Steel Riolu on the ladder) but I decided I wanted to go with a bulkier set, so I can revenge kill more and live hits. I wanted bulky because I also decided that I wanted to run Fastfoo. Just an excellent mon and I figured that double fight could put in work on teams whose only fight resist is often Foongus or Spritzee.
From there I added Diglett. Diglett is, in my opinion, one of the most broken mons on voltturn, and an absolute demolisher of most standard teams. You can run it with things like Torchic, Mienfoo, Vullaby, Chinchou and just demolish things with Groundium Z. Often its as simple as finding what the biggest gateway to a sweep would be and trapping that thing. Many times I use Diglett to eliminate opposing Mienfoo (after a Knock Off or if revealed as a Z-move set), Knocked Spritzee, Snubbull, Knocked Timburr, Staryu, BJ Onix, and more. Its so easy to just continually clicking U-turn and watching things die as they get trapped by Diglett.
After Diglett I knew I was weak to Abra, Gastly, and didn’t really want to take on a Mienfoo either. Vullaby was the next addition to my team, that allows me to absorb Fake Outs from Meowth or Mienfoo as well as checking everything from Torchic to Abra. U-turn is nice to lure in Sturdy Onix as well, and it’s a great pivot to the team. Its utility is outstanding, and although I don’t really ever use Defog, it has access to it so I don’t get overwhelmed by Veil teams or Spikestacking against some bulkier squad that has solid fighting answers.
I really wanted a Scarfer now, and I figured that with momentum I could run a Pursuit trapper on top of Diglett. Pawniard came to mind, as it has the added benefit of straight up cleaning through teams mid game, or if need be I can just Knock Off and lure in things like Timburr and Mienfoo for Diglett to dispatch (two threats to the team if played correctly).
Lastly I needed something to glue everything together. I knew I REALLY wanted a Torchic switchin, because Z-sets really messed with me. Berry Juice Magnemite came to mind, as it can check everything from Diglett to Onix to Torchic to Vullaby. It’s a secondary Flying switchin as well which is nice. At first I was skeptical of Sturdy Mag’s usefulness, but in all honesty having that Sturdyjuice set is really useful, as it allows me to PP stall things like Ponyta or Snivy. Between Magnemite and Vullaby, I can also pivot back and forth to deal with Wynaut, something that traditionally steals momentum from teams but in fact this team abuses.
There was a time where I tried using Grimer-Alolan over Pawniard and ScarfMag, to see how well that dealt with Fighting-types (since theoretically I could just Gunk Shot things like Timburr). I didn’t really like it as the team doesn’t do bad against Abra or Gastly at all and Grimer just sucked momentum out of the team, as well as bringing the overall Speed down. Scarf Mag just didn’t check things like BJ Mag does, and I found myself missing the ability to Endure and get a nice kill on something like Diglett. Shoutouts to Sken for the suggestions though.
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In-Depth Look
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Magnemite @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 5
EVs: 236 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Endure
- Recycle
- Volt Switch
Berry Juice Magnemite is soooo good. I cannot stress how good it is, and how fluid it makes this team feel. Berry Juice Magnemite is my main answer to Snivy, although it also notably lures in those Wingull / Diglett teams. Outside of burns, this set walls so much, from Ponyta to Staryu to even Chinchou (you can PP Stall out Hydro Pump, allowing Diglett to easily trap it). Flash Cannon is essential for STAB, it lets me hit Foongus neutrally and deal about 60% to it after its Knocked Off, 2hkoing. Flash Cannon is necessary for Diglett and Onix as well, as I can bait them in with Endure since many people assume it is Scarved. Endure + Recycle is cheesy fun that lets you PP stall so much, from Snivy’s Leaf Storm to Ponyta’s Flare Blitz / Morning Sun to Torchic Fire Blast. Magnemite is best used when you can get it in safely, as such I rarely ever switch it into something unless I absolutely need to absorb the hit. This is often for things like Mudbray if I’ve weakened it a little in a situation or Foongus if I’ve already let something be slept. Lastly Volt Switch is keeping in theme with the momentum grabbing that the team naturally has, and is good for checking Birds. Berry Juice Magnemite is often my check for Vullaby, especially if I’ve played to riskily and let it get any boosts.In-Depth Look
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Magnemite @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 5
EVs: 236 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Endure
- Recycle
- Volt Switch
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Pawniard @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
Pawniard is a great bird switchin, and general check to the faster threats in the metagame, like Wingull, Gastly, Abra, Elekid, Diglett, and more. Its typing means it is ALSO a great pivot, allowing me to switch into non-Heat Wave Vullaby and deal with it through Iron Head, deal with non-Hidden Power Foongus, and spread Knock Off whenever it switches in. I first saw my friend Osh (Stimpakz) on the ladder using and abusing Scarf Pawniard, and I thought to myself “Hey, why don’t I do that?” I gotta say Pawniard is just amazing, its general utility in spreading Knock Off is so helpful for Riolu cleaning, especially since it lures in Fighting types like Timburr and Mienfoo. Pursuit was the main move of the set, and allows me to always trap things like Wingull and Gastly, though to be honest I don’t really use it that often because it gives free set up to Pokemon like Timburr or Shellder or Scraggy. Knock Off is self-explanatory, it is arguably the best move in the tier its utility is unparalleled. It’s also a nice STAB to spam late game. Iron Head lets me bop slowfoo, after I lure it in and Knock Off (if I didn’t do that from the lead) Iron Head 2hkoes, and has the benefit of checking Vullaby (really useful with Diglett because I can Rock Tomb if I plan on sacking Diglett then Iron Head and outspeed with Scarf. Last move Sucker Punch over Brick Break because with two fights and a Diglett do I really need to check Pawniard / Steels? Sucker lets me eat the Vullaby Knock Off and not be dead weight, often catching a surprise kill. Sucker Pawn means that I always have a good matchup against Webs teams, because worst case scenario I’m Knocked Off but at +2. Useful for things like Scarf Snivy as well, or Diglett after I’m Knocked since they don’t expect it.--------------------------------------------------
Pawniard @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
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Vullaby @ Berry Juice
Ability: Weak Armor
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 76 Def / 156 SpD / 116 Spe
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog
Starnaster turned me on to this Vullaby set, and I gotta say it is absolutely phenomenal. The spread allows you to always be able to switch into Abra or Gastly, eat the Berry Juice then regain momentum or kill something. Vullaby is in my opinion a Pokemon that is close to broken. I don’t think its quite broken in this metagame, as there are certainly ways to deal with it, but its such a versatile mon that you never really know what you’re gonna expect until you see it. Its one of those Pokemon that you have to check nigh 3 separate times, because the Eviolite Roost set has different counters from Berry Juice Weak Armor and Nasty Plot sets often end up luring standard checks. It can run offtech Hidden Power Grass to deal with Onix or Kabuto, which when you see a physical set you never expect the offtech. Anyway, it fits perfectly on this team, and is technically one of the team’s Fighting “resists.” By “resist” I mean that often I live a hit then have to predict whats gonna happen next to preserve momentum. Brave Bird is STAB move that targets Grass types and Fighting-types, my only qualm is that it doesn’t OHKO Timburr outright, so often I have to sac a one for one with Timburr as I kill with Diglett. Berry Juice and Rocks weak is a cool concept because I can always play around hazards to bring my back to full and check something once more. Knock Off is standard utility move, and alongside Pawniard and Mienfoo completes the trifecta. U-turn on a voltturn team isn’t really surprising, it lets me U-turn out from Onix and other Pokemon and allows ease of trapping for Diglett, especially since Steel-types and Rock-types are typically the Vullaby switchin. Lastly I have Defog on the slot. Notably I don’t really use it that much, but its honestly better to have it than to not have it as sometimes Rocks can suck in lategame when I need Magnemite to be full health (against something like a Pawniard or Mienfoo that will more likely Knock Off my Berry Juice). Not afraid to Defog on Pawniard because I got a big dick and play around it.--------------------------------------------------
Vullaby @ Berry Juice
Ability: Weak Armor
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 76 Def / 156 SpD / 116 Spe
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog
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Diglett @ Groundium Z
Ability: Arena Trap
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Tomb
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
Diglett is absolutely essential to make the team work. The team relies on pivoting and maintaining momentum, and Diglett helps to catch any mistake my opponent makes. Groundium Z is the item because honestly that’s the only good Diglett set. Its so good for just catching things like Snubbull, or 60% Foongus, or Mareanie. Diglett is often one of the mons I pivot to the most, as Mienfoo and Riolu are just so good at luring in problem pokemon for Diglett to eliminate. Earthquake is pretty standard STAB, and allows me to have a 180 BP Tectonic Rage Z-move, koing everything except some Timburr sets and Mienfoo from full (with Eviolite). I chose to use Rock Tomb because I don’t find much difference between Rock Slide, and at least Rock Tomb lets me drop it on Vullaby allowing Pawniard to outspeed Weak Armor sets and KO (for the Berry Juice set notably, Eviolite is often handled by a combination of hit it hard and abuse Pawniard). Sucker Punch is useful for catching things like Diglett ties, for getting last minute chip damage, and to revenge kill weakened Scarf pokemon. Lastly Protect is incredibly useful. Protect lets me scout on things like Scarf Vullaby, Scarf Rufflet, Scarf Doduo (notice how they’re all birds) as well as block Fake Out and wear down Sucker Punch PP on Pawniard. Protect has been useful for bopping Mienfoo as well, because I can often eat the Fake Out then protect on their High Jump Kick, allowing me to kill Mienfoo without Groundium Z. I don’t really like using Memento or some other tech move as the team doesn’t really have a set up sweeper to abuse that momentum and I’d rather keep Diglett for as long as possible.
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Mienfoo (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Fake Out
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Mienfoo (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Mienfoo is one of the most ubiquitous Pokemon in the tier. It literally does everything you need, team compression at its finest. Oftentimes I will lead with Mienfoo as it is one of the most safe leads out there, allowing a free Fake Out. More often than not the lead matchup is Mienfoo vs Mienfoo, and I often use that matchup to gauge what set my opponent is, whether BulkyFoo or FastFoo or even something else. You can usually tell from Fake Out damage, or if their Mienfoo uses Fake Out first. Mienfoo is useful for scouting Onix sets as well, as I’m willing to risk the tie to prevent rocks up, and a combination of Fake Out + High Jump Kick kills any Onix set bar Endure sets, but most people aren’t going to Endure turn 2. Not really too much to say, I’m sure my Mienfoo EVs could be better but it’s the right mix of bulky and fast, and is durable enough that I can switch it in and out and rely on it as a strong pivot. High Jump Kick is standard, its just a nuke everytime you press it and they don’t have some Fighting resist. Knock off is great utility, and is essential to spread to catch things like Spritzee and Snubbull. U-turn is to preserve momentum and is especially useful against Snivy because I can just U-turn then U-turn again with Riolu. Lastly Fake Out is good chip damage, and is one of the ways I deal with Vullaby if it gets too big, because sometimes I fuck up and have to rely on the chip damage to deal with Nasty Plot sets. Typically though, in Vullaby lead matchups, I’ll Fake Out and try to gauge if their Vullaby is NP or Scarf from the set. Scarf Vulaby is the only set that fully OHKOes Mienfoo with Brave Bird, so it can be a pain to deal with. However many Vullaby seem to use Mienfoo as Nasty Plot bait, allowing me to just OHKO after a Fake out / Knock Off with HJK. Air Slash does not KO unless it crits or flinches, so I just gotta be lucky!
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Riolu @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 196 Atk / 116 Def
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Copycat
- High Jump Kick
- Protect
The king itself, Riolu is an absolute monster at single-handedly tearing apart teams. Oh standard balance? It pivots in and out in conjunction with U-turn, scaring out threats left and right with its High Jump Kick. Oh you brought hazard stack? I just go Riolu and then we play chicken only my team wins because I have a shitton of priority and Speed. Oh webs team? How do you like your own webs? Riolu is phenomenal at checking off arch-types of teams like Dwebble offense or Sticky Web, because those same teams do NOT like having their own tactics thrown into them. Since my team has two fights and three Snivy resists, as well as 2 Protects (so I can stall out Leaf Storm), I am not worried at all about standard webs offense “counter webs” Pokemon like Pawniard or Snivy. Possibly the only downside Riolu has is that its Prankster does not work on Dark-types. Now this doesn’t really come up often, it mostly is a thing for Vullaby since you are outsped by most sets and can’t cheese it with HJK into Copycat, but if more people catch on you can fundamentally treat your Dark-types like theyre Ghost types as if Riolu fails to Copycat a HJK it still crashes. HJK is standard STAB, and is useful for clearing up teams as long as it doesn’t miss. HJK off of 17 Atk is nothing to sneeze at. Copycat is essential to Riolu’s gimmick, allowing it to copy things like Stealth Rock, Spikes, Sticky Web, STAB moves, or even just revenge kill faster Pokemon like Diglett or Abra. Protect is useful for Mienfoo matchups, as just like Diglett I can eat the Fake Out and let Mienfoo crash. It also lets me get first U-turn a lot of the time, or pick off weakened sweepers with their own moves. Meteor Mash in the last slot because I think Meteor Mash is a cool move its just like “psSHOOOWW” and boom a meteor hits the Pokemon. This slot used to be Swords Dance, but I found that Swords Dance sweeping is hard because of Dark-types, so a Steel-STAB is nice to hit Spritzee with. It can be useful against Foongus as well when I am trying to sack Riolu to trap with Diglett. The attack raise is nice when it happens but rarely super useful other than like a “oh that’s neat” way.--------------------------------------------------
Riolu @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 196 Atk / 116 Def
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Copycat
- High Jump Kick
- Protect
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Threatlist
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Offensive Threats
Threatlist
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Offensive Threats
Defensive Threats
Frillish – Knock Off and trap with Pawniard. Mienfoo is helpful against these, and if on webs well it will also have a speed drop.
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Conclusion
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Conclusion
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This team overall was extremely fun to use, I’ll probably continue playing with it. I think that this team showcases Riolu, a unique mon in Little cup that most certainly deserves to be higher in viability, and its my hope that this thread will inspire other people to use Riolu as well. Its one of the most versatile Pokemon imo, up there with Cottonee, and can function as numerous roles on a team, albeit not intentionally. I had a lot of fun laddering, more so than I thought I would, and Top of the ladder plus several other peaks show that the team is actually very decent. The only shoutouts I have for people are the ones who would typically get a shoutout (you know who you are), but more specifically shoutouts to Sken, Osh, pinktidal, infamy, and various other ladder heroes that gave me good matches on the ladder or for helping me with testing or for tweaking teams. Also shoutout to starmaster for making me realize how Riolu could be used so efficiently.
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Replays
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Replays
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vs problem pokemon Timburr and Scraggy
Overpowering Dwebble Offense with Riolu
dancing with Magnemite against SD Torchic pass to Mudbray
Another Torchic / Snivy team
overpowering Dwebble offense again
Some Oddish team that I thought was kinda solid
Against Osh, one of the better players on the ladder
Covet Spritzee made Magnemite useless
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Importable
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Overpowering Dwebble Offense with Riolu
dancing with Magnemite against SD Torchic pass to Mudbray
Another Torchic / Snivy team
overpowering Dwebble offense again
Some Oddish team that I thought was kinda solid
Against Osh, one of the better players on the ladder
Covet Spritzee made Magnemite useless
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Importable
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Diglett @ Groundium Z
Ability: Arena Trap
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Tomb
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
Mienfoo (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Pawniard @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
Vullaby @ Berry Juice
Ability: Weak Armor
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 76 Def / 156 SpD / 116 Spe
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog
Magnemite @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 5
EVs: 236 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Endure
- Recycle
- Volt Switch
Riolu @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 196 Atk / 116 Def
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Copycat
- High Jump Kick
- Protect
Ability: Arena Trap
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Tomb
- Sucker Punch
- Protect
Mienfoo (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
Level: 5
EVs: 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
Jolly Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Pawniard @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
Vullaby @ Berry Juice
Ability: Weak Armor
Level: 5
EVs: 116 HP / 76 Def / 156 SpD / 116 Spe
Careful Nature
- Brave Bird
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Defog
Magnemite @ Berry Juice
Ability: Sturdy
Level: 5
EVs: 236 SpA / 236 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flash Cannon
- Endure
- Recycle
- Volt Switch
Riolu @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 196 HP / 196 Atk / 116 Def
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Copycat
- High Jump Kick
- Protect
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