[TEAM REPORT] NBA Season 6 Week 9 and 10: Toronto Maple Leafeons

[AbruptFury]

It's been a while since my last team report. Finally, the National Battling Association is back on track! This week, we face Bruno. He did very well for himself last season, despite it being his first season with the Pokemon Forever Association. I will be quite frank with you. The team match-up this time around is pretty rough. But I tried my best to try and take it on. Just like with every other week. It's just this should be notably difficult. And it doesn't help that he was one of the four coaches to beat me last season. I really have to play smart. Alright. Let's get into the report.

The Team Line-ups

My Team : Kyurem-B, Scizor, Sylveon, Vaporeon, Salazzle(Z), Zoroark, Electivire(Z), Dhelmise, Donphan, Mesprit(Z), Sawk

Wenwuk (St. Louis Swablus): Mega Steelix, Volcarona, Zygarde 50%(Z), Greninja, Mantine, Swellow(Z), Rhydon, Celebi, Lucario(Z), Vikavolt, Toxapex

The Game Plan

Spark Plug (Electivire) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Motor Drive
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 SpA / 40 SpD / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Discharge
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Rock Slide

Bruno has 3 Water types. Electivire can deal with them all very well. Discharge is the main STAB option I decided upon. It does less damage than Thunderbolt, but it has a better paralysis chance. That could work out against something like Celebi, Volcarona, and Toxapex. Focus Blast hits Mega Steelix. Hidden Power Ice beats Zygarde-50. And Rock Slide easily takes down Volcarona. I opted for Assault Vest as it's item so that Vikavolt wouldn't eat my team alive. Greninja, Volcarona, and special Celebi are other reasons why I thought it would be the best item.

Offensive Calcs:

• Outspeeds max speed boosted nature Lucario.
  
• 252 SpA Electivire Discharge vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Greninja: 312-368 (109.4 - 129.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  
• 252 SpA Electivire Discharge vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mantine: 316-376 (84.4 - 100.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
  
• 252 SpA Electivire Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Steelix-Mega: 180-214 (50.8 - 60.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 0- Atk Electivire Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 328-388 (105.4 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  

Defensive Calcs:

• 252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 0 HP / 40 SpD Assault Vest Electivire: 121-144 (41.5 - 49.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  
• 252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Hydro Pump vs. 0 HP / 40 SpD Assault Vest Electivire: 168-198 (57.7 - 68%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 0 HP / 40 SpD Assault Vest Electivire: 174-205 (59.7 - 70.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 252 SpA Celebi Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 40 SpD Assault Vest Electivire: 120-142 (41.2 - 48.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  

Ariel (Vaporeon) @ Charti Berry
Ability: Water Absorb
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 112 HP / 212 Atk / 128 Def / 56 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Scald
- Heal Bell
- Hidden Power [Electric]
- Natural Gift

This set was designed to be rid of Volcarona as soon as possible. The tech is Natural Gift Rock in conjunction with the Charti Berry. It OHKOs Volcarona most of the time with the Attack investment. It's a shame that Vaporeon doesn't have better physical attack. It can also hit Vikavolt if Volcarona is no longer a problem. Scald takes down Rhydon and can burn the physical attackers. Hidden Power Electric helps against Mantine, Greninja, and Toxapex. Heal Bell will be important against Toxapex since it could spread poison to my whole team.

Offensive Calcs:

• 212 Atk Charti Berry Vaporeon Natural Gift (80 BP Rock) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 304-360 (97.7 - 115.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO
  
• 56+ SpA Vaporeon Hidden Power Electric vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Swellow: 188-222 (72 - 85%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and burn damage
  
• 56+ SpA Vaporeon Hidden Power Electric vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mantine: 164-196 (43.8 - 52.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• 56+ SpA Vaporeon Hidden Power Electric vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Greninja: 144-170 (50.5 - 59.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  

Defensive Calcs:

• 252 Atk Guts Swellow Facade (140 BP) vs. 128 HP / 112 Def Vaporeon: 330-388 (76.2 - 89.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Outrage vs. 128 HP / 112 Def Vaporeon: 345-406 (79.6 - 93.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 252+ SpA Vikavolt Thunderbolt vs. 128 HP / 0 SpD Vaporeon: 366-432 (84.5 - 99.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 252 SpA Choice Specs Greninja Dark Pulse vs. 128 HP / 0 SpD Vaporeon: 174-205 (40.1 - 47.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  

Lisa Simpson (Salazzle) @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Corrosion
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 56 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 196 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Flamethrower
- Sludge Wave
- Dragon Pulse
- Nasty Plot

Offensively, Salazzle can do a lot against his team. Defensively, it can switch into Toxic Spikes, which could be setup by either Toxapex or Greninja. It's typing is great against Volcarona and Lucario, since their STAB options are resisted. Just gotta watch out for their coverage moves. Flamethrower does massive damage to Mega Steelix, Celebi, Vikavolt, and Lucario. Sludge Wave works against the Water types that aren't Toxapex. Dragon Pulse with Dragonium Z gives Salazzle a good way of beating Zygarde-50, and possibly Toxapex. Boosted by Nasty Plot, Salazzle should be able to OHKO Pokemon that aren't even weak to the attacking moves, or through resist berries.

Offensive Calcs:

• Outspeeds Modest max speed Swellow by 1 point.
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Steelix-Mega: 450-530 (127.1 - 149.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 148 SpD Celebi: 480-566 (118.8 - 140%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Wave vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mantine: 207-244 (55.3 - 65.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Sludge Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 265-313 (85.2 - 100.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Flamethrower vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Assault Vest Vikavolt: 440-522 (123.2 - 146.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Devastating Drake (160 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Zygarde: 650-766 (181.5 - 213.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Devastating Drake (160 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 175-206 (57.7 - 67.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Dragon Pulse vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 93-110 (30.6 - 36.3%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Black Sludge recovery
  
• +2 252 SpA Salazzle Dragon Pulse vs. 252 HP / 240 SpD Eviolite Rhydon: 141-166 (34 - 40%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  

Defensive Calcs:

• 252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Extreme Speed vs. 56 HP / 4 Def Salazzle: 180-212 (61.8 - 72.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 252 Atk Life Orb Lucario Extreme Speed vs. 56 HP / 4 Def Salazzle: 152-179 (52.2 - 61.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  

Bane (Kyurem-Black) @ Haban Berry
Ability: Teravolt
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 16 Atk / 240 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Fusion Bolt
- Roost

Kyurem-Black is just the best against everything. Ice Beam deals with Zygarde-50, Swellow, Rhydon, and Celebi. Earth Power hits Mega Steelix and Lucario. Fusion Bolt is a wonderful move to have against Greninja, Mantine, and Toxapex. He has so many Water types. Roost helps heal off damage from hazards and other chip damage. It helps since I'm not running Wish support on Vaporeon. Haban Berry helps take a Devastating Drake or Choice Band Outrage from Zygarde-50, while threatening it with the OHKO. Keeping Kyurem-B around as long as possible is important.

Offensive Calcs:

• Speed ties max speed boosted nature Zygarde-50%.
  
• 240 SpA Kyurem Earth Power vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Lucario: 260-308 (92.5 - 109.6%) -- 75% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
  
• 240 SpA Kyurem Earth Power vs. 252 HP / 200 SpD Steelix-Mega: 168-198 (47.4 - 55.9%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock
  
• 16 Atk Kyurem Fusion Bolt vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 130-153 (41.8 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
  
• 16 Atk Kyurem Fusion Bolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mantine: 332-392 (88.7 - 104.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
  
• 240 SpA Kyurem Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 110-130 (36.3 - 42.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery
  
• 16 Atk Kyurem Fusion Bolt vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja: 252-298 (88.4 - 104.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
  
• 240 SpA Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Swellow: 504-594 (193.1 - 227.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  
• 240 SpA Kyurem Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Zygarde: 612-724 (170.9 - 202.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  

Defensive Calcs:

• 252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Outrage vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Haban Berry Kyurem: 294-346 (75.1 - 88.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 252 SpA Choice Specs Swellow Boomburst vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Kyurem: 289-342 (73.9 - 87.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  

Rupert (Dhelmise) @ Leftovers
Ability: Steelworker
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 4 Atk / 248 Def / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Power Whip
- Substitute
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin

I wanted Dhelmise to be able to sponge hits from certain Pokemon. Mega Steelix, Rhydon, Zygarde-50, and Lucario were the big ones. It also has the ability to take Scalds from Toxapex while behind a Substitute, so I don't have to worry about being statused with poison or burn. I can just fire off Earthquakes to weaken it, forcing it to Recover. This also hits Mega Steelix, Lucario, and Volcarona pretty good. Power Whip was for the Rhydon and Greninja. Rapid Spin is for my hazard removal. Leftovers works with Substitute so that Dhelmise can heal off some of the damage dealt by making Substitutes.

Offensive Calcs:

• Speed creeps creeping Rhydon by 1 point.
  
• 4 Atk Dhelmise Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 56+ Def Steelix-Mega: 78-92 (22 - 25.9%) -- 3.5% chance to 4HKO
  
• 4 Atk Dhelmise Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Lucario: 242-286 (86.1 - 101.7%) -- 12.5% chance to OHKO
  
• 4 Atk Dhelmise Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Toxapex: 126-150 (41.5 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery
  
• 4 Atk Dhelmise Power Whip vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Rhydon: 372-444 (89.8 - 107.2%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
  
• 4 Atk Dhelmise Power Whip vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 456-536 (160 - 188%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  
• 4 Atk Dhelmise Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 129-152 (41.4 - 48.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  

Defensive Calcs:

• 252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. 248 HP / 248 Def Dhelmise: 80-94 (23.3 - 27.4%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• 252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Outrage vs. 248 HP / 248 Def Dhelmise: 213-252 (62 - 73.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• 0 Atk Steelix-Mega Heavy Slam (80 BP) vs. 248 HP / 248 Def Dhelmise: 84-99 (24.4 - 28.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• 252 SpA Life Orb Lucario Dark Pulse vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Dhelmise: 229-270 (66.7 - 78.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• 252 SpA Volcarona Bug Buzz vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Dhelmise: 166-196 (48.3 - 57.1%) -- 44.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• 16+ Atk Rhydon Rock Blast (3 hits) vs. 248 HP / 248 Def Dhelmise: 93-111 (27.1 - 32.3%) -- approx. 52.3% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• 0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Dhelmise: 29-34 (8.4 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
  

Dumbo (Donphan) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 48 Atk / 208 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Endeavor
- Ice Shard

Donphan's job this match was to setup rocks and tank some physical hits, similarly to Dhelmise. Donphan also had the ability to revenge kill a weakened foe in Zygarde. Earthquake was the main STAB option for it to do big damage to most of Bruno's team. Endeavor gave me a way of hitting what Earthquake didn't. It could work with Endeavor to bring something's health down to 1 after bringing Donphan down to it's Sturdy ability. Then, Donphan could pick them off with Ice Shard. That would help out big against Mantine, Vikavolt, Volcarona, or Zygarde-50.

Offensive Calcs:

• 48 Atk Donphan Ice Shard vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Zygarde: 120-144 (33.5 - 40.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  
• 48 Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Lucario: 350-414 (124.5 - 147.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
  
• 48 Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Volcarona: 186-219 (59.8 - 70.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 48 Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Toxapex: 182-216 (60 - 71.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
  
• 48 Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Greninja: 181-214 (63.5 - 75%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
  
• 48 Atk Donphan Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Swellow: 106-126 (40.6 - 48.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
  
• 48 Atk Donphan Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 56+ Def Steelix-Mega: 114-134 (32.2 - 37.8%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock
  

Defensive Calcs:

• 252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Outrage vs. 248 HP / 208+ Def Donphan: 177-208 (46.2 - 54.3%) -- 6.6% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
  
• +2 252 Atk Celebi Seed Bomb vs. 248 HP / 208+ Def Donphan: 288-338 (75.1 - 88.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
  

The Aftermath

Here is the battle link: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/battl...ague-46713
Week 8: Toronto Maple Leafeons (AbruptFury) vs. St. Louis Swablus (Wenwuk)
Team that Bruno brought: Zygarde-50, Rhydon, Greninja, Mega Steelix, Lucario, Volcarona

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Match Summary and Explanations

• I figured he was going to lead Rhydon to get up his Stealth Rock, so I led with Vaporeon. It was a good prediction.
  
• I fired off a Scald and Rhydon survived on 1 HP. It was max special bulk with Eviolite. Didn't expect that one. Vaporeon took an Earthquake.
  
• Rhydon goes down to another Scald. First blood goes to Vaporeon. Bruno sends in his Zygarde.
  
• I know I can't tank Banded Outrages against any of my mons, so I stayed in to try and Scald burn him while he was setting up. But he may very well have been Banded since he went for the Outrage and knocked out Vaporeon. I sent in my Donphan to revenge kill.
  
• First, I had Donphan set up Stealth Rock for the Volcarona in the back, knowing that I could indefinitely tank a hit. Zygarde remains locked into Outrage and it's looking like a 3HKO. No confusion comes to Zygarde from Outrage fatigue.
  
• Knowing that it will definitely Outrage again, I decided to have Donphan go for Endeavor since I knew Ice Shard was at best a 2HKO. This way, I wouldn't have to reveal it and give Volcarona the free Quiver Dance either.
  
• Bruno makes a good play in switching into his Greninja to save his Zygarde. I was considering going for a second Endeavor to weaken something else in the back, but didn't want to lose Donphan to another Outrage for nothing. And Endeavor wouldn't have put Greninja in range of Ice Shard anyway, so it was fine.
  
• I lose Donphan to Dark Pulse from Greninja. I sent in my Assault Vest Electivire.
  
• Expecting Bruno to bring in either his Zygarde or Mega Steelix, I opt for Focus Blast. He brings in the Steelix and it takes a ton.
  
• RNG shines upon me! I manage to hit the second Focus Blast and down goes the Mega Steelix. Electivire gets it's first kill of the battle. Bruno brings in his Volcarona.
  
• He tries to get his Volcarona set up to sweep with Quiver Dance, but my Electivire's tech Rock Slide pays dividends. Volcarona is eliminated and Electivire gets it's second kill. Zygarde returns to battle.
  
• Once again, I don't want to switch out on this Zygarde, so I throw off a Hidden Power Ice. To my surprise, Electivire outspeeds. Elecitivire was not max speed, so there was no speed tie. Zygarde was likely an Adamant Choice Band set. Anyway, Zygarde goes down and Electivire is on a roll with three kills. Greninja comes back to play.
  
• Electivire gets flinched by a Dark Pulse, but has another chance to take out Greninja.
  
• Greninja hit Electivire with another Dark Pulse, but Electivire was able to finish it off with Discharge. Four kills go to Electivire this battle. What a team player! All Bruno has left is Lucario.
  
• I already know that I outspeed Lucario with Electivire, so I fire off Focus Blast again and it almost takes Lucario out. Lucario sets up a Swords Dance. Probably it's best hope of winning.
  
• Lucario KOs itself after going for Extremespeed to finish off my Electivire with it's Life Orb. The game goes to the Toronto Maple Leafeons! A nice 3-0 victory, putting us at 8 wins and 1 loss this season.
  

In Conclusion

Good game to @Wenwuk. I felt like I made a mistake in my prep when it came to Dhelmise being able to hit Vikavolt, and in my battling when I risked the Focus Blast against Swords Dance Lucario with Extremespeed which would likely OHKO my Salazzle since it's physical defense is pretty weak. I really wasn't expecting to win the match in the first place though. There was a lot that I had to take into account in this match. I let my Vaporeon go very early when it was my best thing to take a hit from Volcarona. But that was because I was scared of Zygarde's potential. Dragon Dance wasn't something I wanted to mess with. I didn't even have Ice Beam on my offensive Vaporeon though because I felt like I needed to cover other things more. I'm honestly dreading having to possibly face you in the playoffs. I know you didn't feel confident in Toxapex with my Corrosion Salazzle being around, but I really think it was a big problem when I was teambuilding. I guess Kyurem-Black is the same way though. It didn't even hit the field that match.

Well that's it for week 9. Just a few more left til playoffs. Next week, we were set to take on Gamma, who was replaced by Amant. Unfortunately, exams have taken away his time and he decided to drop out of the league. Thus, Gamma/Amant and Danny's teams were completely eliminated. The Pokemon went into the free agency. Some of them were picked up. I didn't bother to change my team. Wasn't really sure what to choose.

Since we took a BYE week from our opponent bring unavailable, we are now 9-1 in our record. This is better success than I have ever had in league, including last season where I ended 8-4. I have been so satisfied with my team. It's so weird, but has gotten me so far. That is why I have been reluctant to change anything. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. For week 11, our opponent will be Ralker of the Orlando Magikarp. This guy nearly went undefeated in the regular season and was the runner-up for the championship last season. He's certainly no push-over. He got off to a rocky start early in the season with his draft, but has been picking up steam. The dropped Pokemon from the other teams have helped patch his weaknesses. I feel like his team will be as troublesome as Bruno's was, but I was able to beat Bruno. And Bruno was the one that beat Ralker in the regular season last year. So there might very well be a shot of me winning the match. I'm on the tail of the standings leader, Kiev, but he hasn't dropped a match since having the decision in his loss reversed; thanks to the opponent who beat him, leaving the league for the season. So stay tuned and see you next time!