Jan 6, 2017, 01:58 AM
Definitely can dig the makeup of most of this team, though do have this issue with one mon which I know the team is suppose to be based around. Get that Scarf Explosion from Silvally can be a cool surprise, though my issue there is people will expect something of that nature given the lack of damage output from the mon itself. Like everything else on Silvally's movepool is rather mediocre and even the damage calcs are unimpressive for a scarf mon. If anything, definitely recommend switching out Silvally for another strong Scarf user. Will elaborate a suggestion later.
As for the rest of the team, its rather strong from a synergistic perspective, though don't see how "offensive" it is given the Support Arcanine and Defensive Gastrodon slowing it down. Arcanine and Gastrodon make sense on this team since they hold it together against some of the common threats in the format such as rain and steel types, though not sure how well they can face off against the mirror matches. Life Orb Gengar is an interesting choice will admit, and the damage output from both STABs do justify the item choice so no issues there. Personally, Substitute is ok, though Taunt can help this team deal with opposing TR setters like Porygon2, Oranguru, or Mimikyu, though they all have a great matchup against Gengar. Groundium Z Chomp makes sense atm since few things are able to take a hit from such a strong Z-Move, however give Chomp Poison Jab in place of Dragon Claw to hit the Fairy-types.
So if you want a good run down of the team, here's what it looks like.
Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Cursed Body
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Taunt / Hidden Power Ice
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
No changes on this Gengar except for the Taunt to prevent Setup or an incoming TR / Tailwind. Could try HP Ice with Gengar for Salamence and Garchomp to pickup some quick OHKOs against non Yache variants.
Arcanine @ Firium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 204 HP / 44 Atk / 20 Def / 60 SpD / 180 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Flare Blitz
- Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp
Changed Arcanine to be somewhat Physical to ensure it can deal more consistent damage as opposed to either Overheat / Burn Up. Did change up the the EVs to make Arcanine slightly specially defensive to make opposing P2 get the attack raise.
Gastrodon @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Storm Drain
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 140 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Scald
- Toxic
- Recover
Only difference here is Recover is to allow Gastrodon to stall out opposing mons with Toxic. If you want to move the Sitrus Berry to the Arcanine, try out Maranga Berry Gastrodon to give it more special defense. Again not much to say here.
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Substitute
- Poison Jab / Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
Do like Sub Z-Move Garchomp since it can apply so much pressure against opposing teams with its signature attack. The reasoning for Sub on the Garchomp is basically simple enough: punish passive play. If you are facing off against say an Arcanine or a mon which will likely protect, then go for the Sub. Not only does this allow Garchomp to get one hit safetly most of the times, but ensures pressure against the opposing team. Sub Chomp is also an excellent way to block Status conditions as well so consider that. The last move is a toss-up between Poison Jab or Dragon Claw since one gives you coverage against Fairy-types while the other helps against the opposing Dragon-type mirror match.
Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 4 Atk / 4 Def / 132 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Night Slash
- Sacred Sword
So this is Ray Rizzo's Kartana set, but honestly its the one of the best AV variants at the moment. With this Kartana, you pretty much live either Hydro Vortex from Golduck in the Rain or Techonic Rage from Garchomp as neither OHKO it without a crit or prior damage. Yes the damage output is somewhat "low", but its a mon with base 181 Attack, and has essentially Moxie. Though its moveset is rather limiting, just one KO and Kartana will be able to OHKO the vast majority of the threats in the VGC 17 format, though keep in mind you are using some low power attacks like Smart Strike or Night Slash.
Tapu Koko @ Focus Sash
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Taunt
- Protect
Finally we have Tapu Koko instead of Tapu Bulu since felt the team needed an answer for some weather-based offense. The set is pretty standard with Thunderbolt and Dazzling Gleam for STAB and Taunt to once again prevent status. It might be weird to have two Taunt users on this team but it can certainly suprise your opponent especially if they are attempting any form of setup strategies. The Focus Sash should let Tapu Koko live one threatening hit, and potentially retaliate back with on one its STAB options. Try to use Tapu Koko mid-to-late game to get pick off weaken targets. Not much to say.
So that's the team. Feel free to say your concerns about the mons, or ask why I changed some mons / moves for those listed. Again I hope this helps you out!
As for the rest of the team, its rather strong from a synergistic perspective, though don't see how "offensive" it is given the Support Arcanine and Defensive Gastrodon slowing it down. Arcanine and Gastrodon make sense on this team since they hold it together against some of the common threats in the format such as rain and steel types, though not sure how well they can face off against the mirror matches. Life Orb Gengar is an interesting choice will admit, and the damage output from both STABs do justify the item choice so no issues there. Personally, Substitute is ok, though Taunt can help this team deal with opposing TR setters like Porygon2, Oranguru, or Mimikyu, though they all have a great matchup against Gengar. Groundium Z Chomp makes sense atm since few things are able to take a hit from such a strong Z-Move, however give Chomp Poison Jab in place of Dragon Claw to hit the Fairy-types.
So if you want a good run down of the team, here's what it looks like.
Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Cursed Body
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Taunt / Hidden Power Ice
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
No changes on this Gengar except for the Taunt to prevent Setup or an incoming TR / Tailwind. Could try HP Ice with Gengar for Salamence and Garchomp to pickup some quick OHKOs against non Yache variants.
Arcanine @ Firium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 204 HP / 44 Atk / 20 Def / 60 SpD / 180 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Flare Blitz
- Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp
Changed Arcanine to be somewhat Physical to ensure it can deal more consistent damage as opposed to either Overheat / Burn Up. Did change up the the EVs to make Arcanine slightly specially defensive to make opposing P2 get the attack raise.
Gastrodon @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Storm Drain
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 140 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Scald
- Toxic
- Recover
Only difference here is Recover is to allow Gastrodon to stall out opposing mons with Toxic. If you want to move the Sitrus Berry to the Arcanine, try out Maranga Berry Gastrodon to give it more special defense. Again not much to say here.
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Substitute
- Poison Jab / Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
Do like Sub Z-Move Garchomp since it can apply so much pressure against opposing teams with its signature attack. The reasoning for Sub on the Garchomp is basically simple enough: punish passive play. If you are facing off against say an Arcanine or a mon which will likely protect, then go for the Sub. Not only does this allow Garchomp to get one hit safetly most of the times, but ensures pressure against the opposing team. Sub Chomp is also an excellent way to block Status conditions as well so consider that. The last move is a toss-up between Poison Jab or Dragon Claw since one gives you coverage against Fairy-types while the other helps against the opposing Dragon-type mirror match.
Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 4 Atk / 4 Def / 132 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Night Slash
- Sacred Sword
So this is Ray Rizzo's Kartana set, but honestly its the one of the best AV variants at the moment. With this Kartana, you pretty much live either Hydro Vortex from Golduck in the Rain or Techonic Rage from Garchomp as neither OHKO it without a crit or prior damage. Yes the damage output is somewhat "low", but its a mon with base 181 Attack, and has essentially Moxie. Though its moveset is rather limiting, just one KO and Kartana will be able to OHKO the vast majority of the threats in the VGC 17 format, though keep in mind you are using some low power attacks like Smart Strike or Night Slash.
Tapu Koko @ Focus Sash
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Taunt
- Protect
Finally we have Tapu Koko instead of Tapu Bulu since felt the team needed an answer for some weather-based offense. The set is pretty standard with Thunderbolt and Dazzling Gleam for STAB and Taunt to once again prevent status. It might be weird to have two Taunt users on this team but it can certainly suprise your opponent especially if they are attempting any form of setup strategies. The Focus Sash should let Tapu Koko live one threatening hit, and potentially retaliate back with on one its STAB options. Try to use Tapu Koko mid-to-late game to get pick off weaken targets. Not much to say.
So that's the team. Feel free to say your concerns about the mons, or ask why I changed some mons / moves for those listed. Again I hope this helps you out!
