Jan 6, 2017, 01:01 AM
Just a couple notes. When writing down your team in any future posts, makes sure you "import" it using Pokemon Showdown as it will have a text-format version of it prepared if you make one there. One last thing before the rate: always write EVs by this order: HP -> Atk -> Def -> SpA -> SpD -> Spe to make it easier for us import it to showdown as well.
Looking at your team, there are some problems like "lack" of a proper weather response as none of your mons are able to combat it well enough aside Gyarados, though that's shaky in of itself. Since this is a "Trick Room" team, my main concern is why is there only "one" setter instead of maybe two at most. Yes the Mimikyu can setup TR with its Disguise ability to assist, though more "consistent" setters are necessary for this team. This team has about 3 Pokemon weak to Ground-type attacks, and its still an issue with Groundium Z Chomp running dominant as this time. Tapu Bulu while bulky itself isn't the best "weather" response given it doesn't fair a good matchup against most mons (Pelipper, Ninetales, Torkoal), and doesn't do much for this team aside setup Grassy Terrain. Lucario with Quick Guard is questionable given how basically Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain acts as one, not to mention it still doesn't get any notable kills.
There are going to be some considerable changes to this team, but note these changes will be dependent on you and its entirely up to you to decide whether they fit best. That said, will provide explanations for each mon.
Gyarados @ Waterium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 212 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Dragon Dance
- Protect
If Gyarados is going to run Dragon Dance, always give it a good speed benchmark so it can perform its task well. This set is somewhat standardized, but at least it can outspeed Smeargle / Jolly Tapu Bulu, and opposing Tapu Koko at +1 Speed. Gave Gyara Waterium Z to at least give this team some extra firepower to nuke targets, though do this once the Water/Flying-type is at about +1/+2 in Attack. Ice Fang is listed to help against opposing Dragon-, Flying-, or Grass-types so just a basic coverage option. Again not much to say, but try to changes the EVs into HP, Def, and SpD to let Gyara take some hits as well.
Marowak-Alola @ Thick Club
Ability: Lightning Rod
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Atk / 84 Def / 92 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Flare Blitz
- Shadow Bone
- Protect
- Substitute / Perish Song
This Alolan Marowak is probably the "nucleus" of the team given how its main task is to provide offensive pressure to threaten opposing Mons in TR and support against electric-type against Gyarados and Celesteela (will say why I added this mon later). Flare Blitz and Shadow Bone are self explanatory, but it gives A-Marowak great coverage against opposing teams notably Psychic mons like Tapu Lele or Metagross. Now the third slot is entirely up to you, though feel as if it will help A-Marowak function well for this team in the long run. Substitute lets A-Marowak gain a decoy to maintain offensive pressure entirely in your favor. Try to use Sub when your opponent has to "protect" or plays "passively" as this can punish their game plans as they have to potentially double target to deal with Marowak. Perish Song is a fun strategy to mess up opposing setup or defensive teams as it forces them to play on a "timer". Keep in mind, if you are in a 4-2 or 4-3 lead, Perish Song can be a win con so you can easily stall for 3 turns until the "slowest" mon faints. Again try to use Alolan Marowak for its role as the main damage dealer while maintain its niche roles mentioned here.
Oh and the EV spread lets Alolan Marowak take potentially 3 EQs from Garchomp after an Intimidate from Gyarados while takes a Psychic Terrain boosted Psychic from Tapu Lele.
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 188 HP / 68 Atk / 84 Def / 4 SpA / 164 SpD
Brave Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower / Substitute
- Leech Seed
- Protect
For those wondering why I swapped Metagross for Celesteela is since you're team has a number of weaknesses to Ground and Ghost already. The bulk from Celesteela can help provide cover against opposing threats like Garchomp, Gengar, Tapu Lele, Tapu Fini, etc and can consistently hold them down with the combination of SubSeed + Heavy Slam. If you are worried that this Celesteela set is too passive, Flamethrower can be helpful fighting off against opposing Fire-type weak mons like Kartana. Made this Celesteela set moderately bulky to take -1 LO Flare Blitz from Arcanine and a Modest Tapu Koko's T-bolt, though it has to be without Terrains. Do note the EVs help Celesteela gain attack every time it gets an OHKO and can progressively be a threat throughout the battle.
Mimikyu @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Disguise
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Play Rough
- Taunt
- Trick Room
Mimikyu can run a simple 4 / 252 / 252 set that can get the job done. Yes this Mimikyu has no protect and is max speed, but this ensures it always faster than opposing Tapu Lele bar scarf to threaten for the OHKO with either Shadow Claw or its Z-Move variant. To explain why have a fast Trick Room mon like Mimikyu, consider the rest of your mons are already "slow" and Mimikyu can still threaten faster Pokemon like Pheromosa or Tapu Koko in TR with either STAB or Z-Move. Think of Mimikyu as a suicide lead of sorts to be able to keep momentum of the battle in your favor, so don't blindly setup TR unless needed. If facing against "hard" TR, consider bringing either Mimikyu or Porygon2 as they can "reverse" TR so your team can have the advantage long term. Taunt is listed to prevent opposing setup, including opposing Trick Room or Tailwind.
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 20 Def / 36 SpA / 196 SpD / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Ice Beam
- Shadow Ball
- Recover
- Trick Room / Toxic
Porygon2 is the 2nd TR setter on this team given how the team lacks another one and needs a makeshift answer to opposing Ghost- and Dragon-types (hence the moveset). Gave this duck a ton of Special Defense to allow it give it a good chance to take a Hydro Vortex from Golduck + Scald from Pelipper, though Mimikyu can probably do a better job at setting TR against rain. Porygon2 is substantially bulky and paired with most of the other defensive mons like Celesteela can help hold the team together for a time. Against opposing defensive teams, I'd recommend using P2 only for the "long game" but if it can get the download boost, well P2 can threaten most mons like Garchomp, Tapu Lele, Alolan Marowak, Salamence, etc with its set. If you don't like TR, then Toxic can be added to help the team against bulky stuff like Milotic, Arcanine, or Gastrodon.
Tapu Koko @ Assault Vest
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 4 SpA / 148 SpD / 100 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt / Nature's Madness
- Discharge
- Dazzling Gleam
- Volt Switch
Finally we have a somewhat decent answer to opposing weather teams, this Assault Vest Tapu Koko. Now note that AV Tapu Koko doesn't have much damage output when running this set, but it can direct the teams offense quite well. Thanks to the AV, Tapu Koko can live a Psychic-Terrain STAB from Tapu Lele and a Hydro Vortex from Golduck so you have a good rain response with Tapu Koko, Mimikyu, and/or Porygon2. The key here is to attempt to Volt Switch around the opposing team's "switch outs" to get better positioning, so that way you'll always be able to respond to their switch well. Since there are some single target Electric-type attacks, Discharge is listed down to hit opposing mons while avoid being redirected by Lightening Rod users. When using this, don't make the mistake of using Volt Switch while switching or having Alolan Marowak on the field since its a wasted turn and you'll mess up the battle badly. Only other move to consider is Nature's Madness over T-bolt or Volt Switch (if you want) so you'll do about 50% to a target, which can be great to setup of opposing OHKOs later on.
So yeah that's the team. Another Pokemon I'd recommend on this team is either Garchomp / Krookodile with the Groundium Z so you can be able to OHKO so many threats at once. Feel free to use this team if you want, though it is somewhat radically different from the other team given it lacked a bit of synergy with the other mons. If so, ask for clarification on any mons and will gladly respond.
Looking at your team, there are some problems like "lack" of a proper weather response as none of your mons are able to combat it well enough aside Gyarados, though that's shaky in of itself. Since this is a "Trick Room" team, my main concern is why is there only "one" setter instead of maybe two at most. Yes the Mimikyu can setup TR with its Disguise ability to assist, though more "consistent" setters are necessary for this team. This team has about 3 Pokemon weak to Ground-type attacks, and its still an issue with Groundium Z Chomp running dominant as this time. Tapu Bulu while bulky itself isn't the best "weather" response given it doesn't fair a good matchup against most mons (Pelipper, Ninetales, Torkoal), and doesn't do much for this team aside setup Grassy Terrain. Lucario with Quick Guard is questionable given how basically Tapu Lele's Psychic Terrain acts as one, not to mention it still doesn't get any notable kills.
There are going to be some considerable changes to this team, but note these changes will be dependent on you and its entirely up to you to decide whether they fit best. That said, will provide explanations for each mon.
Gyarados @ Waterium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 212 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Ice Fang
- Dragon Dance
- Protect
If Gyarados is going to run Dragon Dance, always give it a good speed benchmark so it can perform its task well. This set is somewhat standardized, but at least it can outspeed Smeargle / Jolly Tapu Bulu, and opposing Tapu Koko at +1 Speed. Gave Gyara Waterium Z to at least give this team some extra firepower to nuke targets, though do this once the Water/Flying-type is at about +1/+2 in Attack. Ice Fang is listed to help against opposing Dragon-, Flying-, or Grass-types so just a basic coverage option. Again not much to say, but try to changes the EVs into HP, Def, and SpD to let Gyara take some hits as well.
Marowak-Alola @ Thick Club
Ability: Lightning Rod
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Atk / 84 Def / 92 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Flare Blitz
- Shadow Bone
- Protect
- Substitute / Perish Song
This Alolan Marowak is probably the "nucleus" of the team given how its main task is to provide offensive pressure to threaten opposing Mons in TR and support against electric-type against Gyarados and Celesteela (will say why I added this mon later). Flare Blitz and Shadow Bone are self explanatory, but it gives A-Marowak great coverage against opposing teams notably Psychic mons like Tapu Lele or Metagross. Now the third slot is entirely up to you, though feel as if it will help A-Marowak function well for this team in the long run. Substitute lets A-Marowak gain a decoy to maintain offensive pressure entirely in your favor. Try to use Sub when your opponent has to "protect" or plays "passively" as this can punish their game plans as they have to potentially double target to deal with Marowak. Perish Song is a fun strategy to mess up opposing setup or defensive teams as it forces them to play on a "timer". Keep in mind, if you are in a 4-2 or 4-3 lead, Perish Song can be a win con so you can easily stall for 3 turns until the "slowest" mon faints. Again try to use Alolan Marowak for its role as the main damage dealer while maintain its niche roles mentioned here.
Oh and the EV spread lets Alolan Marowak take potentially 3 EQs from Garchomp after an Intimidate from Gyarados while takes a Psychic Terrain boosted Psychic from Tapu Lele.
Celesteela @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 188 HP / 68 Atk / 84 Def / 4 SpA / 164 SpD
Brave Nature
- Heavy Slam
- Flamethrower / Substitute
- Leech Seed
- Protect
For those wondering why I swapped Metagross for Celesteela is since you're team has a number of weaknesses to Ground and Ghost already. The bulk from Celesteela can help provide cover against opposing threats like Garchomp, Gengar, Tapu Lele, Tapu Fini, etc and can consistently hold them down with the combination of SubSeed + Heavy Slam. If you are worried that this Celesteela set is too passive, Flamethrower can be helpful fighting off against opposing Fire-type weak mons like Kartana. Made this Celesteela set moderately bulky to take -1 LO Flare Blitz from Arcanine and a Modest Tapu Koko's T-bolt, though it has to be without Terrains. Do note the EVs help Celesteela gain attack every time it gets an OHKO and can progressively be a threat throughout the battle.
Mimikyu @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Disguise
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Shadow Claw
- Play Rough
- Taunt
- Trick Room
Mimikyu can run a simple 4 / 252 / 252 set that can get the job done. Yes this Mimikyu has no protect and is max speed, but this ensures it always faster than opposing Tapu Lele bar scarf to threaten for the OHKO with either Shadow Claw or its Z-Move variant. To explain why have a fast Trick Room mon like Mimikyu, consider the rest of your mons are already "slow" and Mimikyu can still threaten faster Pokemon like Pheromosa or Tapu Koko in TR with either STAB or Z-Move. Think of Mimikyu as a suicide lead of sorts to be able to keep momentum of the battle in your favor, so don't blindly setup TR unless needed. If facing against "hard" TR, consider bringing either Mimikyu or Porygon2 as they can "reverse" TR so your team can have the advantage long term. Taunt is listed to prevent opposing setup, including opposing Trick Room or Tailwind.
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 20 Def / 36 SpA / 196 SpD / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Ice Beam
- Shadow Ball
- Recover
- Trick Room / Toxic
Porygon2 is the 2nd TR setter on this team given how the team lacks another one and needs a makeshift answer to opposing Ghost- and Dragon-types (hence the moveset). Gave this duck a ton of Special Defense to allow it give it a good chance to take a Hydro Vortex from Golduck + Scald from Pelipper, though Mimikyu can probably do a better job at setting TR against rain. Porygon2 is substantially bulky and paired with most of the other defensive mons like Celesteela can help hold the team together for a time. Against opposing defensive teams, I'd recommend using P2 only for the "long game" but if it can get the download boost, well P2 can threaten most mons like Garchomp, Tapu Lele, Alolan Marowak, Salamence, etc with its set. If you don't like TR, then Toxic can be added to help the team against bulky stuff like Milotic, Arcanine, or Gastrodon.
Tapu Koko @ Assault Vest
Ability: Electric Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 4 SpA / 148 SpD / 100 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt / Nature's Madness
- Discharge
- Dazzling Gleam
- Volt Switch
Finally we have a somewhat decent answer to opposing weather teams, this Assault Vest Tapu Koko. Now note that AV Tapu Koko doesn't have much damage output when running this set, but it can direct the teams offense quite well. Thanks to the AV, Tapu Koko can live a Psychic-Terrain STAB from Tapu Lele and a Hydro Vortex from Golduck so you have a good rain response with Tapu Koko, Mimikyu, and/or Porygon2. The key here is to attempt to Volt Switch around the opposing team's "switch outs" to get better positioning, so that way you'll always be able to respond to their switch well. Since there are some single target Electric-type attacks, Discharge is listed down to hit opposing mons while avoid being redirected by Lightening Rod users. When using this, don't make the mistake of using Volt Switch while switching or having Alolan Marowak on the field since its a wasted turn and you'll mess up the battle badly. Only other move to consider is Nature's Madness over T-bolt or Volt Switch (if you want) so you'll do about 50% to a target, which can be great to setup of opposing OHKOs later on.
So yeah that's the team. Another Pokemon I'd recommend on this team is either Garchomp / Krookodile with the Groundium Z so you can be able to OHKO so many threats at once. Feel free to use this team if you want, though it is somewhat radically different from the other team given it lacked a bit of synergy with the other mons. If so, ask for clarification on any mons and will gladly respond.
