Jan 3, 2017, 01:10 PM
Happy New Year!
This is going to probably be a little long, as I like to be as thorough as possible. I have been messing with this team for a while, and want all of your opinions and feedback on how I can improve it. It started out with me wanting to use two of my favorite Pokemon; Gengar and Silvally. After that I needed a good core I can fall back on so I went with a standard FWG core, something that will probably always be a strong option to use. So far the highest I have peaked was at 1711 on the BS doubles ladder using this team (or variants of while changing things around).
I have been pretty competitive in Pokemon for a long time, so I am no stranger to building teams; this one is a little different from my usual playstyle though. I normally go extremely hyper offensive, but I really wanted to try a different route and throw in some bulky Pokemon (while still having some fast hitters).
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Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Cursed Body
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Substitute
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
Even with the nerf Gengar took to losing Levitate, I still have a love for this Pokemon. Having extremely strong Poison STAB is invaluable in this meta with the Tapu's running around, and my Gengar is able to OHKO all but the bulkiest of Tapu Fini (which is becoming more popular) and Lele (but people generally have been running Choice Specs lately).
I like to use Substitute on Gengar because if I am able to get it up, Gengar instantly becomes a massive threat to almost any team. I use Life Orb on Gengar because it appreciates the extra damage. It turns what would be a 77.9-92.6% damage Sludge Bomb on 252HP/252 Sp.Atk Modest Tapu Lele into a guaranteed 101.9-120% attack.
There are two possible changes I am considering for Gengar. If I give it a Focus Sash, I have to change Substitute (which makes the Sash useless). I would probably switch it for something like Energy Ball (to take advantage of Grassy Terrain), Taunt, Thunderbolt, Dazzling Gleam, or Destiny Bond. Alternatively, Ghostium-Z Gengar is a Pokemon I see a lot of potential in having an extremely strong nuke in Never-Ending Nightmare or Z-Destiny Bond, allowing me to set up another Pokemon while taking something with me.
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Silvally @ Choice Scarf
Ability: RKS System
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Explosion
- Double-Edge
- Ice Fang
- Iron Head
Silvally is my favorite Pokemon from this generation, so I definitely wanted to make a team that used it. It is a standard scarf set. Unfortunately I can't use Parting Shot online otherwise I would replace something with that in a heartbeat. One of my favorite leads with this team is Gengar/Silvally. Getting an Explosion off will do massive damage, OHKOing Tapu Koko, Lele, practically anything that doesn't resist it or is excessively bulky.
Silvally is something that not a lot of people are used to going against, and being able to basically nearly eliminate any two Pokemon from an unsuspecting opponent is always hilarious to pull off.
Ice Fang is used against Garchomp and Salamence. Even at -1, it is still a guaranteed two hit KO on Salamence. Assault Vest has been popular lately on Garchomp, so a physical 4x attack is great to have. Standard Garchomp takes 76.5 - 91.8% from an Ice Fang and is only able to do 39.1%-46.1% damage back (50.8% minimum with Life Orb), which turns into 19.2 - 23.3% in Grassy Terrain (25.1%-30.4% damage with Life Orb, a 2.9% chance to 4HKO in Grassy Terrain).
Iron Head is another way to deal with Fairy and Ice types.
Double Edge is used if I want a strong STAB attack that does not make me lose Silvally.
I definitely want to run this Pokemon, but I might want to run an alternative set on it, or just switch the Choice Scarf for a Choice Band. I generally use it as a suicide lead whenever I bring it if my opponent doesn't have that many bulky Pokemon.
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Arcanine @ Firium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 204 HP / 68 Def / 36 SpA / 36 SpD / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Overheat
- Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp
The start of my FWG core; Arcanine is pretty bulky but still provides insane offensive pressure. Intimidate, Snarl, and Will-o-Wisp help with the longevity of my team and to survive a lot of attacks I otherwise wouldn't. The Speed EVs allow me to outspeed Adamant Krookadile, Jolly unboosted Gyarados, and Timid Xurkitree.
While my team may look like it can get walled by Celesteela, my Arcanine is pretty deceptive at handling it. Taking advantage of Firium-Z and Overheat, Arcanine gets an Inferno Overdrive that will OHKO Careful Celesteela up to 252HP/116Sp.Def outside of rain (100%-118.1%), which is a pretty impressive feat for only having 36Sp.Atk EVs put into it. It will also allow me to still launch a full-powered Overheat afterwards which is still deadly. Overheat at 36Sp.Atk EVs is also capable of OHKOing 252HP/4Sp.Def Tapu Bulu 93.8% of the time (dealing between 99.4% and 118.6%).
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Gastrodon @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Storm Drain
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 140 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Protect
- Scald
- Toxic
- Earthquake
This slot was originally filled with Tapu Fini, but I found that I struggled with Rain and Trick Room teams. I also didn't really ever use Tapu Fini, so I felt like Gastrodon would be a better fit. The EVs are pretty standard; they allow me to always live a Garchomp Tectonic Rage, A-Marowak Shadow Bone is a 3HKO after Sitrus Berry, while living many special attacking threats.
Providing me with both an Electric and Water immunity is extremely valuable. Toxic is there to deal with Porygon2 and other bulky Pokemon.
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Tapu Bulu @ Miracle Seed
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 4 SpD / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Wood Hammer
- Horn Leech
- Rock Slide
Rounding out my FWG core is a pretty standard Bulu set. It outspeeds uninvested base-speed 80 Pokemon. Can't really think of much to change here. I love having Grassy Terrain out, it definitely helps my Gengar and Arcanine.
Wood Hammer with 76 Atk EVs in Grassy Terrain with a Miracle Seed is guaranteed to OHKO Tapu Koko, Lele, and Fini, while also being able to take out 252HP/4Def Garchomp (while the HP and Defense EVs allow me to always survive a Jolly Garchomp Poison Jab).
I might switch this for my AV Kartana, but the Grassy Terrain is extremely valuable to my team. If I switch Gengar to Z-Destiny Bond I will probably switch out Rock Slide for Swords Dance.
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Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Dragon Claw
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
Another standard Garchomp set. I love using Groundium-Z on Garchomp as it allows me to have a powerful Ground attack, even with Grassy Terrain out. It also lets me use a ground attack when I have Gengar or Arcanine out without having to target them or waste a turn on Protect either.
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General leads/strategies
* Gengar/Silvally - If I can get a Substitute up while taking one or both of my opponents lead with Silvally, that is an ideal lead for me if the opponent does not have that many bulky/resistant Pokemon. Even if they are, Explosion will still do amazing damage to the opponent.
* Arcanine/Gastrodon - These two are able to wear down a lot of unprepared teams slowly but surely thanks to Intimidate/Toxic/Will-o-Wisp/Scald/Snarl. Thanks to Gastrodon being out, no one is going to use Water attacks against Arcanine, and Gastrodon is able to Scald any ground types that threaten Arcanine, while Arcanine is able to Overheat any Grass types that can be a problem for Gastrodon.
* Arcanine/Tapu Bulu - Again, Arcanine is able to weaken anything that would potentially threaten Bulu, while Bulu is able to take care of any threat to Arcanine. Any Steel type that tries to wall Bulu can get Overheat/Inferno Overdrive'd. Grassy Terrain also helps to deal with Earthquakes that would target down Arcanine.
* Tapu Bulu/Gastrodon - My general answer to rain teams. With Gastrodon out, I do not need to worry about a Hydro Vortex or anything, but Hurricane from Pelliper onto Bulu can be problematic. Sometimes I lead Silvally/Gastrodon against more frail rain teams as Explosion can take care of both Pelliper and Golduck unless Pelliper is max bulk (which isn't that common nowadays).
_____
Closing Thoughts
I have been having a lot of fun and success with this team lately, but I feel like it could be better. If you have any suggestions, criticisms or comments, feel free (and please do) to let me know your thoughts. Thank you for reading!
This is going to probably be a little long, as I like to be as thorough as possible. I have been messing with this team for a while, and want all of your opinions and feedback on how I can improve it. It started out with me wanting to use two of my favorite Pokemon; Gengar and Silvally. After that I needed a good core I can fall back on so I went with a standard FWG core, something that will probably always be a strong option to use. So far the highest I have peaked was at 1711 on the BS doubles ladder using this team (or variants of while changing things around).
I have been pretty competitive in Pokemon for a long time, so I am no stranger to building teams; this one is a little different from my usual playstyle though. I normally go extremely hyper offensive, but I really wanted to try a different route and throw in some bulky Pokemon (while still having some fast hitters).
_____
Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Cursed Body
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Substitute
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball
Even with the nerf Gengar took to losing Levitate, I still have a love for this Pokemon. Having extremely strong Poison STAB is invaluable in this meta with the Tapu's running around, and my Gengar is able to OHKO all but the bulkiest of Tapu Fini (which is becoming more popular) and Lele (but people generally have been running Choice Specs lately).
I like to use Substitute on Gengar because if I am able to get it up, Gengar instantly becomes a massive threat to almost any team. I use Life Orb on Gengar because it appreciates the extra damage. It turns what would be a 77.9-92.6% damage Sludge Bomb on 252HP/252 Sp.Atk Modest Tapu Lele into a guaranteed 101.9-120% attack.
There are two possible changes I am considering for Gengar. If I give it a Focus Sash, I have to change Substitute (which makes the Sash useless). I would probably switch it for something like Energy Ball (to take advantage of Grassy Terrain), Taunt, Thunderbolt, Dazzling Gleam, or Destiny Bond. Alternatively, Ghostium-Z Gengar is a Pokemon I see a lot of potential in having an extremely strong nuke in Never-Ending Nightmare or Z-Destiny Bond, allowing me to set up another Pokemon while taking something with me.
_____
Silvally @ Choice Scarf
Ability: RKS System
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Explosion
- Double-Edge
- Ice Fang
- Iron Head
Silvally is my favorite Pokemon from this generation, so I definitely wanted to make a team that used it. It is a standard scarf set. Unfortunately I can't use Parting Shot online otherwise I would replace something with that in a heartbeat. One of my favorite leads with this team is Gengar/Silvally. Getting an Explosion off will do massive damage, OHKOing Tapu Koko, Lele, practically anything that doesn't resist it or is excessively bulky.
Silvally is something that not a lot of people are used to going against, and being able to basically nearly eliminate any two Pokemon from an unsuspecting opponent is always hilarious to pull off.
Ice Fang is used against Garchomp and Salamence. Even at -1, it is still a guaranteed two hit KO on Salamence. Assault Vest has been popular lately on Garchomp, so a physical 4x attack is great to have. Standard Garchomp takes 76.5 - 91.8% from an Ice Fang and is only able to do 39.1%-46.1% damage back (50.8% minimum with Life Orb), which turns into 19.2 - 23.3% in Grassy Terrain (25.1%-30.4% damage with Life Orb, a 2.9% chance to 4HKO in Grassy Terrain).
Iron Head is another way to deal with Fairy and Ice types.
Double Edge is used if I want a strong STAB attack that does not make me lose Silvally.
I definitely want to run this Pokemon, but I might want to run an alternative set on it, or just switch the Choice Scarf for a Choice Band. I generally use it as a suicide lead whenever I bring it if my opponent doesn't have that many bulky Pokemon.
____
Arcanine @ Firium Z
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 204 HP / 68 Def / 36 SpA / 36 SpD / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Overheat
- Snarl
- Will-O-Wisp
The start of my FWG core; Arcanine is pretty bulky but still provides insane offensive pressure. Intimidate, Snarl, and Will-o-Wisp help with the longevity of my team and to survive a lot of attacks I otherwise wouldn't. The Speed EVs allow me to outspeed Adamant Krookadile, Jolly unboosted Gyarados, and Timid Xurkitree.
While my team may look like it can get walled by Celesteela, my Arcanine is pretty deceptive at handling it. Taking advantage of Firium-Z and Overheat, Arcanine gets an Inferno Overdrive that will OHKO Careful Celesteela up to 252HP/116Sp.Def outside of rain (100%-118.1%), which is a pretty impressive feat for only having 36Sp.Atk EVs put into it. It will also allow me to still launch a full-powered Overheat afterwards which is still deadly. Overheat at 36Sp.Atk EVs is also capable of OHKOing 252HP/4Sp.Def Tapu Bulu 93.8% of the time (dealing between 99.4% and 118.6%).
_____
Gastrodon @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Storm Drain
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Def / 140 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Protect
- Scald
- Toxic
- Earthquake
This slot was originally filled with Tapu Fini, but I found that I struggled with Rain and Trick Room teams. I also didn't really ever use Tapu Fini, so I felt like Gastrodon would be a better fit. The EVs are pretty standard; they allow me to always live a Garchomp Tectonic Rage, A-Marowak Shadow Bone is a 3HKO after Sitrus Berry, while living many special attacking threats.
Providing me with both an Electric and Water immunity is extremely valuable. Toxic is there to deal with Porygon2 and other bulky Pokemon.
____
Tapu Bulu @ Miracle Seed
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 4 SpD / 60 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Wood Hammer
- Horn Leech
- Rock Slide
Rounding out my FWG core is a pretty standard Bulu set. It outspeeds uninvested base-speed 80 Pokemon. Can't really think of much to change here. I love having Grassy Terrain out, it definitely helps my Gengar and Arcanine.
Wood Hammer with 76 Atk EVs in Grassy Terrain with a Miracle Seed is guaranteed to OHKO Tapu Koko, Lele, and Fini, while also being able to take out 252HP/4Def Garchomp (while the HP and Defense EVs allow me to always survive a Jolly Garchomp Poison Jab).
I might switch this for my AV Kartana, but the Grassy Terrain is extremely valuable to my team. If I switch Gengar to Z-Destiny Bond I will probably switch out Rock Slide for Swords Dance.
____
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Dragon Claw
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
Another standard Garchomp set. I love using Groundium-Z on Garchomp as it allows me to have a powerful Ground attack, even with Grassy Terrain out. It also lets me use a ground attack when I have Gengar or Arcanine out without having to target them or waste a turn on Protect either.
____
General leads/strategies
* Gengar/Silvally - If I can get a Substitute up while taking one or both of my opponents lead with Silvally, that is an ideal lead for me if the opponent does not have that many bulky/resistant Pokemon. Even if they are, Explosion will still do amazing damage to the opponent.
* Arcanine/Gastrodon - These two are able to wear down a lot of unprepared teams slowly but surely thanks to Intimidate/Toxic/Will-o-Wisp/Scald/Snarl. Thanks to Gastrodon being out, no one is going to use Water attacks against Arcanine, and Gastrodon is able to Scald any ground types that threaten Arcanine, while Arcanine is able to Overheat any Grass types that can be a problem for Gastrodon.
* Arcanine/Tapu Bulu - Again, Arcanine is able to weaken anything that would potentially threaten Bulu, while Bulu is able to take care of any threat to Arcanine. Any Steel type that tries to wall Bulu can get Overheat/Inferno Overdrive'd. Grassy Terrain also helps to deal with Earthquakes that would target down Arcanine.
* Tapu Bulu/Gastrodon - My general answer to rain teams. With Gastrodon out, I do not need to worry about a Hydro Vortex or anything, but Hurricane from Pelliper onto Bulu can be problematic. Sometimes I lead Silvally/Gastrodon against more frail rain teams as Explosion can take care of both Pelliper and Golduck unless Pelliper is max bulk (which isn't that common nowadays).
_____
Closing Thoughts
I have been having a lot of fun and success with this team lately, but I feel like it could be better. If you have any suggestions, criticisms or comments, feel free (and please do) to let me know your thoughts. Thank you for reading!
