Jul 18, 2015, 05:56 AM
I'm back with another team build and I'm excited about this one because I've put together a competitive team featuring Mega Sceptile. Sceptile is a great Pokémon, but it's often overlooked because it does need a lot of support. Every Pokémon on this team supports Sceptile in some way or another, but is still able to stand alone in case he goes down. Without further ado, here is my team. Have any feedback or suggestions? Let me know!
Sceptile @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow/Unburden
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Energy Ball
- Dragon Pulse
- Quick Guard
- Protect
Mega Sceptile has power and utility. Having Quick Guard support is worth giving up Hidden Power Fire or Focus Blast because it catches priority users off guard and allows my Rotom-W to use Discharge, damaging both opponents and raising Sceptile's already high special attack thanks to Lightning Rod. Of the three matches I played on Showdown, Quick Guard was instrumental in all three of them. Some people might prefer to use Giga Drain or Leaf Storm over Energy Ball, but I have a good reason for choosing Energy Ball. I went with Energy Ball over Giga Drain because it has a base power of 90 over Giga Drain's 75 and even though Leaf Storm is more powerful, I didn't want the drop in special attack. The strategy for Sceptile is to increase it's special attack and hit hard, not boost it just to lower it.
Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Def / 80 SpA / 132 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Discharge
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Rotom-W is essential for this team to work. Discharge is a nice spread move, but it's main purpose is to increase Mega Sceptile's special attack via Lightning Rod. Having Will-O-Wisp support is also beneficial to Sceptile, as it's defense is relatively frail. Hydro Pump hits Fire-types that are super effective against Sceptile hard while Protect can be used for longevity or mind games.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 176 HP / 252 SpA / 80 Spe
Modest Nature
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Substitute
- Protect
Heatran has great synergy with both Sceptile and Rotom-W. Heatran resists both of Sceptile's and Rotom-W's weaknesses while also having Flash Fire to absorb Fire-type attacks. Earth Power deals with Steel-types like Bisharp and other Heatran that would otherwise wall Sceptile. Substitute and Protect, along with Leftovers, helps Heatran stay on the field longer. Heatran is great because it applies offensive pressure whenever it's on the field, which takes the heat off Sceptile.
Gengar @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Taunt
- Icy Wind
- Protect
So after I constructed my core of M-Sceptile, Rotom-W, and Heatran, I wanted to fill any holes I had. Gengar came to mind because of how versatile it is. Whether you use Gengar as an offensive threat, for support, or both, Gengar is always a great choice when looking to compensate for any shortcomings. In this case, I needed a Taunt user and and option for speed control. Mega Sceptile also doesn't like Fairy-type attacks from Gardevoir or Sylveon so adding a Poison-type to my roster was needed.
Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 20 HP / 244 Atk / 12 Def / 228 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- Ice Punch
Conkeldurr is used for overall bulk and move coverage. Drain Punch is mainly meant to deal with M-Kangaskhan, but also serves to increase Conkeldurr's longevity on the field. Knock Off can be used to hit Psychic-types like Cresselia super effectively and also deal with bulky Pokémon that rely on items. I needed a Pokémon that could use Rock Slide because, let's face it, every VCG team should have at least one Rock Slide user. Ice Punch is used mainly for Landorus-T.
Sylveon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 188 HP / 68 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Shadow Ball
- Psyshock
- Hyper Beam
Other Dragon-types threaten Mega Sceptile so I figured a good Fairy-type Pokémon would balance out the team. There's not much originality to this set, but you can't go wrong with Choice Specs Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice.
Sceptile @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow/Unburden
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Energy Ball
- Dragon Pulse
- Quick Guard
- Protect
Mega Sceptile has power and utility. Having Quick Guard support is worth giving up Hidden Power Fire or Focus Blast because it catches priority users off guard and allows my Rotom-W to use Discharge, damaging both opponents and raising Sceptile's already high special attack thanks to Lightning Rod. Of the three matches I played on Showdown, Quick Guard was instrumental in all three of them. Some people might prefer to use Giga Drain or Leaf Storm over Energy Ball, but I have a good reason for choosing Energy Ball. I went with Energy Ball over Giga Drain because it has a base power of 90 over Giga Drain's 75 and even though Leaf Storm is more powerful, I didn't want the drop in special attack. The strategy for Sceptile is to increase it's special attack and hit hard, not boost it just to lower it.
Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 44 Def / 80 SpA / 132 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Discharge
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Rotom-W is essential for this team to work. Discharge is a nice spread move, but it's main purpose is to increase Mega Sceptile's special attack via Lightning Rod. Having Will-O-Wisp support is also beneficial to Sceptile, as it's defense is relatively frail. Hydro Pump hits Fire-types that are super effective against Sceptile hard while Protect can be used for longevity or mind games.
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 176 HP / 252 SpA / 80 Spe
Modest Nature
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
- Substitute
- Protect
Heatran has great synergy with both Sceptile and Rotom-W. Heatran resists both of Sceptile's and Rotom-W's weaknesses while also having Flash Fire to absorb Fire-type attacks. Earth Power deals with Steel-types like Bisharp and other Heatran that would otherwise wall Sceptile. Substitute and Protect, along with Leftovers, helps Heatran stay on the field longer. Heatran is great because it applies offensive pressure whenever it's on the field, which takes the heat off Sceptile.
Gengar @ Focus Sash
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sludge Bomb
- Taunt
- Icy Wind
- Protect
So after I constructed my core of M-Sceptile, Rotom-W, and Heatran, I wanted to fill any holes I had. Gengar came to mind because of how versatile it is. Whether you use Gengar as an offensive threat, for support, or both, Gengar is always a great choice when looking to compensate for any shortcomings. In this case, I needed a Taunt user and and option for speed control. Mega Sceptile also doesn't like Fairy-type attacks from Gardevoir or Sylveon so adding a Poison-type to my roster was needed.
Conkeldurr @ Assault Vest
Ability: Guts
EVs: 20 HP / 244 Atk / 12 Def / 228 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- Ice Punch
Conkeldurr is used for overall bulk and move coverage. Drain Punch is mainly meant to deal with M-Kangaskhan, but also serves to increase Conkeldurr's longevity on the field. Knock Off can be used to hit Psychic-types like Cresselia super effectively and also deal with bulky Pokémon that rely on items. I needed a Pokémon that could use Rock Slide because, let's face it, every VCG team should have at least one Rock Slide user. Ice Punch is used mainly for Landorus-T.
Sylveon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 188 HP / 68 Def / 252 SpA
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Shadow Ball
- Psyshock
- Hyper Beam
Other Dragon-types threaten Mega Sceptile so I figured a good Fairy-type Pokémon would balance out the team. There's not much originality to this set, but you can't go wrong with Choice Specs Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice.
