Building my first team

[An1ma]

looks gr8 m8 r8 6,9/11 :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

[Yujii]

You have a strong team with a lot of top tier, as last pokemon I advise you Conkeldurr ~ Adamant with 252 EV on ATK & HP & 6 on SPDEF - Assault Vest item or Toxic Orb.

- Mach punch (good priority)

- Superpower (best stab)

- Knock Off (for Ghost pokémon and still good for remove item)

- Poison Jab (Fairy Pkmn)

:Grin:

A Talonflame has more synergy with the team, Talonflame benefits much more from the team (duggy support for trap ttar, a good check for Swords Dance Offensive talonflame, maybe Blissey's Thunderbolt helps with Slowbro), already Conkeldurr ... which is His synergy with the team? And talonflame offers you important resists like: Fight and Ground

[Theprodigy]

About the Blissey, if its not a Blissey already Chansey Eviolite gives it more defense and sp.def. IMO Chansey Eviolite is just a bit better than Blissey. You might be thinking "well Blissey gets leftovers though" in my experience soft boiled is enough to get the healing job done so yeah that's some of the reasons why chansey is better than Blissey.

 

Dude, this Blissey has Thunderbolt, and Blisseys with Thunderbolt / Ice Beam / Flamethrower are preferred instead of Chansey since they have a larger SpA

 

The blissey is not meant for any attack, of any sort, blissey/ chancey has toxic, soft boiled, protect/wish, and one sp.move just to do minor damage. It doesn't need the sp.atk boost

[Nelkos]

Hey,

 

Thanks a lot for the move sets advice.

I chose this ev spread on dugtrio to survive vs a Blissey. And about togekiss, i though a leader need some hp to set up the early game.

I have a question about skarmory. What is the best nature, impish ? Is that worth to use two entry hazard (spikes/stealth rock) ?

 

Thanks,

Nelkos

[Jorogumo]

Taunt Gengar is a threat for multiple reasons:

1. Levitate gives Gengar an immunity to Arena Trap and Spikes. Sucker Punch won't work, because Gengar is not going to try to take on Dugtrio and will end up switching out.

2. Taunt allows Gengar to prevent Tentacruel from using Rapid Spin, and Thunderbolt is an option that Gengar can run (although the expected moveset will most likely be Shadow Ball, Sudge Bomb, Focus Blast and Taunt). Not being able to Rapid Spin entry hazards away means that Dugtrio will almost be rendered useless.

3. Taunt also enables Gengar to break past Blissey and a potential Skarmory, respectively with Focus Blast and Shadow Ball.

4. Ferrothorn can not safely switch into Gengar (Focus Blast will almost OHKO your fully physically defensive Ferrothorn), but can OHKO the latter with Gyro Ball.

5. If Gengar is paired with a Magnezone (Gengar synergizes well with the latter thanks to an immunity to ground-type and fighting-type moves), then you'll be in trouble.

 

I recommend a mixed build for Ferrothorn, with the combination of Leech Seed and Protect, which would allow you to regain some HP more easily, while scouting for Gengar's next move. If you run Skarmory and mixed Ferrothorn, go for the physically defensive variant of the steel bird, as it synergizes well with Chansey/Blissey. Because Magnezone is a huge threat to your team (if you fail to remove Stealth Rock, Dugtrio will die to Flash Cannon and won't be able to eliminate Magnezone from play), you should maybe consider running Shed Shell on Skarmory, since you already have a Pokémon that can be trapped by Magnet Pull. This will also allows you to gain momentum, as Magnezone will be expecting to get rid of Skarmory. You can then proceed to switch to Dugtrio rather safely (on a probable Thunderbolt), in order to OHKO Magnezone with Earthquake.

 

Magnezone tends to run a Choice item (usually Specs, but Scarf should still be kept in mind), making Tentacruel a good check to expected Flash Cannon and HP Fire. The latter can also deal with Gengar relatively well, although Shadow Ball will hurt Timid variants more than bulkier ones. Black Sludge is good for passive recovery. AV is too situational and wouldn't enable you to run Toxic Spikes on Tentacruel. However, it would improve Tentacruel's performance against Gengar and, to a certain extent, Magnezone. Choice Band Scizor (with Superpower) can really hurt your team. Physically defensive Skarmory helps with that, but Scald Tentacruel is a decent check. Swords Dance Scizor will OHKO Togekiss with Bullet Punch if it buffs up once, but it usually runs Roost and U-turn, so Ferrothorn can work in tandem with Tentacruel. It must be noted, though, that Scizor will just proceed to buff up against Ferrothorn, because Thunder Wave doesn't really stop Scizor from being a big threat. However, a burn from Tentacruel's Scald will prevent Scizor from sweeping. If you decide to use Skarmory against Scizor, remember that their respective speeds (assuming max IVs) are 176 and 166. Scizor might not have any speed EVs and run HP and attack EVs (if Adamant) or even HP EVs with a mix of attack and defense EVs (if Impish). Other EV combinations are possible, depending on the team's needs. The point is: if you roost against a Scizor, you become vulnerable to Superpower. Skarmory should not be totally shut down by Taunt and, as such, should run a move (Brave Bird and Iron Head are good STAB options). Brave Bird can help against Scizor. Roost is a must. Whirlwind is recommended, in order to avoid being setup bait. Spikes are a good option for the last move slot, but your team, which has Stealth Rock, Spikes and Toxic Spikes, doesn't have a way of preventing the enemy team from using Rapid Spin (e.g. Gengar, Cofagrigus) and can't punish Defog users (like Bisharp can).

 

I hope I have been of some help. Good luck!

[Yujii]

About the Blissey, if its not a Blissey already Chansey Eviolite gives it more defense and sp.def. IMO Chansey Eviolite is just a bit better than Blissey. You might be thinking "well Blissey gets leftovers though" in my experience soft boiled is enough to get the healing job done so yeah that's some of the reasons why chansey is better than Blissey.

 

Dude, this Blissey has Thunderbolt, and Blisseys with Thunderbolt / Ice Beam / Flamethrower are preferred instead of Chansey since they have a larger SpA

 

The blissey is not meant for any attack, of any sort, blissey/ chancey has toxic, soft boiled, protect/wish, and one sp.move just to do minor damage. It doesn't need the sp.atk boost

LOL,dude, Ice Beam is a way to deal with stallbreakers like: Gliscor, Flamethrower is a way to deal with Steel-types that are obviously immune to toxic, and thunderbolt is a way of dealing with Bulky Water-Types, it makes a big difference in Damage between Blissey and Chansey

Blissey's calculations: 0 SpA Blissey Ice Beam vs. 244 HP / 200+ SpD Gliscor: 188-224 (53.4 - 63.6%) - 84.8% chance to 2HKO after Poison Heal

Chansey's calculations: 0 SpA Chansey Ice Beam vs. 244 HP / 200+ SpD Gliscor: 108-128 (30.6 - 36.3%) - 11.8% chance to 4HKO after Poison Heal

If it was bad, neither in Smogon would the Calm Mind Blissey set with the BoltBeam combo...

[Yujii]

Taunt Gengar is a threat for multiple reasons:

1. Levitate gives Gengar an immunity to Arena Trap and Spikes. Sucker Punch won't work, because Gengar is not going to try to take on Dugtrio and will end up switching out.

2. Taunt allows Gengar to prevent Tentacruel from using Rapid Spin, and Thunderbolt is an option that Gengar can run (although the expected moveset will most likely be Shadow Ball, Sudge Bomb, Focus Blast and Taunt). Not being able to Rapid Spin entry hazards away means that Dugtrio will almost be rendered useless.

3. Taunt also enables Gengar to break past Blissey and a potential Skarmory, respectively with Focus Blast and Shadow Ball.

4. Ferrothorn can not safely switch into Gengar (Focus Blast will almost OHKO your fully physically defensive Ferrothorn), but can OHKO the latter with Gyro Ball.

5. If Gengar is paired with a Magnezone (Gengar synergizes well with the latter thanks to an immunity to ground-type and fighting-type moves), then you'll be in trouble.

 

I recommend a mixed build for Ferrothorn, with the combination of Leech Seed and Protect, which would allow you to regain some HP more easily, while scouting for Gengar's next move. If you run Skarmory and mixed Ferrothorn, go for the physically defensive variant of the steel bird, as it synergizes well with Chansey/Blissey. Because Magnezone is a huge threat to your team (if you fail to remove Stealth Rock, Dugtrio will die to Flash Cannon and won't be able to eliminate Magnezone from play), you should maybe consider running Shed Shell on Skarmory, since you already have a Pokémon that can be trapped by Magnet Pull. This will also allows you to gain momentum, as Magnezone will be expecting to get rid of Skarmory. You can then proceed to switch to Dugtrio rather safely (on a probable Thunderbolt), in order to OHKO Magnezone with Earthquake.

 

Magnezone tends to run a Choice item (usually Specs, but Scarf should still be kept in mind), making Tentacruel a good check to expected Flash Cannon and HP Fire. The latter can also deal with Gengar relatively well, although Shadow Ball will hurt Timid variants more than bulkier ones. Black Sludge is good for passive recovery. AV is too situational and wouldn't enable you to run Toxic Spikes on Tentacruel. However, it would improve Tentacruel's performance against Gengar and, to a certain extent, Magnezone. Choice Band Scizor (with Superpower) can really hurt your team. Physically defensive Skarmory helps with that, but Scald Tentacruel is a decent check. Swords Dance Scizor will OHKO Togekiss with Bullet Punch if it buffs up once, but it usually runs Roost and U-turn, so Ferrothorn can work in tandem with Tentacruel. It must be noted, though, that Scizor will just proceed to buff up against Ferrothorn, because Thunder Wave doesn't really stop Scizor from being a big threat. However, a burn from Tentacruel's Scald will prevent Scizor from sweeping. If you decide to use Skarmory against Scizor, remember that their respective speeds (assuming max IVs) are 176 and 166. Scizor might not have any speed EVs and run HP and attack EVs (if Adamant) or even HP EVs with a mix of attack and defense EVs (if Impish). Other EV combinations are possible, depending on the team's needs. The point is: if you roost against a Scizor, you become vulnerable to Superpower. Skarmory should not be totally shut down by Taunt and, as such, should run a move (Brave Bird and Iron Head are good STAB options). Brave Bird can help against Scizor. Roost is a must. Whirlwind is recommended, in order to avoid being setup bait. Spikes are a good option for the last move slot, but your team, which has Stealth Rock, Spikes and Toxic Spikes, doesn't have a way of preventing the enemy team from using Rapid Spin (e.g. Gengar, Cofagrigus) and can't punish Defog users (like Bisharp can).

 

I hope I have been of some help. Good luck!

Gengar is a threat for any team, this mon not have counters ...

[Jorogumo]

Gengar is a threat for any team, this mon not have counters ...

 

He has some checks (like specially defensive Skarmory and specially defensive Gliscor) that can't really switch in, because they would have to roost forever until they out-PP Shadow Ball. However, if Gliscor can be safely brought in, Knock Off will be deadly, unless Gengar is carrying Icy Wind or HP Ice.

 

As far as actual counters go, AV Goodra is up there. Here are some calculations, assuming a Modest nature and a lot of investment in both HP and special attack EVs:

252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Shadow Ball vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 79-95 (20.7 - 24.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Sludge Bomb vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 90-107 (23.6 - 28%) -- 86.3% chance to 4HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Gengar Focus Blast vs. 240 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Goodra: 81-95 (21.2 - 24.9%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

252+ SpA Goodra Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Gengar: 262-309 (101.1 - 119.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

 

On top of being able to take on all of Gengar's attacks (and never taking more than 28% damage from them), Goodra can be called a counter to Gengar, being able to switch in, tank two hits, then proceed to OHKO Gengar with a powerful Draco Meteor.

 

AV Conkeldurr doesn't appreciate taking hits from Gengar, but can avoid the 2HKO from any of them and OHKO Gengar back with Knock Off. Specially defensive Mandibuzz can survive the 2HKO from Sludge Bomb and OHKO Gengar with Knock Off, too. Calm variants of Dragalge can easily take on Gengar and threaten the latter with Draco Meteor, while regaining HP thanks to Black Sludge. Now that people can get Raikou, they can run Assault Vest and Shadow Ball, too, especially because getting HP Ice IVs is highly unlikely (unless/until it becomes possible in the future to reroll IVs).

 

While it's true that not much can switch into Gengar and tank 2 hits, a lot of Pokémon can easily revenge kill him with priority attacks. Also, keep in mind that, just like offensive Starmie, Gengar is going to force a lot of Pokémon out, while wearing himself down because of Life Orb recoil.

[Yujii]

Hm ... really Goodra AV is a good counter for Gengar, but can not disagree, this is a threat to any team, just like Azumarill.

[Idkup]

av goodra is not really an effective counter to anything given that it has no recovery whatsoever and is easily whittled down by sandstorm (which is omnipresent) and status. Use it as more than anything other than a secondary check at your own peril.