My first team. Would welcome feedback

[megaman666]

Hi all, I recently joined these forums as a result of getting back into Pokemon after a very long break. I played Red/Yellow on GBC a long time ago (cant even remember when that was?? I know I was a lot younger!) but recently decided to get back into it so bought a 3DS XL and a copy of Y. Love the game, totally hooked again in no time at all.

After completing a play through, I decided Id have a go at battling other people, which I had never done before and soon realised that there was a lot more to it than I knew. After doing a bit of reading I decided to have a crack at making my own competetive team, so here is my very first attempt. Its taken me 1 week to breed, hatch and train and theyre now sitting comfortably at around lvl 70-80 having learned all the moves etc. Im yet to try them out though, perhaps later today when I get back from work.

Anyway, without further ado, here is my first go at putting a team together. I'd really welcome constructive feedback, whats good about it, whats bad about it and why.. but like I said, first go so be gentle!

 

[TerraTF]

First thing first. Extremely detailed. Maybe a little too much. Most team spreadsheets include the Pokemon, Ability, Item, Nature, EVs, IVs, and moves. Not that being overly detailed is a problem but to each their own.

Now for team feedback. Just some basic team building, you put EVs in HP before you put EVs in Def or SpD unless the Pokemon is named Chansey.

I'm assuming this is for Battle Spot Singles. Big thing I notice is that you have nothing to stop M-Kangaskhan, only to slow it down. Your best bet for beating an M-Kangaskhan at all is Blaziken and you're impeding it greatly. Choice Band is definitely not a bad decision to make on Blaziken but the attacks are just bad. A CB Blaziken will OHKO M-Kangaskhan with Low Kick under the condition that Blaziken is at least at +1. Bringing in Blaziken at 100% is your best bet to beat M-Kangaskhan. Only thing is that you need to be running Protect/Low Kick/Flare Blitz/Brave Bird.

Smeargle should have Stealth Rocks on it. In the long run Stealth Rocks is much better than Spikes. Max out his HP and put the last 4 in Def for maximum range.

Rebreed Starmie. Shiny doesn't matter if the IVs are crap. Not knowing that the IVs in Def and SpD are maxed will create some bad dice rolls in your favor. Like I said earlier put the last 4 EVs in HP. Moveset and Item are fine.

If you want to use Gengar as a SubStaller you'd better make sure its running SubToxic. Also run Black Sludge on it in case you worry about Item Clause. If you're playing at level 100 put 8 EVs into HP for maximum HP without sacrificing an entire quarter of your HP. As a side note in case you didn't know everything is rounded down in Pokemon. If Gengar has 263 HP at level 100 after 8 HP EVs, divide it by 4 for the Substitute sacrifice and you'll only be getting rid of 65 HP instead of getting rid of 66 if you ran 12 HP EVs. It will also get you an extra HP point that can be the deciding factor between a OHKO and a 2HKO.

Gliscor looks fine. Just optimize the EVs for HP instead of Defense.

Now for M-Aggron. Remember when I told you to run Stealth Rocks on Smeargle? Since you're running Dragon Tail on Aggron you can help "phaze" out your opponents Pokemon while causing damage aside from the Rocks damage. Drop Stealth Rocks for Protect because I'm not sure if the type change takes effect on the Mega Evolving turn but I'm sure @-Glory Blaze-; will clarify that after seeing me post in here.

Otherwise the team looks alright. I'm sure that someone will recommend a more bulky Pokemon to fill the Spinner/Defogger role like Mandibuzz or a Pokemon that can do more damage than Starmie in the long run as a Spinner like Excadrill.

 

[UB-01 Kenobi]

^
The only thing that doesn't immediately take effect is the Speed change. Also, Protect is garbage on MAggron, it doesn't have the slots for it. Also, Stealth Rock, Spikes, and pHazing are non-viable in Battle Spot because 3v3 is very fast paced and involves almost no switching. So don't use Smeargle except for Geomancy+Cotton Guard Pass (SmashPass is not as good). Of course, you need Whimsicott and Espeon for GeoPass and you don't have those So just drop Smeargle altogether, it's useless in 3v3.

Terra mentioned that you should use SubToxic Gengar but that's wrong, Will-O-Wisp is the way to go because it patches up Gar's shitty bulk and StallBreaker Gar's primary target is MVenu who is immune to Toxic anyways.

Also CB Blaziken is bad.

Blaziken @ Life Orb
Speed Boost
Adamant
252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe
~Flare Blitz
~High Jump Kick
~Knock Off/Protect
~Swords Dance

Finally, Terra mentions you want a Defoggers but again in 3v3 hazards are really shitty so you don't need one. Just pack on sweepers, wallbreakers, and utility mons.

 

[megaman666]

@TerraTF Thanks for the detailed feedback- the lvl100 hp division for subs is a really interesting point and not one that I had considered. The team is going to be solely for single battles, I want to get a grasp of the basics before I start experimenting with double/triple. Regarding Starmie, yea I know.. I have to say trying to breed a genderless HA poke with 5 IV's is a pain in the A. I did get a 4IV then kinda gave up and thought Id use the Shiny for a bit of fun/bling. Regarding Blaziken with no protect/CB, the plan was to Baton Pass from Smeargle to Blaziken giving boosted speed/attack by at least one level, I figured with Smeargle being awful I would at very least be able to buy 2 turns for shall smash/baton pass using spore and focus sash.

@-Glory Blaze- Thanks, as mentioned I dont plan to stray further afield than singles for now, and Im hoping to have factored the speed issue into the baton passing - but how does the will-o-wisp tactic work with Gengar?

I will adress the ev's, are there ever circumstances under which ev's should go into d/sd over hp? or is that a fairly safe rule to go by?

Thanks

 

[TerraTF]

@TerraTF Thanks for the detailed feedback- the lvl100 hp division for subs is a really interesting point and not one that I had considered. The team is going to be solely for single battles, I want to get a grasp of the basics before I start experimenting with double/triple. Regarding Starmie, yea I know.. I have to say trying to breed a genderless HA poke with 5 IV's is a pain in the A. I did get a 4IV then kinda gave up and thought Id use the Shiny for a bit of fun/bling. Regarding Blaziken with no protect/CB, the plan was to Baton Pass from Smeargle to Blaziken giving boosted speed/attack by at least one level, I figured with Smeargle being awful I would at very least be able to buy 2 turns for shall smash/baton pass using spore and focus sash.

That's when you breed with Ditto. You'll need to switch out your Ditto and Staryu just about every round of 5 however.

The only Pokemon that should have Defense boosted before HP is Eviolite Chansey and Blissey. Otherwise Max HP/4Def/SpD is more optimal than Max Def/SpD/ 4 HP.

 

[megaman666]

That's when you breed with Ditto. You'll need to switch out your Ditto and Staryu just about every round of 5 however.

The only Pokemon that should have Defense boosted before HP is Eviolite Chansey and Blissey. Otherwise Max HP/4Def/SpD is more optimal than Max Def/SpD/ 4 HP.

Ah OK thanks.

With Staryu, that's what I tried.. I had a 4iv Staryu with a 3iv ditto, I kinda gave up after about 50 eggs. I know I was unlucky...

 

[Alexey]

I can breed you a Starmie this evening once I come back home, as long as you provide me with an Analytic parent

 

[megaman666]

I can breed you a Starmie this evening once I come back home, as long as you provide me with an Analytic parent

You have a 6IV ditto or something? That would be pretty helpful.. I have a bunch of Analytic Staryus that I could trade leftover. I should be online in about 5ish hours time (when I get back from work)-

spacibo bolshoyo

 

[Alexey]

Yes, I do, and I come back home at around the same time
See ya then, then

 

[UB-01 Kenobi]

@TerraTF Thanks for the detailed feedback- the lvl100 hp division for subs is a really interesting point and not one that I had considered. The team is going to be solely for single battles, I want to get a grasp of the basics before I start experimenting with double/triple. Regarding Starmie, yea I know.. I have to say trying to breed a genderless HA poke with 5 IV's is a pain in the A. I did get a 4IV then kinda gave up and thought Id use the Shiny for a bit of fun/bling. Regarding Blaziken with no protect/CB, the plan was to Baton Pass from Smeargle to Blaziken giving boosted speed/attack by at least one level, I figured with Smeargle being awful I would at very least be able to buy 2 turns for shall smash/baton pass using spore and focus sash.

@-Glory Blaze- Thanks, as mentioned I dont plan to stray further afield than singles for now, and Im hoping to have factored the speed issue into the baton passing - but how does the will-o-wisp tactic work with Gengar?

I will adress the ev's, are there ever circumstances under which ev's should go into d/sd over hp? or is that a fairly safe rule to go by?

Thanks

OK now I'm just confused. What format are you playing? Nintendo format for Singles is 3v3, in which case all my advice would apply. If you want to play competitive 6v6 Singles, you have to play Smogon, but you're obviously not doing that because Blaziken.

 

[megaman666]

@TerraTF Thanks for the detailed feedback- the lvl100 hp division for subs is a really interesting point and not one that I had considered. The team is going to be solely for single battles, I want to get a grasp of the basics before I start experimenting with double/triple. Regarding Starmie, yea I know.. I have to say trying to breed a genderless HA poke with 5 IV's is a pain in the A. I did get a 4IV then kinda gave up and thought Id use the Shiny for a bit of fun/bling. Regarding Blaziken with no protect/CB, the plan was to Baton Pass from Smeargle to Blaziken giving boosted speed/attack by at least one level, I figured with Smeargle being awful I would at very least be able to buy 2 turns for shall smash/baton pass using spore and focus sash.

@-Glory Blaze- Thanks, as mentioned I dont plan to stray further afield than singles for now, and Im hoping to have factored the speed issue into the baton passing - but how does the will-o-wisp tactic work with Gengar?

I will adress the ev's, are there ever circumstances under which ev's should go into d/sd over hp? or is that a fairly safe rule to go by?

Thanks

OK now I'm just confused. What format are you playing? Nintendo format for Singles is 3v3, in which case all my advice would apply. If you want to play competitive 6v6 Singles, you have to play Smogon, but you're obviously not doing that because Blaziken.

Yea im not bering very clear sorry.. Its for 6v6 singles but only for link for now, just want to get the hang of knowing when to use the rght moves, when to switch etc etc.. I know Blaziken wouldnt be allowed officially for this format, but this is just a starter-practice team if you like.

 

[TerraTF]

@TerraTF Thanks for the detailed feedback- the lvl100 hp division for subs is a really interesting point and not one that I had considered. The team is going to be solely for single battles, I want to get a grasp of the basics before I start experimenting with double/triple. Regarding Starmie, yea I know.. I have to say trying to breed a genderless HA poke with 5 IV's is a pain in the A. I did get a 4IV then kinda gave up and thought Id use the Shiny for a bit of fun/bling. Regarding Blaziken with no protect/CB, the plan was to Baton Pass from Smeargle to Blaziken giving boosted speed/attack by at least one level, I figured with Smeargle being awful I would at very least be able to buy 2 turns for shall smash/baton pass using spore and focus sash.

@-Glory Blaze- Thanks, as mentioned I dont plan to stray further afield than singles for now, and Im hoping to have factored the speed issue into the baton passing - but how does the will-o-wisp tactic work with Gengar?

I will adress the ev's, are there ever circumstances under which ev's should go into d/sd over hp? or is that a fairly safe rule to go by?

Thanks

OK now I'm just confused. What format are you playing? Nintendo format for Singles is 3v3, in which case all my advice would apply. If you want to play competitive 6v6 Singles, you have to play Smogon, but you're obviously not doing that because Blaziken.

Yea im not bering very clear sorry.. Its for 6v6 singles but only for link for now, just want to get the hang of knowing when to use the rght moves, when to switch etc etc.. I know Blaziken wouldnt be allowed officially for this format, but this is just a starter-practice team if you like.

If you want to get the hang of battling I'd recommend using Pokemon Showdown so that you don't end up wasting time on a team that sucks.