Please help my probably-awful team

[Lord Kyuubi]

Um, hello. I've read a fair few things about competitive battling, but I don't have much experience actually battling people, and stuff. One of the things I do know from my experience is that I'm really quite bad at putting teams together in the first place. Which is partly why I haven't done much battling. Yes. Anyway, I came up with a team to try out in XY, so advice and stuff would be nice.

Jolteon (M)
Item: Choice specs
Nature: Timid
Ability: Volt absorb
EVs: 252 Spe, 252 SpA, 4 Def

Moves:
Thunderbolt,
Shadow ball,
Signal beam,
Volt switch

Jolteon's here for scouting purposes with volt switch, hopefully doing some damage at the same time. The rest of his moveset is just meant for coverage, for revenge killing and, if necessary, help sweeping later on.

Haxorus (F)
Item: Life orb
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Mold breaker
EVs: 252 Spe, 252 Atk, 4 SpD

Moves:
Dragon claw,
Earthquake,
Poison jab,
Dragon dance

Haxorus is meant to be able to put pressure on the opponent throughout a battle, and then set up to sweep late game. I'm using dragon claw over outrage to avoid getting locked in, which could potentially save her life. Otherwise, earthquake is good for coverage, and poison jab hits fairies, which is important.

Mandibuzz (F)
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Careful
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 168 Hp, 168 Def, 172 SpD

Moves:
Knock off,
Roost,
Defog,
Toxic

Mandibuzz is here for support with defog and, more importantly, to annoy the opponent. Knock off is a lovely move, which suits me perfectly, since I could stop sweeps by removing life orbs or choice items, or help toxic to rack up faster against a wall by getting rid of lefties. I balanced her defences because I want to be able to use her whenever I need to, and not be hindered as much by whether my enemy is using physical or special attacks. She's not intended to stall for a long time - that job can be handled by my other walls.

Sylveon (F)
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Calm
Ability: Cute charm
EVs: 252 HP, 252 SpD, 4 SpA

Moves:
Draining kiss,
Heal bell,
Protect,
Wish

Syvleon is here as a dedicated special wall, and to provide my team with important healing. She's basically trained for as much durability as possible, as I imagined would be suitable for a wall.

Gliscor (F)
Item: Toxic orb
Nature: Impish
Ability: Poison heal
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 SpD

Moves:
Earthquake,
Protect,
Toxic,
Taunt

Gliscor is my physical wall. Protect saves a turn for toxic orb recovery (or activation), while taunt prevents the opponent from setting up while I do this. Earthquake should hopefully provide some damage. Admittedly poison heal clashes with Sylveon's heal bell, but I figured it was the lesser of two evils, compared to having Haxorus crippled by a burn or paralysis.

Gyarados (M)
Item: Gyaradosite
Nature: Brave
Ability: Intimidate (mold breaker once mega evolved)
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Atk, 4 Def

Moves:
Waterfall,
Earthquake,
Avalanche,
Payback

Gyarados is a bulky attacker, using minimum speed to take advantage of the damage boosts for payback and avalanche. He should hopefully be able to keep pressure on the opponent thoughout most of the game, by hitting hard with STAB waterfall and payback. Earthquake's a tad regrettable since Haxorus uses the same move, but I figured it gave me the best coverage I could get, without resorting to stone edge (*cough* miss *cough*). He doesn't need his own recovery as such, as Sylveon should be able to keep him in good condition.

So that's the team. It's more than a little flawed, I know, but I'm not sure what to do next exactly. So, yes, thoughts, help, anything constructive would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JustJeff]

That not a really bad team you got there buddy. I would suggest replacing some moves and readjusting the EV spread on some of them.
For Mandibuzz, i would suggest making it a full physical wall considering you have a Sylveon in the back line.

Mandibuzz @ Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
Nature: Impish / Bold
Ev's: 252 Hp / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Ability: Overcoat
~Foul Play ~Roost ~Defog ~Taunt / Toxic

With this set, you check many physical walls that doesn't have an answer to Mandibuzz.
I wouldn't recommend going for 'Knock-Off' due to 'Taunt' being a more effective use against walls, and as for physical sweepers, all you gatta do is "Play Dirty' (Foul Play)

 

[TerraTF]

I would do what JTF said but I would drop Gliscor for another sweeper. Gale Wings Talonflame would be a nice addition to you team to help deal with the Ice types that may give your team a challenge.

 

[UB-01 Kenobi]

Talonflame =/= ice check

Kyu-B can eat BB and Flare Blitz both and KO with Fusion Bolt
Mamoswine can eat BB and Flare Blitz (Thick Fat) both and KO with Stone Edge
Cloyster can eat both and KO with Razor Shell
Avalugg can eat both and KO with Stone Edge
etcetera

What you want is a Conkeldurr or an Infernape or maybe even an Assault Vest Regirock if you feel like living on the edge

 

[BadAssKoala]

I would suggest an adamant swords dance haxorus for its raw attacking power. Keep dragon claw and poison jab, but replace earthquake with superpower. As suggested a expert belt Infernape is always a nice addition if your worried about ice types.

As for team building skills if you'd like to learn more about that I'd recommend joining our Mentorship program.

EDIT; Moon blast over draining kiss

 

[Lord Kyuubi]

That not a really bad team you got there buddy. I would suggest replacing some moves and readjusting the EV spread on some of them.
For Mandibuzz, i would suggest making it a full physical wall considering you have a Sylveon in the back line.

Mandibuzz @ Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
Nature: Impish / Bold
Ev's: 252 Hp / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Ability: Overcoat
~Foul Play ~Roost ~Defog ~Taunt / Toxic

With this set, you check many physical walls that doesn't have an answer to Mandibuzz.
I wouldn't recommend going for 'Knock-Off' due to 'Taunt' being a more effective use against walls, and as for physical sweepers, all you gatta do is "Play Dirty' (Foul Play)

Thanks, sounds like my sort of plan . Would mandibuzz be strong enough to wall on her own? Just wondering since it didn't really get used at all before gen 6.

I would do what JTF said but I would drop Gliscor for another sweeper. Gale Wings Talonflame would be a nice addition to you team to help deal with the Ice types that may give your team a challenge.

Talonflame =/= ice check

Kyu-B can eat BB and Flare Blitz both and KO with Fusion Bolt
Mamoswine can eat BB and Flare Blitz (Thick Fat) both and KO with Stone Edge
Cloyster can eat both and KO with Razor Shell
Avalugg can eat both and KO with Stone Edge
etcetera

What you want is a Conkeldurr or an Infernape or maybe even an Assault Vest Regirock if you feel like living on the edge

Thanks. So if I got infernape, should I run a special or physical set? Or should I go mixed, since that might be interesting?

I would suggest an adamant swords dance haxorus for its raw attacking power. Keep dragon claw and poison jab, but replace earthquake with superpower. As suggested a expert belt Infernape is always a nice addition if your worried about ice types.

As for team building skills if you'd like to learn more about that I'd recommend joining our Mentorship program.

EDIT; Moon blast over draining kiss

Thanks. Certainly sounds nice, but wouldn't adamant swords dance limit me to late game use only and put me at more risk of being revenge killed? Just wondering.

This mentorship program sounds interesting, but what would I have to do to join it? And how much time would it take? I don't really have much time spare, I'm afraid. Thanks anyway.

 

[BadAssKoala]

Well yea technically it is easier to revenge kill, but haxorus isn't really a sweeper. It's more of a wall breaker/late game sweeper. His massive attack stat and reletivaly small speed stat means that he'll get outsped more often than not anyway, so making use of his attack is ussually better. If your worried about speed garchomp might be a better option for a physical sweeper.

As for the Mentorship program you don't have to do anything besides sign up to join. It's based around your schedule so it's as fast or slow as you'd like.

 

[TerraTF]

If you ran an Infernape I would go physical Iron Fist to get the most out of it. A set of Fire Punch, Mach Punch, Thunderpunch and Earthquake.

 

[BadAssKoala]

Flare blitz over fire punch. The boost in power is still better than a boosted fire punch.

 

[TerraTF]

Flare blitz over fire punch. The boost in power is still better than a boosted fire punch.

I checked to see if there is a difference in Burn percentage. There isn't so just go with Flare Blitz. Clearly Adamant 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP.

 

[Lord Kyuubi]

Well yea technically it is easier to revenge kill, but haxorus isn't really a sweeper. It's more of a wall breaker/late game sweeper. His massive attack stat and reletivaly small speed stat means that he'll get outsped more often than not anyway, so making use of his attack is ussually better. If your worried about speed garchomp might be a better option for a physical sweeper.

As for the Mentorship program you don't have to do anything besides sign up to join. It's based around your schedule so it's as fast or slow as you'd like.

Okay, that sounds reasonable. While we're discussing dragons, how would salamence and hydreigon compare?

I see, this mentorship program sounds like a good idea. I shall probably join up at some time. Thanks.

If you ran an Infernape I would go physical Iron Fist to get the most out of it. A set of Fire Punch, Mach Punch, Thunderpunch and Earthquake.

Sounds like a good set to me (with the edit of flare blitz over fire punch). Thanks. Oh, and what item? Choice band?

So would it be worth changing anything else? I notice I'm rather physical-heavy in terms of attackers (and I'm generally rather attack-heavy anyway), so should I do something about that, or am I okay as it is?

 

[TerraTF]

Yeah choice band is fine. Its ok to be physically heavy just beacause there really aren't that many Pokemon who have insane Defense that still won't go down to a super effective move. Three of the bigger defensive walls I can think of, being Ferrothorn, Forretress, and Tangrowth, all go down from Infernape himself, so its really not much of a worry.

 

[UB-01 Kenobi]

And the best Defensive wall in the game, who would eat your Infernape's attack and KO with EQ, MAggron, has its Filter negated by Haxorus's Mold Breaker, leaving it open to Earthquake.

 

[BadAssKoala]

No, never slap a band on an Infernape go for expert belt. One of Infernape's major boons is it's abbility to use great moves you don't want to lock your weak physical sweeper into one move. As for hydreigon and salamance thier both pretty decent this gen. I'd reccomend hydreigon over salamance using a life orb/expert belt set

Hydreigon@ expert belt/life orb
Modest
Levitate
252 SpA/252 Spe/4 Def

Draco Meteor
Fire Blast/Flanethrower
Flash Cannon
Dark Pulse

This is his best set providing type coverage for all his weaknesses. I'd still be weary of fairies though.

 

[Lord Kyuubi]

And the best Defensive equal in the game, who would eat your Infernape's attack and KO with EQ, MAggron, has its Filter negated by Haxorus's Mold Breaker, leaving it open to Earthquake.

Okay, I'll look out for that. Thanks.

No, never slap a band on an Infernape go for expert belt. One of Infernape's major boons is it's abbility to use great moves you don't want to lock your weak physical sweeper into one move. As for hydreigon and salamance thier both pretty decent this gen. I'd reccomend hydreigon over salamance using a life orb/expert belt set

Hydreigon@ expert belt/life orb
Modest
Levitate
252 SpA/252 Spe/4 Def

Draco Meteor
Fire Blast/Flanethrower
Flash Cannon
Dark Pulse

This is his best set providing type coverage for all his weaknesses. I'd still be weary of fairies though.

Hmmm, sounds interesting, but I think I'll stick with haxorus for the moment. Thanks anyway.

So it seems to me everything's come together nicely. Thanks for your help, everyone.