Rate(and help) My OU Team

[Dopey]

Heya guys. I'm here with a OU team I've been using for quite some time on Shoddy. So.... yeah, here it is:

Lead - JIRACHI

Ability: Serene Grace
Nature: Jolly
Item: Choice Scarf
EVs: 252 Attack | 60 HP | 176 Speed

- Trick
- Iron Head
- U-Turn
- Stealth Rock

Standard Lead Jirachi. This Jirachi does everything- Mess with SR leads, ruin Baton Pass teams, Kill Azelf/Aerodactyl leads, set up SR himself. Out of the many leads I've used so far, this seems to work out the best. Best of all, I can bring it in against many thing due to its superb typing even later in the game.

Rapid Spinner - STARMIE

Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Timid
Item: Lum Berry
EVs: 252 Sp. Attack | 252 Speed | 4 HP

- Rapid Spin
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt

Now don't get critical right away and say that Lum Berry is useless. I've got a reason for going for it. First up, with a Lum Berry, this Starmie doesn't need to switch out right after spinning away Toxic Spikes and does a fair job at end-game sweeping after Blissey has been taken care of. It has a Timid nature to outspeed Gengar and KO it with Surf after SR damage. Although it still can't do much to Blissey, for which reason we have.....

Red Devil - SCIZOR

Ability - Technician
Nature - Adamant
Item - Choice Band
EVs: 252 Attack | 248 HP | 8 Speed

- Bullet Punch
- Super Power
- U - Turn
- Night Slash

The red bug who no one likes to face. Bullet Punch is the staple of this set, capable of 2HKOing Salamence who doesn't invest in defence. Super Power is essential for Heatran/Magnezone, U-turn OHKOes Celebi and Night Slash does considerable damage to Rotom. I have Adamant as the nature here coz he doesn't really need speed with Bullet Punch and also because it provides extra power.

Jirachi's Wish - Gyarados

Ability - Intimidate
Nature - Adamant
Item - Leftovers
EVs - 252 Attack | 252 Speed | 4 HP

- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Earthquake

Star of the team, Jirachi's partner in kicking ass, gets even more annoying and deadly with Substitute. Don't tell me this set sucks w/o Ice Fang/Stone Edge, because believe me, this Gyarados is the perfect switch-in after Jirachi U-turns out of Metagross/Heatran. I had a strong temptation to go for Salalmence/Dragonite in this slot, but unlike the dragons, this Gyarados isn't afraid of Bullet Punch/Ice Shard.
The plan is simple - If Jirachi can't handle leads like Heatran and Metagross/Swampert/Gliscor, Gyarados usually walls them to no end. Then, using Substitute on the switch, Gyarados becomes immune to WoW and TWave(damn you Rotom). He then DDs with ease behind the sub, and once it breaks, it begins its sweep. There's something to be noted, however, that Gyarados, who normally can't outspeed Jolteon with a single boost, can easily kill it from behind a Substitute. Also, Substitute protects from Exploding Metagrosses and Heatrans. But he's still fucked against Thunderbolts and HP Electrics, which is the perfect opportunity for switching in....

ELECTIVIRE!

Ability - Motor Drive
Nature - Adamant
Item - Lum Berry
EVs - 252 Attack | 252 Speed | 4 HP

- Thunderpunch
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Magnet Rise

Probably one of the most underrated pokemon of the OU environment, Electivire is a force to be reckoned with when used correctly. In most OU teams, you're bound to come across some electric attack user, be it TBolting Electric types, TWaving Blissey/Celebi or that disgusting Rotom. And any Electric type on the opponents team is revealed right away when I let out Gyarados, and thats when E-vire makes his appearance and kills at least 2 pokemon of the team.
I had a strong urge to give a Choice Band to this freaky rock star, but I realised Lum Berry yielded better result against Rotom.

Revenge Killer - HEATRAN

Ability - Flash Fire
Nature - Naive
Item - Choice Scarf
EVs - 4 HP | 252 Sp. Attack | 252 Speed

- Earth Power
- Flamethrower/Lava Plume
- Dragon Pulse
- Explosion

Duh..... Heatran. Requires prediction, but does well early in the match and totally rocks towards the end(when most of the opponents pokemon are known). Dragon Pulse is essential for killing Salamence and Flygon. This Heatran outspeeds all (un-scarfed)pokemon in OU except Ninjask.
But I'm confused about whether to go for Lava Plume or Flamethrower. Fire Blast's accuracy always seems to betray me.


So well, thats my team for ya. The core strategy using this is teamwork and working in pairs-although prediction is vital.

EDIT: I considered using a Flygon in place of Electivire.... suggestions?

 

[SharKing]

Two things. One, Starmie needs Speed, or Gengar slaughters it. Make it Timid. Two, put Pursuit over Night Slash on Scizor. Trust me, it works for killing those Ghost/Psychic-types that want to switch out.

 

[Ino-Chan]

Along with the suggestions above, I would also go with Lava Plume on Heatran.

 

[Dopey]

Two things. One, Starmie needs Speed, or Gengar slaughters it. Make it Timid. Two, put Pursuit over Night Slash on Scizor. Trust me, it works for killing those Ghost/Psychic-types that want to switch out.

Okay, I'll go for Timid on Starmie. Although I find little use in Pursuit..... I never saw any Rotom switching out from Scizor, and Gengar almost always stays in to be KOed by CB boosted Bullet Punch.

Ino-chan, took your suggestion, will try it out.

 

[mc2094]

Fire Blast is the better choice on Tran as it lets him get a nice OHKO against Naive Mence who switches into SR and the extra power helps overall. The reason E-vire isn't used that much is because he's pratically dead weight against stall teams. Once you start climbing the ladder you'll face plenty of them and E-vire can't do as much as harm stall. Also, his typing doesn't allow for too many useful resists and he really lacks the power to get certain OHKOs on guys like Vaporeon. If you really want to use him, go with MixVire and be sure to give him a Life Orb. Also, go with Life Orb on Starmie. Your using an offensive team so I don't get why your holding off on using what is one of the best items available for these teams. After you Rapid Spin, chances are you'll have to switch out anyways since your opponent would have taken the turn to go to a counter. Scizor should always be bulky when using CB. Go with a spread similar to 248 HP/ 252 Atk/ 8 SDef.

I noticed this team can have trouble against both DD Mence and DD Tar, more so the later. DD Mence can OHKO almost everything and put a dent in the rest. Scizor getting a revenge kill is your only option unless Rachi has scarf and even then it's a speed tie with you relying on a 60% Flinch. If your opponent plays Bulky DD Mence with Roost then you might have far more trouble, though Starmie might survive a +1 Life Orb Dragon Claw (not Outrage though) but it would need to be near full health. DD Tar is far more of a threat. All you can hope for is Jirachi to still have its scarf. Babiri will keep him in good health and he can then procede to OHKO everything here.

To fix some of these, I would go with Lead Tran and Scarf Jirachi as your main revenge killer. IMO, scarf Tran is terrible, he gives wayyy too many oppurtunities for guys to set up which can really screw you up late game. LeadTran on the other hand can reliably set down rocks and can also be very effective at countering and dishing out major damage without needing to lock himself in a move. ScarfJirachi is great as he pretty much serves as a fail safe. It can easily revenge pesky DDers and other set up mons, as well as use trick to cripple stuff.

Jirachi@Choice Scarf
Jolly
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
-Iron Head
-Ice Punch
-Thunder Punch
-Trick

The next thing I notice is you have 3 poke weak to ground and only 1 immunity. I would realy suggest you replace Electivire with a Scarf Rotom-h. He helps with your typing and gives yet another trick user for you to screw stall with.

Rotom-H
Timid
252 HP/ 4 SAtk/ 252 Spe
-Thunderbolt
-Shadowball
-Overheat
-Trick

Gl

 

[Dopey]

Fire Blast is the better choice on Tran as it lets him get a nice OHKO against Naive Mence who switches into SR and the extra power helps overall.

As I said, I don't trust Fire Blast's accuracy, its betrayed me most of the times. Plus, he generally can(not quite guaranteed, but still) switch in to WoW and LPlume becomes a Fire Blast with 100 accuracy.

The reason E-vire isn't used that much is because he's pratically dead weight against stall teams. Once you start climbing the ladder you'll face plenty of them and E-vire can't do as much as harm stall. Also, his typing doesn't allow for too many useful resists and he really lacks the power to get certain OHKOs on guys like Vaporeon.

You may be right, I must find a way around it because that 379 Attack and excellent coverage is too good to just scrap him.

give him a Life Orb. Also, go with Life Orb on Starmie. Your using an offensive team so I don't get why your holding off on using what is one of the best items available for these teams.

1: E-vire gets a 2HKO on any non-Acid Armour Vaporeon. None of the commonly used Vaporeon get a 2HKO on him. He's at 50+ health in the very worst cases and Vaporeon is 2HKO'ed. The best an opposing Vap can do is Poison him, and Lum Berry cures that poison to assure that its practically an OHKO.
2:Starmie doesn't have Life Orb since he needs to take SR and Spikes damage and cannot afford to lose 10% more health just for Rapid Spinning. He needs two turns against Vaporeon and Suicune.
And I need Lum Barry on E-vire to perfectly counter Rotom, if he gets Will-o-wisped I'm screwed for the rest of the match.
Running a balanced offensive team doesn't really mean you have to put a Life Orb on someone, if another item benefits more than Life Orb, you may pretty much use it. Compare Life Orb versus Lum Berry on E-vire(who is my main counter to Rotom) and then say.

After you Rapid Spin, chances are you'll have to switch out anyways since your opponent would have taken the turn to go to a counter.

And I can bring out anything that can counter the mon switching in. Also, his counter is mainly going to be an Electric type, which means party time for E-vire. Starmie needs to Rapid Spin and draw in Electrical attacks. Both done, his job is complete.

Scizor should always be bulky when using CB. Go with a spread similar to 248 HP/ 252 Atk/ 8 SDef.

Okay, I'll try it.

I noticed this team can have trouble against both DD Mence and DD Tar, more so the later. DD Mence can OHKO almost everything and put a dent in the rest. Scizor getting a revenge kill is your only option unless Rachi has scarf and even then it's a speed tie with you relying on a 60% Flinch. If your opponent plays Bulky DD Mence with Roost then you might have far more trouble, though Starmie might survive a +1 Life Orb Dragon Claw (not Outrage though) but it would need to be near full health. DD Tar is far more of a threat. All you can hope for is Jirachi to still have its scarf. Babiri will keep him in good health and he can then procede to OHKO everything here.

Heatran outspeeds unboosted Mence and OHKOes with DPulse after SR damage, Scizor does at least 60% damage, and isn't OHKOed by +1 Outrage.

Well, I know about T-tar, he almost always only switches in as Gyarados is behind a substitute(because my first switch is almost always Gyarados and his first move is substitute) and Waterfall is at the very worst a 2HKO. Even if Gyara dies, Scizor BPs and even with a Babiri berry T-Tar doesn't recieve less than 50 damage.

To fix some of these, I would go with Lead Tran and Scarf Jirachi as your main revenge killer. IMO, scarf Tran is terrible, he gives wayyy too many oppurtunities for guys to set up which can really screw you up late game. LeadTran on the other hand can reliably set down rocks and can also be very effective at countering and dishing out major damage without needing to lock himself in a move. ScarfJirachi is great as he pretty much serves as a fail safe. It can easily revenge pesky DDers and other set up mons, as well as use trick to cripple stuff.

Jirachi@Choice Scarf
Jolly
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
-Iron Head
-Ice Punch
-Thunder Punch
-Trick

1: Scarf Heatran is supposed to be a revenge killer and not go out and sweep whole teams for the other guys, read the text below him. He's only good very early and very late in the game. If he only gets 2 mons down, his job is done. [/quote]

2: As lead, I've tried out almost every possibility and well, Heatran is only good for setting up Rocks first turn. He's screwed up real bad against Aerodactyl/Azelf leads once he gets taunted, and being locked into a single move and thus forcing yourself to make a predictable switch makes you lose control of the match quite early. If I don't SR first tun, Heatran is ever only as useful as the one I currently have, only with one move less. And as I said, you can't just get a tran in and expect him to Flamethrower/EPower till death. You'll need correct prediction and good support from other mons. My Heatran is only unsuccessful against other Heatran who switch in to a Flamethrower. Starmie, Gyarados, E-vire kill any Heatran.
And as far as SR goes, Jirachi sets it up AND forces an enemy switch AND renders suicide leads(most notably Aerodactyl/Azelf) useless, besides being able to come back again to almost anything and do some damage himself.

The next thing I notice is you have 3 poke weak to ground and only 1 immunity. I would realy suggest you replace Electivire with a Scarf Rotom-h.

*sigh* Okay, 3 of my team is weak to ground. Electivire comes in to anything that is classified as Electric types and uses Magnet Rise on seeing a Ground type/major EQ user. After MDrive activates, E-vire is faster than Scarfed T-Tar and a switched in Mence is bound to be using EQ, and get locked into a useless move which has no effect. Un-scarfed Mence of the Bulkiest variety switching in to SR is KO'ed by Ice Punch. Same for Flygon. Hippowdon who is normally a lead is screwed by Jirachi who tricks a Scarf to it first up. Mamoswine..... is OHKO'ed by BPunch. Gliscor falls to E-vire/Starmie. Swampert is walled to no end by Gyarados, and if it doesn't come in as a lead, he'll be either carrying Roar(no Rest) or Rest/Sleep Talk. Rest/Sleep Talk versions are screwed by Gyarados, Roar means everyone gets a shot at him and after the 3rd round of Roar, he's KO'ed. But I still sustain SR damage, which isn't really a problem since no one except Gyarados is weak to it.
Not satisfied? Okay. What does Jirachi do? Attract EQs and Fire attacks(Heatran). What does it mean? Ideal oppurtunities for Gyara to switch in and Substitute. Fire Attacks? Heatran comes in. Flygon? Starmie outruns and OHKOs.

He helps with your typing and gives yet another trick user for you to screw stall with.

Rotom-H
Timid
252 HP/ 4 SAtk/ 252 Spe
-Thunderbolt
-Shadowball
-Overheat
-Trick

Gl

I tried all sorts of movesets of Rotom-h, didn't work. I tried Jolteon, didn't work. I tried E-vire, and only lost once since. I've got a reason for going for E-vire --- it can 2HKO Blissey without being Statused. This Rotom sure walls Blissey and tricks a Scarf to it, but is pretty much rendered useless after that.