Team Critique

[Ice Prince]

Meowstic
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Calm
Held Item: Light Clay
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Thunder Wave
-Psychic

Talonflame
Ability: Gale Wings
Nature: Adamant
Held Item: N/A
-Flare Blitz
-Acrobatics
-Roost
-Uturn

Krookodile
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Impish
Held Item: Life Orb
-Earthquake
-Crunch
-Superpower
-Stone Edge

Aegislash
Ability: Stance Change
Nature: Jolly
Held Item: Spell Tag
-King's Shield
-Shadow Sneak
-Shadow Ball
-Sacred Sword

Venusaur
Ability: Overgrow
Nature: Quirky
Held Item: Venusaurite
-Energy Ball
-Sludge Bomb
-Leech Seed
-Sleep Powder

Kyurem
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Gentle
Held Item: Leftovers
-Outrage
-Blizzard
-Hone Claws
-Substitute

Some of the natures could be swapped. Just wanting to get an idea of opinions for this team. No Electric/Water types (although I always have my Protean Greninja to swap, along with Compound Eyes Galvantula for Electric/Sticky Web coverage). I've had a fun time building up this team. Meowstic is one of my favs this generation, so I wanted to make a decent utility set, while not being total Taunt bait. He doesn't see much OU use, but he's quite effective from what I've seen (I think mainly because people aren't used to seeing him that often). Dual screens have definitely had some utility for me, especially for a potential Krookodile/Kyurem sweep. I opted for Acrobatics for Talonflame over Brave Bird. Not that I prefer one over the other--Brave Bird is awesome. It's just a personal preference, as Flare Blitz already has recoil damage. I also opted for Tailwind over Roost--again, personal preference. Also of merit, all of my team has had Pokerus. I don't know how that helps on the critique end, but I figured I'd mention it just in case.

Any opinions, or things to switch up on the team are welcome! ^_^

 

[TerraTF]

Team looks decent all around. Only real update I can offer is changing Tailwind on Talonflame to Roost just to add some longevity considering that Talonflame is weak on the all around Defenses and it will always take 50% damage due to Stealth Rocks.

 

[Ice Prince]

Shall do! I had actually forgotten that Roost negates Flying type for the turn you use it--lol, blonde moment. ^_^

 

[UB-01 Kenobi]

Meowstic
Ability: Prankster
Nature: Calm
Held Item: Light Clay
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Thunder Wave
-Psychic

Talonflame
Ability: Gale Wings
Nature: Adamant
Held Item: Leftovers
-Flare Blitz
-Brave Bird
-Roost (was Tailwind)
-Uturn

Krookodile
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Jolly
Held Item: Choice Scarf
-Earthquake
-Knock Off (obvs would have to rebreed in B2W2 to get it, but I assume you can do that since you have Superpower)
-Stone Edge
-Superpower

Aegislash
Ability: Stance Change
Nature: Quiet
Held Item: Life Orb
-Iron Head/Flash Cannon
-Shadow Sneak
-Sacred Sword
-Shadow Ball

Venusaur
Ability: Overgrow
Nature: Relaxed
Held Item: Venusaurite
-Giga Drain/Power Whip
-Sludge Bomb
-Leech Seed/Synthesis
-Sleep Powder

Kyurem
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Naughty/Mild
Held Item: Leftovers
-Outrage
-Blizzard
-Hone Claws
-Substitute

Some of the natures could be swapped. Just wanting to get an idea of opinions for this team. No Electric/Water types (although I always have my Protean Greninja to swap, along with Compound Eyes Galvantula for Electric/Sticky Web coverage). I've had a fun time building up this team. Meowstic is one of my favs this generation, so I wanted to make a decent utility set, while not being total Taunt bait. He doesn't see much OU use, but he's quite effective from what I've seen (I think mainly because people aren't used to seeing him that often). Dual screens have definitely had some utility for me, especially for a potential Krookodile/Kyurem sweep. I opted for Acrobatics for Talonflame over Brave Bird. Not that I prefer one over the other--Brave Bird is awesome. It's just a personal preference, as Flare Blitz already has recoil damage. I also opted for Tailwind over Roost--again, personal preference. Also of merit, all of my team has had Pokerus. I don't know how that helps on the critique end, but I figured I'd mention it just in case.

Any opinions, or things to switch up on the team are welcome! ^_^

My suggestions in bold.

 

[Ice Prince]

Thank you for the suggestions!

I've altered the original post with some of those ideas.

 

[TerraTF]

The swapping Acrobatics for Brave Bird is really only a difference of 15 total power after STAB, but you get to keep your health. Maybe when you decide between Brave Bird and Acrobatics you could use a Fire Gem to boost Flare Blitz to a power of 234 after STAB and the 30% bonus from Flare Blitz. The Fire Gem is really only recommended if you go for Acrobatics however. If you went for Brave Bird I would definitely go with Leftovers.

 

[UB-01 Kenobi]

Gems besides Normal aren't available in XY. The lack of an item hurts Talonflame too severely for it to go itemless - despite it's godly Ability, it still has the stats of an early-game bird. Without Leftovers, its bulk is severely lacking. Without Life Orb or Choice Band, the same can be said f it's damage output. Brave bird is more powerful than Actobatics and doesn't cost an item slot, plus you have priority Roost to heal off recoil.

 

[BadAssKoala]

You could just run the borderline broken CB set

Talonflame@ Choice Band
Gale Wings
Adamant
252 Attk, 252 Spe, 4 Def

Brave Bird
Flare Blitz
Steel Wing
U Turn

Pretty bomb. Talonflame isn't the best but priority brave birds suck, and CB flame rips holes in teams.

 

[Ice Prince]

I really appreciate the input guys!

So some questions I have:

-I have one Leftovers (which is currently on Kyurem). Should I switch it to Talonflame? If so, what item should I supply Kyurem with? Or should I run the Choice Band on Talonflame instead?
-Admittedly, I'm lazy when it comes to having to breed again. Would Crunch suffice as a decent alternative to Knock Off on Moxie Krookodile? Likewise, would Energy Ball suffice for Giga Drain/Power Whip on Venusaur?
-I've always liked King's Shield--it's awesome if it is used right. Is that a decent substitute for Shadow Ball? Given that my Aegislash is Jolly, Special Attacks won't do near as much as Physical ones.
-Item wise, any other suggestions for Krookodile and Aegislash? I do have two Life Orbs available.

 

[MadRam]

If you're going to use Jolly Aegislash (though it really depends on the mixed coverage and speed is the worst stat for it to be trained in) I would use Autotomize instead of King's Shield. It allows Aegislash to function as a sweeper and you won't have to worry about being hit when in blade forme. After that use the attacking moves you gave before and use it as a physical sweeper although it isn't the best use for it. For Krookodile, Knock Off provides great utility at the same time as doing more damage in two hits though not much (162.5 vs. 160), but Crunch deals more consistent damage. In the end Knock Off is better in most circumstances so I'd recommend rebreeding.

 

[UB-01 Kenobi]

Jolly is a terribad nature for Aegislash, Shadow Ball is Aegislash's best move and the biggest reason to use him is his mixed offense. If you want King's Shield, you can drop your Steel STAB but Aegis is a hit and run attacker anyways so it's not too great, especially since anyone with half a brain will just spam Will-O-Wisp at Aegislash that they expect to King's Shield. Spell Tag is good as it boosts his main STAB (Shadow Ball) and priority (Shadow Sneak) by 1.2x without recoil. Life Orb boosts all his moves by 1.3, but has recoil. It's up to you. I use Life Orb when I don't have Reuniclus on my team but Spooky Plate (same thing as Spell Tag) when I do, as when under Trick Room it's more likely that I'll have to take an attack in Blade Forme and thus I want as much HP as possible just in case.

 

[Ice Prince]

Would a possible set of:
-Automize/King's Shield/Flash Cannon
-Shadow Sneak
-Sacred Sword
-Shadow Ball

Would this be a bit more viable perhaps? Main question would be which move for the first slot?

 

[UB-01 Kenobi]

The 100% best Aegislash set is

The Crumbler
~~~~~~~~~
Aegislash @ Life Orb/Spooky Plate
Stance Change
Quiet
244 Atk/252 Sp Atk/12 Speed
~Shadow Ball
~Shadow Sneak
~Sacred Sword
~Iron Head/King's Shield

A good alternative would be

Fastcalibur
~~~~~~~~
Aegislash @ Weakness Policy
Stance Change
Hasty/Naive
4 Atk/252 Sp Atk/252 Speed
~Shadow Ball
~Sacred Sword
~Flash Cannon/Iron Head/Swords Dance
~Autotomize

 

[Ice Prince]

Alrighty--I think I'll give the "Crumbler" a try and see how that goes. Seems like a good set.

Thank you for the recommendation GB! ^_^

On a side note--would it be a wise idea to do Life Orb Kyurem in order to give Talonflame Leftovers? Or, should I supply Talonflame with a Choice Band?

 

[TerraTF]

Alrighty--I think I'll give the "Crumbler" a try and see how that goes. Seems like a good set.

Thank you for the recommendation GB! ^_^

On a side note--would it be a wise idea to do Life Orb Kyurem in order to give Talonflame Leftovers? Or, should I supply Talonflame with a Choice Band?

4 Attack Choice Band is a much better decision than adding an all new Pokemon to the mix just to give a Pokemon a new item.