Those familiar with Gen 3 will know that the Dugtrio + Special Sweeper is a tried and true strategy. This is my most recent favorite team to play with, and although it has slight weaknesses to Mixmence, it's nothing that can't be played around! The only thing that stops this team cold is Blissey + Snorlax being on the same team, which I've only ran into once so far.
Link: https://pastebin.com/4ECypGBY
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 240 HP / 236 SpA / 32 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Baton Pass
- Roar
This is my favorite set to use at the moment. Baton Pass is extremely useful for taking tempo in switch wars, and Roar punishes those Celebi, Jirachi, and other boosters who think they're free to set-up on you. Roar is one of those moves that is easy to pull off because most people do not expect Zapdos to have Roar and BP on the same set. Getting forced out after using the 2nd Calm Mind, or after having just passed the boosts to another pokemon, then having to switch your "Zapdos counter" back in as you watch it Baton Pass to counter your switch-in is crushing for any team's tempo, especially if I already have spikes in play.
The EVs may look slightly questionable to some people, but letting Zapdos hit neutral targets as hard as possible provides momentum for this team, as well as making Starmie and Regice's life easier. 32 Speed for outrunning Tyranitar, as I prefer having more solid answers for pokemon in the 100 base speed tier, rather than running something like 301 speed with Timid and be left guessing whether that other Zapdos or Salamence is at 328, 300, or even 302 speed.
All in all, Zapdos is definitely one of the offensive stars on this team, while also capable of making a few defensive plays with its EV spread and move set.
Regice @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 100 HP / 156 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Explosion
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
This is by far the most reliable Blissey/Snorlax lure I have used. Snorlax arguably fits better on paper here due to being a physical attacker and packing a stronger explosion. However, Blissey will never switch into Snorlax, and other Snorlax will be reluctant to get into Curse/Self Destruct wars with you. Regice + Dugtrio is a very solid combination, as together they can remove Blissey reliably for Zapdos and Starmie to wreak havoc, or if they lack Blissey, simply removing Metagross/Jirachi makes it very difficult for the other team to continuously find reliable switch-ins for Zapdos and Regice. HP Fire hits Metagross a little harder on the switch, as well as demolishing any Forretress that triest to spike up on Regice.
You can also lead with Regice over Zapdos. Both are effective leads and beat out different things.
Dugtrio @ Choice Band
Ability: Arena Trap
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Hidden Power [Bug]
- Aerial Ace
I prefer using Adamant most of the time, but when combo'd with Explosion from Regice, Jolly Dug will still take out Blissey/Snorlax, while retaining its speed advantage over Jolly +1 Tyranitar, Adamant Dugtrio, Modest Jolteon, and other greedy pokemon who think they can get away with not using a +Speed nature. Dugtrio is also a great partner for Regice, as removing Metagross on teams that don't have Blissey pretty much spells death for them.
Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
This was originally what the team was based on. My idea was to run an all-out attacker with four moves (HP Grass > Rapid Spin), however, I found that having HP Grass for the sole purpose of nailing Swampert was redundant in practice, and swapped it for Psychic to hit Gengar. I eventually settled on Rapid Spin because Regice does huuuge work for this team, and increasing its play time also increases Starmie's chances of sweeping later in the game. Sometimes you have to play with the alternatives to understand why a set is standard.
I fucking hate Hydro Pump as a move though. Most of my losses with this team are from Hydro Pump misses. I'm also looking for someone experienced with offensive Starmie to comment on Modest vs Timid. Timid allows you to hit Gengar first, while Modest obviously nets you a few more KOs here and there.
Skarmory (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Roar
- Substitute
- Drill Peck
Substitute is my favorite set right now, as it lets you scout for Mag switch ins, and you can plan your plays accordingly for the next few switch wars. I prefer a little more Def EV to tank a few extra physical hits. The current meta is to use full 252 S-Def EVs on Skarm, while the old school spread was to use 170-192 Def EVs and dumping the rest in either speed or S-Def. Completely un-EV'd, Skarm takes just a little too much from CB Metagross, hence the middle-ground approach I've taken.
Anyways, this sets up spikes, which makes up for the lack of physical damage on my team. I picked Skarm > Metagross because I didn't want too many grounded bros on my team. I don't really agree with the new meta set with no attack moves, as I believe not being able to kill Heracross is a huge mistake.
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 208 Def / 56 SpA / 4 Spe
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Hydro Pump
This is on 99% of my teams. I dislike Milotic and Suicune as TTar checks because they lack Leftovers recovery in sandstorm. 56 S-Atk guarantees 1HKO with Ice Beam on Salamence in sandstorm. Hydro Pump > Surf for fire power. There are situations where Spamming Hydro Pump will take down a good portion of the opposing team, whereas Surf won't give you that particular win condition. 4 speed to beat other Swampert 1v1.
Replays:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001471543
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001248511 - Mixmence weakness?
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001238221
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001221939 - One of my few games against someone competent. I regret starting the battle half-trolling, as I realized too late that this would turn into a great match.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001727494 - rematch with ^that guy!
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1000921893 - Decent level of play in this match as well
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1000511295
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-999928906 - Decent game
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-998853894 - Did I mention how much I hated Hydro Pump?
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-998608030 - Regice can also be the lead.
Link: https://pastebin.com/4ECypGBY
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 240 HP / 236 SpA / 32 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Baton Pass
- Roar
This is my favorite set to use at the moment. Baton Pass is extremely useful for taking tempo in switch wars, and Roar punishes those Celebi, Jirachi, and other boosters who think they're free to set-up on you. Roar is one of those moves that is easy to pull off because most people do not expect Zapdos to have Roar and BP on the same set. Getting forced out after using the 2nd Calm Mind, or after having just passed the boosts to another pokemon, then having to switch your "Zapdos counter" back in as you watch it Baton Pass to counter your switch-in is crushing for any team's tempo, especially if I already have spikes in play.
The EVs may look slightly questionable to some people, but letting Zapdos hit neutral targets as hard as possible provides momentum for this team, as well as making Starmie and Regice's life easier. 32 Speed for outrunning Tyranitar, as I prefer having more solid answers for pokemon in the 100 base speed tier, rather than running something like 301 speed with Timid and be left guessing whether that other Zapdos or Salamence is at 328, 300, or even 302 speed.
All in all, Zapdos is definitely one of the offensive stars on this team, while also capable of making a few defensive plays with its EV spread and move set.
Regice @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 100 HP / 156 Atk / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
- Explosion
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Fire]
This is by far the most reliable Blissey/Snorlax lure I have used. Snorlax arguably fits better on paper here due to being a physical attacker and packing a stronger explosion. However, Blissey will never switch into Snorlax, and other Snorlax will be reluctant to get into Curse/Self Destruct wars with you. Regice + Dugtrio is a very solid combination, as together they can remove Blissey reliably for Zapdos and Starmie to wreak havoc, or if they lack Blissey, simply removing Metagross/Jirachi makes it very difficult for the other team to continuously find reliable switch-ins for Zapdos and Regice. HP Fire hits Metagross a little harder on the switch, as well as demolishing any Forretress that triest to spike up on Regice.
You can also lead with Regice over Zapdos. Both are effective leads and beat out different things.
Dugtrio @ Choice Band
Ability: Arena Trap
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Hidden Power [Bug]
- Aerial Ace
I prefer using Adamant most of the time, but when combo'd with Explosion from Regice, Jolly Dug will still take out Blissey/Snorlax, while retaining its speed advantage over Jolly +1 Tyranitar, Adamant Dugtrio, Modest Jolteon, and other greedy pokemon who think they can get away with not using a +Speed nature. Dugtrio is also a great partner for Regice, as removing Metagross on teams that don't have Blissey pretty much spells death for them.
Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Rapid Spin
This was originally what the team was based on. My idea was to run an all-out attacker with four moves (HP Grass > Rapid Spin), however, I found that having HP Grass for the sole purpose of nailing Swampert was redundant in practice, and swapped it for Psychic to hit Gengar. I eventually settled on Rapid Spin because Regice does huuuge work for this team, and increasing its play time also increases Starmie's chances of sweeping later in the game. Sometimes you have to play with the alternatives to understand why a set is standard.
I fucking hate Hydro Pump as a move though. Most of my losses with this team are from Hydro Pump misses. I'm also looking for someone experienced with offensive Starmie to comment on Modest vs Timid. Timid allows you to hit Gengar first, while Modest obviously nets you a few more KOs here and there.
Skarmory (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Roar
- Substitute
- Drill Peck
Substitute is my favorite set right now, as it lets you scout for Mag switch ins, and you can plan your plays accordingly for the next few switch wars. I prefer a little more Def EV to tank a few extra physical hits. The current meta is to use full 252 S-Def EVs on Skarm, while the old school spread was to use 170-192 Def EVs and dumping the rest in either speed or S-Def. Completely un-EV'd, Skarm takes just a little too much from CB Metagross, hence the middle-ground approach I've taken.
Anyways, this sets up spikes, which makes up for the lack of physical damage on my team. I picked Skarm > Metagross because I didn't want too many grounded bros on my team. I don't really agree with the new meta set with no attack moves, as I believe not being able to kill Heracross is a huge mistake.
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 208 Def / 56 SpA / 4 Spe
Relaxed Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Hydro Pump
This is on 99% of my teams. I dislike Milotic and Suicune as TTar checks because they lack Leftovers recovery in sandstorm. 56 S-Atk guarantees 1HKO with Ice Beam on Salamence in sandstorm. Hydro Pump > Surf for fire power. There are situations where Spamming Hydro Pump will take down a good portion of the opposing team, whereas Surf won't give you that particular win condition. 4 speed to beat other Swampert 1v1.
Replays:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001471543
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001248511 - Mixmence weakness?
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001238221
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001221939 - One of my few games against someone competent. I regret starting the battle half-trolling, as I realized too late that this would turn into a great match.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1001727494 - rematch with ^that guy!
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1000921893 - Decent level of play in this match as well
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-1000511295
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-999928906 - Decent game
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-998853894 - Did I mention how much I hated Hydro Pump?
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen3ou-998608030 - Regice can also be the lead.
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