I'm not too well-versed in creating sets for Pokemon, so most of my teams are based off Smogon sets. Any recommendations for how I should change my team (or improve my current members) in order to be able to play more consistently?
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Ran Scizor because it deals well with many foes to my Steels and Dragons, namely the Latis and Ttar. Heatran is annoying for it (and my entire team lol) but I haven't seen it too commonly so it's not the largest threat to my team. I've also occasionally used Leftovers Jirachi (from the BKC video) and it also performs well against the Latis, but I prefer Scizor's immediate pressure against Psychic types.
Mamoswine (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Earthquake
I knew Mamo was great for killing other Dragons (and being able to kill Scarf Chomp and Latios is vital for this team) so it was a near immediate addition. Dancing around Keldeo is annoying but the tradeoff is worth it. My only hesitancy on this set is dropping Stealth Rock for Superpower when I play with Jirachi, and the choice between Icicle Crash vs Icicle Spear (personally prefer Crash because of the consistent damage).
Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 164 HP / 252 SpA / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
I initially ran Specs Mag, and even after watching BKC's video recommending Air Balloon Magnet Rise Mag, I still use Specs because of the sheer power against mons that would ordinarily like switching in against Magnezone (namely Excadrill). Additionally, preventing the extra layer of Spikes against Ferrothorn is really nice since Scizor/Jirachi and Mag love spamming U-turn/Volt Switch. Thundurus-T is annoying but can be played around with my Dragons.
Latios (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock
I needed a Special Dragon for the team and what better is there than Latios? The power of Specs Latios is incredible, if the opposing Ttar isn't a bulky set, it can even 2HKO Tar on the switch with Surf. Latios needs the power from Specs to be able to punch holes in opponents, so late in the game, Scarfers can be a problem for my Dragons, especially if they have over 108 speed.
Salamence (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
I like Salamence, and its ability to clean up teams that let it run wild is crazy, but its SR weakness doesn't make it consistently useful against offense, since it'll get worn down by hazards. Considering using Scarf Chomp or even Scarf Keldeo, but if you have recommendations for a different Mence set, I would love to use this Moxie dragon.
Kyurem-Black @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
In hindsight, pairing SR-weak dragons isn't a good idea. Most people don't even expect Scarf KB though, which allows me to revenge-kill a Specs Keldeo or Latios. Maybe I should change the nature, or I could even try using Haxorus (since it doesn't have the SR weakness), but KB is pretty good.
Anyway, this team tends to struggle with Sun teams (especially since my two main SR setters are weak to Fire), Cresselia, and fast Scarfers late game (namely Keldeo, Latios, and Garchomp), but I have answers to most things rain and sand teams can do, and Mamo destroys other DragMag teams.
Edit: forgot to mention that this team struggles against most setup sweepers in the wrong matchup (Magnezone vs SubSD Chomp for instance)
Scizor (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- U-turn
- Bullet Punch
- Superpower
- Pursuit
Ran Scizor because it deals well with many foes to my Steels and Dragons, namely the Latis and Ttar. Heatran is annoying for it (and my entire team lol) but I haven't seen it too commonly so it's not the largest threat to my team. I've also occasionally used Leftovers Jirachi (from the BKC video) and it also performs well against the Latis, but I prefer Scizor's immediate pressure against Psychic types.
Mamoswine (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Shard
- Icicle Crash
- Earthquake
I knew Mamo was great for killing other Dragons (and being able to kill Scarf Chomp and Latios is vital for this team) so it was a near immediate addition. Dancing around Keldeo is annoying but the tradeoff is worth it. My only hesitancy on this set is dropping Stealth Rock for Superpower when I play with Jirachi, and the choice between Icicle Crash vs Icicle Spear (personally prefer Crash because of the consistent damage).
Magnezone @ Choice Specs
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 164 HP / 252 SpA / 92 Spe
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Fire]
I initially ran Specs Mag, and even after watching BKC's video recommending Air Balloon Magnet Rise Mag, I still use Specs because of the sheer power against mons that would ordinarily like switching in against Magnezone (namely Excadrill). Additionally, preventing the extra layer of Spikes against Ferrothorn is really nice since Scizor/Jirachi and Mag love spamming U-turn/Volt Switch. Thundurus-T is annoying but can be played around with my Dragons.
Latios (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock
I needed a Special Dragon for the team and what better is there than Latios? The power of Specs Latios is incredible, if the opposing Ttar isn't a bulky set, it can even 2HKO Tar on the switch with Surf. Latios needs the power from Specs to be able to punch holes in opponents, so late in the game, Scarfers can be a problem for my Dragons, especially if they have over 108 speed.
Salamence (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
I like Salamence, and its ability to clean up teams that let it run wild is crazy, but its SR weakness doesn't make it consistently useful against offense, since it'll get worn down by hazards. Considering using Scarf Chomp or even Scarf Keldeo, but if you have recommendations for a different Mence set, I would love to use this Moxie dragon.
Kyurem-Black @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Teravolt
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Fusion Bolt
- Ice Beam
In hindsight, pairing SR-weak dragons isn't a good idea. Most people don't even expect Scarf KB though, which allows me to revenge-kill a Specs Keldeo or Latios. Maybe I should change the nature, or I could even try using Haxorus (since it doesn't have the SR weakness), but KB is pretty good.
Anyway, this team tends to struggle with Sun teams (especially since my two main SR setters are weak to Fire), Cresselia, and fast Scarfers late game (namely Keldeo, Latios, and Garchomp), but I have answers to most things rain and sand teams can do, and Mamo destroys other DragMag teams.
Edit: forgot to mention that this team struggles against most setup sweepers in the wrong matchup (Magnezone vs SubSD Chomp for instance)
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