OU – DREADSTORM– OU
…an RMT by Grimsly
(Image courtesy of DeviantArt.com, made by Kgym)
…an RMT by Grimsly
(Image courtesy of DeviantArt.com, made by Kgym)
> Introductions <
Hello Smogon! Grimsly here to bring you my second RMT, this time an OU team featuring a rather underrated threat in Bisharp! The other portion of the team involves a more balanced sand archetype, also demonstrating the ever growing use of Amoonguss in OU and its dreaded presence on any team preview. Other than that, let’s get straight into it!
> Team Building Process <
Hello Smogon! Grimsly here to bring you my second RMT, this time an OU team featuring a rather underrated threat in Bisharp! The other portion of the team involves a more balanced sand archetype, also demonstrating the ever growing use of Amoonguss in OU and its dreaded presence on any team preview. Other than that, let’s get straight into it!
> Team Building Process <
As mentioned in my introduction, the team is centred around the use of Bisharp in OU. I know it is capable of hitting hard and potentially setting up, not something I'd enjoy sweeping with at times, but a strong threat nonetheless, so I added Bisharp.
The next step for me was to find Pokemon that compliment Bisharp, not in his sweeping prowess, but instead allowing him to function well on a team. In the end, I found similarly like Scizor, Rotom-W shares excellent synergy whilst covering Bisharps check and vice versa, so I added Rotom-W.
At this stage I noticed Keldeo can cause me grief especially since it is a dominating force in the current meta-game, hence this is where I added Amoonguss to the mix, again offering some nice synergy with Rotom-W/Bisharp. At this stage I also decided to add Heatran whom completes a rather solid FWG core forming the basis of my team.
It was here that I had to make the decision on whether or not to, well, run weather lol. In the end I decided on Hippowdon, since he makes for a rather nice counter to physically based Dragons, which I felt I was weak to here. I figured I wasn't reliant on the weather, but instead would use it to both wear down the opposing team, and disrupt their own weather, especially the likes of sun, so Hippowdon joined the gang.
The last and most certainly not least spot on my team went to Latios. I felt like I wanted something with a strong offensive presence, and one that isn't too easily walled, therefore Latios was added to the team!
After taking into consideration all of the suggestions made, I began trying out Scarfrachi in place of Scraftran, this is mainly due to its ability to cover more of the 'red' threats that really caused my team issues if they weren't checked properly.So Jirachi was added over Heatran.
Also at this point in time, the team was rather weak to entry hazards, and I would often find myself losing v stall a lot of the time. This is where a Bulky Rapid Spin Starmie replaced Rotom-W, despite the loss in some residual damage in WoW and momentum with Volt Switch, Starmie offers reliably recovery with the benefit of Rapid Spin and spreading burns with Scald. Lastly, Starmie was added over Rotom-W.
Therefore this is now the team in its final state as of now, and has been performing much better.
> Team Analysis <
BISHARP
Bisharp @ Dread Plate
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Night Slash
- Low Kick
This would be the most threatening set a Bisharp can run in OU, the EVs have been tweaked to better suit its role from that which I was previously running (252 Atk / 252 HP / 4 Def). This boost in Bisharp's speed is critical in allowing it to outspeed certain threats that it itself can take out, including, Jellicent, Choice Band Tyranitar, specially defensive Heatran, and completely defensive Landorus-T, just to name a few. The new EV spread was suggested in the "Lower Tier Threats" forum by user "Alexwolf", after I applied them to my team, I noticed it works much smoother in achieving its goal. Also suggested, was the use of Dread Plate over the likes of Life Orb and Leftovers, since it offers the lovely boost in dark STAB, without the drawbacks of a Life Orb, which can , in certain situations, prevent a 2HKO.
This set is rather straightforward, the use of Night Slash / Sucker Punch prompts me to play the frustrating "Sucker Punch or die" scenario in some cases. Low kick offers hefty damage to opposing Steel Types, Tyranitar, and Terrakion locked into Stone Edge. I don't find it difficult to find opportunities to set up a Swords Dance, since I can opt to set up on Foretress / Ferrothorn if need be, or sponge a hit or two from anything locked into Dragon / Rock STAB in turn letting me set up without the added worry of entry hazards being placed on my side. Therefore I really enjoy using Bisharp on this team as it's a rather fun underrated threat in the current meta-game.
STARMIE
Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 120 Def / 4 SAtk / 136 Spd
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Scald
- Thunderbolt
Assuming the role of Rotom-W on the team, with the added benefit of clearing the field of pesky entry hazards, Starmie manages to find a spot on the team rather easily. Like Rotom-W, Starmie displays some awesome synergy with both Amoonguss / Bisharp on the team. It performs a very defensive role, being able to spread burns just as Rotom-W could and through use of Recover increase the team's longevity more reliably. The EV set ensures I out speed any base 100's, while adding just a pinch more to Starmie's bulk, allowing it to take physical blows a little easier.
The moveset is rather straight forward, I opted to keep similar coverage options as to not open up too much new weaknesses when taking Starmie on board, Thunderbolt is mainly for Gyarados, whom can sweep the team if given a chance. Starmie also attempts to cover the Mamoswine weakness the team possesses, although not doing it as well as Rotom-W, it will suffice. Lastly, and most importantly, Starmie helps me combat stall a lot easier, actually making those battles win-able in many a situations. Therefore I find Starmie's new place on the team right at home.
AMOONGUSS
Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 28 SAtk / 228 SDef
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Stun Spore
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Amoonguss is my primary Keldeo check on the team, and thanks to regenerator, allows it to consistently check Keldeo throughout the game, without the fear of being Pursuit bait to Tyranitar. It also serves as another reliable Water type switch in, while being able to wall Venusaur to a degree. Not to mention, it's ability to put something to Sleep in this current meta-game is the equivalent of a KO.
Spore coupled with Stun Spore creates the rather nasty double status set. Its ability to force the opponent to almost 'sacrifice' a Pokemon to Sleep is amazing. Stun Spore then crippling any of my opponents speedy sweepers or wall breakers, which in turn gives some of my slower Pokemon a chance to get the upper hand on them. I rather enjoy the use of HP: Ice, since it can serve as a deterrent to Dragon / Flying or Ground types from attempting to set up on me, since after rocks, can usually lead to them being OHKO'd or in Sucker Punch range. Amoonguss is also my primary Breloom switch in, since it can cause this team headaches if left unchecked by Latios.
JIRACHI
Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Iron Head
- Ice Punch
- Trick
Also suggested in the comments was the use of Choice Scarf Jirachi over the use of Heatran. By using this, I can cover much more 'red' threats mentioned in my list when opposed to having Heatran on the team. The only weaknesses I expose myself is a larger one to that of Sun Teams, and I also find taking Skarmory out to be tougher as well. However despite those new weaknesses, I feel like Jirachi helps me deal with threats that were once unable to be dealt with.
The move set aims to maintain momentum and keep the game in my favour, outspeeding many Dragons even at +1 is a huge, well, plus! Iron Head is the primary STAB option against threats like Genger / Alakazam / Mamoswine / Kyurem-B / Terrakion / Tyranitar. U-Turn works to force out threats such as Hydreigon / Espeon while of course maintaining my teams pseudo offensive presence. Trick is the last moveset, which allows me to mitigate the new difficulty in taking Skarmory down. Lessening its options is a surefire way to prevent it from really doing too much during a game, same going for any dedicated walls on my opponents team.
HIPPOWDON
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
It's role on a team has been explained hundreds of times, so I won't bore you with that. I only really use it as a solid physical wall, it's ability to recover, which aids in my teams longevity, being my Stealth Rock setter, options in phazing out many opponents whom try to stay in and set up, and of course, its ability to disrupt the opposing weather is essential in me defeating Sun Teams that abuse Venusaur or Lilligant's Chlorophyll.
LATIOS
Latios (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
The second half of offensive presence on the team, something that isn't easily walled, especially when running an Expert Belt set, taking away from the usual Choice sets running rampant in OU. This offers a lovely surprise factor, especially when I'm pitted against opposing Ferrothorn / Foretress, since this is what usually severely damages them, allowing them to easily be picked off later during the game. It is also my main check v opposing Breloom, since I easily outspeed and proceed to OHKO with Psyshock. The joys of an Expert Belt is that is eases predictions on my part, since with Choiced sets I usually try to be to "ballin" and go unrealistic plays.
The moveset is optimised to cover many threats to my team, while serving its purpose as a strong offensive presence. The only worry is evading Pursuit trappers on the opposing team, especially Tyranitar. Through its natural bulk, Latios also serves as my Sun counter, being able to wall Venusaur and ensue an OHKO through means of Psyshock.
> Threat List <
(Red = Big Threat, Orange = Med Threat, Plain = Easy Peasy)
(Red = Big Threat, Orange = Med Threat, Plain = Easy Peasy)
> Exportable <
Bisharp @ Dread Plate
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Night Slash
- Low Kick
Latios (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 120 Def / 4 SAtk / 136 Spd
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Scald
- Thunderbolt
Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 28 SAtk / 228 SDef
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Stun Spore
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Iron Head
- Ice Punch
- Trick
Trait: Defiant
EVs: 164 HP / 252 Atk / 92 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Night Slash
- Low Kick
Latios (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Psyshock
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Whirlwind
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
Starmie @ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 120 Def / 4 SAtk / 136 Spd
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Scald
- Thunderbolt
Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 28 SAtk / 228 SDef
Calm Nature
- Spore
- Stun Spore
- Giga Drain
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Iron Head
- Ice Punch
- Trick
> Conclusion <
Thanks a lot for reading my RMT! Drop a like, rate, and subscribe...oh wait I'm not on Youtube lol. If you have the time to rate, I'd really appreciate it! I'm open minded to any form of criticism and feedback! Also adding to my threat list would be appreciated, any suggestions or opinions on threats I didn't cover, and those I may be able to deal with easier would be cool to!
Thanks a lot for reading my RMT! Drop a like, rate, and subscribe...oh wait I'm not on Youtube lol. If you have the time to rate, I'd really appreciate it! I'm open minded to any form of criticism and feedback! Also adding to my threat list would be appreciated, any suggestions or opinions on threats I didn't cover, and those I may be able to deal with easier would be cool to!
Last edited: