Resource SM ZU Sample Teams

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SM ZU Sample Teams
Mostly taken from LC’s sample team thread by Altariel von Sweep

Welcome to the ZU Sample Team Archive! Here you will find a collection of solid, successful teams intended to help new players get acclimated to the metagame and different playstyles found within the tier. Everyone is welcome to submit a team, but in order to maintain a good quality archive, your team will be subject to approval from the council before its addition. You may use any team in this archive as you see fit. Teams are updated in the OP.

Team Submission Guidelines:
An Importable of the team is required.
A brief explanation of how the team works and what each member does. You may also include any success the team had on ladder or in tournament play, and if you want, some replays.
Teams must be tested and fine tuned as much as possible. If your team has glaring flaws and has to be touched up, it likely will not be added.
A submitted team will be added if deemed up to par.
In the same vein, teams should utilize Pokemon mostly from S to B+ to better reflect the metagame. Teams may showcase lower-ranked Pokemon, so just be mindful that the goal of this thread is to show newer players what's most common and effective in ZU. Also, we encourage you to submit teams you've build on your own.
No memes
(optional but helpful) mini sprites

After you’ve submitted your team, the council will look it over and either add it or post here explaining why we will not.

Standard Stall by DurzaOffTopic
:avalugg::lickilicky::dusclops::pyukumuku::hippopotas::altaria:
Avalugg @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Avalanche
- Toxic

Lickilicky @ Leftovers
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
- Heal Bell

Dusclops @ Eviolite
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 92 SpD
Bold Nature
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Pyukumuku @ Leftovers / Poisonium Z
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Block
- Toxic
- Rest

Hippopotas (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Toxic
- Slack Off

Altaria @ Firium Z / Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower / Dragon Pulse
Stall is a relevant play style in the current metagame and this particular stall team represents the archetype effectively. Physically defensive Avalugg and specially defensive Lickilicky not only check a majority of the team together, but also provide cleric support, entry hazard removal, and Toxic spam. Mixed defensive Dusclops and physically defensive Pyukumuku help cover setup Pokemon and attackers that can beat Avalugg and Lickilicky, namely SD Combusken, non-Taunt Simisear and Simipour, and NP Chatot. Stall needs a Volt Switch stopper and Stealth Rock user, and Hippopotas does these two things extremely well on stall. It also helps check attackers such as Golem, Muk, and Expert Belt Electivire. Lastly, Altaria rounds out the team with its useful resistances, access to Defog, and ability to help check threats such as Simisage and Choice Specs Exeggutor with Z-Flamethrower. The Speed EVs are to outspeed Pawniard. Alternatively, Pyukumuku can hold Poisonium Z and Altaria can switch to Leftovers so that the team can more easily switch into Switcheroo or Trick Pokemon such as Floatzel and Mr. Mime.

While the team covers most of the metagame extremely well, like any stall team, it has its weaknesses. So, you must watch out for NP Simisage, Psychic-type breakers such as Choice Specs Beheeyem, Choice Specs Exeggutor, and CM LO Kadabra, and mixed Electivire and NP Raichu. As such, Toxic stalling and keeping Lickilicky healthy is key. Lastly, Mareanie with Knock Off and Toxic Spikes can be annoying, but can be stalled out or trapped by Pyukumuku.

Volt-Turn HO by DurzaOffTopic :ninjask::mr_mime::komala::silvally::golem::electivire:
Ninjask @ Groundium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Dig
- Leech Life
- U-turn

Mr. Mime @ Choice Specs
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Dazzling Gleam
- Focus Blast
- Healing Wish

Komala @ Assault Vest
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- U-turn

Silvally-Dragon @ Dragon Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Defog
- U-turn
- Flamethrower

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Atk / 40 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Smack Down
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
The first team is a standard and incredibly easy to use hyper offense team that features SD Ninjask and Choice Specs Mr. Mime. These two Pokemon work very well with one another as Ninjask can bring in Mr. Mime off a U-turn, can threaten faster Pokemon such as Leafeon and Silvally-Dark, and can break through special walls such as Lickilicky and Bronzor at +2 for Mr. Mime. Similarly, Choice Specs Mr. Mime is able to punch through Ninjask's defensive checks such as Altaria, Gourgeist-XL, and Rotom-S to help pave a way for a mid- or late-game sweep. Assault Vest Komala and Silvally-Dragon provide entry hazard removal, more pivoting through U-turn, and necessary offensive and defensive utility for the team. Golem is the Stealth Rock user and mandatory Normal-type and Electivire check. Smack Down enables Golem to beat Bronzor and Sucker Punch is clutch against weakened offensive threats such as Kadabra, Exeggutor, and Simisear. Lastly, Choice Scarf Electivire provides speed control and more pivoting.
Pursuit Trap+Egg by Ho3nConfirm3d
silvally-dark.png
exeggutor.png
golem.png
mareanie.png
combusken.png
rotom-fan.png

Exeggutor @ Choice Specs
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Leaf Storm
- Giga Drain
- Sleep Powder

Silvally-Dark @ Dark Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Multi-Attack
- U-turn
- Defog
- Pursuit

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Atk / 56 Def / 48 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 60 SpD
Impish Nature
- Scald
- Knock Off
- Recover
- Toxic Spikes

Combusken @ Firium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Sky Uppercut
- Protect
- Swords Dance

Rotom-Fan @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Air Slash
- Volt Switch
- Trick
- Will-O-Wisp
Crustle Swanna Bulky Offense by sketchy ecchi


Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 248 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Psywave
- Rest

Silvally-Water⠀ (Silvally-Dragon) @ Dragon Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn
- Defog

Crustle @ Figy Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Shell Smash
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Earthquake

Swanna @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Big Pecks
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Mirror Move
- Brave Bird
- Liquidation
- Aqua Jet

Simisage @ Life Orb
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Leaf Storm
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Volt Switch
This team is the result of a collaborative effort from 85percent, quagsgone, and me. It’s a standard bulky offense team featuring two of the most dangerous set-up sweepers in ZU, Crustle and Swanna. Bronzor sets up stealth rocks and, thanks to its many resistances, checks a significant portion of the tier, including Swanna, Golem, and Bouffalant. 8 speed EVs allow it to get the jump on opposing Bronzors and psywave them first. Silvally-Dragon defogs and uses its strong draco meteor to force switches and grab momentum. Thunderbolt allows Silvally to force Mareanie out and defog its t-spikes away. Crustle functions as a set-up sweeper that’s difficult to revenge on account of its bulk and as a secondary normal resist for things like Komala and Kecleon. Figy berry mitigates rocks damage with 30 HP IVs allowing it to activate after three switch-ins to stealth rock. Flyinium Z gives Swanna the opportunity to boost its attack with Z-mirror move, or in cases where that’s not feasible, a one-time nuke with Z-brave bird. Defensively, Swanna is key to checking and revenging Combusken. Simisage fills the void left by Shiftry’s departure and creates opportunities for Crustle and Swanna to sweep by breaking defensive staples such as Bronzor, Mareanie, Pyukumuku, and Dusclops. Scarf Electivire rounds out the team, providing speed control and an electric immunity which forces mind games for teams that rely on Electivire to revenge Swanna.

This team is fast-paced and focuses more on pressuring the opposing team than playing reactively, and so it doesn’t have defensive counterplay for everything. Crustle and Z-me first Pinsir are notable threats, but Crustle can be revenged by Electivire and Swanna, and Pinsir by Silvally-Dragon as long as it’s healthy. This team lacks a dark resist, so Pawniard and other dark types must be played around very carefully, but sucker punch can be exploited. Silvally-Dragon has good matchups versus most hazard setters, with the exception of Bronzor which is susceptible to being worn down. This is important as Crustle and Swanna hate switching into stealth rocks, and the game often revolves around finding the right time for them to set-up and win.


Previous Metagame ZU Sample Teams (July-September)
Anti-Meta Bulky Offense by RawMelon

Golem @ Choice Band
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Fire Punch
- Explosion

Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch
- Stealth Rock

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze

Rotom-Fan @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Air Slash
- Volt Switch
- Defog

Leafeon @ Normalium Z
Ability: Leaf Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Celebrate
- Knock Off
- Leaf Blade
- Double-Edge

Silvally @ Choice Scarf
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- U-turn
- Explosion
- Crunch
I built this team to check most of the relevant threats in the tier while at the same time putting pressure on some of the more common cores. Overall, you use the bulky core of Metang, Rotom-S, and Mareanie to check relevant threats and gain early momentum with hazard control. In the early game, my overall strategy is to get in Rotom-S early to pressure Golem, Electivire or whatever the volt immunity is with wisp and then use volt switch to gain momentum. Usually after volt switching you'll either want to start setting up hazards or breaking things with Band Golem given the opportunity. Band Golem is the best breaker in the tier and with Tangela gone there are very few reliable switch-ins that aren't extremely passive, or that don't want to be whittled. If Golem does get to weaken their switch-in this allows Z-Celebrate Leafeon or Scarf Silvally to sweep later on. Of course, this too opens up opportunities for Scarf Silvally to sweep late game which happens more times than not.

Overall, if you want a solid team that can handle almost any archetype or match-up give this one a shot. I'm pretty sure I haven't lost a game with it yet in the many tests I've done.


Mixed Electivire Offense by Aaronboyer

Electivire @ Expert Belt
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- Ice Punch
- Cross Chop

Swanna @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rain Dance
- Surf
- Hurricane
- Rest

Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Seed Bomb
- Sucker Punch

Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Atk / 88 Def / 140 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Multi-Attack
- Toxic
- Defog

Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 176 Atk / 80 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Toxic

Rapidash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Wild Charge
- High Horsepower
- Megahorn
Here is a team centered around Expert Belt Electivire, a set that allows Electivire to break through would be checks such as Gourgeist-XL and Wish Komala once they are lured in. Z-Rain Dance Swanna and LO SD Shiftry provide much needed breaking power and potential to sweep, and they appreciate Electivire's ability to check Water-types as well as its ability to break past Lickilicky and Shiinotic. Silvally-Fighting and Metang provide the entry hazard core and form the defensive backbone of the team, checking Pokemon such as Golem, Shiftry, and Abomasnow. Finally, Choice Scarf Rapidash rounds the team off and gives the team an essential revenge killer.

Shell Smash Crustle Offense by 85percent

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Psywave
- Stealth Rock
- Rest

Silvally-Dragon @ Dragon Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 208 HP / 240 SpA / 60 Spe
Modest Nature
- Defog
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- U-turn

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake

Shiftry @ Life Orb
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Leaf Storm
- Sucker Punch

Swanna @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Big Pecks
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hurricane
- Defog
- Roost

Crustle @ White Herb
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shell Smash
- X-Scissor
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake
The team is built around Crustle, whose sweeping-capabilites are often overlooked when using him as a lead. The general idea is to weaken the opposing team, using the offensive core of Swanna and Shiftry. These two nicely cover things that usually trouble Crustle when attempting a sweep (e.g. bulky ground or fighting types, silvally-water, pyukumuku). Bronzor and Silvally-Dragon form a nice defensive dragon/steel-core to fall back on. (The Silvally-Dragon spread is a little specific: It outspeeds maximum speed non-scarf Abomasnow and always lives a +2 Sucker Punch from maximum attack Life Orb Shiftry after Stealth Rock damage.) Electivire lastly serves as speed control and overall good scarfer. He also helps weaken bulky ground types by hitting them with Ice Punch while they attempt to stop his volt switching.

Bulk Up Komala by Broken Phobias

Komala @ Leftovers
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Wish
- Protect
- Bulk Up

Swanna @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Surf
- Rain Dance
- Roost

Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Multi-Attack
- Swords Dance / Toxic
- Defog
- U-turn

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 180 Def / 44 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge / Rock Blast

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Flamethrower
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake

Servine @ Eviolite
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Leaf Storm
- Synthesis
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Taunt
Here is a team built around Bulk Up Komala. Bulk Up Wish is arguably Komala's best set in the metagame, taking advantage of typical defensive counterplay such as Golem and Gourgeist-XL. It is able to setup on the majority of the defensive metagame due to its above average bulk and immunity to status, and Knock Off is all it really needs. Z-Rain Dance Swanna and Bulk Up Komala complement one another very well, wearing down or beating one another's checks and counters. SD Defog Silvally-Fighting provides necessary breaking power for the team, as well as removing hazards and checking Pokemon such as Lickilicky, Komala, and Probopass. Toxic may be used over SD as the team is slightly weak to Gourgeist-XL and Z-Celebrate Leafeon. Golem provides crucial role compression for the team; SR, an Electric immunity, Normal check, and blanket physical wall. Special Scarf Electivire is used over the physical variant as the team struggles to effectively plow through the aforementioned Z-Celebrate Leafeon and Gourgeist-XL, and Flamethrower also provides extra insurance against Mawile, Pinsir, and Abomasnow. Servine rounds off the team by acting as a stallbreaker, Golem check, and gives the team the means to play around threats such as Floatzel, Altaria, and Kadabra.

Z-Rain Dance Swanna Offense by Absolute Infinity

Swanna @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Rain Dance
- Hurricane
- Surf
- Roost

Combusken @ Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect

Silvally-Water @ Water Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 200 HP / 124 SpA / 184 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower

Komala @ Choice Band
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- U-turn
- Knock Off
- Toxic / Earthquake

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Def / 240 SpD
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Protect
- Rock Blast / Stone Edge
This offensive team generally uses Komala and Electivire to weaken opposing teams before sweeping with Combusken or Swanna. Golem and Silvally-Water allow the team to take some hits and provide hazard control for the team’s offense. Choice Band Komala is the hardest hitter on the team and forms a Volt-Turn core with Choice Scarf Electivire. Komala has toxic as its last move to cripple Pokemon like Gourgiest and Golem that would otherwise take its hits reasonably well. Swanna uses the team’s Z-crystal to either gain +1 speed with Z-Rain Dance and sweep unsuspecting teams or to fire off a single powerful and potentially rain-boosted water type attack. With Rain Dance and Roost, Swanna will usually defeat Bronzor, a common switch-in to Swanna, which can help Golem, Electivire, and Komala. Combusken is another special attacker that enjoys Swanna removing or weakening special walls so that it can sweep late game. Try to preserve Combusken until the late game when Speed Boost and its powerful attacks can end the game.

Silvally acts as a sort of catch-all check to a variety of threats such as Floatzel, Pawniard, and Pinsir. Silvally forgoes a pivoting move for three attacks so that it is not forced out by Pokemon like Abomasnow or Altaria and can put a lot of pressure on some teams with its fantastic coverage. Silvally’s EVs outpace Rotom-S and OHKO Abomasnow with Flamethrower, with the rest put into hit points. Golem also acts as a useful defensive pivot while still hitting hard with its STAB attacks. This Golem sacrifices some physical bulk in order to better take attacks from Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Chatot and Choice Scarf Mr. Mime that would otherwise be more problematic to the team. While it doesn’t take physical hits from Komala or Rapidash as well as it would with a physically defensive EV distribution, it still has the physical bulk to always avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Electivire’s Earthquake after Stealth Rock. The team as a whole should aim to put as much pressure on opponents as possible, and shouldn’t worry as much about sacrificing hit points on its bulkier Pokemon if it helps set up for Swanna, Combusken, or Electivire to clean up the opposing team. Beware that this team is extremely weak to Z-Celebrate Leafeon, so Water Memory can be swapped out for Poison Memory on Silvally if you think you might face that. It will hurt the team’s Floatzel matchup and adds extra Ground and Psychic weaknesses, but it is an option if Grass types become too popular.

Combusken+BU Komala Balance by Xayah

Silvally-Ghost @ Ghost Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
- Defog

Combusken @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Protect

Komala @ Leftovers
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Bulk Up
- Wish
- Protect

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Sludge Bomb
- Haze
- Recover

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake

Sawsbuck @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- Jump Kick
- Horn Leech
- Headbutt
Silvally-Ghost is a nice offensive pivot and Defogger, with Shadow Ball having solid offensive coverage in the tier and Ice Beam targeting Altaria, which is a threat to the team otherwise. Combusken pairs very nicely with Silvally-Ghost, covering Normal- and Dark-types for it while being brought in safely by U-turn. Bulk Up Komala is a terifying win condition that appreciates Combusken and Silvally-Ghost break through the likes of Shiftry and Gourgeist-XL to allow it to win more easily. Mareanie and Golem form a solid defensive backbone, while Sawsbuck provides speed control. You can also totally hax out games with Serene Grace Headbutt.

How-To-ZU-Stall-101 by Diagnostic

Silvally-Ground @ Ground Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 16 Def / 236 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roar
- Multi-Attack
- U-Turn
- Defog / Rest

Lickilicky @ Leftovers
Ability: Oblivious
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Heal Bell
- Seismic Toss / Toxic
- Protect
- Wish

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Stealth Rock
- Psywave
- Rest

Gourgeist-Large @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 192 Def / 64 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Will-O-Wisp
- Leech Seed
- Synthesis

Komala @ Leftovers
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
- Wish

Pyukumuku @ Ghostium Z
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 168 Def / 88 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Block
- Rest / Taunt
- Spite
- Recover
Here is one of your cookie-cutter stall teams to handle the plethora of Wallbreakers, Stallbreakers, and Volt-Switch abusers that make the archetype feel unplayable. Silvally-Ground is your Volt-Switch check as well as your primary Knock-Off switch-in due to its Electric-immunity and RKS System not allowing Memory-based items to be removed. Having access to Roar allows you to phaze Substitute and Set-up sweepers such as Regigigas and Muk, respectively. You can choose between running Defog as a back-up Hazard Remover in case Komala cannot Rapid Spin or use Rest to act as a dedicated Choice Scarf Electivire check. Lickilicky is your Taunt-immunity that also functions as the main cleric for the team with Heal Bell + Wish while Seismic Toss gives it an attacking option to prevent it being overly passive while breaking substitutes that lack 101 HP, although Toxic can be used since it cannot be stopped by Taunt if you prefer the status utility. Bronzor is your Hazard Setter for the team. Toxic allows you to chip away at switch-ins while Psywave prevents it from being overly passive and has a chance to break substitutes. Gourgeist-Large is chosen over Gourgeist-Super despite the HP loss due to the ability to speed creep Neutral Nature Base 45 speed wallbreakers invested in max speed such as Granbull and Golem and Wisp / Synthesis before they can hit you. It also has the extra benefit of always outpacing Regigigas under slow start all the time and still checks the same threats such as Komala and Physical-based Floatzel that is needed on almost every defensive core. Komala is the primary Hazard Remover on the team that also fills the niche to remove items using Knock from annoyances such as Bronzor's Eviolite, Roselia's Eviolite, Choice Items from Trick/Switcheroo switch-ins, and even Leftovers from Substitute and Sturdy users. Komala adds another Wish Passer to the team while providing the team with a Toxic-Spikes switch-in that won't be affected by the status due to Comotose. Pyukumuku is our coveted Unaware user that checks dangerous set-up sweepers lacking super effective coverage / Taunt and has the ability to remove would-be stall counters such as Magic Guard Duosion, Nasty Plot Beheeyem, and Nasty Plot Mr. Mime by PP Stalling them with Spite. Ghostium Z (Z-Spite) provides a Trick-immunity while making Pyukumuku a Knock-off switch-in and the Z-move provides a one-time full HP recovery option in emergencies when Recover does not provide enough.

SLEEPY BOI by Xayah

SLEEPY BOI (Komala) @ Choice Band
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Knock Off

Floatzel @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Water Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Bulk Up
- Liquidation
- Ice Punch
- Focus Punch

Abomasnow @ Choice Specs
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Frost Breath

Altaria @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 164 SpD / 96 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Roost
- Defog
- Toxic
- Flamethrower

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psywave
- Stealth Rock
- Rest
- Toxic

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch
This team is fairly straightforward. It began with the offensive core of Choice Band Komala and Fightinium Z Floatzel with Ice coverage in this case. It may seem unorthodox, but it's quite effective as a lure at times, things like Altaria coming in after scouting the set as Bulk Up, expecting to stall a few turns through the Taunt, but instead just getting beaten down. Also notable is that +1 Z-Focus Punch breaks through Silvally-Water and is Floatzel's only way of doing so effectively. Choice Specs Abomasnow and Choice Scarf Electivire round out the offensive portion of the team, one of them being an amazing breaker in the current meta, while the other is the most reliable revenge killer for Floatzel there is and has excellent coverage to threaten a lot of the meta. To finish the team I added Bronzor and Altaria, which form a very effective defensive core while also providing good hazard control.

Anti-Weather (Offense) by Diagnostic

Abomasnow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Blizzard
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Earthquake

Rotom-Frost @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Blizzard
- Trick

Monferno @ Firium Z
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Mach Punch
- Close Combat

Silvally-Dark @ Dark Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Multi-Attack
- Pursuit
- Defog

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold / Impish Nature
- Scald / Knock Off
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 SpD
Careful Nature
- Rock Blast / Smack Down
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Protect
This team takes advantage of Abomasnow's ability to disrupt opposing weather with Hail along side Rotom-Frost, which form a pair that abuses Blizzard with perfect accuracy. Mareanie patches up both Fighting and Fire-type weaknesses while providing a Toxic immunity and Toxic Spikes absorber for the team. Toxic Spikes helps chip down grounded non-poison and steel type switch-ins while Knock Off allows Mareanie to remove items from switch-ins that wouldn't mind Scald or Toxic Spikes such as Rotom-Frost and Roselia. Choice Scarf Rotom-Frost maintains useful speed control for the team and pairs well with Abomasnow, having a Flying-type resist due to its secondary Electric-typing, and helps lure out Ice checks such as Grumpig. Silvally-Dark is an excellent partner here since practical Pursuit users are rare and it also compresses its role as an offensive Defogger. Monferno's STAB options are very useful, being able to hit Kecleon, Golem, Bronzor, Abomasnow, and Rotom-Frost for super effective damage and aids the team as a Sweeper for late game. Golem provides the team with Stealth Rocks, an Electric-immunity, a Normal-resist, and an emergency check to weakened threats when Sturdy is preserved. Rock Blast allows you to bypass Substitute users while Smack Down plus Earthquake provides an option to threaten Bronzor, which would otherwise wall this set. This team requires maintaining offensive momentum in order to pressure offensive wallbreakers that may abuse this team's weakness to Fighting-type coverage.

Double Horse (Balance) by Froasty

Rapidash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Flare Blitz
- High Horsepower
- Wild Charge
- Toxic / Megahorn

Zebstrika @ Life Orb
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 29 HP / 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Overheat
- Hidden Power [Water] / Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunderbolt

Gourgeist-Large @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Frisk
EVs: 252 HP / 212 Def / 44 SpD
Impish Nature
- Foul Play
- Seed Bomb
- Will-O-Wisp
- Synthesis

Silvally-Dark @ Dark Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Multi-Attack
- Pursuit
- Defog

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 SpD
Impish Nature
- Knock Off
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psywave
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Rest
Rapidash and Zebstrika together form an offensive core that preys on the offensive Pokemon of the metagame. With Choice Scarf Rapidash outspeeds every other relevant Choice Scarf user and can take them out with its STAB or coverage moves while presenting a threat to many other Pokemon. Zebstrika can pressure Pokemon that would otherwise get in the way of Rapidash, such as Mareanie, and pivot in order to gain momentum or get KOs on the likes of Gabite with Hidden Power [Ice]. Gourgeist-Large covers the weakness of these two to Ground type attacks as well as dealing with Crustle, who otherwise could take advantage of Rapidash. 44 SpD allows Gourgeist-Large to survive one +2 Dazzling Gleam after Stealth Rock from Mr. Mime and weaken it with Seed Bomb, which also threatens Golem. Mareanie covers the weakness to Combusken and Monferno that is opened up by Rapidash as well as pressuring defensive Pokemon that would attempt to impede Rapidash and Zebstrika through Toxic Spikes. Knock Off is usable over Toxic for Mareanie because Bronzor can push the Toxic on Silvally forms, allowing Mareanie to remove Choice Scarf from Rotom-Frost to weaken its Trick and remove Mago Berry from Grumpig to take away its recovery as well as remove the Eviolite from opposing Mareanie. Special Bronzor deals with the still present weakness to Toxic Gabite by being immune to Toxic and resistant or immune to all of Gabite's relevant moves, and Bronzor also acts as a secondary answer to the likes of Golem while being able to reliably answer Abomasnow and other special attackers such as Rotom-Frost and Choice Scarf Mr. Mime, as long as it does not get hit by Trick or Knock Off. Mareanie and Bronzor can both outlast most Silvally in order to pressure hazards and keep wearing down the opposing team, but both are weak to powerful Knock Offs such as Kecleon's. This is where Colbur Berry Gourgeist-Large comes in, allowing Gourgeist to counter non-Fire Blast Kecleon variants while Mareanie acts as backup in case of Fire Blast variants at the sacrifice of its Eviolite. Silvally-Dark is the best choice for the Defog slot, threatening and potentially Pursuit trapping Shadow Ball Grumpig and Misdreavus, both of which can threaten the defensive core, while threatening Choice Scarf Mr. Mime and playing 50/50s with it.

One-Punch Kecleon (Offense) by Jklioe

Kecleon @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protean
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Power-Up Punch / Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Drain Punch
- Shadow Sneak

Rotom-Frost @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Blizzard
- Trick

Roselia @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Spikes
- Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
- Sludge Bomb
- Rest

Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- U-turn
- Multi-Attack
- Shadow Claw / Pursuit
- Defog

Grumpig @ Mago Berry
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recycle
- Substitute
- Focus Blast
- Psychic

Dugtrio-Alola @ Steelium Z
Ability: Tangling Hair
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
The structure of this build revolves around using Toxic Spikes to help break down standard defensive cores and offer Kecleon with the opportunity to clean up late game. Assault Vest Kecleon provides the team with an offensive sponge to the many special attackers in the tier and Protean provides extra damage to its coverage options of choice. Power-Up Punch provides Kecleon with the ability to boost and sweep late game while Sucker Punch grants you a secondary priority move to beat down offensive teams. Choice Scarf Rotom-Frost is well-known for the speed control and utility it provides and needs little explanation here. Roselia is the Toxic Spike user of choice since it can take advantage of Mareanie and other common hazard setters along with providing a Toxic Spikes immunity and status absorber for the team. Silvally-Fighting provides a Knock Off switch-in that also carries a useful Rock-type resist and takes on a role compression with Defog. This set, in particular, is effective at removing opposing Kecleon by punishing its ability to become a Ghost-type through Shadow Sneak to gain an immunity to Multi-Attack. Grumpig, thanks to Thick Fat, is the glue to this teams weakness against Fighting- and Fire-type attacks. Grumpig also has a useful Ice-type resist which allows it to switch into Blizzard from the common abusers in Rotom-Frost and Abomasnow. Dugtrio-Alola has a nice speed tier, great offensive typing, and an Electric- and Poison-type immunity that allows it to take advantage of non-scarfed threats like Rapidash, Electivire, Muk which would otherwise take advantage of the lack of physical walls on this team. Corkscrew Crash Dugrio-Alola has the extra benefit of preventing threats like Silvally-Fighting from becoming a safe switch-in, baits them, and removes them. The Z-Crystal also gives Dugtrio-Alola a Trick immunity, limiting opposing Choice Scarf Rotom-Frost to using Blizzard, which Grumpig greatly appreciates.

Hell's Playground (Bulky Offense) by Xayah

Abomasnow @ Grassium Z
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Blizzard
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Cross Chop
- Ice Punch / Earthquake

Lurantis @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 248 HP / 176 SpD / 84 Spe
Careful Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Superpower
- Aromatherapy
- Synthesis

Silvally-Fire @ Fire Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic
- Psywave
- Stealth Rock
- Rest
This team uses a bit of an unorthodox Fire/Water/Grass core of Silvally-Fire, Mareanie, and Lurantis to apply a ton of pressure at all stages of the game. Mareanie + Bronzor is just a really good defensive core currently that deals with a lot of the metagame and functions as the defensive backbone of this particular team. Lurantis and Silvally-Fire form a more offensive duo that use their natural bulk to switch in and put on pressure in a unique fashion. Silvally-Fire is also a Defogger and can break Bronzor + Mareanie on its own while also being pretty unexpected at times. Lurantis supports the defensive core by removing statuses with Aromatherapy, notably Bronzor's self-induced sleep, while being quite tough to deal with itself. Grassium Z Abomasnow is a pretty solid breaker that uses its solid mixed attacking stats to decimate many defensive teams while its access to Ice Shard means it can easily aid in picking off weakened threats and potentially rip through an offensive team in the late game. Lastly, Electivire provides the team with a fast pivot, an Electric immunity, and a Choice Scarf user faster than Rotom-Frost and Chatot, allowing it to revenge kill very effectively and making it very tough for opposing Electric-types to click their STAB moves. It also notably takes on Blizzard from Rotom-Frost, allowing it to relatively safely switch in and force it out.


The Defiant Duo (Hyper Offense) by Diagnostic

Shuckle @ Mental Herb
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sticky Web
- Stealth Rock
- Infestation
- Encore

Rotom-Frost @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Blizzard
- Trick

Pawniard @ Steelium Z
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head

Silvally-Fighting @ Fighting Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Multi-Attack
- Zen Headbutt
- U-Turn / Shadow Claw

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Haze

Purugly @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Return
- Fake Out
- Knock Off / Stomping Tantrum
- U-turn
This is a comeback for Sticky Web compositions and has seen success due to the changes in the metagame. Shuckle is your primary choice for this team's setter since it can reliably set up hazards while chipping away at threats and locking them in with Infestation. Encore creates opportunities for teammates since you can lock Hazard Removers into Defog / Rapid Spin or lock offensive threats into a move that your attackers can switch into. Pawniard and Purugly pair together as defiant users, being able to deter Hazard Removal from switch-ins such as Armaldo and Silvally-forms while breaking down each other's checks with their STAB options. Corkscrew Crash has the extra benefit to OHKO offensive defoggers or Contrary users which include Silvally-Fighting and Lurantis after a Swords Dance which would normally switch-in and attempt to force Pawniard out if not beat it. Silvally-Fighting provides an offensive Golem and Alolan-Dugtrio check that can also abuse its speed after webs to sweep late game. Zen Headbutt hits Poison-types like Mareanie while hitting Flying-types neutrally and U-Turn provides pivoting utility that hits Psychic-types although Shadow Claw has the extra benefit of being the stronger option versus Ghost-types. Rotom-Frost provides speed control and threatens Levitate and Flying-type pokemon that are not affected by Sticky Web. Rotom-Frost also provides an emergency check to Servine and Lurantis, which it outpaces even after the Contrary users gain a speed boost from Sticky Web and can remove them with STAB Blizzard. Mareanie is the glue to this team and adds a Monferno counter and a general check to most Silvally-forms (if they lack super effective coverage), which all Sticky-Webs teams are prone to, while providing the team with another hazard option that helps chip away at defensive and offensive pokemon lacking an immunity.


Sample Resources

Sample Cores
 
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I´ve submitted this team a while ago, but with this new submitting-format I wanted to do it again, especially because of feedback.

Brief explanation:
The team is built around Crustle, whose sweeping-capabilites are often overlooked when using him as a lead. The general idea is to weaken the opposing team, using the offensive core of Swanna and Shiftry. These two nicely cover things that usually trouble Crustle when attempting a sweep (e.g. bulky ground or fighting types, silvally-water, pyukumuku). Bronzor and Silvally-Dragon form a nice defensive dragon/steel-core to fall back on. (The Silvally-Dragon spread is a little specific: It outspeeds maximum speed non-scarf Abomasnow and always lives a +2 Sucker Punch from maximum attack Life Orb Shiftry after Stealth Rock damage.) Electivire lastly serves as speed control and overall good scarfer. He also helps weaken bulky ground types by hitting them with Ice Punch while they attempt to stop his volt switching.

The team has had a good success rate in recent tours (best friends tour, room tours, zu open), piloted by a few different players.

Replays:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-832810791https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-829279503https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-826199561(The replays show a slightly different Silvally set. I now replaced Parting Shot with U-turn, mainly because of the increase in Shiftry-usage, and use Draco Meteor + Flamethrower over Ice Beam + Thunderbolt, because of Draco Meteors higher damage output independent of MU).


Importable:
https://pokepast.es/c287b1fcf8535865
 



And a second one. Mainly because I feel like bulkier versions of Balance are still viable but there are no sample teams for the archetype (and there aren´t too many sample teams in general). I think submitting it doesn´t hurt.

The teams main means of offense is Toucannon, a scary breaker who´s mostly held back by its speed – which means he will be forced out often and requires a potent defensive core to function optimally. The defensive core of Lickilicky + Gourgeist-Super is the most potent there is in my opinion and covers things which force Toucannon out, like Electivire and maximum speed Abomasnow. One of the downsides of the Licki-Gour core is the lack of hazards and hazard removal. Golem and Silvally-Water take care of this. Golem also gives the team a second electric immunity to stop the opponent from getting momentum via Volt Switch. Silvally-Water has the advantage of being very flexible offensively (through its great coverage), which is a necessity when having a very passive defensive core. Rapidash lastly is added to have at least some sort of speed control. Up to this point the team was still lacking offensive pressure, which is why I chose Rapidash over Electivire – fire STAB is much more spammable (and should you manage to get the Flash Fire boost, Rapidash can clean entire teams). Rapidash also handles Bronzor better, which Toucannon doesn´t want to set up on because of Toxic (keep in mind though, that Toucannon can indeed set up even in the face of Toxic, since Lickilicky supports it with Heal Bell)

I am not sure how fit this team is to be used by beginners. Compared to offense teams, there´s a much bigger difference in how valuable each team member is: If you lose Toucannon or one member of the defensive core, the team crumbles. Losing Silvally, Rapidash or Golem can be coped with.

I built this team rather recently, so it didn´t see much tournament play yet. But I put quite some thought into it and tests on ladder and room tours didn´t reveal any holes and showed that the team can perform even in the hands of mediocre players.

Replay:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-860629977
(I can add some more later, but they were against people still in ZU Open. So I want to get permission first in case they were testing a team they don´t want to be public)

Importable:
https://pokepast.es/9e56746ccd83e07b
 

S1nn0hC0nfirm3d

aka Ho3nConfirm3d
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnusis a defending SCL Champion
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Hail HO:

This is the team that I've topped both the ladder and the ZU room tour rankings. Essentially, it is an HO team rooted an immense physical pressure, that doesn't need to worry about its lack of special coverage or overlapping weaknesses. In my experience, ZU teams just can't handle the pressure of these threats.

Namely, Beartic gets to a nearly uncontested speed of 398, meaning it's really only getting outsped by Shed, Elect, or scarves. Beartic is very strong, and only needs ice/fighting coverage with sd/sub support to sweep any unprepared team. All of the sample teams just need to have Bronzog / Combusk to be taken care of for Beartic to sweep, as even scarf Vire fails to 2hko. Then there's scarf Swanna as a great speed check and for enemy Combusk, and Shift with Knock for Bronz. Even +2 Wood Hammers with Snow can 2HKO Bronz after hail, and helps with def water types like silv-water, mare, and Pyuk. Combusk is also great for late game sweeping with protect and SD, and eviolite providing enough bulk.

The sheer power and speed of Beartic, and it being able to 1HKO so many fast mons is what makes this team so threatening. Everything else on the team supports or continues the sweep in an unstoppable momentum.

Team :https://pokepast.es/d06b3e96cfb6aa9f
 
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Hey everyone !
Recently, I've been building a team under the advise of Diagnostic.
This team is build around Lycanroc-Midnight, which I saw gaining usages recently.
161455

Lycanroc-Midnight @ Lycanium Z
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance
- Stomping Tantrum
- Crunch / Rock Polish

Here is a simple set to understand. Stone Edge is the set, coupled with no guard allow to never miss that d*** move. Sword dance boosts its Atk. ST is a coverage move that can bypass steel types. Crunch hits Gourgeist and Bronzor. Rock Polish is an option over crunch to double dance and boosting speed. Jolly nature is preferred because of the rest of the team, notably with the next member : Swanna.

161456

Swanna @ Life Orb
Ability: Big Pecks
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hurricane
- Scald
- Roost
- Tailwind / Defog / Brave Bird

Swanna is a very good partner for Lycanroc. It can come on Steel, Ground and Water moves that can otherwise destroy Lyc. Lo is the preferred item allowing to switch between moves. Hurricane and Scald are the stab, destroying rock, ground and grass mons. Roost is here to regain life from the life orb damages. I choose to use Tailwind, to help Lycanroc setup and sweep, or other partner. But if you want to get a hasard support, go for Defog. Brave Bird with the Naive nature can be used for hiding special walls such as Komala AV. But, now we talk about him...

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Komala @ Assault Vest
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 96 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Return
- U-turn
- Knock Off

Komala fit good in the team to me. It ability to take special hit is good for this team lacking of special sponge. It can spin and slow U-Turn for bringing allies on the field. Knock off cripples ennemies and removes their items. The EV spread is classic, coming from the VR site.
This beginning is good, but I do really like a mon in the tier and I want him to be in the team.

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Beheeyem @ Colbur Berry
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Signal Beam
- Nasty Plot
- Recover

This set is also simple. Profiting of the bulk given by the EV spread and the Colbur Berry, it can set up a Nasty Plot and recover. Psychic and SB are respectively Stab and coverage which hits dark types. I really like than mon, also its specs set, but to me, it is not really enjoyable in the team.
I have setup sweepers, Hasard removal, but how can I put mines ?

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Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 32 Atk / 224 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake

As Diagnostic advises me, Golem is a good hasard setter. With its typing, it can come on Electric moves, which destroy my team. This set is classic, nothing to explain deeply. But to finish to team, I need a special scarf... Which is...
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Floatzel @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Water Veil
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Focus Blast
- Switcheroo

This set is a special Floatzel, taking advantage of its good SpA. Stab, Coverage and Switcheroo to trap and lock mons that Floatzel can't beat (aka Mareanie).

Here is the poke paste if you like the team.
https://pokepast.es/1bf95750d48bba2e
Here is also a replay with the team, at low ladder I know. I tried to use the team at the best I can, but I chocked and get recked by a Delcatty...
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-865141455

Hope you'll like the team ! thanks again to Diagnostic for his time and advises. And I hope you have decided which move is better between Fire Punch or Crunch (if you know what I mean)

See you
 
Screens Hyper Offense


This is a really standard screens team, and so the idea is just to use rocks and screens and set up with something and get a quick sweep. Dugtrio is the suicide lead of choice, because its speed and memento discourages opposing set up and provides a free switch in for something else. I prefer stone edge over sucker punch on Dugtrio as general coverage and it’s nice having 2hkos on Natu, SpDef Altaria and Volbeat. Memento means that only things faster than Dugtrio can remove rocks while Dugtrio is in, otherwise they have to spend a turn defogging, something many teams can’t afford against this team. Memento also provides an opportunity for something to set up off of turn 3. Electrode is a great user of dual screens, since it’s the fastest pokemon in ZU and has access to taunt and explosion too, things meowstic-f doesn’t have. The rest of the team is just four setup sweepers:

Fraxure has decent bulk thanks to eviolite, one of the highest attack stats in ZU, and near perfect coverage between outrage and mold breaker stomping tantrum. Substitute allows it to set up on status moves and gain turns versus weak attackers, and mold breaker is a really great ability to circumvent levitates and unaware Pyukumuku, who is traditionally a bane of screens team, but not particularly to this one.

Huntail is a great mixed attacker that can ohko the majority of the metagame at +2 after rocks. I used a special set with hidden power electric on an older version of this team, but a physical set with sucker punch is able to beat scarfers like Electivire, making it much more useful. Waterfall is the stab I went for, but Aqua Tail can also be used for a bit more power, Ice beam nails ZU’s prominent physical walls Gourgeist and Tangela and provides good coverage alongside waterfall. Life Orb is essential to get an ohko on Electivire and hit harder generally.

Sleep powder, quiver dance and tinted lens bug buzz make Butterfree one of the most dangerous setup sweepers in ZU. Roost is there for longevity, allowing it to set up more effectively on special attacks along with quiver dance. Buginium Z gives Butterfree a one-time nuke and a single chance to kill something with soundproof. Tinted lens means only oricorio and combusken have an effective resistance to bug buzz and the latter succumbs to a +1 savage spinout.

While Swoobat might not hit hard at all off the bat, one turn of set up is all it needs to clean most teams lacking priority or a super bulky special wall. The set is pretty straightforward, substitute allows it to dogde status and activate salac berry, calm mind and stored power take advantage of Swoobat’s ability simple to do huge damage even off its modest 77 base special attack, and heat wave is the best coverage move for ZU’s steel and dark types.

Dugtrio @ Focus Sash
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Memento

Electrode @ Light Clay
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Taunt
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Explosion

Fraxure @ Eviolite
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Stomping Tantrum

Huntail @ Life Orb
Ability: Water Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Shell Smash
- Sucker Punch
- Waterfall
- Ice Beam

Butterfree @ Buginium Z
Ability: Tinted Lens
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Sleep Powder
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Roost

Swoobat @ Salac Berry
Ability: Simple
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Heat Wave

Other options
One of the nice things about this team is it’s really flexible as to what other four mons you use here. Some other pokemon I think work well over Fraxure and Butterfree are: Crustle, Shiftry, Bellossom, extreme evoboost Eevee, z-fly Altaria, z-hypnosis belly drum Hypno Mr Mime, and z-dig Ninjask.

Threats
All of the sweepers except Fraxure are weak to electric, so scarf Electivire has to be played around very deliberately, but it doesn’t have safe switches into anything (Huntail can ohko after rocks at +2, Butterfree can sleep powder or use savage spinout which is an ohko after rocks, and Swoobat can sub until it outspeeds). Infiltrator Ninjask is another super-fast threat to this team, although rocks put it under a lot of pressure and Huntail can ohko it from +2 with sucker punch. Other choice scarf users like Pinsir, Mr Mime, Swanna and Chatot are also threatening, particularly to Butterfree and Fraxure. Priority users like Kecleon, Shiftry, and Volbeat can harasses this team, but with reflect up the former two can be handled better, and something just has to be crippled before taking out Volbeat. One of the reasons it’s so important to get rocks up is to break sashes and sturdy, but two notable pokemon can circumvent this, protect Golem and sash Kadabra. This team can also be vulnerable to hazards, since there is no time for defogging here. In this case it is actually nice to have two flying types, because that’s two mons that aren’t affected by sticky web or toxic spikes, the former of which is really annoying coming from mental herb Shuckle.

Here are some replays I have of me and friends using this type of build effectively.
 
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Dollainthewoods

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner’s for Beginners
IHM: I Hate Mondays
A.K.A.: The best team of all time
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Ok so first let me credit Czim for giving me this team through secret santa, you're the goat dude you should win zu open. And while at first I thought really nothing of it, I started testing it out and it actually didn't do so bad. In fact it helped to carry me to zu quarterfinals, where i would lose to czim in two games. Enough of that back story though, let's get into the team itself.
Da Team:
Import: https://pokepast.es/f6b0a8b13fee458e

Lasagna (Komala) @ Leftovers
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
Ok First we start out with komala, who's running a standard support set. This is very important for the team, as not only does it act as a means to let the bulky attacking mons recover, but also provide hazard removal with rapid spin. Right now Komala is the best mon in zu without a doubt, it's ability to tak hits easily, be immune to burn para and poison, and its recovery and hazard removal, easily make it supporting mon, and a good start to the team. This helps counter stuff like, electivire, special swanna, altaria, bronzor, mr mime, and mareanie.

Oddie (Golem) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Next up is golem, with a cb set. Right off the bat golem is a good rocker because of it's great bulk and attack which can scare mons out. The choice band on golem, makes it an amazing attacker, with not a lot being able to pivot into it. STAB EQ and Stone Edge are an amazing pairing going along with it's 566 attack to make it a threat to anything coming into it. Fire punch also deals with stuff like bronzor and shiftry, which makes them unable to switch in due to risk of ohko. This helps to counter mons like muk, pinsir, evire, crustle, and rapidash.

John Arbuckle (Abomasnow) @ Grassium Z
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Wood Hammer
- Ice Punch
- Grass Whistle
Now here is a grassium Z abomasnow set. This set has one basic premise, to help cleanup at the end of the game. The way it does this is by using z grass whistle, which gives it +1 speed and has a meh chance of having the other user fall asleep. Then abomasnow sets up with swords dance and cleans up teams pretty easily. This also helps with mons like shiftry, silvally water, and an opposing golem, which the first two mons struggle with.

Mondays (Mareanie) @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Toxic Spikes
- Scald
- Sludge Bomb
- Recover
Enough with the offense, now time for bulk with mareanie. Mareanie is here to help deal with physical attackers and to set up t spike to stall out the other team and put pressure on it as a whole. Mareanie gives the team the necesary zu water type and is great as a phys wall and a stall mon, with regen and t spike it'll annoy the f out of ur opponents. It allows a check to phys swanna, which the team desperately needs, gorgeist, combusken, floatzel, and most silvally types.


Live action Garfield (Rotom-Fan) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Trick
- Volt Switch
- Air Slash
- Will-O-Wisp
Big fan incoming. Rotom fan is the 5th mon, and is a good pivot mon. Will o wisp and trick stop setup mons in their tracks, and allows rotom to be able to pivot will volt switch or use air slash with ease. Choice scarf allows rotom fan to outspeed silvally fighting, pinsir, +2 crustle, cs abomasnow, and floatzel. This set can be generally annoying for any team without an electivire, which is rare i know, and is overall a solid mon. Also, watch the live action garfield movie, it's the best thing ever

Garfield (Silvally-Ghost) @ Ghost Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Shadow Ball
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Parting Shot
The final mon, Silvally-ghost, I changed one mon so it's my team now. Silvally ghost is an unexpected special attacker that helps deal with some gaping wholes in the team. With it being the only real offensive special attacker on the team, it does it's job well allowing an easy pivot going with a great moveset. It also provides a much needed swanna check with t bolt as it's 3rd move and it's easy pivotability.

Threats:
Shiftry: Even though it has checks on this team, with setup and stealth rocks, this mon one v one's this whole team.
Swanna: Z Mirror move is a huge threat to the team because nothing can really switch into it well, same with cb.
Simisear: It's nasty plot set can cause lots of trouble for my team, and if mareanie is gone it basically sweeps
Replays:
Vs Durza In almost exhib: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-859704116
vs Chessking345 1st in zu open r3: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-861839478
vs Chessking345 2nd in zu open r3: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-861902292
vs Klostnueberg in almost exhib: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-855567937
vs EternalSnowman 1st in zu open r4: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-864132615
vs EternalSnowman 2nd in zu open r4: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-864134441
Reasons for Posting:
1. I got permission by czim, and it's already public
2. It got me to quarterfinals of zu open so I think it's pretty good
3. I'm going to be taking a break from mons due to school sports coming up next week, so I wanted to give the community something to have before I left :)
Thank yous:
To czim for the team
To the ZU mod team for being some of the most dedicated people and being able to pull me into this teir
And finally to Ismail for being my hero
Thank you all for reading have a good day!
 

5gen

jumper
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
Hey all, it's great to see samples getting a good amount of activity. I enjoy taking a look at submissions and discussing them with the rest of council. That being said, I'm going to explain why certain submissions were rejected, and also clarify the dos and don'ts for submissions. Also, please refer to the updated guidelines for future submissions.

85percent Importable
The build seems structurally solid and your post thoroughly explains the team. I like the premise of team, though I think it lacks offensive pressure. One comment from council that I agree with is that your team loses too much momentum to support Rapidash and Toucannon. Moreover, the bulky nature of the team and subsequent lack of revenge killing outside of Scarf Rapidash leaves it weak to threats like Z-MM Swanna, mixed Electivire, Swords Dance Shiftry, etc. Your team is by no means bad; rather, it could use some more offensive pressure. For example, you could try Silvally-Dragon over Silvally-Water, or run a more offensive spread on Silvally-Water itself.

Ho3nConfirm3d
Importable
Really cool team and I like the fact that you made hail work. Unfortunately, the team was rejected for a few reasons. Primarily, it doesn't represent the meta well and is somewhat gimmicky in nature. For example, from my experience facing it on ladder, it has a cheese factor that makes it work. Normally I wouldn't critique that, but in the context of sample teams where everyone can see the build, it does lose that surprise factor. Moreover, the team itself is not really indicative of a major playstyle in the tier which isn't as helpful to newer players.

Diablotismiley
Importable
While the team has a nice premise and aims to support SD Lycanroc, it's weak to much of the meta. For example, the team fails to have a reliable backbone and is easily pressured by threats like Electivire, Shiftry, Leafeon, opposing Floatzel, etc. I would encourage you, and anyone who wants to submit a team, to thoroughly test it and tweak any glaring weaknesses. Moreover, your post explains the individual Pokemon, but doesn't really give the reader a clear idea of how the Pokemon work together, how it should be played, and what it's weak to. I've adjusted the guidelines in the OP to make this clearer.

sketchy ecchi
Importable
I really appreciate the thoroughness in your post, both describing the team and having numerous replays. In addition, the team itself is straightforward to play. However, we rejected it as a sample team because it is not indicative of the metagame. Basically, the team consists of 4 B- ranked mons and 2 C+ ranked mons, which doesn't reflect what is most common and effective in ZU. I apologize for not originally clarifying this in the guidelines. We're open to accepting a screens team since this one has room for improvement and is already easy to use for new players.

Gorfield
Importable
Your team pretty cool and utilizes some unorthodox sets. That being said, sample teams typically shouldn't contain gimmicky sets such as Z-Grass Whistle Abomasnow since that's not really easy for new players to use or reflective of what Abomasnow does in the metagame. Choice Band Stealth Rock Golem is another example of this. In addition, the team has some major structural issues such as the lack of revenge killing even with Scarf Rotom-S, and it lacks a Dark-type switch-in. On a different note, your replays showcase Silvally-Fire>Silvally-Ghost, which changes the dynamic of the build somewhat. Next time, please provide replays of the team you've submitted. Lastly, we encourage people to post teams they've made themselves; makes the submission process smoother.

Thanks for reading.
 
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Z-Encore Chatot


This is a pretty standard balance team featuring Z-encore Chatot that I used successfully twice in Almost Exhibition. Golem, Silvally-Dragon and Assault Vest Komala make up a defensive core for this team, while Muk covers its fighting weakness. Two forms of hazard control give it some flexibility in removing rocks and good matchups versus a wide variety of stealth rock users. Hazard control, along with the momentum Silvally, Komala, and Electivire provide wth u-turn and volt switch, help support Chatot since its frailty and rock weakness would otherwise hinder its ability to sweep.

Golem checks physical threats and sets up rocks. I chose to use roar in the last slot to phase out bulk up Komala. Silvally-Dragon checks water and grass types that beat Golem, such as Shiftry and Floatzel. The speed on Silvally allows it to outspeed max speed Shiftry and Servine, the former of which is a big threat to this team. Komala functions as a blanket check to special attackers and is a great answer to Bronzor and Mareanie, two notable defensive threats to this team. Muk can just about 2hko everything in the tier with the right move and, as mentioned earlier, helps check grass and fighting types (Combusken, for example) in a pinch. Chatot is the team’s main win condition. Encore helps it find opportunities to set-up where it would otherwise struggle, and when it boosts its speed with Z-encore, it poses a huge threat to teams lacking a faster scarfer or one of the few pokemon that can beat it at +2 SpAtk. Scarf Electivire is critical to this team for its ability to revenge fast threats and switch into flying moves from Swanna.

Golem @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 48 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Roar

Silvally-Dragon @ Dragon Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 96 HP / 252 SpA / 160 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Defog
- U-turn

Komala @ Assault Vest
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 128 HP / 252 Atk / 128 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Return
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- U-turn

Muk @ Choice Band
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 208 HP / 252 Atk / 48 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Shadow Sneak
- Gunk Shot
- Ice Punch
- Fire Punch

Chatot @ Normalium Z
Ability: Tangled Feet
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Nasty Plot
- Encore
- Boomburst
- Heat Wave

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Wild Charge
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Volt Switch
 
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Tuthur

formerly 0-7 in FCL
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Komala+Mawile BO:
This team is a Bulky Offense based on the Mawile+Komala core which is able to blank check a big part of the metagame. Mawile brings a Normal-resist and SR to the team, while Komala handles most Special attackers and provides Wish support to Dragon-Vally and Mawile. Electivire acts as a revenge killer to a lot of threatening Pokemon to the team such as Swanna and Simisear. Rampardos is the team wallbreaker and answer to stall teams since nothing is safe to switch into it. Jumpluff is the team wincon against more offensive team and can check problematic Pokemon such as BU Komala, NP Simis and Shiftry. Finally Silvally-Dragon is the team's hazard control and can bring Dos easily on the field thanks to U-turn. Also with Wish support it completes the defensive core by checking Fire-types like Rapidash, Electric-types such as Vire, and Arbok.

Threats to the team:
While Golem's sturdy isn't broken, it can threaten everything in the team with its STAB move. However it struggles to switch into a big part of the team.
The rare Vigoroth is a threat to the team, tho it can be play arround with Ramp, Knock Off Komala and Toxic Mawile.

Replays:
Vs Sketchy Ecchi: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-884804816, Vs Broken Phobias: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-884562845, Vs Stall: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-867405222, Vs Xayah: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-854497216. Here are replaies showing how easily the team can abuse slower team with Dos+VoltTurn
Vs Sir Pinsirlot: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-884806010, don't mind the Heatmor, here you can see SD Jumpluff putting some work.
Vs Pepsi500ml: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-884790791, here you can see how it can hard to break this team defensive core.
Vs HoennConfirmed: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-865767946, Vs Beacs: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-884795799, here you can see how the team can handle most offensive teams.
 
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I've been putting this off for a while because lazy but figured it's about time write up this sample submission so here it is.


Raichu @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Natu @ Eviolite
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
- Roost
- Hidden Power [Fighting]

Prinplup @ Eviolite
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Scald

Shedinja @ Focus Sash
Ability: Wonder Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- X-Scissor
- Sucker Punch
- Shadow Sneak
- Swords Dance

Bouffalant @ Leftovers
Ability: Sap Sipper
Happiness: 0
EVs: 248 HP / 136 Atk / 124 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Frustration
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
- Earthquake

Fraxure @ Choice Band
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Stomping Tantrum
- Poison Jab
- Low Kick

The Shedinja God Squad really represents the meta right now. Super user kay Has been converted to the power of Shedinja so that's really all you need to know about it's viability.

Choice Scarf Raichu starts the team off with speed control and letting you pivot into your plethora of options for tanking hits. AKA Prinplup and sometimes Bouffalant. This thing really doesnt do much damage and can barely even touch Evire, but its mega fast and Evire doesn't matter because you have a Shedinja.

Next Comes Natu. This thing's sole purpose in life is to bounce back hazards which is really easy because you just bring it in on hazard users and it somehow always works. It also has the added bonus of being really good vs stall which is kind of hilarious.

Prinplup is actually a god. If you ever need defog that isn't silvally and don't mind having 0 offensive presence, Prinplup is the mon for you. It sets its own rocks and then gets rid of your opponents as well as your own said rocks. It also lives some really dumb hits that it has no business living and is really bulky. Ignore the fact that it, like the other 5 pokemon on this team, is really knock off weak.

Shedinja.

Bouffalant is actually just the win con. Once you've thoroughly terrified your opponent with your Shedinja they start trying to predict you'll go to it every turn even though you haven't actually gone to it once this game. Thats where you just set up a sub on your opponents bulky mon, and hope that Gourgeist-X: isnt running Foul Play for whatever reason or that your opponent doesn't consistently high roll psywave. Then just SD a bunch and murder some stuff and the rest of the team can win from there. Rest in Peace Tangela I'm going to miss setting up for free against you.

Adamant Band Fraxure is the only fraxure. Low kick OHKOS custap golem so theres another answer to rocks. I should probably switch this to Aqua Tail but missing sucks so i wont. Mold Breaker lets it not care about bronzor and even if it does come in on outrage you're still gonna do like 40% and then defog those rocks away with Prinplup because seriously its so hard to OHKO that mon. Speaking of hard to OHKO, Fraxure's paper bulk lets it die in 1 hit to every super effective move ever except for like a weak HP Ice but thats not a problem because dragons that aren't Fraxure aren't real. It lives a lot of other things surprisingly so this things is good for at least a kill a game more if youre opponent just has a lot of bulky stuff.

The team really works well together by stopping rocks, getting Shedinja in, and hoping that everything that can hit shedinja is in range of +2 shadow sneak/x scissor/sucker punch and also that no one is using Abomasnow even though its kinda busted.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-873240508 losing to RawMelon in battle of the week
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-871695191 beating Sun because Scarf Raichu outspeeds like every weather sweeper I forgot to mention that
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-868722898 beating Durza in Almost Exhibition and then losing the tournament anyway
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7superstaffbrosbrawl-842782640 winning the Super Staff Bros Brawl Forum Tournament
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-842187672 beating another sample submission
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-827048170 Natu Destroying game 3 of round 4 of Seasonal vs Stall
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/pususpecttest-299715169 A game from PU Suspect ladder over 3 years ago when this team was made but with Piplup because Prinplup went to NU somehow

Happy April Fools Y'all
 
Screen Hyper Offense


Team
https://pokepast.es/9c9c589cedb82ea5
I gotta give credit for 85percent for helping me with this team. The main idea behind this team is setting up screens (Light Screen and Reflect) with Electrode, entry hazards with Golem and then applying offensive pressure with the sweepers that make up the rest of the team to overwhelm the opponent.
Next to Reflect and Light Screen, Electrode carries Taunt to stop Defog / opposing hazards and Explosion to gain momentum and make good use of the screen turns. It has enough speed to outspeed the next fastest thing (maximum speed Dugtrio) and the remaining EVs help maximize its bulk.
Besides being the entry hazard setter of the team, Golem carries Custap Berry to avoid a potential Defog with a priority Explosion.
Servine can become a decent sweeper in its own right, once Pokemon like Bronzor or Lickilicky are weakened / removed. The main purpose, however, is to better this teams MU versus Sticky Web teams, by a) getting a speed boost thanks to contrary and b) being able to remove the webs with Defog (Defog is also a huge help versus opposing screens teams).
Fraxure is this teams main answer to stall generally (with Taunt) and Pyukumuku specifically, which usually can stop set-up sweepers with its ability Unaware. Faxure´s ability Mold Breaker bypasses this.
The last two members are two very scary physical sweepers in Bibarel and Combusken. Bibarel´s ability Simple allows it to boost its attack to threatening levels with just one Swords Dance. After this, his priority moves plow through offensive teams. Combusken carries Fightinium-Z to be better able to break bulkier Pokemon like Silvally-Water or Silvally-Dragon.
Threats to this team include a) bulky Silvally forms that can remove your screens with Defog, b) Scarf Swanna, which can outspeed all sweepers on the team even after their initial set up and hit them all for neutral or even super effective damage or remove screens with Defog. c) Opposing sweepers, especially Crustle, who can survive even boosted attacks thanks to Sturdy

Replays
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-886271302https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-886274203https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-886360921https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-886701405https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-886705595
This team works well with sweeps and i hope you enjoy using this team.
 
Anti-meta Bulky Offense
1555181782521.png1555181798231.png1555181725353.png1555181745878.png1555181764690.png1555181818413.png
Golem @ Choice Band
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Fire Punch
- Explosion

Metang @ Eviolite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Earthquake
- Bullet Punch
- Stealth Rock

Mareanie @ Eviolite
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Recover
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze

Rotom-Fan @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Will-O-Wisp
- Air Slash
- Volt Switch
- Defog

Leafeon @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Aerial Ace
- Leaf Blade
- Swords Dance

Silvally @ Choice Scarf
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Double-Edge
- U-turn
- Explosion
- Crunch


I built this team to check most of the relevant threats in the tier while at the same time putting pressure on some of the more common cores. Overall, you use the bulky core of Metang, Rotom-S, and Mareanie to check relevant threats and gain early momentum with hazard control. In the early game, my overall strategy is to get in Rotom-S early to pressure Golem, Electivire or whatever the volt immunity is with wisp and then use volt switch to gain momentum. Usually after volt switching you'll either want to start setting up hazards or breaking things with Band Golem given the opportunity. Band Golem is the best breaker in the tier and with Tangela gone there are very few reliable switch-ins that aren't extremely passive, or that don't want to be whittled. If Golem does get to weaken their switch-in this allows SD Leafeon or Scarf Silvally to sweep later on. Speaking of Leafeon, the set you see here is SD with Z Aerial Ace which kills Shiinotic after a boost and almost kills Gourg, with just a small amount of prior damage. Of course, this too opens up opportunities for Scarf Silvally to sweep late game which happens more times than not.

Overall, if you want a solid team that can handle almost any archetype or match-up give this one a shot. I'm pretty sure I haven't lost a game with it yet in the many tests I've done.


Edit: added an additional replay
 
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5gen

jumper
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
Hey all, been a while and an update is finally here. Most of the teams were rejected and there are explanations below. Aside from that, Aaronboyer submitted a sample team that was accepted by council and RawMelon's team was also accepted with a tweak to Leafeon's move set (council felt Z-Aerial Ace was too niche of a set).

Z-Encore Chatot by sketchy ecchi

While the team is offensive and utilizes bulky pivots to play around threats, the team lacks adequate revenge killing and is easily pressured by opposing offensive teams and Pokemon. This makes the team easier to play around and its overall slowness outside of Scarf Electivire makes it somewhat difficult to gain momentum (despite pivots in Silvally-Dragon, Komala, and Electivire). In addition, the team's main breaker in Choice Band Muk is slow which forces the team to rely on pivoting, AV Komala, and Silvally-Dragon's STAB move to break through faster teams. Consequently, the team must make trades to grab momentum despite carrying three pivots. Moreover, Z-Encore Chatot lacks consistent set up opportunities and is easily revenge killed by faster Scarfers which exacerbates the team's issues.

Komala+Mawile BO by Tuthur1

This team does a good job of utilizing pivots and lesser seen Pokemon such as Mawile, Jumpluff, and Rampardos to cover certain meta threats such as Shiftry and Pinsir and has decent breaking potential. However, the team has structural weaknesses such as its reliance on the slower Rampardos and SD Jumpluff to break through teams and an inability to adequately switch into Golem and Fire-types. Furthermore, the offensive Pokemon on the team are not really consistent (in my testing and on paper) because they each have their own flaws and collectively don't really mesh together. For example, Rampardos provides much of the breaking power for the team and performs very well against slower builds, but is mediocre against opposing offensive teams. Building off that, the faster Pokemon on the team, Choice Scarf Electivire, SD Jumpluff, and Silvally-Dragon, have their shortcomings. Choice Scarf Electivire is fairly prediction reliant and easier to take advantage of than ever due to the abundance of Golem and Shiftry, Jumpluff lacks power without a Swords Dance boost and is relatively easy to pressure, and Silvally-Dragon wears down quickly and the Special Attack drops from Draco give up momentum, which especially hurts the team.

Shedinja Team by LPY

While the team itself may represent an effective Shedinja build in the current metagame, the team features three low ranked Pokemon and a relatively uncommon set in Choice Scarf Raichu.

Screens HO by PokeBilly1011

This variant of screens hyper offense has issues with consistency due to the low Speed of its sweepers and general reliance on set up to break effectively. Although this is not a flaw for screens teams, this particular team lacks raw power and is not necessarily threatening to face. The team also has issues with opposing offensive Pokemon such as Swanna and Abomasnow.
 

ImKoolKidz

I COULD BE BANNED!
ImKoolKidz’s Bday Special: SD Abomasnow + TSpikes BO


(Click for Importable)
This is a fun team that I made that I think works very well against the current meta. The FWG Core is extremely strong and easy to use, as Rapidash takes on Fire attacks for Abomasnow and Mareanie takes Water attacks for Rapidash. I choose Bronzor as the team’s rocker as it is immune to ground type attacks, something that the team is very weak too, and it has great defensive synergy with Mareanie. (Fire, Ground, Psychic, etc. are all covered by these 2 team members) I chose Silvally-Fighting as the team’s defogger since the team really has no Dark resists so Shiftry would be a problem. The EV spread allows it to outspeed max speed Shiftry without a speed boosting nature. Lastly, Pinsir is the team’s speed control & scarfer. I chose it over Evire since it isn’t weak to Ground type attacks and it being great for revenge killing. A Jolly nature can be used over Adamant but I chose Adamant mostly because the extra speed isn’t need since +2 Busken outspeeds it even with Jolly. Knock Off could be replaced with Stone Edge to hit Swanna, but then Pinsir won’t be able to break bulky evolite users such as Bronzor.

First off would like to thank LPY for the idea of Aguav Berry Abomasnow when I played against you in our ZU ssnl game. Next, I want to thank czim for giving me the idea of Sub+Toxic Rapidash from one of your teams you passed me in the past. It really is a great surprised factor and addition to the team. Lastly, thanks to 85percent for helping me fix up and look over the team.
 

BP

Beers and Steers
is a Contributor to Smogon
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ImKoolKidz!


Machoke Balance: Standard Squadron
Swaroness Animationsframe #57
Maschock-Sprite aus Pokémon Heartgold/Soulsilver
Elevoltek Animationsframe #38
Geowaz-Sprite aus Pokémon Heartgold/Soulsilver (Frame2)

I've been working a lot with this team as of late and I've really enjoyed using it. It's super easy to understand and it's incredibly standard. It's incredibly solid as you'll see from the replays.
Swanna @ Waterium Z
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Surf
- Hurricane
- Rain Dance
- Roost

Machoke (M) @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Dynamic Punch
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

Electivire (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake

Golem @ Custap Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch

Silvally-Dragon @ Dragon Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- U-turn

Komala @ Leftovers
Ability: Comatose
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Bulk Up
- Wish
- Protect

Swanna is essentially the GOAT of today's ZU crowd. Z-Rain Dance is incredibly Volatile in the late-game assuming Electivire and Machoke haven't cleaned up the remaining threats. Machoke is easily one of my favorite Pokemon right now in the meta. Its defensive versatility is absolutely to die for in a meta that's primarily ruled by strong Wallbreakers and Setup Sweepers. It's a great Glue mon for a lot of Bulky Offense and Balance teams due to its ability to chip opposing Pokemon and support its teammates by absorbing status. In addition, Impish Machoke makes for a terrific Swanna partner thanks to it being a counter to Physical Electivire. Choice Scarf Electivire is not only Zu's greatest Scarf user but also one of the best Revenge Killers as well. It's able to support Swanna by chipping almost everything with Volt Switch. Custap Golem is able to set Stealth Rocks and take advantage of weaker attackers. It's also able to heavily damage Silvally Formes when a Defog is predicted. Silvally-Dragon adds a bit more Offensive pressure to the opposing team. However, you could substitute this silvally forme out for Silvally-Water or Silvally-Poison. Finally, Komala is able to use Wish to Support its teammates or it can Bulk Up and spam Knock Off to win the game. All in all this team is incredibly solid and I hope it's seriously considered for a sample.

 

5gen

jumper
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
Hey everyone, I have a quick announcement regarding sample teams: All the current sample teams are going to be removed because they do not reflect the current metagame and/or are not consistent enough in the current metagame, so new ones will be added in. This means that anyone may submit teams (please follow the rules in the OP) and council will look into teams on a case-by-case basis. Currently there are none on the table, so I hope council and the ZU community will submit teams. Personally I'll post some within council or write up a submission post here.

In the meantime feel free to use the team dump thread to grab teams. Teams will be added in within a week or so, probably after the Shiftry suspect test results come in.
 
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S1nn0hC0nfirm3d

aka Ho3nConfirm3d
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnusis a defending SCL Champion
Pursuit Trap + Egg

silvally-dark.pngexeggutor.pnggolem.pngmareanie.pngcombusken.pngrotom-fan.png
(click for Pokepaste)

Ever since Egg entered the tier, the combo of Pursuit trapping Silvally-Dark and Egg has been both prominent and successful. This team has been another example of this offensive core, and even if this submission gets rejected, I do think that somewhere in the sample teams this core should exist; it would be unrepresentative of the meta to ignore such an integral threat.



These two function as a trapping pivot and special WB duo. Egg is the start of the show though, as it gets most of the big KOs. It's dualtstab + sleep is only resisted by Vullaby, making Sleep Powder a decent enought 3rd move early on when you can afford to switch out. Giga Drain is superior to any HP at this point as you can get back to full health after rocks and take hits better, as well as being more spammable than Leaf Storm. This comes into play when offensive Silv's U-turn only has a 12% chance to 1HKO at full. Silv-Dark does more than just trap of course, as it offers a good speed tier and the rare Dark stab to the table. For the rest of the team it's still a good defogger and pivot.



The Golem set I chose for this team is the on the rise offensive leftovers set that had seen use in ZUPL. This set has the best of offensive and defensive Golems, to an extent. It's a solid rocker that can still check mons like scarf Vire and be a much needed Normal resist. The EVs let it speed creep other base 45 walls like Mare, slower Golems, Granbull and more, and the def investment lets you be 3hko'd from scarf Vire's EQ. It provides an offensive Edgequake to cover holes on the physically offensive coverage on the team, and has a niche Sucker Punch for extra priority just incase; late game sash Kadabra situations, chip on Silv-Dragon so Combusk can sweep, ect. Overall this set is likely the most subject to change and criticism, but Golem needs to stay one set or another.



Mare is another phys pivot for the most part, but can still check some special attackers thanks to its typing. It provides the utilities to break stall with its Toxic immunity, Knock Off pressure, and multiple recovery options, while can pressure offensive teams with Tspikes. Mare and Egg go great together for covering Fire/Ice/Uturn and then Ground/Psychic weaknesses, respectively, and the opponents going for Defog or bringing in their own Mare lets Egg get in for free possibly. It isn't perfect, as Flying is still an issue with special Swanna making a dent here, but it is threatening.



Rotom-Fan adds a nice Flying resist without adding another Ground or Water weakness for the team. It also provides a good Flying stab itself, and that with a Grass and Fighting resistances makes MUs against Silvally-Fighting, Leafeon, and others more manageable.



SD Firium Z Combusken is another meta defining must for the sample teams, as this thing is easily one of the best sweepers and centralizing mons. You can still revenge kill and set up on a lot of complimentary resistances to Ice, Fire, and Grass, meaning scarves have to be very careful to revenge kill Egg say Rotom-F with Ice Punch or Busk gets a free SD. On the other hand, scarve's targeting Busk's weaknesses to Ground, Water, or Psychic means Egg can come in and hit hard for the revenge as well. Busk and Egg in general just cover each others checks with no problem; Egg gets Pursuit trapped by Silv-Dark or Pawn? SD with Busk. Mare or phys def Alt a problem? Send in a specs Psyhcic from Egg. The two are a powerhouse for the tier, and are no doubt essential.

That's the finished version of what I believe is an offense representative of both what the current meta is shaping up to be, but also intrinsic characteristics that carried over from the previous meta.
I may submit a few more teams to fulfill other playstyles if that is allowed, but for now I hope this suffices!

Replays:
vs stall: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-1005014481-1ghujgz7n3zv28k76fq3xifc6us44z8pw
vs semistall: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-1005051038
vs offense: https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-1005030575
 
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Torterra Balance
This isn't the most "standard" team in terms of VR placement, considering it only contains Pokemon from Rank A to B+, skipping S and A+. This wasn't on purpose and I feel it still represents the meta quite well. The defensive core of Bronzor, Poliwrath and Rotom-Fan (or slight variations of it at least) has seen quite some play in past ZUPL and SSNL games.

Bronzor: Bronzor got a nice viability boost through the recent Shiftry ban. It serves as the team's Stealth Rocker and defensive check to Pokemon like Golem, Torterra, Exeggutor, Swanna and Toucannon.

Poliwrath: Poliwrath pairs nicely with Bronzor by covering the Fire and Dark weaknesses, specifically checking Pokemon like Combusken, Crustle, Rapidash, Silvally-Dark, Pinsir and Kecleon. It also makes use of Bronzor's Stealth Rock and Toxic by utilizing Circle Throw and Protect to wear down the opponent. Protect also serves to scout what opposing Choice Item users like Electivire and Komala want to do.

Rotom-Fan: Rotom-Fan serves as the teams Defogger. Since it isn't grounded, it can come in on Toxic Spikes and remove them without being statused. It also provides the team with a decent answer to opposing Choice Scarf Rotom-Fan, which would otherwise give Bronzor and Poliwrath some issues with Trick and STAB respectively. Bronzor isn't the most consistent Swanna answer, since it can take hits but not do too much in return. Rotom-Fan helps out by being able to come in on Swanna a few times and force it out. Additionally Rotom-Fan helps out vs opposing Grass types who give Torterra issues, specifically Gourgeist-Super and Leafeon. Leafeon would also be able to break the core of Bronzor + Poliwrath, so Rotom's help is appreciated there.

Torterra: Torterra is the team's main breaker. I decided to go with a Jolly nature, which allows Torterra to outspeed Pokemon like Choice Scarf Pinsir and Choice Scarf Rotom after one Rock Polish. Replacing Swords Dance (or Rock Polish) with Stone Edge and Grassium with Rockium is an option to better the MU vs Pokemon like Altaria, Rotom-Fan and bulky Grass types. Swords Dance seemed fine for now, since the team would lack breaking power otherwise.

Simisear: Simisear is essential for breaking opposing Bronzor. Additionally it helps out with the aforementioned Grass types who give Torterra trouble and it provides the team with some much needed speed. Simisear has some trouble fitting everything it wants in four moveslots. Fire STAB and Knock Off are essential in my opinion (Knock Off crippling Pokemon like Mareanie and Dusclops). I opted to go with Overheat on this mixed Simisear for the additional accuracy and power it has over Fire Blast and Flamethrower respectively. Since getting certain KOs seemed more valuable than not having your Special Attack halved (252 SpA Life Orb Blaze Simisear Overheat vs. 248 HP / 8 SpD Mareanie: 281-331 (92.7 - 109.2%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO). In testing, Grass Knot and Hidden Power Ice have given me the best results in the remaining two slots. Grass Knot hits Golem and bulky Water types hard and Hidden Power Ice is mainly used for Altaria. Other options include: Focus Blast, Superpower, Rock Slide and Hidden Power Electric.

Silvally: Choice Scarf Silvally gives the team a reliable revenge killer, with decent enough bulk to have a good MU vs common opposing Scarfers. Ice Beam on this mixed set helps out vs Rock Polish Torterra, Altaria and Gourgeist-Super.

General idea: The general idea is to weaken the opposing team with the defensive core of Bronzor, Poliwrath and Rotom-Fan. Try setting up Stealth Rock early and spread Toxic with Bronzor and Poliwrath - then rack up damage by forcing switches and using Circle Throw or Protect (Be careful not to Toxic Pokemon you'd rather Will-O-Wisp though). Torterra helps break down Pokemon with recovery / status immunity. Simisear is very frail, so be careful how you bring it in. You can utilize Volt Switch on Rotom-Fan to get it in safely, let it hit something and then fall back on your defensive core when it gets forced out. Once the opposing team is weakened enough, Simisear, Silvally and Rock Polish Torterra can make use of their speed and clean up. Try to avoid using Explosion on Silvally too early - the speed becomes rather valuable in the late game, once you chipped down the opponent. Wether you use Torterra to break or to clean depends on the MU - vs bulkier teams you mostly want to break with it, vs more offensive teams you often only need a bit of chip damage before making use of Rock Polish.
Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 92 Def / 160 SpD / 4 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Psywave
- Toxic
- Rest

Torterra @ Grassium Z
Ability: Overgrow
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Rock Polish

Poliwrath @ Leftovers
Ability: Water Absorb
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Circle Throw
- Toxic
- Protect

Rotom-Fan @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Def / 136 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Air Slash
- Will-O-Wisp
- Defog

Simisear @ Life Orb
Ability: Blaze
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Overheat
- Knock Off
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Silvally @ Choice Scarf
Ability: RKS System
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Double-Edge
- Explosion
- Ice Beam
- U-turn
 
Hey everyone, I have a quick announcement regarding sample teams: All the current sample teams are going to be removed because they do not reflect the current metagame and/or are not consistent enough in the current metagame, so new ones will be added in. This means that anyone may submit teams (please follow the rules in the OP) and council will look into teams on a case-by-case basis. Currently there are none on the table, so I hope council and the ZU community will submit teams. Personally I'll post some within council or write up a submission post here.

In the meantime feel free to use the team dump thread to grab teams. Teams will be added in within a week or so, probably after the Shiftry suspect test results come in.
Thoughts on keeping Rawmelons Band Golem + Leafeon BO team as it has aged very well and I think is still a really good representative of the current meta even more so now that shiftry has left
 
Crustle Swanna Bulky Offense


This team is the result of a collaborative effort from 85percent, quagsgone, and me. It’s a standard bulky offense team featuring two of the most dangerous set-up sweepers in ZU, Crustle and Swanna. Bronzor sets up stealth rocks and, thanks to its many resistances, checks a significant portion of the tier, including Swanna, Golem, and Bouffalant. 8 speed EVs allow it to get the jump on opposing Bronzors and psywave them first. Silvally-Dragon defogs and uses its strong draco meteor to force switches and grab momentum. Thunderbolt allows Silvally to force Mareanie out and defog its t-spikes away. Crustle functions as a set-up sweeper that’s difficult to revenge on account of its bulk and as a secondary normal resist for things like Komala and Kecleon. Figy berry mitigates rocks damage with 30 HP IVs allowing it to activate after three switch-ins to stealth rock. Flyinium Z gives Swanna the opportunity to boost its attack with Z-mirror move, or in cases where that’s not feasible, a one-time nuke with Z-brave bird. Defensively, Swanna is key to checking and revenging Combusken. Simisage fills the void left by Shiftry’s departure and creates opportunities for Crustle and Swanna to sweep by breaking defensive staples such as Bronzor, Mareanie, Pyukumuku, and Dusclops. Scarf Electivire rounds out the team, providing speed control and an electric immunity which forces mind games for teams that rely on Electivire to revenge Swanna.

This team is fast-paced and focuses more on pressuring the opposing team than playing reactively, and so it doesn’t have defensive counterplay for everything. Crustle and Z-me first Pinsir are notable threats, but Crustle can be revenged by Electivire and Swanna, and Pinsir by Silvally-Dragon as long as it’s healthy. This team lacks a dark resist, so Pawniard and other dark types must be played around very carefully, but sucker punch can be exploited. Silvally-Dragon has good matchups versus most hazard setters, with the exception of Bronzor which is susceptible to being worn down. This is important as Crustle and Swanna hate switching into stealth rocks, and the game often revolves around finding the right time for them to set-up and win.

Bronzor @ Eviolite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 248 SpD / 8 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Psywave
- Rest

Silvally-Water⠀ (Silvally-Dragon) @ Dragon Memory
Ability: RKS System
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- U-turn
- Defog

Crustle @ Figy Berry
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
IVs: 30 HP
- Shell Smash
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Earthquake

Swanna @ Flyinium Z
Ability: Big Pecks
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Mirror Move
- Brave Bird
- Liquidation
- Aqua Jet

Simisage @ Life Orb
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Leaf Storm
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Electivire @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Motor Drive
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Wild Charge
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Volt Switch
 
Good time to wack some hopeful new samples up with the gen ending. I think all three are great options but have slight overlaps that might see them compete against each other for a spot. This current meta is by far my fav of then gen, its just a shame that the tier has died off recently.

Alolan Golem + Jumpluff BO
Screen Shot 2019-11-15 at 11.35.24 am.png



Probably my favourite team of the generation, built around a really simple core. Jumpluff is such an underloved 'mon, with a great speed and amazing movepool, and a really cool stab combo thats only basically resisted by steel types whilst also checking basically all grass types. Alolan Golem was an easy pick to complement 'pluff and also a pretty cool breaker in general. It also has great synergy with Groundvally which lures in and pivots on Bronz. Groundvally is a really cool pick with Ice beam to threaten Rotom, Tort, Alt and Gourg in particular and most importantly preventing opposing teams grabbing momentum with scarf Evire. The EVs are for (were) for Shiftry in speed which is also Arboks speed tier, niche but probably still worth it and attack to 2hko physdef Mareanie whilst the rest goes in bulk (team I'snt overly Tspikes weak but nice to pressure Mare regardless). Bronz + Poli is an amazing defensive core that complements the rest of the team fantastically providing rocks, phazing, status absorber, knock absorber, water + ground + poison immunity and in general super fat but not overly passive due to Circle Throw and Psywave. 10/10 core IMO. To round out the team, imo is the most under rated 'mon in the entire tier, which is choice scarf Ditto. There is a reason this thing is getting so so much love in higher tiers ATM. It has amazing match ups v stall, HO, BO, balance and can deter sweepers, reverse sweep, scout moves and often wins me the endgame on preview alone. The IVs are for HP Ground, but thats personal preference. Big call but IMO its the best scarfer in the tier and the reason (along with Shiftry getting banned) that balance is so viable again, which is extremely healthy for the meta.

Poliwrath + Camerupt BO
Screen Shot 2019-11-15 at 11.50.03 am.png



Another Poliwrath, Ditto, Bronzor team albeit one that operates entirely differently. Effectively a VoltTurn BO team, it relies heavily on using bulky pivots to get two devastating breakers in that have amazing offensive synergy. SubPunch Poli hits incredibly hard, spreads toxic to any checks safely (i.e. GourgXL) and only has issues with Mare. Poisonvally became an easy next pick to absorb Tspikes, pivot and essentially help check grass types that pressure Poli. Boltbeam coverage pressures a plethora of mons (mainly Golem, Tort, Swanna, Mareanie) which is insanely helpful for a non invested spA 'mon. Bronz was as easy pick to set rocks with, able to check many mons that threaten both Poli and Poisonvally. Poli with water absorb is a nice deterrent to help Camerupt, whereas Camerupts volt immunity is a nice defensive utulity for a Specs breaker then benefits Poli. Not to mention they also break for each other = match made in heaven <3. Rotom is another great bulky pivot for this team, checking flying, grass and water types. Toxic > WoW is nice for crippling checks to Camerupt and with Painsplit, Rotom actually beats non toxic variants of Licki. The Z move gives Rotom greater offensive presence and lets it damage Evire better on the switch in (12 SpA Rotom-Fan Supersonic Skystrike (140 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0- SpD Electivire: 102-120 (35 - 41.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO) which is pretty easy to get Evire chipped down within range with toxic and rocks. Finally ditto is pretty self explanatory here, helps massively with set up sweepers (in particular Combusken and Swanna) that can threaten the team. B+ 'mon IMO. All in all a pretty bulky, slightly slow, hard hitting team. It has all the tools to play around any issues the team faces at preview. A recent creation but certainly one of my favourite from the generation.

Corsola + Gourgeist Balance
Screen Shot 2019-11-15 at 12.04.21 pm.png


Another Ditto team :blobshrug:. Alright this is the point I made about them overlapping. Ditto was a necessity on this team, and does ditto things from above^. Corsola is potentially one of the most maligned 'mons in ZU, but its not shit. It just needs to be built around. Spdef Corsola + Physdef Gourg is pretty self explanatory but its an extremely effective defensive core and extremely difficult to break if you can prevent either been crippled by toxic. Darkvally is an awesome pick in the current meta, especially IMO bulky Adamant versions. It can take hits and importantly trap Problem mons, and between it and Muk gives you enough counterplay to remove Eggy if played well, speed is for Jolly Komala, max attack to bust shit up and the rest in bulk. TBH I really don't see the advantage of speedy Darkvally except not getting hit by opposing Silvallys U-turning. Band Muk is a kinda decent breaker with great coverage but really struggles with 4MSS, but with good prediction can really bop. No fire punch as hopefully you can trap Bronz, shadow sneak can be surprisingly clutch too. Importantly for Muk and the reason it replaced the original Granbull is its ability to absorb Tspikes which massively helps with the longevity of this defensive core. To round out the team is Raichu, a hesitant volt switch immunity but actually a really decent sweeper, Rotom fan answer which can trouble this team (keep rocks up, no 'mons are weak to them) and if a stall team is softened up, this thing blows them back. Fun mon and can be really scary if it gets a boost. Overall another decent team in my biased opinion, but balance Isn't everyones cup of tea understandably.
 
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Tack

Bow to your Matriarch
is a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributor
So I finally decided to ladder for an extended period of time in the meta, would grind this up to top 1 but ladder is rip atm for I couldn’t if I tried.
1574206115848.png
1574206181448.png
I exclusively used one team for the entire run on ladder team started off as some crap meme team that I actually liked the compression of, and as a result fixed.

As for the Team’s Build plan? The only set that actually stuck around was Poliwrath’s, which I think is actually a very good set for current meta. Spread lets you creep ada pawn and 100% revenge it with vacuum wave, icium lets you crush any eggy that isn’t timid after rocks, and also smashes swanna after rocks preventing it from switching in. another fun thing is 2hko’ing physdef mare after it gets knocked w/ hp electric. Tldr poli is a really fun mon

So the next thing I wanted was a rocker that cored well with poliwrath, which ended up leading me to Torterra. For a spread I put enough creep for Adamant Golem then invested everything else into physical bulk, gives a solid out to both Golem and marowak that also provides a volt switch immunity to help in the evire MU, since poli is a resist to ice punch and torterra to everything else the team ends up fairly solid vs choice scarf vire in 2 mons if played well.

The next mon on my list of “this is annoying” was Swanna, either physical or special variant so I added 2 mons for the express purpose of checking it, Band furfrou and Scarf Vire, with furfrou being a reliable switchin to Phys, and revenging all variants of the swan except for scarf reliably, and scarf Vire being a Behemoth in this meta as much as I dislike it. It reliably answers swanna, and will tear a hole in teams when played properly.

Looking at what I needed for the team still, I wanted both some way to click knock off, and hazard removal, with shiftry recently banned I decided to split up these roles. And since I felt very weak to marebronz with the previous members, Ho3nConfirm3d recommended I try Silvally-Poison+Pawniard, which ended up being exactly what the team wanted here, Silv provided parting shot and defog support, while also being a blanket special wall, while 4 attacks pawn provided a very reliable pokemon that both bops bronzor and makes mare much easier to break.

Here’s a few replays of the team functioning, not many bc I don’t tend to save them
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-1007916919
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7zu-1010204148

Tldr, balance team for post-shiftry meta, think it’s solid enough to make a sample, also CB furf is probably at least B rank atm
 

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