Resource SM ZU Sample Teams

5gen

jumper
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Hey all. First off, I'd like to thank those who submitted their teams. The only submissions that council approved this time around were Ho3nConfirm3d's Specs Egg+Trap team and sketchy ecchi's Crustle Swanna Bulky Offense because we felt that those teams reflect the current metagame really well, are simple to use, and are solid teams in general.
While the team features some current metagame staples and is relatively easy to use, the sample team submission is not approved here because the team is fairly outdated and has too many flaws to function in the current metagame. While Shiftry has been banned and RawMelon's team still capitalizes on certain metagame staples, too much of the metagame still gives the team trouble. For example, the team lacks a consistent way to play around defensive cores such as Bronzor+Altaria, Bronzor+Rotom-S+Torterra, Poliwrath+bulky Grass-type, etc and is heavily pressured by offensive Pokemon such as mixed Simisage, CB Komala, Exeggutor+Silvally-Dark, Expert Belt Electivire, opposing Rotom-S, and so on.
The team is relatively solid and represents current meta trends fairly well, especially with the Bronzor+Poliwrath+Rotom-S defensive backbone. Moreover, DD Torterra, mixed Simisear, and Choice Scarf Silvally are all standard threats. That being said, the team is not as simple to use as we want in sample teams and noticeably weak to entry hazards since Rotom-S is the only entry hazard remover (and everything bar Bronzor and Rotom-S are tspikes weak. As for the team not being as easy to pick up as we want sample teams to be, this particular Simisear set, DD Torterra, and Protect Toxic are not necessarily easy to use, especially on a team like this where playing around entry hazards and keeping everything healthy is vital. In addition, threats like CB Komala, Z-MM Swanna, and Silvally-Dragon stand out. For these reasons, the team was rejected.
Alolan Golem+Jumpluff BO: The team is being rejected mainly because it does not necessarily reflect the current metagame and has various holes that make it not easy to pick up and play. Overall the team is fairly slow and relies on Jumpluff and Ditto to play around offensive threats such as mixed Simisage, LO Kadabra, Z-MM Swanna, NP Raichu, mixed Electivire, and so on which is not really consistent.

Poliwrath+Camerupt BO: Although this team aligns more with current meta trends such as Specs Camerupt and Rotom-S+Bronzor+Poliwrath, like the previous team it lacks the speed to really outplay threats in the current metagame. Even though the defensive backbone seems solid, too many Pokemon are able to pressure the team and force whoever uses this team to play defensively and reactively. Moreover, having only Specs Camerupt and Sub Punch Poliwrath as breakers is not ideal in this metagame because both Pokemon are relatively matchup reliant and require good reads to be effective.

Corsola+Gourgeist-XL Balance: This team definitely has some underrated Pokemon in Corsola and CB Muk, and overall is pretty interesting and fun. However, the team does not reflect the current metagame and is not easy to pick up and play. Even though it's interesting from a structural standpoint, the team's lack of a good Volt Switch absorber means it has to constantly predict around Electivire (Scarf or non-Scarf) and relies on NP Raichu and CB Muk to break through things, two Pokemon that are not difficult to check or pressure in the current metagame.
The team is definitely intriguing on paper, utilizing a rising threat in CB Furfrou and a cool set in offensive Z-Ice Bean Poliwrath. Moreover, the combination of Pokemon used means that Pokemon such as Electivire, Simisage, Exeggutor, etc have to predict each time they're in. That being said, the team lacks a wincon and is not that simple to use considering how much one has to outplay threats like Swanna, non-Scarf Electivire, and Silvally-Dragon to name a few. Moreover, it also does not necessarily reflect the current metagame as well as sample teams should.

Seeing as how a majority of teams were rejected, I want to stress that sample teams should be really standard, reflect the current metagame's top Pokemon and archetypes, and most importantly should be easy to pick up and play for any player. There might be another minor update this week with council members submitting their own teams, and other than that nothing to expect.
 

5gen

jumper
is a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Staff Alumnus
Hey all, got two teams courtesy of DurzaOffTopic to add (submitted through council). We'll still be looking at submissions up until we get gen 8 ZU alpha, so anyone that wants to submit sample teams is free to do so.

Volt-Turn HO :ninjask::mr_mime::komala::silvally::golem::electivire:

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.

Standard Stall :avalugg::lickilicky::dusclops::pyukumuku::hippopotas::altaria:

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.

Just to reiterate, we are still accepting sample teams on a case-by-case basis and we always look forward to seeing submissions.
 

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