Monotype SOS (Imprisoned Legends)

maroon

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RMT & Mono Leader



The Team at a Glance
:sv/ting-lu::sv/sableye::sv/wo-chien::sv/tyranitar::sv/skuntank::sv/chien-pao:
{click on sprites for the pokepaste}

The name for this RMT came from SZA's newest album, while also referencing in-game lore of the Dark Legendary Quartet being locked away in Paldea, which happens to also work well with SOS. Also Tyranitar's nickname is Ghost in the Machine because of its paradox form. This generation certainly did hurt a lot of defensive Pokemon due to recovery moves PP being reduced this generation but the introductions of Ting-Lu and Wo-Chien made me curious if I could make a bulkier Dark team would work. They are impossibly annoying to break and make a wonderful defensive core. Overall the team relies on wearing down the opposing team through hazards+whirlwind, status, and preventing recovery through means such as Taunt Sableye and Wo-Chien. Sableye and Tyranitar are no strangers to Dark teams and have been defensive staples to the type since literally BW, while Skuntank helps with Fairy-types thru Poison Jab and Toxic Spikes. Finally, the team is rounded out by Chien-Pao, which is basically like a stronger Weavile with access to Sacred Sword, that ignores defensive boosts. Overall, I usually tend to build offensive teams but I have been really enjoying using this team and wanted to share it with everyone!
In-Depth Descriptions
Good Days
:sv/ting-lu:

Ability: Vessel of Ruin
EVs: 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 Spe | Impish
Moves: Ruination / Earthquake / Spikes / Whirlwind

Just like the fairy quartet, the Dark legends got a signature move that reduces the foe's HP in half being Ruination. This is extremely useful especially since it prevents Ting Lu from becoming super passive and works well with hazard stack + whirlwind to wear down the opponent's team. Earthquake is solid STAB. Spikes are the first of the three hazards on the team. 8 Speed allows Ting-Lu to Whirlwind out opposing Ting Lu before it can phase me out. This is perhaps my favorite Pokemon of the generation.

Love Language
:sv/sableye:

Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def | Impish
Moves: Knock Off / Will-O-Wisp / Recover / Taunt

Sableye is the second part to the Defensive core, providing an important immunity to Fighting-types while also having an important ability of Prankster. This allows Sableye to hit physical attackers such as Quaquaval with Will-O-Wisp before it can attack, allowing it to better stomach its attacks. Taunt prevents foes such as Toxapex from recovering damage or the rare Defog user in the metagame. Knock Off as always is great utility.
Blind
:sv/wo-chien:

Ability: Tablets of Ruin
EVs: 252 HP / 52 SpA / 108 SpD / 96 Spe | Calm
Moves: Giga Drain / Leech Seed / Substitute / Taunt

Wo-Chien makes up the third part of the team's Defensive core, providing resistance to Water- and Ground-type attacks. It paired alongside Ting-Lu makes a particularly nasty defensive core due to their type synergy together, natural bulk, and corresponding abilities that lower the opponent's offensive capabilities. Giga Drain is Wo-Chien's main attack and helps the team take on Water- and Ground-types such as Iron Bundle, Gastrodon, and Sandy Shocks. Leech Seed allows Wo-Chien to have passive recovery alongside Leftovers and Giga Drain. Substitute + Taunt allow it to have a better matchup against opposing walls such as Toxapex and Dondozo. Wo-Chien's EVs allow it to OHKO -1 Quaquaval with Giga Drain after it breaks Substitute with Close Combat, outspeed Adamant Azumarill, and remain as specially tanky as possible. If you think the team is too passive you can switch out Wo-Chien for Choice Band Meowscarada.

Ghost in the Machine
:sv/tyranitar:

Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 52 Def / 204 SpD | Careful
Moves: Stealth Rock / Rock Blast / Heavy Slam / Protect

Tyranitar is the second dedicated Special Wall for the team being able to stomach attacks from Choice Specs Iron Valiant (not Focus Blast/Aura Sphere most of the time) and Flutter Mane. Stealth Rock is the second hazard featured on this team and the most standard hazard. Rock Blast is a staple on defensive Tyranitar and can take out Substitutes on a variety of Pokemon such as Volcarona or Baxcalibur. Heavy Slam allows me to target and OHKO Fairy-type Pokemon such as Flutter Mane. Protect allows Tyranitar to take advantage of Toxic Spikes + Sand chip while also regaining Leftovers recovery. Tyranitars EVs allow it to survive +1 Adamant Baxcalibur's Earthquake while retaining its ability to act as a special tank.
I Hate You
:sv/skuntank:

Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 252 HP / 48 Def / 148 SpD / 60 Spe | Careful
Moves: Crunch / Sucker Punch / Poison Jab / Toxic Spikes

Skuntank's main purpose on this team is to set and remove Toxic Spikes, while also being able to revenge kill threats such as Dragon Dance Dragapult with Sucker Punch. Crunch allows it to better take on Recover Gholdengo, while Poison Jab can bully Iron Valiant, Hatterene, Azumarill, and Flutter Mane. Skuntank's EVs allow it to take +2 Ceruledge's Bitter Blade, outspeed Jolly Azumarill, and remain as specially tanky as possible to better take on threats such as Flutter Mane and Gholdengo.

Gone Girl
:sv/chien-pao:

Ability: Sword of Ruin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe | Jolly
Moves: Swords Dance / Icicle Crash / Ice Shard / Sacred Sword

Chien-Pao is the teams offensive pressure and late-game cleaner. Chien-Pao greatly appreciates its teammate's insane abilities to wear down foes through their natural bulk, hazards, and access to fantastic utility. Swords Dance allows Chien-Pao to reach new heights letting it OHKO Pokemon such as Great Tusk and Iron Treads. Icicle Crash is its main STAB move, while Ice Shard brings some much-needed priority to the team. Sacred Sword is great Fighting coverage that can be important in helping revenge kill foes such as Iron Defense + Body Press Garganacl, which Wo-Chien can help wear down. Sacred Sword is also a great tool in Dark mirrors and removing other Chien-Pao.​

 

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