[Gen 5 Other] ♫ Under the Sea ♫- a Mono-Water team

Discussion in 'Rate My Team' started by TheUserFormerlyKnownAsFPT, Jul 26, 2011.

Moderators: Edna, fsk
  1. TheUserFormerlyKnownAsFPT

    TheUserFormerlyKnownAsFPT Woof

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2011
    Messages:
    170
    Likes Received:
    0
    Is it a bird?! Is it a plane?! No! It's an importable!!!!
    Empoleon (F) @ Focus Sash
    Trait: Torrent
    EVs: 156 HP / 252 SAtk / 100 Spd
    Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
    - Stealth Rock
    - Hydro Pump
    - Grass Knot
    - Ice Beam

    Sharpedo (F) @ Focus Sash
    Trait: Speed Boost
    EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
    Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
    - Protect
    - Waterfall
    - Crunch
    - Earthquake

    Gyarados (F) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Intimidate
    EVs: 172 HP / 152 Atk / 184 Spd
    Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
    - Dragon Dance
    - Waterfall
    - Bounce
    - Taunt

    Keldeo @ Life Orb
    Trait: Justified
    EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
    Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
    - Secret Sword
    - Hydro Pump
    - Hidden Power [Ghost]
    - Calm Mind

    Vaporeon (F) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Water Absorb
    EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
    Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
    - Scald
    - Protect
    - Wish
    - Roar

    Gastrodon (Gastrodon-East) (F) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Storm Drain
    EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
    Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
    - Earth Power
    - Ice Beam
    - Toxic
    - Recover[/HIDE]

    Btw, if you didn't sing the title of this team in Sebastian the Crab's voice, then would you please leave the thread.

    Introduction
    Good day, and welcome to my Mono-Water team. I've been using this team for around a month now and its quickly become my favourite mono team. It's by no means perfect (it needs a bit of work), but it has won more than it has lost and more impressively, it has beaten Xavier Final, which is as good as it gets in Monotype. It's quite an offensive team and it is capable of dealing with most types, but I have noticed two large issues. Bug and Electric. Once Venomoth has put something to sleep, set up and BP'd its game over for this team, and that has happened on more than one occasion. Anyway, those are issues that can be resolved, so here is how I chose my six Pokemon:

    Teambuilding

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    I know most people put random Pokemon like Magikarp and Stunfisk here to represent an empty slot, but I genuinely did start with six Psyducks. After promptly getting 6-0'd every battle, I decided to add a little variety to my team and started with my Stealth-Rock-starter-upper, or lead as many of you call it.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    So, as you can see, I started with Swampert as a lead. 4x grass weakness be damned, its great at getting up rocks and some decent physical bulk to tank some hits whilst dealing heavy hits back. Unfortunately, this didn't go so well, but we'll get to that later. I next decided on the defensive backbone of my team, so as a special wall (of sorts) I opted for my second favourite Pokemon, Jellicent, with his physical counterpart being the immovable force of Slowbro.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Don't get too familiar, they won't be sticking around, but (again) we'll get to that later. Next I opted for two set-up sweepers. When thinking of a physical water-type set-up sweeper, only one name springs to mind, that's right Whiscash. But I decided to not use that overused catfish thing, and opted for the rarely-seen Gyarados. Specially, CM Keldeo was my choice, largely because I'd never used the thing.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Next, I wanted something to hit hard and fast, a pseudo-revenge killer if you like. Speed Boost Sharpedo fills this role very nicely.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    As aforementioned, Swampert didn't fare too well. I didn't particularly like (after all, it is a Pokemon that I scarcely used in its Gen 4 heyday). I opted to replace it with Empoleon, a common SR lead from last gen. Whilst its usage has declined significantly in Gen 5, its still very effective at getting up rocks, as well as hitting stuff hard with its not-to-be-sniffed-at Special Attack. Of course, losing Swampert took away my electric immunity. As somebody who dislikes Quagsire (i've never been able to use it), then Gastrodon was the obvious choice. I decided it would be decent as a special wall, so that meant losing Jellicent, and I have to say, its done quite well. Slowbro was not also working out, so I replaced it with Vaporeon (tbf, it was a toss-up between Vappy and Suicune). So, here is the finished product:

    Overview

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    The Team

    [​IMG]
    Pingu (Empoleon) (F) @ Focus Sash
    Trait: Torrent
    EVs: 156 HP / 252 SAtk / 100 Spd
    Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
    - Stealth Rock
    - Hydro Pump
    - Grass Knot
    - Ice Beam

    And we begin with my lead, named after everybody's favourite gibberish-talking penguin, Pingu. Its primary aim is to set up Stealth Rock, bar Taunt, this is guaranteed by Focus Sash. I like to preserve it for later on, as it makes a great Cloyster check thanks to its quad resistance to its Icicle Spear and its normal reistance to Surf/Rock Blast. Hydro Pump, Grass Knot and Ice Beam give great coverage, although I may consider sticking Aqua Jet on it for priority. I've found this to be a more effective lead than Swampert, with better typing and coverage. Modest gives max special power, and the EV spread is straight off of Smogon. I might change it, if anyone sees fit.

    [​IMG]
    Snacker (Sharpedo) (F) @ Focus Sash
    Trait: Speed Boost
    EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
    Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
    - Protect
    - Waterfall
    - Crunch
    - Earthquake

    Next up is Sharpedo, and I've named it after the menacing shark from the first Banjo Kazooie game. Anyway, Protect allows me to get a free boost early on, and then I can outspeed and hit stuff hard with STAB Waterfall/Crunch off of an impressive 372 attack. Earthquake is also there, but doesn't really give me any extra coverage. A mixed set (with Ice Beam) could be an option with Sharpedo's respectable special attack stat. Life Orb could also be an option over Focus Sash, but it is really frail and the Sash has won me a few 2HKOs.

    [​IMG]
    The Bends (Gyarados) (F) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Intimidate
    EVs: 172 HP / 152 Atk / 184 Spd
    Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
    - Dragon Dance
    - Waterfall
    - Bounce
    - Taunt

    'Who are our real friends, have they all got the bends, am I really sinking?'. Named after the Radiohead song that came on my iTunes when I was struggling for a nickname for a Gyarados on a previous team. This is the Gyarados I always use, whenever I use it on a team. The EVs give some bulk, that allows it to set up DD to a great extent. Waterfall and Bounce provide STAB and good coverage. Stone Edge is another option, but I personally prefer Bounce, to deal with threats to this team like Virizion and Breloom. Taunt allows me shut down slower Pokemon that try to set-up, as well as Pokemon setting up Entry Hazards.


    [​IMG]
    Equa (Keldeo) @ Life Orb
    Trait: Justified
    EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
    Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
    - Secret Sword
    - Hydro Pump
    - Hidden Power [Ghost]
    - Calm Mind

    Its Keldeo, sort of named after a pun, a combination of the words Equine and Aqua (meh, the name could do with some work). Relatively standard CM set. I normally switch into something non-threatening and set up a CM. Hydro Pump and Secret Sword give STAB anf great coverage. Also Secret Sword does catch out people who switch in their special wall, not being aware of the moves effect. HP Ghost is for Jellicent, who would wall this set otherwise. Then again, HP Ghost doesn't deal massive damage, so I may replace it. Sub could be an option, as could HP Ice/Electric/Fire, but I would make sure to run 31 Speed Ivs, whatever the HP, so I at least speed tie with the other musketeers. Life Orb means its survivability isn't great, so Lefties (or even Lum Berry) could be a better idea. Also since its Sugimori art has not yet been released, I've included a picture of Ponyta. Ponyta may not be an amateur French swordsman like Keldeo, but it is also a pony.

    [​IMG]
    Bubblejet (Vaporeon) (F) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Water Absorb
    EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SDef
    Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
    - Scald
    - Protect
    - Wish
    - Roar

    I've gone with a physically defensive Vaporeon set, and another makeshift Cloyster check, if I lose Empoleon. Scald provides burn support which helps Vappy's physical bulk, whilst all but nulling the effectiveness of a large number of physical threats. Wish support is always nice on a team, and Protect is for when I need to heal Vappy. Roar is for pseudo-hazing, and my only proper check for those annoying Venomoths on bug teams. I've also opted for Water Absorb over Hydration due to rain obviously being all-but absent from Monotype.

    [​IMG]
    Gary (Gastrodon-East) (F) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Storm Drain
    EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
    Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
    - Earth Power
    - Ice Beam
    - Toxic
    - Recover

    Named after Spongebob Squarepant's pet snail, its Gary the Gastrodon. If you're wondering why I used Gastrodon West's sprite at the top, when I'm using Gastrodon East, its largely because I could not find the animated sprite for Gastrodon E, so yeah. Anyway, this acts as a special wall of sorts, and can take hits surprsingly well. Earth Power and Ice Beam give nice coverage, and hit even harder if I've switched it into a water type move thanks to Storm Drain. Recover gives healing, and Toxic is screw over other Pokemon. The Evs and nature give maximum special bulk (426/269). Scald could be an option, as it cannot take physical hits very well.

    Retired Members

    Here are the former members of my team for you guys to futher scrutinise:

    Swampert (F) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Torrent
    EVs: 240 HP / 216 Def / 52 SDef
    Relaxed Nature (+Def, -Spd)
    - Stealth Rock
    - Roar
    - Ice Beam
    - Earthquake

    Jellicent (M) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Cursed Body
    EVs: 248 HP / 216 SDef / 44 Spd
    Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
    - Surf
    - Recover
    - Taunt
    - Will-O-Wisp

    Slowbro (F) @ Leftovers
    Trait: Regenerator
    EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def
    Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
    - Slack Off
    - Surf
    - Calm Mind
    - Psyshock[/HIDE]

    Conclusion

    So, there is my mono-water team. Do what you may with it. And, as always, all advice and whatnot will be greatly appreciated.
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2011
  2. Firer

    Firer Owner

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    2
    Nice analysis.

    I would suggest isong Milotic over Gastrodon. It functions well as special wall and thx to marvel scale you can tank physical hits too.
    So maybe a scald,rest,sleep talk,dtail set?
     
  3. HeroOfSinnoh

    HeroOfSinnoh Banned

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2010
    Messages:
    718
    Likes Received:
    0
    You have a Ponyta picture for your Keldeo? Accident or intentional?
     
  4. ASH_CHAMPION

    ASH_CHAMPION A very useless person~

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2010
    Messages:
    1,474
    Likes Received:
    553
    PO Trainer Name:
    Meh
    I was wondering the same thing.
    Generally a nice team. Just a small recommendation is making Empoleon more bulky, since it is the only one that can take a full power Leaf Storm when bulky.
     
  5. TheUserFormerlyKnownAsFPT

    TheUserFormerlyKnownAsFPT Woof

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2011
    Messages:
    170
    Likes Received:
    0
    Lol, yeah I did mention it in Keldeo's description. Its Sugimori art has yet to be released :/

    Anyway, @Firer- I agree that Milotic would a better special wall than Gastrodon, but I don't like losing that Electric immunity that Gastrodon brings.

    @Meh- That's a good idea. I'll shift some/most of its SpAtk EVs into HP and SpDef.
     
  6. Gerard

    Gerard Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2011
    Messages:
    288
    Likes Received:
    0
    Outside of keldeo (which won't like T-wave), what's your ferrothorn anwser?, he can actually go trough your team either with power whip or just laying spikes, gyara can't do anything since bounce is just not enough since he can t-wave or spike every time you go up (since taunt only last 3 turns) a second time, that's a lot of prediction on taunt and DD (power whip is a 3hko and gyara won't like iron barbs), also, what's your answer to Breloom? i can see tecniloom being killed by gyara (after something went to bed) but Subpuncher can seriously hurt your team, have you consider Azumarril? sap sipper gives an awesome Grass immunity and lets her take some of the worst enemies to any monowater
     
  7. TheUserFormerlyKnownAsFPT

    TheUserFormerlyKnownAsFPT Woof

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2011
    Messages:
    170
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thought I'd bump this, as it still needs some work :D

    @Gerard- I agree about Ferrothorn and Breloom being problems for this team. Ferro is much more of a worry than Breloom though in my mind. Sap Sipper Azumarill sounds interesting, although I'm not sure what set I'd run on it due to its lack of offensive capabilies outside of Belly Drum.
     
Moderators: Edna, fsk