[RMT] Team for a tournament

[Lugruf]

A group of friends organized a draft type tournament in which each player could pick eleven pokemon distributed in a series of tiers with a point based system. I'm now building the team for the first matchup and well, I just wanted to share the team and get some feedback you could think about. Any help is very appreciated.

These are the pokemon I can use:

-Garchomp
-Volcanion
-Mega Venusaur
-Quagsire
-Chansey
-Togekiss
-Metagross
-Mienshao
-Noivern
-Sigilyph
-Rampardos

These are the pokemon my opponent can use:

-Talonflame
-Slowbro
-Zygarde
-Mega Sceptile
-Roserade
-Forretress
-Conkeldurr
-Cinccino
-Jellicent
-Barbaracle
-Gourgeist

Copy-paste data:

RAWRCHOMP (Garchomp) (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 240 HP / 176 Def / 92 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Blast
- Stealth Rock

Smash! (Metagross) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Atk / 96 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide

Edulbasur (Venusaur-Mega) (M) @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Synthesis

Togeflinch (Togekiss) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Air Slash
- Heal Bell
- Roost

Stolen from Durken (Mienshao) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

Sanic (Noivern) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- U-turn
- Switcheroo

The team:

I started building with the Tankchomp - AV Metagross - M-Venusaur core, which has proven to be incredibly solid and powerful in The Lonely Dragon.

Tankchomp:

RAWRCHOMP (Garchomp) (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 240 HP / 176 Def / 92 Spe
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Blast
- Stealth Rock

Tankchomp is basically my Talonflame counter. Talonflame has been since the very beginning my main concern with my opponent's pool since I didn't have any straightforward counter and it could wreak havoc in my team. I also didn't want to play Quagsire since there will definitely be a Mega Sceptile and maybe a second grass type, Roserade or Gourgeist, so Quagsire would have many threats to face.
Tankchomp can set rocks, that take half of Talonflame's HP. It can also take Talonflame's hits quite well and return massive damage with Rough Skin, Rocky Helmet and recoil from Brave Bird or Flare Blitz all together. Dragon Tail can also phaze SD or Bulk Up sets. Fire Blast is there to hit Forretress, which is the only hazard removal my opponent can play. Once I get rid or it, I ensure that rocks will be there to stay, and therefore Talonflame will have a bad time switching in.

AV Metagross:


Smash! (Metagross) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Atk / 96 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Meteor Mash
- Zen Headbutt
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide


Assaul Vest gives Metagross a massive special bulk, which allows me to switch it in almost any special attacker. It tanks remarkably well Mega Sceptile unless this is running Earthquake, something I just hope it won't happen. Meteor Mash is Metagross' main STAB, hitting hard anything that doesn't resist it. Zen Headbutt hits Conkeldurr and Roserade with STAB and Rock Slide OHKOs Talonflame in case I switch Metagross in a Brave Bird.
252 Atk Sharp Beak Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 68-81 (18.6 - 22.2%)
252 Atk Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 228-270 (62.6 - 74.1%)
In the worst-case scenario (2 100% rolls) I would get 96.3% damage, and OHKO it back with Rock Slide. Earthquake is there because I didn't have much idea of what else to add, so any suggestion in this concern would be helpful. Pursuit didn't make much sense since there are no Latis to trap, and the only pokemon weak to Pursuit in my opponent's pool is Jellicent, which is probably going to Will-o-Wisp Metagross, something I would prefer to avoid if possible. Bullet Punch could be useful in some certain situations, but there are too many pokemon in my opponent's team that resist it, so I didn't like it that much. I might end up running it, but I'd rather find something better.

Mega Venusaur:

Edulbasur (Venusaur-Mega) (M) @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Synthesis

Mega Venusaur completes the defensive core with Garchomp and Metagross. In this matchup, it can threaten Jellicent and Slowbro with Giga Drain and Mega Sceptile with Sludge Bomb. In general Mega Venusaur is a beast, taking hits well as it deals massive damage with its STABs. This time I'm running HP Fire instead of Knock Off because of Forretress, for the aforementioned reason. Once I remove Forretress, I can set hazards without them being removed, what will heavily punish Talonflame.

Defogger physically defensive Togekiss:

Togeflinch (Togekiss) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Defog
- Air Slash
- Heal Bell
- Roost

I'm not too happy with this set but Togekiss was my only way to remove hazards, so I had to play defog in it. It's also a great check for Sceptile, resisting everything it can throw at me. Roost and Leftovers let it recover health and get back the 25% lost from the rocks it needs to remove. Heal Bell is there to remove possible burns and paralysis from Jellicent and Slowbro that can cripple my attackers. Finally, Air Slash gives Togekiss some offensive pressence and the possibility to paraflinch slower mons.

Scarf Mienshao:

Stolen from Durken (Mienshao) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

Mienshao is my way to ravenge kill and OHKO Mega Sceptile, as well as being an overall very strong physical attacker and momentum gainer, that can sweep late game. A full investment and an adamant nature let me OHKO Mega Sceptile without Reckless, letting me run Regenerator, which is an ability I prefer to carry in order to pivot with it and keep Mienshao healthy through the match.
252+ Atk Mienshao High Jump Kick vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Sceptile: 288-339 (102.4 - 120.6%)

160 speed let me reach 429 speed, outspeeding Mega Sceptile, which is the fastest pokemon he can play. The rest of the EVs go to maximize the bulk as more speed is unnecessary. Knock Off lets me cripple pokemon by removing their items and especially lets me punish very hard Slowbro and Jellicent checks. Rock Slide is there just in case I predict a Talonflame check, and U-Turn is an excellent way of gaining momentum when predicting a switch, as well as leaving a big dent.

Specs Noivern:

Sanic (Noivern) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- U-turn
- Switcheroo

Specs Noivern is a pokemon I like because it can hit very hard with the 50% SpA boost while having an incredible 123 speed. Draco Meteor OHKOs any offensive pokemon, while hitting defensive pokemons hard. Flamethrower gives me a great coverage against his pool, hitting Forretress, Roserade, Gourgeist and Sceptile before evolving. A second U-Turn serves again the same purpose as Mienshao's of keeping momentum when forcing a switch, and Switcheroo can cripple defensive pokemon massively as they don't usually have damage to abuse the specs and getting locked to a status move is quite annoying. It can also stop Slowbro and Talonflame from setting up.

So, this is my team. Any suggestion or feedback to improve the team will be greatly appreciated.

Edited July 5, 2016 by Lugruf

[Caradius]

Its a good team but watch out for Set up pokemon such as talonflame , zygarde and barbarcle because if they get up a few boosts its game over. While togekiss is a superior flinch mon the opponent also has cinccino at his/her disposal which is not only FASTER than most of your team but can also use skill link and kings rock combo. Your lack of an ice move means you have to be careful of losing your Mega Venusaur and togekiss as those are your only counters for mega sceptile which can do alot of damage to your team, I would state garchomp is a good counter but mega sceptile youre gonna take alot of damage from dragon pulse prior to hitting dragon tail due to its -3 priority and noivern is just slower than sceptile after it megas.

[Cyanna Cyril]

I believe Sigilth might be a great addition to your team if you're allowed to do the wonder skin set. It can negate many of the physical threats of the opposing team. I don't really see any real threats to it once it can set up a bit, and there's no darks to absorb stored power.

I would be wary of high jump kick on Meinshao, mostly because of the access of your opponent to ghost types. Just be extra careful when using it to counter sceptile if they still have their ghosts up.

I'm not sure about Metagross as a pick because Garchomp does the same tanking except better as well as setting up rocks on the stupid bird. Plus, what else does metagross hit well besides the bad bird? I see lots of grass and water and steel, which aren't really going to be hit well by steel or ground or rock...

The rest seem okay, although what is Togekiss expecting to defog for your team unless you expect the forretress pick?

[Sonikku]

You might want want to run Hurricane on Noivern over switcheroo. If you feel likes it's ok, even Focus Blast over U-Turn for more coverage. Flying stab from Noivern hits really hard. Plus there aren't really any drawbacks after hitting unlike Draco.

[SJMistery]

LOL. The pokemon of your opponent basically suck. As long as you carry a bulky pokemon (cough Quagsire cough Garchomp cough) to stop Talonflame and Barbaracle, you will likely win. Mega Venusaur will wall out Sceptile anyway, so fitting Quagsire instead of Mienshao is the best option.

Edited July 6, 2016 by SJMistery

[Lugruf]

Another iteration left the team like this:

Rainbow (Quagsire) (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Recover
- Curse

RAWRCHOMP (Garchomp) (F) @ Rocky Helmet

Ability: Rough Skin

EVs: 252 HP / 180 Def / 76 SpD

Impish Nature

- Earthquake

- Dragon Tail

- Fire Blast

- Stealth Rock

Edulbasur (Venusaur-Mega) (M) @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Synthesis

Togeflinch (Togekiss) @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 248 HP / 60 Def / 76 SpD / 124 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Air Slash
- Ancient Power
- Defog
- Roost

Stolen from Durken (Mienshao) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Jump Kick
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

Sanic (Noivern) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- U-turn
- Switcheroo

Brief explanation on the Togekiss' set: 248 HP is pretty standard to maximize bulk. 60 defense make impossible to jolly Talonflame to 2HKO me after leftovers recovery, so that I can check it safely if necessary. 124 speed let me outspeed specially defensive Roserade and SubCoil Zygarde. The rest is there in order to maximize special bulk.

Quagsire has Earthquake because it's her most powerful attack and Stone Edge to OHKO Talonflame. Unaware lets me check and wall forever Swords Dance / Bulk Up Talonflame, Shell Smash Barbaracle and Coil / Dragon Dance Zygarde. Recover is necessary to get back lost health and wall people, and curse lets Quagsire act as a late game sweeper once grass types are removed.

Edited July 7, 2016 by Lugruf