Not Your Ordinary RMT (Leader Analysis/Threat List Included)

[Bear]

First league team so I don't know if this is against any rules or not so will apologise for potentially A)breaking the rules and B)boring you all to death with the longest RMT reborn has ever seen.
What I want to do is split this RMT in two parts, Part A introducing my team and reasoning behind said choices and Part B where I provide a threat list and analysis of all the Reborn league leaders and potential threats they might have and compare how my team deals with them. Considering smogon and other competitive communities use threat lists for their RMTs I was surprised I couldn't find a threat list here. If you like and intend to use Part B I will happily provide an copy and pasteable format on request.
*Just to clarify I will undoubtedly need help improving the threat list but this isn't for people to simply snitch what they have faced against certain leaders but list potential threats/strategies each leader may use and that teams should be prepared for.Will edit in any sensible suggestions people make for inclusion on the threat list.

PART A: THE TEAM!

Trait: Protean

EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd

Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

- Surf

- Dark Pulse

- Extrasensory

- Ice Beam

Such insane speed and coverage was too hard not to abuse! Surf over hydro pump for doubles coverage and forms 1/2 of my surf spam core. Dark Pulse, Extrasensory and Ice beam for coverage and protean abuse. Considering i will be facing monotype teams and that I have enough coverage to hit 10/18 types super effectively with STAB I decided to empathize special attacking power and U-turn, physical moves and hazard moves were redundant. EV's maximise speed and power. Most likely items will be choice specs and choice scarf.

Trait: Dry Skin

EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd

Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)

- Thunderbolt

- Surf

- Volt Switch/Charge Beam/Dark Pulse

- Grass Knot

Why Heliolisk over something more dangerous and faster such as Jolteon? Amazing coverage in thunderbolt, surf and grass knot and amazing synergy with Greninja thanks to Dry Skins allowing me to spam surf. Will threaten a lot of leaders and provide me with a great choice for doubles. Grass knot is there for the rare but difficult water/ground types I will undoubtedly see and other weird niche threats that may crop up. Undecided on third move so please feel free to make suggestions! EVs empathize maximise speed and power. Most likely items will be choice specs, choice scarf, air balloon, life orb and grass gem.

Trait: Iron Fist

EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd

Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)

- Close Combat

- Mach Punch

- Thunder Punch

- Fire Punch

A fighting type had to be here for amazing coverage and the reason I pick the fire monkey over other fighting types was because of my strange and unrequited love of monkeys (*shudders thinking of Pans) and fire types. The Fire typing is actually a blessing in disguise, being able to hit those incredibly annoying bugs as well as the ever important ability to absorb Will-O Wisp that makes him such a reliable physical attacker. Advantages are the iron fist boosted mach punch and thunder punch to hit those annoying flying types without resorting to the even more annoying Stone Edge. Also provides much better speed in comparison to any Guts abusers I thought of. Chose thunder punch over sword dance because I think boosting moves won't be as important as coverage and priority on a frail creature such as this one. EVs to maximise power and speed. Most likely items will be choice band, choice scarf, air balloon, life orb and maybe even sash.

Trait: Technician

EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 SDef

Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)

- Bullet Punch

- Knock Off/Roost/Bug Bite

- Superpower/Brick Break

- Swords Dance

The ever important steel type. Murdering the frustratingly difficult Fairy types as well as providing so many sexy resistances I chose Scizor over other steel types for his incredible priority and move pool. Chose bullet punch for obvious reasons and sword dance for setting up with all his amazing natural bulk. The other two moves are subject to discussion. Fighting coverage is desirable just a question of power over consistency. Not that fussed with bug coverage when I have so many other ways to murder grass, dark and psychic types. The reason I'm hesitant on roost is because Assault vest remains a very attractive option and I'd rather knock off in those situations. EV's allow the maximisation of assault vest and attacking power but spread can be improved. Most likely items will be Assault Vest, Leftovers, Occa Berry and Choice Band.

Trait: Sand Veil

EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd

Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)

- Dragon Claw

- Earthquake

- Outrage

- Stealth Rock

With such phenomenal STAB coverage, stealth rocks, Thunder wave nullifying, speed and power Garchomp was one the most attractive ground types (sorry mamoswine) and in my eyes the best Dragon type available. DC and Outrage so that I have the choice between power and getting locked in if I run scarf and EQ for fantastic coverage and destroying Aya. SR for utility. Chose against Fire blast and Stone edge because I feel my team already handles those targets well, seriously considered sandstorm however just to counter weather! EVs to maximise Speed and power. Sand veil to abuse sandstorm users such as Ttar and Hippo. Plus its a shark... Like an entire freaking shark!

Trait: Moxie

EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd

Hardy Nature

- Substitute

- Roost

- Brave Bird

- Sucker Punch

This MC is one of my favourites and I needed something to hit bug, grass, fighting and psychic types harder considering my team. Sucker Punch and brave bird are the staples of this set for STAB and priority while sub roost is to protect my physical attacker from annoying Will-O Wisp users as well as keeping him healthy. I chose not to go mixed because I want to maximise stab power more then anything. EVs to maximise attacking power and speed though might consider moving the speed EV's just dont really know the pros and cons. Most likely items will be Life Orb, Dread Plate & Lum Berry.

Importable

Greninja (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Protean
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Surf
- Dark Pulse
- Extrasensory
- Ice Beam

Heliolisk (M) @ Choice Specs
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Volt Switch
- Grass Knot

Infernape (F) @ Choice Band
Trait: Iron Fist
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Mach Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Fire Punch

Scizor (F) @ Assault Vest
Trait: Technician
EVs: 120 HP / 252 Atk / 136 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Superpower
- Swords Dance

Garchomp (F) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Stealth Rock

Honchkrow (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Moxie
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Hardy Nature
- Substitute
- Roost
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch

PART B: THREAT LIST
WIP.

The structure of the threat list will essentially create a profile for each gym leader by stating there type and it's weaknesses followed by potential strategy and threats to your team.

Strategy will refer to key moves, abilities, game mechanics, items and tactics that the referred gym leader may abuse. examples include, fake out, sand stream, sandstorm special defence boost, air balloon and scarf abuse.

Threats refer to certain pokemon the gym leader may use to cover there main type's weakness. examples include Aya using Crobat which is immune to ground moves, Tentacruel which can hit ground types super effectively with STAB or Drapion which is both immune to psychic attacks and can hit psychic types super effectively with STAB. Also can include just pure monstrosities such as mega Kangaskhan, scarfMence or Xernius but I would rather focus on the pokemon a leader might use to counter the challengers strategy.

As this is relatively raw i'm encouraging user to put in any ideas they may have to better improve each leader profile. Feel free to nominate threats, strategies or even suggest new categories to improve the profile,

Leader: Aya [prefers triples]

Type: Poison

Weaknesses: Ground, Psychic.

Strategies: Rage Powder, Air Balloon, pursuit/sucker punch. Chlorophyll

Threats: Amoonguss, Toxicroak, Venasaur, Gengar. Vileplume, Crobat. Victreebell, tentacruel

Slapping Scarf on Garchomp to spam EQ, Specs on Greninja to abuse extrasensory and vest for Scizor to use as a pivot. Air baloon on Heliolisk and Infernape so they can partner Garchomp in doubles and target flying types/levitate users with thunderbolt and air balloon users with priority moves. Greninja will be a late game cleaner because of pursuit/sucker punch users and will come in once they are taken out.

Leader: Titania

Type: Steel

Weaknesses: Fire, Ground, Fighting

Strategies: Prankster Dual Screens & Spikes, Stealth Rocks, Focus Sash.

Threats: Aegislash, Empoleon, Ferrothorn, Klefki..

Leader: Laura

Type: Grass

Weaknesses: Bug, Fire, Flying, Poison, Ice.

Strategies: Prankster, Sunny Day+Chlorophyll, Spore, SubSeed.

Threats: Cradillly, Ferrothorn, Torterra, Venasaur, Whimsicott, Shiftry, Breloom, Chestnaught, Trevenant.

Leader: Adrian [prefers triples]

Type: Fairy

Weaknesses: Steel, Poison

Strategies: Dual Screens, Trick Room

Threats: Gardevior, Clefable, Mr Mime, Klefiki, Azumarill, Granbull,

Leader: DJ Arclight

Type: Electric

Weaknesses: Ground

Strategies: Levitate, Air Baloon, Rain Dance, Sticky Web.

Threats: Elecktross, Rotom (all formes), Lanturn, Galvantula.

Leader: Bennet

Type: Bug

Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Rock.

Strategies: Stealth Rocks, Sticky Web, Quiver Dance, Sleep Powder, Speed Boost, Baton Passing.

Threats: Galvantula, Durant, Heracross, Scizor, Crustle, Armaldo, Shuckle??

Leader: Luna

Type: Dark

Weaknesses: Fighting, Bug

Strategies: Sucker Punch, Will-O Wisp, Moxie, Speed Boost.

Threats: Honchkrow, Houndoom, Vullaby, Malamar, Spiritomb,

Leader: Sampson

Type: Fighting

Weaknesses: Flying, Psychic, Fairy

Strategies: Moxie, bulk up, swords dance, speed boost.

Threats: Scrafty, Pangoro, Lucario, Heracross, Toxicroak,

Leader: Anna

Type: Psychic

Weaknesses: Dark, Ghost, Bug

Strategies: Trick Room, Magic Guard, Magic Bounce

Threats: Mr Mime, Gardeviour, Gallade, Sigilyph, Medicham, Solrock, Lunatone, Delphox,

Leader: Noel

Type: Normal

Weaknesses: Fighting

Strategies: Fake Out, Guts+Facade, Eviolite, Wish Passing.

Threats: Dodrio, Swellow, Staraptor, M-Kangaskhan (should he become champion block...)

Leader:

Type:

Weaknesses:

Strategies:

Threats:

Leader:

Type:

Weaknesses:

Strategies:

Threats:

Edited March 11, 2014 by Bear

[Fezzdog]

Hardy and not Adamant nature on Honchkrow? I think that's probably just a mistake though >>

Also your exportable has a Naive nature Greninja as opposed to the Timid in your RMT.

I'd change Garchomp's ability to Rough Skin for most of the League, considering the 2 who will abuse Sand are in the Champion block.

I feel like Infernape could do very well with Fake Out, but I'm not sure what move you'd replace to be honest .

I feel like Bug Bite would be better placed on Scizor than Knock Off, that's just my preference though. You already have 2 Dark coverage moves (if you don't tack on the Dark Pulse on Heliolisk). Knock Off is very useful for stall-breaking however, but you don't seem to have any Bug coverage.

One thing that I feel is that your team doesn't look very bulky . I know everyone battles differently though, so meh, but I doubt your team could withstand triple spread moves effectively. You'd have to end the match very very quickly, and that might not even be possible when Trick Room is a popular strategy. You do have pretty decent priority though when it comes to Trick Room teams.

Most of the leaders will probably pull out new stuff, so take everything here with a grain of salt.

Aya runs a pretty scary Nidoking and also has a Fake Out Toxicroak under her belt too. Rage Powder Amoonguss was also one of Aya's and Laura's staples last season. There's plenty of counters to Rage Powder Amoonguss this generation however. Rage Powder is now at only +2 priority, so a Fake Out is pretty useful against it. Otherwise, Safety Goggles is an option to use. Aya has also used Trick Room in the past, so just be wary. Weather is also a pretty scary thought when there's things like Swift Swim and Sand Rush, so just be wary of those too. Laura's used a lot of stuff in the past. The most prominent ones that come to mind that you haven't mentioned are Prankster Whimsicott, Rage Powder Amoonguss, Chlorophyll Venusaur, Chlorophyll Leafeon and Chlorophyll Shiftry.

[FraRPetO]

Hyper Beam on Heliolisk is beast

[The Radiant Aeon]

Okay normally I wouldn't come here but...

Honchkrow- "WHY AM I NEUTRAL??!!!" So yeah, unless a mistake when typing, change it. You aren't mixed. (And even still Hasty/Naive would be better)

Generally speaking, you also might want to invest in mixed ape. Other then that. Its cool.

[Dominator]

I should pay attention to this but i cant read

[Bear]

Thank you for the responses and for catching on to my mistakes. Will fix honchkrow up and change the importable once I've settled on a few things.

Fake out looks very interesting for nape because it also helps counter trick room setters especially in doubles. Just not sure which move I'll ditch yet but most likely thunder punch.

Hyper beam would make a killer wall breaking move and will test.

Rough skin also seems good punishment for fake out users and safety goggles was a fantastic idea.

Bug bite I'm still not sold because of poor offensive coverage but will test.

As per bulk issue I'm considering replacing

helioisk with something more capable of being a pivot and take some pressure of scizor. Maybe a fake out user if not slow?

What's the feeling for part B though? A work in progress or too much trouble? Aware rmt isn't the most popular section but I still think it's a cool tool worth finishing when I actually have a sober day haha.

[The Radiant Aeon]

Just saying on one of them, Aya REALLY likes Trick Room.