By that, I mean, I'd like to find a middle ground between Pokemon I actively like and Pokemon that will be useful on a team for me. Because heaven knows I love me some Mightyena, but I can't figure a way to make it work functionally on a team. Without considerable set up, at least, which I haven't cared to plan/ponder on. (As a forenote, I'm a big monochrome fan. Any black/white/gray Pokemon I probably like more than others to an extent.) Part of me also wants to avoid using Pokes that are constantly used in battle set ups. Though, I'd be willing to compromise to a degree. (As, even though I'm a big fan of both Steel and Dark types, I'd like to avoid Skarmory.)
So far, the team I've compiled is:
Donphan: Spiker/Despiker
Leftovers // Sturdy // Adamant
252 HP / 188 Att / 68 Def
Earthquake Rapid Spin Stealth Rock Roar
Notes: A Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin Lead. Leftovers to keep it around. Which means if I keep Umbreon, I'll need to find either a different item for one of them or another Leftovers. Earthquake for a nice STAB and either Roar for the PHaze or Ice Shard for an ice move which my team could use, as-is. And it's priority, so that's nice. The EVs are up for debate, but I saw them suggested and they seemed to fit what I figured would be nice. Some Def to allow him to take a few more Physical attacks, though with his type weaknesses, I really need to make sure to keep him away from special attackers in general. And with his base SDef, I don't really think it'd be best to put anything into it.
Volcarona: Special Sweep
Life Orb (or Leftovers, if I can get another)// Flame Body // Timid
240 HP / 252 Def / 16 Spd
Roost Quiver Dance Bug Buzz Fiery Dance
Notes: Whirlwind to PHaze. Quiver Dance is awesome~ Bug Buzz and Fire Blast with Life Orb for sweeping STABs. Flame Body + slight Def EVs for possible burn. Unless you think Swarm would be worth trying to get. I also would want a Rapid Spinner or someone to deal with opponent SR for this team, if I do include Volcarona.
I would have to trade / find someone with a Larvesta Friend Safari to get this Pokemon, but I've always been a fan of Volcarona, which is strange, since it isn't monochrome.
Espeon: Dual Screener
Light Clay // Magic Bounce // Timid
252 HP / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Dazzling Gleam Psyshock Protect Light Screen
Notes: Mostly here for Dual Screen set up and Magic Bounce awesomeness.
Mega Venusaur: Drainer Tank
Venusaurite // Thick Fat // Bold
252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spd
Giga Drain Synthesis Leech Seed Sludge Bomb
Notes: I really want to run a tank and a drainer, and I think Mega Venusaur might fit that position? And I have the Mega slot available now, if I want to fill it. Giga Drain for STAB drainage. Synthesis for extra lasting. Leech Seed for even more drainage fun and possible PHaze. Sludge Bomb for STAB possible poisoning. I've also thought about running an HP there? Dunno which to go. I'd thought Fire, but I've got Volcarona, not that I can't have 2 fire moves. Also, I've not really looked into how to get specific HP moves and that might make me pull my hair out while breeding if it's difficult. Ha.
Tyranitar: Physical Sweep
Assault Vest // Sandstream // Adamant
252 Att / 76 Spd / 180 HP
Crunch Stone Edge Pursuit Superpower
Notes: I think Tyranitar might be a nice fit. Only now realizing double Fighting type weakness, though . . . So yeah. This slot is the most open for debate. I ran Stone Edge + Crunch for some nice STAB coverage in types I felt my team could use offensively. I wanted an Electric attack on this slot, but not sure how it works with the set. Since it will only super-effective hit flying and water. Flying I have Stone Edge, Water I might as well switch out. A sweeping fighting type is also something I thought would work. But now I'm not sure how well he synergies with the set overall.
Gyarados: Physical Sweep
Choice Band // Intimidate // Adamant
252 Att / 168 Spd / 88 HP
Double Edge Waterfall Ice Fang Earthquake
Notes: My team needed a water type, I feel. Life Orb instead of Choice so I don't have to get two and so I can run DDance. Waterfall over Aqua Tail for better accuracy. Ice Fang for a needed ice move. Possible freeze and flinch. The last slot I'm super undecided on. Another Earthquake couldn't hurt. Bounce would be nice for the STAB, but is easy to predict and this set is not built to take a switch in prediction and junk. Stone Edge is nice, but I also don't feel that I need two on my team? And then Dragon Tail could be nice for the alright typing and PHaze.
Off the Team
Aggron
Aggronite // Sturdy // Careful
252 Def / 252 SDef / 4 HP
Rest(or Toxic/Thunder Wave) Sleep Talk(or Stealth Rock) Heavy Slam Dragon Tail
Notes: This is a Pokemon I actually have in-game. I can re-train it's EVs if I can get a reset bag. But don't know if I should. (If I did, it'd be switching the 252 / 4 in SDef and HP.) It has perfect IVs in HP, Att, Def and SDef. Don't know if I should breed for Speed or not. Also, it /has/ already learned Stealth Rock as an egg move, so that wouldn't pose any problem.
Obviously since it's the first on the list, it's the one I've wanted on the team most heavily and the longest. I'm just a big fan of the way that Mega Aggron looks. Plus, both builds I'm considering I sort of like. Rest / Sleep Talk to keep on tanking as long as possible. Heavy Slam for STAB power. Dragon Tail to PHaze. Stealth Rock is obvious. And Toxic/Thunder Wave to either eat more HP (which I lean towards) or Thunder Wave to drop Speed and debilitate overall. I mostly can't decide if I want him to be the SR set up or not.
Sturdy just because it's there. Rock Head isn't desired and Heavy Metal would be nice, but it might not be worth the hassle, since I'd like to use Mega Aggron for maximum defenses.
Volcarona
Life Orb // Flame Body // Timid or Modest
252 SAtt / 252 Spd / 4 Def
Whirlwind Quiver Dance Bug Buzz Fire Blast
Notes: Whirlwind to PHaze. Quiver Dance is awesome~ Bug Buzz and Fire Blast with Life Orb for sweeping STABs. Flame Body + slight Def EVs for possible burn. Unless you think Swarm would be worth trying to get. I also would want a Rapid Spinner or someone to deal with opponent SR for this team, if I do include Volcarona.
I would have to trade / find someone with a Larvesta Friend Safari to get this Pokemon, but I've always been a fan of Volcarona, which is strange, since it isn't monochrome.
Umbreon
Leftovers // Synchronize // Calm
252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Def
Wish Heal Bell / Toxic / Yawn Protect / Yawn Foul Play
Notes: I'd like a Cleric, and Umbreon is one of the coolest looking I could find. Several times I've run Umbreon and Mightyena in-game and named them after my best friends who are a couple.
Wish is basic for this Cleric Build. Heal Bell seems nice, or I could go the opposite route and give Toxic. Yawn would be to stand in as a possible PHaze. Protect would be best run along side Toxic, I feel, but if predicted could cause for inconvenient set-up. Good for scouting. Yawn again considered as a possible PHazing move. Foul Play for obvious reasons. Avoiding Taunt bait, possible counter to some physical sweepers and such.
Cinccino
King's Rock or Choice Band // Skill Link // Jolly
252 Att / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Tail Slap Rock Blast Bullet Seed Aqua Tail / U-Turn
Notes: Cinccino I sort of have here as a humorous Physical sweep, though it obviously wouldn't be most people's first choice. I like King Rock's high flinch probability when paired with Skill Link, but Choice Band might be the better option 'cause I sort of like U-Turn over Aqua Tail, but that slot's also up for debate overall. As is this Pokemon's slot in general. It's not really one of my favorite Pokemon, per se. It's just monochrome. And if I do use Umbreon and Aggron, it's just piling on my team's fighting weakness.
Whimsicott
Leftovers // Prankster // Calm
252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 Spd
Substitute Leech Seed Giga Drain Cotton Guard / Encore
Notes: I think this Pokemon is super cute. But don't know that I want it purely for that reason. I doooo however, love it's possible draining/annoying build. I'd like a shiny, if possible, though, which would make it a bit tougher. SubSeed is obvious. Giga Drain for extra draining. Encore for set-up possibility and Cotton Guard for some extra boost. This slot is up for debate.
I'd really like a Spiker, Drainer and Cleric on my team, but I'm willing to looking into other set ups as well. Other than those above, below are a few Pokes I'd be willing to give a look into. Even if they aren't useful, I feel they can give a bit of insight as to what sort of Pokemon I do like, which would open up room for you to suggest ones who aren't on the list as well~ Since this is about building a team with Pokemon I both like and ones that aren't nearly useless competitively. Appreciate any input from you guys! And here's the list:
Final Thoughts: How important is having Pokemon you like on a team? Will you use a Pokemon you're not fond of if it's good competitively? And inversely, will you use a Pokemon you're fond of over one better competitively purely based on your affinity for it?
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 8:19 pm
Currently thinking of the Rest/Sleep Talk set up for Aggron and running this below, maybe?
Donphan
Leftovers // Sturdy // Adamant
252 HP / 188 Att / 68 Def
Earthquake Rapid Spin Stealth Rock Roar (or Ice Shard)
Notes: A Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin Lead. Leftovers to keep it around. Which means if I keep Umbreon, I'll need to find either a different item for one of them or another Leftovers. Earthquake for a nice STAB and either Roar for the PHaze or Ice Shard for an ice move which my team could use, as-is. And it's priority, so that's nice. The EVs are up for debate, but I saw them suggested and they seemed to fit what I figured would be nice. Some Def to allow him to take a few more Physical attacks, though with his type weaknesses, I really need to make sure to keep him away from special attackers in general. And with his base SDef, I don't really think it'd be best to put anything into it.
Commando Omnipants
Offline
Archolite Crew
Tipsy Loiterer
Offline
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 9:57 pm
There is so much time that goes in to planning a team properly it's crazy.. Personally, I use Pokemon that I think can work and that I like. Heatran is a great Pokemon that every team needs to be prepared for. But he is not one of the Pokemon I use frequently, because I think he is arguably the ugliest Pokemon in the game. But sometimes he works well enough on a team I might throw him in from time to time. And good synergy is appealing enough to help me overlook his atrocious sprite. Other Pokemon like Gardevoir and Drapion I just think are really cool, plus I like the whole vibe Drapion gives with the role he plays as well.. But, neither of these 2 really hold up for me.. So they will have to wait in a box until a UU/NU tourney or something.
Anyhow, back on topic. Your Donphan set is solid, gonna need that Spin Support if you're using Volcarona. Also consider Mandibuzz, the premier Defog user, but if you think he is an ugly piece of s**t like I do, don't bother. xd But yeah, Donphan, plenty of perks. Sets up Rocks, gets rid of Rocks, hits hard, tanks well. Classic. Don't let anyone tell you he belongs in UU because he can pull his weight in OU with proper teammates without a doubt.
I'm really not feeling the whole Aggron thing (We'll get to that later). Umbreon could work as your special wall and would work well enough to back Donphan, so that's actually kinda neat. Sylveon is also worth a mention*.
Okay, Aggron. 4x weakness to Ground and Fighting. Kinda seals his fate right there, because most teams carry at least 1-2 of BOTH of those. His stats are irrelevant against anything with not terrible Physical Attack using Earthquake or what have you. Almost more Pokemon on a team will carry a Fighting or Ground type move than Pokemon that don't. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but he is still too easily countered because of his typing. Unless, of course you opt for the use of your Mega Slot. In which case, I can't say I've ever had too much trouble eliminating him in the ones I've faced, but he always held that threat value, where I had to keep him in mind because of the obnoxiously long list of Pokemon that he walls. I'll let you think about a set for that. This is the only way you can really justify using Aggron though.
Last note on this defensive core you've got going on here, both Aggron and Umbreon are weak to Fighting, while Donphan does not resist it. If you opt for Sylveon instead of Umbreon, that would be patched right up. Not to mention Aggron resists Steel and is immune to Poison, Sylveon's only weaknesses.
Volcarona is a great Pokemon. No criticism here really, you've got its weaknesses covered for the most part. Perhaps run a Water type of some sort to resist the ever common Azumarill that will threaten your Volcarona. And you have Donphan to switch to if you see an Electric attack coming your way.
Just noticed, Rotom-W will give your team heaps of trouble. As he beats Donphan one on one, and can hit Volcarona hard if it has no Quiver Dances under its belt. I'd suggest scouting around Smogon to look for listed counters on certain threats that will cause you problems.
@Whimsicott/Cincinno, you've got enough gimmick on your team, I think you should find something more reliable or you will find your team underwhelming on the offensive side. That goes especially for Whimsicott. Also, King's Rock is banned by Haxx Items Clause, a Standard Battle Clause. Just a heads up.
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 6:37 am
I think that with your fighting type weakness theme going on, you may want to think about adding a ghost type in there. If you choose one that has levitate, then that covers Aggron's ground type weakness as well.
Hunter of the dusk Crew
Offline
DarkKingJilly
Offline
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:26 am
Or possibly a Cofagrigus for its WoW + Mummy to support your defensive team if you go for a Ghost type. I also have to agree that (Mega)Aggron hasn't given me too much trouble but I usually throw my MegaHeracross at 'em.
With that said, I think all of the MegaAggron's I've faced focused on offensive tactics. I've yet to see one take advantage of its movepool. It has Curse, Rock Polish, Substitute, Rest, Sleep Talk, Stealth Rock, Thunder Wave and Toxic for example. Also its ability I believe reduces damage from super effective attacks.
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 3:37 pm
Yeah. If I ran a Aggron, he'd be a Mega, and I'd definitely be looking to run Rest, Sleep Talk if I also ran Donphan. And the other slots being some combination of Toxic/Thunder Wave, Heavy Slam and Dragon Tail.
But, that being said, even though he's maybe my second favorite Poke, my first also didn't make it onto my team, so . . . I'm not too sad about letting him go. He didn't have any move types that /definitely/ made him worthwhile and if he didn't perform well as a Wall/Tank, then yeah. It's best to let him go. :c
I'd heard mixed messages about Mega Aggron, but I really liked him, but w/e. Stinks I bred one for several perfect IVs, but I can always use that Poke for more breeding if he fits into any other breeding groups for my team.
I actually briefly considered Cofagrigus, but not for long. Plus, with Aggron off the roster, that drops some of my stacked fighting-type weakness there.
Also considering adding this below to the list:
Mega Venusaur
Venusaurite // Thick Fat // Bold
252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spd
Giga Drain Synthesis Leech Seed Sludge Bomb
Notes: I really want to run a tank and a drainer, and I think Mega Venusaur might fit that position? And I have the Mega slot available now, if I want to fill it. Giga Drain for STAB drainage. Synthesis for extra lasting. Leech Seed for even more drainage fun and possible PHaze. Sludge Bomb for STAB possible poisoning. I've also thought about running an HP there? Dunno which to go. I'd thought Fire, but I've got Volcarona, not that I can't have 2 fire moves. Also, I've not really looked into how to get specific HP moves and that might make me pull my hair out while breeding if it's difficult. Ha.
Aaaand besides that, I'm really wanting to fit a Water, Ice, Electric and Ghost/Dark move onto the team, somehow. I looked into some Physical Water types, but came out without anything feeling /right/. So a good Physical Sweeper who could incorporate multiple of these types would be ideal.
I'm thinking of running a: Spiker (Donphan), Cleric (Umbreon), S Sweep (Volcarona?), Tank/Drainer (M Venusaur?), Physical Sweeper (?) then a sixth slot. Probably another sweeper, yah. Also thinking about Aegislash, but don't know if it would fit on this team well. Other ideas floating around being Salamence (sort of sad it doesn't have Ice Fang), Metagross (maybe transfer it and get it to learn some elemental punch(es)?), I'd considered Mienshao before, but it works best as a lead, I think. Fake Out U-turner. A Baton Passer would also be nice. O:
Commando Omnipants
Offline
Hunter of the dusk Crew
Offline
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:02 pm
LOVE mega Venusaur. That's pretty much the set I run, except I went for mixed defenses, and it performs admirably. I ran Sleep Powder for awhile instead of synthesis, but the 75 accuracy cost me some matches. With leech seed/giga drain/synthesis, he is one tough tree-toting dino to take down. I wouldn't bother with a HP on it though. It's also nice to have a poison type to soak up toxic spikes so your spinner doesn't have to take one for the team. Might want something that can take a Talonflame Brave Bird for it, which might be something to consider for either your physical sweeper or sixth slot.
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 2:31 am
Tyrantrum can learn the elemental fangs which would be boosted by its ability. I bred it purely to wall Talonflame. It's an option that can serve as a physical sweeper if played right. I run DDance on mine with Stone Edge, Ice Fang, and Fire Fang.
I'll admit first off that it will do poorly against STAB Earthquakes and Dragon type moves. It also has piss poor special defense. I only relied on Tyrantrum when I had a guaranteed chance to wall other Pokemon.
With that said, if you can force a switch-out you can set up a DDance and sweep with little effort. It's got good coverage with the elemental fangs, the STAB Stone Edge hurts a lot of Pokemon with that attack boost.
Currently thinking of the Rest/Sleep Talk set up for Aggron and running this below, maybe?
Donphan
Leftovers // Sturdy // Adamant
252 HP / 188 Att / 68 Def
Earthquake Rapid Spin Stealth Rock Roar (or Ice Shard)
Notes: A Stealth Rock and Rapid Spin Lead. Leftovers to keep it around. Which means if I keep Umbreon, I'll need to find either a different item for one of them or another Leftovers. Earthquake for a nice STAB and either Roar for the PHaze or Ice Shard for an ice move which my team could use, as-is. And it's priority, so that's nice. The EVs are up for debate, but I saw them suggested and they seemed to fit what I figured would be nice. Some Def to allow him to take a few more Physical attacks, though with his type weaknesses, I really need to make sure to keep him away from special attackers in general. And with his base SDef, I don't really think it'd be best to put anything into it.
I am thinking of running Donphan in one of my teams and so far I set him up with: Sturdy with the nature Impish and leftovers/LifeOrb 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def Earthquake Rapid Spin Toxic Substitute
How it plays out is using substitute to protect you against Status, and Donphan causes a lot of switches with his STAB Earthquake. Toxic does its thing while Rapid Spin will make sure you have control over entry hazards. You could use salac berry to speed him up which I am not sure about since Leftovers/Life Orb will keep Donphan in longer.
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 6:17 pm
On Sylveon (somehow missed that), dropping Aggron didn't patch it up as well as Sylveon would but . . . Too girly. For this team, at least. I'll probably definitely set up other teams in the future, but yeah. For this team I'd like Pokemon I could like . . . see myself using if they were real. From that sort of perspective. And . . . yeah. Not a Sylveon type a dude. Haha.
Aegislash has crossed my mind several times again, but has not made it. I've always though "Man. If only Aegislash had Baton Pass." Hah.
I considered several checks to Talonflame and never settled on someone. I did see mention of Tyrantrum a few times, who I do like. But he's a bit frail and not the /best/ for sweeping in general. That no-recoil STAB'd Head Smash is crazy, though. His Dragon-typing doesn't really do him good. Though I could run yet another PHazing option with STAB Dragon Tail, though? Meh. I do like Tyrantrum, though.
Also saw Mega Aggron mentioned. Ha.
DDance Tyrantrum did sound a bit nice, though, yeah. Hmm. I /do/ like Tyrantrum. /dinofan
I would like a Toxic-runner on my team, but not going to push for that. I do have Venusaur's Sludge Bomb at the moment.
Yeah. With Volcarona, I'd need to keep Donphan in for a while, as the Rapid Spinner to make sure the opponent can't get another setup on SR. (Which also is a cripple to Talonflame, and is my current set.)
Other Pokemon I've considered are Shell Smash + Skill Link Cloyster. Not sure if worth the SR weakness. (Though I do have a Rapid Spinner, I don't need to put too much weight on Donphan in that regard, I don't feel.) Plus, fighting weakness, which I've only just recently lowered.
Then I considered DDance Haxorus. But I don't reaaally know what set I would run. It lacks some of the typing move-wise that I was wanting on a sweeper.
Then I've really been looking at Medicham. emotion_dowant Medicham, like Metagross (whom I've also considered), was a staple on an RP character I made waaaay long ago. Who, at the time, ran Psychic / Steel / Fighting types only. Then added Dark later. Metagross/Bronzong/Gallade/Lucario/Medicham/Cobalion > Metagross/Gallade/Mega Lucario/Bisharp/Pangoro/Malamar . . . Anywho.) Pure Power makes it /crazy/. It is a little frail though. So . . . dunno. I actually don't mind the way it looks. The wispy / smart-looking fighters I like. Like Gallade/Medicham/Mienshao. It has access to elemental punches, which is nice.
Terrakion is someone who I haven't looked into much, but who I like aesthetically. I've super only just now looked into him. Awesome Rock / Fighting STABs would be nice on this team, though, me thinks?
I'd also briefly considered some of the water starters. Swampert, Empoleon, Greninja. But none of them really sold me. Also considered an Azumarill of my own. But I've always hated Azumarill's look. Azuril and Marill were cute, but Azumarill? Nah.
I'm really bad at spotting checks, so bear with me, guys. I suuuuper appreciate the input, as well.
Commando Omnipants
Offline
Hunter of the dusk Crew
Offline
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 8:57 pm
Tyrantrum or another frail or semi-frail sweeper could benefit greatly from the aid of a Magic Bounce Espeon running a dual screens set. Keeps hazards off the field while it sets up dual screens, which really make setting up a sweep just so much easier. Especially good with a Weakness Policy Aegislash or Dragonite. Aegislash moreso because you could switch it in to tank a dark type move aimed at Espeon, benefiting from the halved damage from screens plus it's monstrous defenses in shield form while activating weakness policy, getting essentially a free Swords Dance and Nasty Plot on the switch in. Granted that is situational, but I do think that the two of them make great partners.
That, and using Espeon in the correct manner can really mess up your opponent's team, preventing hazards while setting them up on your opponent, absolutely shitting on pranksters, and outright walling a lot of toxic stallers. Dual screens is the set I use, but I've seen Reflect/Calm Mind/Baton Pass (last slot is usually either Psychic for the STAB, or Dazzling Gleam for the better coverage) work fairly well, especially if you also run a special sweeper (like volcarona, which also appreciates hazards not being on the field in the first place). That, and Espeon is majestic as ********.
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:51 pm
emotion_facepalm The options. That option got me considering Cosmic Power pass Lunatone/Solrock. Which got me considering maybe just using a sweep-boosting Scizor as a unexpected surprise. But, dual screens is also something I did consider. Plus it sticks around if there's an unexpected KO. And dat Magic Bounce is nice, indeed. Plus, Umbre-Espe siblings? Hm.
I do like Aegislash, as well. O: But his move pool isn't the /best/ and if Espeon and him took up my last slots, I'd be short on offensive moves. So, if I did run an Espeon, I'd maybe want to run Medicham for the punch-moves alongside it, but I'm not sure if that stacks any weaknesses. /can't think right about it; needs to check (Probably would run Choice Scarf with Hi Jump Kick, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch and Psycho Cut? Zen Headbutt, Rock Slide, Drain Punch, Bullet Punch are also moves currently considered.)
And if it does, then maybe Tyrantrum with some of the Elemental Fangs. Electric, Ice, Crunch and Stone Edge/Rock Slide? 'Cause Head Smash can hurt without Rock Head.
Commando Omnipants
Offline
Commando Omnipants
Offline
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:18 pm
I feel like Tyrantrum, as much as I like him, might not be the best sweeper for this team, as I do believe Azumarill would then pose a fair threat with it's dual Water/Fairy typing. It could hit Volcarona, Donphan and Tyrantrum with STABs and that's both my sweepers and a bulky spin/SRer right there. I do have Mega Venu there that's capable of handling it, however. But, yeah.
Buh! But, if I ran Medicham/Espeon in the last two, Medicham's fighting-typing would pile it up to 3 x2flying weakness and no resist and Medicham the only way to take it out and Espeon not providing the speed like a Baton-passer could. And I don't know that a Protect would help it with a Talonflame Brave Bird. Hm. Yeah. Grr.
Edit: Considering Gyarados as the sweep. Maybe running DDance, Waterfall, Stone Edge, Ice Fang?
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 8:35 pm
If your concern is Talonflame, the best check is Rotom-W. Barbacle is an interesting choice as he's physically defensive and can easily run a shell smash/white herb set. He looks a little goofy, but I think it's worth considering because Water/Rock STABs cover each other nicely, and you have Mega Venusaur to soak up grass type moves and destroy them in turn with sludge bomb. Aerodactyl could work, as could Tyranitar, obviously. In general though, there's not a whole lot of great Rock types to oppose Talonflame with.
The thing that I don't like about Medicham is that he's too frail. Even neutral moves tend to take him out rather easily, and he's not all that fast. Dat High Jump Kick, tho. When I ran him, I gave him a wide scope, because missing that kick ALWAYS gets him KO'd. With the right team support it could run a clean sweep, but now you have to account for talonflame as it's got a fever and the only cure is more dead fighting types. Blaziken fixes exactly what's wrong with Medicham (ala speed boost), but it can still do nothing in the face of the horror that is Talonflame. It can be a force to be reckoned with after it's primary checks are dealt with, but I always prefered Infernape myself. So many more options, and makes a great lead 3nodding
I still say that they best remedy to having so many fighting type weaknesses is a ghost, although gyarados can fit in that role to a degree. The main problem is that even a resisted hit from a fighting type is going to hurt like a sonofabitch because they tend to have high attack and base power
Hunter of the dusk Crew
Offline
DarkKingJilly
Offline
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:27 am
Tyrantrum's Dragon typing makes the elemental types as neutral damage, I believe. But that doesn't help against a Play Rough from Azumaril. But as I said, Tyrantrum was purely a counter measure to Talonflame.
I've been mulling over Mightyena's potential though. I think it's surprise factor would help you out. I like the idea of Toxic/Yawn with Protect. Sucker Punch and/or Crunch. Put a Focus Sash on it perhaps. Max out its Attack and Speed. Or gamble with a Rest/Sleep talk set and invest EV's in Defense and HP.
EDIT: Siglyph would cover your flying/fighting weakness. dramallama
Donphan: Spiker/Despiker
Mega Venusaur: Drainer Tank
