m00 here~
I haven't posted in ages, but I'm back for good now (since college crap is now over). Here's a team I've been playtesting for a bit, and it's been doing great, adapting to the ORAS offensive playstyle that has been developing in OU. OU has been getting extremely stale lately, and I'll likely take a break and move into UU for a bit until something like the Giratina-O test actually goes through. Here's the team.
Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 SpD
Impish Nature (+Def, - SpA)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Whirlwind
I fell in love with Hippo's walling capabilites after Lenub used it against me a million times. With the proper investment, it is able to take hits from both sides of the spectrum. This specific spread avoids the 2HKO from LO Thundurus' HP Ice, as well as Mega Manectric's. Stealth Rock is my only form of hazards on the team, and allows my teammates to nab certain KO's. Earthqauke is STAB and prevents Hippowdon from being complete Taunt bait. Slack Off provides reliable recovery, and Whirlwind allows me to phaze, racking up Stealth Rock damage.
Altaria (F) @ Altarianite
Ability: Natural Cure ---> Pixilate
Happiness: 0
EVs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, - SpA)
- Dragon Dance
- Cotton Guard
- Frustration
- Roost
Cotton Guard Altaria is arguable one of the better MAltaria sets out there, as it allows Altaria to set up on a large portion of the metagame. Happiness is 0 to power up Frustration, as well as to screw over Dittos that might be wandering around. Dragon Dance boosts up Atk and Spe to assist in sweeping. Cotton Guard raises Defense by three stages, allowing me to set up on Pokemon such as Azumarill, Landorus-T, Mega Gallade, Excadrill, Metagross, and more. Frustration is Altaria's only attacking move and is powered up by Pixilate. Roost recovers any damage that was acquired during setup.
Celebi @ Expert Belt
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 52 HP / 252 SpA / 204 Spe
Modest Nature (+SpA, - Atk)
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Giga Drain
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover
The biggest problem Altaria has is walling Steels. This lure Celebi aims to solve it by luring out Altaria's counters, and retaliating with the appropriate move. Giga Drain is STAB, and is one of the few ways I have to hit Waters for super effective damage on the team. Earth Power destroys Heatran, a huge problem to my Altaria as it doesn't carry Earthquake. Hidden Power Fire allows me to smack Ferrothorn and Skarmory. Finally, to keep Celebi healthy due to the lack of Leftovers, Recover is used.
Excadrill (F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature ({Atk, -SpA)
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
Excadrill takes advantage of the Sand that Hippowdon sets up pretty well. Adamant Excadrill outspeeds a good majority of Scarfers in the Sand, taking pressure off my Keldeo to come in to revenge kill. Earthquake is STAB and deals good damage to anything that doesn't resist. Iron Head allows me to deal with Fairies and Flying types more efficiently. Rock Slide is coverage, and creates a pseudo EdgeQuake combo. Rapid Spin allows me to remove Stealth Rock on my side of the field, giving Talonflame more breathing room.
Talonflame (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature (+SpD, - SpA)
- Brave Bird
- Taunt
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
Stallbreaking Talonflame is one of the most useful Talonflame sets, and it should honestly be used more often. Although Talonflame's typing is complete garbage in terms of defense, its movepool barely makes up for that. Brave Bird is STAB and priority with Gale Wings, granting Talonflame the ability to pick off weakened foes. Taunt is used to prevent opposing Pokemon from setting up hazards, generally. Roost is priority healing, and allows Talonflame to take neutral damage from Electric moves, allowing for easier scouting. Will-O-Wisp provides residual damage, and combined with the Sand, wears down opponents easily. It also migitates Talonflame's low bulk.
Keldeo-Resolute @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 3 Atk / 30 SpA
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Electric]
As the Scarfer on the team, Keldeo's main job is to revenge kill, as it is faster a good majority of the tier, and has just enough coverage to muscle through. Scald is probably Keldeo's most spammable move, allowing it to fish for burns. Hydro Pump is used when more power is needed to knock out the opponent. Secret Sword is STAB, and HP Electric allows me to hit opposing Water types.
