What is a good in-game team for Diamond and Pearl?

Question

Share your best in-game teams for Pokemon Diamond and Pearl on this thread! Teams should be aimed toward making casual runs of the game efficient, enjoyable and hassle-free.

Please follow these guidelines regarding detail in your post:

1. For every Pokemon on the team, give recommended moves for use throughout the playthrough. Ideally, comment on more than just the four moves you'll finish with post-game.
2. You can include items, abilities, etc. but they are not necessary.
3. Provide explanation and detail. Justify your Pokemon and moveset choices; possible discussion points include ease-of-use, team synergy, and coverage for key battles.

Please also follow these guidelines regarding the contents of your team:

1. If you recommend a Pokemon that is restricted by version exclusivity, trade evolution or events, please mention alternatives for people who cannot get the Pokemon. Do the same if you recommend moves, etc. that are only available by breeding or grinding.
2. There are some unspoken rules of in-game teams, such as to keep the starter on the team and avoid legendaries. It's kind to give other options if you break these rules.
3. Do not recommend Pokemon, moves, etc. that are only available through glitches and cheats. Please also avoid Pokemon etc. that are only available through trade or transfer.
4. Original content only. You may use ideas you found elsewhere, but do not steal written content.

Submit your team as an answer, not a comment. To keep things tidy, we will remove any teams posted as comments in this thread. If you want to update your post, use the 'edit' button.

Please be sparing with images and formatting.

Please use the Platinum thread to share teams for Platinum. Please use the BD/SP thread to share teams for BD/SP.

Answer 1

With Turtwig as the starter: Torterra, Staraptor, Gengar, Rapidash, Floatzel, Lucario

Torterra
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Razor Leaf
- Rock Climb / Cut

Your starter. Earthquake is STAB and it is excellent at that. Rock Slide is coverage. Razor Leaf is Grass type STAB. Rock Climb is an HM attack, as is Cut. Rock Climb is the better attack but I think Cut is more useful ingame.

Staraptor
- Fly
- Return
- Close Combat
- Aerial Ace

Your Flying type. Needs to have Fly, which is one of the most useful utilities in-game. Aerial Ace provides more reliable STAB though. So does Return, although Return doesn't have SE coverage. Close Combat does though. Having high attack, high Speed, and the excellent Intimidate makes this thing more usable than past Flying types. This thing is BL, which is pretty much OU.

Haunter / Gengar
- Shadow Ball
- Thunderbolt
- Energy Ball
- Sludge Bomb

Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb are STAB while Thunderbolt and Energy Ball are coverage. Haunter and Gengar are great because that they have excellent typing (immunities are even more amazing in-game than in competitive, as many foes won't have coverage attacks) and excellent Special Attack and Speed.

Rapidash
- Flamethrower
- Strength
- Megahorn
- Iron Tail

Pretty much the only Fire type you can get in-game, at least before the E4. It has decent offenses, and nice Speed. An immunity with Flash Fire isn't the greatest in DP in-game, but it doesn't hurt. Flamethrower is STAB. Megahorn and Iron Tail are coverage, and Strength is a helpful HM.

Floatzel
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Crunch
- Rock Smash

Every in-game team needs a Water type, if only for the fact that Surf is the most important move in the game. Like everything else on the team, Floatzel has good offenses and good Speed. It can be obtained early, again like most everything on the team (the entire team can be obtained before the 7th Gym, and five can be obtained before the 3rd Gym). Floatzel is an HM slave, as it has Surf, Waterfall, and Rock Smash. Crunch is coverage.

Lucario
- Aura Sphere
- Flash Cannon
- Dark Pulse
- Dragon Pulse

Everybody wants a Lucario. An awesome Pokemon with the coveted Steel typing, plus the lovely Fighting type. Excellent offenses and solid Speed makes this Pokemon a keeper for in-game. Flash Cannon and Aura Sphere are STAB, while Dark Pulse and Dragon Pulse are coverage.

Comments

what move can u use instead of return for staraptor?? doesn’t seem to be in game anywhere that i can find??

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Hi disclosur, Return can be purchased in the Veilstone Game corner in Diamond and Pearl, and in Platinum, you receive Return soon after you receive your starter. Good substitutes for return are Double Edge(Pairs well with Reckless, however it is an egg move and it does recoil), Facade(For me, this is probably the best substitute if you don’t have Reckless. Facade is 70 base power, but that power doubles when burned, poisoned or paralyzed.) I personally wouldn’t recommend this move, but Frustration is obtained much earlier in Diamond and Pearl(I believe) and is essentially the opposite of Return. However, not only would it be hard to keep Staraptor at a low happiness, but would you really want to have a pokemon on your team that hates you?

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Egg moves are almost never worth your time when playing through the main campaign, Staraptor can't have reckless in this game, and facade is post-game. You can get a free TM27 return in the Lost Tower. Just use that

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yeah that’s what i thought i just can’t seem to find it, i’m playing brilliant diamond, is that making a difference?

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This is the team thread for BDSP: https://pokemondb.net/pokebase/399646/what-good-game-team-for-brilliant-diamond-and-shining-pearl
Return doesn't exist in that game, so Staraptor can't learn any good normal moves by level up or TM. I think the best alternatives are fly and roost.

Answer 2

Let me provide a team for each starter.

Infernape team: [Infernape, Floatzel, Staraptor, Luxray, Hippowdon / Garchomp, Roserade]
Empoleon team: [Empoleon, Staraptor, Rapidash, Raichu, Hippowdon / Garchomp, Weavile]
Torterra team: [Torterra, Floatzel, Staraptor, Rapidash, Raichu, Weavile]

[The options for ground types depending upon the availability of Earthquake TM, i.e. if you can gain momentum and jump off the particular ledge in Wayward Cave]

Fire types:

Infernape
Ability: Blaze
- Flare Blitz / Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Close Combat / Focus Blast
- Grass Knot
- Shadow Claw

Infernape is a starter. Pick Chimchar from Rowan's suitcase if you want Infernape. It can learn Close Combat and Flare Blitz by Level up (41 and 57 Respectively). Fire Blast and Flamethrower are TMs which can be used until he learns Flare Blitz. Use focus Blast if you want a Special Alternative, but it has low accuracy. Grass knot and Shadow Claw are coverages and are TMs.

Rapidash
Ability: Run Away / Flash Fire
- Flare Blitz / Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Bounce
- Sunny Day
- Solar Beam

I wouldn't recommend you to use this 'mon. Since there are only two Fire types in DP, you might need him. Flare Blitz and Bounce are learnt by level up (level 58 and 49 respectively). Fire Blast and Flamethrower are TMs which can be used until he learns Flare Blitz. Sunny Day is just a filler and Solar Beam is for coverages (and are TMs).

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Water types:

Empoleon
Ability: Torrent
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Drill Peck
- Flash Cannon

Surf and Waterfall are useful HMs. Drill Peck for Coverage and is learnt at level 52. Flash Cannon is TM.

Floatzel @
Ability: Swift Swim
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Ice Beam / Ice Punch
- Crunch

Surf and Waterfall are HMs. Ice Beam is TM and Ice Punch is from Move Tutor, choose whichever is easy to obtain, it is for coverage. Crunch is neutral Coverage and is learnt at level 26.

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Grass types:

Torterra
Ability: Overgrow
- Wood Hammer
- Earthquake
- Crunch
- Leech Seed

Wood Hammer is STAB and requires Heart Scale to obtain it. Crunch is neutral coverage and is learnt at level 45. Earthquake is Stab and is learnt at level 32 and Leech Seed for Bulky 'mons and is learnt at level 33.

Roserade
Ability: Nature Cure
- Petal Dance / Grass Knot
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Leech Seed / Giga Drain

Petal Dance, Sludge Bomb and grass knot are Stab. Petal Dance learnt at lvl 40 as Roselia. Shadow Ball is for Coverage. Leech Seed is for Bulky 'mons and Giga Drain heals you often.

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Flyer:

Staraptor @ Shell Bell
Ability: Intimidate
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Roost / Defog
- Fly

Brave Bird and Close Combat are mandatory for this beast, learnt at level 49 and 34 respectively. Fly and Defog are HMs, and Roost is to heal you often. Shell Bell is located in Hearthome City.

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Electric types:

Luxray
Ability: Intimidate / Rivalry
- Charge
- Spark / Thunder Fang
- Crunch
- Thunderbolt / Scary Face

Charge is to raise SpD and double the damage of Electric moves, learnt at level 9. Crunch is neutral coverage, learnt at level 35. Spark and Thunder Fang are good physical electric moves, learnt at level 18 and 42 respectively. Thunderbolt if you want high power electric move and Scary Face to help its poor Speed.

Raichu
Ability: Static
- Thunderbolt
- Strength
- Grass Knot
- Whatever TM

Thunderbolt is Stab and learnt at level 26. Strength is a HM. Grass Knot is Ground coverage. The last slot is of your choice.

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Ground types:

Hippowdon
Ability: Sand Stream
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Yawn
- Fire Fang / Rock Slide / Rock Tomb / Stone Edge

Crunch, again, is neutral coverage move. Earthquake is STAB and is learnt at level 40. Yawn puts the foe to sleep, learnt at level 13. Fire Fang requires Heart Scale, and the rest are TMs, which are coverage.

Garchomp
Ability: Sand Veil
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Rock Climb
- Dragon Claw -> Dragon Rush

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Weavile

Ability: Pressure
- Ice Shard
- Night Slash / Thief
- Slash / X-Scissor
- Brick Break

Ice Shard is Priority (doesn't matter since he is already fast), and the only Ice stab, learnt at level 49 as Sneasel. Night Slash is Stab, learnt at level 35 as Weavile. Thief is 60 base power TM which you can use. Slash is high crit hit, is neutral coverage, learnt at level 35. X Scissor is just neutral coverage and is a TM. Brick Break is for coverage and is a TM.

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Roark (Rock): Handled by the starters.
Gardenia (Grass): Handled by Monferno and Staravia
Maylene (Fighting): Handled by Monferno and Staravia
Crasher Wake (Water): Handled by Luxray, Roselia and Raichu
Fantina (Ghost): Handled by Floatzel and Luxray
Byron (Steel): Handled by Infernape, Staraptor, Torterra, Gabite, Hippowdon and Rapidash
Candice (Ice): Handled by Infernape, Staraptor and Rapidash
Volkner (Electric): Handled by Torterra, Gabite and Hippowdon

Aaron (Bug): Handled by Staraptor, Infernape, Rapidash and Weavile
Bertha (Ground): Grass Knot Sweep
Flint (Fire): Handled by Hippowdon, Floatzel, Rapidash or Infernape and Empoleon, Garchomp
Lucian (Psychic): Handled by Infernape, Rapidash, Floatzel, Luxray, Torterra, Hippowdon, Garchomp and Weavile.

Cynthia:
Spiritomb: Staraptor
Gastrodon: Grass Knot
Roserade: Rapidash / Infernape / Staraptor / Weavile
Milotic: Grass Knot / Thunderbolt
Lucario: Infernape / Staraptor / Garchomp
Garchomp: Weavile / Floatzel

You see, how many times Infernape has repeated, clearly stating that it is a suitable starter.

The ground Types I have mentioned can learn Earthquake by level up, where it is difficult to obtain a TM.

These items make the sweeping gyms and E4 easy (Optional)

Dread Plate (Dark) - Fantina and Lucian
Location: Old Chateau

Earth Plate (Ground) - Byron, Volkner and Flint
Location: Oreburg Gate

Fist Plate (Fighting) - Byron and Candice
Location: Route 215

Icicle Plate (Ice) - Cynthia
Location: Route 217

Miracle Seed (Grass) - Crasher Wake, Bertha
Location: Floaroma Meadows

Mystic Water / Splash Plate (Water) - Flint
Location: Pastoria City / Route 219

TM Locations
Hope this helps :)

Comments

This is so good, I don't know why this team didn't get more upvotes

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Lol 2 is more i think lol, when compared to other answers.

Answer 3

Empoleon/Drifblim/Rapidash/Lucario/Raichu/Hippowdon

Empoleon
Ability: Torrent
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Drill Peck

Surf is STAB and and an HM.
Waterfall is STAB, can flinch (but Empoleon has low speed), and is an HM.
Earthquake for covering its Electric weakness.
Drill Peck for covering its Fighting weakness.

Drifblim
Ability: Aftermath / Unburden
- Shadow Ball
- Fly
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
- Cut

Shadow Ball is STAB and can lower Special Defense.
Fly is STAB and an HM.
Hidden Power [Fighting] for covering Dark, Rock and Ice.
Cut is an HM.

Rapidash
Ability: Flash Fire
- Flare Blitz
- Flamethrower
- Solar Beam
- Sunny Day

Flare Blitz is STAB and will usually be the strongest move.
Flamethrower is STAB with a chance to burn.
Solar Beam is for Rapidash's weaknesses to Water, Ground, and Rock.
Sunny Day is for support: use Solar Beam in one turn, and power up Flamethrower and Flare Blitz.

Lucario
Ability: Steadfast / Inner Focus
- Aura Sphere
- Flash Cannon
- Water Pulse
- Rock Climb

Aura Sphere never misses and has 90 base power, so it's one of the strongest Fighting move.
Flash Cannon is STAB and can lower the opponent's Special Defense.
Water Pulse is to cover Lucario's Ground and Fire weaknesses, and can confuse the target.
Rock Climb is an HM and can confuse the target.

Raichu
Ability: Static
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Volt Tackle
- Rock Smash

Thunderbolt is STAB and can paralyze.
Grass Knot for Ground types.
Volt Tackle is STAB, but takes recoil and can paralyze.
Rock Smash is an HM that can lower the target's Defense.

Hippowdon
Ability: Sand Stream
- Earthquake
- Strength
- Thunder Fang
- Fire Fang

Earthquake is a STAB move, deals high damage, and can hit all Pokemon in Double Battles.
Strength is a strong HM move.
Thunder Fang for Water Pokemon.
Fire Fang for Ice and Grass Pokemon.

No need for HM05 - Defog won't make much of a difference.
Comment if this helped you, and I will try to make more good teams =)

Comments

can you tell me the strategie of how you will &when you will get the pokemon

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Surely drifbloom is weak to electric which means most electric moves will be a ohko which means dig should have been on drifbloom

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I know I am late, but Hidden Abilities doesn't exist in Gen-4

Answer 4

This was my team as I played through Diamond. They were amazing. Keep in mind that Honchkrow is exclusive to Diamond and is not available in Pearl. There are many other Pokemon you can substitute as a Flying type in Pearl though. Also, I feel items are preference, whether you like berries, or items to boost a Pokemon's stat, it is up to you.

Empoleon
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Drill Peck
- Aqua Ring

Empoleon is a special attacker. Surf is a STAB. Ice Beam is for coverage. Drill Peck... because why not. Aqua Ring is an Egg Move though, so it is up to you. If you don't want to go through the trouble of breeding, use another move to your preference.

Raichu
- Thunderbolt
- Brick Break
- Agility
- Attract

Thunderbolt is a great STAB move. Brick Break is good because we are not going to be really dedicating one Pokemon to fighting. Agility to make it fast. For Raichu, Attract is preference. I personally love it on Raichu, very effective. Keep in mind that Raichu is both a special and physical attacker.

Rapidash
- Flamethrower
- Flare Blitz
- Iron Tail
- Double Team

Rapidash is pretty much the only Fire type you can use if you don't pick Chimchar as your starter. Flamethrower is your STAB. Flare Blitz is very good on Rapidash because her physical attack is higher then her special. Iron Tail is also good as it is also a physical attack. The last move is up to you. I put on Double Team because I thought it fit nicely.

Roserade
- Magical Leaf
- Toxic
- Synthesis
- Sludge Bomb / Solar Beam

Roserade is huge on Special Attack. Magical Leaf = STAB. Synthesis because recovery is nice. Toxic is perfect for long battles, as it increases in damage over time. Use Sludge Bomb if you want a good Poison type move on your Roserade, but Solar Beam if you wanna be cool.

Honchkrow
- Fly
- Dark Pulse
- Shadow Ball
- Nasty Plot

Honchkrow is by far one of my favorite Pokemon. Fly, Dark Pulse, and Shadow Ball are all amazing moves. Nasty Plot boosts your Special Attack by two stages, helping out the damage your Dark Pulse and Shadow Ball do. You may also use Perish Song, which is a very fun move to use. It is an Egg Move though.

Garchomp
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Crunch
- Swords Dance

Garchomp is another great one. Earthquake + Dragon Claw + Crunch = <3. And all Swords Dance does is just make all those moves better. So yeah.

Hope I helped! :)

Answer 5

Infernape
- Flamethrower
- Flare Blitz / Fire Blast / Blast Burn
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge

• Flamethrower is a good Fire type move: good accuracy, STAB, and with no side effects.
• The powerful Fire attacks are for hard hits, to make sure the opponent takes serious damage.
• Close Combat is a good Fighting type move. Just be careful about the defense drops, because Infernape's defenses aren't good anyway.
• Stone Edge counters Flying types. It's a good move in general, but it has low accuracy, so don't rely on it.

Staraptor
- Fly
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Hyper Beam / U-turn

• Fly is a good Flying move, and it's a HM.
• Brave Bird is a really powerful move, but watch out for the recoil.
• Close Combat counters Rock types, good move overall.
• Hyper Beam is powerful STAB, but watch out for the recharge turn. U-turn to get out of there quickly.

Luxray
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder
- Crunch
- Iron Tail

• Thunderbolt is STAB with good accuracy.
• Thunder is really powerful and it has 100% accuracy in rain.
• Crunch is just a good coverage move.
• Iron Tail is powerful but inaccurate.

Floatzel
- Surf
- Waterfall
- Ice Beam / Ice Punch
- Brick Break

• Surf is good, Floatzel's a better attacker than special attacker, but you need Surf to get through the game.
• Waterfall is good STAB too, and you need it to beat the game.
• Ice Beam is a nice Ice type move that a lot of Water types learn, but I would recommend Ice Punch.
• Brick Break is just a good coverage move.

Roserade
- Energy Ball
- Petal Dance
- Sludge Bomb
- Shadow Ball

• Energy Ball is a nice Grass type, and Roserade has way better Special Attack than Attack.
• Petal Dance is an awesome move. More PP than Energy Ball, but it has to repeat and you get confused at the end.
• Sludge Bomb is nice Poison STAB.
• Shadow Ball is a nice Ghost move for coverage.

Garchomp
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Rush / Outrage
- Earthquake
- Crunch

• Dragon Claw is a decent Dragon move with nice accuracy.
• Dragon Rush is a high-power, inaccurate move. I would have Outrage but you have to breed to get it. If you do get Outrage be careful after some uses you get confused.
• Earthquake is great STAB.
• Crunch is a nice coverage move.

I would catch a random Bibarel or two and teach it some HMs, and use it when you need it. Also, if you don't like any of these movesets, just keep in mind the different Pokemon stats. DO NOT GIVE GARCHOMP SPECIAL ATTACKING MOVES, HE IS A PHYSICAL ATTACKER NO MATTER WHAT.

Comments

Pretty nice team but keep in mind luxray is not a sp. attacker so I would give him thunder fang or wild charge but you get wild charge on lvl 63 I think.  I know it is hard with a infernape as starter but there is not really a "tank" in this team who has very good def. and sp. def. stats.

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Very nice team . But dont think that Gyarados is better than floatzel?

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Great team! A lot of coverage

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"I would give him thunder fang or wild charge but you get wild charge on lvl 63" but wild charge doesn't exist in gen 4.

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I take back what i said earlier,  gabite learns Crunch upon evolution into garchomp

Answer 6

Torterra
- Earthquake
- Giga Drain
- Rock Smash
- Rock Climb

This Pokémon has a decent moveset, and can destroy Cynthia's Milotic, Lucario and Gastrodon, along with Roark, Byron, Volkner, Crasher Wake, and Maylene. It only has problems with Candice, Aaron, and Flint.

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Staraptor
- Fly
- Close Combat
- U-turn
- Steel Wing

This Pokémon can handle Aaron, Maylene, and Cynthia's Roserade. It also can destroy most of Flint's team.

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Luxray
- Strength
- Crunch
- Thunder
- Rain Dance

This Pokémon can easily beat Crasher Wake, and it has a good Attack stat, being able to OHKO most opponents.

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Drapion
- X-Scissor
- Cross Poison
- Rock Slide
- Fire Fang

This Pokémon is great for Fantina and Lucian. Since it has access to Fire Fang, it can destroy Bronzong and Aaron.

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Weavile
- Ice Beam
- Night Slash
- Metal Claw / Shadow Claw
- Surf

Due to Weavile's great Speed, it can take out Cynthia's Garchomp with an Ice Beam. It also can demolish Flint's Drifblim, Cynthia's Roserade and Lucian.

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Gyarados
- Flamethrower
- Waterfall
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake

Gyarados was chosen over the other Water types because its 4x weakness is rarely seen, and you should know by then that water doesn't like electricity. Rock is its 2x weakness, but a Waterfall or Earthquake should OHKO/2HKO most Rock types.

Comments

Two dark types, and two flying types.

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Gyarados+Staraptor is OK but why Drapion+Weavile?

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Ik I am late, but

"Due to Weavile's great speed, it can take out Cynthia's Garchomp with an Ice Beam"

Are you serious? Weavile has only 45 SpA stat when compared to massive 120 Atk stat. Give it Ice Shard (Sneasel can learn by level up) or Ice Punch (move tutor).

Also why did you give Flamethrower, a Special attack to Gyarados when its SpA stat is only 60?

Answer 7

The team I used for both Diamond and Pearl (not going to use version exclusives):

Infernape
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
- Stone Edge

Starter: Infernape is the best starter because it sweeps the first two Gyms and has great Attack and Speed. It also helps against the Steel Gym in Canalave City, the Ice Gym in Snowpoint City, Aaron, Lucian's Bronzong, and Cynthia's Roserade.

• Flare Blitz (STAB)
• Close Combat (STAB)
• Grass Knot (really useful against the second Elite Four member and the Water/Ground type Pokemon)
• Stone Edge (for Flying types)

Staraptor
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Roost
- Return

Flyer: Staraptor is probably the best Flying sweeper you can ask for. You can get Starly really early game, and it destroys the Fighting and Grass Gyms. When you finally get Staraptor, it deals massive damage because of Close Combat and Brave Bird. Helpful against Flint and Cynthia's Roserade.

• Brave Bird (got rid of Fly in Canalave right before Elite Four, then retaught it after beating Elite Four)
• Close Combat (strong coverage)
• Roost (for Brave Bird recoil)
• Return (since you get it early game, Friendship will be high by late game)

Raichu
- Thunderbolt
- Brick Break
- Iron Tail
- Thunder Wave / Attract

Raichu: for the Water Gym. Didn't need a Grass type because of Grass Knot on Infernape, which wipes out Quagsire, so Electric would be best for Crasher Wake's Gyarados. You get Shinx early game, but Pikachu gets Thunderbolt early and Luxray has a bad movepool. The Light Ball is really rare, so I just got a Thunderstone by Sunyshore. Also good against the bird trainers, swimmers, and Cynthia's Milotic.

• Thunderbolt (obviously)
• Brick Break (coverage)
• Iron Tail (coverage)
• Thunder Wave / Attract (your preference, either is good)

Steelix
- Earthquake
- Double-Edge
- Gyro Ball
- Crunch

Steelix: For Volkner. With Earthquake, it can deal massive damage. The reason I used Steelix and not any other Ground type(s) that are a little better is because I'm lazy. You can literally pick it up at Iron Island at a decent level, and you can train it with Riley to earn more exp. It also destroyed the Ice gym with Gyro Ball (from Veilstone Game Corner prize) or Iron Tail (but it's low accuracy). It also helps against Flint. For Flint's Steelix and Lopunny, I used Infernape and Staraptor.

• Earthquake (you can get the TM after Canalave Gym in Wayward Cave under Cycling Road)
• Double-Edge (good with the Ability Rock Head)
• Gyro Ball (STAB for the Ice Gym)
• Crunch (helps against Lucian)

Weavile
- Night Slash
- Ice Punch / Avalanche
- Aerial Ace
- Dig

Weavile: Useful against the Elite Four, has great Attack and Speed, destroys Lucian and Cynthia's Garchomp. You can pick up the Razor Claw in Victory Road to evolve Sneasel. Ice moves are also good against Bertha.

• Night Slash (the move I used to demolish all of Lucian's Pokemon, except for Bronzong)
• Ice Punch (from Shard Collector near Pastoria City) / Avalanche (also good STAB)
• Aerial Ace (for Fighting types, you will most likely outspeed and hopefully OHKO)
• Dig (strong move against Fire, Rock, and Steel types)

Last slot: Your choice, but I only used five Pokemon because my last slot was my HM slave Bibarel. Not worth leveling up because of bad stats and not good in battle against Gyms or the Elite Four. Used Bibarel as my surfer, too.

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Hippowdon may be a better substitute for Steelix, due to stats, but I find the Steel typing more useful in-game. Also, I was too lazy to level up a Hippopotas at that point in the game. Same goes for Gible, it's obviously better, but training it to Garchomp is time consuming when Steelix can do the job just as well, without all that leveling up.

Answer 8

I plan on rerunning my diamond game with my old team and I thought I would share it with you.

Empoleon

Ability: Torrent
Moves: Surf, Ice Beam, Grass Knot, Stealth Rock
Good special attack, resistances against common attacking types, coupled with stealth rock makes Empoleon a strong force in-game. Also grass knot and stealth rock are obtained early in-game and surf is a useful HM.

Rapidash

Ability: Flash Fire
Moves: Megahorn, Flare Blitz, Poison Jab, Strength
My physical powerhouse, obtained early-midgame and is the only other fire type besides Infernape and GBA insertion Pokemon. Strength is another useful HM which I threw in because I was unsure on it's 4th moveslot, Only downside is it evolves at level 40.

Roserade

Ability: Natural Cure
Moves: Sludge Bomb, Synthesis, Energy Ball, Facade
The reason I threw in facade is because I planned on teaching shadow ball to another Pokemon, also, paired with natural cure you can switch out after using facade to remove the status effect. It is obtained early on in the gale but is pretty much useless until it evolves from Budew to Roselia so I tend to catch a Roselia later on ingame, around Pastoria. Also I beleive shiny stone can be obtained underground.

Honchkrow
Ability: Super Luck
Moves: Nasty Plot, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Roost
Found it difficult to fill the moveslots of a physical Honchkrow without the use of the move tutor which is only in PtHgSs so I went for a special sweeper instead. Threw in Roost because of frail defences. Murkrow is obtained early on and has to be evolvled with a dark stone, which I think can be found underground along with shiny stone.

Staraptor
Ability: Intimidate
Moves: Close Combat, Brave Bird, Fly, U-Turn
I know it's not a good idea to have 2 flying type Pokemon but I made an exception because I liked both Honchkrow and Staraptor. Found very early on and easy enough to train, starly was the first Pokemon I caught. Staraptor is my glass cannon, with poweful moves such as close combat and brave bird that have hindering effects to itself it easily OHKOs or 2HKOs most Pokemon. Fly is for convenience as is U-Turn.

Garchomp
Ability: Sand Veil
Moves: Dragon Claw, Brick Break, Earthquake, Crunch
Probably the last Pokemon I caught anf difficult to train but, when it evolves it is completely worth it a better physical attacker than Staraptor and Rapidash, I often just bring PP restoring items and spam earthquake for most of the E4.

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I hope you will use my team in future playthroughs and I am happy to have been of anyones assistance.

Comments

WHY IS EVERYONE FORGETTING BOUT HMS. THE ONLY HMS YOU HAVE ARE FLY AND SURF

Answer 9

This was my team back when I played diamond:
Infernape
Ability: Blaze
- Flare Blitz
- Close Combat
- Grass Knot
- Shadow Claw (?) (Note:The answer originally had Metal Claw, which Infernape can’t learn. He said it covered psychic, so I assume he meant Shadow Claw.)
Flare Blitz and Close Combat are STABs. Grass Knot covers rock. Shadow Claw covers psychic.
Staraptor @ Quick Claw
Ability: Intimidate
- Fly
- Brave Bird
- Heat Wave
- Close Combat
Fly is STAB and is an HM. Brave Bird is STAB. Heat Wave and Close Combat are coverage against Ice and Rock, respectively.
Floatzel
Ability: Swift Swim
- Aqua Tail
- Brine
- Dig
- Ice Punch
Aqua tail and Brine are STAB. Dig beats Electric. Ice Punch beats grass.
Mismagius
Ability: Levitate
- Shadow Ball
- Nasty Plot
- Ominous Wind
- Toxic
Shadow Ball is STAB. Ominous wind is STAB and can raise stats. Nasty Plot boosts SpA. Toxic is, well, Toxic.
Abomasnow
Ability: Snow Warning
- Wood Hammer
- Blizzard
- Water Pulse
- Brick Break
Wood Hammer and Blizzard are STABs. Water Pulse covers fire. Brick Break covers rock.
Garchomp
Ability: Sand Veil
- Dig
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Rush
Dig, Draco Meteor, and Dragon Rush are STAB. Flamethrower covers ice.

Comments

garchom(o) really????????????????????

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But Brick Break isn't good against Bug types...

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Heat Wave is post game, so include any other move (Close Combat also covers Ice Weakness, so leaving Heat Wave doesn't matter).

How can Metal Claw cover Infernape's Psychic Weakness? I think you meant Shadow Claw.

Floatzel doesn't learn Aqua Tail and Brine in DP. Replace it with Surf and Waterfall?

How can Brick Break cover Bug types? I think you meant Rock and steel types.

Answer 10

recommended team
empoleon
moves:hydro cannon,surf,drill peck,ice beam
item:quick claw since speed may be slow
empoleon is awesome at defense but lacks speed

garchomp
moves:draco meteor,dragon pulse,flamethrower,anymove
item:amulet coin to gain money
garchomp is all round awesome

leafeon
moves:grass whistle,xscissor,leafblade,shadowball
item:anything
leafeon is a speeedy devillish easy to evolve grass type

raichu
moves:thunder,thunderwave,iron tail,brickbreak
item;magnet
raichu is probably the best electric type but electivire could be better

honchkrow
moves:meanlook,night shade fly, aerial ace
item:blackglasses
good special attacker and mean look sure comes in handy

aggron
moves:metalburst,earthquake,focus punch,any move of your choice
item:anything really
aggron is a tank he is really hard to take out he was my last Pokemon against cynthia and he beat her lucario spiritomb and gastrodon .

thanks for reading
by bimbo22!!!

Comments

Leafeon isn't in DP.

Answer 11

Okay,Let's Do This!

Torterra It is a VERY Bulky Pokemon and has very good attack too,the only problem is that it's speed is 50 but other than that is is very good
Moveset:Wood Hammer(Stab),Giga Drain/Leech Seed(More stab,+it heals torterra)Earthquake(Even more Stab),Crunch(Even more stab than that)

Luxray None of it's stats are bad at all with physical attack being the highest
Moveset:Thunder(Stab)Thunderbolt(More stab,Cruch(Coverage against ghost types),Scary Face(lowers Speed).

Staraptor This Pokemons Attack is VERY good at a height of 125! Trust me you want this Pokemon very badly.
Moveset:Fly(Good stab and good hm move too),Brave Bird(Now These ARE words of clemont the scientist,"Brave Bird is By Far one of the strongest flying type moves!",If he says it,you know it's true),Close combat(coverage for rock type weakness),aerial(It always hits even after protect)

Garchomp None of it's stats are bad honestly,it is actully kinda like dragonite,accept somehow better. Moveset:Dig/Earthquake(Regular stab)Dragon Claw,Dragon rush(both of these are just stabs),Crunch(Well,why not,It's crunch and it's powerful so i'm keeping it)

Gyrados Most of you will hate me for this because ik Magikarp is VERY hard to train,but once you get that Magikarp to lvl.20 your hard trainin days are OVER Moveset:Surf(Stab and Hm),Ice beam(Coverage against dragon-types),Hydro pump("staby' water-type move),Crunch(again no reason for having it,it's there because crunch is a good move)

Rapidash It's the awsome fire-type member,Great at attack and speed,It's RAPIDASH!
Moveset:Megahorn(Staby bug-type move),Flare blitz(staby fire-type move,ignore the recoil),Stomp,(good stab and has a chance of making target flinch),Bounce(kinda like fly and it's just really good.

Comments

Crunch isn't STAB for Torterra and for Luxray I would say to put wild charge/ spark since it has higher attack. Also, aerial ace doesn't hit if protect is used, and megahorn, stomp, and if you put leech seed on torterra they would all not have STAB.

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@SantasLittleHelper, Wild Charge isn't in Gen-4. Thunder Fang is better, but it doesn't matter if you use a Special Attack since their BP is higher.

Answer 12

Piplup - Prinplup - Empoleon
Surf Drill Peck
Waterfal Ice Beam

Starly - Staravia - Starraptor
Fly Brave Bird
Close Combat Aerial Ace

Budew - Roselia - Roserade
Sludge Bomb Giga Drain
Solar Beam Sunny Day

Shinx - Luxio - Luxray
Thunder Thunder Fang
Strength Crunch

Riolu - Lucario
Aura Sphere Close Combat
Water Pulse Dragon Pulse

Gible - Gabite - Garchomp
Earthquake Dragon Rush
Draco Meteor Slash

Comments

Umm, Lucario can't learn Water Pulse even from TM... Also, Garchomp can't learn Draco Meteor.....

Answer 13

I'll try to keep it brief... and please note, there will not be a fire type but I don't think they're extremely helpful in this game besides infernape.

Torterra

Earthquake
Wood Hammer
Leech Seed
Curse

super reliable tanky starter of pure death. try to make it a decent nature like adamant or impish. despite its severe ice weakness, it can take ice punch and ice shard like a champ. just leech the opponents life away while you set up curse, then kill.

Machoke/Machamp with no guard

Dynamic Punch
Stone Edge
Strength
Rock Climb

Machop is obtained early in the game by the first gym, and is super reliable with no guard as it kills things so easily through the game and is really reliable for strength and rock climb. I used mach amp instead of the usual Rapidash because Machamp is more usable in game and Rapidash is kinda disappointing.

Staraptor

Brave Bird
Close Combat
Fly
Roost/U-Turn

Most reliable flying type in game. I like honchkrow and Togekiss, but Staraptor is super easy to obtain, is your first encounter in the game, and learns amazing moves. Close combat is always helpful, Fly is almost required, Brave Bird for an all out attack in hope to kill, and Roost or U-Turn to heal or switch from brave bird's recoil.

Garchomp

Earthquake
Dragon Claw
Crunch
Brick Break

Ok I'm not sure about this moveset, but you can change it if you need to. Gible can be obtained under the cycling road in a hidden cave, so look it up if you can't find him. Garchomp is a super reliable Pokemon that can do things quickly. These moves take care of most ice types, and give good coverage and stab like all of these other Pokemon.

Lucario

Flash Cannon
Aura Sphere
Dragon Pulse
Psychic/ Shadow Ball

Wow I wish this thing could have 5 moves. Riolu is given to you on iron island in an egg by riley. Level it up with happiness in day time and you now have a Lucario. This is just a hard hitting coverage machine that is very useful.

Gastrodon

Recover
Ice Beam
Surf
Earth Power

Again, this thing needs 5 moves. I want waterfall, but its a sp. attacker so, ill just go with this. a super reliable tank given to you early on that is good at taking hits. I chose this rather than the more popular floatzel, because floatzel is not a glass cannon, but more so a Paper cannon. It will maybe take one hit, then die. Thats why I like gastrodon.

Yes, I know there are 2 fighting, and 3 ground types, But this isn't the best competitive team. This is best in game team for Pokemon diamond and pearl. and besides ice for ground, this isn't a problem whatsoever really. Hope This Helped!

Answer 14

Torterra: wood hammer, crunch, leaf storm, earthquake. Leaf storm and wood hammer is STAB crunch is coverage and earthquake because it's earthquake

Infernape: Flamethrower, fire blast, close combat, brick break. Flamethrower and fire blast are STAB and close combat is just strong and brick break gets rid of reflect and light screen.

Gastrodon: surf, waterfall, ice beam, earthquake. Surf and waterfall are necessarily and STAB ice beam is coverage and earthquake is powerful and STAB.

Staraptor: fly, brave bird, aerial ace, close combat. Fly is necessary, brace bird STAB aerial ace never misses and coverage and close combat is OP.

Mismagius: Shadow ball, psychic, confuse ray, thunderbolt. Shadow ball STAB, psychic and thunderbolt is coverage and confuse ray is useful to have.

Snorlax: Body slam, rock climb, yawn, belly drum. Body slam and rock climb STAB yawn is coverage and belly drum halves hp for attack snorlax is a tank so this move is buff.

Answer 15

Empoleon:
- Surf
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Aqua Jet

Roserade:
- Sludge Bomb
- Giga Drain
- Solar beam
- Shadow Ball

Luxray:
- Crunch
- Thuderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Thunder

Staraptor:
- Fly
- Aerial Ace
- Close Combat
- U-Turn

Rapidash:
- Flamethrower
- Fire Blast
- Strength
- Megahorn

Lucario:
- Close Combat
- Aura Sphere
- Dragon Pulse
- Rock Climb

(easy obtainable Pokemon)

Answer 16

This was the team I used (Sorry Pearl users, this is a Diamond team because 2 version exclusives)

Torterra
Area - Starter
Moves
Wood Hammer (Heart Scale Once evolved into Torterra)
Earthquake (Learns as soon as evolving into Torterra)
Rock Climb (HM at the snowy route)
Crunch (Level Up)

Wood Hammer is STAB. Watch out for recoil though. Earthquake is also STAB, and a really useful move to have. Rock Climb is filler, you can acctually replace it with whatever move you want, and Crunch is useful for Lucian and Fantina. You'll need him for Roark, Wake, Volkner, and Bertha.

Machamp
Area - Route 207
Moves
Cross Chop (Level Up)
Return (TM at (If I Remember correctly, Lost Tower?))
Brick Break (TM at Oreburgh gate, unobtainable without Rock Smash and Bike)
Fire Blast (TM at Veilstone Mart)

Cross Chop and Brick Break are really good STAB. Return is for coverage, and Fire Blast is for other Pokemon. Not much to say here. If you cannot Trade, Machoke should (Hopefully) Work. Super Helpful For Roark, Byron, and Candice.

Honchkrow
Area - Eterna Forest
Moves
Aerial Ace (TM By Pastoria)
Dark Pulse/Night Slash (Both By Level Up)
Fly (HM at Veilstone)
Steel Wing (TM By Solaceon)

Aerial Ace is STAB. Fly is for getting around easily, and also kinda useful in-battle. Dark Pulse/Night Slash is STAB, and Steel Wing is coverage. Will be helpful for Gardenia, Maylene, Fantina, Aaron, and Lucian.

Rampardos
Area - Underground
Moves
Rock Slide (TM at Mt. Coronet)
Head Smash (Level Up)
Zen Headbutt (Level Up)
Strentgh (HM at Lost Tower)

Rock Slide is STAB. Head Smash, while stronger, has MASSIVE recoil. Zen Headbutt is coverage, and Strentgh is for HM purposes. Nice to have for Candice, Aaron, and Flint.

Azumarill
Area - Safari Zone
Moves
Surf (HM at Celestic)
Waterfall (HM at Sunnyshore)
Blizzard (TM at Veilstone Mart)
Iron Tail (TM at Iron Island)

Surf and Waterfall are STAB. Waterfall is the better of the two, ESPECIALLY if you have Huge Power. Seriously, if your marill has Thick Fat, find a new one with Huge Power. Blizzard is for Garchomp. Iron tail is for coverage, and helps with Huge Power. Double Edge and Aqua Tail are other options as well. Pretty Good for Byron, Bertha, and Flint.

Garchomp
Area - Wayward Cave
Moves
Crunch (Learns as soon as evolving into Garchomp)
Dragon Claw (Level Up)
Dragon Rush (Level Up)
Earthquake (TM in Wayward Cave)

Dragon Claw/Rush are both STAB, equally as good. Earthquake is other STAB, and Crunch is for coverage. Helpful for Volker and Flint.

I hope you enjoyed the team. If you are playing Pearl, you should do with Mismagius instead of Honchkrow, and Bastiodon or Golem instead of Rampardos. Anyways, Toodles!

Answer 17

Hello friend! This is a team that I really like, and I hope you’ll find useful as well. So, let’s get it started

Empoleon: Empoleon is a great Pokémon, it’s dual typping is great, as stell has few weaknesses. For move set, I suggest. -> Metal Claw, drill peck, hydro pump and bubble beam. Hidro pump has low pp, so bubblebeam as a backup is always a good idea. Of course, bubble beam can be replaced by swords dance, if you’re going for strategy.

Staraptor: One of the great things about Pokémon diamond, platinum and pearl is that you have early access to great Pokémon. One example is starly, almost everyone that played this game has a Staraptor on their team. This Pokémon is both normal and flying type, and I think that this gives the Pokémon some advantages, and also, of course, some disadvantages.
Now, about learnset, I suggest -> aerial ace, close combat, brave bird and endeavor.

Luxray: another example of a great Pokémon available early in game. This is a freaking monster, high speed and all stats are incredible.
Learnset-> Thunder, crunch, charge, rain dance. This is a killing set. Kills everything that it comes across.

Houndoom: now, this is a super underestimated Pokémon. It’s dual typing opens many possibilities. This is only possible if you have a platinum copy, though. Mine has a very diverse learnset -> reversal (breeding), thunder fang, crunch, flame thrower.

Bronzong: Bronzong is a great Pokémon, as I said before, Steel is a great type, as it has few weaknesses. Learnset -> Hypnosis, confuse ray, pay back and extrasensory,

Drapion: this one might be kinda difficult to get, as it has low chance of appearing in the great marsh, but bear with me because it is a great Pokémon. Learnset -> cross poison, crunch, earthquake and iron tail

Hope this is useful to someone, this is the team I have and I think it’s pretty good, and covers pretty much every weakness as a whole

Answer 18

My team is unusual but is easy to obtain.
This team is In-Game ONLY and is quite rare to find, feel free to copy, but good luck

Infernape
@Leftovers
Flamethrower
Stealth Rock
U-Turn
Thunder Punch

Gastradoon
@Damp Rock
Stone Edge
Earthquake
Surf
Body Slam

Carnavine
@Big Roots
Seed bomb
Hidden power [rock]
Crunch
Swords Dance

Luxray
No Item
Thunderbolt
Iron Tail
Crunch
Ice Fang

Blissey
No Item
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Flamethrower
Earthquake

Rampardos
@Rocky Helmet
Zen Headbutt
Earthquake
Stone Edge
Thunder

Answer 19

Alright. So I was looking through all the answers, but most of the suggested teams were only available post-game or through trading (which I don't have any friends to trade with). I needed good Pokemon that are available as you progress. So after looking through the teams, I picked out Pokemon suggested, tinkered with some moves here and there, and made a battle team. Note, you may need an HM slave outside of this team, which is really its biggest downfall. Also Ice Beam is a TM you can get at the Game Corner, but if you don't feel lucky or rich, you can replace any Ice Beam move with something else of your choosing, while using the one you can find enroute. So here's my suggested team for those reading in the future so you can beat down anyone in your way.

Empoleon (Starter)
HM: Surf
TM 13: Ice Beam
Level up: Drill Peck (Can't find any better moves)
Level up: Hydro Pump
If you plan on taking Empoleon to the future games such as US & UM where Surf isn't required, I recommend replacing Surf with Flash Cannon through TM. You can replace it before or after transfer, since Flash Cannon stays a TM in later games.

Roserade (Find Budew in Route 204, just North Jubilife)
Either Energy Ball (Power; Through TM 53) or Magical Leaf (Never-miss; Through leveling up)
Either Toxic (Through TM 6 or Roselia at lvl 40), Toxic Spikes (Through Roselia at lvl 28), Or Shadow Ball (Through TM 30). Any will do, up to you.
Through Roselia at lvl 46: Synthesis
TM 36: Sludge Bomb

Rapidash (Find Ponyta in Route 206, North of Oreburgh, in the grass below the Cycling Road)
TM 35: Flamethrower
HM: Strength
Evolution/Move Maniac: Megahorn
TM 23: Iron Tail

Drifblim (Find Drifloon during the day on Friday at Valley Windworks, East of Floroma. Must be after you completed Valley Windworks.)
TM 10: Hidden Power (It is Fighting Type)
Level up: Shadow Ball
HM: Fly
TM 29: Psychic
If you plan on taking Drifblim to a future game where Fly is not required, I suggest Replacing it with Air Cutter. Note that it's only available to teach through a Move Tutor, and Drifblim won't be able to learn it in future games. So remember to do this BEFORE you transfer.

Lucario (Get Riolu as an egg on Iron Island)
Level up: Aura Sphere
TM 91: Flash Cannon
Evolution/Move Maniac: Dark Pulse
Either Dragon Pulse (Through TM 59) or Bone Rush (Through leveling up)
I prefer Bone Rush since it has more type advantages, but if you want more raw power, Dragon Pulse might be better for you.

Weavile (Find Sneasel in the grass in the routes between Mt. Coronet and Snowpoint)
TM 13: Ice Beam
Level up: Night Slash
Level up: Metal Claw
TM 65: Shadow Claw
If you plan on taking Weavile into US & UM, you can use the move tutors in those games to replace Ice Beam with Ice Punch. Ice Punch has lower power, but Weavile specializes in Atk and has relatively low Sp. Atk, so it kinda makes up for that.

And that's that. As far as items go, I feel that's a matter of perspective. For example, you may want Roserade to have a Miracle Seed, a Poison Barb, or even a berry. Any will impact how Roserade would play, so give each Pokemon an item that compliments your specific playstyle.

Answer 20

Mido the Roserade @ Big Root
Ability: Natural Cure
Naughty Nature
- Giga Drain
- Growth
- Sludge Bomb
- Protect

The main goal of Roserade is to get a Growth or two off and use your STAB moves to inflict damage. Protect is to stall with Toxic your team members will inflict.
Natural Cure is the preferred ability but Poison Point is solid too. For a Grass type, it doesn’t get much better than Roserade.

Flo the Floatzel @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
Naughty Nature
- Crunch
- Ice Beam
- Protect / Aqua Jet
- Waterfall / Surf

Floatzel is a solid Water type. Physical and special moves both work well! Waterfall can be replaced with Surf. Protect is to stall but can be replaced with Aqua Jet for a pure attacking set. Ice Beam is GREAT for Cynthia’s Garchomp.

Daruk the Bastiodon @ Iron Ball
Ability: Sturdy
Impish Nature
- Roar
- Metal Burst
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic

Bastiodon is such a tank. Iron Ball is the item of choice to ensure you’re slower than the opponent, so Metal Burst will work 100% of the time. Bast’s main goal is to set up SR, Toxic, and Roar the opponents out and around.

Nox the Skuntank @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Stench
Adamant Nature
- Poison Jab
- Night Slash
- Shadow Claw
- Explosion

Skuntank is an...OK Pokemon. He lacks Speed and power. I ended up with Stench, but Aftermath is the preferred ability.
Poison Jab and Night Slash are solid STAB. Shadow Claw is for Lucian, and Explosion paired with Silk Scarf is the bread, butter, AND dessert of this set.

Ichi the Honchkrow @ Lum Berry
Ability: Insomnia
Quirky Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Dark Pulse
- Nasty Plot
- Substitute

Shadow Ball and Dark Pulse hit everything you need to. Honchkrow will be the main receiver of the Sub and Agility passed by Lopunny. Get as many Nasty Plots up as you need and sweep. Use Substitute when you need it.

Playboy the Lopunny @ No item
Ability: Klutz
Bashful Ntaure
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
- Agility
- Return

Lopunny is strictly used for passing Agility and Substitute to teammates. You won’t be attacking much with Lopunny. He will set up everyone. THIS is the way to use Lopunny.

Overall, I enjoyed this team. MVP was Lopunny/Honchkrow combo. Swept 4/6 of Cynthia’s pokes with Nasty Plot+6, Agility+6. Ended with a bang...Explosion vs Roserade. Loved it. Recommend