I suck at NU.... we all know it.

Question

Guys, my NU team is just dying. If I get 6-0'd by spoink again I think I'm going to cry. Again. So please don't just let me die out there in the wild world of pokemon... rate my team! I know lots of you are good at NU-- and you know it too! So let's conquer this beast called "Spoink" Once and for all! And Spoink, you can rate it too XD

Here goes!

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TurtleDragon (Lapras) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Toxic

I was playing pokemon crystal the other day, which is when I realized that lapras is the best pokemon on my team. This could just be an in-game thing, but I hope it works in the world of NU as well. Gimme your strategies/movesets that work for Mr.Turtle here.

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BirdistheWORD (Swellow) (F) @ Toxic Orb
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Facade
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Quick Attack

This guy has always been my NU MVP. He's here to stay. I gave him quick attack because I've found I never use Protect anyway. I usually just switch'm in when I predict Will-O-Wisp or toxic. I gave him adamant because he's like, probably the fastest in NU and needs more attack power.

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BEEFCake (Machoke) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- DynamicPunch
- Earthquake
- Bulk Up
- Bullet Punch

I think I'll try a bulk up set. This guy is to take care of my Absol Problem. Since he's here to solve my absol problem, I'm going to ask you guys: Should he have Dual Chop? Just wondering. I'd probably replace Bulk Up or something. He looked good-- I usually get good confusion HAX from DynamicPunch too.

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Blobguy (Duosion) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball

Alright, I chose this guy instead of the ol' Musharna because he won't have to carry Heal Bell in his moveslot for dumb old toxic. Plus he can carry Eviolite to up his defenses, and has a higher special attack stat. I've always been a fan of the Reuniclus family chain-- Hopefully they don't fail me now.

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daMONSTA (Lairon) (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Rock Head
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Head Smash
- Superpower
- Iron Head
- Earthquake

This guy would be really awesome if he could get up and move a bit. Head Smash is really strong, and you don't have to be stressed out because of recoil. He can take a swellow's facade, or any other normal type move. If only he were a little bit faster....

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Eeeeel (Gorebyss) (F) @ White Herb
Trait: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Shell Smash
- Baton Pass
- Agility
- Surf

Oh! Where did this guy come from? Looks like he'd be able to solve my larion's speed issue and get some attack power in the mix too. I gave him agility since Shell Smash is going to be a one time thing, I wouldn't want Larion's defenses falling any further. If he absolutely has too, Gorebyss could do some surf damage and be annoying having shell smash in her moveset.

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Well, all I can really say is, please help!

Comments

Why not flame orb instead of toxic so you dont take the additional toxic damage each turn and before you say "But i get a attack drop from burn" with guts you dont get the drop.

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SmashPassing is banned in RU & under :c

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Answering ATM. Nobody touch this.

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Smash pass banned? boGAS. Whatevs. I think I'll switch out Shell Smash with Ice beam or something.

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..... No, you can keep Shell Smash for Gorebyss and sweep with it..

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Finishing tomorrow after school.

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I know I don't get an attack drop from a burn. I just chose toxic orb because I don't plan on keeping Swellow in that long- and over a short period of time Toxic orb does less damage. Don't worry, I know what I'm doin ;)

Answer 1

Ok, so I will be rating! And another thing.... Thanks for stealing my answer, Genga =-=.

I am (was, in fact.) a proud user of Lapras. So I will giving you a new set, the one I used with much success:

Lapras (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Toxic

Toxic over Heal Bell so the poison Status on Swellow stays. EV Spread makes him a tank.

On to Swellow. You're missing 4 EVs, preferably in Defense. Try Flame Orb instead of Toxic Orb.

I also used Machoke before and all I know is that Gurdurr is a better Bulk Up user than him. And I am suggesting Gurdurr over Machoke.

Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Trait: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Ice Punch

Bulk Up is used for getting more bulk in there, hence the name. Drain Punch is to shrug off most of the damage dealt to you while setting up and is STAB. Mach Punch is STAB and very useful priority. Ice Punch is coverage against Flying types and hits Amoonguss hard, who would normally switch in to absorb all the Fighting moves or to use Clear Smog.

On to Duosion. You may be fond of de Reuniclus family but seriously, Duosion over Musharna?! No way. Plus, Musharna makes a great core with Gurdurr (Credit to Smogon for that). So I am suggesting Musharna over Duosion.

Musharna @ Leftovers
Trait: Synchronize
EVs: 252 Def / 228 HP / 16 SDef / 16 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Moonlight
- Psychic
- Signal Beam

Basic Smogon set with slightly altered EV Spread as he already has enormous HP Stat. 'Nuff said.

On to Lairon. I think that all he's doing is adding weaknesses to your team. Plus, ATM, you have a triple Electric weakness O.o. We'll be replacing him for a Ground type, and a good one. Golurk!

Golurk @ Life Orb
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 Atk / 164 Spd / 92 HP
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Shadow Punch
- DynamicPunch
- Stealth Rock

He's one of my favorite Pokemon in NU. No Guard is a great ability, allowing him to abuse DynamicPunch. EVs are weird but they allow him to outspeed some stuff so yeah. Earthquake is STAB and so is Shadow Punch. DynamicPunch always confuses. When you're sure that the opponent will switch, you can set up Stealth Rock.

If I let you keep Gorebyss, you'll have a triple Electric type weakness. No thanks. Replacing him for one Special Attacker that's starting to stand out: Electabuzz.

Electabuzz @ Eviolite
Trait: Vital Spirit
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Focus Blast

Easy to figure out the strategy of this little guy. Eviolite gives him more bulk.

Well, that's the end of my rate! Hope I helped you!

Comments

Yeah, Gurdurr > Machoke forever.

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Yayer :P

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After thoroughly reading and comparing your answer to Feel Good's, I think I'm going to choose yours.

Lapras: Thank you for the BRAND NEW SET, which is the exact same thing with a different EV spread.

Golurk: JCM! No guard is Unreleased! You should know better. -.-

Electabuzz: I'm using Him

Musharna: I'll TRY him...

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OK I just did the math on Duosion Vs. Musharna.

Duosion has a lower HP stat than musharna, but has a higher Defense, Special Defense, and Special attack with Eviolite. He cannot be toxic stalled and learns Shadow Ball instead of Signal Beam. He then doesn't get to use the Lefties.

Musharna: Lower Defense, Special Defense, and Special attack, but has higher HP. Gets to use Lefties, but also gets to have signal beam.

In theory, who should take more hits?

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Wait, Duosion gets Signal beam too.

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Duosion has way too low Speed for starters. Secondly, No Guard is released as i use it and i am not in DW OU, etc. CM Musharna obivously takes more hits as the EV Spread mentioned there makes him a Defensive Wall while CM adds more Special Bulk into it.

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I had no idea that No Guard was released for golurk. Thanks for the Tips.

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All right. I decided to do the math on these guys using The Pokemon Marriland Damage Calculator.

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Pokemon X
Attack: 300
Move's Power: 100

Duosion @ Eviolite
Def: 218

Takes maximum of 79 damage (23% health at max HP)

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Pokemon X
Attack: 300
Move's Power: 100

Musharna
Def: 269

Takes a maximum of 96 damage (about 22% damage at Max HP)

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So, in total, Musharna takes about 1% less damage from Physical attacks. Both can calm mind, and both are good psychics. I'm just deciding to go with Duosion because of a higher SpA stat, and he cannot be toxic stalled. Both Psychics have poor speed. I just decided to get this damage thing figured out once and for all.

Answer 2

Lapras
Since this Lapras seems to be mostly offensive I wanna change this set a bit.

Lapras @ Life Orb
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 SpAtk 252 Hp 4 Def
Modest Nature
Thunderbolt
Surf
Ice Beam
Dragon Pulse

I don't know this Lapras seems pretty offensive in my opinion (writing that all out instead of making it three letters because i'm so cool)
Switch Toxic off of it and replace it with Dragon Pulse because with such a wide variety of moves nothing much will want to switch into this. It's be able to take a few hits but be careful of Stealth rocks.

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Swellow
Swellow rocks NU once physical walls are gone. Switch Toxic Orb for Flame Orb since burn will deal you less damage. In order for you to get your burn off without taking damage I would replace either U-Turn or Quick Attack with Protect. However if you don't think that it'll be that risky to get a bit of HP gone I'd recommend U-Turn over Quick Attack since Swellow already is one of the fastest Pokemon in NU.

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Machoke
I don't see much wrong here but the moveset. Give him a little coverage with Thunderpunch over Earthquake. Bulk Up will work nicely with the item and EVs given to him. His set would look a little like this.

Machoke @ Eviolite
Trait: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP 252 Atk 4 Def
Adamant Nature
Dynamic Punch
Thunder Punch
Bullet Punch
Bulk Up

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Duosion
The Reuniclus family is great but the Gardevoir family is better for this team.

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Gardevoir

Gardevoir @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Trace
EVs: 252 Spd 252 SpAtk 252 Hp
Timid Nature
Psychic
Signal Beam
Focus Blast
Trick

So I figured this would work out better for your team in case someone wants to carry a something really slow, it'll basically be a wasted item to them. Not much to this set but Focus Blast. I find Focus Blast very useful in those cases where you're fighting a Probopass carrying leftovers and you have nothing to hit it but Focus Blast. You Trick it then you Focus Blast until that SUV is gone (It's basically used as a utility then it's gone)

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Lairon
I'd carry Roar and Toxic over Superpower and Earthquake but other than that I don't see much change needed.

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Gorebyss
Since Smash Pass is banned in NU change the set to this:

Gorebysss @ White Herd
Trait: Swift Swim/ Hydration
EVs: 252 SpAtk 252 SpDef 4 Hp
Modest/Calm Nature
Shell Smash
Ice Beam
Surf
Hidden Power Grass

Basic changes since Smash Pass is banned. The traits don't matter much unless someone suddenly brings in a rain team on your booty. Calm and Modest nature depends if you want a bulkier or more offensive Gorebyss. Nothing much to say but good luck with the changes if you do decide to keep them.

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Sorry JirachiCelebiMew I had to answer this one.

Comments

JCM that sounds REALLY cocky.

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Cocky, maybe, but it's the truth. Sorry, though. Won't be cocky anymore :P

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Well, If it's time to be cocky, I think I'll just let you all know I've defeated JCM with this new team.
:)
(Brushes off shoulders)

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The one you took his suggestions from or mine? Or the original?
Lol NU is tricky.

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I don't take all of the suggestions I get. I used your guys's suggestions to tweak my team, but I didn't completely copy it.