Rate my NU team please! I need help!

Question

Hello, I'm currently new to Wifi battles. In pokemon showdown i get my butt kicked by almost every team (I've won SOME games) and i need tips on how to improve my team. Here it is: (PS. THIS SET IS INSPIRED BY SMOGON DONT HATE)

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Persian @ Silk Scarf
Ability: Technican
EVs: 252 Spd / 4 Def / 252 Atk
Nature: Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SpA)
- Fake Out
- Return
- Taunt
- U-Turn

Persian, as the main lead in my team, has many supporting capabilities that can partially distract enemy team members ex: fake out. As soon as the battle starts or I switch to Persian, the first move I use is Fake Out to confuse the enemy. Since Persian has an excellent speed and decent attack, 252 Evs were a must. Return is the main STAB and Taunt is to prevent Encore, Stealth Rock, etc. Silk Scarf helps Return and Fake Out (mostly Return)

Role: Lead/Utility

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Xatu @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Night Shade
- U-Turn
- Thunder Wave
- Roost

Xatu is my main Utility and is essentially put in the team to stat and switch out at all times. Thunder Wave is the first move I use when i switch in if they aren't already paralyzed. I might replace Night Shade with Psychic for STAB. Roost and U-turn are for emergencies. Magic Bounce goes EXCEPTIONALLY well with this pokemon, as I switch in whenever someone is ready to Encore or inflict status moves on me. Xatu is also speedy so he can inflict satis moves in an instant, although he is quite frail.

Role: Utility

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Torkoal @ Leftovers
Ability: Shell Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Lava Plume
- Stealth Rock
- Yawn

Torkoal is basically a bulky physical defender that can Rapid Spin and set up SR traps. That is all

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Mightyena @ BlackGlasses
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Crunch
- Taunt
- Substitute

Although Mightyena is frail, he does offer a nice attack set, which can inflict heavy damage on enemies.

Role: Physical Attacker

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Walrein @ Leftovers
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 232 HP / 220 Def / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
- Substitute
- Protect
- Toxic
- Surf

This Walrein is your typical Stallrein, though the problem is that my Sub gets wrecked as soon as it is put up, leading to health waste.

Role: Staller

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Armaldo @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Blast
- Earthquake
- X-Scissor

The problem with Armaldo is that (don't hate for this) he seems too frail. He always gets OHKO'ed by the crappiest moves. He rarely comes in help.

Role: Physical Wall

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Can someone please help me! If there is a good beginner team i could try (any tier) please let me know. Thanks for the help

Comments

You need some special attackers.....

Answer 1

You need some special attackers..... - Nitrospeed327

I could not have said it better myself. Every single one of your Pokemon only has physical moves (albeit Walrein, but it doesn't really count since it's a staller). What's supposed to happen if a physical wall switches in? I suggest replacing Mightyena and Armaldo with special attackers.

If you want a good Special attacker or two, here are some options: Lilligant/Vivillon (Sleep Powder abuse), Mismagius (Ghost type), and Typlosion (learns Eruption).

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Ok, let's take a look at your Pokemon individually.

Persian looks pretty good, but it might be a good idea to give it better coverage than just Normal- and Bug-type moves. If I were you, I'd switch Return with Shadow Claw, just for better coverage. Otherwise, if Persian was up against a Haunter (or a similar Ghost-type), it could actually do some damage. Oh, and give it a Life Orb instead of a Silk Scarf.

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I really like your Xatu set. It's a good idea to have a Magic Bounce Pokemon for people who try to use status moves.

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Good Torkoal set. I don't really see anything that needs changing, unless you want to teach it Amnesia.

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Your Mightyena isn't really doing anything. Only having Dark moves is not a good idea, and a 420 BST is nothing to brag about, even in NU. You could fix it up with Play Rough and the elemental fangs, but if I were you I'd replace it.

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Since you said you've been having problems with Substitute, why don't you just have another move instead? Aqua Ring, Curse, and Stockpile are all great options.

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If you don't like your Armaldo, you should just replace it with a special attacker.

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So that's pretty much all there is for me to say. If you have questions/suggestions, please comment them and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Hope I helped!

Answer 2

Let's get right to it:

Persian
Good set. I would recommend keeping persian and taking off mightyena.

Xatu
This guy does make a great utility, but its only utility move so far is TWave. I suggest dropping U-Turn and TWave for dual screens (Reflect and Light Screen). Also change its item to light clay.

Torkoal
Good set. Wouldn't change anything here.

Mightyena
As i commented earlier, you need some special attackers. I highly recommend you replace this guy with one of the most powerful NU special attackers ever: Typhlosion.

Typhlosion @ Choice Scarf / Specs
Ability: Blaze
252 SAtk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid Nature
-Eruption
-Fire blast
-Hidden Power [Grass]
-Focus Blast

Eruption from this thing hits like a truck. Fire blast is a backup STAB. HP grass covers PharrelliGatr, and focus blast is coverage.

Walrein
So far, you are still short on special attackers. While the bulk is nice, walrein does nothing but stall. I feel Omastar makes a nice replacement.

Omastar @ White Herb
Ability: Swift Swim
252 SAtk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
Timid Nature
-Shell Smash
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Earth Power / AncientPower

After one shell smash, this thing tears apart teams. I have used omastar in NU before and my experience has told me white herb is much more useful than focus sash. AncientPower may seem gimmicky, but its a nice rock STAB that can boost your stats even more.

Armaldo
Again, you said this guy doesn't do much on your team, so i think you should switch this guy for the other Hoenn fossil mon.

Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
-Giga Drain
-Toxic
-Recover
-Stealth Rock / Mirror Coat

Soaks up your water weakness and provides a safe switch in for Feraligatr

I hope these suggestions have helped!