[Gen 5] Monotype - Dark Balance

Question

So... This is the team I fought Fritjof with. I lost, so please give me some help! I'll most likely use it in the future.

Honchkrow (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Super Luck
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Drill Peck
- Night Slash
- Steel Wing
- Superpower

Drill Peck kills Fighting and Bug types that threaten the rest of my team. Night Slash is STAB that gets really good with Super Luck. Steel Wing covers Rock and Ice types, but this can be replaced for just about anything. Superpower also covers Rock and Ice types. This Honchkrow is supposed to be a physical sweeper.

Umbreon (M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Synchronize
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Def / 128 SpD
Impish Nature
- Payback
- Toxic
- Wish
- Protect

Payback is STAB so Umbreon isn't Taunt bait. It usually gets the damage boost because of Umbreon's low Speed. Toxic, Wish, and Protect help Umbreon stall out opponents and keep itself healthy. This Umbreon is supposed to be a wall/staller.

Houndoom (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Flamethrower
- Dark Pulse
- Sunny Day
- SolarBeam

Flamethrower is STAB that covers this team's Bug weakness. Dark Pulse is STAB. Sunny Day sets up one-turn SolarBeams, boosts Flamethrower, and makes Water types less effective. SolarBeam covers Rock, Ground, and Water types, all of which are super effective against Houndoom. This Houndoom is supposed to be a special sweeper.

Drapion (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Jolly Nature
- Night Slash
- Cross Poison
- Aqua Tail
- Toxic Spikes

Night Slash and Cross Poison are STAB that both pair well with Sniper thanks to a higher critical hit ratio. Aqua Tail covers Drapion's only weakness in Ground. Toxic Spikes puts pressure on the opposing team and discourages frequent switches. This Drapion is supposed to be a physical tank.

Hydreigon (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Outrage
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

Crunch and Outrage are STAB moves that do ridiculous damage with a Choice Band. Rock Slide covers Bug types and U-turn helps scout moves and retains momentum. This Hydreigon is supposed to overwhelm the opponent through sheer power.

Weavile (M) @ Flying Gem
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Night Slash
- Ice Punch
- Low Sweep
- Aerial Ace

Night Slash is STAB and is nice with the boosted crit rate. Ice Punch nails common Ground types. Low Kick covers other Dark types that the rest of the team might have problems with. Aerial Ace covers Bug and Fighting types, and it gets a one-time boost thanks to the Flying Gem. This Weavile is supposed to kill Ground types, as this team doesn't have many answers to them.

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I'd like to credit DarkTyphlosion for the Honchkrow moveset (for the most part). If you don't want me using it, then I'll change it DT. All help is appreciated!

Answer 1

Honchkrow: Scratch steel wing and give it Sucker Punch for really fast stuff (ex. jolteon or accelgor)

Umbreon: I would make it relaxed, but you are fine if you don't want to go through all the trouble.

Houndoom: I don't typically like to use this guy, but give him Nasty Plot to increase his sweeping ability. In my opinion, you don't need 2 STAB moves on this guy. Delete Dark Pulse.

Drapion: Like Houndoom, I think it doesn't need 2 STAB moves. Give it Swords Dance instead of Cross Poison; as Cross Poison only covers one type.

Hydreigon: I have to admit, this is the first physical Hydreigon I have seen on this site. I like the Outrage + Choice Band Combo. Rock Slide covers better than you think: it covers Hydreigon's ice weakness, too! However, i would prefer Stone Edge.

Weavile: I prefer a Jolly Weavile. Replace Low Sweep with Brick Break so you can break screens if needed + the extra power.

Like you always tell me, I wish you the best of luck and many wins! :D

Comments

I get your point about Sucker Punch on Honchkrow. But why 2 STAB moves when you don't want 2 STAB moves on other Pokes? About Umbreon: I don't want to lose more Speed, but it doesn't really matter. I didn't know that Houndoom could learn Nasty Plot! That's awesome! SD Drapion kills. Another slip on my part. Thanks for the flattery about Hydreigon :D Weavile: I can't believe that I didn't see that Weavile learns Brick Break. Sweet. I actually say "I wish you many wins and I hope this helps!" But you did help. Thanks so much. My tutoring has paid off :)

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On he point of honchkrow, I'd suggest giving him pursuit rather than sucker pinch. It allows him to take out pyschic types pretty easily If they try to run off. From my past use, sucker punch kind of defeats the purpose of the choice scarf, and is a very dangerous move to get locked into because it requires the opponent to attack. I know it's still two STAB moves, but there are still situations where it can be helpful.

With umbreon, I do like the lum berry and synchronize combo, but I think it kind if conflicts with his toxic. I Like using taunt with him so nothing can set up on him, and you can use that to set up curse, support teammates, etc. Rather than a lum berry, you could also do the job with heal bell; since you don't have a dream world ability (speaking of which, umbreon could have gotten something much better than Inner focus... Come on!) you don't have to worry about conflicting moves.