I've been really into VGC lately, After a couple of adjustments, I came up with this team that I really, really like! I feel like they synergize well together and I've won quite a lot of games with them! However, I don't think I've perfected it yet. Because I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to VGC, I want to know your opinions on my VGC team.
The Team
Incineroar
Incineroar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Atk / 60 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- Low Kick
This is the star of the show. I've been Team Litten since Day 1, so I was pretty disappointed when I found out Incineroar didn't really do so well competitively. However, when I got into VGC and found out Incineroar was pretty good, I was really happy! Then literally the next day he went from A+ to S tier, on par with Landorus! I was so thrilled I wanted to make my team right away!
Incineroar's set capitalizes on his bulk. The Assault Vest plus the 252 HP and 60 Special Defense help make him as bulky as possible. This also ensures he will never be 2HKO'd with Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt. The remaining EVs are put into his Attack stat, to allow him to hit harder and take hits better. The Adamant nature also helps with this. Intimidate is one of Incineroar's main selling points, since it lowers the opponent's attack stat, however he needs to be careful when dealing with Milotic. Fake Out is another one of his selling points, allowing him to flinch the target and preventing them from attacking. Even if the opponent Protects, it still does its job of not letting he opponent attack. It also helps the ally attack easily and it allows them to survive and attack for the turn without fearing a KO from a threatening ally. It also breaks any sashes. Flare Blitz is Incineroar's strongest Fire STAB move (we seriously need better, no-recoil physical Fire type moves), and it helps deal with Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Celesteela and Amoonguss. Knock Off has solid Dark-type STAB damage and it allows Incineroar to knock off Berries, Choice items, Assault Vests, and Eviolites. Low Kick deals with Tyranitar and Heatran, who otherwise may wall Incineroar.
Tapu Fini
Tapu Fini @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 236 HP / 108 Def / 132 SpA / 28 SpD / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Muddy Water
- Moonblast
- Protect
Next, we have Tapu Fini. Tapu Fini deals with Rock and Ground types, who are common in VGC with Landorus-T and Sand teams. Tapu Fini's ability in Misty Surge prevent status conditions, making it a very good Calm Mind user. This spread allows Fini to survive a Tectonic Rage from Landorus, and then OHKO it with +1 Muddy Water. It can also survive Timid Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt. Iapapa Berry gives Fini some extra longevity, and it is more effective than Leftovers and Sitrus Berry. Muddy Water is a pretty good Water move and it targets both Pokemon at once. It also has a chance to lower the opponent's accuracy. Moonblast is to deal with Fighting and Dragon types like Kommo-o. It's also a good STAB move to deal with the other Tapus like Tapu Koko and Tapu Bulu. Protect also helps keep it safe from attacks, especially when the opponent tag teams me with their Pokemon. Also, if I were to make a change where one of my Pokemon were going to use a move like Earthquake or Discharge that would hit the ally as well, Protect can also be useful in those cases.
I personally like using Tapu Fini and Incineroar together because they cover a lot of each other's weaknesses. As aforementioned, Fini deals with Rock and Ground types for Incineroar. Incineroar, in return, hits Grass types for it. Tapu Fini also deals with Fighting types who threaten Incineroar. Incineroar also has Fake Out, which can help Tapu Fini safely set up (assuming that the opponent wasn't planning on tag teaming it). Tapu Fini also deals with other Incineroar, who pressure Incineroar because they may knock off his AV, or may fake him out first. Tapu Fini is also able to get rid of Psychic Terrain for Incineroar, since Psychic Terrain prevents Incineroar from using Fake Out.
Kommo-o
Kommo-o @ Kommonium Z
Ability: Soundproof
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Blast
- Clanging Scales
- Flamethrower
- Flash Cannon
Kommo-o has really made a place for himself on the team. His fantastic movepool and Z-move make him a real powerhouse in VGC. He also has pretty good stats to take advantage of the Clangorous Soulblaze boost. Clangorous Soulblaze is not only a strong move that boosts all stats, it also hits both opponents. It seems to be made for VGC, haha!
Anyways, this EV spread is fairly simple. It just lets Kommo-o be as strong and fast as possible, especially with the Modest nature. I think it would be best to use Soundproof for Kommo-o to avoid a Pixilate Hyper Voice from Mega Gardevoir or an Aerilate Hyper Voice from Mega Salamence. It also gives him an immunity to Snarl, Perish Song, and Clanging Scales from other Kommo-o. Focus Blast is a powerful special Fighting move, even if it suffers from low accuracy. Flamethrower helps Kommo-o deal with Steel types such as Ferrothorn, Kartana, Mega Scizor, and Celesteela. I know Protect is usually used as Kommo-o's last move, but I put Flash Cannon here to deal with Fairy types. It can 2HKO Gardevoir, Mimikyu, and Tapu Lele with it. Incineroar and Kommo-o work well together because Incineroar can use Fake Out to help Kommo-o set up, and Incineroar can deal with any Ice types (even if they are uncommon).
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Bulu @ Grassium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Horn Leech
- Superpower
- Stone Edge
Tapu Bulu is another important member of my team. The Grassy Terrain helps heal up my team, like a free Leftovers, and their movepool is fantastic for dealing with their weaknesses. It also reduces Earthquake damage, which is helpful for the Pokemon on the team who have Ground weaknesses like Incineroar. They also have powerful physical moves for breaking down any bulky Pokemon. The EV spread helps with Tapu Bulu's decent bulk and fantastic attack, especially with the Adamant nature, and it gives it a bit of speed! Wood Hammer is Tapu Bulu's most powerful STAB move, and it can deal with Milotic. It is also boosted by Grassy Terrain and allows for Tapu Bulu to fire off very powerful Z moves, which is why I went for Grassium Z, especially since it's boosted by STAB. The recoil also becomes less of an issue with Horn Leech and Grassy Terrain. Superpower is another powerful move that Tapu Bulu has access to. It's for coverage and for Steel types that threaten Tapu Bulu. Some people may prefer Rock Slide, but I personally like Stone Edge a bit more because of its ability to OHKO Mega Charizard Y.
This is one of the most useful Pokemon on my team that I really should use to my advantage more! Incineroar and Tapu Bulu function well together because they cover each other's weaknesses. Tapu Bulu deals with Water, Rock, and Ground types and Incineroar deals with Steel and Ice types. Tapu Bulu also helps Incineroar recover recoil damage from Flare Blitz. Tapu Fini covers Tapu Bulu's weakness to Fire, and Tapu Bulu's strong attacks allows it to defeat Tapu Koko for Fini. Kommo-o deals with Steel types for Tapu Bulu and Tapu Bulu gives Kommo-o longevity.
Mega Metagross
Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch
- Stomping Tantrum
Metagross is an amazing Pokemon I love having on my team. It has access to a lot of coverage moves that are useful for my team. I chose Clear Body as its base ability because it helps with Pokemon who use Intimidate. With the given EV spread, Ice Punch can OHKO Landorus-T, even with the lowered Attacking power! Metagross is also ensured to be as fast as possible with its nature and maxed out speed. The 4 Special Defense investment also helps Metagross because it ensures that even with a Clangorous Soulblaze boost, Kommo-o cannot OHKO with either Focus Blast or Flamethrower. Iron Head is used as a Fairy check (especially when it comes to Tapu Lele) and for STAB. Zen Headbutt is for Psychic STAB, and especially for dealing with Kommo-o. Both of these moves are also useful for their ability to flinch the opponent. Stomping Tantrum is to deal with Heatran, Incineroar, and Aegislash, who would usually wall Metagross.
Metagross and Incineroar work well together because Metagross deals with Incineroar's Fighting and Rock weakness. In return, Incineroar deals with Ghost types for Metagross. Tapu Fini deals with Dark, Ground, and Fire types for Metagross. Metagross deals with Electric types with Stomping Tantrum or, when fighting Zapdos, Ice Punch. Tapu Bulu and Metagross work fantastically together because Tapu Bulu weakens Earthquake damage for Metagross. Metagross deals with Ice, Poison, and Steel types for Tapu Bulu. Metagross deals with Kommo-o's weaknesses, especially with Fairy. Flying and Dragon types are also dealt with with Ice Punch. In return, Kommo-o can deal with Dark types for Metagross. Metagross can also use its coverage move to deal with its allies' and own weaknesses.
Gastrodon
Gastrodon-East @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 124 HP / 148 Def / 100 SpA / 132 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 26 Spe
- Ice Beam
- Clear Smog
- Earth Power
- Protect
I had a lot of trouble thinking of a final teammate, and I ended up using Gastrodon. I'm not sure if I should keep it or not. I wonder if any of you guys can think of a better Pokemon to use?
Anyways, Gastrodon is supposed to deal with my Flying, Poison, Ice, and Ground weaknesses. It has a lot of bulk and is able to deal with a lot of threats. This set looks a bit weird, so let me explain: this EV spread enables Gastrodon to OHKO Mega Salamence with Ice Beam and makes sure it isn’t 2HKO’d by a 252 Atk Earthquake from Landorus, a 252 SpA Shadow Ball From Aegislash, or a 252 SpA Mega Gengar Shadow Ball. The 26 Speed EVs also allow Gastrodon to be outsped by Aegislash so it can OHKO it with Earth Power in its Blade Forme. Earth Power hits Aegislash, Incineroar, Heatran, and Tapu Koko super effectively. Ice Beam is for hitting Zapdos, Landorus, and Mega Salamence. It also provides strong neutral coverage alongsides Earth Power. Clear Smog allows Gastrodon to win against Calm Mind Tapu Fini and deal with any set ups, especially when I have a particular hatred for Minimize and Belly Drum users.
Gastrodon deals with Ground types for Incineroar, and can even switch into any Water moves against Incineroar. Incineroar, on the other hand, deals with Grass types that Gastrodon despises facing. Gastrodon covers a few of Tapu Fini’s weaknesses, being Electric and Poison. Kommo-o can use Flamethrower to deal with Grass types, and Gastrodon can deal with opposing Kommo-o, especially with Clear Smog, and Flying types with Ice Beam. Tapu Bulu also appreciates the removal of Fire and Steel types. Gastrodon also appreciates the Grassy Terrain recovery, especially with Protect.
I hope you guys can help me with my team and perhaps teach me a bit about the metagame! I really want to be a competitive Pokémon player, and perhaps a VGC champion, so I really want to perfect the team! Thanks for reading and have a great day :)
