[Gen 8] Normal Monotype - Heliolisk + Bewear Balance

Question

I wanted to play a Normal team in Monotype because I haven’t seen many of them around, and on paper they seem fairly solid: neutral damage to most types can be a boon. With that said, I haven’t laddered too high, mostly because the ladder is kind of dead now – though I did manage to win a room tournament with this team. Any improvements are welcome.

---

Heliolisk @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Grass Knot
- Hyper Voice
- U-turn

This is typically my lead. Thunderbolt is used to hit Flying types like Moltres-Galar, Mandibuzz, Tornadus, Celesteela and Zapdos-Galar, the last of which is particularly valuable because it otherwise OHKOs most of my team. It also handles bulky Water types like Toxapex and Tapu Fini, but those aren’t always guaranteed OHKOs. Grass Knot hits Seismitoad, Swampert, and Hippowdon. Hyper Voice is a reliable STAB move, used because I don’t like gambling with Focus Blast, but I’ll replace it if the latter makes more sense. U-turn gives me a fast pivot and also does decent damage to things like Zarude and Hydreigon.

Basic EVs were used to maximize damage and Speed, and Life Orb so I have greater flexibility with moves – Heliolisk handles what it needs to without Choice Specs.

Bewear @ Leftovers
Ability: Fluffy
EVs: 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe
Impish Nature
- Substitute
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Darkest Lariat

Bewear is a great teammate to Heliolisk because the former can take on Steel types that Heliolisk can’t touch, while the latter eliminates Flying types that would otherwise threaten Bewear. Substitute + Bulk Up can let Bewear dodge status and make it difficult to take down. Fluffy makes it a natural wall against physical attackers like Weavile, Zeraora and Melmetal. Drain Punch keeps it in the game while removing Ferrothorn, Melmetal and Mamoswine. Darkest Lariat means it isn’t walled by Ghost types and lets it hit switch-ins that think they can take a Drain Punch.

This is essentially just the Smogon set – Leftovers, Impish, Fluffy and the given EVs promote physical survivability.

Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: Download
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
- Ice Beam
- Toxic

I went with Eviolite Porygon2 over Porygon-Z because my team needed some defense. Toxic and Thunder Wave are pretty self-explanatory – I often use Thunder Wave as an effort against setup sweepers, or to lower the Speed of fast Pokemon like Weavile, should they try to come in again later. Recover keeps Porygon2 alive, racks up toxic damage, and helps me stall against low-PP attacks. Ice Beam is specifically for Landorus-Therian, but it has the benefit of nailing Pokemon like Rillaboom and Garchomp as well. I initially EVed it to always OHKO specially bulky Landorus-T, but Download usually gives me the boost I need to take it out with minimal investment.

Indeedee (M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Expanding Force
- Mystical Fire
- Shadow Ball
- Dazzling Gleam

Specs Psychic Surge Indeedee is a great priority counter, as Terrain blocks Sucker Punches and Indeedee can retaliate with a ridiculously strong Expanding Force. The EVs let it reach 317 Speed, but it doesn’t outspeed much that it needs to – would Modest be a better idea? Mystical Fire is great against Ferrorthorn and Scizor, while Shadow Ball hits Psychic types like Slowbro and Latios for big damage. Dazzling Gleam is a good check to Hydreigon and other Dark types that think they can set up on Indeedee.

Chansey (F) @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Soft-Boiled
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss
- Teleport

Chansey is my special wall, and it complements Porygon2 pretty well, as the two form a solid defensive core. Toxic + Soft-Boiled is a potent way to deal with special attackers and other walls, increasing longevity while the opponent’s HP dwindles. Teleport gives me a slow pivot, which is crucial because the Normal type’s lack of resistances means I can’t hard switch very often. Seismic Toss does good damage and ensures Chansey isn’t Taunt bait.

I chose Eviolite Chansey over Blissey because I’ve noticed my team isn’t particularly affected by hazards – at least, there haven’t been too many teams with them so far. The EVs and Nature were chosen for physical bulk, as Chansey is already incredibly specially tanky, and the investment gives it a shot at living an unboosted physical attack. Natural Cure means Toxic doesn’t last, which is great for a wall.

Braviary (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Rock Slide
- U-turn

This thing exists solely to kill Urshifu-Rapid, which otherwise sweeps my team. It’s also pretty handy at revenge killing Electric types like Raichu-Alola. Brave Bird cleanly OHKOes Rillaboom, Zarude and Zapdos-Galar, along with other physical attackers that think they can outspeed. Close Combat checks Steel types that would otherwise wall Braviary. Rock Slide is honestly just a coverage move because I didn’t want to lock myself into Defog like Smogon recommends, but I’m sure there’s a better option. U-turn gives me a fast pivot, but it also excels at chipping Psychic types like Raichu-Alola that would otherwise cause problems.

–--

This team has worked pretty well for me so far, but there’s a lot to be improved. Here’s some of the more major things I’ve noted:

1. Is Focus Blast better than Hyper Voice on Heliolisk? If so, why?
2. Should I invest in Special Attack on Porygon2 to always guarantee the Landorus kill, or gamble on Download boosts for the sake of bulk?
3. Is Modest better than Timid on Indeedee?
4. Is Blissey better than Eviolite Chansey? If so, why?
5. A replacement for Braviary’s Rock Slide
6. Scarfed Urshifu-Rapid 6-0s my team. No options I've explored can live a hit and OHKO, let alone outspeed. Is there a way to change this matchup?
7. My team has no hazard control, mostly because it hasn’t been necessary. Should that be changed?
8. As my team consists of Normal types, I have very few switch ins to common attacks. One of the most problematic is the Electric type – without Diggersby, I’m unable to hard switch into anything. How do I circumvent this?
9. And of course, any general improvements to be had.

Pokepaste

Thanks in advance.