(VGC) MOTH-GROSS! A Battle Spot Special 11 Team

(VGC) MOTH-GROSS! A Battle Spot Special 11 Team

July 20, 2015

So the new Battle Spot Season just started and I already have a team you can all critique and bury over!  :P  Now this season special ruleset had an very interesting change as it is basically Battle Spot Doubles but the top 12 Pokemon from Seasons 7-10 were banned . This means that the following Pokemon have been banned (regardless of either forms and Mega Stone viability ): Charizard, Gengar,  Kangaskhan, Tyranitar, Gardevoir, Mawile, Salamence, Garchomp, Rotom, Heatran, Cresselia, Amoonguss, Bisharp, Terrakion, Thundurus, Landorus, Greninja, Talonflame, Aegislash, and Sylveon.


VERY SHORT TEAMBUILDING GUIDE

Let me ask you all what's the one Pokemon (or Mega) that benefits from having nearly all its checks and counters banned? Mega MOTHAF**ING METAGROSS! Ok in all seriousness, Mega Metagross will IMO be the "Mega Salamence" of the format given it just has most of its counters removed.. (And no Pokemon can never outdo Mega Kangaskhan). Basically the idea was to build around a Mega Metagross sweep since it has free reign to do what it wants in the new format. Since I'd be facing an influx of weather teams (rain/sun), Hydreigon was the next pick as it synergies well with Mega Metagross and can take rain/sun boosted hits for my metal beast. Afterward I realized that this team core was weak to one particular Pokemon who can sweep my team and see significant usage: Volcarona. Immediately the decision was made to add Snarl Raikou and defensive Gyarados since both these two were my best checks to Volcarona. Well speaking of Volcarona... I added a Rage Powder/Quiver Dance one to the team so it can neat quick KOs and was the back up redirection user of the team. Finally, Togekiss was added to the team so it can give redirection support, fake a Mega Gyarados-Toge core on team preview, and handle Dragon types like Hydreigon and Mega Altaria (only Pixilate user left).


THE TEAM


Metagross-Mega @ Metagrossite
Ability: Tough Claws
Level: 50
EVs: 44 HP / 204 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- Zen Headbutt
- Hammer Arm
- Protect

Milestones:
[spoiler]
-Absolute Max Speed for Virizion, and at worst speed tie with opposing Mega Metagross
-Hammer Arm OHKOs 52 HP Hydreigon, as well as deals heavy damage to Mega Gyarados, Ferrothorn, and Scrafty:
[/b]

• 204 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Hammer Arm vs. 52 HP / 0 Def Hydreigon: 174-206 (100 - 118.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
• 204 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Hammer Arm vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Gyarados: 148-176 (87 - 103.5%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
• 204 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Hammer Arm vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Ferrothorn: 128-152 (70.7 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
• -1 204 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Hammer Arm vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Scrafty: 96-114 (56.1 - 66.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

[/spoiler]

Mega Metagross is honestly the best Mega to use in Battle Spot Specials right after possibly Mega Venusaur IMO. There's honestly very few Pokemon stopping Mega Metagross sweep opposing teams with its Tough Claws boosted attacks now that literally most of its checks and counters have been removed. The EV spread was originally meant for a Substitute set I'd usually run with Mega Metagross, but honestly this spread suffice. I guess the only thing that matters is Metagross needed to speed tie with opposing base 110 so it can get off an attack possibly first. Now Iron Head and Zen Headbutt are the most standard moveslots for most VGC Mega Metagross since it already achieves neutral coverage, except for Mega Gyarados and Ferrothorn and can 2HKO most targets in the format. Hammer Arm basically allows Mega Metagross to hit these targets hard and can faint most Hydreigon after one hit. The accuracy of Zen Headbutt and Hammer Arm can suck sometimes but both these attacks along with Iron Head basically hit everything in the new format hard. Not much to say here, but Mega Metagross is the star of the show anyways so I need a supporting cast as well...


Hydreigon @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 12 HP / 44 Def / 212 SpA / 4 SpD / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Taunt
- Tailwind

Now this is where things get a bit interesting... Weakness Policy Support Hydreigon. Well I know normally most people would see Hydreigon with the Specs/Scarf/Life Orb/Chople maybe...something else but Weakness Policy no. Nevertheless I wanted a Pokemon who can be sorta an offensive pivot similar to Landorus-T since this team will be fighting tons of Rain, Sun, Tailwind, Trick Room achetypes most of the time. Running Timid nature with near max speed and special attack investment was great for opposing Hydreigon mirror matches, in case I'm forced to drop a draco kappa. Anyways the near max speed ensured that Hydriegon is able to shut down most support/setup Pokemon with a base 95 speed max speed with Taunt. Yes with Mega Kangaskhan, Sylveon, Scarf Tar, and Mega Gardevoir out of the way, I was able to be a bit more 'creative' with Hydreigon and slap both Taunt and Tailwind for a bit of utility. Like I'd just mentioned, Taunt is useful against the Zapdos/Suicune Tailwind battles and possible prevent Trick Room setup since very few people expect Taunt from Hydreigon. Tailwind is IMO one of, if not the best underrated moves for Hydreigon given it can setup against Zapdos/Suicune Tailwind teams, and even against weather teams like Rain/Sun providing vital speed control (and helping Mega Metagross's Hammer Arm speed drops).

Now normally I'd slap Life Orb on this Hydreigon set and call it a day, but Weakness Policy had an appeal to me. Now that Hydreigon is using "support" moves, it will be suspect-ably to open super effective hit particularly Ice type attacks, plus Life Orb would drain its usefulness as a support Pokemon. If Hydregon is hit with a super effective attack as it goes for Taunt or Tailwind (best case scenario), and lives (possibly due to Gyarados/Raikou's doing) then it will become an immediate threat on the field with +2 special attack. Now factor all the possible setup (I'll get to later) and Hydreigon is virtually now at +2 in special attack and speed! At +2, Hydreigon can drop a draco and kill off most Zapdos set (bar Calm) while severally damage the rest of the format. Dark Pulse rounds out Hydreigon's moveset as I still need a strong STAB option before dropping a draco. :]

[spoiler]
pokeaim has pollute my mind
[/spoiler]



Raikou @ Light Clay
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 20 HP / 252 SpA / 236 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Snarl
- Light Screen
- Protect

Milestones:
[spoiler]
-Outspeeds max speed Serperior by 1 point.
-Light Screen prevents Raikou from fainting from a Specs Draco from Latios (Strongest Special Attacker currently): 252 SpA Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Raikou through Light Screen: 111-131 (66.8 - 78.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
[/spoiler]

With most of the main physical hitters, and obnoxious special ones like Mega Charizard Y, Sylveon, etc gone basically meant Light Clay Raikou can do some work, or should I say disruption. Since I felt that the format would be mostly specially-based,  I need a way to counteract special attackers like Mega Altaria, Mega Blastiose, Hydreigon, and Volcarona while having another Electric user who can handle Zapdos/Suicune 1v1. Raikou was the best possible Pokemon to think of for this role, and honestly it has worked out fantastically. Thunderbolt is Raikou's main STAB option and go-to move for virtually anything, especially Rain teams. Light Screen, paired up with both Snarl and Light Clay is an extremely powerful defensive combo to run for this team. If any of you don't know what Light Clay does, it allows Light Screen or Reflect to last up to 8 turns, instead of just 5. Just think about the battle implications here, since Raikou can setup fast Light Screen before my opponent can attack. Essentially with the Light Screen support, special attackers cannot knock out my rather bulky team without some form or crit/hax. Light Screen support basically helps Metagross tank Heat Wave/Dark Pulses better, Hydreigon can take Ice attack comfortably while getting its WP boost, Gyarados can survive Electric attacks, Togekiss can support the team longer with Follow Me Redirection, and Volcarona can setup easily with Quiver Dance. Unless my opponent has Defog or Brick Break, chances are Light Screen will remain throughout the remainder of the match.

If you thought Light Screen was annoying, well Snarl can do just about the same. Snarl is a base 55 Dark spread move which reduces the special attack of its targets by -1 stage. Added with Light Screen, literally very few Pokemon, aside from opposing Volcarona can break this team on the special end. Snarl is a great move to combat against the popular Mega Metagross/Hydreigon combo given Snarl hit Metagross for chip damage while reducing Hydreigon's damage output. I have tried out HP Ice before hand but since most of the Ground and Dragon types are gone, but Snarl+ Light Screen (with Light Clay) is just a powerful defensive combination not to pass up.




Gyarados @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 52 Atk / 84 Def / 44 SpD / 76 Spe
Impish Nature
- Waterfall
- Taunt
- Thunder Wave
- Protect

Milestones:
[spoiler]
-Takes 3 minus one (-1) 252 Tough Claw boosted Zen Headbutts from Mega Metagross with Sitrus Berry:  -1 252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 84+ Def Gyarados: 66-78 (32.6 - 38.6%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

-Survives Modest Specs Draco Meteor from Hydreigon: 252+ SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 44 SpD Gyarados: 169-201 (83.6 - 99.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

-OHKOs 4 HP Volcarona with STAB Waterfall: 52 Atk Gyarados Waterfall vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Volcarona: 162-192 (100.6 - 119.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

-Speed Creeps Base 80 Pokemon with few investment

[/spoiler]

Probably one of the most annoying Pokemon to face only if you don't have a Storm Drain or Water Absorb user: Taunt/Thunder Wave Gyarados. The idea of defensive Gyarados came when I kept facing off against several in the Battle Spot Doubles ladder, particularly from 1800+ rated Japanese opponents and I was intrigued. At the moment, the team needed a defensive Intimidate pivot against physical attackers (and special) so Gyarados was the great pick to chose from since it can take rain-boosted attacks and physical hits with its Intimidate ability.  As you can see, Waterfall is Gyarados only attacking move just for reliable STAB damage and the 20% flinch factor. Thunder Wave is the crux of this set as it allows Gyarados to shut down fast sweepers like opposing Mega Metagross, Hydreigon, and even Swift Swim Pokemon such as Kingdra and Ludicolo. For the last moveslot, I really wanted Dragon Dance to power up Gyarados's speed and attack, yet having another "emergency" Taunt user can be clutch at times. Not really much to say about Gyarados other than its main defensive anchor of the team.  Btw Thunder Wave and Waterfall is God!



Volcarona @ Lum Berry
Ability: Flame Body
Level: 50
EVs: 116 HP / 196 Def / 36 SpA / 4 SpD / 156 Spe
Modest Nature
- Overheat / Heat Wave
- Bug Buzz
- Rage Powder
- String Shot / Quiver Dance

Milestones:
[spoiler]
-Survives Modest Life Orb Draco Meteor from Hydreigon 15/16 of the time: 252+ SpA Life Orb Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 116 HP / 4 SpD Volcarona: 148-175 (84.5 - 100%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

-Survives Aqua Jet from Azumaril (Important for Rage Powder): 252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Aqua Jet vs. 116 HP / 196 Def Volcarona: 92-110 (52.5 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

-Can survive a -1 Rock Slide from Mega Aerodacytl with Intimidate drop: -1 252 Atk Mega Aerodactyl Rock Slide vs. 116 HP / 196 Def Volcarona: 144-172 (82.2 - 98.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

-Knocks out 4 HP Mega Metagross with a +1 boosted Heat Wave: +1 36+ SpA Volcarona Heat Wave vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Metagross: 162-192 (103.8 - 123%) -- guaranteed OHKO

-Outspeeds Base 75 Pokemon and below like Smeargle and Breloom.

[/spoiler]

The MVP of this team. Well I guess it takes removing a plethora of threats from the Battle Spot just to make Volcarona incredibly powerful again. In all honestly, if any of you are planning or have played on the new ladder, Volcarona is an absolute terrifying monster and every team should have at least 2 checks for this moth similar to how Mega Kangaskhan is in Doubles. There were a couple of moves I considered, such as String Shot to reduces the speed of both Pokemon by -2 stages, and Overheat to get some immediate OHKOs on weaken Pokemon. It was rather fun trolling people with the String Shot  kappa since they didn't speed control from Volcarona, and has actually won me a game. Unfortunately with such a "fun" set this Volcarona is going to encounter some inconsistencies regarding its main role for the team. I'd already had 2 speed control Pokemon in Tailwind Hydregion and Thunder Wave Gyarados so String Shot was kinda a wasted moveslot. Rage Powder provided the team with vital redirection support, in case I need to take out a target or even sacrifice Volcarona for the certain member. Overheat in practice wasn't getting the OHKOs it needed since I'd taken a ton of special attack investment unless it happen to power up with Quiver Dance. Speaking of which...

I tried out Quiver Dance in place of String Shot and just fell in love it. Very few Pokemon in the ladder can take on Volcarona after it setup a boost or two since nearly all its threats are gone. Heat Wave and Bug Buzz are all the attacking moves Volcarona needs honestly since it can just power itself up with Quiver Dance to OHKO important targets such as Mega Metagross, Latios, Hydreigon, etc. Usually Volcarona sees battle at any point where there's an opportunity to setup and win the game. Heck I have seen people try and leave their Volcarona as the last Pokemon to sweep the remaining team. In that case, I gave Volcarona Lum Berry so not only can it avoid not being status, but prevent any random 10% chances from ruining a Volc sweep. Finally Rage Powder is added to allow Volcarona to be a secondary redirection user, in case Togekiss isn't on the field and I need it to take a attack for a weaken Pokemon like Metagross. If anything, this allow Volcarona to play multiple role for my team as the primary special sweeper to a redirection user.



Togekiss @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Serene Grace
Level: 50
EVs: 236 HP / 196 Def / 4 SpA / 12 SpD / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
- Air Slash
- Dazzling Gleam
- Follow Me
- Protect

[spoiler]
-Tanks a Iron Head from Mega Metagross: 252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Metagross Iron Head vs. 236 HP / 196+ Def Togekiss: 152-182 (80 - 95.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
-Dazzeling Gleam takes out 4 HP Hydreigon without considerable investment:  4 SpA Togekiss Dazzling Gleam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Hydreigon: 172-208 (102.3 - 123.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-Speed investment to speed creep against base 80 Pokemon like Milotic and Mega Venusaur for Air Slash Flinches.

[/spoiler]

At this point the team needed a solid redirection users and Togekiss came to mind. There wasn't much thought involved honestly since I wanted a for sure counter to Dragon and Fighting Pokemon like Hydreigon, Mega Altaria (the only Fairy with Pixilate Hyper Voice), Scrafty, Conkeldurr, etc. Normally Togekiss would have Tailwind like the one I used back in March, however since Thunder Wave Gyarados and Tailwind Hydreigon are the team's main form speed control, there was room for a secondary attack. Unfortunately, Togekiss has to stick with Dazzling Gleam as its only Fairy attack, but at least it can threaten the aftermention threats. Air Slash is ... a lovely move especially if Gyarados can paralysis its targets. Serene Grace Air Slash with the 60% chance to flinch as helped me win some battles provided I don't mess my momentum up.

Likewise, the main reason why I added Togekiss on the team (before was Ludicolo) was basically to 1) provide redirection and 2) to counter Volcarona. Basically as the primary redirection user of the team, Togekiss will be taking hits for either Raikou, Hydreigon, or Volcarona so they can setup their respective moves. Togekiss pairs well with Mega Metagross as it can prevent Metagross from taking super effective attacks while Metagross breaks the opposing team. Togekiss and Gyarados are probably my only for sure ways to stop opposing Volcarona as both can take Fire and Bug attacks, otherwise it can setup on against the team. Safety Goggles was added just so Togekiss can bypass Rage Powder redirection and prevent Spore or Sleep Powder from putting it to sleep.  

---

With the team complete, the only notable weakness this team has is against Rock Type Pokemon and the move Rock Slide, however Aerodactyl and Rhyperior can somewhat break this team if placed well. Mega Metagross and Gyarados can handle both threats so I wasn't to concern with this glaring weakness. My overall record with this team is 24 and 9. Most of my losses were attributed to not bringing the right Pokemon for a particular matchup. Sun teams are the biggest issue, only if I chose the right Pokemon such as Hydreigon/Raikou/Gyarados but my opponent can play against it so well and leave Ninetails and Venusaur in the back to pick off my weaken team. Dark Void, aka my only one nemesis can be problematic depending on which Smeargle set it is. If its Choice Scarf, I lose badly. If its Void Cats, then Volcarona destroys this  unless my opponent decides to be 'that guy' and run another Pokemon with the ability Unnerve. Otherwise Taunt Gyarados and Hydreigon can stop Smeargle before it puts the rest of my team to sleep. Trick Room teams usually have no idea that I run Double Taunt on Hydreigon and Gyarados so unless they have a Mental Herb Trick Room setter and a Fake Out user, I can pretty much deny Trick Room and just have the battle my way. People saying that rain teams are going to be huge  but honestly that's an overstatement. Gastrodown, T-Wave Zapdos and Ferrothorn are common as of late plus I wouldn't be surprised to see Politoed and Ludicolo usage drop significantly. Beside Thunder Wave Gyarados, Tailwind Hydreigon, and Snarl + Light Screen Raikou can shut down Rain team (beside ones with regular Manetric and Swampert) hard. Mega Venusaur teams shouldn't battle my team... honestly Raikou can do its thing while Gyarados T-Waves the rest of the opposition Mega Metagross/Hydreigon teams can be tricky to face surprisingly especially if I reveal Hammer Arm too early, or I miss.........  As long as I'm able to get necessary support moves up and ready, practically very few things can stop this core. Finally Volcarona, if their Volcarona gets setup before I can do anything, autoloss. However if my Raikou can setup Light Screen and Snarl it once, Volcarona cannot break this team especially if I have Gyarados and Togekiss.

Well that's my team for the new Battle Spot Special 11 ladder or VGC UU to some of you all. Hope you enjoyed this read so have a nice day!


Here are some battle videos I have for  the team.
[spoiler]
Battle 1 (Redirection Clefairy with Mega Blastiose): TW6G - WWWW - WW2C - PK49

Battle 2 (Rain w Specs Zapdos): BVUG -WWWW - WW2C - PL9C

Battle 3 (Mega Venusaur team w Raichu): P73G - WWWW - WW2C - G9S5

Battle 4 (Possible Hail Room Team): DSTW -WWWW - WW2C - PLAQ

Battle 5 (Toge - Mega Gyara Redirection): DPFW - WWWW - WW2C - G9QV Should have lost in the end.

Battle 6 (Mega Blastiose w Zapdos + Smeargle): LWQG - WWWW - WW2C - GA4U

Battle 7 (Trick Room Team): TCXW-WWWW-WW2D-26Y6
[/spoiler]