Steelix @ Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Def / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earth Power
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Stealth Rock / HP Fire
This is Steelix's most common and best set, but most players that are new to FP don't know about it, so I thought it would be a good idea to post it. Steelix is without a doubt, one of the best wallbreakers in the meta. Base 200 defence with Sheer Force is insane, making it difficult for anything to switch in. Sheer Force affects both of Steelix's STABs which helps a lot when it comes to wallbreaking. Rock Slide hits Talonflame and other flying-types. HP Fire is an option on the 4th slot if you already have rocks on your team.
Most of the newer players already know that Steelix is one of the best wallbreakers in the meta, especially with it being in A+ rank. However, what they don't know is that the best way to run Steelix is to actually run max speed. Max Speed lets Steelix outspeed important threats like Kecleon, Araquanid, Chansey, Sylveon and Toxapex, to name a few. A Jolly nature also lets Steelix outspeed uninvested TTar, which is very important, especially on low ladder, where most TTars don't run enough EVs to outspeed jolly Steelix.
Thank you for letting us Kecleon users be aware of this, now we can plan! :P (Not that we couldn't do that in the first place, but still :P)
Anyways, I'd like to post a couple of mons that are effective in the meta, starting with Kecleon, who people on lower ladder often underestimate: (And if people on the higher ladder wouldn't mind commenting on these mons to give their own perspective on them, that'd be neato burrito!)
Bork (Kecleon) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Protean
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 20 HP / 252 SpD / 236 Spe
Calm Nature
- Low Kick
- Fake Out
- Shadow Sneak
- Knock Off
Kecleon is a very powerful Pokemon in the meta, with access to some of the most useful moves around. It gets great neutral coverage in fighting and ghost moves (it has access to shadow ball if you want that on it, it hits quite strong)- It has access to Fake Out and Shadow Sneak, thus enabling it to be a great cleaner. It also gets knock off to knock off those pesky assault vests, choice items, and eviolite(s). It also has access to sucker punch if you're concerned about being pursuit trapped. It's major two issues are Steelix and Dusclops, although neither really want to switch in when Kecleon is about to use a move. Also, it's speed EV's are there to counter mons like Steelix that want to use increased speed to counter it. Keep in mind, however, that Steelix can run sturdy, so attempting a 1hko it isn't a wise choice for Kecleon. If you need a mon that has great coverage and is great at cleaning up, I'd say vote Kecleon for President!
Here's a possible threat I haven't heard too much about, maybe it's for a reason- if so, I'd love to hear.
Peanut (Buzzwole) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 Spe
Bold Nature
- Bulk Up/Poison Jab
- Leech Life
- Brick Break
- Taunt
Some items and moves are probably changeable, but Buzzwole has access to a great defence and a decent typing. Since special moves are less common due to Assault Vest being on most teams. I haven't seen him around too much, but he has access to taunt, which is a great move to stop the slower mons from boosting their defences. He does have hammer arm, but in this scenario, it'd probably be better for him to keep what speed he has in order to taunt fast enough to stop boosting threats. I'd love to know whether people are somehow unaware of him or if there's a good reason he's not usually seen in the meta, especially considering he has some decent resistances to stop a lot of physical threats. The only thing I can think of is perhaps flying mons like Swellow, but that's why you put a mon to resist swellow in your team.
The last mon utilizes a choice scarf to take advantage of its amazing speed and ability as a U-turn user, but it pales a bit compared to Tapu Koko, but if Koko gets booted, as it likely will, then this mon might be able to fill the void. You will want a spinner or defogger just in case, but as it has been previously stated, Stealth Rock is less common in this meta than it is in others. This mon is:
Speedy (Crobat) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Infiltrator
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- U-turn
- Heat Wave
- Brave Bird
- Sludge Bomb
Crobat has great coverage, a powerful U-turn, a good move to use against defensive steel types, and some decent utility with tailwind, taunt and other moves if you don't mind sacrificing his nuking power by giving up the choice scarf. Tailwind may be a good option for your team if you're using speed on your team. Also, he's pretty dang fast, tying Tapu Koko in speed, thus not only causing people to have to risk their win con in tapu Koko via speed tie, but enabling it to avoid non-prankster based taunts.
Again, I'd love the higher ladder people to critique and add stuff, as I'm only ever a middle ladder guy and a top 50 guy at my best.