Hey guys, I am predominantly a UU player, but I decided to give OU a try recently. I have since created a decent team that has managed to get me to an ELO of around 2017, and Rank 4th on Ladder. This team functions more as an anti-meta team and will thus be very different to what you may encounter in your regular games. Its success hinges on players running meta teams with predictable sets, which is almost always the case nowadays.
I chose to use a lot of UU Pokemon here, because that's what I'm familiar and comfortable with. Surprise is also a factor too, because these sets tend to throw off opponents, which I can then use to my advantage. The team does have a moderate weakness to Manaphy, so that is something to be wary of.
Proof of Peak:
Pokepaste is here http://pokepast.es/41b00af71ada997e
Team at a Glance:
Team-building Process
As a UU player, I started with the Blisswole core, a very infamous core in UU that took the meta by storm, when Buzzwole was first released. Now that Buzzwole has been banned, the only opportunities I get to play this core is in either OU or Ubers. I went with Blissey over Chansey because I preferred the regen from leftovers as this was a wish+protect set.
If this was UU, this core would suffice to wall nearly the entire metagame, but in OU, Tapu Lele is a prominent threat, along with M-Alakazam, both of which hit extremely hard with Psyshock. Thus I needed a deterrent to that. Muk-A, another prominent UU Pokemon was my solution.
Unfortunately, Buzzwole is unable to wall many of the physical flying and fairy types in OU such as Hawlucha, M-Pinsir, Gyarados, Z-Landorus etc. Thus I needed a second check to fix that problem. I found this in Skarmory, my only official OU Pokemon of the team. Skarmory also provides much needed hazard removal for me.
Things were going well for me, until I realised that Tapu Koko literally walks all over my team with volt switch. Thus I needed a solution to that, which I found in Mega Steelix, a fairly uncommon Pokemon, that occasionally surfaces in RU/UU. Mega-Steelix also helped me patch up some weaknesses like Pain Split Magearna and SD Mimikyu, since my Skarmory only had counter.
With the team almost complete, I desperately needed a physical fire resistance for pokemon like Victini and Charizard-X, as well as some method of breaking stall. This, I managed to find in Slowbro (although it was originally perish-trapper Azumarill). Slowbro also helps out great against my M-Medicham and Hawlucha match-ups as well as against Heatran. I decided to use a rather unorthodox approach by going for Future Sight in combination with Roar on Steelix. This strategy occasionally works and grants me the edge on unsuspecting opponents.
The Team:
Steelix-Mega @ Steelixite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Heavy Slam
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
M-Steelix is usually my Lead Pokemon. I was running M-Aggron previously and ran into some issues with Tapu Koko, so I decided to opt for Steelix-Mega instead. This is very similar to the set I run in UU. I also have Roar for Phasing, as it is very effective with a hazard stacking core. It also combos well with Future Sight from Slowbro. This Pokemon hits extremely hard with Max Attack investment and Heavy Slam / EQ. It deals with Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Mawile and Kyurem relatively easily. I keep it on full HP by wish passing from my Blissey.
Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Seismic Toss
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
Blissey is my specially defensive tank, in UU, this Pokemon was capable of walling nearly every Special Attacker, and is able to continue that position in OU. I primarily use Blissey over Chansey because I prefer Leftovers, since I'm using Wish / Protect and also Knock Off seems fairly common too. Also, better aesthetics. The rest of the set is pretty standard
Muk-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Pursuit
- Shadow Sneak
In UU, Blissey was simply enough in dealing with all the special attackers, however, in OU, I quickly realised that Tapu Lele + Alakazam deal a significant amount of damage with Psyshock under Psychic Terrain. Therefore, I had to find another Specially Defensive tank to be able to deal with this, which I found in Assault Vest Muk-A, another Pokemon that is very prominent in the UU metagame. It easily traps Latios, Alakazam, Tapu Lele, and generally any Psychic/Ghost Types. It's also an excellent switch-in to fairy types like Clefable and Tapu Fini.
Buzzwole @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Roost
Buzzwole is the first part of my physically defensive core. I used this Pokemon very heavily in UU during its suspect test and prior to it being banned, so I know entirely what it is capable of. This Pokemon is extremely underrated, and I think this set uses the Pokemon to the best of its abilities. This Pokemon is a physically defensive monster and can survive physical attacks from almost anything. Rocky Helmet wears enemies down as you simply Roost back your lost HP. I run a Bulk Up variant to deal with setup sweepers, so that Pokemon like SD Heracross / Scizor aren't an issue. It also easily dispatches with Pokemon such as Kartana, and switches into Landorus-T easily as well. 24 Speed EVs to outrun Max Speed Base 50s, like Mawile-M.
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Counter
- Spikes
- Defog
Skarmory is the only OU Pokemon I use. I needed the utility of Defog and Spikes, and Skarmory was able to provide that. I use Skarmory in combination with Buzzwole to form my defensive core. Buzzwole's main weakness lies in Flying and Skarmory is an excellent candidate for patching up that weakness. I gave up Whirlwind on this build sadly, so M-Steelix is my only source of phasing, which I sometimes find a bit troublesome. I previously ran Shed Shell, but I've since switched out to Rocky Helmet, since Magnezone has become quite uncommon in higher ladder. Counter works pretty well with Sturdy, guaranteeing that Skarmory can survive any hit and retaliate with an OHKO.
Slowbro @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Future Sight
- Calm Mind
I have recently switched to Slowbro with Future Sight. This is quite effective against stall teams if used correctly. I have Roar now on my Steelix, so that it is capable of roaring out the opponent's switch in to Future Sight. Slowbro also helps me with strong physical fire attackers like Victini, as well as other hard hitters like M-Medicham and Hawlucha. 172 SpA EVs allows me to 2HKO Heatran and OHKO Chansey and Quagsire with Scald + Future Sight. Here is an example of Slowbro breaking down a stall team with Future Sight, https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-774261240
Conclusion
Overall this team has been great fun to play, and if you are into unusual and non-meta teams, then I would recommend you give it a try. If you have any suggestions, you're more than welcome to leave a comment or send me a PM. Below is a list of replays, if you want more replays, you can search up 'moarcookees' or 'cookeees' in the PS replays database.
I chose to use a lot of UU Pokemon here, because that's what I'm familiar and comfortable with. Surprise is also a factor too, because these sets tend to throw off opponents, which I can then use to my advantage. The team does have a moderate weakness to Manaphy, so that is something to be wary of.
Proof of Peak:
Pokepaste is here http://pokepast.es/41b00af71ada997e
Team at a Glance:
Team-building Process
As a UU player, I started with the Blisswole core, a very infamous core in UU that took the meta by storm, when Buzzwole was first released. Now that Buzzwole has been banned, the only opportunities I get to play this core is in either OU or Ubers. I went with Blissey over Chansey because I preferred the regen from leftovers as this was a wish+protect set.
If this was UU, this core would suffice to wall nearly the entire metagame, but in OU, Tapu Lele is a prominent threat, along with M-Alakazam, both of which hit extremely hard with Psyshock. Thus I needed a deterrent to that. Muk-A, another prominent UU Pokemon was my solution.
Unfortunately, Buzzwole is unable to wall many of the physical flying and fairy types in OU such as Hawlucha, M-Pinsir, Gyarados, Z-Landorus etc. Thus I needed a second check to fix that problem. I found this in Skarmory, my only official OU Pokemon of the team. Skarmory also provides much needed hazard removal for me.
Things were going well for me, until I realised that Tapu Koko literally walks all over my team with volt switch. Thus I needed a solution to that, which I found in Mega Steelix, a fairly uncommon Pokemon, that occasionally surfaces in RU/UU. Mega-Steelix also helped me patch up some weaknesses like Pain Split Magearna and SD Mimikyu, since my Skarmory only had counter.
With the team almost complete, I desperately needed a physical fire resistance for pokemon like Victini and Charizard-X, as well as some method of breaking stall. This, I managed to find in Slowbro (although it was originally perish-trapper Azumarill). Slowbro also helps out great against my M-Medicham and Hawlucha match-ups as well as against Heatran. I decided to use a rather unorthodox approach by going for Future Sight in combination with Roar on Steelix. This strategy occasionally works and grants me the edge on unsuspecting opponents.
The Team:
Steelix-Mega @ Steelixite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Heavy Slam
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
M-Steelix is usually my Lead Pokemon. I was running M-Aggron previously and ran into some issues with Tapu Koko, so I decided to opt for Steelix-Mega instead. This is very similar to the set I run in UU. I also have Roar for Phasing, as it is very effective with a hazard stacking core. It also combos well with Future Sight from Slowbro. This Pokemon hits extremely hard with Max Attack investment and Heavy Slam / EQ. It deals with Pokemon such as Tapu Koko, Mawile and Kyurem relatively easily. I keep it on full HP by wish passing from my Blissey.
Blissey @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Seismic Toss
- Wish
- Protect
- Toxic
Blissey is my specially defensive tank, in UU, this Pokemon was capable of walling nearly every Special Attacker, and is able to continue that position in OU. I primarily use Blissey over Chansey because I prefer Leftovers, since I'm using Wish / Protect and also Knock Off seems fairly common too. Also, better aesthetics. The rest of the set is pretty standard
Muk-Alola @ Assault Vest
Ability: Poison Touch
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Pursuit
- Shadow Sneak
In UU, Blissey was simply enough in dealing with all the special attackers, however, in OU, I quickly realised that Tapu Lele + Alakazam deal a significant amount of damage with Psyshock under Psychic Terrain. Therefore, I had to find another Specially Defensive tank to be able to deal with this, which I found in Assault Vest Muk-A, another Pokemon that is very prominent in the UU metagame. It easily traps Latios, Alakazam, Tapu Lele, and generally any Psychic/Ghost Types. It's also an excellent switch-in to fairy types like Clefable and Tapu Fini.
Buzzwole @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Ice Punch
- Roost
Buzzwole is the first part of my physically defensive core. I used this Pokemon very heavily in UU during its suspect test and prior to it being banned, so I know entirely what it is capable of. This Pokemon is extremely underrated, and I think this set uses the Pokemon to the best of its abilities. This Pokemon is a physically defensive monster and can survive physical attacks from almost anything. Rocky Helmet wears enemies down as you simply Roost back your lost HP. I run a Bulk Up variant to deal with setup sweepers, so that Pokemon like SD Heracross / Scizor aren't an issue. It also easily dispatches with Pokemon such as Kartana, and switches into Landorus-T easily as well. 24 Speed EVs to outrun Max Speed Base 50s, like Mawile-M.
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Counter
- Spikes
- Defog
Skarmory is the only OU Pokemon I use. I needed the utility of Defog and Spikes, and Skarmory was able to provide that. I use Skarmory in combination with Buzzwole to form my defensive core. Buzzwole's main weakness lies in Flying and Skarmory is an excellent candidate for patching up that weakness. I gave up Whirlwind on this build sadly, so M-Steelix is my only source of phasing, which I sometimes find a bit troublesome. I previously ran Shed Shell, but I've since switched out to Rocky Helmet, since Magnezone has become quite uncommon in higher ladder. Counter works pretty well with Sturdy, guaranteeing that Skarmory can survive any hit and retaliate with an OHKO.
Slowbro @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Slack Off
- Scald
- Future Sight
- Calm Mind
I have recently switched to Slowbro with Future Sight. This is quite effective against stall teams if used correctly. I have Roar now on my Steelix, so that it is capable of roaring out the opponent's switch in to Future Sight. Slowbro also helps me with strong physical fire attackers like Victini, as well as other hard hitters like M-Medicham and Hawlucha. 172 SpA EVs allows me to 2HKO Heatran and OHKO Chansey and Quagsire with Scald + Future Sight. Here is an example of Slowbro breaking down a stall team with Future Sight, https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-774261240
Conclusion
Overall this team has been great fun to play, and if you are into unusual and non-meta teams, then I would recommend you give it a try. If you have any suggestions, you're more than welcome to leave a comment or send me a PM. Below is a list of replays, if you want more replays, you can search up 'moarcookees' or 'cookeees' in the PS replays database.
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772548065
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-773311066
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-773279548
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-774261240
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772557562
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772547318
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772155766
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772549863
*additional replays can be found by searching for moarcookees in the replay database
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-773311066
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-773279548
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-774261240
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772557562
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772547318
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772155766
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-772549863
*additional replays can be found by searching for moarcookees in the replay database
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