I wouldn't vouch for something that relies on being "unexpected" or "catch[ing] people off guard." A sizeable chunk of the ladder will be able to see this team and will be able to know exactly what is coming. Which is why I don't really like Rock Polish TTar or Scarf Diggersby. I also don't think lures will really work on our team. We need to start off and use a pokemon that even when you see it in team preview and know exactly what its going to do, it still is a threat. For example, Mega-Pinsir is 99% of the SD - Return - CC - Quick Attack Max atk / Max+ Spe but its still a huge threat or Politoed + Swift Swimmer rain.
With that in mind, I would shoot for a semi-stall team. Pokemon on semi-stall are pretty predictable, but even without the element of "surprise" it will still be able to handle itself well in a large amount of situations. Starting off with a pokemon that is relatively self-sufficient, not weak to hazards or status, or does not need help switching in with pivots really frees up teambuilding down the road. If
boltsandbombers hadn't made the Bulky DD Altaria suggestion already I would have done it myself. I also like
Halcyon. 's all-out-attacking Altaria and Sub DD Gyarados. With these points in mind I would like to make my own nomination:
Clefable (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
IVs: 0 Atk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Moonblast
- Flamethrower / Focus Blast
- Calm Mind
- Soft-Boiled
CM Clefable can be fit into all kinds of teams. By starting out with CM Clefable, we do not obligate our team to have any kind of support except for beating faster-steel-types or Heatran. We aren't obligated to have a status healer or hazard remover from the get go. We also close up a stall weakness right off the bat. We can go the semi-stall route, or we can find a way to fit Clefable on to an offensively based team. Also we don't use our mega-slot right from the get go.
