Introduction
This is my first RMT, so please excuse any formatting errors or anything like that. Hopefully my content is okay, please let me know if I need to edit anything. My core idea for this team was to use Ninetales to help me set up an opportunity to sweep with Xurkitree. While testing, I kept adding more bulk and set up or support moves. Ninetales is an obvious lead, so I usually lead with Ninetales and an answer to whatever I think they'll bring in response to the Ninetales. Xurk is almost always in the back so I can set him up later in the game.
Ninetales-Alola @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Aurora Veil
- Disable
- Icy Wind
- Protect
Xurkitree @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 204 HP / 28 Def / 140 SpA / 12 SpD / 124 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Tail Glow
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
Murkrow @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Haze
- Tailwind
- Roost
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
Gyarados @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 132 HP / 68 Atk / 28 Def / 116 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
an EQ from chomp under hail and veil becomes a 4HKO instead of a 2HKO on Xurk thanks to the pinch berry), so I decided I needed an intimidate user. My first thought was obviously Arcanine, but I didn't like adding another ground weakness, so I decided to go with Gyarados. I like bukly 'dos a lot. He can survive a togedemaru's -1 fake out + zing zap or 2 t-bolt's from an uninvested porygon2 (under veil). The set is pretty simple. My team really appreciates taunt support, and DD allows him to beat a lot of things one on one. Waterfall is just a solid STAB move, and hey, flinch chance is always nice. He is also one of my best answers to Arcanine, which is nice, especially with two fire weaknesses. Only banded wild charge Arcanine can reliably OHKO 'dos under veil, and that's if it's not at -1.
Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 92 HP / 164 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brick Break
- Leaf Blade
- Night Slash
- Smart Strike
Conclusion
That's the team! I usually find it performs pretty well, getting me to 1350-1400 on the ladder, but I'm really looking for tips about how to take it to the next level. Oranguru trick room teams give me some trouble, as I can't seem to reliably OHKO him before he sets it up, and I can't taunt him the way I would Mimikyu or Porygon2 since he's usually carrying mental herb. That's the only major strategy I've encountered that I don't have a great response to. Whimsicott is pretty annoying since I can't OHKO him. I'm not dissatisfied with my team right now, but I'd really like to take it from good to great. Thanks!
Ninetales-Alola @ Light Clay
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Aurora Veil
- Disable
- Icy Wind
- Protect
Xurkitree @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 204 HP / 28 Def / 140 SpA / 12 SpD / 124 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Tail Glow
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
Murkrow @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Haze
- Tailwind
- Roost
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
Gyarados @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 132 HP / 68 Atk / 28 Def / 116 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 92 HP / 165 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brick Break
- Leaf Blade
- Night Slash
- Smart Strike
Ability: Snow Warning
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Aurora Veil
- Disable
- Icy Wind
- Protect
Xurkitree @ Iapapa Berry
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 204 HP / 28 Def / 140 SpA / 12 SpD / 124 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Tail Glow
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
Murkrow @ Eviolite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Foul Play
- Haze
- Tailwind
- Roost
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
Gyarados @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 132 HP / 68 Atk / 28 Def / 116 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Protect
- Taunt
- Waterfall
- Dragon Dance
Kartana @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 92 HP / 165 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brick Break
- Leaf Blade
- Night Slash
- Smart Strike