Introduction: Growing bored of my old teams, I recently decided to create a new one. I wanted this one to be unique in some way, however, but I couldn't decide what about it I wanted to be unique. After a bit of contemplation, I decided I would make a team centralized around a single Pokemon. Which Pokemon? I decided that, too. After much deliberation, I decided I would build my team based on my favourite Pokemon: Gallade. However, the team hasn't been working out how I thought it would, at that is what I would like you to help me with. So, here for all of you team raters, is mt Gallade-centralized team.
Team At a Glance:
Team Building Process:
Well, to Start, I obviously took the Pokemon I would base this team around, and placed it into the team. So, Gallade went in.
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Next, I needed some Pokemon who could work well with Gallade, to cover it's weaknesses. Gallade's main problem is faster Physical Attackers, which a Magnezone can easily get rid of in a few hits. Gyarados can take whatever Magnezone and Gallade can't, finding it a spot on this team.
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Next, I wanted a reliable way to get Gallade some stat boosts. Ninjask, with it's great ability and access to Swords Dance, fit this role perfectly.
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Next, I needed a reliable way to take Special Attacks, and since I hate Blissey with a passion, opted against using it. Eventually, I found myself with Lanturn.
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Now, all I needed was something to reliably take Physical Attacks, and while Skarmory was a tempting option, I decided instead to go with Hippowdon, to keep Type variety in my team.
An In-Depth Look:
The Lead/Baton Passer:
Ninjask@Leftovers
Jolly Nature
176 HP/ 252 Atk/ 80 Spe
Substitute
Swords Dance
Baton Pass
X-Scissor
My lead also serves as a way to get Gallade some boosts. His ability gives him some free Speed Boosts, and swords Dance gives Gallade some much-appreciated Attack Boosts. Generally, First turn I sub up, and depending on whether or not my foe attacks, either substitute again or Swords Dance. Lefties+the HP EVs allow it to use Substitute 5 times, and that allows me to get some much-appreciated boosts to Gallade.
The Utility:
Magnezone@Choice Scarf
Naive
4 Atk/ 252Sp. A/ 252 Spe
Thunderbolt
Hidden Power Fire
Flash Cannon
Explosion
Magnezone is an excellent pair with Gallade, dealing with a lot of what counters Gallade the most- faster Physical Attackers. It's ability to trap the likes of Lucario and Jirachi and kill them with HP Fire is excellent, and it can also deal with Gyarados thanks to STAB Thunderbolt. Magnezone also resists both of Gallade's only two weaknesses, Flying and Ghost, while Gallade resists Fighting and can usually take a Fire-Type attack. Scarf Magnezone ensures I outspeed what I'm trying to take out with it.
The Star:
Gallade@Life Orb
Adamant
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Night Slash
Close Combat
Ice Punch
Psycho Cut
And, the core of this team. Gallade is, in my opinion, a vastly underrated Pokemon. With his great Attack stat and good Special Defense, he can take a few hits and hit back hard. This set is designed for all-out offense, and offers great coverage. Close Combat and Psycho Cut are Gallade's main forms of Attack, offering two excellent STAB Attacks for Gallade. Ice Punch and Night Slash are helpful for taking out Pokemon who could otherwise hurt him, or just coverage in general.
The Other Helper:
Gyarados@Leftovers
Adamant Nature
156 HP/ 72 Atk/ 96 Def/ 184 Spe
Dragon Dance
Taunt
Waterfall
Stone Edge
Gyarados is an excellent paring with both Gallade and Magnezone, being able to clean up whatever is left after Gallade's sweep as well as take Ground Attacks directed at Magnezone. I went with the Bulky Dragon Dance set purely because I needed some bulk in the team to take a few hits.
The Special Tank:
Lanturn@Leftovers
Calm
40 HP/ 76 Def/ 140 Sp. A/ 252 Sp. D
Surf
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Heal Bell
I chose Lanturn as my Special Attack taker because I felt it worked well with the team. It has two reliable STAB attacks in the form of Surf and Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam to provide extra coverage. I chose to put Heal Bell on this set so I could have a way to remove annoying Status effects on Gallade and any other Pokemon, allowing them to continue to do their job. It can also take Electric attacks directed at Gyarados.
The Physical Wall:
Hippowdon@Leftovers
Impish
252 HP/ 168 Def/ 88 Sp. D
Earthquake
Slack-Off
Stealth Rock
Stone Edge
I chose Hippowdon as my Physical Wall for two reasons. One, it can set up Stealth Rock, and two, it can take the hits and has a reliable recovery to continue taking hits. Hippowdon's Ground typing is also a warm welcome to the team. Earthquake is there because, well, it's Earthquake, and Stone edge to improve coverage. Slack-Off allows Hippowdon to heal off damage caused, allowing it to continue taking hits.
Well, that's my team. It is a solid team, but it could do a lot better than it has been doing. That is why I ask you, the team raters, to help me with it.
Team At a Glance:
Team Building Process:
Well, to Start, I obviously took the Pokemon I would base this team around, and placed it into the team. So, Gallade went in.
_________________________________________________________________
Next, I needed some Pokemon who could work well with Gallade, to cover it's weaknesses. Gallade's main problem is faster Physical Attackers, which a Magnezone can easily get rid of in a few hits. Gyarados can take whatever Magnezone and Gallade can't, finding it a spot on this team.
_________________________________________________________________
Next, I wanted a reliable way to get Gallade some stat boosts. Ninjask, with it's great ability and access to Swords Dance, fit this role perfectly.
_________________________________________________________________
Next, I needed a reliable way to take Special Attacks, and since I hate Blissey with a passion, opted against using it. Eventually, I found myself with Lanturn.
_________________________________________________________________
Now, all I needed was something to reliably take Physical Attacks, and while Skarmory was a tempting option, I decided instead to go with Hippowdon, to keep Type variety in my team.
An In-Depth Look:
The Lead/Baton Passer:
Ninjask@Leftovers
Jolly Nature
176 HP/ 252 Atk/ 80 Spe
Substitute
Swords Dance
Baton Pass
X-Scissor
My lead also serves as a way to get Gallade some boosts. His ability gives him some free Speed Boosts, and swords Dance gives Gallade some much-appreciated Attack Boosts. Generally, First turn I sub up, and depending on whether or not my foe attacks, either substitute again or Swords Dance. Lefties+the HP EVs allow it to use Substitute 5 times, and that allows me to get some much-appreciated boosts to Gallade.
The Utility:
Magnezone@Choice Scarf
Naive
4 Atk/ 252Sp. A/ 252 Spe
Thunderbolt
Hidden Power Fire
Flash Cannon
Explosion
Magnezone is an excellent pair with Gallade, dealing with a lot of what counters Gallade the most- faster Physical Attackers. It's ability to trap the likes of Lucario and Jirachi and kill them with HP Fire is excellent, and it can also deal with Gyarados thanks to STAB Thunderbolt. Magnezone also resists both of Gallade's only two weaknesses, Flying and Ghost, while Gallade resists Fighting and can usually take a Fire-Type attack. Scarf Magnezone ensures I outspeed what I'm trying to take out with it.
The Star:
Gallade@Life Orb
Adamant
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Night Slash
Close Combat
Ice Punch
Psycho Cut
And, the core of this team. Gallade is, in my opinion, a vastly underrated Pokemon. With his great Attack stat and good Special Defense, he can take a few hits and hit back hard. This set is designed for all-out offense, and offers great coverage. Close Combat and Psycho Cut are Gallade's main forms of Attack, offering two excellent STAB Attacks for Gallade. Ice Punch and Night Slash are helpful for taking out Pokemon who could otherwise hurt him, or just coverage in general.
The Other Helper:
Gyarados@Leftovers
Adamant Nature
156 HP/ 72 Atk/ 96 Def/ 184 Spe
Dragon Dance
Taunt
Waterfall
Stone Edge
Gyarados is an excellent paring with both Gallade and Magnezone, being able to clean up whatever is left after Gallade's sweep as well as take Ground Attacks directed at Magnezone. I went with the Bulky Dragon Dance set purely because I needed some bulk in the team to take a few hits.
The Special Tank:
Lanturn@Leftovers
Calm
40 HP/ 76 Def/ 140 Sp. A/ 252 Sp. D
Surf
Thunderbolt
Ice Beam
Heal Bell
I chose Lanturn as my Special Attack taker because I felt it worked well with the team. It has two reliable STAB attacks in the form of Surf and Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam to provide extra coverage. I chose to put Heal Bell on this set so I could have a way to remove annoying Status effects on Gallade and any other Pokemon, allowing them to continue to do their job. It can also take Electric attacks directed at Gyarados.
The Physical Wall:
Hippowdon@Leftovers
Impish
252 HP/ 168 Def/ 88 Sp. D
Earthquake
Slack-Off
Stealth Rock
Stone Edge
I chose Hippowdon as my Physical Wall for two reasons. One, it can set up Stealth Rock, and two, it can take the hits and has a reliable recovery to continue taking hits. Hippowdon's Ground typing is also a warm welcome to the team. Earthquake is there because, well, it's Earthquake, and Stone edge to improve coverage. Slack-Off allows Hippowdon to heal off damage caused, allowing it to continue taking hits.
Well, that's my team. It is a solid team, but it could do a lot better than it has been doing. That is why I ask you, the team raters, to help me with it.