The StormChasers - BW OU

[Chillarmy]

THE STORMCHASERS - REWORKED

The metagame continues to evolve and twist as new threats and DW abilities come into play. First Blaziken, then Garchomp, and now Thundurus and Excadrill have fallen victim to suspect voters and banned to Ubers. Now, what has this done to the metagame? Sandstorm and Rain both took a large hit, and we are on the cusp of a balenced metagame. However, Sand Stream, Drizzle, and Drought will always be a dominant force in OU as long as suspect voters allow it, so I have created and reshaped a team that has adapted to the current metagame and has proven to be both fearsome and frustrating. So without further ado, enter The StormChasers: Reworked.

Spoiler

So, one day I was in bed and couldn't get to sleep, so I set to work on a new pokemon core. I started on Heatran, who has made an appearance on pretty much all of my teams. His weaknesses are Ground, Water and Fighting. Then, I thought of Skarmory, who could take the Ground hits while Heatran supported Skarmory's Fire weakness. Gastrodon rounded off the core, taking Water, Electric, and Fire attacks with ease while having great support with his Grass weakness. So I had my core.

[Skarmory][Gastrodon][Heatran]

However, as I thought on, I realized this core wasn't perfect. Powerful Sandstorm sweepers such as Landorus posed to be a threat, hitting everyone for big damage. Chlorophyll sweepers with proper movesets could blow by these three with Power Whip, Earthquake and HP Fire. Conkeldurr could boost and hit all three with Drain Punch for neutral damage. So, I adapted Gastrodon to deal with Landorus, and chose Gengar to deal with Conkeldurr and serve as a sweeper.

[Skarmory][Gastrodon][Heatran][Gengar]

So now, I needed a way to deal with Chlorophyll sweepers like Tangrowth, Venusaur, and Sawsbuck. Skarmory could take Sawsbuck, but Tangrowth and Venusaur almost always cost me a pokemon, as I had to scout which move fell to their 4 move syndrome. Latias resists or is immune to Grass, Ground, and Fire and can CM up for ibcreased endurability. Latias also has amazing synergy with Heatran and decent syndergy with Skarmory and Gastrodon, making her a great member oif the team.

[Latias][Skarmory][Gastrodon][Heatran][Gengar]

So at this point, I was satisfied with my team. However, I needed another hard sweeper, someone who could back up the core and revenge kill when needed. So I chose Mienshao, and haven't regretted it one bit. His blistering speed and punishing attack have been an invaluable asset to the team.

Mienshao (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Regenerator
EVs: 160 Atk / 96 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Fake Out
- Hi Jump Kick
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn

Mienshao has proven to be the most reliable attacking lead I have used
yet. With base 125 Attack and monstrously powerful move in Hi Jump Kick,
anything bar Ghost types should thinking twice before switching in. He
also has a trolly base 105 Speed, making him able to outspeed Landorus,
Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Salamence, and Gliscor to name a few. He also
makes a great scout with Fake Out and U-Turn.

Fake Out is the obvious choice as a fist move for Mienshao, breaking
sashes and slowly gnawing at the opponents's HP. It also helps to scout
Ghost switch-ins. Hi Jump Kick is the obvious STAB move of choice,
annhilating the likes of Tyranitar and hitting almost everything very very
hard. HP Ice is a neat surprise for Landorus and Gliscor switch-ins hoping
to get a free Swords Dance. U-Turn is to scout for more switch-ins, and it
hits the Lati twins and Reuniclus surprisingly hard.

The EVs and nature may seem slightly odd, but they do make sense. 96 Sp
Att EVs lets me OHKO standard Gliscor every time, guarenteed. I then
maxed out Speed, and put the rest into Attack. I chose a Naive nature
because I needed as much speed as I could, and almost all priority moves
this generation are physical.

Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Dragon Pulse
- Roar

While she seems to be outclassed by her twin, Latios, her ability to tank
almost all special attacks and Recover off the damage is invaluable to my
team. Latias serves the role as my "Sun Blocker" on my team, and she
plays her role extremely well. She can tank any hit from Venusuar (bar
Sludge bomb, and even then she can Recover it off), Tangrowth, Ninetales,
Heatran (bar Dragon Pulse), and Sawsbuck very easily. She also murders
any Steel switch-ins with HP Fire.

Latias' bulk is what makes her a valuable member of my team. However,
her offensive prowess is simply too good to overlook, and even in the
shadow of Latios she shouldn't be overlooked at a hard-hitter. Dragon
Pulse is my main means of attack, hitting everything that isn't a Steel
type very hard. HP Fire rounds off Dragon Pulse for perfect coverage (bar
Heatran), and hits any Ferrothorn, Skarmory, or any other Steel type
looking for a free turn. Calm Mind is what this set rovolves around, making
Latias hit even harder while still increasing her already phenomonal
special bulk to huge heights. Calm Mind is also what keeps other CMers
like Espeon, Virizion, and Reuniclus in their place. Recover is my means of
Recovery, increasing my survivability and making Calm Mind even more
valuable.

Heatran (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Protect

And enter the first member of my core! Heatran's amazing bulk is simply
amazing against pretty much everything. 91/106/106 defenses is
absolutely insane. Heatran is probably one of the most all around bulky
pokemon in OU. While this may not be your standard Specially Defensive
Heatran, he's still very reliable and one of the top members on my team.

The moveset is good ol' Standard Special D Heatran that we've grown to
know and hate. Lava Plume is my only means of offence to keep me from
Taunt bait, and it also often prevails with its 30% burn rate. Pokemon
such as Tyranitar or Toxicroak switching in will not appreciate that burn.
But I will > Toxic really complements Lava Plume, providing a dual
status that stall teams will not appreciate. Also, any Steel types switching
into Toxic won't enjoy a Lava Plume, and vice versa. Stealth Rock is
an amazing move, crippling any sweepers switching in (including
Volcanora, and Dragonite). This gives Gengar, Mienshao, and
Latias an easier time trying to sweep. Protect, while overlooked, is very
valuable. For example, Rotom W switches into Mienshao. I can 2HKO
standard Rotom W with Fake Out and HJK. However, a Scarftom will burn
me before I can attack, leaving Mienshao useless for the rest of the
match. However, I can switch Heatran into the inevitable WoW and Protect
next turn to scout for the Hydro Pump. However, I am up for suggestions
to change this moveslot (Maybe Earth Power? Or Roar?).

Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 224 HP / 252 Def / 32 Spd
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Spikes
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- Taunt

Skarmory is the second member of my core. I use the underrated Special D
TauntSkarm, however, and he has proven me to be superior to Brave Bird
Skarm. He really shuts down stall with Taunt, stopping pokemon like
Ferrothorn and Blissey in their tracks. He also provides phazing, which is
invaluable against boosting sweepers like Terrakion and Scrafty.

This is fairly standard Skarmory, with a moveset we all know and love.
Spikes is the standard on Skarmory, and really helps against sweepers like
Terrakion and Venusaur that are trying to switch in. Roost is my instant
recovery move, which helps Skarmory stay alive longer. Whirlwind is a
great way to rack up passive damage, with both Stealth Rock and Spikes
on my team. And finally, there's Taunt to shut down the likes of Blissey,
Jellicent and Ferrothorn. Skarmory is fairly self-explanatory.

Gastrodon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Toxic
- Recover

Gastrodon is the newest trend in today's metagame, and rightfully so. He
can completely wall Rotom W, most varients of Heatran, most vaients of
Thundurus, and Tyranitar. And with the buffing up of Storm Drain, he plays
a valuable roll on my team as a water absorber. He is the third member of
my core, and his surprising bulk and great ability is very valuable to my
team.

I have often questioned this moveset, and I am open to suggestions. Scald
is my main means of attack, and the burn rate is very handy against
pokemon like Excadrill, Tyranitar, and Sawsbuck switching in. The next
moveslot is up for grabs. Ice Beam hits Grass types and Dragon types
switching in, while Earth Power hits Heatran and Jirachi.
Stockpile is further increasing Gastrodon's defences, increasing
his potential to wall the likes of Excadrill and Landorus. Recover is my way
of recovering... obviously, and it is very helpful because Gastrodon will
often be taking a burn from Rotom W or Heatran, and he needs to switch
into attacks as much as possible.

I ran a physically defensive EV spread. The reason for this is so that I can
take more hits from Sandstorm sweepers.

Gengar (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Substitute
- Disable
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast

Gengar is the final member of my team, and he helps me against the likes
of Virizion and Conkeldurr. SubDisable Gengar makes his return from the
days of Advance, and he has proven to be very effective. Most boosting
sweepers can only hit Gengar with one of their attacks, and since Gengar
has 3 immunities, that's going be be a lot of the time. He also takes up
the role of a late game sweeper if Mienshao is down.

I run completely standard SubDisable Gengar, who doesn't require much explaination.
I Substitute on the opponent's prime attack, and Disable it. Then, I Sub again, and hit
hard with my perfect coverage of Shadow Ball and Focus Blast. Gengar is very self
explanatory...

The EVs and nature are also standard. Max speed, max special attack, And the last 4 in HP. Very simple.

 

[King Arceus]

Calm Mind is also what keeps other CMers like Espeon, Virizion, and Reuniclus in their place

If Reuniclus is running Psyshock, which I think it would, you can't wall it with Latias because it uses your Defense instead of Special Defense while still using its own Special Attack. Speaking of Latias, it appears to not be using full EVs. I think you mistyped the EVs rather than not have 508 of them.

I ran a physically defensive EV spread. The reason for this is so that I can take more hits from Sandstorm sweepers. I may consider running a specially defensive varient if Thundurus doesn't get banned.

I'd actually recommend keeping it as physically bullky since your team has more specially bulk Pokemon. By changing it, you may have more of an issue with physical sweepers.

Thundurus seems to be the only Pokemon your team would appear to have problems with, but I can't really find a way to fix it.

 

[Shadow Scyther]

I love this team. This is a perfect anti weather team. Gastrodon really helps against rain teams (beware of Politoeds HP Grass ). I would go with Toxic over Stockpile because even with few boosts Virizion and Ferrothorn will KO you and it is your only way to damage Rotom-W. Also I would go with Earth Power and Ice Beam (no Scald) but everybody has their own opinion on the choice of the attacks on Gastrodon. Latios and Heatran are good against sun. I like the specially defensive set on Heatran and the Calm Mind Latias. Only change I could see is Substitute over HP Fire or maybe even Roar if you have problems with Reuniclus. Skarmory is your answer to sand sweepers. IMHO You should run 252 def Impish set (I don't see the point in running Jolly, maybe you meant Careful). Nothing wrong with Mienshao. It is a great pokemon who provides you with lots of free hits. I would replace Gengar for bluffchoice Hydreigon so your team is completely anti metagame. It destroys the popular Jirachi, Rotom-W, Gliscor core and doesn't fear getting tricked by Rotom like Gastrodon.

Hydreigon@Modest(Timid doesn't let you outspeed anything important, Haxorus runs Adamant and you are still faster than Celebi or Jirachi)
Trait:Levitate
4HP/252sp.atk/252spe
Modest
-Focus Blast
-Dark Pulse
-Flamethrower/Fire Blast
-Draco Meteor

 

[Chillarmy]

Thank you both for the rates.

If Reuniclus is running Psyshock, which I think it would, you can't wall it with Latias because it uses your Defense instead of Special Defense while still using its own Special Attack. Speaking of Latias, it appears to not be using full EVs. I think you mistyped the EVs rather than not have 508 of them.

I hadn't thought of that, and I have recently been hit by Psycho Shock ofr the KO. I am currently testing Roar over HP Fire on Latias.

I'd actually recommend keeping it as physically bullky since your team has more specially bulk Pokemon. By changing it, you may have more of an issue with physical sweepers.

Yes, the more I play physically defensive Gastrodon the more I love it. And when Thundurus is banned, I will have no regrets.

Thanks S_S

I would go with Toxic over Stockpile because even with few boosts Virizion and Ferrothorn will KO you and it is your only way to damage Rotom-W.

I have been testing both Toxic and Stockpile, and I now agree with you that Toxic is superior.

The Skarm was a mistype

Hydreigon@Modest(Timid doesn't let you outspeed anything important, Haxorus runs Adamant and you are still faster than Celebi or Jirachi)
Trait:Levitate
4HP/252sp.atk/252spe
Modest
-Focus Blast
-Dark Pulse
-Flamethrower/Fire Blast
-Draco Meteor

Hmmmm, very interesting set. I think I'll try it

 

[Elk-Dimension]

On the thing for Latias you mention how well it walls Heatran, but I thought I'd point out that Specially Defensive Heatran walls you back and can Toxic or Roar you out. I know the point is mostly moot since Gastro, Mienshao, and Gengar can all probably beat Heatran, but I thought it was something to know.
Great team, very anti weather! But what do you do about Excadrill with X-Scissor if Skarm is killed by a Magnezone earlier in the match? For that reason I suggest using Shed Shell on Skarm, just to make sure you never lose a member of your core due to the occasional Magnezone.

 

[Shadow Scyther]

Forgot to put Expert Belt as an item for Hydreigon -.-"

 

[Chillarmy]

@6-D: That sounds like a valid option, although I'm a little shaky to let go of the Leftovers recovery. I'll test it.

@S_S: I'm thinking if I put Hydreigon in for Gengar, I'd get murdered by Conkeldurr with Mach punch. So for now, Gengar stays in.

 

[Shadow Scyther]

That is why I suggest running a 252hp/252def Impish Skarmory so you could phaze Conkledurr or damage it with Brave Bird (if you decide to run Brave Bird over Taunt) bur your choice. Also Latios handles it nicely if you run Roar on it.

 

[Professor Palutena]

I would try Taunt SD Gliscor over Skarmory. When I tried something like this, I really preferred Gliscor instead of Skarmory. Right now, nothing on the team can handle Excadrill; Skarmory can just pop its balloon. Gliscor also handles sand threats better, in my opinion, only fearing Ice Beam from Tyranitar. Skarmory, however, can be hit hard by Earthquake on the turn it roosts, and it also dies to Flamethrower.

 

[Chillarmy]

@S_S: yeah, I think Hydreigon would leave me too open to Conkeldurr. Thanks for the suggestion though ^_^

@Bippa: That is an interesting idea. I wouldn't like losing the Dark, Ghost, and Grass resist, but I may be able to work around it. I'll test it out. Thanks Bippa

 

[Chillarmy]

BUMP. Gliscor has been a good addition. He is still up in the air with Skarmory tough. I've been having problems with Rain Dish Tentacruel and Jellicent. Rain Stall in general is a nightmare to face. Any ideas?

 

[Guts]

If you're having problems with Rain Stall, there aren't many counters to choose from. Perhaps running Psyshock over HP fire on Latias would be a good idea, since you get Dual STAB and an offensive option on Tentacruel and Blissey, who are Rain stall staples. Gliscor over Skarm is really just a choice of taste, although Gliscor makes for a more versatile option in weather battles. Hope I could help, please keep it up!