"Goliath Buffet": Gen 4 OU Para+Offense by togaquest 
Hey everyone. This was a team I created that differs from the norm, but managed to stay on top of the Gen 4 leaderboard for much of June 2020. Even though I managed to accomplish that feat, this team definitely has big flaws and I tend to play this team instinctively/suicidally against teams I match up badly against. Anyway, a main strategy of this team is Para-Spam to overwhelming with powerful bulky strikers. I know that the strategy tends to be frowned upon, but it is legal in the metagame, so why not try to abuse it? Overall, I consider this team a bit of a gimmick, but it managing to reach #1 on the leaderboard is a testament to its effectiveness (or perhaps my instinctive playing). From my experience, this team matches-up well against offensive teams and if you stick to your resistances and counters you should do fine, but requires prediction and some luck with the RNG against stall teams. The name "Goliath Buffet" comes from the visual of my slow but powerful Pokemon feasting upon the other team once battered and weakened.
#1 Proof :
Well here we go!
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock
Description: Swampert is my lead that I go to because of its reliability. In most situations, I can get SR up and get some damage off to opposing leads. I generally like to preserve Swampert because it is useful late-game when paralysis is spread on Pokemon, since its combination of natural bulk + attack investment + Torrent lets it dish out a lot of problems to opposing Pokemon. Overall Swampert is an incredibly balanced and reliable Pokemon.
Slowbro @ Leftovers
Ability: Own Tempo
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 3 Atk / 30 SpA
- Slack Off
- Surf
- Thunder Wave
- Hidden Power [Electric]
Description: I have had so much success with Slowbro that I don't understand why it isn't OU. Sure he is vulnerable to popular Pokemon like Tyranitar and Scizor, but to most other physically based mons he feels indestructible. Slowbro is a solid counter to common Pokemon like Machamp, Gyarados, and others. It brings a sense of safety to the team and helps with the goal of spreading paralysis. Early in the match, when Slowbro is in good health, I like to take the U-Turn from Scizor and para the incoming Pokemon, or sometimes take the attack from Ttar and para, since Slowbro is bulky enough to survive those super-effective attacks and get a chance to Slack Off. He also has good synergy with Snorlax in that he attracts Rotom and Gengar which can be easily Pursuited if they're choiced. Edit: Replacing Slowbro with Defensive Starmie is a great option, however Slowbro is bulkier and a perfect counter to opposing Machamp which Starmie is not, but Starmie does offer Rapid Spin support.
Jirachi @ Leftovers
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Iron Head
- Wish
- Thunder Wave
- Substitute
Description: In my opinion, Jirachi is one of the best Pokemon in Gen 4 OU, maybe even slightly broken. I just wanted a Jirachi as physically defensive as possible. This thing is a sponge for Outrages and Draco Meteors. I honestly did not look too deeply into EVs (perhaps I should be running a specific amount of Speed EVs, but was just too lazy to think it through or look it up). As everyone knows, Jirachi is incredibly abusive with T-Wave + Iron Head, add this on top of a Sub, and the frustration goes through the roof. Wish is also useful, because I can pass it to weakened teammates like Snorlax, Machamp, and Swampert to give them a second wind lategame. Edit: I was just thinking Body Slam over T-Wave could help greatly against Mixgons (maybe even Ice Punch over Wish could be a good option)
Snorlax @ Choice Band
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Body Slam
- Pursuit
- Superpower
- Earthquake
Description: I like this Snorlax because it tends to catch opponents off guard. Opponents switching into a Band Body Slam without realizing it tend to take massive damage (getting a para is the cherry-on-top), for example Breloom, Flygon, or Gliscor switching in. Snorlax is useful in particular because of its ability to switch in and Pursuit Ghost types, which opens up Machamp's Dynamic Punch and his own Body Slam later on down the line. A lot of players don't expect Snorlax to be running Pursuit, so they tend to switch out. Although a bit of a gimmick tactic, many players immediately consider Snorlax to be a Sleep-Talk variant, so even if they are running Wisp Rotom, they often switch out and eat a Pursuit. Edit: Now that I'm thinking of it, Self-Destruct could be a good option to add over like Superpower to provide insurance against CroCune/Skarmory (it will nearly KO even fully physically invested Skarm) as well as to just KO someone and give a switch in for Machamp late game. Edit: Actually nvm, Self-Destruct isn't compatible with Pursuit. Edit: Replacing Snorlax with the Ttar set below in the thread seems to work better.
Latias (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe
- Thunder Wave
- Dragon Pulse
- Recover
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Description: Latias fills certain defensive holes such as Breloom and Infernape. I went for a heavy physical defensive investment because of this, also it gives an easier time against Tyranitars. In combination with her naturally high Sp. Def, she makes a fantastic mixed wall. First three moves are self-explanatory, HP fire is for Breloom, as well as KO-ing unsuspecting Scizors. I initially had a Dragonite in this position, but found the SR weakness to be too big of a hindrance.
Machamp @ Custap Berry
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Dynamic Punch
- Stone Edge
- Ice Punch
- Payback
Description: The last Pokemon is Machamp. I generally play Machamp late-game when the other team is paralyzed and weakened. This is a juggernaut of a Pokemon who can always get at least one Dynamic Punch out due to its bulk. The Custap Berry has also saved me multiple times, and is a crux that can also be used to feign a Choice item. It is always fun to keep opponents guessing between Payback and Dynamic Punch. Now that I am thinking of it, Lum Berry could possibly be a good alternative, since it would help against Wisp Rotoms, which are annoying for this team. Edit: Another good idea could be a Choice Band, since the Payback predict could KO defensive Rotom's outright, and the power-up on D-Punch would help apply more pressure against Suicune and Skarmory. (I just tested with a Choice Band, and ironically a Custap would've won me the game here (It was a good match though): https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1923993731-9dgespzhudln11xr6ej3bsmeetzgv7fpw) Overall Machamp is a very dangerous and frustrating Pokemon to deal with. I feel I have provided a good environment for Machamp to perform well in.
Some other matches (Note I started using Ttar over Lax, as well as CB on Champ):
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1924295533-q3tfvmhdo962j4qu2zxtr0b9a7c3iobpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1924309483-u9u4jsv3g0cp9y80cu4uilql25oqqwapw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1924317089-f95j88hqjgxax7sab7qpdnr6urx3pjfpw
Guy got lucky at the end - https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1924324662-ffed9ciqklqxtg4hf7wi3vh0jhydldwpw
Good Payback predict - https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1924398890-mdzirq71wd9t404ms328mtqzq8fg0smpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1924420792-44h2n95j8abiqmpp5rjzhh0fu1l362apw\
Got super lucky - https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1924437098-uxweo0iozvlkybc4e58jt7mpi0wrmj3pw
Good 6-0 to break into 1600s - https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen4ou-1924445316-qnyadw4ce3agstv3m6in6vbejvwaf3ypw
Team Type Resistance Coverage:
Threat List:
The main threat to this team is Toxic Spikes, and entry hazards in general. Spikes pretty much eats this team alive. I also have no spinner or Poison type to absorb the entry hazards. Once I see the opponent is entry hazard oriented, I need to play more aggressively, unorthodox, and guerrilla-like. Even though the opponent would have a large advantage in this situation, winning is still possible. I cannot think of a Pokemon that I could add to the team without opening other holes, as well as moving away from the central theme of the team. Overall, I consider this team to be quite gimmicky, because it abuses hax (although it does so strategically) as well as its glaring weakness to entry hazards.
The next threat is defensive Rotom since it can burn my Pokemon and Rest off damage and status. It's best to paralyze it, then Iron Head or Waterfall it for some flinches. Another method is to predict its switch in with Machamp's Payback, which will nearly kill it. Overall defensive Rotoms can be incredibly annoying for this team to deal with. Now that I'm thinking of it, Lum on Machamp could help a lot versus these Rotoms and may be more worth it than Custap.
The next threat is Skarmory because of Spikes + Whirlwind. The best bet is paralyze it early, then threaten it with Latias/Slowbro. Another good option is D-Punch it with Machamp once it is para'd and hopefully get lucky with the RNG (or even not para'd because it can D-Punch on a Roost for super effective damage, just gotta watch out for BBs).
The last threat I can think of is Suicune, spefically CroCune as it is really bulky and can cure para. Best bet is to quickly paralyze and confuse it and try to kill with Machamp's D-Punch and SE. Keep it mind that Pressure quickly drains those moves though. Snorlax's Body Slam can also work against Suicune if it isn't too boosted.
Edit; I also realized Mixgon is quite dangerous to this team. Ah well no team's perfect.
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