Okay, so this is the hail-stall team I've been using for the last two rounds that has worked extremely well for me. Peaking at #1 last round (1456) and peaked at 1412 (forget the ranking) this round, as well as getting two of my alts above 1350 this round too. This is probably the most succesful UU team I've ever made in my opinion lol... The team is built around setting up hail, Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Toxic Spikes, whittling down the foe's HP, and the use of SubStalling. However, this team is gettling a little 'old' so I decided to post it and see if anyone had any opinions/changes to make it better. Especially changes to better handle the threats I list at the bottom.
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Team Building Process
Abomasnow: Every hail team needs either Abomasnow or Snover, and since Abomanow is allowed in UU this gen he's the obvious choice. His SubSeed set looked the most appealing to me and it also helps in stalling so I picked that set.
Nidoqueen: Every hail team needs something to set up Toxic Spikes, Nidoqueen was the perfect choice for this. She has access to Stealth Rock, has amazing physical bulk my team greatly needs, and is a Poison-type. Which allows her to absorb Toxic Spikes on my side that destroy my team and a Fighting-type resist which my team gravely needs, especially Pokemon like Heracross.
Hitmontop: Every hail team needs a rapid spinner and Hitmontop is my favorite out of all of them in UU. He has great physical bulk, Intimidate, a strong STAB in Close Combat that allows me to hit Steel-types who give this team trouble hard, and has access to Foresight which guarantees me to pull off a Rapid Spin.
Walrein: I love Walrein, so cute. Yes, that is my only reason other than it being an incredible staller and having much needed special bulk to the team. ^_^
Victini: I needed something with Speed and power to revenge kill certain threats. Victini was perfect for this and it hits extremely hard with V-Create. It is also one of my favorite UU Pokemon. :D
Kyurem: The last spot belonged to Kyurem, but he got the much needed banhammer and was replaced. His sheer power and bulk is missed though. :(
Froslass: Although it was hard to replace Kyurem, the next best thing was Froslass. She provided the team with a much needed Ghost-typing, great Speed, and access to Taunt and Spikes, two very helpful moves for this team.
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In Depth View
The Snow Summoner
@ Leftovers
Abomasnow
Nature: Calm
EVs: 192 HP / 60 Defense / 52 Special Defense / 204 Speed
Moveset: Blizzard / Leech Seed / Substitute / Grass Knot
Details: EVs and nature provide Abomasnow with 'magic HP number', bulk, especially some special bulk, and the Speed EVs allow him to outspeed all bulky waters (the fastest being Suicune) provided they don't invest (heavily) into Speed. Also, None of the bulky waters can break his substitutes with Scald, Surf, or Ice Beam provided they have no boosts. The moveset allows me to stall out the foe with Substitute while gaining back HP with Leech Seed. Grass Knot is to hit bulky Water-types who give this team trouble such as Suicune and Milotic, while Blizzard is for a powerful STAB. Abomasnow is my primary check to bulky waters and Electric-type Pokemon like Jolteon and Aura Sphere-less Raikou and of course sets up hail to support Froslass and Walrein.
Abomasnow
Nature: Calm
EVs: 192 HP / 60 Defense / 52 Special Defense / 204 Speed
Moveset: Blizzard / Leech Seed / Substitute / Grass Knot
Details: EVs and nature provide Abomasnow with 'magic HP number', bulk, especially some special bulk, and the Speed EVs allow him to outspeed all bulky waters (the fastest being Suicune) provided they don't invest (heavily) into Speed. Also, None of the bulky waters can break his substitutes with Scald, Surf, or Ice Beam provided they have no boosts. The moveset allows me to stall out the foe with Substitute while gaining back HP with Leech Seed. Grass Knot is to hit bulky Water-types who give this team trouble such as Suicune and Milotic, while Blizzard is for a powerful STAB. Abomasnow is my primary check to bulky waters and Electric-type Pokemon like Jolteon and Aura Sphere-less Raikou and of course sets up hail to support Froslass and Walrein.
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The Toxic Spiker
@ Leftovers
Nidoqueen
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Special Defense
Ability: Poison Point
Moveset: Earth Power / Toxic Spikes / Stealth Rock / Blizzard
Details: The EVs and nature provide Nidoqueen with as much physical bulk as possible. Nidoqueen is my team's much needed Fighting- and Rock-type resist that would otherwise wipe out this team. She also provides the team with much needed Toxic Spike support which allows me to deal with bulky waters that are an extreme nuisance to this team. Earth Power for STAB and Blizzard to hit Pokemon like Staraptor, Donphan, and Zapdos super effectively.
Nidoqueen
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Special Defense
Ability: Poison Point
Moveset: Earth Power / Toxic Spikes / Stealth Rock / Blizzard
Details: The EVs and nature provide Nidoqueen with as much physical bulk as possible. Nidoqueen is my team's much needed Fighting- and Rock-type resist that would otherwise wipe out this team. She also provides the team with much needed Toxic Spike support which allows me to deal with bulky waters that are an extreme nuisance to this team. Earth Power for STAB and Blizzard to hit Pokemon like Staraptor, Donphan, and Zapdos super effectively.
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The Spinner
@ Leftovers
Hitmontop
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Special Defense
Ability: Intimidate
Moveset: Close Combat / Sucker Punch / Rapid Spin / Foresight
Details: EVs and nature provide Hitmontop with as much physical bulk as possible which allows him to spin against threats like Donphan and Rhyperior. Hitmontop is an extremely important part of this team, without him Stealth Rock chips off 25% of 4 other teammates. Close Combat for Steel-types like Empoleon and Registeel who give this team a lot of trouble, especially Empoleon and Foresight guarantees a Rapid Spin. Hitmontop is my check to a lot of physical Pokemon like Flygon, Rhyperior, Cobalion, and Snorlax to name a few.
Hitmontop
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Special Defense
Ability: Intimidate
Moveset: Close Combat / Sucker Punch / Rapid Spin / Foresight
Details: EVs and nature provide Hitmontop with as much physical bulk as possible which allows him to spin against threats like Donphan and Rhyperior. Hitmontop is an extremely important part of this team, without him Stealth Rock chips off 25% of 4 other teammates. Close Combat for Steel-types like Empoleon and Registeel who give this team a lot of trouble, especially Empoleon and Foresight guarantees a Rapid Spin. Hitmontop is my check to a lot of physical Pokemon like Flygon, Rhyperior, Cobalion, and Snorlax to name a few.
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I Don't Die <3
@ Leftovers
Walrein
Nature: Calm
EVs: 220 HP / 36 Defense / 244 Special Defense / 8 Speed
Ability: Ice Body
Moveset: Blizzard / Substitute / Protect / Roar
Details: EVs and nature provide Walrein a leftovers number, as much special bulk as possible, and the 8 Speed EVs are kind of random, I just put them there to outspeed other Walreins... Anyways, Walrein provides the team with much needed special bulk support and is the best Pokemon on this team at stalling the foe out. Substitute and Protect allow Walrein to lose no HP from using Substitute and Roar is for set up Pokemon like Snorlax, Suicune, Kingdra, and to just shuffle through and cause damage to the opponent's team. Walrein can take hits extremely well especilly from the special side which is very needed on this team. She can survive pretty much every special attack out there as long as it isn't STABed and backed up by any boosts (LO Zapdos Thunderbolt fails to KO at full HP, although it does do like 80-90%...)
Walrein
Nature: Calm
EVs: 220 HP / 36 Defense / 244 Special Defense / 8 Speed
Ability: Ice Body
Moveset: Blizzard / Substitute / Protect / Roar
Details: EVs and nature provide Walrein a leftovers number, as much special bulk as possible, and the 8 Speed EVs are kind of random, I just put them there to outspeed other Walreins... Anyways, Walrein provides the team with much needed special bulk support and is the best Pokemon on this team at stalling the foe out. Substitute and Protect allow Walrein to lose no HP from using Substitute and Roar is for set up Pokemon like Snorlax, Suicune, Kingdra, and to just shuffle through and cause damage to the opponent's team. Walrein can take hits extremely well especilly from the special side which is very needed on this team. She can survive pretty much every special attack out there as long as it isn't STABed and backed up by any boosts (LO Zapdos Thunderbolt fails to KO at full HP, although it does do like 80-90%...)
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The ReVenge Killer
@ Choice Scarf
Victini
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Defense / 252 Speed
Moveset: V-Create / Zen Headbutt / U-Turn / Wild Bolt
Details: With a Choice Scarf, Victini basically outspeeds the whole tier provided they don't have base 100 Speed at +1 / Choice Scarf. Victini revenge kills so many threats to this team including Mismagius, Roserade, Raikou, Zapdos, Staraptor, Celebi, Durant, Cobalion, Zoroark, Mew, Froslass, Venomoth, and Heracross just to name a few. OHKOing all of them (provided not heavily invested into bulk.) Victini also provides the team with another Pokemon to combat against Steel-type Pokemon who of course give this team trouble. U-Turn and V-Create are really the only moves I use, U-Turn allows Victini to scout and V-Create just has sheer power behind it Zen Headbutt is reliable Psychic STAB to hit Pokemon like Hitmontop and Heracross. Wild Charge hits bulky waters, but I rarely even use the move anyways.
Victini
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Attack / 4 Defense / 252 Speed
Moveset: V-Create / Zen Headbutt / U-Turn / Wild Bolt
Details: With a Choice Scarf, Victini basically outspeeds the whole tier provided they don't have base 100 Speed at +1 / Choice Scarf. Victini revenge kills so many threats to this team including Mismagius, Roserade, Raikou, Zapdos, Staraptor, Celebi, Durant, Cobalion, Zoroark, Mew, Froslass, Venomoth, and Heracross just to name a few. OHKOing all of them (provided not heavily invested into bulk.) Victini also provides the team with another Pokemon to combat against Steel-type Pokemon who of course give this team trouble. U-Turn and V-Create are really the only moves I use, U-Turn allows Victini to scout and V-Create just has sheer power behind it Zen Headbutt is reliable Psychic STAB to hit Pokemon like Hitmontop and Heracross. Wild Charge hits bulky waters, but I rarely even use the move anyways.
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The Spin Blocker
@ Leftovers
Froslass
Nature: Timid
EVs: 224 HP / 108 Defense / 176 Speed
Moveset: Blizzard / Taunt / Substitute / Spikes
Details: The EVs and nature give Froslass some bulk, a 'magic HP number', enough Speed to outspeed base 100 Pokemon, and the rest was dumped into Defense. Froslass' Ghost-typing provides the team with a much needed Rapid Spin blocker. Taunt is an extremely valuable move to this team. Not only does it prevent the foe from setting up hazards of their own, but more importanly stops set up SleepTalkers from beating my team. Pokemon like Milotic, Snorlax, and Suicune all wall this team with Rest, however if I have Toxic Spikes up I can Taunt them from resting and keep substituting until they faint or miss. With Substitute and Taunt it also completely walls Chansey and prevents it from Heal Bell / Wish passing. Froslass can easily set up three layers of Spikes with Snow Cloak and Substitute. Blizzard is to hit Pokemon like Celebi and Zapdos.
Froslass
Nature: Timid
EVs: 224 HP / 108 Defense / 176 Speed
Moveset: Blizzard / Taunt / Substitute / Spikes
Details: The EVs and nature give Froslass some bulk, a 'magic HP number', enough Speed to outspeed base 100 Pokemon, and the rest was dumped into Defense. Froslass' Ghost-typing provides the team with a much needed Rapid Spin blocker. Taunt is an extremely valuable move to this team. Not only does it prevent the foe from setting up hazards of their own, but more importanly stops set up SleepTalkers from beating my team. Pokemon like Milotic, Snorlax, and Suicune all wall this team with Rest, however if I have Toxic Spikes up I can Taunt them from resting and keep substituting until they faint or miss. With Substitute and Taunt it also completely walls Chansey and prevents it from Heal Bell / Wish passing. Froslass can easily set up three layers of Spikes with Snow Cloak and Substitute. Blizzard is to hit Pokemon like Celebi and Zapdos.
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Team Threats
I'm feeling a little lazy right now and don't feel like typing up an entire list of all the Pokemon and how they're handled, so I'll just point out the Pokemon who are a great inconvienence / threat to this team... Any opinions on what Pokemon would help combat against these threats would be extremely appreciated.
I'm feeling a little lazy right now and don't feel like typing up an entire list of all the Pokemon and how they're handled, so I'll just point out the Pokemon who are a great inconvienence / threat to this team... Any opinions on what Pokemon would help combat against these threats would be extremely appreciated.
Blastoise: Resists Blizzard and has Rapid Spin... He almost guarantees to get a Rapid Spin agaisnt my team since I can't do anything back. Walrein doesn't outspeed him so Walrein can potentially be Toxiced / Roared out, Froslass can Taunt it, but is helpless other than that, and Abomasnow can SubSeed on it unless it carries Roar and can do some damage with Grass Knot, but not a lot.. Rest versions are extremely difficult to KO... The only hope I have agaisnt Blastoise is if I already have Toxic Spikes up and can Taunt / Substitute stall it with Froslass.
Empoleon: This Pokemon is extremely annoying to this team. 4x resists Blizzard, Scald burns me everytime, and Stealth Rock and Roar shuffle through and cause 25% to 4/6ths of my Pokemon... The only thing I can do back is Taunt it with Froslass which stops it from using Stealth Rock and Roar, but Froslass is still helpless against it. Abomasnow can Leech Seed it, but other than that it can't do much damage with Grass Knot. Walrein is luckily faster and can Roar Empoleon out, but like the other two is helpless other than that. Victini can do about 70-75% with V-Create, but is then OHKOed by Scald. Hitmontop doesn't even OHKO with Close Combat and from my experience is burned each time... >_<
Staraptor: Choice Scarf variants either OHKO/2HKO my whole team, so I can't switch into it at all. The only Pokemon who can KO it without being outspeed (still a speed tie if both are Jolly) is Victini who can OHKO with V-Create. However, if Victini isn't out I have to sacrifice something, I usually sacrifice Nidoqueen who can take two hits from Choice Scarf versions. This usually wears it down to 20-30% sometimes KOing itself if Poison Point activiates. If one of my Pokemon have a Substitute up I can stall it out with its recoil damage or just hit it with a STAB Blizzard.
Victini: Just like Staraptor it OHKO/2HKOes my whole team and it resists Blizzard. Choice Scarf variants also outspeed my whole team and can hit them with V-Create. Same as Staraptor again, I have to wear it down with Stealth Rock, Toxic Spikes, and hail damage. If my Pokemon have Substitutes up I can stall it out until its slower than me or make it run out of V-Create PP. Hitmontop can hit it with a super effective Sucker Punch as well which does around 40-50% at -1. Other than that it's a serious threat to my team
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