Without Warning | Mega-Gyarados + Zapdos Bulky Offense
Introduction
"After 7 years of competitive Pokemon battling, I've finally realized that I am no good at it. So instead of grinding hours away on the Pokemon Showdown website ladder to only peak in the 1600s, I've decided to create teams for people, who can more effectively use the team, to use. (And, I find building a team more enjoyable than getting beaten again on the ladder)"
With Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon coming out within a week, I feel the need to give Pokemon Sun and Moon a parting gift as we prepare to receive the new game (and with it a new metagame). While watching Blunder and Pokeaim videos, I realized that the metagame was considerably weak to Mega Gyarados. With the decrease of usage of Tangrowth and Toxapex, Gyarados may have a chance to shine.
I've always thought of Gyarados as a cool mon, and with the anime episode where Misty's Gyarados Mega evolved, I knew I needed to make a team. Flyinium Z Gyarados is quite prevalent because of its dual Water-Flying STAB that allows it to take down Landorus-Therian and Tangrowth, but Mega Gyarados is getting no love. (Ever since the release of Mega Gyarados, people have been disappointed with its speed and its typing.) But now, I think Mega Gyarados can rise.
Here are some preferences when I team build,
"1. Bulky Offense - I really like the Bulky Offense archetype (my two other RMT teams are also Bulky Offense), because I'm not good enough to play with Hyper Offense, Balance is too bland for me, Stall is a no go.
2. Volt Turn - The team needs to have at least 2 volt turners to keep up offensive momentum and pressure
3. Aesthetic - I always need my team to look nice at team preview, no ugly or discolored Pokemon. So I usually use standard Pokemon, like Landorus or any of the Tapus.
4. Standard - I think my builds are too standard and predictable, so if y'all can help me with a hidden tech that would be greatly appreciated."
Squadron
nightmare (Gyarados-Mega) @ Gyaradosite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 60 SpD / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Ice Fang
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
Gyarados can either serve as an early game breaker or more often as a late game sweeper. Its excellent bulk and typing allows it to set up on common Pokemon, and survive revenge killers. Crunch for Dark STAB, Ice Fang over Waterfall because of the presence of Keldeo and the ability to destroy Grass types, and Earthquake for Electric types. Dragon Dance for set-up.
ric flair drip (Zapdos) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Defog
Defensive Zapdos forms a potent core with Gyarados. It pressures the Grass and Water types that give Gyarados trouble. Discharge for Electric STAB and the juicy 30% paralysis chance, Heat Wave for Ferrothorn and pressuring Grass types. Roost for recovery, and Defog to get rid of Stealth Rocks for Gyarados.
mad stalkers (Tapu Bulu) @ Fightinium Z
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Horn Leech
- Superpower
- Stone Edge
Z Move Tapu Bulu also pressures the Grass and Steel types that Gyarados has problems with. With the combination of Swords Dance and Z-Move Superpower (All-Out Pummeling), Bulu is able to weaken common walls such as Tangrowth and Skarmory, for a late game Gyarados Sweep. Horn Leech for Grass STAB against Water types, Stone Edge for Charizard and other Flying types.
rap saved me (Heatran) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 220 SpD / 40 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Lava Plume
- Flash Cannon
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
Sp Def Heatran works well in conjunction with Grassy Terrain and Tapu Bulu. Heatran provides Stealth Rocks, and hurts Stall with Taunt. It also patches the fairy (Tapu Lele) weakness, and rounds out the Fire-Water-Grass core with Gyarados and Bulu. Lava Plume and Flash Cannon for STAB.
ghostface killers (Zygarde) @ Choice Band
Ability: Aura Break
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Thousand Arrows
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Toxic
Choice Band Zygarde is used also as an early game wallbreaker to kill Toxapex and weaken Grass types to allow Gyarados to sweep. Also, Zygarde rounds out a Dragon-Fairy-Steel core. Thousand Arrows for a powerful no drawback STAB, Extreme Speed for priority, Outrage for a last ditch Dragon STAB. Toxic to weaken Tangrowth with residual damage.
disrespectful (Keldeo-Resolute) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Hidden Power [Poison]
The team was overall really slow, so a Scarfer was necessary. I've always used Keldeo as a late game cleaner. If Gyarados is unable to sweep, Keldeo is able to clean after all the opposing mons that resist water are weakened. Scald and Secret Sword for a no drawback STAB, Hydro Pump for a stronger STAB. HP Poison for the Tapu Bulu switch in.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my team is a bulky offense built around Mega Gyarados's ability to sweep. Every member of the team form defensive cores around each other. Tapu Bulu and Zygarde pressure Grass types so that Gyarados can win. (And if Gyarados doesn't, Keldeo can clean.)
I have tested this team on the ladder at around 1600, and I can win against certain teams. However, I think the team is too slow, and too weak to common threats.
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"And form of help on this team is appreciated. I'm not going to be the one to use this team, it's more for the community."
Importable: http://pokepast.es/7d9093f582d23dfb