Battle Spot BSS Slow Offense - Leroy Davis

[Leroy Davis]

Slower Offense

Introduction​

Hi, thanks for checking out this Generation 7 Battle Spot Singles (BSS) team. This is a team I’ve used for several weeks and have got 1550+ on the [gen7battlespotsingles] ladder on a couple of accounts on pokemonshowdown. This team was inspired by a team I saw Lance ‘7th Gen Battle Spot’ on YouTube battle on his May 26, 2018 video.

It is a quite slow team, quite offensive I feel like, with a couple of Toxic’rs on the team.

In-Depth​

Zapdos @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Moves: Thunderbolt | Heat Wave | Toxic | Roost

Zapdos has such a great typing to resist quite a few STAB’s in the BSS metagame (Lucario, Kartana, Landorus-T to name a few). I needed a physical wall, and immunity to paralysis is nice (although not as common as in Gen6), and Rocky Helmet chip damage helps quite a bit, as this Zapdos rarely OHKO’s anything that isn’t 4x weak. This was mainly put on the team to help against Gyarados and Salamence, and to somewhat help deal with rain teams.

Seems like it’s always an internal debate, Heat Wave or Hidden Power Ice. I went to for Heat Wave because Tyranitar brings Ice Punch, and to deal with Kartana (huge threat to team) and Ferrothorn. Pressure over Static as due to Toxic.

The spread is nothing special. Sometimes I think about adding a little speed to outspeed positive base 70’s. I feel I bring Zapdos in more than 50% of the games, probably #1 election rate. Rarely a lead as I count on Zapdos to be able to take a hit on a switch-in (hopefully after getting a KO) and Roost off the damage.

Tyranitar-Mega @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream / Sand Stream
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves: Stone Edge | Crunch | Ice Punch | Dragon Dance

My favorite pokemon, Tyranitar is capable of sweeping through teams if he can get setup, typically against a special attacker. Tyranitar helps with the Salamence, Charizard, Gengar, Naganadel, and some stall team matchups. Stone Edge even does massive damage to Celesteela after a Dragon Dance.

Again nothing special with the set details, Jolly nature to outspeed positive natured base 130’s. Thinking about switching Crunch for Earthquake, as Crunch is basically just used for guaranteed damage / Gengar.

I’d say I brought Tyranitar to less than 50% of my games (unfortunately), I would say election rate #5. It was hardly ever a liability, and along with Scizor strongly baited teams to bring Blaziken which typically either one or a combination of Zapdos / Landorus-T / Primarina could deal with. Rarely a lead (maybe vs stall).

Primarina @ Primarium Z
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Modest
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 108 SpA / 20 SpD / 4 Spe
Moves: Sparkling Aria | Moonblast | Energy Ball | Aqua Jet

Primarina seems to have dropped off significantly in USUM compared to SM. I’ve heard an analysis why but I’ve ... forgot. Tapu Fini just seems to be a stronger version, and Misty Terrain would be great for Tyranitar. However Primarina has a higher Special Attack, and a great Z move in Oceanic Opera (which I originally thought it was a sound-based move and bypassed Substitute, but it doesn’t).

Those are great reasons, but I feel the main draw is the priority Aqua Jet. It’s weak as heck, but has finished off so many threats, a low Blaziken, any Focus-Sash users, etc. There seems to be a significant amount of suicide lead Focus Sash Landorus-T’s with Explosion, so instead of going into a 2-2 situation if I had lead with Primarina I typically go into a 3-2 situation, with a weakened Primarina (with Torrent not necessarily a bad thing) that I can save for death fodder or as a priority revenge killer later.

The spread is a great spread, not much OHKO’s Primarina, got this from a Japanese blog “Lunar Whisper”, and he even says the spread is to endure various attacks, nothing specific. Can survive a two Flare Blitzs, two High Jump Kicks or a Thunder Punch from Adamant Mega Blaziken, has a low chance of being KO’d by High Jump Kick into Thunder Punch. 6.3% chance to be KO’d by Mega Salamence 252+ Double Edge and Thundurus-T 252+ Thunderbolt. Torrent over Liquid Voice because of the Z-move, and helps boost Aqua Jet's small damage a little bit at low HP.

Primarina, I would say was brought to more than 50% of the games, I would say #2 election rate, a decent bit of them as a lead. Pretty much had to bring vs Greninja and either scout for Gunk Shot or hope it didn’t have it (less common nowadays but seems to be coming back), and vital vs the less common Kommo-o, which if a team has it, they will bring it vs mine.

Should note, the original team Lance battled had Azumarill in this spot. Much stronger Aqua Jets although.

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician / Technician
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 236 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 76 SpD / 4 Spe
Moves: Bug Bite | Bullet Punch | Swords Dance | Roost

Scizor another one of my favorites, I feel it is an underlooked mega, but hey that’s fine by me. This feller is pretty much the team answer to Mimikyu (or ‘support’ answer to Mimikyu, don’t think there is an answer). Walls Mega Metagross very effectively. Between Scizor and Tyranitar, have the top three megas in use (Charizard Salamence Metagross) covered pretty well, and another half of the team covers Blaziken.

Yes, that is Bug Bite, I have yet to switch to Thief. Bug Bite doesn’t get that much use, but can catch a Mega Gyarados by surprise. Also nice vs. common berry-equiped bulkier enemies.

The spread is probably my favorite spread in the game:

76+ Atk Technician Scizor-Mega Bullet Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mimikyu: 134-162 (102.2 - 123.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252+ Atk Mimikyu Never-Ending Nightmare (140 BP) vs. 236 HP / 116 Def Scizor-Mega: 141-166 (80.5 - 94.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO (can’t take the following Shadow Sneak however, however if you predict the Z-move can roost).
252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 236 HP / 116 Def Scizor-Mega: 70-84 (40 - 48%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Base 130 special attackers can’t OHKO with HP Fire:
252+ SpA Tapu Lele Hidden Power Fire vs. 236 HP / 76 SpD Scizor-Mega: 140-168 (80 - 96%) -- guaranteed 2HKO – although doesn’t matter much if Bug Bite can’t KO and Psychic Terrain is up for a while.

Unfortunately, also like Tyranitar, brought less than 50%, I would say election rate is last at #6. Many games without bringing either Mega. Also along with Tyranitar it definitely baited out Blaziken’s. Didn’t lead with it too often.

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Timid
EVs: 244 HP / 4 Def / 12 SpA / 44 SpD / 204 Spe
Moves: Magma Storm | Earth Power | Toxic | Taunt

Heatran, can be the maker or breaker of games. Yes, you’re probably thinking, this team is very weak to Breloom, Heatran is not the answer to it, but a band-aid. If the enemy team has a Breloom in team preview, most of the time I lead Heatran, and most of the time they lead Breloom. 75% of the time I’m left with a sleeping Heatran and am up 3-2. 25% of the time I’m left with a sleeping Heatran and a sinking feeling in the stomach.

Magma Storm is such a powerful move, even with it’s 75% accuracy. Heatran is my answer to Porygon 2, which is extremely difficult to deal with otherwise, and another band-aid fix to Toxapex. If Heatran can hit a Magma Storm vs Toxapex, it can Taunt and Earth Power it down (interesting note Grassy Terrain does not reduce Earth Power’s damage) and usually that is a team’s stop to Tyranitar, Toxapex’s weak offense doesn’t do much to Heatran with Leftovers.

The EV spread is to outspeed Jolly Breloom, originally it was to be a specially defensive Heatran to answer Porygon 2 even better, but the speed was definitely necessary. Am considering perhaps a Solar Beam Grassium-Z Heatran in case the teams with Breloom / Hippowdon lead Hippowdon instead. Have even considered Safety Goggles on Heatran (and Zapdos), but the recovery from Leftovers just outweighs it.

Heatran I would say around the 50% usage mark, election rate of probably #4. Typically always lead when I saw a Breloom.

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves: Earthquake | Rock Slide | U-turn | Stealth Rock

Pretty standard here, electrical immunity, ground immunity I needed something with speed, so the Choice Scarf goes here. I feel like every time I lead with it I give away its item, although as stated above Focus Sash is becoming a lot more common on it. I have three viable Focus Sash users, while it’s on none of them. Landorus helps me against a Tapu Koko or Greninja lead, if I am confident Greninja isn’t also Choice Scarf.

I was going to write what Landorus-T helps against, but there is so many things, especially as Choice Scarf user. Like most of us I’ve used him for a while now, and his effectiveness is just so good.

Nothing special in the EV spread. I wanted Jolly because he outspeeds PorygonZ after a Conversion. Rock Slide chosen for the flinch chance, and I don’t think I could handle another <90% accurate move on my team. In all of the games, I don’t think Stealth Rock has ever won me a game (broken vital Focus Sash, etc., Tyranitar/Landorus-T handles Charizard, Heatran handles Volcarona). I am considering changing it to Superpower or Knock Off. Most likely Superpower to help vs Tyranitar / Kangaskhan.

I brought Landorus-T in a similar number of games as Heatran, around the 50% mark, I would say election rate #3.

Usage Summary and Struggles​

I use the phrase ‘elections’ because that’s what all the Japanese blogs use. Typically it was some combination of Zapdos / Primarina / Landorus-T or Heatran. Tyranitar and Scizor thrown in as needed when the matchup was good for either of them. They are the sweepers of the team, and thinking back on them perhaps I should have used them more than I did.

Anyways seems like my usage rate was:

1. Zapdos
2. Primarina
3. Landorus-T
4. Heatran
5. Mega Tyranitar
6. Mega Scizor

Pokemon I struggle against:

-Landorus-T, Bulk Up / Substitute set. This just ruins my day with no special ice attacks. Primarina has to already be in to deal with it.

-Somewhat similar, Nasty Plot and/or Agility Thundurus-T can be rough also, if it comes in and I misjudge the set.

-Mega Swampert in with Substitute. Waterfall in the rain does more than half to Zapdos, and if Mega Swampert has Substitute there is not much I can do against it. Primarina helps, but needs to face off initially, as it will take >50% damage.

-Nidoking ( / Nidoqueen) pretty much runs through the team, Landorus and Tyranitar the only ones who can deal with it.

-Grass threats:
--Breloom if Magma Storm misses. Either way something on my team is more than likely going to sleep. Magma Storm is a bandaid fix for now.
--Mega Venusaur (mixed), I don't think I ran into any/many of these on the ladder, but Heatran would be my best option vs Mega Venusaur, have to watch out for Earthquake. Team has no Psychic or Flying moves.
--Kartana outspeeds everything and doesn't worry about Landorus-T. Zapdos is the main answer, I guess Scizor could also, but haven't been in that situation.
--Not a grass type, but I think of it as one, Vivillion. While flying resists are there, they are slower than it.

Conclusion and Importable​

Overall have I really enjoyed using this team and feel that it’s viable from the A to the Z. It can be frustrating when Magma Storm or Stone Edge misses, but that’s the price I pay for using 75% and 80% accurate moves. Of course far from a perfect team. I originally used the team because Tyranitar and Scizor were some of my favorites, but as stated above there were many battles where I didn’t use either Mega.

Thank you for reading, constructive criticism is welcome.

Below is the importable into showdown:

Showdown Importable

Zapdos @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Pressure
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Toxic
- Roost

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
Level: 50
EVs: 236 HP / 76 Atk / 116 Def / 76 SpD / 4 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
- Swords Dance
- Roost

Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 4 Def / 12 SpA / 44 SpD / 204 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Taunt

Tyranitar-Mega @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Ice Punch
- Dragon Dance

Primarina @ Primarium Z
Ability: Torrent
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 108 SpA / 20 SpD / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Sparkling Aria
- Moonblast
- Energy Ball
- Aqua Jet

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock

 

[Solerme]

Finally a BSS Rmt!

Ok, first thing first, well done with the presentation and with the rmt form overall

Have you considered adding Tapu Bulu over someone?
I do like that TTar, but i feel like you could switch it out for something that would help you with your defensive cores.
Bulu would complete the fire/water/grass trio, give a hand to heatran with its terrain and add a check to Loom, Thundurus and even Swamper that isn't really able to ohko it.

@ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 12 Def / 116 SpD / 140 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer / Substitute / Disable
- Horn Leech
- Leech Seed
- Rock Tomb

This spread can live the combination of Swampert's Waterfall in Rain and Ice Punch, a +2 HP Ice from Timid Thundurus-t (and has a 90% to survive to a +2 HP Ice from Modest Thund-T), can deal with loom's spore and hit back.
Sitrus Berry is there just to give it more bulk, but the item slot is pretty open, since i made the calcs without it. You could use an Assault Vest i guess, but seeds seemed to have nice synergy with Zapdos, Heatran and Scizor to me.
The speed is to outspeed base 100 and Thundurus-T after a Rock Tomb.

Try it and let us know :]

 

[Leroy Davis]

@ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Grassy Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 12 Def / 116 SpD / 140 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Horn Leech
- Leech Seed
- Rock Tomb

Thank you for the feedback. I have used Tapu Bulu with the set suggested above each night this week in place of Tyranitar. A few notes I wrote down:

Pro's:
-Sitrus Berry great item, almost always procs.
-Significantly improved Heatran's longetivity in matches he was brought.
-Improves Landorus-T matchup (minus Z-Fly).
-Improved Thundurus-T matchup when not running Sludge Wave (I typically see this on Choice Scarf, so might be spot it by lack of coverage).
-Improves Breloom and Swampert matchup - unfortunately I think I only ran into one rain team (if even that) this week.
-Helps vs. Mega Gyarados which could potentially be a threat to the team.
-Terrain control.

Con's:
-Weaker to Gengar.
-Weaker to Zapdos - they can usually live two Rock Tombs.
-Did not see that many Charizards, I think the one I did switched in on a Rock Tomb.
-Mega Salamence with Stealth Rocks up is harder.
-Rotom-H a little trickier.

It was a good suggestion, gives the team a slightly different feel, that I am still getting the hang of.

 

[Solerme]

-Helps vs. Mega Gyarados which could potentially be a threat to the team.

isn't this Pro?

-Weaker to Gengar.

you could put more Spdef on your Heatran (since you got a grass type now). 252 hp / 204 Spdef / rest in speed with a +spdef nature is a common call in bss, and it checks MGeng (barring Casinogar, but nothing really checks that in the current meta)

-Mega Salamence with Stealth Rocks up is harder.

Yeah, even if Zap checks it, it is hard to fully answer to Mence and that is why it's a top tier pick. Even your ttar would've taken a lot from its Eq

-Rotom-H a little trickier.

You are right, but increasing the spdef on Tran would help with it too