Introdution
It's been a long ride, but RU Open's finally come to an end, and with that, the end of a RU era as well, since there won't (most likely) be any other changes to the tier until ORAS' release. With that in mind, Hot N Cold and I decided that it would be a good idea to share the teams we've built with the community, as a way to give everyone a brief idea on how people play RU at the highest level of competition, and also because a lot of these teams had pretty good runs on the tournament (don't know exact values though). It's my way of showing Hot N Cold my gratitude too, both as a teambuilder and as a friend, and say that if he didn't pick me up after my 2 year hiatus, I would still be either a random ladder player or would have quit Pokemon again. All in all, despite my shameful loss in Round 4, mostly due to my lack of trust in my plays and best teams, it's safe to say that this tournament has made me grow as a player, and I'm really looking forward to ORAS (also because of my newly found spot on the RU council) and SPL, even if it's only to help other people building teams and testing. Without further ado, here are the teams:
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VoltTurn Bulky Offense
Cobalion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 160 HP / 96 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Volt Switch
- Close Combat
Gligar @ Eviolite
Ability: Hyper Cutter
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Defog
- U-turn
Lanturn @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 40 HP / 216 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Volt Switch
- Heal Bell
- Toxic
Rotom-Mow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
Spiritomb @ Leftovers
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
Moltres @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Fire Blast
- U-turn
- Roost
Ability: Justified
EVs: 160 HP / 96 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Volt Switch
- Close Combat
Gligar @ Eviolite
Ability: Hyper Cutter
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Defog
- U-turn
Lanturn @ Leftovers
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 40 HP / 216 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Volt Switch
- Heal Bell
- Toxic
Rotom-Mow @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Trick
Spiritomb @ Leftovers
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Pursuit
- Taunt
- Will-O-Wisp
Moltres @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Fire Blast
- U-turn
- Roost
This is the first serious team I've built on my own after returning to competitive Pokemon (although it has a lot of Hot N Cold's influence), and it holds some sentimental value as well, due to its similarities with my only archived team, Save The World, in the sense that its goal is to set up a Moltres sweep by wearing down the opponent's team through Stealth Rock, which is easy to keep on the field thanks to Cobalion's Taunt, U-turn / Volt Switch spam and Spiritomb's Pursuit, which allows it to successfully remove Slowking, one of Moltres' biggest checks, from the equation. It was my main team for the time I was in the RU Open, and some other plays have used it too for great success, although the most common version has Choice Specs Moltres instead of Life Orb. Overall, it's a pretty solid team with stellar hazard control and answers for the most common threats as well, making it a good example of a solid RU squad during the current metagame.
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Double Intimidate Stall
Regirock @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Toxic
- Protect
Alomomola @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 40 HP / 216 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Scald
- Toxic
Granbull @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Play Rough
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Heal Bell
Drapion @ Black Sludge
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Taunt
- Toxic Spikes
- Whirlwind
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Close Combat
- Foresight
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Cresselia (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe
Bold Nature
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Moonlight
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide
- Toxic
- Protect
Alomomola @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 40 HP / 216 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Scald
- Toxic
Granbull @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Play Rough
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Heal Bell
Drapion @ Black Sludge
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Taunt
- Toxic Spikes
- Whirlwind
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Close Combat
- Foresight
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
Cresselia (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe
Bold Nature
- Substitute
- Calm Mind
- Moonblast
- Moonlight
One of the many collaborations between Hot N Cold and I. This one is actually a rework of his UU Double Intimidate Stall for RU, with Hitmonlee and Granbull checking most of the physically offensive threats of the tier while providing Heal Bell and Rapid Spin support respectively, despite their status as niche Pokemon when compared to other Pokemon in the tier. Despite pretty much doing what your usual stall team is supposed to do, this team's actual goal is to set up a Cresselia sweep with Drapion's Toxic Spikes support, using a solid defensive backbone to wear down opposing Pokemon and, therefore, accomplish said goal. It was one of my main teams as well, although I don't think anyone else used it all, as the better players usually opted for Molk's stall team and their variants, which are fine teams on their own too.
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Slurpuff Offense
Fletchinder
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
Druddigon @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail
- Toxic
- Fire Punch
Drapion @ Black Sludge
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 216 HP / 252 Atk / 40 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Taunt
- Toxic Spikes
Virizion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Dark]
Kabutops @ Assault Vest
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Aqua Jet
Slurpuff @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 48 SpA / 204 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Belly Drum
- Play Rough
- Return
- Flamethrower
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Will-O-Wisp
Druddigon @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail
- Toxic
- Fire Punch
Drapion @ Black Sludge
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 216 HP / 252 Atk / 40 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Taunt
- Toxic Spikes
Virizion @ Leftovers
Ability: Justified
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Giga Drain
- Focus Blast
- Hidden Power [Dark]
Kabutops @ Assault Vest
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 96 HP / 252 Atk / 160 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off
- Rapid Spin
- Aqua Jet
Slurpuff @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 48 SpA / 204 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Belly Drum
- Play Rough
- Return
- Flamethrower
I actually had this team's draft on my computer since very early in the tournament (Round 2 I think), but I only got around to finish it in the finals of it to help my friend Spirit pulling through. However, blind Cupcake decided to miss a (possibly) crucial Play Rough, so I can't say it fared well at all. In spite of that, I think that this is a really fine RU team, mostly because it showcases two uncommon offensive threats in high level play, Calm Mind Virizion and (mixed) Slurpuff, as well as a unique Drapion set, courtesy of Spirit. It's also interesting how it manages to fare well against the biggest offensive threats, despite its lack of a solid defensive backbone, steering away from the common teambuilding formula too. The team's premise is to put big amounts of pressure on opposing Doublade, so that between Slurpuff, Fletchinder, and Virizion, one of them manages to clean up during late game. To accomplish that goal, it uses Kabutops' ability to lure Doublade and Knock Off its Eviolite, the combination of Rough Skin, Rocky Helmet, Toxic, and Stealth Rock on Druddigon, and Pursuit + Toxic Spikes Drapion. It's unfortunate that I didn't have the guts to finish it earlier in the tournament, because in my opinion, it had the potential to be huge, but as they usually say, better later than never.
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Gurdurr Bulky Offense (RUgged Mountain)
Slowking @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Nasty Plot
- Scald
- Psyshock
Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Aromatisse @ Leftovers
Ability: Aroma Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Moonblast
- Aromatherapy
Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
Fletchinder
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roost
Skuntank @ Black Sludge
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 248 HP / 248 Atk / 12 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Foul Play
- Taunt
- Defog
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpA
Quiet Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Trick Room
- Nasty Plot
- Scald
- Psyshock
Bronzong @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Earthquake
- Toxic
Aromatisse @ Leftovers
Ability: Aroma Veil
EVs: 252 HP / 244 Def / 12 Spe
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Protect
- Moonblast
- Aromatherapy
Gurdurr @ Eviolite
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Bulk Up
- Drain Punch
- Mach Punch
- Knock Off
Fletchinder
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 160 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Acrobatics
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roost
Skuntank @ Black Sludge
Ability: Aftermath
EVs: 248 HP / 248 Atk / 12 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Sucker Punch
- Foul Play
- Taunt
- Defog
My latest team, built exclusively for the RUgged Mountain, or so I thought... I showed this to Spirit for some feedback back in Round 6 when it was still a draft and he was all like: "oml, this is the perfect Meru counterstyling, i'm so going to use it", and actually managed to grab a clutch win with it. This team's actually more versatile than most of the others, in the sense that it can adopt different stances accordingly to what it's up against: It can use its fat and slow defensive core to keep a lot of common threats in check, but it can also be quite aggressive, abusing Gurdurr's abilities as a wallbreaker to set up either a Fletchinder or a Slowking sweep. And speaking of Slowking: it features a very uncommon set for it, which people usually steer away from due to its inability to check Moltres as well as Assault Vest variants. However, it's a nice sweeper, and it goes well with this team's slower nature, making it a really interesting option.
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