#29 user: Genya
(silver rank)
proof:
Kricketune @ Focus Sash
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sticky Web
- Taunt
- Endeavor
- Knock Off
Questions:
How did you choose your Dark Horse Pokemon for this project?
I wasn't sure of what to pick, so I asked on irc and people suggested me a few things, and among them was Kricketune. I previously heard from good battlers in RU that Kricketune was the best Sticky Web user, better than what people assumed is the next best thing when it comes to setting up Sticky Web after Shuckle left, which is Leavany. I thought it was interesting and I wanted to try it out myself, especially because it had things like Taunt, Knock Off, and Endeavor, along with Sticky Web of course.
How did you go about building a team for your Dark Horse Pokemon?
With previous knowledge from the Shuckle metagame, it was known that Doublade and Hitmonlee were two of the best teammates to go with Sticky Web, because of Doublade's ability to spinblock almost all spinners bar Claydol (hue) and Sandslash, preventing Sticky Web from being removed. Hitmonlee is a pretty good spinner and hits ridiculously hard with Reckless High Jump Kick, and it appreciated Sticky Web, so it's a given. Other teammates I chose are Exploud, Druddigon, and Jolteon. The former two are wallbreakers that benefit from Sticky Web a lot, while Jolteon is a fail-safe option for when if my sticky webs are removed, then I would still have 1 fast sweeper left that doesn't rely entirely on Sticky Web. Druddigon also provided Stealth Rock occasionally, which is never bad. Jolteon also benefited from Sticky Web somewhat in the fact that it negates Choice Scarf boosts on grounded Pokemon such as Delphox. Furthermore, it's STAB Electric attacks are good to have against Pokemon like Moltres and Braviary, who are threatening to Sticky Web because they're immune to it.
Do you think it is more difficult or less difficult to ladder with a Dark Horse Pokemon? Why?
It wasn't difficult at all. To be completely honest, I went against a lot of people who didn't know what Kricketune does and underestimated it. The fact that Omastar spikes stacking offense has been so popular also helps, because Kricketune completely shuts down Omastar thanks to its access to Taunt, and Sticky Web makes Omastar Spikes Stacking offense almost unable to function, which leads to a pretty much guaranteed win. Kricketune is that good against Omastar Offense. Now of course, that doesn't mean all matchups against those kinds of teams are auto-win, because the opponent could lead with something that can stop Kricketune, but if they lead with Omastar then it's a very good matchup for me. People also often lead with things like Druddigon and Bronzong, which are also shut down and set up on by Kricketune. Additionally, Endeavor really helps wear those Pokemon down thanks to Kricketune's Focus Sash + Taunt, and it can almost bring down any Pokemon to either a very low amount of HP or outright 1 HP if Sash is activated.
(For Hall of Fame members only)
How did you reach the Hall of Fame?
As I said, it was kind of easy. I would ladder more but I'm not that kind of person that ladders a lot. I would reach a certain point and then be satisfied. I only play a handful of matches each time I feel like laddering. That won't stop me though, I'll probably continue laddering and I might get all medals eventually. Moving on to the Dark Horse Pokemon, my team really benefited from having it because it was built around it; my dark horse Pokemon defines a playstyle and also my entire team, so it was easy to build around it and also play with it. I would advise other players to do the same too, and build around their Dark Horse Pokemon. If that's not possible, then build around another Pokemon or another idea and have your Dark Horse Pokemon support that. For example, building a Rain team with Uxie as a Rain setter.
What was the most challenging aspect of this project?
I don't think there was any challenging aspect from playing with my Dark Horse. Perhaps the most challenging was hax on the ladder, but that will always happen regardless of what you're using! One issue I suffered from was Gligar though. Gligar is the bulkiest Defog user in the tier, and it's kind of a challenge every time to get rid of it without allowing it to Defog away my Sticky Web, and I have to rely on plays, predicting, and double switches to do this.