Before we start i'd like to thank Jio for helping me team build this team. He was the one who made me get into VGC and without him i probably wouldn't be where i am today.
The Team At A Glance:
In Depth Look At The Team:
Gallade (M) @ Galladite
Ability: Steadfast
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Zen Headbutt
- Ice Punch
- Close Combat
- Protect
Yeah. That's right. That's a mega Gallade. Gallade is one of those Pokemon you see more of in singles. I originally wanted mega gallade to check some popular metagame Pokemon like Kangaskhan, Amoonguss, Landorus, Heatran, etc. Mega Gallade outspeeds Mega Kangaskhan by 2 points and has enough power to 1HKO it with Close Combat. Ice punch is mostly for coverage against Garchomp, Whimsicott, Togekiss, etc. The reason I chose Ice Punch > Psycho Cut, is because Psycho Cut only has 70 base power, and Zen Headbutt had that 20% chance to flinch, ALONG with 80 base power, which really helped me in my round 2 of Swiss. Mega Gallade also offers his inner focus ability before mega evolving, which guarantees he doesn't flinch.
252 Atk Mega Gallade Ice Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 224-268 (135.7 - 162.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Amoonguss: 150-176 (67.8 - 79.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 152 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 212-252 (100 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Whimsicott: 116-138 (69.4 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 180 Def Heatran: 198-234 (100 - 118.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Ice Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 224-268 (135.7 - 162.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Zen Headbutt vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Amoonguss: 150-176 (67.8 - 79.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 152 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 212-252 (100 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Ice Punch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Whimsicott: 116-138 (69.4 - 82.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mega Gallade Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 180 Def Heatran: 198-234 (100 - 118.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Bisharp (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Hp / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Protect
While i was talking to Jio, He brought up that genies, and intimidate in general, were all problems that really hurt mega Gallade's potential. Bisharp handled intimidate very well, and it also puts on a lot of offensive pressure against Cresselia, Aegislash, Landorus, Sylveon, Gardevoir etc, All things that Gallade had problems hitting, or playing against in general. I chose Protect > Low Kick because Bisharp is a pretty frail Pokemon and it needs protect to increase his longevity in battle. The moveset and evs were pretty standard, they just really took advantage of Bisharps power and speed. The reason I chose Life Orb over other popular items like Focus Sash, or choice band, is to really capitalize on his pure power without being locked into a move.
252+ Atk Life Orb Bisharp Knock Off vs. 220 HP / 172 Def Cresselia: 117-140 (52.4 - 62.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Bisharp Iron Head vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Sylveon: 268-320 (133.3 - 159.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Bisharp Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 109-133 (65.2 - 79.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Bisharp Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 156-185 (94.5 - 112.1%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO
+1 252+ Atk Life Orb Bisharp Sucker Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Salamence: 114-136 (66.6 - 79.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Thundurus (M) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 244 HP / 44 Def / 116 SpD / 104 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 30 Def
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Thunder Wave
- Taunt
We added Thundurus to the team next because Talonflame gave Mega Gallade, and Bisharp trouble with it's priority Brave Bird, and it's powerful Flare Blitz. And yes, that's a Focus Sash Thundurus. I get it. The reason we chose Focus Sash > Sitrus Berry, or Life Orb, is because we had Life Orb on Bisharp and Sitrus Berry on Politoed. I don't recall exactly what this spread does, but i know that it Lives 252 jolly Kangaskhan Return, and a rock slide from a Jolly Scarf Landorus only has a 2% chance to 2HKO. Thunder Wave was my only form of speed control. It slowed down Pokemon that outspeed Mega Gallade and Bisharp. I also vaguely remember my round 1 Swiss match where thunder wave really helped me get back into the game. Taunt was to stop annoying status Pokemon like Liepard, Smeargle, and other things like Tailwind, etc.
0 SpA Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame: 168-198 (109 - 128.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 SpA Thundurus Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-T: 136-160 (82.4 - 96.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Landorus-T Rock Slide vs. 244 HP / 44+ Def Thundurus: 78-94 (42.1 - 50.8%) -- 2% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Landorus-T Rock Slide vs. 244 HP / 44+ Def Thundurus: 88-104 (47.5 - 56.2%) -- 76.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Flare Blitz vs. 244 HP / 44+ Def Thundurus: 142-168 (76.7 - 90.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Milotic Ice Beam vs. 244 HP / 116 SpD Thundurus: 148-176 (80 - 95.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Politoed (M) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Drizzle
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 204 HP / 148 Def / 156 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Helping Hand
- Protect
- Ice Beam
Next came Politoed. I was still fearing Talonflame which still really gave my troubles in case Thundurus had a bad matchup. Talonflame also tears through my team because of a potential brave bird into Ludicolo. I put Sitrus Berry on Politoed because it increased his Longevity and it took attacks such as Mega Kangaskhan's Double Edge. I chose Scald > Hydro Pump because i was mainly focused on getting through Swiss and not having to worry so much about accuracy. Helping Hand was what made Politoed one of the MVP's of this tournament because Helping Hand anything really puts a dent in my opponents team. Protect is kinda necessary to protect it from threatening attacks but i could see why other players would opt for different move slots thats totally fine. I also used Paul Chua's EV spread on his politoed which he used to get Top 8 at Philadelphia Regionals. His report could be found Here. Ice beam helped against ground and flying types that may have given my team problems.
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunder vs. 204 HP / 156 SpD Politoed: 168-198 (87.9 - 103.6%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Double-Edge vs. 204 HP / 148 Def Politoed: 173-205 (90.5 - 107.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Landorus-T Superpower vs. 204 HP / 148 Def Politoed: 129-152 (67.5 - 79.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Thunderbolt vs. 204 HP / 156 SpD Politoed: 172-203 (90 - 106.2%) -- 25% chance to OHKO
Ludicolo (F) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Swift Swim
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 148 SpA / 24 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 4 Atk
- Fake Out
- Giga Drain
- Scald
- Ice Beam
What goes good together with a Politoed? A Ludicolo of course! I put Assault Vest on my Ludicolo to survive attacks like a Modest Choice Specs Draco Meteor from Hydreigon. I had fake out on Ludicolo to put some immediate fake out pressure on the field. It helped me in the tournament when i had to double up on a target with Fake Out and another move. Giga drain was a great STAB option which also hit bulky waters and also Pokemon like Gastradon, and Swampert. Ice beam was just ice coverage and scald was nice because of the chance to burn. The EV spread was just the Common Showdown except i took out the 4 SpD and put it in speed instead.
252+ SpA Aerilate Mega Salamence Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Ludicolo: 104-126 (55.6 - 67.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Thundurus Thunder vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Ludicolo: 79-95 (42.2 - 50.8%) -- 3.5% chance to 2HKO
Mamoswine (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Thick Fat
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 116 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Icicle Crash
- Icicle Spear
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Okay yeah i get it. I had WAY too much ice coverage on my team. It just kinda slipped my mind. But Mamoswine Kinda helped balance out the type chart a bit and it also got rid of threats such as Heatran, Charizard Y, and other fire types. I didn't use Icicle Spear at ALL during the tournament. And i realize that Superpower or Iron head could've been better options. I don't remember exactly what the EV spread was supposed to do, but if i had the chance to change it then i would probably change it to a standard 252 / 252 spread. Scarf is also pretty self explanatory.
196+ Atk Mamoswine Rock Slide vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Talonflame: 180-212 (116.8 - 137.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
196+ Atk Mamoswine Rock Slide vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y: 164-196 (106.4 - 127.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
-1 196+ Atk Mamoswine Icicle Crash vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 228-268 (138.1 - 162.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
196+ Atk Mamoswine Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Heatran: 204-244 (103 - 123.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Tournament Highlights
I started off the day going 3-0 in swiss. That soon ended when i played Snake round 4 of swiss. Snake played phenomenally. I remember it came down to a 1v1 with my mega Gallade vs his Kangaskhan, but unfortunately my Gallade was in sucker punch KO range so he was able to beat me.
After i lost to snake, i was paired with another 3-1 player who used Aaron Zheng's APEX team. Unfortunately they were able to take out my mega Gallade early on which was my only real check to mega Venusaur. They were then able to stall me out with leech seed and giga drain. If i were to play that match over again, I would've conserved my Mega Gallade late game and cleaned up.
At that moment I was 3-2, and i needed to be 4-2 to top cut. My round 6 opponent was against YET ANOTHER Aaron Zheng Apex team. I felt a little more confident going into the match because i got all the information i needed from round 5. I don't remember that much except at the end when i almost chocked when it was my Bisharp vs his Bisharp in a 1v1. I ended up winning.
I was so eager to look at the standings because i wanted to see if i made it or not. I was the 7th seed going into cut and it was lunch break. My sister and I walked to the mall right next to the Regional to get food because it was lunch break.
When i came back it was time for my top 8 vs Ben Balzer. Ben ended up becoming on of my really good friends after we hung out at Seattle Regionals. It was one of my first Bo3 experiences so i wasn't really prepared because he was obviousl more experienced then me. He had the 2 Pokemon i didn't want to see because my team had the worst matchups against them, Suicune and Gardevoir. I ended up losing 0-2 to him but he really deserved the win.
I was so eager to look at the standings because i wanted to see if i made it or not. I was the 7th seed going into cut and it was lunch break. My sister and I walked to the mall right next to the Regional to get food because it was lunch break.
When i came back it was time for my top 8 vs Ben Balzer. Ben ended up becoming on of my really good friends after we hung out at Seattle Regionals. It was one of my first Bo3 experiences so i wasn't really prepared because he was obviousl more experienced then me. He had the 2 Pokemon i didn't want to see because my team had the worst matchups against them, Suicune and Gardevoir. I ended up losing 0-2 to him but he really deserved the win.
Shoutouts:
Jio - If it weren't for Jio, i wouldn't be playing VGC. Thank you man.
FedoraGaming - You were one of the only people i hung out with at the event because i knew literally no one.
MissingNoL - You were just really active in the VGC room and was always willing to answer stupid questions i had about the metagame. You probably won't remember because i was logged in as alts :p
