Underused Dark Horse Project 1.1 (see post#98)

[Patrick1088]

I updated the OP to clarify about usage of unranked mons counting as Dark Horses and put our champions into the hall of fame. Now, I also looked into the request of increasing the allowance from 15 to say 18/20, not including the Featured mon. At this request, I would like to draw attention to my team. On the old system (i.e. %'s based of 1630 stats), my team total would've been 35.41, which would've been over the 35% usage. While on the new system, we are able to come in a cool 14/15, which an extra 1 point to spare. So, while this system looks more restrictive, it actually allows you to use the more viable mons to support the Dark Horses, which by definition can have defined roles, but require more team support in order to shine.

Lanturn: 0 (0.07)
Tangrowth: 2.25 (1.31)
Gligar: 2.25 (5.23)
Jellicent: 2.50 (1.15)
Lucario: 3.25 (9.94)
Salamence: 3.75 (17.71)

Total: 14/15 (35.41)

Now, with that being said, I am going to be putting up a poll asking people if which system do they prefer (%'s or Viability). I think either way, we will keep the Featured Dark Horse with increased allowance since it'll help put the spotlight on seldom used mons.

 

[Serperior for Uber]

So this is a team I made for dark horse.

Dark horses: Moltres Gastrodon Blissey

EDIT: lol didnt know i had to post the proof right away. Anyways I just reached 1501
with proof n_n
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-240552023

Hide

Blissey (F) @ Leftovers B- =2.25
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Soft-Boiled
- Heal Bell
- Stealth Rock
- Seismic Toss

Moltres @ Leftovers B- = 2.25
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Defog

Salamence @ Leftovers A+ = 3.75
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower

Gastrodon @ Leftovers Unranked= 0
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Clear Smog
- Toxic

Suicune @ Leftovers A+ = 3.75
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Roar
- Scald
- Sleep Talk
- Rest

Doublade @ Eviolite B+ = 2.75
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Gyro Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword

TOTAL = 14.75/15

Alt: Tu quoque

 

[Terrashock]

Granbull @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Play Rough
- Sleep Talk
- Heal Bell
- Rest

Aggron @ Aggronite
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Heavy Slam
- Roar
- Earthquake

Blissey (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Protect
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss
- Wish

Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Relaxed Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic

Salamence @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 220 Def / 40 Spe
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Pulse
- Roost
- Defog

Alomomola @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 232 HP / 252 Def / 24 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Wish
- Knock Off
- Protect
- Scald

17.5/15 + 3 from granbull = 17.5/18

 

[Patrick1088]

So this is a team I made for dark horse. I am currently at 1400s rn.

Dark horses: Moltres and Gastrodon

Hide

Blissey (F) @ Leftovers B- =2.25
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Soft-Boiled
- Heal Bell
- Stealth Rock
- Seismic Toss

Moltres @ Leftovers B- = 2.25
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 Spe
Timid Nature
- Will-O-Wisp
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Defog

Salamence @ Leftovers A+ = 3.75
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 Spe
Timid Nature
- Defog
- Roost
- Toxic
- Flamethrower

Gastrodon @ Leftovers Unranked= 0
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Recover
- Clear Smog
- Toxic

Suicune @ Leftovers A+ = 3.75
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Roar
- Scald
- Sleep Talk
- Rest

Doublade @ Eviolite B+ = 2.75
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Swords Dance
- Gyro Ball
- Shadow Sneak
- Sacred Sword

TOTAL = 14.75/15

Alt: Tu quoque

Did you have proof for 1400s? a screenshot or battle?

 

[Terrashock]

Did you have proof for 1400s? a screenshot or battle?

Serperior For Ubers is Tu Quoque, trust me

 

[Wanka]

ngl barbaracle is such a fun mon to use. I'm at 1419 so far.

proof

http://prntscr.com/7h2txl

 

[North]

New Alt: Not So Viable
Durant: 1.5
Mamoswine: 3.75
Virizion: 2.25
Granbull: 2.25
Mega Swampert: 3.5
Chandelure: 3.5

15.75/18

The Team

Durant @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Hustle
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- X-Scissor
- Baton Pass
- Stone Edge

Mamoswine @ Life Orb
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Icicle Crash
- Knock Off
- Ice Shard

Virizion @ Lum Berry
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- Swords Dance

Granbull @ Choice Band
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Fire Punch
- Earthquake
- Close Combat

Chandelure @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Shadow Ball
- Trick
- Energy Ball

Swampert @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Rain Dance

Just hit 1400

1400

 

[lax]

New Alt: laxme
Granbull: 2.25
Gastrodon: free points?? xd
Blissey: 2.25
Mega Pidgeot: 5
Azelf: 3.25
Doublade: 2.75

Total: 15.5/18

 

[Patrick1088]

New Alt: laxme
Granbull: 2.25
Gastrodon: free points?? xd
Blissey: 2.25
Mega Pidgeot: 5
Azelf: 3.25
Doublade: 2.75

Total: 15.5/18

Team looks good. Do you have proof of fresh alt?

 

[DaSpoofy]

Broke 1500's
http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/uu-241504984

This battle is far more entertaining though
http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/uu-241498605

 

[Muddyyeti]

Reached 1500:

Played Spoofy twice and got abused by Hhonchkrow :/

 

[DaSpoofy]

Reached 1500:
View attachment 44376

Played Spoofy twice and got abused by Hhonchkrow :/

oh yeah haha

 

[_pe5e_]

Hit 1500 with this battle:

I might as well give a quick look over the team because i dont think i can bring it much higher then this(stupid Bird Jesus, Heliolisk and Mamoswine).
I am gonna try though.

SubBU Braviary did what it is suppossed to do: Crush teams or heavily wall break.
It pretty much got an opportunity to set up a sub against almost every team except HO. If I got a BU off the battle changed heavily in my favour.
Stall without a phaser just gets crushed by it. With max HP it creates 101 subs meaning SToss cant break it and it loves to set up on scald user(suicune, alomamola, non-roar empoleon etc.). It runs enough speed to outspeed Mandibuzz and Empoleon to hit hard after the defog. Even uninvested non boosted Brave Bird from Base 123 Atk hits quite hard.

Steelix did ok but not great. Mega Aggron obiviously is better but didnt have enough points left :[. Its STAB coverage still hit decently and it beat a good amount of spiners/defogers and gets free sleep turns on fairys.

Mandibuzz is Mandibuzz. Great tank and defogger. I run the SpDef set for Hydra and other things. Funny Fact it even beats Aromotherapy Florges 1v1.
It did good but is really bad against the volt-turn cores and Cobalion.

It loved to have spike support in Chesnaught to force more Defogs which Braviary enjoys. It did ok in the 1450s but when you see Mega Pidgeot, Rotom-H and Mega Aero above then it was a huge bait mostly. Though i liked that it can check Gator and Shark quite well.

Ah Jellicent. Still does what it did back in 5 Gen. Being annoying as fuck. Enough Speed to outspeed Alomamola and other slow mons that are walled after a Taut. It is a nice spin blocker too. It did fantastic and is really only a bait when you see Heliolisk. Its great typing and access to wisp beats Mega Bee, fighting spam, Steels and Water types quite well. Though Colbur Berry would maybe work better on it then lefties to weaken knock offs.

Scarf Darmanitan did its job as a revenge killer well. People still underestimate its power and it has quite good coverage.

That was my first DH and it was quite fun. Definitely are gonna do that again.

 

[Patrick1088]

Champions Post has been updated. We actually had a few mons knock off due to some people getting a higher score! Post has been updated and there's still 10 days left for this month!

 

[Serperior for Uber]

Ok so after massive tilts (RIP 1591) I am going to camp out with my B rank at 1500s. Also I was wondering if there could be a cumulative leaderboard that stacks up every month. Like 1 point for a c rank finish, 2 for a b rank and 3 for a c rank.

 

[Patrick1088]

Ok so after massive tilts (RIP 1591) I am going to camp out with my B rank at 1500s. Also I was wondering if there could be a cumulative leaderboard that stacks up every month. Like 1 point for a c rank finish, 2 for a b rank and 3 for a c rank.

Hmm, that could be worth considering. I wanted to give away prizes for top leader (i.e. shiny mon, etc..) I can breed them easily for Gen 5 (Gen 6 is tougher for shinies). Do you think leaderboard points would be enough, or would something like a prize be more enticing??

Also, changing up my DH...

Lanturn-0
Meloetta-2.5
Rotom-H- 2.75
Gligar-2.75
Umbreon- 2.5
Mega Blastoise-3.5

Total: 14/15

 

[Patrick1088]

Hit 1400

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-242358275

I think I will try for 1500, but will see how team allows me...

Just a quick 2 cents on one DH in particular...

So, with all the M-Pidgeot hype going around and looming suspect test, Lanturn has been on my radar to test out for some time now. I ran it originally as a Sp Def Wall with Heal Bell, but quickly found that Bulky Choice Specs is a fantastic option. Both Water Absorb and Volt Absorb are great in the current meta ability wise. Scald/Ice Beam/T-Bolt and Volt Switch are clutch moves. Resists to Water/Ice/Fire/Electric/Steel/Flying combined with decent 125/58/76 bulk can pull off a surprising Specs set with moderate success. But, alas the main issue with Lanturn is that 67 base speed and unfortunate weakness to Ground. But, don't underestimate the Light Pokemon of Dark Horses...

 

[DaSpoofy]

Hmm, that could be worth considering. I wanted to give away prizes for top leader (i.e. shiny mon, etc..) I can breed them easily for Gen 5 (Gen 6 is tougher for shinies). Do you think leaderboard points would be enough, or would something like a prize be more enticing??



Also, changing up my DH...

Lanturn-0
Meloetta-2.5
Rotom-H- 2.75
Gligar-2.75
Umbreon- 2.5
Mega Blastoise-3.5

Total: 14/15

Lol I can help you with the prizes. I made a few uu mons fully iv and ev with competitive movepool with contest star annimation. They are really cool and I am willing to give them away.

 

[Patrick1088]

Lol I can help you with the prizes. I made a few uu mons fully iv and ev with competitive movepool with contest star annimation. They are really cool and I am willing to give them away.

I may need to start trading with you lol :-P

But, this could be a good idea. We'll talk more and see what happens! Thanks in advance for your offer!

 

[slated]

hi, my alt has games on it because i think it's been used before but they're all randoms

team:
Sigilyph: unranked
Granbull: B- / 2.25
Cobalion: A / 3.5
Suicune: A+ / 3.75
Hydreigon: S / 5
Mega Ampharos: A / 3.5

Total: 18/18 (I assume that if I hit the total exactly I'm still OK, if not I can change a pokemon around to fit the guidelines)

 

[Patrick1088]

hi, my alt has games on it because i think it's been used before but they're all randoms

team:
Sigilyph: unranked
Granbull: B- / 2.25
Cobalion: A / 3.5
Suicune: A+ / 3.75
Hydreigon: S / 5
Mega Ampharos: A / 3.5

Total: 18/18 (I assume that if I hit the total exactly I'm still OK, if not I can change a pokemon around to fit the guidelines)

Yupp, as long as you dont go over 18 youre good. Hmm thats weird if the randbats has a score but its not yours. If its not too much trouble, can you pm me a saved battle where your score is shown just so i can make sure its at least a fresh alt for uu?

 

[Wanka]

proof

http://prntscr.com/7k6y5i

Just got over the 1500 hump. I think that is going to be all for me, I don't think I am going to have the will to try and break 1600. Barb is such a lord lmoa, it was a good run boys.

 

[Muddyyeti]

Calling it quits with the team, finished at 1520 something. Last game ended on a high note so I actually remembered to save the replay:
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/uu-242991741
Emboar @ Life Orb
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 36 SpA / 220 Spe
Lonely Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower
- Grass Knot
- Sucker Punch


I loved Emboar. Same great double STAB as Infernape with a lot more power and the natural bulk to take resisted hits half decently. Not the quickest nuke around but the given speed evs allow you to get two hits in on all uninvested pokes up to base 92. I used the standard UU spread with the decision to go for Grass Knot over Wild Charge/Headsmash, mostly in anticipation of seeing lots of Swampert. The moves and spread have a great shot to 2ko every UU wall except for defensive Arcanine, Tentacruel and Salamence (switching the coverage move alleviates these problems). Sucker Punch is icing on the cake, OHKOing Chandelure after rocks and doing good damage to a lot of fast and frail revenge killers. I will definitely consider using Emboar again sometime. A couple calcs:

Calcs

252+ Atk Life Orb Reckless Emboar Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Cresselia: 207-243 (46.6 - 54.7%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Emboar Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Suicune: 175-208 (43.3 - 51.4%) -- 63.7% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (follow up with Grass Knot (43-50%) for a dead Suicune)
252+ Atk Life Orb Reckless Emboar Flare Blitz vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Gligar: 152-179 (45.5 - 53.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

Meloetta @ Choice Specs
Ability: Serene Grace
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Thunderbolt/Dazzling Gleam/Focus Blast/Shadow Ball
- Trick

After trying damn near every single Meloetta set, I found Specs to be the most consistently useful. Meloetta has the bulk to take a lot of neutral hits (especially special attacks) and smash something in the face with that base 128 SpA. Psyshock handles special walls and ghosts while Hyper Voice hammers most everything else. Coverage move was a crapshoot and I honestly don’t think I clicked it more than twice. Finally, Trick helped me deal with set up sweepers like Suicune and Cresselia. At first blush, Meloetta’s unique stats and traits were so appealing but I don’t think I’ll be too interested in trying to use it in the future…it’s just hard to justify using it over the other Psychics in the tier.

 

[Patrick1088]

So, with this month coming to an end and July is just around the corner, how did everybody feel about trying a different DH for this month? Do you want to continue with Viability Rankings, or should we go back to %'s?

Personally, I think %'s + Featured Dark Horse bonus would be a fun way to go going forward. I think it'll give everybody a fair shot if they come in at the beginning of the month, mid-month, end month, etc.. since viability can change fairly often. I'm curious to see how everybody feels.

 

[Muddyyeti]

Percentages + Dark Horse bonus sounds good to me!