Ballade and Von's Collab. Gravity Team

[Ballade]

Ok, Von recently put up a UU-Team that themed around the use of Gravity. Gravity has two effects. One of which is obvious due to it saying so (causes levitating and Flying Pokemon to be hit by Ground attacks, while not eliminating the Flying type, meaning Skarmory takes SE damage from Ground while remaining neutral to Fighting). The other isn't so obvious until you look it up: it increases the accuracy of moves by 1.67. That means that any move with an accuracy of 60 will jump all the way up to 100. In the OU, that can mean quite a bit. The team has one blatant weakness that will (more than likely) completely destroy it once it happens: the Gravity users being taken out. The problem is that only 3 OU Pokemon can learn Gravity, and (due to the team and it's typing), only 2 of which are in the team.

One note before I get to the team: this will be my last thread (and participation) in the RMT section. The reason why I'm leaving the RMT section is because my knowledge of the meta-game is becoming extremely rusty, and while the cure for that is to jump back into the fray, that's something I want to avoid due to personal reasons. If it wasn't for Von's knowledge and help, this team would be much, much worse. Now that that's out of the way, here's the team:

Swampert (lead/SR'er)
@Leftovers
Impish
252 HP/252 Def./4 Atk
Torrent
-Stealth Rock
-Avalanche
-Earthquake
-Roar

The original member was Skarmory, but due to the rest of the team, it would increase the Ground weakness by too much once Gravity was activated (though, in a sense, it would be more beneficial outside of Gravity being used). It's the lead by setting up Stealth Rock, and then switching to Jirachi or Blissey (most likely Jirachi since it's bulkier than Blissey as far as physical attacks go), then reappears later in the game to build up passive damage (or it could do that right then and there).

Jirachi
@Shed Shell
Careful
252 HP/160 Def/96 Sp. Def.
Serene Grace
-Gravity
-Fire Punch
-U-Turn
-Wish

Jirachi's role is simply to use Gravity, then U-Turn out of there to Gengar or Starmie. Wish is there for later-game healing since Blissey lacks the ability to (since Gravity has to be bred onto it, thus meaning it can't use Wish). Fire Punch handles Scizor with ease since it can go into any of it's attacks and not worry too much about the consequences.

Gengar
@Life Orb
Timid
252 Sp. Attack/252 Speed
Levitate
-Focus Blast
-Shadow Ball
-Will-O-Wisp
-Energy Ball

Double status isn't what Gengar was meant to do, and since the Sleep clause prevents Hypnosis from being extremely useful, WoW will have to do. WoW helps in a lot of ways because half the team can't handle physical attacks well, and it also does passive damage over time (which helps A LOT with Swampert's Roaring). Focus Blast takes advantage of Gravity as well as WoW, and both hit for 100% accuracy, hitting anything and everything hard. Shadow Ball is STAB, and Energy ball helps round off all of the types that the team can possibly hit, as well as act as an anti-Swampert move.

Starmie
@Expert Belt
Timid
252 Sp. Attack/252 Speed
Natural Cure
-Thunder
-Blizzard
-Hydro Pump
-Rapid Spin

Starmie abuses Gravity more so out of everyone else on the team (Gengar's set is more commonly found on newer sets since WoW and Focus Blast DO have some use that helps with their horrible accuracy). With Expert Belt, Starmie is hitting as hard as ever without having to worry about LO damage like Gengar does. Thunder is T-bolt upgraded, Blizzard is Ice Beam upgraded, and Hydro Pump is just godly awesome. If Starmie couldn't OHKO Salamence with Ice Beam before, now it can with Blizzard. Just imagine a typical offensive/Spinning Starmie, just much, much more powerful.

Machamp
@Choice Band
Adamant
252 HP/252 Attack/4 Speed
No Guard
-Dynamic Punch
-Bullet Punch
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge

Machamp is the physical muscle in the team and handle the Dark weakness of Gengar and Starmie very well. Bullet Punch let's hit fast and hard with almost 600 attack backing behind it to make up for the lack of pure-power. Dynamic Punch is just a lovely Confusion-inflicting attack, Earthquake takes advantage of Gravity by hitting Skarmory, Gengar, and a few others pretty hard, and Stone Edge helps it round off by hitting Flying types and just general awesomeness.

Blissey
@Leftovers
Calm
252 Def./252 Sp. Def/4 Sp. Attack
Serene Grace
-Thunder
-Gravity
-Fire Blast
-Softboiled

Blissey works extremely well coming into an attack after Gengar's WoWed it. It's the other Gravity user in the team, helps with the Ghost weakness that Gengar and Starmie have, and even uses Gravity to help itself out (Fire Blast and Thunder increase to a 60% chance of Paralyzing or Burning, so it's moreso to inflict the status ailment than attack, but it does work nicely as an anti-Steel Pokemon).

That's the team. Von and I already know that without Gravity, the team is somewhat worse off, but the flip-side is that Gengar covers Jirachi's Ground weakness afterwards, which can help until Gravity is put up again, but Starmie and (to a point) Blissey are definitely screwed over by the loss of Gravity (Blissey's to a point since it can actually use Gravity, unlike Starmie). Rate away.

(Credit goes to Von for inspiring the entire idea, EV recommendations for everything, as well as item choices)

[Von]

Originally Posted by Ballade

One note before I get to the team: this will be my last thread (and participation) in the RMT section. The reason why I'm leaving the RMT section is because my knowledge of the meta-game is becoming extremely rusty, and while the cure for that is to jump back into the fray, that's something I want to avoid due to personal reasons. If it wasn't for Von's knowledge and help, this team would be much, much worse.

'Sif not tell me this beforehand :O. Also, you give me too much credit. The team was pretty solid without my input.

[Some boring stuff about pokemon and moves and things.]

(Credit goes to Von for inspiring the entire idea, EV recommendations for everything, as well as item choices)

You give me far too much credit, 1/2 the EV spreads are pretty standard. And I seem to recall the item choices being mostly us both coming up with the same items for the same pokemon.

[rhadfii]

The problem I see with your team is that you don't really have anything besides Starmie that abuses Gravity. When making a Gravity based teams you can go one of two ways; offensive or stall but you can't meet somewhere in between like you've done here. You either need to add Spikes/T.Spike support or you need to add more Pokemon that can abuse the Gravity. A great addition would actually be a Mixmence but instead of Outrage, run Dragon Rush. It has the same Base Power (I think) and you don't get locked into using Outrage.

[Ballade]

Originally Posted by ChaosZR

The problem I see with your team is that you don't really have anything besides Starmie that abuses Gravity. When making a Gravity based teams you can go one of two ways; offensive or stall but you can't meet somewhere in between like you've done here. You either need to add Spikes/T.Spike support or you need to add more Pokemon that can abuse the Gravity. A great addition would actually be a Mixmence but instead of Outrage, run Dragon Rush. It has the same Base Power (I think) and you don't get locked into using Outrage.

The problem is that there aren't a lot of "Powerful-yet-inaccurate" moves that are Physical. Dragon Rush is a good contender since it has a base power of 100, with a 20% chance of causing flinch, and that combined with Fire Blast, Earthquake, and Hydro Pump on Salamence is pretty good for a mixed-set (or Dragon Dance over Hydro Pump). Gunk Shot, Dragon Rush, Dynamic Punch, Iron Tail, and maybe Cross Chop are the only physical moves that have high power but low accuracy. Granted there aren't many on the Sp. Side, they also have more possible users or use. Gunk Shot is Poison so it will only hit Grass types for SE damage, while hitting Steels for literally nothing, Dragon Rush is ok, Dynamic Punch is pretty much only found on Machamp when using No Gaurd, Iron Tail is fairly decent, but there are better alternatives for simple use, and Cross Chop has an accuracy of 80, so it's in the same accuracy rating as Hydro Pump. As for the Special moves, Thunder and Blizzard is Bolt/Beam on steroids, Focus Blast is great for taking care of Dark types, and Hydro Pump could use the tiny boost much like Cross Chop.

Then there's the matter of who to get rid of. The only real possible choice would be Swampert since it's main role is to put up SR, and that's possible for Jirachi to do. So the only real choice would be for Swampert to leave, switch Wish for Stealth Rock, and put in Salamence with Fire Blast, Dragon Rush, Dragon Dance, and EQ, so that all of it's moves hit.

[Diarago]

Personally, I think the best possible way to make things hell for the opposition on Gravity is to make a stall team that makes copious use of Spikes through Forretress or Skarmory (or anything else, depending on your weaknesses). Stall teams cause a lot of switches, and so, when everything is hurt by Spikes due to Gravity, you'll actually be able to bring down some Pokemon's entire health bars wholly by way of indirect damage. Besides, an entire 25% (potentially) off of a health bar for every single Pokemon in the game upon switching in is sheer bliss for a stall team; it saves you the trouble of making Stealth Rock or poison a priority.

Subsequently, as Rapid Spin will become a major threat to the Spiking method (should you elect to use it), Dusknoir can serve as a great spin blocker, as always, and at the same time become a backup Gravity user. Moreover, Dusknoir has access to Will-O-Wisp like Gengar does, and so burning every physical attacker that hopes to down him (namely Tyranitar, who's totally neutered by the burn) will make him an indomitable physical wall (thus allowing you some leeway in giving him some Special Defense). Dusknoir has Earthquake as well, so, unlike Gengar, he can reliably take out Heatran. After Gravity and Will-O-Wisp (and Pain Split, probably), only Bug and Grass types stand in Dusknoir's way. As such, Heatran may be of use to you as a revenge killer, since he's always avoiding Earthquake anyway...Nothing about his usual strategy will change, and perhaps you can use that to your advantage. It's either that, or you can opt to give Dusknoir Fire Punch over Pain Split if you plan to keep a Wish passer.

As for the rest of the team, you should pay attention to Chaos' advice: Gravity entails an insanely heavy offense or a very defensive stall. There's no middle ground, as the two don't mix very well at all, and so you need to go one route or the other. Given the tentative nature of Gravity, longevity is a virtue on a team that runs it as a theme, and so, my personal suggestion is to run a defensive stall team in order to marvel at the splendor of universal Spikes damage.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that, on a Gravity team, Earthquake is the one attack you'll want to be defending against, if anything. Even though Swampert takes physical hits very well, he doesn't take them so well that he can take repeated abuse from Mamoswine's Earthquake, which can be very common. My most reliable suggestion is Celebi, but Tangrowth is actually a really good option who theoretically receives a lot of benefits due to the negation of Flying typing. Knock Off's importance is heightened on a team like this, and a perfectly accurate Sleep Powder is very helpful. Plus, Tangrowth can kill Tyranitar with the massively powerful Power Whip.

[ImNotGood]

gravity is a gimmick team. also you are not utilizing it will without entry hazards especially t-spikes and spikes.

[Diarago]

Originally Posted by GIN

gravity is a gimmick team. also you are not utilizing it will without entry hazards especially t-spikes and spikes.

That's kind of insulting to the concept. I remember some people said that about Trick Room, but I've seen some extremely good teams made of it. I'm talking like, rock solid and very hard to even come close to beating. Give it time, and the Gravity concept will grow. Any good player can make any of these mechanics work.

[ImNotGood]

Originally Posted by Diarago

That's kind of insulting to the concept. I remember some people said that about Trick Room, but I've seen some extremely good teams made of it. I'm talking like, rock solid and very hard to even come close to beating. Give it time, and the Gravity concept will grow. Any good player can make any of these mechanics work.

i'm not insulting the concept the move gravity is really gimmicky. it's very hard to utilize and there are not many effective users or abusers. trick room is no joke though, it's not a gimmick I know that for sure. why do you think there are no signs of existence for gravity teams? it's not effective.

[Diarago]

Originally Posted by GIN

i'm not insulting the concept the move gravity is really gimmicky. it's very hard to utilize and there are not many effective users or abusers. trick room is no joke though, it's not a gimmick I know that for sure. why do you think there are no signs of existence for gravity teams? it's not effective.

Personally, I think it can work very well if the player is sure and precise every turn. Of course, that requirement of such precision may be what has turned away potential supporters such as myself. I can think of a lot of good ideas for a stalling Gravity team, but I can't stall worth jack.

Trust me, Gravity can work. The few users of the move are good candidates for a team, and though its numerous advantages apply to so little strategies, a player who utilizes the most effective of those strategies can develop an indomitable team. It's just not as easy as a Trick Room team, but even Trick Room is hard to use.

[Ballade]

Originally Posted by Diarago

Personally, I think the best possible way to make things hell for the opposition on Gravity is to make a stall team that makes copious use of Spikes through Forretress or Skarmory (or anything else, depending on your weaknesses). Stall teams cause a lot of switches, and so, when everything is hurt by Spikes due to Gravity, you'll actually be able to bring down some Pokemon's entire health bars wholly by way of indirect damage. Besides, an entire 25% (potentially) off of a health bar for every single Pokemon in the game upon switching in is sheer bliss for a stall team; it saves you the trouble of making Stealth Rock or poison a priority.

Subsequently, as Rapid Spin will become a major threat to the Spiking method (should you elect to use it), Dusknoir can serve as a great spin blocker, as always, and at the same time become a backup Gravity user. Moreover, Dusknoir has access to Will-O-Wisp like Gengar does, and so burning every physical attacker that hopes to down him (namely Tyranitar, who's totally neutered by the burn) will make him an indomitable physical wall (thus allowing you some leeway in giving him some Special Defense). Dusknoir has Earthquake as well, so, unlike Gengar, he can reliably take out Heatran. After Gravity and Will-O-Wisp (and Pain Split, probably), only Bug and Grass types stand in Dusknoir's way. As such, Heatran may be of use to you as a revenge killer, since he's always avoiding Earthquake anyway...Nothing about his usual strategy will change, and perhaps you can use that to your advantage. It's either that, or you can opt to give Dusknoir Fire Punch over Pain Split if you plan to keep a Wish passer.

As for the rest of the team, you should pay attention to Chaos' advice: Gravity entails an insanely heavy offense or a very defensive stall. There's no middle ground, as the two don't mix very well at all, and so you need to go one route or the other. Given the tentative nature of Gravity, longevity is a virtue on a team that runs it as a theme, and so, my personal suggestion is to run a defensive stall team in order to marvel at the splendor of universal Spikes damage.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that, on a Gravity team, Earthquake is the one attack you'll want to be defending against, if anything. Even though Swampert takes physical hits very well, he doesn't take them so well that he can take repeated abuse from Mamoswine's Earthquake, which can be very common. My most reliable suggestion is Celebi, but Tangrowth is actually a really good option who theoretically receives a lot of benefits due to the negation of Flying typing. Knock Off's importance is heightened on a team like this, and a perfectly accurate Sleep Powder is very helpful. Plus, Tangrowth can kill Tyranitar with the massively powerful Power Whip.

So where should Tangrowth go into, along with a couple other things? Should the team go strictly defensive? Should Dusknoir go in over Gengar?