Post by DaveTheFishandChipsGuy on Jan 10, 2009 12:05:52 GMT 12
Right, well, since i know there are some people here that are interested in battling competetively, I thought I'd make a little guide to help people with the basics. This really just covers Team-building and EV-training.
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Right, following this is an example of a team that i could use. I just tend to cobble my teams together on the spur of the moment, but always following the same basic plan of a lead, 2 walls and 3 attackers. The Lead can be a wall or an attacker, it's up to you.
TEAM EXAMPLE
Meganuera - Yanmega w/ Wise Glasses
EVs: 252 SpAck / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Modest Nature (+ SpAck, - Atk)
Ability: Speed Boost
-Shadow Ball
-Hidden Power [Fighting]
-Protect
-Air Slash
This is the lead of the team. If it's against a faster opponent, it Protects, and gets a free speed boost, while seeing what the opponent plans to do. If against a slower one, then it can attack. Air Slash provides a strong STAB (powering up by 50% due to Same Type Attack Bonus) while also possibly Flinching them. Nothing in the game resists the combo of Ghost and Fighting, so Shadow Ball and Hidden Power provide awesome coverage.
Selach - Sharpedo w/ Choice Specs
EVs: 252 SpAck / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Naive Nature (+ Speed, - SpDef)
Ability: Rough Skin
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Hidden Power [Grass]
-Dark Pulse
No set-up Special Sweeper. This is usually used as a physical attacker, so it catches things like Skarmory off-guard. Choice Specs boosts its Special Attack, since it needs it. High-power moves help as well, with Hydro Pump and Ice Beam being much stronger than Waterfall and Ice Fang, their physical alternatives. Hydro Pump and Dark Pulse are for STAB, Ice Beam hitting Grass-types and Hidden Power Grass hitting other Waters, that it can't do much to otherwise.
Loxodon - Donphan w/ Choice Band
EVs: 252 Atk / 174 HP / 84 Spd
Adamant Nature (+ Attack, - SpAck)
Ability: Sturdy
-Earthquake
-Fire Fang
-Ice Shard
-Stone Edge
This one catches people off guard. Donphan is primaraly a defensive Pokemon, sporting good HP and Defense, as well as Rapid Spin to clear entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock. But it also has strong Attack, and Choice Band just makes that even more dangerous. This is to catch out Pokemon that think they can come in while Donphan Spins or sets up Stealth Rock, with STAB Earthquake leading the way. Stone Edge is to catch those that are immune to or resist Ground, and Fire Fang is to hit Bronzong and Skarmory, who resist and are neutral to Stone Edge, respectively. Ice Shard goes well with the Ground and Rock attacks, while also letting Donphan stike first for once, hitting Aerodactyl, Sceptile, and, most importantly, the 4x Weak Dragons like Salamence, Dragonite and Flygon.
Dracorex - Rampardos w/ Focus Sash
EVs: 252 Atk / 200 Spd / 56 SpDef
Adamant Nature (+ Attack, - SpAck)
Ability: Mold Breaker
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Rock Polish
-Earthquake
This is a late-game sweeper, to clean up when the opponent is down to a few Pokemon, hopefully it's counter having been beaten along the way. Rampardos has the second-highest base Attack in the game, after Deoxys' Attack Forme, but has poor defenses and low Speed. Rock Polish sorts the Speed problem, letting it get the jump on almost anything without a Choice Scarf. Focus Sash lets it do this, though it needs Rapid Spin support to avoid taking a hit from Stealth Rock and Spikes, which ruins the Sash. Stone Edge is for STAB, Earthquake to work well with it, and Crunch to hit walls like Dusknoir.
Cinereus - Gliscor w/ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Impish Nature (- Defense, - SpAck)
Ability: Sand Veil
-Stone Edge
-Taunt
-Roost
-Earthquake
Gliscor is an awesome Physical Wall. Not even Ice Fang and Ice Punch from the likes of Gyarados and Electivire can 2HKO it. If in a Sandstorm, Sand Veil helps it dodge the occaisional hit. Earthquake and Stone Edge form a good attack combonation, while Roost provides it with healing, and lets it shed its 4x Ice weakness for a turn against a slower opponent. Taunt helps in Wall vs. Wall situations, preventing things like Dusknoir from healing while gradually wearing them down.
Forsteri - Empoleon w/ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 SpAck
Calm Nature (+ SpDef, - Atk)
Ability: Torrent
-Surf
-Roar
-Stealth Rock
-Ice Beam
This is the Special wall. Masses of resistances and good HP and Special Defense mean that it can take special hits very well. Surf is for STAB, with Ice Beam providing coverage to hit Grasses and Dragons. It's sturdy enough to set up Stealth Rock, and then Roar out troublesome Pokemon, racking up damage for the rocks along the way. Only problem is that it has to rely on Leftovers for recovery.
*****************************************
Team Explanation
So, this is a standard team. There's a lead, to get out and damage off the bat, while others can incapacitate the opponent with moves like Hypnosis or Thunder Wave. In this case, the Lead attacks with special moves, so it counts as a Special Attacker.
I, personally, like to have 2 Special Attackers, 2 Physical Attackers, and 2 Walls. This can be mixed up with Mixed sweepers, and the like. In this case, Yanmega and Sharpedo are Special, Donphan and Rampardos are Physical, and Gliscor and Empoleon are Walls, one Physical and one Special.
The walls are together because they cover each others weaknesses, Empoleon is weak to Electric, Fighting and Ground, which Gliscor is immune, resistant, and immune to, respectively. Similarly, Gliscor is weak to Water and Ice, both of which Empoleon resists.
So, that's my basic team-building guide.
Now onto.....
*************************************
EV Guide
Right, this is a guide for anyone who still doesn't understand EVs and should also provide some insight to EV training.
Lets start with the basics:
1. Each individual Pokemon can have a maximum of 510 Effort Values.
2. Each individual Pokemon's individual Stat can have a maximum of 255 Effort Values. This means you can max 2 Stats, as 255/255 = 510.
3. Every 4 Effort Values for each stat contributes 1 point to that stat at Lv.100. So the best possible amount of EVs in each stat is divisible by 4. So 252 if you want o maximise something, 252 EVs will give a rise of 63 points in a pokemon's stat (You will see this change easily if EVing at high levels, ut at low levels, these stat raises will be spread out as it levels up, although you will notice some difference). Always make sure the number of EVS you use is divisible by four. e.g. Typical EV spread for sweeper: 252(Atk/SpAck)/252(Speed)/4(HP/Def/SpDef)
4. Even if you max your Pokemon's EVs in a certain Stat, they may not be the absolute max for that species' stat. That is determined by the IVs, but I won't go into that.
Right, your Pokemons Base Stats, along with what purpose the Pokemon is to serve on the team dictates what EV spread you should give it.
For example, a Pokemon with high Attack and Speed is a good template for a sweeper, such as Weavile, Garchomp, Aerodactyl. This means that their Attack and Speed stats should be max EVd, so they are a fast, and hit as hard a possible.
If a Pokemon has high HP and a particular Defensive stat, then it is best suited as a wall or tank. Generally, their HP and one Defense stat is maxxed out.
I hope this has explained the basics. Now, here's my guide to EV training Pokemon. Make sure that the Pokemon being trained is at the front of the party, and that you can switch to another, stronger Pokemon to KO the trainer Pokemon.
Wild Pokemon often yield EVs depending on how evolved they are, as well as their own Base Stats. E.g. Geodude and Onix yield 1 Defense EV, Graveler and Steelix yield 2. This can change with evolution. Magikarp gives 1 Speed EV, as it's highest stat is Speed. Gyarados, on the other hand, gives 2 Attack EVs, as Attack its it's strong point.
You should all know about the Vitamins. They add 10 EVs in a certains stat, but this only works up to 100. if a Pokemon has just 1 EV in a stat, you can only use 9 vitamins. These are good, it means you only have to train for 152 EVs to max a stat, instead of 252.
There are also six Berries that can clear EVs if you need to start over. They clear 10 each (I think), and also increase the Pokemons happiness.
There are six 'Power Items' available from the Battle Tower for 16BP. When attached, they yield 4 EVs of the stat they represent. When combined with the EVs from the Pokemon that's just been KOd, it can build up very fast.
Stat: HP
Item: Power Weight
Vitamin: HP Up
Berry: Pomeg
Location: Route 205 (above Valley Windworks)
Pokemon: Fight Shellos and Bidoof, they both yield 1 HP EV.
Stat: Attack
Item: Power Bracer
Vitamin: Protein
Berry: Kelpsy
Location: Route 229 (above Resort Area)
Pokemon: Use Super Rod, as you can catch nothing but Gyarados! They yield 2 Attack EVs.
Stat: Defense
Item: Power Belt
Vitamin: Iron
Berry: Qualot
Location: Iron Island
Pokemon: Graveler, and Steelix if you can find them. They give 2 Defense EVs.
Stat: Special Attack
Item: Power Lens
Vitamin: Calcium
Berry: Hondew
Location: Old Chateau / Resort Area
Pokemon: Gastley, and Haunter if you run into them. They give 1 and 2 SpAck EVs, respectively / Surf in the Resort Area, where there's 100% Golduck encounter rate. They give 2 SpAck EVs.
Stat: Special Defense
Item: Power Band
Vitamin: Zinc
Berry: Grepa
Location: Route 223 (above Sunnyshore)
Pokemon: Tentacruel, they are common as muck when you surf! They give 2 SpDef EVs.
Stat: Speed
Item: Power Anklet
Vitamin: Carbos
Berry: Tamato
Location: Route 225 (above Fight Area) / Surf inside Mt. Coronet.
Pokemon: Fearow and Raticate, give 2 Speed EVs / Zubat in Coronet, they are the only things found when surfing. They give 1 Speed EV.
One last thing. Some of you may have heard of 'Pokerus'. This sounds bad, but is very good. A Pokemon with active Pokerus can 'infect' other members of your team after battle. After a while, the 'disease' wears off, and there is a smile.gif next to your Pokemon's picture. While infected, and afterward as well, the Pokemon gets DOUBLE the EVs it would normally get.
This means that if said Pokemon was battline a Gyarados with the Power Bracer held, it would gain 12 Attack EVs, instead of the usual 6. This can be useful. If you have a Pokemon with 'Active' Pokerus, make sure you spread it to Pokemon you intend to train!
*****************************************
So that's my guide. I hope anyone who's interested in following a competetive battling career finds it useful. If you have any questions, please post here or PM me.
Enjoy!
Dave
*****************************************
Right, following this is an example of a team that i could use. I just tend to cobble my teams together on the spur of the moment, but always following the same basic plan of a lead, 2 walls and 3 attackers. The Lead can be a wall or an attacker, it's up to you.
TEAM EXAMPLE
Meganuera - Yanmega w/ Wise Glasses
EVs: 252 SpAck / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Modest Nature (+ SpAck, - Atk)
Ability: Speed Boost
-Shadow Ball
-Hidden Power [Fighting]
-Protect
-Air Slash
This is the lead of the team. If it's against a faster opponent, it Protects, and gets a free speed boost, while seeing what the opponent plans to do. If against a slower one, then it can attack. Air Slash provides a strong STAB (powering up by 50% due to Same Type Attack Bonus) while also possibly Flinching them. Nothing in the game resists the combo of Ghost and Fighting, so Shadow Ball and Hidden Power provide awesome coverage.
Selach - Sharpedo w/ Choice Specs
EVs: 252 SpAck / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Naive Nature (+ Speed, - SpDef)
Ability: Rough Skin
-Hydro Pump
-Ice Beam
-Hidden Power [Grass]
-Dark Pulse
No set-up Special Sweeper. This is usually used as a physical attacker, so it catches things like Skarmory off-guard. Choice Specs boosts its Special Attack, since it needs it. High-power moves help as well, with Hydro Pump and Ice Beam being much stronger than Waterfall and Ice Fang, their physical alternatives. Hydro Pump and Dark Pulse are for STAB, Ice Beam hitting Grass-types and Hidden Power Grass hitting other Waters, that it can't do much to otherwise.
Loxodon - Donphan w/ Choice Band
EVs: 252 Atk / 174 HP / 84 Spd
Adamant Nature (+ Attack, - SpAck)
Ability: Sturdy
-Earthquake
-Fire Fang
-Ice Shard
-Stone Edge
This one catches people off guard. Donphan is primaraly a defensive Pokemon, sporting good HP and Defense, as well as Rapid Spin to clear entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock. But it also has strong Attack, and Choice Band just makes that even more dangerous. This is to catch out Pokemon that think they can come in while Donphan Spins or sets up Stealth Rock, with STAB Earthquake leading the way. Stone Edge is to catch those that are immune to or resist Ground, and Fire Fang is to hit Bronzong and Skarmory, who resist and are neutral to Stone Edge, respectively. Ice Shard goes well with the Ground and Rock attacks, while also letting Donphan stike first for once, hitting Aerodactyl, Sceptile, and, most importantly, the 4x Weak Dragons like Salamence, Dragonite and Flygon.
Dracorex - Rampardos w/ Focus Sash
EVs: 252 Atk / 200 Spd / 56 SpDef
Adamant Nature (+ Attack, - SpAck)
Ability: Mold Breaker
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Rock Polish
-Earthquake
This is a late-game sweeper, to clean up when the opponent is down to a few Pokemon, hopefully it's counter having been beaten along the way. Rampardos has the second-highest base Attack in the game, after Deoxys' Attack Forme, but has poor defenses and low Speed. Rock Polish sorts the Speed problem, letting it get the jump on almost anything without a Choice Scarf. Focus Sash lets it do this, though it needs Rapid Spin support to avoid taking a hit from Stealth Rock and Spikes, which ruins the Sash. Stone Edge is for STAB, Earthquake to work well with it, and Crunch to hit walls like Dusknoir.
Cinereus - Gliscor w/ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Impish Nature (- Defense, - SpAck)
Ability: Sand Veil
-Stone Edge
-Taunt
-Roost
-Earthquake
Gliscor is an awesome Physical Wall. Not even Ice Fang and Ice Punch from the likes of Gyarados and Electivire can 2HKO it. If in a Sandstorm, Sand Veil helps it dodge the occaisional hit. Earthquake and Stone Edge form a good attack combonation, while Roost provides it with healing, and lets it shed its 4x Ice weakness for a turn against a slower opponent. Taunt helps in Wall vs. Wall situations, preventing things like Dusknoir from healing while gradually wearing them down.
Forsteri - Empoleon w/ Leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpDef / 4 SpAck
Calm Nature (+ SpDef, - Atk)
Ability: Torrent
-Surf
-Roar
-Stealth Rock
-Ice Beam
This is the Special wall. Masses of resistances and good HP and Special Defense mean that it can take special hits very well. Surf is for STAB, with Ice Beam providing coverage to hit Grasses and Dragons. It's sturdy enough to set up Stealth Rock, and then Roar out troublesome Pokemon, racking up damage for the rocks along the way. Only problem is that it has to rely on Leftovers for recovery.
*****************************************
Team Explanation
So, this is a standard team. There's a lead, to get out and damage off the bat, while others can incapacitate the opponent with moves like Hypnosis or Thunder Wave. In this case, the Lead attacks with special moves, so it counts as a Special Attacker.
I, personally, like to have 2 Special Attackers, 2 Physical Attackers, and 2 Walls. This can be mixed up with Mixed sweepers, and the like. In this case, Yanmega and Sharpedo are Special, Donphan and Rampardos are Physical, and Gliscor and Empoleon are Walls, one Physical and one Special.
The walls are together because they cover each others weaknesses, Empoleon is weak to Electric, Fighting and Ground, which Gliscor is immune, resistant, and immune to, respectively. Similarly, Gliscor is weak to Water and Ice, both of which Empoleon resists.
So, that's my basic team-building guide.
Now onto.....
*************************************
EV Guide
Right, this is a guide for anyone who still doesn't understand EVs and should also provide some insight to EV training.
Lets start with the basics:
1. Each individual Pokemon can have a maximum of 510 Effort Values.
2. Each individual Pokemon's individual Stat can have a maximum of 255 Effort Values. This means you can max 2 Stats, as 255/255 = 510.
3. Every 4 Effort Values for each stat contributes 1 point to that stat at Lv.100. So the best possible amount of EVs in each stat is divisible by 4. So 252 if you want o maximise something, 252 EVs will give a rise of 63 points in a pokemon's stat (You will see this change easily if EVing at high levels, ut at low levels, these stat raises will be spread out as it levels up, although you will notice some difference). Always make sure the number of EVS you use is divisible by four. e.g. Typical EV spread for sweeper: 252(Atk/SpAck)/252(Speed)/4(HP/Def/SpDef)
4. Even if you max your Pokemon's EVs in a certain Stat, they may not be the absolute max for that species' stat. That is determined by the IVs, but I won't go into that.
Right, your Pokemons Base Stats, along with what purpose the Pokemon is to serve on the team dictates what EV spread you should give it.
For example, a Pokemon with high Attack and Speed is a good template for a sweeper, such as Weavile, Garchomp, Aerodactyl. This means that their Attack and Speed stats should be max EVd, so they are a fast, and hit as hard a possible.
If a Pokemon has high HP and a particular Defensive stat, then it is best suited as a wall or tank. Generally, their HP and one Defense stat is maxxed out.
I hope this has explained the basics. Now, here's my guide to EV training Pokemon. Make sure that the Pokemon being trained is at the front of the party, and that you can switch to another, stronger Pokemon to KO the trainer Pokemon.
Wild Pokemon often yield EVs depending on how evolved they are, as well as their own Base Stats. E.g. Geodude and Onix yield 1 Defense EV, Graveler and Steelix yield 2. This can change with evolution. Magikarp gives 1 Speed EV, as it's highest stat is Speed. Gyarados, on the other hand, gives 2 Attack EVs, as Attack its it's strong point.
You should all know about the Vitamins. They add 10 EVs in a certains stat, but this only works up to 100. if a Pokemon has just 1 EV in a stat, you can only use 9 vitamins. These are good, it means you only have to train for 152 EVs to max a stat, instead of 252.
There are also six Berries that can clear EVs if you need to start over. They clear 10 each (I think), and also increase the Pokemons happiness.
There are six 'Power Items' available from the Battle Tower for 16BP. When attached, they yield 4 EVs of the stat they represent. When combined with the EVs from the Pokemon that's just been KOd, it can build up very fast.
Stat: HP
Item: Power Weight
Vitamin: HP Up
Berry: Pomeg
Location: Route 205 (above Valley Windworks)
Pokemon: Fight Shellos and Bidoof, they both yield 1 HP EV.
Stat: Attack
Item: Power Bracer
Vitamin: Protein
Berry: Kelpsy
Location: Route 229 (above Resort Area)
Pokemon: Use Super Rod, as you can catch nothing but Gyarados! They yield 2 Attack EVs.
Stat: Defense
Item: Power Belt
Vitamin: Iron
Berry: Qualot
Location: Iron Island
Pokemon: Graveler, and Steelix if you can find them. They give 2 Defense EVs.
Stat: Special Attack
Item: Power Lens
Vitamin: Calcium
Berry: Hondew
Location: Old Chateau / Resort Area
Pokemon: Gastley, and Haunter if you run into them. They give 1 and 2 SpAck EVs, respectively / Surf in the Resort Area, where there's 100% Golduck encounter rate. They give 2 SpAck EVs.
Stat: Special Defense
Item: Power Band
Vitamin: Zinc
Berry: Grepa
Location: Route 223 (above Sunnyshore)
Pokemon: Tentacruel, they are common as muck when you surf! They give 2 SpDef EVs.
Stat: Speed
Item: Power Anklet
Vitamin: Carbos
Berry: Tamato
Location: Route 225 (above Fight Area) / Surf inside Mt. Coronet.
Pokemon: Fearow and Raticate, give 2 Speed EVs / Zubat in Coronet, they are the only things found when surfing. They give 1 Speed EV.
One last thing. Some of you may have heard of 'Pokerus'. This sounds bad, but is very good. A Pokemon with active Pokerus can 'infect' other members of your team after battle. After a while, the 'disease' wears off, and there is a smile.gif next to your Pokemon's picture. While infected, and afterward as well, the Pokemon gets DOUBLE the EVs it would normally get.
This means that if said Pokemon was battline a Gyarados with the Power Bracer held, it would gain 12 Attack EVs, instead of the usual 6. This can be useful. If you have a Pokemon with 'Active' Pokerus, make sure you spread it to Pokemon you intend to train!
*****************************************
So that's my guide. I hope anyone who's interested in following a competetive battling career finds it useful. If you have any questions, please post here or PM me.
Enjoy!
Dave