Requiem for a Team
Perish Trapping ~ OU
Well, this is my first real foray into the competitive scene: That isn't to say I haven't dabbled in it before - I have, but not particularly extensively. Anyway, after little success on the offensive/balanced fronts, I reckoned something stally might be more my speed. Then I discovered Perish Song, and all the strategy involved with it.
The purpose of this team is really quite simple - Prankster Murkrow leads, and can generally be relied upon to at least get Mean Look and Perish Song setup. From there on, depending on the pokemon, I generally switch out to Gothitelle, and stall with Protect/Rest until Perish Song does its thing. Mismagius is my secondary Perish Singer, in case of a Ko'ed Murkrow. Of course, he doesn't get the Prankster boost, but I haven't found it too difficult to switch in and get a song off. Starmie is my spinner, since Entry Hazards are quite a problem for this team, and Skarmory and Blissey are there for soaking up physical and special attacks respectively. Skarmory is also an entry-hazard setter, and Blissey is there for her freakin' huge wishes.
Unfortunately, this doesn't always go quite to plan, and with my limited competitive experience, I'm not all that sure where I'm going wrong, thus, some constructive criticism and such would be very helpful indeed!
@ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 212 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Perish Song
- Mean Look
- Protect
- Roost
---
Murkrow is the main Perish Singer of my team - It gets priority on its moves with Prankster, and will generally KO one or two pokemon before something takes it out. Eviolite is for some longevity, here. The Calm nature is since the majority of Super Effective types seem to use special moves.
---
@ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Mean Look
- Perish Song
- Protect
- Shadow Ball
---
Also a Perish Singer (and technically a spinblocker with his typing), Mismagius is there to pick up where Murkrow left of if/when it gets KO'ed, thus the similar movepools. Shadow Ball was really too good to pass up, though. Since Prankster can't be abused here, I went for a faster build, and Mismagius will outspeed a decent amount of unboosted things.
---
@ Chesto Berry
Trait: Shadow Tag
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Psychic
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Protect
---
The go-to pokemon for use after a Perish Song, if Murkrow or Mismagius can't be left in, and Mean Look is disabled, I'm using Gothitelle since she's got Shadow Tag, and appeared to be the best pokemon with it, I think. Her main purpose is to stall away for Perish Song, although Psychic is there for some coverage.
@ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Volt Switch
---
Forretress is a rapid spinner, and an entry-hazard setter. Volt Switch is there to make a getaway, although I'm considering swapping it out for Gyro Ball for some offensive oomph...
---
@ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spd
Hardy Nature
- Brave Bird
- Spikes
- Roost
- Whirlwind
---
One half of the ever-popular (although I haven't seen it around all that much lately) SkarmBliss combo, Skarmory is for laying spikes, phazing and soaking up physical hits (thus the Rocky Helmet). Brave Bird is there for power, although the recoil damage is rather annoying at times.
---
@ Leftovers
Trait: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SDef / 4 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Wish
- Softboiled
- Heal Bell
- Hyper Voice
---
Lastly, the big pink egg, Blissey. She's the one calling the shots where healing is concerned, with Wish and Heal Bell. She's pretty good at absorbing Special attacks, too, which is always useful.
---