Pokebank XY Competitive Team

[Dialkia198]

So, for the past month, I have been working on a competitive team. However, I think there are probably lots of flaws in it (a major weakness to Aegislash comes to mind, not to mention complete lack of a Rapid Spinner), so I would like some help to make my team the best it can be.
[animate]skarmory[/animate]
Skarmory @Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
Impish Nature
252 HP/232 Def/24 Spd
-Whirlwind
-Roost
-Brave Bird
-Stealth Rock
This is pretty basic, I'd say. As a lead, its main purpose is to set up Rocks. Once its job there is done, it acts as a wall. Whirlwind is useful for phazing out things that could potentially be threatening to my team, such as Aegislash.. Roost can heal Skarmory so it can live another day, and Brave Bird keeps it from becoming Taunt bait itself.

[animate]latios[/animate]
Latios @Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Timid Nature
252 Sp. Atk/4 Sp. Def/252 Spd
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Surf
-Trick
My replacement for Noivern. With Choice Scarf and an already-high special attack, Latios becomes a nearly unparalleled revenge killer. Draco Meteor will rip right through anything that isn't steel-type, fairy-type, Chansey, or Blissey, so that's where the other moves come in. Psyshock hits the latter two at their almost nonexistent physical defense, while Surf can clear the way of anything that resists the prior two moves. Trick can be used to lock particularly uncooperative enemies into an undesirable move, but I have to keep in mind that, without the Scarf, Latios won't be nearly as fast.

[animate]lucario[/animate]
Lucario @Lucarionite
Ability: Justified -> Adaptability
Jolly Nature
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
-Close Combat
-Crunch
-Extreme Speed
-Swords Dance
My main sweeper, built to get a few Sword Dances in, then rain terror on the enemy. I would use Bullet Punch over Extreme Speed, but the latter has +2 priority, which can be useful in situations when I'm facing other priority users. Adaptability boosts Close Combat to a monstrous 240 Base Power, capable of at least 2HKOing some of the toughest walls once it gets a Swords Dance. Crunch is to prevent Ghost Types and Psychic Types from getting in the way of Lucario's sweep. The only things that can really get in this thing's way are bulky ground types, such as Gliscor and Hippowdon. Which brings me to my next team member...

[animate]rotom-w[/animate]
Rotom-W @Safety Goggles
Ability: Levitate
Modest Nature
232 HP/56 Sp. Atk/220 Spd
-Hydro Pump
-Will-O-Wisp
-Hidden Power Ice
-Volt Switch
Once again, pretty basic. Its main purpose is to clear the field of the aforementioned bulky Ground types to pave the way for Lucario's attack. Hydro Pump is the main move for that job, but when faced with Gliscor or when I just need accuracy more than anything, I go with HP Ice. Will-o-Wisp can also make enemies useless, though it will not work against things using Toxic Orb, for obvious reasons. Volt Switch is used for a quick escape. Safety Goggles I'm not so sure about, but they could help Rotom serve as an effective counter to Weather teams. I might just switch them for Leftovers, though.

[animate]terrakion[/animate]
Terrakion @Choice Band
Ability: Justified
Jolly Nature
252 Atk/4 Sp. Def/252 Spd
-Stone Edge
-Close Combat
-Zen Headbutt
-X-Scissor
Terrakion pairs exceptionally well with Lucario, since one can usually clean up the remaining opponents after the other one falls. Choice Band boosts Terrakion's power to levels equalling, if not surpassing, Lucario's. Stone Edge and Close Combat are both hard-hitting STAB moves. Zen Headbutt and X-Scissor both give Terrakion an edge against some mons that might otherwise be threatening, mainly fighting- and psychic-types.

[animate]excadrill[/animate]
Excadrill @Assault Vest
Ability: Mold Breaker
Adamant Nature
252 HP/48 Atk/208 Spd
-Earthquake
-Rapid Spin
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
Returning from its Uber banishment in the previous generation is Excadrill! This Assault Vest set is an excellent suggestion by AoH. It serves not only as a faster Spinner than Donphan, but also as a check to Rotom-W, being able to survive a Hydro Pump from the most common variant and outspeed any Rotom-W without Choice Scarf for a KO with EQ. Iron Head can deal with the advent of fairy-types, which can cause a bit of a problem for my team if left to their own devices. Rapid Spin is included for obvious reasons, while Rock Slide is able to hit flying-types for good damage.
Past Team Members:

Spoiler

Cloyster @Focus Sash
Ability: Skill Link
Adamant Nature
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
-Icicle Spear
-Rock Blast
-Spikes
-Ice Shard
Cloyster is this team's lead. His main purpose is to set up a layer or two of Spikes, do as much damage as possible, and then die. Focus Sash is there because Cloyster seems to be KOed very easily by Special Attacks. Therefore, unless Cloyster is attacked with a multi-attack move (which I find pretty unlikely), he is guaranteed to survive long enough to set up at least one layer of Spikes. The other moves are just filler, used in case Cloyster ever has to fight.
Removed because: It doesn't really have the bulk to work as a suicide lead.

Venusaur @Venusaurite
Ability: Overgrow -> Thick Fat
Bold Nature
252 HP/252 Sp. Atk/4 Sp. Def
-Giga Drain
-Sludge Bomb
-Synthesis
-Hidden Power Fire
Venusaur's basic purpose is to be a general, all-around tank. Synthesis and Giga Drain help to replenish HP and keep Venusaur around a little longer. Sludge Bomb and HP Fire are just moves for STAB and coverage, respectively. Bold nature might seem a little weird, but it boosts Venusaur's defenses and I don't really lose anything important from it.
Removed because: Mega Lucario was placed on the team, and only one mon can mega-evolve per team. Venusaur just wouldn't be useful enough without Thick Fat.

Tyranitar @Choice Scarf
Ability: Unnerve
Jolly Nature
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Earthquake
-Thunder Fang/Brick Break
Now, I know that Unnerve isn't a particularly good ability. But Sand Stream, the only other option, doesn't really work well with the rest of my team. For that reason, I cannot use Tyranitarite, since Mega Tyranitar is locked into Sand Stream.
Anyway, Stone Edge and Crunch are relatively Basic STAB moves. EQ is used to hit, among other things, steel-types. I'm not exactly sure what's right for that last slot, though. Both moves are basically coverage used to exploit an occasional weakness, anyway.
Removed because: It's just too slow, even with Choice Scarf.

Magnezone @Air Balloon
Ability: Magnet Pull
Modest Nature
172 HP/252 Sp. Atk/84 Spd
-Thunderbolt
-Flash Cannon
-Hidden Power Fighting
-Volt Switch
This one I'm a little on the fence about. Its main purpose is to trap other steel types, but with Aegislash, Mawile, and Lucario on the loose, it might not do such a good job. Out of curiosity, how many HP EVs would this need to take a Sacred Sword from Blade Form Aegislash with 252 Atk EVs, if it's possible at all? But even then, there would be no guarantee it would survive long enough to make a KO.
Anyway, Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon are used for main moves, with the latter as my main way to get rid of those darn Fairies. HP Fighting is used for the Steel types that are trapped, and Volt Switch is used in case I need to just get out of there.
Over all, I think Magnezone is the Pokemon that's most likely to be replaced.
Removed because: It didn't really fit in with the restructured team.

Meowstic (male) @Choice Specs
Ability: Prankster
Bold Nature
252 HP/252 Def/4 Sp. Def
-Trick
-Psychic
-Toxic
-Thunder Wave
A basic support Pokemon. Psychic is so that Meowstic isn't completely defenseless in the event that it gets Taunted. Toxic and Thunder Wave are used as priority status infliction to cripple opponents. Specs boost Psychic's power in the event of needing to battle, and can be Tricked onto opponents to lock them into a certain move. However, this could end in disaster if the enemy switches into a mon that benefits from Choice Specs, so Trick is to be used with caution.
Removed because: It didn't really have a place on my team.

Noivern @Life Orb
Ability: Infiltrator
Modest Nature
4 HP/252 Sp. Atk/252 Spd
-Draco Meteor
-Taunt
-Flamethrower
-Air Slash
Noivern is my main revenge killer, with Infiltrator giving him the ability to slip right through Substitute and Screens. Draco Meteor is the main STAB, and is able to pretty much punch a hole through anything that doesn't resist it. Air Slash can be sort of helpful over Hurricane, since it has a chance of flinching and more accuracy. Hurricane might still be better, though. Flamethrower is the option to go with in case of pesky Steel- and Ice-types. Taunt can be easily abused, mainly due to Noivern's blazing speed.
Removed because: It's good and all, but in a metagame with creatures like Latios and Salamence at every corner, there were just better options.

So, anyway, that's my team! Comments and criticism are welcomed and encouraged, since my team probably has more than a few flaws.

11-30-13: Did some major restructuring, factoring Ice Jackal's advice in. Changes in bold.
12-15-13: Once again, some redesigning, recreating, adding in Latios, Terrakion, and Excadrill, and pictures.

 

[Chaos Jackal]

RE: Pre-PokeBank XY Competitive Team

Cloyster isn't a good idea for a hazard setter. It's not that bulky, its Ice typing is terrible defensively, it's not that fast and it doesn't have access to Taunt. Even as a suicide lead, it won't do much. In general, it is outclassed by 90% of the OU hazard setters. Cloyster is in OU for its Shell Smash set. If you wanna use Cloyster, then give that set a try.
If you want a hazard setter, you can go for Skarmory. Seeing as you're afraid of Aegislash, Skarmory is a good option. It can't defeat Aegislash, but it won't be KO'ed easily and can also use Taunt to shut Aegislash into Sword Stance and potentially ruin its game if your opponent uses a set with King's Shield. A set with Spikes, Taunt, Brave Bird and Roost is a good idea. Alternatively, you can replace Brave Bird with Stealth Rock or Whirlwind, but that will leave you a complete Taunt bait, so be careful.
Meowstic is also not a very good choice of a Prankster... If you wanna use it, however, I suggest changing its item to a Choice item. Lagging Tail is redundant when you already have Thunder Wave, and it leaves you vulnerable to another Prankster's Taunt.
Noivern I don't have many problems with, although I don't like the idea of it being used as a Sweeper. With its rather mediocre SpA and great Spe, as well as the lack of boosting moves, it can prove to be a better revenge killer. Boomburst is also not that good. It's not Doubles, it doesn't add to coverage, and it's only 5 power stronger than a STAB Dragon Pulse. Try running Taunt. Noivern can easily abuse it with its great Speed stat.
Also, Scarf Tyranitar isn't big outside its Sandstorm. It's very slow so it can be outsped even with Scarf, and its weakness to priority as well as the lack of priority moves greatly hinder it without Sandstorm. Drop Tyranitar and instead go for a setup sweeper, whose offensive power is what your team lacks the most.
I can't give many options on Venusaur and Magnezone right now... I'll recheck at some point and see if I can make any new suggestions.

 

[Dialkia198]

RE: Pre-PokeBank XY Competitive Team

Cloyster isn't a good idea for a hazard setter. It's not that bulky, its Ice typing is terrible defensively, it's not that fast and it doesn't have access to Taunt. Even as a suicide lead, it won't do much. In general, it is outclassed by 90% of the OU hazard setters. Cloyster is in OU for its Shell Smash set. If you wanna use Cloyster, then give that set a try.
If you want a hazard setter, you can go for Skarmory. Seeing as you're afraid of Aegislash, Skarmory is a good option. It can't defeat Aegislash, but it won't be KO'ed easily and can also use Taunt to shut Aegislash into Sword Stance and potentially ruin its game if your opponent uses a set with King's Shield. A set with Spikes, Taunt, Brave Bird and Roost is a good idea. Alternatively, you can replace Brave Bird with Stealth Rock or Whirlwind, but that will leave you a complete Taunt bait, so be careful.
Meowstic is also not a very good choice of a Prankster... If you wanna use it, however, I suggest changing its item to a Choice item. Lagging Tail is redundant when you already have Thunder Wave, and it leaves you vulnerable to another Prankster's Taunt.
Noivern I don't have many problems with, although I don't like the idea of it being used as a Sweeper. With its rather mediocre SpA and great Spe, as well as the lack of boosting moves, it can prove to be a better revenge killer. Boomburst is also not that good. It's not Doubles, it doesn't add to coverage, and it's only 5 power stronger than a STAB Dragon Pulse. Try running Taunt. Noivern can easily abuse it with its great Speed stat.
Also, Scarf Tyranitar isn't big outside its Sandstorm. It's very slow so it can be outsped even with Scarf, and its weakness to priority as well as the lack of priority moves greatly hinder it without Sandstorm. Drop Tyranitar and instead go for a setup sweeper, whose offensive power is what your team lacks the most.
I can't give many options on Venusaur and Magnezone right now... I'll recheck at some point and see if I can make any new suggestions.

Thank you for your advice! You have made some very good suggestions. Once I've figured out how to restructure my new team with the advice factored in, I will update my original post.

 

[Dialkia198]

RE: Pre-Pokebank(not anymore) XY Competitive Team

Okay, I really hate to double-post, but if I want to get this thing completed, I don't have much of a choice.
So, over the past week or so, I have reconstructed the team, pretty much from the ground up. The only ones that have stayed from the original are Noivern and Meowstic, so pretty much everything else is new. I definitely still need some help, though - like, should I invest more Speed EVs on Skarmory since it's a lead? Should I ditch Donphan in favor of something else? Am I doing the right things to support Mega Lucario?

Also, I know that this team will likely not be finished before Pokebank is available and the Pokemon accessed through it legalized. So, I guess that Pokebank mons can be suggested, and I will take Pre-Pokebank out of the title.

 

[Uralya]

Made a thread title edit for clarification.

The team looks more solid than when it was first created tbh. Here's a few things I saw.
-I'd test Whirlwind over Taunt on Skarmory for phazing. You may also want Stealth Rock over Spikes, since Spikes is just a comparatively slow entry hazard now.
-Safety Goggles on Rotom-W isn't very optimal, and the two weathers you're guarding against can be mitigated by Leftovers too. Switch it to Leftovers.
-I question the purpose of Meowstic on this team, and a Modest Noivern is not an optimal "revenge killer." I'd replace Meowstic with a physical attacker like Choice Band Terrakion to provide a sort of 1-2 punch with Megacario and a good wallbreaker. Since this is Pokebank, I'd also switch out Noivern with Scarf Latios - this gives you a fast Dragon revenge killer and retains the Trick aspect of Meowstic.
-I'd test Bullet Punch over Crunch on Megacario - this is pure preference.
-Donphan is up to you to test. If it works great. If SR doesn't go on Skarmory, you can put it on Donphan over Roar. But the big thing I think would work here is Excadrill - this thing has incredible synergy with Rotom-W and even gets rid of Fairies with Iron Head. The set here is up to you, but something along the lines of Rapid Spin / Earthquake / Rock Slide / Iron Head (I like Assault Vest with this set).

Sets:

Terrakion @ Choice Band
Justified
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SDef / Spd
Jolly Nature
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Quick Attack/Earthquake/Zen Headbutt/etc. (this slot is negligible)

Latios @ Choice Scarf
Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Psyshock
- Surf
- Trick

Going off my BW2 memory honestly. Nice team, and I hope this helps. Goods luck.

 

[Dialkia198]

Made a thread title edit for clarification.

The team looks more solid than when it was first created tbh. Here's a few things I saw.
-I'd test Whirlwind over Taunt on Skarmory for phazing. You may also want Stealth Rock over Spikes, since Spikes is just a comparatively slow entry hazard now.
-Safety Goggles on Rotom-W isn't very optimal, and the two weathers you're guarding against can be mitigated by Leftovers too. Switch it to Leftovers.
-I question the purpose of Meowstic on this team, and a Modest Noivern is not an optimal "revenge killer." I'd replace Meowstic with a physical attacker like Choice Band Terrakion to provide a sort of 1-2 punch with Megacario and a good wallbreaker. Since this is Pokebank, I'd also switch out Noivern with Scarf Latios - this gives you a fast Dragon revenge killer and retains the Trick aspect of Meowstic.
-I'd test Bullet Punch over Crunch on Megacario - this is pure preference.
-Donphan is up to you to test. If it works great. If SR doesn't go on Skarmory, you can put it on Donphan over Roar. But the big thing I think would work here is Excadrill - this thing has incredible synergy with Rotom-W and even gets rid of Fairies with Iron Head. The set here is up to you, but something along the lines of Rapid Spin / Earthquake / Rock Slide / Iron Head (I like Assault Vest with this set).

Thanks for the advice! Here are my responses to your comments:
Skarmory: Stealth Rock sounds good, since, unlike Spikes, I only have to take the time to set up one layer for full effect (unless they Rapid Spin). Whirlwind also sounds good, but like Ice Jackal said, Taunt has the benefit of locking Aegislash out of King's Shield. I guess I'll test both and see what works better.

Rotom-W: Yeah, I thought so about the Safety Goggles. Thanks. Also, since previous gens are in the equation now, I think maybe I should use Pain Split over HP Ice for additional healing. Or maybe not.

Meowstic & Noivern: Meowstic's purpose isn't for crippling by Choice-Trick; that's just an added benefit. Meowstic is supposed to be a Prankster Status-annoyer - like Sableye, but faster and with no Will-o-Wisp. I guess that could kinda discourage his use, though.
I definitely do agree about Noivern. Despite being the fastest dragon in the game, with Latios added into the mix, it probably wouldn't be able to keep up. And I've heard good things about the Terrakion-Lucario combo - it will definitely be worth trying.

Lucario: I use Crunch here because it ensures that Lucario isn't walled and forced out by bulky ghosts and psychics. Most fairies have rather pitiful Physical Defense, anyway, so they will either end up crumpling under a Close Combat despite resisting it or being taken out by Extreme Speed. That's just my personal preference, though. Lucario is the personification of 4MSS.

Donphan: Yeah, okay. I'll probably test Donphan for a few battles, and if it doesn't work, use Excadrill. Anyway, I've never heard of Assault Vest Excadrill before - I am pretty curious to see if it works or not.

The sets: Those sets both look pretty good. I'll probably go for Zen Headbutt on Terrakion, just to get that extra bit of psychic coverage.

Overall, this seems like very good advice, thank you! I'll update the original post when I get a chance.

 

[Uralya]

Thanks for the advice! Here are my responses to your comments:
Skarmory: Stealth Rock sounds good, since, unlike Spikes, I only have to take the time to set up one layer for full effect (unless they Rapid Spin). Whirlwind also sounds good, but like Ice Jackal said, Taunt has the benefit of locking Aegislash out of King's Shield. I guess I'll test both and see what works better.
Note that Whirlwind erases the Attack boosts on Aegislash's most popular set. They pretty much accomplish the same goal, but WW covers more threats.
Rotom-W: Yeah, I thought so about the Safety Goggles. Thanks. Also, since previous gens are in the equation now, I think maybe I should use Pain Split over HP Ice for additional healing. Or maybe not.
I would put Pain Split on. Unless SubToxic Gliscor becomes a threat, you won't really need HP Ice.
Lucario: I use Crunch here because it ensures that Lucario isn't walled and forced out by bulky ghosts and psychics. Most fairies have rather pitiful Physical Defense, anyway, so they will either end up crumpling under a Close Combat despite resisting it or being taken out by Extreme Speed. That's just my personal preference, though. Lucario is the personification of 4MSS.
Fair enough.
Donphan: Yeah, okay. I'll probably test Donphan for a few battles, and if it doesn't work, use Excadrill. Anyway, I've never heard of Assault Vest Excadrill before - I am pretty curious to see if it works or not.
Assault Vest Excadrill is the best spinner in the game imo. It's basically designed to counter Rotom-W perfectly. Look at this post of mine for deeper explanation and the set: Assault Vest Excadrill

My responses are in bold, and I included a link to AV Excadrill.