Volt Turn

[Emvee]

RMT #1: [RU] Spiritomb

---------------------------------------------

Hello again everyone. So it's been about 10 days since anyone posted on my last RMT (see link above if you haven't already seen it), so I wanted to make another one before the month ended. As some of you already know or might have guessed (or have yet to figure out), Volt Turn is one of my favorite playing styles in general. Unlike my last RMT, this one specializes in the UU tier. So anyways, instead of adding a threat list or constructing a model of the way I built the team, I've just included it in the descriptions, so make sure you read it all! After constructing the team around a Volt Turn playing style, I went to Pokemon Online's main server, and surprisingly, I made it to 1337 (#13 on the first page). Here's the RMT, hope you guys enjoy it!

Spoiler

Zoroark (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Illusion
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- U-turn
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sucker Punch

Zoroark was the first Pokemon that came to my mind for a UU Volt Turn team. It's gifted with the move U-Turn as well as the ability Illusion: a combination that is sure to cause confusion to your opponents by ruining their prediction skills. This allows you to deal some unpredictable damage here and there. U-Turn as you know is an essential to the team, allowing you to deal damage and switch back. Dark Pulse of course is essential because it is Zoroark's main STAB move, and does decent damage to anything that doesn't resist it.. Flamethrower provides decent coverage by hitting Steel, Ice, Bug, and Grass types for super effective damage, such as Escavalier, Froslass, and Heracross (etc). Sucker Punch is kinda the last piece that fits the puzzle, because it is the best option to finish off already weakened targets.

Rotom-C @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Trick

Rotom-C was another preference of mine for this team. Rotom-C is notorious for it's wide range of move types as well as it's ability to deal massive damage or cripple many threats in the UU tier. Rotom-C has a whole lot of potential on this team as a Choice Specs user. The reasons for this are as follows Firstly, its has an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes allows it to switch in and out a lot, which is essential as it plays a role as a Volt Switcher. Volt Switch is very effective because it allows Rotom-C to switch out while attacking, avoiding being locked to a certain move. Volt Switch and Leaf Storm function as Rotom-C's main STAB attacks (obvious). Hidden Power Ice grants it super effective coverage against Ground and Grass types, getting rid of Pokemon like Flygon. Trick is used in the last slot to potentially incapacitate walls and counters such as Snorlax and Registeel. This is also a good Pokemon to counter Suicune (as Specs ensures OHKO from Leaf Storm) even after 1 Calm Mind).

Xatu (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Roost
- U-turn

So I was lazy to add a spinner to the team such as Donphan, so I chose Xatu to reflect all those hazards, which I believe to be a great choice since it also comes with (drumroll) U-Turn. Though a Calm Mind set may be a little bit odd for a Xatu, its ability Magic Bounce gives it immunities to Roar, Whirlwind, Taunt, and status moves, making it difficult for opponents to stop it from setting up multiple Calm Minds. Xatu can support the team even without boosting with Calm Mind by just switching in and bouncing back the foe's hazards. Stored Power of course hits hard after just a few Calm Minds. Roost is Xatu's method of recovery, allowing it to continue boosting on Pokemon such as Registeel. The last move U-Turn, is to bring back the flow to the team. You may ask why U-Turn is essential on a sweeper. Well that's because you can't really sweep with Stored Power if you're up against a Dark Type Pokemon, so U-Turn is the next best option, dealing either neutral or Super Effective damage depending on the opponent Pokemon's second type. Toxic or Hidden Power Fighting is also an option in place of U-Turn, but since this is a Volt Turn team, I went with U-Turn. Rocky Helmet is great if you predict a switch on a Physical attack for your opponent to take some extra damage.

Lanturn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 56 HP / 240 Def / 212 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Heal Bell

I needed a Pokemon on the team that was a little bulky in order to take some hits that the other members of my team couldn't take (especially since the team switches a lot). Therefore, I chose Lanturn. This set has really good coverage with Scald, Ice Beam, and Volt Switch. Lanturn can eliminate several common UU threats, such as Azumarill, Arcanine, and Steelix, with a super effective move after Stealth Rock damage. Lanturn's great bulk—thanks to its huge HP stat—allows it to tank and absorb some of the strongest moves in the tier and yet remain in good health. For example, it can tank an Outrage from Scarf Flygon on full HP and counter back with Ice Beam. Heal Bell enables it to cure itself and its teammates of pesky status, complementing the mixed defensive spread well and allowing Lanturn to act decisively in any situation.

Darmanitan (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Rock Slide
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower

I needed a Pokemon that was blistering fast and could deal heavy damage at the same time (as well as learn either U-Turn or Volt Switch). Therefore, Darmanitan was my choice (pun intended). It's quite tough to sustain against a Flare Blitz from Darmanitan (and the Choice Scarf makes it almost impossible to outspeed). Rock Slide is boosted by Sheer Force and can be used to hit Moltres harder than any of Darmanitan's other moves. U-turn is essential for the team and it gives Darmanitan the ability to scout and contribute to the teams overall momentum. U-turn is also the best move Darmanitan has against Slowbro. Superpower hits Normal-types such as Snorlax and Porygon2 slightly harder than Flare Blitz.

Azelf @ Normal Gem
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Explosion

I couldn't always rely on Xatu to reflect hazards and produce them on my opponents side (because you have to always prepare for the worst). Therefore I needed a Pokemon for the team that could deal such hazards (in this case, Stealth Rocks), and do so quickly. Because of this, I chose Azelf. Besides it's ability to produce Stealth Rocks rather quickly, it has an excellent Attack stat, making it a very reliable U-Turner. Taunt is rather useful seeing that I don't have another Taunter on the team, and it would be useful against stall teams. Explosion is your last resort move, which is great if you have to stop an opponent from sweeping or getting rid of a tough wall. Teamed up with Normal Gem, you get tons of power.

So there you have it, another team in the bag. As with any good team, this one requires a lot of prediction (especially since it's a Volt Turn playing style). As always, I hope you enjoyed this. Feel free to try out the team if you're curious to try it out, or if you've never tried Volt Turn before and you wanna give it a shot. I've included the importable below, so if anyone wants to test it out you can go ahead and do that. If you have any questions about the team (whether it be how to take on a certain Pokemon or how to use a certain Pokemon, or the concept of Volt Turn), feel free to ask me. My next RMT will be sometime in August, and I guarantee it will be OU this time. Thanks for reading this, and I hope you all comment!

Spoiler

Darmanitan (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Rock Slide
- Flare Blitz
- Superpower

Azelf @ Normal Gem
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Atk / 220 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-turn
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Explosion

Zoroark (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Illusion
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- U-turn
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Sucker Punch

Rotom-C @ Choice Specs
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Trick

Lanturn (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Volt Absorb
EVs: 56 HP / 240 Def / 212 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Heal Bell

Xatu (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Stored Power
- Roost
- U-turn

credit to the internet for the images
credit to me for the fancy titles
credit to whoever else needs it

 

[Emvee]

You guys really can't come up with anything? Lol that's pretty lame. Anyways, I guess I'm just gonna have to rate my own RMT.

Hey Emvee,

Pretty solid team you got there, and congrats on #13. One big threat I've noticed is Rain Dance Ludicolo. Once it sets up its Rain Dance it can do some severe damage to your team (Surf/Giga Drain/Ice Beam). Could you tell me how you deal with that in particular? Other than that, keep up the good work!


Hey Emvee,

Thanks for the comment. Usually those kinds of Ludicolo's are equipped with Life Orb (without it, it isn't as potent). When you see Ludicolo on your opponents team, always keep Zoroark. Sucker Punch does about 75-80% damage to it, and if Stealth Rocks are already up and it's already weakened by hazards reflected back by Xatu or by Life Orb damage, you can successfully KO it. Just play more preservative and you'll be fine.


Honestly, RMT's with no comments are just sad, especially if the person who made it spent a decent amount of effort to make it. Try harder guys, please.

 

[One Approved]

A UU RMT? And I missed it? What? I feel ashamed.

I'm not the greatest person to look for when it comes to a VoltTurn team, however I can give it a shot.

I don't understand what this team is supposed to do against Kingdra. +1/+1 is going to run right through you. The only thing you have that outspeeds a +1 Kingdra is Darmanitan, which isn't going to OHKO by a long shot. I could also see Hidden Power Grass Raikou potentially giving you some problems as again, the only thing you have that outspeeds is Darmanitan which is going to take a lot of recoil throughout the match. At +1, Lanturn won't be able to touch it. You could potentially trick it with Rotom-W, but having to face off against Specs Raikou could be painful for you. Choice Scarf Flygon would help with both of these problems. It will give you a second Pokémon to outspeed Kingdra at +1, and it will threaten Raikou with STAB Earthquake. You could choose better than me what would be the best Pokémon (if any) to swap out for ScarfGon, I have very little experience with teams like this.

Zoroark is a great piece of creativity for a VoltTurn team, I think. As everything spams U-turn on here, and Xatu will keep hazards away, it will be impossible for your opponents to tell when it is out. I really like the idea. Also anybody who uses Lanturn immediately moves up on the cool scale. Good luck with the team, I'm normally a lot more help than this in UU. Props on a really great team idea.

 

[Emvee]

:] Thanks for the rate.

You're right about Kingdra causing some problems at +1, but when you're in the motion of U-Turning and Volt-Switching, the moment they switch in Kingdra, you switch out (and into something else that can handle it while it hasn't already Dragon Dance'd yet. In the event they switch in while you don't switch out, you can just use any move that will cause some decent damage to Kingdra (most the moves on my Pokemon hit really hard), and then once he finishes off whatever Pokemon you had out, just go into Zoroark (which will disguise itself), and Sucker Punch.

As for Raikou, Rotom-C can counter the ones that have HP Grass, and Lanturn walls the ones without HP Grass. Darmanitan outspeeds and OHKO's with Flare Blitz after SR damage.

:] Thanks again for the rate and I hope more people will follow your example of posting.

 

[PG24]

Hey man, nice team! I made a UU volt turn team about like this a long time ago (when mew was still uu lol), however never once thought about using Zoroark! It's nice to see these teams as volt turn is really good in any tier with good users of the moves (LC is the only other metagame I can think of atm.)

I really can't think of any good suggestions right now because the team is pretty solid. I want to say Low Kick on Zoroark, however your team already handles Snorlax well.

Victini over Darm? The higher speed and far greater bulk made it great on my voltturn team. Darm's higher power is still nice so I'm unsure of if they change might be for the worse.

Have you tried a more supportive Xatu? Spreading around TWave and setting up some sort of screens might go better with the team than trying for a sweep.

 

[Chillarmy]

I did avoid rating this RMT because I have little to no experience with UU, but I suppose I should. It seems like Scarf Moxie Herracross is going to have an easy-ish time getting through your team with Megahorn. Your only resist is Darmanitan, who is probably going to die fairly quickly with Flare Blitz and potentially SR if you make 1 mispredict with Xatu. Xatu will be fairly hard pressed to do anything without a couple of CM boosts. I'm not really sure how to fix this while maintaining the momentum of Volturn, but I just wanted to say that.

 

[Emvee]

@ComfortEagle: Hey thanks a lot for commenting! I kinda need Darmanitan on this team because Rock Slide helps me handle Moltres, while Superpower really helps against Snorlax, Porygon2, etc. I think you're right about me using a different Xatu set. I decided to take on the Calm Mind set because it was very gimmicky. Nobody suspected Calm Mind boosts and often times when I started stacking up on Calm Minds it was unstoppable. Once i've built enough it was even enough to take care of Sub Chandelure, which is another large threat to this team (Lanturn being it's only counter on this team). But yeah I'll see what other kinds of Xatu sets I can use.

@Chillarmy: Thanks for posting as well! I know back in my battling career I used to be a strict OU player (I still am, though I'm more adapted to other tiers) and didn't even bother with any other tiers, but after seeing everyone around me making RMT's within other tiers, I felt that I should get more experienced outside of OU, and I did! But anyways, Scarf Heracross Megahorn is deadly. I know for a fact that Xatu can live one of those, and deal an attack while damaging it from Rocky Helmet. I know for sure that Darmanitan outspeeds and KO's with Flare Blitz. Lanturn can tank fairly well and Scald. And Zoroark's Sucker Punch does more than 25% to it. So as long as all the Pokemon work together with each other we can get rid of Heracross. But yeah if you get KO'd by it, Darmanitan can take it out on the next turn (or U-Turn if you predict the switch, and start the whole Volt-Turn chain again).


Thanks for the help you two. I'm gonna try this new Xatu set:

Xatu (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Trait: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- U-Turn
- Psychic
- Thunder Wave
- Roost

Psychic will hit hard right off the bat when I need it, and Thunder Wave can really help cripple fast Pokemon (that are already on the field or off your opponents switch) and ensure that the team outspeeds the opponents team. I'll try this out. More suggestions are welcomed! :]

Thanks again guys! :]

 

[PG24]

I would try Night Shade just for more consistent damage. Other than that, that Xatu set looks good.

 

[Chillarmy]

Just remember, as unorthodox as it is some people run Guts on their Scarf Herracross. I'm not sure I like how you rely on Darmanitan, who tends to die fairly quickly, and a Scald burn from Lanturn. Maybe doing something like switching Xatu to a Wish Protect set with U-Turn/Psychic/Wish/Protect to increase Darmanitan's longevity.

Chilledit: Also, this RMT is amazingly formatted!

 

[Emvee]

@ComfortEagle: Psychic deals more damage to fighting type threats like Machamp, Hitmontop, and Heracross, as well as Poison types.

@Chillarmy: Even if there is Guts, Thunder Wave allows me to cripple Scarf Heracross, reducing its speed to less than 100. Heracross can't OHKO Xatu on +0 because of Max Defense, and once I Thunder Wave it, I can outspeed it the next turn with Psychic. If it's crippled and still alive, I can always KO it with Rotom-C, Zoroark, or Darmanitan.

 

[Juliacoolo]

Perhaps you could consider ambipomb? Normal Gem boosted fake outs paired with technician helps with your slight weakness to special walls, and continues the volt-turn spirit.

 

[Emvee]

Ambipom is a great Pokemon, I'm not gonna lie. But every member of this team has it's benefits of countering/checking certain Pokemon in the UU tier. I mean assuming I try it out what would I replace it with? Right now I've built the team so that I'm able to successfully deal with any UU threat, so if I do replace one of my Pokemon, there will be a cost. Most Special Walls set up hazards and/or deal status conditions, and I've got Xatu to reflect those. Darmanitan takes care of most Special Walls. Rotom-C can cripple any kind of Wall that gets out of hand with Trick. Azelf can explode after getting up it's rocks as a last resort.

 

[Professor Palutena]

I'm not the greatest at UU, but I'll throw my two cents in.

Have you considered Cobalion instead of Lanturn? It gives you a better counter to Flygon, while also fitting with the VoltTurn motif. You'd be missing out on Heal Bell support, and Arcanine would be a bit threatening, but you'd gain an excellent defensive pivot with outstanding bulk and raw power.

Cobalion @ Choice Specs
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Focus Blast
- Flash Cannon
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Damage Calcs
252 Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill (+Atk) Aqua Jet vs 4 HP/0 Def Cobalion: 29.63% - 35.19% (3-4 hits to KO)
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon (+Atk) Outrage vs 4 HP/0 Def Cobalion: 33.33% - 39.2% (3 hits to KO)

252 SpAtk Choice Specs Cobalion Volt Switch vs 0 HP/0 SpDef Azumarill: 62.76% - 74.49% (2 hits to KO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Cobalion Focus Blast vs 0 HP/0 SpDef Arcanine: 85.36% - 100.93% (6.25% chance to OHKO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Cobalion Focus Blast vs 252 HP/252 SpDef Steelix (+SpDef) : 121.19% - 143.22% (Guaranteed OHKO)
252 SpAtk Choice Specs Cobalion Hidden Power Ice vs 0 HP/0 SpDef Flygon: 142.19% - 168.77% (Guaranteed OHKO)

 

[Emvee]

Hey Bippa,

Really interesting suggestion there which I never even thought about. I'm tempted to try it, but I know that without Lanturn, I'm completely vulnerable to Sub Chandelure. Like you said, Arcanine also become a threat. Lanturn has also helped me deal with Crobat pretty well. Azumarill and Steelix are already taken care of by Lanturn, but Lanturn does a better job of it than Cobalion because it can switch into an Azumarill's banded Waterfall a lot easier than Cobalion can. Steelix can never get 1 hit KO'd on full HP because of Sturdy, and Lanturn can withstand an Earthquake better than Cobalion can, and 2 hit KO with Scald. Both Cobalion and Lanturn have the same Ground type weakness, however, Lanturn has more Bulk to hit Flygon back with Ice Beam after Earthquake. Besides, I have Rotom-C to predict an Earthquake from Scarf Flygon and counter back with Hidden Power Ice (or Volt Switch since the opponent is obviously going to switch).

I can kinda see how Cobalion is better in countering Flygon though. I'd have out something like Rotom-C or Azelf or Xatu and he'd send out his Flygon. It's an easy Outrage predict and I switch into Cobalion to take the Outrage and while he's locked on I can Hidden Power Ice. True it's better in countering Flygon because of it's Steel Type characteristics but without Lanturn all those fire type threats open up, and so the costs outweigh the benefits.

Thanks though for the suggestion, I'm pretty sure that after what you told me about it I'm definitely going to use it if I ever decide to do a remake of this team at some point.