Introduction
The inspiration of using the exact same six pokemons was from a comment left on the Taipei MS Top 8 post. The comment said that 'Everyone uses the same pokemon to reach top 8. Pokemon battles are not fun at all.' Yeah, the same pokemons shown in top 8 were inevitable for sure. However, the point was that there were already 33 different pokemons out of 48 pokemons. Actally it was MANY DIFFERENT POKEMONS that made appearences in top 8. We got quite confused and annoyed by this comment. But hey, why didn't we think in the other way, maybe he had never seen the exact same team in top cut. Therefore, we bulit this Aerodactyl team.
Team's Achievement (out of 69 participants)
Achievement | Player | Report | Showdown |
Championship | Chen, Wu (@VGC_TW_Max) | Link | #Team 5 |
Runner-Up | Jie Ru, Lin (@jerrypokemonvgc) | Link | #Team 4 |
Top 8 | Jian Ting, Liu (@wcspmt) | Link | #Team 1 |
Top 8 | Tang, Che (@NTUPM_slimit) | Link | #Team 6 |
10th | Kun Wu, Lin (@Lin Chemto) | Link | #Team 2 |
11th | Justin, Lien (@Migu040922) | Link | #Team 3 |
17th | Zhong Xing, Lin (@twUmagon) | N/A | #Team 7 |
Team Building
The team was built by Chen Wu, who modified his own Mega Latias team to Mega Aerodactyl team. After the release of Intimidate Incineroar, Latias became relatively impotent, but the first four pokemons still formed a fantastic defensive core. Thus, he kept this core but changed the Mega. Because this core was quite weak to Charizard Y, the only candidate who countered Charizard Y and threatened Incineroar was Mega Aerodactyl. With Aerodactyl, Zapdos seemed to be redundant since Aerodactyl was a better Tailwind user. However, electric type pokemon was also important in this format for sure. Other electric type pokemon like Rotom-Heat, Raikou, Tapu Koko (without terrain) couldn't provide enough offensive pressure, so they were not our chioces. The turning point was that Wu recalled Substitute + Electrium Z Xurkitree had a great success in the late VGC17 (won the runner-up in Taipei MSS by Jian Ting, Liu). After testing on showdown, Xurkitree proved itself to be the best electric pokemon in this team. Then the team completed.
The Team
This team has dual modes, including both offensive and defensive core. Players can choose the appropriate mode according to the match and personal habbit. The offensive members are ; the defensive members are.
Offensive Core
Aerodactyl's speed 217 means to outspeed +A Scraf Landorus. Aerodactyl's max speed is 222. We know that +C Scraf Lele is In the range of 217 to 222, but in Taiwan most of the Scraf Lele are Timid, so we decide 217 speed to counter +A Scraf Landorus and ignore +C Scarf Lele. (We asked Aerodactyl's max speed to be 217 in case that any of us trains it to 222 for mirror matches)
As a mega, Aerodactyl is the best supporter of this team. Unnerve ability makes berries useless, which is very crucial in Snorlax match-up. Once we catch Sonrlax going for Belly Drum and switch Aerodactyl in, then Snorlax loses half HP immediately, being knocked out by our ally pokemon. Some players recommend us to use Pressure ability to test the scarf pokemon. However, since Taiwan Open is BO3, we have many oppotunities to test opponent items.
Aerodactyl is the fastest Tailwind user in this format (except Prankster ability), so Tailwind is guaranteed to come out, providing speed advantage for the whole team.
Sky Drop gives this team a classic sky drop combo. For example, our Aerodactyl and Tapu Fini facing against opponent Tapu Koko and Incineroar, sky drop combo gives us a chance to knock out Koko. Aerodactyl brings Tapu Koko into the air, and then swap Tapu Fini out to Landorus. Since Tapu Koko cannot use Protect, Landorus threatens a huge knock out in the following turn. The same strategy can be applied to Aerodactyl and Xurkitree, which makes sure Xurkitree's Gigavolt Havoc able pick up a knock out and gives it a beast boost (if Aerodactyl catches the right target).
Common point
Move: all moves
EVs: 220S
Xurkitree is the key pokemon and main attacker in this team. The damage output of Thunderbolt is roughly equal to that from Tapu Koko with Electric Trerrain boosted.
Equiped with Electrium Z, Xurkitree can quickly pick up a knock out and get a beast boost. All of 7 teams go for the Electrium Z set instead of the common Tail Glow + Pinch berry set. The reason behind is simple. After Tail Glow (+3), basically most of the pokemons are in the range of Xurkitree's attack. The damage is tremendous of course, but it needs a turn to set up. With the help of Electrium Z, it's easy for Xurkitree to get a knock out and Beast Boost. With a Beast Boost (+1), Xurkitree has the power to eliminate many pokemons after a Rock Slide or Sky Drop chip (like Tapu Koko in the terrain, Incineroar, Zapdos and so on). Thus, compared to Tail Glow, Electrium Z allows Xurkitree to attack and boost itself in a turn, which is more efficient than Tail Grow. Moreover, Tail Glow set requires Aerodactyl and Xurkitree to be in the field at the same time, but Z set doesn't. We are easily able to catch a pokemon (Tapu Fini for instance) and switch Xurkitree in to execute the sky drop combo. Apprantly, Z set gives this team more flexibility.
Substitute on Xurkitree is the one of the best move in this team. Many opponents allow Xurkitree to attack freely because they believe that their Landorus in the back can take good care of Xurkitree. Clicking Substitute can harshly punish opponent if they keep targeting the other pokemon. Besides, this team has a hard time against heavy TR team (depending on how it's built). Substitute and Sky Drop help us stall out TR turns.
Common point
Item: Electrium Z
Move: Substitute (6 out of 7)
Bulk: Guaranteed to survive Stomping Tantrum from Jolly Metagross
Both physical and special variant are feasible for this team; though, they all carry Choice Scraf.
Physical Landorus is a good end game sweeper; also, it can sheffle Intinidate by U-turning out obviously.
Some players run special Landorus in this team since this team already has 3 physical attacker (Aerodactyl, Incineroar and Ferrothorn). Clearly this kind of Landorus is no longer a end game sweeper because no powerful AOE on it. Instead, the mission of special Landorus is to exactly counter specific pokemons like Tapu Koko, Manectric, Tapu Bulu, Incineroar, Metagross. Most of the targets can be trapped by sky drop combo, which make special Landorus do its job more easily. As for Metagross, it is important that Earth Power threatens a knock out after Gigavolt Havoc through Protect.
Common point
Item: Choice Scraf
Defensive core
These three pokemon have a fantastic synergy, forming a great defensive core.
U-turn on Incineroar is the crucial element in this team. Firstly, U-turn allows Incineroar to swtich out after opponent moves, which makes us perform Sky Drop combo more easily and accurately. Moreover, Gengar's Shadow Tag is very annoying, and none of six pokemons is able to stoping Gengar going for Perish Song. Thus U-turn provides a decent answer to Perish trap. Last but no least, U-turn can prevent the pokemon which you switch in from damaging, especially for switching Xurkitree and Tapu Fini in.
Tapu Fini's move and item vary with each user, Calm Mind, Haze, Trick, Muddy Water, Scald, Hydro Pump, Pinch berry, Chioce Spec, Waterium Z... It really depends on the user.
Ferrothorn somehow checks TR team and rain team. Basically its job is to manage to survive in the whole game, stalling out the opposite pokemons with Leech Seed.
Common point
Move on Incineroar and Ferrothorn
Common Lead
or ()
As mentioned above, this combimation immediately pressures a knock out. For those who see this Aerodactyl team the first time, they tend to stop Xurkitree from Tail Glow and doesn't opt for protecting. Rock Slide followed by Gigavolt Havoc usually catches opponent off-guard, quicky boosting Xurkitree's special attack by one stage, and then Tailwind is definitely the choice for the next turn. Furthermore, sky drop combo is easy to perform without doubt. In a BO3 match, Protect + Tailwind is still a solid chioce for us. Moreover, if our opponent leads Incineroar, pressuring a Fake Out, we still have a Sky Drop + Substitute play (spread Hyper Voice from Gardivoir is unable to knock out Xurkitree behind sub) Thus there's a mind game even if our opponent is familiar with this team.
Rain Match-up
Obvious Ferrothorn is the key to deal with Rain Team. There's not much to say.
Mategross Match-up
or ()
At the first sight, many people have a mutual question: 'how does Aerodactyl team beat Metagross?' However, the fact is that we didn't lose to any Metagross team in Taiwan Open. There are two ways to defeat Metagross team.
1. Since Xurkitree pressures a OHKO on AS Jolly Metagross, hit Metagross as hard as possible with Incineroar and Xurkitree, putting it into Earthquake (or Earth Power) range.
2. Manage to knock out opposing Incineroar as fast as possible, and win the game with Ferrothorn.
We believe these two stategies are not hard to accomplish. Aerodactyl, Tapu Fini, Landorus, all these three pokemons hit Incineroar with super effective damage; not to mention Xurkitree has a Z move to deal with Incineroar. Likewise, Scarf Landorus and Incineroar can shuffle Intimidate and check Metagross. Thus, there is no worry for this team to face against Metagross team.
This picture shows that Metagross is still the top 1 mega pokemon in Taiwan, but Aerodactyl team is able to go through it.
Conclusion
This team made a big success in Taiwan Open, and more surprisingly, it got attention from the world. Aerodactyl team was not easy to handle. Many of us detroyed our SD ratings at the beginning of using this team. The win condition was not just spanning Rock Slide and flinched; instead, it required user to set up Xurkitree with the help of Aerodactyl, or to play a swtiching game with the defensive core.
Additionally, each of us has different playing style. Someone is good at playing offensively; wheras someone is skillful in playing long defensive games. This team contains both offensive and defensive core, which explains why every player can use this team well while having different style.
We're excited that our performence changed Taiwan's meta, and more importantly, it got the name "Taiwan Aerodactyl" on Twitter. Hope you enjoy this team.
Migu
Apr 29, 2018
Source
http://bokevon.web.fc2.com/
https://pokemonshowdown.com/
Showdown
Aerodactyl (F) @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
EVs: 60 HP / 220 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Tailwind
- Rock Slide
- Sky Drop
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Atk / 4 Def / 28 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 SpA / 0 Spe
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
Incineroar (F) @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 52 Atk / 36 Def / 148 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- U-turn
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Tapu Fini @ Waterium Z
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 204 SpA / 12 SpD / 36 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Haze
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
Xurkitree @ Electrium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 4 Def / 60 SpA / 12 SpD / 204 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Aerodactyl-Mega @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
EVs: 44 HP / 116 Atk / 124 Def / 4 SpD / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Sky Drop
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Tailwind
ブラッドレイ (Xurkitree) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 52 SpA / 4 SpD / 196 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
- Energy Ball
- Dazzling Gleam
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
- U-turn
Incineroar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 68 Atk / 36 Def / 60 SpD / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Fake Out
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Tapu Fini @ Choice Specs
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 100 SpA / 12 SpD / 60 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Icy Wind
- Scald
- Trick
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Power Whip
- Protect
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
EVs: 28 HP / 164 Atk / 84 Def / 12 SpD / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rock Slide
- Sky Drop
- Tailwind
- Protect
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 4 Def / 188 SpA / 84 SpD / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Sludge Bomb
- Rock Slide
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Tapu Fini @ Wiki Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 236 HP / 4 Def / 156 SpA / 12 SpD / 100 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Scald
- Haze
- Protect
Incineroar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 76 Atk / 52 Def / 60 SpD / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Xurkitree @ Electrium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 4 Def / 28 SpA / 28 SpD / 204 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Substitute
- Protect
Ferrothorn @ Figy Berry
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Atk / 4 Def / 28 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Aerodactyl (F) @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
EVs: 76 HP / 196 Atk / 4 Def / 12 SpD / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Protect
- Tailwind
- Rock Slide
- Sky Drop
Ferrothorn (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 220 Atk / 8 Def / 28 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 30 Def / 0 SpA / 0 Spe
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
Incineroar (F) @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 52 Atk / 36 Def / 148 SpD / 28 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- U-turn
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 52 HP / 228 Atk / 4 Def / 12 SpD / 212 Spe
Jolly Nature
IVs: 0 SpA
- Superpower
- U-turn
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
Tapu Fini @ Waterium Z
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 212 SpA / 12 SpD / 28 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Haze
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
Xurkitree @ Electrium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 28 SpA / 28 SpD / 196 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Tapu Fini @ Aguav Berry
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 76 Def / 116 SpA / 4 SpD / 68 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Protect
- Scald
- Moonblast
- Calm Mind
Incineroar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 116 Atk / 4 Def / 52 SpD / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Atk / 108 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Protect
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 84 HP / 116 Atk / 4 Def / 52 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Superpower
Aerodactyl-Mega @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
EVs: 156 HP / 116 Atk / 76 Def / 4 SpD / 156 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rock Slide
- Sky Drop
- Tailwind
- Protect
Xurkitree @ Electrium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 4 Def / 52 SpA / 28 SpD / 180 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Substitute
- Protect
Aerodactyl-Mega @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
EVs: 28 HP / 172 Atk / 84 Def / 4 SpD / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rock Slide
- Sky Drop
- Tailwind
- Protect
Tapu Fini @ Waterium Z
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 236 HP / 12 Def / 212 SpA / 12 SpD / 36 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Muddy Water
- Haze
- Protect
Incineroar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 228 HP / 84 Atk / 44 Def / 60 SpD / 92 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- U-turn
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 236 Atk / 20 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Power Whip
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Protect
Xurkitree @ Electrium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 4 Def / 20 SpA / 28 SpD / 212 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Substitute
- Protect
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 20 HP / 4 Def / 196 SpA / 60 SpD / 228 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 30 Atk
- Earth Power
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Sludge Bomb
- Rock Slide
Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 84 HP / 4 Atk / 100 SpA / 92 SpD / 228 Spe
Mild Nature
- Earth Power
- Rock Slide
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Aerodactyl-Mega @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Unnerve
Level: 50
EVs: 28 HP / 188 Atk / 68 Def / 4 SpD / 220 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Rock Slide
- Protect
- Tailwind
- Sky Drop
Incineroar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 244 HP / 100 Atk / 36 Def / 44 SpD / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Fake Out
Tapu Fini @ Waterium Z
Ability: Misty Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 236 HP / 108 Def / 140 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Moonblast
- Protect
- Haze
- Muddy Water
Xurkitree @ Electrium Z
Ability: Beast Boost
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 60 SpA / 12 SpD / 180 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Protect
- Substitute
- Dazzling Gleam
Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 172 Atk / 84 SpD
Brave Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Gyro Ball
- Protect
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
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