http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ra...ttle-113999332 I give a try at showdown. Hope you don't mind  

What's a good moveset for a Calm Empoleon? I really think I should take advantage of Aqua Jet to make up for his speed, but at the same time I would have two water attacks. Right now I have Ice Beam, Grass Knot, Surf, and Aqua Jet. Surf helped me wipe out Lucario once he lowered my health to 26 when Torrent kicked in and killed him in one hit. Aqua Jet also saved my ass at the very end of the battle when it came down to speed. My Greninja already knows Ice Beam, Grass Knot, and Surf so it kind of feels like I'm just using the same thing. I have no idea what I should make his moveset.

P.S. Sucker Punch is really ticking me off lately.  

If you're using a special set, I wouldn't go for Aqua Jet. too weak backed up by its 80 base Attack. Refer to Smogon's BW writeups (like this): https://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/empoleon/uu

or just google "(Pokemon name) Smogon forums" so that you get a result like this: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/empoleon.3496385/

Greninja also far outclasses Emp in an offensive role so you may want to use Emp as a wall of some sort. Here's what I pulled from the second link:

Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248HP / 8SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Stealth Rock/Defog
- Toxic
- Roar/Protect

+ If you have trouble with SPunch, Will-o-Wisp will wreck them every time unless they have a Sub up.  

Posted by Talon

Greninja also far outclasses Emp in an offensive role so you may want to use Emp as a wall of some sort.

I always assumed that empoleon was more offensive than defensive. It was UU in gen 5, correct?  

Posted by Talon

If you're using a special set, I wouldn't go for Aqua Jet. too weak backed up by its 80 base Attack. Refer to Smogon's BW writeups (like this): https://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/empoleon/uu

or just google "(Pokemon name) Smogon forums" so that you get a result like this: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/empoleon.3496385/

Greninja also far outclasses Emp in an offensive role so you may want to use Emp as a wall of some sort. Here's what I pulled from the second link:

Empoleon @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 248HP / 8SpA / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Scald
- Stealth Rock/Defog
- Toxic
- Roar/Protect

+ If you have trouble with SPunch, Will-o-Wisp will wreck them every time unless they have a Sub up.

The Stealth Rock tactic is pretty much impossible to do now. The only way to get Stealth Rock on Empoleon is through Black/White 2 through move tutor or through Black/White TM. Is it possible to transfer Empoleon onto Black/White 2 to learn the move? Other than that I would have no way to do it sadly.

EDIT: Nevermind, some guy just said it's not possible.

EDIT 2: Whyyyyy must people ruin online battles with legendaries. Thundurus took out three of my guys in one hit.  

Thundurus is ou you know.  

Posted by Sariss

Thundurus is ou you know.

I just don't like any legendaries participating at all. I took a look at Thundurs' stats and they're all pretty high. I feel so embarrassed though. I decided to try out the 4 player battle function and I partnered up with this one girl and my Garchomp was killed in two hits, my Greninja in one hit by brave bird, and my Espeon in one hit by brave bird. I couldn't do a single thing about it either. Staraptor was the one using brave bird by the way.  

Posted by Sup3rn00b

I always assumed that empoleon was more offensive than defensive. It was UU in gen 5, correct?

Yeah, but that's in UU where there aren't many offensive special Water types. Back then, Keldeo, Starmie and Politoed were in OU and now Greninja and M.Blastoise exist so offensive Empoleon is kinda moot. It's a good defensive mon because of its unique typing and decent defenses though.

Posted by Tyler

I just don't like any legendaries participating at all. I took a look at Thundurs' stats and they're all pretty high. I feel so embarrassed though. I decided to try out the 4 player battle function and I partnered up with this one girl and my Garchomp was killed in two hits, my Greninja in one hit by brave bird, and my Espeon in one hit by brave bird. I couldn't do a single thing about it either. Staraptor was the one using brave bird by the way.

Thundurus (both Therian and Incarnate) actually both have lower base stat totals than Garchomp. I would stop minding legendaries, the ones that aren't banned by default in Wi-Fi battles are pretty bad anyway. You'll get used to it. Greninja and Espeon are both OHKO'd by any relatively strong attack, even when neutral because their defenses are really low -- not to mention that Staraptor's Brave Bird is the strongest BB in the game.  

Posted by Talon

Thundurus (both Therian and Incarnate) actually both have lower base stat totals than Garchomp. I would stop minding legendaries, the ones that aren't banned by default in Wi-Fi battles are pretty bad anyway. You'll get used to it. Greninja and Espeon are both OHKO'd by any relatively strong attack, even when neutral because their defenses are really low -- not to mention that Staraptor's Brave Bird is the strongest BB in the game.

Seriously? That thing must have had choice scarf on it or something, because there's no way with its max speed it would be faster than my Greninja and Espeon. I need to start using hold items more.  

Yeah, Staraptor is ridiculously strong. It's CB Brave Bird was the second strongest attack in OU right behind Kyurem-B's CB Outrage (wow) back in Gen 5, and probably is still up there in the top 5. Even without a Choice Band or Adamant, it destroys pretty much anything that doesn't resist it.

252 Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 309-364 (108 - 127.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO (and this is with Jolly and no Choice Band)

252+ Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latios: 294-346 (97.3 - 114.5%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

Throw on a Choice Band and you've got this:

252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latios: 441-519 (146 - 171.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Scizor: 364-430 (105.8 - 125%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Rotom-W: 276-325 (90.7 - 106.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 235-277 (55.9 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO  

Posted by Talon

Yeah, Staraptor is ridiculously strong. It's CB Brave Bird was the second strongest attack in OU right behind Kyurem-B's CB Outrage (wow) back in Gen 5, and probably is still up there in the top 5. Even without a Choice Band or Adamant, it destroys pretty much anything that doesn't resist it.

252 Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Greninja: 309-364 (108 - 127.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO (and this is with Jolly and no Choice Band)

252+ Atk Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latios: 294-346 (97.3 - 114.5%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO

Throw on a Choice Band and you've got this:

252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Latios: 441-519 (146 - 171.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Scizor: 364-430 (105.8 - 125%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Rotom-W: 276-325 (90.7 - 106.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Choice Band Reckless Staraptor Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Hippowdon: 235-277 (55.9 - 65.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Geez that's crazy. Is he banned from anything? If not, I should try getting one for myself. How powerful is is Scizor with Technician, Bullet Punch, Adamant, and has Choice Band on? I got one recently with awesome stats.  

Scizor was the most used Pokemon through a lot of Gen 5 aside from weather setters, especially the CB set. It's still really strong, but SD Mega Scizor is preferred now since it's a lot bulkier and has more power after a single SD. It's also a solid Defogger if you need one.

And no, Staraptor isn't banned from OU (the standard tier).  

Do Staraptors normally go for intimidate or reckless? because a reckless brave bird would be pretty devastating.  

Reckless for sure. Just too much power to give up on a switch you're probably forcing anyway.  

I'd like to bring up the discussion of the monotype tier. As you should know, monotype is basically where you use six Pokemon that all share the same type. It is important to know that all teams will always have a disadvantage, so there is no "best" team, but there are good and easier types to use than others. So what have you been using recently? I've been using a mono electric team on Showdown. Volt Switch Jolteon is way OP, and I've managed to beat a mono ground type team, despite the major disadvantage.