Tom's Teams - The Mud Type
Welcome to this week's edition of Tom's Teams. This week, it's another monotype team of sorts as I look at the "Mud" type, ie, combo Water/Ground. This typing was introduced in Gen II with Quagsire. It immediately captured the hearts and minds of Pokéfans everywhere, and why shouldn't have it? It only has one super-effective weakness (albeit a 4x one to Grass) and gets STAB on two really useful offensive types. They're also bulky, by and large, meaning they can take hits well and still stand tall to deliver powerful offense or annoying status. Of course, there are only four Mud-types out there, but this is going to be a 6-critter team. The other two will be supporters that help ward off pesky counters. Now, without further ado...
Swampert @ Leftovers
Relaxed Nature, 240 EVs in HP, 152 in Def, 116 in Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
Kind of a weird EV spread, but it rounds out Swampert's defenses nicely while putting some punch behind its STAB moves. Mudkip's daddy's major role should be to set up annoyances first and attack later.
Charizard @ Life Orb
Adamant Nature, 252 EVs in Atk and Spd
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
This oughtta make people think twice about bringing in that Grass-type to mess with the mojo of the team. Bring him in on a suspected Grass-attack that will be 1/4x effective thanks to a typing that is beautiful for this team (albeit otherwise atrocious for other usage). There are many sets you could set up here, but this one tickles me best for this team, seeing as there's no Sunny Day needed (and thus the rest of the team isn't weakened). Basically, bring in Charizard. Dragon Dance on the switch, and then attack freely with your wide arsenal. Just beware Stealth Rock.
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Calm Nature, 252 EVs in HP, 156 EVs in SpDef, 100 in SpAtk
- Surf
- Mud Bomb
- Recover
- Stockpile
Fairly straightforward set. Keep plugging and chugging along. Stockpile helps both defenses. Use it when you can force switches.
Whiscash @ Muscle Band
Adamant Nature, 252 EVs in HP and Atk
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Meh, clearly the weakest link of the Muddies, but there's still a use for Whiscash, absorbing status. Stone Edge over Waterfall just because of coverage.
Blissey @ Leftovers
Calm Nature, 252 EVs in HP and SpDef
- Thunder Wave
- Softboiled
- Heal Bell/Aromatherapy
- Seismic Toss
Most effective Grass attacks are special in nature, so you might as well keep a Blissey on your team to wall the hell out of special attackers. Keep this gal away from Leaf Blade and you'll be fine.
Quagsire @ Focus Sash
Impish Nature, 252 EVs in HP and Def
- Haze
- Amnesia
- Encore
- Earthquake
Quaggy's defenses aren't optimal for a Hazer, but that can be creatively amended with several modifications. Focus Sash lets it Haze even if it takes a OHKO hit, and its Sandstorm immunity is, as Borat would say, very nice, very nice. Just be wary of Abomasnow. Encore is to help get Amnesia going so you can increase Quaggy's staying power a little.
Swampert @ Leftovers
Relaxed Nature, 240 EVs in HP, 152 in Def, 116 in Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Waterfall
Kind of a weird EV spread, but it rounds out Swampert's defenses nicely while putting some punch behind its STAB moves. Mudkip's daddy's major role should be to set up annoyances first and attack later.
Charizard @ Life Orb
Adamant Nature, 252 EVs in Atk and Spd
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
This oughtta make people think twice about bringing in that Grass-type to mess with the mojo of the team. Bring him in on a suspected Grass-attack that will be 1/4x effective thanks to a typing that is beautiful for this team (albeit otherwise atrocious for other usage). There are many sets you could set up here, but this one tickles me best for this team, seeing as there's no Sunny Day needed (and thus the rest of the team isn't weakened). Basically, bring in Charizard. Dragon Dance on the switch, and then attack freely with your wide arsenal. Just beware Stealth Rock.
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Calm Nature, 252 EVs in HP, 156 EVs in SpDef, 100 in SpAtk
- Surf
- Mud Bomb
- Recover
- Stockpile
Fairly straightforward set. Keep plugging and chugging along. Stockpile helps both defenses. Use it when you can force switches.
Whiscash @ Muscle Band
Adamant Nature, 252 EVs in HP and Atk
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Meh, clearly the weakest link of the Muddies, but there's still a use for Whiscash, absorbing status. Stone Edge over Waterfall just because of coverage.
Blissey @ Leftovers
Calm Nature, 252 EVs in HP and SpDef
- Thunder Wave
- Softboiled
- Heal Bell/Aromatherapy
- Seismic Toss
Most effective Grass attacks are special in nature, so you might as well keep a Blissey on your team to wall the hell out of special attackers. Keep this gal away from Leaf Blade and you'll be fine.
Quagsire @ Focus Sash
Impish Nature, 252 EVs in HP and Def
- Haze
- Amnesia
- Encore
- Earthquake
Quaggy's defenses aren't optimal for a Hazer, but that can be creatively amended with several modifications. Focus Sash lets it Haze even if it takes a OHKO hit, and its Sandstorm immunity is, as Borat would say, very nice, very nice. Just be wary of Abomasnow. Encore is to help get Amnesia going so you can increase Quaggy's staying power a little.