Mega Houndoom Team (OU)

[ShanWow]

I know Mega Houndoom isn't particularly viable in OU due to being outclassed by other fire types. It has always been one of my favourite Pokemon though and I wanna try to build a team around it. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Edit: Current team, thinking of swapping out Gyarados for Keldeo and maybe Zapdos for other options.

Houndoom @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 40 HP / 8 Def / 208 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Will-O-Wisp

Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 108 Spe
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Baton Pass
- Giga Drain
- Nasty Plot

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 220 Atk / 4 Def / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- Waterfall
- Substitute

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Def / 180 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Roost
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Defog

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off

 

[Ninjorf]

Bring a counter for Diancie, Keldeo, Lando, Tyranitar, Garchomp, Starmie, Azumaril, uhhhhh, geeze it's not just that Houndoom is lacking in stats, but the type combination is brutally poor in the current meta. You have your work cut out for you.

 

[Nah]

Houndoom also needs some form of hazard control, since it's Stealth Rock weak. Starmie and Zapdos can provide that for you and also handle a few of the Pokemon that Houndoom struggles with.

 

[5qwerty]

You can run Pursuit to trap Latis.

Its ability is also useless.

 

[Dark Azelf]

Why would you even bring Lati@s up? Its irrelevant to a Mega Houndoom sweep lol. :\ That and how is its ability useless its basically the best stall breaker in the game as it shreds (OHKO's) Chansey in the sun with plot solar powered fire blast....same goes for keldeo and azu and basically all of those counters/checks you mentioned lol. -_-

Anyway, hazards support, sun and probs healing wish and it shreds. Lati@s is a good partner for it as it can defog and healing wish due to solar power wearing it down fast and they cover each others weaks well. Dugtrio is also a nice partner cos it removes Tar which is also coincidentally a pain in the ass if you're using sun to support it.

EDIT: Oh and cos its hard to switch in, dry passing and volt turning are nice to get it in. However once its in basically nothing is switching into it.

 

[5qwerty]

Why would you even bring Lati@s up? Its irrelevant to a Mega Houndoom sweep lol. :\ That and how is its ability useless its basically the best stall breaker in the game as it shreds (OHKO's) Chansey in the sun with plot solar powered fire blast....same goes for keldeo and azu and basically all of those counters/checks you mentioned lol. -_-

Sure Pursuit may be irrelevant to a sweep, but you can bring M-Houndoom in on a predicted Psyshock or after a sack. It's faster than either Lati twin, so it can either Pursuit or Dark Pulse depending on predictions or the situation. The only other Pursuit-trapper faster than Lati@s is Weavile, and the Weavile sets that run Pursuit don't run any coverage moves (i.e. Low Kick, Poison Jab). I was just making a point about an option that Mega Houndoom has access too.

Its ability is useless because you either have to run another garbage 'mon like Ninetales or set up the Sun manually. If you set up sun with another Pok?mon on your team, then sure, but it's basically just sacrificing one Pok?mon slot to set up the sun, which is arguably worse than running Ninetales. If you set up the Sun with Mega Houndoom then you have to choose between: 1) setting up sun and not Mega-Evolving, and then being slower the next turn OR 2) setting up sun and taking 12.5%. Might as well run Nasty Plot because it boosts your Fire-type attacks by little less than Sun, but your Dark-type (and other type) attacks by more.

Also, here's the calc on the OHKO on Chansey (I even gave it Modest):
252+ SpA Solar Power Mega Houndoom Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Chansey in Sun: 240-283 (37.3 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Nice, you might be able to 2HKO with Stealth Rocks up, or if you're lucky with a burn or crit. But normally you just get stalled out and take damage every turn until Sun fades. So I don't see this 'OHKO' happening unless you somehow rig your opponent's team to make their Chansey level 60 or something.

EDIT: Didn't see that it was supposed to be with a Nasty Plot boost. Removed 'lmao' from comment.


@ShanWow, using Mega Houndoom in OU is very gimmicky but it can work if you build carefully around it and play very carefully. It's very easily revenge killed as well. Use the Smogon Set for best effectiveness, as a lot of experts have taken the time to make that analysis. Again, it can work and does beat some things, but it needs good team support and very careful playing.

 

[Dark Azelf]

Sure Pursuit may be irrelevant to a sweep, but you can bring M-Houndoom in on a predicted Psyshock or after a sack. It's faster than either Lati twin, so it can either Pursuit or Dark Pulse depending on predictions or the situation. The only other Pursuit-trapper faster than Lati@s is Weavile, and the Weavile sets that run Pursuit don't run any coverage moves (i.e. Low Kick, Poison Jab). I was just making a point about an option that Mega Houndoom has access too.

Fair enough, misunderstood your wording. I thought you meant you need to Pursuit Lati@s to open up a sweep for Houndoom so i was just like what lol.

Its ability is useless because you either have to run another garbage 'mon like Ninetales or set up the Sun manually. If you set up sun with another Pok?mon on your team, then sure, but it's basically just sacrificing one Pok?mon slot to set up the sun, which is arguably worse than running Ninetales. If you set up the Sun with Mega Houndoom then you have to choose between: 1) setting up sun and not Mega-Evolving, and then being slower the next turn OR 2) setting up sun and taking 12.5%. Might as well run Nasty Plot because it boosts your Fire-type attacks by little less than Sun, but your Dark-type (and other type) attacks by more.

Ninetales is shit yeah sure. However ive seen a team that got to #1 on the ladder which was a ninetales doom sun team. :P

Also, here's the calc on the OHKO on Chansey (I even gave it Modest):
252+ SpA Solar Power Mega Houndoom Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Chansey in Sun: 240-283 (37.3 - 44%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Nice, you might be able to 2HKO with Stealth Rocks up, or if you're lucky with a burn or crit. But normally you just get stalled out and take damage every turn until Sun fades. So I don't see this 'OHKO' happening unless you somehow rig your opponent's team to make their Chansey level 60 or something lmao. -_-

(OHKO's) Chansey in the sun with plot solar powered fire blast.

;)

+2 252 SpA Solar Power Mega Houndoom Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Chansey in Sun: 435-513 (67.7 - 79.9%)

Plus alot of people dont even run that much special defense and with SR/any residual damage its pretty much done.

 

[5qwerty]

;)

+2 252 SpA Solar Power Mega Houndoom Fire Blast vs. 4 HP / 252 SpD Eviolite Chansey in Sun: 435-513 (67.7 - 79.9%)

Plus alot of people dont even run that much special defense and with SR/any residual damage its pretty much done.

Ah ok, didn't see the plot. Sorry about that.

 

[ShanWow]

Houndoom @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 40 HP / 8 Def / 208 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Fire Blast
- Dark Pulse
- Will-O-Wisp

Celebi @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 148 Def / 108 Spe
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Baton Pass
- Giga Drain
- Nasty Plot

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 88 HP / 220 Atk / 4 Def / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Bounce
- Waterfall
- Substitute

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Swords Dance

Zapdos @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 60 Def / 180 SpD / 16 Spe
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch
- Roost
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Defog

Landorus-Therian @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- U-turn
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off

Currently at 1400 ELO (not that high but I'm not a great battler by any means). I feel like these Pokemon cover each other fairly well though I haven't tested quite enough. Decided to not go for a Sun team until I learn how to keep Houndoom alive better. Any replacements or set tweaks are welcomed.

 

[5qwerty]

Ok, so I played with this team for a bit (albeit against the lower ladder), and here are some minor issues that I have:

1. No Stealth Rocks.
2. Gyarados is rarely used/needed.
3. Nasty Plot on Houndoom with Nasty Pass Celebi is kind of weird sometimes. I don't really know how to explain it.

I would probably change Gyarados to another Water type, probably a defensive one for more pivoting. As for Stealth Rock, I was thinking that you could move it to Celebi over Recover. OR you could replace one of the Nasty Plots on either Houndoom or Celebi, as two aren't really needed. Sure having both are nice, but so are Stealth Rocks. If you replace Celebi's Nasty Plot, give it Stealth Rock. If you replace Houndoom's Nasty Plot, give it Taunt or Sucker Punch (or Pursuit if you want). I would also run Thunderbolt/Discharge on Zapdos over Volt Switch, since as a wall you might need to stay in a lot of the time. I understand the Volt Switch and it's better than Tbolt/Discharge in certain situations, but I would run Thunderbolt/Discharge (keep Volt Switch if you want).

Also, Low Kick Weavile kind of blows this team back.

 

[ShanWow]

1. No Stealth Rocks.
2. Gyarados is rarely used/needed.
3. Nasty Plot on Houndoom with Nasty Pass Celebi is kind of weird sometimes. I don't really know how to explain it.

I would probably change Gyarados to another Water type, probably a defensive one for more pivoting. As for Stealth Rock, I was thinking that you could move it to Celebi over Recover. OR you could replace one of the Nasty Plots on either Houndoom or Celebi, as two aren't really needed. Sure having both are nice, but so are Stealth Rocks. If you replace Celebi's Nasty Plot, give it Stealth Rock. If you replace Houndoom's Nasty Plot, give it Taunt or Sucker Punch (or Pursuit if you want). I would also run Thunderbolt/Discharge on Zapdos over Volt Switch, since as a wall you might need to stay in a lot of the time. I understand the Volt Switch and it's better than Tbolt/Discharge in certain situations, but I would run Thunderbolt/Discharge (keep Volt Switch if you want).

Also, Low Kick Weavile kind of blows this team back.

I agree with all those points. I will be swapping out Gyarados for something else. I find i rarely use Recover on Celebi so it will most likely be replaced with Stealth Rocks. Nasty Plot on Houndoom will be replaced as I rarely get chances to use, not sure what for yet. I will remove Volt Switch from Zapdos as well. Probably replace Gyarados with Keldeo to take on Weavile.

 

[PrimusIV]

I think this will be better

Conkeldurr @ Choice Band
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Hammer Arm
-Mach Punch
-Thunder Punch
-Poison Jab



Sylveon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
-Hyper Voice
-Psyshock
-Hidden Power Fire
-Baton Pass

Metagross @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Stealth Rock
-Meteor Mash
-Earthquake
-Explosion

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Bounce
-Earthquake

Crobat @ Choice Band
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
-Brave Bird
-U-turn
-Cross Poison
-Defog

Houndoom @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
-Nasty Plot
-Fire Blast
-Dark Pulse
-Protect

 

[ShanWow]

I think this will be better

Conkeldurr @ Choice Band
Ability: Iron Fist
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Hammer Arm
-Mach Punch
-Thunder Punch
-Poison Jab



Sylveon @ Choice Specs
Ability: Pixilate
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
-Hyper Voice
-Psyshock
-Hidden Power Fire
-Baton Pass

Metagross @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
-Stealth Rock
-Meteor Mash
-Earthquake
-Explosion

Gyarados @ Leftovers
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
-Dragon Dance
-Waterfall
-Bounce
-Earthquake

Crobat @ Choice Band
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
-Brave Bird
-U-turn
-Cross Poison
-Defog

Houndoom @ Houndoominite
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
-Nasty Plot
-Fire Blast
-Dark Pulse
-Protect

Thanks but I'm trying to build a viable OU team.