A Link Between Us: Italy Nationals Top Cut Team Report
Hi, I’m Pietro Chiri (kirro). On May 31, 2014 I attended my very first tournament: the 2014 Italy National Championships. For this special event, I wanted to use Heracross, my favorite Pokémon. After many months of testing the team I finally find a good way to use it and finished 24th at the competition. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much of my battles from the tournament, so I’m only going to post a team report.
Team at a Glance
The Final Team
Heracross @ Heracronite
Ability: Guts -> Skill Link
Adamant Nature
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
– Protect
– Pin Missle
– Rock Blast
– Close Combat
For Heracross, the star of the team, I chose a moveset that can OHKO a lot of common Pokémon with super-effective damage. The 252 speed EVs are used to outspeed bulky Rotom-Heat and other base 70 Speed Pokémon. These EVs also optimize the Tailwind support provided by Talonflame. Heracross’s base 185 Attack is its best selling point, but its base 75 Speed is a huge weakness, so I decided that Heracross needed Tailwind support in order to outspeed and knock out my opponent’s Pokémon.
Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
Jolly Nature
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
– Protect
– Rock Slide
– Earthquake
– Dragon Claw
This is a standard Garchomp with a Rocky Helmet to help against Kangashkan and other physical attackers. I added Garchomp to the team to have a counter against Aegislash and Talonflame, who are Heracross’s worst enemies. Garchomp it’s a very good sweeper and, with this moveset, it can really destroy many overused Pokémon.
Gardevoir @ Choice Specs
Ability: Trace
Modest Nature
Evs: 252 HP / 52 Def / 180 SAtk / 20 SDef / 4 Spd
– Moonblast
– Shadow Ball
– Psychic
– Thunderbolt
I chose Gardevoir’s EV spread to survive a Brave Bird from Life Orb Talonflame and a Shadow Ball from Aegislash. The Choice Specs were added to maximize the power of Gardevoir’s Special Attacking moves. Psychic is guaranteed to OHKO any type of Amoonguss. Moonblast provides a very strong STAB Fairy-type move for my team and also OHKOes all Dragon-types. Thunderbolt is used for both Talonflame and Azumarill, the latter of which is actually a very good counter against my team. Finally, Shadow Ball can be used for Aegislash since Gardevoir’s other moves aren’t very effective against it.
Aerodactyl @ Lum Berry
Ability: Unnerve
Jolly Nature
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
– Wide Guard
– Taunt
– Rock Slide
– Sky Drop
I knew I needed to have a good support Pokémon to Taunt any Trick Room users, so I originally considered using Smeargle in this slot. At the same time, I also wanted a good physical attacker to use against Fire and Fighting types, so I decided to use Aerodactyl since it can perform both roles. Wide Guard is used to protect both Talonflame from Rock Slide and Bisharp from Earthquake or Heat Wave. I really love Aerodactyl because it is a very balanced Pokémon; it functions as a really good supporter and sweeper at the same time.
Bisharp @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
Adamant Nature
Evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
– Protect
– Sucker Punch
– Iron Head
– Brick Break
Bisharp was my fast sweeper against Fairy-type Pokémon and Intimidate users. Defiant is a very good ability that puts a lot of pressure on the opponent, especially during Team Preview. Sucker Punch is the only Dark-type move, which was a hazard to use against Aegislash since it can put up a Substitute to block my attack and then hit Bisharp on the next turn. I chose Brick Break to use against Scrafty and Kangashkan, which was a great surprise for my opponents. With this move I can OHKO either Pokémon with +1 Attack.
Talonflame @ Focus Sash
Ability: Gale Wings
Jolly Nature
Evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
– Quick Guard
– Will-O-Wisp
– Tailwind
– Brave Bird
This is an unusual, total-support Talonflame. Quick Guard was used for Fake Out users and Pranksters, which assured me a win in many matches since it caught my opponents off guard. Will-O-Wisp was used against any physical attackers. When Talonflame was down to 1 HP after using its Focus Sash, I often used Will-O-Wisp to surprise my opponents who expected Talonflame to use a final kamikaze Brave Bird. Tailwind is Talonflame’s most important move; it allowed Heracross to outspeed my opponent’s Pokémon and OHKO many of them. Brave Bird is Talonflame’s only offensive move, and I often use after Tailwind is set up.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience attending Italy’s 2014 National Championships. I apologize that I didn’t include more explanation of the team during the tournament. For my next tournament, I will be more precise and include more details. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my report.
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Is this the first Mega Heracross team that has been published on NB? I think it is.
Congrats on making the Top Cut with Mega Heracross, and managing to play your favourites in a competitive tourney. Not very many people have that opportunity.
Thanks R inanimate you’re so kind 😉
Anyways, Nice and creative team with the use of Mega Heracross. Congrats on making it to top cut with Mega Heracross! I also find your use of Talonflame quite interesting.
Anyways, Nice and creative team with the use of Mega Heracross. Congrats on making it to top cut with Mega Heracross! I also find your use of Talonflame quite interesting.
Been using Mega Hera since the start of the season, it’s nice to see someone else use him (and do him justice)! You’ve managed to do what I couldn’t, haha :’)
Interesting team, and congrats on the top cut!
I remember the first time we played in the NB Major where you had the probably first version of that team. With Aerodactyl, you are way better prepaired against Trick Room now, and I really like that choice here.
I am surprised to see Brick Break Bisharp, though- I think Assurance works better than Brick Break since it deals even more damage with the boost, but solves that Aegislash Problem a lot, too.
Another surprise is non-Dazzling Gleam Specs Gardevoir, I think this is the first time I see one and with Tailwind it would be a monster to deal with- maybe you don´t need thunderbold so much since Moonblast already does over 75%?
What I really like though is your Talonflame-set. To be honest, this is probably the best set for Talonflame I ever saw, and if I would ever use Talonflame, I would use this set!
Pretty fascinating to see a Heracross in a meta as heavily influenced by Flying types as this one, although not as fascinating as figuring out how to come around that very fact. I would have loved to read about your battles, but it’s understandable that you don’t remember every little detail (I know I wouldn’t).
Congratulations on getting to the Top Cut with what you like, rather than what the meta likes. You deserve it.
Hi Lajo ! Thanks so much yeah dazzling gleam it’s better i try to use it on showdown after the tournament and it’s better than moonblast. I don’t see you in Milan 🙁 ! Hope to see you next year somewhere 😉
I definitely remember battling a variation of this team (could have been you) and it completely destroyed me. My rotom was slow and the mega-heracross took it out from the start. Very cool to see the Talonflame set from above, as Lajo said. Congrats and nice picks!
Anyways, Nice and creative team with the use of Mega Heracross. Congrats on making it to top cut with Mega Heracross! I also find your use of Talonflame quite interesting.
I remember the first time we played in the NB Major where you had the probably first version of that team. With Aerodactyl, you are way better prepaired against Trick Room now, and I really like that choice here.
I am surprised to see Brick Break Bisharp, though- I think Assurance works better than Brick Break since it deals even more damage with the boost, but solves that Aegislash Problem a lot, too.
Another surprise is non-Dazzling Gleam Specs Gardevoir, I think this is the first time I see one and with Tailwind it would be a monster to deal with- maybe you don´t need thunderbold so much since Moonblast already does over 75%?
What I really like though is your Talonflame-set. To be honest, this is probably the best set for Talonflame I ever saw, and if I would ever use Talonflame, I would use this set!
Hi Lajo ! Thanks so much yeah dazzling gleam it’s better i try to use it on showdown after the tournament and it’s better than moonblast. I don’t see you in Milan
! Hope to see you next year somewhere 
I definitely remember battling a variation of this team (could have been you) and it completely destroyed me. My rotom was slow and the mega-heracross took it out from the start. Very cool to see the Talonflame set from above, as Lajo said. Congrats and nice picks!
I remember the first time we played in the NB Major where you had the probably first version of that team. With Aerodactyl, you are way better prepaired against Trick Room now, and I really like that choice here.
I am surprised to see Brick Break Bisharp, though- I think Assurance works better than Brick Break since it deals even more damage with the boost, but solves that Aegislash Problem a lot, too.
Another surprise is non-Dazzling Gleam Specs Gardevoir, I think this is the first time I see one and with Tailwind it would be a monster to deal with- maybe you don´t need thunderbold so much since Moonblast already does over 75%?
What I really like though is your Talonflame-set. To be honest, this is probably the best set for Talonflame I ever saw, and if I would ever use Talonflame, I would use this set!
Hi Lajo ! Thanks so much yeah dazzling gleam it’s better i try to use it on showdown after the tournament and it’s better than moonblast. I don’t see you in Milan
! Hope to see you next year somewhere 
I definitely remember battling a variation of this team (could have been you) and it completely destroyed me. My rotom was slow and the mega-heracross took it out from the start. Very cool to see the Talonflame set from above, as Lajo said. Congrats and nice picks!
I remember the first time we played in the NB Major where you had the probably first version of that team. With Aerodactyl, you are way better prepaired against Trick Room now, and I really like that choice here.
I am surprised to see Brick Break Bisharp, though- I think Assurance works better than Brick Break since it deals even more damage with the boost, but solves that Aegislash Problem a lot, too.
Another surprise is non-Dazzling Gleam Specs Gardevoir, I think this is the first time I see one and with Tailwind it would be a monster to deal with- maybe you don´t need thunderbold so much since Moonblast already does over 75%?
What I really like though is your Talonflame-set. To be honest, this is probably the best set for Talonflame I ever saw, and if I would ever use Talonflame, I would use this set!
Hi Lajo ! Thanks so much yeah dazzling gleam it’s better i try to use it on showdown after the tournament and it’s better than moonblast. I don’t see you in Milan
! Hope to see you next year somewhere 
I definitely remember battling a variation of this team (could have been you) and it completely destroyed me. My rotom was slow and the mega-heracross took it out from the start. Very cool to see the Talonflame set from above, as Lajo said. Congrats and nice picks!
I remember the first time we played in the NB Major where you had the probably first version of that team. With Aerodactyl, you are way better prepaired against Trick Room now, and I really like that choice here.
I am surprised to see Brick Break Bisharp, though- I think Assurance works better than Brick Break since it deals even more damage with the boost, but solves that Aegislash Problem a lot, too.
Another surprise is non-Dazzling Gleam Specs Gardevoir, I think this is the first time I see one and with Tailwind it would be a monster to deal with- maybe you don´t need thunderbold so much since Moonblast already does over 75%?
What I really like though is your Talonflame-set. To be honest, this is probably the best set for Talonflame I ever saw, and if I would ever use Talonflame, I would use this set!
Hi Lajo ! Thanks so much yeah dazzling gleam it’s better i try to use it on showdown after the tournament and it’s better than moonblast. I don’t see you in Milan
! Hope to see you next year somewhere 
I definitely remember battling a variation of this team (could have been you) and it completely destroyed me. My rotom was slow and the mega-heracross took it out from the start. Very cool to see the Talonflame set from above, as Lajo said. Congrats and nice picks!
I remember the first time we played in the NB Major where you had the probably first version of that team. With Aerodactyl, you are way better prepaired against Trick Room now, and I really like that choice here.
I am surprised to see Brick Break Bisharp, though- I think Assurance works better than Brick Break since it deals even more damage with the boost, but solves that Aegislash Problem a lot, too.
Another surprise is non-Dazzling Gleam Specs Gardevoir, I think this is the first time I see one and with Tailwind it would be a monster to deal with- maybe you don´t need thunderbold so much since Moonblast already does over 75%?
What I really like though is your Talonflame-set. To be honest, this is probably the best set for Talonflame I ever saw, and if I would ever use Talonflame, I would use this set!
Hi Lajo ! Thanks so much yeah dazzling gleam it’s better i try to use it on showdown after the tournament and it’s better than moonblast. I don’t see you in Milan
! Hope to see you next year somewhere 
I definitely remember battling a variation of this team (could have been you) and it completely destroyed me. My rotom was slow and the mega-heracross took it out from the start. Very cool to see the Talonflame set from above, as Lajo said. Congrats and nice picks!
I remember the first time we played in the NB Major where you had the probably first version of that team. With Aerodactyl, you are way better prepaired against Trick Room now, and I really like that choice here.
I am surprised to see Brick Break Bisharp, though- I think Assurance works better than Brick Break since it deals even more damage with the boost, but solves that Aegislash Problem a lot, too.
Another surprise is non-Dazzling Gleam Specs Gardevoir, I think this is the first time I see one and with Tailwind it would be a monster to deal with- maybe you don´t need thunderbold so much since Moonblast already does over 75%?
What I really like though is your Talonflame-set. To be honest, this is probably the best set for Talonflame I ever saw, and if I would ever use Talonflame, I would use this set!
Hi Lajo ! Thanks so much yeah dazzling gleam it’s better i try to use it on showdown after the tournament and it’s better than moonblast. I don’t see you in Milan
! Hope to see you next year somewhere 
I definitely remember battling a variation of this team (could have been you) and it completely destroyed me. My rotom was slow and the mega-heracross took it out from the start. Very cool to see the Talonflame set from above, as Lajo said. Congrats and nice picks!
Absolutely epic team man. I see Mega Heracross, when properly used, being able to deal massive damage to things like Kang for sure! That taunt Aerodactyl though I think would have been pretty clutch. Congrats on the finish, hope you had an amazing day at the tournament!
I remember the first time we played in the NB Major where you had the probably first version of that team. With Aerodactyl, you are way better prepaired against Trick Room now, and I really like that choice here.
I am surprised to see Brick Break Bisharp, though- I think Assurance works better than Brick Break since it deals even more damage with the boost, but solves that Aegislash Problem a lot, too.
Another surprise is non-Dazzling Gleam Specs Gardevoir, I think this is the first time I see one and with Tailwind it would be a monster to deal with- maybe you don´t need thunderbold so much since Moonblast already does over 75%?
What I really like though is your Talonflame-set. To be honest, this is probably the best set for Talonflame I ever saw, and if I would ever use Talonflame, I would use this set!