Reports

Published on June 18th, 2015 | by DonVGC

21

Speed Control: A 1st Place Colombian Regional Report

My name is Juan Naar and I’ve been playing competitively since the release of Pokemon X and Y. Most of my practice comes from Battle Spot, where I gained lots of competitive knowledge and experience, and placed first in the USA’s rating list in various seasons. You can find one of my early X and Y Battle Spot reports here.

Fortunately in September of 2014, my country Colombia started organizing Premier Challenges, so I started participating in the tournaments to gather CP in order to attempt to obtain a ticket to Worlds. I managed to win three Premier Challenges and placed second in two of them. With the team I’m writing about, I managed to win the first Colombian regional, achieved Top 8 in the second Colombian and achieved again top 8 in the first Peruvian regional. Currently, I’m placed first in Latin American CP, with 433CP.

The Team

The objective of this team is to gain advantage by using the two most used forms of speed control: Tailwind and Trick Room. Most of my opponents do not expect Trick Room because they see three Pokemon that are naturally fast: Kangaskhan, Blaziken and Terrakion, so they normally tend to be unprepared to stop Trick Room with their. There’s also some times when setting Trick Room is a risky option due to Amoonguss, Aegislash, or Mawile, so in that case I tend to set up Tailwind. When there is little advantage to gain speed control I tend to lead with a basic hyper offensive: Kangaskhan + Sylveon or Blaziken + Terrakion.

Kangaskhan @ Kangaskhanite
244 HP/ 244 Atk/ 20 Def
Adamant Nature
Inner Focus
– Fake Out
– Sucker Punch
– Low Kick
– Double-Edge

This is a Kangaskhan that needs to work both under Trick Room and Tailwind, so a neutral speed nature is preferred. The 244 HP/20 Def spread allows for a chance to survive many attacks that normally threaten the standard Kangaskhan spread, while maintaining an excellent offensive presence.

• 252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Overheat vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Mega Kangaskhan in Sun: 195-229 (92.4 – 108.5%) — 50% chance to OHKO
• +6 252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Aqua Jet vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 165-195 (78.1 – 92.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• 252 Atk Terrakion Close Combat vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 200-236 (94.7 – 111.8%) — 68.8% chance to OHKO
• 252+ Atk Landorus-T Superpower vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 158-188 (74.8 – 89%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• 252+ Atk Iron Fist Conkeldurr Drain Punch vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 174-206 (82.4 – 97.6%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• 252+ Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Low Kick (100 BP) vs. 244 HP / 20 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 180-214 (85.3 – 101.4%) — 1.6% chance to OHKO

Never underestimate the importance of a Kangaskhan’s bulky spread. Inner Focus is preferred over Scrappy to be able to force Trick Room and Tailwind in many situations and to try to prevent counter-strategies like Dark Void, Belly Drum, or a powerful attack when there’s a faster Fake Out user. At worst, we would trade Fake Outs. Even if it runs a bulky spread, Double-Edge is preferred over Return to be able to secure a OHKO against Sylveon, and hitting as hard as possible is a priority over surviving attacks. It also allows Kangaskhan to hit hard even after an Intimidate or after being burned.

Used it in 14 out of 14 matches. Usage percentage: 100%. Win percentage: 11/14, 78.57%

Blaziken @ Life Orb
20 Atk/ 236 Sp.A /252 Spe
IVs: 30 speed
Naive Nature
Speed Boost
– Overheat
– Superpower
– Protect
– Hidden Power Ice

This is the standard mixed Blaziken, with a spread designed to outspeed Adamant Scarfed Landorus, to OHKO most things weak to fighting with Superpower, and to deal very good damage with Life Orb-boosted Overheat. Some calculations:

• 236 SpA Life Orb Blaziken Overheat vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Amoonguss: 213-252 (96.3 – 114%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO
• 236 SpA Life Orb Blaziken Overheat vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Thundurus: 153-181 (98.7 – 116.7%) — 87.5% chance to OHKO
• 20 Atk Life Orb Blaziken Superpower vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Mega Kangaskhan: 211-250 (99.5 – 117.9%) — 93.8% chance to OHKO
• 20 Atk Life Orb Blaziken Superpower vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 198-237 (100 – 119.6%) — guaranteed OHKO
• 236 SpA Life Orb Blaziken Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Salamence: 177-208 (103.5 – 121.6%) — guaranteed OHKO

I generally tend to pair Blaziken with Terrakion, which is a very good lead against the common Landorus-T + Thundurus. The only problem arises when Landorus has Focus Sash or Assault Vest where the HP Ice won’t OHKO it. Terrakion’s Quick Guard help it against threatening priority attacks, like Brave Bird, Aqua Jet, Prankster Thunder Wave and Prankster Encore, plus Rock Slide helps against Flying types.

Used it in 9 out of 14 battles. Usage percentage: 64.2%. Win percentage: 7/9, 77.7%

Suicune @ Sitrus Berry
252 HP/ 20 Def/ 100 Sp.A/ 116 Sp.D/ 20 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Calm Nature
Pressure
– Protect
– Tailwind
– Ice Beam
– Scald

A very standard Suicune set, with an EV spread to sponge special attacks in mind. With 20 speed it outspeeds scarf Adamant Landorus-T under Tailwind, and it’s a solid Pokemon that can be used under Trick Room too, like Kangaskhan. Some interesting calculations:

• +2 252 Atk Parental Bond Mega Kangaskhan Return vs. 252 HP / 20 Def Suicune: 223-263 (107.7 – 127%) — 3.9% chance to OHKO
• +1 252+ Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Return vs. 252 HP / 20 Def Suicune: 177-208 (85.5 – 100.4%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO
• 252 SpA Choice Specs Thundurus-T Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 116+ SpD Suicune: 182-216 (87.9 – 104.3%) — 18.8% chance to OHKO
• 252 SpA Life Orb Protean Greninja Grass Knot (100 BP) vs. 252 HP / 116+ SpD Suicune: 140-166 (67.6 – 80.1%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
• 252 SpA Mega Sceptile Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 116+ SpD Suicune: 176-210 (85 – 101.4%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO
• 252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 116+ SpD Suicune: 116-138 (56 – 66.6%) — 35.2% chance to 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
• 252+ SpA Pixilate Mega Gardevoir Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 116+ SpD Suicune: 72-85 (34.7 – 41%) — guaranteed 4HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery
• 100 SpA Suicune Ice Beam vs. 44 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-T: 168-200 (98.8 – 117.6%) — 93.8% chance to OHKO
• 100 SpA Suicune Ice Beam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Salamence: 156-184 (91.2 – 107.6%) — 43.8% chance to OHKO (Guaranteed after Double-Edge recoil).

I preferred 252HP over 244HP because it allows Suicune to have more chance of surviving more attacks, even if the HP EV is an odd number and isn’t efficient with the Sitrus Berry. Even if it’s a Pokemon with very good defenses, I chose Protect over Snarl and Mirror Coat because it was the safest option, as it allows to stall turns if my opponent uses Tailwind or Trick Room.

Used it in 9 out of 14 battles. Usage percentage: 64.2%. Win percentage: 7/9, 77.7%

Sylveon @ Choice Specs
252 HP/ 4 Def / 252 Sp.A
IVs: 0 Atk, 22 Spe
Quiet Nature
Pixilate
– Hyper Voice
– Moonblast
– Shadow Ball
– Sleep Talk

Sylveon was my main asset when I chose to use Trick Room. Cresselia’s Helping Hand boosts Hyper Voice and the sheer amount of damage output is incredible to even Pokemon who resist it. Moonblast is there to use it against Pokemon that I know have Wide Guard, like Hitmontop, Aegislash and Conkeldurr. Sleep Talk is a very random attack, but it’s the best option against predicting opponent’s Spore from Amoonguss when Trick Room is activated. Hidden Power Ground and Psyshock were far too situational to be considered.

• 252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Helping Hand Hyper Voice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Mega Kangaskhan: 165-195 (91.1 – 107.7%) — 43.8% chance to OHKO
• 252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Helping Hand Hyper Voice vs. 44 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-T: 198-234 (116.4 – 137.6%) — guaranteed OHKO
• 252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Helping Hand Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Rotom-W: 154-183 (98 – 116.5%) — 87.5% chance to OHKO
• 252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Helping Hand Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mega Mawile: 85-101 (54.1 – 64.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• 252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Helping Hand Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 116 SpD Cresselia: 120-142 (52.8 – 62.5%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• 252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Helping Hand Hyper Voice vs. 244 HP / 12 SpD Azumarill: 195-229 (94.6 – 111.1%) — 62.5% chance to OHKO

It can also be used outside of Trick Room if paired with Kangaskhan, and even with a decreased speed nature it is able to outspeed some Pokemon that generally have little speed investment like Rotom and Suicune when Tailwind is active. 22 Speed IVs allows it to be faster than Jolly Breloom and Bisharp under Tailwind and under Trick Room too, of course; and at the same time it is faster than neutral speed nature, no speed investment Mega Mawile under Trick Room.

Used it in 11 out of 14 battles. Usage percentage: 78.5%. Win percentage: 9/11, 81.8%

Terrakion @ Focus Sash
4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
Justified
– Protect
– Quick Guard
– Rock Slide
– Close Combat

A very standard and perhaps the most used Terrakion set. Focus Sash is preferred over the Lum Berry because it saves Terrakion far more times, especially after the defenses drop because of Close Combat. Quick Guard is a wonderful move that protects against those nasty Pranksters (Taunt, Swagger, Thunder Wave, Encore), Brave Birds, Aqua Jets and slower Fake Outs.

Having both Terrakion and Blaziken in a team means death to a Kangaskhan lead that must switch after a double Protect. Taunt is also a good option, but in my case Quick Guard serves better to protect Blaziken and protect the team against those pesky Whimsicott + Mega Gengar leads.

Used it in 7 out of 14 battles. Usage percentage: 50%. Win percentage: 5/7, 71.4%

Cresselia @ Kee Berry
252 HP/ 108 Def / 148 Sp.D
IVs: 0 Atk, 0 Spe
Sassy Nature
Levitate
– Ice Beam
– Trick Room
– Helping Hand
– Moonlight

Cresselia is my main support Pokemon with a very great item, the Kee Berry. This item lets me switch in a predictable physical attack like Fake Out or a Rock Slide to instantly gain a +1 Defense boost which is extremely helpful in letting her survive most, if not all physical attacks after the boost, and then recover with Moonlight. Under Trick Room, Helping Hand + Double Edge or Hyper Voice makes a very destructive combo. Some might think that having 3 Pokemon with Ice attacks is overcompensating, but the sheer amount of Landorus-T and Mega Salamence truly makes up for it. Besides, I can’t attack Dark Pokemon with Psychic, so Ice Beam is my preferred attacking move.

Some defensive calcs:

• 252+ Atk Life Orb Bisharp Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 108 Def Cresselia: 179-213 (78.8 – 93.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• +1 252+ Atk Aerilate Mega Salamence Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 108 Def Cresselia: 186-219 (81.9 – 96.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• +6 252+ Atk Huge Power Azumarill Aqua Jet vs. 252 HP / 108 Def Cresselia: 132-156 (58.1 – 68.7%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• 252+ SpA Choice Specs Hydreigon Dark Pulse vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 144-170 (63.4 – 74.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO
• 252+ SpA Aegislash-Blade Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 110-132 (48.4 – 58.1%) — 92.2% chance to 2HKO
• 252+ SpA Choice Specs Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia: 72-85 (31.7 – 37.4%) — 87.8% chance to 3HKO
• 252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 148+ SpD Cresselia in Sun: 69-82 (30.3 – 36.1%) — 46.9% chance to 3HKO

Cresselia is also excellent against Charizard Y leads due to boosted Moonlight recovery, and it sponges those Heat Waves like seen in the calculations. Rocky Helmet and Leftovers also were good item options, but Kee Berry was a life saver in many situations.

Used it in 7 out of 14 battles. Usage percentage: 50%. Win percentage: 6/7, 85.7%

Team Variations

I used Rotom Heat instead of Blaziken in the second Colombian regional. It had the following spread:

Rotom-H @ Life Orb
252 HP/92 Def/164 Sp.A
Modest Nature
– Protect
– Hidden Power Ice
– Overheat
– Thunderbolt

Rotom Heat, unlike Blaziken, works well under Trick Room and stands better against Mega Salamence (Blaziken has to Protect on the first turn to avoid getting OHKO because it’s slower, and then Mega Salamence can get a Dragon Dance). It’s also a better option against Charizard-Y, tanks Heat Wave/Overheat better and OHKOs back with a Life Orb boosted Thunderbolt. Its EV spread allows it to have exactly the same damage output as Blaziken, while having better natural bulk. It survives a Jolly Mega-Kangaskhan Double-Edge 100% of the time and most Hydro Pumps from bulky Rotom-Wash. In the Peruvian regional, I went back to using Blaziken because I felt my team was too reliant on Trick Room.

In the second Colombian regional I went with Mirror Coat over Protect with a Modest nature because I felt it wasn’t hitting as hard as I wanted. Mirror Coat allowed Suicune to win against Mega Venusaur, Ludicolo and Rotom-Wash if I managed to predict opposing super-effective attacks, and a Modest nature allowed me to OHKO 4/0 Salamence 100% of the time. In the Peruvian regional I ran Snarl over Mirror Coat and went back to a Calm Nature. After having played the three regionals, I feel that the original spread works the best with this team.

Top Threats

Even if my Blaziken can OHKO it, if the opponent has an Amoonguss it means that I can’t just freely set Trick Room without taking it out first. Redirection and Rocky Helmet also limits Kangaskhan a lot.

Mega Gengar was the Mega Pokemon that I was most afraid of facing. I have no means of OHKOing it except with Sylveon, but it’s extremely risky because it runs Disable and my Sylveon has a Choice item. This team also has no means of stopping Perish Song. An extremely troubling mega.

Another mega which my team has very difficulty in handling. Easily resists Double-Edge (even with Helping Hand) and Blaziken’s Overheat, as well as being an annoyance to Suicune, Sylveon, Terrakion and even Cresselia. Brute force and hyper offensive is the only option to deal with this Pokemon.

Rotom-Wash, Milotic, Suicune and the other bulky waters are very hard to take down with my team. I put Rotom-W here because of Will-o-Wisp. My best option to deal with them is Sylveon. Bulky waters were one of the reasons I considered Rotom-Heat over Blaziken, since it’s a more favorable matchup.

Here are the battles in HD so you can enjoy watching them! I won’t comment much on them to avoid writing spoilers, I would really like you guys to watch them!

The Tournament

Round 1 vs Luis Rubio (Signum)

Luis is an excellent player who won the second Colombian Regional, earned 6 CP in the International April Challenge and is currently the second in the Latin American CP rankings with 430 CP. In this battle the importance of Inner Focus is demonstrated.

Round 2 vs Fredy Vanegas

Fredy is another important player from Colombia, and the only one who has won 5 Premier Challenges.

Round 3 vs Diego Llanes

Diego is also an excellent player who has won one PC. My team struggled to take out a defensive Milotic.

Round 4 vs Mauricio Valencia

Here you will see a very disturbing Octillery in action, and a costly mistake from my part in the first turn of the match.

Round 5 vs Fabian Espinoza

Helping Hand Sylveon’s power in action!

Round 6 vs Oscar Castillo

My opponent manages to pull off a very interesting strategy.

Round 7 vs Samuel Delgado

My last Swiss battle against Colombia’s top Senior. Hyper offensive was the key here.

Top 8 vs Jairo Saboya

Jairo is also a very important player who achieved top 8 in both regionals. Mega Venusaur was one of the megas that I was the most afraid to battle.

Top 4 vs Ivan Macias

Ivan achieved Top 4 with a very interesting team of Mega Lopunny, Klefki and Malamar. Props to him!

Grand Final vs Mateo Arias

Mateo is also an excellent player who has won many Premier Challenges. Fortunately, my team was very well prepared against Mega Salamence.

My Tournament Experience

Colombia’s first Regional was organized by the VGC Colombia community. Around 75 Masters and 6 Seniors went to play for the glorious championship points. We had very good players that even came from another countries to participate, like ReckonerX from Mexico, Henry Laura from Peru and Christian Milligan, a Senior from Peru who won the Senior category. Some pictures:

And the award ceremony! (I’m the one holding the biggest trophy)

This is all guys, I hope you enjoyed this report, and consider Tailwind-Trick Room as a viable strategy in your teams! My deepest thanks to the VGC Colombia community to be able to make this dream a reality, and for the excellent organization and prices!

About the Author

DonVGC

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