Pokemon: Balanced Team Building

This is basically an improved version of the old team building guide that will help you build a team that will allow you to get on the top player ladder of battle simulator sites such as http://pokemonshowdown.com/

Team building can be a pain at times but this guide should hopefully make it easier.

• Think of a combination of Pokemon that can be used effectively, I will use the combination of Garchomp and Magnezone. they work well together because they can take out Pokemon that threaten either of them. This is the offensive core. It helps if at least one of your offensive Pokemon has a move to increase damage or even an item.

• Think of a decent defensive core, preferably one that can handle what threatens the Pokemon that this team Focuses on. I will choose Chansey and Skarmory because I believe they handle a decent number of threats in today's meta-game. It would help your defensive core is able to recover easily, otherwise your team will be worn down too quickly.

• Now you should probably have a Pokemon that can handle what your defensive core can't. I will choose Heatran because it can wall Talonflame which would normally defeat my other Pokemon.

• Lastly you should pick a Pokemon that can deal serious damage and has a priority move or is really fast. I will pick Azumarill because it can handle the fighting types that could defeat most of my team and it has the move Aqua Jet.

Here is what the team looks like

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet

Ability: Rough Skin

Shiny: Yes

EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def

Impish Nature

- Dragon Claw

- Earthquake

- Stealth Rock

- Swords Dance

I wanted a Pokemon that can set up stealth rocks and has the potential to set up and become strong.

Magnezone @ Choice Specs

Ability: Magnet Pull

Shiny: Yes

EVs: 172 HP / 252 SpA / 84 Spe

Modest Nature

IVs: 2 Atk / 30 SpA / 30 Spe

- Volt Switch

- Hidden Power [Fire]

- Flash Cannon

- Thunderbolt

This is here to help my lead/sweeper.

Chansey @ Eviolite

Ability: Natural Cure

Shiny: Yes

EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe

Bold Nature

IVs: 0 Atk

- Seismic Toss

- Heal Bell

- Wish

- Soft-Boiled

This sponges all special attacks. It can also heal itself, other Pokemon and can heal status porblems.

Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet

Ability: Sturdy

Shiny: Yes

EVs: 248 HP / 172 Def / 80 SpD / 8 Spe

Bold Nature

- Whirlwind

- Spikes

- Defog

- Roost

This sponges most physical attacks. It can also set spikes, get rid of entry hazards and whirlwind away set up sweepers.

Azumarill @ Choice Band

Ability: Huge Power

Shiny: Yes

EVs: 168 HP / 252 Atk / 88 Spe

Adamant Nature

- Play Rough

- Waterfall

- Aqua Jet

- Knock Off

This Pokemon has a lot of synergy with Magnezone because Magnezone can deal with the steel types that bother Azumarill. Azumarill can also get rid of fighting types.

Heatran @ Leftovers

Ability: Flash Fire

Shiny: Yes

EVs: 252 HP / 216 SpD / 40 Spe

Gentle Nature

IVs: 0 Atk

- Lava Plume

- Taunt

- Toxic

- Protect

This counters fairy types and Talonflame. It may also toxic stall.

This team has alot of synergy just by including: A 2 Pokemon offensive core, A 2 Pokemon defensive core, An additional bulky Pokemon and a Powerful revenge killer. You may want to use a different ratio of Pokemon in each core but this ratio is generally the most versatile.

This team isn't without weakness but it is the basic idea that matters. You may also choose to base your team around a defensive core instead of an offensive core, what ever you find easier. To help you could use http://sweepercalc.com/swc/ to help see what is good at countering today's meta-game.

There is also http://paragonpokedex.blogspot.co.uk/ which isn't complete yet but may still be useful.

Hope you found this useful.