Pokemon X & Y (3DS)

[Khajit]

Well, I don't have too many of the moves (much less items) planned out, but I'll put down what I know so far:

Gengar (Timid) - Black Sludge: Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Thunderbolt, Dazzling Gleam
Blaziken (Adamant) - Blazikenite: Flare Blitz, Brave Bird, Hi Jump Kick, Swords Dance
Electivire (Naive) - ???: Thunderbolt (or Wild Charge), Fire Punch, Brick Break, ???
Goodra (Modest) - Leftovers: Dragon Pulse, ???, ???, ???.<< He's meant mostly to be a SDEF tank, but still be able to knock out some Pokes.

And I guess it wasn't so much the moves that damage the user, but more the moves with low accuracy. Especially on Blaziken where all of his moves either hurt the user or have low acc. As for as him being Adamant, since he has Speed Boost I thought making him Jolly would be a bit of a waste since after a turn or 2 the ability would increase his speed. The giant fighting chicken is really the only one I'm iffy about. Dropping him would also free up a Mega slot, so I could use Gengar as the Mega or add someone new (maybe Mega Venusar as a physical tank... not sure about having 2 Poison types, though). Was also considering maybe an Excadrill?

Definitely want some sort of Water type in there, which is why I had mentioned Starmie. Clawitzer also looks decent.

Disable and Sub on the gengar preferably since you can substitute then disable whatever move the opponent had that actually harms you but other setups are possible.
At minimum a substitute so that you can hide behind it and be immune to status moves.
Consider assault vest gooddra? Doubles your special defense but you can only use attacking moves. it will be nigh impossible to kill it with a special attacker and if it's got the HA gooey any move that hits it makes your opponent slower so you can swap goodra out for something that either outspeeds the slowed enemy or have something with wish sneak in and heal your goodra to make them rage.

[Marcicus]

Does anyone have an Impish Phantump they don't mind getting rid of? Need one with its hidden ability, Harvest, if possible.

[Dominico]

Disable and Sub on the gengar preferably since you can substitute then disable whatever move the opponent had that actually harms you but other setups are possible.
At minimum a substitute so that you can hide behind it and be immune to status moves.
Consider assault vest gooddra? Doubles your special defense but you can only use attacking moves. it will be nigh impossible to kill it with a special attacker and if it's got the HA gooey any move that hits it makes your opponent slower so you can swap goodra out for something that either outspeeds the slowed enemy or have something with wish sneak in and heal your goodra to make them rage.

Had actually never heard of Assault Vest before, but it sounds like a pretty good option. The HA seems pretty damn good too, guess I'll have to find a Safari with Sliggoos in it.

Also, how exactly does the whole friend adding thing work? I add someone then they have to type in my FC to confirm the add? Or do I add someone and just not see their 3rd FS Poke until they add me back? Aaaand will I get some sort of notification confirming they added me? Sorry if it sounds stupid, never owned a 3DS until XY came out.

[Serra]

First off, apologizes for the incoming wall-o-text..

Going to move on to doubles now. Hopefully it's a little less bullshit filled.

Hahaha.. oh, you're a funny one.

Spoiler: show

Not laughing at you. Double battles make me rage so hard. Haven't even made it to Evelyn yet.. but I'll beat her, one day.. hopefully. In all seriousness though, doubles are harder, imo, because you can't flat out exploit them -- you actually need really good synergy between your team, and the computer has a way of pulling BS at higher levels (aka, yawn spam..).

What's the things you can do in the Maison? Super Singles/Super Doubles..etcetc

Maison starts with the 4 basic battles (5 with multi battle, but I actually haven't bothered with that one yet..). In these, you go 20 rounds, then fight the Chatelaine. After you beat her, you get access to the Super battles which have no limit. At 50, you fight the Chatelaine again, this time with a new team (all legendaries). The point is to get battle points which you can use to buy items and TMs. This has been made a lot easier this generation as every battle gives you BPs and in the past, you were locked in to these (for 7 battles in a row), but now you can interrupt and pick up whenever. I like them a lot because they feel like the pokemon hard mode that everyone always wants, and it's a good way to work on the mechanics of your teams.

I like having Protect in that spot to guarantee you get a speed boost in and also to scout if your opponent is trying to protect/detect your High Jump Kick

also, you don't have to use Blaziken with the mega stone, he's still borderline OP without

So this is something I've actually done recently -- replaced Brave Bird with Prot and so far it's worked really well for me in Super Doubles (admittedly, I'm only on round 18, but having that protection has been great so far). The only thing that concerns me is Aerodactyl. I'm not sure if one boost is enough to make Blaziken faster than Aerodactly or not yet, and Aerodactyl has OHKOed me in the past..

While everything here is true and quite spot on I would say though that Blaziken is a bad example because of Speed Boost. This doesn't mean slower pokemon are bad something like a Choice scarf can be used to speed up slower pokemon but locks you on 1 move so you will have to switch out if something has a type that walls your attack also trick room teams are nuts but takes a lot of preparation and skill to use. If you a have slow pokemon make sure it has good typing and pretty bulky like Togekiss and Rotom-W.

Anyone who can actually get a trick room team to work, my hats off to them. I had a friend who I played back in B/W who I rocked a few times thanks to the fact that I'm so speed focused, but then he made a trick team to counter me.. Needless to say, I got destroyed hard. But yeah, Blaziken is a bad example because of speed boost.. But still, going back to Moss' point, if you don't get that turn or two to get speed boost, Blaziken is not exactly durable enough to survive a lot of damage -- and so prot really is great here.

Well, I don't have too many of the moves (much less items) planned out, but I'll put down what I know so far:

Gengar (Timid) - Black Sludge: Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Thunderbolt, Dazzling Gleam
Blaziken (Adamant) - Blazikenite: Flare Blitz, Brave Bird, Hi Jump Kick, Swords Dance
Electivire (Naive) - ???: Thunderbolt (or Wild Charge), Fire Punch, Brick Break, ???
Goodra (Modest) - Leftovers: Dragon Pulse, ???, ???, ???.<< He's meant mostly to be a SDEF tank, but still be able to knock out some Pokes.

And I guess it wasn't so much the moves that damage the user, but more the moves with low accuracy. Especially on Blaziken where all of his moves either hurt the user or have low acc. As for as him being Adamant, since he has Speed Boost I thought making him Jolly would be a bit of a waste since after a turn or 2 the ability would increase his speed. The giant fighting chicken is really the only one I'm iffy about. Dropping him would also free up a Mega slot, so I could use Gengar as the Mega or add someone new (maybe Mega Venusar as a physical tank... not sure about having 2 Poison types, though). Was also considering maybe an Excadrill?

Definitely want some sort of Water type in there, which is why I had mentioned Starmie. Clawitzer also looks decent.

Like Khajit said, I'd do Assault Vest on Goodra. Since you'll likely go up against Fairies, I'd suggest giving it Sludge Wave for one of its moves. I can give you a gooey Goomy later on today whenever I get on -- still have like 2 or 3 boxes full.. I've considered Clawitzer, but I disliked that it couldn't use heal pulse on itself, and it's so freaking slow that it wasn't my style (but your mileage may vary). I know you said you didn't wanna use one of the super common pokemon, but if you want a water type, a Protean Greninja is amazing. I tried switching Starmie in for it for a stretch, but it didn't work out for me..

I'd have to look at your team a bit more, but as far as your Blaziken goes, I'd do Flare Blitz, High-Jump, Prot, and EQ. Yes, it doesn't have the advantage of Swords Dance, but like I said earlier, I find Blaziken to be incredibly fragile. A good way around that though is to lead with a male Meowstic with Reflect, Light Screen, and Light Clay (I think that's the item..). I feel at least 25% of the online battles I've done have had a Meowstic though (and always the same moves -- Thunder Wave, Reflect, Light Screen, Psychic spam).. A good counter to that is to open with Carbink -- gives you access to Reflect and Light Screen, and you can open with Stealth Rock. Carbink is so freaking slow though, and doesn't have Prankster like Meowstic..

And I think that's probably enough rambling for now -- gonna cut myself off there..

[Serra]

Had actually never heard of Assault Vest before, but it sounds like a pretty good option. The HA seems pretty damn good too, guess I'll have to find a Safari with Sliggoos in it.

Also, how exactly does the whole friend adding thing work? I add someone then they have to type in my FC to confirm the add? Or do I add someone and just not see their 3rd FS Poke until they add me back? Aaaand will I get some sort of notification confirming they added me? Sorry if it sounds stupid, never owned a 3DS until XY came out.

You both need to add each other. Until you both do, they won't show up in your friend safari. The only notification you get is if you go back into your friend list, then it'll tell you. You get the 3rd pokemon once you've both been added, and if you're both on at the same time (I believe).

[Souj]

the problem with sludge wave just to counter fairies is that the two most used fairy types are also steel, making poison completely ineffective.

[Serra]

Goodra also can learn Flamethrower, so that covers them. I'd have to check, but I think my Goodra currently has Dragon Pulse, Flamethrower, Sludge Wave, and either Focus Blast or Thunderbolt.. I can't remember which.

Edit: just realized I forgot one thing -- If you're going to use Electivire (or, imo, any pure electric pokemon), give it an Air Balloon. If they don't have frisk, it's one of the greatest troll items that pretty much guarantees a free, non-super effective hit. Ok, now I'm done >.>;

[Dominico]

You both need to add each other. Until you both do, they won't show up in your friend safari. The only notification you get is if you go back into your friend list, then it'll tell you. You get the 3rd pokemon once you've both been added, and if you're both on at the same time (I believe).

Thanks, I'll give you an add later tonight when I get home to grab the gooey Goomy.

Also I had no idea that Air Balloon existed either >_>

EDIT: Don't know if you (or anyone) has an extra Protean frog I can grab by any chance? And now that I think about it, a Larvesta would also be nice >_>

[Genosync]

Serra:

I'm probably just going to go back to Singles anyway because I can't figure out what I want to run exactly.

Adamant Protean ninjar with Slide, PupPunch, Shadow Sneak, and Mat Block is one, Volcarona is probably a second, but past that I'm at a loss.

[Roundelk]

I completely forgot about protect which is very good to use. If your going to use Blaziken though 3 moves are automatic Flare Blitz, Hi jump kick, Swords Dance. Those 2 attacking moves give excellent coverage and have STAB and Swords dance is there because Blaziken always forces a switch which then creates a free swords dance. The 4th slot should either be Protect, Baton Pass or Stone edge/Rockslide. Protect is good to scout and get a free Speed boost. Baton Pass your boost to another threatening pokemon when something like Talonflame or Rotom-W is on the field. Stone edge is better than EQ for Blaizken and I'm going to tell you why. The only extra coverage your gaining with EQ is Poison and Eletric, Poison usually has a second typing that includes Flying(Crobat) Dark(Drapion) or Bug(Scolipede) which his 2 STAB moves can cover 2 of those already. No Eletric pokemon is coming in on Blaziken because he will one shot them with either HI jump kick or Flare blitz sans Rotom-W who is probably the best counter to Blazekin and EQ won't save you there because he has Levitate. Things that will come in on Blazekin will either resist or can eat a EQ or be immune this is why you go with Stone edge otherwise stuff like Talonflame, Togekiss etc can setup and OHKO back.

[Akiyama]

Wait wait. You can interrupt your run with the Battle Maison and come back whenever? o.o

[Shraiden]

Anyone got a speed boost Venipede with solid IVs for trades? I don't have much to offer really.

[Kyreth]

UGH, having the worst luck breeding Kangaskhan. Entire box full of 4 IV and both 5 IV were early bird and not scrappy ><

Ability Capsule will swap those to Scrappy, as it's not a Hidden Ability for Kangaskhan.

[Serra]

Wait wait. You can interrupt your run with the Battle Maison and come back whenever? o.o

Yeah, one of the best changes. No more "I feel like playing Pokemon.. oh wait, I'm in the middle of a Battle Subway run, fuck it >.>;"

Thanks, I'll give you an add later tonight when I get home to grab the gooey Goomy.

Also I had no idea that Air Balloon existed either >_>

EDIT: Don't know if you (or anyone) has an extra Protean frog I can grab by any chance? And now that I think about it, a Larvesta would also be nice >_>

Indeed I do, I can give ya one later tonight. No promises on its IVs though, not sure which ones I have left, but should probably have at least a 3 IV one.

Serra:

I'm probably just going to go back to Singles anyway because I can't figure out what I want to run exactly.

Adamant Protean ninjar with Slide, PupPunch, Shadow Sneak, and Mat Block is one, Volcarona is probably a second, but past that I'm at a loss.

Here's my team atm:

Spoiler: show

Timid Meowstic (male) w/ Light Clay and Prankster
Light Screen, Reflect, Thunderbolt, Energy Ball
Hp and Def

Jolly Blaziken w/ Blazikenite and Speed Boost
High Jump Kick, Protect, Flare Blitz, and EQ
Speed and Attack

Timid Greninja w/ Leftovers and Protean
Surf, Ice Beam, Dark Pulse, and Toxic Spikes (Spikes is honestly worthless, and I should replace it, but I haven't gotten around to making a new one..)
Speed and SpAttack

Jolly Aerodactyl w/ Life Orb and Pressure (would like it with Unnerve, but need bank for that).
Iron Head, Stone Edge, Sky Drop, Thunder Fang
Attack and Speed

Like I said, I'm not very far this time, but I've made it to the 40s with this team, and planning to see how far this team takes me tonight (made a few changes that will hopefully help it out).

[Genosync]

I'd probably recommend rolling a few more multi-hit moves.

I can't recommend Mat Block at the moment--it just failed on me when I used it for the first time in a battle wtf.

Just finished regular doubles. Prob not doing Super because I hate it.

[Moss]

I like them a lot because they feel like the pokemon hard mode that everyone always wants, and it's a good way to work on the mechanics of your teams.

Brief tangent about this: they really wouldn't have to do much to increase the difficulty without making it frustrating and to vastly improve the main story experience. As it is now, once in a blue moon do you face a trainer that has a strategy, and of course no one ever switches.

First, they should have more trainers that use more than 1-2 pokes that were also used by the 5 trainers before them. Increase the variety of moves/pokemon/typing etc.

Second, they should seriously pump up the Gym Leader AI - using strategies, switches, etc. Those fights should be difficult. Even in the early games I remember things like Onix using Bide, that damn Miltank with Rollout, even that crappy bug gym with fury cutter. I was a frustrated kid trying to beat those gyms but it actually felt like a challenge and benchmark preventing you from continuing with the game. The gyms in this game and the ridiculously fast leveling made it too easy. That's another thing - in past games, if you made a balanced 6-poke team, you were going to be underleveled compared to the E4, so you had to decide between a few strong pokes or an underleveled team.

Goodra also can learn Flamethrower, so that covers them. I'd have to check, but I think my Goodra currently has Dragon Pulse, Flamethrower, Sludge Wave, and either Focus Blast or Thunderbolt.. I can't remember which.

Edit: just realized I forgot one thing -- If you're going to use Electivire (or, imo, any pure electric pokemon), give it an Air Balloon. If they don't have frisk, it's one of the greatest troll items that pretty much guarantees a free, non-super effective hit. Ok, now I'm done >.>;

Doesn't the opponent get a message? When I fought an Electrode in the Battle Maison it said something to the effect of "the Electrode floats off of the ground with his air balloon."

Thanks, I'll give you an add later tonight when I get home to grab the gooey Goomy.

Also I had no idea that Air Balloon existed either >_>

EDIT: Don't know if you (or anyone) has an extra Protean frog I can grab by any chance? And now that I think about it, a Larvesta would also be nice >_>

Look through the stuff they have at the Battle Maison, there are a lot of interesting hold items.

Wait wait. You can interrupt your run with the Battle Maison and come back whenever? o.o

Yep. Can change your team around too afaik.

Ability Capsule will swap those to Scrappy, as it's not a Hidden Ability for Kangaskhan.

Forgot about those but it wasn't worth the 200 BP.

[Moss]

I'd probably recommend rolling a few more multi-hit moves.

I can't recommend Mat Block at the moment--it just failed on me when I used it for the first time in a battle wtf.

Just finished regular doubles. Prob not doing Super because I hate it.

Even thinking about the strategies in doubles makes my head hurt, haven't messed with it yet.

[Genosync]

LOL. Mat Block works on first turn only. Like Fake Out.

No thanks. We're done here.

[Kyreth]

I'm actually fond of Triple Battles- usually I'll put my Aegislash in the center with two Pokemon capable of area-effect moves to either side.

Earthquake + King's Shield + Petal Blizzard is a nice opener- I usually take a good chunk/KO a few Pokemon and frequently get the computer to waste hits on the Shield. Then I just have Aegislash pick on a weakened target if need be to clear it out and can fire off NFE AoE moves on faster Pokemon that it just absorbs in Shield Form. Turn 3, can just repeat turn 1 if needed.

[Serra]

Triple will probably be the last one I try, just doing the first 20 took forever, so I don't wanna think how long 50 will take -- that said, I'll have to remember that idea for when(if) I get around to it. Rotation, imo, is the most fun, but so much of it is luck.

Just started up again and can confirm that one speed boost isn't enough to make Blaziken faster than an Aerodactyl.. Very disappointing.