My Competitive Pokémon Team

Since it's introduction to American audiences in 1998, Pokémon has taken the world by storm.

With the recent surge in popularity thanks to the release of the augmented-reality game Pokémon GO, Pokémon is hotter than ever.

Today, I'd like to share with you my most recent competitive Pokémon battling team..

This team was bred and trained in Generation 6 of the core Pokémon games.

The Team

Scolipede

Moves

Megahorn

Earthquake

Swords Dance

Baton Pass

Item: Focus Sash

Ability: Speed Boost

Nature Jolly

EVs: 252 Attack / 252 Speed / 4 Defense

Strategy: Due to its naturally high speed combined with it's Speed Boost ability, Scolipede can outmaneuver most opponents within one turn. A speedy Earthquake can ruin many attempts to set up Spikes or Stat changes, and after two turns of Speed Boost and Swords Dance, Scolipede is ready to Baton Pass to your chosen sweeper.

Pachirisu

Moves

U-Turn

Nuzzle

Toxic

Super Fang

Item: Sitrus Berry

Ability: Volt Absorb

Nature Impish

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Special Defense

Strategy: Move over, Pikachu! This fiesty electric rodent caused a huge upset during the 2014 VGC World Championships, when it was used to great effect in the Masters Division by Korean Pokémon Master Se Jun Park. Pachirisu's claim to fame is it's ability to spread around the status with its Paralyzing Nuzzle and Poisoning Toxic. It's Sitrus Berry and Volt Absorb keep its health topped-up, and when it gets in over its head, it U-Turns out of there!

Ferrothorn

Moves

Stealth Rock

Spikes

Gyro Ball

Thunder Wave

Item: Rocky Helmet

Ability: Iron Barbs

Nature Relaxed

EVs: 252 HP / 192 Special Defense / 64 Defense

Strategy: Thanks to Ferrothorn's bulk and typing, it is a reliable way to get Spikes and Stealth Rock set to trip up your enemies. Gyro Ball takes advantage of its rock-bottom Speed stat by dishing out massive damage, and is a useful way to handle Fairy-types and faster Pokémon. Be careful though! Ferrothorn's Steel/Grass typing gives it a 4x weakness to fire, so watch those sweepers!

Flygon

Moves

Draco Meteor

Earth Power

Defog

Fire Blast

Item: Life Orb

Ability: Levitate

Nature Timid

EVs: 252 Special Attack / 252 Speed / 4 Defense

Strategy: Fairies in the metagame doesn't mean this Dragon is down and out! Although Flygon's Special Attack is mediocre, Draco Meteor's massive base damage makes up for it. Add in Flygon's wide variety of different move types and ability to sweep away entry hazards and you have yourself a handy little Special Sweeper!

Snorlax

Moves

Earthquake

Return

Rest

Sleep Talk

Item: Leftovers

Ability: Thick Fat

Nature Careful

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Defense / 4 Special Defense

Strategy: Six generations later, and this Gen 1 titan is still in the running! Snorlax's sky-high HP and decent Defense stats, upkept by Rest and Leftovers, mean even the hardest-hitting sweeper moves will bounce right off his big belly. Sleep Talk ensures that even while napping, Snorlax is a beast to be reckoned with.

Mega Scizor

Moves

Bullet Punch

X-Scissor

Swords Dance

Baton Pass

Item: Scizorite

Ability: Technician

Nature Adamant

EVs: 252 HP / 252 Attack / 4 Special Defense

Strategy: Mega Scizor is a beast due to its through the roof Attack and Defense stats. Technician and Swords Dance alow it to bulk up even further before unleasing those devastating STAB moves of Bullet Punch and X-Scissor. When it's done, it can even pass off its stat bonuses to it teammates with a Baton Pass!

New to Player-versus-Player?

Competitive Pokémon battling is very different from the battling you typically see in the core gameplay. Each Pokémon in a PVP team is highly specialized for the role it is meant to play. There is sure to be a team of Pokémon that's perfect for your battle style!

If you are interested in creating your own team, I highly recommend checking out Smogon University, which has various articles and information about competitive Pokémon battling.