Basic Team-building guide [Pokémon Sun and Moon]

This article contains basic tips on Team-building in preparation for online battles in Pokemon Sun and Moon.

Things to consider when battling Competitively

Although it seemed to be the case for the Main Story, the problem when it comes to online battling is that you should not expect to win every Pokemon battle as there are bound to be teams out there that you wouldn’t normally expect to face.

However, rest assured that there are a handful of recommended team-building strategies in order to increase your chances of winning.

■ Losing

When starting out in the competitive scene, there’s a chance that you’ll be losing many times. However, losing a battle can be a learning experience. By losing it’s possible to learn about certain strategies that have been made effective during the course of battle, whether it was: a mistake, an opponent’s strategy overlooked, or just RNG.

If the party is defeated, certain observations should be reflected upon by analysis such as: overall type disadvantages, and how these weaknesses can be covered by changing one’s play style.

By gathering information on how a skilled player plays, it can be used for future reference when a similar strategy would be encountered.

■ Discover an effective play style

If you want to increase your chances of winning, you have to reflect on your play style. To win a Pokemon battle, you have to defeat all of your opponents Pokemon first. However, the design of the game is tailored in a way that there are a number of ways to knock out different types of Pokemon.

Some methods to gain an advantage in battle are: using buff moves to increase your Pokemon’s stats, or adding coverage moves to counter more types of Pokemon.

Apart from strengthening damage output, Pokemon with high durability can also gain advantage by increasing its defenses or lowering its target’s attack while it maintains consistent damage against its opponent.

■ Switch out when needed

Switching is an important element in a Pokemon Battle.

If you anticipate an opponents super-effective move, switching your Pokemon would be a wise decision..

The frequency, timing, and purpose of switching depends on the party, but in the competitive metagame it is expected that your opponents will switch out if their condition is unfavorable.

When you switch out the active Pokemon, you compensate using a move for that turn. If your opponent attacks, he gets a turn to deal damage without taking any risks..

You are at a disadvantage if your team is composed of a Pokemon of a single type, or if your team is generally frail as switching out would only allow your opponent to keep on scoring knock outs.

Therefore it is necessary to form a team that is a mixture of offense, defense and type coverage. This would provide opportunities to take advantage of switching.

■ Moving before your opponent does

In a competitive match, it is recommended to use at least one Pokemon with high speed. If your Pokemon can strike first, even in the case of mirror matches, you will have the advantage. You can come out on top if you pull off a super-effective attack that is enough to knock out the opponent’s Pokemon without taking damage. In a scene where Speed is key, even Status Moves (Non-Damaging) will still connect provided that you move first before the opponent incapacitates you with a move such as Taunt.

During the late-game when most of the members of the party have fainted, a powerful speed attacker can take out the opponent’s Pokemon and secure a victory. This makes Speed the most important stat to capitalize in.

It is recommended to have at least one Pokemon with a Speed stat of 178, which is the fastest in the Tier 110 Base Speed group. In addition, having one Pokemon equip Choice Scarf is useful when constructing a Team.

In the case of a Speed Tie such as in mirror matches, the Pokemon that moves first is chosen at random.

_{Note: These are the recommended basic strategies to use for online competitive battling. Keep in mind that there are other strategies for online battles that have not been covered here. If you have other suggestions, feel free to share them below.} 

Common Roles to assign in Competitive Battles

There are different roles that can be given to each Pokemon in the party. A well-balanced team provides better opportunities to handle several kinds of teams.

Decide which kind of Pokemon best fits the specific role, and construct the team which can cover several weaknesses while employing various strategies.

“1v1 Specialized Party”

_{Source: https://gamy.jp/pokemon_sun_moon/pokemon-sm-party}

The aim of this party is to defeat one enemy with each of the Pokemon you choose. 1v1 Specialized Party do not depend on switching, rather these Pokemon are built to take out opponents with powerful moves. Pokemon belonging to this group capitalize on using high speed, 4 coverage moves to maximize dealing super-effective damage, and high attack/ sp. attack or both.

Advantages of “1v1 Specialized Party”

• The strategy is very simple and can be used by beginners.
• It usually knocks out something out before it gets knocked out.
• The battle will end relatively quickly.

Disadvantages of “1v1 Specialized Party”

• If there are no moves that can aim for the enemies weak point, it lacks in firepower.
• If it can’t defeat the opponent, it can easily be knocked out.
• These Pokemon are not effective if the opponent has a Type Advantage.

■ Recommended Pokémon as “1v1 Specialized Party”

Greninja, Infernape, Alakazam, etc.

“Role Switching Parties”

_{Source: https://gamy.jp/pokemon_sun_moon/pokemon-sm-party}

The point of this party is to deal more damage than the enemy does by switching to a Pokemon that is advantageously against the enemy.  Since switching is important, it is recommended to form a well-rounded team. It may be assigned a specific role especially when certain problem Pokemon come to mind.  Team options include durable allies that can cover this group’s weaknesses when its opponent forces it to switch.

These types of Pokemon are popular in the competitive environment.

Advantages of “Role Switching Parties”

• The party can counter many types of opponents.
• There are many strategies and tactics for this party, and can enjoy anticipation.
• These Pokemon provide ways for their allies to maximize their potential.

Disadvantages of “Role Switching Parties”

• With frequent switching, it would be more difficult to predict your opponent’s next move on the succeeding turns.
• Opponent might grasp your strategy since you depend on switching often.
• It requires some knowledge such as the characteristics of the Pokemon you and the enemy uses.

■ Recommended Pokémon as “Role Switching Parties”

Ferrothorn, Slowbro, Heat Rotom, etc.

“Physical and Special Sweepers”

_{Source: https://gamy.jp/pokemon_sun_moon/pokemon-sm-party}

At least 1 or 2 Pokemon should fulfill the role of a sweeper. Pokemon that possess buffing moves such as Dragon Dance, and Swords Dance make good candidates. To effectively use sweepers, use support Pokemon that can slow down your opponent before switching to a sweeper and use the opportunity to set-up buffing moves.

Since sweepers need to outrun the opponent, the recommended Pokemon should consist of those with high Base Speed stats, with high speed EV investment and possibly a Speed-increasing Nature.

Advantages of “Sweepers”

• If the enemy does not have any countermeasures against your buffed sweeper, then victory can be secured in most cases.
• Using buffing moves is simple. By creating an advantageous encounter, you can aim for a sweep.
• Due to the buffing moves, it can turn the tide.

Disadvantages of “Sweepers”

• Might be difficult to pull off as it requires set-up time.
• If the enemy has countermeasures against your origin or sweeper, then it is difficult to win the battle.
• Since a origin and sweeper is a must, the party will lack in flexibility.

■ Recommended Pokemon as “Sweepers”

Mega-Lucario, Hippowdon, Mega-Blaziken, etc.

“Defensive Switch Party”

_{Source: https://gamy.jp/pokemon_sun_moon/pokemon-sm-party}

The aim of this party is to trap the enemy using durable Pokemon and Pokemon with advantageously typing. Defensive switch parties are similar to role switching parties but what sets them apart is their preference to capitalize on maximizing bulk over switching. Notable tools used by these Pokemon include moves such as Will-o-Wisp, Stealth Rock, and the item Rocky Helmet. These provide residual damage to incapacitate and weaken several opponents.

Examples of these range from specializing in Physical defense or Special Defense. Since efficient choices can only fulfill one role or the other, most teams usually include several shields that form a solid core.

Advantages of “Defensive Switch Parties”

• Easy to lead to a victory since this build binds the enemy.
• If the opponent does not have any countermeasures, the enemy can easily be trapped.
• Because these Pokemon have a very clear role, the party is easy to use.

Disadvantages of “Defensive Switch Parties”

• There are several checks such as Taunt, Shadow Tag, etc.
• Since the tactics that the Defensive Switch Party use is very clear, it is very difficult to win if the enemy has countermeasures against it.
• The battle will take some time.

■ Recommended Pokémon as “Defensive Switch Parties”

Chansey, Gliscor, Skarmory etc.

Team-building Conclusion

As the Elite Four Karen once said, “Truly skilled Trainers should try to win with their favorites.”

This has led to several interesting team creations in the Pokémon Competitive Scene where the only limit is the player’s imagination. The problem however lies on that fact that this cannot be the sole basis for crafting teams. If certain Pokemon have more potential than others for a specific role, it should be used instead to patch up for what the other members lack such as the case of a powerful “1v1 specialized party” that may look unappealing aesthetic-wise.

It is only through a team that was crafted through trial and error that deserves to be cherished as fruit of the Trainer’s labor.

Pokemon Sun and Moon Recommended Article List

This article is about Pokemon Sun and Moon. For information about Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon, click below.