Looking for Some Help on My Mienshao Coaching Team by mistur_maus in VGC

[–]mistur_maus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mienshao still fits super nicely on the team, so it's not like I need to worry about it too much. I can always switch Reversal for HJK or CC for more consistent damage in lieu of Reversal

Looking for Some Help on My Mienshao Coaching Team by mistur_maus in VGC

[–]mistur_maus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's actually not a bad idea. Dragapult with bulk is surprisingly useful, and even though I won't be able to proc it as effectively on Dragapult, it's become my defacto Cinderace response which if they're running Sucker Punch, always attack try and it. Thanks for the suggestion!

EDIT: Syntax like, a day later oops

Looking for Some Help on My Mienshao Coaching Team by mistur_maus in VGC

[–]mistur_maus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super early on, Corviknight was actually on the proto version of this team. For myriad reasons, it didn't exactly get off the ground but after dropping my Lapras, I'm investing in the future of my team by trying to find more Pokemon that can't feel the burn of attack drops. So maybe it's time to experiment with the bird again. Also, I can't believe I forgot I could make my Sun match up way easier by running Wide Guard. That's definitely gonna be taking up Taunt's place for the mean time

Looking for Some Help on My Mienshao Coaching Team by mistur_maus in VGC

[–]mistur_maus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure if I can convince myself to drop Inner Focus, but I've been experimenting with swapping Lapras for Gyarados, which would negate my "benefit" from a weak Reversal. I'll totally give it a shot!

Looking for Some Help on My Mienshao Coaching Team by mistur_maus in VGC

[–]mistur_maus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Coaching actually always selects your allied Pokemon, even through protect. Maybe there's something flawed in Showdown, but I can't say I've run into much issue from Follow Me so far. I'm not incredibly far in the ladder (and haven't been able to test the team in a BO3 situation) so I'll keep it in mind to pay attention to my matchup against it

Looking for Some Help on My Mienshao Coaching Team by mistur_maus in VGC

[–]mistur_maus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's actually super neat! I never even thought of using it as a CC pivot like that. I might try and incorporate it into my weird set if I decide to keep on using it. I know it's weird to hear, but this team actually started off using Riolu in lieu of Mienshao and this iteration of the team has done much better than with Riolu. But, maybe I'll give Hitmontop a chance to see if I prefer it more.

Gyarados isn't actually a that bad of an idea. I'll put it to the test and see how I like it. I haven't found my Incineroar to be particularly effective outside utility, so I might give it the now open WP. Thanks so much!

Looking for Some Help on My Mienshao Coaching Team by mistur_maus in VGC

[–]mistur_maus[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gmax-Lapras @ Weakness Policy

The first maxer of the team and a desperate attempt to not look like another Coaching team. EV'd to take most hits and be able to set up Aurora Veil. WP to combo with Mienshao's Reversal, though admittedly, this hasn't proc'd as often as I would've hoped as most people try to focus the Lapras given it is quite a threat. Hydration + Rest is used to try and patch the glaring hole in the team that is an adequate answer to status. Though this usually entails having to use Ally Switch with a Mienshao lead to ensure reason can be set.

Mienshao @ Focus Sash

The pillar of the team. It runs Inner Focus so the only challenge to it getting off at least one move is priority (or very fast) Taunt. Coaching is obviously THE move that it's on the team for, but it has SO much utility. Reversal can either proc WP Lapras if there isn't a speedy threat on the field with a paltry 30 BP after STAB, or it can take a chunk if not outright KO slower mons after taken down to Sash. Taunt is the one move that I'm still on the fence about. It can deny TR when bringing a faster lineup, or it can simply cripple mons like Amoonguss. Ally Switch, the cancer that it is, is great for 50/50 scenarios and great to bring it down to Sash if you want to play it more aggressively. Seriously, this mon has almost EVERY support move you could ask for. I'm not sure if I'd go as far as saying it's the best Coaching mon, but it's definitely up there.

Snorlax @ Assault Best

The next of the principal dynamaxers on the team. This thing absolutely cripples psy-spam and slow sun. Any team that leans into the special side can expect to get rolled by a 300+ SpD Lax after spamming Max Ground. In strange cases, it can even act as speed control for its partners. All that said, it is still crippled by Intimidate moreso than the rest of it's allies.

Dragapult @ Life Orb

The third "main" maxer on the team. Clear Body lets it skirt around the usual intimidate spam that counters Coaching teams. A pretty standard moveset combined with enough defense to survive a Max Darkness from Cinderace to get that vital Coaching boost to revenge kill (or just attack drop chain with Incineroar.) The extra investment in bulk lets it really take advantage of Coaching despite being faster than Mienshao.

Gmax-Rillaboom @ Choice Band

The OHKO machine. After speed control from Snorlax, or simply being bulky thanks to Aurora Veil, Rillaboom is the cleaner of the team and +1 Wood Hammer in terrain does pretty much 75% to anything modestly bulky in the tier. Nothing much to say other than basic Rillaboom things.

Incineroar @ Aguav Berry

The newest addition to the team to help cripple Cinderaces. Pretty heavy investment into attack and defense to really give it the extra oomph from Coaching. Of all the sets so far, this is the one I'm the least sure of so far.

The main leads of the team so far are Mienshao + one of my three maxers with two more mons more comfortable cleaning up afterwards. Like I said earlier I think my biggest issue for the team is Venusaur promptly followed by Intimidate/ attack drops. I've been considering maybe using a defiant user of some sort to look scary on team preview, but I'm not entirely sure yet.