The Delta Articles
Written By TheQuantumJumper, Legyro and Phlygone
Intro
Announcements
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- Pokemon Submission Deadline: March 31st @9:59pm PST/11:59pm CST
Register for PU ASAP here!
The Metagame:
You’ve Been Setup!
You might recall the brief touching upon this subject The Metagame: Actually Winning the Game, but it bears a review. Some setup mons will function as early to mid game breakers, but others will fill the role of an endgame sweeper/win condition. If it is the latter, then it is especially important to remove the threats from the field that are relevant to it--sometimes these will be potent wall breakers, other times speedy revenge killers, and sometimes it’ll be a wall so tanky even a maximum offensive boost won’t cut it (*cough* Chansey *cough*). In any case, weakening or removing this threat is the most important part of pulling off your sweep properly. If you’re using a setup breaker, this isn’t as important, as you can often nail something on the switch rather hard despite this. When it comes to status, you can’t always rely on outspeeding, especially with Prankster users out there, so consider a Lum Berry, which will give you an extra turn.
More offensively geared Pokemon may fit into the above strategy very well, and can more or less just reference the previous article, but bulkier Pokemon like the infamous Mega-Sableye can often be a little less straightforward. While Dragon Dancers, fast Swords Dancers, and other similar setup mons tend to reach a point where they OHKO everything but dedicated walls (sometimes those too) before they can touch them, moves like Calm Mind rely on bulk to give them staying power. However these are vulnerable without reliable recovery to repeated hits and suffer strongly from status. Wall breakers can also sometimes punch through you despite the defensive boosts, and you have to watch out for phazing moves as well. So how do you make this work? Well, Magic Bounce and Magic Guard Pokemon can ignore some of these problems straight away. Many others will run Rest or a cleric move like Heal Bell to avoid losing their buffs. Clearing threats will work across the board as well, though this can be difficult if they know you want to do so.
Overall, setup sweepers are powerful threats on a well built team, and must be respected. A well executed setup can often be the end of the game if you don’t have a way to deal with it. Even something like Shell Smash Contrary Shuckle can end games if you aren’t prepared to deal with it. So it pays to do so. Set up Pokemon are good threats to keep an eye out for in the start of a battle.
Pokemon Spotlight:
Galvantula
Compound Eyes: raises accuracy by 30% of a move's original accuracy in battles. This means that Thunder, for example, has 91% accuracy as opposed to the usual 70% (70 x 1.3 = 91%). A move with a theoretical accuracy of 77% or higher will have its accuracy set to 100% (77% x 1.3 = 100.1%).
Unnerve: causes the opponent to be unable to eat its own held Berry.
Swarm: When a Pokémon with Swarm uses a Bug-type move, the power will increase by 1.5× if the user has less than or equal to ⅓ of its maximum HP remaining.
Synopsis:
With the addition of the move Sticky Web in the beginning of 6th gen, Galvantula has seen a rise in its usefulness. With a great Speed stat of 108, it easily outspeeds a large majority of the UU tier, making it an excellent suicide lead. While its Sp. Attack isn't that great at 97, it does get access to moves like Thunder, which can pack a punch to pretty much anything that doesn’t resist it. Another cool thing about Galvantula is it’s really good against some of the most prevalent hazard removers in the tier, like Crobat, Empoleon, and Mega-Blastoise. This means that Galvantula has virtually all the freedom in the world to get up its web and make the enemy cry.
Moveset time, anyone?
Standard Sets:
These sets are the norm, what you will normally see throughout your laddering career on Pokémon Showdown, as well as in-game PvP. They work really well with most standard laddering teams and are what make this Pokémon so viable in its tier.
Sash Lead
Galvantula @ Focus Sash
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sticky Web
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Thunder Wave
The most common set that you will see on Galvantula. Thanks to Compound Eyes, Thunder’s accuracy is boosted to 91%, which is a heck of a lot better than the original 70%. Now, I know I’m about to state the obvious here, but 91 does NOT equal 100. Thunder CAN still miss, and in Pokemon, we all know that it will do so when you need it most to hit; keep that in mind. With Focus Sash, we ensure that we get up Sticky Web before dying. Bug Buzz is for STAB bonuses, and we finish off the set with Thunder Wave for cancer shenanigans. You can run a Grass move, like Giga Drain or Energy Ball, over T-Wave if you are having trouble with pesky Ground-types like Donphan.
Showcase Set:
This set is brought to you by our special guest writer: TheQuantumJumper.
Alright champs in the making, I’m going to preface this with a warning. This set is almost certainly a bad idea. I recommend going with the sash set if you want to get good use out of this bug, as it’s a great lead and can challenge the Magic Bounce Pokemon in the tier with it’s dual STAB. The utility of Sticky Web and Thunder Wave is incredible, and can alter the flow of the game. However, if you’re set on running an odd Galvantula and using some moves that don’t often see the light of day, I’ve got something for you to try.
Windshield Warrior
Galvantula @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Electro Ball
- Bug Buzz
- Volt Switch/Thunder/Charge Beam
- Energy Ball
While not a fire type, this set will have Galvantula bringing the heat. Already one of the fastest threats in the tier, throwing a Scarf on your now stylish spider will ramp it up to ludicrous speeds. This set hinges on Galvantula’s first move, Electro Ball. EB is a peculiar move, which has a base power determined by the difference in speed between you and your opponent. When your opponent is 25% as fast as Galvantula, the base power of EB is a staggering 150. Gyro Ball users beware! The damage unfortunately peters off if they aren’t fairly sluggish, down to 60 if they are even half your speed. This is why having speed control alongside Galv is an excellent option-- another Sticky Web user or paralysis spreader will go a long way in keeping up your damage. Bug Buzz gives you another STAB, and has the extra benefit of bypassing Substitutes. Volt Switch is a good option to snag some momentum, albeit against non-ground types. Thunder can be used in order to keep a decent damage against faster targets, or you can opt to run the very odd choice locked Charge Beam, to give some powerful ramping damage you can set up on walls. Be careful being locked into it however, as its weak base power can often hold you back even after the boosts, though if you eat a Knock Off or Trick you can use it more effectively. Energy Ball is an excellent option to run to give some much needed ground coverage, though you can swap it out with another coverage move (good luck finding one) or running Giga Drain if you really need that longevity. Speaking of, having a way to clear hazards is a must as with any choice locked Pokemon, since you will often be forced to switch. At the end of the day, however, this set will need a lot of help and very optimal circumstances to be effective, and you’ll usually want to run the sash set.
Fun Sets:
These sets are not meant to be serious, however, they can still work with the right play style and teammates. I would suggest not using these to raise your ELO, but rather just to mess around and have fun with. Enjoy!
Offensive Sticky Web
Galvantula @ Life Orb
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Sticky Web
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Giga Drain
Similar to its Focus Sash counterpart, this set centers on Galvantula as an offensive presence. Attacks will do more damage thanks to Life Orb, but it will lose it only way to guarantee getting up Sticky Web. Still, this sets hits harder and OHKOs things that it normally couldn’t with Focus Sash. Also, we run Giga Drain over Energy Ball here to keep us healthy.
Wash that Spider Out
Galvantula @ Choice Specs
Ability: Compound Eyes
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder
- Bug Buzz
- Energy Ball
- Hidden Power [Fire]/Hidden Power [Rock]/Volt Switch
This set hits like a truck. Even with a measly 97 Sp. Atk, a Thunder will easily put in work. We run Energy Ball for maximised damage against Ground and Rock-types; Bug Buzz for STAB as well. The fourth moveslot is a bit of a wildcard here. HP Fire hits Steel and Ice-types, like Froslass. HP Rock hits Fire-types hard, like Entei and Arcanine. Volt Switch is a nice pivot move since you will be locking yourself into a move. Pick the move that works well with your team. Please note, you can run Choice Scarf here as well, but you lose a lot of power.
Playing Against a Galvantula:
Due to its unique speed tier, Galvantula is able to outspeed the majority of the UU tier, as mentioned earlier. Coupling it with Sticky Web makes it a very strong and optimal lead Pokemon in almost every case. Use this knowledge to your advantage when you see one. The most optimal Pokemon to face off against Galvantula is Rotom-Heat, whose typing allows it to easily resist all of Galvantula’s common attack moves. It can also return fire (no pun intended) with a nice Overheat if it so chooses. Donphan is a great Pokemon to lead vs Galvantula, as you are immune to Electric STAB and can spin away the web once Galvantula puts it up. Do be wary of Grass-type moves, as they will easily 2HKO Donphan. Pokemon with priority are also good choices in that they limit what Galvantula can do by bringing it down to its Focus Sash, then killing it with priority. Of course, make sure you have a way to take out that Sticky Web though. You can use Crobat, Aerodactyl, or other fast taunters to stop Galvantula from putting up the web since both are faster, but you will run the risk of them being annihilated by Galvantula’s Thunder, so don’t forget about that.
That’s all for this week everyone. I hope you guys enjoyed. See you next time, and good luck on your laddering (or your trolling)!
Battle Arcade
Last Issue: Kyrptonite
# of Battle Arcade Winners: 5
Usernames of the Winners: NuclearTogekiss, ShadowTagPorygon, Trichmond, KryptoAbhi, AlphaSlash
Last Issue’s Feature:
Username: NuclearTogekiss
Tier: Ubers
Ladder Opponent: guilutador
Replay: http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/ubers-345492159
Analysis:
NuclearTogekiss the “Haxlord” truly earned his title with this “team”. He flinchhaxed his way to victory in nearly each and every match, using… only one Pokemon. I guess I asked for it when I brought last week’s challenge into the depths of Ubers, and it’s not like the Haxlord didn’t deserve it. His set was at least kinda interesting...
The losers team was pretty bad in comparison, which speaks volumes to how bad his team is. In fact, his whole team was starter Pokemon, and that didn’t even include Blaziken. Charizard-X is outclassed pretty heavily in Ubers. Delphox is outclassed in every way by almost everything. Chesnaught isn’t particularly great, and neither is Empoleon. Greninja and Serperior were the only shining light on his team, but unfortunately they get countered by the Haxlord himself.
Quality and Strength of Match:
This match is quality for one reason: it makes your draw drop. Who does something this insane and actually pull off not just one win, but three? Did NuclearTogekiss get lucky? Yes. Were his opponent bad? Very much so (I mean who switches into a Pokemon when your mon is going to die anyways). But does he deserve this Battle Arcade? Absolutely. His strength of play and his embrace of what Battle Arcade is about, having fun, cemented his feature.
This was an extremely fun Battle Arcade, and I hope this week’s will be just as fun! ShadowTagPorygon is here to bring you another Battle Arcade!
This Issue: Breakfast of Champions
Anyway now you get to be those champions and use their mons! So for the first time in Delta Articles history, you guys don’t have a choice. Mwahahahaha
You have to follow the following Battle Arcade Specific Rules explicitly. Any violation will not merit a feature.
- Tier: You have to play a ranked game on the ranked OU ladder.
- Pokemon: Pokemon are predetermined. There are 9 champions as considered by Bulbapedia: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Champion. You can use any combination of owned Pokemon by these trainers. For example, you can use a Charizard and Dragonair if you are playing as Lance.
To see who owns which Pokemon, check out the following links:- Blue’s possible teams: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Blue_(game)
- Lance’s possible teams: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Lance
- Red's possible teams: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Red_(game)
- Steven's possible teams: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Steven_Stone
- Wallace's possible teams: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Wallace
- Cynthia's possible teams: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Cynthia
- Alder's possible teams: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Alder
- Iris’ pokemon: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Iris
- Diantha's possible teams: http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Diantha
- Bans: No Bans here.
- #Winning: You have to win!
- Submissions: There is a maximum of 3 submissions per person. Submit your teams with your teams as well as the Champion you chose and what Game (e.g. Red, Blue, LeafGreen, Yellow, Platinum etc.) the team is from. This Battle Arcade will be as much a test of who followed the rules as it will be a test of strength and versatility.
Remember, abide by these rules closely. Remember the rubric also applies this week:
- Adherence to rules: How closely they followed the Battle Arcade rules.
- The quality of the users team: How well constructed your team is.
- The quality of the opponent's team: How well constructed their team is.
- The strength of play from both players: How well both players played. You get rewarded by going against good opponents who you outplayed.
Remember to post your teams and replays here
PokeNav:
LET’S GO!
- areyouF2P?: Pokemon GO will be an app that is inherently free, though there will be purchasable content to help you out if you desire.
- Add Ons: The Pokeball looking device is an option addition that can be bought to let you know about in game events even when you don’t have your phone out.
- isthisreallifeoristhisjustfantasy: Capturable Pokemon will be based on real world environments locally.
- Pokemon Fusion: Catching a Pokemon many times can lead to evolution, though the exact mechanism is still unknown.
- Pokemon Party: Event Pokemon exclusive to major sites (like the Times Square Mewtwo) will occur.
- Players Divided: Players will eventually join one of 3 factions.
- Working Out: Pokemon Gyms have been confirmed, and can be captured by factions. Trainers can post Pokemon to guard the gym or challenge the faction’s control.
- EXP Share: Trainers can also gain experience, allowing rarer Pokemon to be found and giving access to better items like the Great Ball. Things like catching Pokemon can give this experience.
Preview: Issue 3
Afterword
Editors Note
Another note, I am experimenting with formatting. If you noticed that certain things are different than last week, it's because I'm constantly trying to make the articles look as fresh as possible. If you have any comments or concerns about formatting, please let me know!