How to setup a sweeper properly?

2 minute read

Hello all! This is my first ever question!I’ve been playing Pokemon all my life, but I started competitive battling only about a month ago. And to be fair, I’m struggling to get wins. :(

Anyways, I’ve been trying to make a team that sets up a sweeper, who then destroys the opponents team. I know every set has a counter, but I’ve been a dreadful failure in making any such set. I’ve tried the following sets:

  1. Smeragle @Focus SashCalmAbility: Own Tempo252 Def/252SDef/4SpdStealth rockSporeBaton PassBelly Drum

Dragonite @Sitrus BerryAdamantMultiscale252 Atk/252Spd/4SDefExtremespeedSuperpowerDragon clawFire Punch

Obviously, the idea is to send out Smeargle, use spore, stealth rock (To take care of opposing Pokemon with Sturdy/Focus sash), Belly drum and Baton pass to Dragonite, who sweeps with Extremespeed(Sitrus berry is there to heal any Will-o-wisp).

The problem with this was it was too dependent on the opponent not waking up fast, and Smeargle being extremely frail. Once I got to Dragonite the sweeping worked great, but Smeargle kept getting beaten by every team out there. Mega Scizor in place of Dragonite was no better. I’ve tried Volbeat (Tail glow+ baton pass) and Alakazam instead, but Alakazam dies to every physical move.

So I tried another one:

2)Ninjask@Focus SashJollySpeed Boost252Def/252SDef/4HPSwords danceSubstituteProtectBaton pass

Tyranitar@TyranitariteAdamantSand Stream252Atk/252Spd/4DefCrunchRock SlideEarthquakeArial Ace

This assured at least +2 attack and +2 speed, but taunt stopped it cold. Prority moves too killed Ninjask before it could baton pass. Whirlwind/Roar ruined it as well. I’ve tried Mega Garchomp (Same level of success) and Mega Gyarados(Attack too low) and Mega Heracross(Dies on the first hit taken after baton pass).

I was winning like, 1 in 15 matched with these sets. Not at all good enough.

What I want is a similar way to setup a sweeper, that is not as easily countered.

Conditions are:1)It must be OU2)Not more than 2 baton passers.3)The sweeper should be able to take at least 1 hit.4)The sweeper should be able to damage every type for at least normal damage.

Any advice? Or should I just drop the ‘setup’ and go for a more direct, attack-from-the-start approach?

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

Your best way is to not be so entirely dependent on Baton Pass. I mean, sure Baton Pass has been working wonderfully the past few generations, but ever since Smogon nerfed it to only one user per team you only have so much versatility. But anyways, here are a few basics:

Here’s a Baton Pass core I ran across and found particularly hard to counter:

Scizor @ ScizoriteAbility: TechnicianEVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpDImpish Nature- Roost- Swords Dance- Baton Pass- Bullet Punch

Medicham @ Choice ScarfAbility: Huge PowerEVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HPJolly Nature- Ice Punch- Bullet Punch- Psycho Cut- High Jump Kick

HJK can also be replaced for Drain Punch here.

Hope I helped!