Doubles strategy - Guts?

Question

Is this a viable doubles tactic?

I usually like to Scarf my Heracross (since it's rather slow in comparison to most of its threats), but that frequently forfeits the Guts boost, since you lack a status orb (& imo Guts is best for Heracross...). So instead, in doubles I'd put up Sableye & Heracross together, Burn Heracross on my first move and proceed to use Heracross to sweep.

Sableye also doesn't just serve one purpose; it's a very common Pokemon in doubles and is therefore not just a one trick pony and loses its use after it burns Heracross.

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Sets

Sableye @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Sp. Def
Nature: Impish
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Foul Play/ Rain Dance (explained latter)
- Taunt

Heracross @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Guts
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Nature: Adamant
- Close Combat
- Megahorn
- Stone Edge
- Night Slash

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Support candidates

So I can't base my strategy completely around Heracross, because if it faints I'm done for. So here are some candidates for support:

Latias @ Light Clay (Soul Dew?)
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Speed, 4 Sp. Atk
Nature: Timid
- Reflect
- Heal Pulse
- Dragon Pulse
- Light Screen/ Roost

I don't know whether to make Latias Dual Screens, because if I do I think she'll be short lived. Heal Pulse is self explanatory, in order to replenish Heracross' health from burn damage.

(Also is Soul Dew banned on Smogon doubles?)

Chansey @ Eviolite
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 Def, 252 Sp. Def, 4 HP
Nature: Bold
- Wish
- Heal Pulse
- Protect
- Toxic

Just because I like Chansey better than Blissey. Psyshock also does less damage because of Evo, and she's much more capable of surviving a fighting move.

Espeon @ Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs: 252 HP, 252 Speed, 4 Def
Nature: Timid
- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Moonlight/ Wish/ Psychic
- Baton Pass

A Dual Screener that isn't susceptible to Taunt and therefore no need for an attacking move. Even if a Pokemon has Mold Breaker, it's unlikely that they will have Taunt. Baton Pass to get the heck out of dodge.

Cresselia @ Light Clay
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP, 120 Def, 132 Sp. Def
Nature: Bold
- Light Screen
- Reflect
- Icy Wind
- Moonlight/ Lunar Dance

I can't decide which 2 of these 4 would be better for my purposes. I have to consider status ailments as well, and Latios & Cresselia are both susceptible to them with no method of recovery; Espeon doesn't have Heal Pulse; Chansey isn't a dual screener. Moonlight is also only 25% outside of normal & sunny weather.

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Sweepers

In the case that Heracross does faint, I need to have prepared other options.

Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Sp. Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Nature: Modest
- Surf
- Dragon Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Rain Dance/ HP Grass

I guess not putting Rain Dance on Kingdra would be placing too much confidence in Sableye. Also considering that only Chansey has Protect, maybe Hydro Pump would be a better option...

Zapdos @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Sp. Atk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
Nature: TImid
- Heat Wave
- Thunderbolt
- HP Ice
- Roost

Zapdos serves as a sweeper that doesn't require additional set up from its team mates.

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So would this work? Or too gimmicky?

Comments

I would say a calm natured Zapdos for a little more defensive support. It will still be able to hit really hard and it will take supereffective special and even physical attacks as if they where it's friends. But to keep it's "f(r)iends at a distance I would say Toxic instead of HP Ice.

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You could use meganium instead of sableye, because you can get poison powder and heal pulse although you forfeit the prankster...

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Meganium has a mediocre typing. Sableye has a really good ability, along with being immune to 3 types & not affected by Fake Out. Meganium's recover move is also dependent on weather (Synthesis), and while it can be a dual screener, Cresselia, Latias and Espeon out class it by being faster and/or bulkier, as well has having better typing. Meganium can't survive well in doubles environment where there are no tiers.

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yes but the poison wont kill heracross because meganium could hit him with that heal pulse

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That depends on Meganium surviving. Like I said, Synthesis is cut in Sand/ Hail/ Rain, and even in Sun Meganium won't benefit because of the boosted Fire moves. Along with poor speed & defences, honestly, Sableye has better chances, in addition to a much more useful ability. Overgrow is useless for what I want to do in this tactic.

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Sorry just noting something on your team :P

Once Hera dies you have no more physical sweepers which means that you might be outstalled. I doubt it though, looks like a good team. Hopefully you post it in the RMT soon :3

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Ahh good point. Maybe Kingdra can be made a physical sweeper instead. :O

Answer 1

Yeah, that's really epic. Stolen already :D jk.

It's definitely good enough to power Hera up, but that really lessens how long Crossy gets to sweep for. A few priority attacks and hazard damage means that it won't be able to "sweep". It could take about 2 Pokemon down, but that would be it. Another nitpick, Heracross isn't incredibly fast, and common Scatters (Terrakion and co.) OHKO it anyway. My best suggestion to fully utilise your strategy would be to run Jolly Nature over Adamant.

This means that it can outspeed Terrakion at the least. Hope I helped you :)

Comments

Thanks! And I was thinking maybe sending out Sableye & a Dual Screener first, then sending out Heracross to maximise survival.

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A dual screener would be great, Cresselia would be ideal, and EvioChansey would be great for Heal Bell in case you don't want the burn on Crossy anymore. And no problem :)