MOVESETS (EXTREME BASICS)
i knew this since R/B/Y but it doesn't look like alot of people here who says "rate me team" does, so i'm going to tell you guys something extremely important (And obvious) in constructing movesets for pokemon...
ATTACKS:
there are basically 2 types of attacks, and you should all know this... physical and elemental (special)... each pokemon type (fire water etc) has an attack associated to it, for example fire is elemental, while poison is physical...
anyway, those of you don't don't own a nature version and are too stupid to figure it out, here are the attack types of each pokemon type:
Physical: normal, fighting, poison, ground, flying, bug, rock, ghost, steel
Elemental: fire, water, electric, grass, ice, psychic, dragon, dark
physical attacks are associated with the ATK stat, and elemental attacks are associated with the SP.ATK stat. When calculating damage from them, physical damage is calculated using DEF, and elemental calculated using SP.DEF... fair enough right?? simple straight forward stuff this is... but why am i saying this?
I am saying this~ because i see hyper beams on mewtwos, i see fire blasts on dragonites, and i see people say "teach latios fly" ... heres a quick look at why this is not good:
Latios is a Psychic/Dragon that has awsome SP stats, but has low ATK and DEF stats
Fly is a FLYING type move that is PHYSICAL ... duh, you see my point?
when we build a moveset we look at that pokemon's stats, especialy its strengths and weaknesses, thunder on groudon is STUPID because, despite the fact that groudon is a lousy aim, thunder is a SP.ATK associated move, and groudon aint doing too well in that department
RULE ONE: think STAB
Same-Type-Attack-Bonus is your friend, try to consider same type moves as your pokemon rather than teaching it mainstream moves like the 5 pp blast/pumps. Fly is better than Thunder on a dragonite, simply because fly has a STAB with dragonite, and also it's a physical atk, and dragonite exel at ATK stats.
RULE TWO: not too much STAB
the last thing you want to see is this on your charizard:
Blast Burn
Fire Blast
Flamethrower
Overheat
Why not? well you might say ah it's becoz overheat brings your sp.atk down... or fireblast is innaccurate... or no physical attacks... but which ever your answer the real reason is obvious aint it? if this charizard looked a crobat in the eye (or any other pokemon with mean look for that matter)... out goes crobat, hello Kyogre!!
RULE THREE: use supporting techs
swords dance, calm mind, bulk up, double team, agility, dragon dance... these are all moves that could bring your stats to its peak and beyond, having one really helps. Never under-estimate stat enhancing moves, don't give your opponents the chance to pump up! other moves like thunder wave, confuse ray, spore are all extremely helpful, they're advantageous beyond words for trainers of your level.
RULE FOUR: look out for odd moves
most moves are learnt naturaly by pokemon FOR A REASON, don't go deleting moves just because it seems useless now; it may yet have a purpose when the pokemon levels up further, some good examples are Articuno's mind reader/sher cold, the Regi's lock on/zap cannon, wobbuffet's encore/mirrorcoat/counter... etc
Finaly, take this moveset for an example:
Herracross
Endure
Reversal
Megahorn
Brick Break
this is an example of an above average moveset, endure was already on herracross, so i kept it and eventually it learned reversal. if you breed herracross you'll find it learns Flail as an egg move, which also complements endure quick well. All of the moves in this moveset are physical, taking advantage of herracross's above-average atk stats, and they all give STAB.
hmmm... i've reached my post quota, so lucky for you lot i can't post anymore, when i start seeing better teams i'll post new team building stuff...
Frank