Machamp fail
So I tried to solo a Machamp this weekend and it didn't happen. I really want to be able to do this. I know I'm lacking in some key categories, but here's the team I used (Machamp had C/HS):
3188 DT/O Dragonite
2536 Espeon Z/P
2571 Espeon C/PB
2257 Alakazam C/P
2396 Exeggutor BS/P
2325 Exeggutor Z/P
I had a heck of a time trying to dodge and I think I only dodged accurately once or twice. I still didn't expect to win going in, but I wasn't that close. My team fainted with the boss at just under 1/4 health and about 30 seconds.
Give me some ideas about how I can do a better job next time. Power something up? Switch something out? Change the order? Dodge better?
Some notes: this is my only Dragonite, I have no tms, but I'm trying to get better psychic attackers (one Alakazam with SB awaiting a tm, walking another eevee right now)
Answers
Do you have another dragon with hurricane? You just need to power some guys up and maybe get some future sight mons instead of psychic. My winning Machamp team (beat her with about 2 seconds left):
2451 C/FS Alakazam
2536 C/FS Espeon
3263 DT/H Dragonite
3036 DT/H Dragonite
2579 E/SB Exeggcutor
2561 ZH/SB Exeggutor
The meat of my attack squad when I get a rough moveset isn't FS, it's being able to dance until I get 3 FSs due to Pc asthe quick move. This paves the way for the rest but it isn't easy. Please note that a common limitation is C orZH as a quick move for these mons. C is terrific. In regards real world where dodging is critical it's risky. It's a common theme for a reason.
- SC/SB (either) gengar is very helpful, its very strong resistance to fighting makes up for its abysmal hp and low defense, allowing it to survive longer, I used both that and a DT/o dragonite and I preferred gengar (im sure hex is great too, more charged attacks)
- like 333 said, future may be more helpful than psychic
- other than that, the movesets look solid. In terms of the order. Perhaps have either the C/P exeggutor or your alakazam lead, that way they are starting off against a boss with no charge energy, which may give them a better opportunity to get that last charged attack off before they faint? I had dragonite (and then gengar) be the final Pokémon in my party. In dragonites case, since the damage from outrage comes at the end of the animation, you may find you get timed out before the final damage is dealt if it's a buzzer beater
Gengar is helpful for Machamp, gengar, and alakazam raids which definitely adds some versatility into the lineup
I would leave the SP/Sludge Bomb as is, SC has higher dps than SP especially coupled with STAB. SC + Sludge Bomb/Shadow Ball some of the currently highest dps movesets (before any effectiveness multipliers).
To answer your question I personally would invest in the SC/DP and change DP to either or, they both have their merits (Shabow ball subsequentially hit Super effective into what SC is does, but sludge bomb is 0.7sec shorter (2.3s vs 3.0s)
You could always change SP -> Hex on the other one, but I don't know where it ranks yet; I would guess SP would only be advantageous in matchups against blissey and Snorlax because they are immune to ghost (.51x before STAB), but even then they both possess attacks that deal super effective damage, also against blissey or Snorlax focus blast would come in handy
My philosophy for soloing Machamp is to hit him with Espeon and Alakazam and Exeggutor Psychic at level 30 or above. DO NOT dodge. Hit him with as many charge moves as possible and faint quickly.
Then go back in with whatever the system picks as default and mop up. I finish with 10 to 30 seconds left because the glass cannons do so much damage. Dodging is a waste.
Solo'd Machamp 6 times. Key for me is dodging the charge moves early..gotta get the most outta your heavy hitters...my first Exeggutor is usually mop up, my best was 12 sec left with C/CC...all the rest being right down to the wire.
Dragonite 3083 DT/H 89% lvl 31
Espeon 2678 ZH/FS 84% lvl 34
Alakazam 2671 PC/FS 91% lvl 35.5
Exeggutor 2540 Ex/SB 93% lvl 31.5
Exeggutor 2533 Ex/SB 91% lvl 31.5
Same for Arcanine....took me five times to beat him with 1 high level Golem (RT/SE) 1 mid level Golem (RT/SE) , one Ryhdon (MS/E) and Vaporeon (WG/AT). Once i was able to dodge the charge moves early, it worked out....but it was right down to the last second tho!
