Finally, I soloed a Machamp!
It took me 4 attempts. Moveset was Counter/Close Combat.
For most of the battle, I was dodging CCs only or not dodging at all, except for the Espeon in the last attempt, where I dodged a few Counters.
Attempt 1:
1: Espeon CP 2400 ZH/FS
2: Gengar CP 2087 Hex/Sludge Bomb
3: Exeggutor CP 2623 C/SoB
4: Exeggutor CP 2506 ES/SoB
5: Dragonite CP 3050 DB/Hu
6: Dragonite CP 2313 DT/Hu
The Machamp still had 60% HP at the halfway mark. I quit the battle.
Attempt 2:
1: Espeon CP 2400 ZH/FS
2: Alakazam CP 2416 PC/ShB
3: Gengar CP 2087 Hex/Sludge Bomb
4: Exeggutor CP 2623 C/SoB
5: Dragonite CP 3050 DB/Hu
6: Dragonite CP 2313 DT/Hu
This time, it was slightly better. The 1st espeon managed to get 2 FS off, after dodging a CC. But the Machamp still had 10% HP at the end of the battle.
Attempt 3:
My 1st Pokemon was the sane Espeon. It took a Close Combat to the face while using FS, and couldn't get a 2nd FS off. I quit the battle.
Attempt 4:
1: Espeon CP 2400 ZH/FS
2: Dragonite CP 3050 DB/Hu
3: Alakazam CP 2416 PC/ShB
4: Gengar CP 2087 Hex/Sludge Bomb
5: Dragonite CP 2313 DT/Hu
6: Exeggutor CP 2623 C/SoB
This was my last chance, the raid was ending in 5 minutes. The Espeon took a CC again, but still managed to fire the 2nd FS with a bit of dodging.
Surprisingly, placing the Dragonite in front did the trick! The Dragonite could eat a few Close Combats, and get energy for more Hurricanes. Machamp was down to half HP at 95 seconds.
Then, my last Pokemon, C/SoB Exeggutor fired 2 Solar Beams in the last 20 seconds. With 3 seconds left, he fired his last Confusion and KOed the Machamp.
That was close!
Answers
Great work! I just gave up after another try. When it´s difficult you really don´t need phantom charge moves, clock starting at 169, dodging bugs etc etc. I´ve never met any Close Combat. Today it was Heavy Slam, intersting move which in 95 % of the time hit me before it was announced. Managed 1 dodge in 14 pokemons...
This team is obviously not enough:
1) Alakazam, lvl 30.5, C/FS
2) Espeon, lvl 30.5, C/FS
3) Espeon, lvl 30.5, C/Pb
4) Exeggutor, lvl 30.5, ES/P
5) Exeggutor, lvl 30.5, ES/P
6) Dragonite, lvl 32.5, SW/Hu
I used a cTM on Eggy today but didn't get SoB just another Psychic. Could that make the difference, SoB being superior to P? Or is it just that DP and HS are much more difficult? With the dudge bugs my team usually passes out with 45-60 secs left and you lose 15 sec to rejoin battle with autoselection. I really would love to be able to dodge a bit.
First, congrats OP.
Yes, DP and HS make a huge difference. The likelihood that you will get surprised by a random charge or eat one that is dropped right on top of another means that your DPS will drop overall. To combat this, my team that is similar to yours contains 2 PC Zams and an extra Dragon with H for the end (2 Zams, 1 Espeon, 2 H Dragons). I have not failed with this group although it has admittedly taken a few tries at times especially when lag and other issues are present. Also note that I have brought mine above the rounding curve. That is an expensive endeavor but I did it when I knew Machamp would be available as a raid boss for a long time so I could really capitalize on my investment. I do not know if I advise such a move now as we have no idea when or how bosses will rotate.
In regards to dodging, C isn't great especially with the random charge moves. That is why I powered up one raided Zam and TMed one. Starting them both at the beginning means I often build up some terrific DPS before the charge moves start flying and become more unpredictable. Running those high DPS/glass cannon type guys later in your lineup against the tougher charges will likely not result in much value for your investment.
Thanks a lot! I've got a couple of fTMs and cTMs, so maybe som PC Zams then...
I'm impressed that you keep your team alive with only 5 mons. Do you dodge all charged?
Do you have a link to the sheets with rounding curves, I've seen it somewhere but lost it.
I've got an axtra lvl 30.5 Dnite SW/Hu, would that one serve better than one of the Eggies? Could it matter with SW instead of DT?
I try to dodge most charges. Honestly I feel my way through it. With bulkier mons like Dragonite I may just plow through the first charge if it's early on in his entry to the fight to quickly gain some energy for a charge to help overall time. With Zam and Espeon, yes, I always do my best to dodge.
The best way to find rounding curves is to enter your mon into Pokebattler with his exact IVs against your opponent then up his level until he jumps the curve. Someone may have a sheet but I find this an easy way to figure it out.
