After playing UU for a long time (since gen IV), I decided to go back to OU since I do like playing with weather and to see as how it has changed completely since I have last played it. I started with a rain team, but I hated constantly playing against other rain teams. Then I tried a sun team but felt it was just too weak with Politoed and Tyranitar beating Ninetales. So I settled on using sand afterwards.
I first based it on the Amoonguss, Slowbro and Heatran core but didn't like that fact that both Amoonguss and Slowbro took Sandstorm and Spikes damage and thereby weakening it's defenses prowess by a lot. Then I experimented stuff such as Choice Scarf Landorus and Gliscor, but then finally settled with the team below.
Tyranitar (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Aqua Tail
The necessary weather starter, but also a really heavy hitter. Choice Banded Tyranitar just does massive damage to anything, most importantly any opposing weather starters that dare to switch in. I have tried other versions of Tyranitars but they just didn't seem to put in as much work as this one. Crunch, Pursuit and Stone Edge are the obvious necessities. The last slot went to Aqua Tail to hit Ground types effectively, but I do miss running Earthquakes to handle steel types and I have almost never used Aqua Tail.
Tentacruel (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Substitute
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
I wanted a Rapid Spinner, but have always hated Forretress because I didn't beat any Spin Blockers, notably Jellicent. Tentacruel, on the other hand, can beat any Jellicents that decide to come in to block. Toxic on the switch-in (or sub up first), and then keep using Substitute and Rapid Spin until it either switches-out or dies from Toxic. Furthermore, it absorbs Toxic Spikes just by switching in, which helps Tyranitar, Terrakion and Gastrodon a lot. Unfortunately Tentacruel cannot spin against a healthy Gengar, but it can still inflict quite a bit of damage to it and possibly a burn with Scald, and Gengar cannot repeatedly switching without being KO'd.
Tentacruel also serves as a counter to Rain (which is why I am using Rain Dish over Liquid Ooze, and Rain Dish also works well with Substitute) and can take Scizor's Bullet Punches.
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
I had Gliscor in this slot before, but it seemed like everything (i.e. Landorus) carried ice attacks, and that made life difficult for Gliscor. Skarmory, on the other hand, is not afraid of those ice attacks. It does takes fighting attacks less well, but luckily, it's defensive bulk is good enough to still tank those rather well when at a decent amount of health. Skarmory's immunity to ground is quite crucial to this team, as Gastrodon's smaller physical bulk means even Earthquakes may KO it.
The set is pretty standard, with Brave Bird over Taunt to avoid being complete Taunt bait. I am running a full defensive Skarmory because the special defense is handled well by the rest of my team.
Gastrodon (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Recover
Primarily here to act as a Rain counter that doesn't take Sandstorm damage. It has proved it's worth by taking the numerous Thunder and Water attacks that will otherwise destroy my team. Its really don't afraid of grass attacks but Skarmory and Heatran handles those quite well. The set is pretty standard so there's not much to say.
Heatran (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 228 SDef / 28 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Dragon Pulse
- Protect
Heatran is a common sight on sand teams and for good reason - no sandstorm damage and provides crucial resistances to sand teams while possessing good stats. I went with a specially defensive build because I really need Heatran to stay alive as long as possible because it's so crucial to this team to resist a bunch of attacks. Heatran also single-handedly makes life difficult for sun teams as well.
Protect is used because a bunch of things that switch in on Heatran are Choiced so Protects lets me know what they are locked into. Stealth Rock is an option, but I really like having the Protect, and Dragon Pulse is necessary to prevent stuff such as Kingdra from setting up on me.
Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Zen Headbutt
Terrakion is a great revenger killer and a late game sweeper. Close Combat, Stone Edge and necessary STABs, while OHKOs X-Scissor hits Celebi. Zen Headbutt hits Fighting types super effectively. Nobody likes seeing a Terrakion on the other team for good reason - it just murders stuff. I had Scarf Landorus in this slot but found that Terrakion's STABs and coverage was more threatening.
THREATS
I first based it on the Amoonguss, Slowbro and Heatran core but didn't like that fact that both Amoonguss and Slowbro took Sandstorm and Spikes damage and thereby weakening it's defenses prowess by a lot. Then I experimented stuff such as Choice Scarf Landorus and Gliscor, but then finally settled with the team below.
Tyranitar (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
- Pursuit
- Aqua Tail
The necessary weather starter, but also a really heavy hitter. Choice Banded Tyranitar just does massive damage to anything, most importantly any opposing weather starters that dare to switch in. I have tried other versions of Tyranitars but they just didn't seem to put in as much work as this one. Crunch, Pursuit and Stone Edge are the obvious necessities. The last slot went to Aqua Tail to hit Ground types effectively, but I do miss running Earthquakes to handle steel types and I have almost never used Aqua Tail.
Tentacruel (M) @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SDef
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Scald
- Substitute
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic
I wanted a Rapid Spinner, but have always hated Forretress because I didn't beat any Spin Blockers, notably Jellicent. Tentacruel, on the other hand, can beat any Jellicents that decide to come in to block. Toxic on the switch-in (or sub up first), and then keep using Substitute and Rapid Spin until it either switches-out or dies from Toxic. Furthermore, it absorbs Toxic Spikes just by switching in, which helps Tyranitar, Terrakion and Gastrodon a lot. Unfortunately Tentacruel cannot spin against a healthy Gengar, but it can still inflict quite a bit of damage to it and possibly a burn with Scald, and Gengar cannot repeatedly switching without being KO'd.
Tentacruel also serves as a counter to Rain (which is why I am using Rain Dish over Liquid Ooze, and Rain Dish also works well with Substitute) and can take Scizor's Bullet Punches.
Skarmory (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Brave Bird
- Roost
- Spikes
- Whirlwind
I had Gliscor in this slot before, but it seemed like everything (i.e. Landorus) carried ice attacks, and that made life difficult for Gliscor. Skarmory, on the other hand, is not afraid of those ice attacks. It does takes fighting attacks less well, but luckily, it's defensive bulk is good enough to still tank those rather well when at a decent amount of health. Skarmory's immunity to ground is quite crucial to this team, as Gastrodon's smaller physical bulk means even Earthquakes may KO it.
The set is pretty standard, with Brave Bird over Taunt to avoid being complete Taunt bait. I am running a full defensive Skarmory because the special defense is handled well by the rest of my team.
Gastrodon (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Earth Power
- Toxic
- Recover
Primarily here to act as a Rain counter that doesn't take Sandstorm damage. It has proved it's worth by taking the numerous Thunder and Water attacks that will otherwise destroy my team. Its really don't afraid of grass attacks but Skarmory and Heatran handles those quite well. The set is pretty standard so there's not much to say.
Heatran (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 228 SDef / 28 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Dragon Pulse
- Protect
Heatran is a common sight on sand teams and for good reason - no sandstorm damage and provides crucial resistances to sand teams while possessing good stats. I went with a specially defensive build because I really need Heatran to stay alive as long as possible because it's so crucial to this team to resist a bunch of attacks. Heatran also single-handedly makes life difficult for sun teams as well.
Protect is used because a bunch of things that switch in on Heatran are Choiced so Protects lets me know what they are locked into. Stealth Rock is an option, but I really like having the Protect, and Dragon Pulse is necessary to prevent stuff such as Kingdra from setting up on me.
Terrakion @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Justified
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Close Combat
- Stone Edge
- X-Scissor
- Zen Headbutt
Terrakion is a great revenger killer and a late game sweeper. Close Combat, Stone Edge and necessary STABs, while OHKOs X-Scissor hits Celebi. Zen Headbutt hits Fighting types super effectively. Nobody likes seeing a Terrakion on the other team for good reason - it just murders stuff. I had Scarf Landorus in this slot but found that Terrakion's STABs and coverage was more threatening.
THREATS
Scizor: Tentacruel and Skarmory can take its attacks quite well, and Heatran can come in if it lacks Superpower, and all of them while threaten it with burns or OHKOs.
Dragonite: Sand will get rid of multiscale. Depending on the set, one of team members can wall it. I usually try to Toxic it to prevent set-ups. Terrakion can revenge if it didn't set up a Dragon Dance.
Tyranitar: Terrakion and Skarmory says hi.
Heatran: Gastrodon can come in on anything and force it out. Terrakion can revenge it.
Rotom-W: Hopefully it does not carry Hidden Power Grass, in which case Gastrodon walls it. Tyranitar is a good switch-in the first time since they will usually not spam Hydro Pump with Gastrodon around, and if it doesn't use Hidden Power Grass when Tyranitar switches in means it usually does not have it.
Terrakion: Skarmory walls it.
Ferrothorn: Heatran
Politoed: I try to get Spikes up early to weaken it every time it switches in. Gastrodon walls most version and poisons it with Toxic. The plan is just to damage it every time it comes in since they will likely switch it out a lot since I have Tyranitar.
Gliscor: It does nothing to Skarmory except Taunt if it carries it while Skarmory can set up Spikes. But its quite difficult for me to kill it so perhaps I should add Hidden Power Ice to something.
Jirachi: I really hate Jirachi and is one of the reasons I want to run Earthquake on Tyranitar. Heatran usually does pretty well against it though.
Latios: Heatran can take a non-Surf hit, and Tyranitar can trap it.
Starmie: Tyranitar can trap it.
Skarmory: Heatran can force it out, but it will probably get comes Spikes up but Tentacruel can handle those.
Landorus: Skarmory walls it.
Salamence: It's difficult for this to switch on anything except Skarmory since it will be crippled by burns or receive massive damage from Stone Edge or Dragon Pulse. Skarmory can wall it though if it lacks Fire Blast.
Tentacruel: My own Tentacruel can soak up Toxic Spikes. Tyranitar can deal massive damage with Crunch if it not get burned by Scald. Gastrodon can come in on a predicted Scald and deal some damage with Earth Power, but will likely get Toxic'd to due so.
Forretress: Heatran, then Tentracruel to spin away hazards.
Gengar: Haven't seen a lot but if it's Choice'd then Tyranitar can come in and Pursuit it. Terrakion can also revenge it.
Celebi: Terrakion can revenge it. Tyranitar can trap it.
Magnezone: Nothing really fears this guy except for Skarmory, so I will need to predict and Whirlwind or double switch to keep it safe. Another reason I want to run Earthquake on Tyranitar.
Jellicent: Tentacruel
Breloom: I hate Breloom.
Gyarados: Skarmory can wall it, but very dangerous if it can set up a couple of boosts.
Volcarona: Heatran
Ninetales: I don't find sun teams much of a threat.
Lucario: Skarmory
Infernape: Infernape is quite dangerous so I have to slowly whittle him down with good switching, sandstorm and Spikes.
Haxorus: Skarmory
Hydreigon: Terrakion can revenge, and the appropriate member can wall it if it's choiced.
Espeon: Tyranitar can Pursuit it to death. Terrakion also has X-Scissors as a back-up.
Reuniclus: Tyranitar and Terrakion.
Donphan: Gastrodon comes in for free and forces it out. Again, Tentracruel to spin away Stealth Rocks after, and my team is not particularly weak to Stealth Rock.
Jolteon: Gastrodon can come in if it lacks Hidden Power Grass, handled very similarly to Rotom-W. Terrakion can also revenge.
Blissey: I haven't seen this.
Gastrodon: My own Gastrodon... usually end up trading Toxics. Skarmory can also set up Spikes but I hate getting burned by Scald.
Tornadus: Terrakion can revenge if not Scarf'd. This is a big threat as confusion from Hurricane can mean Gastrodon still loses.
Conkeldurr: Skarmory can 2HKO with Brave Bird, but still a very dangerous Pekemon as it can slaughter my team once Skarmory is dead. I might need to run Liquid Ooze over Rain Dish for him, but rain is more popular than Conkeldurr.
Alakazam: Terrakion can revenge.
Cloyster: Try to not let it set-up because it it does then my team is dead... Hopefully Sandstorm, Spikes and Protect will keep it's sweep short.
Latias: Tyranitar
Vaporeon: Sand ruins it and makes it susceptible to Toxic.
Mamoswine: Skarmory
Metagross: Just keep hitting it. Another reason to run Earthquake on Tyranitar.
Venusaur: Sack something to Sleep Powder and then Heatran threatens it.
Dugtrio: Anything can revenge it after it traps something.
Toxicroak: Sand already weakens it. Skarmory takes care of it.
Hippowdon: Gastrodon can handle it. I would need to PP stall it out of Slack Off it it somehow gets burned first though.
Deoxys-D: Tyranitar, and Tentacruel spins stuff away.
Virizion: Skarmory again
Dragonite: Sand will get rid of multiscale. Depending on the set, one of team members can wall it. I usually try to Toxic it to prevent set-ups. Terrakion can revenge if it didn't set up a Dragon Dance.
Tyranitar: Terrakion and Skarmory says hi.
Heatran: Gastrodon can come in on anything and force it out. Terrakion can revenge it.
Rotom-W: Hopefully it does not carry Hidden Power Grass, in which case Gastrodon walls it. Tyranitar is a good switch-in the first time since they will usually not spam Hydro Pump with Gastrodon around, and if it doesn't use Hidden Power Grass when Tyranitar switches in means it usually does not have it.
Terrakion: Skarmory walls it.
Ferrothorn: Heatran
Politoed: I try to get Spikes up early to weaken it every time it switches in. Gastrodon walls most version and poisons it with Toxic. The plan is just to damage it every time it comes in since they will likely switch it out a lot since I have Tyranitar.
Gliscor: It does nothing to Skarmory except Taunt if it carries it while Skarmory can set up Spikes. But its quite difficult for me to kill it so perhaps I should add Hidden Power Ice to something.
Jirachi: I really hate Jirachi and is one of the reasons I want to run Earthquake on Tyranitar. Heatran usually does pretty well against it though.
Latios: Heatran can take a non-Surf hit, and Tyranitar can trap it.
Starmie: Tyranitar can trap it.
Skarmory: Heatran can force it out, but it will probably get comes Spikes up but Tentacruel can handle those.
Landorus: Skarmory walls it.
Salamence: It's difficult for this to switch on anything except Skarmory since it will be crippled by burns or receive massive damage from Stone Edge or Dragon Pulse. Skarmory can wall it though if it lacks Fire Blast.
Tentacruel: My own Tentacruel can soak up Toxic Spikes. Tyranitar can deal massive damage with Crunch if it not get burned by Scald. Gastrodon can come in on a predicted Scald and deal some damage with Earth Power, but will likely get Toxic'd to due so.
Forretress: Heatran, then Tentracruel to spin away hazards.
Gengar: Haven't seen a lot but if it's Choice'd then Tyranitar can come in and Pursuit it. Terrakion can also revenge it.
Celebi: Terrakion can revenge it. Tyranitar can trap it.
Magnezone: Nothing really fears this guy except for Skarmory, so I will need to predict and Whirlwind or double switch to keep it safe. Another reason I want to run Earthquake on Tyranitar.
Jellicent: Tentacruel
Breloom: I hate Breloom.
Gyarados: Skarmory can wall it, but very dangerous if it can set up a couple of boosts.
Volcarona: Heatran
Ninetales: I don't find sun teams much of a threat.
Lucario: Skarmory
Infernape: Infernape is quite dangerous so I have to slowly whittle him down with good switching, sandstorm and Spikes.
Haxorus: Skarmory
Hydreigon: Terrakion can revenge, and the appropriate member can wall it if it's choiced.
Espeon: Tyranitar can Pursuit it to death. Terrakion also has X-Scissors as a back-up.
Reuniclus: Tyranitar and Terrakion.
Donphan: Gastrodon comes in for free and forces it out. Again, Tentracruel to spin away Stealth Rocks after, and my team is not particularly weak to Stealth Rock.
Jolteon: Gastrodon can come in if it lacks Hidden Power Grass, handled very similarly to Rotom-W. Terrakion can also revenge.
Blissey: I haven't seen this.
Gastrodon: My own Gastrodon... usually end up trading Toxics. Skarmory can also set up Spikes but I hate getting burned by Scald.
Tornadus: Terrakion can revenge if not Scarf'd. This is a big threat as confusion from Hurricane can mean Gastrodon still loses.
Conkeldurr: Skarmory can 2HKO with Brave Bird, but still a very dangerous Pekemon as it can slaughter my team once Skarmory is dead. I might need to run Liquid Ooze over Rain Dish for him, but rain is more popular than Conkeldurr.
Alakazam: Terrakion can revenge.
Cloyster: Try to not let it set-up because it it does then my team is dead... Hopefully Sandstorm, Spikes and Protect will keep it's sweep short.
Latias: Tyranitar
Vaporeon: Sand ruins it and makes it susceptible to Toxic.
Mamoswine: Skarmory
Metagross: Just keep hitting it. Another reason to run Earthquake on Tyranitar.
Venusaur: Sack something to Sleep Powder and then Heatran threatens it.
Dugtrio: Anything can revenge it after it traps something.
Toxicroak: Sand already weakens it. Skarmory takes care of it.
Hippowdon: Gastrodon can handle it. I would need to PP stall it out of Slack Off it it somehow gets burned first though.
Deoxys-D: Tyranitar, and Tentacruel spins stuff away.
Virizion: Skarmory again
