The Sand Sweepers
Peaked at #3 on PS
I'm not the best battler online, but in the past few months, I've had great fun and success with this team. I rely on the offensive presence of Pawniard, Drilbur, and Archen, along with the residual damage from the sand and Stealth Rocks to put pressure on my opponent. One of the most surprising things about this team is that there is no fighting type. This does not bother me, and as far as I can tell, does not hinder my team. Almost all of the pokemon on this team are extremely offensive, with Hippopotas and Lileep as the only "defense".
Closer Look
Pawniard @ Life Orb
Inner Focus
Jolly [+Spe -SpA]
236 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SDef / 196 Spe
Swords Dance | Sucker Punch | Night Slash | Brick Break
Pawniard functions as my sort-of suicidal lead, which means that he stays in until he dies, and tries to set up regardless of the consequences. Very often, probably 1/3 of the matches I play, Pawniard sweeps the entire enemy team 6-0 without me even switching him out once. If I decide to not lead with him, or switch out, he can act as a late-game sweeper too, which is nice.. On the first turn he uses Swords Dance to double his attack, and from that point on, as long as he outspeeds an opponent, he becomes next to unstoppable, 1-2HKOing almost the whole LC metagame. Sucker Punch is his main STAB move with great priority, and all it requires is a little prediction. Night Slash is for when I am unsure whether my opponent will attack or not, and Brick Break is for coverage. Pawniard is great at eliminating early-game sweepers that try to set up on the first few turns, like Clamperl. The EV spread is very simple, maximizing Pawniard's Attack and Speed while also granting one more point to its good Defense stat. The main things he has trouble with are priority abusing Fighting types, like Croagunk and Mienfoo, and physically bulky walls that can burn him and then survive his STABs.
Hippopotas @ Eviolite
Sand Stream
Impish [+Def -SpA]
212 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 20 SDef / 20 Spe
Stealth Rock | Toxic | Slack Off | Earthquake
Hippopotas acts as my weather summoner / tank. Hippopotas is crucial to any sand team, allowing permanent sand as long as there is no Snover or weather-changer on the enemy team. Hippopotas's monstrous HP & Defense makes it a prime physical wall, along with base 72 Attack which allows it to threaten its opponent with an Earthquake that packs a punch. You'd be surprised how many hits this beast can take with an Eviolite, especially from fighting types like Scraggy and Mienfoo. The EV spread and nature maximize Hippopotas's defensive capabilities while slightly increasing her power. Stealth Rocks help discourage switching and, along with Toxic and the sandstorm, cause residual damage. Slack Off helps her win stall wars, and EQ is the generic attacking move of choice.
Drilbur @ Eviolite
Sand Rush
Adamant [+Atk -SpA]
236 Atk / 36 Def / 212 Spe
Earthquake | Rock Slide | Shadow Claw | Rapid Spin
A sand team without a Drilbur is like a bird without wings. Drilbur's sky-high attack and absolutely supersonic speed allow the team to soar. Drilbur is the 'big guns' that I bring in when I am in a pinch. Because Drilbur outspeeds just about anything in the sand, he is my main revenge killer and late-game cleaner. It is also a godsend that this monster got Rapid Spin, allowing him to spin away hazards that hinder his team. The EV spread provides the most offensive potential possible, with an Adamant nature because he already outspeeds the entire unboosted tier. Earthquake is Drilbur's primary STAB move, and is what I find myself using almost every time. Rock Slide completes the EdgeQuake combo, and Shadow Claw shreds ghosts trying to spinblock. Drilbur is essentially the perfect pokemon to have in the sand.
Archen @ Oran Berry
Defeatist
Adamant [+Atk -SpA]
76 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe
Agility | Acrobatics | Earthquake | Rock Slide
Most people think Archen falls under the same category as Slaking and Regigigas as Pokemon with an ability that hinders their performance, however I think differently. Archen is simply an offensive behemoth with an attack stat higher than many OU pokemon. This set works around the Defeatist problem, and uses it to assist Archen. Archen does most of the sweeping on this team, as most people do not know what to expect from him. What I do is switch into a pokemon I feel Archen can handle, and use Agility. Agility doubles Archen's speed, and allows it to outspeed everything on common LC teams. Usually after using Agility, the opponent will attack and bring Archen's HP below 50%, thinking they have crippled it. Archen then eats his Oran Berry, and proceeds to sweep the fuck out of any poor soul trying to stand up to him with a boosted 110 base power STAB Acrobatics coming off of a base 112 Attack. Archen is also always guaranteed at least neutral damage with Earthquake and STAB Rock Slide. It's EV spread gives it spectacular Attack and Speed, along with respectable HP.
Lileep @ Eviolite
Storm Drain
Calm [+SpD -Atk]
228 HP / 144 Def / 28 SpA / 64 SpD / 16 Spe
Toxic | Giga Drain | Recover | Ancientpower
Lileep represents the bulk of this offensively based team. Lileep's excellent defensive stats allow it to check many offensive threats of the LC metagame, especially Water types like Chinchou and Staryu due to Storm Drain. Lileep runs Toxic to gradually wear down any offensive or defensive threats while she recovers with Recover. I have found a good balance of offense and defense on this set. Usually I try and come in on a Water type attack aimed at Hippopotas or Drilbur, and nap a 1.5x SpA boost. I then attempt to sweep with Giga Drain and Ancientpower, depending on the enemy team and what I feel comfortable with. Ancientpower is hilarious when it gives you those boosts to every stat. Lileep catches most people off-guard with her offensive abilities, as most people assume she's running a strictly defensive set.
Natu @ Choice Scarf
Magic Bounce
Timid [+Spd -Atk]
36 HP / 200 SAtk / 200 Spd
Psychic | Heat Wave | Shadow Ball | Hidden Power [Fighting]
Natu replaces Abra in this spot to reflect back hazards and check some Fighting-types. People using Natu usually run a Dual-Screen set or a defensive set, but I chose to go with a Choice Scarf. Initially I didn't think the Choice Scarf would work, but I have been doing well enough with it, scoring a few KOs that I wouldn't of gotten before. Most people expect a defensive set, so when they keep their Pokemon in, Natu can 1-2HKO with her base 70 Special Attack and great movepool. Natu can also check most Fighting-types, with a dual-resist to their STAB. She can usually outrun them and KO with Psychic. Bronzor and Ferrothorn also get KO'd by an unexpected Heat Wave. All-in-all, Natu performs great offensively and defensively.
I am thinking about replacing Natu with a Magnemite, but I am unsure how I feel about it. A Magnemite would help with taking care of Bronzor and Ferrothorn, but it would give me another Fighting weakness. It would be great if someone could give me some advice on this.
Peaked at #3 on PS
I'm not the best battler online, but in the past few months, I've had great fun and success with this team. I rely on the offensive presence of Pawniard, Drilbur, and Archen, along with the residual damage from the sand and Stealth Rocks to put pressure on my opponent. One of the most surprising things about this team is that there is no fighting type. This does not bother me, and as far as I can tell, does not hinder my team. Almost all of the pokemon on this team are extremely offensive, with Hippopotas and Lileep as the only "defense".
Closer Look
Pawniard @ Life Orb
Inner Focus
Jolly [+Spe -SpA]
236 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SDef / 196 Spe
Swords Dance | Sucker Punch | Night Slash | Brick Break
Pawniard functions as my sort-of suicidal lead, which means that he stays in until he dies, and tries to set up regardless of the consequences. Very often, probably 1/3 of the matches I play, Pawniard sweeps the entire enemy team 6-0 without me even switching him out once. If I decide to not lead with him, or switch out, he can act as a late-game sweeper too, which is nice.. On the first turn he uses Swords Dance to double his attack, and from that point on, as long as he outspeeds an opponent, he becomes next to unstoppable, 1-2HKOing almost the whole LC metagame. Sucker Punch is his main STAB move with great priority, and all it requires is a little prediction. Night Slash is for when I am unsure whether my opponent will attack or not, and Brick Break is for coverage. Pawniard is great at eliminating early-game sweepers that try to set up on the first few turns, like Clamperl. The EV spread is very simple, maximizing Pawniard's Attack and Speed while also granting one more point to its good Defense stat. The main things he has trouble with are priority abusing Fighting types, like Croagunk and Mienfoo, and physically bulky walls that can burn him and then survive his STABs.
Hippopotas @ Eviolite
Sand Stream
Impish [+Def -SpA]
212 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 20 SDef / 20 Spe
Stealth Rock | Toxic | Slack Off | Earthquake
Hippopotas acts as my weather summoner / tank. Hippopotas is crucial to any sand team, allowing permanent sand as long as there is no Snover or weather-changer on the enemy team. Hippopotas's monstrous HP & Defense makes it a prime physical wall, along with base 72 Attack which allows it to threaten its opponent with an Earthquake that packs a punch. You'd be surprised how many hits this beast can take with an Eviolite, especially from fighting types like Scraggy and Mienfoo. The EV spread and nature maximize Hippopotas's defensive capabilities while slightly increasing her power. Stealth Rocks help discourage switching and, along with Toxic and the sandstorm, cause residual damage. Slack Off helps her win stall wars, and EQ is the generic attacking move of choice.
Drilbur @ Eviolite
Sand Rush
Adamant [+Atk -SpA]
236 Atk / 36 Def / 212 Spe
Earthquake | Rock Slide | Shadow Claw | Rapid Spin
A sand team without a Drilbur is like a bird without wings. Drilbur's sky-high attack and absolutely supersonic speed allow the team to soar. Drilbur is the 'big guns' that I bring in when I am in a pinch. Because Drilbur outspeeds just about anything in the sand, he is my main revenge killer and late-game cleaner. It is also a godsend that this monster got Rapid Spin, allowing him to spin away hazards that hinder his team. The EV spread provides the most offensive potential possible, with an Adamant nature because he already outspeeds the entire unboosted tier. Earthquake is Drilbur's primary STAB move, and is what I find myself using almost every time. Rock Slide completes the EdgeQuake combo, and Shadow Claw shreds ghosts trying to spinblock. Drilbur is essentially the perfect pokemon to have in the sand.
Archen @ Oran Berry
Defeatist
Adamant [+Atk -SpA]
76 HP / 236 Atk / 196 Spe
Agility | Acrobatics | Earthquake | Rock Slide
Most people think Archen falls under the same category as Slaking and Regigigas as Pokemon with an ability that hinders their performance, however I think differently. Archen is simply an offensive behemoth with an attack stat higher than many OU pokemon. This set works around the Defeatist problem, and uses it to assist Archen. Archen does most of the sweeping on this team, as most people do not know what to expect from him. What I do is switch into a pokemon I feel Archen can handle, and use Agility. Agility doubles Archen's speed, and allows it to outspeed everything on common LC teams. Usually after using Agility, the opponent will attack and bring Archen's HP below 50%, thinking they have crippled it. Archen then eats his Oran Berry, and proceeds to sweep the fuck out of any poor soul trying to stand up to him with a boosted 110 base power STAB Acrobatics coming off of a base 112 Attack. Archen is also always guaranteed at least neutral damage with Earthquake and STAB Rock Slide. It's EV spread gives it spectacular Attack and Speed, along with respectable HP.
Lileep @ Eviolite
Storm Drain
Calm [+SpD -Atk]
228 HP / 144 Def / 28 SpA / 64 SpD / 16 Spe
Toxic | Giga Drain | Recover | Ancientpower
Lileep represents the bulk of this offensively based team. Lileep's excellent defensive stats allow it to check many offensive threats of the LC metagame, especially Water types like Chinchou and Staryu due to Storm Drain. Lileep runs Toxic to gradually wear down any offensive or defensive threats while she recovers with Recover. I have found a good balance of offense and defense on this set. Usually I try and come in on a Water type attack aimed at Hippopotas or Drilbur, and nap a 1.5x SpA boost. I then attempt to sweep with Giga Drain and Ancientpower, depending on the enemy team and what I feel comfortable with. Ancientpower is hilarious when it gives you those boosts to every stat. Lileep catches most people off-guard with her offensive abilities, as most people assume she's running a strictly defensive set.
Natu @ Choice Scarf
Magic Bounce
Timid [+Spd -Atk]
36 HP / 200 SAtk / 200 Spd
Psychic | Heat Wave | Shadow Ball | Hidden Power [Fighting]
Natu replaces Abra in this spot to reflect back hazards and check some Fighting-types. People using Natu usually run a Dual-Screen set or a defensive set, but I chose to go with a Choice Scarf. Initially I didn't think the Choice Scarf would work, but I have been doing well enough with it, scoring a few KOs that I wouldn't of gotten before. Most people expect a defensive set, so when they keep their Pokemon in, Natu can 1-2HKO with her base 70 Special Attack and great movepool. Natu can also check most Fighting-types, with a dual-resist to their STAB. She can usually outrun them and KO with Psychic. Bronzor and Ferrothorn also get KO'd by an unexpected Heat Wave. All-in-all, Natu performs great offensively and defensively.
I am thinking about replacing Natu with a Magnemite, but I am unsure how I feel about it. A Magnemite would help with taking care of Bronzor and Ferrothorn, but it would give me another Fighting weakness. It would be great if someone could give me some advice on this.
King (Pawniard) (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SDef / 196 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Night Slash
- Brick Break
Hippo (Hippopotas) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Stream
Level: 5
EVs: 212 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 20 SDef / 20 Spd
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
Speedy (Drilbur) (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Rush
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 212 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Shadow Claw
- Rapid Spin
Mr. Underrated (Archen) (M) @ Oran Berry
Trait: Defeatist
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Agility
- Acrobatics
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Lileep (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Storm Drain
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 228 HP / 220 Def / 60 SDef
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- AncientPower
- Recover
- Toxic
Echo (Natu) (F) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Magic Bounce
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 200 SAtk / 200 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Heat Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
Trait: Defiant
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 36 SDef / 196 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Night Slash
- Brick Break
Hippo (Hippopotas) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Stream
Level: 5
EVs: 212 HP / 20 Atk / 212 Def / 20 SDef / 20 Spd
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
- Slack Off
- Earthquake
Speedy (Drilbur) (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Rush
Level: 5
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 212 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Shadow Claw
- Rapid Spin
Mr. Underrated (Archen) (M) @ Oran Berry
Trait: Defeatist
Level: 5
EVs: 76 HP / 196 Atk / 196 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Agility
- Acrobatics
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
Lileep (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Storm Drain
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 228 HP / 220 Def / 60 SDef
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- AncientPower
- Recover
- Toxic
Echo (Natu) (F) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Magic Bounce
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 200 SAtk / 200 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Heat Wave
- Shadow Ball
- Hidden Power [Fighting]
