Hi, could I possibly help with some input here? I know this thread is quite old but I think it's really cool that someone wants to make an article about my favourite uber weather. I have used sand teams quite a lot, especially Hippowdon-based ones, and gotten pretty decently high on the ladder, even though that's nothing of importance really.
About the sand inducers.
Quote:
-Tyranitar
The more used of the two due to its general utility
T-tar is incredibly versatile; Choice Band, utility counter, Choice Scarf and Stealth Rock are all viable choices
Amazing movepool, being able to hit Latias, Mewtwo, Ferrothorn/Forretress, Rayquaza, Ho-oh, Lugia, and many others for SE (and major) damage
Rock and Dark STABS are both absolutely phenomenal in Ubers
SDef buff from Sandstorm is hugely helpful; specially defensive Tar is bulkier specially than sdef Ho-oh or Lugia!
Because of this, Tyranitar can sponge even moderately strong SE STAB moves from opponents without breaking a sweat; Mono-attacking Kyogre's Scald deals a measly 28.71 - 34.65%
Unfortunately, Tyranitar has a lot of common weaknesses including Water, Grass, Bug, Fighting, and Ground
-Hippowdon
Less used of the two, but still useful
Reliable recovery, phazing, and awesome bulk are great
Gets pretty weird 4MSS; Earthquake and Slack Off are givens, but you then have to choose 2 of Stealth Rock, Toxic, Roar, and Ice Fang
Unlike Tyranitar, Hippowdon doesn't have great mixed bulk
More of a one-trick pony; several Pokemon including Skarmory, Substitute Lugia, and Refresh Latias can set up with relative impunity
|
Pursuit is another reason to use Ttar, which could be added. If Kyogre is locked into ice beam or thunder, Ttar can trap for major damage and win the weather war easily.
About teammates, I think you have got it all with sand abusers. Miscellaneous Support is missing Ho-oh IMO. It checks a lot of threats to sand-stall. I will come to that later. Gastrodon could be added, it's not that bad in sand. For offensive partners Rayquaza could be added. It can check opposing Excadrill well and is a powerful force in any team anyway.
About threats, I think you have missed out some on some crucial things. Sand is generally not that weak to inducers of other weathers themselves as they are to losing the weather war. That's the main threat of other weathers, because losing the weather war makes a sand-stall team very hard team to win with indeed.
About Kyogre, I think there should be some emphasis on it's ability drizzle, which neuters sands passive damage (which is actually IMO the biggest asset of sand itself). Sand teams could usually carry more than one check too Kyogre anyway, example spec def Gira+Ferro. By that said, its attacks will be handled. Also, maybe something to add is that sand-inducers are slower than Kyogre (and Groudon) and therefore you will get sand up when leading, which makes Kyogres water spouts a lot less threatning (Ferro can switch in for an easy spikes layer, even on specs Kyogre).
Palkia is true that it is a big threat, but choice-scarf variants simply suck against sand-stall.
Now onto what I think are the biggest threats to sand in itself:
Fighting Arceus- uncommon but deadly. STAB Judgement rolls over Ferrothorn and Tyranitar, Ice beam shit on Gliscor and does ok damage to Giratina. Rock arceus is obviously raped as well.
Ghost-arceus- very common, Giratina gets owned, Ferro too without Focus Blast missing, Ttar is in the same boat, Exca cant OHKO. Arceus rock kinda works but:
+1 4 SpA Arceus-Ghost Focus Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Arceus-Rock in sand: 174-206 (39.18 - 46.39%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
and seeing its usually not max speed on sand-stall means it will get 2HKOed with some prior damage. Even though Focus Blast might miss, it's still a big threat. Not to mention that rockceus can only phaze (Perish song).
Ho-oh is nice check for both.
You have also written Ho-oh as a threat. I think that only applies against sand-teams without rockceus/hippowdon. And as rockceus is the best arceus to use on sand, it really isn't a big threat at all. Kyurem-W is always a threat, but using rockceus means only specs variants will be big trouple. Also, it hates residual sand damage and SR, so it will worn down quickly. Mewtwo is actually very troublesome, because many sand-stall teams doesn't use a scarfer. Spec D Gira is a check, but as always, something usually goes down to Mewtwo anyway.
About Forretress. Yep. There we have it. One of the biggest threats to sand-stall is the shitty shell. Because even if you spinblock with Gira, it can get hazards up. Damn, I hate that thing. Another reason to run Ho-oh.
And Genesect. Also a big threat. Moves over Gliscor, Ttar, Hippo, and Ferrothorn will not like those U-turns. Giratina walls it flar though. Ho-oh is also nice here.
What do you think?