Since I read the Sandstorm Gen IV article here on Smogon in November, I've been trying to build a Sandstorm team. Here is my second real attempt at a Sandstorm team for Pokemon Black and White.
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Godzilla (Tyranitar) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 200 SDef
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Crunch
- Ice Beam
Tyranitar is my lead. He sets up Sandstorm and Stealth Rock. Tar has a mixed set, which allows me to kill a lot of threats, including Skarmory and Nattorei. He can also take a good bit of damage, with only powerful physical attackers being able to take him down.
Tyranitar's main weaknesses are powerful physical attackers that are faster than him. His speed is lowered due to it's nature, but I can't think of a better nature for a Mixed Tyranitar. Also, he is one of the two Pokemon who can be Poisoned.
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Mr. Mole (Excadrill) (M) @ Balloon
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
- X-Scissor
Excadrill is my main sweeper and my personal favorite Pokemon on this team and in B/W. When Sand Rush is activated, it goes to Ludicrous Speed. It's high speed combined with it's great Attack stat enhanced further with Swords Dance, it can tear through Pokemon like a hot knife through butter.
Originally, I gave Excadrill a Adamant nature, but I changed it to Jolly. It works better, since I often outspeed other Drills, since most are Adamant nature. It really gives me the edge.
When Excadrill's Balloon is still intact, I switch into Ground moves.
The only problem with Excadrill is its defenses and movepool. There aren't many good moves that it can get and it can be knocked out quickly if it doesn't kill the opponent quickly. This is the only Pokemon on my team I completely came up with on my own, so it may not be the best movelist/item/EV spread possible. Any alternative is welcome.
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Nattorei (Ferrothorn) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 8 Def / 248 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd), 0 Speed IV
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Spikes
I'm a “hit fast and hit hard” kind of person. That's how I play. So, normally, I don't like slow Pokemon. But I rather like Nattorei. With great resistances, good defensive stats, and a great ability, Nattorei is terrific!
Nattorei is my team's main wall. Normally, I set up layers of Spikes, use Leech Seed to suck life away from opposing Pokemon and hit hard with Power Whip and Gyro Ball (which makes up for Nattorei's horrendous speed). Iron Barbs can get revenge for any contact move. Leftovers is to make up for any damage Nattorei might receive. Nat also switches into a predicted Thunder Wave, since it isn't the worse Pokemon to be Paralyzed. (It gets to 10 speed when that happens)
Nattorei does have some major weaknesses. Skarmory using Spikes and Roar can just tear poor Nattorei to pieces, since neither of the attacking moves of Nattorei can go much to Skarmory and if it is switched into Spikes can hurt is severely.
Another of Nattorei's problems is Fire. Nattorei is very weak against a well aimed Fire Blast, usually knocking it out in one hit.
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Scizorette (Scizor) (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
Scizor is the other great sweeper of my team. I picked Scizor since it can survive beyond 10 Life Orb-fueled attacking moves due to Roost.
Swords Dance and the two STAB moves can do a nice bit of damage. Technician, of course, increases Bullet Punch's base power and helps to make it very powerful. Combined with a focus on speed, it can hit quickly and rather hard.
Like Nattorei, Scizor's major problem is Skarmory and Fire moves. It can do more damage, but not nearly enough to handle Skarmory. Fire moves just kill it. Another problem is Scizor's variety. Not much is weak to X-Scissor and Bullet Punch.
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Albert (Jellicent) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Recover
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
Jellicent is my spinblocker and bulky Water. It take a lot of damage (even some super effective) and can dish it out. It even killed a Mewtwo once! It is often used to switch into an Water, Ice, Fire, or Fighting move with great effect. Recover is used since Leftovers is to counter sandstorm damage, as Jellicent is the only Pokemon on my team that is no immune to sandstorm.
Albert is rather weak in the Physical Def department. Earthquake often is a OHKO. Also, it's speed isn't that good (due to the particular EV spread. It could be a much faster Pokemon with a different EV spread). It can die before dealing damage. Also, Jellicent is one of the two Pokemon who can be Poisoned.
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Psybear (Renuniclus) (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
Renuniclus is a beast on this team, all due to its ability Magic Guard. Immunity to entry hazards, Poison, Burn damage (the attack lower effect is still in place, but doesn't matter due to the fact that Renuniclus knows no Physical moves), nor weather damage. Also, Life Orb still has a boost, but not HP cost. It is very, very awesome.
Renuniclus sets up one or two Calm Minds, then starts hiting hard with Psychic or Focus Blast, all depending on the opposing Pokemon. Recover is to heal a little faster than with Leftovers.
Renuniclus is weak to fast Dark types (which normally aren't a problem is Scizor or Excadrill is still active). Also, a good strong move can still hurt.
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One problem as a whole is opposing Weather teams. If they kill Tyranitar, I'm doomed. My goal is to try to keep Tar and Excadrill out of the fray until I can ensure their safety. Another weakness is rival Excadrill. If they are luckier than me, I will be decimated by Excadrill.
I will take almost any suggestions, except for Legendaries (it is hard to catch one with a good nature on handhelds for me and this is meant to be built on my DS) and no Choice items, since I don't like being locked into a single attack.
I entered this into several minor tournaments, including two Uber tournaments (even though this is an OU team). In both Uber tournaments, I placed second. So I am satisfied with my team as it is, but it is not perfect...
Thank you for spending time reading this and trying to help me become a better player and improving my team. I appreciate it.
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Godzilla (Tyranitar) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 56 Atk / 200 SDef
Quiet Nature (+SAtk, -Spd)
- Stealth Rock
- Fire Blast
- Crunch
- Ice Beam
Tyranitar is my lead. He sets up Sandstorm and Stealth Rock. Tar has a mixed set, which allows me to kill a lot of threats, including Skarmory and Nattorei. He can also take a good bit of damage, with only powerful physical attackers being able to take him down.
Tyranitar's main weaknesses are powerful physical attackers that are faster than him. His speed is lowered due to it's nature, but I can't think of a better nature for a Mixed Tyranitar. Also, he is one of the two Pokemon who can be Poisoned.
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Mr. Mole (Excadrill) (M) @ Balloon
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Rock Slide
- X-Scissor
Excadrill is my main sweeper and my personal favorite Pokemon on this team and in B/W. When Sand Rush is activated, it goes to Ludicrous Speed. It's high speed combined with it's great Attack stat enhanced further with Swords Dance, it can tear through Pokemon like a hot knife through butter.
Originally, I gave Excadrill a Adamant nature, but I changed it to Jolly. It works better, since I often outspeed other Drills, since most are Adamant nature. It really gives me the edge.
When Excadrill's Balloon is still intact, I switch into Ground moves.
The only problem with Excadrill is its defenses and movepool. There aren't many good moves that it can get and it can be knocked out quickly if it doesn't kill the opponent quickly. This is the only Pokemon on my team I completely came up with on my own, so it may not be the best movelist/item/EV spread possible. Any alternative is welcome.
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Nattorei (Ferrothorn) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 8 Def / 248 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd), 0 Speed IV
- Gyro Ball
- Leech Seed
- Power Whip
- Spikes
I'm a “hit fast and hit hard” kind of person. That's how I play. So, normally, I don't like slow Pokemon. But I rather like Nattorei. With great resistances, good defensive stats, and a great ability, Nattorei is terrific!
Nattorei is my team's main wall. Normally, I set up layers of Spikes, use Leech Seed to suck life away from opposing Pokemon and hit hard with Power Whip and Gyro Ball (which makes up for Nattorei's horrendous speed). Iron Barbs can get revenge for any contact move. Leftovers is to make up for any damage Nattorei might receive. Nat also switches into a predicted Thunder Wave, since it isn't the worse Pokemon to be Paralyzed. (It gets to 10 speed when that happens)
Nattorei does have some major weaknesses. Skarmory using Spikes and Roar can just tear poor Nattorei to pieces, since neither of the attacking moves of Nattorei can go much to Skarmory and if it is switched into Spikes can hurt is severely.
Another of Nattorei's problems is Fire. Nattorei is very weak against a well aimed Fire Blast, usually knocking it out in one hit.
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Scizorette (Scizor) (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- X-Scissor
- Bullet Punch
- Roost
Scizor is the other great sweeper of my team. I picked Scizor since it can survive beyond 10 Life Orb-fueled attacking moves due to Roost.
Swords Dance and the two STAB moves can do a nice bit of damage. Technician, of course, increases Bullet Punch's base power and helps to make it very powerful. Combined with a focus on speed, it can hit quickly and rather hard.
Like Nattorei, Scizor's major problem is Skarmory and Fire moves. It can do more damage, but not nearly enough to handle Skarmory. Fire moves just kill it. Another problem is Scizor's variety. Not much is weak to X-Scissor and Bullet Punch.
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Albert (Jellicent) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Scald
- Recover
- Shadow Ball
- Energy Ball
Jellicent is my spinblocker and bulky Water. It take a lot of damage (even some super effective) and can dish it out. It even killed a Mewtwo once! It is often used to switch into an Water, Ice, Fire, or Fighting move with great effect. Recover is used since Leftovers is to counter sandstorm damage, as Jellicent is the only Pokemon on my team that is no immune to sandstorm.
Albert is rather weak in the Physical Def department. Earthquake often is a OHKO. Also, it's speed isn't that good (due to the particular EV spread. It could be a much faster Pokemon with a different EV spread). It can die before dealing damage. Also, Jellicent is one of the two Pokemon who can be Poisoned.
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Psybear (Renuniclus) (F) @ Life Orb
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
Bold Nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
Renuniclus is a beast on this team, all due to its ability Magic Guard. Immunity to entry hazards, Poison, Burn damage (the attack lower effect is still in place, but doesn't matter due to the fact that Renuniclus knows no Physical moves), nor weather damage. Also, Life Orb still has a boost, but not HP cost. It is very, very awesome.
Renuniclus sets up one or two Calm Minds, then starts hiting hard with Psychic or Focus Blast, all depending on the opposing Pokemon. Recover is to heal a little faster than with Leftovers.
Renuniclus is weak to fast Dark types (which normally aren't a problem is Scizor or Excadrill is still active). Also, a good strong move can still hurt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One problem as a whole is opposing Weather teams. If they kill Tyranitar, I'm doomed. My goal is to try to keep Tar and Excadrill out of the fray until I can ensure their safety. Another weakness is rival Excadrill. If they are luckier than me, I will be decimated by Excadrill.
I will take almost any suggestions, except for Legendaries (it is hard to catch one with a good nature on handhelds for me and this is meant to be built on my DS) and no Choice items, since I don't like being locked into a single attack.
I entered this into several minor tournaments, including two Uber tournaments (even though this is an OU team). In both Uber tournaments, I placed second. So I am satisfied with my team as it is, but it is not perfect...
Thank you for spending time reading this and trying to help me become a better player and improving my team. I appreciate it.