Desert Strike
What up smogonites! I have not made a team in a while so I decided to make one. My first competitive team was a Sandstorm team so I decided that is what I was going to do this time. Hope you guys enjoy!
What up smogonites! I have not made a team in a while so I decided to make one. My first competitive team was a Sandstorm team so I decided that is what I was going to do this time. Hope you guys enjoy!
Team Building
It was a sand team so I had to pick T-Tar to start. Well I didn't have to but I prefer T-Tar over Hippowdon. Why? I honestly don't know. I just have had better success with T-Tar.
I absolutely hate the overuse of steel types. Scizor is public enemy #1 for me. I refuse to use him in a team because I can't stand all these generic teams.(Another reason I did not use Rotom-W on this team) Therefore I chose Magneton to take care of all my unwanted steel types. I chose Magneton over Magnezone for the fact that it has higher speed than Magnezone. Magneton can actually function well without a steel type to trap.
Next, I wanted a pokemon that I have liked for a while. I also do not see him getting much use so I went with Mamoswine. His main job is to take care of dragons like MoxieMence with Ice Shard. Other than that, not much for Mamoswine.
I noticed that I had an obvious fighting type weakness. Therefore, I chose Latios to help this problem. This is another pokemon that I have liked for a while that can function well on a Sand team.
In a tier where entry hazards are everywhere, you absolutely need a spinner. This is why I chose Starmie. Can spin plus has great coverage in the form of BoltBeam as well as a STAB Surf and fantastic speed.
Lastly, I wanted somebody that could take advantage of the Sand. That is why I went with Landorus. Can spam STAB Sand Force Boosted Earthquakes. Also, a great scout with U-Turn and is just a good pokemon overall.
Latios was doing well but just did not have the right bulk. If only there was someone that has the same general stats but higher bulk. Oh wait, there is. This is where Latias came in. Has just enough power to secure kills and has the bulk to take some herself
In Depth
Tyranitar(Sand Stream) @ Chople Berry
252 HP,16 Atk, 84 SpDef, 156 Def
Sassy Nature
-Stealth Rock
-Crunch
-Stone Edge
-Earthquake
Here is my weather inducer. There is not much to say about him. Comes in to setup Sand as well as rocks. Crunch and Stone Edge for the two STAB moves. May change Stone Edge to Rock Slide for better accuracy but no issues with that yet. Lastly, Earthquake because since I started playing pokemon, this was my favorite move. I take every opportunity to spam this move as possible. Now for the ev's because they are a little strange. For all my sets, I take Smogons sets and change them a little if at all. I did not like the evs for Tyranitar. He is support so I definitely started with the 252 for HP. Then I took the SpDef evs and distributed them. T-Tar already gets a SpDef boost in Sand so I did not see the need for all those. I gave some to Atk because I knew I wanted some investment in Atk and the others I gave to Def. I have actually some Physical Fighting moves because of those evs in Def.
Magneton(Magnet Pull) @ Choice Scarf
252 SpAtk/Spd, 4 HP
Timid Nature
-Hidden Power(Fire)
-Thunder
-Flash Cannon
-Volt Switch
Probably the MVP of my team in my eyes. As I said before, I can't stand all the damn Steel types, expecially SCIZOR. I can't stand that fricken thing. Every team I play has one and it annoys the heck out of me. I knew that this guy was necessary. As stated before, I chose Magneton over Magnezone because of the higher speed. It is only 10 Base Points higher but it makes a huge difference. Evs are self explanatory for this guy. Hidden Power to obviously take care of the Steel types. Thunderbolt for STAB and Volt Switch for scouting. Flash Cannon for other STAB move.
Mamoswine(Thick Fat) @ Choice Band
252 Atk/HP, 4 SpDef
Adamant Nature
-Ice Shard
-Icicle Spear
-Earthquake
-Superpower
Here is Mamoswine. Another great revenge killer for my team. In previous experience, I have noticed that I had trouble dealing with MoxieMence. They just came in and completely destroyed my team. If the Salamence has 0 Evs invested into Def is it a 100% OHKO. This is why he was necessary. Not only that, but it takes care of other pokemon like flying types and other dragons like Latios. Ice Shard for STAB priority as stated before. Icicle Crash in case I don't go for Ice Shard(Rare). Earthquake for other STAB move and I just love that more. Superpower just to get some added force. Not much to say here.
Latias(Levitate) @ Leftovers
252 Spd, 74 HP, 184 SpAtk
Timid Natured
-Recover
-Dragon Pulse
-Psyshock
-Surf
Next up is Latias. Was previously a Latios but was changed. Latios had the power but did not have the bulk. That is why Latias was chosen to replace it. Not much to say with this one. Surf and Dragon Pulse for strong moves. Psyshock for a strong move but calculates with the Def stat of the opponent other than the SpDef stat. Recover to make sure she will in long enough to do her role and make a dent in the opponents team.
Starmie(Natural Cure) @ Life Orb
252 Spd/SpAtk, 4 HP
Timid Nature
-Rapid Spin
-Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam
-Surf
Now, the Spinner of my team. Starmie is usually the spinner I choose for my teams when they have one. Very fast as well as good coverage and Starmie can switch into any Fighting moves that may be aimed at my other teammates. 252 evs in Spd/SpAtk to get the most out every hit and the 4 HP just to give a little boost. Rapid Spin to obviously take care of entry hazards because they are everywhere and I MEAN everywhere in the current metagame. Thunderbolt and Ice Beam for the amazing BoltBeam combo that not really anyone can safely switch in to. Lastly Surf for STAB as well as a help to take care of pokemon that take neutral or less damage from BoltBeam like Heatran for example. Resists Ice Beam and takes neutral from Thunderbolt.
Landorus(Sand Force) @ Choice Scarf
252 Atk/Spd, 4 SpAtk
Naive Nature
-U-Turn
-Earthquake
-Hidden Power(Ice)
-Iron Tail
Lastly, Landorus, the pokemon with many roles on the team. Sometimes a sweeper, others wallbreaker, and sometimes scout. I knew that I wanted a pokemon that could take advantage of the Sand and Landorus came to mind. Me not being able to get Therian forms, had to settle for the Incarnate form.(Which I am actually fine with) This moveset is quite standard other than Iron Tail. I didn't even know it could get Iron Tail until I misspelled something wrong and it gave me Iron Tail on PO. I decided to give it a try considering it gets a boost. That move is fantastic on Landorus. People throw out their Ice types thinking it is safe and will be an easy kill. Not with Iron Tail it isn't. All moves on this set are boosted other than U-Turn which is solely used for scouting. Earthquake and Iron Tail to hit a variety of pokemon as well as all those moves being boosted in the Sand. Evs are standard sweeper evs. Hidden Power(Ice) was added because Stone Edge and Iron Tail were redundant to each other. Helps to take out main threats to the team like Tornadus-T, Dragons, and opposing Landorus.
Thanks for reading Desert Strike. Please suggest anything that you would like. It can be about the team or just about the RMT organization. I am going to say this know so I don't make anyone feel bad. You suggest things not tell me what to do. It is my team and it is up to me what happens. Just because you suggest it doesn't mean it will happen. I will think about everyone and decided. If I decide not to I will explain why this was my choice. Again, thanks for reading and rate on!
Videos Where I Used This Team
Vs.dragonking00
http://youtu.be/dHERo3cZk7sPossible Candidates For A Spot On The Team
Nidoking
Lucario
Terrakion
Metagross
Gengar
Alakazam