Introduction
In the new Pokemon Black and White games, Sandstorm is not only one of the best stalling techniques, but it also became one of the most dangerous offensive threats. We will look at these new Sandstorm Pokemon, as well as older Gen Pokemon that were changed to be benefited by Sandstorm.
New Offensive Sandstorm Abilities
Sand Strength: +1 Atk to Ground / Rock / Steel attacks.
Sand Throw: +2 Spe (ie Sandstorm's "Swift Swim" or "Chlorophyll")
These abilities allow Ground-types with either decent Speed or decent Attack to become dangerous sweepers. Let's take a look at which Pokemon have these abilities.
Sand Throw: +2 Spe (ie Sandstorm's "Swift Swim" or "Chlorophyll")
These abilities allow Ground-types with either decent Speed or decent Attack to become dangerous sweepers. Let's take a look at which Pokemon have these abilities.
Sandstorm Sweepers
Mogoryuu
Stats: 60 HP / 85 Atk / 40 Def / 30 SpA / 45 SpD / 68 Spe
Abilities: Sand Strength / Sand Throw / Mold Breaker (Dream World)
Mogoryuu is arguably the best new sandstorm sweeper since he has excellent offensive stats and probably the best three abilities for a Ground-type Pokemon to have. With Sand Strength, Mogoryuu can run an awesome Choice Scarf set and become a great revenge killer and late game sweeper. Sand Throw allows it to use moves like Swords Dance and have +2 Spe and +2 Atk, making its Life Orb boosted Earthquake likely OHKO the entire metagame if they do not resist. Obviously Mold Breaker Earthquakes will run this tier to the ground, I personally think that it's best set will involve Mold Breaker to dispose of Bronzor.
Sandshrew
Stats: 50 HP / 75 Atk / 85 Def / 20 SpA / 30 SpD / 40 Spe
Ability: Sand Throw (Dream World)
Sandshrew gets an excellent addition to its sweeping capabilities with Sand Throw. Though it's offensively outclassed by Swords Dance Mogoryuu, Sandslash has sufficiently more physical bulk, allowing it to set up on many more threats.
Diglett
Stats: 10 HP / 55 Atk / 25 Def / 35 SpA / 45 SpD / 95 Spe
Ability: Sand Strength (Dream World)
Without Arena Trap, Diglett goes out of its usual niche as a trapper and gets an opportunity to become a sweeper. With Claw Sharpen, Earthquake, and Rock Slide, essentially a +2 Life Orb Diglett with 20 Speed is going to be a very difficult opponent to stop.
Dangoro
Stats: 55 HP / 75 Atk / 85 Def / 25 SpA / 25 SpD / 15 Spe
Ability: Sand Strength (Dream World)
Dangoro is pretty interesting. It has quite impressive physical bulk while also carrying an excellent Attack stat. It's major drawback, however, is its very very shitty Speed. Luckily, it can use Rock Polish to remedy its Speed. With a simple set of Rock Polish, Stone Edge, Earthquake, and Explosion, Dangoro can sweep and punch holes in the opponents team due to having such strong attacks (boosted by Sand Strength).
Not very threatening Pokemon with Sand Power:
Shellos - 48 Attack, slow, it sucks.
Nosepass - 45 Attack, slow, it sucks.
Hippopotas - Obviously this would be important....if you didn't need Hippopotas for permanent sandstorm.
Which Pokemon do you think are going to be the best on a sandstorm team? What about against it?
Mogoryuu
Stats: 60 HP / 85 Atk / 40 Def / 30 SpA / 45 SpD / 68 Spe
Abilities: Sand Strength / Sand Throw / Mold Breaker (Dream World)
Mogoryuu is arguably the best new sandstorm sweeper since he has excellent offensive stats and probably the best three abilities for a Ground-type Pokemon to have. With Sand Strength, Mogoryuu can run an awesome Choice Scarf set and become a great revenge killer and late game sweeper. Sand Throw allows it to use moves like Swords Dance and have +2 Spe and +2 Atk, making its Life Orb boosted Earthquake likely OHKO the entire metagame if they do not resist. Obviously Mold Breaker Earthquakes will run this tier to the ground, I personally think that it's best set will involve Mold Breaker to dispose of Bronzor.
Sandshrew
Stats: 50 HP / 75 Atk / 85 Def / 20 SpA / 30 SpD / 40 Spe
Ability: Sand Throw (Dream World)
Sandshrew gets an excellent addition to its sweeping capabilities with Sand Throw. Though it's offensively outclassed by Swords Dance Mogoryuu, Sandslash has sufficiently more physical bulk, allowing it to set up on many more threats.
Diglett
Stats: 10 HP / 55 Atk / 25 Def / 35 SpA / 45 SpD / 95 Spe
Ability: Sand Strength (Dream World)
Without Arena Trap, Diglett goes out of its usual niche as a trapper and gets an opportunity to become a sweeper. With Claw Sharpen, Earthquake, and Rock Slide, essentially a +2 Life Orb Diglett with 20 Speed is going to be a very difficult opponent to stop.
Dangoro
Stats: 55 HP / 75 Atk / 85 Def / 25 SpA / 25 SpD / 15 Spe
Ability: Sand Strength (Dream World)
Dangoro is pretty interesting. It has quite impressive physical bulk while also carrying an excellent Attack stat. It's major drawback, however, is its very very shitty Speed. Luckily, it can use Rock Polish to remedy its Speed. With a simple set of Rock Polish, Stone Edge, Earthquake, and Explosion, Dangoro can sweep and punch holes in the opponents team due to having such strong attacks (boosted by Sand Strength).
Not very threatening Pokemon with Sand Power:
Shellos - 48 Attack, slow, it sucks.
Nosepass - 45 Attack, slow, it sucks.
Hippopotas - Obviously this would be important....if you didn't need Hippopotas for permanent sandstorm.
Which Pokemon do you think are going to be the best on a sandstorm team? What about against it?