I’m somewhat new to the forums here, but I feel that this team has some potential, and I’d like some advice on how to improve it. It’s currently at nearly 1700 on PS. I’ve always loved sand but with the addition of Drizzle Politoed and Drought Ninetales and the banning of Excadrill to Ubers, sand has taken a big hit. Furthermore, I’ve always loved stall over pure offense as opponents seem to rage-quit more often. Without further ado, here’s the team!
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 24 Def / 236 SDef
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide/Stone Edge/Ice Fang
First off, I had to start off with a weather starter and it was down to Tyranitar or Hippowdon. But honestly, this is sand stall and Hippowdon is built for stalling with his base 118 Defense. Specially defensive Hippowdon is much more effective than its physical counterpart, due to the abundance of special sweepers in OU. Hippowdon’s job is to set up rocks and the sand. In later parts of the game, he can generally clean up the last few members of the opposing team. Earthquake for his main STAB, slack off for healing and stealth rock. The last move is for coverage, but Rock Slide’s low base power often lets me down, yet Stone Edge’s accuracy. Ugh. I’d rather keep a rock type move to destroy Volcarona, but maybe Ice Fang’s worth against Salamence and Dragonite is worth it?
Forretress @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Spikes
- Volt Switch
- Toxic Spikes
After my specially defensive lead, I needed a physical wall. Forretress, or Ferrothorn? I picked the steel pinecone due to the ability to set up Toxic Spikes. They have become invaluable as the battle drags on. Rapid Spin for removing hazards, Spikes for more damage and Volt Switch to escape the ever-present Magnezone and other trappers, bar Dugtrio. Although most Dugtrio don’t switch in to Forretress.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Roar
Zapdos has always been one of my favorite Pokemon, ever since the 1st generation. After seeing another Smogon user try it on OU, I decided to give it a run on OU. Two strong coverage moves, a healing source, and a type of hazing. This set is somewhat self-explanatory. Zapdos is a great counter to both rain and sun teams because most water types can’t take a STAB Thunderbolt, and Heat Wave absolutely wrecks Venusaur.
Heatran @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Roar
- Will-O-Wisp
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
Heatran is another part of my dual anti-sun core. He can switch in, take a fire attack aimed at Forretress and crush the opposing team with STAB Fire Blast and Earth Power against opposing Heatran. However, if the other Heatran runs an Air Balloon, I cannot hit it at all. Any ideas on what to change on Heatran? Will-O-Wisp has saved my life in the past, with crucial burns on Dragonites and such. Roar is for additional forced switches.
Landorus-T @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
Landorus was suggested by a good friend of mine and his Intimidate has already proven itself. He can easily set up rocks again and sweep with just two moves. The 4th slot is open to changes, although I’m not sure what that would be. HP Ice or Superpower? I run adamant for maximum damage and the quake-edge is self explanatory.
Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Knock Off
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
Tentacruel is my other answer to rain teams. He heals from the rain and can offer more spin support while setting up more hazards. The occasional burn from scald is amazing and knock off can remove leftovers from other stalling pokemon. Black Sludge and rain dish for healing, with bold for maximum defense. Yet Tentacruel is not the best of Pokemon, however I do need a bulky water type, so he’s my only choice for now. Unless Jellicent and/or Rotom-W would fit in better.
Well that’s the team. Hope you enjoyed it and I’m always open to suggestions! Thanks!
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 24 Def / 236 SDef
Impish Nature
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Rock Slide/Stone Edge/Ice Fang
First off, I had to start off with a weather starter and it was down to Tyranitar or Hippowdon. But honestly, this is sand stall and Hippowdon is built for stalling with his base 118 Defense. Specially defensive Hippowdon is much more effective than its physical counterpart, due to the abundance of special sweepers in OU. Hippowdon’s job is to set up rocks and the sand. In later parts of the game, he can generally clean up the last few members of the opposing team. Earthquake for his main STAB, slack off for healing and stealth rock. The last move is for coverage, but Rock Slide’s low base power often lets me down, yet Stone Edge’s accuracy. Ugh. I’d rather keep a rock type move to destroy Volcarona, but maybe Ice Fang’s worth against Salamence and Dragonite is worth it?
Forretress @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Relaxed Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Spikes
- Volt Switch
- Toxic Spikes
After my specially defensive lead, I needed a physical wall. Forretress, or Ferrothorn? I picked the steel pinecone due to the ability to set up Toxic Spikes. They have become invaluable as the battle drags on. Rapid Spin for removing hazards, Spikes for more damage and Volt Switch to escape the ever-present Magnezone and other trappers, bar Dugtrio. Although most Dugtrio don’t switch in to Forretress.
Zapdos @ Leftovers
Trait: Pressure
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Heat Wave
- Roost
- Roar
Zapdos has always been one of my favorite Pokemon, ever since the 1st generation. After seeing another Smogon user try it on OU, I decided to give it a run on OU. Two strong coverage moves, a healing source, and a type of hazing. This set is somewhat self-explanatory. Zapdos is a great counter to both rain and sun teams because most water types can’t take a STAB Thunderbolt, and Heat Wave absolutely wrecks Venusaur.
Heatran @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SAtk / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
- Roar
- Will-O-Wisp
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
Heatran is another part of my dual anti-sun core. He can switch in, take a fire attack aimed at Forretress and crush the opposing team with STAB Fire Blast and Earth Power against opposing Heatran. However, if the other Heatran runs an Air Balloon, I cannot hit it at all. Any ideas on what to change on Heatran? Will-O-Wisp has saved my life in the past, with crucial burns on Dragonites and such. Roar is for additional forced switches.
Landorus-T @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 200 HP / 64 Atk / 244 Def
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
Landorus was suggested by a good friend of mine and his Intimidate has already proven itself. He can easily set up rocks again and sweep with just two moves. The 4th slot is open to changes, although I’m not sure what that would be. HP Ice or Superpower? I run adamant for maximum damage and the quake-edge is self explanatory.
Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Trait: Rain Dish
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Knock Off
- Scald
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
Tentacruel is my other answer to rain teams. He heals from the rain and can offer more spin support while setting up more hazards. The occasional burn from scald is amazing and knock off can remove leftovers from other stalling pokemon. Black Sludge and rain dish for healing, with bold for maximum defense. Yet Tentacruel is not the best of Pokemon, however I do need a bulky water type, so he’s my only choice for now. Unless Jellicent and/or Rotom-W would fit in better.
Well that’s the team. Hope you enjoyed it and I’m always open to suggestions! Thanks!