Sandstorm in UU!
Yes everyone, I wasn't lieing. Hippopotas in the UU Tier is what I actually plan on doing. There are many pokemon in the UU Tier with abilities only suited for the Sandstorm, such as Cacturne's Sand Veil, that aren't utilized due to the decrease of Sandstorm in UU. And there are alot more Rock type pokemon in the UU Tier than in the OU Tier (in fact I believe Tyranitar is the only Rock type OU) that can have its Special Defensive stats increased in the Sandstorm by 1.5. So I thought I could give automatic Sandstorm a try, with the infamous Hippopotas. Actually, it was inspired by my friend Brettmeeink =D (see I mentioned you like you asked lol). What's even better, is with the newly released Aerodactyl in UU I can somewhat utilize Aero alot more, well pretty much just for SpDef increase and doing somewhat more damage than before with Sandstorm. So, lets get on to the team itself.
Hippopotas (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP/6 Atk/252 Def
Impish nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
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Ah yes, Hippopotas. Not UU material? Just a Little Cup pokemon? I'd beg to differ. Although I have no logs on Shoddy to prove it's effectiveness, however, from my own eyes I've seen all I need to see. I have a huge fighting weakness, I know that for a fact, and for that reason alone is the reason Hippopotas is the lead off. Otherwise it would be Aerodactyl who would lead the team. What I mean is that Scarf Primeape does alot to this team, and most of these Apes are designed as the lead, so I simply threw in the most defensive pokemon who can take it so I can hopefully eliminate it with ease. CB Ape? Less of a problem since Aero can revenge kill it, but nothing can safely switch-in, so I need help on that. So anyway, pretty much a standard set you would see on its evolved form, Hippowdon. Roar is my last move, since the little but powerful Hippopotas can't learn Ice Fang or even Stone Edge (I believe), so I have Roar for phazing certain Subbing pokemon. Side note: Camo Shiny Hippopotas is win 8-)
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Aerodactyl (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Ice Fang / Fire Fang
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The threatening physical sweeper that is Aerodactyl. Well a pretty standard set. Crunch is for Grumpig and Hypno, Earthquake for Aggron, Steelix, or Nidoqueen. Stone Edge is a great STAB move. Not sure whether to choose Fire Fang or Ice Fang. They both have good coverage along side with Earthquake, and they both serve the same purpose in terms of hitting those Grasses. Hmmm not too sure here.
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Cacturne (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk/52 Spd/204 SAtk
Lonely nature (+Atk, -Def)
- Focus Punch
- Substitute
- Sucker Punch
- Hidden Power [Ground]
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Well a Sandstorm team could use a Mixed Sweeper, so here's Cacturne to fill that role. Now I don't know of any good EV spreads for a Mixed Cacturne, please help me out on that. Now I have Hidden Power Ground for one of the most common Cacturne counters, Toxicroak. It also hits Torkoal who can take a Focus Punch nicely. Same base power, I know, but Torkoal is more Defensively based than SpDef based so Hidden Power Ground would be the move to use against it. Again, help me on an EV spread.
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Omastar (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 6 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk
Modest nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Hidden Power [Grass]
- Ancientpower
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My Special Sweeper, who can take advantage of Rain Dance teams trying to mess upthe Sandstorm. I'm using all attacks here with no Rain Dance and a Non-Speced set. Why? 1.) Because the opponent's Rain Dance pokemon can do that for me. 2.) The Sandstorm REALLY helps Omastar's rather poor SpDef and boosts it up to a decent number of 264. 3.) If I'm facing an opponent who will set up Rain Dance, then I can freely use my moves without having to predict if I have Choice Specs. But this theory will be wasted, to me, simply to the fact that certain pokemon in Rain Dance will end Omastar's hopes for getting a sweep in the Rain. For this reason, this is a pokemon likely to go. I'll need help here.
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Relicanth (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/6 Def
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
- Head Smash
- Waterfall
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Relicantch can be a great physical wall against the ever common Swellow, and other non-Fighting Physical Sweepers. I chose the Sleep Talk set so I can have extra survivability and to take status. A good attribute to a good wall. Head Smash and Waterfall are my two attacking moves, I love its ability to avoid recoil from Head Smash. Sadly not from Life Orb though.
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Armaldo (M) @ Life Orb
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 6 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Rock Polish
- X-Scissor
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
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Armaldo is the last pokemon in the Sandstorm team. Now my team could use some Speed, so I'm using the Rock Polish set for the Speed. Self explanitory, although a pokemon I'm willing to let go as well as Omastar (hell I'll be willing to let go of any pokemon, except Hippopotas of course =D).
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Conclusion
So there you have it. Can Sandstorm really function in UU I ask again? Yes, with all of the Rock types just dieing to get some more SpDef beefed up in Sandstorm. More importantly, it's Hippopotas that starts everything, whom I say can do a fine job.
So there you have it. Can Sandstorm really function in UU I ask again? Yes, with all of the Rock types just dieing to get some more SpDef beefed up in Sandstorm. More importantly, it's Hippopotas that starts everything, whom I say can do a fine job.
As I mentioned earlier, I have a huge Fighting weakness, but silly me on forgetting that a Sandstorm team doesn't HAVE to have all pokemon who can resist Sandstorm. I was thinking SpecsAltaria over Omastar. How does that sound? I really could use alot of advice on this team. This is a team that I plan on using for serious events, and I hope you can take this serious, because I'm not joking about Hippopotas one bit. Again I could use some serious help, like on the Mixed Cacturne EV spread, and maybe covering a weakness I haven't found yet.
Again, the Hippopotas idea was originally used (well from what I've known correct me if I'm wrong) from a user named Brettmeeink (I gave you credit twice =D). And also, props to Stathakis for making awesome RMT formatting. The format I used is sort of an inspiration, plus I was his favorite user for a week or two (HAHAHA I'M BRAGGING).
But in all seriousness, please help my team to function well in the UU Tier. Rate, fix, steal, and shit.
A Final Look
