OU sandstorm team

[Pheano]

alright so this is my first team, as the title says its a sand storm team
ive been having some good results with it so far on shoddy

if i missed anything that is"required" please let me know and dont delete my firkin post it took forever to do

at a glance

in depth:

The begining of the end:​

Tyranitar(M) @ Focus sash
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 216 HP / 48 Defense / 244 Speed
Jolly Nature(+Speed -Special atk)
-Stealth Rock
-Taunt
-Counter
-Crunch

The corner stone of the team. He sets up sand storm and stealth rock for lots of damage build up, stops other common leads with taunt, and even counters counter leads with focus sash + counter. Most of the time ill atleast KO one pokemon with him, if not thats because their switching out because i messed up their flow with taunt. I gave him quite a bit of speed so i can taunt easier on stealth rock users and he is also able to out speed a breloom that with a neutral nature that invests 252 EVs into speed which is important for my opening game. This guy is a tank and shouldn't be taken lightly, given the right conditions he will single handedly win the game by ruining your opening, getting in a KO with counter and causing massive damage with stealth rock and sand storm. His only counter as far as i can see is a jolly breloom, aside from that most of his common counters are taken by a surprise counter. Damage wise the only things that will deal enough that would ohk him with out focus sash would be a fighting type since its x4 effective, aside from that most earthquake users will deal from 40-60% to him. Two things I'm considering changing is perhaps a lum berry since he isn't fearful of most super effective attacks, but i have another pokemon using it right now so I'm not sure. Also I'm thinking of going back to Pursuit over Crunch since taunt will cause a switch in leads like azelf and gliscor.

Creeping Death​

Suicune(no gender) @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
Impish Nature (+Defense -Special Attack)
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Defense / 16 Special Attack
-Calm Mind
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
-Surf

Standard crocune i haven't had a chance to test it yet and make my own fixes

Iron Wall​

Skarmory(M) @ Lum Berry
Ability: Keen Eye
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Defense / 16 Speed
Bold Nature (+Defense -Attack)
-Brave Bird
-Roost
-Substitute
-Whirlwind

I opted for the lum berry because i want to be able to set up a substitute against breloom and then KO it with brave bird next turn. Also I lacked a phazer so i gave him whirlwind over spikes since i already have SR on tyranitar.

Strength Begets Weakness​

Heatran(M) @ Choice Specs
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 56 HP / 200 Speed / 252 Special Attack
Modest Nature (+Special Attack -Attack)
-Dragon Pulse
-Earth Power
-Explosion
-Overheat

Not alot to say here, fairly self explanitory. Anit meta Heatran, my opponents strengths will become their weakness. I do wana switch his item though since he will cause a switch allot and his move set it rather predictable, suggestions? His counters are obviously water and ground type moves but i can just switch him out.

Can't Touch This​

Flygon(F) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 36 HP / 252 Attack / 220 Speed
Jolly Nature(+Speed -Special atk)
-Earthquake
-Outrage
-Stone Edge
-U-turn

The fastest pokemon at my arsenal with an speed of 480, not a whole lot is going to out speed her. The only pokemon that would pose a threat that are faster than him are the likes of salamance that is set up the same way as her but put 252 towards speed. If i put 252 towards speed i would only match him so i did not think it was worth it, I'm not really expecting to see a salamance like that though so i put the extra to HP. Of course he is great at switching into attacks and scouting with u-turn. Once all of my opponents walls are gone he is able to sweep entire teams with outrage, a true force to be reckoned with.

Regret Switching?​

Scizor(F) @ Life Orb
Ability: Technician
EVs: 190 HP / 252 Attack / 68 Speed
Adamant Nature(+Attack -Special Attack)
-Bullet Punch
-Superpower
-Sword Dance
-Roost

I was using the choice band version for a while but because of the extreme length of my games and amount of stalling i do to rack up damage with sand storm i decided to use a roost build instead. I added in Sword dance too over u-turn because my team was lacking a wall breaker and he was already half set up for that. Walls can be a real problem for the rest of the team so i really needed it and i wasn't really using u-turn allot since flygon was the one doing it allot.

am i missing anything?

 

[Ffancrzy]

Ok, I see what you are trying to do. Here is a note, you don't need to have every member of your team to be immune to Sandstorm.

With this in mind, my first suggestion is to get rid of Aerodactyl as he has too many common weaknesses and paper thin defenses, if you want to PP/pressure stall use Zapdos.

Zapdos @Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 184 SpD / 76 Spe
Nature: Timid
~ Substitute
~ Roost
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hidden Power Ice / Roar / Toxic

In your case, I'd suggest Roar, as you wanted a phaser, but the others are nice options too.

Secondly Empoleon is not the best sleep absorber, I'd suggest using a similar Milotic.

Milotic @Leftovers
Ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SpA
Nature: Modest
~ Surf
~ Ice Beam / Toxic
~ Rest
~ Sleep Talk

This will allow a much better sleep absorber while still being able to deal with water attacks.

 

[Pollux-Castor]

I don't see why you would up Empoleon's speed to outspeed Heatran when he walls you. Lol. And who cares about Marowak? That loser will probably get passed an agility anyway. That speed mark is worthless, probably change the ev's to something more appropriate/useful.

And HP Ice would be better than Dragon Pulse on Heatran. Kingdra that uses Rain Dance would outspeed you either way. Give Empleon more hp/sp.def to take her on.

 

[ghost]

I don't like what you're doing with Empoleon at all. No STAB water? All Empoleon needs to do is select Grass Knot or Rest with Sleep Talk once (which there is a 2/3 chance of happening) and Breloom can sub up and Focus Punch you to death, and is now sitting behind a sub because you used Empoleon to counter it. For shame, man. And no water STAB? No accounting for the fact that most Heatran are 252 Timid and raze you with Earth Power, when you're not using a STAB water move, you can't touch it anyway. May I suggest Celebi to hold Empoleon's spot?

Celebi@Leftovers
252 HP/220 DEF/36 SPE
-Grass Knot/Psychic
-HP Fire
-Thunder Wave
-Recover

Not only does this set cover up that Breloom weakness, but it solves your Gyarados weakness, too.

 

[Towelie]

Well your team seems very Gyara weak.
A set with: Dragon Dance, Waterfall, Ice Fang, and EQ fucks you up.
So as a suggestion, maybe a Scarf Latias over Flygon?
It helps you counter DD Gyara, DD Mence, and a myriad of threats after they've set up.
Heres the set.

Latias@Choice Scarf
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd Timid/Modest
Draco Meteor/Dragon Pulse
Surf
Trick
Thunderbolt

Timid is definitely the preffered nature as it lets you outspeed both threats after a Dragon Dance. Once Mence/Gyara DD's, Latias still outspeeds and KO's with Draco Meteor and Thunderbolt respectively. It can also take a chunk out of DD TTar with Draco, as well as tricking an crippling Blissey.
TTar looks fine, Empoleon makes no sense. Maybe try a CroCune?


If you're looking for a Pressure Staller AND a bulky water AND a status absorber, Suicune fits your team nicely. If you can get 2 CM's up, nearly nothing can kill you. Once you get to low health, Rest it off, Sleep Talk for two turns, wash, rinse, and repeat.
Here's the set.
Suicune@Leftovers
252 Def/252 HP/4 SpA
Surf/Calm Mind/Rest/Sleep Talk
Bold


As for Aerodactyl, I highly suggest you replace it with Skarmory. Skarmory keeps up the Sandstorm theme, is SIGNIFCANTLY bulkier, can phaze, and set up entry hazards.
Try a set of:
Skarmory@Shed Shell/Leftovers
252 HP/244 Def/16 Spd (you can try specially defensive if you want)
-Spikes
-Taunt
-Whirlwind
-Roost

Skarmory can also come in on stat uppers and Whirlwind away. It keeps up the SS theme and overall adds much more to your team.
Hope I can help ;)

-Tow

 

[ginganinja]

Heatran looks good but if you want to change your item maybe a expertbelt may be better. You can fake a scarf and explode on a common switch in to Heatran eg Blissey. Or if you wanted more power a Life Orb could also help you there.

Skarmory can stall better than Aero and can lay down spikes and can whirlwind away boosts. If SR is up skarmory can whirlwind away Gyarados and force it to lose another 25% of its health. Though I do believe Latias does Flygons job better Flygon does not get trapped by scizor so it is your call there.

I would like to see a gliscor on your team as it benefits from sand veil and is a good all round defensive pokemon. The extra 4x ice weakness may be a turn off but it adds a ground immunity and a fighting resist which your team is very weak too. SD Lucario can do a number on this team with Flygon gone and Gliscor helps with this.

 

[Pheano]

Ok, I see what you are trying to do. Here is a note, you don't need to have every member of your team to be immune to Sandstorm.

With this in mind, my first suggestion is to get rid of Aerodactyl as he has too many common weaknesses and paper thin defenses, if you want to PP/pressure stall use Zapdos.

Zapdos @Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 248 HP / 184 SpD / 76 Spe
Nature: Timid
~ Substitute
~ Roost
~ Thunderbolt
~ Hidden Power Ice / Roar / Toxic

In your case, I'd suggest Roar, as you wanted a phaser, but the others are nice options too.

Secondly Empoleon is not the best sleep absorber, I'd suggest using a similar Milotic.

Milotic @Leftovers
Ability: Marvel Scale
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 SpA
Nature: Modest
~ Surf
~ Ice Beam / Toxic
~ Rest
~ Sleep Talk

This will allow a much better sleep absorber while still being able to deal with water attacks.

i like the zapdos idea but its electric move is hampered by the storm
perhaps articuno?

i might try out the milotic

I don't see why you would up Empoleon's speed to outspeed Heatran when he walls you. Lol. And who cares about Marowak? That loser will probably get passed an agility anyway. That speed mark is worthless, probably change the ev's to something more appropriate/useful.

And HP Ice would be better than Dragon Pulse on Heatran. Kingdra that uses Rain Dance would outspeed you either way. Give Empleon more hp/sp.def to take her on.

what evs would i need for hp ice?

I don't like what you're doing with Empoleon at all. No STAB water? All Empoleon needs to do is select Grass Knot or Rest with Sleep Talk once (which there is a 2/3 chance of happening) and Breloom can sub up and Focus Punch you to death, and is now sitting behind a sub because you used Empoleon to counter it. For shame, man. And no water STAB? No accounting for the fact that most Heatran are 252 Timid and raze you with Earth Power, when you're not using a STAB water move, you can't touch it anyway. May I suggest Celebi to hold Empoleon's spot?

Celebi@Leftovers
252 HP/220 DEF/36 SPE
-Grass Knot/Psychic
-HP Fire
-Thunder Wave
-Recover

Not only does this set cover up that Breloom weakness, but it solves your Gyarados weakness, too.

celebi doesnt really do what empoleon is suposed to do
i need something that can sleep talk, use a move thats super effective to water types and since thunder moves dont work as well in sand storm grass is the only other choice, and use a move that can KO breloom

Well your team seems very Gyara weak.
A set with: Dragon Dance, Waterfall, Ice Fang, and EQ fucks you up.
So as a suggestion, maybe a Scarf Latias over Flygon?
It helps you counter DD Gyara, DD Mence, and a myriad of threats after they've set up.
Heres the set.

Latias@Choice Scarf
4 HP/252 Atk/252 Spd Timid/Modest
Draco Meteor/Dragon Pulse
Surf
Trick
Thunderbolt

Timid is definitely the preffered nature as it lets you outspeed both threats after a Dragon Dance. Once Mence/Gyara DD's, Latias still outspeeds and KO's with Draco Meteor and Thunderbolt respectively. It can also take a chunk out of DD TTar with Draco, as well as tricking an crippling Blissey.
TTar looks fine, Empoleon makes no sense. Maybe try a CroCune?


If you're looking for a Pressure Staller AND a bulky water AND a status absorber, Suicune fits your team nicely. If you can get 2 CM's up, nearly nothing can kill you. Once you get to low health, Rest it off, Sleep Talk for two turns, wash, rinse, and repeat.
Here's the set.
Suicune@Leftovers
252 Def/252 HP/4 SpA
Surf/Calm Mind/Rest/Sleep Talk
Bold


As for Aerodactyl, I highly suggest you replace it with Skarmory. Skarmory keeps up the Sandstorm theme, is SIGNIFCANTLY bulkier, can phaze, and set up entry hazards.
Try a set of:
Skarmory@Shed Shell/Leftovers
252 HP/244 Def/16 Spd (you can try specially defensive if you want)
-Spikes
-Taunt
-Whirlwind
-Roost

Skarmory can also come in on stat uppers and Whirlwind away. It keeps up the SS theme and overall adds much more to your team.
Hope I can help ;)

-Tow

areo rapes gara, ive ohk'd every one ive seen

i was useing latias but she kept dieing on me reall quick

whats crocune?

i might try out suicune but ill have to forego calm mind if i do becuase i need a move thats super against breloom

id use skarmory and i did for a while but i liked the ability to use preasure

Heatran looks good but if you want to change your item maybe a expertbelt may be better. You can fake a scarf and explode on a common switch in to Heatran eg Blissey. Or if you wanted more power a Life Orb could also help you there.

Skarmory can stall better than Aero and can lay down spikes and can whirlwind away boosts. If SR is up skarmory can whirlwind away Gyarados and force it to lose another 25% of its health. Though I do believe Latias does Flygons job better Flygon does not get trapped by scizor so it is your call there.

I would like to see a gliscor on your team as it benefits from sand veil and is a good all round defensive pokemon. The extra 4x ice weakness may be a turn off but it adds a ground immunity and a fighting resist which your team is very weak too. SD Lucario can do a number on this team with Flygon gone and Gliscor helps with this.

gliscor didnt help alot when i used it

i would use life orb but scizor is useing it, i might try the belt though

as i said i want something with preasure so no skarmory

flygon had better results for me

 

[ginganinja]

Ok, a quick reply before I go to bed.
Firstly, how is zapdos's electric move hammpered by the sand storm?
Second, if you don't like skarmory thats fine it is your decision after all but you need a fighting resist or a poke that can handle fighting types, like Infernape or Lucario. So if you do not like skarmory at least try Zapdos as it gives you a fighting resist which you really need.

 

[Pheano]

ok so i dropped areo and empoleon for a crocune and a skarmory (whirlwind/brave bird/substitute/roost). thanks for the suggestions everyone!

 

[Playa]

Yeah I was going to say that you have a huuuge gyara weak, but these guys have already pointed it out. Celebi or Vaporeon could perform the same role that you have made for Empoleon, but do a better job quite frankly. You also say that you have been having problems with Breloom, so celebi would also help with that, look to make a quick switch there. Just take the first set from the smogon archive http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/celebi . Other than that good luck with the team.

 

[Pheano]

i just updated the first post
do i still have a gara weakness?
ive never had a problem with him in the past

On skarm, replace substitute for spiked.
It racks up residual damage, and substitute is completely unnecessary.

the substitute is there to stop status users
that and his subs will be hard to break
i like having a subber


can a mod merge these posts?
im not used to there not being an auto merger

 

[Ffancrzy]

Electric attacks are not effected by sandstorm, I have no clue why you think that. You really need a fighting resist and Zapdos can do this.

 

[Pheano]

Electric attacks are not effected by sandstorm, I have no clue why you think that. You really need a fighting resist and Zapdos can do this.

i was mixing it up with sunny day
idk
the skarmory does a good job of that
also i ohk all fighting type leads with tyranitar because of counter

i dont like the suicune though
i would like to have something thats not steel, with an electic move, ice move, sleep talk, and rest thats bulky and power full enough to ohk breloom with the ice move and prefibaly would resist both of brelooms moves

 

[Arkeis]

Skarmory doesn't need Sub or Lum berry.

Skarmory can't be Poisoned
It doesn't care about Paralysis because it's already slow
It doesn't care about Burn because it's not a sweeper and can heal with Roost
You have Suicune to absorb Sleep.

Give it Shed Shell so it doesn't get trapped by Magnezone. And Spikes so it can add on to the entry hazard damage.