Introduction
Hey Smogonites. I’m new to the RMT world, but I will try my best to present the team that I’m working on. My team is based around one of my favorite pokemon, which is Cacturne. I tried using him in OU, but I felt that he would shine a bit more in UU.
Team at First Glance
Importable
Code:
Hippopotas (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Toxic
Cacturne (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Dark Pulse
- Substitute
Stoutland (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Return
- Crunch
- Fire Fang
- Pursuit
Chandelure (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Pain Split
- Substitute
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Atk / 156 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Close Combat
- Sucker Punch
- Toxic
Kingdra (M) @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Sniper
EVs: 184 HP / 160 Atk / 164 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Outrage
- RestIf I wanted to support Cacturne, I think Hippopotas would be a great fit as it is the only weather present in UU, and it allows Cacturn to use Sand Veil and not receive any damage from sandstorm.
So now that I have Cacturne, I want to use a version that is not that very common, so I decided to use a specially based Cacturne.
Furthermore, I wanted another pokemon that would benefit from sand, and Shoutland was the first UU pokemon that came to mind. He gets a nice sand rush boost, and immunity to sandstorm, while being a good late game cleaner after the opponents’ pokemon have been weakened.
After that, I decided to include Chandelure because he will cover my fighting and fire weakness, while also avoiding my rocks spinned off the field due to rapid spin. He provides a good offensive and defensive core all at once with the set I chose for him.
To make sure my Chandelure doesn’t wear down too quick, I added a rapid spinner that will also work as a semi defense wall once Hitmontop switches in and lowers the opponent’s attack. He fares well covering normal pokemon, wearning down bulky pokemon with toxic, and being able to snag a last minute priority that might tilt the score in my favor.
Finally, when I get a chance to get all major threats out of the way, I usually bring in Kingdra to Dragon Dance, and sweep away.
Now I still realize I have some flaws in this team, but I hope that I can soon correct these problems.
The Team
Hippopotas (M) @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SDef
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Toxic
Why this Pokemon was chosen:
Hippopotas gives my team perpetual sandstorm on the field, and being the only permanent weather, he is a major asset to my team. Setting up Stealth Rocks is always important as it will chip away health of any pokemon, and if you couple that with some sandstorm damage, it will eventually add up. Earthquake is a weak option, but at least, it will not leave me as taunt bait. Slack off to heal off damage, and Toxic to wear down counters.
Am I considering any changes to this Pokemon?
- None, at the moment.
Changes made:
- None.
Synergy:
Ice: Chandelure
Water: Chandelure, Kingdra, Cacturne
Grass: Chandelure, Cacturne,
Cacturne (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Nasty Plot
- Giga Drain
- Dark Pulse
- Substitute
Why this Pokemon was chosen:
Cacturne is fun looking, so I simply wanted to use him in my team. He is not highly defensive, and very frail, so if I come into a pokemon that is slower, I try to sub, then nasty plot. Sand Veil might even kick in and provide me a slight advantage. I might change it to a spikes version, but I’m not too sure yet as I need special sweepers.
Am I considering any changes to this Pokemon?
- None, at the moment.
- None.
Fight: Chandelure, Hitmontop (situational)
Ice: Chandelure
Fire: Chandelure, Kindgra
Bug: Chandelure, Hitmontop
Flying: (No one realiable; Hippopotas can try to take some hits.)
Stoutland (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Return
- Crunch
- Fire Fang
- Pursuit
Why this Pokemon was chosen:
Shoutland is great sand abuser, and can provide some great coverage. Return is strong, and if you do not resist it, then you might as well be in trouble. Pursuit will make sure to nab a KO on pokemon trying to escape like ghosts, or psychics. Crunch packs a punch on pesky ghosts who resist Return, and fire fang is to handle Steels and Bugs.
Am I considering any changes to this Pokemon?
- None, at the moment.
- None yet.
Fighting: Chandelure, Hitmontop (Situational)
Chandelure (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Pain Split
- Substitute
- Shadow Ball
- Fire Blast
Why this Pokemon was chosen:
I needed to eliminate a lot of pokemon who pose a threat to my other pokemon. Chandelure seems to be a very sticky glue that if I lose, the team might just fall apart. Substitute on pokemon that will obviously switch, and then prepare to wear down the enemy using Shadow Ball and Fire Blast.
Am I considering any changes to this Pokemon?
- None, at the moment.
- None.
Ghost: Shoutland
Dark: Cacturne
Ground: Cacturne, Hippopotas (situational)
Rock: Hitmontop
Water: Kingdra, Cacturne
Hitmontop (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 96 Atk / 156 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Rapid Spin
- Close Combat
- Sucker Punch
- Toxic
Why this Pokemon was chosen:
Hitmontop offers rapid spin support that is very important for Chandelure. He also provides a semi reliable defensive wall as he can lower the opponent’s attack and retaliate with Close Combat. Sucker Punch offers an unreliable priority, but I could help.
Am I considering any changes to this Pokemon?
- Not sure, I might change him to a more offensive by taking away its bulk and adding more coverage moves. I’m considering changing Sucker Punch for Stone Edge
- None at the moment.
Flying: No one (Hippopotas can be canned)
Psychic: Cacturne
Kingdra (M) @ Chesto Berry
Trait: Sniper
EVs: 184 HP / 160 Atk / 164 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
- Outrage
- Rest
Why this Pokemon was chosen:
Kingdra seems to be a reliable sweeper, as there are barely any pokemon that resist Waterfall, and Outrage. It is a simple set, with some bulk that will offer some great results after a couple of Dragon Dances, then I just rest the damage away and proceed to sweep.
Am I considering any changes to this Pokemon?
- I might change him to a Steel or a more bulkier water pokemon
- None Yet
Dragon: None
Threatlist
I will post this at a later time.
Last Glance To My Team
Conclusion
This team is still very much weak, and it will probably need a lot of feedback. I would like to thank everyone in advance for any help that could be offered! I also want to thank all the writers for making the sets on the smogon strategy page.
