INTRO
I used a Scarf Zapdos sand team in the National Dex Ladder Tournament (NDLT) tier and effortlessly peaked at 1900+ rating in just one afternoon. So, I wanted to try it out in Gen 9 OU as well. And indeed, it didn't disappoint, allowing even a noob like me to easily reach a rating above 1900+. Therefore, I'm sharing it here. Due to my limited English proficiency, this post was written with the assistance of DeepSeek.
PASTE
CLICK ME
Team building
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
- Low Kick
- Ice Punch
Sandstorm is a playstyle I really enjoy, and its setup naturally relies on the consistently powerful Tyranitar.
Beyond its role as a sand setter, Tyranitar also functions as an excellent wallbreaker. Despite its poor defensive typing, if played correctly, it can severely dent the opposing team. Additionally, within the team composition, it effectively handles the role of breaking down defensive cores.
The current meta features many top threats like Kingambit,Moltres, Raging Bolt, and Ninetales-Alola, against which Tyranitar has consistently performed excellently in my experience. Moreover, its synergy with Excadrill allows for effective revenge killing and countering setup sweepers.
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
The mighty Tyranitar and our reliable Excadrill have returned to their loyal OU tier.
In this team, Excadrill serves as the primary hazard remover (though, to be honest, it often fails to clear them). I opted for a Jolly nature to outpace threats like Great Tusk, Gholdengo, Samurott-Hisui, and Pecharunt. Crucially, it also allows Excadrill to outspeed and revenge kill Dragonite after two Dragon Dances.
Excadrill holds an Air Balloon to provide crucial breathing room against Ground-type attacks. This prevents the team from being completely overrun by Ground-types if Zapdos gets overloaded or taken down. (It also helps deal with Gliscor running Facade and Earthquake.)
Zapdos @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Ice
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Tera Blast
Next is the core of this team, the Scarf Zapdos that often makes opponents type 'wtf'.
Why use Scarf Zapdos? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure myself. Slapping a Choice Scarf on it almost cripples Zapdos's phenomenal coverage potential. But it's fun, isn't it? Pulling off a comeback in battle with a Choice Scarf Zapdos often leaves opponents stunned, and that's justification enough.
It runs Tera Ice to handle Gliscor and Landorus-Therian. Hurricane is for hitting Zamazenta, and Volt Switch provides crucial momentum, injecting some much-needed maneuverability into an otherwise bulky team. And when facing seemingly unwinnable endgames, it can always hax the opponent (I admit I love doing that!).
Gholdengo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Good as Gold
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Blast
- Trick
- Shadow Ball
- Make It Rain
Next up is the Choice Specs Gholdengo, a relatively common set.
I personally love this setup. It consistently applies immense pressure against mid-speed balanced teams, often forcing key KOs. Against stall teams, Trick can be used to cripple a key wall and create openings.
Focus Blast's accuracy is notoriously unreliable, but if it connects, it deals massive damage—enough to seriously threaten even an Assault Vest Hisuian Samurott.
Ogerpon-Wellspring (F) @ Wellspring Mask
Ability: Water Absorb
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Ivy Cudgel
- Synthesis
- Trailblaze
Next is Ogerpon-Wellspring
It's one of the most intimidating Pokémon to me in Gen 9 OU. I chose a Swords Dance + Trailblaze set to amplify its sweeping potential. While Spikes + Encore is a solid alternative, I prefer the adrenaline rush of a speed-boosting cleaner.
For the final slot, Synthesis ensures longevity. After one Swords Dance, it dominates threats like Kingambit. The healing also counters hazard chip damage. Crucially, it gives the team a fighting chance against rain offense—preventing instant sweeps.
Kingambit @ Clear Amulet
Ability: Supreme Overlord
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Low Kick
Fninal comes Kingambit.
Does it even need justification? Kingambit is the fundamental law of this game. If I couldn't use it in OU, I'd lose all purpose in playing.
I opted for a Jolly nature because i didnt allow my Kingambit cant faster than the opp Kingambit.
Against Hyper Offense? I deploy Kingambit.
Against Stall? I deploy Kingambit."
Against Balance? I deploy Kingambit.
The gods smile equally upon all Kingambit devotees. May your Sucker Punches never be Encored...
I used a Scarf Zapdos sand team in the National Dex Ladder Tournament (NDLT) tier and effortlessly peaked at 1900+ rating in just one afternoon. So, I wanted to try it out in Gen 9 OU as well. And indeed, it didn't disappoint, allowing even a noob like me to easily reach a rating above 1900+. Therefore, I'm sharing it here. Due to my limited English proficiency, this post was written with the assistance of DeepSeek.
PASTE
CLICK ME
Team building
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
Tera Type: Rock
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
- Low Kick
- Ice Punch
Sandstorm is a playstyle I really enjoy, and its setup naturally relies on the consistently powerful Tyranitar.
Beyond its role as a sand setter, Tyranitar also functions as an excellent wallbreaker. Despite its poor defensive typing, if played correctly, it can severely dent the opposing team. Additionally, within the team composition, it effectively handles the role of breaking down defensive cores.
The current meta features many top threats like Kingambit,Moltres, Raging Bolt, and Ninetales-Alola, against which Tyranitar has consistently performed excellently in my experience. Moreover, its synergy with Excadrill allows for effective revenge killing and countering setup sweepers.
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
The mighty Tyranitar and our reliable Excadrill have returned to their loyal OU tier.
In this team, Excadrill serves as the primary hazard remover (though, to be honest, it often fails to clear them). I opted for a Jolly nature to outpace threats like Great Tusk, Gholdengo, Samurott-Hisui, and Pecharunt. Crucially, it also allows Excadrill to outspeed and revenge kill Dragonite after two Dragon Dances.
Excadrill holds an Air Balloon to provide crucial breathing room against Ground-type attacks. This prevents the team from being completely overrun by Ground-types if Zapdos gets overloaded or taken down. (It also helps deal with Gliscor running Facade and Earthquake.)
Zapdos @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Static
Tera Type: Ice
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hurricane
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Tera Blast
Next is the core of this team, the Scarf Zapdos that often makes opponents type 'wtf'.
Why use Scarf Zapdos? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure myself. Slapping a Choice Scarf on it almost cripples Zapdos's phenomenal coverage potential. But it's fun, isn't it? Pulling off a comeback in battle with a Choice Scarf Zapdos often leaves opponents stunned, and that's justification enough.
It runs Tera Ice to handle Gliscor and Landorus-Therian. Hurricane is for hitting Zamazenta, and Volt Switch provides crucial momentum, injecting some much-needed maneuverability into an otherwise bulky team. And when facing seemingly unwinnable endgames, it can always hax the opponent (I admit I love doing that!).
Gholdengo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Good as Gold
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Focus Blast
- Trick
- Shadow Ball
- Make It Rain
Next up is the Choice Specs Gholdengo, a relatively common set.
I personally love this setup. It consistently applies immense pressure against mid-speed balanced teams, often forcing key KOs. Against stall teams, Trick can be used to cripple a key wall and create openings.
Focus Blast's accuracy is notoriously unreliable, but if it connects, it deals massive damage—enough to seriously threaten even an Assault Vest Hisuian Samurott.
Ogerpon-Wellspring (F) @ Wellspring Mask
Ability: Water Absorb
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Ivy Cudgel
- Synthesis
- Trailblaze
Next is Ogerpon-Wellspring
It's one of the most intimidating Pokémon to me in Gen 9 OU. I chose a Swords Dance + Trailblaze set to amplify its sweeping potential. While Spikes + Encore is a solid alternative, I prefer the adrenaline rush of a speed-boosting cleaner.
For the final slot, Synthesis ensures longevity. After one Swords Dance, it dominates threats like Kingambit. The healing also counters hazard chip damage. Crucially, it gives the team a fighting chance against rain offense—preventing instant sweeps.
Kingambit @ Clear Amulet
Ability: Supreme Overlord
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
- Low Kick
Fninal comes Kingambit.
Does it even need justification? Kingambit is the fundamental law of this game. If I couldn't use it in OU, I'd lose all purpose in playing.
I opted for a Jolly nature because i didnt allow my Kingambit cant faster than the opp Kingambit.
Against Hyper Offense? I deploy Kingambit.
Against Stall? I deploy Kingambit."
Against Balance? I deploy Kingambit.
The gods smile equally upon all Kingambit devotees. May your Sucker Punches never be Encored...
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