Background
"Hey everyone, this is my first RMT. As a challenge-seeking player, I dislike using OU-tier Pokémon for ladder matches. That's why I built this team in the UU tier - it's essentially a standard sand team, similar to those you'd see in ORAS OU or SV UU. It's remarkable that except for Hydrapple, all five other Pokémon here were OU during ORAS but have dropped to UU in Generation IX. I successfully reached 2088 points with this team, claiming the #1 spot on the ladder and proving these Pokémon remain highly viable. Please note that my English isn't perfect, so some expressions might be imprecise - appreciate your understanding."
Proof of Peak
The Team
Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
Tera Type: Flying
EVs: 248 Atk / 8 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Stone Edge
- Low Kick
- Ice Punch
A Choice Band Tyranitar possesses terrifying offensive power, with Stone Edge and Knock Off as powerful STAB moves. Ice Punch deals significant damage to Landorus (Therian Forme) and Great Tusk. Low Kick can easily deal full 120 power damage against Kingambit, Ting-Lu, and Great Tusk, while also OHKOing Hisuian Samurott. Tera Flying can evade Ground- and Fighting-type weaknesses, but causes the loss of Sandstorm's Special Defense boost and subjects it to sandstorm chip damage—use this cautiously. Reaching 221 Speed allows it to outpace maximum Speed Kingambit and uninvested Moltres, among others.
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
Excadrill serves as a high-speed attacker and hazard remover under sandstorm. Its standard set includes Swords Dance, two STAB moves, and Rapid Spin. Holding an Air Balloon grants temporary Ground immunity, creating setup opportunities. Generally, Excadrill shouldn't be switched in recklessly; it's better to wait for teammates to weaken threats like Moltres, Zapdos, or Corviknight before bringing it in. When attempting to remove hazards, predict opposing Ghost-types – for instance, using Iron Head to catch a predicted switch-in from an Air Balloon Gholdengo. Tera Ghost allows it to evade Fighting-type attacks while simultaneously blocking the opponent's Rapid Spin. At maximum Speed investment under sandstorm, it outspeeds +1 Speed Iron Valiant.
Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Ability: Justified
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 8 Def / 248 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Surf
- Secret Sword
- Flip Turn
- Vacuum Wave
"A Choice Specs Keldeo serves as a mid-to-high-speed wallbreaker on the team. Surf and Secret Sword are reliable STAB moves, while the priority move Vacuum Wave provides clutch plays. Flip Turn can gain momentum by predicting switches, such as against a healthy Galarian Slowking or Alomomola – though be cautious of Water-type Ogerpon. When the opponent has Kingambit, preserve Keldeo's HP and consciously predict Kingambit's Tera turn: use Surf instead of Fighting-type moves. After Terastallizing into Water-type, Surf secures a 2HKO on maximum special defense Galarian Slowking and maximum physical defense Alomomola."
Tornadus-Therian @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Steel
EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
- Bleakwind Storm
- U-turn
- Taunt
- Heat Wave
Tornadus-Therian serves as a high-speed pivot and disruptor on the team. Leaf Storm OHKOes non-bulk invested Great Tusk and Iron Valiant, but only deals 80-90% to Water-type Ogerpon. U-turn steals momentum by predicting switches. Taunt prevents hazards from Landorus-Therian and Ting-Lu, stops Galarian Slowking from using Chilly Reception and Pecharunt from using Parting Shot, or blocks enemy setup attempts. Heat Wave pressures certain Steel-types, though avoid directly confronting Gholdengo. At full HP, Tornadus-Therian survives Adamant Great Tusk's Rapid Spin and Ice Spinner. When healthy, prioritize switching it into Great Tusk. Reaching 365 Speed allows it to outpace maximum Speed Iron Valiant. Tera Steel is seldom utilized."
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body
Tera Type: Flying
EVs: 252 HP / 212 SpD / 44 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
Heatran serves as the team's special wall and hazard setter. It effectively checks threats like Gholdengo and Dragapult. Magma Storm's accuracy is often game-deciding—if it misses, switch out this Heatran and bring in a fresh one. Against Ting-Lu, consider bold Taunt plays since opponents often panic-set hazards, though this is high-risk. The Flame Body ability punishes U-turn spam and allows risky pivots into Rapid Spin or Ice Spinner to fish for burns. Despite not running Flash Fire, foes rarely target Heatran with Fire-type moves. Reaching 201 Speed outpaces 199 Speed Kingambit. Tera Flying is primarily used against stall teams.
Hydrapple @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 244 HP / 252 Def / 12 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 27 Spe
- Nasty Plot
- Fickle Beam
- Giga Drain
- Earth Power
Hydrapple serves as the team's reliable physical wall. It effectively checks threats like Water-type Ogerpon and Zamazenta while hard-countering Garganacl. Its standard set runs Nasty Plot, two STAB moves, and Earth Power.Rocky Helmet punishes physical attackers, and the chip damage helps achieve KO ranges for certain moves. At full HP, Hydrapple survives either:
An Attack-boosted Great Tusk's Ice Spinner, or
A +2 Attack Water-type Ogerpon's Play Rough.
Running 120 Speed (1 point below minimum Speed Alomomola) enables Flip Turn momentum against switch-ins after Alomomola pivots. Tera Fairy nullifies Dragon-type weaknesses and provides Fighting resistance, allowing it to duel Zamazenta, Dragonite, etc. This is also the team's primary Tera Captain."
Threats
Replays
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2391135731-2hgp8g1thu8c0tk3atie9atuwto7ishpw
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2390886091-2j0ic9a23gl8yux8eewmtreo0xtjy8kpw?p2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2390858496-8c0bgbauita1qr09012sso1wxclg8i2pw?p2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2390794727-uqabfexl01a31w10l2i4lxg1rvyp1eqpw?p2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2390774028-s48yvuw57cpkmjhobkuqifugybxc80hpw?p2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2390778576-ys1uf8syerj8fidubjspmfumv7y388wpw?p2
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9ou-2390247149-xc0ctdf0lv0ubdb69ace5kr525702cmpw
Paste
https://pokepast.es/fc1b851d8878d4c1
