Hippopotas @ Focus Sash
Hardy (even stats)
Sand Stream
252 HP/ 252 Def/ 4 sp. def
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
- Roar
Standard sandstorm lead. Protect for the fake out users, and stealth rock for an entry hazard. Roar to scout and rack up entry hazard damage. If the opponent has a taunt lead, I would switch to Mismagius or Manectric since every other Pokemon on this team is for status or supporting.
Mismagius @ Leftovers
Timid (-atk/+spd)
Levitate
252 Spe/252 sp.atk/ 4 HP
- Nasty Plot
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- HP Fighting
With 2 necessary Pokemon weak to fighting (below), I needed a ghost type: Mismagius. This is one Pokemon that I really wish I had more moveslots with because there is so much I wish I could accomplish with Mismagius. I originally had a PerishTrapper Mismagius, with Destiny Bond, but it ended up not working well due to low defenses and sometimes being outsped. Instead, I switched to a Mismagius that can do damage, so I'm using the basic Nasty Plot set up. This is primarily a counter for fighting types, which is why there is a Psychic there. HP Fighting to hit steel types. I would like to have WoW or Destiny Bond or another move that I know could cripple the opposing team. If you have any suggestions for movesets, that would be great since I don't know what to do with Mismagius.
Clefable @ Life Orb
Bold (-sp.atk/+def)
Magic Guard
252 HP/ 152 Def/ 104 sp. def
- Softboiled
- Heal Bell
- Double-Edge
- Toxic
The cleric! Clefable is a great supporter with its ability and Toxic. Basically all does is Toxic and softboil. Heal Bell for any status effects on other teammates. Magic Guard makes it so that Double Edge and Life Orb doesn’t give Clefable recoil damage, making it a nice move that can cause good damage. Unless a fighting type move is used against it, it cannot be 2hKO's by unsupported moves. It can go through unprepared teams with Toxic and softboiled.
Cradily @ Leftovers
Careful (-sp.atk/+sp.def)
Suction Cups
252 HP/ 252 sp.def/ 4 def
- Curse
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
- Rock Slide
The backbone of this team, and the main reason for Sandstorm teams. The standard Curse Cradily, taken directly from Smogon. It saved me from many losses before, and is absolutely vital to this team. Every other Pokemon on this team is just to make sure to get rid of Cradily's weaknesses and allow it to Curse up and sweep. I don't think I can win many matches without Cradily <3
Manectric @ Choice Specs
Timid (-atk./+spe)
Static
252 sp.atk/252 spe/ 4 HP
- Thunderbolt
- Flamethrower
- HP Ice
- Switcheroo
I needed a hard hitter to help get rid of Cradily's threats, so here is Manectric, with an impressive base Sp.atk and speed. Along with switcheroo, it can cripple some annoying walls of the other teams or Pokemon trying to set up. The movepool should be versatile enough to hit most things quite hard, but being locked into one move really sucks.
Shuckle @ Leftovers
Impish (-sp.atk/+def)
Sturdy
252 HP/ 252 Def/ 4 sp.def
- Toxic
- Encore
- Knock Off
- Rest
I guess this is the wall of the team, though it isn't reliable due to it's Stealth Rock weakness. However, it has been surprisingly successful against teams that think they can just hit hard and win. Knock Off and Toxic is great to get rid of leftovers to spread Sandstorm residual damage as well as spreading status. Encore for Pokemon that think they can just set up against Shuckle, and Rest to heal off damage. Shuckle, along with Cradily, have been immensely helpful and Shuckle can come in on almost any attack and start to annoy the opposing team. It's helpful in stalling Sandstorm damage and weaken the other Pokemon so something else can finish it off.
Threats:
Here are the ones that are used often and cause the most notable trouble:
Spiritomb - This thing is annoying, especially the Choice Band variants. I don't have anything that hits hard enough other than Cradily with +3 stats. Even then, it can trick it something which hinders its usefulness.
Registeel - Registeel not only resists Cradily easily, I can't status it. I have to rely on Mismagius and Manectric to defeat it, but they don't have STAB super effective moves against it and Registeel can status it or Rest.
Hitmontop or Heracross - I have Mismagius, but I can't OHKO it and Hitmontop can take a good chunk of her health before I 2hKO it if Hitmontop is already weakened. If the opponent predicts the switch and uses Stone Edge, then Mismagius wouldn't be able to KO it.
