grahgrahbearsexrape
Well, I've been absent from the CaP community for far too long, but I have been keeping up with battling in the 5th generation. No doubt, weather has become even more of a keystone than it was any previous generation. What I have noticed is that despite Drizzle and Drought bringing vast improvements to weather team, Sandstream still rules the realm.
Why use a Rain, Sun, or Hail team when Sandstorm is clearly more apt? Now, I don't think the problem lays with the Pokemon that benefit from the weather, rather the weather inducers themselves. Let's be honest, Politoed and Ninetales have no business on a team other than for helping out their superior teammates. Battling with such teams might as well be 5 Pokemon against 6 right from the get-go. Simply stated, they are not strong cores. Tyranitar on the other hand, can manage his business and not only provide his teammates with Sandstorm, but also fulfill other roles, too. Furthermore, Tyranitar lasts.
I would suggest that we create a supporting (not necesarrily support) Pokemon specifically designed for aiding, as well as benefitting from the likes of these Pokemon. How can we make Ninetales, Politoed, and Abomasnow more useful? The thing that jumps to me immediately is to keep them alive. Perhaps support or typing and ability match that allows for switching so as to keep their roles of keeping up weather that the rest of the team may need?
To Smogon, Tyranitar may be king, however chess-wise he's the queen, most powerful of pieces. Our Ninetales, Politoed, and Abomasnow are the kings--most important--who are to be protected, but weak themselves, yet without them the game is over. Saying that, how best to guard them and give more use than they have now? It's not weather that's your threat--at least not yet--it's the strength of Sandstorm and the weakness of the others. That is what I have noticed upon reaching the tops of the leaderboard.
I personally use a Sandstorm team, and what I find is that once an opposing weather host is KO'd the rest of the team is dead in the water.. or more likely lost in the sand. The most important thing is making sure that your weather prevails. Take their king before they take yours, otherwise you're a goner. Frankly, Ninetales and Politoed just can't compete.. not yet. Let's make that be able to happen.