Greetings RMT, I made a post here maybe two-three weeks ago about a Sandstorm team featuring Cacturne as my god and sweeper, along with a team of stallers.
As much as I love Cacturne, he's just simply outclassed and unreliable as a sweeper :(.
So I've dropped the sweeping aspect of my team and simply made it a little bit more stallish. This time has me climbing through the ranks slowly but surely, almost at 1300 on Shoddy. I'm standing over a myriad of options here, but not sure which to take or what to do, so I'm asking for any and all advice on team changes, moveset edits, or anything at all that can help me.
OH LOOK HERE'S THE TEAM AT THE GLANCE
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The Lead
Hippowdon @ Leftovers | Impish
252HP/168 Defence/88 Sp. Defence
Earthquake
Ice Fang
Stealth Rock
Slack Off
The slow, yet bulky ass lead of my team who also doubles as a physical tank. Barely anything one shots him if it isn't a supereffective special attack. He brings in the Sandstorm for my team to work with and also summons the ever useful Stealth Rock. Slack Off helps top him off to help his tanking abilities.
Earthquake is the hard hitting STAB which can surprisingly kill most ground weak Pokemon in one hit, especially Lucario, which most people attempt to set up with him upon the sight of a tank. Ice Fang is a hell of a life saver. Not only does it give me something to work with against the taunting Gliscor, Aerodactyl, and Dragonite leads, it also OHKO's a Salamence hit by Stealth Rock. Nobody ever sees the Ice Fang coming, and they always expect a roar. These two offensive abilities make Hippowdon a lumbering, self repairing juggernaut to be reckoned with.
Questions and Concerns:
Unfortunately, his slowness also prevents him from getting Stealth Rock off most of the time, which I have to switch in to bring up later. He's also dreadfully awful against Roserade and Starmie leads, which makes me quickly lose the momentum of the fight often. Also, Ice Fang bars me from having the very useful Roar to help Skarmory phaze and move the Stealth Rocks around.
1. Would replacing the very useful Ice Fang with Roar be an option?
2. Do you suggest any other lead or form of Hippowdon that can bring in Sandstorm that would be another choice for Hippowdon?
3. Should I not lead with a Sand Streamer?
The Jack of All Trades
The ever versatile floatin' toaster. Rotom serves as my spin blocker, Anti-Wall tricker, and anti-bulky water. He also plugs up my Skarmory weakness. He's also a good switch in to bait Machamps into Paybacking, allowing for my Skarmory to finish it off with Brave Bird.
Trick is there to cripple things I can't outstall such as Snorlax or Clefable, otherwise the scarf allows me to quickly get in and finish off anything weakened by Spikes/Rocks, then get out.
Thunderbolt is for the Suicunes and Vaporeons of the metagame. It also makes a good anti-Togekiss in a pinch, provided that it's already weakened. It's also Skarmory's worst nightmare. Shadow Ball is to fight other blockers attempting switch in to wreck Rotom's shit, thinking he's a Will-O-Wisp variant. Overheat is for the steels and Brelooms, and also makes Skarmory fly away crying.
Questions and Concerns:
He. Is. Frail. As. Fuck.
His tricks are often predicted, he can't really hit all that hard without Spikes and Stealth Rock support, and it's normally trumped by most ghosts anyways, even with the scarf and Shadow Ball. If I replace him howver, this opens a hole in my team to Skarmories, Machamps, and Brelooms. D:
1. Should I switch him to a different moveset and EV's?
2. Should I switch to a different form or different ghost?
3. Is there anything more useful than Shadow Ball?
The Spinner and the Special Tank
Tentacruel @ Leftovers | Calm | Liquid Ooze
252 HP/ 120 Defence/ 136 Sp. Defence
Swagger
Toxic Spikes
Hydro Pump
Rapid Spin
As much as I love Cacturne, he's just simply outclassed and unreliable as a sweeper :(.
So I've dropped the sweeping aspect of my team and simply made it a little bit more stallish. This time has me climbing through the ranks slowly but surely, almost at 1300 on Shoddy. I'm standing over a myriad of options here, but not sure which to take or what to do, so I'm asking for any and all advice on team changes, moveset edits, or anything at all that can help me.
OH LOOK HERE'S THE TEAM AT THE GLANCE
The Lead
Hippowdon @ Leftovers | Impish
252HP/168 Defence/88 Sp. Defence
Earthquake
Ice Fang
Stealth Rock
Slack Off
The slow, yet bulky ass lead of my team who also doubles as a physical tank. Barely anything one shots him if it isn't a supereffective special attack. He brings in the Sandstorm for my team to work with and also summons the ever useful Stealth Rock. Slack Off helps top him off to help his tanking abilities.
Earthquake is the hard hitting STAB which can surprisingly kill most ground weak Pokemon in one hit, especially Lucario, which most people attempt to set up with him upon the sight of a tank. Ice Fang is a hell of a life saver. Not only does it give me something to work with against the taunting Gliscor, Aerodactyl, and Dragonite leads, it also OHKO's a Salamence hit by Stealth Rock. Nobody ever sees the Ice Fang coming, and they always expect a roar. These two offensive abilities make Hippowdon a lumbering, self repairing juggernaut to be reckoned with.
Questions and Concerns:
Unfortunately, his slowness also prevents him from getting Stealth Rock off most of the time, which I have to switch in to bring up later. He's also dreadfully awful against Roserade and Starmie leads, which makes me quickly lose the momentum of the fight often. Also, Ice Fang bars me from having the very useful Roar to help Skarmory phaze and move the Stealth Rocks around.
1. Would replacing the very useful Ice Fang with Roar be an option?
2. Do you suggest any other lead or form of Hippowdon that can bring in Sandstorm that would be another choice for Hippowdon?
3. Should I not lead with a Sand Streamer?
The Jack of All Trades
Rotom-H @ Choice Scarf | Timid
4 HP/ 252 Sped/ 252 Sp. Attack
Trick
Thunderbolt
Shadow Ball
Overheat
4 HP/ 252 Sped/ 252 Sp. Attack
Trick
Thunderbolt
Shadow Ball
Overheat
The ever versatile floatin' toaster. Rotom serves as my spin blocker, Anti-Wall tricker, and anti-bulky water. He also plugs up my Skarmory weakness. He's also a good switch in to bait Machamps into Paybacking, allowing for my Skarmory to finish it off with Brave Bird.
Trick is there to cripple things I can't outstall such as Snorlax or Clefable, otherwise the scarf allows me to quickly get in and finish off anything weakened by Spikes/Rocks, then get out.
Thunderbolt is for the Suicunes and Vaporeons of the metagame. It also makes a good anti-Togekiss in a pinch, provided that it's already weakened. It's also Skarmory's worst nightmare. Shadow Ball is to fight other blockers attempting switch in to wreck Rotom's shit, thinking he's a Will-O-Wisp variant. Overheat is for the steels and Brelooms, and also makes Skarmory fly away crying.
Questions and Concerns:
He. Is. Frail. As. Fuck.
His tricks are often predicted, he can't really hit all that hard without Spikes and Stealth Rock support, and it's normally trumped by most ghosts anyways, even with the scarf and Shadow Ball. If I replace him howver, this opens a hole in my team to Skarmories, Machamps, and Brelooms. D:
1. Should I switch him to a different moveset and EV's?
2. Should I switch to a different form or different ghost?
3. Is there anything more useful than Shadow Ball?
The Spinner and the Special Tank
Tentacruel @ Leftovers | Calm | Liquid Ooze
252 HP/ 120 Defence/ 136 Sp. Defence
Swagger
Toxic Spikes
Hydro Pump
Rapid Spin
I LOVE this jellyfish. He's as versatile as Floatin' Toaster and even more durable. He sucks up most of the special attacks attempting to dewall my Skarmory and Hippowdon and does so pretty damn well. He can't even be OHKO'd by a Thunderbolt, sometimes even being able to withstand three of them. He also makes an incredibly great switch in for Infernape, which can solo most of my team by itself. He's also the Toxic Spike/Toxic/Leech Seed absorber.
Toxic Spikes helps out with the stall nature of my team greatly, ruining most walls and forcing my opponent to switch in a spinner or something that can down Tentacruel quickly before I get a second set of spikes up. Hydro Pump hits amazingly hard, even with no attacking EV's. It OHKO's Heatran and most Gengars, and severely dents other spin blockers that attempt to switch in on him. Rapid Spin is the obvious choice for anti stalling. Swagger seems like an out of place move, but most Calm Minders or walls attempt to come in and set up on Tentacruel all the time. Since Confuse Ray is illegal with Rapid Spin, I've tested out swagger, and after two applications of it, it sends most Calm Minders switching out with a bit of luck to prevent them from killing themselves.
Questions and Concerns:
Physical attacks, especially Earthquake, manhandle Tentacruel easily. The volatility of his moveset is a bit of a hindrance too. Hydro Pump and Swagger are sometimes innaccurate, and sometimes I wonder if Toxic Spikes actually helps me at all. Another bad thing is the lack of a recovery move. Tentacruel, being my only Pokemon who can take special attacks with pride, leaves a gaping hole in my defense when he falls, which is often.
1. Should I ditch Toxic Spikes, considering half of the OU metagame ignores it?
2. Should I reconsider Swagger for a different move? If so, what?
3. Should I use the more accurate Surf over the hard hitting Hydro Pump?
4. Should I consider a Resttalk/Restchesto variant?
The Spiker
Skarmory @ Shed Shell | Impish
252 HP /176 Defence/ 16 Speed
Brave Bird
Whirlwind
Spikes
Roost
The glue and heart of my team. Sets up the spikes, helps Hippowdon out with the stalling, forces the opponent's team switching with Whirlwind to amass damage, and surprises Grass and Fighting types with a pretty hard hitting STAB.
Spikes is obligatory for my team, almost required for me to pump out wins. Whirlwind is my only phazing move, and also is incredibly useful to amass damage for a finish by Jirachi, Floaty Toasty, and Tyranitar later. Roost further helps me out with the stalling. Brave Bird is a forgotten move on most Skarmories I've seen recently, and often surprises most Taunters and Focus Punchers. Brave Bird is excellent for taking out Machamps and weakened Celebis.
Questions and Concerns:
Special attacks are the bane of Skarmory's existence, and once Tentacruel is down, there's not much I can do the sponge it off.
1. Shed Shell, is it really that worth it? I only recently switched to it and yes, the ability to run away from Magnezone is a godsend, but everyday I miss lefties on Skarmory. How worth it is it in your opinion?
2. I've considered switching the EV's to a special defense way to help sponge off that special damage and give myself and emergency special tank, but I fear I won't be able to do it without losing Brave Bird. Is there any way I could fit this in?
The Revenge Killer
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf | Jolly
4 HP/252 AtK/ 252 Speed
Crunch
Stone Edge
Earthquake
Pursuit
Ahhh the ever controversial Scarfitar. So common, yet so majestic like a mach truck. Having a second Sand Streamer is a HUGE asset to my team. It completely throws Hail/Rain Dance/Sunny Day teams off of their momentum if I constantly switch between Hippowdon and Tyranitar. Scarfitar is also a godsend at chasing away flimsy ghosts and Starmies, and the occasional Latias.
Crunch is for the Rotoms and Gengars that plague the bracket. Most Gengars take the gamble and attempt to Focus Blast Tyranitar, and are promptly outsped and nommed by a quick Crunch. It also does the same to Starmie as well. Stone Edge is a godsend against those pesky flying Gyarados' and Zapdos', amongst others. It's also a very decent neutral high crit stab to turn to when I don't want to switch out. Earthquake handles the many steels who try to switch in to Tyranitar, and Pursuit ensures a kill on incredibly weakened fleers. It's also a guaranteed kill against Azelfs switching out.
Questions and Concerns:
Sometimes I feel that I'm just wasting a Pokemon using Tyranitar, and the spot could be used for a more reliable sweeper. Many people also have a way to easily counter him as well.
1. Superpower over Earthquake, yea or nay?
2. Is there any form of Tyranitar you recommend trying out?
The Janitor
Jirachi @ Expert Belt | Hasty
252 HP/ 252 Speed / 4 Spc. Attack
Fire Punch
Iron Head
Ice Punch
Grass Knot
Dubbed the Janitor due to Jirachi mopping up the remains of the spiked and Sandstormed team. Jirachi serves as a mini sweeper and a mini anti-tank. He plugs up the Swampert and Gliscor weakness on my team as well as fighting off Blissey with Iron Head. He's also emergency Skarmory deterrent in case of Floaty Toasty not being able to do his job.
Playing with Jirachi is incredibly difficult, and requires me solely to be able to predict switch ins carefully, tricking people with the unorthodox moveset. Fire Punch handles the Bronzongs, Skarmories, and the occasional Celebi or Roserade. Ice Punch perfectly handles Flygon and Salamnce who come in to attempt to EQ Jirachi. Grass Knot is my only defense against Swampert, and it manages to 2HKO him as well. It also helps on the Ground types attempting to switch in. Iron Head helps me abuse the tanks like Blissey by flinchaxing my way to victory. It also eats away at Tyranitar.
Questions and Concerns:
Of all of the team members I think about switching out, Jirachi is the one with most uncertainty. I liked his ability to plug up the Gliscor and Swampert weaknesses I have (Hippy's ice fang isn't enough to 2HKO Gliscor), but he's incredibly difficult to use and flimsy, and isn't reliable enough to sweep the late game well.
1. Is there any decent sweeper that can properly handle Gliscor or Swampert that I can use over Jirachi?
2. Is there a decent anti-wall I can use that can counter the things mentioned above?
In closing, I have much more faith in this team than I have before. I have a few weaknesses I would like to change, and I look forward to the input from all of you to help shape my team up.
Thanks for reading!
Toxic Spikes helps out with the stall nature of my team greatly, ruining most walls and forcing my opponent to switch in a spinner or something that can down Tentacruel quickly before I get a second set of spikes up. Hydro Pump hits amazingly hard, even with no attacking EV's. It OHKO's Heatran and most Gengars, and severely dents other spin blockers that attempt to switch in on him. Rapid Spin is the obvious choice for anti stalling. Swagger seems like an out of place move, but most Calm Minders or walls attempt to come in and set up on Tentacruel all the time. Since Confuse Ray is illegal with Rapid Spin, I've tested out swagger, and after two applications of it, it sends most Calm Minders switching out with a bit of luck to prevent them from killing themselves.
Questions and Concerns:
Physical attacks, especially Earthquake, manhandle Tentacruel easily. The volatility of his moveset is a bit of a hindrance too. Hydro Pump and Swagger are sometimes innaccurate, and sometimes I wonder if Toxic Spikes actually helps me at all. Another bad thing is the lack of a recovery move. Tentacruel, being my only Pokemon who can take special attacks with pride, leaves a gaping hole in my defense when he falls, which is often.
1. Should I ditch Toxic Spikes, considering half of the OU metagame ignores it?
2. Should I reconsider Swagger for a different move? If so, what?
3. Should I use the more accurate Surf over the hard hitting Hydro Pump?
4. Should I consider a Resttalk/Restchesto variant?
The Spiker
Skarmory @ Shed Shell | Impish
252 HP /176 Defence/ 16 Speed
Brave Bird
Whirlwind
Spikes
Roost
The glue and heart of my team. Sets up the spikes, helps Hippowdon out with the stalling, forces the opponent's team switching with Whirlwind to amass damage, and surprises Grass and Fighting types with a pretty hard hitting STAB.
Spikes is obligatory for my team, almost required for me to pump out wins. Whirlwind is my only phazing move, and also is incredibly useful to amass damage for a finish by Jirachi, Floaty Toasty, and Tyranitar later. Roost further helps me out with the stalling. Brave Bird is a forgotten move on most Skarmories I've seen recently, and often surprises most Taunters and Focus Punchers. Brave Bird is excellent for taking out Machamps and weakened Celebis.
Questions and Concerns:
Special attacks are the bane of Skarmory's existence, and once Tentacruel is down, there's not much I can do the sponge it off.
1. Shed Shell, is it really that worth it? I only recently switched to it and yes, the ability to run away from Magnezone is a godsend, but everyday I miss lefties on Skarmory. How worth it is it in your opinion?
2. I've considered switching the EV's to a special defense way to help sponge off that special damage and give myself and emergency special tank, but I fear I won't be able to do it without losing Brave Bird. Is there any way I could fit this in?
The Revenge Killer
Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf | Jolly
4 HP/252 AtK/ 252 Speed
Crunch
Stone Edge
Earthquake
Pursuit
Ahhh the ever controversial Scarfitar. So common, yet so majestic like a mach truck. Having a second Sand Streamer is a HUGE asset to my team. It completely throws Hail/Rain Dance/Sunny Day teams off of their momentum if I constantly switch between Hippowdon and Tyranitar. Scarfitar is also a godsend at chasing away flimsy ghosts and Starmies, and the occasional Latias.
Crunch is for the Rotoms and Gengars that plague the bracket. Most Gengars take the gamble and attempt to Focus Blast Tyranitar, and are promptly outsped and nommed by a quick Crunch. It also does the same to Starmie as well. Stone Edge is a godsend against those pesky flying Gyarados' and Zapdos', amongst others. It's also a very decent neutral high crit stab to turn to when I don't want to switch out. Earthquake handles the many steels who try to switch in to Tyranitar, and Pursuit ensures a kill on incredibly weakened fleers. It's also a guaranteed kill against Azelfs switching out.
Questions and Concerns:
Sometimes I feel that I'm just wasting a Pokemon using Tyranitar, and the spot could be used for a more reliable sweeper. Many people also have a way to easily counter him as well.
1. Superpower over Earthquake, yea or nay?
2. Is there any form of Tyranitar you recommend trying out?
The Janitor
Jirachi @ Expert Belt | Hasty
252 HP/ 252 Speed / 4 Spc. Attack
Fire Punch
Iron Head
Ice Punch
Grass Knot
Dubbed the Janitor due to Jirachi mopping up the remains of the spiked and Sandstormed team. Jirachi serves as a mini sweeper and a mini anti-tank. He plugs up the Swampert and Gliscor weakness on my team as well as fighting off Blissey with Iron Head. He's also emergency Skarmory deterrent in case of Floaty Toasty not being able to do his job.
Playing with Jirachi is incredibly difficult, and requires me solely to be able to predict switch ins carefully, tricking people with the unorthodox moveset. Fire Punch handles the Bronzongs, Skarmories, and the occasional Celebi or Roserade. Ice Punch perfectly handles Flygon and Salamnce who come in to attempt to EQ Jirachi. Grass Knot is my only defense against Swampert, and it manages to 2HKO him as well. It also helps on the Ground types attempting to switch in. Iron Head helps me abuse the tanks like Blissey by flinchaxing my way to victory. It also eats away at Tyranitar.
Questions and Concerns:
Of all of the team members I think about switching out, Jirachi is the one with most uncertainty. I liked his ability to plug up the Gliscor and Swampert weaknesses I have (Hippy's ice fang isn't enough to 2HKO Gliscor), but he's incredibly difficult to use and flimsy, and isn't reliable enough to sweep the late game well.
1. Is there any decent sweeper that can properly handle Gliscor or Swampert that I can use over Jirachi?
2. Is there a decent anti-wall I can use that can counter the things mentioned above?
In closing, I have much more faith in this team than I have before. I have a few weaknesses I would like to change, and I look forward to the input from all of you to help shape my team up.
Thanks for reading!
