Dat Special T-Tar
Hello all you good people of Smogon! A little back story of me and this team. I have been battling competitively for about 1 year, so I am not an expert by any means. I wouldn't consider myself awful, but I have been simply atrocious at any attempts to build a weather team. I figured sand would be the easiest to start with, considering that the #1 sand summoner is a total powerhouse. This sand team has given me nice success on Beta server (For some reason I can't get on Smogon's server on PO, don't know why), however, it is quite new, so I haven't come close to peaking yet. None the less, I think it's quite the good team, but improvement is always needed, and I'm sure I overlooked something in the team building process. I personally haven't found many flaws, but just to make sure, I would highly appreciate criticism, and I would like to see what this team could do in the hands of a pro.
*Changes in red.
Team building process
I went with Tyranitar as my sand summoner, due to his impressive stats and good offensive typing.
Next, I wanted a sweeper that could really benefit from the sand, and with the ban of Excadrill, Landorus seemed to be the best option. He's also a good switch in against Fighting, Ground, and Bug type moves aimed at Tyranitar.
At this point, I needed a safe switch in against Water and Grass type moves, along with some hazards and defense, so Ferrothorn seemed like the way to go.
Scizor and Rotom-Wash go together like peanut butter and jelly. They provide great offense and defense, and fit in surprisingly well with this team.
I now needed Stealth Rock and a phazer, along with someone to take hits well if Ferrothorn is not an appropriate switch in. Despite his drop to UU, I saw first hand that Swampert can still play with the big boys just as well as he did in DPPT.
I swapped Swampert for Heatran as a more reliable check to sun teams, and some smaller reasons (i.e. I had no way of spreading burns other than a haxy Fire Blast from Tyranitar.)
In-depth look
Tyranitar
Guitar (Tyranitar) (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 172 HP / 84 Def / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
- Earth Power
Tyranitar, the sand summoner of choice by most people, and it doesn't take a genius to see why. Sporting 134/95 offensive stats and 100/110/100 defensive stats, plus the SDef boost from the sand, this man is one of the biggest threats the OU meta game has to offer. My friend first recommended this set (to a certain extent) and my first reaction was that it was silly. However, this set is truly a menace to face. Instead of running mixed and having to run an odd nature and mixed EV spread, I just decided to run an all-out special set. Fire Blast hits Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Forretress hard, as with other obscure threats, and its high BP means you can use it on anything that doesn't resist it for good damage. Ice beam hits dragons such as Salamence, Hydreigon, Dragonite, and pretty much every dragon in OU bar Kyurem and Kingdra for immense amounts of damage, as well as Gliscor and Landorus. Dark Pulse is pretty much just a reliable STAB that hits Psychic and Ghost types especially hard, more so with the boost from Expert Belt. Earth Power is my main option against non air balloon Heatran and Magnezone, as well as the majority of Fire and Rock types in the tier. The EV spread looks the way it looks because it is almost impossible to make Tyranitar fast without a Choice Scarf or a Dragon Dance, so instead of wasting EV's in Speed, I put them in HP and Def to extend his lifespan, and it does just that.
Landorus
Dragonball (Landorus) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 232 Atk / 24 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Smack Down
- Substitute
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Landorus here is my wall breaker. This set was first recommended by XcRunner, and it hasn't failed me since. Sub blocks status and Leech Seed, and gives Landorus a free turn of damage. Smack Down puts Skarmory and other Flying and Levitate users in a bad position, and also gets a boost due to Sand Force. Earthquake is Landorus' most powerful move due to Sand Force and STAB. HP ice is mainly for Gliscor and opposing Landorus, as well as certain Dragons that aren't weak to Smack Down or Earthquake.
Ferrothorn
The General (Ferrothorn) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Curse
- Gyro Ball
I have no idea why this set is not recommended on Smogon. I have made so many people rage quit because they let me set up 3+ Curses and stare in horror as Ferrothorn pile drives through their whole team, even things that resist it. Spikes and Leech seed are standard indirect forms of damage. Curse allows Ferrothorn to boost its defense to sky-high levels, while raising its average attack to the levels of common Choice Band users. The speed drop only helps Ferrothorn, as it increases Gyro Ball's power to even higher levels, allowing it to even kill things that resist it. With 252 SDef EVs, Ferrothorn can also be a very potent special wall. To any fans of Ferrothorn, I highly urge you to give this set a chance.
Scizor
Metallica (Scizor) (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-Turn
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
It would be an understatement to say that Scizor is a good revenge killer. I would go as far as to say that he is the best revenge killer in OU. A standard but golden set, with Bullet Punch being the crux of it. I recently battled someone who sent out Terrakion to try and revenge kill Scizor. Needless to say, the Terrakion died from a Bullet Punch at 93%. Pursuit is a great trapping move, while U-Turn is a strong STAB and scouting move. Superpower provides Scizor with the ability to hit Steel types hard. I was considering running the Swords Dance set, but I found this to be the best set Scizor could run.
Rotom-W
Kenmore (Rotom-W) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Everybody knows that Rotom is at his best in his cleansing form, and he can be one of the best in this stage too. With a lone Grass weakness and an immunity to Ground type moves, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes, Rotom-W can be just as defensive as he is offensive. Pretty standard set, Volt Switch is already pretty strong and forms a powerful VoltTurn combo with Scizor. Volt Switch and Hydro Pump hit almost everything for at least good damage, and against the stuff that it can't hit hard, HP Fire can hit hard. Trick is obviously there for free switching and crippling walls.
Heatran
Spiderman (Heatran) (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
Heatran was recommended by many people on here, and for many reasons. He basically does everything Swampert did but better. He can be used as a free switch-in against Fire moves, Ground moves (as long as Air Balloon is intact) and pretty much anything that is resisted. Lava Plume is a pretty strong STAB even with no investment, since 130 base SAtk speaks for itself. The same chance of burn as a Scald is nice too, considering that this is a specially defensive Heatran, the nerf to physical moves is appreciated. Earth Power is to hit Fire types and non-Air Balloon Heatran and Magnezone, plus pretty much anything that is Super Effective. Stealth Rock is for obvious hazards, and Roar is for phazing, something that I believe every team needs. Overall, I do miss Swampert, as he is a favorite of mine, and he did serve this team well, but there is a reason he is in UU, and he is much more dominate there than up here in OU.
Thank you for taking the time to read my RMT. I would highly appreciate comments, criticism, and just any general thoughts on this team. If you could test it as well, that would also be much appreciated. You can find the importable directly under these words you are reading.
Tyranitar
Guitar (Tyranitar) (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 172 HP / 84 Def / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
- Earth Power
Tyranitar, the sand summoner of choice by most people, and it doesn't take a genius to see why. Sporting 134/95 offensive stats and 100/110/100 defensive stats, plus the SDef boost from the sand, this man is one of the biggest threats the OU meta game has to offer. My friend first recommended this set (to a certain extent) and my first reaction was that it was silly. However, this set is truly a menace to face. Instead of running mixed and having to run an odd nature and mixed EV spread, I just decided to run an all-out special set. Fire Blast hits Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Forretress hard, as with other obscure threats, and its high BP means you can use it on anything that doesn't resist it for good damage. Ice beam hits dragons such as Salamence, Hydreigon, Dragonite, and pretty much every dragon in OU bar Kyurem and Kingdra for immense amounts of damage, as well as Gliscor and Landorus. Dark Pulse is pretty much just a reliable STAB that hits Psychic and Ghost types especially hard, more so with the boost from Expert Belt. Earth Power is my main option against non air balloon Heatran and Magnezone, as well as the majority of Fire and Rock types in the tier. The EV spread looks the way it looks because it is almost impossible to make Tyranitar fast without a Choice Scarf or a Dragon Dance, so instead of wasting EV's in Speed, I put them in HP and Def to extend his lifespan, and it does just that.
Landorus
Dragonball (Landorus) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 232 Atk / 24 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Smack Down
- Substitute
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Landorus here is my wall breaker. This set was first recommended by XcRunner, and it hasn't failed me since. Sub blocks status and Leech Seed, and gives Landorus a free turn of damage. Smack Down puts Skarmory and other Flying and Levitate users in a bad position, and also gets a boost due to Sand Force. Earthquake is Landorus' most powerful move due to Sand Force and STAB. HP ice is mainly for Gliscor and opposing Landorus, as well as certain Dragons that aren't weak to Smack Down or Earthquake.
Ferrothorn
The General (Ferrothorn) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Curse
- Gyro Ball
I have no idea why this set is not recommended on Smogon. I have made so many people rage quit because they let me set up 3+ Curses and stare in horror as Ferrothorn pile drives through their whole team, even things that resist it. Spikes and Leech seed are standard indirect forms of damage. Curse allows Ferrothorn to boost its defense to sky-high levels, while raising its average attack to the levels of common Choice Band users. The speed drop only helps Ferrothorn, as it increases Gyro Ball's power to even higher levels, allowing it to even kill things that resist it. With 252 SDef EVs, Ferrothorn can also be a very potent special wall. To any fans of Ferrothorn, I highly urge you to give this set a chance.
Scizor
Metallica (Scizor) (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- U-Turn
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
It would be an understatement to say that Scizor is a good revenge killer. I would go as far as to say that he is the best revenge killer in OU. A standard but golden set, with Bullet Punch being the crux of it. I recently battled someone who sent out Terrakion to try and revenge kill Scizor. Needless to say, the Terrakion died from a Bullet Punch at 93%. Pursuit is a great trapping move, while U-Turn is a strong STAB and scouting move. Superpower provides Scizor with the ability to hit Steel types hard. I was considering running the Swords Dance set, but I found this to be the best set Scizor could run.
Rotom-W
Kenmore (Rotom-W) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Everybody knows that Rotom is at his best in his cleansing form, and he can be one of the best in this stage too. With a lone Grass weakness and an immunity to Ground type moves, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes, Rotom-W can be just as defensive as he is offensive. Pretty standard set, Volt Switch is already pretty strong and forms a powerful VoltTurn combo with Scizor. Volt Switch and Hydro Pump hit almost everything for at least good damage, and against the stuff that it can't hit hard, HP Fire can hit hard. Trick is obviously there for free switching and crippling walls.
Heatran
Spiderman (Heatran) (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
Heatran was recommended by many people on here, and for many reasons. He basically does everything Swampert did but better. He can be used as a free switch-in against Fire moves, Ground moves (as long as Air Balloon is intact) and pretty much anything that is resisted. Lava Plume is a pretty strong STAB even with no investment, since 130 base SAtk speaks for itself. The same chance of burn as a Scald is nice too, considering that this is a specially defensive Heatran, the nerf to physical moves is appreciated. Earth Power is to hit Fire types and non-Air Balloon Heatran and Magnezone, plus pretty much anything that is Super Effective. Stealth Rock is for obvious hazards, and Roar is for phazing, something that I believe every team needs. Overall, I do miss Swampert, as he is a favorite of mine, and he did serve this team well, but there is a reason he is in UU, and he is much more dominate there than up here in OU.
Thank you for taking the time to read my RMT. I would highly appreciate comments, criticism, and just any general thoughts on this team. If you could test it as well, that would also be much appreciated. You can find the importable directly under these words you are reading.
Guitar (Tyranitar) (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 172 HP / 84 Def / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
- Earth Power
Dragonball (Landorus) (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 232 Atk / 24 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Metallica (Scizor) (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
Kenmore (Rotom-W) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Spiderman (Heatran) (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
The General (Ferrothorn) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Curse
- Gyro Ball
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 172 HP / 84 Def / 252 SAtk
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)
- Fire Blast
- Ice Beam
- Dark Pulse
- Earth Power
Dragonball (Landorus) (M) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Sand Force
EVs: 232 Atk / 24 SAtk / 252 Spd
Naive Nature (+Spd, -SDef)
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- U-turn
- Hidden Power [Ice]
Metallica (Scizor) (M) @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Bug Bite
- Bullet Punch
- Pursuit
- Superpower
Kenmore (Rotom-W) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Trick
Spiderman (Heatran) (M) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 Spd
Calm Nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Lava Plume
- Earth Power
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
The General (Ferrothorn) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Sassy Nature (+SDef, -Spd)
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Curse
- Gyro Ball
