Dust in the Wind: A Sandstorm RMT

kiwikomix

So the basic point behind this team is to start up Sandstorm and use it to boost my team in as many ways as I can. A few of the characters have stall elements to them, but given the prevalence of Leftovers on so many Pokemon, I try not to rely on drawing out the battle too much. This team has given me mixed results, and I'm wondering how I could make it better.



AT A GLANCE

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332cacturne.png
346cradily.png
450hippowdon.png
142aerodactyl.png
121starmie.png





TEAM

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Tyranitar @ Lum Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 240 HP / 36 Atk / 48 Def / 184 SpD
Sassy Nature (+SpD, - Spe)
-Taunt
-Fire Punch
-Stone Edge
-Crunch

Anti-Lead. Fire Punch for Bronzong and Roserade, Stone Edge for Gyarados, Crunch for Azelf and Gengar. Lum Berry avoids setups from Gengar, Breloom, and other status inducers, most of which can be OHKO’d. Sand Stream gets the sand moving right away and provides the Special Defense boost Tyranitar may need if Gengar decides to just use Focus Blast. Taunt will cover characters that might expect an easy setup and can’t be killed with just one hit. The low Speed here makes Abomasnow’s Hail get cancelled by Sand Stream and also lowers the power of Bronzong’s Gyro Ball.


332cacturne.png

Cacturne @ Bright Powder
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
-Substitute
-Sucker Punch
-Focus Punch
-Swords Dance

An unexpected hard-hitter that is surprisingly difficult to take down. I've swept teams more than once using just this character against someone who isn't careful. Substitute keeps Cacturne from getting crippled by status while also allowing it to take more than one hit. With the added evasion boosts caused by Sand Veil and Bright Powder, it shouldn’t be too hard for Cacturne to set up a Swords Dance. Sucker Punch and Focus Punch have great type coverage and hit the opponent whether they attack or don't.


346cradily.png

Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Suction Cups
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 SpD
Careful Nature (+SpD, -SAtk)
-Earthquake
-Swords Dance.
-Rock Slide
-Recover

A very effective special wall, especially with Sandstorm’s x1.5 special defense boost. In addition, its Swords Dance/Recover allows it to function as a great bulky sweeper. I don't these EV's or Nature really help with its attacking role, but because its main function is to absorb attacks, it still works pretty well.


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Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 152 Def / 88 SpD
Impish Nature (+Def, -SAtk)
-Slack Off
-Earthquake
-Ice Fang
-Roar

Physical Wall. Slack Off and Earthquake have obvious uses, while Ice Fang covers the Flyers that Earthquake doesn’t. Roar acts as a way to get rid of any problematic Special Attackers, a pseudohazer, and an accumulation of damage with Stealth Rock. This second use of Sand Stream is also helpful if the opponent is running a team that might use Rain Dance or Sunny Day.


142aerodactyl.png


Aerodactyl @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 42 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Jolly Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
-Rock Slide
-Earthquake
-Ice Fang
-Pursuit

With all the status-inflicting, Yawning, and Roaring going on, it’s pretty easy for this guy to find a chance to switch in, especially against weaker special attacks due to the Sandstorm Boost. This is a standard late-game sweeper set that also helps Tyranitar with any leads that may have slipped through at the beginning. Not much to say here, as the type coverage works very well against most opponents and the EVs and nature will keep any other sweepers from outspeeding him.

121starmie.png


Starmie @ Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 236 HP / 56 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature (+Spd, -SAtk)
-Surf
-Thunderbolt
-Rapid Spin
-Recover

Put on this team mainly to counter Infernape, which would always get at least one KO otherwise. Doesn't really benefit from Sandstorm in any way.


Advice? I’m open to any criticism, just give a reason behind your thinking.
 
I like the creativity in this team in that you are using 2 UUs in your team, and both are certainly viable in the OU environment.

I do have some things I'd like to suggest though. I don't think that Anti-lead Tyranitar set uses him to his fullest potential. Turning a massive threat like him into a situational "star" doesn't seem like the best idea to me. I suggest you bring Hippowdon up to the lead spot and give him SR. Tyranitar could then run a Choice Band set, which is clearly one of the most powerful options in all of Pokemon.

Cradily obviously doesn't need SR if that were given to Hippowdon, so I suggest that you try out a Swords Dance Cradily. He is undoubtedly one of the best stall breakers because of his Suction Cups ability. Panamaxis has certainly proven that SD Cradily is viable by making it a centerpiece of his team that is sitting at #1 on the leaderboard.

Lastly, I think that Focus Punch over Seed Bomb is worth a try on Cacturne for the great coverage it provides and the fact that he is safe to use it behind his Sub. It also works perfectly on a set that also features a STAB Sucker Punch as powerful as Cacturne's.

I hope I helped.
 
I gave your suggestions a try in Shoddy. Lead Hippowdon doesn't really seem to accomplish very much in comparison, especially since it's automatically switching out against most special attackers. Its lack of Taunt also screws it over against setups, and I've found that I miss Roar when it is replaced with Stealth Rock. Choice Ban T-Tar mostly seems to get switched out against and doesn't really accomplish much.
Cradily, however, works extremely well as a Swords Dancer, especially since most Skarmorys that switch in don't really seem to understand that it can't be Whirlwinded away. Quakeslide/Recover/Swords Dance seems to work very well.
Cacturne's lack of Seed Bomb does make killing Swampert a lot harder but since I usually hide behind a Substitute, Focus Punch works great.
Thanks for the feedback, anything else?
 
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