I feel like I have consistency issues with this team and would like some advice to potentially make this work better. Here is the current team build as of now.
Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sandstream
EVs: 184 Atk / 248 HP / 76 Def
Nature: Impish
-Stealth Rock
-Pursuit
-Stone Edge
-Super Power/Earthquake/Fire Punch
T-Tar is of course my Stealth Rock and Sand setter. Now, the EV spread is a bit different. The HP is obviously there to give it more overall bulk. Now, I was trying the full defensive build for a while, but the lack of attack tended to be pretty frustrating for me since except for trapping Latis it really lacked overall usage. This build can do a little bit more than just be a decent damage sponge with the Attack investment. I also played around with some Speed EVs, but I wasn't sure how necessary that is for his role. This pokemon has been one of the more frustrating to get right, IMO, on this team. I always feel like it is lacking in too many areas. Move slots are constantly changing as well. Played around with Fire Punch and EQ as well as SP. I have issues deciding what to do with it.
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Nature: Adamant
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin
This build just hits so dang hard. Even at -1 it does like 25-30% to Bulky Lando-T with Iron Head. Part of me wants to run SD over Spin, but on this team, getting rid of Hazards is mandatory, especially with the way I use my Latios (which we will get to.) Other than that, there isn't too much I have to complain about Excadrill. In the sand it outspeeds practically everything even at Adamant. This thing is just a monster.
Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Nature: Timid
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Roost
-HP Ground/HP Fire/Ice Beam/Surf
Just like T-Tar, finding a good fourth move has been frustrating. The meta is so Steel heavy that so much can switch in for practically free that it is nearly impossible to know what to throw on this thing. Between the hundreds of Scizors, Ferrothorns, Metagross and Heatrans running around my coverage move to go with the two STABs has been frustrating to add. HP Fire is awesome for Ferro and Scizor, but the -1 in Speed IVs makes this thing complete dead weight to opposing Latis and Gengar. Instead of the needed Speed Tie, it is now slower, which just makes me want to run Modest at that point. Then we have HP Ground which is great for Heatran and Excadrill (especially on the switch) but provides pretty little else of value. Ice Beam is great for killing Lando's, and x4 Dragons, but I would think that Draco Meteor should be good enough to do the same, making Ice Beam rather redundant. And Surf is good against more just for random coverage move, but, I really don't see it hitting for much damage. Thoughts?
Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Nature: Timid
-Tail Glow
-Scald
-Ice Beam
-Energy Ball
I never really used Manaphy that much till recently, and dang, is it a good mon. Not only does this thing just laugh at opposing Rain Teams, but even with the full offensive set, the thing doesn't really die that easy and can destroy a bunch of pokemon. I know the more bulky build is popular, but I just find his set rather effective. It has a ton of coverage and the only thing it can't really stop effectively are bulky Grass types (especially Venu and Serp who just eat this thing.) however, I find that the rest of my team more than makes up for that grass weakness. So I really don;t have many complaints for Manaphy, either. The leftovers heal any sand damage, so it always is healthy enough as well.
Talonflame @ Choice Band
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Nature: Adamant
-Brave Bird
-Flare Blitz
-Steel Wing
-U-Turn
I love this bird. It hits like a truck and while it does tend to kill itself, it weakens the opposing team so much that it just tends to fit better on my team than the bulky T-Flame did. Its U-Turn does monstrous damage to T-Tar, and I couldn't tell you how many times I murdered a lead Diancie with Steel Wing when they don't Protect thinking I will switch. I find that this is usually my go-to lead just to scout.
Manectric - Mega
Ability Pre Mega: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Nature: Timid
-Thunderbolt
-Volt Switch
-Over Heat/Flamethrower
-HP Ice
This is my choice of Mega. It has good wall-breaking as it tends to heavily damage bulky Lando-T and Tank Chomp. It also has good momentum pivoting when comboed with Talonflame's U-Turn and vice versa. Pretty standard set obviously. I put this in hear mostly as a way to get rid of Skarm's, Ferro's and other obnoxious jokers like that, but it does tend to be a hindrance near late game if I am backed into a corner. Over Heat is a powerful move, but the drop in SpA is an instant game breaker at the end. i thought about dropping it for Flamethrower, but the lack of damage can be a game changer too.
Now the team as a whole does... ok. However, heavy stall is a serious issue, and I have very little to effectively take down freaking Chansey who is quickly becoming my least favorite Pokemon of all time. lol. Opposing Sand teams are also a serious issue as my team really lacks a way to handle Excadrill with the sole exception of Manaphy who still can't switch in at all on it. So, what do you guys think? Any help would be appreciated. :)
Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sandstream
EVs: 184 Atk / 248 HP / 76 Def
Nature: Impish
-Stealth Rock
-Pursuit
-Stone Edge
-Super Power/Earthquake/Fire Punch
T-Tar is of course my Stealth Rock and Sand setter. Now, the EV spread is a bit different. The HP is obviously there to give it more overall bulk. Now, I was trying the full defensive build for a while, but the lack of attack tended to be pretty frustrating for me since except for trapping Latis it really lacked overall usage. This build can do a little bit more than just be a decent damage sponge with the Attack investment. I also played around with some Speed EVs, but I wasn't sure how necessary that is for his role. This pokemon has been one of the more frustrating to get right, IMO, on this team. I always feel like it is lacking in too many areas. Move slots are constantly changing as well. Played around with Fire Punch and EQ as well as SP. I have issues deciding what to do with it.
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Nature: Adamant
-Earthquake
-Iron Head
-Rock Slide
-Rapid Spin
This build just hits so dang hard. Even at -1 it does like 25-30% to Bulky Lando-T with Iron Head. Part of me wants to run SD over Spin, but on this team, getting rid of Hazards is mandatory, especially with the way I use my Latios (which we will get to.) Other than that, there isn't too much I have to complain about Excadrill. In the sand it outspeeds practically everything even at Adamant. This thing is just a monster.
Latios @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Nature: Timid
-Draco Meteor
-Psyshock
-Roost
-HP Ground/HP Fire/Ice Beam/Surf
Just like T-Tar, finding a good fourth move has been frustrating. The meta is so Steel heavy that so much can switch in for practically free that it is nearly impossible to know what to throw on this thing. Between the hundreds of Scizors, Ferrothorns, Metagross and Heatrans running around my coverage move to go with the two STABs has been frustrating to add. HP Fire is awesome for Ferro and Scizor, but the -1 in Speed IVs makes this thing complete dead weight to opposing Latis and Gengar. Instead of the needed Speed Tie, it is now slower, which just makes me want to run Modest at that point. Then we have HP Ground which is great for Heatran and Excadrill (especially on the switch) but provides pretty little else of value. Ice Beam is great for killing Lando's, and x4 Dragons, but I would think that Draco Meteor should be good enough to do the same, making Ice Beam rather redundant. And Surf is good against more just for random coverage move, but, I really don't see it hitting for much damage. Thoughts?
Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Nature: Timid
-Tail Glow
-Scald
-Ice Beam
-Energy Ball
I never really used Manaphy that much till recently, and dang, is it a good mon. Not only does this thing just laugh at opposing Rain Teams, but even with the full offensive set, the thing doesn't really die that easy and can destroy a bunch of pokemon. I know the more bulky build is popular, but I just find his set rather effective. It has a ton of coverage and the only thing it can't really stop effectively are bulky Grass types (especially Venu and Serp who just eat this thing.) however, I find that the rest of my team more than makes up for that grass weakness. So I really don;t have many complaints for Manaphy, either. The leftovers heal any sand damage, so it always is healthy enough as well.
Talonflame @ Choice Band
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Nature: Adamant
-Brave Bird
-Flare Blitz
-Steel Wing
-U-Turn
I love this bird. It hits like a truck and while it does tend to kill itself, it weakens the opposing team so much that it just tends to fit better on my team than the bulky T-Flame did. Its U-Turn does monstrous damage to T-Tar, and I couldn't tell you how many times I murdered a lead Diancie with Steel Wing when they don't Protect thinking I will switch. I find that this is usually my go-to lead just to scout.
Manectric - Mega
Ability Pre Mega: Lightning Rod
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Nature: Timid
-Thunderbolt
-Volt Switch
-Over Heat/Flamethrower
-HP Ice
This is my choice of Mega. It has good wall-breaking as it tends to heavily damage bulky Lando-T and Tank Chomp. It also has good momentum pivoting when comboed with Talonflame's U-Turn and vice versa. Pretty standard set obviously. I put this in hear mostly as a way to get rid of Skarm's, Ferro's and other obnoxious jokers like that, but it does tend to be a hindrance near late game if I am backed into a corner. Over Heat is a powerful move, but the drop in SpA is an instant game breaker at the end. i thought about dropping it for Flamethrower, but the lack of damage can be a game changer too.
Now the team as a whole does... ok. However, heavy stall is a serious issue, and I have very little to effectively take down freaking Chansey who is quickly becoming my least favorite Pokemon of all time. lol. Opposing Sand teams are also a serious issue as my team really lacks a way to handle Excadrill with the sole exception of Manaphy who still can't switch in at all on it. So, what do you guys think? Any help would be appreciated. :)
