Well, seeing as the potency of a sand storm oriented team is VERY high I have decided to take a crack at making one for competitive play. Now, onward to my version of a sand storm team...remember ANY feedback is welcomed (good or bad). ALSO, I have an issue with the item clause at the moment carrying 3 pokemon with leftovers, so any ideas to surpass this complication are GREATLY appreciated. :)
A Sandy Lead
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP/ 252 Def/ 4 Sp.D
Nature: Impish
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
Well, my lead Hippowdon is a pure physical wall that can set-up for my team and pester the opponent. Earthquake can demolish a multitude of any possible threats in the NEW metagame. Slack off grants me a bit of instant recovery that is a lovely little asset for my tank. Stealth rock is my set-up of choice this time around and is going to pack a huge punch turning 2HKO's into OHKO's on the switch into Hippowdon. I have roar in here for scouting and stealth rock damage.
Drilling The Competition
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
My first addition from the newly introduced Unova region is Excadrill. With Sand Rush as his ability on my sand storm team he is going to pack a devastating punch to my opponents. Life orb to rack on some extra power into this beastly machine. Swords dance for boosts in attack power. Earthquake for STAB along side the swords dance and sand rush equals FEAR and defeat of even those who resist it. Rock slide for neutral coverage against multiple threats. Rapid spin because he is a great rapid spinner and it is HIGHLY unlikely for ghosts to switch in on this beast of a sweeper.
Dragonic Vengeance
Garchomp @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Aqua Tail
First off, this set is a great pairing for the sand storm team due to Garchomp becoming an even greater threat utilizing Choice Scarf. Outrage and Earthquake deliver tremendous power that is terrifying to everyone in his path. Stone Edge for more type coverage and to deal with threats such as Volcarona, Gyarados, Zapdos and more! Aqua tail is here mainly as a means of popping those pesky balloons. All in all, a viable and powerful set for the dragon sandstorm sweeper.
A Glistening Sweeper
Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe
Nature: Impish
- Fling
- Earthquake
- Acrobat
- Protect / Taunt / Swords Dance (Leave it to the community to decide)
After being told of my team's major weakness to Conkledurr (able to obliterate my team single-handed) I decided to remove Tyranitar for a check on that huge weakness. Gliscor is a great counter and is an overall lovely sweeper as it is. This set gives him the ability to sweep anyone with STAB Acrobat and Earthquake. Protect is for well protection if I go with that. I already have a taunter to pick apart stall teams, so I don't need that really. Swords dance is in consideration due to the power boost though. I will rely on the community to decide.
Get In The Zone, Mag-Ne-Zone!
Magnezone @ Air Balloon
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 40 HP/ 252 Sp.A/ 216 Spe
Nature: Timid
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Charge Beam
Steel destruction is his game, and Magnezone is his name! With Magnet Pull coupled with Tyranitar for bait, Magnezone can destroy those bothersome steel foes with ease. Substitute for avoidance of status effects mainly. Thunderbolt for the reliable STAB move of choice. HP Ice for coverage. Charge Beam behind substitutes on Steel types to raise my Special Attack power is a great strategy here as well to top off the set.
Justifiable Terror!
Terrakion @ Life Orb
Ability: Justice Heart
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
- Swords Dance
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
Alright, now we are at my stall counter...Terrakion. Taunt is his way of dealing with stall teams whilst simultaneously sword dancing to bulk up for the sweep. STAB Stone Edge and Close Combat will deal incredible damage to anything in my way making Terrakion a vicious sweeper and a fantastic addition from Generation 5 to my team. Not to mention Justice Heart can allow me to nab an extra +1 Attack.
That is my Sand Storm team "Dust Devil" and I have high hopes of success with it. I am looking to make it the best it can be, however, so I would like ALL input. Whether it is good or bad, it still helps, so everyone please post any feedback you have. If you read it, you might as well post your opinions, comments, questions and concerns. Also, remember I need a way of dealing with my item clause dilemma (3 leftovers users). Thanks for reading everyone! :)
A Sandy Lead
Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP/ 252 Def/ 4 Sp.D
Nature: Impish
- Earthquake
- Slack Off
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
Well, my lead Hippowdon is a pure physical wall that can set-up for my team and pester the opponent. Earthquake can demolish a multitude of any possible threats in the NEW metagame. Slack off grants me a bit of instant recovery that is a lovely little asset for my tank. Stealth rock is my set-up of choice this time around and is going to pack a huge punch turning 2HKO's into OHKO's on the switch into Hippowdon. I have roar in here for scouting and stealth rock damage.
Drilling The Competition
Excadrill @ Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin
My first addition from the newly introduced Unova region is Excadrill. With Sand Rush as his ability on my sand storm team he is going to pack a devastating punch to my opponents. Life orb to rack on some extra power into this beastly machine. Swords dance for boosts in attack power. Earthquake for STAB along side the swords dance and sand rush equals FEAR and defeat of even those who resist it. Rock slide for neutral coverage against multiple threats. Rapid spin because he is a great rapid spinner and it is HIGHLY unlikely for ghosts to switch in on this beast of a sweeper.
Dragonic Vengeance
Garchomp @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Aqua Tail
First off, this set is a great pairing for the sand storm team due to Garchomp becoming an even greater threat utilizing Choice Scarf. Outrage and Earthquake deliver tremendous power that is terrifying to everyone in his path. Stone Edge for more type coverage and to deal with threats such as Volcarona, Gyarados, Zapdos and more! Aqua tail is here mainly as a means of popping those pesky balloons. All in all, a viable and powerful set for the dragon sandstorm sweeper.
A Glistening Sweeper
Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP / 184 Def / 72 Spe
Nature: Impish
- Fling
- Earthquake
- Acrobat
- Protect / Taunt / Swords Dance (Leave it to the community to decide)
After being told of my team's major weakness to Conkledurr (able to obliterate my team single-handed) I decided to remove Tyranitar for a check on that huge weakness. Gliscor is a great counter and is an overall lovely sweeper as it is. This set gives him the ability to sweep anyone with STAB Acrobat and Earthquake. Protect is for well protection if I go with that. I already have a taunter to pick apart stall teams, so I don't need that really. Swords dance is in consideration due to the power boost though. I will rely on the community to decide.
Get In The Zone, Mag-Ne-Zone!
Magnezone @ Air Balloon
Ability: Magnet Pull
EVs: 40 HP/ 252 Sp.A/ 216 Spe
Nature: Timid
- Substitute
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power (Ice)
- Charge Beam
Steel destruction is his game, and Magnezone is his name! With Magnet Pull coupled with Tyranitar for bait, Magnezone can destroy those bothersome steel foes with ease. Substitute for avoidance of status effects mainly. Thunderbolt for the reliable STAB move of choice. HP Ice for coverage. Charge Beam behind substitutes on Steel types to raise my Special Attack power is a great strategy here as well to top off the set.
Justifiable Terror!
Terrakion @ Life Orb
Ability: Justice Heart
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
- Swords Dance
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
- Close Combat
Alright, now we are at my stall counter...Terrakion. Taunt is his way of dealing with stall teams whilst simultaneously sword dancing to bulk up for the sweep. STAB Stone Edge and Close Combat will deal incredible damage to anything in my way making Terrakion a vicious sweeper and a fantastic addition from Generation 5 to my team. Not to mention Justice Heart can allow me to nab an extra +1 Attack.
That is my Sand Storm team "Dust Devil" and I have high hopes of success with it. I am looking to make it the best it can be, however, so I would like ALL input. Whether it is good or bad, it still helps, so everyone please post any feedback you have. If you read it, you might as well post your opinions, comments, questions and concerns. Also, remember I need a way of dealing with my item clause dilemma (3 leftovers users). Thanks for reading everyone! :)
