Get your own Sandbox to play in! Sandstorm RMT

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Introduction:
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Hello users of Smogon, I've been a member for almost a year now and have finally decided to put up a team for rate. I've gone through a whole lot of teams, but had never had much success with a theme based team. I dabbled with Rain Dance and Sunny Day and just couldn't seem to get much in consistency. Then about a month ago I decided that I'd dabble in an environmental team once again. All of this lead me to the eventual making of this Sandstorm team.

Forming the Team:

First off I knew I needed a lead. This of course lead me to two choices, Tyranitar and Hippowdon. I looked at both and decided since I'd never used Hippowdon before I would venture down that path.

Next I thought of things that could take advantage of this Sandstorm being up. First thing that came to my mind was the SpDef increase for Rock Pokemon, after browsing through them nothing jumped out at me. I then remembered the second benefit of Sandstorm, in the form of Sand Veil. So I looked it up and added this fine member to my team.

After seeing that I now had a double Water weakness I searched for someone who would not be hurt by Sandstorm but wouldn't care about those water attacks. At the same time I gained my Special Sweeper.

After seeing that I'd found my Special Sweeper I wanted a Physical Sweeper. I looked at Rhyperior, but with adding another water weakness (especially a 4x one) to the team didn't seem to be beneficial. I remembered that there is a steel pokemon who is has always hit hard and can hit fast. I welcomed him with open arms to this team.

I now needed someone who could take all the predictable Fire attacks being thrown at Scizor and use them to boost their own power. So I looked at all the Flash Fire candidates and came up with another commonly used pokemon.

The last spot on my team has bounced around a lot. I started with a Mixed Tyranitar but didn't like the added Water/Ground/Fighting Weakness. I then thought maybe a SD Lucario might fit but again Fire/Ground/Fighting became an issue. So I decided to go with something that could take hits and dish them right back while not enhancing any of my current weaknesses.​

The Juicy Part(EV's IV's and Items O My):

The Lead

Hippowdon(IllThrowSandAtU)
Item:Leftovers
Nature: Impish
EV's: 108HP-144Att-252 Def
Moveset:
Earthquake
IceFang
Stealth Rock
Slack Off

First and foremost my lead puts up the storm. After that it's very dependent on which lead or anti lead I'm facing. I chose Slack off over Stone Edge because I often use her later on to out stall. Ice Fang over crunch for Dragon/Grass who often switch in if their lead is unfavorable. Earthquake is there for STAB purposes.The EV's are shaky in regards to Attack as I rarely ever do Damage calculations but the 108 in HP gives me 24 with leftovers and max Def EV's can't hurt. I'm willing to change her EV spread or the Ice fang to Crunch if someone can give me a good reason.

Vs. Common Leads:
Azelf- This one can be tricky as I've seen so many sets I never know what to expect anymore. I generally lay rocks and then switch into Scizor. If it's a taunt Zelf I tend to switch to Scizor the next move and go from there.
Bronzong- Lay rocks and then go to Heatran.
Gyrados- Most are taunt leads so I go to Swampert and proceed to Stone Edge.
Heatran: Some carry HP Grass, which can be dangerous, I usually go for EQ, then Rocks if I'm still alive.
Metagross: Lay rocks, then proceed with EQ.
Breloom:Let it spore me then switch to Scizor.
Mamoswine: I've yet to encounter one but lay rocks as I highly doubt an Ice shard will kill me.

The Filler/Wall

Swampert(ImakeItAllMuddy)
Item:Life Orb
Nature:Impish
EV's: 28 HP-80-Att-196 Def-20 Spe-184 SpD
Moveset:
Roar
Waterfall
Stone Edge
Ice Punch

I'm overall very happy with Swampert, he fit the bill really well for what I needed in this team. He comes in on Fighting/Water/Ground for neutral damage and half on Fire. He can Roar out DD Gyrados or anything else attempting to setup(Baton Pass team comes to mind) he can also surprise Dragons with Ice Punch and Gyrados with Stone Edge. Life Orb for extra damage on the times he does attack although I'm highly considering Leftovers to improve his longevity. The EV's again are not heavily researched but seem to provide enough attack and defense to be effective thus far. Very willing to implement a more defensive EV spread, along with a more supportish Set if someone is willing to lay one out.

The Bully

Scizor(KidWithDaShovel)
Item:Choice Band
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 52 HP-252 Att-100 Def-4 Spe-100 SpD
Moveset:
Bullet Punch
Pursuit
Uturn
Superpower

Pretty standard move set, Scizor's job is to inflict as much pain as possible before he has to retreat.He often provides a good switch in for things like Lead Breloom(after one of the others are spored) or Lead Smeargle. I also love to use him for a switch in on Blissey as the switch to a Ghost is a given. Overall he is my Attacking force and often is what leads to my late game sweep with Empoleon. The Ev's again are up in the air besides 252 attack, I figured being able to take a few hits on both sides might be beneficial late game.

Water In the Desert

Empoleon(KingofDaSand)
Item:Life Orb
Nature:Modest
EV's:12 HP-12 Def-232 Spe-252 SpA
Moveset:
Agility
Surf
Grass Knot
Ice Beam

I went with the Life Orb/3 Move Agility Set. This is usually my late game sweeper, who of course comes in and cleans up having all his counters gone. Although on rare occasions I will switch him in on Ground/Fire types who dare not take a surf and proceed with the above. I love the coverage of the 3 attacks and I'm really am not interested in the Sub/Petaya combo. If anything this is the member I want the least changes made to.
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The Fire Starter

Heatran(SandboxBurner)
Item:Choice Scarf
Nature:Modest
EV's: 4 HP-252 Spe-252 SpA
Moveset:
Fire Blast
Earth Power
Dragon Pulse
HP Grass

Again another standard set, chose HP Grass over HP Electric as I can at least hit Swampert. Heatran loves to come in on baited fire attacks aimed at Scizor and use them to power himself up. He also is great for scarring away other Heatrans, Jirachi, and Metagross. Lately I've been considering dropping Dragon Pulse for Explosion as it never seems to get the OHKO even with SR.Other than being a revenge killer/forcing the switch Heatran seems to be most limited of the team as he is locked in with Choice Scarf and often a switch to a SpD wall will shut him completely down, I'm open to suggestions on this spot as he seems to be the least valued on this team and I'm very open to a change in his moveset.

The Annoying Neighbor

Gliscor(CanYouSeeMe)
Item:Bright Powder
Nature: Adamant
EV's: 4 HP-188 Att-112 Def- 204 Spe
Moveset:
Earthquake
Roost
Ice Fang
Thunder Fang

His job is simple, not to get hit and cause frustration while dealing legitimate damage. Ice Fang is for Dragons who seem to like to come in on me, and Thunder Fang is for the Waters(Mainly the Gyrados that I out run before DD),Roost to heal up any chance I get and out stall and EQ for stab. I've been wondering if Fire Fang would be better over one of the other moves due to Scizor and Forretress, but EQ seems to hit them decently. This is another spot that besides the EV's I'm not changing the pokemon on because I love this guy too much.


So that's my team please Rate,Comment, Critique etc.
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Added more to the descriptions