Going UP...and down, on the ladder that is.

[SonicSpins]

So I've shifted through a couple metas and settled upon LC as I really enjoy the pool of mons and it hasn't been as much of a headache memorizing types, weaknesses, et cetra as the other formats. So while I've built and played with a few teams I find this to be my favorite and most reliable, however, it does have some glaring weaknesses. Specifically, Ice moves will punch HUGE holes.
:/ So here they are...

HipHopOpotomus (Hippopotas) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Stream
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 156 HP / 120 Atk / 212 Def / 20 Spd
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Superpower
- Crunch
- Whirlwind

Hippo is obviously here to whip up a sandstorm, but with his moveset he can surprise a lot of starters and catch a few mons with a super effective hit on the switch. Superpower is a move nobody ever sees coming while Crunch lets me score a cheapshot on Ghost/Abra switch ins. Whirlwind is there in case Scraggy comes in while I'm debuffed from Superpower and thus would live the hit, so I can opt to blow him away, as well as taking care of Shell Smashers who opt to setup rather than KO with a water move.

Habachi (Mienfoo) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Regenerator
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 236 Atk / 36 Def / 238 Spd
Serious Nature
- Knock Off/Fake Out
- Hi Jump Kick
- U-turn
- Stone Edge

This guy has gone through the gauntlet. Eviolite vs Choice Band vs Choice Scarf, Knock Off vs Fake Out vs Drain Punch, and I've ended up here. Eviolite lets me live a lot of hits I really shouldn't and Knock Off gives me protection against prediction switches - always getting value in taking their item. Yes, losing Fake Out sucks, but the only other move I'd touch is Stone Edge and I need the coverage.

Drilbro (Drilbur) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Sand Rush
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 236 Spd / 236 Atk / 36 HP
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Shadow Claw
- X-Scissor

I like this mon as is. He is a dependable sweeper in the sand and is quick enough to Shadow Claw/X-Scissor threats without the sand as well. I could pick up Rapid Spin but generally entry hazards haven't been that big of a problem for this team.

Boogabooga (Lileep) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Storm Drain
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 228 HP / 220 Def / 60 SAtk
Bold Nature
- Recover
- Giga Drain
- AncientPower
- Hidden Power [Fire]

I'm on the fence about this guy. Defensive as he may be, and while he does offer some decent coverage I feel like I could be using a better guy in this spot, but I'm not really sure who to put here. Also, I've tried him with Toxic and prefer HP Fire. Toxic is great, but a lot of people see it coming and switch.

CrowBro (Murkrow) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Prankster
Level: 5
EVs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 20 Def / 20 SDef / 196 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Substitute
- Roost

My favorite. CrowBro beats teams. Priority Sub and Roost give me excellent protection while Brave Bird mutilates anything that doesn't resist it. Sucker Punch lets me sweep late or just block mons from attacking. Also the threat of it alone has scored me turns where I can safely Roost behind a Sub.

Avatar (Chinchou) (F) @ Eviolite
Trait: Volt Absorb
Level: 5
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 232 SAtk / 224 Spd / 52 Def
Modest Nature
IVs: 30 Atk / 30 Spd
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]

I had Chinchou on choice specs for a while but found an eviolite gave it a little extra bulk that it needed to open up the ability to change moves on the fly and adapt to switches.



Please leave any feedback you like. I'm sure it will be helpful.

 

[Rowan]

Hi, decent sand team you have here...

First thing's first. Hippopotas's moveset. Hippopotas is essentially a defensive pokemon and if your opponent has a Snover you need to him to remain healthy. For this reason Slack Off is a necessary move on him so you can heal up throughout the match. I'd recommend this over Superpower as Superpower isn't really that useful. Also, I feel that it needs Earthquake. It's Hippo's strongest move and it's all it really needs as it's not an offensive pokemon. This could go over Crunch, or it could go over Stealth Rock. If it goes over Stealth Rock then I'd recommend giving rocks to Lileep over HP Fire. HP Fire doesn't hit a lot other than Bronzor and Ferroseed whom you probably should be switching out of anyway.

As for weaknesses, you probably already know that Snover is very troublesome for your team. For this reason I suggest Magnemite>Chinchou. I don't really think that Chinchou is doing a lot for your team as Lileep can already deal with water types and does a decent job against Murkrow. Electric types aren't really a problem because you have 2 solid ground types. Magnemite can still check Murkrow, whilst also switching into anything that Snover throws at it. It can also trap Bronzor who walls Drilbur. I recommend the bulky attacker set on the analysis as it has the bulk to switch in to Snover throughout the match.

Finally I'd like to address Drilbur's item. As you're not running Swords Dance, I'd recommend a Life Orb>Eviolite for the extra power. In my opinion, Drilbur needs all the power it can get when running a 4-attacks set. If Life Orb doesn't appeal to you, then I'd recommend Swords Dance>X-Scissor. X-Scissor doesn't hit a lot other than Shroomish as a STAB Earthquake only has 10 less power than a Super Effective X-Scissor and most grass types take neutral damage from Earthquake (Like Foongus and Lileep). After a Swords Dance, Drilbur can become an almost unstoppable force against a weakened team.

Summary of Changes

Hippopotas:
-Slack Off>Superpower
-Earthquake>Stealth Rock/Crunch

Lileep:
-Stealth Rock>Hidden Power Fire (Only if replacing Stealth Rock on Hippopotas)

Drilbur:
-Life Orb>Eviolite
OR
-Swords Dance>X-Scissor.

Bulky Attacker Magnemite>Chinchou (check analysis)