Horizons

[-RatCheesy]

So it begins​

Our eyes drawn open,
Free from the thought of doubt,
Free from the selfish conflict.
Now blind, listless, ceaseless.
With open arms we stand,
Before the dawn.​

Parkway Drive - Horizons​

BEGIN​

My second RMT of the Smogon Community, my previous team was last year it was "The Powerless Rise" back in the 4th Generation. 5th Gen has been quite a huge transition for me, but I've adjusted quite well. I've never been a huge fan of weather teams in general but this metagame is mostly weather based, with the exception of some players who can't stand (rain, sand, hail, and sun teams). I never disliked using sand since in my opinion is the most consistent type of weather to run. So, this brings me to my point, I refused literally to have Tyranitar to activate sand. Why? Well its obviously a great pokemon but I just simply don't like Tyranitar in any of my teams. This leaves me with a second option, and obviously I would have to choose Hippowdon as my sandstreamer. I managed to peak #14 on Smogon Server and it honestly didn't take me long to rank up. I won't go into too much details on how I created this team but what I will say is its enjoyable to play with. Now onto the team!​

My Team​

Hippowdon @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Fang
- Slack Off

Hippowdon has become one of my favorite ground types currently, it sets up rocks for my team and is such an amazing defensive juggernaut. It can take on Excadrill, Haxorus, DD Dragonite, Terakion, and many other strong physical attackers. Ice Fang lets me hit pokemon like Gliscor for 4x super effective damage. This set speaks for its own and Hippowdon does a fantastic job of defending and walling teams.

Scizor @ Choice Band
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Atk / 206 SpD
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Pursuit
- Bullet Punch
- U-Turn
- Superpower

Scizor the popular pokemon from the previous generation, still remains to be quite a threat for many teams. I have Scizor for offensive momentum and it pairs up extremely well with Rotom-W. U-Turn provides me to scout and keep my opponent guessing on the pokemon I send in. Pursuit helps against trapped choiced users like the Lati twins, who are extremely common. Bullet Punch is for revenging weakened foes, or getting the last ditch effort to attack for a last hurrah. The 20 speed evs are to outspeed other Scizors, it may seem unneccesary but you won't believe how much those evs helped to win me games.

Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- X-Scissor

Excadrill is my late game closer and its so clutch at ending games with its powerful STAB Earthquake. I have Rapid Spin just to help my team against entry hazards, but I rarely ever use it. I mostly spam EQ and Rock Slide and what I like about Excadrill is the Sand Rush ability, its able to outspeed the whole metagame. Adamant nature is the preffered nature because I need to get the bang out of the buck when using such high stat attacker. Air Balloon is security against ground types, and lets me set up a Swords Dance.

Reuniclus @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature (+Def, SpA-)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast

Reuniclus is sometimes overlooked when fitting it into a team, I was unsure at first if I was making a good decision in adding it to the team. I had to cover my Virizion and Conkeldurr weakness, so the only pokemon that came to mind was Reuniclus. It was the best choice I made, it vastly improved my team in terms of absorbing status and taking on fighting types. I'm always careful when my opponent carries Scizor on their team, my opponents usually want to set up the first turn if its SD Scizor, so I have no other choice but to either attack with Focus Blast or switch out to Rotom-W. CB Scizor is easier to handle, as I recover once they've U-Turned and I heal back all the prior damage. Reuniclus has psychic over psyshock as I can handle Blissey and the Lati twins easily.

Rotom-W @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Trick
- Thunderbolt

Rotom-W is my choice scarfer and the pokemon I almost always lead off with. Volt Switch which is the special version of U-Turn allows me to attack and then switch out to an appropiate pokemon to take on the opposing member of my opponents team. I don't always Volt Switch as I'm always aware that smart opponents switch out to their ground types and my Volt Switch is cock blocked, which sucks. Rotom-W helps deal with Thundurus and the whole damn rain army from which I cannot stand. I'm talking about you Politoed! Anyway, Trick is mostly for derailing stall pokemon and its awesome to trick the scarf to the (BAN ME PLEASE)ry of Blissey or Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Fire is for handling Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Forretress. Rotom-W also helps outspeeding Terakion and OHKO'ing with Hydro Pump.

Latios @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover

Latios is my all out special attacker and lets me dent anything that switches into a LO Draco Meteor. Latios helps me offensively in putting quite the hurt on many stall teams. I don't always fire off Draco Meteor's as it makes Latios vulnerable to be pursuit bait. I pick my moves wisely, and Recover is to heal from Life Orb recoil. Although, I could go four attacks but I'm not sure of making the change. Latios is very useful to this team.

Importable

Hide

Scizor
Trait: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 56 Atk / 206 SpD
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SpA)
- Pursuit
- Bullet Punch
- U-Turn
- Superpower

Excadrill (F) @ Air Balloon
Trait: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- X-Scissor

Reuniclus (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Nature (+Def, SpA-)
- Calm Mind
- Recover
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast

Rotom-W @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Trick
- Thunderbolt

Latios (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk)
- Draco Meteor
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Recover

Hippowdon (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish (+Def, -SAtk)
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Fang
- Slack Off

Feel free to rate it and give suggestions, thanks.

 

[Cheesy333]

if you dont use rapid spin try out x-scissor or brick break depending on who you need to counter

 

[Cheesy333]

also i think you should run roar over ice fang for gliscor even though its x4 it does max 46.5% so gliscor still laughs and protects for the recovery

 

[IronBullet]

Hey,

This is a fantastic team, and it's great to see someone having success with sandstorm withot ttar. Just a nitpick, but Psyshock is a better option than Psychic on defensive CM Reuniclus. It's important that you don't lose CM wars with Pokemon such as Latias, Suicune and Virizion, which makes Psyshock a much better option. You also beat Blissey handily, while the only Pokemon which a +1 Psyshock doesn't hit hard enough is Gliscor, who is lured out and weakened by Hippowdon's Ice Fang.

It would be helpful to try out a more specially defensive set on your Scizor to take resisted dragon attacks from the likes of Latios more easily. The increased bulk makes Scizor a much more effective check to Trick Room Reuniclus, who is a very big threat to your team. The new spread should be 200 HP | 252 Sp Def | 56 Atk. The attack is still enough to get the KOs you need, but if you feel the power drop is too noticeable then keep your current set.

Good luck!

 

[BKC]

Sup Rat, this is a great team and for the most part, it covers the metagame well; however, Specs Latios can mess you up pretty badly. It 2HKOs everything on your team with Draco Meteor, even Scizor. I would try running a spread of 248 HP / 44 Atk / 216 SpD with a Careful nature; this allows you to trap Latios more efficiently. The loss in power is made up for by Scizor's naturally high attack and the Choice Band. The other thing that's worth considering is Psyshock > Psychic on Reuniclus - as IronBullet mentioned, it helps beat other Calm Minders, namely Virizion, who can be extremely threatening if it's carrying Life Orb. With these changes your team looks extremely solid, good luck!

Also, keep Ice Fang on Hippo. Otherwise, Air Balloon Excadrill is going to sweep you clean.

 

[Bowl Cut]

Parkway Drive <3

Great team overall, Rat. I'd recommend Specially Defensive Scizor over your current one, as it checks the Terrakion variants that could potentially 2HKO your entire team, as well as it helps you sponge D-Meteors from Lati@s way better and take on Reuniclus (if you encounter any) a lot better as well.

You seem pretty much set for the metagame as of now, most major threats checked, the only thing you should change is the Scizor and you're good to go. Great team, good luck.

 

[-RatCheesy]

if you dont use rapid spin try out x-scissor or brick break depending on who you need to counter

I've been trying out X-Scissor and its been really helpful against Nasty Plot Celebi.

also i think you should run roar over ice fang for gliscor even though its x4 it does max 46.5% so gliscor still laughs and protects for the recovery

Roar would help but Hippo needs ice fang to pop Excadrill's balloon, and its my best way of dealing with the mole. Also without ice fang, Gliscor kicks its ass and sets up all over it. Thanks for your input though.

Hey,

This is a fantastic team, and it's great to see someone having success with sandstorm withot ttar. Just a nitpick, but Psyshock is a better option than Psychic on defensive CM Reuniclus. It's important that you don't lose CM wars with Pokemon such as Latias, Suicune and Virizion, which makes Psyshock a much better option. You also beat Blissey handily, while the only Pokemon which a +1 Psyshock doesn't hit hard enough is Gliscor, who is lured out and weakened by Hippowdon's Ice Fang.

It would be helpful to try out a more specially defensive set on your Scizor to take resisted dragon attacks from the likes of Latios more easily. The increased bulk makes Scizor a much more effective check to Trick Room Reuniclus, who is a very big threat to your team. The new spread should be 200 HP | 252 Sp Def | 56 Atk. The attack is still enough to get the KOs you need, but if you feel the power drop is too noticeable then keep your current set.
Good luck!

Hey, Thanks bro!

I've dropped Psychic for Psyshock like suggested, very important to win CM wars. Yeah, I'll definitely keep Ice Fang on Hippowdon as I wouldn't want Gliscor to set up on my team. Any bit of a damage Ice Fang gets on Gliscor is good imo. Specially defensive Scizor is a great idea, I will miss the brute power with max attack but I don't want Latios causing too much damage to the team. I'll take your suggestion and try out the ev spread as I'm sure it will help.

Thanks for the rate!

Sup Rat, this is a great team and for the most part, it covers the metagame well; however, Specs Latios can mess you up pretty badly. It 2HKOs everything on your team with Draco Meteor, even Scizor. I would try running a spread of 248 HP / 44 Atk / 216 SpD with a Careful nature; this allows you to trap Latios more efficiently. The loss in power is made up for by Scizor's naturally high attack and the Choice Band. The other thing that's worth considering is Psyshock > Psychic on Reuniclus - as IronBullet mentioned, it helps beat other Calm Minders, namely Virizion, who can be extremely threatening if it's carrying Life Orb. With these changes your team looks extremely solid, good luck!

Also, keep Ice Fang on Hippo. Otherwise, Air Balloon Excadrill is going to sweep you clean.

Hey, BKC!

It's true, Specs Latios is a big threat and taking repeated Draco Meteors really sucks. It seems Scizor needs the change ASAP with the spread. Definitely replaced Psychic for Psyshock, I can't lose to other CM'ers or it puts me in a tough spot. Ice Fang will be kept for sure.

Thanks for the rate, greatly appreciated!

Parkway Drive <3

Great team overall, Rat. I'd recommend Specially Defensive Scizor over your current one, as it checks the Terrakion variants that could potentially 2HKO your entire team, as well as it helps you sponge D-Meteors from Lati@s way better and take on Reuniclus (if you encounter any) a lot better as well.

You seem pretty much set for the metagame as of now, most major threats checked, the only thing you should change is the Scizor and you're good to go. Great team, good luck.

Hey, Fossul! PWD <3

Scizor spread will be changed pronto, the lack of power will be missed from CB but I need assurance against Latios and other special attackers like you mentioned.

Thanks a lot for the rate!

 

[Tobes]

Cool team. I do have a minor suggestion, and that is switching your exact Latios set to Latias. The extra bulk helps you take on rain teams a bit more easily, especially since Hippowdon can't switch into Politoed. Again, as with the bulkier Scizor suggestions, if you feel the power drop is too noticable then don't worry about it and stick with what you have.

Good luck.

 

[yond]

Hi ape,

this team is solid after the changes implemented and there isn't much else I can recommend to make it much better. Some things I want to highlight though are you should not completey rule out frustration over x-scissor on excadrill, because I think you have celebi covered well Latios. (celebi normally run giga / hp fire or psychic so they cant touch you.) Frustration does give you better coverage against things like landlos / and gliscor.

I'd also say you could give HP fighting a chance over fire on Latios if you decide to stick with x-scissor on Excadrill. That way you can 2hko tar on the switch and have Latios to wreak havoc later on.

My last nitpick is maybe having tbolt over HP Fire on Rotom-w only because scarf tbolt can clean against rain teams a lot late game. You may want to consider it if you find yourself not using hp fire alot.

cheers

 

[-RatCheesy]

Cool team. I do have a minor suggestion, and that is switching your exact Latios set to Latias. The extra bulk helps you take on rain teams a bit more easily, especially since Hippowdon can't switch into Politoed. Again, as with the bulkier Scizor suggestions, if you feel the power drop is too noticable then don't worry about it and stick with what you have.

Good luck.

I'll try out Latias, I do like the significant bulk she adds but the lack of power would be a con.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Hi ape,

this team is solid after the changes implemented and there isn't much else I can recommend to make it much better. Some things I want to highlight though are you should not completey rule out frustration over x-scissor on excadrill, because I think you have celebi covered well Latios. (celebi normally run giga / hp fire or psychic so they cant touch you.) Frustration does give you better coverage against things like landlos / and gliscor.

I'd also say you could give HP fighting a chance over fire on Latios if you decide to stick with x-scissor on Excadrill. That way you can 2hko tar on the switch and have Latios to wreak havoc later on.

My last nitpick is maybe having tbolt over HP Fire on Rotom-w only because scarf tbolt can clean against rain teams a lot late game. You may want to consider it if you find yourself not using hp fire alot.

cheers

I might keep X-Scissor on Excadrill just for assurance against Celebi but Frustration is really worth considering. Changing HP Fire for Thunderbolt on Rotom-W is a great idea! Being able to clean sweep late game with Tbolt is a huge benefit, as Volt Switch won't allow me to do that. Latios would keep HP Fire as I need to deal with Scizor and all other steels.

Great suggestions Yondie.

 

[Blingox24]

seen this team so many times, but hey it works

 

[-RatCheesy]

seen this team so many times, but hey it works

Mostly all offensive sand teams have similar structure, there are those that work and some that fail.

 

[xtra$hine]

ok lets see what I can rate.. im probably the worse rater on smogon :P
Umm.. Possible give 36 speed evs on hippo to outspeed chanseys and donphans..
I feel so embarassed -_- there is just nothing to change this team handles everything
I am thinking about..

Good team though, Glad to see you in B/W ;)