Hi guys! I have been playing pokemon for years now but decided to get more into the competitive scene recently. I started playing OU with Mega Manectric, but have been rather disappointed in him due to his rather lackluster ability, and relatively weak SPA stat. Decided to go back to my original starting pokemon, Sceptile, since his ability is quite good in some matchups, and his speed and SPA are much better than Manectric's. Here is his set:
Sceptile-Mega (M) @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Decided to go with a mixed attacker to help fight heatran and clefable easier after a leaf storm is used. While he isn't a good switch in on most attackers, he is best brought in by a slow u turn or a weakened attacker. Best case scenario is having him already mega'd and switching into an electric type like rotom wash, manectric, zapdos, etc.
Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Earth Power
Decided on using Volcanion due to how it completes a FWG core with sceptile in only 2 pokemon, AND helps break through the walls that sceptile has trouble with. Also creates a water immunity that is pretty helpful for sand team pokemon. That brings me the the next two pokes
Excadrill (F) @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
Decided to run excadrill due to my need for a physical sweeper and rapid spinner for rocks and spikes. Went with sand rush so i wouldn't be choice locked into rapid spin and they switch into say ferrothorn, garchomp, or a ghost type, or lock into earthquake and they switch into a flying or levitator. the 602 speed after sandstorm is unrivaled, and he checks fairy types and flying types quite well, along with a plethora of other types thanks to the STAB ground type move.
Tyranitar (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Superpower
- Stone Edge
Chose Ttar as my sand setter, and chose choice band to make a physical wallbreaker with his attack stat at 600+. Also is a pursuit trapper to get things like celebi, latio(a)s, and more. Pretty safe switch in as well to special attackers due to a naturally high spD stat and completes the sand core for the team to fight stall better.
Last two slots are where i am having trouble with deciding. I saw someone once use the TankChomp/SPDSkarm core for the last two slots, but to me it feels like i have too many physical attackers at that point, and will o wisp becomes more powerful. Also Breloom becomes extremely strong against the team if i use this core as well. Another core I thought of using is SPD Zapdos/ Rocky helmet Landorus T due to the volt turn core it offers as well as a defensive core. Problem with that is that i get destroyed by low kick weevil and scarfed kyruem b. thoughts on the defensive core that i should use?
Sceptile-Mega (M) @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Decided to go with a mixed attacker to help fight heatran and clefable easier after a leaf storm is used. While he isn't a good switch in on most attackers, he is best brought in by a slow u turn or a weakened attacker. Best case scenario is having him already mega'd and switching into an electric type like rotom wash, manectric, zapdos, etc.
Volcanion @ Choice Specs
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Steam Eruption
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
- Earth Power
Decided on using Volcanion due to how it completes a FWG core with sceptile in only 2 pokemon, AND helps break through the walls that sceptile has trouble with. Also creates a water immunity that is pretty helpful for sand team pokemon. That brings me the the next two pokes
Excadrill (F) @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
Decided to run excadrill due to my need for a physical sweeper and rapid spinner for rocks and spikes. Went with sand rush so i wouldn't be choice locked into rapid spin and they switch into say ferrothorn, garchomp, or a ghost type, or lock into earthquake and they switch into a flying or levitator. the 602 speed after sandstorm is unrivaled, and he checks fairy types and flying types quite well, along with a plethora of other types thanks to the STAB ground type move.
Tyranitar (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 100 HP / 252 Atk / 156 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Pursuit
- Crunch
- Superpower
- Stone Edge
Chose Ttar as my sand setter, and chose choice band to make a physical wallbreaker with his attack stat at 600+. Also is a pursuit trapper to get things like celebi, latio(a)s, and more. Pretty safe switch in as well to special attackers due to a naturally high spD stat and completes the sand core for the team to fight stall better.
Last two slots are where i am having trouble with deciding. I saw someone once use the TankChomp/SPDSkarm core for the last two slots, but to me it feels like i have too many physical attackers at that point, and will o wisp becomes more powerful. Also Breloom becomes extremely strong against the team if i use this core as well. Another core I thought of using is SPD Zapdos/ Rocky helmet Landorus T due to the volt turn core it offers as well as a defensive core. Problem with that is that i get destroyed by low kick weevil and scarfed kyruem b. thoughts on the defensive core that i should use?
