My Sandstorm team (RMT)

[kiryu3000]

Hi all. This is my first rate my team thread, but I'm gonna go ahead and post a team.

Like the title says, I am planning to make a Sandstorm team. I have a bunch of Pokemon that could be helpful, but the bad thing is, I can only use 6 of them. Well, off the top of my head here's what I'm thinking of so far:

I will now explain each of them in detail:

Nature: Adamant
Item: Chople Berry/Leftovers
EV: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4 HP
Moves:
-Dragon Dance
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Fire Punch

The above set is rather simple: DD until you get a good speed and sweep. I am favouring Fire Punch over Earthquake because my Rhyperior and Gliscor will be using them. If Tyranitar has Earthquake, then I would have too many EQ users. Also, Rhyperior and Gliscor are better candidates for EQ due to STAB, so I think I'll leave it at that. This is also my lead to set up Sandstorm early.

EDIT: Chople Berry could be used instead of Leftovers to protect from fighting attacks. I don't know how many leads use fighting moves out there, but if there aren't a lot, I'd replace it with the berry that reduces the power of Steel-type attack (forgot its name) due to BP Scizor/Metagross.

Nature: Adamant
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EV: 252 Atk, 252 Def, 4 HP
Moves:
-Megahorn
-Stone Edge
-Earthquake
-Thunder Punch

The Rhyperior serves as a physical wall and is to be played defensively because of its physical bulk and a boost to its special bulk due to Sandstorm. The strategy behind it is to switch in into a physical attacker, and act while predicting what the opponent will switch in (probably a special sweeper). This strategy worked, as I have killed a Suicune on a switch-in with a Thunder Punch once :)

Nature: Bold
Item: Leftovers
EV: 252 Hp, 252 Def, 4 Sp Atk
Moves:
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Wish
-Substitute

The Vaporeon is used to cover my team's water weakness (actually, more like to benefit from it). It also acts as a Wish support for my team and I think it will be quite useful since my team consists of mostly bulky characters. I am unsure about the EV spread though; should I give it more special attack EV's?

Nature: Jolly
Ability: Sand Veil
Item: Leftovers
EV: 252 Hp, 252 Spd, 4 Atk
Moves:
-Earthquake
-Swords Dance
-Agility
-Baton Pass

This Gliscor has two roles: a ground sweeper and a baton passer. Basically, I use Agility first, then depending on the situation: if I get Taunted, I sweep. If not, I use Swords Dance. I chose Earthquake over Taunt because Gliscor isn't the fastest Pokemon around, and Taunt isn't too useful during mid-game (in my opinion, as this is when I'll be using Gliscor). Also, this guy provides a fighting type resistance that my Tyranitar would not like very much. Sand Veil is there to help Gliscor survive in Sandstorm (and if you say this is being reliant on luck, just look at Thunder users without rain or Focus Blast users).

Nature: Bold
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EV: 252 Hp, 252 Def, 4 Sp. Def
Moves:
-Aromatherapy
-Softboiled
-Toxic
-Counter

Our most favourite cleric. The strategy is pretty straight-forward; switch in on a special attacker and support your team by ridding them of status. Counter is there to surprise physical attackers, and Blissey should have enough physical bulk to survive any neutral attacks. I would replace Softboiled with Wish, but I don't know where to get a WishBliss yet...

Nature: Adamant
Item: Lum Berry/Occa Berry
EV: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4 HP
Moves:
-Swords Dance
-Bullet Punch
-Brick Break
-X-Scissor

Meh, I guess the main reason I put this in is to switch in on a Grass-type attack (as my team at this point has a common grass weakness). The strategy is to SD and then sweep with Bullet Punch if the enemy does not resist it. I received this Scizor from a trade at level 100, and I think it would be better if the EV's went into HP and not Speed since BP does not care about speed. But I think the speed EV's are there in case if the opponent switches in into the BP (e.g. Empoleon).

My spare Poke's and their brief explanation:

Nature: Impish
Item: Leftovers
EV's: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Atk
Moves:
-Slack Off
-Ice Fang
-Earthquake
-Stone Edge/Stealth Rock

I might use this either as a lead or a mid-game physical wall. The former will use SR instead of SE, and the latter will have SE instead of SR. This is basically a backup Sandstorm bringer should my Tyranitar die and the weather changes.

Nature: Sassy
Ability: Levitate
Item: Light Clay
EV's: 252 HP, 152 Atk, 8 Def, 96 SpD
Moves:
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Gyro Ball
-Explosion

A support member designed to give more bulk to my team. Gyro Ball is there as an attacking option to take advantage of Bronzong's shitty speed and Explosion is to get at least almost a OHKO on anything that does not resist it. I can't remember the exact EV spread, but I remember basing it off the one from the Smogon analysis.

Nature: Timid
Ability: Natural Cure
Item: Choice Specs
EV's: 252 Sp Atk, 252 Spd, 4 HP
Moves:
-Trick
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-ThunderBolt

This is my special sweeper and again, to resist water-type moves. This is a sweeper and a Poke-crippler. Yeah.

Nature: Jolly
Ability: Pressure
Item: Focus Sash
EV's: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4 HP
Moves:
-Stealth Rock
-Taunt
-Stone Edge
-Earthquake

If I use this, this would be my lead to set up SR early, and to cripple set-ups with Taunt. After that, try to score OHKO's with super-effective moves (assuming that the opponent is not that physically bulky).

That's it for now I guess.

 

[xWOLFYx]

You should rethink your Blissey set. It can't touch Heatran or Gengar or Rest Talk / Sub + Charge Beam Rotom. If Gengar gets a sub off (which alot carry due to being Bullet Punch / Pursuit Scizor weak), he will cause some trouble for this team since Blissey, normally his greatest roadblock can't even touch him at all. Heatran can do a number of things. He can sub and Toxic anything that switches in and nothing on your team would like getting Toxic'd and then eating an Earth Power / Fire Blast while they try break the sub. Also, just FYI, you can't use Wish and Aromatherapy together.

 

[kiryu3000]

You should rethink your Blissey set. It can't touch Heatran or Gengar or Rest Talk / Sub + Charge Beam Rotom. If Gengar gets a sub off (which alot carry due to being Bullet Punch / Pursuit Scizor weak), he will cause some trouble for this team since Blissey, normally his greatest roadblock can't even touch him at all. Heatran can do a number of things. He can sub and Toxic anything that switches in and nothing on your team would like getting Toxic'd and then eating an Earth Power / Fire Blast while they try break the sub. Also, just FYI, you can't use Wish and Aromatherapy together.

Alright, then how's this set?

Nature: Bold
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Natural Cure
EV: 252 Hp, 252 Def, 4 Sp. Def
Moves:
-Aromatherapy
-Softboiled
-Thunder Wave
-Flamethrower/Counter

I replaced Toxic with Thunder Wave so that I can cripple Heatran and Gengars. Also, instead of Counter, I am considering Flamethrower in case if I come across Gengars or Dusknoirs. Personally, I think I should go with Counter because I think paralyzing Gengar/Dusknoir/Rotom is enough to cause a switch.

After looking at my team, I think I have too many leftover users...I will edit soon and give them better items.

 

[Snorlaxe]

Well, Dragon Dance Tyranitar is supposed to be a late game sweeper, and you should treat him as such. If you want to get the Sandstorm party started early, use Hippowdon. Then put Tyrannitar later in your lineup. The set that you have for Hippowdon is a good one for lead (definitely with Stealth Rock). I guess you could get rid of Blissey for Ttar or whatever you like.

Also, you might want Hidden Power Electric for Vaporeon so you can truly get rid of Water types. Good luck! :D

 

[Dangerous]

The Rhyperior serves as a physical wall and is to be played defensively because of its physical bulk and a boost to its special bulk due to Sandstorm. The strategy behind it is to switch in into a physical attacker, and act while predicting what the opponent will switch in (probably a special sweeper). This strategy worked, as I have killed a Suicune on a switch-in with a Thunder Punch once :)

Earthquake or Stone Edge would do just as much to Suicune as Thunderpunch will, you might want to replace that with Avalanche or something more supportive.

 

[kiryu3000]

Earthquake or Stone Edge would do just as much to Suicune as Thunderpunch will, you might want to replace that with Avalanche or something more supportive.

That sounds good, but Avalanche won't be as useful if the opponent switches out (because Rhyperior needs to be damaged in order for Avalanche to have double power). Thunder Punch can really surprise opponents like those using Gyarados, but does nothing against Swampert. Oh well, I guess I'll go with Avalanche.

Here's my new thought for my Sandstorm team:

Nature: Adamant
Item: Chople Berry
EV: 252 Atk, 252 Spd, 4 HP
Moves:
-Dragon Dance
-Stone Edge
-Crunch
-Fire Punch

The above set is rather simple: DD until you get a good speed and sweep. I am favouring Fire Punch over Earthquake because my Rhyperior and Gliscor will be using them. If Tyranitar has Earthquake, then I would have too many EQ users. Also, Rhyperior and Gliscor are better candidates for EQ due to STAB, so I think I'll leave it at that.

Nature: Adamant
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Solid Rock
EV: 252 Atk, 252 Def, 4 HP
Moves:
-Megahorn
-Stone Edge
-Earthquake
-Avalanche

The Rhyperior serves as a physical wall and is to be played defensively because of its physical bulk and a boost to its special bulk due to Sandstorm. The strategy behind it is to switch in into a physical attacker, and act while predicting what the opponent will switch in (probably a special sweeper). This strategy worked, as I have killed a Suicune on a switch-in with a Thunder Punch once :)

Nature: Bold
Item: Leftovers
EV: 252 Hp, 252 Def, 4 Sp Atk
Moves:
-Surf
-Ice Beam
-Wish
-Hidden Power Electric (mine has 68 power)

The Vaporeon is used to cover my team's water weakness (actually, more like to benefit from it). It also acts as a Wish support for my team and I think it will be quite useful since my team consists of mostly bulky characters. I am unsure about the EV spread though; should I give it more special attack EV's?

Nature: Jolly
Ability: Sand Veil
Item: Leftovers
EV: 252 Hp, 252 Spd, 4 Atk
Moves:
-Earthquake
-Swords Dance
-Agility
-Baton Pass

This Gliscor has two roles: a ground sweeper and a baton passer. Basically, I use Agility first, then depending on the situation: if I get Taunted, I sweep. If not, I use Swords Dance. I chose Earthquake over Taunt because Gliscor isn't the fastest Pokemon around, and Taunt isn't too useful during mid-game (in my opinion, as this is when I'll be using Gliscor). Also, this guy provides a fighting type resistance that my Tyranitar would not like very much. Sand Veil is there to help Gliscor survive in Sandstorm (and if you say this is being reliant on luck, just look at Thunder users without rain or Focus Blast users).

Nature: Impish
Item: Leftovers
EV's: 252 HP, 252 Def, 4 Atk
Moves:
-Slack Off/Roar
-Ice Fang/Roar
-Earthquake
-Stealth Rock

This shall be my lead to set up Stealth Rock. I am not sure if I should go for Roar or for Ice Fang, because Hippowdon can get Taunted easily by Aerodactyl if it goes for Roar and Ice Fang does not pack quite a punch against anything that is not weak to it. I was thinking of getting rid of Slack Off in exchange for Ice Fang/Roar as I have a Wish-supporting Vaporeon, but even that is not guaranteed if I attempt to switch into Hippo after a Wish during an incoming grass attack. Hard decisions...

Nature: Sassy
Ability: Levitate
Item: Light Clay
EV's: 252 HP, 152 Atk, 8 Def, 96 SpD
Moves:
-Reflect
-Light Screen
-Gyro Ball
-Explosion

A support member designed to give more bulk to my team. Gyro Ball is there as an attacking option to take advantage of Bronzong's shitty speed and Explosion is to get at least almost a OHKO on anything that does not resist it. I can't remember the exact EV spread, but I remember basing it off the one from the Smogon analysis.

I replaced Scizor with Bronzong because it also resists Grass. Although Bronzong only has 2x resistance as opposed to Scizor's 4x resistance to grass, Bronzong is bulkier to compensate for it. Scizor can be difficult to switch into because it is fairly fragile for a Steel-type and is too slow to set up. My Scizor set also has no means to raise speed, meaning it can easily be walled by the likes of Scarfed Heatran. Also, I think passing on screens to a Gliscor setting up is a bonus too.

 

[el fizz]

well i was comparing your two teams... your first one is slightly better resistance wise... Scizor resisted grass better than zong does. But in comparison... your first team had 3 weak to grass and water and now your team has 4 weak to grass and water. and one resistance or immunity doesn't mean its fixed. Blissey was a nice touch on your first team, I would keep that. And maybe think about a latias to fill in your last spot. perhaps a specially bulky variant. It doesn't fix your grass weakness, but it helps with the water.

 

[kiryu3000]

well i was comparing your two teams... your first one is slightly better resistance wise... Scizor resisted grass better than zong does. But in comparison... your first team had 3 weak to grass and water and now your team has 4 weak to grass and water. and one resistance or immunity doesn't mean its fixed. Blissey was a nice touch on your first team, I would keep that. And maybe think about a latias to fill in your last spot. perhaps a specially bulky variant. It doesn't fix your grass weakness, but it helps with the water.

Latias could be a screener and a Wish support as well, but then that gives my team 3 Poke's weak to Ice. Bronzong is resistant to both Grass and Ice, so...yeah. I could add a Heatran but that gives me more water weakness...

 

[el fizz]

it definitely wont be as simple as one change. You will need to rethink a few things. Rhyperior give you two big x4 weaknesses. Perhaps think about moving him.

Perhaps something like this...

tyranitar, gliscor, vaporeon, bronzong, latias, scizor

Your weaknesses are covered pretty well with that team. And you only have two pokemon not being damaged by SS.

 

[kiryu3000]

it definitely wont be as simple as one change. You will need to rethink a few things. Rhyperior give you two big x4 weaknesses. Perhaps think about moving him.

Perhaps something like this...

tyranitar, gliscor, vaporeon, bronzong, latias, scizor

Your weaknesses are covered pretty well with that team. And you only have two pokemon not being damaged by SS.

Er...what's a SS?

Also, if I'm using Latias, I might use it as a bulky sweeper. This is the set that I'm considering:

Nature: Timid
Item: Leftovers/Life Orb
252 Spd, 252 Sp. Atk, 4 HP

Moves:
-Calm Mind
-Dragon Pulse
-ThunderBolt
-Recover

The strategy is to either switch in on something that Latias will scare and set up Calm Minds to sweep. An alternative strategy is to Baton Pass Agilities using Gliscor while hopefully predicting a water attack (but still pretty screwed in an oncoming ice attack, in which case you would pass to Scizor). I gave ThunderBolt as the other attacking option to take care of most Steel types that resist Dragon Pulse (Magnezone resists both), but I have Gliscor for that. Recover is to heal off hitpoints if using Life Orb to last longer and because it is to be played somewhat defensively.

 

[el fizz]

SS means sandstorm

 

[duffman]

Sorry dont have time for full rating.
You should make gliscor a defensive set or your team gets destroyed by all sorts of fighting types.

 

[Annoying Old Party Man]

i would use babiri berry on ttar

 

[kiryu3000]

it definitely wont be as simple as one change. You will need to rethink a few things. Rhyperior give you two big x4 weaknesses. Perhaps think about moving him.

Perhaps something like this...

tyranitar, gliscor, vaporeon, bronzong, latias, scizor

Your weaknesses are covered pretty well with that team. And you only have two pokemon not being damaged by SS.

Hmm...but then what will be my lead? I was thinking of replacing Gliscor with Hippowdon so that I could ditch the idea of Baton-passing SD and Agility.

Yeah, I think Babiri berry would be better on Tyranitar.

 

[el fizz]

You could still easily lead with ttar. With just about any set.

 

[kiryu3000]

You could still easily lead with ttar. With just about any set.

Alrighty then. I just have one thing to say: this team would look like it would get raped by CM Suicunes. I mean, my only special attackers are Vaporeon and Latias, which could prove useless if the Suicune manages to set up using Calm Minds. So I was thinking of either giving Vaporeon Roar or adding a physical attacker to combat Suicune.

If I go for roaring Vaporeon, then its moveset would be like this:

Surf
HP Electric
Wish
Roar

I decided not to teach Latias Roar because Suicune would most likely have an Ice Beam, which could prove fatal as it has a few Calm Minds ready by the time I use Roar (not to mention Roar has a negative priority).

If I go for another physical attacker for the task, then I would pick either Swampert or Snorlax, but if it comes down to it, I'd prefer the latter due to more special bulkiness.

So...yeah. Should I even worry about Suicunes after I lead with Ttar?