Pokepaste: https://pokepast.es/1d48ded5b4031a2c
My main inspiration for making this team was how Tyranitar's usage and winrate has been a bit sad lately so I wanted to modernize sand for NDUU. Most of the teams that use Tyranitar sand are generally weak to mons like M-Gardevoir, Okidogi, and Swampert, all of which have risen in popularity for our new meta without Iron Moth (although Gardevoir and Okidogi were already doing well or on the rise prior to the moth ban). I also didn't have many Tyranitar teams in my builder without Moth at the time of making this.
The Team:
Okidogi
Okidogi @ Assault Vest
Ability: Toxic Chain
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Psychic Fangs
This set trades very well with a lot of the mons which sand teams struggle with, as well as being the most potent breaker in the format. The Jolly Nature alongside Psychic Fangs allows it to get a surprise knockout on opposing Okidogi while resisting both of Okidogi's stab moves. It also punches holes in physical walls like Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Swampert that can allow other members like Tyranitar and Excadrill to clean up late game. This set does thud into Pecharunt sadly but the rest of the team has enough power/momentum to break through it with other means.
Tyranitar
Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Stealth Rock
I decided not to stray far from the norm when it came to Tyranitar sets, but the Jolly nature allows Tyranitar to always outspeed Aegislash and either trap it with Pursuit or outright KO it with Knock Off. TTar is able to set rocks reliably against many common Pokemon right now such as Hydreigon, Pecharunt, and Slowbro/King. Pursuit allows it to trap pesky ghost and psychic types such as Blacephalon and M-Latias. Depending on the set, it can also trap Victini, though it requires the right terrain to fill this role more reliably. Overall, despite its poor winrate lately, Tyranitar is a mon that generates progress for this team no matter the matchup.
Skarmory
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Body Press
- Iron Defense
- Roost
- Spikes
Iron Press Skarmory appreciates Tyranitar getting rid of most problematic ghost/psychic types it would otherwise struggle with, allowing it to stomach most physical attackers with ease and set Spikes when forcing them out. Skarmory also gives the team a much needed ground immunity. Spikes also aid in the Swampert MU, chipping it over time to be put in range of our other physical attackers. Amusingly, having 0 attack also means you wall Foul Play Pecharunt; neat! Skarmory can be chipped down over time though, so you have to be careful with when you use it to check certain mons. Pokes like Mienshao can wear it down with repeated U-Turns and Close Combats.
Excadrill
Excadrill @ Steelium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
Steel Z Excadrill is the team's sand abuser and acts as speed control, hazard removal, potent revenge killer, and sweeper all in one. Its incredible attacking power allows it to effortlessly clean up games against weakened teams and +2 Corkscrew Crash deals insane damage even to bulky resists like Celesteela (+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Corkscrew Crash (160 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Celesteela: 71.7 - 84.6%). There are also very few Pokemon that can revenge KO Excadrill in sand if it is boosted, making it fairly consistent in its role. Still, getting a Swords Dance off against a competent player can be hard when this set is so obvious and Excadrill is vulnerable to status moves like Will-o-Wisp or stray Scald burns.
Tapu Fini
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Draining Kiss
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
Thankfully, our next team member clears up our status weakness while also setting up and taking advantage of many of the Pokemon Excadrill struggles to break past. It also compliments Tyranitar incredibly well, acting as a sturdy fighting, water, and bug resist while giving it an immunity to status moves so it can trap Pokemon like Sub/Toxic Aegislash or Victini. Its dragon immunity is great for Skarmory, as it has to worry much less about being worn down by mons like Hydreigon, Salamence, or Hisuian Goodra. However, Tapu Fini does more than simply aid the team in their own breaking capabilities, but its Taunt/Calm Mind set allows it to set up on its own and break through teams too bulky for the rest of the team to handle. The given EV spread allows it to outspeed Jolly base 50 speed Pokemon like Azumarill and Ursaluna while also being faster than Adamant base 60 Pokemon such as Aegislash and Hisuian Goodra. Tapu Fini also acts as an incredible Keldeo check, a mon which can usually spell disaster for TTar/Skarmory teams lacking a solid answer.
Hydreigon
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon
- U-turn
The last Pokemon I wanted for this team was a Dragon type with an immunity or resistance to Ground. M-Latias and Hydrapple were both tempting, but I couldn't justify making the team so M-Gardevoir weak with only Excadrill hitting it for solid damage. Hydreigon offers valuable speed control and pivoting for the team in matchups were sand staying on the field isn't guaranteed, it also pressures Pecharunt very well while threatening M-Gardevoir with a hard hitting Flash Cannon. Its stab moves offer reliable damage to soften teams or you can elect to U-Turn on special walls coming in so that Okidogi, Tyranitar, or Excadrill can gain valuable momentum.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I'm quite happy with this team as it was one of my first teambuilding challenges I wanted to tackle, but I know it's rough around the edges. Hyper offense is a daunting matchup, and M-Gardevoir still shreds this team when it's played well. I'd love to hear y'all's thoughts and critiques if you have any, it'd be cool to make TTar/Excadrill more consistent in this meta.
This has also been my first RMT so thank you for reading! :D
My main inspiration for making this team was how Tyranitar's usage and winrate has been a bit sad lately so I wanted to modernize sand for NDUU. Most of the teams that use Tyranitar sand are generally weak to mons like M-Gardevoir, Okidogi, and Swampert, all of which have risen in popularity for our new meta without Iron Moth (although Gardevoir and Okidogi were already doing well or on the rise prior to the moth ban). I also didn't have many Tyranitar teams in my builder without Moth at the time of making this.
The Team:
Okidogi
Okidogi @ Assault Vest
Ability: Toxic Chain
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Psychic Fangs
This set trades very well with a lot of the mons which sand teams struggle with, as well as being the most potent breaker in the format. The Jolly Nature alongside Psychic Fangs allows it to get a surprise knockout on opposing Okidogi while resisting both of Okidogi's stab moves. It also punches holes in physical walls like Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Swampert that can allow other members like Tyranitar and Excadrill to clean up late game. This set does thud into Pecharunt sadly but the rest of the team has enough power/momentum to break through it with other means.
Tyranitar
Tyranitar @ Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Knock Off
- Pursuit
- Stealth Rock
I decided not to stray far from the norm when it came to Tyranitar sets, but the Jolly nature allows Tyranitar to always outspeed Aegislash and either trap it with Pursuit or outright KO it with Knock Off. TTar is able to set rocks reliably against many common Pokemon right now such as Hydreigon, Pecharunt, and Slowbro/King. Pursuit allows it to trap pesky ghost and psychic types such as Blacephalon and M-Latias. Depending on the set, it can also trap Victini, though it requires the right terrain to fill this role more reliably. Overall, despite its poor winrate lately, Tyranitar is a mon that generates progress for this team no matter the matchup.
Skarmory
Skarmory @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Body Press
- Iron Defense
- Roost
- Spikes
Iron Press Skarmory appreciates Tyranitar getting rid of most problematic ghost/psychic types it would otherwise struggle with, allowing it to stomach most physical attackers with ease and set Spikes when forcing them out. Skarmory also gives the team a much needed ground immunity. Spikes also aid in the Swampert MU, chipping it over time to be put in range of our other physical attackers. Amusingly, having 0 attack also means you wall Foul Play Pecharunt; neat! Skarmory can be chipped down over time though, so you have to be careful with when you use it to check certain mons. Pokes like Mienshao can wear it down with repeated U-Turns and Close Combats.
Excadrill
Excadrill @ Steelium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rapid Spin
- Swords Dance
Steel Z Excadrill is the team's sand abuser and acts as speed control, hazard removal, potent revenge killer, and sweeper all in one. Its incredible attacking power allows it to effortlessly clean up games against weakened teams and +2 Corkscrew Crash deals insane damage even to bulky resists like Celesteela (+2 252+ Atk Excadrill Corkscrew Crash (160 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Celesteela: 71.7 - 84.6%). There are also very few Pokemon that can revenge KO Excadrill in sand if it is boosted, making it fairly consistent in its role. Still, getting a Swords Dance off against a competent player can be hard when this set is so obvious and Excadrill is vulnerable to status moves like Will-o-Wisp or stray Scald burns.
Tapu Fini
Tapu Fini @ Leftovers
Ability: Misty Surge
EVs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Draining Kiss
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
Thankfully, our next team member clears up our status weakness while also setting up and taking advantage of many of the Pokemon Excadrill struggles to break past. It also compliments Tyranitar incredibly well, acting as a sturdy fighting, water, and bug resist while giving it an immunity to status moves so it can trap Pokemon like Sub/Toxic Aegislash or Victini. Its dragon immunity is great for Skarmory, as it has to worry much less about being worn down by mons like Hydreigon, Salamence, or Hisuian Goodra. However, Tapu Fini does more than simply aid the team in their own breaking capabilities, but its Taunt/Calm Mind set allows it to set up on its own and break through teams too bulky for the rest of the team to handle. The given EV spread allows it to outspeed Jolly base 50 speed Pokemon like Azumarill and Ursaluna while also being faster than Adamant base 60 Pokemon such as Aegislash and Hisuian Goodra. Tapu Fini also acts as an incredible Keldeo check, a mon which can usually spell disaster for TTar/Skarmory teams lacking a solid answer.
Hydreigon
Hydreigon @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Dark Pulse
- Flash Cannon
- U-turn
The last Pokemon I wanted for this team was a Dragon type with an immunity or resistance to Ground. M-Latias and Hydrapple were both tempting, but I couldn't justify making the team so M-Gardevoir weak with only Excadrill hitting it for solid damage. Hydreigon offers valuable speed control and pivoting for the team in matchups were sand staying on the field isn't guaranteed, it also pressures Pecharunt very well while threatening M-Gardevoir with a hard hitting Flash Cannon. Its stab moves offer reliable damage to soften teams or you can elect to U-Turn on special walls coming in so that Okidogi, Tyranitar, or Excadrill can gain valuable momentum.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I'm quite happy with this team as it was one of my first teambuilding challenges I wanted to tackle, but I know it's rough around the edges. Hyper offense is a daunting matchup, and M-Gardevoir still shreds this team when it's played well. I'd love to hear y'all's thoughts and critiques if you have any, it'd be cool to make TTar/Excadrill more consistent in this meta.
This has also been my first RMT so thank you for reading! :D