Hi, welcome to my first team post!
I want to share my idea of introducing Levitate Weezing-Galar as a defensive option in a Doubles Sand team. I previously used a similar Sand team in 8DOU, and I’m really pleased to see that this build remains powerful in Gen 9.
I’ve made some innovations to the common Sand team structure. If you’re interested in trying a more defensive Sand team, this could be your chance.
EV spreads can still be optimised, so I’d appreciate any suggestions.
Proof of ranking:
here comes the Team. I’m not great at explaining each Pokémon in detail, so please bear with me.
https://pokepast.es/bad000260a558d6f
Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
Hidden Power: Ghost
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 160 HP / 248 Atk / 68 SpD / 32 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- Ice Punch
- Low Kick
I always prefer Assault Vest Tyranitar over Mega Tyranitar, as it can reliably switch into most special attackers. It can survive Landorus’ Earth Power or take a Moonblast from Flutter Mane(even with Choice Specs). Just consider whether it’s worth keeping on the field.
The 32 Speed EVs let it outspeed Landorus under Tailwind. The rest of the EVs don’t have a strict calculation behind them.
Dracovish @ Clear Amulet
Ability: Sand Rush
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fishious Rend
- Substitute
- Low Kick
- Protect
Fishious Rend is so powerful that Dracovish has plenty of flexibility for its other moves. That’s why I included Substitute, making it a much bigger threat. Many opponents will either Protect or switch into other mons (like Rillaboom) to handle Fishious Rend, giving us a chance to set up Substitute to avoid Fake Out or other tricky stuff.
However, without Strong Jaw, Dracovish isn’t as reliable, so I opted for an Adamant nature instead of Jolly.
Weezing-Galar @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 240 HP / 248 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Strange Steam
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Haze
This is the defensive core of the team. Weezing-Galar can safely switch into physical attackers and cripple them with Will-O-Wisp, including Chien-Pao, Rillaboom, Landorus-Therian, and even Kingambit (as it’s slower). It also checks Iron Defense + Body Press Pokémon, which are big threats to Sand teams. However, it has poor Special Defense.
A Return from Salamence-Mega will damage around 60%, switch in Salamence for Intimidate will give you a better chance to burn it.
I chose Tera Water to help against Rain teams or Choice Band Dracovish.
I’m still struggling with different items (Leftovers/Berries) and moves (Protect, Taunt, Sludge Bomb, Flamethrower), so I haven’t settled on a final build.
Excadrill @ Groundium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Horsepower
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
Honestly, there’s no specific reason for Excadrill being here—I just wanted someone to use a Z-move, and it felt like the best choice for a Sand team.
Salamence-Mega @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Draco Meteor
- Tailwind
- Protect
A standard Special Attacker Mega Salamence. Tailwind is essential for countering other Tailwind or weather teams.
As a speed controller, its a preferable choice compared to Tornadus, as its Intimidate, resistances, (and of course move accuracy).
Heatran @ Assault Vest
Ability: Flash Fire
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Heat Wave
- Flash Cannon
- Tera Blast
- Earth Power
Still, a common Assault Vest Heatran, choosed as second core of defending.
I want to share my idea of introducing Levitate Weezing-Galar as a defensive option in a Doubles Sand team. I previously used a similar Sand team in 8DOU, and I’m really pleased to see that this build remains powerful in Gen 9.
I’ve made some innovations to the common Sand team structure. If you’re interested in trying a more defensive Sand team, this could be your chance.
EV spreads can still be optimised, so I’d appreciate any suggestions.
Proof of ranking:
here comes the Team. I’m not great at explaining each Pokémon in detail, so please bear with me.
https://pokepast.es/bad000260a558d6f
Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
Hidden Power: Ghost
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 160 HP / 248 Atk / 68 SpD / 32 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Rock Slide
- Ice Punch
- Low Kick
I always prefer Assault Vest Tyranitar over Mega Tyranitar, as it can reliably switch into most special attackers. It can survive Landorus’ Earth Power or take a Moonblast from Flutter Mane(even with Choice Specs). Just consider whether it’s worth keeping on the field.
The 32 Speed EVs let it outspeed Landorus under Tailwind. The rest of the EVs don’t have a strict calculation behind them.
Dracovish @ Clear Amulet
Ability: Sand Rush
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fishious Rend
- Substitute
- Low Kick
- Protect
Fishious Rend is so powerful that Dracovish has plenty of flexibility for its other moves. That’s why I included Substitute, making it a much bigger threat. Many opponents will either Protect or switch into other mons (like Rillaboom) to handle Fishious Rend, giving us a chance to set up Substitute to avoid Fake Out or other tricky stuff.
However, without Strong Jaw, Dracovish isn’t as reliable, so I opted for an Adamant nature instead of Jolly.
Weezing-Galar @ Safety Goggles
Ability: Levitate
Shiny: Yes
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 240 HP / 248 Def / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Strange Steam
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split
- Haze
This is the defensive core of the team. Weezing-Galar can safely switch into physical attackers and cripple them with Will-O-Wisp, including Chien-Pao, Rillaboom, Landorus-Therian, and even Kingambit (as it’s slower). It also checks Iron Defense + Body Press Pokémon, which are big threats to Sand teams. However, it has poor Special Defense.
A Return from Salamence-Mega will damage around 60%, switch in Salamence for Intimidate will give you a better chance to burn it.
I chose Tera Water to help against Rain teams or Choice Band Dracovish.
I’m still struggling with different items (Leftovers/Berries) and moves (Protect, Taunt, Sludge Bomb, Flamethrower), so I haven’t settled on a final build.
Excadrill @ Groundium Z
Ability: Sand Rush
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- High Horsepower
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Iron Head
Honestly, there’s no specific reason for Excadrill being here—I just wanted someone to use a Z-move, and it felt like the best choice for a Sand team.
Salamence-Mega @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Dragon
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hyper Voice
- Draco Meteor
- Tailwind
- Protect
A standard Special Attacker Mega Salamence. Tailwind is essential for countering other Tailwind or weather teams.
As a speed controller, its a preferable choice compared to Tornadus, as its Intimidate, resistances, (and of course move accuracy).
Heatran @ Assault Vest
Ability: Flash Fire
Tera Type: Grass
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
- Heat Wave
- Flash Cannon
- Tera Blast
- Earth Power
Still, a common Assault Vest Heatran, choosed as second core of defending.