So I've been using various pokemon and I discovered that I like using Sand Storm, I'm used to the pokemon, and I find them to be fun to use. The only problem I have with the team is finding the correct checking or counters. I tend to use pokemon I like without going over every weakness, I have been changing the team numerous times and I would like further help on it to really get full potential of my team.
I really have no where else to turn, I hope members of smogon can help me further enhance my team and give me advice on what to change or consider, now here is my team!
Hippowdon
Move 1: Earthquake
Move 2: Ice Fang
Move 3: Stealth Rock
Move 4: Slack Off
Nature: Adamant
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP/ 6 ATK/ 252 DEF
The reason I chose Hippowdon over Tyranitar is because I dislike the fighting weakness, and with more Fighting Types being used I feel Tyranitar may go down without doing much. So I chose Hippowdon.
He can take most physical attacks well and can even stand a few Special ones. I tend to use him first to set up Sand Storm and maybe a Stealth Rock if I can, if I think the opponent will taunt me I would use Ice Fang first, which usually gets the genie or Whimscott pretty well.
Earthquake is there as a solid stab move.
Tentacruel
Move 1: Scald
Move 2: Rapid Spin
Move 3: Toxic Spikes
Move 4: Hex
Nature: Calm
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP/ 64 DEF/ 176 S.DEF/ 16 SPE
I originally had Garchomp but felt he was a bit frail with ice beam being used a lot and I noticed that my team can be hurt by spikes and toxic spikes so I thought of using Tentacruel instead.
I usually bring him in on something that I can set up on, surprisingly I found that I can go against Ferrothorn pretty well and not be hurt much by it since Leech Seed would only hurt itself, and I can get a burn with Scald and set up my layers of Toxic Spikes. He also acts as my Rapid Spinner to get rid of pesky entry-hazards. However, I find little use of Hex since it doesn't do much damage but I don't know what to replace it with.
Stoutland
Move 1: Fire Fang
Move 2: Crunch
Move 3: Wild Charge
Move 4: Retaliate
Nature: Adamant
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 ATK/ 252 SPE
This guy surprises many people, I usually use him as my revenge-killer, if someone faints he can come in and get the quick Retaliate which usually hits the opponent for a OHKO. Afterwards I keep him in if he can take on the next opponent or switch him out. I am considering Choice Band for him to get the extra 20% power but I am nervous of being stuck in one move.
I feel Fire Fang is better than Ice Fang since I deal with Grass and Steel types more so than Dragon types.
Excadrill
Move 1: Earthquake
Move 2: Rock Slide
Move 3: Swords Dance
Move 4: X-Scissor
Nature: Jolly
Item: Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 ATK/ 4 DEF/252 SPE
IVs: 31 SPE
I know he is used a lot but I like him. He is perfect for a sand team and I usually save him for late game when I weakened the opponent. I try to get the Swords Dance when possible and start my sweep, I'm just careful with anything with Fire or Fighting type moves. The reason I went with Jolly and focused on it's speed is so it can outspeed another Excadrill or Sand Rusher.
Gastrodon
Move 1: Earth Power
Move 2: Ice Beam
Move 3: Toxic
Move 4: Recover
Nature: Bold
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 212 HP/ 252 DEF/ 44 S.ATK
I switch him on to a water type attack or something that I know he can take the hit and cripple the opponent with a Toxic or try to annoy since Gastrodon is tought to take down. Toxic kills him slowly since he can't recover from it and he gets walled by steels and Special Wallers.
Gliscor
Move 1: Fling
Move 2: Earthquake
Move 3: Acrobatics
Move 4: Protect
Nature: Impish
Item: Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP/ 184 DEF/ 72 SPE
My final pokemon. I use him to take out fighters and grass types. Most mostly fighting types. The first turn I use protect to get the poison status and then I will try to fling it to get a 100% poison attack. From there I use Acrobatics against on coming Fighting types or Earthquake for Stabbed neutral damage against everything else. I just wanted something to take care of Breloom since he walls my team pretty well.
Alternatives I was thinking of using:
Scizor: Thinking of using a Swords Dance Set, after three Swords Dances it can take almost anything out with Bullet Punch, but it has 4x Weakness to Fire.
Ferrothorn: He has great defenses, attack and resistances, thinking of using a set that could check many things like Power whip, Bulldoze, Payback, Gyro Ball. But he is very slow and has a 4x Weakness to Fire as well. But he may help more against Rain Teams.
Reuniclus: I always liked his design and I was thinking of using his Calm Mind Wall set with Magic Guard since it can go well with Sand Storm but I am not sure if it will be a good fit on my current team and if so, who he would replace.
Threats:
Reuniclus: The set I mentioned before usually gets me and I have trouble finishing him off. I tend to rely on someone fainting and using Stoutland for the speedy retaliate.
Breloom: This guy walls pretty much my whole team, threatening with either Spore, Fighting type attacks or Grass type attacks.
Scizor: This guy tends to set up and threaten with Bullet Punch. I really have no hazer of any kind so I have difficulty countering him since I don't have many Fire type moves.
So in conclusion, this is my team, I would like to change it or receive opinions on what I can do to help counter my threats and what changes I should make if any. Thank you for reading and I am looking forward in your responses.
I really have no where else to turn, I hope members of smogon can help me further enhance my team and give me advice on what to change or consider, now here is my team!
Hippowdon
Move 1: Earthquake
Move 2: Ice Fang
Move 3: Stealth Rock
Move 4: Slack Off
Nature: Adamant
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP/ 6 ATK/ 252 DEF
The reason I chose Hippowdon over Tyranitar is because I dislike the fighting weakness, and with more Fighting Types being used I feel Tyranitar may go down without doing much. So I chose Hippowdon.
He can take most physical attacks well and can even stand a few Special ones. I tend to use him first to set up Sand Storm and maybe a Stealth Rock if I can, if I think the opponent will taunt me I would use Ice Fang first, which usually gets the genie or Whimscott pretty well.
Earthquake is there as a solid stab move.
Tentacruel
Move 1: Scald
Move 2: Rapid Spin
Move 3: Toxic Spikes
Move 4: Hex
Nature: Calm
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 252 HP/ 64 DEF/ 176 S.DEF/ 16 SPE
I originally had Garchomp but felt he was a bit frail with ice beam being used a lot and I noticed that my team can be hurt by spikes and toxic spikes so I thought of using Tentacruel instead.
I usually bring him in on something that I can set up on, surprisingly I found that I can go against Ferrothorn pretty well and not be hurt much by it since Leech Seed would only hurt itself, and I can get a burn with Scald and set up my layers of Toxic Spikes. He also acts as my Rapid Spinner to get rid of pesky entry-hazards. However, I find little use of Hex since it doesn't do much damage but I don't know what to replace it with.
Stoutland
Move 1: Fire Fang
Move 2: Crunch
Move 3: Wild Charge
Move 4: Retaliate
Nature: Adamant
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 ATK/ 252 SPE
This guy surprises many people, I usually use him as my revenge-killer, if someone faints he can come in and get the quick Retaliate which usually hits the opponent for a OHKO. Afterwards I keep him in if he can take on the next opponent or switch him out. I am considering Choice Band for him to get the extra 20% power but I am nervous of being stuck in one move.
I feel Fire Fang is better than Ice Fang since I deal with Grass and Steel types more so than Dragon types.
Excadrill
Move 1: Earthquake
Move 2: Rock Slide
Move 3: Swords Dance
Move 4: X-Scissor
Nature: Jolly
Item: Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 ATK/ 4 DEF/252 SPE
IVs: 31 SPE
I know he is used a lot but I like him. He is perfect for a sand team and I usually save him for late game when I weakened the opponent. I try to get the Swords Dance when possible and start my sweep, I'm just careful with anything with Fire or Fighting type moves. The reason I went with Jolly and focused on it's speed is so it can outspeed another Excadrill or Sand Rusher.
Gastrodon
Move 1: Earth Power
Move 2: Ice Beam
Move 3: Toxic
Move 4: Recover
Nature: Bold
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 212 HP/ 252 DEF/ 44 S.ATK
I switch him on to a water type attack or something that I know he can take the hit and cripple the opponent with a Toxic or try to annoy since Gastrodon is tought to take down. Toxic kills him slowly since he can't recover from it and he gets walled by steels and Special Wallers.
Gliscor
Move 1: Fling
Move 2: Earthquake
Move 3: Acrobatics
Move 4: Protect
Nature: Impish
Item: Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 252 HP/ 184 DEF/ 72 SPE
My final pokemon. I use him to take out fighters and grass types. Most mostly fighting types. The first turn I use protect to get the poison status and then I will try to fling it to get a 100% poison attack. From there I use Acrobatics against on coming Fighting types or Earthquake for Stabbed neutral damage against everything else. I just wanted something to take care of Breloom since he walls my team pretty well.
Alternatives I was thinking of using:
Threats:
So in conclusion, this is my team, I would like to change it or receive opinions on what I can do to help counter my threats and what changes I should make if any. Thank you for reading and I am looking forward in your responses.
