So this team was based on one I actually made in Pokémon X for the purpose of sparring with real life friends; results were very promising and so I decided to try it out in the Battle Simulator and so far, I have 11 wins and 2 losses with it.
The team will be a semi-Sandstorm based team revolving around Mega Evolved Tyranitar and massive all out offence. Some of the builds are also similar to the ones up in Smogon University, but with some slight personal customizations. So here goes:
1.
Pokémon: Tyranitar
Item: Tyranitarite
EV Spreads: 76 HP/ 182 Atk/ 252 Spe
Ability: Sandstream
Nature: Jolly
Moves:
-Rock Slide
-Crunch
-Superpower
-Giga Impact
Justifications:
-Instead of an Earthquake or a STAB Pursuit to pick off Psychic/Ghost types fleeing in fear of the humongous monstrosity, I added Giga Impact for it's last move slot. Mega Evolved Tyranitar has a Base Attack Stat of 169 and coupled with a 150 Base Power Attack, simply put, it rains ungodly, cataclysmic destruction upon the poor soul unfortunate enough to be in it's way. Of course, it still has that annoying recharge, therefore I only use it when I know he's low on health and not going to make it. It is also a move that has very few resistances and between Superpower & Crunch, nothing can withstand this hell of a beast from hell.
-I'm not a fan of Stone Edge's inaccuracy, therefore I opted for Rock Slide as Mega Evolved Tyranitar's Base Attack stat already far makes up for the lack of 25 Base Power, and the rare chance of flinching the enemy is always a welcome surprise.
2.
Pokémon: Dragonite
Item: Leftovers
EV Spreads: 76 HP/ 180 Atk/ 252 Spe
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Hasty
Moves:
-Dragon Dance
-Dragon Claw
-Draco Meteor
-Roost
-Almost exactly just like the "Dragon Dancer" Smogon build aside from different EV spreads and Draco Meteor instead of a move that counters Ice/Steel types. The SpA attack drop from Draco Meteor also isn't detrimental as compared to say, Kyurem-W since all the other moves are Status or Physical Based moves.
-For the price of pathetic coverage in my moveset, I traded coverage moves for sheer, dragon power.
-Leftovers are there in case I had to send in Dragonite even though Sandstorm is still in effect, whilst Roost can heal up any damage from the first turn as I always begin with Dragon Dance. Multiscale synergizes extremely well with Roost as it helps me survive the first turn of setting up a Dragon Dance and then healing up lost HP.
3.
Pokémon: Conkeldurr
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Careful
EV Spreads: 116 HP/ 252 Atk/ 136 SpD / 4 Spe
Ability: Iron Fist
Moves:
-Drain Punch
-Thunder Punch
-Fire Punch
-Mach Punch
Justifications:
-Almost exactly the same as the "All Out Attacker" build in Smogon University with personal customizations of the original EV spreads as I don't believe investing in Speed is necessary when his Base Speed Stat is only 45.
-Also instead of a Life Orb, I replaced it with Leftovers as even with lifesteal from Drain Punch, between Life Orb, Sandstorm, and possible entry hazards, the combined residual damage will be too much and Conkeldurr's also going to be taking a lot of damage anyways, thanks to it's poor speed.
4. Forretress
Items: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Careful
EV Spreads: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Moves:
-Stealth Rock
-Spikes
-Toxic Spikes/Toxic
-Rapid Spin
Justifications:
-This build revolves around a synergy between Sturdy and Sitrus Berry to often ensure 2 turns of entry hazard set ups.
-If I lead out with Forretress, I'd opt for Toxic instead of Toxic Spikes as I often find myself stumbling upon an opposing sweeper attempting to set up. Toxic gives it a timer, ensuring that it's time on the battlefield will not be for long.
-All other moves are pretty much no brainer; Rapid Spin I find to be very useful should I come up against entry hazard leads.
-Plenty of investment into Special Defense, this is because of the plethora of special moves that plague the current metagame, as well as a means to remedy Forretress's somewhat lacking Special Defense.
5.
Pokémon: Garchomp
Items: Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
Nature: Jolly
EV Spreads: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves:
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Brick Break
-Dual Chop
Justifications:
-The lineup's premiere revenge killer, Scarf Garchomp can outspeed nearly anything whilst leaving considerable damage in his wake. (I find the ban on Sand Veil very unfortunate, however I still use it in real life against friends)
-It's moves provide many utilities; screen breaking, substitute breaking and powerful STAB moves for sweeping at the later stages of the game.
6.
Pokémon: Volcarona
Items: Life Orb
Ability: Flame Body
Nature: Timid
EV Spreads: 4 Def / 252 SpA/ 252 Spe
Moves:
-Fiery Dance
-Quiver Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Giga Drain
Justifications:
-Exactly like the "Offensive Quiver Dance" Volcarona build in Smogon University
-The lineup's primary sweeper, a set up of Quiver Dance and then Fiery Dances and Bug Buzzes till the end. Giga Drain is useful against it's counters and makes up for the residual damage from Life Orb (and possibly Sandstorm).
-The EV spreads are pretty much no brainer for the most part, maximizing Special Attack and Speed. A few points go into it's measly Defense since it's so vulnerable to Rock-type attacks.
-2 awkward details I found in running Volcarona however. First, the lineup has no Rapid Spinner for clearing entry hazards, therefore Stealth Rock will already remove half of Volcarona's HP. Second, it's usually much more preferable for Forretress to lead out as it will then have a chance in setting up entry hazards for Volcarona to sweep. However if I were to lead out with Forretress, followed by Volcarona, it would then result in Tyranitar being a little late in initiating the Sandstorm and therefore making it quite redundant, as well as calling it a (semi) Sandstorm based lineup premature.
Conclusion:
Despite this lineup revolving around Sandstorm, already half of the team aren't resistant to it. To make up for that however, they have health recovering (lifesteal as I like to call it) moves to restore residual damage from Sandstorm whilst the opposing team struggles under the Sandstorm. You may also have noticed that in many of my pokemon, I invest considerable EVs into Special Defence. The current metagame is plagued with powerful special based moves in which I've been a victim of many times, therefore I tend to look to my Special Defences.
So, here are a few questions to help you get started.
-Are there any pokemon in the aforementioned lineup that has better alternatives? Which ones, and what is the alternative?
-Which pokemon in the aforementioned lineup in your opinion, is in general the best to lead out with?
-Disputes regarding items/moves? Describe.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I know it's a big wall of text and I sincerely apologize, but again, you have my gratitude for reading all this and I welcome all (constructive) however critical, opinions.
The team will be a semi-Sandstorm based team revolving around Mega Evolved Tyranitar and massive all out offence. Some of the builds are also similar to the ones up in Smogon University, but with some slight personal customizations. So here goes:
1.
Pokémon: Tyranitar
Item: Tyranitarite
EV Spreads: 76 HP/ 182 Atk/ 252 Spe
Ability: Sandstream
Nature: Jolly
Moves:
-Rock Slide
-Crunch
-Superpower
-Giga Impact
Justifications:
-Instead of an Earthquake or a STAB Pursuit to pick off Psychic/Ghost types fleeing in fear of the humongous monstrosity, I added Giga Impact for it's last move slot. Mega Evolved Tyranitar has a Base Attack Stat of 169 and coupled with a 150 Base Power Attack, simply put, it rains ungodly, cataclysmic destruction upon the poor soul unfortunate enough to be in it's way. Of course, it still has that annoying recharge, therefore I only use it when I know he's low on health and not going to make it. It is also a move that has very few resistances and between Superpower & Crunch, nothing can withstand this hell of a beast from hell.
-I'm not a fan of Stone Edge's inaccuracy, therefore I opted for Rock Slide as Mega Evolved Tyranitar's Base Attack stat already far makes up for the lack of 25 Base Power, and the rare chance of flinching the enemy is always a welcome surprise.
2.
Pokémon: Dragonite
Item: Leftovers
EV Spreads: 76 HP/ 180 Atk/ 252 Spe
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Hasty
Moves:
-Dragon Dance
-Dragon Claw
-Draco Meteor
-Roost
-Almost exactly just like the "Dragon Dancer" Smogon build aside from different EV spreads and Draco Meteor instead of a move that counters Ice/Steel types. The SpA attack drop from Draco Meteor also isn't detrimental as compared to say, Kyurem-W since all the other moves are Status or Physical Based moves.
-For the price of pathetic coverage in my moveset, I traded coverage moves for sheer, dragon power.
-Leftovers are there in case I had to send in Dragonite even though Sandstorm is still in effect, whilst Roost can heal up any damage from the first turn as I always begin with Dragon Dance. Multiscale synergizes extremely well with Roost as it helps me survive the first turn of setting up a Dragon Dance and then healing up lost HP.
3.
Pokémon: Conkeldurr
Item: Leftovers
Nature: Careful
EV Spreads: 116 HP/ 252 Atk/ 136 SpD / 4 Spe
Ability: Iron Fist
Moves:
-Drain Punch
-Thunder Punch
-Fire Punch
-Mach Punch
Justifications:
-Almost exactly the same as the "All Out Attacker" build in Smogon University with personal customizations of the original EV spreads as I don't believe investing in Speed is necessary when his Base Speed Stat is only 45.
-Also instead of a Life Orb, I replaced it with Leftovers as even with lifesteal from Drain Punch, between Life Orb, Sandstorm, and possible entry hazards, the combined residual damage will be too much and Conkeldurr's also going to be taking a lot of damage anyways, thanks to it's poor speed.
4. Forretress
Items: Sitrus Berry
Ability: Sturdy
Nature: Careful
EV Spreads: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Moves:
-Stealth Rock
-Spikes
-Toxic Spikes/Toxic
-Rapid Spin
Justifications:
-This build revolves around a synergy between Sturdy and Sitrus Berry to often ensure 2 turns of entry hazard set ups.
-If I lead out with Forretress, I'd opt for Toxic instead of Toxic Spikes as I often find myself stumbling upon an opposing sweeper attempting to set up. Toxic gives it a timer, ensuring that it's time on the battlefield will not be for long.
-All other moves are pretty much no brainer; Rapid Spin I find to be very useful should I come up against entry hazard leads.
-Plenty of investment into Special Defense, this is because of the plethora of special moves that plague the current metagame, as well as a means to remedy Forretress's somewhat lacking Special Defense.
5.
Pokémon: Garchomp
Items: Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
Nature: Jolly
EV Spreads: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves:
-Outrage
-Earthquake
-Brick Break
-Dual Chop
Justifications:
-The lineup's premiere revenge killer, Scarf Garchomp can outspeed nearly anything whilst leaving considerable damage in his wake. (I find the ban on Sand Veil very unfortunate, however I still use it in real life against friends)
-It's moves provide many utilities; screen breaking, substitute breaking and powerful STAB moves for sweeping at the later stages of the game.
6.
Pokémon: Volcarona
Items: Life Orb
Ability: Flame Body
Nature: Timid
EV Spreads: 4 Def / 252 SpA/ 252 Spe
Moves:
-Fiery Dance
-Quiver Dance
-Bug Buzz
-Giga Drain
Justifications:
-Exactly like the "Offensive Quiver Dance" Volcarona build in Smogon University
-The lineup's primary sweeper, a set up of Quiver Dance and then Fiery Dances and Bug Buzzes till the end. Giga Drain is useful against it's counters and makes up for the residual damage from Life Orb (and possibly Sandstorm).
-The EV spreads are pretty much no brainer for the most part, maximizing Special Attack and Speed. A few points go into it's measly Defense since it's so vulnerable to Rock-type attacks.
-2 awkward details I found in running Volcarona however. First, the lineup has no Rapid Spinner for clearing entry hazards, therefore Stealth Rock will already remove half of Volcarona's HP. Second, it's usually much more preferable for Forretress to lead out as it will then have a chance in setting up entry hazards for Volcarona to sweep. However if I were to lead out with Forretress, followed by Volcarona, it would then result in Tyranitar being a little late in initiating the Sandstorm and therefore making it quite redundant, as well as calling it a (semi) Sandstorm based lineup premature.
Conclusion:
Despite this lineup revolving around Sandstorm, already half of the team aren't resistant to it. To make up for that however, they have health recovering (lifesteal as I like to call it) moves to restore residual damage from Sandstorm whilst the opposing team struggles under the Sandstorm. You may also have noticed that in many of my pokemon, I invest considerable EVs into Special Defence. The current metagame is plagued with powerful special based moves in which I've been a victim of many times, therefore I tend to look to my Special Defences.
So, here are a few questions to help you get started.
-Are there any pokemon in the aforementioned lineup that has better alternatives? Which ones, and what is the alternative?
-Which pokemon in the aforementioned lineup in your opinion, is in general the best to lead out with?
-Disputes regarding items/moves? Describe.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I know it's a big wall of text and I sincerely apologize, but again, you have my gratitude for reading all this and I welcome all (constructive) however critical, opinions.
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