. O V E R V I E W .
Well, I'm finally back into the OU metagame. I've been playing Ubers and UU for a month now because I've enjoyed playing with the fun teams that have come out of those tiers. However, I missed using some of the Pokemon in OU. To refuel my love of the standard yet sometimes repetative tier of OU, I designed another team based around a strategy that has been around for quite a while; Sandstorm. But because many Sandstorm teams are pretty set in stone, (Tyranitar, Hippowdon, Forretress, Swampert, Skarmory, etc.) I decided to try out a few things I haven't used in a Sandstorm team before. The star of this team, Registeel, is the whole reason for the title (you'll see why soon). Without further adeu, here is my team.
Well, I'm finally back into the OU metagame. I've been playing Ubers and UU for a month now because I've enjoyed playing with the fun teams that have come out of those tiers. However, I missed using some of the Pokemon in OU. To refuel my love of the standard yet sometimes repetative tier of OU, I designed another team based around a strategy that has been around for quite a while; Sandstorm. But because many Sandstorm teams are pretty set in stone, (Tyranitar, Hippowdon, Forretress, Swampert, Skarmory, etc.) I decided to try out a few things I haven't used in a Sandstorm team before. The star of this team, Registeel, is the whole reason for the title (you'll see why soon). Without further adeu, here is my team.
The Lead
Clefable @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP/54 Def/204 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Encore
- Endeavor
- Counter
- Stealth Rock
Why This Lead?
This particular Clefable set was a product of my own design, and one of the reasons why I made this team. The moveset is completely supportive (Endeavor aside), but that's pretty much all Clefable needs to be in order to take advantage of its unique ability, Magic Guard. My Focus Sash is a guarunteed extra turn alive because Spikes or Rocks can't take away my Sash.
Moveset & EVs
If you haven't noticed, this set is nowhere to be found on Smogon. Not on the Strategy Dex, not in another RMT, NOWHERE. I made it! :D It has just enough EVs to outspeed walls like Skarmory, Cresselia, Blissey, and a few other things. I did this so that once a lead or some other Pokemon knocks me down to one health, I can come in and Endeavor the wall after a switch in on a support move. This is a very effective way of dealing with Pokemon like Blissey late game or that anoying Snorlax that just pulled off +6 Curses. The Sandstorm that doesn't hurt Clefable kills Pokemon who aren't immune to the storm after Endeavor. That is my reasoning against using a suicide lead other than my Clefable. Both an early game support and unexpected late-game trump card. Counter is used when I'm fighting Pokemon who aren't killed by Sandstorm after Endeavor, because most Pokemon of that nature are physically based and normally don't hit Clefable with Special Moves.
Boosting Sweeper #1
Tyranitar @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
Why Babiri Berry?
Although a Life Orb would strengthen Tyranitar's attacks, Babiri Berry keeps Tyranitar from being killed by a Bullet Punch to the face (Of course, this doesn't work on the switch-in, though). I can then follow up with a Fire Punch to kill the little bugger that thought it could pull a fast one on me. It also helps me survive a Meteor Mash from Metagross if that should ever happen.
Moveset & EVs
There's really no need to explain the EVs. Ttar is already bulky in the Sand, so I'm safe to use the standard physical sweeper EVs. Now for the moveset. Fire Punch, Crunch, and Stone Edge help me cover a wide array of types and be able to pull of the sweep with my newly boosted stats after a DDance. Fire Punch (like I said earlier) covers Scizor as well as other steels that otherwise wall me like Empoleon or Skarmory. Crunch beats down Psychic types and is also my more reliable STAB move. It can even lower the Defense of pesky walls that can take a single hit from all of my moves and hit hard back to hinder my sweep.
Setup Wall
Forretress @ Shed Shell
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 Def
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Reflect
Explaination
This is just a pretty basic Forretress. It can spin away hindering entry hazards, setup its own hazards, and even provide Reflect cover for my team (useful for helping Tyranitar take those Bullet Punches, Registeel to take physical moves before a Curse, and letting Latias take physical hits as well). Toxic Spikes & Spikes make it possible for Swampert to help stall out the opponents team so my sweeps are much cleaner, and can even help Latias stall out its counters while setting up. This also helps Registeel with its sweep as it doesn't have that much attack power to work with, even after a couple boosts.
Boosting Sweeper #2
Latias @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/116 Def/28 Spd/112 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Recover
- Surf
- Calm Mind
Moveset & EVs
I decided to put the defensive EVs on Sweeping Latias so I can take advantage of that Reflect support better. It helps me be capable of stalling with Toxic Spikes while setting up with Calm Mind and Recover all at the same time. Dragon Pulse and Surf make a great attacking combination, as only Empoleon and a couple others (I think?) can absorb them when used together. This can be very tough to take down with a wall up and a CM under my belt, especially with all hazards up.
Just Swampert :D
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP/216 Def/52 SAtk
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Roar
Explaination
Really, is there a need to explain this one? Swampert is great at taking hits on a Sandstorm team. His Defense, HP, and Special Defense all reach decent levels, and his Mix attacking ability isn't anything to laugh at either. He helps my team by being able to phaze things and force hazard damage using the move Roar. Earthquake hits annoying Steel pokemon that hurt Tyranitar and Fire types that hit Registeel hard. Surf and Ice Beam helps beat Dragons and Ground Pokemon that can wall some of my Pokemon. He's a real trooper and can usually stay in the game til later.
The Sluggish, Yet Totally Awesome Star Of The Show
Registeel @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/6 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Curse
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Amnesia
Explaination
This is why I made this team! With Sandstorm up and a couple Curses under my belt, this thing is practically unstoppable. After I mix up the foes team a bit, I can predict which defensive stat I need to boost on the switch in. He is also immune to Toxic, so I can switch into Toxic Spikes or Toxic attacks from many walls. He can even take on Heatran after a single Amnesia, KOing after taking a relatively small hit from Fire Blast for a Steel type. While his attack doesn't get very high off the bat, a couple Curses mean he is defensively bulky enough to pull off a sweep (especially with hazards up). It's good to bring him out later so that he can't be phazed (which is why I use Clefable to take away phazers late game). He can also hit a plethora of types for neutral damage thanks to Ice and Ground's good pairing type-wise. I can beat Gengar with Ice Punch for neutral damage after I survive Focus Blast (that's why I have Amnesia). So there you go! :D
---
Building The Team
1) Of course I wanted to start out with my customized Clefable lead, so that was obviously my first Pokemon.
2) Next, I added my Registeel into the equation for testing. (More favoritism. :P)
3) Then, I thought of some ways to help my Regi sweep, yet keep him bulky. Naturally, Sandstorm came to mind.
4) I picked Tyranitar then so that I had a boosting sweeper that could fight back against its counters fairly easy yet come out early on in the game to face that counter. Here's the team so far:
5) With these three, I was able to come up with a conclusion; a physically powerful Pokemon could come in and wipe me clean open. I needed Physical backing that could support the team. Forretress and Skarmory entered my mind.
6) I ended up choosing Forretress because he is capable of putting up Reflect, which could allow me to keep in my Tyranitar on a Scizor and whatnot (at that time I had Life Orb on it). Spikes and Toxic Spikes also helped my sweepers get the job done.
7) Then, I thought I should add a special sweeper in who could stay alive and use the physical defense boost. Latias came to mind instantly. I used the Calm nature and defensive EVs to add to its strength. Then it looked like this:
8) This is when I thought of Swampert. He could take advantage of Reflect to take physical hits, and also could take special hits thanks to Sandstorm's boost of Special Defense. He could even phaze things with Roar to weaken my oppenents with hazards and help me see what I'm up against. So there you have it:
Final Words
Built off a simple strategy, this team has taken me a long way. Yes, it has had its wins and losses, but it has had an uncountable amount of 6-0 victories aswell (with Clefable taking out several Pokemon at 1HP in the sand, and Registeel finishing up the sweep). It has become both fun to use and highly effective. There's little shared weaknesses that can't easily be taken care of, but it's not like that's make me lose everytime. My only major issues are Mix Sweepers like Salamence and Infernape once Clefable is gone. Still yet, they usually come in very early on things like Forretress when Clefable is still alive and well.
Clefable @ Focus Sash
Ability: Magic Guard
EVs: 252 HP/54 Def/204 Spd
Bold nature (+Def, -Atk)
- Encore
- Endeavor
- Counter
- Stealth Rock
Why This Lead?
This particular Clefable set was a product of my own design, and one of the reasons why I made this team. The moveset is completely supportive (Endeavor aside), but that's pretty much all Clefable needs to be in order to take advantage of its unique ability, Magic Guard. My Focus Sash is a guarunteed extra turn alive because Spikes or Rocks can't take away my Sash.
Moveset & EVs
If you haven't noticed, this set is nowhere to be found on Smogon. Not on the Strategy Dex, not in another RMT, NOWHERE. I made it! :D It has just enough EVs to outspeed walls like Skarmory, Cresselia, Blissey, and a few other things. I did this so that once a lead or some other Pokemon knocks me down to one health, I can come in and Endeavor the wall after a switch in on a support move. This is a very effective way of dealing with Pokemon like Blissey late game or that anoying Snorlax that just pulled off +6 Curses. The Sandstorm that doesn't hurt Clefable kills Pokemon who aren't immune to the storm after Endeavor. That is my reasoning against using a suicide lead other than my Clefable. Both an early game support and unexpected late-game trump card. Counter is used when I'm fighting Pokemon who aren't killed by Sandstorm after Endeavor, because most Pokemon of that nature are physically based and normally don't hit Clefable with Special Moves.
Boosting Sweeper #1
Tyranitar @ Babiri Berry
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spd
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Dragon Dance
- Fire Punch
- Crunch
- Stone Edge
Why Babiri Berry?
Although a Life Orb would strengthen Tyranitar's attacks, Babiri Berry keeps Tyranitar from being killed by a Bullet Punch to the face (Of course, this doesn't work on the switch-in, though). I can then follow up with a Fire Punch to kill the little bugger that thought it could pull a fast one on me. It also helps me survive a Meteor Mash from Metagross if that should ever happen.
Moveset & EVs
There's really no need to explain the EVs. Ttar is already bulky in the Sand, so I'm safe to use the standard physical sweeper EVs. Now for the moveset. Fire Punch, Crunch, and Stone Edge help me cover a wide array of types and be able to pull of the sweep with my newly boosted stats after a DDance. Fire Punch (like I said earlier) covers Scizor as well as other steels that otherwise wall me like Empoleon or Skarmory. Crunch beats down Psychic types and is also my more reliable STAB move. It can even lower the Defense of pesky walls that can take a single hit from all of my moves and hit hard back to hinder my sweep.
Setup Wall
Forretress @ Shed Shell
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 Def
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Reflect
Explaination
This is just a pretty basic Forretress. It can spin away hindering entry hazards, setup its own hazards, and even provide Reflect cover for my team (useful for helping Tyranitar take those Bullet Punches, Registeel to take physical moves before a Curse, and letting Latias take physical hits as well). Toxic Spikes & Spikes make it possible for Swampert to help stall out the opponents team so my sweeps are much cleaner, and can even help Latias stall out its counters while setting up. This also helps Registeel with its sweep as it doesn't have that much attack power to work with, even after a couple boosts.
Boosting Sweeper #2
Latias @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP/116 Def/28 Spd/112 SDef
Calm nature (+SDef, -Atk)
- Dragon Pulse
- Recover
- Surf
- Calm Mind
Moveset & EVs
I decided to put the defensive EVs on Sweeping Latias so I can take advantage of that Reflect support better. It helps me be capable of stalling with Toxic Spikes while setting up with Calm Mind and Recover all at the same time. Dragon Pulse and Surf make a great attacking combination, as only Empoleon and a couple others (I think?) can absorb them when used together. This can be very tough to take down with a wall up and a CM under my belt, especially with all hazards up.
Just Swampert :D
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP/216 Def/52 SAtk
Relaxed nature (+Def, -Spd)
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Roar
Explaination
Really, is there a need to explain this one? Swampert is great at taking hits on a Sandstorm team. His Defense, HP, and Special Defense all reach decent levels, and his Mix attacking ability isn't anything to laugh at either. He helps my team by being able to phaze things and force hazard damage using the move Roar. Earthquake hits annoying Steel pokemon that hurt Tyranitar and Fire types that hit Registeel hard. Surf and Ice Beam helps beat Dragons and Ground Pokemon that can wall some of my Pokemon. He's a real trooper and can usually stay in the game til later.
The Sluggish, Yet Totally Awesome Star Of The Show
Registeel @ Leftovers
Ability: Clear Body
EVs: 252 HP/252 Atk/6 SDef
Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk)
- Curse
- Ice Punch
- Earthquake
- Amnesia
Explaination
This is why I made this team! With Sandstorm up and a couple Curses under my belt, this thing is practically unstoppable. After I mix up the foes team a bit, I can predict which defensive stat I need to boost on the switch in. He is also immune to Toxic, so I can switch into Toxic Spikes or Toxic attacks from many walls. He can even take on Heatran after a single Amnesia, KOing after taking a relatively small hit from Fire Blast for a Steel type. While his attack doesn't get very high off the bat, a couple Curses mean he is defensively bulky enough to pull off a sweep (especially with hazards up). It's good to bring him out later so that he can't be phazed (which is why I use Clefable to take away phazers late game). He can also hit a plethora of types for neutral damage thanks to Ice and Ground's good pairing type-wise. I can beat Gengar with Ice Punch for neutral damage after I survive Focus Blast (that's why I have Amnesia). So there you go! :D
---
Building The Team
1) Of course I wanted to start out with my customized Clefable lead, so that was obviously my first Pokemon.
2) Next, I added my Registeel into the equation for testing. (More favoritism. :P)
3) Then, I thought of some ways to help my Regi sweep, yet keep him bulky. Naturally, Sandstorm came to mind.
4) I picked Tyranitar then so that I had a boosting sweeper that could fight back against its counters fairly easy yet come out early on in the game to face that counter. Here's the team so far:
5) With these three, I was able to come up with a conclusion; a physically powerful Pokemon could come in and wipe me clean open. I needed Physical backing that could support the team. Forretress and Skarmory entered my mind.
6) I ended up choosing Forretress because he is capable of putting up Reflect, which could allow me to keep in my Tyranitar on a Scizor and whatnot (at that time I had Life Orb on it). Spikes and Toxic Spikes also helped my sweepers get the job done.
7) Then, I thought I should add a special sweeper in who could stay alive and use the physical defense boost. Latias came to mind instantly. I used the Calm nature and defensive EVs to add to its strength. Then it looked like this:
8) This is when I thought of Swampert. He could take advantage of Reflect to take physical hits, and also could take special hits thanks to Sandstorm's boost of Special Defense. He could even phaze things with Roar to weaken my oppenents with hazards and help me see what I'm up against. So there you have it:
Final Words
Built off a simple strategy, this team has taken me a long way. Yes, it has had its wins and losses, but it has had an uncountable amount of 6-0 victories aswell (with Clefable taking out several Pokemon at 1HP in the sand, and Registeel finishing up the sweep). It has become both fun to use and highly effective. There's little shared weaknesses that can't easily be taken care of, but it's not like that's make me lose everytime. My only major issues are Mix Sweepers like Salamence and Infernape once Clefable is gone. Still yet, they usually come in very early on things like Forretress when Clefable is still alive and well.
Thanks for Reading! Comment, Rate, and Steal! :naughty:
