~~SAND~~
Taken over from unfixable ; Discussion points stolen from Rowan ; approved by macle
The premier offensive weather of Generation 5 Little Cup, Sand teams received a rather significant nerf due to the limiting of weather's duration and the buff to Knock Off, limiting Hippopotas's longevity. The emergence of Sun offense also puts a damper on Sand's capabilities, as Bellsprout under the Sun can easily plow through the Ground- and Rock-types that make up a Sand team. However, Sand still has some tricks up its sleeve. As opposed to the hyper offensive Sand teams of last generation which were centered around Sand Rush Drilbur, the current metagame has made way for more stall-oriented Sand teams. Hippopotas is still as bulky as it was in previous generations, Defensive Tirtouga and Lileep receive Special Defense boosts due to Sand's presence, and Ferroseed and Spritzee form a solid defensive core that can still function well in Sand. This doesn't mean that an offensive Sand team isn't viable though. Drilbur is still an incredibly threatening Pokemon and Sandshrew has become a force to be reckoned with in Sand thanks to its access to the newly buffed Knock Off. Like the other weathers, Sand also has its own signature item, Smooth Rock, which extends the duration of Sand from 5 turns to 8 turns, but is usually inferior to Eviolite due to the slew of bulky Pokemon that make up Sand teams.
Setters
Smooth Rock is almost obsolete on Sand teams, as Hippopotas and other setters rely on their bulk more than their Speed in order to continuously set up Sand.
Hippopotas
Hippopotas is the Sand setter, utilizing its fantastic bulk and stall-ish movepool to effectively provide Sand throughout the game. Hippopotas also provides Stealth Rock support and can phaze out opposing sweepers with Whirlwind.
Tirtouga / Dwebble / Pineco
Tirtouga, Dwebble, and Pineco are all rather successful when it comes to setting up a Sandstorm thanks to the nifty Sturdy + Berry Juice combination. Tirtouga and Dwebble can also benefit from the Special Defense boost they receive via Sand's presence, and all three Pokemon can set hazards.
Sweepers
There are only a few Sand sweepers in Little Cup, but these few are more than enough to hammer through an opposing team. Sand is also unique due to Sand Force, an ability that powers up Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves with no drawback whatsoever.
Drilbur
Drilbur is the most capable Sand sweeper due to its great Attack stat, good Speed tier and access to Sand Rush, letting it outspeed the entire Scarfed metagame. It can also bluff Sand Rush and run the standard Rapid Spin set with Mold Breaker.
Sandshrew
Sandshrew, while slower and less powerful than Drilbur, is much bulker and has access to the very useful Knock Off, letting it soften opposing walls that may attempt to nullify a sweep. Sandshrew also has access to Rapid Spin, letting it bluff a sweeping set and simply provide support.
Diglett
Diglett is unique for quite a few reasons. Due to the popularity of Arena Trap, a Sand Force set is quite unexpected, but nevertheless, extremely effective. Diglett's fantastic Speed in tandem with the added power of its STAB Earthquake turns it into a gigantic threat.
Other
As mentioned previously, Sand teams have the capability of running stall, something other weather archetypes can't achieve, mainly due to the fact that most Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type Pokemon are naturally bulky.
Ferroseed
Ferroseed is one of the most effective walls in the current metagame due to its unique typing, good support movepool, and Iron Barbs. Many Pokemon have no means of hitting Ferroseed, outside of Hidden Power Fire, and it is quite possibly the best Chinchou switch-in.
Archen
Archen is a great Pokemon, with its only real hindrance being its ability, Defeatist. However, Archen is commonly used to provide Defog support and act as a reliable check to the common Fletchling + Diglett core. While still retaining this role, Archen gains the added Special Defense boost that comes with Sand, allowing it to more effectively take on a variety of Pokemon.
Tirtouga
Defensive Tirtouga's combination of hazard support, Knock Off, Scald, and Solid Rock make it a tough Pokemon to punch through. Solid Rock is the true selling point, allowing Tirtouga to live a majority of super effective physical hits and the added Special Defense boost from Sand makes Tirtouga only that much bulkier.
Lileep
Lileep is a great answer to Water-types, one of Sands largest weakness, and even gains a Special Attack boost by switching into the common Scald. Its unique typing allows it to switch into a variety of moves and, like many of the other aforementioned Pokemon, Lileep receives a Special Defense boost from Sand.
Vullaby
Vullaby is a great addition to Sand thanks to its ability, Overcoat, which neutralizes the residual damage effect. It can provide great support for any team with Defog and Knock Off and has access to Roost, allowing Vullaby to both recover health and cushion a super effective attack.
If you guys have any other ideas on viable Sand setters / abusers / others, let me know and I will add them to this list.Smooth Rock is almost obsolete on Sand teams, as Hippopotas and other setters rely on their bulk more than their Speed in order to continuously set up Sand.
Hippopotas is the Sand setter, utilizing its fantastic bulk and stall-ish movepool to effectively provide Sand throughout the game. Hippopotas also provides Stealth Rock support and can phaze out opposing sweepers with Whirlwind.
Tirtouga, Dwebble, and Pineco are all rather successful when it comes to setting up a Sandstorm thanks to the nifty Sturdy + Berry Juice combination. Tirtouga and Dwebble can also benefit from the Special Defense boost they receive via Sand's presence, and all three Pokemon can set hazards.
Sweepers
There are only a few Sand sweepers in Little Cup, but these few are more than enough to hammer through an opposing team. Sand is also unique due to Sand Force, an ability that powers up Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves with no drawback whatsoever.
Drilbur is the most capable Sand sweeper due to its great Attack stat, good Speed tier and access to Sand Rush, letting it outspeed the entire Scarfed metagame. It can also bluff Sand Rush and run the standard Rapid Spin set with Mold Breaker.
Sandshrew, while slower and less powerful than Drilbur, is much bulker and has access to the very useful Knock Off, letting it soften opposing walls that may attempt to nullify a sweep. Sandshrew also has access to Rapid Spin, letting it bluff a sweeping set and simply provide support.
Diglett is unique for quite a few reasons. Due to the popularity of Arena Trap, a Sand Force set is quite unexpected, but nevertheless, extremely effective. Diglett's fantastic Speed in tandem with the added power of its STAB Earthquake turns it into a gigantic threat.
Other
As mentioned previously, Sand teams have the capability of running stall, something other weather archetypes can't achieve, mainly due to the fact that most Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type Pokemon are naturally bulky.
Ferroseed is one of the most effective walls in the current metagame due to its unique typing, good support movepool, and Iron Barbs. Many Pokemon have no means of hitting Ferroseed, outside of Hidden Power Fire, and it is quite possibly the best Chinchou switch-in.
Archen is a great Pokemon, with its only real hindrance being its ability, Defeatist. However, Archen is commonly used to provide Defog support and act as a reliable check to the common Fletchling + Diglett core. While still retaining this role, Archen gains the added Special Defense boost that comes with Sand, allowing it to more effectively take on a variety of Pokemon.
Defensive Tirtouga's combination of hazard support, Knock Off, Scald, and Solid Rock make it a tough Pokemon to punch through. Solid Rock is the true selling point, allowing Tirtouga to live a majority of super effective physical hits and the added Special Defense boost from Sand makes Tirtouga only that much bulkier.
Lileep is a great answer to Water-types, one of Sands largest weakness, and even gains a Special Attack boost by switching into the common Scald. Its unique typing allows it to switch into a variety of moves and, like many of the other aforementioned Pokemon, Lileep receives a Special Defense boost from Sand.
Vullaby is a great addition to Sand thanks to its ability, Overcoat, which neutralizes the residual damage effect. It can provide great support for any team with Defog and Knock Off and has access to Roost, allowing Vullaby to both recover health and cushion a super effective attack.
Some discussion points:
- What support Pokemon need to be added to help with your main sweeper(s)?
- Is it viable to have more than 1 dedicated Sand sweeper on a team?
- Is it viable to have more than 1 dedicated Sand setter on a team?
- Is Sand stall more viable than Sand offense?
- What are some good Pokemon (with sets!) that can work well against Sand teams?
- Is Sand too predictable and easy to work around?
- Is Sand viable?
