Sand of Destruction

[ReshiRampage]

Hello guys

This is a team that i made a while ago that seems to work really well. It's based around sweeping with either Rock Polish Landorus or Choice Specs Keldeo. They are in my opinion the best sweepers in the current metagame. The other teammembers help them accomplish this goal in one way or another ( removing their counters, laying hazards, playing against opposing weather teams etc ). I made this team completely by myself though I've seen many teams that look very similair. Anyways, let's meet the team.

AT A GLANCE

IN DEPTH
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Landorus (M) @ Life Orb
Trait: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Earth Power
- Focus Blast
- Rock Polish
- Hidden Power [Ice]

The first main sweeper of the team. Landorus, with Modest nature, Life Orb and Sheer Force is just too powerful. It can even 2HKO Blissey with Focus Blast after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Moveset is nothing fancy, Earth Power for a good STAB move, Focus Blast is a given because it's boosted by Sheer Force and is extremely powerful, Hidden Power Ice provides vital coverage against most Flying-types and Rock Polish enables it to sweep late-game.

Keldeo @ Choice Specs
Trait: Justified
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Surf
- Hidden Power [Ice]

The second sweeper of the team. Keldeo is very powerful especially with Choice Specs. It shares many counters with Landorus which means those counters are going to have a lot of perssuer on them to counter both of my sweepers. Keldeo doesn't have that big of a movepool but with its insanely powerful Hydro Pump, it hardly needs more. Secret Sword is a reliable secondary STAB move that can 2HKO Blissey, something not many special attackers can write home about. Hidden Power Ice is my choice of coverage move. I like having something to kill dragons with. Choice Specs Keldeo can use many different Hidden Power-types depending on what walls you want to remove.

Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 180 HP / 76 Spd
Adamant Nature
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Stone Edge
- Superpower

Tyranitar was my next choice. It can destroy a lot of Keldeo's and Landorus's counters and protect me from opposing weather teams. Choice Band Tyranitar is also a very powerul attacker, but it's mostly used to trap the counters of my sweepers. Keeping my weather up at all times is not necessary against Rain-teams but against Sun-teams it helps a lot because without sun up, Chlorophyll-sweepers like Venusaur won't be that fast.

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 68 Def / 252 HP / 188 SDef
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spd
- Spikes
- Leech Seed
- Gyro Ball
- Power Whip

Oh Ferrothorn, the most used defensive poke in the metagame. Ferrothorn was my next choice due to its amazing typing that allows it to switch into a lot of dangerous pokemon and moves like rain-boosted Hydro Pumps. It also provides entry hazards which makes it so much easier for Keldeo and Landorus to sweep. Ferrothorn is very tough to set up on for most pokemon because these pokemon are generally fast which means gyro ball will do a ton of damage. Power Whip can stop Keldeo from setting up a substitute ( and Calm Minds too ).

Heatran @ Leftovers
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SDef / 252 HP / 4 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Lava Plume
- Stealth Rock
- Roar
- Protect

Sun-teams were still a problem so i added Heatran. Heatran can tank Outrages and Draco Meteors very well which means Ferrothorn doesn't have as much pressure on him. Moveset is standard. Heatran has many options for the last two moveslots (Stealth Rock+STAB move is mandatory). I decided to go with Roar because it helps against Volcaronas and Protect because then you can scout choiced attackers.

Latios (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Psyshock

Last, but certainly not least, we have Latios, my choice of revenge killer. With the moves listed above this thing can revenge kill pretty much every common set-up sweeper in the metagame. Draco meteor revenge kills Dragons and many orher things due its power, Thunderbolt deals with Gyarados, Surf takes out stuff like LAndorus and Psyshock revenge kills Fighting-types. There are pokemon that are tougher to revenge kill like Volcarona and CM Latias but Heatran can handle those two most of the time.


So that's my newest team for ya. I know it doesn't have the best description but I think it's ok. I have had some close matches were Keldeo was the last guy left and beat 2 or 3 opposing pokes but I've won most of them.

Please give a ful rate of this team because it's helps a lot more than one-line replies

Thank you!

 

[Harsha]

Your team seems to be trying to have offense with a defensive backbone; the problem with this style of teambuilding is that your defensive Pokemon will allow opponents to set up and start sweeping, and your offensive Pokemon won't have the bulk to stand up to their onslaught.

You could also do with some role reversal—Keldeo is generally a better Choice Scarf wielder than Latios, considering Latios's weakness to Pursuit. Latios also makes for a better Choice Specs wielder simply because it can nuke the opponent with a high-powered Draco Meteor. I'd simply switch their items around, though you should definitely give Latios Trick over Thunderbolt. If you're scared of opposing Gyarados, you can always use Icy Wind over Surf and Hidden Power Electric over Hidden Power Ice on your Keldeo. One of the biggest benefits from this change is that your Choice Band Tyranitar will remove all the problematic Pokemon that would stop a Choice Scarf Keldeo sweep and you won't need to worry about the opponent's outpacing you.

As an aside, you can always use an Expert Belt on Latios with Recover over Trick, as it can bluff a Choice set and then catch the opponent off guard by switching moves or recovering HP.

Definitely go a more offensive route with Heatran. As much as the specially defensive set can hold its own against sun teams, it's really not doing anything outside of this role. You could benefit from using an offensive Air Balloon set because it hits very hard against sun, can take on Dugtrio without a problem (because it can't be trapped), can still do some damage against rain teams with Earth Power or Hidden Power Ice, and it's still pretty useful against other common team archetypes. Against rain, specially defensive Heatran is honestly a waste of a spot, and it won't do much aside from helping against sun teams. I'd recommend a set with an Air Balloon, a spread of 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe, a Timid nature, and a moveset of Stealth Rock / Fire Blast / Earth Power / Hidden Power Ice. I'm pretty sure you'll find this much more useful in the longterm than your current specially defensive Heatran.

I'd also change your Ferrothorn. Spikes are extremely hard to set up against opposing offensive teams, and Ferrothorn is just setup fodder for Thundurus-T, even though it's considered a "rain counter." I think replacing Ferrothorn for a Scizor would go a long way. Even though Scizor can't stand up to rain-boosted moves, you already have Latios (and, to a lesser extent, Keldeo) to do that for you. Scizor can still tank Dragon moves, but it comes with the added benefit of Pursuit trapping. This will go a long way with your end goal of a Landorus / Keldeo sweep, as Tyranitar can get worn down fairly quickly, and Scizor will be able to pull its weight against Celebi, Latias, and Latios (though it can't really touch Jellicent, but that's a minor threat because Landorus can get through it). Scizor also gives you U-turn momentum when you need it; use a Choice Band and a spread of 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD, an Adamant nature, and a moveset of U-turn / Superpower / Bullet Punch / Pursuit.

This seems like a longer list of changes than it actually is—your team is pretty solid, and I think with these tweaks it will perform even better. Good luck, I hope I helped!

 

[ReshiRampage]

Thanks for the rate. I'm currently trying the role reversal thing and it's working pretty well. What Scizor set should I run. Banded? Trapper?.

 

[dice]

Hello ReshiRampage.

Your team is very solid given that it's somewhat standard; however, there are a few weaknesses that I hope to adjust. First and foremost, a lot of the problems of your team stem from the fact that you don't have a dedicated Dragon counter per se. Sure, Ferrothorn and Scarf Latios do decently versus them, but the former is just Fire Punch'd or Superpower'd into oblivion, both of which are common coverage moves on Dragon-type Pokemon, and the latter is worn down easily with passive damage, Pursuit trapping, and it is set-up bait after it revenge kills. Since you lack a dedicated Physical wall on such a balanced team, other problems arise from pesky Fighting-types like Breloom, Terrakion, etc. Opposing bulky-water type Pokemon pose a problem since they can fish for a Scald burn on your Ferrothorn, and no smart Tentacruel user is going to stay in on a Landorus. Gliscor is a problem as well since it threatens several of your Pokemon with its Substitute + Toxic set. Other Ground types like a Special Landorus + BandTar combo are worrisome as well; Latios is easily trappable due to the fact that you are a Choice Scarfed varient. Finally, last-mon Volcarona or HP Ground varients just give you hell. So, because of these weaknesses, I have a few suggestions. For standards, I really recommend making Keldeo your Choice Scarf user for the reasons Harsha said. It isn't easily Pursuit-able, it gives Rain teams hell since the "faster" mons can't revenge it (think: Tornadus, Starmie), and it doesn't need Choice Specs to push past Lati@s if you have a Tyranitar to trap them. This also helps you against Volcarona exponentially. I recommend turning your Latios into a SubCM Latias with the above Keldeo change. SubCM Latias sets up easily on the Pokemon that cause you a lot of trouble atm in Tentacruel, Jellicent, and Gliscor. With smart play, you effectively counter them if you don't get hit by a Toxic on the switch. SubCM Latias isn't easily Pursuit-trapped like your current Latios since it can Substitute up and if a Tyranitar switches in, you can flee and the Pursuit only hits the Substitute. Additionally, SubCM Latias gives you an end game sweeper due to the fact I'm going to take Landorus away. Try 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe and the standard moves. Lastly, to help with your Physical issues, try out a bulky Landorus-T instead of Landorus. Landorus-T is an effective Dragon-type Pokemon check with Intimdate and a good defensive stat, and it also counters things like Terrakion and can outspace Breloom to quickly U-turn out. A set of Stealth Rock / Earthquake / Stone Edge / U-turn and EV's of 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe and an Impish nature to outspace Toxicroak should work fine. Now that you have Stealth Rock on Landorus-T, try out Toxic on Heatran to make your bulky-water problems even less prominent, and it helps versus all varients of Volcarona since Heatran can tank even an HP Ground.

Good luck.

 

[Detective Scruffy]

There is not much i have to say since Harsha and Princess Bri have covered almost everything. However, i want to say that your defensive core of Heatran and Ferrothorn has a weakness to fighting.

I don't really have anything else just that little notice.

Great team and i would like to use it if you don't have a problem. :3

 

[ReshiRampage]

There is not much i have to say since Harsha and Princess Bri have covered almost everything. However, i want to say that your defensive core of Heatran and Ferrothorn has a weakness to fighting.

I don't really have anything else just that little notice.

Great team and i would like to use it if you don't have a problem. :3

I have no problem with you using it.

 

[ReshiRampage]

Hello ReshiRampage.

Your team is very solid given that it's somewhat standard; however, there are a few weaknesses that I hope to adjust. First and foremost, a lot of the problems of your team stem from the fact that you don't have a dedicated Dragon counter per se. Sure, Ferrothorn and Scarf Latios do decently versus them, but the former is just Fire Punch'd or Superpower'd into oblivion, both of which are common coverage moves on Dragon-type Pokemon, and the latter is worn down easily with passive damage, Pursuit trapping, and it is set-up bait after it revenge kills. Since you lack a dedicated Physical wall on such a balanced team, other problems arise from pesky Fighting-types like Breloom, Terrakion, etc. Opposing bulky-water type Pokemon pose a problem since they can fish for a Scald burn on your Ferrothorn, and no smart Tentacruel user is going to stay in on a Landorus. Gliscor is a problem as well since it threatens several of your Pokemon with its Substitute + Toxic set. Other Ground types like a Special Landorus + BandTar combo are worrisome as well; Latios is easily trappable due to the fact that you are a Choice Scarfed varient. Finally, last-mon Volcarona or HP Ground varients just give you hell. So, because of these weaknesses, I have a few suggestions. For standards, I really recommend making Keldeo your Choice Scarf user for the reasons Harsha said. It isn't easily Pursuit-able, it gives Rain teams hell since the "faster" mons can't revenge it (think: Tornadus, Starmie), and it doesn't need Choice Specs to push past Lati@s if you have a Tyranitar to trap them. This also helps you against Volcarona exponentially. I recommend turning your Latios into a SubCM Latias with the above Keldeo change. SubCM Latias sets up easily on the Pokemon that cause you a lot of trouble atm in Tentacruel, Jellicent, and Gliscor. With smart play, you effectively counter them if you don't get hit by a Toxic on the switch. SubCM Latias isn't easily Pursuit-trapped like your current Latios since it can Substitute up and if a Tyranitar switches in, you can flee and the Pursuit only hits the Substitute. Additionally, SubCM Latias gives you an end game sweeper due to the fact I'm going to take Landorus away. Try 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe and the standard moves. Lastly, to help with your Physical issues, try out a bulky Landorus-T instead of Landorus. Landorus-T is an effective Dragon-type Pokemon check with Intimdate and a good defensive stat, and it also counters things like Terrakion and can outspace Breloom to quickly U-turn out. A set of Stealth Rock / Earthquake / Stone Edge / U-turn and EV's of 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe and an Impish nature to outspace Toxicroak should work fine. Now that you have Stealth Rock on Landorus-T, try out Toxic on Heatran to make your bulky-water problems even less prominent, and it helps versus all varients of Volcarona since Heatran can tank even an HP Ground.

Good luck.

I'm willing to try your suggestions but at that point you've changed 2/6 teammmembers which makes it a completely different team. I've never faced many problems against Dragon-types but maybe i've just played noobs. Half of my team can beat gliscor btw.