Sand Team

k06mars

Seeing as how I registered simply so I could rate someone else's team, I figured I should expose myself. I've been doing Random Battles for the past month or so, but this is my OU Sand Team currently:

Tyranitar @ Choice Band
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Pursuit
- Superpower
- Stone Edge

Can't have a Sand Team without a Sand Streamer. I occasionally lead with him (hence Stealth Rock) if it looks like my opponent is leading with someone I have an advantage over. Otherwise, switch in on Psychics and Pursuit them, Superpower is there to deal with Ferrothorn.

Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Spikes
- Thunder Wave
- Power Whip
- Leech Seed

My tank for the team, strategy with this guy depends entirely on whether or not my opponent is packing a magic bouncer. Leech Seed if yes to test the waters, otherwise paralyze and spikes.

Donphan @ Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Ice Shard
- Rapid Spin
- Fire Fang

Rapid Spin to take care of entry hazards, otherwise use whichever attack fits. Fire Fang is there for steel types with air balloon, as well as to ward off grass types who might think of switching (not that it would KO them, but it means I don't have to worry about over-predicting and switch when I shouldn't)

Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Standard set, takes care of Gliscor and Water Types. HP Ice to take care of dragons.

Aerodactyl @ Power Herb
Trait: Rock Head
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spd
Jolly Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Sky Attack
- Earthquake

Most people see this as a suicide lead..and usually that's the case. However, Giving it Power Herb and Sky Attack allows me to pack a massive punch before biting the dust.

Toxicroak @ Life Orb
Trait: Dry Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Drain Punch
- Sucker Punch
- Ice Punch
- Gunk Shot

Here's the real Rain Dance counter. Switches in on any water or grass types and does what's needed. Gunk Shot is there if I don't know what to do - no matter who switches (or stays) in, when this thing hits it's going to hurt. Unless I'm in against a Rain Dance team, Toxicroak rarely is able to make use of swords dance, hence it's not used.

How it plays out:

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou-34059792
 
Hey, first of all hello k06mars. Nice sand, I really love sands. Is a cute team, but there are much problems with it. First of all, I think CB tyra is really useless for you, so what if you consider an typical leader set? Like this:
Tyranitar @ chople berry / leftovers
Evs : 252 hp / 248 Sdef/ 8 spatk
Trait : sand stream
Nature : sassy
Moveset :
- Stealth rock / Ice beam
- Fire blast
- Pursuit
- Stone edge
This is one main set for tyra. SR is obvius, pursuit is good even without the CB, fire blast destroy all steels and switching scizors. Stone edge is a good stab. If you want you can use ice beam over SR, and put stealth rocks on donphan over fire fang, that is pretty useless. Second thing, toxicroak seems a bit useless here. Your rain checker is rotom-w, if you want another one, jellicent is a better idea. Another thing, is that your aerodactil does really do nothing special. Really, i think is better replace it maybe with someone else, and considering your weakness (wait and i talk about that) i suggest an choice scarf, timid jirachi, or an Sdef one. ( i think the scarf one is better becouse you lack an revenge killer)
Jirachi @ choice scarf
Evs : 252 atk / 252 speed / 4 hp
Nature : jolly
Trait : serene grace
Moveset :
- Iron head
- U-turn
- Ice punch
- Fire punch
This set is the main scarf set of jirachi. No much explains, iron main stab move, uturn for keep momentum, ice punch for some incoming dragons or landos, and fire for some scizors and company.
The biggest treat for your team, currently, is celebi ( uturn , hp fire, giga drain , psychic and is game over), Latios too can spam Draco meteors and destroy everyone, your choice band tyra gets good damages from it, but the sdef one will win. There are other minor flaws, but i think this ones are the biggest ones. Maybe I'll change rotom Evs to 232 hp / 56 spatk / 220 def , with a MODEST nature with the set :
Rotom-w @ leftovers
Trait : levitate
Evs : 232 hp / 220 def / 56 spatk
Nature : modest
Moveset :
- Volt switch
- Hydro pump
- pain split
- Will-O-Wisp
personally I prefer this set, cuz you still has a special defensive pok, this defensive can work well. But is just a personal preference.
Hope I helped, good luck and see ya :)
 
I agree with you entirely on the TTar - I've never been too happy with the Choice Band on him, there have been way too many times when I've been forced out after a Stealth Rock and I still have an advantage. I was actually thinking of keeping the moveset and using expert belt instead, but fire blast seems like a good option.

Toxicroak and Aerodactyl amazingly haven't done as poorly as you'd think - I don't know if the sets are so dumb people don't expect them or what, but I can they can both usually knock out at least one poke.

With regards to counters:
Celebi is difficult, but Aerodactyl has been able to handle it one way or another.
Latios has certainly been a problem for me.

So, I think I'll start by changing my TTar to an Expert Belt with Fire Blast, and see what happens. As I ladder up I'll apply more changes as needed. Not saying I think what you've suggested is crap (it isn't), only that I prefer small changes at a time (original team had Scarfed-Garchomp, but he wasn't getting the job done- after switching out for Donphan I saw immediate results).

Edit: Why Aerodactyl is on the team:

http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou-34251956
 
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