Sandstorm Stall: Rate my team

xtreme713ify

This team has done some serious stalling for me. From arguably the best wall in the game, Shuckle, to one of, if not THE, best Curse user in the game (not counting Snorlax), Cradily, this team is yet to lose a battle. Enough describing, let's get started! EDIT: How do I
post images on the thread?

Hippowdon (Krookodile) @Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
Evs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Sp Def
Moves:
Ice Fang
Slack Off
Earthquake
Whirlwind

My Sand Streamer. This thing doesn't do a whole lot in general, but it is VERY useful to set up permanent sandstorm. ALL sandstorm teams NEED this thing or T-Tar. Ice Fang because Yawn is useless with Whirlwind, Slack Off for instant recover, Earthquake is to attack, and gets good coverage with Ice Fang, and Whirlwind for phazing.

Shuckle @Leftovers
Trait: Contrary
Evs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 Sp Def
Moves:
Shell Smash
Toxic
Encore
Rest

Not a very diverse movepool, but with what it does have, and the best defenses in the game (both Physical and Special), this thing is meant for trolling. Shell Smash may seem stupid, but when paired with Contrary, this things already good defenses are boosted further. Toxic so it can do SOMETHING, Power Split to make the opponents offenses low (because this thing has lower offenses than Chansey) and Rest for recovery of some sort. EDIT: I've replaced Power Split with Encore because Encore is a lot more useful than I thought.


Cradily @Leftovers
Trait: Suction Cups
Evs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Sp Def
Moves:
Curse
Recover
Rock Slide
Earthquake

The best Curse user in sand, hands down. this thing gets a little bit over 500 Sp Def in Sandstorm, and with enough Curse boosts, this thing is nigh unstoppable. Recover to add to the defensive fun, and Rock Slide and Earthquake to take advantage of Curse's Attack Boost(s). EDIT: I'm going to replace Suction cups with Storm Drain so I can absorb Water attacks aimed at the rest of my team.

Onix @Eviolite
Trait: Sturdy
Evs: 252 HP/4 Atk/252 Sp Def
Moves:
Curse
Dragon Tail
Rest
Sleep Talk

This Onix is only useful when entry hazards are in play. Here's the idea: Set up a couple Curse's, use ResTalk if necessary, and spam Dragon Tail, racking up residual damage with entry hazards due to the forced switch. EDIT: This Onix is no longer on the team. Scroll down all the way to see the new member.

Crustle @Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
224 HP/252 Def/36 Sp Def
Moves:
Spikes
Stealth Rock
Rock Blast
X-Scissor

Nothing really special about this Crustle. Standard Smogon Crustle. Although it really helps Onix at what it does. EDIT: Replaced with Skarmory.

Gligar @Eviolite
Trait: Sand Veil
Evs: 252 HP/248 Def/8 Sp Def
Moves:
Substitute
Roost
Toxic
Earthquake
You're probably wondering, why Gligar and not Gliscor? The answer is Eviolite, but that's not the only reason. He also gets to use Roost for Recovery, unlike Gliscor (due to Poison Heal). Substitute because this thing walls hits forever, Toxic for poison damage, and Earthquake so this thing isn't Taunt bait.

Well, that's all there is to it. If you have any suggestions, add to this thread. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT(s): I've replaced Onix with Latias because:
1. Onix was unsuccessful, and
2. Someone on the thread suggested it.

OK, here goes nothing:

Latias @Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
Evs: 252 HP/4 Def/252 Spd
Moves:
Substitute
Calm Mind
Dragon Pulse
Psyshock

I haven't got to use this thing yet, but when I do, I will give a in-depth description of it.

Also replacing Crustle with Skarmory:

Skarmory @Leftovers
Trait: Sturdy
252 HP/252 Def/4 Sp Def
Moves:
Spikes
Whirlwind
Roost
Brave Bird

This thing walls hits better than Crustle ever could, 1., 2., it has better defensive typing, and 3., a better movepool than Crustle could ever wish for, in terms of support.
 
Let me just tell you what to do before a mod has to lock your thread. Shuckle cannot learn Shell Smash, and at Smogon, moderators ensure that you have playtested your team before coming to post it. Also, the mods need you to provide more in depth descriptions about your Pokemon and their roles. I don't want you to get your thread locked, so I think you should edit your thread before a mod locks it. I'm really sorry if that sounded a bit harsh, I just don't want you to get your thread locked!

Harsha edit: Shuckle does apparently learn Shell Smash.
 
Damn, I've never even though about Contrary Shell Smash Shuckle. Woah.

But yeah, you definitely need to add some more descriptions, pictures...maybe even sprites. Try to look at the other RMTs that you find visually appealing and copy those.
 
Uh, moderator Harsha, I don't want to argue about it or anything, but on both smogon itself and many other sites, Shuckle does not appear to get Shell Smash.
 
A friend of mine has used contrary shell smash Shuckle against me before, and I can say it has insanely trollish bulk. After two shell smashes, you pretty much can't kill it without boosting or phazing, unless you get a crit. Specs Magnezone and banded Terrakion are useless against it, 4-5 hit KOing it at +2 in sand. That being said, anything poison/steel or anything that has taunt/sub/encore beats it.

I don't think power split works correctly on showdown, so it might be better replaced by encore to force switches and prevent boosting or recovering sand/toxic damage.

A huge problem with your team is that 5 of your pokemon are weak to water. You're going to get smashed by any rain team. Another thing is that I don't think a lot of these pokemon are suited for the OU environment. Onix can't break subs with its weak dragon tail without boosting, and Cradily is susceptible to toxic and still isn't very powerful after multiple boosts.

Some changes I would recommend are:

Skarmory > Crustle. Better hazard setter in the OU environment, and has staying power with roost. Also phases.
Tentacruel > Cradily. Can set up toxic spikes and rapid spin, while being a good water resist that heals in rain.
Latias > Onix. Can be used as a bulky phaser or CM sweeper while being another water resist.

That's all I can think of for now. Good luck with this team.
 
@Goutland: Well, maybe I could replace Cradily's Suction Cups ability with Storm Drain so I can absorb Water attacks instead...maybe that'll work?
 
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