ORAS OU Semi-Sandstorm Team (RMT)

[Jaee]

Hey my name is Jaee, I've used the forums for quite some time now to gather information and learn new methods for competitive battling but this is the first time I have posted. I've been playing Pokemon for at least 10 years now but have only just got into competitive battling within the past month so I'd just like some advice on my current team. Thanks!

Lead:

Tyranitar @ Smooth Rock
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
- Stealth Rock
- Crunch
- Ice Beam
- Earthquake

I tend to always use Tyranitar as my lead to get a sandstorm going straight away and to use stealth rocks fairly early on. Depending on what the opponents lead is I either switch Tyranitar out to something with more type coverage or if possible use the current type advantage against the opponent. Crunch is my primary STAB move while I have Ice Beam for any dragon threats. Earthquake is questionable at the moment as it is a powerful move but I don't seem to be getting as much use out of it as I would other moves.

Mega:

Scizor @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Serious Nature
- Swords Dance
- Roost
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off

I'm currently happy with my Scizor, most fire type threats are normally dealt with when Scizor has a chance to come out, It is normally capable of getting up at least one Swords Dance and then it begins to sweep from there. The only real issue im seeing with my Scizor is his type coverage, It is not able to damage many types effectively but I wouldn't like to give up my roost as that is what keeps Scizor alive when it is up against threats early in the battle. Bullet Punch with +1 priority works amazingly with Technician and swords dance making my Scizor a huge threat to any fairy teams which come up against it.

Defogger:

Flygon @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 104 Def / 136 Spe
- Defog
- Roost
- Earthquake
- U-turn

Flygon is a slight issue for my team because although it can get rid of the enemies hazards which they have set up, it also removes mine, Flygon currently seems to have no potential within my team and I could really do with advice on its move set or a replacement. I have tried playing around with having a rapid spinner and using Flygon as a dragon killer as it has fairly high speed and can hit hard with either Outrage or Dragon claw.

Fodder:

Skarmory @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Whirlwind
- X-Scissor
- Brave Bird

Just like Flygon, Skarmory barely seems to be able to output any damage, when battling with it I primarily use it to cover Bug types. Whirlwind has been useful for preventing Pokemon from setting up and from switching out big Fire type threats but my Skarmory seems to lack power overall. This is another team member which could really do with some advice and move set changes.

Potential spinner:

Tentacruel @ Black Sludge
Ability: Liquid Ooze
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Scald
- Giga Drain
- Acid Spray
- Knock Off

Tentacruel has been an amazing sweeper on many occasions. With its Acid spray and Giga drain combo it is capable of sweeping unexpecting water types while remaining at relatively high HP. Its black sludge helps to restore is HP along with Giga drain and it uses Knock off to prevent walls from recovering their own HP. Scald is my STAB move of choice and it allows me to take care of Fire type threats who pose a danger to Scizor, my main sweeper. I have been considering having a rapid spin on Tentacruel instead of using Knock off, this will prevent the opponent from setting up hazards.

Type coverage:

Cradily @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Gentle Nature
- Earthquake
- Giga Drain
- Rock Slide
- Recover

Cradily works in a very similar way to Tentacruel and it is able to usually outlast the opponents Pokemon using its Leftovers and Giga drain/Recover combination. Storm Drain allows Cradily to get a nice SpA boost on unsuspecting opponents who go for a water type attack. This boost is all Cradily needs to start taking down Water types and full healing itself in the process.

Conclusion:
Although sandstorm does not play a huge part in this so called 'sandstorm team' it gives my Pokemon a nice defensive boost and causes small damage to the enemy in the process. I feel my team is fairly strong but is lacking in offensive capabilities especially when it comes down to Skarmory and Flygon. I hope this post is fairly readable and makes sense and I hope that you can get back to me and give me any advice or feedback which you feel is relevant. Please remember this is my first post so I may need guidance in the way I post in the future. Thank you for reading.

Here is a battle on Showdown with my team:
http://pokemonshowdown.com/replay/ou-188558792 (I hope the link works!)

 

[Pent]

Just one question.
Why the fuck are you running Defog on Flygon, and X-Scizzor on Skarmory?
I mean, come on man, it's OU.

 

[Jaee]

Just one question.
Why the fuck are you running Defog on Flygon, and X-Scizzor on Skarmory?
I mean, come on man, it's OU.

'but have only just got into competitive battling within the past month' Im still not completely up to date with what moves work with what team, if you would like to correct my mistake and provide actual advice which is the reason I've posted then it would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I suggest that you read this: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/how-to-rate.3490985/
'While it's often easy to look at teams and point out weaknesses, this is definitely not the way aspiring team raters and badged raters alike should be rating teams.'

 

[ThePack]

I think Sparkl3y was making a valid point, however, I do agree that it was quite blunt in its expression. On to the rate. Interesting team, however, I would advise you to have a read of this, as some of the pokemon on your team are not very viable in OU, due to the fact that they are surpassed by other pokemon that fulfill their purpose better. I also recommend having a look at the Smogon Tutor Program, as you are new to competitive battling and it will help you to get better.

However, I can't rate this team. The reason I can't really rate this team, is that (and I do not mean to be offensive by saying this), I do not understand the purpose of your team. For example, what is the purpose of having a sand setter i.e. Tyranitar and nothing that capitilizes on it such as a Sand Rush Excadrill, which is an amazing late-game sweeper and hazard remover (through Rapid Spin). When you design a team, you might want to think of what you want to achieve with the team. For example, you might want to ensure a late-game sweep with SD Mega Scizor. You then build the team to remove weaknesses, and put it in a position to sweep.

Hope the advice helped, and I apologize for not giving a full rate. Have fun :]

PS: Tyranitar also needs a nature :] Poor guy doesn't know how to act :[

 

[Jaee]

I think Sparkl3y was making a valid point, however, I do agree that it was quite blunt in its expression. On to the rate. Interesting team, however, I would advise you to have a read of this, as some of the pokemon on your team are not very viable in OU, due to the fact that they are surpassed by other pokemon that fulfill their purpose better. I also recommend having a look at the Smogon Tutor Program, as you are new to competitive battling and it will help you to get better.

The reason I can't really rate this team, is that (and I do not mean to be offensive by saying this), I do not understand the purpose of your team. For example, what is the purpose of having a sand setter i.e. Tyranitar and nothing that capitilizes on it such as a Sand Rush Excadrill, which is an amazing late-game sweeper and hazard remover (through Rapid Spin). When you design a team, you might want to think of what you want to achieve with the team. For example, you might want to ensure a late-game sweep with SD Mega Scizor. You then build the team to remove weaknesses, and put it in a position to sweep.

Hope the advice helped, and I apologize for not giving a full rate. Have fun :]

PS: Tyranitar also needs a nature :] Poor guy doesn't know how to act :[

Its feedback like this that I was looking for! Thank you very much for the advice and I'll certainly have a look at the links you posted. I was trying to stick to GEN III Pokemon + Mega's because I prefer them and this team is mostly being created for entering a Hoenn tournament hosted by friends and one of the rules is only use Pokemon that are in GEN III excluding megas. Although it wont be as effective I'm considering a Sandslash in place of Excadrill, do you think that would be any good?

Poor Tyranitar, He'll be getting a nature right away! :]

Thanks again!

 

[MosImba]

The BLUNTNESS though, because all caps is a thing! XD Okay then, being serious, READ. Magnezone wrecks every poke here except for Scizor:
252 Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs 252HP/4 SpD does 70%-82.8%
The same can be said for Skarmory at 99.7%, but all it can do is trap you and go for HP Fire.
Exploud, Infernape, M-CharY, Keldeo, Noivern, M-CharX, LO Timid Greninja, Lando-T, and other common pokes hanging around OU all give this team trouble. I tweaked your team and replaced your Flygon with the common Lando-I and I found that while you do still have weaknesses, now they are very uncommon pokes like Darmanitan and Nidoking, and your only risking one poke getting trapped now, but you STILL have a weakness against M-CharY and Keldeo, among other OU pokes. I would replace Tentacruel's Spray-whatever that move is with Rapid Spin, booting that Flygon. With Lando-I and Scizor, you have MORE than enough coverage against Bug types if your so worried about them. I REALLY don't know what to do with the Skarmory though guys, I don't want to f*ck him and suggest Scarftran or Ferrothorn, what do you guys think?

 

[MosImba]

I think Sparkl3y was making a valid point, however, I do agree that it was quite blunt in its expression. On to the rate. Interesting team, however, I would advise you to have a read of this, as some of the pokemon on your team are not very viable in OU, due to the fact that they are surpassed by other pokemon that fulfill their purpose better. I also recommend having a look at the Smogon Tutor Program, as you are new to competitive battling and it will help you to get better.

The reason I can't really rate this team, is that (and I do not mean to be offensive by saying this), I do not understand the purpose of your team. For example, what is the purpose of having a sand setter i.e. Tyranitar and nothing that capitilizes on it such as a Sand Rush Excadrill, which is an amazing late-game sweeper and hazard remover (through Rapid Spin). When you design a team, you might want to think of what you want to achieve with the team. For example, you might want to ensure a late-game sweep with SD Mega Scizor. You then build the team to remove weaknesses, and put it in a position to sweep.

Hope the advice helped, and I apologize for not giving a full rate. Have fun :]

PS: Tyranitar also needs a nature :] Poor guy doesn't know how to act :[

Piggy-backing on ThePack, he makes an AWESOME point! What are the goals for this team? I recommend reading some RMT threads that have been very popular (like over 20 frickin hits, I've seen MUCH more though!) and reading what the team building process was like for them. Their, the person will talk about what goals they have. I can't link it, but Smogon on YouTube has a video on OU Teambuilding that talks about this. I highly recommend it.

 

[Jaee]

The BLUNTNESS though, because all caps is a thing! XD Okay then, being serious, READ. Magnezone wrecks every poke here except for Scizor:
252 Specs Magnezone Thunderbolt vs 252HP/4 SpD does 70%-82.8%
The same can be said for Skarmory at 99.7%, but all it can do is trap you and go for HP Fire.
Exploud, Infernape, M-CharY, Keldeo, Noivern, M-CharX, LO Timid Greninja, Lando-T, and other common pokes hanging around OU all give this team trouble. I tweaked your team and replaced your Flygon with the common Lando-I and I found that while you do still have weaknesses, now they are very uncommon pokes like Darmanitan and Nidoking, and your only risking one poke getting trapped now, but you STILL have a weakness against M-CharY and Keldeo, among other OU pokes. I would replace Tentacruel's Spray-whatever that move is with Rapid Spin, booting that Flygon. With Lando-I and Scizor, you have MORE than enough coverage against Bug types if your so worried about them. I REALLY don't know what to do with the Skarmory though guys, I don't want to f*ck him and suggest Scarftran or Ferrothorn, what do you guys think?

Thank you, this is the first team I've competitively made so your feedback is amazing for me!
I'll take a deeper look into the forums and do some more research for now, thanks again!

If you have a better suggestion for Skarmory then I'd gladly say F*ck him! :D

 

[MosImba]

Thank you, this is the first team I've competitively made so your feedback is amazing for me!
I'll take a deeper look into the forums and do some more research for now, thanks again!

If you have a better suggestion for Skarmory then I'd gladly say F*ck him! :D

HA! I remember my first competitive team and ironically enough, it was a Sand Team back in D/P/P, we all learn though. Right now I'm trying to get use to Knock Off/ Volt Turn w/ M-Beedrill :)

 

[Pent]

Ok I'll give you an actual rate. I was truly confused why you were doing that moveset though xD. I also know the rules, and I have rated many teams rather well.

Onto the rate.
On Ttar, Smooth Rock is great in my opinion. But over Earthquake, I would run Stone Edge or Rock Slide so you can easily wall Talonflame.
I wouldn't run Tentacruel, because it really is only used in OU for Rapid Spin, and since you have Defog, this is not needed. Possibly, you could run Greninja over Tentacruel since it is better for a sweeper than Tentacruel ever will be.
Try this set:

Greninja

Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Spe / 212 Sp Atk / 44 Atk
Naive Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Scald/Hydro Pump/Surf

Next is Flygon. Flygon is viable isn't OU, since it is outclassed by other Dragons like Garchomp and Dragonite. Since you're running Sand, I recommend an Excadrill set.

Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin

If you have this set, change X-Scizzor on Skarmory to Stealth Rock.
Honestly, I don't know what to replace Cradily with. But, what i know is that you really shouldn't use it. Possibly replace it with a Breloom set of your choice.

Hope it helps.

 

[Jaee]

Ok I'll give you an actual rate. I was truly confused why you were doing that moveset though xD. I also know the rules, and I have rated many teams rather well.

Onto the rate.
On Ttar, Smooth Rock is great in my opinion. But over Earthquake, I would run Stone Edge or Rock Slide so you can easily wall Talonflame.
I wouldn't run Tentacruel, because it really is only used in OU for Rapid Spin, and since you have Defog, this is not needed. Possibly, you could run Greninja over Tentacruel since it is better for a sweeper than Tentacruel ever will be.
Try this set:

Greninja

Greninja @ Life Orb
Ability: Protean
EVs: 252 Spe / 212 Sp Atk / 44 Atk
Naive Nature
- Gunk Shot
- Dark Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Scald/Hydro Pump/Surf

Next is Flygon. Flygon is viable isn't OU, since it is outclassed by other Dragons like Garchomp and Dragonite. Since you're running Sand, I recommend an Excadrill set.

Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head
- Rock Slide
- Rapid Spin

If you have this set, change X-Scizzor on Skarmory to Stealth Rock.
Honestly, I don't know what to replace Cradily with. But, what i know is that you really shouldn't use it. Possibly replace it with a Breloom set of your choice.

Hope it helps.

Thank you for the feedback, I've seen you on other threads rating teams so I knew you was good :) Everyone seems to be recommending excadrill so I'm going to take that advice on board, thank you for the reply Sparkl3y. :)

 

[Pent]

Thank you for the feedback, I've seen you on other threads rating teams so I knew you was good :) Everyone seems to be recommending excadrill so I'm going to take that advice on board, thank you for the reply Sparkl3y. :)

Hey, no problem! I just hope that Excadrill helps you out, he's pretty much the whole point of sand teams.