SV OU Sinistcha Offense (My first team)

[BayleTheDread]

Sinistcha @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Heatproof
Tera Type: Poison
EVs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Matcha Gotcha
- Shadow Ball
- Strength Sap

I built this team around Sinistcha, because I think he’s a pretty cool Mon that deals with a lot of annoying threats likes Zamazenta and Ogerpon. He’s also a pretty good spinblocker, so this team can abuse hazards pretty well. This is the standard CM set from smogon, with enough speed to outrun uninvested Great Tusk, and the rest in defense. I liked this set compared to other options like Hex because the team is generally more offensive.


Samurott-Hisui @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sharpness
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Ceaseless Edge
- Razor Shell
- Knock Off
- Flip Turn

I thought Samurott would be the perfect partner for Sinistcha, because he can abuse the Spinblocking ability of Sinistcha with ceaseless edge, and appreciates the latter’s ability to check some of his main switch-ins. I went for a scarf set, because the final version of the team lacked speed control.


Landorus-Therian @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Intimidate
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
- Stealth Rock
- Earth Power
- U-turn
- Taunt

I added Landorus next, mainly because I really wanted a mon with stealth rocks that didnt sacrifice offensive momentum. The speedier set pairs well with Sinistcha’s ability to handle physical threats, and I chose taunt over options like grass knot because I thought it would be better against stall, and a lot of the team hit great tusk anyways.

Iron Crown @ Assault Vest
Ability: Quark Drive
Tera Type: Fighting
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Future Sight
- Tachyon Cutter
- Volt Switch
- Focus Blast

To be honest, I just added iron crown because I’ve seen a lot of teams pair him with Samurott/Lando, but he fits pretty well. Future sight solidifies the stall matchup, and he served as a great defensive complement to the rest of the team, considering his sizable special bulk and complementary typing. Im not sure about this set though, but it seems better than specs at the very least.

Raging Bolt @ Booster Energy
Ability: Protosynthesis
Tera Type: Fairy
EVs: 64 HP / 28 Def / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 20 Atk
- Calm Mind
- Thunderclap
- Dragon Pulse
- Thunderbolt

I wanted some immediate power, priority, and a mon that could abuse hazards, so I thought raging bolt would fit perfectly. This is the standard smogon set, like the rest of my team, but I’ve found that it works really well, because my team is fast paced enough to where booster energy being a one time use isn’t a big deal.

Cinderace @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Blaze
Tera Type: Fire
EVs: 224 HP / 32 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Pyro Ball
- U-turn
- Will-O-Wisp
- Court Change

Finally, I realized I needed hazard control, so I went with Cinderace, since he’s a pretty reliable option on balance. I went with the bulkier spread, to improve my matchup against Kingambit with Will-o-wisp, and because my team had enough power. Once again, I just used the EV spread from Smogon, because I really don’t know how to make my own.

Unfortunately, this team hasn’t worked as well for me as sample teams do, so I assume it’s pretty flawed. Strong dark types like Darkrai and Meowscarada are pretty big threats, and I feel like the team is spread too thin in general. I’d appreciate some advice.

 

[TheDuckChris]

Ok so first up you forgot a nature on Landorus, I think timid is what you want.
Second let's address the main detail: this is offence not balance. As such, we should lean into doing damage and keeping up pressure, and not worrying so much about tanking hits. Balance tanks hits because it has recovery to outlast opposing threats. When you tank hits with offence it's a one time deal, so let's focus on hitting first.

No real changes here but I would consider Rocky Helmet over Boots, most of the time you will be facing down Tusk or another spinner that is going to hit you with Knock Off, Ice Spinner, or U-turn and the extra damage is going to help a lot. Plus you have solid hazard control with Cinderace.
This should be an offensive set. Since you have good speed you can choose gunk or low kick instead of Sucker Punch.
You could consider changing this to a pivot set with Volt Switch, I don't think it's totally necessary but it could have some nice synergy with your other 4 pivoters. Even if you don't choose volt I might consider switching to boots though since your team likes to switch around a fair bit. Or even something like Zap Plate to bluff specs.

In general your team is not bad I think you just have to play it a bit aggressively. Use future sight to pressure switches and time it so that no matter what comes in it gets hit hard.
New paste

 

[BayleTheDread]

Ok so first up you forgot a nature on Landorus, I think timid is what you want.
Second let's address the main detail: this is offence not balance. As such, we should lean into doing damage and keeping up pressure, and not worrying so much about tanking hits. Balance tanks hits because it has recovery to outlast opposing threats. When you tank hits with offence it's a one time deal, so let's focus on hitting first.

No real changes here but I would consider Rocky Helmet over Boots, most of the time you will be facing down Tusk or another spinner that is going to hit you with Knock Off, Ice Spinner, or U-turn and the extra damage is going to help a lot. Plus you have solid hazard control with Cinderace.
This should be an offensive set. Since you have good speed you can choose gunk or low kick instead of Sucker Punch.
You could consider changing this to a pivot set with Volt Switch, I don't think it's totally necessary but it could have some nice synergy with your other 4 pivoters. Even if you don't choose volt I might consider switching to boots though since your team likes to switch around a fair bit. Or even something like Zap Plate to bluff specs.

In general your team is not bad I think you just have to play it a bit aggressively. Use future sight to pressure switches and time it so that no matter what comes in it gets hit hard.
New paste

Thanks so much!