Hi everyone,
I’m preparing for my first Pokémon competition and decided to run a sand team! This is a team by Pinkacross and he tested it extensively, and while it performs well, I’m considering a few changes to optimize it further. I’d love feedback on the team, especially with the potential adjustments I’m considering (e.g., adding Kingambit, swapping Skarmory, or finding a way to fit in Garchomp, my favorite Pokémon).
Here’s the team:
Role: Sand Setter, Bulky Support
Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Fire Punch
Mega Tyranitar serves as the team’s sand setter and physical tank. Its natural bulk allows it to take hits from both physical and special attackers, while Dragon Dance transforms it into a dangerous late-game sweeper. Stone Edge and Crunch are strong STAB moves, and Fire Punch hits Ferrothorn, Scizor, and other Steel-types that may wall the team.
Role: Sand Sweeper, Hazard Removal
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
Excadrill is the primary sand abuser, outspeeding most threats under sand thanks to Sand Rush. Its strong offensive presence makes it a powerful sweeper after a Swords Dance boost. Iron Head and Earthquake provide excellent STAB coverage, while Rapid Spin removes hazards to support the team. The Air Balloon helps it avoid Earthquake from opposing Ground-types, giving it extra longevity in certain matchups.
Role: Late-Game Sweeper
Kingambit @ Black Glasses
Ability: Supreme Overlord
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Kowtow Cleave
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
Kingambit is a strong addition to the team, replacing Skarmory for more offensive presence. It excels as a late-game sweeper, especially when teammates have fainted, allowing Supreme Overlord to boost its power. Swords Dance ensures it can break through even the bulkiest threats, while Sucker Punch provides essential priority for faster Pokémon. Kowtow Cleave is a reliable Dark STAB, and Iron Head handles Fairy-types that resist its Dark moves.
Role: Special Wall, Passive Damage Dealer
Garganacl @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Purifying Salt
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Salt Cure
- Recover
- Protect
- Earthquake
Garganacl serves as a dedicated special wall and status absorber thanks to Purifying Salt. Its unique move, Salt Cure, punishes Water-types and Flying-types that threaten the team. Recover provides consistent longevity, while Protect allows it to scout and stall out opponents.
Role: Speed Control, Utility Pivot
Dragapult @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp
- U-turn
- Draco Meteor
Dragapult provides speed control and utility to the team, taking on faster threats that can overwhelm the rest of the lineup. Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers, while Hex synergizes well with status. U-turn allows it to pivot into bulkier teammates like Garganacl or Kingambit, while Draco Meteor delivers powerful neutral damage against bulky foes. Its Infiltrator ability bypasses Substitute and screens, ensuring it remains effective against stall teams.
Role: Defensive Pivot, Wish Support
Alomomola @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Def / 152 SpD
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Flip Turn
- Protect
- Scald
Alomomola is a reliable defensive pivot and the team’s main source of recovery support. Wish keeps teammates like Tyranitar and Garganacl healthy, while Flip Turn ensures it can maintain momentum. Protect allows it to safely heal itself with Wish, and Scald punishes physical attackers with a burn.
I’m preparing for my first Pokémon competition and decided to run a sand team! This is a team by Pinkacross and he tested it extensively, and while it performs well, I’m considering a few changes to optimize it further. I’d love feedback on the team, especially with the potential adjustments I’m considering (e.g., adding Kingambit, swapping Skarmory, or finding a way to fit in Garchomp, my favorite Pokémon).
Here’s the team:
Role: Sand Setter, Bulky Support
Tyranitar @ Tyranitarite
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Fire Punch
Mega Tyranitar serves as the team’s sand setter and physical tank. Its natural bulk allows it to take hits from both physical and special attackers, while Dragon Dance transforms it into a dangerous late-game sweeper. Stone Edge and Crunch are strong STAB moves, and Fire Punch hits Ferrothorn, Scizor, and other Steel-types that may wall the team.
Role: Sand Sweeper, Hazard Removal
Excadrill @ Air Balloon
Ability: Sand Rush
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Rapid Spin
Excadrill is the primary sand abuser, outspeeding most threats under sand thanks to Sand Rush. Its strong offensive presence makes it a powerful sweeper after a Swords Dance boost. Iron Head and Earthquake provide excellent STAB coverage, while Rapid Spin removes hazards to support the team. The Air Balloon helps it avoid Earthquake from opposing Ground-types, giving it extra longevity in certain matchups.
Role: Late-Game Sweeper
Kingambit @ Black Glasses
Ability: Supreme Overlord
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Kowtow Cleave
- Sucker Punch
- Iron Head
Kingambit is a strong addition to the team, replacing Skarmory for more offensive presence. It excels as a late-game sweeper, especially when teammates have fainted, allowing Supreme Overlord to boost its power. Swords Dance ensures it can break through even the bulkiest threats, while Sucker Punch provides essential priority for faster Pokémon. Kowtow Cleave is a reliable Dark STAB, and Iron Head handles Fairy-types that resist its Dark moves.
Role: Special Wall, Passive Damage Dealer
Garganacl @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Purifying Salt
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Salt Cure
- Recover
- Protect
- Earthquake
Garganacl serves as a dedicated special wall and status absorber thanks to Purifying Salt. Its unique move, Salt Cure, punishes Water-types and Flying-types that threaten the team. Recover provides consistent longevity, while Protect allows it to scout and stall out opponents.
Role: Speed Control, Utility Pivot
Dragapult @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Infiltrator
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hex
- Will-O-Wisp
- U-turn
- Draco Meteor
Dragapult provides speed control and utility to the team, taking on faster threats that can overwhelm the rest of the lineup. Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers, while Hex synergizes well with status. U-turn allows it to pivot into bulkier teammates like Garganacl or Kingambit, while Draco Meteor delivers powerful neutral damage against bulky foes. Its Infiltrator ability bypasses Substitute and screens, ensuring it remains effective against stall teams.
Role: Defensive Pivot, Wish Support
Alomomola @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 104 HP / 252 Def / 152 SpD
Bold Nature
- Wish
- Flip Turn
- Protect
- Scald
Alomomola is a reliable defensive pivot and the team’s main source of recovery support. Wish keeps teammates like Tyranitar and Garganacl healthy, while Flip Turn ensures it can maintain momentum. Protect allows it to safely heal itself with Wish, and Scald punishes physical attackers with a burn.
- Does Kingambit work well in this role, or does removing Skarmory leave the team too vulnerable?
- Should I replace Alomomola with Ferrothorn to improve hazard stacking and Water resistance?
- Does Dragapult provide enough utility, or would Gholdengo be a better fit for hazard control denial?
- Is there any way to fit Garchomp, my favorite Pokémon, into this sand team without compromising its synergy?