The Harmless Sand (OU RMT)

[Blinder]

Hey, Blinder here with my first RMT! I've been trying this team out on PS, and it has been proved to be very successful. I'll run the Process down, then go over what the team does.

First, I decided to make a sand team, so the natural first choice was Tyranitar for me.

Tyranitar-

Then, I added Ferrothorn, for additional hazards, and the fact that he handles rain teams so well.

Tyranitar-Ferrothorn-

This next poke is why I play on PS instead of PO, and that poke is Garchomp, who was recently unbanned from OU. This provided me with an offensive juggernaut, and something to resist fire moves thrown around late game. He is also my premier set-up sweeper.

Tyranitar-Ferrothorn-Garchomp-

Next, I added the king of OU: Genesect. Genesect fits onto pretty much any team darn well, and this case is no different. This got me a poke to resist some of the ice moves thrown at 'chomp, who can resist the fire moves thrown at Genesect.

Tyranitar-Ferrothron-Garchomp-Genesect-

At this point, I needed a poke who resists fighting pokes. At this point, I chose Alakazam. Alakazam's magic guard gave him a much-welcomed sand immunity, and lets him repeatedly switch into stealth rocks.

Tyranitar-Ferrothorn-Garchomp-Genesect-Alakazam-

Now, I needed a scarfed poke who could handle Genesect. I added scarfed Heatran, since he could resist/shrug off most of Genesect's attack, and OHKO with a fire move of choice.

Tyranitar-Ferrothorn-Garchomp-Genesect-Alakazam-Heatran.

Well, I played the team well, and peaked at 1750 on PS. However, I began to drop rankings, and decided to make a big change: I dropped Garchomp. I then proceeded to add Latios instead. Latios provides a useful ground immunity, and an extra boost of speed allowing it to beat unboosted Keldeo and Terrakion.

Tyranitar-Ferrothorn-Latios-Genesect-Alakazam-Heatran

Muffins (Tyranitar) (F) @ Leftovers
Trait: Sand Stream
EVs: 140 HP / 140 Def / 228 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Thunder Wave

Here, I chose to take a more defensive role with Tyranitar. Stealth Rocks are mandatory on any team, and they play a large role in wearing down the opponent. Thunder Wave is often a suprise to the opponent, say when switching Politoed. This effectively cripples the opponent and makes them easier to handle later on. His lack of offensive presence also allows me to easily sleep fodder him in order to defeat an opponent without sacrificing a valuable member of my team.


Mustachio (Alakazam) (M) @ Focus Sash
Trait: Magic Guard
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Shadow Ball
- Focus Blast

Alakazam pals in interesting role in this team as the only fight type resistance. This is where the scarf comes in. Say a Terrakion comes in. I need something to take it down. I gt a free switch into Alakazam (maybe after foddering something, like t-tar), survive a hit, and KO with Psyshock. This is also effective against Keldeo and Gengar.

Thorny Bitch (Ferrothorn) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 124 Def / 132 SDef
Careful Nature
- Leech Seed
- Protect
- Power Whip
- Spikes
This is what I consider my standard Ferro. Leech seed/protect really allows this guy to outlast some opponents, and power whip prevents him from being taunt bait in addition to smashing Starmie. Finally, spikes gives me more hazards support to wear down common pokes like Genesect. Finally, the EVs presented leave ferro with one more point in Spec D than Physical D, preventing Genesect from getting a special attack boost, and therefore saving ferro, who can survive an unboosted flamethrower from the big threat.

Ferrari (Genesect) @ Expert Belt
Trait: Download
EVs: 252 SAtk / 4 SDef / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Bug Buzz
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam

First, this is supposed to be shiny, but PS is being a bitch with me about it. Anywho, Genesect is a f*cking beast. This set aims to clean up late-game while still able to go some damage early game. The 4 EVs in SDef are for the same reason as ferro: to prevent opposing Genesect from getting a SAttack boost.

Soul Dash (Latios) (M) @ Leftovers
Trait: Levitate
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Dragon Pulse

I added Latios to replace Garchomp as a faster dragon poke, therefore adding another fighting resistance and a ground/spikes/toxic spikes immunity. HP fire is here to take on steel types, and Psyshock to take on spontaneously uncommon pink blobs., and Dragon Pulse for STAB.

Steelio (Heatran) (M) @ Choice Scarf
Trait: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Fire Blast
- Earth Power
- Flamethrower
- Hidden Power [Ice]

Finally, my only choice user. Really, I only added this guy to counter Genesect, Scizor, and magnezone. however, he does this pretty good! Flamethrower is only there for a safe alternative to fire blast, but it you have a better idea, let me know!


Well, this team really relies on hazards being up. This allows me to wear them down, and for pokes like Genesect to break down the opposing pokes. However, I do have some issues.

My first problem is speed. I often find myself losing to pokes such as Latios (who thankfully doesn't turn up often) when they outspeed my team, and when I don't have Alakazam at the ready. I understand ScarfSect is rather popular, but I think that scarfing him squanders his talents as a wallbreaker. Hazards are also a problem to me, as well as earthquakes (Hello opposing Garchomps). since I only have latios to switch safely into ground moves.

Well, i hope you all enjoyed this spiritually enlightening RMT, and I hope to see yall about on PS and PO! Ciao!

 

[Agiligross]

Nice Sandstorm Team :)

I do like your Genesect set. Not giving it a Scarf allows him to sweep alitte better, however, it will miss that speed boost. Maybe giving him Life Orb over Expert Belt maybe better for sweeping.

One big problem you have with your team is definitely Taunt. Running Tyranitar as your lead could be a problem if their lead pokemon has Taunt, as most leads outrun Tyranitar.

Gliscor is a notable Taunt-er that counter about half your team well.

Mamoswine is definitely a big counter for your team. It can outrun majority of your team expect Heatran and Garchomp, but if Mamoswine is rolling with a Scarf, it can outrun your Heatran and Garchomp and kill them easily.

Landorus is a big threat to your team, as it outruns all your pokemon expect Scarfed Heatran. And could easily sweep your enitre team with some support.

Hydreigon is also another threat that you should take into consideration. As it can run a Mix-set well.

Lasty, you have no spin blocker which could be a huge problem in long battles. So you might want to consider a spin blocker.

Otherwise, I really do like your Sandstorm Team. Seems like it has a lot of potential.
Good luck mate.

 

[Blinder]

Nice Sandstorm Team :)

I do like your Genesect set. Not giving it a Scarf allows him to sweep alitte better, however, it will miss that speed boost. Maybe giving him Life Orb over Expert Belt maybe better for sweeping.

One big problem you have with your team is definitely Taunt. Running Tyranitar as your lead could be a problem if their lead pokemon has Taunt, as most leads outrun Tyranitar.

Gliscor is a notable Taunt-er that counter about half your team well.

Mamoswine is definitely a big counter for your team. It can outrun majority of your team expect Heatran and Garchomp, but if Mamoswine is rolling with a Scarf, it can outrun your Heatran and Garchomp and kill them easily.

Landorus is a big threat to your team, as it outruns all your pokemon expect Scarfed Heatran. And could easily sweep your enitre team with some support.

Hydreigon is also another threat that you should take into consideration. As it can run a Mix-set well.

Lasty, you have no spin blocker which could be a huge problem in long battles. So you might want to consider a spin blocker.

Otherwise, I really do like your Sandstorm Team. Seems like it has a lot of potential.
Good luck mate.

Thank for the comments!
Ironically, Hydreigon doesn't pose much of a threat to me (at least the 2 or 3 I've seen). Genesect can outspeed and kill, and if required, heatran can revenge kill it with HP ice. I will also try out a new poke to actually take ground moves.
Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[undisputed]

Hey!

I think you've got a really solid team right here, so I've only got some minor changes for you to think about.

My first suggestion is that you should try Counter instead of Calm Mind on Alakazam. It's a pretty cool move when you think about it. Do you think there is any Genesect that isn't going to U-turn to start off the match? Counter him for a free KO! Calm Mind just doesn't cut it on as frail a Pokemon as Alakazam. Boosted Surfs and the plethora of Choice Scarf Pokemon will make Calm Mind irrelevant in most matches.

My next suggestion is for you to use Rock Polish instead of Bug Buzz on Genesect. It will give you far more sweeping ability. Since the metagame is very offensively oriented, Speed is more important than ever. No offensive team can revenge Genesect without a hard, defensive counter like Heatran. I think you'll pull off a lot more sweeping opportunities with Rock Polish.

Third, Tyranitar should be Sassy (+SpDef, -Spe). It's playing a counter/utility role, so you don't need the extra Attack nature. You could use a +Def Nature too, but +SpDef will help you switch into Politoed, Lati@s, and other special sweepers.

Finally, and this is more for your consideration than anything, I think you should drop Hidden Power Fire on Latios. The lost Speed point can be annoying, and when you have Heatran/Genesect already taking on Steels, I don't see the point of HP Fire. Counter Alakazam will take care of U-turning Genesects/Scizors more often than not, so Hidden Power Fire is almost useless. Instead, why not try Recover? It will turn Latios into a good offensive sweeper. It can take on Torndaus-t with a boost too, which could be important since that responsibility falls on Heatran's shoulders. If Genesect or Scizor are no longer relevant in a match, CM Latios is really strong.

Good luck!